September 11th, 2007

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Montgomery County Board Minutes For Tuesday, September 11th, 2007 – 8:30 AM The following are minutes of a regular meeting of the Montgomery County Board held at 8:30 AM on Tuesday, September 11th, 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, Robert Durbin, Ed Helgen, Dennis Jagodzinski, Frank Komor, Sharon Kuchar, Joyce Matthews, Gene Miles, Roger Myers, Dale Ogden, Mike Plunkett, Bill Sielschott, Richard Wendel. Members Absent: John Downs Before the Pledge of Allegiance, Chairman Plunkett reported that member John Downs’ son Mark Downs succumbed the previous night to injuries he sustained in a car accident and asked that everyone remember the family in their time of sorrow. He also recalled that the date of the meeting, September 11th, is a significant day that will live with everyone who remembers Tuesday, September 11th, 2001 as a day that American lives would be forever changed. Plunkett introduced US Marine Lance Corporal Brian Page from Raymond, Illinois, who was present at the meeting and will be leaving for Iraq in the next two weeks and at Chairman Plunkett’s request lead the County Board in the Pledge of Allegiance. Pledge of Allegiance to the flag was given. Mileage and Per Diem Approval: Motion by Bathurst, 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 Matthews to approve the Minutes of the Previously Adjourned County Board Meeting held on Tuesday, August 14, 2007. 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 stated that her monthly report has a new format and thanked Treasurer Jenkins for his assistance with this better format. 4. Sheriff’s Report – Jim Vazzi was present for questions. 5. Health Department Report – submitted. 6. T.B. Department Report – Kathy Tapley, who is back at the T.B. Department working part-time, was present for questions on behalf of T. B. Department representative Sally Adams, 7. Public Defender’s Report – submitted. 8. Probation Office Report – Banee Ulrici was present for questions. 9. 911 Report – submitted. APPROVAL OF 9 ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA: Motion by Beck, second by Bone to approve the 9 office reports on the Consent Agenda. All in favor, motion carried. COMMITTEE REPORTS: COORDINATING COMMITTEE REPORT: County Board Chairman Mike Plunkett stated that all Coordinating Committee action would be reported under other Committee Reports. ROAD AND BRIDGE COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman Bonnie Branum as follows: 1. Authorization for Highway Dept. Agreement with Health Dept.: Branum deferred to Engineer Boehler, who stated that Montgomery County Health Department Director Hugh Satterlee contacted him to ask for approval of an agreement between the Highway Department and the Health Department for helping with road issues in emergency situations, disasters or a bio-terrorism event. Motion by Branum, second by Myers to approve the agreement between the Montgomery County Health Department and the Highway Department. All in favor, motion carried. 2. Traffic Sign Upgrade Program Approval: Boehler stated that the State sent an application for Montgomery County to be part of their Traffic Sign Pilot Program, since the majority of Montgomery County’s signs do not meet the visual intensity needed for darkness. Federal mandates state that new signs will need to be in place by a certain date to meet the criteria for traffic signs, regulatory signs and warning signs. The State will pay for hardware; i.e. signs, posts, etc…, but the county will need to pay for labor. All signs in the county will have to be changed except for those located in the municipalities of Litchfield and Hillsboro. Boehler stated that the placement of new signs will soon be mandatory, but this program will pay for the cost of all signs. Motion by Branum, second by Helgen to enter into an agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to replace traffic, regulatory and warning signs. All in favor, motion carried. 3. Chapman T Bridge Replacement Update: Branum stated that contractors started work two weeks ago on replacing the Chapman T Bridge, piers have been poured, pilings done and they will set beams in the next two weeks. 4. Fox Avenue Relocation Update: Branum reported that construction of the new Fox Avenue started last week, and the original Fox Avenue will remain open until the new road is complete. 