Peoria Standard

Peoria County Board of Commissioners met July 13.

Here is the minutes provided by the Commissioners:

Call to Order Moment of Silence Pledge of Allegiance Roll Call by the County Clerk

Attendance was taken with the Roll Call-Pro voting system, and the following members of the Board were present: Adamson, Baietto, Dillon, Elsasser, Fennell, Harding, Mayer, Morris, Parker, Pastucha, Rand, Rieker, Robinson, Rosenbohm, Salzer, Watkins and Williams, with O'Neill absent.

I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

• Approval of June 8, 2017 County Board Meeting Minutes

• Approval of June 27, 2017 Special County Board Meeting Minutes

• Approval of June 27, 2017 Special County Board Executive Session Minutes

Mayer moved for approval of the minutes and Elsasser seconded. Adamson stated that the executive session minutes contained language that he did not say. The executive session minutes were pulled by unanimous consent. The June 8, 2017 County Board Minutes and June 27, 2017 Special County Board Meeting Minutes were approved by a unanimous roll call vote of 17 ayes.

II. PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

• Judge Lyons request to address the County Board

Judge Lyons addressed the Board with regards to the closing of the Jefferson Street Courthouse entrance. He identified that the closing of the doors is a terrible, awful, unsafe, and outrageous thing to do and it needs to be corrected. He perceived that the Board has done nothing about the closing, but it should. He said that he has complained to multiple members of the Board about the closure. He expressed that all people must come through the Main Street entrance; forcing people of different interests to pass in a small area by the State’s Attorney’s office. He remarked that if someone were to leave a courtroom in a panicked state, they would look for the closest exit, and anyone that got in their way would pay the price. He stated that there are many lawyer offices and businesses that are near the closed entrance which are being affected by the closure, reducing the use of the businesses. He emphasized that the closure is bad economically, politically, and for clients and lawyers. He stated that he is able to use the judge’s door, but the closure is the wrong thing to do. He believed that it is fixable by the Sheriff with help from the Board.

Morris asserted that suggesting that the Board has done nothing is inaccurate. He described that the State’s Attorney told them unequivocally that it is the Sheriff’s decision. He expressed that there have been multiple conversations with those in charge, but the decision is the Sheriff’s. He contended that there is not much else the Board could do absent of suing the Sheriff.

Chairman Rand conveyed that there would be a discussion in committee soon and he has spoken with Sheriff Asbell who has promised his earnest effort to look into it. He said that the matter has raised strong points about how it impacts people and safety.

Morris believed that no real data went into the closure of the entrance. He inquired why two scanners were purchased when the doors would be closed. He asked Mr. Evans to restate the opinion he received about the Board’s authority on the matter.

Mr. Evans identified that under the statute the Sheriff is responsible for the security of the Courthouse.

III. CITIZENS' REMARKS

Dave Obergfel’s public comments were deferred to the discussion of Item 1.

Chad Schmidgall, 11501 N Ballymore Avenue, Dunlap, addressed the Board with regards to the Animal Review Board. He believed that the minutes for the Animal Review Board would be approved by the Board, and asked to receive copies of the minutes. He noted that the County Code states that the board has 5 members, but when he was in front of the board, there were 8 members present. He requested that there be clarification given on the size. He noted that citizens have been affected by the size because a prior hearing was held over for a month because 6 members were present and one recusal from the case, which did not allow for a quorum.

Chairman Rand provided that the County inherited the responsibility for animal control when it was turned over by the City of Peoria. He reported that in the course of that transfer, the Board did not revise the Animal Review Board to the correct number. He stated that there is one statute that requires 5 and another requiring 8 members, and that number is under review. He predicted that the number would be decreasing due to the difficulty in getting 8 members.

IV. CONSENT AGENDA

C1. The Treasurer report consisting of the Bank and CD's Portfolio for the month of May 2017 and Revenue & Expenditure Reports for the month of April 2017.

C2. The Auditor's report of expenditures from Accounts Payable system is accessible at www.peoriacounty.org/auditor/transparency.

C3. A recommendation from your County Board Chairman and your County Administrator to accept the resignation of Michael McCoy as Peoria County Sheriff effective June 29, 2017.

