PROCEEDINGS OF THE COUNTY BOARD

KNOX COUNTY, ILLINOIS

January 28, 2004

 

State of Illinois           )

                                    )           SS

County of Knox          )

            Proceedings of the regular meeting of the Knox County Board, held at the Knox County Courthouse, Galesburg, Illinois on Wednesday, January 28, 2004 at 6:l0 p.m.

            The meeting was called to order by Chairman Sally Keener and upon roll call the following members reported present:

                                                District 1         Kimla Sheetz

                                                District 2         Gayle Keiser

                                                District 3         Dale Parsons

                                                District 4         Sally Keener

                                                District 5         Ricardo Sandoval

                                                District 1         Allen Pickrel

                                                District 2         Dana Shallenberger

                                                District 4         Lowell Mannhardt

                                                District 5         Gerald Link

                                                District 1         Linda Roberts

                                                District 2         William Abel

                                                District 3         Janet Occhi

                                                District 4         Wayne Saline

                                                District 5         Stephen Johnson

 

and absent:                            District 3         Paul Hevland

 

and also present was James Thompson, Sheriff and Scott Erickson, County Clerk .

 

            Sheriff Thompson delivered the proclamation, Chairman Keener led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and in the absence of clergy, a moment of silence was observed.

            Chairman Keener asked if there were any additions to the agenda.  There were none.

            Public Comment, Joan Goudy, 69l Jefferson St. , Galesburg , Il .  (phone no. 342-3095) addressed the board concerning applying for a block grant for Purington Company to become a national historic site.  This would take time and work but no money.  The site would be identified, recognized and protected.  She is asking Knox County Board join in and help.  Tracey Bailey, Deputy Treasurer, addressed the Board in opposition to the personnel policy for non-union employees of Knox County Nursing Home.  Lisa England, Deputy Treasurer, concurred.

            Chairman Keener presented the following consent agenda for approval: l) Minutes of the Board Meeting held December 22, 2003; 2) Claims against Knox County, Illinois, for the period of December 22, 2003 - January 28, 2004 (ordering that invoices be accepted and approved and that the County Clerk and County Treasurer be authorized and directed to issue County Warrants in payment of the bills; 3) Claims by members for per diem and mileage for the meeting of January 28, 2004; 4) Financial reports of Scott G. Erickson, County Clerk, Robin E. Davis, Treasurer, Nancy J. McCune, Recorder, Kelly Cheesman, Circuit Clerk and James K. Thompson, Sheriff for the month of December, 2003, filed with the Clerk. 5) Sales tax and various taxes for the month of October, 2003 in the amounts of $84,25l.04 and $23,582.04 and public safety tax in the amount of $67,954.4l; 6) Appointment of Greg Kisler of Galesburg, Il. to another term as a member of the Quad Cities Regional Economic Development Authority.  Motion to approve consent agenda by Jan Occhi seconded by Dale Parsons.  Dana Shallenberger requested Item 2 be removed and roll call on items l, 3-6 as follows: Ayes - Sheetz, Keiser, Parsons, Keener, Sandoval, Pickrel. Shallenberger, Mannhardt, Link, Roberts, Abel, Occhi, Saline, Johnson - (l4); Noes - (0).  Motion carried.  Motion to approve Item 2 by Jan Occhi seconded by Steve Johnson and vote by roll call as follows: Ayes - Sheetz, Keiser, Parsons, Keener, Sandoval, Pickrel, Mannhardt, Link, Roberts, Abel, Occhi, Saline, Johnson - (l4); Noes - (0); Pass - Shallenberger - (l).  Motion carried.

            Agenda Item 7 - Transfer of Army Reserve Center property.  U. S. General Services Administration has advised that a transfer is authorized as long as a ten year office space restriction is imposed on the property at 121 South Prairie Street , Galesburg , Il .  Motion by Gerald Link seconded by Linda Roberts to approve transfer to Joseph Mangieri and Steven Gerstenberger and vote by roll call as follows: Ayes - Sheetz, Keiser, Parsons, Keener, Sandoval, Pickrel, Shallenberger, Mannhardt, Link, Roberts, Abel, Occhi, Saline, Johnson - (l4); Noes - (0).  Motion carried.

