August 10th, 2004

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Montgomery County Board Minutes For Tuesday, August 10th, 2004 – 8:30 AM The following are minutes of a regular meeting of the Montgomery County Board held at 8:30 AM on Tuesday, August 10th, 2004 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, 20 members present, 1 absent. Members Present: Nelson Aumann, George Blankenship, Terry Bone, Bonnie Branum, Ronald Deabenderfer, Toby Dean, John Downs, Robert Durbin, Mike Havera, Dave Heaton, Edward Helgen, Keith Horn, David Jackson, Frank Komor, Roger Myers, Dale Ogden, Glenn Painter, Don Petty, Mike Plunkett, Bill Sielschott. Members Absent: Dennis Jagodzinski. 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 Jackson, second by Downs to approve the Minutes of the Previously Adjourned County Board Meeting held on Tuesday, July 13th, 2004. 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. 4. Sheriff’s Report – submitted. 5. Health Department Report – submitted. 6. T.B. Department Report – submitted. 7. Public Defender’s Report – submitted. 8. Probation Office Report – Banee Ulrici was present for questions and introduced the Probation Offices’ new Juvenile Officer Tara Jacobs. 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. Work Crews Update: Branum reported that work crews have been out in force repairing signs and culverts and have started mowing the right-of-way. 2. Drainage Problem Update: Branum stated that County Highway Engineer Amy McNeal will be contacting the property owner on Oconee Road to advise him of his options on the drainage problem he has been experiencing. Branum reported that the drainage problem is not the county’s responsibility. 3. Culvert Update: Branum stated that the Highway Department is having some problems with the vendor who supplies culverts. FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman Bill Sielschott as follows: 1. 2005 Budget Update: Sielschott stated that the committee continues to discuss and review the 2005 budget. 2. Sheriff’s Cars/Budget Update: Sielschott stated that the Sheriff’s vehicles are now four-years old, and the committee discussed bidding for replacement of these vehicles within Fiscal Year 2005. 3. Truth in Taxation Hearing Update: Sielschott stated that the county will have a tentative 3.9% levy increase. Because this increase is less than 5%, there appears to be no need for a Truth in Taxation Hearing at this time. 4. Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption Resolution #04-28 Approval: Sielschott stated that due to a new State Law, the board must pass a resolution that authorizes Supervisor of Assessments Julie Kiefer to extend the eligibility period for the application for the Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead exemption for 2004. This new law increases the household income requirements to qualify for the Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption from $40,000 to $45,000, and changes other property tax exemption qualifications also, but Sielschott stated that there should not be a major reduction of county property tax revenue as a result of the law’s passage. Member Helgen asked for confirmation that the Exemption period would just be extended for 2004, and Sielschott stated that yes, the application extension period does apply to 2004, and must be passed because of this state mandate. County Clerk Leitheiser read the Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption Resolution. Motion by Sielschott, second by Aumann to approve the Senior Citizen Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption Resolution. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 5, page 26). 5. Law Library Fee Change Resolution #04-29 Approval: Clerk Leitheiser read the Law Library Fee Change Resolution. Motion by Sielschott, second by Helgen to approve the Law Library Fee Change Resolution. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 5, page 27). 6. Approval to Void Vacant Parking Area Tax Bill 2003 payable 2004-Resolution #04-30: Clerk Leitheiser read a Resolution to void the tax bill on the vacant parking area at 133 North Main Street, Hillsboro. Motion by Sielschott, second by Branum to void the 2003 payable 2004 Tax Bill on the vacant parking area at 133 North Main street in Hillsboro, parcel I.D. #08-201-288-00. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 5, page 28). 7. Approval to Void Bike Trail Tax Bill 2003 payable 2004-Resolution #04-31: Clerk Leitheiser read a Resolution to void the tax bill for the Green Diamond Bike Trail. Motion by Sielschott, second by Plunkett to void the Green Diamond Bike Trail Tax Bill for 2003 payable 2004, parcel I.D. # 12-000-405-05. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 5, page 29). 8. VAC Update: Member Helgen inquired about the Veteran’s Assistance Commission levy. Sielschott stated that the board approved a .02 percent levy for the VAC and they will begin December 1, 2004. Sielschott stated that the board will revisit the VAC’s levy when it has been operational for at least a year to see what kind of expenses they might incur. Sielschott informed the board that the Superintendent for the Montgomery County VAC has resigned and the VAC is currently trying to find someone to replace the vacant position. 9. Chairman’s Comment: Havera relayed to the Finance Committee that he appreciates the time and energy that the committee has spent on the budget. HWE COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman Bob Durbin as follows: 1. Elections Update: Durbin stated that the County’s Elections vendor gave the approximate cost of the new mandated election equipment. Two small grants have been received for ADA accessible polling place repairs in the amount of $6,039, but funds must be spent by November of 2004 or they will go back to the State of Illinois. Clerk Leitheiser put together a priority list of polling places that need some minor upgrades for ADA compliancy, and contacted local handyman Brent McLean of Taylor Springs to do these repairs to the polling places. Motion by Durbin, second by Horn to have Brent McLean do the necessary work to help some of the polling places toward ADA compliancy in an amount not to exceed $6,039. All in favor, motion carried. 