Lake County Public Works and Transportation Committee Meeting - July 30, 2025

The Lake County Public Works and Transportation Committee met on July 30, 2025, at 8:30 AM. The meeting was chaired by Chair Clark and included roll call with members Kasman, Hewitt, Hunter, Vice Chair Maine, Roberts, and Wasick present. The committee addressed several resolutions, received presentations on water system resiliency and the Safety Action Plan, and discussed a bridge load posting.

Consent Calendar

• Item 8.1: Consent agenda was approved unanimously by motion (Kasman, second Hunter) without discussion.

Discussion Items

• Item 8.2: Joint Resolution for Belt Filter Press Maintenance – Authorized an agreement with Alpha Laval Inc. (Houston, TX) for $203,475 to perform critical maintenance, repair, and reconditioning of the belt filter press at the Mill Creek Water Reclamation Facility. Director Austin McFarland explained the equipment is over 20 years old and the department plans to replace it with a centrifuge in approximately two years. Member Roberts inquired about warranties and the lifespan of repairs. Motion carried unanimously.

• Item 8.3: Engineering Services for Corrosion Control Evaluation – Authorized an agreement with CDM Smith Inc. (Chicago, IL) for $73,640 to conduct a desktop study for the Picar Water System corrosion control evaluation. The study is required by the EPA due to a planned water source change from well water to Lake Michigan water, to assess potential lead leaching from pre-1978 homes. The evaluation is expected to take about two months. Motion carried unanimously.

• Item 8.4: Emergency Contract for Vernon Hills West Pump Station Force Main Replacement – Authorized a contract with Boulder Contractors Inc. (Carrie, IL) for $7,020,250, including an emergency appropriation from public works reserve funds, to replace two 16-inch force mains. The project was originally planned for FY26 but moved up due to partner agreements. Member Hunter noted the bid tab showed a base bid and an alternate; Director McFarland agreed to provide clarification on the difference before the finance committee. Motion carried unanimously.

• Item 8.5: Director’s Report – Water System Resiliency Evaluation – Luke Manson (from consultant CDM Smith) presented a resiliency study for the Vernon Hills water system, which is served by CLC Java. The study assessed alternatives for a long-term interruption of CLC Java supply. The recommended short-term improvement (approximately $5 million) is a new interconnection with Buffalo Grove, including 3,700 feet of 14-inch water main and upgrades to the Corporate Woods reservoir pump station. Long-term (approximately $10 million) would add five groundwater wells, pending treatment for contaminants. Total estimated cost is $15 million in 2025 dollars. The presentation noted that Vernon Hills is the only CLC Java member without adequate backup water supply. Committee members expressed support and discussed implementation timelines (3–5 years). No action was taken; the study will inform future capital planning.

• Item 8.6: Right-of-Way Acquisition for Wadsworth Road Improvements – Authorized $1,600,000 from the quarter-percent sales tax for transportation funds for right-of-way acquisition (by agreement or condemnation) for the Wadsworth Road project from Illinois Route 131 to Sheridan Road. Director Shane Schneider detailed the project scope: widening from two to three lanes, a new bike path on the south side, drainage replacement, and culvert/retaining wall work. Approximately 50 parcels require partial takings or temporary easements (average 10 feet per parcel). Construction is targeted for 2028. Motion carried unanimously.

• Item 8.7: Safety Action Plan Presentation and Long-Range Plan Update – Mike Clemens, Manager of Transportation Planning, presented the final Safety Action Plan, funded by a federal Safe Streets and Roads for All grant. Key statistics: 65,504 total crashes (2018–2022), 225 fatal crashes, 248 fatalities, and 22,805 total injuries or fatalities. Fatal and serious injury crashes are concentrated on 7.5% of the roadway network (High Injury Network). Emphasis areas include speeding, impaired driving, roadway departures, and intersections. A goal of zero traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2050 was set. Committee members discussed the methodology, including risk factor scoring and equity considerations. Chair Clark noted the plan will be incorporated into the county's long-range transportation plan (Envision 2050) and expressed interest in a Vision Zero resolution. The committee directed staff to bring back a resolution for consideration.

• Bridge Load Posting Update – Director Schneider reported that IDOT posted weight restrictions on the Deerfield Road bridge over the North Branch of the Chicago River (20 tons for combination vehicles, 15 tons for single vehicles) due to beam deterioration. The bridge, constructed in 1962, was transferred to county jurisdiction in 2018. An engineering analysis for rehabilitation or replacement will be brought forward soon. School buses and emergency vehicles are affected based on individual vehicle weight. No formal action was taken.

• County Administrator’s Report – Patrice Sutton welcomed new Chief Financial Officer Ritina Tuchek and provided an update on the ERP project, noting end-to-end testing has begun and is on track.

Key Outcomes

• Items 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, and 8.6 were approved unanimously.
• The water system resiliency study (Item 8.5) was presented for information; staff will consider it in future capital planning.
• The Safety Action Plan (Item 8.7) will be used to guide project selection; staff will prepare a Vision Zero resolution for committee consideration.
• The bridge load posting will be monitored, and an engineering contract will be brought forward.
• The next committee meeting is scheduled for August 6, 2026.