Quincy Reporter

Adams County Board met April 15.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

PRESENT:

Kent Snider, Chairman

Ryan Niekamp, County Clerk

Chairman Snider 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 Hinkamper, Dave Bellis, Marvin Kerkhoff, Raquel Piazza, Taylor Rakers, Barney Bier and Kent Snider.

Total Present: 20 Absent: 0 Vacant: 1 Absent were:

Chairman Snider declared a quorum present.

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

John Simon – EMA Director and Ambulance Director and Sue Hester- Director of Administrative Services.

Proclamations-

a. National Dispatchers Week- April 12th through 18th, 2020.

Chairman Snider read a proclamation declaring April 12th-April 18th, 2020 as National Dispatchers Week. (Attachment A-1)

Updates-

a. COVID-19Update:

Mr. John Simon gave the following update on COVID-19 in Adams County:

He spoke about how things are changing every day, but that progress is being made. The focus continues to be leaning on our state and federal leaders along with the corporate industry to divert more rapid-testing here to west-central Illinois.

He spoke about what our county has accomplished. We have seen a collaborative approach across the community. We have engaged all sectors from our essential functions of grocery, key business leaders, etc. In January, we discussed the response of all agencies and what critical resources we would need to respond to this. At that point, it was thought to be somewhat remote. In February, we partnered with Blessing, QMG, SIU and Ambulance to prepare for medical surge. Mr. Simon was proud to report that we’ve seen our major healthcare places come together and share resources to respond to our community together. We engaged protections on our elderly population early and they imposed screening and visitor restrictions early on. That has proved to be a success. We have created a task force with horizon, Salvation Army, QPS and churches to make sure we could serve necessary population in need of food. We’ve found housing for quarantined individuals if they have nowhere to go. We’ve activated resource management to maintain levels of critical supplies. We have engaged all levels and departments of governments in the county to access their critical resources. We continue to work with the city to work on the recovery piece. The economic impact may be worse than the virus itself. We are in the beginning stages of developing a re-entry plan that identifies steps for the community over the next 12 months. We are focused on May 1st and we hope that those restrictions are lifted, however it won’t be a complete lift back to normalcy. That would be the largest mistake. It won’t be business as usual. Screenings will continue. We have to build this plan to focus on how we can responsibly re-integrate our community to make sure we don’t see negative impacts of medical-surge and other things that would put us right back in the same position.

Mr. Post thanked Mr. Simon and Jerrod Welch for going online every day and stated they are doing a great job.

Mr. Simon stated that the biggest expectation is from the public and that was their method to help squash rumors and address public concerns with facts.

Mr. Duesterhaus moved to approve the minutes of the March 10th, 2020 county board meeting as printed and distributed.

Mrs. Weed seconded the motion.

Motion to approve the minutes of the March 10th, 2020 meeting as printed was adopted.

Transportation, Building & Technology

Committee Report (Mr. Post)

Bills – The committee met on Wednesday, April 15th to review the bills for the Highway Department, the Maintenance Department, and the Technology Department. All of the bills were in order.

Report

There are a lot of summer projects that will be starting soon. The bridge by Siloam Springs is done and has opened back up permanently.

Resolutions-

a. 2020-04-501-006 – Resolution reporting bids from the March 31, 2020 Road

District Motor Fuel Tax Maintenance Materials Letting. (Attachment B-1)

Mr. Post made a motion to approve the resolution. Mr. Zanger seconded the motion.

Resolution 2020-04-501-006 was approved.

b. 2020-04-501-007 – Resolution reporting bids, awarding the contract to Halverson Construction Co., Springfield, IL, and appropriating $60,000.00 from the County Bridge Fund to pay for the improvement of the bridge carrying County Highway 5 (State Street) over Mill Creek, to be known as County Bridge Fund Project #812. (Attachment B-2)

Mr. Zanger made a motion to approve the resolution. Mr. Brady seconded the motion.

Resolution 2020-04-501-007 was approved.

The committee’s next meeting is scheduled for May 12th, 2020. Legislative & Judicial Committee Report (Mrs. Piazza)

Mrs. Piazza reported that they did not have a meeting this month. Mr. Ryan Niekamp reported on the following.

