Janurary 9th, 2001

[e-Mail this Article]     [Print this Article]

MONTGOMERY COUNTY BOARD MINUTES TUESDAY, JANUARY 9TH, 2001 -- 8:30 AM The following are minutes of a regular meeting of the Montgomery County Board held at 8:30 AM on Tuesday, January 9, 2001 in the County Board Chambers of the Historic Courthouse, Hillsboro, Illinois. The meeting was called to order by County Board Chairman Mike Havera. Roll call was taken, 19 members present, 2 absent. Members Present: Nelson Aumann, Bonnie Branum, Joe Cordani, Ronald Deabenderfer, John Downs, Jamee Dunn, Robert Durbin, Charles Hampton, Mike Havera, Ed Helgen, David Jackson, Dennis Jagodzinski, Frank Komor, Roger Myers, Dale Ogden, Glenn Painter, Don Petty, Bill Sielschott, Dave Webb. Members Absent: Keith Horn, Dale White. Pledge of Allegiance to the flag was given. Mileage and per diem Approval: Motion by Branum, second by Downs to approve the mileage and per diem. All in favor, motion carried. Approval of Minutes of Previous County Board Meeting: Motion by Aumann, second by Jackson to approve the Minutes of the Previous Regular County Board Meeting held on Tuesday, December 12th, 2000. All in favor, motion carried. CONSENT AGENDA: 1. Circuit Clerk’s Report ---- Circuit Clerk Mary Webb was present for questions. 2. County Treasurer’s Report ---- Treasurer Ron Jenkins was present for questions. 3. County Clerk and Recorder’s Report ---- County Clerk/Recorder Sandy Leitheiser was present for questions. 4. Sheriff’s Report ---- Sheriff Jim Vazzi was present for questions. 5. Health Department Report ---- Director Mark Dugger was present for questions. 6. T.B. Department Report was presented. 7. Public Defender’s Report was presented. 8. Probation Office Report was presented. 9. 911 Report was presented. Approval of 9 Items on the Consent Agenda : Motion by Odgen, second by Durbin to approve the 9 Office Reports on the Consent Agenda. All in favor, motion carried. COMMITTEE REPORTS: ROAD AND BRIDGE COMMITTEE REPORT: Chairman Bonnie Branum asked County Highway Engineer Amy McNeal to address the following resolutions: 1.) Resolution #01-01, An Amending Resolution to appropriate an amount of $3,651.25 for 906 B-CA, Zanesville R.D., 50%-50% Project; Montgomery County’s Share = ($1,825.63). Amends Original Resolution #19-00 ($2,400.00), Dated March 14th, 2000. Amends by $1,251.25. Motion by Hampton, second by Ogden. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 2, page 126). 2.) Resolution #02-01, A Resolution to appropriate an amount of $4,000.00 for 938 B-CA, Location A; Audubon R.D., 50%-50% Project; Montgomery County’s Share = .5 ($2,000.00). Motion by Aumann, second by Branum. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 2, page 128). 3.) Resolution #03-01, A Resolution to appropriate an amount of $11,000.00 for 938 B-CA, Location B; Audubon R.D., 50%-50% Project; Montgomery County’s Share = .5 ($5,500.00). Motion by Petty, second by Komor. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 2, page 130). 4.) Resolution #04-01, A Resolution to appropriate an amount of $5,000.00 for 938 B-CA, Location C; Audubon R.D., 50%-50% Project; Montgomery County’s Share = ($2,500.00). Motion by Petty, second by Aumann. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 2, page 132). 5.) Resolution #05-01, A Resolution to appropriate an amount of $9,000.00 for 938 B-CA, Location D; Audubon R.D., 50%-50% Project; Montgomery County’s Share = ($4,500.00). Motion by Painter, second by Sielschott. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 2, page 134). 6.) Resolution #06-01, A Resolution to appropriate an amount of $3,000.00 for 939 B-CA, Location A; East Fork R.D., 50%-50% Project; Montgomery County’s Share = ($1,500.00). Motion by Myers, second by Downs. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 2, page 136). 7.) Resolution #07-01, A Resolution to appropriate an amount of $12,000.00 for 939 B-CA, Location B; East Fork R.D., 50%-50% Project; Montgomery County’s Share = ($6,000.00). Motion by Branum, second by Durbin. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 2, page 138). 8.) Resolution #08-01, A Resolution to appropriate an amount of $3,000.00 for 940 B-CA, Fillmore R.D., 50%-50% Project; Montgomery County’s Share = ($1,500.00). Motion by Branum, second by Jackson. