Quincy Reporter

Adams County Board met Sept. 15.

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

Total Present: 21 Absent: 0

Chairman Snider declared a quorum present.

Officeholders, department heads, and/or their representatives also present were: Lori Geschwandner-Circuit Clerk, Anthony Foster- Director of Court Services, John Myers Adams County Coroner, John Simon-EMA & Ambulance Director, Jim Frankenhoff County Engineer, Rich Wagner from the Sheriff’s Department, Sue Hester- County Board Director of Administrator Services.

Marcel Wagner from GREDF was present to give the following update to the board: December, GREDF revised plan to have bigger focus on work force. Build and attract. Adapted and worked hard on core missions. Actively working with Adams County Together to help he community weather this pandemic. Work force, existing business retention, attraction of new businesses. Transitioned from face to face to virtual platform. Working with employment security on virtual job fairs which will be done online. Companies want to hire. Shortage in manufacturing and logistic industries. Started “Girls Rule the World”. At-risk ladies in the community. A speaker spoke to teen moms. Helping the people in our community to understand they can develop skills and take leadership.

Town-Attraction- Bigger cities are losing populations. Worked with Whig for geofencing program. Avance USA Consulting- Working with people from Puerto Rico to come to work in this country. We are meeting with them for businesses here that want to recruit. Pilot program that can hopefully expand to other companies.

Business retention- Check in with companies to see what we can do to help them. Company 6 million investment with 22 new jobs. 60,000 square foot expansion 10-15 new jobs. Competing with site in Omaha for this site.

Business Attraction- We have workforce shortage but still working on this. We are one of the final sites on for a business. We will be in strong consideration. Consolidated Logistics – largest barge carrier in US- worked to sign lease. They will begin moving steel. Could be a great advantage for us if we can get in on this. Have to have a 3rd party company for that.

GREDF has a great team that has been working hard.

Goal to build more homes and build the community

Mr. Austin moved to approve the minutes of the August 11th, 2020 county board meeting as printed and distributed.

Mr. Brady seconded the motion.

Motion to approve the minutes of the August 11, 2020 meeting as printed was adopted.

Transportation, Building & Technology

Committee Report (Mr. Post)

Bills – The committee met on September 15, 2020 at 6:00 to review the bills for the Highway Department, the Maintenance Department, and the Technology Department. All of the bills were in order.

Reports

County engineer, Jim Frankenhoff, reported to the committee that they were finishing a lot of summer maintenance projects. The 30th street project started that day. He reported they had a very productive summer.

The IT department reported to the committee that things were moving along good for the time being.

John Simon, Director of EMS, had given the committee a presentation. Mr. Bellis recapped the presentation for the board staying they spoke about COVID related things and a building the department needed to store equipment. They have an opportunity to build this new building with a grant. The committee gave Mr. Simon the okay to get a 30 by 150 feet

building. There will be no additional expense to the county. It should be done by December 31st.

Mr. Obert asked where the building will be.

Mr. Bellis stated it would be right behind the highway maintenance department. Mr. Reich asked if we had a contractor.

Mr. Bellis stated they had a bid and the bidder thinks they can have it done by December 31st.

Mr. Obert made a resolution to allow the chairman to sign off on all things related to this project.

Mr. Bellis seconded the motion.

The motion was approved.

The committee’s next meeting is scheduled for October 13th, 2020.

Legislative & Judicial

Committee Report (Mr.Bier)

Bills – The committee met on September 1st, 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.

Reports

Public Defender, Todd Nelson spoke about his monthly report. The committee reviewed its contents and got an explanation on some things from the report. The committee might want that in the future minutes under monthly reports.

States Attorney Gary Farha explained to the committee that he is working on new software for the office.

Appointments

The following appointments were approved together:

a. Re-Appointment of David Schaffer for the Indian Grave Drainage District for a three-year term commencing the first Tuesday of September 2020 until the first Tuesday of September 2023.

b. Re-Appointment of Gary L. Hillebrenner for the Quincy Drainage and Levee District for a three-year term commencing the first Tuesday of September 2020 until the first Tuesday of September 2023.

Mr. Bier made a motion to approve the appointments.

Mr. Reich seconded the motion.

The appointments were approved.

Mr. Bier told the board that there is litigation in Sangamon County regarding November 3rd and that there is a hearing scheduled for October 15th.

The committee’s next meeting is scheduled for October 6th, 2020.

Public Health & Safety

Committee Report (Mr. Peter)

Bills – The committee met on August 18th, 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

During the committee’s meeting, the following reports were given:

Mr. John Simon, director of Emergency Management gave this report: Covid-19 disease prevalence is stable. The numbers are not increasing exponentially. There are between 140 and 150 active cases today. The Covid-19 relief money is beginning to come in. There is about 4 million in relief funds in 6 different pots of money. They are awaiting the beginning of school to see what that does to the number of Covid cases. They expect to close out the Flood of 2019 in the next month. Representatives from Adams, Pike and Calhoun Counties to meet with Representative Davis regarding the Sny Levee District. It has been an unusually long time to close out the Flood monies, but they hope to have it completed by the end of the fiscal year so that nothing is carried over into fiscal year 2021.