C4. A resolution (item 1 reconveyance; items 2-4, 7 conveyances, item 5 surrender; item 6 defaulted reconveyance ) from the Ways and Means Committee recommending that the County Board Chairman be authorized and directed to execute deed of said property to the highest bidder, and be authorized to cancel the appropriate Certificates of Purchase. This resolution shall be effective ninety days from July 13, 2017 and any transaction between the parties involved not occurring within this period shall be null and void.

C5. A resolution from your Public Safety and Justice Committee recommending approval of SFY18 Intergovernmental Agreement between the Tenth Judicial Circuit Court and the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services for the Access and Visitation Program, and appropriation of additional funds in the amount of $6,250.00 for FY 2017.

C6. A resolution from your Infrastructure Committee recommending approval of the lowest responsible bid of N.E. Finch, Peoria, IL, in the amount of $209,715.00 for bridge slopewall repair on Taylor Road.

C7. A resolution from your Infrastructure Committee recommending approval of the lowest responsible bid of Illinois Civil Contractors Inc., East Peoria, IL, in the amount of $140,718.30, for erosion repair on Mossville Road.

C8. A resolution from your Infrastructure Committee recommending approval of quotations received from Porter Brothers Asphalt & Sealing Inc., Rock Falls, IL, and R.A. Cullinan & Son, Tremont, IL for Township Motor Fuel Tax deliver and install proposals for sealcoating and tilling various township roads.

C9. A resolution from your Infrastructure Committee recommending approval of a Preliminary Engineering Services Agreement with Terra Engineering, Ltd., Peoria, IL, for Phase 1 and Phase 2 engineering for the Streitmatter Road bridge replacement, at a cost not to exceed $144,094.00.

C10. A resolution from your Infrastructure Committee recommending approval of a Preliminary Engineering Services Agreement with Maurer- Stutz Inc., Peoria, IL, for Phase 1 and Phase 2 engineering of erosion repairs and stream stabilization on Hallock Hollow Road, Section 2017-1- CB, at a cost not to exceed $32,998.40.

C11. A resolution from your Infrastructure Committee recommending approval of a Preliminary Engineering Services Agreement with Maurer- Stutz Inc., Peoria, IL, for Phase 1 engineering of erosion repairs on Hallock Hollow Road, Section 2017-2-CB, at a cost not to exceed $54,310.00.

C12. A resolution from your Infrastructure Committee recommending approval of a Local Agency Agreement for Federal Participation with the State of Illinois, in the amount of $241,486.00, for Preliminary Engineering of Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Kickapoo Edwards Road Project.

C13. A resolution from your Infrastructure Committee recommending approval of a Preliminary Engineering Services Agreement with Hutchison Engineering Inc., Peoria, IL, for Phase 1 and Phase 2 engineering for the construction of safety improvements on Kickapoo Edwards Road, at a cost not to exceed $241,486.40.

C14. Approval of Bond for Richard W. Deppermann, Brimfield Sanitary District.

C15. Approval of Bond for Ralph Peters, Brimfield Community Fire Protection District.

C16. Chairman Appointments.

Mayer moved to approve the Consent Agenda and Baietto seconded. Mayer asked to pull the Chillicothe Community Fire Protection District Appointments. The Consent Agenda, except for the Chillicothe Community Fire Protection District Appointments, was approved by a roll call vote of 16 ayes and 1 nay, with Harding voting nay.

Appointments to the Chillicothe Community Fire Protection District.

Elsasser moved to approve the appointments to the Chillicothe Community Fire Protection District and Salzer seconded. Morris stated that he would be abstaining due to a business relationship. Chairman Rand announced he would be abstaining due to business engagement. The appointments to the Chillicothe Community Fire Protection District were approved by a roll call vote of 15 ayes and 2 abstentions, with Morris and Chairman Rand abstaining.

V. ZONING ORDINANCE AND RESOLUTIONS

1. Case #033-17-Z, Petition of South Side Christian Academy (Peoria Christopher Club Inc. owner). A rezoning request from "C-2" General Commercial to "R-2" Medium Density Residential for a 5.84 acre parcel. The petitioner proposes to rezone this parcel in order to operate a private school. The parcel is located in Limestone Township. The Zoning Board of Appeals recommends approval effective August 1, 2017. The Land Use Committee concurs.

Dillon moved to approve the ordinance and Baietto seconded.

