Chambana Sun

Champaign County Highway & Transportation Committee met Sept. 9.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Committee Members

Present: Samantha Carter, Jim McGuire, Brad Passalacqua, Jennifer Straub

Absent: Lorraine Cowart, Diane Michaels, Wayne Williams

County Staff: Jeff Blue (County Engineer), Michelle Carter (Accountant/Office Manager) Others Present: Anthony Becker, Lei Tian, Ed Peterson, Guadalupe Guzmen

MINUTES

I. Call to Order

Committee member McGuire called the meeting to order at 9:10 a.m.

II. Roll Call

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

III. Approval of Agenda/Addendum

MOTION by Ms. Carter to approve the agenda; seconded by Ms. Straub.

Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

IV. Approval of Minutes – August 5, 2022

MOTION by Mr. Passalacqua to approve the minutes of the August 5, 2022 meeting; seconded by Ms. Carter.

Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

V. Public Participation

Mr. Anthony Becker (3205 E Airport Rd), Mr. Lei Tian (2606 Highcross Rd), Mr. Ed Peterson (3307 E Airport Rd), and Mr. Guadalupe Guzmen (3207 E Airport Rd) spoke of ongoing flooding near the intersection of Highcross Road and Airport Road.

VI. Communications

Ms. Carter asked about incorporating minorities in the Highway Department’s construction projects. Ms. Carter also asked what goals the Highway Department has in place to include minority participation. She asked if the larger projects could be unbundled to allow smaller minority companies the opportunity to submit bids. Mr. Blue said there is not a good way to unbundle bridge projects. He also stated all projects estimated at $30,000.00 or more must be let for bid. The contractors submitting bids must be approved by the Illinois Department of Transportation within the group of work they want to do. Ms. Carter suggested incorporating the Youth Bill Program to get area youth involved. Mr. Blue suggested Ms. Carter contact Joe Lamb with Open Road Paving. Ms. Straub asked if the new PLA would affect the Highway Department Projects. Mr. Blue said he has not seen the full PLA. Ms. Carter asked about the disparity study. Mr. Blue said he is not familiar with the disparity study. Ms. Straub said she believes the disparity study is still in the planning stage. Ms. Carter asked for a percentage of black contractors used right now. Mr. Blue said owned by black contractors, zero; we definitely have black workers on the job. Ms. Carter asked for a breakdown of black workers working for contractors. Ms. Carter said her goal is for black youth to have the same opportunities as white youth.

VII. County & Township Motor Fuel Tax Claims-August 2022

MOTION by Ms. Straub to receive and place on file the County and Township Motor Fuel Tax Claims for August 2022; seconded by Mr. Passalacqua.

Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

Mr. McGuire requested the three petitions for Section #22-11127-00-BR, Section #22-30128-00- BR, and Section #22-14129-00-BR be included as one motion.

VIII. Petition Requesting and Resolution Approving Appropriation of Funds from the County Bridge Fund, Harwood Township, Section #22-11127-00-BR

IX. Petition Requesting and Resolution Approving Appropriation of Funds from the County Bridge Fund, Urbana Township, Section #22-30128-00-BR

X. Petition Requesting and Resolution Approving Appropriation of Funds from the County Bridge Fund, Ludlow Township, Section #22-14129-00-BR

MOTION by Mr. Passalacqua to approve the resolutions for Harwood Township, Urbana Township, and Ludlow Township; seconded by Ms. Straub.

Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

XI. Commitment letter for County Road 22 SS4A Project

Mr. Blue discussed a letter submitted to the U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary expressing Champaign County’s commitment to support the Champaign County SS4A grant application which includes safety improvements on County Highway 22. The project estimate is almost 14 million dollars. The County would be responsible for half of the cost of the project.

XII. Solar Panel Discussion

Mr. Blue said he is actively gathering information regarding the installation of solar panels on the back of the Highway Building. The current estimate of savings is $25,000.00 per year. Mr. Passalacqua suggested using flexible panels.

XIII. October Highway Committee Meeting

Mr. Blue stated he is not available for the October Highway Committee Meeting on October 7, 2022. He may ask Chair Cowart to cancel the October meeting if there is nothing pressing.

XIV. Other Business

A. Semi Annual Review of Closed Session Minutes

MOTION by Mr. Passalacqua that the closed meeting minutes of the Highway Committee be maintained as closed to protect the public interest or the privacy of individuals, with the exception of the minutes from November 22, 1996; which may now be determined as open session minutes; seconded by Ms. Straub.

Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

XV. Chair’s Report

None

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

Mr. McGuire stated that items VIII, IX, and X be placed on the consent agenda.

XVII. Adjournment

There being no further business, Mr. McGuire adjourned the meeting at 9:58 AM.

https://www.co.champaign.il.us/CountyBoard/HT/2022/220909_Meeting/220909_minutes.pdf