April 9th, 2002

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Montgomery County Board Minutes For TUESDAY, April 9th, 2002 – 8:30 AM The following are minutes of a regular meeting of the Montgomery County Board held at 8:30 AM on Tuesday, April 9th, 2002 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, 21 members present, 0 absent. Members Present: Nelson Aumann, Bonnie Branum, Joe Cordani, Ronald Deabenderfer, John Downs, Jamee Dunn, Robert Durbin, Charles Hampton, Mike Havera, Edward Helgen, Keith Horn, David Jackson, Dennis Jagodzinski, Frank Komor, Roger Myers, Dale Ogden, Glenn Painter, Don Petty, William Sielschott, David Webb, Dale White. Members Absent: None Pledge of Allegiance to the flag was given. Mileage and Per Diem Approval: Motion by Branum, second by Durbin 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, March 12th, 2002. All in favor, motion carried. CONSENT AGENDA: 1. Circuit Clerk’s Report – was presented. 2. County Treasurer’s Report – Ron Jenkins was present for questions. 3. County Clerk and Recorder’s Report – Sandy Leitheiser was present for questions. 4. Sheriff’s Report – Jim Vazzi was present for questions. 5. Health Department Report – Mark Dugger was present for questions and gave an update on the reported salmonella poisoning. All affected individuals are recovering, and the Health Department has located the establishment which was the source of the problem and is assisting and monitoring their compliance to health code standards. 6. T.B. Department Report – Kathy Tapley was present for questions. 7. Public Defender’s Report – was presented. 8. Probation Office Report – Lyn Lanter was present for questions. 9. 911 Report – Greg Nimmo was present for questions. APPROVAL OF 9 ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA: Motion by Myers, second by Downs to approve the 9 office reports on the Consent Agenda. All in favor, motion carried. COMMITTEE REPORTS: COORDINATING COMMITTEE: Given by Chairman Mike Havera as follows: 1. Vote on Coal Rights Lease Option Agreement: Havera stated that since December, 2001, the Coordinating Committee, the Finance Committee, State’s Attorney Jim Roberts and many other county representatives have been negotiating with two Coal Companies for the Coal Rights owned by Montgomery County. State’s Attorney Roberts explained the pros and cons of leasing the coal rights, presented members with a written comparison of both companies and gave a brief history of the county-owned coal rights which are tax-exempt and total to approximately 120,000 acres throughout Montgomery County. Roberts also stated that should the county enter into an option agreement with one of the two coal companies, any surface damage done by the Coal Company caused by any exploration activity will be the financial responsibility of the coal company, and this responsibility is regulated by the State. With this regulation, proper safeguards are in place for landowners. With Chairman Havera’s permission to allow audience participation, general discussion followed between board members and various individuals. Topics questioned and answered related to surface owner’s rights, public hearing and permitting requirements, core sampling regulations, and in-depth comparisions between the two interested companies. Motion by Sielschott, second by Jagodzinski to accept and award the Colt Coal Company Incorporated Option Agreement. Roll Call Vote was taken. Voting in favor were 20 members: Nelson Aumann, Bonnie Branum, Joe Cordani, Ronald Deabenderfer, John Downs, Jamee Dunn, Robert Durbin, Charles Hampton, Mike Havera, Edward Helgen, David Jackson, Dennis Jagodzinski, Frank Komor, Roger Myers, Dale Ogden, Glenn Painter, Don Petty, Bill Sielschott, David Webb, Dale White. (See Resolution Book 3, pages 128-133.) Voting against were: none. Member Keith Horn was not present at time of vote. All in favor, motion carried. ROAD AND BRIDGE COMMITTEE: Given by Chairman Bonnie Branum as follows: 1. Resolution #12-02: County Highway Engineer McNeal presented a Resolution to appropriate an amount of $8,000.00 for 969 B-CA, (Sec. 25); Nokomis R.D., 50%-50% Project; Montgomery County’s Share = .5 ($4,000.00). Motion by Painter, second by Myers. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 3, pages 134-135). 2. Seasonal and Summer Help: Applications were reviewed for Seasonal Maintainer Positions. A special meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 17th, 2002 at 8:00 AM for the purpose of interviewing for the two Summer Maintainer Positions. 