PROCEEDINGS OF THE
STATE OF
) SS
Proceedings of the regular meeting of the Knox County Board, held at the
Knox County Courthouse,
Due to a family medical emergency, Janet Occhi was absent and Dale
Parsons presided over the meeting. Upon roll call the following members reported
present:
District 2
Paul Stewart
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
Caroline Porter
District 3
Janet Occhi
Also
present was Scott Erickson,
Vice-Chairman Parsons led the Members in the pledge to the flag. David
Scholl, from the Galesburg Rescue Mission gave the innovation.
Vice-Chairman Parsons asked for a moment of silence for Chairman
Occhi’s critically ill mother.
Vice-Chairman Parsons asked for additions to the agenda. Member Link
asked for an addition to the agenda to discuss the reorganization of the
Vice-Chairman Parsons asked for public comments. There were none.
Vice-Chairman Parsons presented for approval the following agenda items:
1) minutes of the board meeting and closed meeting held November 9, 2005, 2)
claims by Members for per diem and mileage for the meeting for November 28,
2005, 3) sales tax and various taxes for the month of August 2005 in the amounts
of $91,321.46 and $21,344.46 and public safety tax in the amount of $70,446.64,
and 4) appointment of Ann Taylor to the Orpheum Board. Motion was made by Member
Johnson and seconded by Member Shallenberger to approve these items with roll
call vote recorded as follows: Ayes—Stewart, Knapp, Link, Pickrel, Bacon,
Hevland, Saline, Sandoval, Roberts, Shallenberger, Parsons, Mannhardt, and
Johnson—(13). Noes—(0). Motion carried.
Vice-Chairman Parsons presented for approval claims against
Member
Stewart stated that he had spoken with Treasurer Robin Davis about the American
Express charges. He would like a little more explanation about these charges
regarding how many people attended this conference and how many days.
Member Bacon stated that due to ongoing contract negotiations, he thinks
that it would be wise to remove the clothing allowances and longevity pay from
the landfill expenses, until we can get some clarification from a union
attorney. For now, he wanted these bills to be pulled. Presently these employees
do not have an existing contract; they piggyback off of the highway union
contract. Both clothing and longevity have to be negotiated.
Member Johnson stated that he understood the point of this but was
concerned about carrying 2005 bills over to the next fiscal year. Treasurer
Davis stated that no longevity was budgeted for this year and $2,000 budgeted
for the next year. Larry Larson stated that it was his understanding that once
the union signs the letter stating their intent to unionize, benefits cannot be
taken away. It was his feeling that technically they did have the benefits of
the longevity and clothing allowance. However, Member Bacon disagreed; as there
is not anything on paper. Member Stewart shared his opinion that he thought that
this would be a negative way to begin the negotiations, to take away something
that had been allowed in the past. Member Saline stated that earlier this year
that had been some discussions about employees working without a union contract.
At that time, it was decided that those employees would be working under the
employee handbook. These two issues are not covered under the employee handbook.
Motion was made by Member Bacon and seconded by Member Saline to take out
these bills, for the clothing allowance and longevity for the landfill. Roll
call vote recorded as follows: Ayes—Knapp, Pickrel, Bacon, Saline, Sandoval,
Shalleberger, and Parsons—(7). Noes—Stewart, Link, Hevland, Roberts,
Mannhardt, and Johnson—(6). Motion carried.
Member Saline asked for some clarification from Marianne Wiesen regarding
the nearly $1,541 worth of turkeys purchased for the Nursing Home. Ms. Wiesen
stated that this was a purchase from the employee incentive account which
allowed employees to receive a turkey for Thanksgiving. Member Saline asked if
this account had previously been used for this purpose. He didn’t recall ever
purchasing turkeys for employees before. Ms. Wiesen stated that she didn’t
know about previous practices but it had been a great morale booster. Member
Saline stated that even though it was a morale booster for the Nursing Home, it
was a morale killer for other county employees who did not receive a turkey. Ms.