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 2, page 140). 9.) Resolution #09-01, A Resolution to appropriate an amount of $10,000.00 for 941 B-CA, Grisham R.D., 50%- 50% Project; Montgomery County’s Share = ($5,000.00). Motion by Myers, second by Painter. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 2, page 142). 10.) Resolution #10-01, A Resolution to appropriate an amount of $10,000.00 for 942 B-CA, Witt/Nokomis R.D., 50%-50% Project; Montgomery County’s Share = ($5,000.00). Motion by Durbin, second by Petty. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 2, page 144). Road and Bridge Committee Report: Given by Chairman Bonnie Branum as follows: 11. Truck Access Road Program: Chairman Branum reported that the committee will review roads that would qualify to participate in this state assisted program to help update roads with heavy truck traffic. In order to qualify for TARP funds, you must have a plan in place for an on-going project before it is submitted to the state for approval. Chairman Havera inquired as to how much money is available to the county through the program. Engineer McNeal stated that it depends on the project, and the state usually gives matching funds. One project under consideration is Black Diamond Road, which is estimated to receive $242,000 from TARP Program. 12. Assistant Engineer: After lengthy discussion, the Committee decided to conduct interviews with the three candidates the committee previously considered at a Special Meeting to be held at the highway building on January 12th, 2001 at 9:30AM. 13. February Meeting Date Change: Next month's Regular meeting is changed from February 7, 2001 to Thursday, February 1st, 2001 at 8:00 AM at the Highway Building due to Engineer McNeal needing to attend a class in Springfield on the regular meeting date. Engineer McNeal reported that Zanesville Bridge project is completed and open for traffic, while the Rountree Bridge project is currently still in process. FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman Bill Sielschott as follows: Chairman Sielschott reported that the committee met Monday, January 8, 2001 at 8:00 AM. Submitted bills and payroll were reviewed and approved for payment. Financial aspect of New Courthouse transfer to County. Chairman Sielschott reported that the last payment on the new courthouse building will be made November 25th, 2002. It will then take a couple of months before paperwork is complete and the deed transferred. Property tax levied for year 2001, payable in 2002 for the new courthouse will cease and the county will also assume the maintenance costs for said building. An Approximate $200,000 balance after final payment will be transferred from the Public Building Commission to Montgomery County from the PBC Fund. HWE COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman Bob Durbin as follows: Chairman Durbin reported that the committee met Thursday, January 4th, 2001 at 8:00 AM. 1. County Animal Control Ordinance: Illinois State Statutes regarding the Animal Control Act were reviewed, and the Committee gave approval for Bob Durbin, States Attorney Jim Roberts and Chris Daniels to draw up a County Animal Control Act, to be presented to the next H.W.E. Committee meeting. This Act should have enough substance to discourage the practice of residents expecting the county to bear the cost of disposing of unwanted pets. Durbin suggested obtaining a copy of Litchfield’s new dog ordinance recently passed to use as a possible guideline. 2. Recycling Center Heat: Durbin is looking for cost estimates to partition off some of the facility in order to insulate and provide heat for the workers and the baler machine. Advancement on this project has been hampered due to an abundance of prior commitments on other county projects. Information on grants or other funding that may defer some of the costs for improvements is being investigated, and the committee is finding this to be a slow-going process. 3. Tire Recycling Drive: Illinois Power has given approval to use their parking lot for a tire recycling drive this spring. Chris Daniels will work with the IL E.P.A. to secure a date for the drive and get this promoted county-wide. Dates are available on a “first-come – first serve” basis. Daniels reported that over 12,000 tires were harvested in the last recycling drive. 