Lincoln, Illinois

Street & Alley Committee

August 28, 2012

Minutes of a Street & Alley Committee Meeting held in the Council Chambers of City Hall, Lincoln, IL, on Tuesday, August 28, 2012.

Chairman Alderman Neitzel called the meeting to order at 6:15 p.m.

Members of the Street & Alley Committee present were Chairman Alderman Neitzel, Vice Chairman Alderman Bacon, Alderman O'Donohue, Alderman Wilmert, and Alderman Hoinacki. Also present were Alderman Anderson, Alderman Horn, and Alderman Tibbs. Also present were Mayor Snyder (left at 6:39 p.m. and returned 6:45 p.m.), City Clerk Mrs. Gehlbach(she left at 6:46 p.m., and Recording Secretary Mrs. Riggs.

There were five Street & Alley Committee members present (Alderman Bacon, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman O'Donohue, and Alderman Wilmert) and none absent.

The meeting was to discuss the Oglesby Avenue Bridge and Lincoln Avenue.

Mr. Forgy said he had gone over with Alderman Neitzel and given her some recommendations. In discussion with City Attorney it was recommended that the project be rebid due to the amount of extras that were seen. There are some significant deficiencies to level the street on Lincoln Avenue. Construction window is closing soon for this year. Deficiencies are not correct for ADA compliance and those have changed in the last 12-18 months.

Alderman Tibbs was concerned about the bids being higher. Mr. Forgy said he was advised by the City Attorney the City would have to rebid. Mayor Snyder said Prairie Engineers are considering looking at a needs assessment for the City with a five year plan.  

Mr. Forgy said they should send correspondence to each bidder letting them know that all bids have been rejected.

Alderman Wilmert moved to accept engineer's recommendation and delay the project until such time as they have capital improvement plan and Alderman Hoinacki seconded it.

Alderman O'Donohue thought they needed to make a recommendation whether the City needed to do the five year capital plan. The next six to eight months there will be no construction and the reason that is happening because for the first time in Lincoln, Illinois they are getting a capital improvement plan. He also asked if there was a cost to have the capital improvement plan done.

Mr. Forgy said the capital improvement plan is a line item in the interim contract with the City. There is an hourly figure but the capital improvement was one item that was in the contract.

Alderman O'Donohue said he always thought the City did their streets willy nilly.

Alderman Wilmert amended his motion to include the recommendation of the capital improvement plan as part of not awarding these two bids and Alderman Hoinacki seconded it.

Lincoln, Illinois

Street & Alley Committee

August 28, 2012; Page -2-

Alderman Anderson hope to have by early spring to get this on the schedule. Would like to see projects started early in the spring.

Alderman Hoinacki didn't think any on the list had been done. Mr. Forgy said they would have to talk about the hours and the money. Alderman Neitzel thought the five year plan was the way to go.

Alderman Neitzel called the roll call. There were five yeas (Alderman Bacon, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman O'Donohue, and Alderman Wilmert), zero nays, and none absent.

Mr. Forgy it is cheaper with doing more at one time for a larger program. Alderman Neitzel said if they can get more done at one time it would be good for the City.

Mr. Forgy brought up they are currently reviewing the grade crossings for the high speed rail.

Mr. Forgy said he participated in a diagnostic meeting on the two grade separations in Lincoln on the Union Pacific Railroad last week.  

Mr. Forgy said Prairie Engineers were recommending the stop lights on the square should be shut off and put up stop signs. It is a safety concern. Alderman Bacon was afraid that if they changed the stop lights it might be a problem for older and the younger drivers. Mr. Forgy said maybe they should add stop signs with the stop lights.

Alderman Neitzel moved to adjourn the meeting and Alderman Hoinacki seconded it. There were five yeas (Alderman Bacon, Alderman Hoinacki, Alderman Neitzel, Alderman O'Donohue, and Alderman Wilmert), zero nays, and none absent.

The Street & Alley Committee Meeting Adjourned at 6:47 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted By:

Risa Riggs, Recording Secretary