Wiesen stated that no one had told her that she could not use funds from the
employee incentive fund for this purpose. Her employees have done a great job.
Member Johnson questioned a bill from Stoerzbach Morrison for $16,660.96.
Public Defender Jim Harrell stated that this was a contested case involving a
sexually dangerous person. The State’s Attorney opposed paying this bill.
Through the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, there is the
possibility of reimbursement.
Member Johnson also questioned a bill from the recorder’s office for
$10,125.00. He asked if this should have been a bid item. Vice-Chairman Parsons
stated that he agreed that it should have been a bid item. Member Johnson stated
that at the last meeting he asked that a $21,000 bill to be pulled for
clarification, he has yet to receive any explanation for that. County Clerk
Scott Erickson responded County Recorder Nancy McCune had told him that in
consultation with the State’s Attorney’s Office that since this was a
technology purchase, there was a higher bid limit with the State. Member Pickrel
remembered those comments and stated that we still need to go by the County’s
guidelines and not the State’s.
Member Johnson repeated his position that any purchase over $5,000 should
be bid out and further that reminder memos should be sent to all department
heads and elected officials. Clerk Erickson stated that a memo had been
prepared. He was waiting for Chairman Occhi’s signature and the memos would be
distributed. Roll call vote to approve paying the bills except the longevity and
clothing allowance for the landfill is recorded as follows: Ayes—Stewart,
Knapp, Link, Hevland, Saline, Roberts, Shallenberger, Parsons, Mannhardt, and
Johnson—(10). Noes—(0). Pass—Pickrel, Bacon, and Sandoval—(3). Motion
carried.
Kevin McCanna from
Speer Financial, Inc. presented bond options for the Mary Davis Home. He stated
that it was his understanding that the Board was looking at about a $1,000,000
amount. There are two types of debt that the County can issue. One is alternate
revenue bonds, which have been used before. This gets an A1 Bond rating just
like general obligation bonds, but in this instance you pledge a specific source
of revenue to pay it back. The other type is installment contract certificates.
With this one you don’t have to pledge any specific revenue source. You can
pledge the general credit of the county. This type is more flexible and
generally gets a bond rating of slightly below the general obligation bonds.
This option also has a faster processing time. Both of these options sell at
about the same interest rate. He passed out a sheet to show the existing debt as
well as the purposed additional debt calculated over the next 10 years.
Mr. McCanna advised that whichever of these options is chosen, we should
not begin paying off until 2010. These bonds pay all the principal and interest
at maturity when they are due. The idea is to wrap the new debt around the
existing debt. The information provided is only an estimate as rates are subject
to change. If you want to go over a million dollars, you can have additional
years. It would be wise to keep the debt service at the current level of
$275,000 - $285,000 per year. Interest rates are about the same as they were a
year ago.
Primarily the rates that are increasing are those on one and two year
bonds. These kinds of rates have been very stable over the last few years.
Really oil has moved rates more than anything else. Comparing these rates to the
1980’s, these are incredibly low rates.
Rod Cleair stated that years ago, the bid to upgrade the security at the
Mary Davis Home was $250,000, and of course the price for labor has increased.
This proposed debt will be enough to meet our needs of a new security system,
repairs, sally port and shed, as well as fuel pumps. His estimate is about
$600,000. Treasurer Robin Davis stated that you have up to three years to spend
this money. You can invest the money and earn income from it.
Chris Wood and the Sidwell representative, Tom Ricker gave a visual GIS
report. Chris Wood reminded Board Members that he had recently attended a
conference in
Motion was made by Member Johnson and seconded by Member Bacon to approve
the contracts with alternate defender attorneys 1 & 2, Geoffrey Campbell and
Daniel O’Brien. Member Bacon questioned the part of Mr. Campbell’s contract
that deals with private practice. He has no problem with the attorney doing some
private practice but wants this attorney to do so on his own time—not the
County’s time. Therefore, to do private practice he should use his vacation
time or personnel time. There followed a lengthy discussion about the wording of
this particular portion of these contracts. Public Defender Jim Harrell stated
that the Administrative Judge had told him that unless these contracts are
entered by December 1, then these cases will be coming to Mr. Harrell. The Board
needs to approve these contracts tonight.
