August 12th, 2003

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Montgomery County Board Minutes For TUESDAY, August 12th, 2003 – 8:30 AM The following are minutes of a regular meeting of the Montgomery County Board held at 8:30 AM on Tuesday, August 12, 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: Nelson Aumann, George Blankenship, Terry Bone, Bonnie Branum, Ronald Deabenderfer, John Downs, Robert Durbin, Mike Havera, Edward Helgen, Keith Horn, David Jackson, Frank Komor, Roger Myers, Dale Ogden, Glenn Painter, Don Petty, Mike Plunkett, Bill Sielschott. Members Absent: Dennis Jagodzinski, Charles Hampton and David Webb. Pledge of Allegiance to the flag was given. Resignation of County Board Member: Chairman Havera read the Resignation letter from County Board Member Dave Webb of District 1, which stated that Webb resigned due to a job change, which was located out of Montgomery County. Havera publicly thanked Webb for his term of service on the County Board. Appointment of New Board Member: Havera informed members that Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee Chairman Steve White recommends that Dave Heaton of Farmersville be appointed to replace County Board Member Dave Webb in District #1 until November 30th, 2004. The seat will be open as of the March 2004 General Primary Election for a 2-year unexpired term. Motion by Ogden, second by Painter to appoint Dave Heaton to replace resigned County Board Member Dave Webb for District #1. All in favor, motion carried. Oath of New Montgomery County Board Member: County Clerk Sandy Leitheiser administered the Official Oath to newly appointed County Board member Dave Heaton. With the appointment of Heaton, there were 19 members present, and 2 absent for the meeting. Mileage and Per Diem Approval: Motion by Aumann, 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 Myers, second by Jackson to approve the Minutes of the Previously Adjourned County Board Meeting held on Tuesday, July 8, 2003. All in favor, motion carried. CONSENT AGENDA: 1. Circuit Clerk’s Report – Mary Webb was present for questions and thanked County Board Members for allowing her office to implement the Credit Card Payment System for fees due, which has been very beneficial. Webb reported that to date, the Circuit Clerk’s Office has collected $3,000 from the credit card payment system. In addition, Webb reported that House Bill 269 passed and fees have been set, and her office will begin collecting the higher fees when board approval is final. 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. 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 invited members to attend a Juvenile Action Committee Conference in Effingham on Friday, October 24th, 2003. 9. 911 Report – Greg Nimmo was present for questions. 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. Permit Fees Approval: Branum reported that the Road & Bridge Committee has decided to implement a $200.00 Overweight/Oversized or Utility Truck Permit Fee for the use of the County roads to take effect on September 1st, 2003. The State of Illinois currently charges a $500.00 fee for such a permit for state road use. County Engineer Amy McNeal stated that the county has always issued the permits, but has never charged a fee for their use to offset the damage these trucks can cause. County Board Member Mike Plunkett asked how many trucks would use these permits per year, and McNeal stated that an average of 30 to 40 trucks frequent the Montgomery County roads each year and need these permits. Motion by Branum, second by Painter to approve the implementation of an Overweight/Oversized or Utility Truck Permit Fee of $200.00 per permit to take effect on September 1, 2003. All in favor, motion carried. 2. International Tractor Mower: Branum stated that the Committee decided to sell the Highway Department’s International Tractor at the Mulberry Grove auction and keep the mower that is in need of repair. Motion by Branum, second by Painter to sell the International Tractor at the Mulberry Grove Auction. All in favor, motion carried. FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman of Finance Committee, Bill Sielschott as follows: 1. Structural Improvement Permit Approval: Sielschott stated that a new Structural Improvement Permit form has been prepared by the 911 Coordinator, Supervisor of Assessments, County Highway Engineer, County Clerk’s office and approved by the State’s Attorney. This new form will better reinforce the required county structural improvement procedure and make sure that new structures will have a 911 address. Anyone making structural improvements will obtain a permit from either the Supervisor of Assessments office or the 911 office, fill out the information and the permit will then be distributed internally to County Highway Engineer Amy McNeal for Flood Plain and Subdivision ordinance approval. Motion by Sielschott, second by Aumann to approve the Structural Improvement Permit and implement it immediately. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 4, page 132). 2. Sale of County Trustee Property/Resolution #03-15: Motion by Sielschott, second by Helgen to convey the Tax Deed for property ID #16-000-669-00 in the City of Litchfield. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 4, page 133-134). 3. 2004 Budget/Levy: Sielschott reported that the tentative Budget for Fiscal Year 2004 has been established and the first draft will be available in September. 4. Indemnity and Tort Liability Fund Resolution #03-16: Sielschott stated that for each property sold at the tax sale the County receives $20.00 per property. The monies are placed into an Indemnity and Tort Liability Fund, so that if a liability problem with the sale of property occurs the county is protected. The county averages collecting $5,000 to $6,000 annually in this fund, and currently there is $105,000 in the fund. Because the county has other insurance to cover any liability problems, Sielschott recommends to the board that the Indemnity and Tort Liability fund monies be transferred into the General Fund. Motion by Sielschott, second by Blankenship to adopt the Indemnity and Tort Liability Fund Resolution and to transfer the monies into the General Fund. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 4, page 135). 5. Circuit Clerk Court Fees Resolution #03-17: Sielschott reported that the Governor has signed House Bill 269 and amended 705 ILCS 105/27.1, Court Fees and counties can now raise their court fees to better compensate the county for the services performed. Motion by Sielschott, second by Blankenship to adopt the Circuit Clerk Court Fees Resolution #03-17 raising specified court fees as of September 1st, 2003. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 4, pages 136-145). 6. October Meeting Date Change: The October 6th, 2003 regular Finance Committee meeting has been changed to October 1st, 2003 at 8:00 AM in the County Board room of the Historic Courthouse. HWE COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman Bob Durbin as follows: 1. ICRMT Insurance Renewal Approval: Chairman Durbin stated that the Committee approved the ICRMT Insurance Renewal for Property, Casualty and Workers Compensation Insurance for next year and reported that the costs will be about the same as last year. Motion by Durbin, second by Petty to approve the ICRMT Insurance Renewal for Property, Casualty and Workers Compensation Insurance for next year. All in favor, motion carried. 2. Election System Change Update: Durbin reported that the Governor has not yet signed SB 428, the Election System Change Bill. If the Governor does not sign the bill by August 27, 2003, then it will automatically pass. Once this bill is final, then the county will be able to look at different Voting System options. 3. Cemetery Cleanup Update: Durbin reported that the cleanup of Gooseneck Cemetery, located southeast of Witt, will start August 21, 2003. Chief Probation Officer Banee Ulrici has already purchased equipment to get the project underway. 4. EPA Inspections Update: Durbin stated that the Solid Waste Management Department is looking into offering out of County inspections. Durbin reported that the amount of waste deposited at the Envotech Landfill in Litchfield has dropped from about 600 tons per day to 250 tons per day, due to the Sangamon County Landfill reopening. Durbin commended Envotech Landfill, which was rated #2 of all Allied Waste Landfills for being Environment friendly. 5. Concrete Pit Update: Durbin stated that the committee had received written proposals for the Concrete Pit work for the Recycling Center from Snoddy Concrete and from Fuller Brothers Construction. After the Concrete Pit work is complete, the Recycling Baler will be ordered, using Host Fee Funds. BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman Glenn Painter as follows: 1. Parking Lot Construction Update: Chairman Painter stated that as soon as the Highway Department is done with the oiling and chipping season it will begin working on the parking lot area. 2. Maintenance Truck Update: Painter stated that the county Maintenance truck is not working and it was taken to Taylor’s Tire and Auto in Litchfield for an estimate on repairs. 3. Community Service Workers: Painter thanked Probation Officer Shane Beck for supervising and assisting a Community Service Worker in painting the foyer by the elevator on the first floor of the Historic Courthouse. ESDA/AMBULANCE COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Member Ron Deabenderfer as follows: 1. Ambulance Call Report: The summary of monthly operations for July is as follows: Total calls: 358; Total amount billed; $70,340.50; Total amount collected: $64,155.59. 