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Kane County

KC Transportation Committee

Meeting Minutes

TEPE, Daugherty, Berman, Iqbal, Kious, Lenert, Roth, ex-officios Williams (County

Development Chair) and Pierog (County Chair)

Tuesday, August 19, 2025

9:00 AM

County Board Room

Call To Order

Chairman Tepe called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM.

Roll Call

Board Member Vern Tepe

Board Member Mo Iqbal

Board Member Chris Kious

Board Member Bill Lenert

Board Member Bill Roth

PRESENT

Ex-Officio (County Development Chair) Rick Williams

Board Member Gary Daugherty

Board Member Dale Berman

Ex-Officio County Board Chair Corinne M. Pierog

REMOTE

ABSENT

Also present: Co. Bd. Members Allan*, Bates*, Garcia, Juby*, Linder, Molina*,

Penesis*; KDOT Dir. Zakosek & staff Rickert, Way, Files, Hohertz, Nika, Coffinbargar,

O'Connell, Lichtenberger; ITD staff Peters; SAO staff Hunt*, Weldon, Jaeger; and

members of the press and public.

Remote Attendance Requests

Chairman Tepe announced the remote attendance requests for today's meeting. He

asked the Committee if there were any objections to Committee Members Berman and

Daugherty attending today's meeting remotely. There were no objections.

Approval of Minutes: July 15, 2025

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT

Chris Kious

Public Comment

Steve Leffler, St. Charles, spoke on Account Number 30150: Local County Option. He

suggested that the Committee consider modifying this account. Currently, the account

is at 5.0. Leffler recommended that the Committee change it to 9.7 to match DuPage

County. Lastly, he hopes the Committee considers what ever they can to improve bike

ability in Kane County.

Finance

Monthly Financial Reports

(Committee Member Berman arrived remotely at 9:02 a.m.)

KDOT Deputy Dir. Rickert stated the monthly financial reports were on file. He

spoke on the Status of Funds Report. He explained that this report was created

approximately 15 to 20 years ago to ensure that the County Board could see the

status of funds on one-sheet of paper. He noted that the report highlights the

Kane County Division of Transportation's (KDOT) primary fund sources, money

in and money out, and fund balances. Currently, KDOT has a fund balance of

$182M. Historically, the County Board has been aware of the amount KDOT had

in fund balance in the accounts, but did not understand the contractual

obligations. Rickert explained that KDOT's contractual obligations at the end of

the prior month was $83M, which are purchase orders that are in place that

KDOT owes funds on. Additionally, KDOT will look at these fund sources and

move the cost of projects that the County Board has approved into them. He

noted that many of these projects have not been reflected in this month's

financial reports. He believes KDOT's contractual obligations are closer to $97M.

He stated that the existing fund balances, after the contractual obligations are

removed, is $105M. (Committee Member Iqbal arrived in-person at 9:05 a.m.)

Rickert stated that he will continue to include KDOT's agreement contractual

obligations, in order to have them more assessable to the Committee. He

included a list of the agreements and projects that need to be completed within

the next three years, which will be primarily covered by local funds that equate to

$118M. He explained that while KDOT develops their five-year financial plan,

they try to ensure that there are local funds to complete necessary projects.

However, KDOT will face a $13M budget shortfall in the next three years for

projects that must be done. Rickert stated that the County will need to figure out

how to fund these projects in the near future.

KDOT’s FY2026 Budget Presentation

KDOT Deputy Dir. Rickert presented the Kane County Division of

Transportation's (KDOT) FY2026 Budget. He reviewed KDOT's mission and

goals, such as maintenance and preservation of existing system of roads,

bridges, traffic control, and bike/ped infrastructure, public safety, planning, and

efficiency. He shared the responsibilities and tasks that are guided by the Kane

County Board, such as the annual budget, Transportation Improvement Program

(TIP), and Ride in Kane Paratransit Program. He listed KDOT's nine funds and

their primary uses, such as County Highway Fund 300, Motor Fuel Tax Fund

302, and Transportation Sales Tax Fund 305. He noted that all Impact Fees

have been bundled into three funds: North Impact Fee, Central Impact Fee, and

South Impact Fee. Rickert shared KDOT's Proposed FY2026 Budget Revenues

and Expenditures - Recurring versus Non-Recurring Costs. He explained that

the meaning of recurring is the annual expenditures that KDOT either needs to

receive the revenues on, or expend funds on. He stated that non-recurring are

extra funds that are brought into the County to complete capacity type projects,

contractual obligations, commodities, and grants. He explained that KDOT's

annual revenues are $46.61M, which does not include $6.85 in the

Transportation Sales Tax Fund. He stated that the budgeted primary annual

expenditures, that include personnel, traffic operations, resurfacing of roads, and

