July 8th, 2003

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Montgomery County Board Minutes For TUESDAY, July 8th, 2003 – 8:30 AM The following are minutes of a regular meeting of the Montgomery County Board held at 8:30 AM on Tuesday, July 8th, 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, 18 members present, 3 absent. Members Present: 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,. Members Absent: Nelson Aumann, William Sielschott and David Webb. Pledge of Allegiance to the flag was given. Mileage and Per Diem Approval: Motion by Ogden, second by Horn to approve the mileage and per diem. All in favor, motion carried. Approval of Minutes of Previous County Board Meeting: Motion by Jackson, second by Hampton to approve the Minutes of the Previously Adjourned County Board Meeting held on Tuesday, June 10th, 2003. All in favor, motion carried. CONSENT AGENDA: 1. Circuit Clerk’s Report – submitted. 2. County Treasurer’s Report – submitted. 3. County Clerk and Recorder’s Report – Sandy Leitheiser was present for questions and reported that last month the GIS fees brought in $7,789 , well over the $5,400 monthly average. 4. Sheriff’s Report – Jim Vazzi was present for questions. 5. Health Department Report – submitted. 6. T.B. Department Report – Kathy Tapley was present for questions. 7. Public Defender’s Report – submitted. 8. Probation Office Report – Banee Ulrici was present for questions and informed members that the week of July 13th through July 19th, 2003 is Probation Officers Week, and introduced the following Montgomery County Probation Officers to the County Board: Kent Lovelace, Marsha Tripp, Shane Beck, and Sara Sloman. 9. 911 Report – submitted. APPROVAL OF 9 ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA: Motion by Bone, 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: Given by Chairman Bonnie Branum as follows: 1. Tandem Truck Bid: Chairman Branum reported that the Committee received a bid of $4,000 for Tandem Truck #128, and decided to re-bid the Tandem Truck with a minimum bid requirement of $6,000. The following three bids were received: Caulk Trucking - $6,250.00, Richard Greenwalt - $6,666.00 and Kevin Rench - $7,200.00. As a result, Tandem Truck #128 went to Kevin Rench, with the high bid of $7,200.00. Branum stated that the old Highway Dept. copier will be auctioned. 2. Fuel Tanks: Branum reported that a representative from the Fire Marshall’s office was at the Highway Department on Friday, June 20th and gave official inspection approval to the Highway’s fuel tanks until December 31st, 2006. 3. Highway Department Organizational Chart: Branum stated that the Road and Bridge Committee discussed a need for an Organizational Chart for the Highway Department’s supervisors and staff. FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT: In the absence of Chairman Bill Sielschott, given by member John Downs as follows: 1. Six Month Revenue Report: Downs stated that the six-month revenue report was reviewed at the Committee meeting. The report shows a small revenue increase in income tax since last year. 2. Other Fees and Cost Adjustment: Downs reported that County Clerk Leitheiser and Sheriff Vazzi met with Maximus, Inc. regarding the Cost Study they are doing for fees charged in the County Clerk’s and Sheriff’s Office. The study will take seven weeks to complete, after which the Committee and two officeholders will meet to review the results. 3. Indemnity Fund: Downs stated that the County has an Indemnity Insurance Fund that brings in approximately $6,000 to $8,000 annually, with a current balance of $102,000. State’s Attorney Roberts will provide a legal opinion before the committee decides to put this money into the General Fund or to leave it in the Indemnity Fund. 4. Budget Hearings: The Budget Hearings for Fiscal Year 2004 have been set for July 30th through August 1st and August 4th, 2003. 5. Real Estate Taxes: Downs reported that the County Chief Assessing Officer Julie Kiefer informed the committee that as of June 19th, 2003, the Department of Revenue has not worked on the 2002 Sales Ratio, which could delay next year’s tax cycle again. The current tax cycle is running on about the same schedule as last year. 6. GIS Update: Downs stated that the flyover is complete for the new Geographical Information System, and that the Department of Revenue has set the year 2005 as the date for the implementation of Farm Bulletin 810, which changes the farmland assessment calculation from a weighted soil method to an individual soil method. Downs stated that Chief Assessing Officer Kiefer reported that two parcels of property need determination of ownership, and she requested that the county hire an abstractor to research these two parcels for confirmation. Motion by Downs, second by Plunkett to have an abstractor research two parcels with the following legal descriptions for proper ownership: 1.) Part Lots 7,8,9 & 10 in Zepp’s Subdivision of Blocks Sixty-One (61) Sixty-Two (62) and Seventy-Five (75) in P.C. Huggins and trustee of J.R. Stanford’s addition and Out lots to Nokomis. 2.) Pt NE NE S14 T8 R4. All in favor, motion carried. 7. House Bill 269: Downs reported that House Bill 269 allowing the county to set specific court fees was signed by the Governor, and the Committee will meet with the Chief Judge and Circuit Clerk Mary Webb to determine the future fee schedule. 8. Structural Improvement Permit: Downs reported that the Committee reviewed a draft form of a permit for new building structures used by 911, Supervisor of Assessments, Highway Department, and County Clerk’s Offices. HWE COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman Bob Durbin as follows: 1. Election Update: Durbin stated that County Clerk Leitheiser reported to the Committee that The State Board of Elections has passed a State Plan required to implement the federal Help America Vote Act in Illinois. County Clerks are told to expect the federal grant to pay $3,200 for the buyback of punch card voting machines. The machines will cost approximately $5,000 to $6,000, with the county making up the remaining cost. Durbin stated that one of the changes in the law would require a Campaign Free Zone be established that includes orange cones to be set up at polling place entrances to mark 100 feet. Durbin suggested that board members talk to their Representatives and Senators about their positions on this issue due to the increased financial burden this federal law may cause. 