Appointments-

The following appointments were approved together:

a. Central Adams County Fire Protection District – Warren A. Huseman – reappointment to a three-year term expiring May 2023. (Attachment C-1)

b. GoldenFireProtectionDistrict–Steven Loeschen–reappointment to a three-year term expiring May 2023. (Attachment C-2)

Mr. Hoskins made a motion to approve the appointments. Mr. Obert seconded the motion.

The appointments were approved.

Event Liquor License

a. Request from the David Brewer Benefit for a one-day Liquor Permit to be held on June 13th, 2020 at the Mendon American Legion Hall at 2454 E. 745th Street, URSA, IL. 62376. (Attachment C-3)

Mr. Obert made a motion

Mrs. Bockhold seconded the motion The event liquor license was approved

The committee’s next meeting is scheduled for May 5th, 2020. Public Health & Safety

Committee Report (Mrs. Weed)

Bills – The committee met on Tuesday, March 17th, 2020 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-

At the committee meeting, the Sheriff’s Department and EMA reported on COVID-19.

The Coroner, John Meyers, reported there were 80 reported deaths, 5 autopsies, 2 new unclaimed/indigent cremations and 44 cremation permits issued in the month of February.

Mrs. Weed stated that they are cancelling their April 21st, 2020 meeting in response to COVID-19.

Finance

Committee Report (Mr. Austin)

Bills – The committee met on Monday, April 13th to review the bills. All of the bills were in order.

Report-

Mr. Austin reported that their meetings will be at 6:00 now instead of 6:15.

Resolution –

a. ResolutionNumber2020-04-141-008PropertyTaxLateFees(AttachmentD-1) Mr. Austin made a motion to approve the resolution.

Mr. Rakers seconded the motion.

Discussion: Mr. Austin stated that if this resolution is approved, they would be waving property tax payment late fees. The bills will go out in mid-May which would make the first payment due around Mid-June. Then, 90 days after that would be the last (2nd) payment due date. We are offering a waiver of all of the tax late fees as long as the full balance of property taxes are paid by the last day the second payment is due. If someone doesn’t make their first payment, or makes it late, and still makes their full payments by the second payment due date, their late-fees would be waved. If they don’t pay them by the last day the second payment is due, then all of the fees will apply to the total. This is a little bit of a relief to tax payers in Adams County. The county typically receives about $35,000-$38,000 in late fees. We don’t budget with that item or count on it. We wouldn’t collect that money this time, but that isn’t something we count on. The board would rather people pay on time. Also, a majority of the property taxes are held in escrow, so those will be paid as they should be. The committee believes the first distribution to taxing bodies will be in full and on time.

Mrs. Piazza asked for clarification on the dates they have to pay by.

Mr. Austin stated they have to pay in full by the last date of the second installment.

Resolution 2020-04-141-008 was approved.

Finance-

a. AdditionalFundAppropriation–JohnSimon–EMADirector–an increase of $100,000 to revenue account line item 213-211-4730 – FEMA-COVID-19 RELIEF for a new budget amount of $100,000. An increase of $50,000 line item 213-211-5645: Material and Supplies, for a new budget amount of $50,000 and an increase of $50,000 to line item 213-211-5105: Overtime for Response, for a new budget amount of $50,000. (Attachment D-2)

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

Discussion: Mr. Austin stated this is part of the Federal Cares Act. There is no money received or paid out yet, but we will be tracking this. We will be eligible for COVID-19 reimbursement benefits. In the near future, we will be looking at training department heads to track this to seek the reimbursements.

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, Raquel Piazza, Taylor Rakers, Barney Bier and Kent Snider.

Total in favor: 20 Total Opposed: 0 Total Vacant: 1

The additional fund appropriation was approved.

b. Transfer of Budget Appropriation – From Ryan Niekamp – County Clerk – a transfer of $2,749.20 from line item 001-001-5999: County General Contingency, for a revised budgeted amount of $40,500.80 and an increase of $2,749.20 to expense account 001-111-5566: County Clerk Consulting Fees, for a new budgeted amount of $2,749.20. (Attachment D-3)

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

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, Raquel Piazza, Taylor Rakers, Barney Bier and Kent Snider.

Total in favor: 20 Total Opposed: 0 Total Vacant: 1 

The transfer of budget appropriation was approved.

c. 2020-04-001-007- Resolution for Tax Anticipation Loan

Mr. Austin made a motion to approve the resolution. (Attachment D-4)

Mr. Rakers seconded the motion.

