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 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 3 Paul Hevland
District 2
Dana Shallenberger
Also present was Scott Erickson,
Chairman Occhi led the Members in the pledge to the flag. Darrell Hughs,
from
Chairman Occhi asked if there were any additions to the agenda. She asked to discuss a conference to be held July 25-26. This discussion will be under item number 10.
Chairman Occhi asked for public comments. Kenneth Bragg addressed the
Board reminding them of his comments at the previous meeting and thanking them
for their actions. He stated that he had recently become aware of the differing
rate schedule for dump fees at the landfill. They charge the average customer
$24.50 a ton. Yet the fluff haulers pay $22.50 a ton, including the trucking. I
don’t understand why as a resident of this County, I pay more to dump than
someone from
Jean Burgin, from multi-township assessment, stated that in August 2004 the Board voted to rent the zoning office space to allow us to move our office in with them and have access to the computers. We need a lease so that we can this done.
George Clark, Supervisor of Southern MTA District, stated that he understood that the lease was taken care of. This needs to be resolved.
Chairman Occhi presented the following items of the consent agenda: 1)
minutes of the Board Meeting and closed Board session held
Chairman Occhi presented the following item for approval: claims against
Motion was made by Member Parsons and seconded by Member Roberts to approve the resolution on the legal holiday calendar for 2006 from the Ninth Judicial Circuit with voice vote as follows: Ayes—(13). Noes—(0). Motion carried.
Motion was made by Member Porter and seconded by Member Keiser to approve the resolution in support of Amtrak funding with voice vote as follows: Ayes—(13). Noes—(0). Motion carried.
Chairman Occhi proposed the following people to be appointed to the
Township Appeal Board of Review: William Lomax, from
Administrator Hallberg presented for first reading the proposed changes to the Knox County Personnel Policy. There are 10 proposed changes as outlined and included in the Member packets. Member Mannhardt asked that at the next meeting Mr. Hallberg inform the Board of the financial impact of these changes. Member Porter asked if our liability carrier had looked at these changes and if these changes conform to their suggestions. Mr. Hallberg responded that he would have the information by the next meeting.
For discussion only County Clerk Scott Erickson presented
Member Saline asked that the discussion about space allocation at the Annex be moved to be included with agenda item on the office lease agreement with multi-township assessors.
Motion by made by Member Sandoval and seconded by Member Mannhardt to
approve an endorsement letter to Blue Cross/Blue Shield. This letter would ask
that Cottage Hospital also be included as a preferred provider hospital. There
followed much general discussion regarding whether this was an appropriate Board
action to take. Member Saline stated that the
Chairman Occhi introduced discussion about conference information that
she had received which invited Board Members to attend an Institute for
Excellence in County Government Conference to be held in
6:35 Motion was made by Member Johnson and seconded by Member Porter to move to executive session to discuss personal issues from the Sheriff’s Department, with roll call vote as follows: Ayes—Porter, Keiser, Occhi, Knapp, Link, Pickrel, Bacon, Saline, Sandoval, Roberts, Parsons, Mannhardt, and Johnson—(13). Noes—(0). Motion carried.
Sheriff Thompson presented the Department of Corrections Report saying
that in the past, the Knox County Jail was not found to be in compliance as
there was always something that prevented that. Recently, the Illinois
Department of Corrections has found the jail in full compliance. A copy of the
report is on file in the
Sheriff Thompson presented for approval the security grant for the Sheriff’s Department. We were accepted to enter into a grant with the State, under a program called ILEAS (Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System). The way that the State is handling the Homeland Security Grant monies is through ILEAS. We applied for and were awarded a public safety grant of $34,067.00. Most of these funds would be used at the Courthouse for the following items: emergency lock down button for the court house doors, wireless duress notification system, security cameras, and a security station wall. This grant would also include security gates for the jail. Sometimes we find criminal offenses occurring in the parking lot at the courthouse or in the hallways. These purposed improvements would allow us to record events in these areas. Currently, we only record in the courtrooms. This will bring our security system up to the highest level in the 9th Judicial Circuit.
The X-ray machine in the courthouse is now functioning. This was given to us from the Federal government. So we have been able to accomplish a lot without increasing the expense to the taxpayers. This grant will not cost us anything. The reason that I want your approval is that we are entering into an intergovernmental agreement. Therefore, the question of accounting is raised. We must verify that we spend these funds for the specified items. Motion was made by Member Parsons and seconded by Member Link to approve this grant with voice votes as follows: Ayes—(13). Noes—(0). Motion carried.
Rod Cleair presented the Mary Davis Home business report. We are down to
29 clients, which is the lowest that we have been in months. Four of the clients
are from
Rod Cleair presented for approval to bid and bring back for fuel storage
tanks for County use. Member Johnson asked if there would be a zoning problem
with the city of
Rod Cleair presented for approval to bid and bring back for storage building and sally port. There is no storage for cars out there and he would like to store at least five vehicles. Motion was made by Member Johnson and seconded by Member Saline to approve this measure. Sheriff Thompson stated that one possibility to consider is to charge for vehicles that are towed by the County and use the fees to defray the associated cost to build such a storage building. Bids would be at the infant stage; this is just to begin to research what we can do. Voice vote is recorded as follows: Ayes—(13). Noes—(0). Motion carried.
