Quincy Reporter

Adams County Board met July 14.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

The County Board of Adams County, Illinois met at the Courthouse, Quincy, Illinois at 7:00 P.M., pursuant to recess.

PRESENT: Kent Snider, Chairman

Ryan Niekamp, County Clerk

Mr. Taylor Rakers 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, Robert Reich, John Brady, Seldon Totsch, Les Post, Theresa Bockhold, David Hoskins, Bret Austin, Steven Demoss, Rebecca Weed, Marvin Kerkhoff, Raquel Piazza, Taylor Rakers, Barney Bier and Kent Snider.

Total Present: 15 

Absent: 5 

Vacant: 1

Absent were: Matt Obert, Joe Zanger, Todd Duesterhaus, Ryan Hinkamper and Dave Bellis.

Mr. Zanger, Mr. Duesterhaus and Mr. Bellis were excused.

Chairman Snider declared a quorum present.

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

John Myers- Adams County Coroner via Zoom, John Simon-EMA & Ambulance Director, Jim Frankenhoff- County Engineer, Sheriff Vonderhaar via Zoom, Georgene- Supervisor of Assessments via Zoom, Valetta Franks from the Probation Department via Zoom and Sue Hester- Director of Administrative Services.

Award Presentation:

The Chairman presented Mr. John Simon, Director of EMA, and Mr. Jerrod Welch, the Public Health Administrator with a plaque as a token of appreciation on behalf of the county. He spoke highly of the work they have been doing 7 days a week for the past few months during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Both thanked the board and spoke of how it will get worse before it gets better, but that we would get through it.

Mr. Obert entered the meeting at 7:07 PM.

Mrs. Weed moved to approve the minutes of the June 9th, 2020 county board meeting and the June 17th special meeting as printed and distributed.

Mr. Kerkhoff seconded the motion.

Motion to approve the minutes of the June 9th 2020 county board meeting and the June 17th special meeting meetings as printed was adopted.

Transportation, Building & Technology

Committee Report (Mr. Post)

Bills – The committee met on Tuesday, July 14th, 2020 to review the bills for the Highway Department, the Maintenance Department, and the Technology Department. All of the bills were in order.

Reports

The highway department reported to the committee on several projects that will start this month. They hope to get them done by the end of the summer.

Resolutions-

a. 2020-07-501-012 – Resolution reporting bids from the July 7, 2020 Road District Motor Fuel Tax Maintenance Letting for oil and chip sealing various roads in various Adams County Road Districts. (Attachment A-1)

Mr. Brady made a motion to approve the resolution. 

Mr. Post seconded the motion.

Resolution 2020-07-501-012 was approved.

The committee’s next meeting is scheduled for August 11th, 2020 at 6:00 PM. Legislative & Judicial 

Committee Report (Mr. Bier)

Bills – The committee met on Tuesday, July 7th, 2020 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.

Resolutions-

a. Ordinance Number 2020-07-001-016 – Changes to Chapter 31 of the Adams County Code: Unclaimed/Indigent Burial. (Attachment B-1)

Mr. Bier made a motion to approve the resolution. 

Mrs. Bockhold seconded the motion.

Discussion: Mr. Bier explained that the Coroner prepared this ordinance with the County Clerk. It renames the code to exclude the word “Indigent.” It will be “abandoned and unclaimed human remains disposition.” The coroner will have unclaimed remains cremated at a better price for the county and they will be placed in a mausoleum in Golden to keep them in a dignified manner. Before, funeral homes would be reimbursed from us at higher prices. This will serve the county well and will also treat the remains in a respectable way.

Liquor License

a. Application for a Retail Liquor Dealer’s License for Viva restaurant, LLC dba Viva Restaurant Bar & Grill in Liberty, Illinois. – Resolution 2020-07-017-018.

Mr. Bier stated they would be removing this item from the agenda. It is unnecessary because it falls within the Village of Liberty.

Firework Permit-

a. Firework Permit for Spring Lake Country Club for July 4, 2020. (Attachment B-2)

Mr. Bier made a motion to approve the permit. 

Mr. Obert seconded the motion.

The firework permit was approved.

Mr. Bier reported that either this committee or the executive committee will be addressing the new November 3rd holiday soon as a new law has passed for offices to be closed. This causes issues with union contracts.