2. Director Holmes Report: Board member Ron Deabenderfer deferred to Director Holmes, who reported that all county Ambulance Districts are being asked to submit their annual budgets to the county on a more timely basis. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman Mike Plunkett as follows: 1. Bike Trail Update: Chairman Plunkett reported that the signs for the Bike Trail were installed by the Highway Department, and some directional and caution signs are now in place to attract more people to the bike trail path. 2. Resource, Conservation & Development (RC&D) Update: Plunkett reported that the Illini Valley RC&D Council’s application was not approved this year, and that another application will be submitted this October. The committee gave approval for County Coordinator Chris Daniels, who is also Illini Valley RC&D Council Secretery, to attend the Annual Illinois Resource, Conservation and Development meeting in Mattoon on August 26th and 27th, 2003. 3. Enterprise Zone Meeting: Plunkett stated that an Enterprise Zone meeting will be held on Monday, August 18, 2003 at 5:30 PM in the County Board room of the Historic Courthouse. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the City of Coffeen’s admission into the Enterprise Zone. 4. Non-Commercialization of Rest Areas Resolution #03-18: Plunkett reported that Section 1306 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible and Efficient Transportation Equity Act of 2003 proposes to allow the Commercialization of Rest Areas, which is not in the best interest of Montgomery County. Plunkett stated that in a study done by the University of Maryland, it was estimated that commercializing a rest area would eliminate half the business at the nearest Highway Exit. Plunkett read Resolution #03-18, opposing the Commercialization of Rest Areas. Motion by Plunkett, second by Durbin to pass Non-Commercialization of Rest Areas Resolution #03-18. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 4, pages 146-147). 5. City Wide Cleanup Update: Plunkett reported on the procedure used by the County for the City Wide Cleanup Program, which provides up to $500.00 annually to each City/Village and Township that turns in a bill for participation in a City Wide Cleanup Program. Funds for this program are authorized through fund 350 (Delinquent Tax), and all monies should come from this fund. PERSONNEL COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman John Downs as follows: 1. Jailers/Dispatchers Contract: Chairman Downs reported that the Jailers/Dispatchers contract should be voted on this week and the board should anticipate voting on it at the next Full Board meeting. 2. Identification Badges Approval: Downs stated that the Committee discussed the wearing of Identification Badges and decided that the photo badges should include the Department name and the employee’s first name only, and would be provided at a minimal cost by the County Health Department. Downs stated that Badges will also be worn by employees in Collective Bargaining Agreements. Motion by Downs, second by Jackson to approve the wearing of Photo Identification badges by Montgomery County employees and County Board members. All in favor, motion carried. 3. Highway Department Contract: Motion by Downs, second by Branum to discuss the Highway Department contract and to go into Executive Session at 9:35 AM. All in favor, motion carried. At 9:50 AM, motion by Downs, second by Bone to return from Executive Session. All in favor, motion carried. Motion by Downs, second by Horn to approve the Collective Bargaining Agreement with Union Local 1084, Laborer’s International Union for Highway Department Maintenance and Clerical Workers, in effect from December 1st, 2002 through November 30th, 2007. All in favor, motion carried. APPROVAL OF 7 COMMITTEE REPORTS: Motion by Sielschott, second by Painter to approve the 7 committee reports. All in favor, motion carried. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT: Given by Chairman Mike Havera as follows: ANNOUNCEMENTS: Havera stated that there would be an Enterprise Zone meeting on Monday, August 18, 2003 at 5:30 PM in the County Board room of the Historic Courthouse to approve proceeding with the City of Coffeen’s application to be included in the Enterprise Zone. SCHEDULE CHANGES: APPOINTMENTS: Motion by Painter, second by Horn to approve the appointment of Phil Sisson as a Commissioner of the Litchfield Airport Authority Board to complete the un-expired term of Greg Beiermann, who was recently elected to the Litchfield City Council and is no longer eligible to serve as an Airport Authority Commissioner. The term will begin immediately and expire June 30, 2007. All in favor, motion carried. PAY BILLS: Motion by Helgen, second by Durbin 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, September 9, 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 9:58 AM.