PROCEEDINGS OF THE COUNTY BOARD

KNOX COUNTY, ILLINOIS

May 26, 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, May 26, 2004 at 6:00 p.m.

            The meeting was called to order by Vice-Chairman William Abel and upon roll call the following members reported present:

                                                District 2         Gayle Keiser

                                               District 3         Dale Parsons

                                                District 5         Ricardo Sandoval

                                                District 1         Allen Pickrel

                                                District 3         Paul Hevland

                                                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 those absent:                 District 4         Sally Keener

                                                District 2         Dana Shallenberger

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

            Sheriff Thompson delivered the proclamation, Vice-Chairman Abel led the members in the pledge to the flag and Rev. Roy Smith gave the invocation.

            Vice-Chairman Abel asked if there were any additions to the agenda.  There were none.

            Vice-Chairman Abel asked if there were any public comments.  Jack Templeton, Templeton Roofing, addressed the Board concerning Highway Department maintenance bid.  He felt the bid process did not serve the county’s best interest.  Joe Mangieri addressed the Board regarding recent resolution defining responsible bidder.  He feels apprenticeship part of the resolution should be changed and asked that it be re-visited.  Terry Hartley, Rheinschmidt’s addressed the Board concerning responsible bidder.  He feels the resolution should be revisited and look at different angle than was presented.  Randy Lynch, representative of AFSCME Local #31 recommended the Board not revisit resolution and keep as is.

Barry Weber asked when issues are to be discussed.  Is it necessary to attend committee meetings or full board.  It was stated all committee meetings and full board are open to the public.

            Vice-Chairman Abel presented the following consent agenda for approval: l) Minutes of the Board Meeting held April 28, 2004; 2) Claims against Knox County, Illinois, for the period of April 29, 2004 - May 26, 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 May 26, 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 May, 2004, filed with the Clerk; 5) Sales tax and various taxes for the month of February, 2004 in the amounts of $82,759.25 and $l6,707.83 and public safety tax in the amount of $63,075.89; 6) Appointment of Denise Basely as Knox County Housing Authority Commissioner to a 5 year term; 7) Appointment of Dr. Jeff Koszczuk and Jacquelyne Turner to the Knox County Board of Health for a 3 year term.  Also appoint County Board liaison for a 1 year term; 8) Appointment of Jay McGee as Trustee for the Altona Fire Protection District for a 3 year term; 9) Appointment of Richard M. Swanson as Trustee for the Oneida-Wataga Fire Protection District for a 3 year term; l0) Appointment of Dennis Landon as Trustee for the Abingdon Fire Protection District for a 3 year term. 11) Appointment of Michael Gehring to the Knox County Board of Review with a term ending May 31, 2006.  Vice-Chairman Abel reported Gayle Keiser will be the liaison to the Knox County Board of Health.  Motion to approve consent agenda by Dale Parsons seconded by Lowell Mannhardt.  Allen Pickrel asked Item 2 be voted on separately.  Roll call on Items l, 3-11 as follows: Ayes - Keiser, Parsons, Sandoval, Pickrel, Hevland, Mannhardt, Link, Roberts, Abel, Occhi, Saline, Johnson - (12); Noes - (0).  Motion carried.  Roll call on Item 2 as follows: Ayes - Keiser, Parsons, Sandoval, Hevland, Mannhardt, Link, Roberts, Abel, Occhi, Saline, Johnson - (11); Noes - (0); Abstain - Pickrel - (l).  Motion carried. 

            Motion by Allen Pickrel seconded by Lowell Mannhardt to approve Russell Idle to fill vacancy in District 1 and vote by roll call as follows: Ayes - Keiser, Parsons, Sandoval, Pickrel, Hevland, Mannhardt, Link, Roberts, Abel, Occhi, Saline, Johnson - (12); Noes - (0).  Motion carried.  County Clerk Scott Erickson administered the oath of office and Member Idle took his seat on the Board. 

            Greg Chance, Health Department Administrator presented the Bio-Emergency Plan. 

            Carol Egan and Shannon Anderson addressed the Board concerning Big Brothers/Big Sisters program.

            Wayne Saline, Finance Committee, introduced Theresa Welch of Blucker, Kneer & Assoc. who reported audit figures were not available and hopefully will be presented next month.  A 60 day extension has been filed with the Comptroller’s office.  Wayne Saline presented settlement amount for liability on Patricia Mullins negotiated by Kevin Halligan in the amount of $l0,000.  Both parties agree on this amount.  Motion to approve settlement by Wayne Saline seconded by Steve Johnson and vote by roll call as follows: Ayes - Idle, Keiser, Sandoval, Pickrel, Hevland, Mannhardt, Link, Roberts, Abel, Occhi, Saline, Johnson - (l2); Noes - (0); Abstain - Parsons - (1).  Motion carried.   Wayne Saline reported salaries of officials elected in November (Circuit Clerk, Recorder, Coroner), County Board Chairman and per diems for County Board Members must be set at this meeting.  Motion to freeze all salaries at present rate by Wayne Saline seconded by Lowell Mannhardt and vote by roll call as follows:  Ayes - Idle, Keiser, Sandoval, Pickrel, Hevland, Mannhardt, Link, Roberts, Abel, Occhi, Saline, Johnson - (12); Noes - (0); Abstain - Parsons - (1).  Motion carried.  Wayne Saline reported the budget should be at 4l.6%; however, revenues are at 35.9% and expenses at 45.25%.  The breakdown by department will be available next month.

