Macon Reporter

Dewitt County Road and Bridge Committee met Nov. 13.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

MEMBERS PRESENT: Melonie Tilley - Committee Chairman, Travis Houser, Scott

Nimmo, Jay Wickenhauser

OTHERS PRESENT: Mark Mathon – County Engineer. Tom Swierczewski – Tradewind

Energy

SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION:

Chairman Tilley called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.

Motion by Houser, seconded by Nimmo, to approve minutes of October 16, 2019 Road & Bridge

Meeting. Unanimous.

Motion by Wickenhauser, seconded by Houser, to approve payment of bills. Unanimous.

Mathon presented a resolution and letter of engagement with Klein, Thorpe & Jenkins, Ltd. for Alta Wind Project II Road Use Agreement. The original Road Use Agreement (RUA) for the project expires if no physical improvements are started on or before December 1, 2019. The next item on the agenda is an amendment to the RUA that addresses this issue. The State’s Attorney suggested it may be prudent for the board to consider a new letter of engagement for representation on any RUA-related matters. The attorney representing DeWitt County will continue to be Sheryl Churney, now with the firm Klein, Thorpe & Jenkins, Ltd. Motion by Nimmo, seconded by Wickenhauser to recommend to the full board to approve the Resolution and Letter of Engagement with Klein, Thorpe & Jenkins for representation on the Alta Wind Project II Road Use Agreement. Houser – yes, Nimmo – yes, Wickenhauser – yes, Tilley – abstain. Motion passes 3-1.

Amendment 1 to the Alta Farms Wind Project II Road Use Agreement was presented. As mentioned earlier, the existing RUA has an expiration date of December 1, 2019. Amendment 1 was submitted by Tradewind Energy and reviewed by Ms. Churney for the County, and extends the expiration date to December 1, 2021. The remainder of the RUA is unchanged. Mr. Swierczewski indicated the same Amendment has been discussed with the three involved township Highway Commissioners. Discussion ensued. Motion by Wickenhauser, seconded by Houser to recommend to the full board to approve Amendment 1 to the Alta Wind Project II Road Use Agreement. Houser – yes, Nimmo – yes, Wickenhauser – yes, Tilley – abstain. Motion passes 3-1.

Mathon informed the committee that he had named Marty Vinson the new foreman after the retirement of Rich Parker. Applications to fill the vacant Highway Maintainer position are still being taken.

Mathon updated the committee on activities over the last month. One of the mowing tractors slid on an embankment and laid over on its side. Operator was uninjured and the only damage was a broken windshield. Tractor operation and mower safety was discussed with staff.

On October 28, the department provided assistance to the Clinton Fire Department. CFD was responding to a grain bin fire off of IL 10 just east of Weldon Springs Rd, and requested a loader and operator to move grain. Mathon shared the thank you note that had been sent from CFD.

During routine vehicle maintenance it was discovered that the backup tandem, old Truck 15, has a cracked transmission bell housing. A preliminary estimate on repairs and replacement of the transmission is over $10,000. Other options will be investigated, but it appears this truck will be traded in ‘as-in’ condition when the budgeted tandem purchase is done.

The consulting engineering firm working for the City of Clinton on their Center Street project requested on behalf of the City that Mathon assist the City on completing paperwork for obtaining the necessary ROW and temporary easements. Having a Local Agency complete the forms streamlines the process and will enable the City to better manage the timeline of the process.

The next regularly scheduled Road & Bridge Committee Meeting will be on Wednesday, December 11, 5:30p at the Highway Department.

Motion by Nimmo, seconded by Houser, to adjourn at 6:02 p.m.

COMMITTEE ACTION:

Motion by Houser, seconded by Nimmo, to approve minutes of October 16, 2019 Road & Bridge Meeting. Unanimous.

Motion by Wickenhauser, seconded by Houser, to approve payment of bills. Unanimous.

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION TO THE COUNTY BOARD:

Motion by Nimmo, seconded by Wickenhauser to recommend to the full board to approve the Resolution and Letter of Engagement with Klein, Thorpe & Jenkins for representation on the Alta Wind Project II Road Use Agreement. Houser – yes, Nimmo – yes, Wickenhauser – yes, Tilley – abstain. Motion passes 3-1.

Motion by Wickenhauser, seconded by Houser to recommend to the full board to approve Amendment 1 to the Alta Wind Project II Road Use Agreement. Houser – yes, Nimmo – yes, Wickenhauser – yes, Tilley – abstain. Motion passes 3-1.

https://www.dewittcountyill.com/minutes/2019/committee/10-16-2019roadandbridge.pdf