Quincy Reporter

Adams County Board met Oct. 11.

Here are 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 roll and the following members were present: Mark Peter, Matt Obert, Robert Reich, John Brady, David McCleary, Les Post, Theresa Bockhold, Joe Zanger, David Hoskins, Todd Duesterhaus, Bret Austin, Steven Demoss, Mark Sorensen, Barbara Fletcher, Ryan Hinkamper, Dave Bellis, Marvin Kerkhoff, Raquel Sparrow, Travis Cooley and Kent Snider.

Total Present: 20 Absent: 1

Absent was: Taylor Rakers

Chairman Snider declared a quorum present.

Officeholders, department heads, and/or their representatives also present were: Georgene Zimmerman- Supervisor of Assessments, Lori Geschwandner-Circuit Clerk, Anthony Foster- Director of Court Services, Todd Nelson- Public Defender, Scott Graham Adams County Coroner, John Simon-EMA & Ambulance Director, Jim Frankenhoff County Engineer, David Hochgraber- Director if IT, Lowell Klassert- Director of HR and Sheriff Rich Wagner.

Request to speak:

Mr. Austin made a motion to suspend the rules to allow the public to speak. Mr. Bellis seconded the motion.

The rules were suspended to allow the public to speak.

The speaker was not present to speak.

Mr. Obert made a motion to resume regular session.

Mr. Austin seconded the motion.

The board resumed regular session.

Mr. Duesterhaus moved to approve the minutes of the September 13, 2022 county board meeting as printed and distributed.

Mrs. Fletcher seconded the motion.

Motion to approve the minutes of the September 13, 2022 meeting as printed was adopted.

Transportation, Building & Technology

Committee Report (Mr. Bellis)

Bills – The committee met on Tuesday, October 11th to review the bills for the Highway Department, the Maintenance Department, and the Technology Department. All of the bills were in order.

Reports

Mr. Frankenhoff reported to the committee about the beams on an ongoing bridge project that should be up in a couple of weeks.

Resolutions

a. 2022-10-501-026 – Resolution to use Surface Transportation Funds to pay one half of the County Engineer’s salary from December 1, 2021 through November 30, 2022 and appropriating $67,964.00 from the County Motor Fuel Tax Fund for one half of the County Engineer’s salary from January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022

The clerk read the resolution by title only.

Mr. Zanger made a motion to approve the resolution.

Mr. Bellis seconded the motion.

Resolution 2022-10-501-026 was approved.

b. 2022-10-501-027 – Resolution for the replacement of the bridge carrying County Highway 39 over Grindstone Creek, appropriating $40,000.00 for the design engineering, and authorizing the County Board Chairman to sign a professional services agreement with WHKS & Company. (ATTACHMENT A-2)

The clerk read the resolution by title only.

Mr. Post made a motion to approve the resolution.

Mr. Hinkamper seconded the resolution.

Resolution 2022-10-501-027 was approved.

New Business

a. Review, and possible action, of the Adams County Juvenile Detention Center Bids for the HVAC Project RE-Bid Opening from September 9, 2022.

Mr. Bellis stated that they reviewed the bids. The committee spoke with Mr. Foster and Judge Larson in-depth. The committee unanimously passed the bid from Peters.

Mr. Bellis made a motion to accept the bid.

Mr. Zanger seconded the motion.

Mr. Austin asked the amount for the bid. Mr. Bellis stated it was $2,187,280 which was 105,820 less than the second bidder. Mr. Austin asked if this would get us everything we need to be compliant. Mr. Bellis stated it would. Mr. Duesterhaus asked if this was in line with the engineer’s estimate. Mr. Bellis stated it was good after the rebid.

The motion was approved.

b. Review, and possible action, of the Adams County Board Room Audio/Visual Updates- Estimate #9622-01 from NGS Services, LLC.

The committee unanimously voted to approve a $15,000 bid to MAC Electric to do the wiring for the county board room and to open the bids to the cameras and other work. He stated they received one bid of around $100,000 but they want to get more of an itemized bid and to put it out for bid. He stated the $15,000 will be to run all of the wiring and this room would be out of commission for a month while that is done. Mr. Demoss asked where they would have their meetings. Mr. Post stated it would be between the meetings.

Mr. Bellis made a motion to accept the electrical bid at $15,000.

Mr. Post seconded the motion.

Mr. Austin asked where the $15,000 will be coming from. Mr. Bellis recommended taking it from contingency and putting it into Building and Maintenance. The motion was approved.