Administrator Hallberg asked for a motion to approve ZBA Case CU-01-05 as
recommended. Motion was made by Member Mannhardt and seconded by Member Sandoval
to approve this measure. Mr. Hallberg stated that this is a conditional use
permit for a banquet hall, reception center with a bar and incidental facilities
located at
Motion was made by Member Mannhardt and seconded by Member Link to approve ZBA Case ZA-02-05. Mr. Hallberg told the Board that this property sits at the intersection of County Highway 10 and Rte. 150. They are purposing to build a bank at that location. Therefore, the zoning needs to be changed from farming to highway business district. There was some concern about water drainage, but the ZBA felt that this would not be a major problem and they are recommending approval. Roll call vote is recorded as follows: Ayes—Porter, Keiser, Occhi, Knapp, Link, Pickrel, Bacon, Saline, Sandoval, Roberts, Parsons, Mannhardt, and Johnson—(13). Noes—(0). Motion carried.
Larry Larson presented the landfill business report. We are 99% done with the dirt work on the new cell construction. We should be done this week. Hopefully, soon we can begin to install the liner. This has been such a dry year and we have approximately 40 acres of grass. I would like to advertise that and see if anyone is interested in cutting that, and taking it off. Perhaps we can sell it by the ton. Member Johnson stated that it seemed like a good idea, and cutting it could prevent a grass fire.
Member Saline addressed some of the issues which were presented earlier in the meeting. Regarding the fluff contract, we can’t suddenly change our rates as these rates were agreed upon when we entered into this contract. It is bringing in revenue. As regarding the clause in the contract which states “if it were to close, then the taxpayers would have to pay for it,” that is why we have the closure-post closure fund.
Mr. Larson added that there is over five million in that account. As far as discounts, that is common business practice. Consider the example of Maytag. They received a less expensive water rate than the average resident. Bulk consumers often receive a discount.
Larry Larson asked whether the liner bids were on the agenda as they were included in the Member packets. There was some discussion as to how to proceed since these two bids were not included in the agenda. Mr. Larson did report that the bids came in much higher than estimated. He had called to secure other bids. There was a consensus given to reject those two bids. After continued discussion and considering time constraints to get the liner installed, Board Members felt that a special Board meeting should be called to discuss taking further action.
Administrator Hallberg presented the highway business report, saying that the report is in the packet. There have been some concerns raised on Highway 31. Apparently there have been some large chucks of rock and debris left after the construction. Gunthers will be going out and picking up the debris and putting down straw. Property owners have agreed to water the soil to help seed this down. Gunthers said that they would mow the first couple of times. Everyone seems satisfied with the situation. Member Pickrel questioned the curbs and gutters on part of that highway and not all the way around.
Marianne Wiesen presented the Nursing Home business report. Right now after meeting payroll and paying the bills that were approved tonight, we have a balance of $86,000. I gave Treasurer Davis $102,000 this evening. We have $188,000 in our checking account. This will be sufficient to take us through that third payroll this month. Currently we have 143 residents, 2 pending admissions, 6 Medicare patients (part A), 10 part B, and 13 hospice care. Member Keiser questioned if the Nursing Home provided daycare. Ms. Wiesen responded that the daycare program had been closed.
Member Johnson asked that agenda items 24, 25, and 27 be combined as they are all bid and bring back items for the Nursing Home. Motion was made by Member Johnson and seconded by Member Mannhardt to approve the following agenda items: 24) bid and bring back to purchase 25 mattresses; 25) bid and bring back for 2 MasterCare Integrity bath units; and 27) bid and bring back to install a wireless monitor system. Voice vote is recorded as follows: Ayes—(13). Noes—(0). Motion carried.
Chairman Occhi introduced discussion on whether to bid and bring back for redecorating wings 3 and 4, or totally remodeling wing 4. Administrator Wiesen stated that a total remodel of wing 4 would cost over $1 million. This would include adding bathrooms and we would need to hire an architect firm. However, if these wings were redecorated as the newly completed wing, the cost would be about $400,000. There is over $1.1 million in the tax referendum account. Motion was made by Member Parsons and seconded by Member Porter to redecorate as was done previously in the newly completed wing, and bid and bring back appropriate bids. There was some discussion as to which alternative was better. Ms. Wiesen stated that for safety reasons, it really is a better idea to locate the bathrooms in the hallways, as employees can monitor more than one resident at a time. There were some concerns voiced about the expense and the time constraints involved with a total remodel. Roll call vote is recorded as follows: Ayes—Porter, Keiser, Occhi, Knapp, Link, Pickrel, Bacon, Saline, Sandoval, Roberts, Parsons, and Mannhardt— (12). Noes—Johnson— (1). Motion carried.