The committee’s next meeting is scheduled for August 4, 2020 at 6:00PM. Public Health & Safety

Committee Report (Mrs. Weed)

Bills – The committee met on Tuesday, June 16th, 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-

a. The Sheriff gave the following report to the committee: On June 13th, the office moved 86 inmates to the new jail. The move was completed without incident. The entire Sheriff’s office is now working out of the new facility. Every inmate is classified by offense, scanned on the new X-Ray scanning machine and issued color coded jumpsuits before being moved to assigned pods based on offense category. The current inmate population on June 16th was 88. On June 28th, one corrections officer will be promoted to deputy and they will hire a lateral transfer to a deputy position to fill vacancies in patrol staff due to recent resignations. The Sheriff’s Association has filed a lawsuit against the Governor and the State of Illinois on behalf of the counties holding state prisoners. DOC does not currently have a plan to accept their prisoners. It was recommended that Dr. Meyer be reappointed as Rabe Administrator for another two years.

b. John Simon, Director of Emergency Management gave the following report: He cleared up a question on a credit card charge from the previous month. There was a finance charge miscoded as a cash advance.

c. The coroner, John Myers along with Deputy Coroner, Scott Graham gave the following report to the committee: There were 60 reported deaths, 1 autopsy, 1 new unclaimed cremation and 32 cremation permits issued in the month of May 2020. The final “Abandoned/Unclaimed Human Remains Disposition Policy” was referred to the Legislative and Judicial committee for final approval and was referred to the full board.

Resolution-

a. Resolution 2020-07-001-017 – Resolution adopting ordinance number 2020-07-001- 017 for appointment of veterinarian as rabies inspector for a two-year term commencing July 15, 2020. (Attachment C-1)

Mrs. Weed made a motion to approve the resolution. 

Mr. Reich seconded the motion.

Resolution 2020-07-001-017 was approved.

The committee’s next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 21st, 2020 at 6:30 PM in the County Board Room.

Finance

Committee Report (Mr. Austin)

Bills – The committee met on Monday, July 13th, 2020 to review the bills. All of the bills were in order.

Resolution –

The following resolutions were approved together:

a. Tax Sale Resolution Parcel Number 23-5-0828-000-00 located in the Quincy Township. (Attachment D-1)

b. Tax Sale Resolution Parcel Number 23-4-1498-000-00 located in the Quincy Township. (Attachment D-2)

Mr. Austin made a motion to approve the tax sale resolutions.

Mr. Rakers seconded the motion.

A roll call vote was taken to approve the tax sale resolutions. Those in favor were: Mark Peter, Matt Obert, Robert Reich, John Brady, Seldon Totsch, Les Post, Theresa Bockhold, David Hoskins, Bret Austin, Steven Demoss, Rebecca Weed, Marvin Kerkhoff, Raquel Piazza, Taylor Rakers, Barney Bier and Kent Snider.

Finance-

a. Budget Appropriation from Ryan Niekamp, County Clerk – for $94,014.20 to Expense Line Item# 122-121-5727 – COVID-19 CARES Election for a revised budget amount of $94,014.20 and an addition of $1.00 to Revenue Line item# 122-121-4627 – COVID- 19 Cares Election for a revised budget amount of $1.00. A budget appropriation for $31,938.72 to Expense Line Item# 122-121-5549 – FY 21 Postage Grant – Election— for a revised budget amount of $31,938.72 and an addition of $1.00 to Revenue Line Item# 122-121-4630 – FY 21 Postage Grant – Elections for a revised budget amount of $1.00. (Attachment D-3)

Mr. Austin made a motion to approve the budget appropriation.

Mr. Rakers seconded the motion.

Discussion: Mr. Austin explained that this is the maximum amount that was determined for the possibility of getting the grant money. It doesn’t mean they will get that much. Mr. Niekamp stated that we would get 100% of approved expenses.

Mr. Kerkhoff asked if we send back what we do not spend.

Mr. Niekamp stated that this was a reimbursement, so he would keep track of what needs requested.

A roll call vote was taken to approve the budget appropriation. Those in favor were: Mark Peter, Matt Obert, Robert Reich, John Brady, Seldon Totsch, Les Post, Theresa Bockhold, David Hoskins, Bret Austin, Steven Demoss, Rebecca Weed, Marvin Kerkhoff, Raquel Piazza, Taylor Rakers, Barney Bier and Kent Snider.

