HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 07/26/2021 - Public Works CommitteePublic Works Committee
Meeting Minutes
July 26, 2021
Page 1
Public Works Committee Meeting Minutes
July 26, 2021
Call to Order
Alderman Santi called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The meeting was held at the City Council
Chambers, 333 S Green St, McHenry, IL.
Roll Call
Deputy Clerk Johnson called the roll. Roll call: Members present: Alderman Santi, Alderman Glab,
Alderman Harding. Others present: Public Works Director Troy Strange, Staff Engineer Greg
Gruen, Field Operations Manager Steve Wirch
Public Comment
Senator Craig Wilcox addressed the Committee to let them know that there are other options for
dealing with antiquated township rules besides writing a resolution. The electors have significant
authority and it may be wise to approach them for a special meeting to discuss the City’s issue
with the township road district tax levies.
Approve March 22, 2021 Public Works Committee Meeting Minutes
A motion was made by Alderman Harding and seconded by Alderman Glab to approve the
minutes of the March 22, 2021, Public Works Committee meeting. Roll call: Vote: 3-ayes:
Alderman Harding, Alderman Glab, Alderman Santi. 0-nays, 0-abstained. Motion carried.
Presentation of a Resolution Requesting Legislative Assistance regarding the distribution of
Township Road District Tax Levies to Illinois Municipalities and motion to move the proposed
Resolution forward to City Council for approval
Director Strange explained that he was given direction at the last Public Works Committee
meeting to prepare a resolution that could be used to help alleviate our issues with the Township
Road District tax levies. Alderman Glab stated that in the resolution we need to add examples of
how we are subject to the township districts, how much they levy, how much they collect, and
what we do and do not get in those shares.
Senator Wilcox explained that he was not intending for the City to drop the idea of a resolution.
He said a resolution is still an idea we can use to gain support, but we could also deal directly
with the township to try to get our issues settled directly. The electors in townships have
significant authorities, and we might be able to get something done dealing with them. Alderman
Glab suggested that some other municipalities might not be in the same boat as McHenry
because the funding for their streets could be handled differently.
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Meeting Minutes
July 26, 2021
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Sue Miller, an Alderwoman for the City but present at this meeting as a member of the public,
asked Senator Wilcox about the possibility for funding reform. He explained that he sits on the
transportation committee but doubts that this is the type of reform that will be considered. There
are discussions of what powers and authorities the different levels of government have. He also
sits on the local government committee, and the townships are a strong organization. Anytime
the State government looks at drafting a bill, it is necessary to consider whom it impacts and if it
is a big enough issue for enough municipalities. It can be difficult to make changes to townships
when going to the floor for a bill.
A motion was made by Alderman Glab and seconded by Alderman Harding to instruct Director
Strange to draft a resolution requesting legislative assistance regarding the distribution of
Township Road District Tax Levies to Illinois Municipalities. The motion included the stipulation
that the resolution be modified to include examples of how we are subject to the township
districts, how much they levy, how much they collect, and what we do and don’t get in those
shares. The resolution will be shared with the Committee members prior to going forward to
Council, and if any Committee member has questions or concerns regarding the modified
resolution, it will be brought back to Committee before going to Council. Roll call: Vote: 3-ayes:
Alderman Harding, Alderman Glab, Alderman Santi. 0-nays, 0-abstained. Motion carried.
Presentation by City staff regarding 2022 Road Resurfacing Program and motion to move
proposed program forward to City Council for approval
Director Strange explained that he is seeking a positive recommendation for funding levels for
the 2022 Road Resurfacing Program. This year is unique in that we have a bigger pool of
resources. We are looking for an approved program that we can bring forward to Council for
spending approximately $4 million on road resurfacing. Staff Engineer Greg Gruen did a lot of the
work to run this program at this level by maximizing efficiency, doing the estimating work, and
crunching the numbers. Maintenance staff in the field was utilized instead of spending money on
subcontracting. Director Strange shared his screen for the 10-year road program update.
Engineer Gruen stated that the committee previously recommended to revise the outlook to
distribute the funds and resources throughout the City and not necessarily in one localized area.
The goals are to resurface all poor rated roads in 10 years, make a fair and equitable distribution,
and get Committee approval for 2022 and 2023.
Alderman Santi opened up the meeting for public comment. Terry Locke presented a petition
from the residents of Windridge Drive. They are requesting the road surface be improved and
concrete fixed where necessary. Mr. Locke explained that the road is now 41 years old and it is
used as a pass-through off Dartmoor Drive. He believes this is more important that most cul-de-
sacs as this picks up more traffic. It was reported by Director Strange that Windridge is rated a
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Meeting Minutes
July 26, 2021
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46 on the scoring scale. Alderman Devine asked when roads were last repaved in Ward 6, and
Mr. Wirch stated they were last done in 2002, 2005, and 2010.
Alderman Glab asked where the ratings came from for the roads, and Engineer Gruen said they
came from Applied Research Associates out of Champaign in 2019. Alderman Glab believes that
the roads have changed a lot in the last two years, and the City should not be using outdated
data. He would like to take into consideration the use of the roads and to have a new rating done
by Staff. He believes roads should be rated by not just numbers and the condition, but by all
factors such as location and how heavily travelled they are.
Alderwoman Miller spoke to a mathematical approach for fixing the roads. She spoke to the miles
of roads done and in bad condition, and explained that if the plan is done as presented, we can
go from 33% of the roads being in good condition to 63% in fair, good, or very good condition.
Alderman Santi stated that he is fine taking out Riverstream from the project and waiting to fix it
in future years. Alderman Glab suggested doing alternate bids in case the bids come in under the
estimated amount. Director Strange explained that we would not want to include alternate bids
because the State of Illinois is involved with these local roads, and it can be a problem getting
those contracts approved by IDOT.
Alderman Santi stated that he would be in favor of pulling Riverstream out of the project and
including Windridge in its place. Director Strange said that this would include an estimated
$20,000 difference, which could be absorbed. A motion was made by Alderman Glab and
seconded by Alderman Harding to recommend to present to full City Council the 2022 Road
Program (2022 & 2023 years) as presented with the substitution of Windridge in place of
Riverstream. Roll call: Vote: 3-ayes: Alderman Glab, Alderman Harding, Alderman Santi. 0-nays,
0-abstained. Motion carried.
Alderman Santi reported that the next Public Works Committee meeting would be scheduled for
September 27th at 6:00 p.m.
Adjournment
A motion was made by Alderman Glab and seconded by Alderman Harding to adjourn the
meeting at 7:46 p.m. Roll call: Vote: 3-ayes: Alderman Glab, Alderman Harding, Alderman Santi.
0-nays, 0-abstained. Motion carried.
______________________________
Deputy Clerk Monte Johnson