4. Recycling Telephone Books: McLeod USA has once again asked the County to participate in this program during the months of February and March. Chris Daniels will coordinate with McLeod USA, the drop off centers, and the County Recycling Center to place containers at various locations for residents' use. PERSONNEL COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman John Downs as follows: Chairman Downs reported that the committee met Thursday, December 28th, 2000 at 8:00 AM. 1. Solid Waste Inspector Interviews: Downs reported that interviews of five prospective candidates will take place on Thursday, January 11th, 2001 at 8:00 AM in the PBC meeting room of the New Courthouse. Members of the HWE Committee will also participate in the interviewing process. 2. Employee Insurance: Chairman Downs is scheduled to meet Thursday, January 11, 2001 with CEIC to review different options for employee insurance. 3. Inclement Weather Policy: Downs reiterated that the county will follow procedures on page 15 of the county employee personnel manual with regard to policy on closing county offices during inclement weather. 5. Update Employee Personnel Manual: Downs reported that the committee will review and update the current employee personnel manual. More information will be forthcoming after review is completed. 6. Update on F.O.P. Negotiations: No dates have been arranged, as the representative will be gone for the first 2 weeks of January. Chairman Downs will be working with Sheriff Vazzi to contact Dave Nixon to secure future meeting dates. The last date of contact was December 13, 2000. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman Joe Cordani as follows: Chairman Cordani reported that the committee met January 3rd, 2001 at 6:00 PM. One bill was approved as submitted. 1.) Bike Trail Update: Cordani was happy to report a six month extension had been granted by the IL Dept. of Natural Resources to finish landscaping of the trail. Discussion will continue at the next regular meeting as to whether a joint effort with the Road & Bridge Committee needs to be pursued on finishing the entire bike trail project. Thanks were extended to the Roger Webb family for the donation of $320 received from memorials to be used toward landscaping the bike trail. 2.) Ideas for Future Economic Development in Montgomery County: Cordani reviewed the unemployment rates for the board. Nationally the rate is approximately 4%, and Montgomery County is currently at a higher rate of 6%. Cordani stated there is lots of work to be done to lower this rate. Brainstorming for ideas took place at the regular meeting and will continue at the next meeting. Suggestions from the general public will be entertained along with any ideas the committee members may have. All ideas will be thoroughly reviewed and possibly implemented if feasible. Chairman Havera inquired as to whether Livingston Pipe & Tube was currently hiring. Cordani replied that he would be contacting them later today and would report findings to Chairman Havera. BUILDING AND GROUNDS COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman Glenn Painter as follows: Painter reported that the committee met on Friday, January 5th, 2001 at 9:00 AM. Snow Removal: Chairman Painter noted that protocol was established for the snow removal on Courthouse parking areas and sidewalks. All efforts will be made to get this done before 7:30 AM for employee parking convenience. The committee decided that Sheriff Jim Vazzi will be the contact person for snow removal. He will then notify Lloyd Meyer to coordinate the work. Meyer is to arrange for Lohman’s to do the actual removal. Heating Situation in Courthouse: A representative from Lohman’s Heating and Plumbing was present and addressed the committee with some recommendations regarding the heating problems in the historic courthouse. Lohman will report with some cost estimates to remedy the problem at the next regularly scheduled meeting. ESDA/AMBULANCE COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman Dennis Jagodzinski as follows: Chairman Jagodzinski reported the committee met on January 2nd, 2001 at 2:30 PM 1.) Dale Traylor’s Report: Jagodzinski reported that Traylor gave a demonstration of the Early Warning Weather system. It is programmed and installed, however, the antenna on the CIPS tower is not active yet. Training on the system will be forthcoming. 