Kane County committee approves updated permit fees, engineering contract and wayside horn replacements

The Kane County Transportation Committee voted unanimously on several measures at its regular meeting, approving an ordinance to revise oversized and overweight vehicle permit fees, awarding an engineering services agreement and authorizing replacement of two wayside horn systems.

Permitting staff presented an ordinance to update permit fees that have not been reviewed since 1999, citing inflation and increased costs for materials, labor and staff. Permitting staff said current annual permit receipts total $303,990 and that doubling the fees — if traffic volumes and behavior remained unchanged — would yield approximately $607,980. Staff said the county uses a per-trip fee (allowing movement within a 15-day period), that truly divisible loads (for example, typical gravel-truck loads) are treated differently, and that the county’s 1999 formulas remain the technical basis for calculating impacts on bridges and roadways. Members asked for clearer definitions of “standard” and “nonstandard” in the ordinance; staff agreed to consult the Kane County state’s attorney to ensure those terms are defined before finalizing paperwork. The ordinance passed on roll call.

The committee approved an agreement with GFT Infrastructure for Phase 1 professional engineering services for intersection improvements at Burlington Road and Silver Glen Road, not to exceed $379,682. Staff said consultants proposed multiple alternatives during interviews; most suggested a roundabout as the likely safety improvement, while signalization and other geometric fixes will also be analyzed. The work will begin with an alternatives analysis under the QBS (qualifications-based selection) process.

Members also approved appropriation requests to replace malfunctioning wayside horn systems at two railroad crossings. For each location (Brundage Road and LaFox Road), staff estimated railroad force-account work at $12,500 and an administrative handling fee of $1,000; staff recommended a 25% contingency ($3,375), producing a total appropriation request of $16,875 per site. Staff said the wayside horns reduce nighttime engine-horn noise for nearby residents while maintaining crossing safety. The committee recorded roll-call affirmative votes on both resolutions.

Separately, the committee approved a resolution to establish a second public hearing on land-use assumptions (Jan. 14, 4–7 p.m., auditorium) after staff discovered a missed publication date required by state statute. Permitting staff said the second hearing will present the same information and satisfy statutory notice requirements.

Votes at a glance: - Ordinance to revise oversized/overweight vehicle permit fees: passed (roll call). Projected revenue if fees doubled and volumes unchanged: $607,980; prior-year receipts reported as $303,990 (staff estimate). - GFT Infrastructure Phase 1 engineering agreement (Burlington Rd/Silver Glen Rd): approved, not to exceed $379,682 (roll call). - Brundage Road wayside horn replacement appropriation: approved, total request $16,875 (includes $12,500 railroad work, $1,000 admin, $3,375 contingency). - LaFox wayside horn replacement appropriation: approved, total request $16,875 (same breakdown). - Second public hearing on land-use assumptions (Jan. 14): approved (voice vote).

The committee placed reports on file by unanimous consent and then moved into an executive session to discuss land acquisition. The closed-session motion was seconded and approved by roll call; staff instructed online participants to accept the closed-session invite and for in-room Zoom users to exit prior to the closed session.