Mr. Campbell stated that the contract wording was that this position
would be his “primary responsibility.” He does understand Member Bacon’s
point of view and can schedule his private cases accordingly.
Vice-Chairman Parsons called for the question and to vote on the
contracts as presented. Roll call vote is recorded as follows: Ayes—Knapp,
Link, Pickrel, Hevland, Saline, Sandoval, Roberts, Parsons, and Johnson—(9).
Noes—Stewart, Bacon, and Mannhardt—(3). Pass—Shallenberger—(1). Motion
carried.
Motion was made by Member Stewart and seconded by Member Pickrel to
approve the contracts with the County Defense Coverage Attorneys at the rate of
$75 per hour. Member Johnson questioned why a contract with these attorneys is
needed. Previously when we have needed an attorney to fill in, someone phoned
for a replacement. They were paid up to the state mandated rate. This is the
same situation as the temporary fill in secretaries. Jim Harrell spoke in favor
of the contracts saying that this would provide more control over which
attorneys could be contacted.
Vice-Chairman Parsons called for the vote with roll call vote recorded as
follows: Ayes—Stewart, Knapp, Link, Pickrel, Bacon, Hevland, Saline, Sandoval,
Roberts, Shallenberger, Parsons, and Mannhardt—(12). Noes—Johnson—(1).
Motion carried.
Motion was made by Member Stewart and seconded by Member Pickrel to
approve the renewal of the employment contract with Marianne Wiesen as
Administrator of the Knox County Nursing Home with roll call vote recorded as
follows: Ayes—Stewart, Knapp, Link, Pickrel, Bacon, Hevland, Saline, Sandoval,
Roberts, Shallenberger, Parsons, Mannhardt, and Johnson—(13). Noes—(0).
Motion carried.
Member Link asked the Board to discuss its organization for the coming
year. He felt like the Board is split in its decision and felt that discussion
would be beneficial.
Vice-Chairman
Parsons stated that at the next meeting a vote will be taken to determine what
system we will go with for 2006.
Member
Pickrel spoke in favor of the committee system as he felt like under that system
there was more public input. Additionally, he felt that under the committee
system he was more knowledgeable about what was going on. When he served on two
committees, he routinely examined the bills. Also there is the cheerleading
aspect, which can occur with either structure. One way to alleviate part of the
cheerleading is to rotate committee assignments. He shared his opinion that the
committee of the whole system cannot survive without a
Member Johnson stated that he agreed with the concept of the
Member Link stated that he agreed with some points that were discussed.
In his opinion if the County chooses to continue to meet as a committee of the
whole, then we must have a
Member Stewart discussed the issue of which is cheaper. The per diem
figures reveal under the previous system the cost of per diem expenses was
$28,000 and under the present system the costs were $18,000. That is a
difference of $10,000. Of course, cost is not the only criteria upon which to
make a decision. But it should be taken into consideration.
Member Mannhardt spoke in favor of keeping the committee system and an
Administrator.
John Kennedy said that the animal control business report is in the
Member packets.
John Kennedy asked for direction from the Board concerning the option to
provide for a rabies administrator and veterinarian consultant. In the Member
packets four options were presented. He recommends using funds currently set
aside for the administrator’s salary, to pay a licensed veterinarian to act as
a Deputy Administrator. Then the Board would name an Administrator to fill that
position. This option would not result in many changes. Previously Doc Joe had
assumed many of these responsibilities free of charge. Realistically we will not
find anyone else willing to work for nothing. This is for the first reading. A
vote will be taken at the next meeting. He asked Members to talk to him about
what they expect the job duties of a deputy administrator to be. Then the
State’s Attorney’s Office can prepare a specific contract.
