Carbondale Reporter

Jackson County Real Property Committee met May 13.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

Call to Order (4:31 PM)

Members Present: Calandro, D. Bost, Erbes, Mueller and Snyder

Members Absent: Mendoza, Jr. and Peterson

Also Present: Mitch Burdick, Maureen Berkowitz, Jeff Whitbeck

Erbes chaired the meeting.

Approval of Minutes

I. 19-4050 February 13, 2019 Minutes

A motion was made by Calandro, seconded by D. Bost, to approve the February 13, 2019 minutes as presented. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

Communication

Highway Department

A. SIMPO-Southern Illinois Metropolitan Planning Organization

B. Jackson County Bike Paths/Trails

C. Payment of Highway Monthly Claims

A. There was no meeting this month.

B. Burdick reported that there was a public meeting on the Planned Phase 2 of the NW bike bath in Carbondale on Monday. Phase 1 will be under construction this year. Phase 1 runs from Oakland Avenue to New Era road along the abandoned RR. Phase 2 will run from New Era to the intersection with IL Route 13 and link up with the completed bike crossing under IL Route 13. They are applying for an IDNR grant to acquire ROW and hopefully an ITEP grant in the future to support construction. Also, Burdick has made contact with the City Manager of Mt. Vernon concerning "Share the Road" with bikes signs. He is waiting to find out how many of what type of signs they have available.

C. Burdick reviewed some of the claims. He explained that the high work comp and unemployment bills are from FY18 but in the future it will be budgeted correctly so it doesn't all come out in one lump sum. Mueller asked why it was so high, it is due to a work comp claim last year. Burdick went on to mention that new tires were needed for one of the trucks, salt was purchased and there was some employee training costs. Mueller moved and Calandro seconded to pay the Highway monthly claims in the amount of $89,525.15, motion carried.

II. 19-4049 County Highway Department Update

Burdick gave the committee an update on the Highway Department.

 They are running under budget for payroll due to now having only 9 maintainers vs. 10 last year and starting the new guys at a lower rate.

 Snow Removal - since January 1, 2019, they have had 14 days of snow operations costing a total for labor, equipment and material of $118,000+/-

 ALL employees now have their Class B CDL (the employee hired with a CDL permit acquired his license 32 days after hire). They will be working to get all new and existing employees Class A CDL licenses this year so that all employees can operate the semi trailer.

 Bob Richards will be retiring at the end of May. Burdick anticipates advertising for this position by mid April. He handed out updated job description and job application. He has changed the policy of the Highway Department so that a Class B CDL will be required within 90 days of hire date, the previous policy was 6 months. If new hires do not have the Class B CDL in 90 days they will be terminated. Copies of the updated job description and job application are attached here.

 Burdick handed out job advertisements for the summer maintenance help and the summer technical help. He anticipates advertising for this positions next week and having job applications available at the April Real Property Committee meeting. It is Burdick's understanding that past policy has been for the committee to have a chance to review these part-time summer applications. There was some discussion by committee members if it was a good idea to see the applications or just let me make the decision. Burdick's opinion, especially for what will likely be younger people applying, he would appreciate any additional information that the committee may be able to bring concerning the applicants. Younger people have very limited work history and references tend to be close friends of the family. More established employees have a deeper work history to consider. Burdick is open to either way, but in the past the committee has reviewed the applications. Copies of the job advertisements are attached here. The Highway Department had challenges getting applicants last year and these summer people really do help the department out a lot in getting the work completed. With that in mind Burdick is going to be doing the following: 1. Start advertising earlier than last year to try and capture qualified people before they take another summer job and 2. Increase starting pay from $8.25 last year to $9.50 this year. Burdick commented that Guthman believed starting pay may need to increase this year, as well, to try and gain more applicants.

 Dillinger Road Project Bid Results. Bids were received on March 8, 2019. The project budget was $1,000,000 with $100,000 local match. Low bid was ET Simonds at $721,000 leaving a local match of $72,100 vs. $100,000.

 Ava Road Project. IDOT just provided the Local Public Agency agreement to use Federal Funds right before the meeting. This missed the deadline to put it on the agenda for Real Property. Burdick requested the committee add it to the full board agenda without being on the consent agenda. The committee agreed.

 Josh Cox in the office recently completed his Bridge Calibration training required for Bridge inspections. This is a 3 day class with extensive testing. Josh completed this successfully. Burdick completed some initial training for the Flood Plain Manager position he accepted at the last County Board meeting.

Land Use & Economic Development

A. Greater Egypt Regional Planning & Development Commission

B. Supervisor of Assessments-see land division below

C. Jackson Growth Alliance

D. Comprehensive Plan

E. River Levee Project Update

A. Erbes reported that Rendleman attended the meeting.

B. See below

C. Mueller reported that the meeting at the Elks was well attended and JGA is looking to bring the consultant to Murphysboro soon

D. Erbes stated that he attended the Murphysboro Comprehensive Plan meeting and has some information that he will share at the April meeting.

E. Nothing at this time. It is to wet to complete work at this time.

III. 19-4051 Land Division-Cabin on the Hill-Fager-PIN 15-36-200-023

Berkowitz reported that this is a land split from a 4.79 acre plot to a 2.5 acre and 2.2 acre plots.

The Highway and Health Departments have both signed off on the split. Snyder asked about the water crossing both properties and it was determined that this is an issue for the water department.

A motion was made by D. Bost, seconded by Calandro, to approve the land division for Cabin on the Hill subdivision, Fager owner, PIN 15-36-200-023. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

County Buildings & Grounds

IV. 19-4052 Courthouse Lactation Room

Whitbeck reported that he met with the Judge today to discuss this item. They have selected a few different spots and will be looking into which is best. He should have more information at the April meeting.

Old Business

New Business

Adjourn

Mueller moved and D. Bost seconded to adjourn, motion carried.

https://www.jacksoncounty-il.gov/Home/Components/MeetingsManager/MeetingMinutes/ShowPrimaryDocument/?minutesID=4906&isPub=True&includeTrash=False