PROCEEDINGS OF THE
STATE OF
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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 Gayle Keiser
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 2 Dana Shallenberger
District 3 Dale Parsons
District 4
District 5 Stephen Johnson
and those absent: District 1 Alan Pickerel.
Also present was Scott Erickson,
Chairman Occhi led the members in the pledge to the flag and the Rev. Leigh Nygard gave the invocation.
Chairman Occhi asked if there were any changes to the agenda. There were no changes.
Chairman Occhi asked if there were any public comments. Judy Johnson addressed the board about the investigation into the personnel policy. She encouraged department heads to allow non-union members to unionize if they desire to do so. There was no further public comment.
Motion by Member Wayne Saline, seconded by Gerald Link to appoint Jay West to the Knox County Farmland Committee and roll call vote as follows: Ayes – Porter, Keiser, Occhi, Knapp, Link, Bacon, Hevland, Saline, Sandoval, Roberts, Shallenberger, Parsons, Mannhardt, Johnson –(14); Noes – (0). Motion carried.
Motion by Member Dana Shallenberger, seconded by Paul Hevland to appoint Steve Johnson to the United Counties Council of Illinois and roll call vote as follows: Ayes – Porter, Keiser, Occhi, Knapp, Link, Bacon, Hevland, Saline, Sandoval, Roberts, Shallenberger, Parsons, Mannhardt, Johnson –(14); Noes – (0). Motion carried.
Member Greg Bacon motioned, seconded by Gayle Keiser to rescind the resolution regarding mandatory direct deposit. Discussion commenced about the resolution regarding direct deposit. Caroline Porter stated that the County did find out at the last meeting that it can not make this program mandatory. Dale Parsons said that those that choose to participate in direct deposit may still do so. Roll call vote as follows: Ayes – Porter, Keiser, Occhi, Knapp, Link, Bacon, Hevland, Saline, Roberts, Shallenberger, Parsons, Mannhardt, Johnson – (13); Noes – (1). Sandoval. Motion carried.
Motion by Member Caroline Porter,
seconded by Dale Parsons, to approve the Intergovernmental Agreement with the
City of
On first reading Treasurer Davis reported about the Resolution abating taxes for 2004 on Series 1999 Public Safety Building General Obligation Bonds and the Resolution abating taxes for 2004 on Series 2003 Public Safety Building General Obligation Bonds. She stated that this is a normal housekeeping measure that the County needs to do every February if any bonds are going to be abated for the upcoming tax year. Public safety bonds are the only ones that are abating this year. The reason that there are two items is that the County did refinance a portion of these bonds two years ago. At the current time the County does not need to levy for those taxes. These two items will be brought up for vote at the next meeting.
Regarding the Animal Control Business Report, Alan Hallberg reminded the board members that the activity report is in their packets. Member Johnson asked if we found an Administrator yet. Administrator Hallberg stated that the County is working with Doc Joe.
Administrator Alan Hallberg
presented the Mary Davis Home Business Report. He stated that they had received
a reimbursement check from the State on January 28 for $325,014.17. This
reimburses for funds from July-October. There are still checks for December and
January remaining unpaid. The Home is looking to hire a mental health therapist.
At the last count there were 38 clients at the facility with 8 of those from
Member Wayne Saline moved and
Member Porter seconded the motion to discuss permission to obtain a business
credit card for the Mary Davis Home. Rod Phelps informed the board of recent
problems which could be resolved with a business credit card. He reported that
occasionally trainees must travel to
Alan Hallberg reminded that board
that the Assessor/Zoning Business Report are in their packets. Things are slow
in the office right now. There were 25 tax protests filed in January. He
referred to a letter in packet from Michael Gehring of the Board of Review to
upfront the funds for these appraisals so the County can defend them and save
the County nearly $142,000 in lost tax revenues. He told the board that the
County has received an estimate from the appraiser in
Alan Hallberg reminded the board
that the Landfill Business receipts and Highway Business Reports are in the
member packets. He also reported that there will be a bid opening on February
14, at
Member Link moved and Member Sandoval seconded the motion to approve the Resolution on 2005 Motor Fuel Tax Maintenance in roll call vote as follows: Ayes – Porter, Keiser, Occhi, Knapp, Link, Bacon, Hevland, Saline, Sandoval, Roberts, Shallenberger, Parsons, Mannhardt, Johnson – (14); Noes – (0). Motion carried.
