Good morning, everyone.

Today is July 8th, 2026, and I call the Lake County Public Works and Transportation Committee meeting to order at 8 30 a.m.

In addition to being able to attend in person, remote attendance has been made available to the public via Zoom at the link on the agenda.

This meeting is being recorded through Zoom.

Before we get to the business items on today's agenda, we are observing a moment of silence in memory of our friend and colleague, Lake County Board Vice Chair, Dr.

Mary Ross Cunningham.

Vice Chair Cunningham served the residents of Lake County for more than two decades as a member of the Lake County Board.

Mary was a tireless advocate for people experiencing homelessness, affordable housing, criminal justice, equity, and opportunity for all, and a steadfast advocate for her community.

Please join me in honoring her life and service to Lake County in keeping her family, friends, colleagues, and all who were touched by her life in our thoughts.

Please stand for a moment of silence.

All right, will you please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance?

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

Can I get a roll call, please?

Member Kasman.

Chair Clark here.

Member Hewitt.

Member Hunter.

Vice Chair Main.

Member Roberts.

Member Wazick.

All right.

Do we have any addenda to the agenda?

We do not.

Do we have any public comment today?

There's no public comment today.

And our chairs remarks, I just wanted to mention that we have a lot of really exciting items today on our agenda.

So move ahead on that.

Any unfinished business?

There's not.

All right, our new business is consent agenda, which is items 9.1 to 9.2.

Can I get a motion in a second, please?

Motion by Kasmin, second by Hunter.

All in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carries.

All right, on on to our regular agenda.

Item 9.3 is a joint resolution adopting the 2026 to 2031 Transportation Improvement Program as the official transportation program for the Lake County Division of Transportation.

Can I get a motion in a second?

Motion by Robert, second by Hewitt.

Good morning.

Good morning, committee members.

Shane Schneider, DOT Director and County Engineer.

So this first item is uh adoption of our our uh five-year transportation improvement program.

So as you'll recall, we presented this on June 3rd.

Uh we have not received any additional comments from board members or the public since that presentation.

Um just as a quick recap, there's about 330 projects included in the five-year tip.

The program values about 948 million, all in if we were to build all the projects from start to finish.

That represents about a $2 billion investment.

Um we did make one modification to the project location map, which is attached to the agenda uh as requested by member main.

We did identify the standalone shared youth use pass um on the map separately.

So other than that, everything is the same as presented.

All right, because I know we had a really robust discussion about this uh plan last month.

All right, any other questions?

All right, all in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carries.

Item 9.4 is a joint resolution authorizing a contract with Alliance Contractors Inc.

Woodstock, Illinois in the amount of $3,123,819.80 for non-motorized travel improvements along Butterfield Road from Greg's Parkway to Gulf Road, in appropriating $3,750,000 of the quarter percent quarter percent sales tax for transportation funds.

And I would like to motion this one.

Um and could I have a second, please?

Second by Kasbin.

Very excited to see this project here today.

Yeah, we're excited to finally have this uh to award to a contractor for construction, which will happen this year and wrap up by the fall.

So this is filling in a strategic uh uh non-motorized gap on Butterfield Road uh in the Vernon Hills and Libertyville area.

So this will provide access from uh the large network of Vernon Hills trails up to uh Gulf Road.

You know, the limits are um uh Gulf Road at the north and Greg's Parkway at the south, and then they'll be able to go into the Libertyville Township uh park trail system, which connects up with the North Shore Path.

So uh a pretty strategic uh gap that'll tie together two major paths.

You got the North Shore path there going east-west along 176.

And if you would continue kind of south and east through Vernon Hills, you can actually get um all the way to the Splanes River Trail via Town Line Road.

So pretty pretty nice connection.

Yes, Director Schneider, I want to thank you and your staff for working so hard.

I know there was a lot of land acquisition and other things around this.

This took a couple years, um, but I want to thank you on behalf of all the people that have contacted me and really for this region.

This is such an important connector to connect both, have a safe way for people to travel between Vernon Hills and Libertyville and to connect all those different um bike trails.

Um, it's a very exciting day.

And so you said it's gonna be built this year.

Correct, yeah.

Construction should start shortly in the next month or so, then it'll wrap up this fall.

Terrific.

All right, any other questions?

All right, all in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carries.

Item 9.5 is a joint resolution authorizing a contract with Alliance Contractors, Inc.

Woodstock, Illinois, in the amount of 3,649,971 dollars and 75 cents for the intersection improvements at Washington Street in Illinois Route 21, and appropriating 4,380,000 of the quarter percent sales tax for transportation funds.

Can I get a motion second?

Motion by Hewitt, second by Kasvin.

So this is an intersection improvement and safety improvement project at Washington Street and in 21.

So Washington Street is a county highway, Milwaukee Avenue is uh as a state highway.

It's a very busy intersection.

Um there's been a series of accidents over the study period, um, over a hundred and ten accidents, 42 of those resulting in crashes and unfortunately at one fatal.

Um, and as we develop the design through our planning process, we had cameras that monitor the intersection.

There was a uh a pretty frequent occurrence of what we called near misses.

So those are vehicles making left turning movements and kind of just very narrowly missing oncoming traffic.

So we're installing dual left turn lanes for the the uh both eastbound and westbound approaches on Washington Street, and then we're changing the traffic signal operations to be um you can only turn on the green arrow right now.

You can turn on the green ball, so it's called permissive.

We're changing it to protect.

Um, so that'll remove those conflict points and improve the safety operations of the intersection.

I'm very excited to hear about this.

Member Wasick.

Yes, thanks for this, Shane.

This is a super busy intersection.

Uh I think I know the answer to this question, but are there any pedestrian signal improvements in this project?

So there is good um pedestrian accommodations at the intersection today.

However, we'll be modifying the geometry of the intersection, so we'll be making sure everything goes back in place so there's full pedestrian access on all four legs of the intersection with crosswalks, push buttons, um, and all the new improvements will be ADA compliant.

Great, thank you.

Member Kasmin.

Yeah, it was um I was just driving through this intersection the other day with my daughter who's learning how to drive.

And I, you know, we had to reinforce the difference between protected turns and um permissive turns.

Um, because you know, when you're learning.

Um, but this is it can be somewhat chaotic depending on the traffic flow and whether people are actually paying attention or not.

And um, I've seen a couple of near misses myself, and it's just sometimes people just don't know what to do.

So um, and I think something about the angle of the intersection also makes it a little off.

So very happy to see this today.

I think it'll be result in a reduction of collisions.

So appreciate it.

Yeah, and when we first started talking about this just from the planning perspective, I was very uh we I think all of us are very relieved because when if you've driven through there, it is a very precarious intersection.

I literally try to avoid it, but even I get kind of confused.

And I've been driving a long time in there.

You're like, am I supposed to go, not go?

So I'm really glad to see this safety improvement, and also that it'll be you said it will be people can only turn then on the left turn signals.

So that should make it a lot, and also just the re the new design.

There'll be more capacity, correct, at the intersection now with more lanes.

And then this this is to actually move forward with construction, correct?

Correct.

Yeah, this is moving forward with construction.

So the work will start this year.

We expect all the concrete and asphalt pavement work to be done.

However, there is a long lead uh on the traffic signal equipment, so that'll probably be installed early next year.

Okay.

Member Roberts.

How's that in the traffic to getting in getting in and out of Great America?