5. Temporary Part Time Employee Approval: Branum stated that the committee approved Engineer Boehler’s request to hire a temporary part-time employee to organize plan files and BCA files that are used to track projects. Branum stated that the full time office workers have other duties that do not leave them time to organize these files. Motion by Branum, second by Matthews to hire a temporary part-time employee to organize plan files and BCA files for the Highway Department. All in favor, motion carried. 6. Witt Bridge Closure Update: Branum stated that someone unbolted three barricades in front of the Witt Bridge which has been closed recently due to repairs, and the Highway Department placed a load of large rock in front of the barricades to prevent this from occurring again. FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman Bill Sielschott as follows: 1. Ordinance #07-14 Establishing a Standard Permanent Index Numbering System Approval: Sielschott stated that discussion took place through the GIS Committee regarding the need for an ordinance to establish a standard permanent index numbering system. This ordinance will require that every document presented for recording must have a physical address and Parcel ID number on it to be accepted for recordation. The Supervisor of Assessments Office and GIS Department when it is established will assign the Parcel ID numbers to all properties. Motion by Sielschott, second by Aumann to approve Ordinance #07-14 to establish a Standard Permanent Index Numbering System. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 7, p. 231). 2. Used Recycling Truck Purchase Approval: Sielschott referred to HWE Committee Chairman Bob Durbin, who reported on the need for a new box truck for the Recycling Center Program. A used 2005 Ford F650 with 98,000 miles and a lift gate was located at Wright Automotive in Hillsboro and will cost $31,900. The amount to replace the truck has been in the Recycling budget for past few years, but this is the first truck the county has found that is affordable to the program. Motion by Durbin, second by Beck to approve the purchase of the 2005 Ford F650 truck from Wright’s Automotive for the Recycling Center and funds will come out of Fiscal Year 2007 Budget. All in favor, motion carried. 3. FY 2008 Budget Discussion & Changes: Sielschott reviewed a draft of the Fiscal Year 2008 with board members, and reported that revenues will stay consistent, with some fee increases and taxes will be about the same. Sielschott reported on the expenses for the FY 2008 budget. There will be an addition of four part time employees added to the 2008 budget: one will be in the Sheriff’s Department, one in Probation Office, one for Animal Control and one for the Coordinating Office. Sielschott stated that the county will consider hiring a part time Conflict Public Defender at a salary instead of paying local attorneys on an hourly basis for that service, which will save county funds and allow the Public Defender time to take care of more criminal cases. The FY 2008 Budget also includes 12 new Sheriff’s Dept. vehicles with video cameras installed, and the Coroner will get a new van and that department’s old van will be used for Animal Control. Sielschott added that since the Recycling Box Truck was just approved today, that purchase will be removed from the FY 2008 Budget and announced that raises for non-union county employees will be at a 3.5% increase or a minimum of $1,000, whichever is greater. He also reported that this will be the final year to make GIS payments to GIS Vendor Bruce Harris and Associates and the final payment for the Soil Mapping will also be ready next month. The new Animal Control Facility has been budgeted for $100,000, but with many unknowns at this time regarding the proposed facility, members may have to amend the budget depending on the information they will get in the months to follow, and budget amendments may also be needed on renovation work done to the Courthouse Complex should it occur in the next Fiscal Year. Sielschott thanked everyone for all their help in constructing the 2008 budget, and stated that it is a long process but after some changes and finalizations the budget will be on file for official review after next month’s full board meeting. The final budget will be approved at the November 2007 full board meeting. 4. Tax Deeds Conveyance in the City of Witt: Sielschott reported that two parcels in the City of Witt that the County acquired needs conveyed. Motion by Sielschott, second by Beck to convey taxes on Parcel ID # 18-000-639-00 in the City of Witt. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 7, pages 232-234). Motion by Sielschott, second by Durbin to convey taxes on Parcel ID # 18-000-638-00 in the City of Witt. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 7, pages 235-237). 