October 10th, 2006

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

Montgomery County Board Minutes For Tuesday, October 10th, 2006 – 8:30 AM The following are minutes of a regular meeting of the Montgomery County Board held at 8:30 AM on Tuesday, October 10th, 2006 in the County Board Chambers of the Historic Courthouse, Hillsboro, Illinois. Prior to the meeting’s start, a disruption was caused by county resident William Duff, who was escorted from the building by Undersheriff Rick Robbins and then taken to the Montgomery County Jail. Vice Chairman Jagodzinski, who chaired the meeting, apologized to all in attendance for Duff’s disruption. The meeting was called to order by County Board Vice Chairman Dennis Jagodzinski. Roll call was taken. 17 members present, 4 absent. Members Present: Mary Bathurst, George Blankenship, Terry Bone, Bonnie Branum, Ronald Deabenderfer, Toby Dean, John Downs, Robert Durbin, Dave Heaton, Dennis Jagodzinski, Frank Komor, Roger Myers, Dale Ogden, Glenn Painter, Don Petty, Mike Plunkett, Bill Sielschott. Members Absent: Nelson Aumann, Mike Havera, Edward Helgen, William Hicks. Pledge of Allegiance to the flag was given. Mileage and Per Diem Approval: Motion by Ogden, second by Downs 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 Recessed County Board Meeting held on Tuesday, September 12th, 2006. All in favor, motion carried. CONSENT AGENDA: 1. Circuit Clerk’s Report – submitted. 2. County Treasurer’s Report – Ron Jenkins was present for questions. 3. County Clerk and Recorder’s Report – Sandy Leitheiser was present for questions and reported that today is the last day to register to vote with deputy registrars. She stated that there have been approximately 100 Absentee Voters requesting ballots so far and Early Voting will begin on Monday, October 16th, 2006. 4. Sheriff’s Report – Undersheriff Rick Robbins was present for questions. 5. Health Department Report – submitted. 6. T.B. Department Report – submitted. 7. Public Defender’s Report – submitted. 8. Probation Office Report – submitted. 9. 911 Report – submitted. APPROVAL OF 9 ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA: Motion by Durbin, second by Bone to approve the 9 office reports on the Consent Agenda. All in favor, motion carried. COMMITTEE REPORTS: COORDINATING COMMITTEE REPORT: Jagodzinski stated that the committee had nothing to report. ROAD AND BRIDGE COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman Bonnie Branum as follows: 1. Fire & Life Safety Inspection Recommendation: Branum stated that the committee discussed several recommendations from the insurance consultants regarding a Fire and Life Safety survey that was completed for the Highway Department buildings. 2. Fuel Tanks Update: Branum stated that discussion took place on putting up piping or a protective guardrail around the fuel tanks at the Highway Department. 3. Fillmore Bridge Update: It was reported that the deck on the Fillmore Bridge has been set and the bridge is almost complete. 4. Road & Bridge Committee Tour Date: The Road and Bridge Committee will be taking a tour of the County Roads and Bridges on Wednesday, October 18th, 2006 beginning at 8:00 AM. FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman Bill Sielschott as follows: 1. 2007 Budget Update: Sielschott stated that discussion took place on a letter received from Circuit Clerk Mary Webb to amend the document storage fund #308 and increase it by $65,000 to improve and modernize the file storage needs for that office, and that these revenues generated for these expenditures are not from the general fund. 2. Sheriff’s Vehicle Approval: Sielschott reported that the Sheriff’s vehicle was in an accident and a total loss. The total cost for a new vehicle is $27,976.90 from Wright Automotive. Insurance will reimburse the county in the amount of $15,040.00. The county portion will be $12,326.90. Motion by Sielschott, second by Branum to approve the purchase of a new Sheriff’s vehicle from Wright Automotive, with the county portion being $12,326.90 and insurance reimbursement will be $15,040.00 for a total of $27,976.90. All in favor, motion carried. 3. Update/Approval on Additional Hours for Inventory: Sielschott stated that Treasurer Ron Jenkins has asked the committee if they would approve $1,800 for additional hours that would be worked by a staff member in his office to do the county’s inventory. Jenkins stated to the committee that it would be more cost effective to have someone from his office do the inventory instead of having RCI Technologies contract the services and do the inventory. Motion by Sielschott, second by Downs to approve $1,800 for additional hours that will be worked to do the county inventory internally in the Treasurer’s Office. All in favor, motion carried. 4. Update of Commercial/Industrial Property Appraisal: Sielschott reported that Mike Meyer from Manatron addressed the committee regarding a program that would calculate data for the 1,500 plus commercial and industrial sites in Montgomery County. The price would stay at $125.00 per parcel and the county does not have to do vacant lots. The committee will be discussing this proposal at a later time. 5. Approval to Adopt the Aggregate Levy: Sielschott reported that the Aggregate Levy has not changed. The levy is less than last year, due to the coal money. Motion by Sielschott, second by Bathurst to approve the aggregate Levy for Fiscal Year 2007. All in favor, motion carried. 