So it shouldn't really have any impact uh on the visitors going into Great America.

Go on grand or they can come the other way.

Yeah, you're talking during construction.

Yeah.

Yeah, during construction.

So the intersection will remain open during construction, but there'll be lane closures to accommodate the modifications.

Well, maybe it'll be done during the closing the seasons.

Yeah.

I mean, it'll it'll start in probably August or September.

Okay.

And then it'll be and so you said the pavement might be done this construction season.

The pavement work should all be done this this construction season, but they'll have to order all of the new mast arms and traffic signal equipment and there is a long lead time on that on that steel and technology.

And so there'll be temporary, there will be still an intersection up there, but it'll just be like a temporary one, but you'll still be able to use the new lanes.

Correct.

It'll be fully operational with temporary signals until the new ones come in.

Okay, good.

Yeah, it is that's pretty standard for for intersection improvements.

Yeah.

Can I just that's one more when we have the temporary ones?

Is that hooked up to Lake County Passage just out of curiosity, or are those more on timers when you have temporary?

Yes, it is gonna be hooked up.

So we put that's good news.

All right.

Any other questions?

All right, all in favor?

Aye, any opposed?

Motion carries.

Item 9.6 is a joint resolution authorizing an agreement with the village of Gurney for the intersection improvements at Washington Street and Illinois Route 21.

Can I get a motion?

Motion by Kasmin, second by Hunter.

So same project, but we are entering into an agreement with the village of Gurney because they have infrastructure within the intersection that they're responsible for, ownership and maintenance of, including some street lighting, some bike path, sidewalk, and some signage in the median.

So they're responsible for covering the cost of those improvements, uh, which they've agreed to do as part of the project improvement.

Great.

I want to thank the village of Gurney and you uh for working together to uh make all these improvements.

All right, any questions?

All right, all in favor?

Aye, any opposed?

Motion carries.

Item 9.7 is a joint resolution authorizing a contract with Copenhaver Construction Inc.

Union, Illinois, in the amount of 1,804,280 and 73 cents for Robert McClurry bike path crossing improvements at Belvedere Road, Grand Avenue, and Golf Road, and appropriating $2,165,000 of the quarter percent sales tax for transportation funds.

Can I get a motion?

Second motion by Hewitt, second by Maine.

So last year we came through the Robert McClurry bike path and we converted all the existing gravel to pavement.

And we've seen a lot more traffic uh on the path, a lot more people using it now, which is great.

We're coming back this year to do an in-safety improvement um at three intersections or three roadway crossings that are multi-lane.

So since uh we have ownership of the Robert McClory bike path, we're improving the crossings across these roadways, even though they're not necessarily county highways.

We own the the path.

So the three roads are Sunset Avenue, Grand Avenue, and Illinois Route 120.

So those are four-lane cross sections.

We'll be installing a center median on like a refuge island, and then we'll be putting the flashing beacons on both sides of the road, and then there are actually be arms that come over the travel lanes for better visibility.

Oh so those are activated by pedestrians when they want to cross, and the blinking lights come on, and then they can uh cross when uh traffic yields.

When traffic stops, exactly.

Vice Chairman.

Thank you.

Um Shane, could you explain the requirements to put those blinking lights in?

Because as you know, I and I'm sure many other people, we get these requests all the time to say, hey, this is a crossing.

And sometimes it's like, you know what, when there's I'm not saying don't do this, don't give me that, but you know, sometimes the answer is no.

Um, you know, when you have too many things, it just becomes background and cars don't pay attention.

So if you could educate us briefly on, you know, what are the real, I guess I'll just say drivers for when these are put in, when when the the lights are put in, not the islands, but when that flashing light that can be activated by a pedestrian or cyclist.

Sure.

So we follow guidance from the federal highway administration and uh IDOT has developed a statewide policy for when these sh are uh what they call warranted for installation, and it's based based largely on the the cross section of the road, the traffic volume, and then the activity, the pedestrian activity along the bike path.

And if you're within certain ranges of activity that requires different levels of signage, and at one threshold would be the installation of um these flashing beacons.

Uh so we are asked for them quite frequently, but Lake County DOT's policy is we'll install them at our cost if they're for a county bike path.

Um we'll work with a municipality if they would like to install them via our permit process for a bike path that they own and maintain.

So that's kind of the where we get a lot of questions about who is gonna do it and when.

Um so there's like criteria on when you should do it, and then there's a separate set of criteria on who should do it.

Yeah, yeah.

So if they don't meet the criteria for when it should be done, we don't go to the next stop.

We don't like does a municipality say, yeah, but we don't care, we'll pay for it because that's what our residents are hounding us about, asking us repeatedly.

We would educate them on what what what is recommended by policy from the state and FHWA.

Um if they really wanted it and they're willing to pay with pay for it, you know.

We'll we'll try to work with them through the permit process.

On a county on a county road, okay.

Yeah.

Yeah, and I think because I know my questions, because we do, I don't know, we do get a lot of questions about the beacons.

And I think it's important.

So for the reason, so we're crossing roads that aren't county roads, because it's not from what I understand, it's not really the road that's it's who's who owns the path.

Correct.

That's the that's the facility.

I think that's important.

We're putting this in for and it's our facility.

Exactly, because it's our bike path.

So if it crosses a county road, so if someone else's sidewalk crosses a county road, we are not responsible.

We like for putting in the crossing because it's not our path.

That's correct.

Um, and I think that's something that is probably one of the biggest questions I get is if we're crossing Winchester Road or another road, would the county put it in?

But it's it's who the path is.

And I think that and and I guess that makes sense, right?

Like this is our path.

So we we couldn't make the state well, we could try, but we can't be hard to make the state to put all these in for us because it's state roads, it should be who owns the path, and I mean, and that's the law.

So for us, this is for our path, we can pay for it for the state roads.

That's right.

So, like another way to think of it just to help it make more sense.

Like I like to think of I what about your railroad tracks, right?

The railroad is responsible for putting all their crossings across the road, right?

It's not the owner of the road, it's the railroad, it's their facility.

So it's kind of the same logic.

Oh, yeah.

Yes, I think that's an important distinction for people, and that is what it is.

And it does make sense.

I think it makes sense.

And I really am excited to see these uh refuge islands.

I know they've been kind of becoming more common.

And I I you know, at first I was like, yeah, but really the it does give I feel a lot more safe when at least I know I wait till people stop.

And I think I don't, I mean, I don't I know the signage just to make sure people realize they need to wait to people stop because sometimes we've seen people just go right through those lights.

Um but then to have that place to wait for the next thing, I feel like is a very big safety improvement, and especially on these roads, because these are not at intersections, correct?

Correct.

There is this is like right in the middle of a road.

Yeah.

So this is and the refuge islands also provide just added visibility for the drivers to make them aware of of a crossing being present.

Yeah, and with the new beacons, I've just seen when we first went with the cross.

I mean, we're doing all we can to alert traffic to stop.

So good to see this.

Any other questions?

All right, all in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carries.

All right, item 9.8 is a joint resolution authorizing a contract with Peter Baker and Sun Company, Lake Bluff, Illinois, in the amount of $3,662,300 and 35 cents for the resurfacing of Cedar Lake Road from Monaville Road to Heart Road and appropriating $4,395,000 of matching tax funds.

Can I have a um uh person?

Motion by Hunter, second by Wasick.