The committee’s next meeting is scheduled for November 15th, 2022.

Legislative & Judicial

Committee Report (Mr. Peter)

Bills – The committee met on October 11th, 2022. 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.

County Code

a. Open Meetings Act County Code (Update)

Mr. Peter stated they are working with the States Attorney’s Office to have some more information for the next meeting with proposed changes.

Resolutions/Action

a. 2022-10-001-051- Resolution Adopting Adams County Courthouse Holiday Calendar for Calendar Year 2023 (ATTACHMENT B-1)

The clerk read the resolution by title only.

Mr. Peter made a motion to approve the resolution.

Mr. Duesterhaus seconded the motion.

Mr. Peter stated these are the same set of dates that they had last year. Resolution 2022-10-001-051 was approved.

b. 2022-10-001-052- Resolution Adopting Meeting Calendar for the Adams County Board for the Calendar Year 2023. (ATTACHMENT B-2)

The clerk read the resolution by title only.

Mr. Peter made a motion to approve the resolution.

Mrs. Bockhold seconded the motion.

Mr. Peter stated these would be the same as previous, except Wednesday, April 12th was moved from Tuesday. He stated the August meeting is a week later than previously. He stated this is the corrected dates.

Resolution 2022-10-001-052 was approved.

The committee’s next meeting is scheduled for November 15th, 2022. Public Health & Safety

Committee Report (Mrs. Fletcher)

Bills – The committee met on October 11th, 2022 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

Mr. Simon, EMS & Ambulance Director, reported that after the bad accident on 336, Sam Smith from the Sheriff’s department offered a debriefing for the public members who offered help during that accident and he wanted to show appreciation for that. They are still down 7 people in their ambulance department.

The Coroner reported 63 reported deaths, 1 autopsy, 1 abandon cremation, 31 cremation permits and 0 suicides in the month of September.

Sheriff reported that there were 109 inmates which was down from the previous month.. They have one new correctional officer. They will be hosting the second annual Trunk or Treat. The Office is working with the ambulance department on the degradation issues with the current analog radio platform. The Office would like to remind the committee on the need to purchase of new portable radios.

The Chairman stated that everyone should stop by the Trunk or Treat and see how great it is.

He also stated that in that accident was a husband of one of our employees and to keep them in their thoughts and prayers.

The committee’s next meeting is scheduled for November 15th, 2022. Executive Committee

Committee Report (Mr. Austin)

The committee met on October 3rd, 2022.

Discussion and Possible Action

a. American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)- Housing Program

Mr. Austin stated they received letters of support from Quincy Medical Group, Quincy Public Schools, Carol Brockmiller, Titan Wheel and Knapheide on how this housing program would be beneficial. He stated GREDF got a $54,000 grant to apply to this. Mr. Austin is proposing we put in $7,500 with the City also putting in $7,500 and GREDF will put in their $54,000 to get a housing plan made. He stated this plan would tell us what level of housing we are missing in the community and would also help guide on how to get and build other types of housing. Mr. Austin stated he suggests we use $7,500 of ARPA money to help support this plan. The goal will be to come back as a board with the plan to see how we can put our money into this important topic. Mr. Zanger asked if this is a county-wide housing project or City. Mr. Austin stated this is county-wide. Mr. Zanger asked where this study will take us. Mr. Austin stated that he is not sure and that it will be interesting. He thinks the entry-level single family homes will be what we are missing. Mr. Zanger asked what we would do about it as a government entity. Mr. Austin stated that most counties doing this are big enough entities to partner with developers to have property tax incentives and rebates and other things. He thinks the county can develop the plan, get it going and then let it take its course to continue on with private companies. Mr. Hinkamper asked if there has been any conversation about getting these big companies more involved. Mr. Austin stated that this is one of the biggest barriers to recruiting employees to our community and he thinks getting the data will be necessary to build the framework for developers. Mr. Obert stated that one of his hopes is to find affordable housing for those that are struggling and young people who want to invest. Mr. Austin stated that they would eventually have this rental information on our GIS system and it would be done by Western Illinois University students and it would be at no cost to us.

Mr. Austin made a motion to approve using $7500 of ARPA money for this plan. Mr. Peter seconded the motion.

The motion was approved.

Mr. Zanger asked if they had received requests for money from the levy and drainage districts. Mr. Austin stated that these projects are big projects. Mr. Zanger stated that there is a lot of importance in the South Quincy Drainage District. Mr. Austin stated that the Hunt-Lima one has a lot of importance as well. Mr. Austin stated we need to be vocally supportive and connect them with legislator or something since we cannot fund it.