Dave Obergfel, South Side Christian Academy, addressed the Board with regards to the case. He thanked the Board members for their service and for their hard work on the case. He described that a year and a half ago the board members wanted to give those in the 61605 zip code the opportunity for a Christian education. He noted that the school has two pillars; the first is a rigorous and challenging academic program and the second is a strong spiritual Christian education. He predicted that the pillars will help the students have a purpose and peace in their life. He identified that the school is tuition free with 25 students next year and it will be adding a new class each year, with this upcoming year having kindergarten and first grade. He discussed that the school falls under the umbrella of the Life Song group, a national organization, with people around the United States donating to the cause. He said that the students can learn and the school wants to give them the opportunity. He believed that the building would be a good use for the school and area.

Dillon emphasized that the membership at the Knights of Columbus is not getting any younger and the use is a very good repurpose of the facility. He noted that O’Neill was a past president of the club and it is near and dear to him. He urged the Board to vote yes because it would be a good purpose for the building, and it could potentially slow down the traffic during Friday and Saturday evenings. He congratulated those involved.

Elasser believed that it would a wonderful opportunity for the young people, and the school will be a good neighbor in the community.

Chairman Rand expressed that if O’Neill was not on vacation, he would be strongly encouraging the Board to vote in favor of the item and he will be joining in voting yes. He congratulated the organization on the new venture, and encouraged them to come back if the Board could be of any further assistance.

The ordinance passed by a unanimous roll call vote of 17 ayes.

2. A resolution from the Chairman of County Operations Committee and the County Administrator recommending approval of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between Peoria County and IBEW Local 21. (Poll Vote per Rules of Order, Article V, Section 18C)

Williams moved to approve the resolution and Rosenbohm seconded. Mr. Sorrel explained that the bargaining unit represents the employees at Heddington Oaks, the contract term is 18 months, and the compensation package in the agreement is within the guidelines that the committee gave to staff. He noted that agreement was reached in short order from a negotiating standpoint. The resolution passed by a unanimous roll call vote of 17 ayes.

3. A resolution from the Chairman of Infrastructure Committee and the County Administrator recommending approval of a revised Construction Engineering Agreement with Millennia Professional Services, Morton, IL, for the Lancaster Road Bridge Replacement Project, at a cost not to exceed $234,153.52. (Poll Vote per Rules of Order, Article V, Section 18C)

Salzer moved to approve the resolution and Baietto seconded. Salzer highlighted that a formula that Millennia used for the first agreement was found to be incorrect by the Illinois Department of Transportation, and the resolution remedies that error with a savings of $39.20. The resolution passed by a unanimous roll call vote of 17 ayes.

VI. MISCELLANEOUS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Dillon thanked Mr. Sorrel and the staff of the Planning and Zoning Department for their participation in the meeting with PAAR and homebuilders about codes, development, and how to make it user friendly. He described that there has been work done with the forms to make the permit process easier and get the permit out right away. He suggested that sometimes the Board hears grumblings, but the people that use the department each day have nothing but good things to say. He brought up that the Board left the fees where they were, which does not recoup the cost, but the homebuilders believed that the fees are very reasonable. He announced that there would be more meetings with at least one a year to get feedback from the end users.

Mayer extended an invitation to the Board members to attend the Local Officials Day at the Illinois State Fair on August 12th. He said that they can get a free ticket into the fair, enjoy the meal provided, and meet fellow officials from around the State.

Fennell reported that he went to the Planning and Zoning Department with a constituent who had some confusion going in, but he was pleased with the outcome and respect from the staff, and he plans on going through with a petition. He remarked that the Board hears a lot of bad things about Planning and Zoning, but his experience has been very positive.

Elsasser expressed his concurrence with Dillon that the meeting was very positive, and he wished everyone could hear comments because they were open and honest and they had a lot of great ideas. He asserted that the shortfall in revenue from the service provided by Planning and Zoning can be made up in the EAV growth; making Peoria County the best place to build.

Chairman Rand announced that he had the distinct privilege to introduce former colleague Joan Krupa who was recognized as an IBI Legend at an Interbusiness Issues event. He highlighted her public life in the County, her campaign for the Statehouse, and the vote to impeach Governor Blagojevich. He said it was a wonderful chance for her to be recognized and she is an exemplary person in every way.

VII. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business before the Board, the Chairman announced the meeting was adjourned.

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