PROCEEDINGS OF THE
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Proceedings of the regular meeting of the Knox County Board, held at the
Knox County Courthouse,
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Janet Occhi and upon roll
call the following members reported present:
District 1
Caroline Porter
District 2
Paul Stewart
District
3 Janet Occhi
District
4 George Knapp
District
5 Gerald Link
District
1 Allen Pickrel
District
2 Greg Bacon
District
3 Paul Hevland
District
4 Wayne Saline
District
5 Ricardo
Sandoval
District
1 Linda Roberts
District
3 Dale Parsons
District
4
District 5
Stephen Johnson
And
those absent:
District 2
Dana Shallenberger
Also
present was Scott Erickson,
Chairman Occhi led the Members in the pledge to the flag. Since no one
was present to give the invocation, she asked for a moment of silence of memory
of Kyle Wehrly.
Chairman Occhi asked for additions to the agenda. There were none.
Chairman Occhi asked for public comments. Kelly Brooks who is a legal
secretary in the Public Defender’s Office shared her concerns about the
proposed case division in these offices, as this would result in an unequal
distribution of the case load. In her opinion the only decision that makes
logical sense would be a 1/3 division among the three attorneys. She asked Board
Members to reconsider this case assignment.
Monica Sadler who owns a home in Oak Run addressed the Board regarding
the recent appellate court decision. She also has had some issues, like threats
made against her, which have not been addressed by the Sheriff or State’s
Attorney. She would like time on the
December agenda.
Chairman Occhi presented for approval the following items of the consent
agenda: 1) minutes of the board meeting and closed meeting held
Chairman Occhi presented for approval claims against
Motion was made by Member Parsons and seconded by Member Link to suspend
the rules and approve moving the 2nd County Board Meeting in November
to November 28, 2005 with roll call vote as follows: Ayes—Porter, Stewart,
Occhi, Knapp, Link, Pickrel, Bacon, Hevland, Saline, Sandoval, Roberts, Parsons,
Mannhardt, and Johnson—(14). Noes—(0). Motion carried.
Motion was made by Member Johnson and seconded by Member Hevland to pay a
final settlement in Nick Carlson’s Workman's Compensation case in the amount
of $20,501.20. Roll call vote is recorded as follows: Ayes—Porter, Stewart,
Occhi, Knapp, Link, Pickrel, Bacon, Hevland, Saline, Sandoval, Roberts, Parsons,
Mannhardt, and Johnson—(14). Noes—(0). Motion carried.
Motion was made by Member Stewart and seconded by Member Porter for
inclusion of the
Chairman
Occhi introduced discussion regarding the meeting structure of the Knox County
Board. To initiate discussion Member Porter distributed a handout to other
Members to illustrate possible committee assignments and spoke in favor of
returning to the committee system. There followed a lengthy discussion among the
Board Members. Some shared that the committee system works better while others
felt that that the committee of the whole system is better. Some shared the
opinion that the committee of the whole system is more effective with a
Member
Pickrel spoke against the committee of the whole saying that he felt uninformed.
Member Johnson spoke in favor of the committee as whole system and stated that
Chairman Occhi asked for input from department heads. Rod Cleair spoke in
favor of the committee system, saying it was easier to share ideas in a smaller
group. Larry Larson agreed with the committee system saying you are dealing with
fewer people. They can be more knowledgeable about what is going on. Duane
Ratermann stated it could see this both ways. However, if the committee as whole
system continues, we do need a
Member Stewart asked for an annual cost analysis and comparison for these
two systems. Chairman Occhi stated that it could be done and asked the Board
Members to continue to think on this. This will come up soon for a vote.
Motion was made by Member Pickrel and seconded by Member Bacon to approve
taking legal action against contract attorneys. Roll call vote is recorded as
follows: Ayes—Occhi, Link, Pickrel, Bacon, Hevland, Saline, and Parsons—(7).
Noes—Porter, Stewart, Knapp, Roberts, Mannhardt and Johnson—(6).
Pass—Sandoval—(1). Motion carried.
Motion was made by Member Pickrel and seconded by Member Bacon to approve
offering the
Chairman Occhi introduced for discussion the contracts for alternate
public defender attorneys 1 & 2. Member Johnson stated that he had several
problems with the contracts that were presented in the Member packets. Basically
there are several provisions that are unfair to the attorneys, and these need to
be changed. There is a problem with the description of duties as this contract
forbids private practice. According to the wording of the contract Mr. Campbell
is actually being terminated as an assistant public defender and then hired as
an Alternate County Attorney. Thus, he will be losing all of his benefits.
Further, there is no mention that when he becomes a County employee he has to
operate by the
After being recognized, Geoffrey Campbell did address the Board. Although
he has been with the County almost five years, under this contract he loses
vacation time, as well as sick leave. This should be worded as a lateral
transfer from one County department to another. The
Member Porter voiced her opinion that employees, such as Kelly Brooks
from these departments, should not speak directly to the
Chairman
Occhi said that for the next meeting there would be something back regarding
these contracts.
