Quincy Reporter

Adams County Board met July 5.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The County Board of Adams County, Illinois met at the Courthouse, Quincy, Illinois, on Tuesday, July 5, 2023 at 7:00 P.M. for a special county board meeting, pursuant to recess.

PRESENT: Kent Snider, Chairman

Ryan Niekamp, County Clerk

Chairman Snider called the meeting to order.

Mr. Mark Sorensen gave the invocation which was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

The County Clerk called the roll, and the following members were present: Jon McCoy, Tim Finlay, Robert Reich, Brad Poulter, David McCleary, Theresa Bockhold, Joe Zanger, Brent Fischer, Todd Duesterhaus, Bret Austin, Mark Sorensen, Ryan Hinkamper, Dave Bellis, Marvin Kerkhoff, Mark Dietrich, Steve McQueen, Travis Cooley and Kent Snider.

Total Present: 18 Absent: 3

Absent were: Les Post, Keith Callaway and Barb Fletcher

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, Christa Holtman- Chief Deputy County Clerk, Judge Scott D. Larson- Circuit Judge, Todd Nelson- Public Defender, Cisco Fuller Director of Administrative Services, Patrick Frazier- Chief Deputy Sheriff, and Sheriff Anthony Grootens.

New Business

County Courthouse Mold Report

Discussion:

Mr. Bellis stated they have been looking for an industrial hygienist to help work on a plan. He stated that Safestart answered the public’s questions, but not their questions they had as a committee. He stated they have reached out to the company but have not heard back. Mr. Bellis stated they found an industrial hygienist who has been given Safestart’s test results that will possibly work with them and has been on site to start working on a quote. The committee toured the building with a local contactor who is a mold remediator and there is another one that will be interested in helping as well. Mr. Bellis stated there

is a lot of interest in doing the remediation as soon as the board can get a plan together. He stated they will put it out for bid and get quotes on remediation.

Mr. Duesterhaus asked if they have involved the health department and that he thinks they should involve them. Mr. Bellis stated that he would be interested in that and they are aware of what’s going on. Mr. Gary Farha stated that Mr. Welch was the first person they consulted about the mold issue. He stated that Mr. Welch’s opinion was that there is no building over 50 years that doesn’t have these concerns. Mr. Duesterhaus stated that since it is a public building, he should be concerned. Mr. Bellis stated that the main concern is the public and the employees and they are diligently working on this. He stated they want to get it resolved as soon as possible. He stated that he did instruct maintenance to take out two ceiling tiles and that it was a mistake. He stated they will maintain this building and are going to order Heppa filters which should better their air 10-25%.

Mr. McQueen stated that it seems to him that Safestart has been more adversary than they have been a consultant and asked if they would be looking at other parties to get through this issue. Mr. Bellis stated that an industrial hygienist would oversee the project.

Mr. Reich asked what they should be telling the employees in the interim and that they are his first priority. Mr. Bellis agreed and stated they are moving as quickly as possible. Mr. Hinkamper stated that they should be told that they are working on a remediation plan and masks have been provided for them to use as they see fit. He stated they can only move as quickly as they get proposals and plans back. He stated they are at the mercy of getting more information from others.

Mr. Austin asked if we have secured the recording of the first meeting with Safestart post-testing or if we have requested it. Mr. Todd Eyler stated that he has requested it three times. He stated that Safestart has said they would provide it if we provided the minutes and recording from the June 13th county board meeting in which Mr. Eyler stated they would be welcome to that after they are approved. Mr. Austin asked if they are in a “you show me yours, I’ll show you mine” situation with this consultant. Mr. Eyler stated that was correct and that that nobody has a copy of the recording of that meeting with Safestart.

Mr. Bellis asked if the public could get the recording and minutes to please do and pass them on to the board. Mr. Austin stated that we are going to get a fuller picture of what was said at the first meeting and it would be released to the public. Mr. Eyler confirmed. Mr. McQueen stated the key problem is employee safety and addressing the building. He stated that we should follow up on the poor handling by the Safestart company, but the first priority should be the employees and the building and getting it remediated.

Mr. Snider spoke to the employees and public at the meeting. He stated with restrictions they have in government, they have to take bids and run them through specific projects and it takes time. He stated the Transportation Committee has worked non-stop on getting something going as far as a remediation plan. He stated they will take care of the employees. He asked them to take a deep breath and let them do their job the way they legally have to do it. They have to follow specific procedures and they are pushing it as fast as they can. He stated they are taking it seriously and they are going to do something about it just like they did during COVID.

Mr. Bellis reiterated that if anyone can get a copy of the Safestart Zoom meeting, please do. Mr. McCleary stated it would answer a lot of questions that the public has.

The July 5, 2023 special county board meeting was recessed until Tuesday, July 11, 2023. 

https://www.co.adams.il.us/home/showpublisheddocument/8635/638247541940070000