Member Mannhardt moved and Member Parson seconded the motion to approve the Resolution on 2005 Motor Fuel Tax Salary in roll call vote as follows: Ayes – Porter, Keiser, Occhi, Knapp, Link, Bacon, Hevland, Saline, Sandoval, Roberts, Shallenberger, Parsons, Mannhardt, Johnson – (14); Noes – (0). Motion carried.
Administrator Alan Hallberg reported that the census of the Nursing Home is 147 with one in the hospital and 3 pending admissions. There is $225,000 owing to the referendum fund. There are some staff reorganizations at the Nursing Home that have reduced the administration by one and reorganized the duties among the other staff members. The budget was re-worked for 153 residents instead of 170 as originally submitted. As discussed before, there is $150,000 in delinquent accounts which has been sent to the State’s Attorney’s Office for action to clear these accounts. Approximately $45,000 in secondary insurance payments was found that the County will try to bill in order to clear these accounts. Marianne Wiesen informed the board that Tom Morse recently spoke to the Rotary Club about Project Lifesaver for Alzheimer’s patients, which Dr. Hayden has paid to be implemented at the Nursing Home. There will be alarm units that will be activated when an Alzheimer’s patient tries to walk out of the secured area. These services will also extend into the community. Member Saline asked how much is in the referendum account. Robin Davis stated that amount as $946,000 in addition to the $225,000 owed that is delinquent.
Administrator Alan Hallberg reported on several matters of business concerning the nursing home. Since the present contract for physical therapy is about to expire and others have expressed a desire to pursue this contract, the Nursing Home would like to bid out this contract. Secondly, in regards to the elevator, the County wants to publish the repair specifications and collect bids. Two bids have been received already. The Nursing Home needs to bid and bring back a replacement cooling tower. Although the current unit is only ten years old, it is rusting out extremely bad and the repairs will be costly. It would be more cost efficient to replace that. Additionally, the Nursing Home needs to bid and bring back redecorating of Wing 2 as stated in the member packets. Work is continuing to defining the specifications. Since the census is so low, this is a good time to get this area fixed up. If the worth of these renovation items total around $225,000, and the work is completed by the end of June, it will mean an increase of $2.00 per Medicaid patient can be collected. With this increase, in two years these projects will be paid for. Member Johnson suggested that this might be the time to think about installing sprinklers. Marianne Wiesen stated that the Nursing Home is not doing a complete remodel. Member Saline stated that once sprinkler installation is begun, work must be totally completed at that time, as the Nursing Home would no longer grand fathered in. Member Johnson stated that Nursing Home should at least invest in a modern fire alarm system. This type of repair is very important. Marianne Wiesen stressed that repairs and improvement must total $225,000 in order to qualify for the $2 increase in Medicaid and that the deadline of the end of June must be achieved. Member Porter moved and Member Mannhardt seconded the motion to bid and bring back for Physical Therapy Services, elevator repairs, replacement of the cooling tower, and the redecoration of Wing 2. The voice vote as follows: Ayes – (14); Noes – (0). Motion carried.
Member Saline moved and Member Johnson seconded the motion to accept the Waste Removal Contract with Waste Management for the Nursing Home. Alan Hallberg said that this is the same contract as before except for two things; the $20 special fee has been removed and the automatic renewal clause has been removed. He does not expect fees to increase. Member Link commented that he had been concerned about the $20 fee per yard of refuse and was glad that the fee was removed. Alan Hallberg stated that there might be additional fees for large volume removals such as remodeling waste and they might have to adjust the size of the containers to cover that need. The roll call vote as follows: Ayes – Porter, Keiser, Occhi, Knapp, Link, Bacon, Hevland, Saline, Sandoval, Roberts, Shallenberger, Parsons, Mannhardt, Johnson – (14); Noes – (0). Motion carried.