So this is uh a maintenance project to resurface the road, and then as with all reservacines, we'll also look to widen out the paved shoulders to make it meet uh current standard, and we'll also be replacing some guardrails and other uh ADA improvements along the corridor to make sure everything's up to current standard.

Um there is already existing bike path and sidewalk along the corridor, so we're just gonna be upgrading that at the intersections to make sure everything's meeting current standard.

Member Wasick.

Shane, will this include milling of the surface before you resurface it?

Yes, yeah, we'll mill down typically uh one to two inches of the existing surface, and then we'll put back on top of that the new uh lift of asphalt.

Great, thank you.

Yeah, so this is just yeah, just an improvement of the surface and and you said a little bit wider shoulders, perhaps.

Making sure the the shoulders meet our current standard, we do that typically.

Um member hunter.

Thank you, Chair.

Um if uh if this gets approved, when is it to start?

This will start um probably in September and wrap up this fall.

So it's this year, yes.

Okay, thank you.

And will there be any um will the road be closed or will it always be?

It'll always be open, but they'll do um they'll have flaggers out to do lane closures just to move around the paving equipment.

Yeah.

Uh vice chair.

Thanks.

Um, is there any bike facility along Monaville Road?

Um, I believe only at that's around about there at Cedar Lake and Montaville.

So there's no connectivity east or west to those forest preserves, sir.

Correct.

Okay.

There are yeah, yeah, member Hunter.

Thank you.

It um yes, Cedar Lake doesn't, but Fairfield has access into Grant Woods.

You'll see a little bit there if you look at the map.

That's that, but there is no no bike path on Monaville, all the all the way from 83, other than the two roundabouts that we put in at Cedar Lake and at Fairfield.

Maybe in the future.

Maybe in the future.

Maybe in the future.

With that grass lake project.

Yeah.

As a as a separate project, though, we are working on the design for Rollins Road.

So that's from Haynesville all the way to Fairfield, and that'll uh reestablish all the sidewalk along that corridor.

That will help.

And then we have a separate project on Fairfield Road that's currently looking at non-motorized improvements from Rowlands to Monoville.

So that is that would be, yeah.

Yeah, connectivity.

So it's coming.

Well, it's just two other separate projects are looking at at that connections right now.

And if there's a desire to do something separately along Mountville on the road, you know, we can always look at that too.

Yeah, with all that connectivity.

All right, any other questions?

All right, all in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carries.

Item 9.9 is a joint resolution authorizing an agreement with STV Incorporated, Chicago, Illinois for phase three professional construction engineering services for the resurfacing of Cedar Lake Road from Montevideo to Heart Road at a maximum cost of 399,388 and appropriating 480,000 of matching tax funds.

Can I get a motion in a second?

Motion by Hunter, second by Casbin.

So same same project, but we'll be utilizing uh an engineering consultant to oversee the work in the field during construction.

We need somebody to do it, so there we go.

All right.

Full-time uh field observation and and management.

All right.

Any questions?

All right, all in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carries.

Item 9.10 is a joint resolution authorizing a contract with Peter Baker and Sun Company, Lake Bluff, Illinois, in the amount of 1,141,427.94 cents.

So for the resurfacing of Cedar Lake Road from Illinois Route 60 to Town Line Road and appropriating $1,370,000 of matching tax funds.

Can I get a motion in a second?

Motion by Hewitt, second by Hunter.

So this is a separate section of Cedar Lake Road, a little bit further south.

Um so we've talked about this project earlier, excuse me, earlier this year.

We're looking at an improvement from 60 all the way north to 120.

Um potentially a new intersection improvement at town line road and then a bike path along the west side of Cedar Lake Road from 60 to 120.

So this has been broken up into a couple different projects.

Uh what we have here is town line to 60.

It's it's really in need of resurfacing right now.

There's a lot of cracking happening uh in the surface of the pavement.

So we want to get that addressed while we continue to work on the design for the intersection and bike path, those will come back as a future project.

But it was urgent to get this done so the pavement doesn't continue to deteriorate and then it's also becoming a rough ride.

Yeah.

We want to make sure it's safe and uh staying together.

All right, any uh member Wasick.

Yes, thank you, Chair.

And I think I saw in the long range plan the sort of master plan for the bike path.

So that's part of a separate project in the future, right?

Yeah, so like the ultimate improvement will be uh this segment here from 60 to 120, and then there's already connection that goes from 120 north.

Um, and then the I forget the name of that forest preserve on the west side of the road, the old RV Park.

Um that there's trails that connect in to Cedar Lake Road there, and then with our Cedar Lake Road realignment project in downtown, that'll provide the connection from there all the way north to Hart.

And then once we fill in those two gaps, then you'll have complete connectivity along the entire corridor.

So this is just resurfacing, you're not kind of making space for the bike path yet, or just something off in the future, right?

Yeah, but not too far off in the future, probably just another year or two.

Okay.

Um it's in design right now.

We think we have most of the right-of-way needed to build the bike path.

There might be a few little pieces we need, but um, yeah, that's all just moving through the design process, and it's not too far into the future.

All right, sounds good.

Thank you.

Yeah, that's good news.

This is gonna be very transformative for this area of the county.

All right, any other questions?

All right, all in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carries.

All right, item 9.11 is a joint resolution authorizing an agreement with V3 Companies Limited, Woodridge, Illinois, for phase three professional construction engineering services for the rehabilitation of the Pulaski Drive Bridge over the United States Route 41 and the Union Pacific Railroad at a maximum cost of 504,165 and 78 cents, and appropriating $605,000 of county bridge tax funds.

Can I get a motion?

A second motion by Kasmin, second by Roberts.

So we are uh working on the design to replace the Pulaski uh road bridge over 41 and the Union Pacific Railroad.

Gotta get to the right map here.

Um we expect the project to go out to bid this winter, but you know, the design is nearly complete.

We're just waiting on final uh feedback and approval from IDOT and the railroad.

Uh once we have that, the project will go out to bid.

Um we're gonna be replacing the the deck of the bridge, and then we'll also be installing a bike path and a sidewalk on both sides of the bridge.

So that'll allow future connectivity along Pulaski to install bike path along the corridor.

Um what we're bringing this item forward now.

This is for um the construction engineer to oversee the project because this will be a complicated project.

We want to get them started early on all the contract documents and setting up the project website that'll be used to communicate with the public about the project.

So we want to get that underway now uh before we go out to bed later this year.

And what is the like estimated construction date on this project?

So um we expect the the work to be done in 2027 and finished by the end of next year, but um you know we're kind of at the mercy right now of final railroad approval, and that'll be the critical path.

Yes, all right.

We'll hope for the best on that.

All right, any other questions?

All right, all in favor?

Aye, any opposed?

Motion carries.

Item 9.12 is a joint resolution authorizing an agreement with the state of Illinois, Illinois Department of Transportation for intersection improvements at Illinois Route 131 and Washington Street and appropriating 40,000 of the quarter percent sales tax for transportation funds.

Can I get a motion in a second?

Motion by Kasmin, second by Hewitt.

So IDAT's leading this project, but it's similar to what we're doing at um Washington and 21.

The state's gonna be installing dual left turn lanes northbound on Green Bay Road at the intersection of Washington Street and putting in uh protected traffic signal operations.

Um they're also uh adding non-motorized improvements along all four corners of the intersection, which currently don't exist.

So that'll be a nice improvement.

They'll be adding bike path and sidewalk north and south along the corridor and then east and west connecting into the existing um sidewalk.