Mr. Austin stated this is similar to what we did last year. We are anticipating for the short-falls that we may have this year. We reached out to banks that were interested in this loan. $4 MIL was requested for April 17th. Maturity date would be the end of September after we get all of our tax money. We received four offers from banks. Of those four, Mercantile had the best terms with a rate of 1.74%. We can use this as a draw-loan and not a full amount. We can draw on it over periods of time. We also have the restriction that we can only loan against 85% of the value of tax line items. That is a state statute. We would control this in accounts that have to do with payroll. We would be pledging future tax collection from funds and then we would have to pay back into those funds as we get our tax money back in.

Mr. Zanger asked if we paid the 1.74% on the entire loan or just what we use.

Mr. Austin stated we pay it just as we use it.

Mr. Peter asked did we use all of last year’s tax anticipation loan?

Mr. Austin stated, we took all of it because we had to but he believed we used 90% of it. We could have used $2.3 Million and been fine. This has a buffer in it. We sought to improve the terms this time. We paid about $16,000 in interest last year. We might be at about the same interest this year.

A roll call vote was taken to approve the resolution. 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, Raquel Piazza, Taylor Rakers, Barney Bier and Kent Snider.

Total in favor: 20 Total Opposed: 0 Total Vacant: 1 Resolution 2020-04-001-007 was approved.

d. 2020-04-001-009 Resolution establishing small business emergency loan program. (Attachment D-5)

Mr. Austin stated all board members have a packet on this.

Mr. Austin made a motion to approve the resolution. Mr. Obert seconded the motion.

Discussion: Mr. Austin stated this would be for county-area businesses outside of the city’s jurisdiction. A business could not apply for both this one and the city’s. The basic terms are $250,000 comes from us as the county and $100,000 will come from Two Rivers Regional Council. That is a total of $350,000. This is specific to COVID 19 response. There will be documentation required. Members of the county board and Two Rivers Regional Council will have a board together to determine recipients. Mr. Austin stated there are a lot of programs out there. Mr. Austin reviewed the terms of the loan – 12-month payment schedule with a 6-month deferment. This is a loan and has to be paid back in full plus 1% interest. It is not a grant. They had a few requests already from county businesses wondering if the county would be providing a relief option. The applicant would need to show documentation for the application like their profit and loss form last year, W-9, individual tax returns. The loan can be used for employee wages, benefits, business supplies, rent and utilities.

Mr. Austin reiterated that this is not a grant, it is a loan and must be paid back with a 1% interest.

Mr. Bellis asked if Two Rivers would be getting an admin fee for administering the loan.

Mr. Austin stated that there is no admin fee. We will have a banker as a consultant on the committee. The only fee there is consists of the documentation for the legal aspect of drawing up the document. It goes to a council party and is $100-$200 per application that is paid by the applicant of the loan. That does not go to us.

Mr. Reich asked if corporations are prohibited from utilizing this loan program.

Mr. Austin stated that they could apply. If he stated that they could not apply for the loan earlier, he misspoke. The size of the corporation must be 2 employees to 50 employees.

Mr. Zanger asked if there is an end date.

Mr. Obert stated that he thinks there should be an end date in the ordinance because he does not believe this should be an on-going thing.

Mr. Austin stated that we should do that and figure out what that should be.

Mr. Obert made a motion to amend the ordinance to sunset one year from today is the deadline unless the board takes further action to make it a different date.

Mr. Austin added it will be over immediately if the cap is hit.

Mr. Zanger seconded the motion.

Chairman Snider asked for a voice vote on the motion of amendment to the original motion. The County Board voted unanimously to approve the motion.

Mr. Bier made a motion to add the amendment what the board members would consist of.

Mr. Austin stated the committee for the small business loan would be made up as follows:

- The Adams County Board Chairman

- A member of Two Rivers Regional Council

- The Two River’s Regional Council Executive Director

- And Two additional Board Members

- A banker as a non-voting member

Mr. Obert seconded the motion

Mr. Zanger asked if the incentive for businesses to do this is a lower interest rate.

Mr. Austin stated that what commonly happens is that they are finding themselves dropping through the cracks with the other programs. If you have a small employee- base and are very damaged, you can apply for this whereas other loan programs are more employee-retention based.

