Quincy Reporter

City of Quincy and Adams County Joint Emergency Telephone System Board met June 17.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

7 members present: Joint ETSB Chairman Quincy Alderman Mike Farha, Adams County Board Member Ryan Niekamp, Quincy Alderman Jeff Bergman, Quincy Alderman Richie Reis, Adams County EMS Chief John Simon, Adams County Rural Fire Association Representative Tom Bentley, Public Member Duane Venvertloh

2 members absent: Quincy Police Chief Rob Copley (unofficially participated by telephone), PSAP Representative John Myers

Also present: City of Quincy Human Resources Manager Elizabeth Clow, 9-1-1 Director Steve Rowlands, 9-1-1 Assistant Director Jessica Douglas, 9-1-1 Systems Administrator John Frankenhoff, 9-1-1 Dispatch Supervisors Becky Lyon, Josh Howell and John Creech

Quorum Call. Chairman Mike Farha called the meeting to order and indicated a quorum was present. Chairman Farha stated it was determined prior to the meeting that Chief Copley could participate in discussions by telephone; however, he would not be officially considered present and was ineligible to vote on any matters presented at the meeting.

Ryan Niekamp made a motion to approve the minutes of the May 29, 2019 special meeting; John Simon seconded the motion. The motion carried and the minutes were approved as distributed with no changes.

204 Fund Balance. Director Steve Rowlands reported an Emergency Telephone System Fund (Illinois 9-1-1 surcharge) balance of $1,267,577.98 as of July 16, 2019.

Project Status of VHF Simulcast Voting Receiver Radio System. Director Rowlands stated that the project is almost complete. He stated that final bugs are being worked out. Director Rowlands stated that, before the system is accepted, the Centracom system at the courthouse backup 9-1-1 center must be exercised to ensure that it meets operational standards. Director Rowlands stated that he anticipates system acceptance in August. The final payment in the amount of $238,777.46 is due to Wireless USA upon acceptance of the system.

Personnel Status and Challenges. Director Rowlands stated that there is currently one dispatcher vacancy. He stated that the testing and hiring process to fill this vacancy would begin in August or September. Director Rowlands noted that testing has not yet taken place due to the staff’s capacity to train. He stated that there are currently four probationary employees in training; two anticipated to complete probation in August and two in October/November. Director Rowlands stated that overtime continues to be high. He stated that all three Dispatch Supervisor positions have been filled and noted that Supervisors have been heavily tasked with training and working shifts unfilled by bargaining unit members.

ETSB Action Item: Salary Increases for Management Staff. Director Rowlands recommended the following increases retroactive to May 1, 2019:

Director 02% Assistant Director 10% Systems Administrator 02% Dispatch Supervisors (3) 10%

Director Rowlands presented justifications to the board, and the board members present engaged in a detailed discussion.

Duane Venvertloh made a motion to approve the 2% increase for the Director and Systems Administrator salaries and to approve a 5% increase for the Assistant Director and Dispatch Supervisor salaries retroactive to May 1, 2019 and consider an additional 5% for the Assistant Director and Dispatch Supervisor salaries at the next scheduled meeting in October. Ryan Niekamp seconded the motion.

Chairman Farha directed a roll call vote: 3 Yes (Simon, Venvertloh, Niekamp); 4 No (Bergman, Bentley, Reis, Farha); 2 absent (Myers, Copley). The motion did not pass.

The board engaged in further discussion.

Tom Bentley made a motion to approve the Director’s recommendation for 2% increase for the Director and Systems Administrator salaries and a 10% increase for the Assistant Director and Dispatch Supervisor salaries retroactive to May 1, 2019. Jeff Bergman seconded the motion.

Chairman Farha directed a roll call vote: A roll call vote was held, 5 Yes (Simon, Bergman, Bentley, Reis, Farha; 2 No (Venvertloh, Niekamp); 2 absent (Myers, Copley).

The motion carried.

ETSB Action Item: Move Salary Line Items from Fund 202 to Fund 204. Director Rowlands recommended the movement of one Dispatch Supervisor’s and the Assistant Director’s salaries, benefits and related employment items from the 202 Fund (60/40 City/County Budget) to the 204 Fund (ETSA Budget).

Richie Reis made a motion to approve the line item transfers as recommended. Jeff Bergman seconded the motion. The motion carried.

ETSB Action Item: Report of Director Search Committee. Chairman Farha stated that he appointed City of Quincy Director of Administrative Services Jeff Mays, QPD Chief Rob Copley and Adams County Board member Ryan Niekamp as members of the Director Search Committee at the May special meeting. He asked the committee for a report.

Ryan Niekamp stated that the Search Committee developed a job description for the Executive Director position based upon the previous job description from 2001. Both the new and previous job descriptions were provided in a handout distributed to all board members.

The board members present discussed some questions and suggestions regarding the wording. Chairman Farha recommended that the description be amended by the Search Committee and brought back to the board in October.

Ryan Niekamp stated that the Search Committee compared salaries for similar positions statewide considering agencies with similar square miles, operating budgets and number of employees to determine a salary range for the position. He stated that committee determined salary range of $68,000 - $80,000 based on qualification and experience.

Ryan Niekamp stated that the committee’s goal was to have the job posted tomorrow, July 18, 2019, on both the City and County websites, Indeed and various job boards. He stated that the job would be posted from July 18 – August 2. He stated that this timeline is tentative. He further stated that the committee meets frequently and would keep the board informed of any updates.

ETSB Action Item: Appointment of Interim Director. Ryan Niekamp stated that the Search Committee was charged with the task of making the recommendation for the appointment of an Interim Director.

Ryan Niekamp made a motion that Assistant Director Jessica Douglas be appointed as Interim Director with an additional 10% wage increase due to extra duties and responsibilities. Richie Reis seconded the motion. The motion carried.

Next Generation 9-1-1. Director Rowlands stated that the goal is to be ready to plug in to the state 9-1-1 network by July 2020. Director Rowlands stated that he, Systems Administrator John Frankenhoff, Assistant Director Jessica Douglas, Adams County GIS Specialist Kevin Dicks and Jim Murphy and Megan Hummelsheim of the City of Quincy IT Department have been working on this. Director Rowlands noted that if we are not ready to plug into the network the state will cease paying the legacy E9-1-1 network charges, approximately $6,000 per month. He stated that NG9-1-1 is the next major project for Quincy/Adams County 9-1-1.

Director Rowlands recommended that the status of the Next Generation 9-1-1 project be placed on the agenda for future meetings so that updates on progress could be given.

Old Business. There was no old business. New Business. There was no new business.

Next Meeting. The next quarterly meeting of the Joint ETSB is scheduled for Wednesday, October 16, 2019 at 5:15 p.m.

Meeting Adjournment. John Simon made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Richie Reis seconded the motion. The motion carried and the meeting was adjourned.

http://www.co.adams.il.us/911/minutes/minutes190717.pdf