Jasper County Board
December 10th, 2020
The County Board met in regular session on Thursday, December 10th, 2020. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by proclamation according to law by Sheriff Francis. Sheriff Francis led a moment in silence and the Pledge of Allegiance. Members present were Bollman, Fehrenbacher, Geier, Hall, Heltsley, Hickox, Kerner, Leffler, Pickens, Swick, Warfel, and Weddell.
Public comments:
Herb Meeker passed out his contact. He has written a column about procedures of meetings meeting remotely and if anyone would like to comment, they can contact him.
During the Reorganizational meeting last Tuesday, the board adopted a procedural rule of order to allow for the use of a consent agenda. Items placed here would-be routine procedures or items that have unanimous consent. Warfel asked all board members to review the items on the consent agenda in advance, if any one member wishes to have an item removed from the consent agenda to discuss and vote on separately, they may request it. Swick made a motion to approve the agenda. Bollman seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote.
Committee Reports:
Standing Committees
Ambulance Department: The Jasper County Ambulance Committee met on December, 2 nd 2020. In the July, 31 st 2020 committee meeting Hall made a motion to increase the starting rate of part time paramedics from $15.00 an hour to $17.00 an hour, and part time EMT-Basics from $11.00 an hour to $13.00 an hour pending the approval of the 2021 budget, and seconded by Weddell – all in favor. In the November, 4 th 2020 committee meeting Weddell made a motion to allow a one-time payout to the full-time employees for the vacation time they still have from 2020 up to 5 days (120) hours or to allow them to roll them over and would then convert to two 24 hour shifts in 2021, seconded by Kerner – all in favor.
Building Updates: The final parking block was put into place after a conflict with Parrott Auction that did involve Newton PD and the Sheriff’s Department. Equipment Updates: Inspection paperwork has been sent off so the new unit can be placed into service. Daniel recommended that we go out for sealed bids for the old unit and must be in by the close of business on February, 2 nd 2021 and will be opened at the February, 3 rd committee meeting. Waiting this long gives a chance to reach more possible buyers. Sheriff Francis talked with the committee about the current dispatch contract between the Ambulance Department and the Sheriff’s Department and as a group it was decided to include the 911 board at the December, 11 th meeting on how it should be handled. The next Scheduled meeting for the ambulance committee will be Wednesday, January, 6 th 2021 at 8:30 a.m.
Buildings: The Building Committee of Jasper County met on Friday, December 4th, 2020 at 8:30 am. Tom’s Report: Concrete for the benches at the courthouse is complete. Fill dirt has settled and will continue to settle, will fill later. DM Welding completed installing benches, still waiting on two trash cans. Surveillance work completed but they need software installed and will be here next week. Christmas decorations are out of the courthouse basement. The train cut out with business names on it is approximately 30 years old, the nativity is older than that it was hand painted. The nativity is being sealed to protect it from the weather. Toilet still down at courthouse the automatic sensor parts did not fix the problem, the company sent all new parts and still did not work. It will cost $400 to fix. Questioned employees what they thought. A new handle will cost $120, change one and see how it works, then replace all. Awning on southside of county building completed. New surveillance equipment and monitors for the courthouse has been ordered and paid for. Bruce Ochs is going to grind sidewalks down to make a smooth, so no longer a trip hazard. New strand of lights around the courthouse top is replaced with LED. Furnace, in Treasurer’s office, board room and hallway, has a hole in exchange and fan motor bearings out. $3,000-$4,000 to fix, Steffen’s said the unit doesn’t need to be replaced.
It would cost $17,000 for a new unit. The parts have been ordered. Is Jesse Yager still going to be removing snow, Tom will ask. The fire extinguisher inspection has been completed and they will be back in a week and they will quote a price on a fire suppression system. Ronnie Diel still needs to complete the courtroom wall and assessor wall with insulation. Discussion on record protection. Emergency exit for board room will talk to someone who may be willing to complete. Sheriff Department Project meeting was held and detailed plans of whole building, hoping to have detailed enough to vote on and put up for bids in January or February. 5-year plan have everyone look it over and discuss next meeting. Courthouse was in sad shape 4 years ago and has had a lot of work completed on it. Discussed the time and day for the committee to meet. The committee decided the Monday before the board meeting at 7 pm. There is an interest in a pavilion for the courthouse lawn. The Chamber and the Tourism is willing to help. Tourism is really interested. Need to start thinking about the size, style and making sure it is handicapped accessible. Next meeting January 11 th at 7:00 pm.
