Champaign County Highway and Transportation Committee met September 11

By Philip Gonzales

Jan 7, 2021

Champaign County Highway and Transportation Committee met Sept. 11.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

Committee Members

Present: Lorraine Cowart (Chair), Brad Clemmons, Cynthia Fears (via phone), Jim McGuire, Diane Michaels, Giraldo Rosales (via phone), Chris Stohr (via phone)

Absent: None

County Staff: Jeff Blue (County Engineer), Michelle Carter (Recording Secretary), Kristen Gisondi (Human Services Transportation Coordinator/PCOM)(via phone)

I. Call to Order

Committee Chair Cowart called the meeting to order at 9:06 a.m.

II. Roll Call

A verbal roll call was taken and a quorum was declared present.

III. Approval of Agenda/Addendum

MOTION by Mr. Rosales to approve the agenda; seconded by Mr. Clemmons.

MOTION CARRIED by unanimous roll-call vote.

Yeas: McGuire, Rosales, Michaels, Stohr, Fears, Clemmons, Cowart-7

Nays: None

IV. Approval of Minutes – August 7, 2020

MOTION by Mrs. Michaels to approve the minutes of the August 7, 2020 meeting; seconded by Mr. Rosales.

MOTION CARRIED by unanimous roll-call vote.

Yeas: McGuire, Rosales, Michaels, Stohr, Fears, Clemmons, Cowart-7

Nays: None

V. Public Participation

None

VI. Communications

None

VII. County & Township Motor Fuel Tax Claims-August 2020

MOTION by Mr. McGuire to receive and place on file the County and Township Motor Fuel Tax Claims for August 2020; seconded by Mr. Clemmons.

MOTION CARRIED by unanimous roll-call vote.

Yeas: McGuire, Rosales, Michaels, Stohr, Fears, Clemmons, Cowart-7

Nays: None

VIII. Approve the Revised Bylaws for the Champaign County Rural Transit Advisory Group Ms. Gisondi explained (via phone conference) due to COVID-19, they are requesting a change to the Bylaws that allow the current members to continue until the Champaign County Rural Transit Advisory Group meetings are held in-person again. Changes to the bylaws include: Members may serve beyond their terms during extraordinary times, such as a global pandemic. Terms may be extended until normal conditions resume. “Normal conditions” will be defined as holding the regularly scheduled, quarterly meetings in person. During extraordinary times, such as a global pandemic, meetings may be held virtually.

MOTION by Mr. Clemmons to approve the resolution; seconded by Mr. Rosales.

MOTION CARRIED by unanimous roll-call vote.

Yeas: McGuire, Rosales, Michaels, Stohr, Fears, Clemmons, Cowart-7

Nays: None

IX. Petition Requesting and Resolution Approving Appropriation of Funds from the County Bridge Fund, Urbana Township, #18-30057-00-BR

Mr. Blue discussed the Urbana Township bridge project. He said the original plan was to do a deck replacement however, after looking at the bridge, a total bridge replacement is needed. The total cost of the bridge replacement is estimated at 1.2 million dollars. Eighty percent of the project will be funded with Township Bridge Funds, ten percent will be from County Bridge Funds, and Urbana Township will fund the remaining ten percent. Mr. Blue said he plans to bid the project this fall/winter and for the construction to begin next summer.

MOTION by Mrs. Michaels to approve the resolution; seconded by Mr. Clemmons.

MOTION CARRIED by unanimous roll-call vote.

Yeas: McGuire, Rosales, Michaels, Stohr, Fears, Clemmons, Cowart-7

Nays: None

X. Resolution for the Anticipation of Township Bridge Funds

Mr. Blue explained that since the Urbana Township Bridge project is so large, the Township Bridge Fund does not currently have funds available to cover the eighty percent. Mr. Blue outlined the Township Bridge Fund balance and the expected funds for FY 2021. The County Bridge Fund will be indebted for FY 2021; when the Township Bridge Funds are received in 2021, the money will be reimbursed to the County Bridge Fund. Mr. Stohr asked how this would affect an emergency project. Mr. Blue stated that Township Bridge Funds are not used for emergency projects. Typically, County Bridge Funds are used for emergency situations. Mrs. Michaels asked for clarification, that the resolution has no effect on the overall funds for FY 2020 or FY 2021. Mr. Blue said that is correct.

MOTION by Mr. Rosales to approve the resolution; seconded by Mr. McGuire.

MOTION CARRIED by unanimous roll-call vote.

Yeas: McGuire, Rosales, Michaels, Stohr, Fears, Clemmons, Cowart-7

Nays: None

XI. Resolution Appropriating $1,000,000.00 from Champaign County Motor Fuel Tax Fund for the Construction of CH 18, #20-00453-00-SP

Mr. Blue discussed a letter received from the Illinois Department of Transportation on August 21, 2020 awarding Champaign County $2,553,900.00 for Highway Safety Improvement Program funding. The project on CH 18 from US Route 45 to Illinois Route 130 involves HMA shoulders, shoulder rumble strips, centerline rumble strips, warning signs, and sideslope flattening. Mr. Blue said he does not have a good estimate of the total cost of the project and plans to apply for additional funding. He also stated the project qualifies as a capital improvement project and the MFT Rebuild funds will be used. Mr. Clemmons and Mr. Stohr both voiced positive remarks regarding the proposed construction.

MOTION by Mr. Rosales to approve the resolution; seconded by Mr. Clemmons.

MOTION CARRIED by unanimous roll-call vote.

Yeas: McGuire, Rosales, Michaels, Stohr, Fears, Clemmons, Cowart-7

Nays: None

XII. Other Business

None

XIII. Chair’s Report

None

XIV. Designation of Items to be Placed on the Consent Agenda

Ms. Cowart stated that items VIII thru XI be placed on the consent agenda.

XV. Adjournment

There being no further business, Ms. Cowart adjourned the meeting at 9:34 am.