Peoria Standard

Peoria County Board met May 12.

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

I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

∙ Approval of April 14, 2022 County Board Meeting Minutes

Member Bryant moved for approval of the minutes and Member Daley seconded. The minutes were approved by a unanimous roll call vote of 17 ayes.

II. PROCLAMATIONS & PRESENTATIONS

∙ A presentation of the Illinois Sheriff's Association Scholarship Award

Proclamation was removed.

∙ A proclamation recognizing April and May 2022 as "Gerald M. Brookhart Arts in Education Spring Celebration" months

Dr. Francesca Armmer, President of the Peoria County Board of Health, presented a 10-year service pin to Monica Hendrickson.

III. CITIZENS' REMARKS

There were no citizens' remarks.

IV. CONSENT AGENDA (including reports to be filed)

C1. The Treasurer report consisting of the Bank and CD's Portfolio for the month of March 2022 and Revenue & Expenditure Reports for the month of February 2022.

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

C3. A resolution from your Executive Committee recommending approval of an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Peoria, the County of Peoria, and the Peoria County Board of Health establishing the Peoria Health Equity Fund.

C4. A resolution from your County Operations Committee recommending acceptance of grant monies in the amount of $10,000.00 awarded from Petco Love for animal lifesaving efforts, and appropriation of those funds into the PCAPS Fund.

C5. A resolution from your County Operations Committee recommending acceptance of grant monies in the amount of $5,000.00 awarded from Community Foundation of Central Illinois for new vaccine protocols, and appropriation of those funds into the PCAPS Fund.

C6. A resolution from your Infrastructure Committee recommending approval of a Preliminary Engineering Services Agreement with Mohr & Kerr Engineering & Land Surveying, P.C., Peoria, IL for the provision of various Land Surveying Services.

C7. A resolution from your Infrastructure Committee recommending approval of a financial commitment by Peoria County of Local Funds to match any Federal Surface Transportation Block Grant funds received for the reconstruction of Sheridan Road between Glen Avenue and Northmoor Road.

C8. A resolution from your Infrastructure Committee recommending approval of an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Peoria and County of Peoria for the County of Peoria to perform inspections of highway structures within the City of Peoria.

C9. A resolution from your Infrastructure Committee recommending approval of an appropriation from the Motor Fuel Tax Fund in the amount of $250,000.00 for the repair, replacement, and installation of guardrails on various Peoria County Highways.

C10. A resolution from your Infrastructure Committee recommending approval of an appropriation from the Motor Fuel Tax Fund in the amount of $1,000,000.00 for pavement resurfacing, shoulder repair, and other related work on Cedar Hills Drive.

C11. A resolution from your Infrastructure Committee recommending approval of a contract with Johnson Controls for the Peoria County Courthouse Fire Alarm Inspection, for a term beginning May 1, 2022 and expiring April 30, 2027.

C12. A resolution from your Infrastructure Committee recommending approval for Environmental Control Solutions, Inc. (ECSI) to implement the Peoria County Jail 2022 Competitive Large Incentive Project (CLIP).

C13. Chairman Appointments.

Member Fennell moved to approve the Consent Agenda and Member Blair seconded. The Consent Agenda was approved by a unanimous roll call vote of 17 ayes.

V. ZONING ORDINANCE AND RESOLUTIONS

1. Case #ZBA-2022-000023, Petition of Nate's Awesome, LLC – JFH Nursery Series. A Special Use request from Section 20-5.2.2.2.b of the Unified Development Ordinance. This section allows for a special use for private airports, landing fields and heliports, provided that the location and layout plan have been approved by the Department of Aeronautics of Illinois or the Federal Aviation Administration (F.A.A.), and if within its jurisdiction, the Metropolitan Airport Authority of Peoria. The petitioner proposes to construct a Restricted Landing Area in the "A-2" Agricultural Zoning District. The parcels are located in Kickapoo Township. The Zoning Board of Appeals recommends approval with restriction. The Land Use Committee concurs.

Member Dillon moved to approve the ordinance and Member Blair seconded. Member Dillon explained that the ordinance would allow a private airstrip for the petitioner's airplane. He stated the petitioner lives on the premise and would take three trips a week. Member Rosenbohm questioned whether he should vote on this item due to a business relationship with the petitioner. Jennie Cordis Boswell, Assistant State's Attorney, informed Member Rosenbohm that he could vote, but could abstain to avoid appearances of impropriety if he wished. The ordinance passed by a unanimous roll call vote of 17 ayes.