2. Cemetery Cleanup: Chairman Durbin, Probation Office Director Banee Ulrici and Shane Beck inspected the abandoned cemeteries to see which needed priority for cleanup. Durbin stated that there are some cemeteries so overgrown that they will need to wait until the weather is cooler to be able to proceed with cleanup. Cleanup on the other cemeteries will begin now. 3. Household Hazardous Waste Collection Update: Durbin reported that the Household Hazardous Waste Collection held on Saturday, June 21st, 2003 at the Hillsboro High School parking lot was a success, and household hazardous waste was collected from 235 families. 4. Animal Control: Durbin stated that State’s Attorney Roberts is still researching the county’s implementation of an Animal Control Ordinance. The Committee discussed and approved hiring an Animal Control Warden that will be available to respond to Sheriff Dispatch calls during the day, and will be able to write up citations once the Animal Control Ordinance is approved. 5. Recycling Update: Durbin reported that the Committee approved the purchase of safety belts for Recycling Center workers due to the heavy lifting that is required at the Center. 6. Envotech Landfill: Durbin stated that the re-opening of the Sangamon Landfill scheduled for sometime in July will be delayed and the County will still receive the revenue targeted to transfer to Sangamon County for July. Durbin invited the board to visit the Envotech Landfill to see the new cell that will be opening in the next three to four weeks. Chairman Havera inquired about the progress made to obtain a new Recycling Center Baler, and Durbin stated that they are waiting on bids to build a concrete pit required for the new baler. When the bids are finalized, the new baler will be installed. PERSONNEL COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman John Downs as follows: 1. Highway Department’s Contract: Chairman Downs reported that the Personnel Committee will meet with Highway Union Representatives on Thursday, July 10th, 2003 at 9:00 AM in the County Board room to discuss the Highway Department’s Contract. 2. Employee Health Insurance: Downs stated that the Employee Health Insurance changes which will begin on August 1st will be discussed with employees through a series of meetings with Consociate Care Group. Downs stated that the Insurance Costs for the first quarter are down and the Health Insurance looks good this year. BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman Glenn Painter as follows: 1. Parking Lot Construction: Chairman Painter stated that the Committee discussed putting down concrete for the Parking area at 133 N. Main. Some concerns were raised about the settling of the ground in the parking lot and it was determined that the Committee will have the Highway Department put a rock base down and have cars park on it for approximately a year before finalizing the parking area with Asphalt or Concrete. ESDA/AMBULANCE COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman Dennis Jagodzinski as follows: 1. Ambulance Call Report: The summary of monthly operations for June, 2003 are as follows: Total calls: 288; Total amount billed: $59,225.70; Total amount collected: $39,715.76. 2. Director Holmes Report: Chairman Jagodzinski reported that ESDA will be hosting a Mass Casualty Incident exercise set for 9:30 AM on Wednesday, September 24th, 2003 at Nokomis, Hillsboro, Litchfield and Raymond High Schools. Haz-Mat training is scheduled for October 2003 and Director Holmes will notify all County Fire Service Agencies once a date has been finalized. Jagodzinski stated that the ESDA/Ambulance office was subpoenaed by a Greenville attorney regarding a grievance with a victim who was being transported from Utlaut Hospital in Greenville to Barnes Hospital in St. Louis. The subpoena was for Montgomery County Ambulance Service, and because there is no Montgomery County Ambulance Service, it was referred to Hillsboro Area Ambulance who answered the ambulance call. Hillsboro Area Ambulance Attorney Steve Cullison told Director Holmes that he would take care of the situation. Jagodzinski stated that the Identification Badges for employees at the Courthouse Complex will be turned over to the Personnel Committee. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman Mike Plunkett as follows: 1. Website Update: Chairman Plunkett reported that information regarding Montgomery County municipalities and their business incentive programs were added to the county website under the Economic Development web page. Plunkett stated that a large database of business incentive programs and loans provided by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is available on their website and is set to link to the county website. 2. CCI: Plunkett stated that Coordinator Chris Daniels personally delivered the Competitive Communities Initiative application to the DCEO office in Springfield and that the County should know within the next few months if the application is accepted. 3. Association of Truck Stops: Plunkett reported that there is federal legislation that could allow commercial development at rest areas along the Interstate highways, which is not in the best interest of Montgomery County businesses. Plunkett stated that the Committee will watch this pending legislation closely. APPROVAL OF 7 COMMITTEE REPORTS: Motion by Durbin, second by Downs to approve the 7 committee reports. All in favor, motion carried. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT: Given by Chairman Mike Havera as follows: ANNOUNCEMENTS: Havera reminded the board of the Special Personnel Committee Meeting that will be held in the County Board room at 9:00 AM on Thursday, July 10th, to discuss the Highway Department’s Contract, and hopefully finalize it. SCHEDULE CHANGES: Havera stated that the regular Coordinating Committee meeting that was scheduled for Tuesday, July 29th at 6:00 PM, has been changed to Tuesday, July 22nd at 6:00 PM in the County Board room. APPOINTMENTS: Motion by Blankenship, second by Myers to approve the reappointment of Danny McFarlin to the Montgomery County Tuberculosis Care and Treatment Board for a three-year term effective July 1, 2003 through June 30th, 2006. All in favor, motion carried. PAY BILLS: Motion by Painter, second by Komor to pay all approved bills. All in favor, motion carried. For an itemized listing of bills paid, please refer to Accounts Payable Book for FY 2003. ADJOURN: Until the Regular Monthly Meeting on Tuesday, August 12th, 2003 at 8:30 AM. Motion by Painter, second by Branum to adjourn the Full Board Meeting. All in favor, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:02 AM.