5. Estimate of Taxes to be Levied: Sielschott reported that the estimate of taxes to be levied in FY 2008 are in the amount of $3,792,084.00. 6. Approval of the 5 County Area Ambulance Service Agreements for Fiscal Year 2007: Sielschott reported that the Area Ambulance Service Agreements are finally in, but Litchfield’s agreement was not signed until after the EMA/Ambulance Committee met. Sielschott referred to EMA/Ambulance Committee Chairman Dennis Jagodzinski, who informed members of their acceptance. · Motion by Jagodzinski, second by Bathurst to approve the Litchfield Area Ambulance Service Agreement in the amount of $145,000.00. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 7, pages 238-242). · Motion by Jagodzinski, second by Myers to approve the Hillsboro Area Ambulance Service Agreement in the amount $154,000.00. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 7, pages 243-246). · Motion by Jagodzinski, second by Durbin to approve the Nokomis/Witt Area Ambulance Service Agreement in the amount of $78,000.00. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 7, pages 247-250). · Motion by Jagodzinski, second by Dean to approve the Raymond/Harvel Area Ambulance Service Agreement in the amount of $32,662.00. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 7, pages 251-254). · Motion by Jagodzinski, second by Kuchar to approve the Farmersville/Waggoner Area Ambulance Service Agreement in the amount of $58,000.00. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 7, pages 255-258). 7. Update/Approval Quarterly Report – R.O.E.: Sielschott stated that the committee received the quarterly report from the Regional Office of Education. The Regional Office of Education if required by law to report activities to the County Board. Motion by Sielschott, second by Beck to accept the quarterly report from the Regional Office of Education. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 7, pages 266-275). HWE COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman Bob Durbin as follows: 1. Sonoma, Water Tanker, Mower at Recycling Center Approval: Durbin reported that there was one bid for the Sonoma, water tanker and mower at the Recycling Center. Motion by Durbin, second by Miles to approve the sale of the Sonoma Pickup truck, water tanker and mower. All in favor, motion carried. 2. Drop Off Area for Recycling in City of Coffeen Update: Durbin stated that the City of Coffeen has approved for the County Recycling to put up a Recycling Drop Off area where the old water tower stood. The drop off will have to wait until the new budget year. 3. Animal Control Facility Update: Durbin stated that the committee spoke with the City of Litchfield in a special meeting regarding the potential of an Animal Control facility in Litchfield, and will keep discussions ongoing toward the possibility of sharing the same facility. 4. Recycling Center Facility Renovation Approval: Durbin stated that work on replacing the metal walls of the shipping room at the Hillsboro Facility has started. 5. UCCI Lincoln Museum Tour Update: Durbin reported that UCCI is hosting a free seminar and dinner on October 12th and 13th, 2007 at the Lincoln Museum for board members who would like to attend on October 13th, 2007. Any board member wishing to go should sign up in Coordinator Daniels’ Office. 6. Household Hazardous Waste Collection in Macoupin County Update: Durbin reported that there will be a Household Hazardous Waste Collection in Macoupin County on September 22nd, 2007 at the Carlinville High School parking lot, which is located at 832 W. Main Street in Carlinville. 7. 2nd Amendment to the Constitution Resolution Update/Support Approval: Durbin reported that Ray Luebbert brought to the committee a Resolution supporting the Constitutional Right to Keep and Bear Arms. Luebbert stated that 36 counties have already passed this Resolution as it is written, and as soon as they get enough County Resolutions they will be presented to the Illinois General Assembly. Luebbert stated that there are several gun control issues in front of legislators, and this Resolution asks that the 2nd Amendment to the Constitution be left to stand without change. There was some discussion regarding the wording of the resolution, and the board agreed to give the resolution to the State’s Attorney and have it reviewed by him to assure that it only states support of the 2nd Amendment to the Constitution. Motion by Durbin, second by Jagodzinski to support a future Resolution supporting the 2nd Amendment to the Constitution after its review by the State’s Attorney’s Office. All in favor, motion carried. PERSONNEL COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Vice Chairman Bill Sielschott as follows: 1. ID Badge Policy Implementation Update: Sielschott reported on the implementation of the new identification badges. 