maintenance of bridges, are $49.59M. Rickert explained that with the removal of

the $6.85M in Regional Transit Authority (RTA) Sales Tax, KDOT will face a

$3M shortfall, which will have consequences. He stated that KDOT has a

number of non-recurring revenue for projects that are on going, such as grants,

reimbursements, impact fees, investment income, and fund balance utilization,

which is approximately $70.4M. He spoke on KDOT's expenditures. He

explained that the Capital - Non-Maintenance, which includes Engineering and

Right-of-Way construction, is $67.39M. He reviewed the FY2026 Budget

highlights. He stated that the KDOT's FY2026 proposed budget is $116.98M. He

spoke on KDOT utilizing a program based budget, due to the large fluctuations

that can occur. He explained that KDOT's Budget does not utilize any funding

from the County's General Fund, but is funded by Special Revenue funds and

grants. He noted that KDOT has continually transferred $448,435 to the General

Fund for assistance from the Information Technologies Department (ITD) and

the State's Attorney Office (SAO). Additionally, the FY2026 Budget does not

utilize a property tax increase. Rickert explained that KDOT's Regional Transit

Authority (RTA) Sales Tax will be reduced by $6.85M. He stated that

approximately 86% of the budget is projects and about 14% is operations, such

as personnel, maintenance, and traffic. He explained that the budgeted projects

that are listed in the budget are obligations or required due to purchase orders,

safety, maintenance, agreements, and grant commitments. He stated that KDOT

plans to use $67.39M of the fund balance, which is 57.6% of the budget, to

cover existing obligations, such as purchase orders, agreements, and grant

commitments. Rickert reviewed KDOT's personnel highlights. There are a total

of 79 positions: 71 full-time and eight part-time/seasonal. Out of the 71 full-time

positions, 34 of the administrative positions are funded by County Highway Fund

300 and the 37 maintenance positions are covered by the Motor Fuel Tax (MFT)

Fund 302. Rickert noted that there is a 1.25% decrease to salaries and wages

due to the budget only including union wage increases per contract and it does

not include any non-union considerations. Rickert reviewed the impacts of the

County reducing the RTA Sales Tax to 50%. He explained that this reduction of

$6.85M decreases the FY2026 annual recurring revenues by 12.82%. The

annual recurring operations and maintenance now exceeds annual revenues by

$3M annually. Rickert stated that except for existing grants, there will no longer

be any matching funds available for projects, which will stop most grant

applications until alternative revenue sources are found to match federal and

state funds. He noted that KDOT will continue to focus on finding alternative

revenue sources in order to match federal and state funding for safety and

capacity projects. He shared the future year priorities for any potential grant

considerations, such as maintenance to bridges/structures and pavement, safety

for intersections and traffic operations, and transit. Additionally, the reduction will

not allow KDOT to add any new projects to the County's Transportation

Improvement Program (TIP), unless required, will cause maintenance changes

that will have a significant cost savings annually. KDOT will seek to protect

existing grants and associated fund balances and will put on hold 19 projects, or

portions thereof, while seeking additional funding. Rickert listed the 19 projects

that will be affected, such as the Burlington at Silver Glen Intersection,

Dauberman Meredith Realignment, Galligan - Freeman to Binnie, and Randall at

I-90 Interchange. He reviewed the ways that KDOT can internalize a number of

services to help with cost savings. Rickert addressed questions and comments

from the Committee. Much discussion ensued.

Maintenance

Maintenance Report

KDOT Maintenance Supt. Way stated the monthly report was on file. He

explained that due to recent storm activity, staff assisted with clearing eight

downed trees located near the Bliss Road Roundabout. Additionally, he stated

that Sugar Grove received approximately five inches of rain, that covered one

area of a roadway. Way commended the Ditching Program and Culvert

Replacement Program that ensures the roadways stay clear of water. He

explained that the Kane County Division of Transportation (KDOT) is currently

monitoring Paw Paw and the expected rainfall for needed assistance.

Approving Purchase of One (1) 2025 3.25 Cubic Yard Articulating Wheel Loader

for the Kane County Division of Transportation

KDOT Maintenance Supt. Way stated that this resolution is to purchase one

2025 Articulating Wheel Loader for the Kane County Division of Transportation

(KDOT). He explained that the current Wheel Loader is a 2008 CASE 721G with

approximately 175 operating hours. He stated that the current loader was pulled

from the fleet for repair. However, after the quotes were received for the repairs,

staff realized the loader was up for replacement in FY2026. Way stated that

KDOT has some surplus funding due to the cancellation of a flooring project in

FY2025 that would be able to cover the replacement of the loader. He stated

that this purchase will be through Sourcewell for $288,590. He reviewed the

additional competitive quotes received for a Wheel Loader. Way addressed

questions and comments from the Committee.