The committee’s next meeting will be on November 7th, 2022.

Finance

Committee Report (Mr. Austin)

Bills – The committee met on October 10th, 2022 to review the bills. All of the bills were in order.

Resolution –

The following Tax Sale Resolutions were approved together:

a. Tax Sale Resolution Number 09-22-001 for PIN 23-0839 located in the Quincy Township (ATTACHMENT C-1)

b. Tax Sale Resolution Number 09-22-002 for PIN 18-0-0601-000-00 located in the Payson Township (ATTACHMENT C-2)

c. Tax Sale Resolution Number 09-22-003 for PIN 23-2-0800-000-00 located in the Quincy Township (ATTACHMENT C-3)

d. Tax Sale Resolution Number 09-22-004 for PIN 23-4-1103-000-00 located in the Quincy Township (ATTACHMENT C-4)

e. Tax Sale Resolution Number 09-22-005 for PIN 23-4-1632-000-00 located in the Quincy Township (ATTACHMENT C-5)

f. Tax Sale Resolution Number 09-22-007 for PIN 23-5-0868-000-00 located in the Quincy Township (ATTACHMENT C-6)

g. Tax Sale Resolution Number 09-22-006 for PIN 23-5-0209-000-00 located in the Quincy Township. (ATTACHMENT C-7)

The clerk read the resolutions by title only.

Mr. Austin made a motion to approve the resolutions.

Mr. Obert 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, David McCleary, Les Post, Theresa Bockhold, Joe Zanger, David Hoskins, Todd Duesterhaus, Bret Austin, Steven Demoss, Mark Sorensen, Barbara Fletcher, Ryan Hinkamper, Dave Bellis, Marvin Kerkhoff, Raquel Sparrow, Travis Cooley and Kent Snider.

Total in favor was 20. Total opposed was 0. Total absent was 1.

The Tax Sale Resolutions were approved.

Finance

a. Additional Fund Appropriation from David Hochgraber – IT Director – in the amount of $7,500 to Revenue Account Line Number 104-105-4120 – FEES – ROE IT Services – for a Revised Budget Amount of $7,500 and $900 to Expense Line Number 104- 105-5100 – Salary-IT Director – for a Revised Budget Amount of $900 and $900 to Expense Line Number 104-105-5665 – Vehicle Fuel & Oil – for a Revised Budget Amount of $900 and $5,700 to Expense Line Number 104-105-5825 – Equipment – for a Revised Budget Amount of $5,700. (ATTACHMENT C-8)

The clerk read the additional fund appropriation by title only.

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

Mr. Austin stated this was from last month but they needed to get the numbers right. A roll call vote was taken to approve the additional fund appropriation. Those in favor were: Mark Peter, Matt Obert, Robert Reich, John Brady, David McCleary, Les Post, Theresa Bockhold, Joe Zanger, David Hoskins, Todd Duesterhaus, Bret Austin, Steven Demoss, Mark Sorensen, Barbara Fletcher, Ryan Hinkamper, Dave Bellis, Marvin Kerkhoff, Raquel Sparrow, Travis Cooley and Kent Snider.

Total in favor was 20. Total opposed was 0. Total absent was 1.

The additional fund appropriation was approved.

b. Additional Fund Appropriation from Jerrod Welch – Public Health Administrator – in the Amount of $5,000 to Revenue Account Line Number 601-601-4621 – GRANTS – SAFE KIDS of ADAMS CO. – for a Revised Budget Amount of $5,000 and $5,000 to Expense Account Line Number 601-601-5720 – SAFE KIDS of ADAMS Co. GRANT EXPENSE – for a Revised Budget Amount of $5,000. (ATTACHMENT C-9) The clerk read the additional fund appropriation by title only.

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

Mr. Austin stated this was a grant that Mr. Welch is bringing in.

A roll call vote was taken to approve the additional fund appropriation. Those in favor were: Mark Peter, Matt Obert, Robert Reich, John Brady, David McCleary, Les Post, Theresa Bockhold, Joe Zanger, David Hoskins, Todd Duesterhaus, Bret Austin, Steven Demoss, Mark Sorensen, Barbara Fletcher, Ryan Hinkamper, Dave Bellis, Marvin Kerkhoff, Raquel Sparrow, Travis Cooley and Kent Snider.

Total in favor was 20. Total opposed was 0. Total absent was 1.