Administrator Wiesen presented for approval to hire Frost, Ruttenburg, and Rothblatt for semi-annual Medicare and Medicaid cost reports. Motion was made by Member Johnson and seconded by Member Roberts to approve this measure. Ms. Wiesen stated that she does not need a monthly report. Monthly reports cost $938 each and there has been some dissatisfaction with the current service provider. The purposed firm does provide this service for a number of nursing homes. Their fee is $1,900 for Medicare and $5,000 for Medicaid reports. Roll call vote is recorded as follows: Ayes—Porter, Keiser, Occhi, Knapp, Link, Pickrel, Bacon, Saline, Sandoval, Roberts, Parsons, Mannhardt, and Johnson—(13). Noes—(0). Motion carried.
Motion was made by Member Mannhardt and seconded by Member Link to approve the sale of the old handi van for $500 or best offer. Ms. Wiesen stated that it would be sold “as is”. Roll call vote is recorded as follows: Ayes—Porter, Keiser, Occhi, Knapp, Link, Pickrel, Bacon, Saline, Sandoval, Roberts, Parsons, Mannhardt, and Johnson—(13). Noes—(0). Motion carried.
Administrator Hallberg presented for approval to hire a GIS analyst and the accompanying job description. The material is in the Member Packet and the starting salary has been adjusted to $32,000. Motion was made by Member Mannhardt and seconded by Member Bacon to approve this measure. Roll call vote is recorded as follows: Ayes—Porter, Keiser, Occhi, Knapp, Link, Pickrel, Bacon, Sandoval, Roberts, Parsons, Mannhardt, and Johnson—(12). Noes— Saline (1). Motion carried.
Member Saline introduced the discussion on space allocation at the annex.
This involves a communication breakdown. The full Board never voted on this. He
presented four handouts that were drawings showing how the existing space could
be utilized to add additional personnel to the annex. The purposed cost would be
about $18,000. The multi-township assessors do not get to start levying taxes
until 2006.
There was a lengthy discussion regarding space allocation needs for the Public Defender’s Office, GIS personnel, and multi-township assessors for a total of seven additional staff members, at the annex. There is no additional room available at the courthouse. Member Saline stated that we have no legal requirement to provide space for the multi-township assessors, but legally we must provide space for the Public Defender’s Office. No other County provides space for the multi-township assessors but instead lets them find their own space, because that is what the levy is for. Member Johnson suggested that the four-page drawing of the floor space be organized onto one page, with labels and presented at the next meeting. Chairman Occhi stated that she would arrange a meeting with the assessors, Administrator Hallberg, and herself.
Administrator Hallberg introduced for approval the office lease agreement with multi-township assessors. This lease is included in the Member packets. The minutes of August 2004 Board minutes state that this was tentatively agreed on by the Board. I have learned that legally we cannot lease space to a private individual but we can lease to another elected governmental official. This is what we had tentatively agreed to but it is not legally binding. No vote was taken.
Administrator Hallberg presented the business report. At our next regular meeting, a Tim Drury of Bliss McKnight, our liability carrier, will present a short address and be available for questions. Oneida Telephone did sign their cable franchise agreement. We will have that at the next meeting for approval. We are very close to an agreement with Insight. The attorneys are still talking with Rio Cable. They are also close to finishing the RFP’s for insurance and auditing services.
STATEMENTS OF GENERAL CONCERN
Member Porter, Member Keiser, Member Occhi, and Member Knapp had no comments at this time.
Member Link commented tonight was another example of our transition from the committee system to meeting as a committee of the whole. We still have growing pains.
Member Pickrel commented that the Nursing Home looks great. Also, I totally agree with Member Link. Although I was a big advocate for meeting as a committee of the whole, this is not working. I feel like we have so much going on behind the scenes. I think that everybody is trying. I think that in the next month or two, this should be put on the agenda to discuss and evaluate meeting as a committee of the whole. I have never seen or heard so many people sitting around the table who were so totally lost on what is coming up next. I routinely read and study this packet and I am lost and wondering what is going on. I have been very disappointed in the way that this is working.
On another subject, a few months ago, Member Saline expressed concern over GREDA. We are not being involved or updated on what is going on with GREDA. It is sad that we do not mean enough to GREDA that we have to meet with a GREDA board member and we don’t even get to talk with Mr. Voyles. I am very disappointed in that. He can ask us for money, but he can’t meet with us as a group.
Member Bacon commented recently he was out at the Nursing Home. He was given a tour of the gardens and really enjoyed it. The place is looking a lot nicer. I want to thank Ms. Wiesen and all the people out there for helping out.
Member Saline, Member Sandoval, Member Roberts, Member Parsons, and Member Mannhardt had no comments at this time.
Member Johnson commented I disagree with Member Pickrel and Member Link.
I don’t see anything much different that is happening since we are meeting as
a committee of the whole, than when we had the committee system. Then things
were done for individual departments and a lot of things were done behind the
scenes and the executive committee made a lot of the decisions. A lot of stuff
wasn’t brought to the full
Chairman Occhi announced that the next regular meeting will be held on
Motion was made by Member Sandoval and seconded by Member Parsons to
adjourn. Voice vote is recorded as follows: Ayes—(13). Noes—(0). Motion
carried. The meeting was adjourned at