Quincy Reporter

Adams County Board met Aug. 9.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

PRESENT: Kent Snider, Chairman

Chuck Venvertloh, County Clerk

Mr. Matt Obert gave the invocation which was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

Chairman Snider called the meeting to order

The County Clerk called the role and the following members were present: Mark Peter, Matt Obert, Robert Reich, John Brady, Seldon Totsch, Les Post, Theresa Bockhold, Joe Zanger, David Hoskins, Todd Duesterhaus, Bret Austin, Steven Demoss, Rebecca Weed, Ryan Niekamp, Ryan Hinkamper, Dave Bellis, Marvin Kerkhoff, John Heidbreder, Taylor Rakers and Kent Snider.

Absent: Raquel Piazza

Chairman Snider declared a quorum present.

Officeholders, department heads, and/or their representatives also present were: Georgene Zimmerman- Supervisor of Assessments, John Simon-EMA & Ambulance Director, Jim Frankenhoff- County Engineer, Dave Bockhold from the Highway Department, Gary Farha- States Attorney, Todd Eyler from the State’s Attorney’s Office, Sheriff Brian Vonderhaar, Wendy Venvertloh – Director of Court Services, employees from the Adams County Probation Department, and John Frankenhoff- Technology Director.

Mr. Duesterhaus moved to approve the minutes of the June 11th, 2019 county board meeting as printed and distributed.

Mrs. Weed seconded the motion.

Motion to approve the minutes of the June 11th, 2019 meeting as printed was adopted.

Transportation, Building & Technology

Committee Report (Mr. Post)

Bills – The committee met on Tuesday, July 9th to review the bills for the Highway Department, the Maintenance Department, and the Technology Department. All of the bills were in order.

Reports

There are a lot of ongoing summer maintenance projects happening within the county. There are also road maintenance going on.

The committee’s next meeting is scheduled for August 13th, 2019. 

Legislative & Judicial

Committee Report (Mr. Niekamp)

Bills – The committee met on July 2nd, 2019 to review the bills from the circuit Clerk, Juvenile Detention Center, Probation Department, Public Defender, State’s Attorney, and the Supervisor of Assessments. All of the bills were in order.

Reports

a. House Bill 1438 (Legalization of Cannabis)

Mr. Niekamp explained that in late June, Governor Pritzker signed this bill that would legalize recreational marijuana in the state of Illinois starting January 1st, 2020. There is no opt-out program. It is a state-wide issuance. There are certain taxing discussions that will have to happen.

Mr. Austin stated that Illinois adopted an opt-out program for allowing dispensaries in your county and whether you will tax the sales on that. The sales taxation level was looking bad for our county, but has significantly changed. 3.75% is the max taxation state-wide in unincorporated areas. This is on top of the 8% county-wide sales tax. In the city or incorporated areas, the split is 3% to the incorporated area and.75% to the county. The opt-out program is not to opt out of legalizing marijuana, it is to opt out of taxing and allowing dispensaries.

Mr. Duesterhaus asked if the 3% tax is already designated to something or if it will go into the General Fund to subsidize whatever short-falls we have in any department.

Mr. Austin stated he believes it can go to the general funds and we can allocate it to whatever we want to.

Mr. Reich asked if there has been any interest in this county.

Mr. Austin stated that Illinois set up a 1-year threshold, so to say, to allow anyone who is a medical dispensary already can have a “one year head start”. They will be the ones granted first. If they don’t apply, than other people can apply. The second year is when you will see more dispensaries state-wide, but it is geographically and population controlled.

Action

a. Proclamation- Pretrial, Probation, and Parole Supervision Week.

Chairman Snider read the proclamation out loud designating July 21st – July 27th, 2019 at Retrial, Probation and Parole Supervision Week in our county and ask everyone to recognize their achievements. (Attachment A-1)

The members of the Retrial, Probation, and Parole supervision department were present and recognized.

Mrs. Wendy Venvertloh, Director of Court Services, thanked the board for the honor and thanked the members of the court and judicial partners that they have for assisting and supporting their work. She thanked the citizens of Adams County for entrusting them to keep them safe. She thanked the members of her department for doing the work that is often difficult, under-appreciated and not really seen. She reminded her staff that the work they do changes lives of people and gives them hope while keeping them accountable and she is proud to be a member of their team.

Appointment

a. Adams County Health Department Board- Reappointment of Richard Wright and Ann Reich to 3 year terms from July 2019 to June 2022. Reappointment of Mark Peter to a 1 year term from July 2019 to June 2020.

Mr. Niekamp made a motion to approve the appointments. 

Mrs. Bockhold seconded the motion.

The appointments were approved.

Firework Permit

a. Request from the Village of Clayton for approval of a fireworks permit for August 10, 2019 for the Adams-Brown County Old Settlers Days held at Old Settlers Road, Clayton. (Attachment A-2)

Mr. Niekamp made a motion to approve the permit 

Mr. Brady seconded the motion.