Total in Favor: 16 

Opposed: 0 

Absent: 4 

Vacant: 1 

The Budget Appropriation was approved.

b. Budget Appropriation from Brian Vonderhaar, Sheriff – for $58,000.00 to Revenue Line Item# 236-231-4627 – Sheriff – COVID-19 Grant – for a revised budget amount of $58,000.00 and an addition of $58,000.00 to Expense Line Item# 236-231-5713 – Sheriff – COVID-19 Grant Expenses for a revised budget amount of $58,000.00. (Attachment D-4)

Mr. Austin made a motion to approve the budget appropriation. Mr. Rakers seconded the motion.

Discussion: Mr. Austin stated that this was similar to the county clerk’s appropriation. It will be a grant and possibly not in this amount. They will track it and get the funds back as a reimbursement for COVID-19. It is not reimbursable, but this is the max and it could end up less than this.

A roll call vote was taken to approve the budget appropriation. Those in favor were: Mark Peter, Matt Obert, Robert Reich, John Brady, Seldon Totsch, Les Post, Theresa Bockhold, David Hoskins, Bret Austin, Steven Demoss, Rebecca Weed, Marvin Kerkhoff, Raquel Piazza, Taylor Rakers, Barney Bier and Kent Snider.

Total in Favor: 16 

Opposed: 0 

Absent: 4 

Vacant: 1 

The Budget Appropriation was approved.

c. Transfer of Budget Appropriation from Gary Farha, State’s Attorney – for $4,000.00 from Account Line Item number 431-431-5105 – Salary – Law clerk – for a revised budget amount of $19,900.00 to Account Line Item number 001-401-5105 – States Attorney – Legal Staff – in the amount of $4,000.00 for a revised budget amount of $524,408.00. (Attachment D-5)

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

Discussion: Mr. Austin stated that this was budget neutral.

Mr. Gary Farha confirmed. He stated it is actually from the Judges’ budget to our budget. They couldn’t fill a position, so they transferred the money to his department.

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, David Hoskins, Bret Austin, Steven Demoss, Rebecca Weed, Marvin Kerkhoff, Raquel Piazza, Taylor Rakers, Barney Bier and Kent Snider.

Total in Favor: 16 

Opposed: 0 

Absent: 4 

Vacant: 1 

The Transfer of Budget Appropriation was approved.

d. Transfer of Budget Appropriation from Sue Hester, Director of Administrative Services – for $4,000.00 from Account Line Item number 001-001-5999 – Contingency for a revised budget amount of $36,500.80 to Account Line Item number 001-001-5566 – Payroll Services – for $4,000.00 for a revised budget amount of $61,000.00. (Attachment D-6)

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

Discussion: Mr. Austin stated that this for a continuation of the onboarding coming with open enrollment. It is part of the Paycom system. This is a one-time fee and it will be included in the package from here on out for our payroll system.

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, David Hoskins, Bret Austin, Steven Demoss, Rebecca Weed, Marvin Kerkhoff, Raquel Piazza, Taylor Rakers, Barney Bier and Kent Snider.

Total in Favor: 16 

Opposed: 0 

Absent: 4 

Vacant: 1 The 

Transfer of Budget Appropriation was approved.

Budget-

Discussion: Mr. Austin stated there wasn’t a lot to discuss yet for the budget and levy. There will be a letter going out within the week to department heads to set up meetings and stress the fact that this will be a zero-growth budget. The department heads will really have to work hard on aligning with that. The committee will divide departments up among them and start meetings with department heads at the end of August. The goal is for board members to have one full month to review the final budget before they need to vote no approval.

Insurance-

Discussion: Mr. Hoskins stated there will be a CERMA meeting this Thursday that he will attend via Zoom.

The committee’s next meeting will be Monday, August 11th, 2020.

Jail Sub-Committee

Committee Report (Mr. Peter)

Report-

The Sheriff’s office reported to the committee that the inmates were moved in the 2nd week of June and that QPD would be moving in this week. He reported that the jail population at the time was 110 which included 30 plus Department of Correction inmates. The Sheriff’s Association is trying to get reimbursements for counties housing those inmates. These inmates are supposed to go to DOC, but they won’t accept them due to COVID-19.

Construction Report: Mr. Sid Wilson reported to the committee that there were two mechanical issues that were being handled. The county will not have to pay for the fixes. There are also two remaining negotiations being handled including the demolition issues with Blick Construction from the beginning and also some items with Poepping, Stone and Bach. The substantial completion date was moved forward 55 days after July 2nd.

