PROCEEDINGS OF THE
STATE OF
) SS
Proceedings of the
regular meeting of the Knox County Board held at the Knox County Courthouse,
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Allen Pickrel and upon roll
call the following members reported present:
District 1
Caroline Porter
District
2 Greg Bacon
District
3 Paul Hevland
District
4
District
5 Gerald
“Jerry” Link
District
1 Allen Pickrel
District
2 Paul Stewart
District
3 Dale Parsons
District
4 George Knapp
District
5 Ricardo
“Rick” Sandoval
District
1 Lyle Johnson
District
2 William
“Bill” Abel
District
3 Janet Occhi
District
4 Wayne Saline
District
5 Stephen
“Steve” Johnson
Also present were Sheriff James Thompson and County Clerk Scott Erickson.
Sheriff James Thompson delivered the proclamation. Chairman Pickrel led
the Members in the pledge to the flag. Since no one was present to deliver the
invocation, Chairman Pickrel asked for a moment of silence.
Chairman Pickrel asked for additions to the agenda. Member Porter asked
for an addition to the agenda to discuss committee assignments. Chairman Pickrel
responded that he did not want to add that discussion to the agenda. The
committee assignments have been made. According to Roberts Rules of Order
and legal opinion, the Chairman is not required to add any items to the agenda.
If problems develop with the committees and assignments, then those problems
will be discussed.
Member
Occhi asked that agenda item # 15, regarding the union agreement with
Laborer’s Local # 538, be dropped from this agenda. Typos have been discovered
in this agreement.
There were no public comments.
Chairman Pickrel presented for approval the following items of the
consent agenda: 1) minutes of the Closed Board and Regular Board Meetings held
November 27, 2006, and the Organizational Meeting held December 4, 2006, 2)
claims by Members for per diem and mileage for the Meeting of December 13, 2006,
and 3) appointment of Mr. Gale Adams and Mr. Rollin Tye to the Oneida Sanitary
District Board. Motion was made by Member Parsons and seconded by Member Abel to
approve these measures. Member Stewart asked for a correction to the minutes of
the Organizational Meeting, regarding the votes for Chairman of the Board.
Member Knapp’s vote for Member Porter had been omitted, and should have been
included. Member Parsons and Member Abel consented to amend their original
motion to include this change. Roll call vote to approve these measures is
recorded as follows: Ayes—Porter, Bacon, Hevland, Mannhardt, Link, Pickrel,
Stewart, Parsons, Knapp, Sandoval, Abel, Occhi, Saline, and Steve
Johnson—(14). Noes—(0). Pass—Lyle Johnson—(1). Motion carried.
Motion
was made by Member Occhi and seconded by Member Parsons to approve the
appointment of Rick Sandoval, Paul Hevland, and Greg Bacon to the
Motion
was made by Member Occhi and seconded by Member Bacon to approve the policy to
establish terms of service for Board Member appointments to boards and
commissions. This resolution, which is included in the Member packets, would
allow Members to serve for the length of their current term in office. The
Chairman of the Board would reserve the authority to remove a Member from an
appointment to an external board or committee, with approval from the
Member
Bacon explained that the reasoning behind this policy is that he knows from
personal experience that when a Board Member is appointed to a one year term to
the Knox County Board of Health, it does require a certain length of time to
understand what is going on. If the term is limited to one year, that doesn’t
allow enough time to see a project to completion. Previously when there were 25
Board Members, it was set up to appoint one year terms, to allow more Members
the opportunity to serve on these various boards and commissions. Roll call vote
to approve this policy is recorded as follows: Ayes—Porter, Bacon, Hevland,
Mannhardt, Link, Pickrel, Stewart, Parsons, Knapp, Sandoval, Lyle Johnson, Abel,
Occhi, Saline, and Steve Johnson—(15). Noes—(0). Motion carried.
Chairman
Pickrel presented for first reading the Emergency Telephone Safety Board bylaws.
Member Saline reminded Members that approximately a year ago, the State’s
Attorney’s Office had brought to the Board’s attention that these bylaws
were illegal. The Emergency Telephone Safety Board has been in the process of
rewriting these bylaws. Some of the terminology has been revised and corrected.
There should be a copy of these bylaws included in the next packet. The
Although
John Kennedy was absent, he had submitted a written copy of the animal control
business report, which had been distributed to the Members. Chairman Pickrel
stated that Mr. Kennedy had been working with Dean Stone from the State’s
Attorney’s Office, regarding those pet owners who are still not complying to
register their pets.
