Chambana Sun

Champaign County Board Highway and Transportation Committee met March 10

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Committee Members Present: Lorraine Cowart, Samantha Carter, Diane Michaels, Tom “Ed” Sexton, Leah Taylor

Absent: Jennifer Straub

County Staff: Jeff Blue (County Engineer), Michelle Carter (Accountant/Office Manager), Steve Summers (County Executive), Ms. Cowart’s granddaughter (Matea)

Others Present:

MINUTES

I. Call to Order

Committee Chair Cowart called the meeting to order at 9:05 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. Michaels.Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

IV. Approval of Minutes – January 6, 2023

MOTION by Mr. Sexton to approve the minutes of the January 6, 2023 meeting; seconded by Ms. Taylor.

Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously

V. Public Participation

None

VI. Communications

Ms. Michaels informed the committee that Betty Murphy, who worked many years for RPC, passed away last week.

VII. County & Township Motor Fuel Tax Claims-January & February 2023

MOTION by Ms. Michaels to receive and place on file the County and Township Motor Fuel Tax Claims for January and February 2023; seconded by Mr. Sexton.

Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

VIII. Final Bridge Report FY 2022

Mr. Blue informed the committee the Final Bridge Report for fiscal year 2022 included bridges and culverts for which the final payment was made in 2022.

IX. Resolution Authorizing the Champaign County Engineer to Sign Joint Agreements with the Illinois Department of Transportation

Mr. Blue stated the Illinois Department of Transportation changed their requirements regarding Joint Agreements. A new agreement is required with each new tenure.

MOTION by Ms. Taylor to approve the resolution; seconded by Mr. Sexton.

Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

X. Resolution Awarding of Contract for a Railroad Crossing Upgrade on County Road 100N and Appropriating Funds from County Highway Funds, Section #06-18408-00-SP

Mr. Blue discussed the bid tab and award resolution for the Railroad Crossing Upgrade on County Road 100N in Pesotum Township. Stark Excavating submitted the low bid of $86,830.00 at a letting held on March 2, 2023. The Illinois Department of Transportation will reimburse Champaign County for 100% of the construction cost associated with the upgrade. The award date for the contract will coincide with the execution of the Stipulated Agreement.

MOTION by Mr. Sexton to approve the resolution; seconded by Ms. Carter.

Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

XI. Resolution Awarding of Contract for a Railroad Crossing Upgrade on County Road 500N and Appropriating Funds from County Highway Funds, Section #15-18441-00-SP

Mr. Blue discussed the bid tab and award resolution for the Railroad Crossing Upgrade on County Road 500N in Pesotum Township. Stark Excavating submitted the low bid of $84,611.00 at a letting held on March 2, 2023. The Illinois Department of Transportation will reimburse Champaign County for 100% of the construction cost associated with the upgrade. The award date for the contract will coincide with the execution of the Stipulated Agreement.

MOTION by Ms. Michaels to approve the resolution; seconded by Ms. Taylor.

Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

XII. Resolution Awarding of Contract for Road Construction, Section #22-00460-00-RS

Mr. Blue discussed the bid tab and award resolution for the recycling and asphalt overlay of County Road 12 and County Road 24. Open Road Paving submitted the low bid of $4,357,936.20 at a letting held on March 2, 2023. Mr. Blue stated the bid was 11% under the engineer’s estimate and recommended the project be awarded to Open Road Paving.

MOTION by Mr. Sexton to approve the resolution; seconded by Ms. Carter.

Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

XIII. Resolution Awarding of Contract Asphalt Paving on Various Roads in Rantoul Township, Section 23-20000-00-GM

Mr. Blue discussed the bid tab and award resolution for Rantoul Township section #23-20000-00-GM. Cross Construction submitted the low bid of $251,148.00 at a public letting held on March 7, 2023. Mr. Blue recommended the project be awarded to Cross Construction.

MOTION by Ms. Michaels to approve the resolution; seconded by Ms. Carter.

Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

XIV. Other Business

A. Semi Annual Review of Closed Session Minutes

MOTION by Ms. Michaels pursuant to the statutory requirement to conduct a semi-annual review of all closed meeting minutes, I move that the closed meeting minutes of the Highway Committee be maintained as closed to protect the public interest or the privacy of individuals; seconded by Ms. Taylor.

Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

Mr. Blue informed the committee he is looking for additional space to store the salt Champaign County Highway is required to purchase this fiscal year. The current salt dome does not have the storage capacity. Due to the “nice” winter, the county did not use the typical amount of salt.

XV. Chair’s Report

None

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

Ms. Coward stated that items IX thru XIII be placed on the consent agenda.

XVII. Adjournment

There being no further business, Ms. Cowart adjourned the meeting at 9:32 AM.