MINUTES STEPHENSON COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE August 9, 2013 A regular meeting of the Public Works Committee was held at the County Highway Offices on the above date with Chairman Clay presiding. The meeting was called to order at 9:06 A.M. Committee members present were Mr. Wire, Mr. Schultz, Mr. Ward, Ms. Clore and Mr. Diddens and Mr. Fluegel. Also present were Chris Isbell, Marcia Hammer, Merry Blake, Patricia Toth, Dan McCarty and Doug Toepfer Prayer: A prayer was led by Mr. Wire. Agenda: A Motion was made by Mr. Clay, and seconded by Mr. Wire, to Amend the Agenda to change the item under Animal Control to Reconsider the Deletion of Ordinance No. 205-4 (Dog Registration) A Motion was made by Mr. Fluegel, and seconded by Mr. Diddens, to Approve the Agenda as Amended. Minutes: A Motion was made by Ms. Clore, and seconded by Mr. Ward, to approve the July Minutes. Claims: A Motion was made by Mr. Schultz, and seconded by Mr. Fluegel, that the bills in the respective funds be allowed. AUGUST CLAIMS $ 28,400.67 005 County Highway $ 213,599.74 006 Matching $ 23,112.89 007 County Bridge $0.00 008 Township Bridge $ 43,176.91 009 County MFT $ 415,987.34 010 Township MFT $0.00 048 New Hwy Bldg $ 3,821.56 016 Animal Control $0.00 041 Solid Waste $ 728,099.11 TOTAL
Correspondence: Mr. Isbell informed the committee of the following: (a) After State inspections, another bridge was closed on Afolkey Road in Buckeye Township due to deteriorating timber piles; (b)the Highway Dept. received a letter from IDOT stating that there is now a weight limit restriction on a bridge on Bolen Road in Ridott Township due to deteriorating steel beams under the deck; and (c) Due to two recent head-on accidents on Baileyville Road, Mr. Isbell informed the committee that after accidents like these, he and the Foreman go out and inspect the roadway by going back a mile each way and working their way back to the accident site inspecting for road defects, shoulder drop-offs, signage, etc. Public Comment: Merry Blake spoke in support of requiring dog registration and said the current $7.00 yearly fee is less than 2 cents per day. She additionally stated that those fees are used for, and the County is required to pay for, impounding, euthanization, low cost spay/neuter program, reimbursement for livestock lost, etc. Patricia Toth stated that she is from District J and wants the Dog Registration Ordinance reinstated because it jeopardizes the public health. There were 60 dog bites in Stephenson County in 2012 and up-to-date registration would provide owner and rabies shot information; otherwise, the County would have to pay for rabies treatment and quarantine of the dog. Dan McCarty said Animal Control has extra money set aside and responsible owners have their dogs vaccinated so it should be his choice to register his dogs. Doug Toepfer said that over the years working at the emergency room, he s seen several dog bite cases, including the face and upper body, in addition to arms and legs, and was wondering who s responsible for plastic surgery that may have to done if there is no tag to identify the owner. He urged the committee to reinstate the dog registration ordinance for legal and liability issues that may arise. Animal Control: A Motion was made by Mr. Diddens, and seconded by Ms. Clore, to Reconsider the Deletion of Ordinance No. 205-4 (Dog Registration). After lengthy discussion by the committee, a roll vote was taken. Mr. Wire-Aye, Mr. Diddens-Aye, Mr. Fluegel-Aye, Ms. Clore-Aye, Mr. Ward-Nay, Mr. Schultz-Nay, Mr. Clay-Nay. Chairman Clay explained that the Motion failed as 2/3 majority is required to reconsider a prior board action. Highway: Mr. Isbell stated that Curnyn Construction was awarded the low bid for bridge construction on Rees Road in Erin Township and Dameier Road in Kent Township. The project on Dameier should begin August 26 th and the Rees Road project should begin 2
September 3 rd. Also, Fischer Excavating was awarded the low bid for construction at the Pearl City Road/Kiwanis Drive intersection with work to begin around September 3 rd and to be opened to traffic by December 1 st. Resolutions: HD 13-20 A Motion was made by Mr. Wire, and seconded by Mr. Schultz, to recommend approval of Resolution HD 13-20 to the full board. This Resolution approves County Bridge Aid to Jefferson Township Road District to repair a structure on Papp Road with the estimated construction cost of $7,000.00. HD 13-21 A Motion was made by Mr. Fluegel, and seconded by Mr. Schultz, to recommend approval of Resolution HD 13-21 to the full board. This Resolution approves entering into an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Village of Winslow for milling and resurfacing of Warren Road (Hubbard Street) in the Village of Winslow. Other: Mr. Diddens presented a petition signed by several residents of Eleroy (see attached) requesting two No Jake Brake signs to be placed on U.S. Route 20. Mr. Isbell said the County can apply to the State to request the signage. A Motion was made by Mr. Diddens, and seconded by Mr. Schultz, to apply to IDOT for the No Engine Braking signs in Eleroy. Mr. Isbell informed the committee that the current Union Contract expires in November 2014; however, the contract states that there will be a wage reopener for 2013 with negotiations to commence no later than October 15, 2013. Committee Comments: Mr. Wire informed the committee that he wants to add Adopt Dog Registration Ordinance and Fees to next month s Agenda. Mr. Diddens said there are a lot of weeds growing up along some of the roadways in Freeport and was wondering if the County was responsible for any of those roadways. Mr. Isbell informed him that the County does take care of Walnut Road in Freeport and have licensed operators and applicators to spray weeds, but haven t been requested by the City to help with that problem. Mr. Fluegel, and Ms. Clore also mentioned that in addition to the weeds, there are numerous run down houses along the corridor into Freeport. 3
Mr. Schultz asked Mr. Isbell if he had looked into the sight distance concerns at the intersection of Winslow and Showers Roads. Mr. Isbell said they won t be able to cut back the bank enough for sight distance, but they are looking into some signage; otherwise, they would have to realign the road. Lettings for Next Months: Mr. Isbell reported that a letting for the sign program (12-00182-00-SG) is scheduled for next month. Adjourn: A Motion was made by Mr. Wire, and seconded by Mr. Ward, to adjourn the meeting at 11:00 A.M. Respectfully submitted, Marcia Hammer Committee Secretary 4