Coroner, John Myers, gave this report: There were 71 reported deaths, 4 autopsies, 1 unclaimed/indigent cremation and 26 cremation permits issued in the month of July 2020.

Rich Wagner, Chief Deputy Sheriff gave this report: The current jail population is 119. On August 5th and 6th they transported 32 inmates sentenced to the DOC to Graham Correctional Facility. On both days they were turned away and they refused to take out inmates. The Sheriff’s Department is working with the Illinois Sheriff’s Association to come up with a solution to make the DOC change their current policy on accepting inmates during the Covid-19 time. The jail has only had one inmate test positive for Covid-19. The inmate is set to come off quarantine any day now (as of August 18) and was doing well. All corrections staff except for one that either suspected or tested positive for Covid-19 are back to work and doing well. They had a labor meeting scheduled with the corrections sergeants that week over staffing concerns in the new jail. Deputies Logan Peter and John Schone have completed their field training and are now working patrol duties on their own.

The committee’s next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 15, 2020 at 6:30 PM. Finance

Committee Report (Mr. Austin)

Bills – The committee met on September 14, 2020 to review the bills. All of the bills were in order.

Report

Representatives from RSVP, Two Rivers and GREDF were present at the committee meeting to give updates.

Resolution –

a. Tax Sale Resolution – Parcel# 16-0-0551-000-00 located in the Gilmer Township (Attachment A-1)

Mr. Austin made a motion to approve the resolution.

Mr. Rakers seconded the motion.

A roll call vote was taken to approve the tax sale resolution. 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, Barbara Fletcher, Ryan Hinkamper, Dave Bellis, Marvin Kerkhoff, Raquel Piazza, Taylor Rakers, Barney Bier and Kent Snider.

Total in Favor: 21 Total Against: 0

The tax sale resolution was approved.

b. Reclassification of Expense and Revenue Entry – Adams County Health Department

Mr. Austin made a motion to approve the resolution.

Mr. Hoskins seconded the motion.

Mr. Austin explained that the Health Department received over $700,000 from federal cares act money. They started distributing into things we thought we could use it for. They will classify the money to one spot and then distribute from there. They are reclassifying all of that into a new budget line-item. The county will pay for things from there. There are concerns about money getting reimbursed.

A roll call vote was taken to approve the resolution. 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, Barbara Fletcher, Ryan Hinkamper, Dave Bellis, Marvin Kerkhoff, Raquel Piazza, Taylor Rakers, Barney Bier and Kent Snider.

Total in Favor: 21 Total Against: 0

The resolution was approved.

Finance

a. Transfer of Budget Appropriation – From Aaron Arnold – Juvenile Detention Center – a transfer of $56,750.00 from line item 001-001-59999 County General Administration - Contingency for a revised budgeted amount of $43,250.00 and an increase of $56,750.00 to expense account 001-321-5506 Maintenance – JDC Building for a new budget amount of $81,750.00. (Attachment A-2)

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

Mr. Austin explained that this is for a generator for the Juvenile Detention Center that was approved through committee. This just gets the money into the area on the budget.

A roll call vote was taken to approve the transfer of budget appropriation. 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, Barbara Fletcher, Ryan Hinkamper, Dave Bellis, Marvin Kerkhoff, Raquel Piazza, Taylor Rakers, Barney Bier and Kent Snider.

Total in Favor: 21 Total Against: 0

The transfer of budget appropriation was approved.

b. Transfer of Budget Appropriation – From Brian VonderHaar – Sheriff – a transfer of $35,000 from line item 001-001-5999 County General Administration - Contingency for a revised budgeted amount of $1,500.00 and an increase of $35,000.00 from line item 001-002-5873 sheriff Vehicles for a revised budgeted amount of $175,000.00. (Attachment A-3)

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

Mr. Austin explained that this is for the final total on the last of the car purchases. They didn’t know if we would have the money in the accounts to get the last car. He stated that the Sheriff did a great job getting money from other parts to make this happen. This moves from contingency to where he can pay the bill.

A roll call vote was taken to approve the transfer of budget appropriation. 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, Barbara

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

Total in Favor: 21 Total Against: 0

The transfer of budget appropriation was approved

c. Additional Fund Appropriation – From Bryden Cory, Treasurer – a transfer of $20,000.00 from revenue line item 722-001-4610 – Small Business Stabilization Program— for a revised budget amount of $20,000.00 and a transfer of $20,000.00 from expense line item 722-001-5990 – Small Business Stabilization Program for a revised budgeted amount of $20,000.00. (Attachment A-4)

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

Mr. Austin explained that this is the DCEO-led state program for business relief. The county will write a check from this account to the company that receives the loan. The first one was approved for their money. He stated they will get the numbers for the accounts and that this is budget-neutral.

A roll call vote was taken to approve the additional fund appropriation. 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, Barbara Fletcher, Ryan Hinkamper, Dave Bellis, Marvin Kerkhoff, Raquel Piazza, Taylor Rakers, Barney Bier and Kent Snider.