The fireworks permit was approved.

At this time, Mr. Heidbreder asked about the $7 million in the highway department funds. He asked what the construction plan is for the summer.

Mr. Jim Frankenhoff stated that the weather has caused a delay. He started to state the funds and when they were going.

Mr. Heidbreder asked if we have plans.

Mr. Jim Frankenhoff stated they do have plans and that they are under contract.

The committee’s next meeting is scheduled for August 6th, 2019 at 6:30 PM. 

Public Health & Safety

Committee Report (Mrs. Weed)

Bills – The committee met on Tuesday, June 18th, 2019 and reviewed the bills for the Sheriff’s Office, Coroner’s Office, Emergency Management Agency and Animal Control. All of the bills were in order.

Reports-

The committee received the following reports from the following departments:

Sheriff Vonderhaar reported that the jail population was at 116 and that the low population was due to transfers out to state facilities. There are 3 officers in Alabama studying jail processes for the new facility. There are 4 correctional officers that were sent to Tazewell County to look over processes in similar jail. They will continue to send officers to newer jails in the area to see how things are done. Deputy overtime is up this month due to flood and major case requirements.

John Simon, Director of Emergency Management, reported that they discussed the flood loss thresholds needed to qualify for federal assistance reimbursement to the county. $200,000 uninsured loss in Adams County and $19 Million for the State of IL. The department is working on reporting all flood expenses.

John Myers, County Coroner, reported that there were 89 reported deaths, 6 autopsies, 43 cremation permits issued, and 2 indigent cremations in the month of May 2019. One of the indigent cremations was handled by a funeral home without possibility of state reimbursement at a cost of $700. The coroner’s office was able to recoup $171 by a small estate affidavit. The other was handled through a local funeral home who is attempting reimbursement though the State, but if this is unsuccessful, the county will bear the $700 cost. There is an average of 35 cremations permits issued monthly so far this 2019 fiscal year. The 9 indigent cases handled this year would have cost the county $9,000, but with the changes implemented by the department, the actual cost has been $4,800.

The committee’s next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 16th at 7:00 PM in the Law Library.

Finance

Committee Report (Mr. Austin)

Bills – The committee met on July 8th, 2019 to review the bills. All of the bills were in order.

Finance-

a. Additional Fund Appropriation – From Finance Committee - an increase of $29,262.00 to Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) for a new budgeted amount of $29,262.00.

Mr. Austin stated that, with board concurrence, they would table this for next month because more research needed to be done.

Mr. Rakers made a motion to table the additional fund appropriation to next month.

Mr. Obert seconded the motion.

The additional fund appropriation was tabled.

b. Additional Fund Appropriation – From Chuck Venvertloh – Adams County Clerk – an increase of $19,500.00 to revenue line item 001-121-4640 Reimbursement – Voter Registration for a new budgeted amount of $34,500.00 and an increase of $19,500.00 to expense line item 001-121-5623 County Clerk Elections – Election Supplies for a new budgeted amount of $33,000.00. (Attachment B-1)

Mrs. Weed made a motion to approve the additional fund appropriation. 

Mr. Rakers seconded the motion.

A roll call vote was taken to approve the additional fund appropriation. Those in favor were: Mark Peter, Matt Obert, Robert Reich, John Brady, Seldon Totsch, Les Post, Theresa Bockhold, Joe Zanger, David Hoskins, Todd Duesterhaus, Bret Austin, Steven Demoss, Rebecca Weed, Ryan Niekamp, Ryan Hinkamper, Dave Bellis, Marvin Kerkhoff, John Heidbreder, Taylor Rakers and Kent Snider. Total in favor: 20 Total opposed: 0 Total absent: 1

The additional fund appropriation was approved.

c. Additional Fund Appropriation – From Lori Geschwandner – Circuit Clerk – an increase of $1.00 to revenue line item 945-999-4105 Child Advocacy Center Fund – Earnings Circuit Clerk for a new budgeted amount of $1.00 and an increase of $1.00 to expense line item 945-999-5915 Agency Funds Distribution – Child Advocacy Center Fund for a new budgeted amount of $1.00.

Mr. Obert made a motion to approve the additional fund appropriation. 

Mr. Mr. Niekamp seconded the motion.

Mr. Austin stated that this is just to establish a place holder for the money. Per stat statute, we have to have a designated place for it to go.