John Kennedy introduced the proposal for animal control services with
Maquon. He reported that even though he has contacted them twice, they have not
responded. He cannot verify that Maquon has accepted this proposal. Motion was
made by Member Johnson and seconded by Member Stewart to table this proposal
with roll call vote recorded as follows: Ayes—Stewart, Knapp, Link, Pickrel,
Bacon, Hevland, Saline, Sandoval, Roberts, Shallenberger, Parsons, Mannhardt,
and Johnson—(13). Noes—(0). Motion was tabled.
John Kennedy introduced discussion on consideration of new animal
registration fees. The Member packets include information about what the new
fees would be under this new State law compared with the present rates. Although
the Illinois Department of Public Health will be implementing this new law so
far they no written policy about how to do so. They agree that there are
problems with this new law. They are trying to work on some fixes. His
recommended that this matter be tabled until the Illinois Department of Public
Health is better organized to deal with this. He advised that this matter may be
revisited.
Rod Cleair presented the Mary Davis Home business report. In October they
billed out $81,400. They averaged 35 clients per day and 28 of those were from
outside of the County. He has not yet received the reimbursements from the State
and he doesn’t expect them anytime soon. He reported that the Mary Davis Home
is $100,000 ahead of where they were this time last year. Hopefully, if they
continue to keep the spending down they will be OK.
Vice-Chairman Parsons presented for approval the resolution to transfer
funds from the landfill to the Mary Davis Home. Rod Cleair stated that last year
they borrowed $500,000. Motion was made by Member Stewart and seconded by Member
Johnson to approve this measure with roll call vote recorded as follows:
Ayes—Stewart, Knapp, Link, Pickrel, Bacon, Hevland, Saline, Sandoval, Roberts,
Shallenberger, Parsons, Mannhardt, and Johnson—(13). Noes—(0). Motion
carried.
Joyce Skinner presented the assessor/zoning business report. She reported
that letters were mailed out November 16, and the deadline to respond is
December 16. The Board of Review is scheduled to meet January 19 and 20. She had
received several responses from various taxing bodies and contributions amount
to $24,181.11 toward the cost of the appraisals. That leaves a balance of
$14,076 that we still must pay. The final 2005 assessed value after the
multiplier has been put on and before exemptions is $699,464,220.
Larry Larson presented the landfill business report. He stated that the
tarping machine should be done by the end of the week. Currently, negotiations
are under way for one of the fluff contract agreements. The contract with Behr
was open ended and they have already violated part of it. That is why
negotiations are beginning. The hauled some wet fluff to a different landfill
and it was all supposed to come to
Larry Larson stated that one of the comments contained in his evaluation
was that the Board wanted a mechanic hired for the landfill. Currently
maintenance is handled in one of three ways. For the big trucks we have
mechanics in Wataga perform some of that work. We have an agreement with
Caterpillar which takes care of the new machines. On the smaller equipment and
pickup trucks, that worked is performed at the landfill. Motion was made by
Member Bacon and seconded by Member Shallenberger to approve the authorization
to hire a mechanic for the landfill.
Member Johnson stated that this agenda item should have been placed after
the next agenda item which is to approve the construction of a building to house
equipment and vehicles and advertise for bids. He stated that he had been a
proponent of hiring a mechanic for the landfill for years and thought that this
would save the County a lot of money. However, first we should decide whether a
mechanic would have an adequate building to work in.
Mr. Larson stated that currently there is a building to work in and it
has two stalls. Although you can get a big truck in there, you can’t close the
door.
Member Stewart asked about the reasoning to support the decision to hire
a mechanic. Member Johnson stated that the County spends a lot of money on
maintenance of equipment. At times overtime wages must be paid to keep equipment
operational.
Member Bacon questioned the proposed salary amount. Mr. Larson stated
that this amount is in line with the State Highway Department. Member Bacon
responded that he didn’t think that they were paid that much. Motion was made
by Member Bacon and seconded by Member Shalllenberger to table this matter until
a decision is made about a new building. Roll call vote recorded as follows:
Ayes—Stewart, Knapp, Link, Pickrel, Bacon, Hevland, Saline, Sandoval, Roberts,
Shallenberger, Parsons, Mannhardt, and Johnson—(13). Noes—(0). Motion was
tabled.