3. Snow Removal and Salting for Other County Offices: Bonnie Branum stated that the committee decided that the county roads would be the main focus for the Highway Department during snowy and icy weather and other County Offices will need to make other arrangements for snow removal and salting because the Highway equipment is not suited for parking lots. FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman Bill Sielschott as follows: 1. Audit Report – Whitey Patton: Whitey Patton of Patton and Associates presented the County Audit Report. (For Selected Financial Information, see Resolution Book 3, pages 136-139). Within his report, Auditor Patton stated assessed valuation has continued to increase and compared county revenues and expenses. Patton warned members that there may be financial problems in the future due to a declining economy and increased security and insurance expenses as a result of the 9/11/01 Terrorist Attacks. According to Patton, the board should implement long-range financial planning, encourage the cross-training of county employees, and budget for renovations to the Historic Courthouse. Auditor staff member Amy Hunt then reviewed a new accounting standard with the board which must be implemented by June 15th, 2003 -Government Accounting Standard Board 34 (GASB 34), which will also require additional auditor functions and county funds. Motion by Sielschott, second by Downs to approve the County Audit as presented by Patton and Associates. All in favor, motion carried. 2. Elected Officials Salary: Recommendation to give a 4% raise to the Sheriff, Circuit Clerk, County Clerk and Treasurer over a 4-year period, totaling a 16% raise for each office effective December 1, 2002. Sheriff’s salary will be set at $51,207 annually and the other three office holders will receive $44,080 annually. Motion by Sielschott, second by Painter to approve salary raises for the Sheriff, Circuit Clerk, County Clerk and Treasurer. All in favor, motion carried. 3. Map Maintenance: Sielschott reported that the committee gave approval to change from Sidwell Company to Harris and Associates for a two year contract to provide current mapping maintenance to the Supervisor of Assessments, which will total to about $20,000 less per year which will be budgeted for this expense. 4. Budget Hearing Dates: The Budget Hearing Dates for fiscal year 2003 have been scheduled for Wednesday, July 31st, 2002; Thursday, August 1st, 2002 and Friday, August 2nd, 2002 from 9:00 AM until 12:30 PM. HWE COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman Bob Durbin as follows: 1. Election Update: Durbin reported that the Elections went well, with a 27% voter turnout. The new voter cards will be issued in August and September before the November, 2002 General Election. 2. Resolution #02-06 to Adopt 5 Year Waste Plan Update: Durbin stated that the Illinois EPA has approved the County’s Five Year Solid Waste and Recycling Plan Update that was submitted by Christine Daniels last December. Motion by Durbin, second by Helgen to adopt Resolution #02-06, the County Five Year Solid Waste and Recycling Act Plan Update. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 3, page 140). 3. Recycling Update: The Irving drop off area at the CRC facility is under construction and will be completed when weather permits. The committee plans to build a recycling drop-off facility on the old Kerr McGee gas station property in Raymond. The City of Coffeen is also looking for an area to construct a drop-off facility and will advise the committee in a month or two. The Litchfield Recycling Committee will tour the Hillsboro facility on Monday, April 8th, 2002 at 4:30 PM. 4. Pickup Truck: Durbin reported that customer recycling pick-ups are behind by a couple of weeks due to the need for extensive repairs to the Recycling Centers’ 1985 white pickup truck. The center needs to bid and purchase a new or used pickup truck for the Recycling Center. Motion by Durbin, second by Petty to approve the purchase a newer pickup for the Recycling Center, not to exceed $16,000. All in favor, motion carried. PERSONNEL COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman John Downs as follows: 1. Retiree/Cobra Rate: Chairman Downs reported that the committee discussed and approved the beginning date to implement the Retiree/Cobra Rate as of June 1st, 2002. 2. Distribution of Refunded Expenses of Health Insurance: The committee gave approval to distribute the $90,000 refund from Innovative Insurance Group to each county department using the same percentage in which they currently contribute to the Insurance Fund, and that the next $90,000 refund will go back to the General Fund. 3. Draft for Retiree Sign-Off Document: Illinois Counties Risk Management Insurance company has provided the county the contract for retirees to sign agreeing to the Retiree Cash Payment Option, and State’s Attorney Roberts has also reviewed and approved it, so the document is now in official use. BUILDING AND GROUNDS COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman Glenn Painter as follows: 1. Maintenance Truck: The needed repairs to the Maintenance truck have been completed by Taylor Tire and Auto from Litchfield. 