6. Approval to Void Tax Bills on 78 Parcels: Sielschott reported that the county needs to void the tax bills on 78 parcels. Motion by Sielschott, second by Bone to approve voiding the tax bills on 78 parcels. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 6, pages 263-265.) 7. Update on Survey for Potential Business Tax Revenue: Sielschott reported that the committee discussed information that was received from the coal company regarding the coal project, costs and possible tax revenue. Coordinator Daniels shared a spreadsheet with information gathered that listed the assessed valuation and property taxes paid by other power plants in Illinois. This information concludes the addition of a coal mine and power plant would have a significant positive affect on Montgomery County revenue. HWE COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman Bob Durbin as follows: 1. Elections Update: Durbin stated that absentee voting is underway, and reported that the committee approved the use of the Recycling Center truck to deliver voting equipment to each polling place before the General Election and for pick up after the election. 2. Insurance Premiums Proposal from ICRMT Approval: Durbin reported that Paul Hamrock presented the Illinois County Risk Management Trust Insurance figures for Fiscal Year 2007. Building and personal property values went up. Worker’s compensation rates increased state wide. The total premium is $283,210 which is approximately $5,000 higher than last year. Motion by Durbin, second by Blankenship to approve the Insurance Premium from ICRMT for $283,210 for Workers Compensation and Property/Casualty Insurance. All in favor, motion carried. 3. Update/Approval on Animal Control Facility Building Plans: Durbin reported that Hurst-Rosche Engineering is working on the blueprints for an animal control facility as well as its water and sewer lines. The engineering company will submit an estimated cost to build the facility. The committee met in a special meeting to approve an amount of $5,850 for the drawing of blueprints for an Animal Control facility which will include water and sewer lines to run two tenths of a mile west to Route 127. Motion by Durbin, second by Petty to approve $5,850 to Hurst-Rosche Engineering to draw up blueprint plans for an Animal Control Facility with water and sewer lines. Member Deabenderfer stated that he had figures showing the plans were $2,850 for the water and sewer plans. Durbin stated that $2,850 was for the building plans and $3,000 was for the water and sewer line plans. All in favor, motion carried. PERSONNEL COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman John Downs as follows: 1. Holiday Schedule Approval: Downs stated that there will be 13 Holidays in 2007 when the county buildings will be closed. Motion by Downs, second by Bathurst to approve the 2007 Holiday Schedule. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 6, page 266). 2. Labor relations with F.O.P.: Downs reported that discussion took place regarding the Sheriff Deputies’ union contract. The Union will be contacted soon to pick a date to start negotiations. 3. Update Employee Insurance: Downs stated that after reviewing the budget, the committee has decided that there will not be an increase to the employee portion of the health insurance premiums due to the coal revenue. A letter advising employees will be enclosed with paychecks. Motion by Downs, second by Durbin not to increase insurance premiums to county employees for Fiscal Year 2007. All in favor, motion carried. ESDA/AMBULANCE COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Vice Chairman George Blankenship as follows: 1. Ambulance Call Reports: A summary of monthly operations for September 2006 will be presented at the November full board meeting. 2. Director Holmes Report: · Vice Chairman Blankenship reported that the credit bureau payments for May and June were received in September for $925.63 and $646.96. · Blankenship reported that collections for August were $82,944.99. For September, collections were $53,822.72. · Blankenship reported that ten out of eleven fire departments are now MABAS members. · Blankenship stated that Coffeen Fire Protection District will be hosting a benefit dinner for Walt Tarran, a Coffeen Fire Fighter. The benefit will be held at the Hillsboro Moose Lodge on October 14th, 2006 from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM. · Blankenship stated that Montgomery County will need to hold an emergency exercise in 2007. · Blankenship stated that the IEMA conference was held on September 5th through the 7th. · Blankenship stated that Special Needs shelters were a topic of discussion with the Illinois Department of Public Health at the IEMA conference. As part of the Emergency Operating Procedures, the county will need to find out how many Special Needs residents could be sent to hospitals and/or nursing homes in the event of an evacuation. · Blankenship stated that Disaster Mortuary Region Team representative for this area is Brad Targhetta in Brighton, Illinois. · Blankenship reported that MABAS has sent an IMAT trailer to EMA, which will be temporarily stored at the Litchfield Fire Department. Greg Nimmo and Holmes will inventory the trailer. MABAS owns the trailer so they will be insuring the trailer and its contents, and not the county. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman Mike Plunkett as follows: 1. 