Um we're involved with the project because we have ownership of the traffic signal equipment for the west leg because that's uh the county highway.

Um so we're participating in the project cost.

Uh the estimated value is about $23,000 for our our cost.

Yeah, this is a very exciting project, also.

This is this intersection really could use an upgrade.

So this is just our share.

And you said it they're moving ahead with construction.

They are.

They're planning to go out to bid this year.

And um great.

Yeah, good to see that.

Any questions?

I should be so.

Yes.

That is true.

Well, maybe you can find Grand Avenue.

Always so nice when it's done.

It is always so nice when it's done.

This is gonna be a big it sounds like a big safety improvement, also.

You'll be so much safer getting here though, member hunter.

Yeah, we're just looking out for you.

All right, is there any uh all right, all in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carries.

Item 9.13 is a joint resolution authorizing an agreement with International Cybernetics Company LP DBA Infrastructure Management Services, Largo, Florida, to provide professional engineering services for annual pavement testing and management services at a maximum cost of 162,930 and appropriating 200,000 of matching tax funds.

Can I get a motion in a second?

Most by Kasmin, second by Huey.

So this is uh the pavement testing we do on our county highway system.

We hire a firm, and actually, this is our 40, 40th year of using uh pavement testing uh data analytics.

So we were way ahead of the curve back then when we started this.

Um but this goes out.

Uh they use specialized equipment to measure uh the strength of the roadway.

So they use they use like a laser system mounted on a van.

They can measure the existing cracks in the road.

Then they also drop a free falling weight about every 1,000 feet, and they get had they have a like a sophisticated algorithm that tells them how strong the pavement subgrade is uh, you know, depending on how it reacts to that weight falling on it.

So we use that to determine when we should make improvements to the roadway and what kind of improvements we should make.

So to member Wazig's like earlier question, it tells us how much to mill off and then how much to put back on top.

Um, so there's a lot of uh good good data we get from that testing.

So it allows us to make a lot smarter decisions about what to do and whenas kind of in contrast, some some agencies may just look at the road and determine what to do.

Um we're using all this data to make, you know, we think better and more informed decisions.

Yeah, I think that's one of the things I like to tell constituents when they ask about that.

And I think that's one of the reasons our roads are in such great shape.

Is because you're being a very efficient making like these data, it's not like you're just driving out there like, oh, you notice it.

There's all the with the between the lasers and the measuring things that we really it's all it's I think it's really interesting that's all like very much data based.

Um yes, member Wasick.

So Shane, just my curiosity is engaged on this.

So you have a laser like measuring the surface, and then you have some sort of feedback mechanism that tells you what the weight is almost like sonar only with a weight, right?

I'm just trying to get a picture of how this thing works.

Yeah, that's exactly what's happening.

And and the laser is also taking photographs.

Um, so we have they and they put all that information into their software, and all of our engineers that do pavement management can go in and they can look uh at the data readouts for every point in time that were collected and look at all the photographs.

So they've got visual information and then they have the actual measurements that are taken by the laser, and then they have some proprietary software that tells us how the pavement is going to age into the future based on the condition that exists today and then the expected traffic volume on the road.

So it's pretty sophisticated, and we've been working with them to kind of tweak it and we provide our feedback.

Uh, you know, so we we think it's worked out very well for us.

And you think this gives you pretty reliable picture of when you need to fix a road?

We do, definitely.

Okay, great.

Thanks.

Yeah, it saves us money and time and makes our roads lovely.

So I'm very happy to see it.

All right, any other questions?

All in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carries.

Item 9.14 is a joint resolution authorizing a contract with caliber collision, Mundalane, Illinois for the collision repair services for Lake County at a rate of $52 an hour and an estimated annual amount of 190,000 dollars.

Can I get a motion in a second?

Motion by Roberts, second by Hunter.

So this is a contract that is um it's kind of led by HR Risk.

Um, when any county vehicles involved with an accident and then it needs to be repair, DOT kind of manages the the repair work um for HR.

So if uh sheriff vehicles involved with a fender vendor, uh we'll take the vehicle, we'll bring it to this company and we'll get a quote and um then we'll have it repaired based on the accident report, and then we'll return it back to the department that owns that vehicle.

So this is uh it was up for up for bid this year.

Uh that we this is the same company that's previously been used, however, they they're under new ownership now.

Um but the rate has stayed the same that that it previously was.

So it'll be a two-year contract with the option to renew it on an annual basis for three additional years, up to a total of five years.

Uh they have guaranteed their rate for the first two years of the contract, and then there's an option for them to request a CPI adjustment, and then it's at our option to review and approve that or decide to go out to bid.

Okay.

Vice chair.

Thank you.

And I understand you.

So you said they've done this before.

Um, were you surprised that we just got one bid?

I mean, is there no one out there, right, that does that sort of stuff?

And is there I'm not saying that they haven't done a good job and won't do a good job, but is there something about our bid specs that while looks like it's broad or actually have enough specificity in them that only one person is really going to be able to require it?

Because that's just a little surprising to me on uh a contract like this that we'd only have one bid.

Yeah, good good question.

I know it was our standard contract terms that were issued through the purchasing department.

Um they are locally located.

I think they're right at Peterson and 60 uh or near there.

So uh it's pretty pretty close to our operation.

Why there's one bidder, I I don't know.

Okay it just seems like that would be something it seems like there would be more people qualified to do this type of work.

Um, you know, I know sometimes there's things where you need something really specific, or maybe it's the amount of stuff they do, but I I would think for the future if we you know just kind of want to beat the bushes a little more.

Again, not saying that they haven't done a good job, but it that would that surprise me.

Yeah, member Hunter.

Thanks, Chair.

I uh not to be a bandwagon jumper, but that's exactly my I I was really surprised to just see one bidder.

And and caliber says I don't know anybody there personally, but they're a big company.

Um it just uh I think there's a big difference between repairing repairing a squad car and a dump truck.

They're night and day.

They're they're as you know that, but it falls under DOT, so that's your decision to do.

But I'd sure like to uh a better look at that down in the future to try to get this to other you know, other people to see if if they want to do it.

I I looked at the bid, it didn't look anything crazy.

There was nothing in there that was different or odd or procured anybody else from doing it.

I just I don't think it's a service that a lot of people that do that look to to think that that we would have something like that.

Yeah, you know, I think that that's the thing, and I don't know how you know Ruth Ann came from that department.

I mean, I I it's they've always done a good job.

I don't I don't, you know, if if a body shop doesn't know to go look and look at that stuff, then we're never gonna get a bid.

Well, and maybe you're right, maybe also how you point it out.

Maybe it's a little different with you know, it's different between doing cars than doing like big trucks.

Absolutely or snow plows.

I mean, I don't know, but maybe since they have the experience in it.

Did you find do you feel that the price seems about right for the market?

Like did you have any concerns about that?

The the price is the same as it previously was, so they didn't increase it.

So we're we're very comfortable with that.

Oh, that's they've always done a good job.

We've used them for the last five years.

Yeah, and we have no issues.

All right.

Member Roberts.

So I'm sorry, were you finished?

Is there so it's 190,000 dollars?

Do you know at the I don't know if you can track this, but are there like 40 cars that get repaired, 10 cars that get repaired?

So yeah.

Dump trucks.

I mean, whatever.

