Peoria Standard

Peoria County Board Met Feb. 11.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

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. The following members of the Board were present: Members Blair, Bryant, Daley, Dillon, Duncan (Via teleconference), Elsasser, Fennell, Groves Allison, Pastucha, Rand, Reliford (Via teleconference), Reneau (Via teleconference), Rieker, Rosenbohm (Via teleconference), Salzer (Via teleconference), Watkins, Williams, and Windish (Via teleconference).

I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

• Approval of January 14, 2021 County Board Meeting Minutes

Member Blair moved for approval of the minutes, Member Rieker seconded. Member Daley moved to amend the minutes to correct "Medicare" in the Miscellaneous and Announcements to "Medicaid" and Member Fennell seconded. The motion to amend passed by a unanimous roll call vote of 18 ayes. The minutes as amended, passed by a unanimous roll call vote of 18 ayes.

II. PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

• Chief Judge Update

Chief Judge Kate Gorman addressed the Board regarding the operations of the Courts. She explained that there are two jury trials scheduled each week with the expectation to increase the number over time, including in-person hearings, and that she is looking forward to working collaboratively with the Board. Chairman Rand inquired about her position and her family's connection to it, and she detailed that her father was chief judge from 1994-1998.

III. CITIZENS' REMARKS

There were no citizens' remarks submitted.

Chairman Rand read a text detailing the history and celebration of Abraham Lincoln's birthday, and Member Elsasser acknowledged that Lincoln was the greatest president.

IV. CONSENT AGENDA (including reports to be filed)

C1. The Treasurer report consisting of the Bank and CD's Portfolio for the month of December 2020 and Revenue & Expenditure Reports for the month of November 2020.

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

C3. A resolution (items 1, 7 conveyances; items 2 -6 surrenders) from the Ways and Means Committee recommending that the County Board Chairman be authorized and directed to execute deeds 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 February 11, 2021 and any transaction between the parties involved not occurring within this period shall be null and void.

C4. A joint resolution from your Finance Audit and Legislative Affairs Committee and your County Operations Committee recommending approval of an FY2020 appropriation in the amount of $795,000.00 in the Risk Management Funds and an FY2020 appropriation in the amount of $1,150,000.00 in the Employee Health Funds.

C5. A resolution from your County Operations Committee recommending acceptance of $4,000.00 grant award for educational purposes from the Sally Lorraine Sedlak Vaughan Irrevocable Trust and appropriation of those funds into the PCAPS Fund.

C6. A resolution from your County Operations Committee recommending acceptance of $5,000.00 grant award for cat enrichment and behavior programs from Best Friends Animal Society and appropriation of those funds into the PCAPS Fund.

C7. A resolution from your County Operations Committee recommending approval of an appropriation of FY2020 for unused donated funds in the amount of $5,000.00 into the FY2021 PCAPS budget.

C8. A resolution from your County Health Committee recommending approval of the Peoria City/County Landfill budget for the time period January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021.

C9. A resolution from your Infrastructure Committee recommending approval of a Phase I Preliminary Engineering Agreement with Maurer-Stutz, Inc., Peoria, IL, for culvert replacement on Slane Road, at a cost not to exceed $18,500.00.

C10. A resolution from your Infrastructure Committee recommending approval of a one-year contract between Peoria County and Jim Stenger to cash rent Peoria County farmland at 10228 W. Powder Mill Road, Edwards, IL, in the amount of $150.00 per acre.

C11. Chairman Appointments.

Member Pastucha moved to approve the Consent Agenda and Member Bryant seconded. Member Fennell asked to pull Item C8. The Consent Agenda, except for Item C8, was approved by a unanimous roll call vote of 18 ayes.

C8. A resolution recommending approval of the City/County Landfill budget.

Member Fennell moved to approve Item C8 and Member Blair seconded. Mr. Sorrel described the landfill, the Committee's operations and the proposed budget, including an unchanged cost shared by the County and the City.

Member Fennell inquired about the remaining capacity at Landfill Number 2. Mr. Sorrel informed, and Member Williams confirmed, that it will reach capacity in 2023. Member Williams highlighted that the host fee has not been raised since 2016, that the tonnage has reduced 5% a year, and that the capital cost is related to a leachate system.

Member Elsasser asked about the impact of recycling on the expected closure date, and Member Williams confirmed that recycling has impacted the length of operation. Item C8 was approved by a unanimous roll call vote of 18 ayes.

V. ZONING ORDINANCE AND RESOLUTIONS

1. Case #004-21-V, Petition of Peoria County. A Text Amendment to amend Chapter 20, Article 3, Section 3.5 "Special Use Permits", and Article 11, Section 11.1 "Definitions" of the Peoria County Code. The Zoning Board of Appeals recommends approval. The Land Use Committee concurs.

Member Dillon moved to approve the ordinance and Member Blair seconded. Member Dillon noted that the change is for wind power generation and thanked the staff for their work.

Member Rieker asked for details on the changes, and Planning and Zoning Director Kathi Urban discussed that the changes would require more reporting, studies, and agreements before a permit application can be submitted.