Mr. Obert stated that the interest rate of 1% will be attractive to a small-business as well as the speed of the process.

Mr. Zanger stated that his issue is that we do not get into the business of high-risk loans and then be stranded.

Mr. Obert stated that we do want to avoid that.

Mr. Totsch exited the meeting at 7:40PM.

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

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

The resolution was approved with amendments made.

Budget/Levy

a. Office Holder Salaries for officers elected in November 2020. (Attachment D-6)

Mr. Obert made a motion to approve the salaries. Mrs. Weed seconded the motion.

Discussion: Mr. Austin stated that the coroner and circuit clerk are up for election in November. The Finance Committee and Executive Committee have talked about these for the last couple of years. The circuit clerk increase is in line with the raises given to the staff for circuit clerk. For Coroner, they are in line with discussions they’ve had within the past couple of years to put in a little bit of an increase. The Coroner is lagging in salary compared to other Illinois counties.

The Office Holder salaries were approved.

Mr. Austin stated that county board members and the chairman salaries haven’t been adjusted in quite some time. Maybe once in the last 18 years. A majority said they are not in it for the dollars. They may look at that in 2022 when every board member is up for election. It may be a consideration to continue the way it is. There is no increase proposed for the foreseeable two years. Mr. Austin stated there is no increase for 2021 or 2022. There was no increase this year. In 2022 they will take it back into consideration.

Mr. Obert made a motion to make the county board member salaries the same up until 2022 when all terms are up.

Mr. Hoskins seconded the motion.

The County Board Salaries were approved.

The committee’s next meeting will be May 11th, 2020. The next meeting will be in the County Board Room.

Jail Sub-Committee

Committee Report (Mr. Peter)

Report-

Mr. Peter gave the following jail-construction update:

We are getting down to the finish line. HOK and the Brick Company are going to be there this coming week to complete a final punch list for mechanical, electrical and plumbing. Brick is also recommending that the domestic water disinfecting protocol check should be redone since it has been more than 4 months since the last time. We had planned to have some public viewings. We’ve had conversation with a consensus that we cannot do that. We are going to prepare a video presentation. We have a videographer that will work here and have something ready in the next 10 days. It will be on the county website so taxpayers can see what their dollars built. As soon as the work with HOK and Brick is done, then the Sheriff’s Dept. will start training to use the facility. We are almost to the end of the road.

Unfinished Business

There was no unfinished business at this time.

New Business

1) Approval of Board Member Travel Vouchers

a. $68.40 to Seldon Totsch for travel on March 16th to the committee meeting and April 15th for the County Board meeting for a total of 120 miles. (Attachment E-1)

Mr. Obert made a motion to approve the vouchers Mr. Peter 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, Les Post, Theresa Bockhold, Joe Zanger, David Hoskins, Todd Duesterhaus, Bret Austin, Steven Demoss, Rebecca Weed, Ryan Niekamp, Ryan Hinkamper, Dave Bellis, Marvin Kerkhoff, Raquel Piazza, Taylor Rakers, Barney Bier and Kent Snider.

Total in favor: 19 Total Opposed: 0 Total Absent: 1 Total Vacant: 1 The vouchers were approved.

2) 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, Monthly check register for March 2020, and Funds Summary report for March 2020 including revenue and expenses. (Attachment E-2)

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

Mr. Demoss seconded the motion.

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

3) Appointments –

a. a. Appointment for Ryan Niekamp, Bill Stalder and Kevin Endebrock for the Two Rivers Board.

Chairman Snider entertained a motion to approve the appointments. Mr. Post made a motion to approve the appointments.

Mr. Bellis seconded the motion.

The appointments were approved.

Mr. Snider welcomed Ryan Niekamp to the office of County Clerk and also welcomed Mrs. Piazza to the chairperson of the Legislative and Judicial Committee.

Correspondence

1) Letter from the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (Attachment F-1)

Mr. Duesterhaus 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.

Mr. Gary Farha asked about the small business loan. He asked for clarification that the board will be made up of the County Board Chairman, two county board members and two members from Two Rivers Regional Council, the Executive Director of Two Rivers Regional Council and a non-voting member which will be a banker.

The April 15th, 2020 meeting was recessed until Tuesday, May 12th, 2020 at 7:00 PM.

https://www.co.adams.il.us/home/showdocument?id=4631