Lake County Gazette

Ogle County Highway Department Road & Bridge Committee met Dec. 10

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

I. Meeting called to order at 8:00 AM by Chairman Hopkins at the Ogle County Courthouse, Room 100.

Members present: Stan Asp, Rick Fritz (8:02), Austin Gillis, Skip Kenney, Dave Williams and Lyle Hopkins.

Members absent: Ryan Reeverts

Others present: Bruce Larson & Jeremy Ciesiel (County Engineer)

II. Approval of Minutes

A. Reviewed November 12, 2024 Road & Bridge Minutes.

1. Motion to approve minutes by – Williams

2. Motion seconded by – Gillis

3. Discussion: None

4. Vote – All in favor

III. Reviewed Bills and Payroll

A. Motion to approve Highway Dept bills and payrolls by - Kenney

B. Motion seconded by – Williams

C. Discussion: Bills include IDOT required education for new engineering technician.

D. Vote – All in favor

IV. Received Bids

A. None

V. Petitions and Resolutions

A. 2025 County Maintenance Resolution (Section 25-00000-00-GM) appropriating $1,691,713 in County Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) funds for the maintenance of County highways.

1. Motion to approve agreement by - Asp

2. Motion seconded by – Fritz

3. Discussion: None

4. Vote – All in favor

B. Preliminary Engineering Agreement with Willett, Hofmann & Associates, Inc. for performing the 2025 Bridge Inspections.

1. Motion to approve agreement by - Kenney

2. Motion seconded by – Asp

3. Discussion: Inspections are due by September 2025. Covers any structure with a total span of at least 20 feet.

4. Vote – All in favor

VI. Business & Communications

A. Unfinished Business

1. Project Status Report (see attached).

2. Labor Update: Negotiations with Teamsters Local 722 has begun. There has been 1 session thus far. Two more are currently scheduled.

3. Facility Maintenance

a) In preparation of receipt of the new vehicle lift system, the old lift has been removed.

New concrete will be placed shortly to complete the removal project.

b) With the passing of the FY2025 budget, the Highway Department will move forward with the fuel tank replacement project. A suitable location has been determined for the new above ground fuel storage tank. County Engineer is working on the preparation of a bid package for advertisement.

c) The Village of Progress has been hired to provide custodial services at the Highway Department.

4. Annual Christmas Luncheon: The Highway Department will hold its annual Christmas luncheon for highway department employees, retirees and Road & Bridge Committee members on December 18th at noon.

5. Flagg Rd & 20th St project is still in the plan for 2025 projects. Working on utility relocations ahead of the intersection reconstruction.

6. Kishwaukee Rd & Meridian Rd Intersection – No update at this time. Improvements will be a part of the IL Route 2 reconstruction project anticipated for later this decade.

7. Nicor Pipeline – Work for 2024 has wrapped. While some road repairs have been done, we are reviewing road surveys to determine if any additional areas require repair in 2025.

There are a few miles left in Monroe Township for 2025 before they are completely done in Ogle County.

B. New Business

1. I.A.C.E. Updates (Policy, Revenue & Legislative Committees)

a) IDOT is moving forward with pilot program to take over the bridge inspections for local agencies. It is anticipated that they may have agreements in place by October 2025. Unfortunately, this is after the due dates for the next round of Ogle County structure inspections. Due to the timing, Ogle County will be responsible for the 2025 round of bridge inspections.

2. 2025 Project Discussion: The County Engineer went over a preliminary listing of projects for 2025 (see attached). Letting dates are not provided, because we are still waiting for various design approvals on a number of the projects. A more detailed letting schedule will be distributed in January.

3. Next Meeting – Tuesday, January 14, 2025, @ 8:00 AM (Anticipated)

Lettings: Equipment Letting January 10, 2025

VII. Public Comment:

- Hopkins mentioned a tree overhanging Pines Rd near Columbian Rd that is obstructing views at the intersection. County Engineer will look into it.

- Larson has been driving the County highways recently and is happy with the upkeep of the roadways.

- Fritz mentioned that the visibility at Mulford Rd and Crill Rd is still obstructed by the trees at the northeast corner of the intersection when you are in a large bucket truck. The County Engineer stated that the trimming was completed while personnel sat at the intersection in a tandem-axle dump truck in an attempt to remove a sufficient amount of branches.

- County Engineer thanked the Road & Bridge Committee members for two years of insight, recommendations and support.

VIII. Meeting adjourned at 8:51 A.M. by Chairman Hopkins.

https://www.oglecountyil.gov/document_center/highway/road%20and%20bridge/2024/Road%20&%20Bridge%20Minutes%20December%202024.pdf