Quincy Reporter

Adams County Board met July 18.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The County Board of Adams County, Illinois met at the Courthouse, Quincy, Illinois, on Tuesday, July 18th, 2023 at 6:00 P.M., pursuant to recess.

PRESENT: R. 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, Les Post, Theresa Bockhold, Bret Austin, Mark Sorensen, Barbara Fletcher, Dave Bellis, Steve McQueen, R. Kent Snider and Travis Cooley.

Total Present: 14 Absent: 7

Absent was: Joe Zanger, Brent Fischer, Todd Duesterhaus, Keith Callaway, Ryan Hinkamper, Marvin Kerkhoff, Mark Dietrich

Chairman Snider declared a quorum present.

New Business

The Board invited John Howard to speak about Air Scrubbing Equipment for the Adams County Courthouse. Mr. Bellis made a motion to suspend the rules; seconded by Mr. Post. The Board voted in favor of suspending the rules so Mr. Howard could speak.

Mr. Howard asked if the Board had any specific questions. A board member asked if the equipment was mounted in the vents; Mr. Howard confirmed that they were. Mr. Howard continues to explain how the systems work and what would work best for the Courthouse building itself. In his (Howard’s) estimate, the Courthouse would need 36 of the Air Scrubbing units for the modular units. Mr. Howard recommended that if the Board were to put this out as an RFP to do so as a per unit basis since it’s a variable thing. He believes it might be more cost effective to use a modular unit in instead of the vent unit. Mr. Howard states that NASA invented the Air Scrubbers, and they are supposed to kill 99% microbials. Mr. Howard states that all the units will have a yearly upkeep – they will require new filters yearly. The Duct Scrubbers themselves will use an ultraviolet light as well as ionization which will take the small particles and ionizes them, charges them, and turns them into larger particles so the filters can catch them. Mr. Howard explained how the system would work in the Board Room as an example.

Mr. Poulter asked if the modular units were self-standing. Mr. Howard stated they were, and they can run 24/7 and they are quiet. He states the area that is served via ducts, he recommends using the duct mounted unit – spaces like the Board Room, he recommends the modular unit – then as the Board continues down the road for remediation, these units can be used again.

Mr. Bellis stated that to be clear this is not duct cleaning, it is air scrubbing. Mr. Howard agreed – he states that this is treating the air that is being pulled in now. Mr. Howard states that he and his team have looked at our ducts and they believe that this is the best option currently.

Mr. McQueen asked if there was any advantages or differences between the duct mounted unit or modular unit. Mr. Howard talks about the differences between the two different units and when he would recommend each unit. Mr. McQueen asked if each of the units utilize the UV light. Mr. Howard stated yes. Mr. McQueen asked if each of the UV lights were self-contained within the units. Mr. Howard stated yes – it’s in a filtered compartment and he would send additional literature to Mr. Bellis that further explains how the system works in this regard if the Board would like. Mr. Howard advised that were the UV light is located, in the filtered compartment, this is the filter area that would need to be changed at least yearly. Mr. Howard states that for the modular units, if they are only ran eight (8) hours a day, the filters would not need to be changed more than every three (3) years. If they are ran 24/7 then they need to be changed yearly – the units in the duct would need to be changed yearly since they are constantly being charged. Mr. McQueen states that it specifically list Aspergillusand Staphylococcus (Chartarum, Aureus, Epidermis) as far as what the machines will do. Mr. Howard stated yes. Mr. McQueen states that, that is the most important thing. Mr. McQueen continues, that for the record that this is an immediate address of the issue understanding that this will be followed by a remediation plan.