In his monthly report,
Administrator Alan Hallberg stated that Insight and MediaCom have a copy of the
franchise agreement and it is moving up the corporate ladder. As
regards Rio Cable, for 15 years Rio Cable has had a franchise with
Alan Hallberg reminded the board of State legislative updates included in the member packets and noted Bills are pending that would change property tax exemptions from $75,000 to $100,000. He would monitor the progress of other legislative measures. There are also bills pending which would have Counties collect fees for the State and then pay the State directly. The Illinois Association of County Board Members is actively watching these proposed changes. The County should not expect much under the new state budget.
Alan Hallberg also discussed the
possibility of adopting a County flag. He will be contacting various
organizations to ask the public of submit their designs for a County flag. There
will be announcements in the paper and on the radio. Students in District #205,
as well as all schools in
Member Saline moved and Member
Hevland seconded the motion to bid and bring back the Counties service
contracts.
Member Parsons and Member Hevland seconded the motion to approve the Resolution regarding GIS policy and fees. Administrator Alan Hallberg reminded the board members that information concerning this is included in the member packets. The final fee structure was revised a little bit, some analyses fees were taken out, and adjustments will be made as necessary. At the end of March these fees should be ready. Roll call vote as follows: Ayes – Porter, Keiser, Occhi, Knapp, Link, Bacon, Hevland, Saline, Sandoval, Roberts, Shallenberger, Parsons, Mannhardt, Johnson – (14); Noes – (0). Motion carried.
Chairman Occhi presented the following consent agenda for approval: 1) Minutes of the Board meeting held January 26, 2005; 2) Claims against Knox County, Illinois, for the period of January 27, 2005 through February 9, 2005 (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 February 9, 2005. Member Johnson moved that item 2 be separated from the other two items. Member Parsons moved and Member Roberts seconded the motion to approve consent agenda Item 1 and Item 3 with roll call vote as follows: Ayes – Porter, Keiser, Occhi, Knapp, Link, Bacon, Hevland, Saline, Sandoval, Roberts, Shallenberger, Parsons, Mannhardt, Johnson – (14); Noes – (0). Motion carried. Member Mannhardt moved and Member Bacon seconded the motion to approve consent agenda Item 2 with roll call vote as follows: Ayes – Porter, Keiser, Occhi, Knapp, Link, Bacon, Hevland, Saline, Sandoval, Roberts, Shallenberger, Parsons, Mannhardt,– (13); Noes –(0). Pass- Johnson (1) - Motion carried.
STATEMENTS OF GENERAL CONCERN
Member Porter, Member Keiser, Chairman Occhi, and Member Knapp had no comment at this time.
Member Link commented that Link
Trucking and Bacon’s Trophy will donate the $100 prize money for the
Member Bacon and Member Hevland had no comment at this time.
Member Saline commended the board for the progress in this meeting as compared to the last board meeting in which members spoke continually out of turn and did not follow the rules. If that had continued, this method of meeting would have failed. He stated that during this meeting the members had performed in a manner that would encourage his belief that this will be successful. He commended other board members for acting more professionally during this meeting.
Member Sandoval, Member Roberts, Member Shallenberger, Member Parsons, and Member Mannhardt had no comment at this time.
Member Johnson commented that he was also pleased with the way this meeting went. He further stated that as a Board member participating in a committee of the whole, that he has gained a lot more knowledge of every department within the County. He is pleased with the way things are going.
Chairman Occhi reported that the
next meeting of the Board will be
Member Parsons motioned, seconded
by Member Hevland to adjourn. Voice vote and motion carried. The meeting was
adjourned at