A roll call vote was taken to approve the additional fund appropriation. Those in favor were: Mark Peter, Matt Obert, Robert Reich, John Brady, Seldon Totsch, Les Post, Theresa Bockhold, Joe Zanger, David Hoskins, Todd Duesterhaus, Bret Austin, Steven Demoss, Rebecca Weed, Ryan Niekamp, Ryan Hinkamper, Dave Bellis, Marvin Kerkhoff, John Heidbreder, Taylor Rakers and Kent Snider. Total in favor: 20 Total opposed: 0 Total absent: 1

The additional fund appropriation was approved.

d. Transfer of Budget Appropriation – from Finance Committee - a transfer of $20,000.00 from line item 002-001-5825 Jail Construction - Base Bid Contract for a revised budgeted amount of $21,980,000.00 and an increase of $20,000.00 to expense account 002-001- Jail Construction – Additional Work for a new budget amount of $20,000.00. (Attachment B-3)

Mr. Obert made a motion to approve the transfer of budget appropriation. 

Mr. Niekamp seconded the motion.

Mr. Austin stated that this is part of the IT request and is outside of the jail bid. This is to isolate these costs and make sure there is a defined way of looking at it.

A roll call vote was taken to approve the transfer of budget appropriation. Those in favor were: Mark Peter, Matt Obert, Robert Reich, John Brady, Seldon Totsch, Les Post, Theresa Bockhold, Joe Zanger, David Hoskins, Todd Duesterhaus, Bret Austin, Steven Demoss, Rebecca Weed, Ryan Niekamp, Ryan Hinkamper, Dave Bellis, Marvin Kerkhoff, John Heidbreder, Taylor Rakers and Kent Snider. Total in favor: 20 Total opposed: 0 Total absent: 1

The transfer of budget appropriation was approved.

Budget-

Mr. Austin stated that budget discussions will start happening in the next couple of months. They are going to try and have the budget done and sent to the board at least one month before it needs approved.

Insurance-

Mr. Austin stated that our health insurance is up for renewal in September. Mr. Hoskins is taking that on. Other insurance for our capital equipment and buildings is coming up as well.

The committee’s next meeting will be August 12th, 2019 at 6:15 PM. Jail Sub-Committee

Committee Report (Mr. Peter)

Construction Update:

The north parking lot has been completed, even the lighting. The steps to the QPD entrance are in. As well as the work-release external stairs. The back-up generator has been installed outside. The main gas line has been run up to the roof. On the south end, the front access stairs and railings for the Sheriff’s department and jail visitor area is pretty-well completed. Building B that houses QPD and the Sheriff’s department is 75% complete. All interior painting is finished. The trim and finishes are pretty much done as well. Area B should be done by the end of September. The area A, housing area, is ongoing work. All the cells are installed, but there is a lot more work to be done with wiring and other things.

Mr. Peter entertained questions. 

There were none.

Executive Committee

Committee Report (Mr. Post)

Mr. Post stated that there has been no official items for action, but there has been a lot of good discussions for ongoing topics. The county employee handbook is coming along. The county board office is working on that. The legalization of marijuana has raised discussions on how to remain drug-free in the workplace. The committee will be getting in to contract discussions later this year.

New Business

Approval of Board Member Travel Vouchers(Attachments C-1 and C-2)

a. $21.00 to Seldon Totsch for travel on July 9th, 2019 to the County Board meeting for a total of 60 miles.

b. $44.45 to Theresa Bockhold for travel on July 9th to the County Board Meeting, July 2nd and June 4th for the Legislative and Judicial Committee meeting, and June 16th for the Two Rivers Regional meeting for a total of 127 miles.

Mr. Niekamp moved to approve both of the reimbursements. 

Mrs. Weed seconded the motion.

A roll call vote was taken to approve the travel vouchers. Those in favor were: Mark Peter, Matt Obert, Robert Reich, John Brady, Seldon Totsch, Les Post, Theresa Bockhold, Joe Zanger, David Hoskins, Todd Duesterhaus, Bret Austin, Steven Demoss, Rebecca Weed, Ryan Niekamp, Ryan Hinkamper, Dave Bellis, Marvin Kerkhoff, John Heidbreder, Taylor Rakers and Kent Snider.

Total in favor: 20 Total opposed: 0 Total absent: 1

Monthly Reports – The County Clerk had monthly reports from the Supervisor of Assessments/Board of Review, the Probation Department, Juvenile Detention center, The County Clerk/Recorder’s office, Treasurer’s Office, the Sheriff’s Office, Monthly check register for June 2019, and Funds Summary report for June 2019 including revenue and expenses.

Mr. Duesterhaus made a motion to receive and file the monthly reports with the appropriate committee.

Mr. Zanger seconded the motion.

Motion to receive and file the monthly reports with the appropriate committee adopted.

Correspondence

1) Letters from Ameren regarding tree trimming in and around the City of Quincy.

Mr. Zanger moved to receive and file the correspondence with the appropriate committee.

Mr. Demoss seconded the motion.

Motion to receive and file the correspondence with the appropriate committee adopted.

The July 9th, 2019 meeting was recessed until Tuesday, August 13th, 2019 at 7:00 PM.

http://www.co.adams.il.us/county_board/minutes/2019-07-09-CountyBoardMinutes&Resolutions.pdf