Mr. McCleary stated that the plan is now to start getting the air cleaned through the scrubbers and then work on the remediation plan and get the remediations people hired. Mr. McQueen stated that we as a board, understand that this is one step, and we will have other steps. Mr. Reich states, this is basically just super filtration, correct? Mr. Howard agreed – this unit has the ionizers which will ionize the mold particles so they can be caught in the filtration system. Mr. Reich stated that he is 99% certain this unit will not kill mold. Mr. Howard agreed and further states it will capture the mold and then explains the process for designing new units for new buildings – new buildings would not have functioning windows and the largest cost to a new project (HVAC) is bringing fresh air into the building. Mr. Howard continues to explain that the units now have ionizers which cleans the air and then helps the fresh air coming into the space. These ionizers, with UV lights were developed because of COVID. Mr. Reich states he was skeptical on the UV lights – he had them in the animal business – and all they did was caused issued with retinas. Mr. McQueen states that is the reason he asked his question earlier and states the UV lights will take care of about 14 items on the list provided, or at least effects it negatively – but it does not affect the mold. What this machine will do is kill all those things and capture the mold – it will not kill the mold.

Mr. Finlay thanked Mr. Howard for coming and explaining the system. Mr. Finaly asked what Mr. Howard’s experience has been with the system and what kind of results that he has seen. Mr. Howard states that this is his first time with this exact system – he does have experience with the ionizers – but not with the UV light. Mr. Howard states that he has not seen any direct air quality. Mr. Howard states that this unit was developed by NASA and he is happy to reach out to the vendor to request more information to provide to the board.

Mr. Bellis spoke that Mr. Howard has spend many, many hours going through the building with Terry and himself trying get ahead of this. Mr. Bellis states that he wants to ask the Board to put this out for RFP. Mr. Bellis further states that he heard back from the “new guy” at four pm today, so he is back in town and that Mr. Eyler would be finalizing the agreement with him.

Mr. Snider reminded, Mr. Bellis that we need to resume the Board Rules. Mr. Austin moved that the Board goes back to regular open session, seconded by Mr. Bellis. Mr. Snider thanked Mr. Howard for his hard work. Mr. Bellis said that he appreciates all of the help that Mr. Howard has provided because he lives and works here in Adams County. The motion to put the RFP for Air Scrubbers was made by Mr. Bellis, seconded by Mr. Finlay. Chairman Snider made a comment that if they were to put this out for RFP, he wants it back before the next Board Meeting and the new guy doing the new study for the Board needs to have results in by the next Board Meeting. Mr. Bellis acknowledged and agreed.

Mr. Austin wanted to point out some comments made by Mr. Howard. Mr. Austin asked what we were doing to address the employees leaving their windows open during the most humid time of the year – overnight, etc. Mr. Austin states he believes he heard Mr. Howard say that there are a couple of different times and then asked who would get the number needed for each of the types of units, so the bids are apples to apples. Mr. Bellis stated that he would have that information included in the bid.

Mr. McQueen asked a question to Mr. Bellis regarding the number of different units and if the units were going to be mobile that were not in the duct work. Mr. Bellis stated they would be on wheels so they could be moved.

Chairman Snider called the question through a voice vote. The motion unanimously carries.

Mr. Bellis states he does not do Facebook and a few people sent him a picture the other day of a ceiling tile with a stain on it. He continues that it is funny how employees will call maintenance in a heartbeat if they need something like paper, but there is a black spot on a ceiling tile on the third floor. Mr. Bellis states when he heard about it late one night, four different people sent him the picture that he called maintenance that night – the next morning the ceiling tile was fixed and corrected. Someone then put on Facebook that the tile was replaced, but the problem was not fixed. Mr. Bellis stated that just because you did not see a maintenance person fix a problem, does not mean it was not fixed. Bellis continues with he hopes that person writes an apology back to the maintenance department for blowing it up – and that he is getting tired of it. Mr. Bellis states that some people make noise, others make decisions.

Chairman Snider stated there is no executive session.

Chairman Snider stated that if anyone has any questions, please send them all to Mr. Eyler and he would get them disbursed out to Chairman Snider, Mr. Snider.

The July 18th, 2023 meeting was recessed until Tuesday, August 15, 2023.

https://www.co.adams.il.us/home/showpublisheddocument/8713/638278799617047154