Dean Stone reported that it is premature to proceed with the contracts
for the County defense coverage attorneys.
Regarding the contract for County defense secretarial coverage, Member
Johnson said that he thought that such a contract is not necessary because these
are temporary employees. Mr. Harrell encouraged Board Members to discuss
problems with him before the meeting. He thought that for the next year they
could continue as they are with three different secretaries; however, we may
want to look at this again next year.
Motion was made by Member Parsons and seconded by Member Roberts to
approve the resolution authorizing the transferring of appropriations within
various funds under the direction of the
Motion was made by Member Porter and seconded by Member Parsons to
approve the resolution authorizing the
Motion was made by Member Saline and seconded by Member Parsons to
approve the resolution on use of State’s Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor. Roll
call vote is recorded as follows: Ayes—Porter, Stewart, Occhi, Knapp, Link,
Pickrel, Bacon, Hevland, Saline, Sandoval, Parsons, and Mannhardt—(12). Noes—Johnson—(1).
Pass—Roberts—(1). Motion carried.
Chairman Occhi reminded Board Members of the animal control report in the
packets. Member Parsons stated that none of the local veterinarians want to work
for the County. There followed some discussion that actually a veterinarian’s
services are not required as an administrator. However, a veterinarian must be
available to handle emergencies. We still don’t know if these vets are
interested in being on call. Chairman Occhi stated that we can ask Mr. Kennedy
to find out if local vets are interested in working on call. Sheriff Thompson
stated that Mr. Kennedy was called out and could not be present. He also pointed
out another option is that in some counties the Health Department acts as the
animal control administrator. Currently the Sheriff’s Department is working in
a supervisory role over the employees in the animal control department. Chairman
Occhi said that at the next meeting they would have more information about this.
Chairman Occhi reminded Board Members of the information in the Member
packets regarding the consideration of new registration fees.
Chairman Occhi presented for first reading the proposal for animal
control services with Maquon. She asked that questions be directed to John
Kennedy.
Rod Cleair presented the Mary Davis Home business report. He stated that
currently they are at capacity with 11 clients from
He had received a budgetary estimate for the underground fuel tanks, and
this is enclosed in the packets. Also he feels it wise to extend the bond to
replace the existing security system. This system is 14 years old and very
inadequate. The cost will probably be about $250,000. He is having problems even
getting estimates as most businesses do not want to install security systems in
an existing building. We wouldn’t have to start paying on this until the
current bond is paid off. The building is 15 years old and in constant use. This
bond would be used for capital improvements and could include fuel pumps. The
security system is his biggest worry, as you can no longer get the parts for it.
Currently the Mary Davis Home has 8 cameras and ideally there should be 32.
Chairman Occhi introduced for first reading the resolution to transfer
funds from the landfill to the Mary Davis Home. Rod Cleair stated that although
the State had promised several times that he would be paid on time, it has not
been happening. He has been talking to Mr. Larson about doing the same thing
that we did last year in transferring funds. Fortunately, although we came close
last year, we did not have to use those funds. Currently the State is behind
about $200,000. Member Saline asked that reference be made to last year’s
resolution. Chairman Occhi stated that at the next meeting this resolution will
be brought back with a specific dollar amount.
Joyce Skinner presented the assessor/zoning report. She referred to the
last meeting and the discussion about Briggs Manufacturing in Abingdon. She had
contacted their attorneys to see if they would be interested in taking their
money in four installments and foregoing the 5% per year interest. They are
willing to work with us in both of these areas as long as they get their money
on time. The installment dates would be
She did send out the letters to the taxing bodies to ask for financial
assistance on the tax appraisals. So far only the
When we do have our Board of Review hearings, the appraiser’s fee is
$500 for a half day and $1,000 for a full day. She had received word from the
daughter of the master appraiser that has done the appraisals for the Board of
Review has died. This has left us in a real bind. She didn’t know of anyone on
the Board of Review or even herself that could step in and assume these
responsibilities. She has called the State to ask if we could hire another
attorney, and they refused. She and the three Board of Review Members will do
their best to proceed with this. We will stand on his appraisals.
She did present a sales ratio but don’t have the final abstract yet.
The City of
Member Stewart asked that the addresses be included in the pictures from
the Zoning Department.
Larry Larson presented the landfill business report. He reported that
since the weather has been so good, they have been working on the levies for the
new cell construction. The EPA did send out their inspector to examine the new
cell that was constructed this year. It looks like it will be after December 18
before they get the approval to put trash in that cell.
He has been working on the pre-feasibility presentation for the November
28th meeting. They have located an individual who is interested in
constructing a bio-diesel plant. Written documentation will be available at that
meeting.