Committee Member Iqbal spoke on the inconsistency within several resolutions.

KDOT Dir. Zakosek stated he would review the resolutions with the Kane County

State's Attorney's Office.

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVER:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Bill Lenert

Chris Kious

SECONDER:

AYE:

Vern Tepe, Gary Daugherty, Dale Berman, Mo Iqbal, Chris Kious,

Bill Lenert, Bill Roth, and Rick Williams

Corinne M. Pierog

ABSENT:

Approving Adopt-A-Highway Applicants

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Chris Kious

TO:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

Bill Lenert

Vern Tepe, Gary Daugherty, Dale Berman, Mo Iqbal, Chris Kious,

Bill Lenert, and Bill Roth

AYE:

Corinne M. Pierog

Rick Williams

ABSENT:

ABSTAIN:

Planning & Programming

Planning & Programming Report

KDOT Chief of Planning and Programming Files stated the monthly report was

on file. She stated that the Impact Fee Advisory Committee met in July for their

first Kick-off Program Update. She noted that the Impact Fee process is dictated

by State statute. She noted that the Kane County Division of Transportation

(KDOT) is on a deadline to adopt the Impact fees by January 2027. She stated

at the second Advisory Committee meeting, a discussion and presentation will

be provided to review the socioeconomic information of Kane County. She

explained that the Advisory Committee will be asked to present to the County

Board a date to hold a Public Hearing to receive public feedback on the land use

assumptions. She stated that the land use assumptions will feed into the Travel

Demand Model and will show deficiencies and types of capacity projects the

County faces due to new development. Files explained that next month she will

be presenting the rough data and projections that would be posted at the Public

Hearing. She spoke on the Ride-in-Kane Program. She stated that the County

was allocated $2.5M for the Ride-in-Kane Program, which will match 5310

funds. These funds will be spread out over the next two years to support the

program. Files noted that the funds should be received in May 2026. Lastly, the

Kane Kendall Council of Mayors continue to work hard programming federal

funds for municipal and County projects.

Permitting

Permitting Report

KDOT Chief of Permitting Hohertz stated the monthly report was on file. No

additional report was made.

Traffic Operations

10.

Traffic Operations Report

KDOT Asst. Dir. Nika stated the monthly report was on file. He mentioned that

the County experienced vandalism to the Kane County Division of

Transportation's (KDOT) traffic fiber network. He explained that the vandals cut

KDOT's fiber optic line near Sterns Road, which was part of a network loop. He

stated that KDOT's Electrical Maintenance Contractor (EMC) is working to repair

the damage. The damage will be handled through an insurance claim. Nika

addressed questions and comments from the Committee. Discussion ensued.

Approving a Contract for Maintenance Services with Meade, Inc. of Willowbrook,

Illinois for 2026, 2027 & 2028 Electrical Maintenance Contract, Kane County

Section No. 26-00000-01-GM

KDOT Asst. Dir. Nika explained that this resolution is related to the Kane County

Division of Transportation's (KDOT) three-year electrical maintenance contract.

He stated that KDOT went to public bid on this contract for FY2026, FY2027,

and FY2028. He explained that the electrical maintenance contract is

responsible for keeping signals and lighting systems throughout the County in

working order. He stated that KDOT received two qualified bidders, in which

none met the County's Responsible Bidder Ordinance (RBO). However, both

bidders are Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) KDOT qualified

contractors for electrical work.

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Bill Roth

MOVER:

Chris Kious

SECONDER:

Vern Tepe, Gary Daugherty, Dale Berman, Mo Iqbal, Chris Kious,

Bill Lenert, Bill Roth, and Rick Williams

AYE:

Corinne M. Pierog

ABSENT:

11.

Project Implementation

Project Implementation Report

KDOT Chief of Design O'Connell stated that the monthly report was on file. She

explained that design projects listed within the Transportation Improvement Plan

(TIP) continue to move forward. She stated that the consultant for the Randall

Road at Highland Avenue design project recently presented the Kane County

Division of Transportation (KDOT) with design alternatives. O'Connell explained

that KDOT is close to achieving design approval on the Randall Road

Multi-Module Project, which plans for a bike path on the northern most nine-mile

stretch of the County. She shared several photographs depicting the numerous

construction projects that are occurring around the County. O'Connell and KDOT

Asst. Dir. Coffinbargar addressed questions and comments from the Committee.

Discussion ensued.

Approving Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement with Michael Baker International,

Inc. of Chicago, Illinois for the 2020 Structural Services Project, Kane County

Section No. 19-00523-00-BR

KDOT Chief of Design O'Connell introduced this resolution. She explained that

this resolution would grant an extension of time in order to complete the two

packages.

