LaSalle County approves bridge engineering contracts, purchases crack sealant; hears roadwork and equipment updates

LaSalle County board members approved four professional services agreements to design or replace bridges in multiple townships and authorized purchase of crack sealant, and they heard updates on ongoing road projects and equipment during the meeting.

The board approved engineering contracts for (1) two structures over Tomahawk Creek, (2) East Nineteenth Road over Cobo Creek in Grand Rapids Township, and (3) East Thirteenth Road over Crooked Lake Creek in Freedom Township, with the county funding the work from the County Bridge Fund and splitting engineering costs 50/50 with the affected townships on at least two of the projects. County staff said the board also authorized procurement of 45,000 pounds of crack sealant from Sherwin Industries for $23,625.

The contracts and purchase were presented by county staff. On the bundled Tomahawk Creek projects the county said Chastain Associates proposed $25,400 for phase 1 and phase 2 engineering services for section 25-00878-00DR and 25-24883-00DR. "This is for those spare structures that are right there in Tomahawk Creek," county staff said. The board voted to approve resolution 25-27 for that contract.

For the East Nineteenth Road crossing of Cobo Creek in Grand Rapids Township, the board approved resolution 25-28, authorizing a professional services agreement with Hutchinson Engineering. County staff identified the engineering fee as $71,859 and said the payment will come from county bridge aid, with the township paying 50% of the engineering services. "This is part of our bridge aid where we're paying 50% of township paying 50% of these engineering services," staff said.

The board approved resolution 25-29 to hire World Health and Associates for phase 1 and phase 2 engineering on structure number 0503155, East Thirteenth Road over Crooked Lake Creek in Freedom Township. Staff said Lloyd Hoffman provided a proposal of $109,062 and that the county will split the cost 50/50 with the township.

The board also authorized purchasing 45,000 pounds of crack sealant, after comparing two quotes: Brewer Company at $26,400 and Sherwin Industries at $23,625. County staff recommended buying from Sherwin Industries, noting the company operates out of Milwaukee with a salesperson in Peoria; staff said product consistency was not a concern between the two quotes.

During the discussion staff provided updates on other road and bridge projects. They said the East Thirtieth Road bridge in Allen Township is expected to be completed and opened by early November. Work on a Kelly Street bridge in Streeter was described as progressing with two side boxes being installed. A deck replacement project in Oglesby is pending resolution of a railroad agreement. Staff reported timber pile repairs nearing completion and that one recently received truck from Bunnell is fully equipped with another pending equipment setup.

Staff also discussed winter preparations and maintenance staffing. They said the county is short three maintenance positions, is conducting interviews and expects to hire a worker as soon as the candidate completes a commercial driver license program at IVCC. "We're doing these interviews, so that's the case by the time we get through interviews and make offers at the same time that the other one's leaving," staff said.

Board members moved each resolution sequentially; each was adopted by voice vote. The meeting concluded after the board voted to adjourn.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 25-26: Motion to approve (details not specified in the transcript). Motion carried by voice vote. Mover recorded as Bill Ray. (Transcript: "I need a motion to approve resolution 25Dash26. Bill Ray. All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Motion carried.")

- Resolution 25-27: Authorize professional services agreement with Chastain Associates for phase 1 and phase 2 engineering for sections 25-00878-00DR and 25-24883-00DR (Tomahawk Creek). Proposal: $25,400. Funding: County Bridge Fund; projects include county and township structures. Motion carried by voice vote. Mover recorded as Bill Ray. (Transcript excerpt included below.)

- Resolution 25-28: Authorize professional services agreement with Hutchinson Engineering for section 25-14882-00BR (East Nineteenth Road over Cobo Creek). Proposal: $71,859; county bridge aid covering 50% with township paying remaining 50% of engineering services. Motion carried by voice vote. (Mover recorded as Tom.)

- Resolution 25-29: Authorize professional services agreement with World Health and Associates for section 25-13881-00BR (structure 0503155, East Thirteenth Road over Crooked Lake Creek). Proposal: $109,062. Cost split 50/50 with township. Motion carried by voice vote. (Mover recorded as Steve.)

- Procurement: Purchase 45,000 pounds of crack sealant from Sherwin Industries for $23,625. Motion carried by voice vote.

The board recorded no roll-call vote tallies in the transcript excerpts provided; actions were approved by voice vote. Several agenda items noted dependencies or conditions: the Oglesby deck replacement remains contingent on a railroad agreement, and two of the bridge projects were described as township/county cost-split projects.

Ending

County staff said they will move forward with the engineering contracts and the crack sealant purchase and continue to advance bridge work and equipment setup into the winter season. The Oglesby deck replacement awaits resolution of the railroad agreement before work can begin.