March 11th, 2003

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

Montgomery County Board Minutes For TUESDAY, March 11th, 2003 – 8:30 AM The following are minutes of a regular meeting of the Montgomery County Board held at 8:30 AM on Tuesday, March 11th, 2003 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, George Blankenship, Terry Bone, Bonnie Branum, Ronald Deabenderfer, John Downs, Robert Durbin, Charles Hampton, Mike Havera, Edward Helgen, Keith Horn, David Jackson, Dennis Jagodzinski, Frank Komor, Roger Myers, Dale Ogden, Glenn Painter, Don Petty, Mike Plunkett, William Sielschott, David Webb. Members Absent: None Pledge of Allegiance to the flag was given. Mileage and Per Diem Approval: Motion by Ogden, second by Branum to approve the mileage and per diem. All in favor, motion carried. Approval of Minutes of Previous County Board Meeting: Motion by Hampton, second by Horn to approve the Minutes of the Previously Adjourned County Board Meeting held on Tuesday, February 11th, 2003. All in favor, motion carried. CONSENT AGENDA: 1. Circuit Clerk’s Report – Mary Webb was present for questions. 2. County Treasurer’s Report – Ron Jenkins was present for questions and reported that the Property Tax Sale will be held on March 26th, 2003 at 4:30 PM in the County Board Room of the Historic Courthouse. 3. County Clerk and Recorder’s Report – Sandy Leitheiser was present for questions and reported that the recording fees collected for G.I.S. are higher than average for the previous month. 4. Sheriff’s Report – Jim Vazzi was present for questions. 5. Health Department Report – Mark Dugger was present for questions, and thanked members for their attendance at the Health Department’s Open House held last month. 6. T.B. Department Report – Kathy Tapley was present for questions. 7. Public Defender’s Report – was submitted. 8. Probation Office Report – Banee Ulrici was present for questions. APPROVAL OF 8 ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA: Motion by Painter, second by Bone to approve the 8 office reports on the Consent Agenda, with no 911 Report submitted. All in favor, motion carried. COMMITTEE REPORTS: 1. CEFS Ordinance: The Program Director for CEFS Linda Mitchell presented Ordinance #03-02 to provide Public Transportation in Montgomery County. Motion by Nelson Aumann, second by Bill Sielschott to accept CEFS Ordinance #03-02 to provide for Public Transportation in Montgomery County. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 4, page 1). 2. Intergovernmental Agreement: Mitchell then presented an Intergovernmental Agreement to the board, between Shelby County and Montgomery County, along with the counties of Fayette, Clay, Moultrie, and Douglas. Motion by Nelson Aumann, second by Bob Durbin to approve the Intergovernmental Agreement. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 4, pages 2-3). 3. Law Enforcement Alarm System Resolution: Sheriff Jim Vazzi read the Law Enforcement Alarm System Resolution #03-03. Sheriff Vazzi stated that the focus of the Resolution is to provide a mutual aid agreement between all counties in the State of Illinois’ Region 8 in the event of a terrorist attack or a natural disaster. Motion by Dennis Jagodzinski, second by John Downs to accept the Law Enforcement Alarm System Resolution #03-03. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 4, pages 4-11). ROAD AND BRIDGE COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman Bonnie Branum as follows: 1. Subdividing: Chairman Branum reported on a request from Carl Nail to endorse a plan to subdivide an eight-acre area in the Pezold addition, which is within 1 ½ miles of Litchfield, and by law in their city jurisdiction. Motion by Branum, second by Helgen to approve the subdivision of the Pezold addition. All in favor, motion carried. 2. Road & Bridge Tour: Branum reported that the Road & Bridge Tour of the Montgomery County Bridges scheduled for Friday, March 21, 2003 has been put on hold and will be discussed at the next Road & Bridge Meeting. 3. Small Pipe Culvert Letting: Branum stated that there will be a Small Pipe Culvert Letting on Wednesday, March 26th, 2003 at 8:30 AM at the Highway Department. 4. Seasonal Maintainer and Temporary Engineering Help: Branum reported that the committee approved advertising for two seasonal maintainers at the Highway Department. The Highway Department will offer the temporary engineer position to the same individual who held the position last summer. Applications for the Seasonal Maintainers must be submitted by the next Road & Bridge Meeting on Wednesday, April 2nd, 2003. 5. Preliminary Engineering Services Agreement: The board approved a Preliminary Engineering Service Agreement for Chapman T Trail, with the Engineering fees being $28,631.70. Motion by Branum, second by Petty to approve the Preliminary Engineering Service Agreement for Chapman T Trail, with Engineering fees totaling $28,631.70. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 4, pages 12-17). 