May 11th, 2004

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

Montgomery County Board Minutes For Tuesday, May 11th, 2004 – 8:30 AM The following are minutes of a regular meeting of the Montgomery County Board held at 8:30 AM on Tuesday, May 11th, 2004 in the County Board Chambers of the Historic Courthouse, Hillsboro, Illinois. The meeting was called to order by Acting County Board Chairman Dennis Jagodzinski. Roll call was taken, 20 members present, 1 absent. Members Present: Nelson Aumann, George Blankenship, Terry Bone, Bonnie Branum, Ronald Deabenderfer, John Downs, Robert Durbin, Charles Hampton, Dave Heaton, Edward Helgen, Keith Horn, David Jackson, Dennis Jagodzinski, Frank Komor, Roger Myers, Dale Ogden, Glenn Painter, Don Petty, Mike Plunkett, Bill Sielschott. Members Absent: Mike Havera. Acting Chairman’s Comments: Jagodzinski stated that Chairman Havera and State’s Attorney Roberts were absent due to the swearing in of Senator Deanna Demuzio, which was being held in Springfield. Acting Chairman Jagodzinski asked that everyone remain standing after the Pledge of Allegiance for a moment of silence in memory of the late Senator Vince Demuzio, who passed away the prior week. Pledge of Allegiance to the flag was given. Mileage and Per Diem Approval: Motion by Ogden, second by Aumann 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 Painter to approve the Minutes of the Previously Adjourned County Board Meeting held on Tuesday, April 13th, 2004. 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. 3. County Clerk and Recorder’s Report – Sandy Leitheiser was present for questions. 4. Sheriff’s Report – submitted. 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 introduced Ryan Kilduff as the newly hired Supervisor for Montgomery County’s Sex Offenders within this Department. 9. 911 Report –submitted. APPROVAL OF 9 ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA: Motion by Bone, second by Jackson 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. Striper Purchase: Branum reported that the striper for the Highway Department has been purchased. 2. Employee Safety Policy Approval: Branum reported that Highway Engineer Amy McNeal is looking into a Highway Employee Safety Policy, but will need more information before presenting the policy to the board. FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman Bill Sielschott as follows: 1. Coroner’s Salary 2005-2008 Approval: Sielschott stated that the Committee discussed increasing the County Coroner’s salary by 4% each year over the next four years. Motion by Sielschott, second by Downs to increase the Coroner’s Salary by $808.00 per year for each of the next four years of the upcoming term beginning December 1, 2004. All in favor, motion carried. 2. 2005 Budget Planning Meeting Update: Sielschott reported that budget hearing dates are set for Wednesday, July 28th, Friday, July 30th and Monday, August 2nd, 2004 at 9:00 AM. 3. Coal Sales Tax Issue Update: Sielschott stated that the Committee will be researching the sales tax loss in Montgomery County that occurs when our county coal is mined and removed from a shaft located in Macoupin County. Current legal interpretation gives sales tax revenue to Macoupin County, and the Committee will be examining this issue to increase revenue to the county. 4. VAC Update: Sielschott reported that several counties responded to a survey regarding their VAC budgets. The Committee will review and compare the results of the survey for Montgomery County’s VAC budget. 5. Convey Tax Deeds & Resolutions for 7 Parcels Approval: Sielschott reported that tax deeds for seven parcels were turned in late and will not be passed at this month’s meeting and will instead be included on the agenda for the June 8th, 2004 board meeting. 6. Real Estate Tax Bill Update: Helgen questioned about whether tax bills will be sent later this year, and Sielschott reported that tax bills will be hopefully be sent out around the same time as last year. HWE COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman Bob Durbin as follows: 1. Election Judges Commission Approval: Durbin reported that May is the month that is traditionally scheduled to commission Election Judges for the next two years. However, there has not been adequate time to get the full list from the political parties for this month’s full board meeting, and the board will need to recess this month’s meeting to comply with this commission requirement at the June, 2004 meeting. 2. HAVA Update: Durbin reported that Montgomery County will receive $229,340 in HAVA Title III grant funds for new voting systems that meet federal handicap accessibility guidelines. AutoMark Optical Scan ballot machines will cost about $5,000 per machine and one must be provided in every polling place for each of the forty-two precincts in the county. 3. Animal Control Update: Stacy Ballard and Carol Imig from the Department of Agriculture were at the last HWE meeting to give the committee guidance toward the implementation of a County Animal Control Ordinance and how to handle administrative duties. Imig informed the Committee that it is the responsibility of the Veterinarian who administers the rabies vaccination to collect the rabies tag fee. Other items discussed were the duties of the Animal Control Warden and a possible County Animal Control Pound. Durbin reported that the committee feels they are getting closer to passing an animal control ordinance. 4. Vehicle Sign Approval: Durbin stated that the committee has approved the ordering of two magnetic signs for the Animal Control Warden’s Vehicle and lettering for the Green Recycling Center pick-up truck to better identify these vehicles to county residents. PERSONNEL COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman John Downs as follows: 1. Health Insurance Approval: Downs stated that the committee has decided to continue the self-insurance program with Consociate Care Group as the county’s third party insurance administrator. Motion by Downs, second by Painter to continue the self-insurance program with Consociate Care Group as the county’s third party administrator. All in favor, motion carried. 