Finance: The Jasper County Finance Committee met on Monday, December 7, 2020. Treasurer’s Report:
Bigard provided comparison of General Fund November 2020 income and expenses with 2019 numbers. For Fiscal Year 2020 the General Fund total income was down $37,257 and total expenses were up $126,471 leaving a net positive of $314,753. Bigard also noted that the final Ameren payback has been paid by the county. Payroll received a payroll change notice in the amount of a 12% raise for an outgoing Health Department Employee. As the County’s IMRF agent, Bigard informed the committee that, any raise in excess of 6% within one year of retirement would trigger an IMRF accelerated payment penalty. The Health Department was informed of the penalty and potential cost to the department. Reviewing Board of Health minutes from July 2020 a longevity raise was approved with no details on amount. Proposed 2021 County Tax Levy would be submitted to the full board. Bigard reviewed IMRF, Social Security, Tort Judgement & General Liability, Unemployment Insurance and Workman’s Compensation accounts. Swick moved to increase the Ambulance Departments levy by 2 cents. Heltsley seconded the motion. The motion carried on a voice vote.
Bollman moved to decrease the IMRF levy by $200,000. Swick seconded the motion. The motion carried on a voice vote. $74,000 increase to the ambulance levy. Fehrenbacher moved to approve the $1,000 annual renewal for the Jasper County CEO Program. Swick seconded the motion. The motion carried on a voice vote. Fiscal Year 2020 County audit has started. Bigard gave an update on the County’s CURES Act application. Notice was received that the County’s $245,700 grant would be awarded. Additional money may be available through the CURES Act which the County would continue to pursue. Once awarded the money would be deposited in the General Fund and the Treasurer in conjunction with the Finance Committee would work to develop at proposed plan for fund dispersal to the impacted county departments. The Finance
Committee will continue to meet on the Monday prior to the full board meeting at 8:30 a.m., one exception was noted on the 2021 calendar with Columbus Day falling on October 11 the October meeting would be moved to Tuesday, October 12 at 7:00 p.m. Next Meeting will be Monday, January 11 at 8:30 a.m.
Highway Department: County Maintenance 21-00000-00-GMResolution was presented to committee for
approval. Ron Swick made a motion and was seconded by A.C. Pickens to approve the Resolution. The motion carried on a voice vote. Resolution will need full board approval. Foreman’s mileage for November 2020 was 1,212 miles. Operations
The County Operations Committee of Jasper County met on Wednesday, December 9 th , 2020 at 6:00 pm.
Closed Session: Heltsley made a motion to move into closed session for the purpose of discussing deliberations concerning salary, exception #2 under the Open Meeting Act [5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2)]. Bollman seconded the motion. Roll Call vote was taken with all members voting yes. No action would be taken following the closed session. The committee entered closed session at 6:03 p.m. The next monthly meeting will be January 27, 2021 at 6:00 p.m.
Public Safety
Public Safety has not met.
Special Committee
Law Enforcement Center Planning Committee: The Law Enforcement Center Planning Committee met on Wednesday, December 2, 2020. Old Business: Shannon Woodard with Connor and Connor discussed the soil boring. A sewer pipe was struck by the company that did the boring which resulted in a contingency bill to the county. Woodard explained the unusual routing path of the sewer on the property and the sewer pipe struck had not been flagged prior to boring. New Business: Woodard present a bill to the committee for the soil boring for the amount of $7,350. Tim Raibley and Jason Wright with Architecture & Design Group – ADG updated the committee on the current design progress. Presentation included 40 sheets detailing various aspects of the design from roofing, elevation, wall structure, plumbing, sprinkler system, sanitary, handicap accessibility, electrical, lighting, and general floorplan. In addition to the design specifications, they also have compiled a detailed project. The design process is about 85% complete and current plans and design has been shared with the Department of Corrections. The Department of Corrections said the initial plans look great but would like to remain in close contact through the remainder of the design and building process. When a more finalized design plan is complete it will be sent to the Department of Corrections for review and approval.