2. Strainer for Manhole: Jim Lohman of Lohman Plumbing and Heating was present to inform members that the basket needed for the manhole at Jail is not deep enough for our sewer system and asked that additional repairs be done. 3. Hot Water Tank at Jail: Painter stated that the committee approved the purchase of a domestic hot water heater for the Jail in the amount of $3,274.00. 4. Postage Machines: Chairman Painter reported that the committee reviewed lease option agreements from 3 companies for leasing new postage machines for the Historic and New Courthouses. The equipment from two of the vendors was very comparable as were the monthly lease amounts. The committee approved the low bid from United Office Systems to lease two postage machines for the Historic and New Courthouses. Motion by Painter, second by Downs to lease two postage machines for a total of $19,199.00 for 5 years, which includes new meters and new meter heads. All in favor, motion carried. ESDA/AMBULANCE COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman Dennis Jagodzinski as follows: 1. Ambulance Call Report: A summary of monthly operations for March 2002 is as follows: Total calls: 351; Total amount billed: $65,648.50; Total amount collected: $41,201.38. 2. Director Larry Adams Report: Jagodzinski reported that Director Adams needed to be absent so no report was given. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman Joe Cordani as follows: 1. Website Update: Cordani reported that the Probation and the Highway Departments websites are under construction and the website was running without problem. 2. Enterprise Zone Expansion: At the last city council meeting in Coffeen, the City of Coffeen agreed to become a part of the Enterprise Zone, which would allow for possible expansion to include the CIPS Power Plant. The entire expansion would add 1.1 miles to the county’s already existing 11.5 miles of Enterprise Zone. Motion by Cordani, second by Durbin to proceed with the application process to expand the Enterprise Zone to include the City of Coffeen and the CIPS Power Plant. All in favor, motion carried. 3. Amendment to Subdivision Ordinance: Bill Bailey and Mike White addressed the committee with information about Deer Creek Campground and requested a variance to the current County Subdivision Ordinance. Further information is needed and will be researched by State’s Attorney Roberts, and the potential amendment to the ordinance will be discussed further at the next committee meeting. 4. Gazebo at Waggoner Depot: Cordani stated that the committee gave approval for local residents to erect a gazebo at the Waggoner Depot. APPROVAL OF 7 COMMITTEE REPORTS: Motion by Ogden, second by Jackson to approve the 7 committee reports. All in favor, motion carried. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT: Given by Chairman Mike Havera as follows: Havera instructed Clerk Leitheiser to read Resolution #02-07, which proposes support to an amendment to the Constitution of the United States restoring religious freedom. Motion by Downs, second by Painter to adopt Resolution #02-07, A Resolution to Adopt An Amendment To The Constitution Of The United States Restoring Religious Freedom. 19 Members Aye, 1 Member Nay (Joe Cordani), Motion Carried. (See Resolution Book 3, page 141). SCHEDULE CHANGES: Chairman Havera announced a special Road and Bridge meeting will be held on April 17th, 2002 at 8:00 AM at the County Highway Department for the purpose of Interviewing for two Summer Maintainer positions. APPOINTMENTS: Chairman Havera read a request to re-appoint Peter Donahoe and Ray Peterson to the Workforce Investment Board for a three-year term ending April 14th, 2005. Motion by Sielschott, second by Myers to approve the re-appointments of Peter Donahoe and Ray Peterson to the Workforce Investment Board. All in favor, motion carried. Chairman Havera read a request from Stephen Voyles for the re-appointment of Glen L. Greenwood to the Coffeen Fire Protection District for a three year term beginning May 1st, 2002 and ending April 30th, 2005. Motion by Branum, second by Jagodzinski to re-appoint Glen L. Greenwood to the Coffeen Fire Protection District. All in favor, motion carried. PAY BILLS: Motion by Aumann, second by Hampton to pay all approved bills. All in favor, motion carried. For an itemized listing of bills paid, refer to Accounts Payable Book for FY 2002. ADJOURN: Until the May 14th, 2002 meeting at 8:30 AM. Motion by Myers, second by Downs to adjourn the Full County Board Meeting. All in favor, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 10:08 AM.