Motion was made by Member Bacon and seconded by Member Stewart to approve
the construction of a building to house equipment and vehicles and advertise for
bids. Mr. Larson stated that his dream building would include both a storage
area to house vehicles as well as a shop area. Member Link responded that a
modern shop area is needed. Perhaps that would free up another space to be used
for storage. Mr. Larson stated that he is willing to work with the Board and
design a building according to how they direct him. Member Bacon suggested that
at least two inside shop bays are needed. He would like the semis inside as
well. It was decided that the building should have 2 shop bays and room to house
3 semis. Roll call vote to bid and bring back is recorded as follows:
Ayes—Stewart, Knapp, Link, Pickrel, Bacon, Hevland, Saline, Sandoval, Roberts,
Shallenberger, Parsons, Mannhardt, and Johnson—(13). Noes—(0). Motion
carried.
Motion was made by Member Bacon and seconded by Member Roberts to approve
to bid and bring back to purchase a new car for the landfill administrator.
Larry Larson stated that this purchase in the amount of $30,000 is included in
next year’s budget, but is not in a specific line item. Roll call vote to bid
and bring back is recorded as follows: Ayes—Stewart, Knapp, Link, Pickrel,
Bacon, Hevland, Saline, Sandoval, Roberts, Parsons, and Johnson—(11). Noes—Shallenberger
and Mannhardt—(2). Motion carried.
Duane Ratermann presented the Highway business report. He reminded
Members of the report contained in the Member packets. They have begun the box
culvert project in
Marianne Wiesen presented the Nursing Home business report. Today’s
balance is $151,032.06. That is after paying tonight’s bills, workman's
compensation, and unemployment compensation. Friday’s payroll will be over
$150,000. The anticipated check from the State might not arrive until next week.
Motion was made by Member Stewart and seconded by Member Mannhardt to
approve the resolution to transfer funds from the Nursing Home Referendum
account to the Nursing Home General account. Vice-Chairman Dale Parsons
commented that this has been done for several years. Roll call vote is recorded
as follows: Ayes—Stewart, Knapp, Link, Pickrel, Bacon, Hevland, Saline,
Sandoval, Roberts, Shallenberger, Parsons, Mannhardt, and Johnson—(13). Noes—(0).
Motion carried.
Vice-Chairman Parsons presented for approval the
Chris Wood presented handouts to the Board about the GIS department copy
prices. He reported that originally when the color laser printer was purchased
no price schedule was established. However, he has created a fee schedule which
he had distributed to the Board Members. These fees include the actual costs
involved as well as money to replace toner cartridges, paper and equipment. He
also presented a comparison fee schedule with other counties. He advised to
discontinue offering the black and white maps as most people would rather have
the color version. It is hard to guess the demand for these maps as it will vary
from year to year. He asked for the Board’s approval to continue with this fee
schedule. He stated that he had not heard any complaints about these fees. So
far he has made $159. He will continue with this fee schedule unless otherwise
directed.
Regarding the GIS Use Layer project, he is about half-way through the
County. He has finished Township 9 and starting Township 10. The Illinois
Department of Revenue says that we are doing OK. We are farther ahead than a lot
of other counties with the GIS.
STATEMENTS OF
GENERAL CONCERN
Member Stewart, Member Knapp, Member Link, Member
Pickrel, Member Bacon, Member Hevland, Member Saline, Member Sandoval, Member
Roberts, and Member Shallenberger had no comments at this time.
Vice-Chairman Parsons thanked Board Members for their support during this
meeting.
Member Mannhardt and Member Johnson had no comments at this time.
Vice-Chairman Parsons announced that the next regular meeting will be
held on
Motion was made by Member Johnson and seconded by Member Bacon to
adjourn. Voice vote is recorded as follows: Ayes—(13). Noes—(0). Motion
carried. Meeting was adjourned at