Yeah, so it's actually the the budget numbers provided by risk um based on just historical number of accidents any given year, because this is looking forward on what they think the damage, you know, recovery will be for vehicles that are going to be involved in accidents.

So it is a forecasted number.

Um, so they're they're just looking at historical data to determine what that budget amount should be.

Okay.

Maybe it'll be zero.

Yeah.

Theoretically it could be zero.

If we're very lucky this year, that's it.

Or it could be a lot higher.

I mean, maybe that's part of it too.

There's a lot of unknowns, unknown equipment, unknown how much it's gonna be.

I mean, most likely there will be at least one fender bender for all of the county vehicles, right?

Because not just DOT vehicles, it's all vehicles in the county system.

Yeah, yeah, including the sheriff's vehicles.

Including the and that's usually the biggest user.

Yeah.

And they I wonder if they need special things to fix them with all the reinforcements they have.

All right.

But I agree, yeah.

Maybe when we're in two years when they're looking, but I'm glad to hear the price stayed the same and that you're happy with the work.

All right.

Any, but yes, maybe publicizing it or reaching out a little more.

Any other questions?

All right, all in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed?

All right, motion carries.

Item eight point or I'm sorry, nine point fifteen is a joint resolution authorizing a contract with Crowley Tree Experts Inc., a Seabert and Sons Co.

Lake Villa, Illinois for tree removal and tree trimming services for the Lake County Division of Transportation and the estimated annual amount of $61,445.

Can I get a motion?

Second motion by Casbin, second by Hewitt.

So this is a service that we use at DUT to help us with um tree trimming and tree removal.

We do provide this service in-house.

We primarily do it over the winter months, um, but during major storm events, or if trees are too close to power lines, or if they're within 10 feet of a power line, we can't uh trim the tree.

We have to provide uh an outside service.

So this is um uh this is the company that bid on the work that was low bid and um will be able to assist us as needed.

It'll be an on-call service.

So this is also one of those projection kind of things.

Correct.

Yeah, it's you know how how much of uh effort do we think we'll we'll need, but ultimately we're charged as we use them.

Okay, that makes sense.

All right, any other questions?

All right, all in favor?

Aye, any opposed?

Motion carries.

Item 9.16 is a joint resolution authorizing a contract with TGF Enterprises Inc.

Libertyville, Illinois, for herbicide application to the rights of ways for the Lake County Division of Transportation in an estimated annual amount of 74,358 dollars and twelve cents.

Can I get a motion in a second?

Motion by Kasmin, second by Hunter.

So this um this is also uh a two-year contract with the option to extend it for another three years uh on an annual basis, same CPI escalation option for the vendor to propose after a year two, then we can review and either approve that or go out to bid again.

The need for the contract is to apply uh herbicide along uh various sections of county highway and bike paths.

So for example, along our fence lines, uh along guardrails, along retaining walls, locations where we can't mow, but we do see a lot of vegetation growth.

And if if left untreated, for example, they can the weeds will grow up and overtake a fence and then cause disrepair to the fence.

Um so we have to treat that at the ground level.

If the weeds grow up underneath the retaining wall, they can cause upheaval of the cinder blocks and things like that and call it to be cause it to be structurally unsound.

And then we see a lot of weed growth uh along our guardrails where the posts go into the ground, and sometimes the weeds actually grow right through the asphalt along the back of our curb.

So we treat all that twice a year, usually in May and uh July.

This is the same vendor that has done the work for the last five years, and then they were low bid again this time.

Um they've done a good work and we're happy with uh the product they provide.

And all right.

Member Huey, sorry, member Hewitt.

Um what type of herbicide do they use?

Is that something that the general public needs to worry about as far as animals and such?

Or is that something more like a golf course use?

So they are uh a licensed herbicide contractor licensed by the state of Illinois.

We did ask them to send us a list of their products.

Um they said they use a variety of different um chemicals or herbicides.

So um, and depending on where they install them or apply them, some are intended to be used near aquatic areas.

Some of them are they say not I'm reading off the information I have, practically non-toxic to fish and essentially non-irritating to birds.

Um they biodegrading can be replanted after 14 days.

So I'm not a herbicide expert, but neither am I.

Um if they spray, and I'm assuming they spray an area.

They spray, so it's uh how long does that last?

So there's several conditions in in the contract that say you can't spray within 24 hours before or after of a forecasted rain event.

Your wind conditions cannot be greater than 15 miles per hour, and it has to be hand sprayed.

Typically, these are linear applications that are only a few inches wide, maybe to up to a foot wide or so.

Um so they're long linear um applications, they're not like widespread um applications and they're near the bottom of a fence or a wall or be directly behind that.

So if we do something according to the weather in June, will that last the whole summer season?

Or does it depend on how much rainfall we have?

How do they gauge how much spraying we need to do?

So they say the product kills the vegetation to the root.

So, you know, when things would regrow, you know, I guess it depends on what's trying to grow there.

But we found that if you do two applications a year, that keeps it manageable and and doesn't allow all everything to completely overtake the infrastructure.

Okay.

All right, thank you.

Member Wasick.

Thank you.

And Shane, I don't know if the vendor provides this information, but did they say uh how they're gonna prevent drift and if there's gonna be any signage because a lot of these pests they have you know, dog walkers, and I think uh digging into Diane's question, um I think we'd like to know if it's safe for pets as well.

So they I'm I'm sure they gave you a list of stuff, but I don't expect you to know what that means.

So yeah, I mean I didn't say anything specific to pets, but they did say non-toxic to fish in birds.

Um they do hand I do do know that they hand spray it, so the nozzle is very close to the ground when they apply it.

Um, and there's a there's something they add to the chemical, I believe it's called something drift, non-drift.

It helps helps it settle onto the ground quickly.

So they're not like using drones to spray over here.

No, it's a person that's walking, you know, with a nozzle just a couple inches off the ground, so it's very concentrated in a very specific narrow area.

And do they put up little signs like they do with the the lawn services saying this has been sprayed and I'll have to look into that and see if they do any signage?

Important for you know heavily traveled areas.

Yeah, I'll look into that and we can make that suggestion.

Okay, thank you.

Yep along the paths.

I mean, I think, yeah, especially if there are areas where people walk.

I knew some of the times the guardrails are in areas that maybe no one would walk, right?

Like it's a highway or like it's very busy, but on places that have sidewalks or bike trails next to it.

I mean, I would think we'd want to require there to be signage notice so that people know if they're walking their dogs or walking themselves, that that spray, you know, that that was just applied to that area, so they they know to maybe if they would like to avoid it.

Because I think it only lasts a couple days, but those days people would like to know in in in the traveled areas.

Um, I mean, I would like to know, and I think I know we've heard from people, they would really like to know.

So I don't know if there's a way to find out about that with the kind.

I'm sure I mean they must have signage because I'm sure a lot of places also require signage.

So, especially in the areas where people go, I think having that signage required would be really important, Miss Member Roberts.

Yeah, and and if you're going to put a signage, put it maybe if they can time stamp it, time stamp or date it because that sign could be there for a week.

And is this done yesterday or a week ago?

I mean, or just leave it out for when it's yeah, when it was just stay off between because I know if the services will say keep your dog off for an hour after they spray.

Maybe there's we'll look into that and like that notice, or even on our website if there's a way to say here the areas, you know, if there's just a way people can access that so they can find out the information.

And also, is there anything in the contract that says that our we would like to make sure that they use as little as possible?

