January 9th, 2007

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

Montgomery County Board Minutes For Tuesday, January 9th, 2007 – 8:30 AM The following are minutes of a regular meeting of the Montgomery County Board held at 8:30 AM on Tuesday, January 9th, 2007 in the County Board Chambers of the Historic Courthouse, Hillsboro, Illinois. The meeting was called to order by County Board Chairman Mike Plunkett at 8:30 AM. Roll call was taken. 20 members present, 1 member absent. Members Present: Nelson Aumann, Mary Bathurst, Connie Beck, George Blankenship, Terry Bone, Bonnie Branum, Ronald Deabenderfer, Toby Dean, John Downs, Robert Durbin, Ed Helgen, Dennis Jagodzinski, Frank Komor, Sharon Kuchar, Joyce Matthews, Gene Miles, Roger Myers, Dale Ogden, Mike Plunkett, Richard Wendel. Member Absent: Bill Sielschott Pledge of Allegiance to the flag was given. Mileage and Per Diem Approval: Motion by Aumann, second by Ogden 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 Bone to approve the Minutes of the Previously Adjourned County Board Meeting held on Tuesday, December 12th, 2006. 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 – Jim Vazzi 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 Jagodzinski, second by Durbin to approve the 9 office reports on the Consent Agenda. All in favor, motion carried. COMMITTEE REPORTS: COORDINATING COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by County Board Chairman Mike Plunkett as follows: 1. Bill Schroeder: Chairman Plunkett stated that Bill Schroeder of rural Hillsboro was present at the Coordinating Committee to ask if he could be placed on the Full Board Agenda for January 9th. Plunkett invited Schroeder to come to the board meeting to speak. Mr. Schroeder started with some opening remarks before he read his prepared speech regarding longwall mining. (See Attached Copied Speech from Bill Schroeder in Resolution Book 7, page 1). After Schroeder read his prepared statement, Chairman Plunkett thanked him for his continued concern for the county and said while the county has no regulatory authority in the coal rights negotiations between coal company and landowner and the majority of voters voted to allow longwall mining, in a Democracy the majority has the responsibility for the individual rights of the minority. Plunkett said that as the board is informed in the coal rights and mining activity, they would keep the public informed also. Schroeder stated that the board should not wash their hands in this issue, and asked that they start an advisory committee to keep tabs on the coal mine and to look into the long term effects of longwall mining. Plunkett thanked Schroeder for his comments. ROAD AND BRIDGE COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman Bonnie Branum as follows: 1. Approval of Resolution #01-07: A Resolution to appropriate an amount of $39,189.77 for 1031 BCA, Sanford Street, City of Nokomis/Montgomery County, 50%-50% Project; Montgomery County Share = 0.5 ($19,594.89). Motion by Branum, second by Matthews. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 7, pages 2-3). 2. Approval of Resolution #02-07: A Resolution to appropriate an amount of $22,876.96 for Section 01-00117-00-BR, Fillmore Bridge, Contract #93318 for Construction Engineering Purposes. Motion by Branum, second by Downs. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 7, page 4). 3. Nokomis Township Bridge Program Letting for Section 00-10119-00-BR: Branum reported that the Nokomis Township Bridge Program Letting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 31st, 2007 at 9:00 AM at the Highway Department. 4. New Tandem Dump Truck: Branum stated that the Highway Department’s tandem dump truck is currently getting a bed installed. Delivery of the truck should be in late February 2007. 5. Update on Bridge Inspection Requirements: Highway Engineer Boehler stated that IDOT has changed the bridge inspection requirements, which now requires county, township and municipal jurisdictions be responsible for inspecting their own bridges. IDOT was doing the inspections free of charge, but after 2007 IDOT will no longer be providing that service due to budget cuts. Because of this change, Engineer Boehler completed a two week inspection certification class to satisfy the new State qualifications for Program Manager and Team Leader, which will allow him to manage the bridges program and inspect them. The townships and municipalities will need to coordinate with Boehler as to their preference of using the county or a consultant to inspect their bridges. The State will still inspect the bridges for 2007, however Boehler will go along to the inspections with the State to review their procedures. Member Myers asked if the county will need to purchase equipment for providing this bridge inspection service, and Boehler stated that some low cost inspection equipment such as an extension ladder, hammers, weighters, etc… will need to be purchased. 6. Replacement of Vehicles: The County currently has a bridge inspection vehicle that is in poor shape and needs replaced. Boehler reported that the Highway Department has 6 vehicles, and 5 of them have over 500,000 miles on them and the sixth has over 200,000 miles. Boehler would like to propose a rotation plan over the next six years which would replace one vehicle each year. Boehler also reported that he recently hit a deer while driving a County vehicle designated for the Highway Department, making it no longer serviceable and the damages almost equivalent to the value of the vehicle, and requested that it be replaced with a ¾ ton regular cab truck. 