The additional fund appropriation was approved.

c. Additional Fund Appropriation from F. Bryden Cory – Treasurer – in the Amount of $25,000 to Expense Line Number 001-181-5713 – All Expenses – for a Revised Budget Amount of $25,000.

The clerk read the additional fund appropriation by title only.

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

Mr. Austin stated this is an opening of an independent checkbook for the Bicentennial Commission. This will be the county’s portion of seeding the beginning of that commission.

A roll call vote was taken to approve the additional fund appropriation. Those in favor were: Mark Peter, Matt Obert, Robert Reich, John Brady, David McCleary, Les Post, Theresa Bockhold, Joe Zanger, David Hoskins, Todd Duesterhaus, Bret Austin, Steven Demoss, Mark Sorensen, Barbara Fletcher, Ryan Hinkamper, Dave Bellis, Marvin Kerkhoff, Raquel Sparrow, Travis Cooley and Kent Snider.

Total in favor was 20. Total opposed was 0. Total absent was 1.

The additional fund appropriation was approved.

d. Transfer of Funds Appropriation from F. Bryden Cory – Treasurer – in the amount of $25,000 from Line Number 001-001-5999 – Contingency – for a Revised Budget Amount of $107,500 and $25,000 to Line Number 001-181-4295 – Revenue – for a Revised Budget Amount of $25,000 (ATTACHMENT C-11)

The clerk read the transfer of funds appropriation by title only.

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

Mr. Austin stated that this funds the bicentennial commission.

A roll call vote was taken to approve the transfer of funds appropriation. Those in favor were: Mark Peter, Matt Obert, Robert Reich, John Brady, David McCleary, Les Post, Theresa Bockhold, Joe Zanger, David Hoskins, Todd Duesterhaus, Bret Austin, Steven Demoss, Mark Sorensen, Barbara Fletcher, Ryan Hinkamper, Dave Bellis, Marvin Kerkhoff, Raquel Sparrow, Travis Cooley and Kent Snider.

Total in favor was 20. Total opposed was 0. Total absent was 1.

The transfer of funds appropriation was approved.

Budget/Levy

a. Discussion of Budget for FY22-23

Mr. Austin stated that we are running a little behind where he thought they would be. He stated the first draft should be out next week which gives the board a month to review it. He stated that we were lucky the ARPA money has helped with capital expenditures. He stated that the goal is to keep a flat levy rate.

Insurance

Mr. Austin stated that Dave Hoskins has done an amazing amount of work on the county’s insurance plans. He stated that he appreciates all of his work he has done and we will miss his expertise. Mr. Obert has stated that he would second that as well. Mr. Austin stated that we have decisions to make between self-insured plan or fully insured. He stated that the fully insured plan actually isn’t as much. He stated that we got numbers from Blue Cross Blue Shield and the premium raise was 34.6 percent. rebates. Mr. Austin stated their committee’s recommendation is to keep the self-insured plan and try to mitigate the premium raises by using an increased deductible and an increase in out-of pocket. He stated they will be meeting with department heads and union representatives to get this negotiated.

It could be a raise of premiums from 5-10% for employees and a raise in cost for the county. He stated something needs to change and it’s going to continue to be a challenge.

The committee’s next meeting will be November 14th, 2022

Unfinished Business

There was no unfinished business to discuss

New Business

Approval of Board Member Travel Vouchers

There were no board member travel vouchers to approve.

Monthly Reports

Supervisor of Assessments/Board of Review, Juvenile Detention Center, the County Clerk & Recorder’s Office, Sheriff’s Department, the Public Defender, the Circuit Clerk, and the Treasurer’s office, Monthly check register for September 2022, and Funds Summary report for September 2022 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.

Mr. Brady asked where we stand with the sales tax and the jail. Mr. Austin stated it is roughly bringing in $1.8 million a year. Our bond payment is about $1.9 million. Our upside down leakage is about $50,000 a year.

Appointments

a. Appointment of Ted Niemann and Holly Cain to the Bicentennial Commission of Adams County

Mr. Post made a motion to approve the appointments.

Mrs. Bockhold seconded the motion.

The appointments were approved.

Correspondence

1) InSite INC.- Future TowerNorth Development LLC and Verizon Wireless Telecommunications Facility located at 1396 N. 1300th Ave, Fowler, IL 62338.

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

Mr. Zanger seconded the motion.

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

Mr. Austin asked if we could get these letters regarding the housing project as part of the record for correspondence.

The October 11th, 2022 meeting was recessed until Tuesday, November 15th, 2022

https://www.co.adams.il.us/home/showpublisheddocument/7770