Illinois Valley Times

Bureau County Board Transportation Committee met Sept. 29

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Members Present: Keith Cain, David Argubright, August Block, Tom Dobrich, Jason Floyd, and Marshann Entwhistle.

Others Present: Sharon Schallhorn, John Gross and Maureen Meier.

Called to Order: 6:30 p.m.

Minutes Read: Additions or Corrections: None

Motion to Approve Minutes: Tom Dobrich, seconded by David Argubright.

Favor: All Opposed: None

Motion Carried

Claims: CHF claims totaling $102K included payroll, parts, fuel, employee health insurance, diesel injectors, weed control chemicals, CA16 for spray patching, legal services for ROW acquisition on 1745 North Avenue, signs and tires. County MFT expenditures of $148K consisted of traffic marking paint, payroll, glass beads and RipRap. County Aid Bridge expenditures of $43K included payroll, Township Bridge Inspections and local portion of preliminary engineering for various Township Structure replacements, county contract and culvert liners. TBP expenditures of $7K were for preliminary engineering for the Township Structure

Replacement projects.

Motion to approve claims by: Jason Floyd, seconded by David Argubright.

Favor: All Opposed: None

Motion Carried

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I. Discussion: John informed the committee that the projected balance for County MFT at the end of FY26 seemed a bit high, to which John agreed. John proposed two changes to the proposed FY26 budget to include $700K for county contracts in County MFT as well as $500K for county contracts in CHF. This $1.2M will make great strides in necessary improvements on Osceola Road, 1745 North Avenue and (I didn’t catch the third one  )

Action: Motion by David Argubright, seconded by Tom Dobrich, to approve proposed FY26 Budget adjustments to reflect $700K for county contracts in County MFT and $500K county contracts in CHF.

Favor: All Opposed: None

Motion Carried

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Discussion items, with no action taken:

1. Construction Status Update: John informed the committee that 2 of the 3 structure replacements scheduled for this year are currently closed and starting the replacement process. The third in LaMoille is anticipated to begin in approximately 2 weeks. Paving projects for this year including Zearing, 2200 North and Buda Blacktop are pretty much done. We still do have the 3 structure replacements to do, but they are at least getting started now after having to wait for a long time to get deck beams.

2. Noxious Weeds: Sharon asked the committee if there had been any complaints regarding noxious weeds, to which all members responded there had been none. Sharon informed the committee that the Work Plan for 2026 contains the same language as previous Work Plans, and that the report she will submit to the state that is due in November will reflect no complaints, and that reporting keeps the County in compliance with state requirements.

3. Old Business:

a. August Block asked Mr. Cain if there had been any mention of a ribbon cutting ceremony being held for Bartlett Grain. Mr. Cain answered he had not yet heard of anything being scheduled.

b. Sharon reminded the committee that the last free e-recycle event for 2025 is set for October 25, 2025. This event includes a limit of 7 items and will be held from 9 a.m. until noon. Sharon also mentioned to John that there will be 2 trucks this time.

4. New Business: John informed the committee that they had run into a glitch while trying to process ROW acquisition on 1745 North Avenue. The title search revealed that some of the ground being acquired was not owned solely by the party originally thought, but it was 50% that party, and the other 50% ownership involved a trust. There has been a huge delay now as legal representation is trying to track down all individuals involved in the trust. John stated we are still moving forward, but this is creating a huge delay in resolving the acquisition.

Motion to Adjourn was made by: August Block, seconded by David Argubright.

Favor: All Opposed: None

Time Adjourned: 6:45 p.m.

https://bureaucountyil.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=12&ID=1536&Inline=True