Quincy Reporter

Adams County Board met May 14.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

The County Board of Adams County, Illinois held a special meeting at the Courthouse, Quincy, Illinois, beginning at 5:00 P.M.

PRESENT: Kent Snider, Chairman

                  Ryan Niekamp, 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, Seldon Totsch, Les Post, Theresa Bockhold, Joe Zanger, David Hoskins, Todd Duesterhaus, Bret Austin, Steven Demoss, Rebecca Weed, Dave Bellis, Marvin Kerkhoff, Raquel Piazza, Taylor Rakers, Barney Bier and Kent Snider.

Total Present: 18            Absent: 2             Vacant: 1 

Absent were: John Brady and Ryan Hinkamper 

Chairman Snider declared a quorum present.

Officeholders, department heads, and/or their representatives also present were:

Sue Hester- County Board Executive Assistant, John Simon- Director of Ambulance and EMS, Gary Farha – State’s Attorney, Todd Eyler- First Assistant States Attorney and Jerrod Welch- Public Health Administrator.

Mr. Jay Albert, co-owner of Impact Medical Transport, was a speaker at the special meeting. They are a start-up ambulance company hoping to house in Adams County. They are looking to gear towards non-emergency medical transportation. He stated they had heard about the ambulance embedding process for the county and made the initial inquiry. They found out that it hasn’t been fully established yet. An ordinance for the county has been established, but no application process is in place. Mr. Albert stated that they have been told the county is working on it. They are trying to go ahead and push to get themselves able to house in Adams County, Quincy specifically. Mr. Albert stated he believed that there is a process in place that’s been around for 30 years now. It governs the Adams County ambulance itself. They also govern other surrounding counties as well. Mr. Albert spoke about the ordinance passed in February by the county that was enacted to help do quality control. He agrees with doing that as he lives here. He appreciates quality control. Mr. Albert stated he doesn’t believe his service would be less than that. He stated that the EMS System Coordinator for Quincy EMS was there via zoom, but he did not get a request to speak filled out for him. However, you can contact him for more inquiries about what is needed by Quincy to establish an ambulance service. Mr. Albert gave his background of being a paramedic for several years because he cares about people. This service is necessary and has been for a long time. Multiple hospitals in the area can utilize their services.

Chairman Post stated that Mr. Reich and their committee will get with the ambulance committee to work on this process. We haven’t gotten any further because COVID-19 issues they have been dealing with. (Attachment A-1)

Regular Session

1) Resolution Number 2020-05-001-010 – Resolution of Support for the Ambiance, LLC Downstate Small Business Stabilization Grant Application

Mr. Austin made a motion.

Mrs. Weed seconded the motion.

The chairman called for a roll call vote.

The county clerk called a roll call vote. The following members were in favor: Mark Peter, Matt Obert, Robert Reich, Seldon Totsch, Les Post, Theresa Bockhold, Joe Zanger, David Hoskins, Todd Duesterhaus, Bret Austin, Steven Demoss, Rebecca Weed, Dave Bellis, Marvin Kerkhoff, Raquel Piazza, Taylor Rakers, Barney Bier and Kent Snider.

Total in favor: 18          Total Opposed: 0          Total Absent: 2        Total Vacant: 1 

Resolution 2020-05-001-010 was approved.

2) Resolution Number 2020-05-001-011 – Resolution of Support for Terstriep Concrete & Excavating, LLC., Downstate Small Business Stabilization Grant Application. (Attachment A-3)

Mr. Austin made a motion to approve the resolution. 

Mr. Bier seconded the motion.

Discussion:

Mr. Austin stated that this is not the county’s money and that it comes from the state. He spoke that the county partnered with the City of Quincy because they have a full-time planning department that has a relationship with the DCEO. These are $25,000 Grant applications coming through DCEO in the downstate program. He clarified that this is different than the county’s relief fund which they will also be discussing.

3) Approval of loans for the Adams County Emergency Relief Loan Fund.

Discussion: Mr. Austin stated that there were 4 given. They had a press conference that morning. He stated that full county board approval is not needed. The four that received the loans were: Scotties Fun Spot, Terstriep Concrete Construction, The Ambiance and Dragon’s Creed. They are all county-based. They went through the application process. There were 4 total for $40,000. There will be another round.

Mr. Snider thanked Two Rivers for their involvement. 

Mr. Austin thanked everyone else on that committee.

Mr. Brady joined the meeting.

4) Resolution Number 2020-05-001-012 – Resolution Requesting Approval of

Local Regionalized Plan to Re-Open Adams County. (Attachment A-4) 

Mr. Post made a motion to approve the resolution.

Mr. Peter seconded the motion.

Discussion: Mr. Duesterhaus asked if this was submitted to board members for review.

Mr. Austin stated he sent out the Adams County Together (ACT) plan at the end of April. He tried to get it out.

Mr. Rakers stated last Tuesday there was one sent out.

Mr. Austin stated that was the revised one that they sent for the “Opening Up Together” that addressed the framework to reopen business that aren’t open right now. There was a revision and that was last Tuesday. They are both available online.

Mr. Obert stated that John Simon and Mr. Welch approved the plans.

Mr. Austin stated there was concern about opening some types of businesses, but those concerns were addressed. The plan was submitted directly to the Governor’s Office and didn’t get the results that were wanting. The “Opening Up Together” was started by QMG and joined by other health organizations. The mayor of Quincy had a direct conversation with the Deputy Governor who has had the document for over a week.

Chairman stated he told their office this resolution is coming.

Mr. Bier asked if the city is passing something similar as well.

Mr. Austin stated he doesn’t believe so.

Mr. Austin stated that a church group has been bringing up ideas as well. There was a lot of input from Pastor Tim who reached out to many different denominations around the area about ways to continue church services.

The county clerk called a roll call vote. The following members were in favor: 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, Dave Bellis, Marvin Kerkhoff, Raquel Piazza, Taylor Rakers, Barney Bier and Kent Snider.

Total in favor: 19         Total Opposed: 0          Total Absent: 2         Total Vacant: 1

Mr. Austin wanted the board members to know that the Finance Committee has had discussions with department heads. Discussions are happening about budgeting. He wants everyone to think about this. He spoke that he doesn’t want to scare anyone, but these are the things other counties are doing or considering and we are implementing as well. They are doing a hiring freeze, 5% reduction in non-payroll, freeze on capital expenditures, trying to use special funds previously restricted and possibly borrow and replenish those, and also ask employees to use vacation right now opposed to later. The hiring freeze and 5% budget reduction have already begun. Next would be the freeze on capital expenditure. He wanted everyone to know they are looking at this and the budgeting process has already started

The May 4th special meeting meeting was recessed until Tuesday, May 12th, 2020 at 7:00 PM.

https://www.co.adams.il.us/home/showdocument?id=4633