Rod
Cleair presented the Mary Davis Home business report. Currently there are 33
clients with 8 of those being detained from
Regarding
the new building, Mr. Cleair expects to have everything from the architects by
the middle of January.
Joyce
Skinner presented the assessor/zoning report. Sidwell has been assisting with
the land use layer and the work is progressing. Sidwell has also been working
with the splits and some of those are coming back.
Recently
one employee from the assessor’s office retired, and she has been replaced
with someone who previously worked for the County.
The
Zoning Office has been busy. There is a hearing scheduled for December 20,
regarding a motor home. The owners are requesting a conditional use permit to
allow this motor home to be a permanent attachment to their home at Hillbrook
Estates. There has been a lot of opposition to this request. There are specific
covenant agreements in place in this subdivision.
Regarding
the recent P-Tab Hearings, Dean Stone was in attendance. Since the other parties
involved bring their attorneys, it is essential to have legal counsel to
represent the County.
Member
Bacon questioned if having Sidwell’s assistance would guarantee that the tax
bills would go out on time. Mrs. Skinner responded that she could not guarantee
that. However, it is still possible. There is no way that they can progress any
faster than their current pace. Since last January or February she had
communicated to the Board the need to complete the land use layer. Sidwell is
even working at night on this project to review these plots and then sent them
back. Even still there will be some mistakes. Those can be corrected after the
tax bills go out. Three more townships are expected to be completed this week.
Motion
was made by Member Steve Johnson and seconded by Member Sandoval to approve the
Zoning Board of Appeals decision which recommends approval of case # CU-09-06,
regarding Linda Swiercinsky’s request for a conditional use permit to operate
a bed and breakfast. Member Steve Johnson echoed that nothing about this was
included in the packets. Only a faxed cover letter had been included. Roll call
vote to approve this recommendation to approve this request is recorded as
follows: Ayes—Porter, Bacon, Hevland, Mannhardt, Link, Pickrel, Stewart,
Parsons, Knapp, Sandoval, Lyle Johnson, Abel, Saline, and Steve Johnson—(14).
Noes—(0). Pass—Occhi—(1). Motion carried.
Motion
was made by Member Saline and seconded by Member Bacon to approve the Zoning
Board of Appeals decision which recommends approval of case # SV-03-06,
regarding Scott Howe’s request for a setback variation for an outbuilding
located in Henderson Township. Several Members expressed concern that nothing
was included in their packets. Member Parsons stated that he would like specific
information about what kind of outbuilding. Member Occhi stated that she would
again pass as she didn’t have anything to look at. Members told Mrs. Skinner
that they didn’t really need to see the minutes of these meetings, but they
should know details of the request as well the Zoning Board of Appeal’s
recommendation, before they are asked to approve these requests. Roll call vote
to approve this recommendation to approve this request is recorded as follows:
Ayes—Porter, Bacon, Hevland, Mannhardt, Link, Pickrel, Stewart, Knapp,
Sandoval, Lyle Johnson, Abel, Saline, and Steve Johnson—(13).
Noes—Parsons—(1). Pass—Occhi—(1). Motion carried.
Larry
Larson presented the landfill business report. Gate receipts have increased 7%
this year from last year, for a total increase of $3,609,000.00. The concrete
work is completed for the new scales. The steel platform still must be set and
then poured. Regarding the new shop and truck shed, all of the steel has been
installed on that building. The doors should be mounted later this week. The
concrete on the inside of the building is completed. The concrete approaches
should be poured December 20.
Motion
was made by Member Bacon and seconded by Member Occhi to approve to bid and
bring back for a modular or stick built scale house/office building for the
landfill. Member Link reported that the Ad Hoc Building Committee had recently
met to discuss this. The committee’s recommendation was to bring this back to
the full Board. At that committee meeting, there was much discussion involving
the size of the structure and whether it should have a basement or crawl space.
Member Link’s opinion is that even though the Building Committee recommended
this design for approval, since there is nothing included in the packets, this
should be tabled to allow the new committee the opportunity to look at this
project. Member Saline commented that he agrees with Member Link. Although
Member Saline is eager to see the completion of this building, there is nothing
to show the full Board what they would actually be bidding out. The scales
won’t be ready until March, so this building can wait until spring. If we
don’t get it done this time, then we should consider hiring an architect.