You know, like it sounds like you know, to make sure that it is very much as small amount that is used.

Is there anything you know, like check on that?

But just thinking like fiscally, I would assume they'd want to use the minimum product required because it's at their expense.

Yeah, but um, I'll look into that.

And which ones they use and like you said, that like if we could keep looking into the types they're using, if they are using types that are less maybe have chemicals that seem to have long-term effects with people and animals.

Um, because for us, you know, maybe and maybe this is a vaguer discussion another day.

Like, is it possible to use something that is not as uh deadly but still works good enough, you know, for our so that it doesn't make the guardrails, you know, have weeds that make them go over, but um, because it's just for areas we can't mow.

So it's not like they can't be there.

It's just so is there another alternative to using these chemicals?

I think I I think we would be interested in knowing if there is any other way we could do this.

Um because this is a really important thing.

We hear more and more about these chemicals, getting into people's bloodstreams, our pets, you know, wild animals.

So whatever we can do to decrease the amount, I think is really important.

Chair Hart.

Thank you.

Thank you for this conversation.

And uh when Jennifer and I were reviewing the agenda together, we said, you know, we think there's going to be some conversation about this particular uh item.

So I'm thinking about the forest preserves.

We do use some herbicide, and and we all know people come to our public comment.

We kind of chatted about that, Shane.

So I think at the forest preserves, you might know this, Ann, um, they kind of give you a list.

Okay, these here's what is being applied.

Uh it is a contractor who does those applications, but we know exactly what is being applied.

So I am a little concerned that they're like, well, we use a variety of things, but they're all like totally safe, you know.

So I guess I am just wondering if it's possible to um I mean you determine whatever's best, but you know, hey, for our roads, we want to make sure it's maybe these products that the forest preserves deem are okay that that they can use.

Um, and then I would be interested in exactly where they're using them.

Okay.

So a couple things we do have a list from them.

They they listed four specific products.

We'd be happy to reach out to the forest preserve and see if they're using something similar or if they've got other ideas.

We can definitely do that.

Um, and then as far as a map, we do have that information.

It was included as the bid pack, it's part of the bid package.

So there's about 1800 different locations.

And it's about 600,000 feet, so you know, over a hundred miles.

We're talking about 300 miles of roadway and you know, 70-ish miles of bike path, and they're just placed in certain specific locations, not along those entire corridors, but just that that's the general scope of area.

Okay, yes, that's a good follow-up.

Thank you.

Thank you for that information, and I'll look at that um bid packet.

And then is it does LCDOT staff identify those areas?

And um, okay, so my guess is if there's an area that just doesn't need to be done, they're not gonna do it.

But these are all the potential areas that would need to be correct, yeah.

They're all mapped out by our maintenance staff.

Perfect.

And then they're put in GIS and they're labeled specifically from here to here.

Yeah, it's a lot of it's a lot of walking for hand spraying.

I was surprised that it was hand spraying.

All right, thank you very much.

Vice Chairman.

Thanks.

Um I just want to, and we have had people come and speak at the forest preserve, and I think this conversation is good and it's important and these concerns.

And I'm not saying there aren't concerns that people could have with chemicals, but in another setting, someone has stated that this chemical caused this cancer, and that their vet told them that.

And uh I find that perhaps a misunderstanding because I think it's unlikely that someone would say this.

They could say it could have been a contributing factor, or we don't know.

But this seemed like a mellower situation.

Um that's been said a number of times, and I just didn't want to say anything then because it wasn't going to be helpful.

But I just wanted to share with you and my colleagues, since it fits here, that's not the way the science works.

And I did cancer research and I stay up on that stuff.

Not saying that we shouldn't be concerned about these things, but there are very few one-to-one causations.

Could have happened, but the way it's been presented is not how I would have presented it as a person of science who did cancer research.

Thank you.

Member Wasick.

Thank you, Chair.

And uh having been recently certified as an herbicide applicator for the forest preserve.

Um, I could tell you the forest reserve is very specific on what they use and where they use it.

And I think for our purposes, if we knew what they were applying and where they were applying it, I I I assume that this are they're um licensed applicators that they would know exactly what they're doing, but just for our purposes, if we knew, you know, if they were using a certain herbicide in a certain area, like you can drill down as much as you want.

You can't use certain herbicides in wet areas, you can't use them in wetlands and stuff like that.

But just to give us the general idea what they are using and and how they're using it.

I I assume they're following the rules, but just you know, just so we know.

Sure.

We'll be happy to provide the list that we received from them and a map showing the location.

Okay.

Great.

Thank you.

Member Hunter.

Thanks, Jerem.

This company has been in Libertyville for 30 years, so they've been around for a long time.

Um, are we currently under an and we use them now, right?

We we have been using them for the last five years.

Okay.

Is the current agreement that we have now able to be renewed for one more year?

No.

This is a new contract.

Um, so that one's expired.

We've extended it as far as we can.

So this would be a new two-year contract with the option to extend it.

And they were the only ones that bid on it.

My concern is a this is a timely matter because we're in the middle of June.

And to and also if we're gonna re ask that flags be put up where it's been recently done, and then flag removal after the time.

It's you're gonna increase the cost of this.

This there's no if, ands, or buts.

Um, so while that's a valiant conversation to have with them, they're gonna wait.

That's not part of the contract.

Um, and and that's why I was asking if we could extend the one one year now or whatever, still not affecting the timeliness of getting this done, but at the same time, modify or put an amendment to this uh to this bid, because I I think it's gonna really drive up the price.

Well, if it does, this is my question.

Could we could you come back and then we could do a change order if we needed to?

Like could if we vote on it today, and then we could, and then if it turns out to try to notify people, and again, I mean, at least for my opinion, just especially in the places people walk.

Um, if it turns out that it is gonna be more, could you bring bring that as like an addition addendum to the contract?

We probably could, yeah.

Uh I'd want to check with our team in purchasing on that.

But okay, I would think if we added scope to to the work, and we could have them provide a cost for that, and if everyone was agreeable, we could amend the contract to make that work.

I think public notice forward here if we want that.

I mean, it's not gonna be for free.

So well, maybe it will unless he gets it.

But I will see too you what they already do.

How much is really along the bike path?

Exactly.

What's our what's our exposure?

A large exact thousand square feet.

A large majority of this is along the highway.

Yeah, I would think so.

Chair Hart.

Thank you.

Um, and I'm just saying this is for it, looks like it's a little bit is starting in July 2026, and then it goes into that May of 2027.

And and I think you're right, a lot of it is gonna be on the highway.

We care more about the um yeah, the bike path.

So maybe it's sort of hey, for these areas where we expect to have people walking around, the ideas of like this is the date it was applied, and and all that kind of stuff would seem to make sense.

Yeah, I think that's a good idea for a change order.

And maybe potentially something for this first season, we could have our maintenance team just put some signs out, yeah, you know, along the path.

If it's just a few isolated areas, yeah, you know, maybe there's a workaround for that.

Yes, I would be interested in seeing that, yeah.

Remember what Robert and you know, they're there anyway, applying, they have a flag with them, put it in, yeah, and then maybe replace it the next time they go.

Yeah, or we go back.

Just picks them up.

When they're mowing the next time or something.

Yeah.

I I would I would think that this is not that uncommon for people to put those little flags out from and if since this is what this company does, then it really might not cost that much for them to put it up, especially if we're willing to go pick them up, just from those areas where we need it.