            The following resolution was presented:

 


RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF REGIONAL

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CENTER TO BE LOCATED

IN GALESBURG , ILLINOIS

 

            WHEREAS, Maytag will be closing in 2004, leaving Knox County with one of the highest unemployment rates in Illinois ; and

            WHEREAS, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich has indicated he will be choosing a location for a Regional Economic Development Office and;

            WHEREAS, because of its location and facilities available, Galesburg would be the logical place for a Regional Economic Development Office to serve Western Illinois ;

            NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the County Board of Knox County , State of Illinois , hereby supports the location of a Regional Economic Development Office in Galesburg , Knox County , Illinois ;

            BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this Resolution be presented to the Governor of the State of Illinois and the Senators and Representatives of the General Assembly that represent the County of Knox , State of Illinois .

 

Motion to approve resolution by Lowell Mannhardt seconded by Kimla Sheetz.  Motion carried.

            Wayne Saline, Finance/Insurance Committee, reported finances are $400,000 less than this time last year.  Revenues and expenses are right on line but fund balance is starting out lower. $.0025 sales tax for public safety is $74,000 and holding steady with $462,500 budgeted to pay on bond.  Motion by Wayne Saline to go into closed session for worker’s comp. litigation seconded by Rick Sandoval and vote by roll call as follows: Ayes - Sheetz, Parsons, Keener, Sandoval, Pickrel, Shallenberger, Mannhardt, Link, Roberts, Abel, Occhi, Saline, Johnson - (l3); Noes - (0).  Motion carried.

 

6:40 - return to open session.

 

            Motion by Steve Johnson we authorize payment of $35,000 for settlement of personal injury claim of Bart Randall of the Sheriff’s Department and authorize insurance carrier to proceed legal action against other driver’s defunct insurance company seconded by Wayne Saline and vote by roll call as follows: Ayes - Sheetz, Keiser, Parsons, Keener, Sandoval, Pickrel, Shallenberger, Mannhardt, Link, Roberts, Abel, Occhi, Saline, Johnson - (l4); Noes - (0).  Motion carried.

            Allen Pickrel, Public Safety Committee reported annual vaccinations of dogs and cats were 10,283 with 114 citations.  Mary Davis Home has $750,000 in assets.  March l8th Randy Storm will be submitting his resignation to be effective three months later which will give the Committee time to advertise, interview and orientate.  The juvenile population at the Home is 32.  Knox County Law Enforcement Center has l05 inmates with 23 federal prisoners.  Allen Pickrel made motion to purchase 2000 Ford Explorer 4x4 from Louis Lakis Ford at $2l,600 seconded by Dale Parsons and vote by roll call as follows: Ayes - Sheetz, Keiser, Parsons, Keener, Pickrel, Shallenberger, Mannhardt, Link, Abel, Occhi, Saline (ll); Noes - Johnson - (l); Abstain - Sandoval, Roberts - (2).  Motion carried.

            William Abel, Social Services Committee, made motion to approve Ordinance Authorizing Issuance not to Exceed $5,000,000 General Obligation (alternate revenue source) Bonds of Knox County, Illinois for the purpose of renovating and expanding the Alzheimer’s treatment unit at the Knox County Nursing Home seconded by Lowell Mannhardt and vote by roll call as follows: Ayes - Keiser, Parsons, Keener, Mannhardt, Roberts, Abel, Occhi - (7); Noes - Sheetz, Sandoval, Pickrel, Shallenberger, Link, Saline, Johnson - (7).  Motion failed.  William Abel made motion to approve adoption of personnel policy for non-bargaining unit employees seconded by Lowell Mannhardt and vote by roll call as follows: Ayes - Keiser, Parsons, Keener, Mannhardt, Link, Roberts, Abel, Occhi - (8); Noes - Sheetz, Sandoval, Pickrel, Shallenberger, Saline, Johnson - (6).  Motion carried.  William Abel reported the Home received $l,000 from Leo Hennenfent’s estate; cash balance is $20,280.68 for December based on l75 residents; tax referendum has a balance of $782,6l2.28.