2.) Yearly Contract Agreements with five (5) Ambulance Districts: Jagodzinski requested motions to approve separately each agreement passed on September 12th, 2000 for the year 2001. Hillsboro Area Ambulance Service --- $101,000 Motion by Cordani, second by Ogden to accept this agreement. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 2, page 146). Nokomis/Witt Area Ambulance Service --- $62,436 Motion by Aumann, second by Durbin to accept this agreement. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 2, page 150). Raymond/Harvel Area Ambulance Service --- $33,360 Motion by Ogden, second by Hampton to accept this agreement. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 2, page 154). Litchfield Area Ambulance Service --- $70,000 Motion by Jackson, second by Helgen to accept this agreement. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 2, page 158). Farmersville Area Ambulance Service --- $53,250 Motion by Webb, second by Hampton to accept this agreement. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 2, page 162). 3.) Report of Ambulance calls and billing in Montgomery County: Jagodzinski reported that due to moving the regular committee meeting date to the first Tuesday of the month, the information for the report will be one (1) month late and will be given at next month’s meeting. APPROVAL OF 7 COMMITTEE REPORTS: Motion by Durbin, second by Downs to approve the 7 committee reports as given. All in favor, motion carried. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT: Given by Chairman Havera as follows: Chairman Havera reported that 5 or 6 years ago, a motion was approved that reimbursement for mileage would coincide with the Federal Government approved Standard Rate of .325 cents / mile rounded down to .32 cents/ mile. Effective January 1st, 2001, the Federal Government approved an increase to .345 cents / mile. Havera asked for motion to be made that Montgomery County reimbursement rate would follow in kind, raising the mileage rate to .34 cents / mile travelled for county business. Motion was so made by Downs, second by Myers. All in favor, motion carried. Havera clarified for members that this mileage rate must be declared for travel incurred from one's residence to meeting and back. Resolution #00-36 for the West Central Development Council: Chairman Havera read the resolution supporting the application by the West Central Development Council for Economic Development planning activities. He explained that this council encompasses a 7 city area, with each city developing a committee consisting of 4 – 5 members who would be able to apply for Economic Development funds for their city area. Motion by Cordani, second by Painter to adopt said resolution. All in favor, motion carried. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Sign up for the Annual UCCI Meeting in Springfield on February 28th, 2001. Chairman Havera told members that forms for sign-up will be available with Chris Daniels. Sign up must be completed on or before February 16th, 2001. UPDATES: Chairman Havera reported that contact has been made with Highway Dept. Union Steward Darrell Jett regarding the unfair labor practice charge filed against the county, and a meeting is planned with the Road & Bridge Committee, the Personnel Committee and the Highway Union Representative to work out any unresolved problems. SCHEDULE CHANGES: Chairman Havera reported the following changes: 1.) Personnel & H.W.E. Committee will meet on Thursday, January 11th, 2001 at 8:00 AM in the PBC meeting room of the Historic Courthouse. 2.) Road and Bridge will meet on Friday, January 12th, 2001 at 8:00 AM at the County Highway Bldg. 3.) Road and Bridge will meet on Wednesday January 17th, 2001 at 8:00 AM for the Motor Fuel Tax Levy. 4.) Road and Bridge will have their next regular meeting on Thursday, February 1st, 2001 at 8:00 AM at the County Highway Department. PAY BILLS: Motion by Sielschott, second by Durbin to pay all bills as submitted. All in favor, motion carried. ADJOURN: Until the February 13th, 2001 Regular County Board Meeting at 8:30 AM. Motion by Painter, second by Branum to adjourn until the next regular County Board meeting on February 13th, 2001 at 8:30 AM. All in favor, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:12 AM.