The dedication ceremony will be held on Tuesday, July 21st at 9:00 AM. There will be a press release and invitations sent.

Resolution-

a. Approval of a $37,364.15 payment.

Mr. Peter made a motion to approve the payment. Mr. Austin seconded the motion.

Mr. Peter explained that this was for Williams Brothers. We still have a retainage of over $500,000.

Mr. Austin asked if this is the last official pay-out.

The motion to approve a $37,364.15 payment was approved.

b. Change order #25 of $4,841.

Mr. Peter made a motion to approve the change order.

Mr. Post seconded the motion.

Discussion:

Mr. Peter stated this was for domestic water bacterial lab re-testing, a door and lock replacement and hardware power supplies.

Mr. Brady asked how the sales tax revenue has been effected because of the pandemic.

Mr. Austin stated that based off of April, which was the first full month of closing down, the sales tax was down 12% from last year. He stated it wasn’t as bad as they had expected it would have been, however, it could possibly add time to paying off the jail.

Executive Committee

Committee Report (Mr. Austin)

Resolution

The following resolutions were approved together:

a. Resolution 2020-07-001-019: Resolution of Support for Schmidt Tent Rental Downstate Small business Stabilization Grant Application. (Attachment E-1)

b. Resolution 2020-07-001-020: Resolution of Support for the Terstriep Tree Service Downstate Small Business Stabilization Grant Application. (Attachment E-2)

Mr. Austin made a motion to approve the resolutions.

Mr. Rakers seconded the motion.

Discussion: Mr. Austin stated this is the DSEO small business stabilization grant. The city took the lead on administering it. He stated himself and the County Clerk have been attending public hearings for this. Both of these were for $25,000. This resolution just states that we support it and it does not state that they will get it. There have been 6 or 7 in the county so far. This is the state’s loan and not our own emergency loan.

The resolutions were approved.

Discussion & Possible Action

a. FY2020-2021CountyBoardGoals(AttachmentE-3)

Mr. Austin made a motion to approve the following goals for the county board:

1) Improve Technology: Develop better technology. COVID-19 has exposed places that we could improve in that department.

2) Work on departments’ capital spend plan: The departments’ budgets need to save up money for their own large-ticket items instead of relying on the county general funds.

3) Build a general fund reserve: We are in the second year of taking a cash anticipation loan against taxes. All of that is fine, but we wonder what would happen if we didn’t have that access. There is a general rule in government to have 2 months’ worth of reserves in your general fund budget. We do not have that.

Mr. Rakers seconded the motion.

The county board goals for the 2021 year were approved.

Unfinished Business

No unfinished business for this meeting. New Business

1) Approval of Board member Travel Vouchers (Attachment F-1)

a. $103.50 to Seldon Totsch for travel on June 16th to the committee meeting, June 17th for the special county board meeting and the July 14th for the county board meeting for a total of 180 miles.

Mr. Peter made a motion to approve the travel voucher.

Mrs. Weed 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, Steven Demoss, Rebecca Weed, Marvin Kerkhoff, Raquel Piazza, Barney Bier and Kent Snider.

Those opposed were: Dave Hoskins, Bret Austin and Taylor Rakers

Total in Favor: 13 Opposed: 3 Absent: 4 Vacant: 1 The travel voucher was 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, the Sheriff’s Office, Monthly check register for June 2020 and Funds Summary report for June 2020 including revenue and expenses.

Mr. Rakers 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. Reappointment of Art Tenhouse and Cecil Dix to the 377 Board for a three- year term.

The Chairman entertained a motion to approve the reappointment. Mr. Obert made a motion to approve the reappointment.

Mr. Peter seconded the motion.

The reappointment was approved.

b. Appointment to the Sheriff Merit Commission for Laura Oakman, expiring on December 31st, 2020.

Motion made by Mr. Austin. Seconded by Mrs. Weed.

The appointment was approved.

c. Appointment to the Adams County Finance Committee

Mr. Chairman stated Mr. Reich would be moving to the Finance Committee.

Correspondence

1) Ameren Illinois- Notification of Future Tree Trimming

Mr. Rakers made a motion to receive and file the correspondence with the appropriate committees.

Mr. Obert seconded the motion.

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

The July 14th, 2020 meeting was recessed until Tuesday, August 11th, 2020 at 7:00 PM.

https://www.co.adams.il.us/home/showdocument?id=4865