Raibley noted the building will be designed and built to code relating to handicap accessibility, national fire
protection, plumbing and international building code as required by the State of Illinois. It was noted that had the County proceeded with a building that did not meet code compliance and approval from the Department of Corrections it could not be used as a detention facility. Discussion of having a meeting in the next two weeks between the architect, engineer, sheriff, EMA director and 911 director regarding selection of minor design features and questions including door hardware, flooring, etc. to be added to the final design plan. The next meeting of the planning committee would take place sometime prior to the January 14, 2021 board meeting with the anticipation of reviewing final design plans before seeking board approval for the project to go out for bids. The approval of the design by the board to go out for bids would not be final approval of building.
Following the bid process the board would review bids and take action by accepting bids; rejecting bids or seeking to negotiate details of bids. December 16 th at 9:30 will be the next meeting.
Informative Board of Health- Monthly Report in packet.
Chamber of Commerce Shop Local Event currently going on and planning on scheduling a Valentine’s Day themed event. Lights in Park have been well attended. Holly Jolly will be recessed because of copy write. Economic Development (JEDI) – Monthly Report in packet.
Fehrenbacher made a motion to approve the consent agenda containing the following items: Approve Board
November 12, 2020 (Regular) and December 1, 2020 (Reorganization) Minutes; Approve November and December Standing Committee Minutes; Approve the Annual $1,000 Donation to the Jasper County CEO Program; Approve Attorney Edward C. Deters to a 1-Year Term as Public Defender of Jasper County; Appoint Mindy Hartke to a 2-Year Term ILLINOISouth Tourism Board; Appoint Jane Casey to a 2-Year Term
ILLINOISouth Tourism Board; Appoint John L. Probst to a 3-Year Term Island Grove Mutual Farm Drainage District Commissioner; File County Reports; Allow Claims. Heltsley seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote.
No old business.
New Business
Hickox made a motion to lower the Tax Levy by 10%. Leffler seconded the motion. Motion failed on a roll call vote with Bollman, Fehrenbacher, Geier, Hall, Heltsley, Kerner, Pickens, Swick, Warfel, and Weddell voting no. Hickox and Leffler voting yes.
Heltsley made a motion to adopt 2021 County Tax Levy. Swick seconded the motion. Motion carried on a roll call vote with Bollman, Fehrenbacher, Geier, Hall, Heltsley, Kerner, Leffler, Pickens, Swick, Warfel, and Weddell voting yes. Hickox and Leffler voting no. Leffler made a motion to approve of Jasper County 2021 Motor Fuel Tax Resolution. Hall seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote.
Weddell made a motion to approve Ambulance Department part-time pay rate. Heltsley seconded the motion.
Motion carried on a voice vote.
Swick made a motion to approve Ambulance Department accumulated full-time vacation payout or roll over.
Kerner seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote.
Closed Session minutes and appointments of the Board of Health will be held over until we return from closed session.
Board Comments: Bollman wanted to thank Gary Michl for the years of service as board member. Leffler said need to order a plaque for his service.
Chairman’s Comments
Committee appointments and committee schedule is included in the board packet. County Board Meeting in November falls on Veteran’s Day move to the following Thursday.
Sexual Harassment training needs to be completed by December 31, 2020.
University of Illinois Extension Council has opening for two vacancies – advisory role with extension staff in planning, promoting, developing, implementing and evaluating extension programs.
Heltsley made a motion to go into closed session at 7:40 pm to consider the following Discussion of Minutes of Meetings Lawfully Closed 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(21) and Discussion of Appointment 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1). Bollman seconded the motion. The motion passed on a roll call vote with Bollman, Fehrenbacher, Geier, Hall, Heltsley, Hickox, Kerner, Leffler, Pickens, Swick, Warfel, and Weddell voting yes.
Board came out of closed session at 8:22 Fehrenbacher made a motion to keep Closed Session Minutes closed. Hall seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote.
Chairman of the board Warfel made the following appointments: Dr. Jeanine Fell Dentist Licensed in Illinois with term expiring July 1, 2023, Dr. Scott Bloomberg at-large seat with term expiring July 1, 2023, Marcia Street at-large seat with term expiring November 1, 2023. Heltsley made a motion to approve the appointments to the Board of Health. Geier seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote.
Leffler moved to adjourn at 8:25 pm. Kerner seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote.
The next board meeting will be Thursday, January 14 th , 2021 at 7:00 pm.
Amy Tarr, Jasper County Clerk
