The Kane County Transportation Committee on Oct. 21 took a series of votes to approve contracts, equipment purchases, project agreements and property- acquisition steps. Most items passed on roll call with committee members voting in favor.

Key approvals and outcomes (motions and roll-call votes recorded at the meeting):

- Approval of Sept. 16, 2025 minutes: Committee approved by unanimous consent.

- Collective bargaining agreement: The committee authorized execution of a three-year collective bargaining agreement between Kane County Division of Transportation and the Teamsters covering Nov. 1, 2025 through Oct. 31, 2028. The agreement includes a 3% wage increase each year, a "me-too" provision to capture any higher nonunion cost-of-living adjustments, incentives for Class A CDL or tanker endorsements, removal of external promotional testing in favor of in-house training, and sick-leave alignment to county nonunion policy. Staff recommended approval and the committee approved on roll call.

- Routine program renewals and purchases: The committee approved renewals for the Adopt-an-Highway program, a contract to purchase gasoline and diesel fuel, procurement of a 500-gallon tote pumper striping truck to support in-house striping operations, purchase of four body-and-equipment packages with a $50,000 contingency to account for tariffs, and purchase of 2026 tandem-axle cab-and-chassis trucks for KDOT's fleet. Staff noted expected savings from moving some painting and crack sealing work in-house.

- Speed limit ordinance amendment (Elgin Township): A resolution to reduce posted speeds on six residential township roads from 30 mph to 25 mph (per the county speed-limit policy) was approved. Staff said the change is the first step to enable posting and enforcement; Elgin Township highway commissioner Jason Crabby requested the change and staff said the township typically communicates with affected residents.

- HSIP grant awards (informational): Staff announced two Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) awards: continued installation of recessed reflective pavement markers and safety improvements on Allen Road between Whittemeyer and Briar Hill. HSIP is 90% federal funding with a 10% local match; the committee noted acceptance of the awards.

- Engineering agreement for French Road/Harmony Road study: Approved an engineering agreement with Crawford, Murphy & Tilley for Phase 1 professional engineering services, not to exceed $1,711,364.

- Economic development / major-access agreement (Kirk Road & Douglas Road): Approved an agreement tied to a $2,000,000 economic development program allocation for Aldi to fund intersection improvements associated with its office expansion and approved a permanent full-access major outlet permit on the east side of Kirk Road at Douglas Road. The agreement requires Aldi to deposit construction funds with Kane County prior to bid opening so the county does not expend funds in advance.

- Bunker Road Extension / LaFox Road construction update (informational): Staff reported the Bunker Road tie-in to LaFox Road requires a month-long closure while the contractor completes the work; soil stabilization and other measures were shown in project photos.

- ComEd transmission tower relocation (Randall Road at Hops Road grade separation): The committee authorized an initial advance deposit of $1,000,000 to ComEd to initiate Phase 2 engineering and procurement for relocation of four transmission towers required by the Randall Road at Hops Road grade separation and railroad separation project. Staff reported the current estimated relocation cost is about $7,000,000, with an additional $6,000,000 in payments expected in the future; the committee approved the advance payment.

- Property acquisitions and compensation appropriations: After an executive session, the committee approved preliminary compensation appropriations for acquisition of property needed for the Randall Road at Hops Road intersection and C&NW grade separation project (section and parcel numbers were read into the record) and approved acquisition for Kirk Road over Union Pacific Railroad Company tracks (parcel 008). Roll-call votes were recorded and the motions passed.

- Reports on file and adjournment: The committee placed monthly reports on file and adjourned following approval to go into executive session to discuss land acquisition and litigation matters.

Why it matters: The votes authorize near-term capital contracts, fleet acquisitions intended to reduce operating costs and early-stage property acquisitions that enable larger capital projects (including the Randall Road at Hops Road grade separation). The ComEd tower relocation commitment obligates county funds as part of the grade separation schedule.