Member Elsasser inquired about a decommissioning plan, and Ms. Urban reported that the ordinance includes plan requirements. The ordinance passed by a unanimous roll call vote of 18 ayes.

2. Case #045-20-U, Petition of Gary Edmonds (Gary & Diane Edmonds, owners). A Special Use as required in Section 20-5.11.2.3.b of the Unified Development Ordinance. This section allows for a special use for warehousing/mini-storage in the "I-2" Heavy Industrial Zoning District. The petitioner proposes to bring an existing self-storage into compliance with the Unified Development Ordinance. The parcel is located in Limestone Township. The Zoning Board of Appeals recommends approval. The Land Use Committee concurs.

Member Dillon moved to approve the ordinance and Member Elsasser seconded. The ordinance passed by a unanimous roll call vote of 18 ayes.

3. A resolution from your Executive Committee recommending approval of an engagement agreement with the Center for Government Studies at Northern Illinois University, for strategic planning services, in an amount not to exceed $33,000.00.

Member Fennell moved to approve the resolution and Member Williams seconded. Mr. Sorrel identified that the Board last engaged in strategic planning in 2016 but that it was shelved due to financial stress. He highlighted that the chosen organization is qualified and that it has helped other local governments.

Member Rieker conveyed that the plan could help build up and shine a light on the County. Member Elsasser suggested that the most effective planning sessions were led by the County Administrator and that he would be a no vote.

Member Blair discussed that an outside facilitator can help hear all sides and stressed that the Board should implement the plan. Chairman Rand informed that other local governing bodies will be engaged and highlighted that Peoria County is attractive to industry.

Member Dillon proposed finding who the area is by reviving the Metro Peoria Committee, and Chairman Rand emphasized that the "who we are" question is about branding. The resolution was approved by a roll call vote of 17 ayes and 1 nay, with Member Elsasser voting nay.

4. A resolution from the Chairman of County Operations Committee and the County Administrator recommending approval of a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between Peoria County and AFSCME-PCEA 3586. (Poll Vote per Rules of Order, Article V, Section 18C; and pending union ratification)

Member Reneau moved to approve the resolution and Member Duncan seconded. Mr. Sorrel explained that the contract covers most of the clerical staff and detailed the changes to wages. He noted that that the all-in savings from the previously rejected agreement is $145,000. Member Reneau thanked the employees for their patience, the staff for their work, and believed that the agreement is fair. The resolution was approved by a unanimous roll call vote of 18 ayes.

5. SUSPENSION OF RULES

Member Groves Allison moved to suspend the rules to consider the following item that did not come through Committee and Member Dillon seconded. Assistant State's Attorney Jennie Cordis Boswell explained that the declaration must be reapproved each month because the State extends its proclamation. The motion passed by a roll call vote of 17 ayes and 1 nay, with Member Windish voting nay.

6. A Proclamation extending the Declaration of Emergency due to COVID-19 in Peoria County, Illinois.

Member Fennell moved to approve the resolution and Member Watkins seconded. The resolution was approved by a roll call vote of 17 ayes and 1 nay, with Member Windish voting nay.

VI. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Personnel Matters

Chairman Rand announced he would take Miscellaneous and Announcements before the Board went into Executive Session. For those items, see below.

Member Pastucha moved to go into executive session to discuss personnel matters and Member Fennell seconded. The motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote of 16 ayes.

Members Dillon and Elsasser returned to the meeting.

VII. MISCELLANEOUS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Member Elsasser inquired about weighing in on the Criminal Justice Reform Bill with regards to the effect it would have on the County. He cited that there has been pushback on the bill. Member Groves Allison requested that the Sheriff address the Board, and Chairman Rand expressed that the discussion should include the State's Attorney and Chief Judge due to its impact.

Chairman Rand suggested that the Public Safety and Justice Committee discuss the topic and Member Rosenbohm concurred. Member Dillon contended that although the bill may have an impact, the Board should not debate the merit of the bill. He believed that it may be a discussion to have in the Finance, Audit and Legislative Affairs Committee, but it should not be a topic to pass legislation due to its contentious nature.

Chairman Rand and Member Elsasser agreed that a conversation regarding the impact will be explored and it can be heard in Committee.

Members Dillon and Elsasser left the meeting.

Member Salzer recognized the life of Mary Harkrader as her public servant to Peoria. He highlighted that she was a very respected leader in the community and state.

Member Fennell brought up that there is a nice article on Mr. Sorrel in the latest edition of the National Association of Counties newsletter.

Member Pastucha inquired about COVID-19 vaccinations, and Chairman Rand detailed that the County is leading the state in distribution, that gaps still exist, and that increased capacity may be coming. Member Pastucha mentioned the difficulty in signing up for the vaccine for those that qualify, and Chairman Rand highlighted the outreach efforts.

Member Fennell conveyed that a constituent did not have a family doctor, which made her ineligible for OSF's vaccinations. Chairman Rand informed that the constituent would be eligible for vaccination at the County's site.

Member Elsasser thanked the Chairman for the additional appointment of Member Daley to the Redistricting Committee.

VIII. ADJOURNMENT

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

https://www.peoriacounty.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_02112021-940