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Bill Lenert

MOVER:

Bill Roth

SECONDER:

Vern Tepe, Gary Daugherty, Dale Berman, Mo Iqbal, Chris Kious,

Bill Lenert, Bill Roth, and Rick Williams

AYE:

Corinne M. Pierog

ABSENT:

Approving Amendment No. 2 To the Agreement with Alfred Benesch &

Company of Chicago, Illinois for Phase III Construction Engineering Services for

Longmeadow Parkway C-2, Kane County Section No. 18-00215-21-BR

KDOT Chief of Design O'Connell introduced this resolution. She explained that

in order to allow adequate time to prepare the final Illinois Department of

Transportation (IDOT) reports necessary for the contract to close out, staff has

proposed an extension of the term of the agreement to December 31, 2030.

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Bill Roth

MOVER:

Chris Kious

SECONDER:

Vern Tepe, Gary Daugherty, Dale Berman, Mo Iqbal, Chris Kious,

Bill Lenert, Bill Roth, and Rick Williams

AYE:

Corinne M. Pierog

ABSENT:

Approving Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement with V3 Companies, LTD. of

Woodridge, Illinois for Phase III Construction Engineering Services for the Bliss

Road, Main Street Road, Fabyan Parkway Intersection Improvement, Kane

County Section No. 14-00288-01-PV

KDOT Chief of Design O'Connell introduced this resolution. She explained that

in order to allow adequate time to prepare the final documentation reports that

are necessary for contract close out, staff has proposed an extension of the

term of the agreement to November 30, 2025.

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Bill Lenert

MOVER:

Bill Roth

SECONDER:

Vern Tepe, Gary Daugherty, Dale Berman, Mo Iqbal, Chris Kious,

Bill Lenert, Bill Roth, and Rick Williams

AYE:

Corinne M. Pierog

ABSENT:

Authorizing Acquisition of Real Property for Randall Road at Hopps Road

Intersection and CNRR Grade Separation Improvement Project, Kane County

Section No. 19-00511-00-CH

KDOT Chief of Design O'Connell introduced this resolution. She explained that

in order to complete the Randall Road at Hopps Road Intersection Improvement

and Grade Separation project, 13 right-of-ways are required. She stated that on

August 1, 2025, Governor Pritzker signed the Quick Take Bill. She explained

that while the Kane County Division of Transportation (KDOT) continues to

negotiate with property owners in good faith, condemnation will be pursued in

order to meet the funding deadline. She stated that KDOT staff has

recommended approval of this resolution that will authorize the County to

acquire the properties as described. Discussion ensued.

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Bill Lenert

MOVER:

Bill Roth

SECONDER:

Vern Tepe, Gary Daugherty, Dale Berman, Mo Iqbal, Chris Kious,

Bill Lenert, Bill Roth, and Rick Williams

AYE:

Corinne M. Pierog

ABSENT:

Amending Resolution 25-066 - Authorizing Acquisition of Real Property for

Randall Road at Big Timber Road Intersection Improvement Project, Kane

County Section No. 19-00369-01-CH

KDOT Chief of Design O'Connell introduced this resolution. She explained that

this resolution pertains to the land acquisition efforts for the Randall Road at Big

Timber Road Intersection Improvement Project. She stated that there was an

error in the legal description for Parcel #0001-A and #0001-B. She explained

that this resolution corrects the legal descriptions.

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Bill Roth

MOVER:

Chris Kious

SECONDER:

Vern Tepe, Gary Daugherty, Dale Berman, Mo Iqbal, Chris Kious,

Bill Lenert, Bill Roth, and Rick Williams

AYE:

Corinne M. Pierog

ABSENT:

Approving Acquisition of Real Property for Dauberman Road Extension, Parcel

No. 1N20009, Kane County Section No. 15-00277-01-BR

KDOT Chief of Design O'Connell introduced this resolution. She explained that

this resolution pertains to the Dauberman Road Extension Project. She stated

that the Kane County Division of Transportation (KDOT) asked for the Illinois

Department of Transportation's (IDOT) help in acquiring land adjacent to Illinois

Route 30 via quick take. She explained that four year ago, the County Board

approved the preliminary just compensation amount of $138K, with executive

office holdings for a parcel of land. More recently, as IDOT has settled with the

property owner, the court ordered an additional $126K to be paid to the property

owner for damages to the remainder.

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Bill Roth

TO:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

Chris Kious

Vern Tepe, Gary Daugherty, Dale Berman, Mo Iqbal, Chris Kious,

Bill Lenert, Bill Roth, and Rick Williams

AYE:

Corinne M. Pierog

ABSENT:

12.

Reports Placed On File

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT

Bill Roth

13.

14.

Executive Session (If Needed)

None.

New Business

Chairman Tepe thanked KDOT Deputy Dir. Rickert and staff for the comprehensive

budget report.