7. Update on Relocation of Fox Avenue: Boehler reported that Ameren contacted him regarding Fox Avenue, a township road near Coffeen. Ameren currently owns the property on both sides of the road and needs to relocate the road to the north in order to put in settling ponds when they install scrubbers at the power plant. Boehler stated that Ameren has assured him they will pay for the road and he will review their plans, oversee construction and have the final authority to approve the road before it is dedicated to the township. He asked Ameren that the new road be built as an 80,000 pound road and that they evaluate Red Ball Trail to make sure it is capable of sustaining all of the trucks that will be using it. 8. IDOT 3 Year Programming for Federal Funds: Branum stated that Engineer Boehler will be meeting with IDOT to review a 3-year program for Federal Funds in the near future. 9. Scrap Fund: Branum reported that Boehler has replaced the Cash Scrap Fund with an Imprest Fund which will have a deposit and expense tracking system with the Treasurer’s Office. 10. Drinking Water Issue: Branum reported that the committee discussed the poor drinking water issue at the Highway Building. Boehler will get an estimate to replace the water lines in the building and the City of Hillsboro will be contacted to see where the water line responsibility starts. FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Vice Chairman John Downs as follows: 1. Sales Tax Update: Downs stated that the committee discussed getting an opinion from the Attorney General’s Office regarding the Illinois Department of Revenue’s interpretation of the law regarding Sales Tax on coal. Currently the sales tax of coal goes to the county where the mouth of the mine is located. Per Assistant State’s Attorney Havera, the Attorney General’s opinion would be only advisory. The county would then have to file a lawsuit against the Illinois Department of Revenue to try to change their ruling regarding which county gets the sales tax depending on where coal is extracted. 2. Update on GIS Drainage District Map Proposal: Downs reported that two proposals were received to add the drainage district maps to the GIS system, and stated that since the drainage district maps have been the same for about 40 years, the committee felt that adding the layer can wait until the new G.I.S. person is hired and tabled the matter until that time. HWE COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman Bob Durbin as follows: 1. EPA Training: Durbin reported that the committee approved County Solid Waste Inspector Bill Gonet to attend a three day training on Landfill Design in Madison, Wisconsin on February 14th, 15th and 16th, 2007. The training will certify Gonet to testify in court on the county’s behalf regarding the landfill. 2. Animal Control Facility Update: Durbin stated that progress is being made toward an Animal Control Facility, and he was able to speak with the proposed site’s neighboring landowner Randall Huber regarding a possible easement for water and sewer lines needed for the facility. Mr. Huber told Durbin that he has no problem with giving an easement, but would like a T line put in for his future sewer use. Durbin stated that next he will contact the owners of the other neighboring property to the proposed site. 3. Update on Witt Drop Shed: The committee will need to see about getting a fifth wheel to pull the already filled Recycling trailer out of Witt. PERSONNEL COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman John Downs as follows: 1. Freedom of Information Request Form: Downs stated that the committee discussed and approved sending a letter to all Office Holders regarding the policy for anyone requesting certain courthouse records. Each office will be given a packet of Freedom of Information request forms to be filled out by the requestor. This will be a three part form and will include a white original copy for the requestor, a pink copy for the State’s Attorney and the yellow copy to be kept on file by the officeholder. The committee discussed sending out a reminder each year to the county offices regarding the FOI request form. 2. Consociate Care Group Insurance – Prescriptions: Downs reported that the committee discussed a letter from the county’s insurance carrier Consociate Care Group regarding the prescription drug “The Morning after Pill” which recently has been approved as an over-the-counter drug. The committee will check further to see if contraceptive drugs are covered by the county’s insurance, and if not, the County will continue with its policy of only covering prescribed medications not for contraceptive use. If the county’s insurance does now include contraceptives, this matter will be discussed further. ESDA/AMBULANCE COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman Dennis Jagodzinski as follows: 1. Ambulance Call Reports: A summary of monthly operations for November 2006 is as follows: Total calls: 371; Total amount billed: $186,289.00; Total amount collected: $91,069.38. A summary of monthly operations for December 2006 is as follows: Total calls: 324; Total amount billed: $170,025.00; Total amount collected: $76,899.15. 