Total in Favor: 21 Total Against: 0

The transfer of additional fund appropriation was approved

Budget/Levy

Mr. Austin gave this update on the budget and levy process: All of the meetings have been done with department heads. The committee got through that very quickly. We have a good system for doing those. We will work through those department budgets to go back and ask more questions. We are going to go through the project of doing the 5% truth in taxation process. It does not mean we are going to do that, it just covers us and helps us have options. Going over this, we are very close to having a zero-tax levy raise. No promises, but we might find ourselves in a much better spot than we thought we would be. We are down on fees because of being out of some business, but it is catching back up. Surprisingly, our sales tax numbers aren’t down as much as we expected. We can get to a point where the taxpayers see a levy rate that does not go up.

Insurance

Dave Hoskins stated that the county is facing a large percentage of increase as of now for the county’s health insurance. He stated they have been looking at a way to potentially make that increase only 8% by doing a slight increase of deductibles to employees, but that won’t be a popular option.

Mr. Austin stated we will keep communications going every year. He stated Mr. Hoskins has also been working a lot through CIRMA for our insurance.

Mr. Obert stated he has stated concerns with the ambulance department in regards to revenue. He stated that Mr. Simon and the ambulance department has been doing a much better job to be where we need to be and praised them for that.

Mr. Austin stated the number at the end of August was good. It has been a huge component to this budget.

Mr. Snider stated he was also going to mention this and was glad Mr. Obert did. The committee’s next meeting will be October 12th, 2020.

Executive Committee

Committee Report: Mr. Austin

1) Resolution/Action

a. DEVNET contract

Mr. Austin stated that this program is the backbone of our property parcels and is used in multiple offices for taxes.

Mr. Niekamp stated it would be 3 year contract with a slight increase. The county will pay quarterly the amount of $11,576.25. He stated DEVNET has worked very well for us in the past.

Mr. Austin stated that they have been looking at bidding things out to make sure we are getting competitive pricing. DEVNET has been with the county for a long time and they look to continue with them. This type of software doesn’t have a lot of companies that carry it.

b. Cure Certification Ordinance Number 2020-09-001-024 – An Ordinance Approving and Authorizing the Execution and Delivery of Local CURE Program Financial Support Conditions and Certifications. (Attachment B-1)

Mr. Austin made a motion to approve the ordinance.

Mr. Post seconded the motion.

Mr. Austin explained this is a catch-all ordinance basically saying we are allowing the receipt of this money and that we are going to authorize giving money out to different departments. We didn’t think it was necessary, but counties around us and the city passed something similar. It helps track the money we are receiving and getting reimbursed.

The ordinance was approved.

c. CARES Act Grant & FY21 Postage Grant Agreements – County Clerk’s Office

Mr. Niekamp stated these are 2 grants the office got related to COVID elections. He stated they are reimbursable. They have already been allocated to State Board of Elections to be handed out. We need approval for chairman to sign these agreements for us. (Attachment B-2 & B-3)

Mr. Peter made a motion to approve the agreement.

Mr. Demoss seconded the motion.

The agreement was approved.

New Business

1) Approval of Board member Travel Vouchers

$69.00 to Seldon Totsch for travel to the August 18th committee meeting and the September 15th county board meeting for a total of 120 miles. (Attachment C-1)

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

Mr. Bier seconded the motion.

A roll call vote was taken to approve the travel voucher. Those in favor were: Mark Peter, Matt Obert, Robert Reich, John Brady, Seldon Totsch, Les Post, Theresa Bockhold, Joe Zanger, Todd Duesterhaus, Steven Demoss, Rebecca Weed, Barbara Fletcher, Ryan Hinkamper, Dave Bellis, Marvin Kerkhoff, Raquel Piazza, Barney Bier and Kent Snider.

Those against were: Dave Hoskins, Bret Austin and Taylor Rakers Total in Favor: 18 Total Against: 3

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, Public Defender, and Monthly check register for August 2020, and Funds Summary report for August 2020 including revenue and expenses.

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

Mr. Rakers seconded the motion.

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

3) Resignation

a. Adams County Sheriff

The chairman read Mr. VonderHaar’s letter of resignation. (Attachment C-2) The chairman entertained a motion to accept the resignation.

Mr. Obert made a motion to accept the resignation.

Mrs. Weed seconded the motion.

The resignation was accepted.

4) Appointments

a. Adams County Sheriff- Resolution 2020-09-001-024- Appointment of Richard Wagner to Sheriff effective September 25th, 2020. (Attachment C-3)

Mr. Obert made a motion to approve the appointment.

Mr. Demoss seconded the motion.

The Chairman stated that the Democratic Party endorsed Wagner as well. The appointment was approved.

The Chairman announced that Anthony Foster is the new director of court services. Correspondence

1) Ameren- Tree Trimming

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

Mr. Obert seconded the motion.

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

Mr. Austin made a motion to move into executive session.

Mr. Bier seconded the motion.

The board went into executive session.

Mr. Austin made a motion to suspend the September 15, 2020 County Board meeting for the purpose of setting the levy.

Mr. Beir Seconded the motion

The September 15, 2020 meeting was suspended until Tuesday, December 8th, 2020 for the purpose of setting the levy.

https://www.co.adams.il.us/home/showdocument?id=5191