Motion
was made by Member Johnson and seconded by Member Stewart to approve the bid for
sand at $3.30/ton from Weast. Mr. Larson stated that this was the only bid that
was submitted and this company is located near Maquon. Roll call vote is
recorded as follows: Ayes—Porter, Stewart, Occhi, Knapp, Link, Pickrel, Bacon,
Hevland, Saline, Sandoval, Roberts, Parsons, Mannhardt, and Johnson—(14). Noes—(0).
Motion carried.
Motion was made by Member Parsons and seconded by Member Stewart to approve the bid for hauling sand from Burgess Brothers and Collopy Trucking (based on fuel price) at $4.60/ton. Mr. Larson stated that these two individuals submitted the low bid. These are two small independent companies that have apparently bid this together. Each would haul what they can. Their bid contains an escalator clause to reflect the rising fuel costs. He had phoned them and asked about the possibility of declining fuel costs being reflected in their bid. These individuals have agreed. Basically the bid is the same except for the clause that if the fuel price declines to $2.70 then the price for hauling would decline to $4.25/ton. If they begin hauling right away, it might help. Roll call vote is recorded as follows: Ayes—Porter, Stewart, Occhi, Knapp, Link, Pickrel, Bacon, Hevland, Saline, Sandoval, Roberts, Parsons, Mannhardt, and Johnson—(14). Noes—(0). Motion carried.
Duane
Ratermann presented the highway business report. He reminded Members of the
report included in the packet. Additionally they have completed the culvert
project in
They
have ordered 250 tons of salt for ice and snow removal. This amount will fill
them to capacity. In old business he continues to list that Laborers’ Local
538 would like to start wage negotiations for 2006. Their attorney is saying
that Bruce Beal, the
Motion
was made by Member Knapp and seconded by Member Parsons to approve the local
agency agreement for Federal participation, Orange Township Bridge, Section
05-14115-01-BR. Roll call vote is recorded as follows: Ayes—Porter, Stewart,
Occhi, Knapp, Link, Pickrel, Bacon, Hevland, Saline, Sandoval, Roberts, Parsons,
Mannhardt, and Johnson—(14). Noes—(0). Motion carried.
Motion
was made by Member Link and seconded by Member Pickrel to approve the
preliminary engineering services agreement with Hanson Professional Services,
Inc. Duane Ratermann presented a brief computer presentation to illustrate the
special needs of this feasibility study. This location is in
Marianne
Wiesen presented the Nursing Home business report. She stated that last week
$100,000 was paid back to the referendum account. There is a balance of $189,000
in our account and $1,341,000 in the referendum account.
Chairman
Occhi introduced for first reading the resolution to approve the transfer of
funds from the Nursing Home Referendum account to the Nursing Home General
Account. Marianne Wiesen stated that this is a “just in case measure.” She
has repaid the $300,000 that had been borrowed from the account before. This
resolution needs to be approved.
Since
Chris Wood was absent and attending the ILGISA Conference, County Administrator
Alan Hallberg passed out a short report from Chris Wood.
Motion
was made by Member Stewart and seconded by Member Mannhardt to approve the
amendment to Intergovernmental agreement with the Health Department to change
zoning field inspection rates. Roll call vote is recorded as follows:
Ayes—Porter, Stewart, Occhi, Knapp, Link, Pickrel, Bacon, Hevland, Saline,
Sandoval, Roberts, Parsons, Mannhardt, and Johnson—(14). Noes—(0). Motion
carried.
STATEMENTS OF
GENERAL CONCERN
Member
Porter and Member Stewart had no comments at this time.
Member Occhi announced that next time there would be a vote regarding
Board Structure. Members should come prepared to vote their preference on either
the committee of the whole system or the committee system. She will not ask
anyone about committee assignments beforehand. They should vote for what they
feel is good for the Board.
Member Knapp and Member Link had no comments at this time.
Member Pickrel commented that he would like information either included
in the Member packets or sent e-mail as to how the City of
Member Bacon and Member Hevland had no comments at this time.
Member Saline commented that a couple of meetings ago, we voted to sell a
portion of the Nursing Home farmland. People have been calling and asking him
what we plan to do with that. We need to set up a committee or a procedure so
that we can tell people on how to proceed if they are interested in purchasing
some of this farmland. For some people who are interested, this is a time
sensitive issue and they would want to move on this sooner rather than later. We
need to be organized and come up with some sort of a plan on how we want to
dispense with that property.
Member Sandoval, Member Roberts, Member Parsons, Member Mannhardt, and
Member Johnson had no comments at this time.
Member Porter commented that she would rather have the vote on the
committee system in the first December meeting as she will not be able to attend
the next meeting. It is important to her to be able to vote on this matter.
Member Link commented that he would also rather postpone the vote on the
committee structure to that December meeting as he is scheduled for knee
replacement surgery.
Chairman Occhi announced that the next regular meeting will be held on
The meeting was declared to be recessed at