Lee County committee forwards two federally funded road agreements, awards highway bids and moves several zoning petitions and resolutions to county board

The Lee County committee voted to forward two joint funding agreements for federally funded road projects to the county executive committee and awarded multiple highway bids during its meeting, while also moving several zoning petitions and resolutions to the county board agenda.

Transportation staff reported that the committee approved forwarding a joint funding agreement for federally funded construction on Perry Road (CRHMA section number 23-00356-00-RS) and a joint funding agreement for Brooklyn Road (section number 22-00351-00-BR) to the executive committee for inclusion on the February county board agenda. The committee also voted to award the listed highway bids as presented, subject to highway commissioner concurrence and IDOT review.

The actions matter because forwarding the joint funding agreements allows the county to put those projects out to letting and procure contracts; staff said one of the Brooklyn Road items will likely require an amendment to increase programmed funds about seven months after initial programming once final quantities are confirmed.

Transportation director David said the packet included abbreviated bid tabulations but that full bid tables and unit prices are available on the county website under the highway department’s bids and bid results pages. “If you want to check out the details, you kind of know exactly what to go and what you’re looking for,” David said, explaining how members and contractors can view the complete bid tabs.

Greg, a county transit staff member, reported separately that his office is close to executing a vehicles contract that could add up to six minivans and one or more light- to medium-duty buses (about 14-passenger capacity). “We might have a contract by the end of this week,” Greg said; “delivery might be within the next — I’m hoping a month or so.” He also noted the department is preparing IDOT contracts for fiscal year 2026 and will submit them by April 1.

During the meeting the committee also forwarded multiple zoning petitions and related resolutions from the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Planning Commission to the executive committee for inclusion on the county board agenda. A petition that split the ZBA produced a tie vote and will go forward without a recommendation; staff advised board members to watch the ZBA hearing video before the full county board considers the petition because under state statute a negative ZBA recommendation requires a supermajority vote at the county board level.

Other items the committee moved to the executive committee included a resolution amending animal patrol fees and fines and a resolution appointing Amy Palmer as an alternate to the Lee County Regional Planning Commission. The committee closed its meeting without an executive session and adjourned.

Votes at a glance

- Move joint funding agreement for federally funded construction on Perry Road (CRHMA section number 23-00356-00-RS) to executive committee for inclusion on the February county board agenda — motion carried (voice vote). Mover: Dean Friel. Second: Ron Gascoigne.

- Move joint funding agreement for federally funded construction for Brooklyn Road replacement (section number 22-00351-00-BR) to executive committee for inclusion on the February county board agenda — motion carried (voice vote). Mover: Dean Friel. Second: Katie White. Staff said the agreement will likely be amended in about seven months to increase programmed funds after final quantities are confirmed.

- Award the highway bids as presented, subject to highway commissioner concurrence and IDOT review — motion carried (voice vote). Mover: Katie White. Second: Ally Huss.

- Move petition 25P1638 (ZBA) to executive committee for inclusion on the county board agenda — motion carried (voice vote). Mover: Ron Gascoigne. Second: Dean Friel.

- Move petition 24P1632 with corresponding resolution to executive committee for inclusion on the county board agenda — motion carried (voice vote). Mover: Ron Gascoigne. Second: Dean Friel.

- Move petition 24P1635 with corresponding resolution to executive committee for inclusion on the county board agenda — motion carried (voice vote). Mover: Dean Friel. Second: Katie White.

- Move petition 25P1636 with corresponding resolution to executive committee for inclusion on the county board agenda — motion carried (voice vote). Mover: Reid Acree. Second: Dean Friel.

- Move petition 25P1637 with corresponding resolution to executive committee for inclusion on the county board agenda — motion carried (voice vote). Mover: Reid Acree. Second: Ron Gascoigne.

- Move petition 25PC78 to executive committee for inclusion on the county board agenda (planning commission referral) — motion carried (voice vote). Mover: Dean Friel. Second: Ron Gascoigne.

- Move petition 25PC77 (planning commission referral) to executive committee for inclusion on the county board agenda — motion carried (voice vote). Mover: Ron Gascoyne. Second: Dean Friel.

- Resolution amending animal patrol fees and fines to executive committee for inclusion on the county board agenda — motion carried (voice vote). Mover: Reid Acree. Second: Dean Friel.

- Resolution appointing Amy Palmer as an alternate to the Lee County Regional Planning Commission to executive committee for inclusion on the county board agenda — motion carried (voice vote). Mover: Dean Friel. Second: Ally Huss.

What the motions did and what’s next

Approving the forwarding of the IDOT joint funding agreements permits staff to program the projects and to move toward letting and contract award. Transportation staff cautioned that programming sometimes occurs years before final estimates are complete; staff said the Brooklyn Road item will likely need an amendment to the joint funding agreement in about seven months when quantities are finalized.

Awarding the bids as presented authorizes staff to proceed with letting and contract execution subject to highway commissioner concurrence and Illinois Department of Transportation review, as noted in the motions.

Board members asked that committee members and other board members consult posted bid tabulations (unit prices and totals) on the county highway page if they want to review contractor proposals and unit prices in detail. David showed the committee where to find bid tabs on the Lee County website.

Ending

No executive session was held. The committee adjourned after completing the listed motions.