2. Property & Casualty & Workman’s Comp. Insurance Approval: Durbin stated that Bliss McKnight Insurance Rep. Bill Cocagne addressed the committee regarding bidding out Property and Casualty and the Workers Compensation Insurance with that company. Durbin stated that since approximately ten years ago, the county has contracted with Illinois County Risk Management Trust, and an independent company would have to be hired to review and write bid specs at the cost of approximately $10,000 from General Fund. Durbin will contact ICRMT and ask for additional information. ICRMT would need notification by November 1st, 2004 if the county is going to seek bids for the insurance. 3. Animal Control Update: The committee decided to purchase a larger trap for the Animal Control Program. Durbin stated that the other cages are fine, but are too small for the bigger animals. 4. Sale of County Vehicles Update: The committee received a bid for each of the three county vehicles and they will be sold to Clint Lemon of Litchfield at the following bid amounts: $56.99 for the ’87 White Dodge Pickup, $151.99 for the ’87 Dodge Ram and $501.99 for the Black Crown Victoria. This would come to a total sale bid of $710.97. 5. EPA Update: Durbin reported that Bill Gonet showed pictures of the new leachate system at the Litchfield Landfill, which will go to Litchfield Wastewater Treatment Plant and should be operational by August 12th, 2004. 6. Recycling Update: The Committee approved the purchase of twenty-five new containers for the recycling program. 7. Tire Collection Update: Durbin stated that a Tire Collection drive will be held at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds on August 27th and 28th, and anyone needing more information can contact the Coordinated Services Office or EPA Inspector. PERSONNEL COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman John Downs as follows: 1. FOP Arbitration Update: Downs stated that arbitrators for the FOP Union Contract have been selected, but no date for arbitration has been set. BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman Glenn Painter as follows: 1. Courthouse Roof Repair Update: Painter reported that only one bid was received for the Courthouse Roof repair project, and was submitted by Top Quality of Mt. Zion, Illinois. The committee decided to reject the bid and re-bid the project. 2. Historic Courthouse Fire Safety Plan Update: Painter reported that a structural engineer will check out the fire escape on the north side of the Historic Courthouse. The third floor windows have been checked, but the company that made the windows has gone out of business. The window near the fire escape exit on the third floor will be replaced. ESDA/AMBULANCE COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by member George Blankenship as follows: 1. April Ambulance Call Report: A summary of monthly operations for July 2004 is as follows: Total calls: 365; Total amount billed: $137,242.75; Total amount collected: $23,908.21. 2. Director Holmes Report: Director Holmes reported that the Haz-Mat By-laws are now complete, and she was informed by State’s Attorney Roberts that the County Board would not need to approve the by-laws, but they should be kept on hand for any member of the public to review them. Blankenship reported that Holmes had recommended County Clerk Leitheiser attend a workshop to be trained as the County’s Emergency Public Information Officer. Leitheiser gave members an overview of her training and stated she looks forward to serving as the County’s Public Information Officer, and will be working with the Emergency Services and Law Enforcement community to provide information to the media and the public in the case of a county disaster. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman Mike Plunkett as follows: 1. Update on City Wide Clean-Up: The committee approved clean-up fund requests from the Cities/Villages of Harvel, Waggoner and Ohlman as well as from South Litchfield Township. 2. Approval of Support Funds for Economic Development Corporation: Plunkett reminded members that they were provided information regarding the use of County Host fees to be used toward the implementation of an Economic Development Corporation for Montgomery County at last month’s meeting, and that they were asked to review it for a vote at today’s meeting. Plunkett stated that he has had several entities contact he and CCI Representative Heather Hampton-Knodle asking them to speak at their monthly meetings regarding the Economic Development Corporation. The University of Illinois Extension will be voting on their participation in the program at tonight’s meeting. The Village of Raymond voted at their last meeting and unanimously approved being part of the program. Motion by Plunkett, second by Heaton to approve $15,000 funds from Host Fees for the Economic Development Corporation, with the contingency that municipalities in Montgomery County come on board with city/village funding for the project. All in favor, motion carried. 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: Havera stated that all members should have information on their desks regarding the concerning news about a rare illness that Supervisor of Assessments Kiefer’s son, Charles has been recently diagnosed with, which will require a bone marrow transplant. A benefit will be held on October 23rd, 2004 at the St. Louis Parish Center in Nokomis to help the family offset medical costs, and Havera asked that members support Julie and her family in this time of need. APPOINTMENTS: Motion by Helgen, second by Ogden to approve the re-appointment of Pat Armour to the Henderson Water District Board for a term of five years. All in favor, motion carried. Motion by Downs, second by Plunkett to approve the re-appointment of Ken Durbin to the Montgomery County Housing Authority Board. Mr. Durbin’s term will begin immediately and expire June 30th, 2009. All in favor, motion carried. PAY BILLS: Motion by Dean, second by Blankenship to pay all approved bills. All in favor, motion carried. For itemized listing of bills paid, refer to Accounts Payable Book for FY 2004. ADJOURN: Until the Regular Monthly Meeting on Tuesday, September 14th, 2004 at 8:30 AM. Motion by Painter, second by Branum to adjourn the Full Board Meeting. All in favor, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:15 AM.