2. Director Holmes Report: · Office Reports: Jagodzinski stated that the Ambulance Office is backed up due to an overload of reports. All area services have been extremely busy for the last two months. · Medicare Program Installation: Jagodzinski reported that Bill Purcell installed a new Medicare program for the billing office as mandated by Medicare. · Office Position: Jagodzinski reported that the EMA/Ambulance Office will be hiring a new employee to replace Maurica Manley, who has resigned. Current temporary staff person Amy Jeffers was offered the position, but is an EMT in Springfield and has declined the offer. Jeffers will remain in the office until a new employee is trained. · Radio Equipment Received: Jagodzinski reported that EMA received a new radio from Illinois Terrorism Task Force (ITTF), and it could be part of the updating process for communications from Homeland Security. · Ice Storm Clean Up Expense: Jagodzinski reported that the Director Holmes has tallied the total cost submitted to that office to date by county, municipal, township and other government districts for expenses of personnel overtime, equipment, etc… needed due to the clean up of the ice storm, at a total of $509,157.86. The State and Federal Officials are still working on a Federal Declaration for Illinois to reimburse government bodies for expenses they incurred by the ice storm. · Battery Charger Storage: Jagodzinski reported that EMA has a large battery charger that was purchased years back for emergency use. The charger was needed in December, but the office staff was unable to locate it, and later discovered that a county employee had taken it home. After this instance, it was determined that although the equipment could be borrowed, it would now be kept in the storage room. In the future, if employees need to borrow the charger they must sign it out from Director Holmes and have it back within 24 hours. · Job Descriptions: Jagodzinski reported that Director Holmes has finished writing job descriptions for EMA and the Billing Office, since those job descriptions had not been updated for several years. Holmes will give the updated information to the Personnel Committee for their approval. · Update of Debris Removal: Jagodzinski reported that out of all the municipalities, townships, etc… that requested assistance with debris removal only the City of Litchfield remains to complete the cleanup, due to their more extensive damage. · Shelving Units for HazMat Trailer: Jagodzinski reported that due to MABAS donated equipment to Montgomery County HazMat Team, the county purchased a trailer for its storage and transport, but the trailer is in need of cabinets and shelving to store the equipment for hauling. Other items are needed for the trailer including electrical wiring, a ramp, lighting, generator, and an awning, which could be purchased and installed for an approximate amount of $4,300. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman Ron Deabenderfer as follows: 1. Web Site Update: Deabenderfer stated that the county will be adding the Montgomery County Fair Board as a link on the county website. Deabenderfer reminded new county board members that their photos would be taken next month at the Full Board meeting so they can be added to the county’s web site. BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman Terry Bone as follows: 1. Property Acquisition Update: Bone reported that the committee discussed the purchase of the Hicks’ property, and the Asst. State’s Attorney will draw up an agreement to mail to the property owner. 2. Utility and Electrical Problems in 911 Area: Bone reported that there are electrical upgrades that will need to be done in the 911 office. Bids were let, with Lyerla Electric placing the lowest bid to do the work totaling $5,354.94. Motion by Bone, second by Myers to approve the bid for electrical upgrades from Lyerla Electric in the amount of $5,354.94. All in favor, motion carried. 3. Air Conditioning Bids for 911 Area: Air conditioning bids were also obtained for the 911 area. Due to a difference in the specifications, the committee will table the issue until next month. 4. Historic Courthouse Building Issues: Bone stated that there are several issues regarding the Historic Courthouse that need to be addressed in regard to handrails, lighting, etc… 5. Tree Trimming Service: Bone stated that nine trees on county property were damaged after the ice storm, Kuhls Tree Trimming Service trimmed the trees and had to cut one of them down. The committee decided to replace the tree that was cut down. APPROVAL OF 8 COMMITTEE REPORTS & MINUTES: Motion by Bathurst, second by Dean to approve the 8 committee reports. All in favor, motion carried. ANNOUNCEMENTS: None SCHEDULE CHANGES: None APPOINTMENTS: None PAY BILLS: Motion by Aumann, 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 2007. ADJOURN: Until the Full Board Meeting on Tuesday, February 13th, 2007 at 8:30 AM in the County Board Room, Historic Courthouse, Hillsboro, Illinois. Motion by Myers, second by Branum to adjourn the Full Board Meeting. All in favor, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:06 AM. Minutes respectfully submitted and recorded by Montgomery County Clerk and Recorder Sandy Leitheiser.