6. Fillmore Blacktop Project: Branum reported that Highway Engineer Amy McNeal met with a representative from Congressman Lane Evans’ office regarding his support for the appropriation of funds for bridge removal and repair along 14 miles of the Fillmore Blacktop. McNeal reported that the Highway Department has received 15 support letters from several mayors and businesses in the area, which she shared with Rep. Evans’ representative at the meeting. Evans’ Office promised to submit the request for funding this project to the Federal Transportation Commission, and McNeal will keep the Road and Bridge Committee informed. FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman Bill Sielschott as follows: 1. Fee Adjustment Bill for Counties: Chairman Sielschott reported on information received from Circuit Clerk Mary Webb regarding Fee Adjustments for Counties with a population under 500,000. Sielschott stated that Montgomery County’s Circuit Clerk’s fees haven’t been raised since 1976, and that the Fee Adjustments Bill (House Bill-269) is currently before the Legislature. The Finance Committee will discuss this further at next month’s meeting. 2. Property Tax Update: Sielschott reported that property tax re-assessment information has been published and the Board of Review complaints are in, but according to Chief Assessing Officer Julia Kiefer, it will require a couple of months to review all of the complaints and proceed to tax extension and distribution. 3. GIS Update: Sielschott reported that Bruce Harris and Associates have marked control points for the county flyover, which will start very soon. Member Helgen asked about whether a recent newspaper ad he saw where the FSA office was advertising for flyovers was related to GIS, and Sielschott reported that this could be related to the soil mapping project that will be coordinated through the USDA, which is a separate project from the Bruce Harris GIS flyover. 4. Combining of Accounts: Sielschott stated that discussion regarding merging data entered in Accounts Receivable in the Treasurer’s Office and Accounts Payable in the County Clerk’s Office took place and the committee decided more information is needed before further action would be taken. 5. Health Insurance Update: As of February 1, 2003, Consociate Care Group took over as Montgomery County’s Health Insurance Provider. Sielschott stated that even though the county has not received any loss reports yet, everything seems to be going well. 6. Credit Card Payments for Taxes: Sielschott reported that Treasurer Ron Jenkins has checked on cost estimates for credit card payments for county services and will report his findings to the committee at their next meeting. Customers who use the credit card payment service would be given another option for payment for taxes, county clerk’s fees, sheriff’s fees, and circuit clerk’s fees and the committee hopes to make their recommendation at next month’s board meeting regarding credit card use. HWE COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman Bob Durbin as follows: 1. Animal Control Update: Chairman Durbin reported that the committee has been discussing animal control issues in the county. Durbin traveled to Christian County to tour their animal control program, and Durbin and Ogden visited the no-kill animal shelter in Macoupin County (Benld). He reported that the Benld shelter has approximately 80 cats and 190 dogs, with six to seven part-time workers and many volunteers. Currently, Montgomery County budgets $15,000 annually for animal control, Christian County budgets $92,000, and Fayette County budgets $55,000. Durbin stated that there is a lot of research needed and the committee will continue to compare services and costs. He also encouraged the County to adopt an Animal Control Ordinance as a first step, to reinforce animal owner responsibility for their pets. 2. Primary Election Update: Durbin reported that the Primary Election was held on February 25th, and County Clerk Leitheiser informed the committee that the Precinct Clustering went well and saved county costs. 3. Cemetery Cleanup: Durbin stated that there are twelve cemeteries in need of cleanup and he and Coordinator Daniels will visit them and prioritize each cemetery’s needs for cleanup. 4. Bishop Landfill Handout: Durbin referred members to an informational letter they were given about the Bishop Landfill, which is currently undergoing clean up and EPA inspection. PERSONNEL COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman John Downs as follows: 1. Union Grievance: Chairman Downs reported that the committee will meet on Tuesday, March 18, 2003 at 10:30 AM for an Arbitrator Hearing with the Jailers/Dispatchers Union. 2. Union Negotiations Meeting: Downs stated that on Thursday, March 27, 2003, the Personnel Committee will meet with Union Representative Mike Stout to discuss the Highway Department Negotiations. 3. Direct Deposit: Downs reported that the direct deposit for employees is going well, and that Treasurer Jenkins reports that seventy employees signed up to have checks directly deposited into their bank accounts. 4. Highway Insurance Update: Downs stated that the Highway Department has not heard anything further on the information received February 1st regarding health insurance for their union members . Havera stated that the union insurance company requested three years of insurance history information and the county only has 1 ½ years’history information, and a $1,500 cost is required to retrieve the outstanding history information. Union Steward Darrell Jett is currently working on the problem. BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman Glenn Painter as follows: 1. Cabinets in Probation Office: Chairman Painter stated that the committee approved the purchase of storage cabinets for the Probation Office for $1,100 from J&W Custom Woodworking. Motion by Painter, second by Petty to approve the purchase of the storage cabinets for the Probation Office for $1,100 from J&W Custom Woodworking. All in favor, motion carried. 