2. Personnel Manual Update: Sielschott reported that work on the Personnel Manual is progressing and may take some time before full board approval, and stated that discussion took place on comp-time eligibility. Sielschott thanked member Bathurst for her work on the Personnel Manual revisions. 3. GIS Coordinator Position Update: Sielschott reported that the committee discussed a timeline for hiring the new GIS Coordinator, which was set as follows: · October 1st, Advertise in newspapers. · October 17th, Deadline for Applications to be turned in · October 25th, Personnel Committee will Review Applications · November 5th, Personnel Committee will have a special meeting to Interview Applicants · November 13th, GIS Coordinator Position will be appointed by the Full Board BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman Terry Bone as follows: 1. Bid Opening for Demolition and Clean Up of Acquired County Property on Main and Brailey in Hillsboro Approval: Bone stated that three bids were opened for the demolition and clean up of some newly acquired county property on Main and Brailey Streets in Hillsboro. Reynolds Excavating put in the low bid of $6,000.00. Motion by Bone, second by Kuchar to accept the low bid of $6,000.00 from Reynolds Excavating for demolition of the house and clean up of the property on North Main and Brailey Street. All in favor, motion carried. Bone stated that the City of Hillsboro would like to use the house for K-9 Training on Monday, September 17th, 2007, and that permission was granted. 2. Asbestos Inspection for Demolition of House Update: Bone stated that there will be an asbestos inspection done on the house on Main and Brailey in Hillsboro, before demolition can begin. 3. Historic Courthouse Use Analysis Update: Bone stated that three options were presented to the committee regarding office and storage space issues in the Historic Courthouse. · Option #1: Add on to the New Courthouse an additional 18,630 square feet, with limited renovation and some preservation to the Historic Courthouse. · Option #2: Add on to the New Courthouse an additional 21,630 square feet with limited renovation and some preservation to Historic Courthouse over a 5 – 8 year period. · Option #3: A complete renovation of the Historic Courthouse with no addition to the New Courthouse. Bone stated that this will be a long process and not an overnight decision. Chairman Plunkett invited any board members wishing to be a part of this decision to attend the Building and Grounds Committee meetings. 4. County Building Maintenance and Cleaning Issues Update: Bone stated that the committee discussed cleaning issues at the Courthouse Complex and a proposal from the Sheriff’s department to hire additional custodial staff for the FY 2008 budget. A cleaning service currently cleans the Courts Complex and Jail, and will be asked to provide a cost to also clean the Historic Courthouse. 5. Repairs to Historic Courthouse South Side Porch Roof Update: Young’s Roofing has completed the repairs to the south side porch roof on the Historic Courthouse. 6. Meeting Time Change for Committee Meetings Update: Bone stated that the committee will change their regular meeting schedule from 8:00 AM to 8:30 AM. EMA/AMBULANCE COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman Dennis Jagodzinski as follows: 1. Ambulance Call Reports: A summary of monthly operations for August 2007 is as follows: Total calls: 348; Total amounts billed: $186,423.00; collected: $103,300.01. 2. Approval of the Levy Resolutions for the 5 County Ambulance Service Areas for FY 2008: · Motion by Jagodzinski, second by Beck to approve the Resolution #07-17 for the Litchfield Area Ambulance Service Levy in the Amount of $165,000.00. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 7, pages 259-261). · Motion by Jagodzinski, second by Myers to approve the Resolution #07-18 for the Hillsboro Area Ambulance Service Levy in the Amount of $157,000.00. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 7, page 262). · Motion by Jagodzinski, second by Miles to approve the Resolution #07-19 for the Nokomis/Witt Area Ambulance Service Levy in the Amount of $97,500.00. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 7, page 263). · Motion by Jagodzinski, second by Beck to approve the Resolution #07-20 for the Raymond/Harvel Area Ambulance Service Levy in the Amount of $31,684.00. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 7, page 264). · Motion by Jagodzinski, second by Dean to approve the Resolution #07-21 for the Farmersville/Waggoner Ambulance Service Area Levy in the Amount of $63,000.00. All in favor, motion carried. (See Resolution Book 7, page 265). 3. Director Holmes Report: · HazMat Call: Jagodzinski stated that Ameren CIPS had a fire on Saturday, August 18th in a storage shed inside the main building of the Power Plant. The storage shed normally houses asbestos and the HazMat Duty Officer responded to Ameren. At the time of the fire, the storage shed was empty. The HazMat Duty Officer who responded found no hazardous materials and the HazMat Team was not called out. · ID Badges: Jagodzinski thanked Dolores Wheelhouse for putting the County Employee Photo ID badges together, and stated that all board members who had their pictures taken will be able to get their badges after the meeting today. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE REPORT: Given by Chairman Ron Deabenderfer as follows: 1. Butler/Hillsboro Abandoned Rail Line Update: Deabenderfer stated that the committee was approached by the Natural Area Guardians (NAGs) to discuss an old rail corridor between Butler and Hillsboro, and reported that there is a 2.8 mile long strip of old rail corridor involved that is approximately 30 acres and has a purchase price of $75,000. Mr. Kees from Staunton currently owns the property. Henry Eilers spoke to the committee on the benefits of preserving the abandoned rail line and possibly turning the property into a recreational bike trail to benefit tourism in the county. The committee will proceed slowly on this project to make an informed decision before bringing anything to the full board. Deabenderfer stated that the Village of Butler could benefit if sewer service were run down the rail trail to the City of Hillsboro and residents of Northwood Heights near Hillsboro could also benefit with sewer service. The County Fair Board owns the west entrance and homeowners in Northwood Heights own on the southeast end of the trail. If owners won’t give easement, then the Illinois Audubon Society will give an entry access easement off of their property. There will be a special meeting of the Economic Development Committee on Wednesday, September 12th, 2007 at 7:00 PM in the County Board room with Brown & Roberts Engineering, Mayor Bill Baran of Hillsboro and Mayor Don Boliard of Butler to further discuss the project. 2. Rural Broadband Update: Deabenderfer stated that the funding for the Demuzio Broadband Project was unfortunately cut from the State’s 2008 Budget, and he hopes the funding will be placed back in the Budget for 2009. 3. MAPPING Meeting Update: Residents from Montgomery, Greene, Jersey and Macoupin Counties were present at a recent MAPPING Meeting, which is a strategic Economic Development Planning committee that involves all four counties. APPROVAL OF 8 COMMITTEE REPORTS & MINUTES: Motion by Matthews, second by Durbin to approve the 8 committee reports. All in favor, motion carried. ANNOUNCEMENTS: 1. Plunkett reminded board members wishing to attend the free UCCI seminar and dinner at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum on October 12th and 13thto sign up with Coordinator Daniels soon. SCHEDULE CHANGES: 1. Reminder that there will be a special Economic Development Committee Meeting on Wednesday, September 12th, 2007 at 7:00 PM in the County Board Room to discuss the National Area Guardians Proposal regarding the abandoned rail line between Butler and Hillsboro. 2. Reminder that the Building & Grounds Committee’s monthly meetings will now convene at 8:30 AM in the County Board room the Friday before the full Board meeting instead of 8:00 AM. APPOINTMENTS: Motion by Aumann, second by Blankenship to re-appoint Ken Durbin to the Montgomery County Public Building Commission. Mr. Durbin’s term will begin on October 1st, 2007. All in favor, motion carried. Motion by Helgen, second by Ogden to appoint Ron Buehrer to the Montgomery County Board of Review. Mr. Buehrer’s term will be for the 2007 and 2008 sessions. All in favor, motion carried. PAY BILLS: Motion by Jagodzinski, second by Matthews to pay all approved bills. All in favor, motion carried. For itemized listing of bills paid, refer to Accounts Payable Book for FY 2007. RECESS: Until the Full Board Meeting on Tuesday, October 9th, 2007 at 8:30 AM in the County Board Room, Historic Courthouse, Hillsboro, Illinois. Motion by Branum, second by Myers to adjourn the Full Board Meeting. All in favor, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:35 AM. Minutes respectfully submitted and recorded by Montgomery County Clerk and Recorder Sandy Leitheiser.