Member
Porter expressed her frustration as the Board has dealt with other building
projects, and yet this one is languishing in the Building Committee. Member
Occhi commented that there was a plan on paper for this newly redesigned
structure and she doesn’t know where it went.
Member Steve Johnson stated that perhaps one of the problems with this
project is that they tried to do too much without expertise. He agrees with
other Members that they need to step back, take some time, and look at this
project correctly. We should take our time and do it right this time. Perhaps
next time, we will get some reasonable bids.
Chairman Pickrel stated that as he had visited with Mr. Larson, it is
obvious that this project this will have to wait until spring. Chairman Pickrel
would prefer that rather than tabling this matter, that it be voted down and
brought back at a later date.
Member Bacon reiterated his support of hiring an architect to handle this
project. If in the beginning they had obtained the services of an architect than
the project would have been completed in a timely manner. We need to learn a
lesson from this experience.
Member Porter responded that she had heard this discussion in the last
Meeting and yet no action was taken. Perhaps something will be accomplished with
the new committee. Member Sandoval responded that this has not been languishing
in committee. Committee members have a responsibility to save the taxpayers
money. They have tried to provide the best building at the most reasonable cost
that would still meet the landfill’s needs.
Mr. Larson voiced his agreement that this needs to return to the building
committee to investigate all of the available options.
Roll
call vote to bid and bring back for a modular or stick built scale house/office
building for the landfill is recorded as follows: Ayes—(0). Noes—Porter,
Bacon, Hevland, Mannhardt, Link, Pickrel, Stewart, Parsons, Knapp, Sandoval,
Lyle Johnson, Abel, Occhi, Saline, and Steve Johnson—(15). Motion was
defeated.
Member
Steve Johnson announced that the Ad Hoc Building Committee would be meeting
Duane
Ratermann presented the highway business report. Due to the recent snowstorm,
work on the building was delayed. Hein Construction is now estimating completion
of this building by mid-January, 2007. The building should be enclosed by the
end of the week except for two or three walk-in doors. MSI is working on the
HVAC systems. Illinois Power has installed power up to the building. The water
line has been connected to the shop.
Since
the previous meeting, there had been a snowstorm. The highway department pushed
the last of the snow December 10. Due to this storm, they logged approximately
200 hours in overtime, Member Occhi asked if Mr. Ratermann had heard anything
about obtaining grants to defray storm related costs. He responded that he had
heard that there would be reimbursements for expenses incurred as a result of
ice accumulations. However,
Member
Link complimented the highway department for the job that they did. He had
traveled over various roads in the area. State highway crews didn’t work
through the week to keep the snow pushed back.
Sheriff
Thompson echoed Member Link’s comments. He appreciates the work of the highway
department to deal with the storm. They did a great job.
Mr.
Ratermann noted that adding wings to the snowplows had made them more efficient.
They had waited until the snow had almost quit before sending the snowplows out.
He would rather send the snowplows out once for the 10 inches of snow, rather
than twice for 5 inches at a time.
Member
Saline asked if the new building is still within the projected budgeted amount.
Mr. Ratermann responded that they meet with the contractor once each month and
will again be meeting with him December 28. At this point no change orders have
been submitted. Member Saline asked Mr. Ratermann to obtain verification that
this project remains on budget.
Marianne
Wiesen was scheduled to be on vacation, but had been notified of the death of a
close friend. The nursing home business report had been included in the packets.
Chairman Pickrel mentioned some specific nursing home business items which
should be noted. Ms. Wiesen had been concerned about the Medicaid reimbursement
rate per patient per day. She had expected that rate to decrease by $9.92.
However, she had learned that they are projected to receive $109.92, which is
the amount that they are currently receiving.
Motion
was made by Member Parsons and seconded by Member Occhi to approve the bid for a
carpet cleaner from Direct Supply in the amount of $8,845.37. This carpet
cleaner is needed to maintain the new carpeting recently installed at the
nursing home. Only one bid was received. Roll call vote to approve this bid is
recorded as follows: Ayes—Porter, Bacon, Hevland, Mannhardt, Link, Pickrel,
Stewart, Parsons, Knapp, Sandoval, Lyle Johnson, Abel, Occhi, Saline, and Steve
Johnson—(15). Noes—(0). Motion carried.