So I think maybe looking at the different areas, figuring out what would be the ones we'd be really concerned about, and then seeing, you know, could you just stick those flags out there and then making sure we know to go pick them up?

So whatever, yeah, if you can figure out a process, I do because public notice of this, I think is very important.

And the places where people go.

Right.

All right.

All right.

And there was very good discussion.

All right.

All in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carries.

Item 9.17 is a joint resolution reauthorizing an intergovernmental agreement with the Illinois Public Works Mutual Aid Network for Lake County, Illinois governmental government agencies, including Lake County Public Works, Lake County Division of Transportation, and the Lake County Emergency Management Agency.

Can I get a motion?

Motion by Kasmin, second by Hunter.

So uh this is a joint effort between uh the three departments mentioned there to kind of rejoin IPW Mann.

So this is the state mutual aid network um for the entire state of Illinois.

All public entities have the option to join.

So I think there's about 400 members right now statewide.

Um the county has been a member uh since 2009, but in 2024, I believe it was 2024, they've modified their bylaws and basically say basically said they don't have to be overseen by a nonprofit.

They just want to be ruled by um a board uh that's made up of their own members.

And um, and that's really the only change.

So we're just uh recommending that we rejoin the agency.

Uh it's 500 hours on an annual basis in the event there was some major disaster that went through Lake County, and we were uh uh unable to you know provide the response we needed.

We could use this mate mutual aid group uh to provide resources, personnel and equipment uh to assist.

And then we would reciprocate and help out other areas um that may have need as well.

And it's been working well all these years.

It's it's been working very well.

You know, we've fortunately the county's never had to call upon it, but we do know EMA has been involved with assisting others uh in the state with this service, and and Dan Eder and his team has been very involved with with the agency.

And we're you're okay in the different departments with the change with the bio.

Yeah, we're all completely agreement.

We think it's a great idea that we should definitely participate in, you know, in the unfortunate situation where we need assistance.

This this gives the opportunity, it's all planned in advance.

And then this vote here is really for all three agencies, correct?

Yeah, um right, but it for both public works Lake County DOT and uh EMA.

Correct.

All right, yeah, it's I mean, sounds very important.

All right, all in favor?

Aye, any opposed?

Motion carries.

All right, that's the end of our DOT.

Thank you, Director Schneider.

Thank you very much.

It was quite a day.

We got a lot done today, though.

A lot of great projects on that one.

Okay, on to public works.

Item 9.18 is a joint resolution authorizing execution of a contract with Bowler Construction Company Inc.

of Waquegan, Illinois.

In the amount of 966,900 for the Biosolids Conveyor Replacement Project at the Des Plains River Water Reclamation Facility.

Can I get a motion and second?

Motion by Kasbin, second by Roberts.

Good morning, Chair and committee members, Austin McFarland, uh public works director.

The conveyor um in question here is located at our large largest treatment plant, the Des Plains River facility.

This the conveyor inside is inside the dryer building, and the purpose of the dryer is to the conveyor, I should say, is to move the biosolids product from the drying equipment to the silos that are located outside.

The current conveyor that we have in place is problematic.

It does need replacement.

And a bid was issued for that work to be done in bolder construction.

Low's the lowest and a response of bidder, and I do recommend approval for the work.

I appreciate the pictures.

I think it's really helpful for us to be able to get a visual of what's going on and the explanation.

Um and this was already planned and everything, correct?

So all right.

Any questions?

Oh, yeah, vice chair.

Yes, thank you.

I was just wondering where we are with um biosolids and our ability to dispose of them, you know, with um heavy metals and other things in them.

Um our cost related to that.

Um I mean, we have to do this, obviously, but since since we're talking biosolids, um I I was just wondering if you had a quick update on what's happening with that.

Yes, so let me break it out in two fold in terms of the cost, the cost for our biosolid program continues to increase.

As a matter of fact, our current vendor just um increase our overall rate by five percent across the board.

Not surprised.

So now we're looking at um an average of about ninety-five to a hundred thousand dollars a month for land application fees.

So the cost is is going up.

Um, in terms of the overall regulation um as it pertains to public works.

The purpose of us moving down this road with a dryer, a drying program is to convert the current biosolids um that are classified as a class B to a class A product, which would remove a lot of the water and a lot of the minerals.

The challenge that we have is that our material or biosolids program does contain radium, radium that is sent to us from some of our municipal partners, and so we're working with them to reduce that.

If we can get that radium down below 3.0 pike cura per gram, then it will allow us to do some other have other beneficial use of the product.

The good news is that um our largest contributor of um radium is Lake Zurich and they're go into Lake Michigan water.

So the future looks bright for us that we may be able to to have some better use of the product once that conversion is made.

Yeah, yeah.

Yeah, I was thinking when you said radium, I'm like, well, Lake Zurich is going off, so that will help.

Yes.

Um so we're still able then by going to class A in the as best you can with your crystal ball, still be able to do um a land application.

We'll still be able to land apply, but the good news is that we'll be able to reduce the burden, the low that's been a land apply.

So that should help reduce some of that overall cost.

Okay, okay.

And um these increased costs, which will probably continue, because I would imagine also just with development, they need to be transported further before there's a place to apply them because we're used to applying now houses.

Um is that all is that all factored into our um long-term costs and and rate adjustment that these costs are going like these are the sort of costs that people wouldn't think about, right?

But these are important costs to us.

There are do we have these factored in, like, hey, a five percent increase here or five percent, because those are above CPI, right?

Sure.

So when we do our user rate analysis, you know, we tend to give all the variables to our consultant to look at.

Okay.

And so yes, it is one of the factors.

Yeah, that is good to do that.

Thank you.

Because I don't see the cost going lower, and it's good to plan into them now instead of just being a big surprise in the future.

So glad to hear it.

Member Hunter.

Thanks, Chair.

Um, three things.

Great conversation, probably better for another time.

But you know, take this to to the next level when we get into budget talks and and and he sits here in front of us and says he needs another pre-treatment coordinator because that is part of the problem.

Um, is we need more pre-treatment coordinators in the field to catch this radium and barium is an issue too, as you as you know.

And so when he looks for an FTE of a pre-treatment coordinator, go back to this conversation that it's really critical to have that.

Um, and then there's one more thing that's coming on the horizon.

It's called PFAS.

They start getting into the fact that now it's gone full cycle into these biosolids.

Now figure the cost of that that's coming down the pike.

Uh and and then that would be critical also for the pre-treatment coordinator.

So I Iop, sorry.

I I really would encourage as we get into budget time because we're right at the forefront of that, is another pre-treatment coordinator because we don't have enough.

And I think we have one, and we need at least two to three.

We currently have one.

Yeah.

Just to give you a point of reference, the village of Fox Lake for that pre for that treatment plant that handles a lot of Western County has got one.

The entire county has got one.

It's just it's out of balance.

Thanks.

It is interesting.

And I think it's interesting.

I always think I'm like just I'm uh from a sustainability standpoint that we're getting the water out as opposed to like taking the this product to Oliandfill where it would be trapped in.

I think it's really important to look at this new technology, like with this technology and how it really does the best it can to be sustainable, sustainable uh thing going forward.

And I think everyone is looking forward to Lake Zurich uh going on to the network and our neighborhoods too, right?

And so our areas too.

So um, but yeah, I think this planning ahead.

I'm glad that we're looking ahead.