49th District Economic Development Summit: Plunkett stated that Senator Demuzio’s third annual, 49th District Economic Development Summit was held in Carlinville last Saturday. There was one session regarding recent legislation that created the “Central Illinois Economic Development Authority Act”. The Authority would be governed by an 11 member board, which is comprised of appointees from each of the following counties in the 49th District; Macon, Sangamon, Menard, Logan, Christian, Bond, DeWitt, and Montgomery. The objective of the board is to promote economic development within those counties. The Act allows the Authority to acquire, own, sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of interests in real property and to issue bonds, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness for certain purposes in an aggregate amount not to exceed $250,000,000 within the territorial jurisdiction of the Authority. County Board Chairman Mike Havera appointed Heather Hampton+Knodle to the Authority Board to represent Montgomery County. Plunkett reported that Knodle currently serves as the Chairperson for the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation and is legislatively active. Plunkett stated that he feels that Knodle would be an excellent candidate to serve on the CIEDA Board as the representative for Montgomery County. Motion by Plunkett, second by Deabenderfer to approve the Appointment of Heather Hampton+Knodle to the Central Illinois Economic Development Authority Board. All in favor, motion carried. 2. Bike Trail Update: Plunkett reported that he has inspected the bike trail and that it looks as though it can last another season before oiling and chipping. 3. Website Update: Plunkett reported that he spoke with Terry Miller regarding the county website and she has most of the site built. Miller told Plunkett that the site should be ready to go for election night. 4. Revolving Loan Update: Plunkett reported that the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation has established criteria for a revolving loan fund with some of the coal money to help benefit new and existing businesses that operate in the county. An original investment of $250,000 by the Montgomery County Board from general revenue will be used to start the revolving loan fund. Plunkett stated that there was a meeting on October 9th at the Extension Office to review criteria, and it will be up to the County Board to establish the criteria of the revolving loan. 5. Wind Turbine Site Update: Plunkett stated that there was a ceremony held last week at the Farmersville gob pile where plans are underway to build a Wind Turbine to produce electricity for approximately 500 customers. Lt. Governor Pat Quinn was on site, and construction of the turbine will hopefully begin this next spring. 6. Update on Broadband Meeting: Montgomery County hosted a special meeting held recently regarding a pilot program on broadband. The Lt. Governor established this pilot program to help extend broadband services to other counties like Macoupin and Montgomery County. There have been several meetings in the county to get information regarding high speed internet services. BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman Glenn Painter as follows: 1. County Farm Acreage for Animal Control Facility Approval: Painter stated that the HWE Committee has inquired about the use of one acre of the County Farm for the Animal Control Facility. The acre will be obtained from the parcel off of North 9th Avenue and two tenths of a mile east of Route 127. Motion by Painter, second by Myers to approve the allocation of one acre of the County Farm property on 9th Avenue and east of Route 127 for the purpose of building an Animal Control Facility. Member Deabenderfer voiced a no vote. Motion carried. 2. Enter Into Executive Session: Painter made a motion that the board go into executive session to discuss property acquisition. Motion by Painter, second by Heaton for the full board to Enter into Executive Session to discuss property acquisition. All in favor, motion carried. 3. Come Out of Executive Session: Motion by Painter, second by Sielschott to come out of Executive Session. All in favor, motion carried. 4. Approval of Offer for Property: Painter stated that the Buildings and Grounds committee proposed offering $40,000 for the Hicks Property located at the corner of North Main Street and Brailley across from the County Jail for use as a parking lot for county employees and customers. Motion by Painter, second by Myers to approve offering $40,000 for the Hicks property located at the corner of North Main Street and Brailley in Hillsboro. Of the 17 members present, a Roll Call Vote was taken: 13 Yes – 4 No. Those voting no to offer the $40,000 for the Hicks property – Terry Bone, Ron Deabenderfer, Mike Plunkett and Toby Dean. Motion carried. APPROVAL OF 8 COMMITTEE REPORTS & MINUTES: Motion by Branum, second by Dean to approve the 8 committee reports and minutes. All in favor, motion carried. PAY BILLS: Motion by Myers, second by Painter to pay all approved bills. All in favor, motion carried. For itemized listing of bills paid, refer to Accounts Payable Book for FY 2006. RECESS: Until the Full Board Meeting on Tuesday, November 14th. 2006 at 8:30 AM in the County Board Room, Historic Courthouse, Hillsboro, Illinois. Motion by Branum, second by Durbin to recess the Full Board Meeting. All in favor, motion carried. Meeting recessed at 9:30 AM. Minutes respectfully submitted and recorded by Montgomery County Clerk and Recorder Sandy Leitheiser.