Motion
was made by Member Mannhardt and seconded by Member Stewart to approve the
policy and procedure for alcohol at the nursing home. Since it is a County
policy that the County will not allow the purchase of alcohol, she thought it
would be wise to prepare a written policy which would spell out their procedure
regarding alcohol. A copy of this proposed policy and procedure is included in
the Member packets. Under these guidelines, residents of the nursing home would
be allowed to consume alcohol with the written approval of the attending
physician. Alcoholic beverages would be administered to the resident by the
nursing staff according to the physician’s order. The County will not be
purchasing any alcohol. Roll call vote to approve this policy is recorded as
follows: Ayes—Porter, Bacon, Hevland, Mannhardt, Link, Pickrel, Stewart,
Parsons, Knapp, Sandoval, Lyle Johnson, Abel, Occhi, Saline, and Steve
Johnson—(15). Noes—(0). Motion carried.
Chris
Wood presented the GIS business report. The landuse layer is coming along really
well. He has completed his part of the project and Chris Gray is nearly finished
with her part. Sidwell is to complete the remainder of the land use layer. Mr.
Wood had been working second shift from
Chris Wood
presented for first reading the approval to purchase ArcGIS server software in
the amount of $20,014.28. Mr. Wood explained that he had hoped to obtain a grant
for this project but was unsuccessful. He had included the cost of this software
in the GIS budget for this fiscal year. As a consolation, ESRI is giving the
County the opportunity to obtain a free upgrade to the highest level of this
software. This offer would represent a $20,000 savings. However, to take
advantage of this offer, it must be purchased by March 15. This server and
software would allow GIS information to be shared with the assessor’s office,
the recorder’s office, and others. Information is included in the Member
packets.
Members questioned if this software would be compatible with the
computers in the assessor’s office and the recorder’s office. Mrs. Skinner
stated that she didn’t know but would investigate this matter. Mr. Wood stated
that he planned to make GIS information available on the internet. Then the
recorder’s office would have access to this data without the need of
specialized software.
Chairman Pickrel advised that before this purchase is brought back to the
full Board that this matter of compatibility with the other offices be
thoroughly investigated and confirmed.
Motion was made by Member Parsons and seconded by Member Occhi to approve
claims against
STATEMENTS OF
GENERAL CONCERN
Member Porter had no comments at this time.
Member Bacon reminded Members of interviews previously held with
applicants for the IT position. That position was scheduled to begin the first
of November and here it is the middle of December and still no decision has been
made. No one has followed up on this matter. An applicant should have made
chosen. Within the next week, he would like to know the status of this
situation.
Member Hevland and Member Mannhardt had no comments at this time.
Member Link asked for a copy of the annual yearbook, stating that it was
handy and he usesd it as a helpful reference guide. Phone numbers for elected
officials, department heads, and other Board Members were included in this
guide. County Clerk Scott Erickson responded that some of the phone numbers had
recently changed. That information could be provided.
Chairman Pickrel stated that he was initiated as Board Chairman very
quickly. It had been a busy week.
Member Stewart reiterated that he would continue to vote “no,” on
paying the bills, as he doesn’t feel that adequate information is being
provided regarding specific expenditures and what is remaining in the budget.
Member Parsons and Member Knapp had no comments at this time.
Member Sandoval shared his wishes for a Merry Christmas.
Member Lyle Johnson and Member Abel had no comments at this time.
Member Occhi commented to Chairman Pickrel to enjoy this comparatively
slow period. She wished everyone a Merry Christmas.
Member Saline commented in reference to the letter from Member Porter
which had been included in the Member packets. This letter was filled with
inaccuracies. When you write letters like this, you should research your
information. He had not been chairman of the finance committee for seven years.
This is only his fifth year. He has not exceeded his authority but merely
performed his job. He went out and received free estimates, which didn’t cost
the taxpayers anything. Although this letter stated that it costs hundreds of
dollars per month to attend these other meetings, actually it costs $11 more per
meeting for mileage than Members who live within the City of
Member Steve Johnson reported that he had spoken to the Members of
Sheriff’/ Jail Committee and they have agreed to meet the third Monday of the
month with those department heads.
Chairman Pickrel announced that the next regular meeting will be held on
Motion was made by Member Steve Johnson and seconded by Member Link to
adjourn. Voice vote is recorded as follows: Ayes—(15). Noes—(0). Motion
carried. Meeting was adjourned at