2. ATV Ordinance #03-03A: Painter reported on the ATV Ordinance #03-03A that State’s Attorney Roberts had drafted for the board’s approval. There have been many concerns from mayors, road commissioners and farmers throughout the county regarding damage being done to roads and property caused by ATVs. Member Ed Helgen stated that he is in favor of the Ordinance, but has reservations on how the perpetrators would be caught since they wear helmets which conceal their identity. Branum commented that he felt there are enough laws on the books without this Ordinance and that they just need to be enforced. Havera stated that the Ordinance would provide for additional fines of no less than $250 for the first offense and no more than $500 per infraction and allow ATVs to be confiscated, which would greatly impact the current disobedience of the law. Painter requested that a roll call vote be taken. Motion by Painter, second by Komor to approve ATV Ordinance #03-03A. Roll Call Vote: 17 Yes, 2 Present -(Aumann, Hampton), 2 No – (Branum, Jagodzinski). Motion carried. (See Resolution Book 4, pages 18-20). ESDA/AMBULANCE COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman Dennis Jagodzinski as follows: 1. Ambulance Call Report: A summary of monthly operations for February 2003 is as follows: Total calls: 320; Total amount billed: $64,600.76; Total amount collected: $33,430.00. 2. Director Holmes’ Report: Chairman Jagodzinski reported that Director Holmes gave a live radio address regarding Tornado awareness and that the State Wide Tornado Day was March 4th, 2003. 3. Violence in the Workplace: There was a Violence in the Workplace Seminar held on February 19th, 2003 for county employees. 4. Grant Funds Money: Jagodzinski reported that Diana Holmes met with the Grant Funds Committee and had received a grant for $15,000 for county ESDA services. Director Holmes and the committee will meet again in March to determine how the money can be used. 5. City of Litchfield: Jagodzinski stated that the City of Litchfield had not signed their Ambulance Agreement and the ESDA Committee and the Litchfield Ambulance Service will meet during an upcoming meeting to discuss Litchfield’s concerns. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman Mike Plunkett as follows: 1. Bike Trail: Chairman Plunkett reported that the committee met with the Pitman Township Park District representatives and the Mayor of Waggoner to discuss taking over the Bike Trail’s maintenance. The Representatives and Mayor stated that they were not interested, but are willing to help with the maintenance and recruit volunteers. Plunkett stated that better signage is needed to inform the public of the bike trail’s location, and the committee is researching this need. APPROVAL OF 7 COMMITTEE REPORTS: Motion by Blankenship, second by Aumann to approve the 7 committee reports. All in favor, motion carried. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT: Given by Chairman Mike Havera as follows: ANNOUNCEMENTS: Chairman Havera read a letter from Litchfield National Bank that praised the excellent services they received from the Supervisor of Assessments, County Clerk and Treasurer Offices. The letter stated that those offices are a credit to the County. Havera stated that the U. of I. Extension Office in Hillsboro will have a video series covering Intergovernmental Cooperation which will be held on Thursday, April 17th, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. This would be a paid meeting for any county board member wishing to attend. Havera reported on the UCCI Meeting that will be on Wednesday, March 12, 2003 at the Renaissance Hotel in Springfield. Four County Board Members have registered and will be attending the meeting: Bob Durbin, Dale Ogden, Ed Helgen and Charles Hampton. Havera stated that the Illinois Counties Risk Management Trust is hosting a Sexual Harassment in Employment Practices seminar on Wednesday, March 19th, 2003 in Springfield. Office Holders have been given further information on this seminar and Havera suggested that County Office Holders should try to attend if their schedules allow. UPDATES: Chairman Havera reported that the Mobile Home Privilege Tax Senate Bill-(SB334) is getting a lot of support from Legislators in Springfield and that the County Levy Health Insurance House Bill-(HB537) is gaining support as well. Havera will provide further information in future meetings. SCHEDULE CHANGES: Havera reminded the board of the Wednesday, March 26th, 2003 Small Pipe Culvert letting at 8:30 AM at the Highway Department. PAY BILLS: Motion by Myers, second by Sielschott to pay all approved bills. All in favor, motion carried. For itemized listing of bills paid, refer to Accounts Payable Book for FY 2003. ADJOURN: Until the Regular Monthly Meeting on Tuesday, April 8th, 2003 at 8:30 AM. Motion by Painter, second by Myers to adjourn the Full Board Meeting. All in favor, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:25 AM.