            Allen Pickrel, Public Safety Committee, reported 103 inmates at the jail with 24 federal prisoners.   The Mary Davis Home is full with many from Knox County. $342,625 was received from the State which brings  liquid assets to $850,000.  Discussion followed in regard to purchase of vehicles in the amount of $47,500. from the Missouri State Police for the Mary Davis Home.   Motion by Allen Pickrel seconded by Rick Sandoval to approve.  After discussion, Rick Sandoval rescinded second and Allen Pickrel rescinded motion and will take back to committee.    A plaque was  presented to Randal Storm  commemorating his years of service to the Mary Davis Home and Knox County.

            Gerald Link, Highway/Landfill/Zoning Committee, reported during the month of April gate receipts were down and expenses up.  There was a major fire with trash compactor and repair estimate is $l64,328 with 2-3 months delivery, rental of another unit approximately $l5,000 per month.   Trade in on new machine is $245,983 with insurance deductible of $l0,000.  Motion by Gerald Link to go with insurance company’s decision to l) pay repair costs and rental or 2) pay cost of new compactor less $l0,000 deductible seconded by Rick Sandoval and vote by roll call as follows: Ayes - Idle, Keiser, Parsons, Sandoval, Pickrel, Hevland, Mannhardt, Link, Roberts, Abel, Occhi, Saline, Johnson - (l3); Noes - (0).  Motion carried. 

            Gerald Link, Highway/Landfill/Zoning Committee, reported CH-40 out of Wataga has re-opened.  New bridge at Knox Township also opened ahead of schedule.  Overlay on N. Lake Storey Road is  scheduled for second or third week in June.  Motion by Gerald Link to approve bid for roof replacement on Highway Department maintenance garage from Dowers Roofing in the amount of $39,5l6. seconded by Allen Pickrel and vote by roll call as follows: Ayes - Idle, Sandoval, Pickrel, Link, Roberts, Abel, Occhi, Saline - (8); Noes - Keiser, Parsons, Hevland, Mannhardt, Johnson - (5).  Motion carried.  Motion by Gerald Link seconded by Jan Occhi to approve bid by Laverdiere, Macomb, Il. in the amount of $89,l42.9l for box culvert on CH-29 and vote by roll call as follows: Ayes - Keiser, Parsons, Mannhardt, Link, Roberts, Abel, Occhi, Saline, Johnson - (9); Noes - Idle Pickrel, Hevland - (3); Abstain - Sandoval - (l).  Motion carried.  Gerald Link presented the following resolution:

 

RESOLUTION

ESTABLISHING A CLASS III DESIGNATED

TRUCK ROUTE

 

            WHEREAS, the State of Illinois, by its General Assembly, has enacted “The Illinois Vehicle Code”; and

            WHEREAS, Chapter 625, Section 15-111 of the Illinois Compiled Statutes provides that local authorities, with respect to highways under their jurisdiction may, by resolution, increase the maximum allowable weight of vehicles on designated highways, in accordance with Subsection (g) of said Section 15-111 which weight limitations shall be designated by appropriate signs placed on such highways; and

            WHEREAS, the County of Knox is desirous of providing a truck route for the purpose of accommodating a load limit of 80,000 pounds;

            NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the portions of County Highway 24 beginning at the intersection of Illinois Route 180 and extending easterly for 1.5 miles, to the Stark County line, be designated as a Class III Truck Route.

Motion to approve by Gerald Link to approve seconded by Jan Occhi.  Motion carried.

            Gerald Link presented the following resolution:

 

RESOLUTION FOR IMPROVEMENT BY COUNTY    

UNDER THE ILLINOIS HIGHWAY CODE

            BE IT RESOLVED, by the County Board of Knox County, Illinois, that the following described County Highway be improved under the Illinois Highway Code:   County Highway 24, beginning at a point near the intersection of Illinois Route 180 and extending along said route in an easterly direction to a point near the Stark County line, a distance of approximately 1.5 miles; and

            BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the type of improvement shall be bituminous resurfacing and all other collateral work of that portion of County Highway 24 and shall be designated as Section 02-00078-02-RS and,

            BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the improvement shall be constructed by contract and,

            BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that there is hereby appropriated the sum of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, ($l50,000.) from the County’s Motor Fuel Tax Funds for the construction of this improvement.