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McHenry council approves IGAs for Route 31 widening, staff says city has $6.5 million set aside
Summary
The McHenry City Council voted to execute intergovernmental agreements for the Route 31 widening project and set aside about $6.5 million toward the city’s share; staff said an estimate puts the project around $7.3 million but final costs await IDOT bids.
The McHenry City Council voted Monday to execute intergovernmental agreements and related funding resolutions for the Route 31 widening project, authorizing city staff to sign agreements tied to Illinois Department of Transportation contracts 62K69 and 60E2U72. The motion passed on a roll-call vote with all members present voting yes.
City staff told council the city has earmarked about $6.5 million toward the project but that the final cost will not be known until IDOT solicits bids and unit prices are available. “We did set aside as of right now approximately 6 and a half million dollars towards funding the IDOT 31 project,” a staff member said, adding that the city’s current funds cover scheduled payments through 2029 and that the final payment would fall in 2030 or when the project is complete.
The staff member also said the city’s consultant (identified in discussion as Rena, formerly Patrick Engineering) estimates the project at about $7,300,000, but cautioned that figure could change when bidders submit unit prices. “Till the bid results come in and we see how far off the unit prices are from what was used to figure the estimate, we don't really have a good handle,” the staff member said.
Council members raised questions about how the remaining balance would be funded if the final cost exceeds current estimates. Alderman Glab urged the council to prepare a “game plan” and asked staff, including City Administrator Carolyn, to bring options to a future agenda so the council can evaluate scenarios for funding any shortfall.
City Administrator Carolyn explained the project schedule and funding timeline and said staff will report back regularly during upcoming budget cycles. She noted the city previously negotiated a revised payment schedule with IDOT after staff pushed back on an initial proposal that would have required a large up-front payment. “We can always reverse this if we don't like it,” she said about financing options, clarifying that the city will continue to monitor the budget and return with recommendations.
The council’s action authorizes the mayor to execute the intergovernmental agreements and the funding resolutions necessary to move the project into IDOT’s solicitation and construction phases. Staff said they will return with updates as the project moves toward letting and once bid results are known.
Background: During the discussion staff identified an Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) grant originally tied to the project but explained changes in IDOT’s responsibilities for pedestrian elements mean the grant is being applied differently and the city is not being billed for that portion. Staff estimated the ITEP contribution was “over a million” dollars but did not specify an exact amount in the meeting.