            Gerald Link, Highway, Landfill & Zoning reported the crews are busy picking up trash, working on signs, hauling rock, plowing snow, spreading salt, inspecting bridges (l20 this year).  Gerald Link presented the following resolution:

 


ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

COUNTY MAINTENANCE RESOLUTION

 

            RESOLVED, by the County Board of Knox County, that $l,300,000.00 is appropriated from the Motor Fuel Tax allotment for the maintenance on County or State highways and meeting the requirements of the Illinois Highway Code, and be it further

            RESOLVED, that maintenance sections or patrols be maintained under the provision of said Illinois Highway Code during the year ending December 31, 2004, and be it further

            RESOLVED,  that the County Engineer shall, as soon as practicable after the close of the period as given above, submit to the Department of Transportation, on forms furnished by said Department, a certified statement showing expenditures from and balances remaining in funds authorized for exenditure by said Department under this appropriation, and be it further

            RESOLVED, that the County Clerk is hereby directed to transmit two certified copies of this resolution to the district office of the Department of Transportation.

Motion to approve by Gerald Link seconded by Rick Sandoval and vote by roll call as follows: Ayes - Sheetz, Keiser, Parsons, Keener, Sandoval, Pickrel, Shallenberger, Mannhardt, Link, Roberts, Abel, Occhi, Saline, Johnson - (l4); Noes - (0).  Motion carried.  Gerald Link presented the following:

 

AN ORDINANCE AND RESOLUTION FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT

OF AN ALTERED SPEED ZONE

 

            IT IS HEREBY DECLARED, ORDAINED AND RESOLVED by the County Board of Knox County, Illinois that the statutory maximum vehicular speed limits established by Section 11-601 of the Illinois Vehicle Code are greater or less, respectively, than that considered reasonable and proper on the street or highway, respectively, listed in the Schedule on the reverse side for which Knox County has maintenance responsibility and which is not under the jurisdiction of the Illinois Department of Transportation or the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority; and

            BE IT FURTHER DECLARED, ORDAINED AND RESOLVED that this Board has caused to be made an engineering and traffic investigation upon the respective streets or highways listed in the Schedule; and,

            BE IT FURTHER DECLARED, ORDAINED AND RESOLVED, that, by virtue of the Section 11-604 of the above Code, this Board determines and declares that reasonable and proper absolute maximum speed limits upon those respective streets and highways described in the Schedule shall be as stated therein; and,

            BE IT FURTHER DECLARED, ORDAINED AND RESOLVED that this ordinance shall take effect immediately after the erection of signs giving notice of the maximum speed limits.  Said signs shall be erected in conformance with the standards and specifications contained in the Illinois Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways.

 

Motion by Gerald Link to approve seconded by Rick Sandoval.  Motion carried.  Motion by Gerald Link to bid and bring back for purchase of dump body, hydraulic system, snow wing and salt spreader seconded by Linda Roberts.  Motion carried.  Gerald Link made motion to bid and bring back for purchase of pup trailer seconded by Linda Roberts.  Motion carried.  Gerald Link made motion to bid and bring back for purchase of l ½ ton and one 3/4  ton pickup trucks seconded by Steve Johnson.  Motion carried. 

            Gerald Link, Highway, Landfill & Zoning Committee, reported the landfill gate receipts were the highest ever.  The committee will bring recommendation on employment contract on Larry Larson next month.  If anyone has any questions, please contact a committee member.  EPA inspection was received and the landfill received citation for having papers blowing and had some washes, approx. $l,000.

            Jan Occhi, Planning and Space Allocation Committee, reported the personnel policy will be brought back next month.  The Committee is looking into reorganization for next year and leaning toward two meetings a month.  If anyone has any comments, please contact a committee member.

            Alan Hallberg, County Administrator , reported the City has paid all its pledge on GIS and also received reimbursements from the IDOT grant.  Alan is working to review options for reorganizing the zoning department.  Hiring process to replace Bobbi McCullough will begin in March with Joyce Skinner, Joe Krupps and County Administrator working on it.  Motion by Allen Pickrel to approve agreement with Simplex for security and fire protection at the Knox County Administrative Annex at a cost of $5,973 with $560 annually seconded by Jan Occhi and vote by roll call as follows: Sheetz, Keiser, Parsons, Keener, Sandoval, Pickrel, Shallenberger, Mannhardt, Link, Roberts, Abel, Occhi, Saline, Johnson - (l4); Noes - (0).  Motion carried. 

            The next regular meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 25, 2004 at 6:00 p.m. at the Knox County Courthouse, Galesburg , Il .

            Motion by Steve Johnson to adjourn seconded by Rick Sandoval.  Motion carried.