2. Arch Insurance Proposal Approval: Downs stated that the Committee discussed the current health insurance costs and a proposal from Arch Insurance that provided a cost breakdown for Specific Deductibles in the amounts of $25,000-$30,000 and $35,000. It was highly recommended by the program administrator to go with the $35,000 Specific Deductible, which will produce substantial savings to the county. Motion by Downs, second by Aumann to approve the insurance proposal from Arch Insurance with a $35,000 Specific Deductible amount. All in favor, motion carried. 3. Ethics Ordinance Update: Downs stated that State’s Attorney Roberts has reviewed different Ethics Model Ordinances and will have one ready for passage at the June 8th, 2004 County Board meeting. There will be an Ethics Workshop held in Springfield on May 20th, 2004 at UIS, and all members are encouraged to attend. BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman Glenn Painter as follows: 1. Historic Courthouse Roof Update: Painter reported that the Historic Courthouse roof will be repaired with the grant monies awarded to the county from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Local contractor Rex Fuller will be contacted to see if he would be interested in assessing the Historic Courthouse roof to provide bid specifications and to oversee the Courthouse roof replacement. 2. Tree Dedication Update: An ornamental Pear tree was purchased and planted in front of the Courthouse Complex in honor of the late Senator Vince Demuzio. A rock with a plaque will be ordered and a dedication is planned to be held in the next two to three months. ESDA/AMBULANCE COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Vice Chairman Ron Deabenderfer as follows: 1. April Ambulance Call Report: A summary of monthly operations for April 2004 is as follows: Total calls: 365; Total amount billed: $145,906.50; Total amount collected: $81,606.38. 2. Director Holmes Report: Deabenderfer reported that Director Holmes informed the Committee that the HazMat team is in the final stages of writing policy and procedures. Deabenderfer stated that a First Aid and CPR class has been set up for employees to be held June 7th and June 9th, 2004 from 6:30 to 9:30 PM at the CES Extension Office in Hillsboro at a cost of $10.00 per person. Fire Extinguisher training was held the week of April 26th , 2004 for county employees, with 45 staff members participating. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman Mike Plunkett as follows: 1. CCI Update: Plunkett reported that a CCI meeting was held in Nokomis Thursday, April 29th, 2004. Two new Sub-Committees were established at the meeting: Economic Development and Community Development. The Economic sub-committee will be co-chaired by Heather Hampton-Knodle and Emily Battin, who will research the creation of an Economic Development Corporation with the help of some private investors to help develop new business in the county. The Community Development sub-committee will be chaired by Toby Dean and will research community beautification and the need for community nuisance ordinances. 2. Broadband Update: County Coordinator Chris Daniels attended an E-Community workshop in Springfield on Friday, April 30th, 2004, which provided information on Broadband High Speed Internet access as it relates to economic development in rural communities. Plunkett stated that Daniels shared the reports and handouts with the committee along with information from other government agencies who offer grants and low interest loans to rural areas seeking to invest in bringing high speed internet services to their area. CCI will also work on getting Broadband Internet access in Montgomery County and anticipate applying for grants. 3. Meeting Date Change Reminder: Plunkett reminded the board that the June 2nd, 2004 Economic Development Committee meeting is changed to Friday, May 28th, at 6:00 PM in the County Board room of the Historic Courthouse in Hillsboro. 4. GIS Update: Plunkett reported that Highway Engineer Amy McNeal submitted invoices to the Illinois Department of Transportation and the county has received $32,000 in reimbursements for G.I.S to date. APPROVAL OF 7 COMMITTEE REPORTS: Motion by Downs, second by Myers to approve the 7 committee reports. All in favor, motion carried. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT: Given by Acting County Board Chairman Dennis Jagodzinski as follows: Clerk Leitheiser read Resolution #04-13 to adopt the West Central Development Council’s Economic Development Planning Report. Motion by Ogden, second by Horn to adopt the West Central Development Council’s Economic Development Planning Report. All in favor, motion carried. A copy of the report will be kept on file with Resolution #04-13 in the County Clerk/Recorder’s Office and in the County Coordinator Office. (See Resolution Book 4, page 296). APPOINTMENTS: Motion by Myers, second by Aumann to approve the re-appointment of Gerald Huber to the Board of Review to serve the sessions of 2004 and 2005. All in favor, motion carried. Motion by Blankenship, second by Durbin to approve the re-appointment of William Harpole to the Board of Review to serve the sessions of 2004 and 2005. All in favor, motion carried. PAY BILLS: Motion by Durbin, second by Jackson to pay all approved bills. All in favor, motion carried. For an itemized listing of bills paid, refer to Accounts Payable Book for FY 2004. RECESS: Until the Regular Monthly Meeting on Tuesday, June 8th, 2004 at 8:30 AM. Motion by Durbin, second by Bone to recess the Full Board Meeting. All in favor, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:59 AM.