And boy, when you look at things like PFAS and all those things, I yep, I think we're gonna make it sounds like we are planning ahead.

So I look forward to that.

All right, all in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed motion carries.

Item 9.19 is a joint resolution authorizing execution of a contract with Griffin Residuals LLC of Dual, Florida, and the estimated annual amount of $85,480 for biosolids dryer operation service at the Des Plains River Water Reclamation Facility.

Can I motion by Hewitt, second by Kasbin?

So we we we talked a little bit about this, but uh talk a little bit add a little bit more to it.

Um so the department, as we stated earlier, has invested in a biosolid drying system, and the purpose of that system um is twofold to reduce the overall operation cost of the department as opposed to our biosolids land application program, and to produce better quality biosolids that may have broader application use.

So for this program to be successful, we'll need adequate and trained staffing, and the best option for the department at this time is to secure the services of a consultant to move the program along.

And so we add a uh request for proposal uh was issued and Griffin Residual was selected um encouraged by this opportunity that we'll finally have someone to move this program along.

The program has been um dormant for about a year, and so I would recommend approval of this contract.

All right, so we are contracting out this because our we don't have the existing employees able to do this, correct?

I think we've been limping along once we started, and uh, you know, we've got someone in at the Com Line who is the vendor that owns and oper that owns the dryer and manufactures the dryer, c came along and got a couple of our staff members trained to operate it, but they stay with us for a couple of months or so and then they leave.

Um the the idea of having to operate something for 12 hours or or or longer is problematic for some of these um folks, and so they've not it's our job too filled, they've just decided not to stay with a program.

So the program has been on and off, and so we've just added set in there with this stop and start because of the inability to have adequate staffing.

Yeah, yeah, we don't want those delays or stopping and starting because we don't have the staffing.

Okay, any other questions?

All right, all in favor?

Aye, any opposed?

Motion carries.

I am 9.20 is a joint resolution authorizing execution of a contract with Burger Contractors Inc.

of Wokonda, Illinois, in the amount of two million three hundred thirty-three thousand four hundred twenty-six dollars and thirty cents for the base bid and alternate number one bid for the Rollins Road Force Main replacement project.

Motion and a second motion by uh Hunter, second by Kasbin.

So about a year ago, we had an unexpected break on the primary force main that supports supports this pump station.

That was uh pretty frightful experience, but uh we got it patched, and so this contract will address the long-term repair and upgrade and replace the the pipe that's there, the the aged pipe.

And so burger contractor is the lowest in response to bidder for this, and so we recommend approval.

Yeah, this sounds pretty bad.

Yeah, member Hunter.

Thanks, Chair.

Uh first, thanks for informing me about that.

This was something that could take place in in my district.

Um, if you look at that map, because it goes from our facility to to Benjamin Avenue, right past or just west of Benjamin is where that vault was where the problem was last year.

Is this going to connect right into it, or is there a gap between Benjamin and Wilson Road that's not going to be addressed?

As far as I'm I'm aware, this should go straight past that.

True that um it would make common sense to do that.

I just want to, you know, I don't want to dwell on the we didn't want to segment it.

We just want to replace the entire pie police from our facility to the way to um and then if possible work with DOT to put up an information board on when we're doing that because the that there's a lot of traffic on Rollins Road there.

We have always been they've always been kind to us, so we will coordinate and make sure that that is done.

Thank you.

That's all.

Yeah.

Larry Mullen curl.

It's a very big project.

All right.

Any other questions?

Any other questions?

All right.

All in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carries.

Item 9.21 is a joint resolution authorizing an agreement with the state of Illinois, Illinois Department of Transportation for improvements along Illinois Route 22 from Quentin Road to Illinois 83.

Granting of a temporary construction easement appropriating 150,000 of the quarter percent sales tax for transportation funds.

Motion by Kasman, second by Hunter.

I'm gonna invite Director Schneider to join me for this one.

All right, we got the whole team together.

Let's come on up.

Yeah, let's talk.

I feel like this has been coming, this has been a long time coming this Friday.

So let's let's hear about it.

So the um Illinois Department of Transportation is planning improvements along uh Route 22.

But public works and LC DOT do have assets along the roadway.

And so IDAT is seeking an agreement with the county to do the following.

A, they would uh relocate section of the pipe owned by public works and include the real relocation of those sanitary sewer pipes within their construction project.

C, they would seek um temporary easement from DOT that would aid in the improvements of this construction.

And then the last item that DOT does have some traffic signals along the way, and so there would be some cost share in with IDOT and LCOD for signaled work improvement.

And so which part is the county DOT easement part?

Is that so uh actually it's it's not county DOT, it's just county property in general.

It was acquired through uh unpaid taxes.

So it's it's it's owned by the county proper.

Um so that it's part of the master agreement.

The county's allowing them to have an easement over that small strip of land.

Um but we do have direct involvement with the traffic signals that are under our jurisdiction.

So as normal, like the uh Green Bay Road project we talked about today, we'll just pay for our share of the traffic signal work that we have ownership of.

So this is gonna be the long talked about and maybe awaited uh expansion of route Illinois 22, like a state project.

That's correct.

It's state run, so they've already it's gonna be done in phases, and they've already um issued the contract for tree removal and advanced utility work, so that's starting.

Uh the last update we heard, they expect utility work to take around two years.

Um, and then they expect their project to take around two or so years.

And our part, one of our parts is moving our entire sewer line, water line.

What are we moving?

Just a sewer line.

And we have to move it under the law.

We're moving it out of the road, but out of the new roadway.

And so it's going to be expensive, but with something we have to do.

Yes.

And we've planned on this is budgeted.

This is budgeted.

And uh, and when we put the new one in, it's gonna be great.

It's gonna be a new improved sewer line.

And I think it's good for us because sometimes we also have asked people to move their utilities for our projects.

So this is just us getting asked to move our sewer lines, which is a big project.

Uh, and so how long will it take us?

Like, what is our time frame?

Because this seems like a big project to move our sewer lines.

So we're pretty much completed with our design.

We just submit the design off the removal to them and they'll incorporate that into their overall project.

So we're done with our portion.

Okay.

So we don't have to actually do the construction of them.

They'll they'll we'll just pay for it.

Correct.

And then they'll do it as part of their thing.

Exactly.

And it's the same with DOT.

They'll with the intersections, they'll do it.

We'll just like help.

Or just cost share.

We'll just cost share.

Correct.

Okay.

So we're kind of along for the ride.

We're giving them some good advice on what we'd like to have.

That's right.

All right.

All right.

Well, I'm glad I think a lot of people in this area are very glad to see.

I feel like when I moved to Lake County a very long time ago, they were talking about this project.

So probably a good thing to see this moving forward.

All right.

Any other questions?

All right, all in favor?

Aye.

Any opposed?

Motion carries.

Oh.

We're all the way to the end.

That was quite a that was quite an agenda there.

We got so much.

I feel like we just re-inlinked the whole county today.

All right, do we have a county administrator's report?

We do not.

All right.

Is there any there's no executive session?

I'd like for the members to remind everyone.

I'd like friendly members to remind everyone, we've got our reading of the Declaration of Independence today at noon to honor America 250, the founding of this country's uh of the Declaration of Independence and of our 250th anniversary.

So that is today.

Hopefully, to see you all there.

Any other members' remarks?

All right, then I declare this meeting adjourned.

Our next meeting is July 29th, 2026.

Have a good day, everyone.