Auburn Citizen
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
Engineering fee cost holding up road project
The renovation of Kennedy Road, expected to be completed next year, still has a lot of
concerns before it can become a reality.
At Monday’s city council meeting, Public Works chairman Rod Johnson, reported that he
did not get an answer to a request for how the engineering fees were decided. He said he will
again request a determination based on man hour estimates with hourly rates.
What he received from Martin Engineering was that the design fee would be 7.5% which
was stated and fell within the range typical for a project this size, under $1 million. The
construction guidance fee established by the IDOT, is 35% of the design fee.
The city received a $780,000 grant earlier this year for the project which would build a new
road from the township garage to Divernon Road. The first estimate of the total cost, with the
addition of Kennedy to 104, was $1.2 million. Engineering fees were estimated at a little over
$100,000.
Johnson told the council that the 7.5 and 35 percent numbers are standard in the industry,
and that his recommendation would be to accept them. Nothing came to a vote.
During the discussion, it was pointed out that several area projects, such as the repaving
of the Waverly to Pleasant Plains blacktops and Old Jacksonville Road on Springfield’s west
side had been done at a much lower figure than estimated for the paving of Kennedy.
The city could use Motor Fuel Tax money if needed but this would detract from future
summer repair of the city’s other arterial streets which MFT money can be used.
Mayor Joe Powell told the Citizen after the meeting that some reduction in cost could be
made by not repaving an area of Kennedy around DICKEY-john because it was redone several
years ago.
Basically, the costs cannot be addressed until a plan is completed, possibly with an
addition. In other words, the original plan includes Kennedy from the township garage to
Divernon Road, plus an add-on, Kennedy from 104 to Divernon Road.
One thing is certain, the redo will not contain any frills, such as sidewalks, lighting, etc.
The road will be widened to 24 feet with improved storm water drainage. Also to be considered is
possibly moving utility poles.
After 20 minutes of discussion, Johnson said he will do more research and also will contact
Martin “and get what I originally asked for.”
In one of its last orders of business, the council voted 6-0 (Berola, Kessler absent) to
employ the following: Zachary Rinaberger as a full-time police officer; Eileen Barrett as a full-
time dispatcher and Kevin Wedemeyer as a part-time dispatcher. Jeremy Angelo will also be
added as a part-time police officer upon the completion of PTI.
The zoning problem for a structure at 927 West Jackson, owned by Larry McClelland,
continued again without any decision.
The city insists that the addition of a concrete porch is contrary to existing zoning laws
while McClelland, who has hired counsel, says that it is not in non-compliance. He said that he
has read the ordinance and cannot find anything to say he is wrong. Twenty minutes again
produced no agreement, McClelland ending the debate saying, “We need a judge.”
Concerning two nuisances, the first was settled when Beth Sheff agreed to pay $250 plus
the $25 turn-on fee and $50 deposit (6-0 vote) to turn on both gas and water. This, after she had
complied by replacing gas line for $950. Gas and water were turned off in September for failure to
pay a $750 fine.
The council also declared a nuisance at 109 South Fourth, both the renter and owner
invited to Monday’s meeting. Neither showed. They will both be apprised by letter that if the
nuisance is not abated by December 29, a fine of $100 a day will commence as of December 30.
In one other piece of business, the council agreed (6-0) to allow Mike Hines until March 1
to find the property line pins which will allow him to move a shed, presently not in compliance.
The renovation of Kennedy Road, expected to be completed next year, still has a lot of
concerns before it can become a reality.
At Monday’s city council meeting, Public Works chairman Rod Johnson, reported that he
did not get an answer to a request for how the engineering fees were decided. He said he will
again request a determination based on man hour estimates with hourly rates.
What he received from Martin Engineering was that the design fee would be 7.5% which
was stated and fell within the range typical for a project this size, under $1 million. The
construction guidance fee established by the IDOT, is 35% of the design fee.
The city received a $780,000 grant earlier this year for the project which would build a new
road from the township garage to Divernon Road. The first estimate of the total cost, with the
addition of Kennedy to 104, was $1.2 million. Engineering fees were estimated at a little over
$100,000.
Johnson told the council that the 7.5 and 35 percent numbers are standard in the industry,
and that his recommendation would be to accept them. Nothing came to a vote.
During the discussion, it was pointed out that several area projects, such as the repaving
of the Waverly to Pleasant Plains blacktops and Old Jacksonville Road on Springfield’s west
side had been done at a much lower figure than estimated for the paving of Kennedy.
The city could use Motor Fuel Tax money if needed but this would detract from future
summer repair of the city’s other arterial streets which MFT money can be used.
Mayor Joe Powell told the Citizen after the meeting that some reduction in cost could be
made by not repaving an area of Kennedy around DICKEY-john because it was redone several
years ago.
Basically, the costs cannot be addressed until a plan is completed, possibly with an
addition. In other words, the original plan includes Kennedy from the township garage to
Divernon Road, plus an add-on, Kennedy from 104 to Divernon Road.
One thing is certain, the redo will not contain any frills, such as sidewalks, lighting, etc.
The road will be widened to 24 feet with improved storm water drainage. Also to be considered is
possibly moving utility poles.
After 20 minutes of discussion, Johnson said he will do more research and also will contact
Martin “and get what I originally asked for.”
In one of its last orders of business, the council voted 6-0 (Berola, Kessler absent) to
employ the following: Zachary Rinaberger as a full-time police officer; Eileen Barrett as a full-
time dispatcher and Kevin Wedemeyer as a part-time dispatcher. Jeremy Angelo will also be
added as a part-time police officer upon the completion of PTI.
The zoning problem for a structure at 927 West Jackson, owned by Larry McClelland,
continued again without any decision.
The city insists that the addition of a concrete porch is contrary to existing zoning laws
while McClelland, who has hired counsel, says that it is not in non-compliance. He said that he
has read the ordinance and cannot find anything to say he is wrong. Twenty minutes again
produced no agreement, McClelland ending the debate saying, “We need a judge.”
Concerning two nuisances, the first was settled when Beth Sheff agreed to pay $250 plus
the $25 turn-on fee and $50 deposit (6-0 vote) to turn on both gas and water. This, after she had
complied by replacing gas line for $950. Gas and water were turned off in September for failure to
pay a $750 fine.
The council also declared a nuisance at 109 South Fourth, both the renter and owner
invited to Monday’s meeting. Neither showed. They will both be apprised by letter that if the
nuisance is not abated by December 29, a fine of $100 a day will commence as of December 30.
In one other piece of business, the council agreed (6-0) to allow Mike Hines until March 1
to find the property line pins which will allow him to move a shed, presently not in compliance.
Issue Date: Dec. 24, 2009