2. A joint resolution from your County Operations Committee and your Finance, Audit, and Legislative Affairs Committee recommending approval of a budget amendment related to Pandemic Premium Pay appropriating an amount not to exceed $442,000.00 from the ARPA Fund Balance into the General Fund. (Pending County Operations Committee Approval)

Member Reneau moved to approve the resolution and Member Fennell seconded. Member Reneau declared the resolution now included the elected officials in the bonus. He stated the total amount not to exceed remained the same, and that approval was granted from the State's Attorney's Office. Scott Sorrel, County Administrator, brought up a question related to the resolution's impact on the

FICA and IMRF funds. He confirmed it would not be necessary to increase the appropriation of either fund since both funds have enough to cover their share of the impact. He summarized the caveats to the State's Attorney's approval of the resolution, including all elected officials and contractual employees needed to be treated consistently and that the source of the funds must be from the ARPA fund.

Member Salzer commented that he encouraged the addition of the elected officials to the budget amendment because they directed staff during the pandemic and did a great job. He stressed that he is in favor of this resolution, not only now but also in the future. Member Dillon asked whether the Finance Committee also needed to approve this resolution. Mr. Sorrel reported that because the resolution amount did not change, the State's Attorney's Office determined the Finance Committee did not need to vote on the amendment. Member Dillon commented that he would prefer not to use ARPA funds, but he will be supporting the resolution. Member Reneau commended County Administration for their work. He believed this resolution shows how much the employees are valued for taking the risks they did while working during the pandemic. The resolution passed by a unanimous roll call vote of 17 ayes.

3. A resolution from your County Operations Committee recommending approval of setting the salaries of Elected Officials (County Clerk, County Treasurer, County Sheriff) serving a term from December 1, 2022 through November 30, 2026; and (County Board Members, County Board Committee Chairperson, and Count Board Chairman) serving a term starting the first Monday in December 2022.

Member Reneau moved to approve the resolution and Member Daley seconded. Member Salzer urged the Board to consider the offices as a whole when voting and not the specific person in the elected position. He recalled that some have attempted to make the Elected Official's salaries comparable in the past. He believed their current salaries are not similar compared to their salaries from more than ten years ago. He highlighted how Peoria County Elected Official's salaries compare to those in other counties. He asked the Board to vote no on the resolution.

Member Reneau discussed the logic behind the resolution. He reviewed the system used to grade the Elected Official's offices. He highlighted a House Bill that sets the Sheriff's salary at a minimum of 80% of the State's Attorney's salary. He detailed the process used to produce the salary amounts of the other Elected Officials based on the State's Attorney's salary. He recommended that the Board salaries be set for ten years as in the past.

Member Elsasser questioned whether the County Board's and Elected Official's salaries would be voted on together. Chairman Rand confirmed both were included in the resolution. Member Elsasser conveyed support for the Elected Official's salaries but not for the County Board member's salaries. Member Dillon thanked Members Reneau and Daley for going above and beyond in putting the information together. Member Groves Allison recognized the number of hours put into the process. Member Reneau acknowledged Member Elsasser's comment and clarified the County Board had not received a raise in ten years. The resolution passed by a roll call vote of 14 ayes and 3 nays, with Members Elsasser, Salzer, and Windish voting nay.

4. A resolution from your County Health Committee recommending adoption of a County Board statement of policy that it is in the best interests of the County of Peoria to construct a new Health and Human Services (HHS) Campus on the property currently occupied by the City/County Health Department in the 2100 block of North Sheridan Road.

Member Williams moved to approve the resolution and Member Duncan seconded. Member Williams asked Dr. Francesca Armmer to make a statement. Dr. Armmer explained that the Board of Health examined the analysis and came to a recommendation supporting the resolution. She believed constructing the campus on the current site on Sheridan Road would benefit individuals now and in the future. Member Blair recognized the importance of the current Health Department. She contended there is strong evidence to keep the location and urged the Board to support the resolution. Member Williams described the facility has existed in the current location since 1951. She detailed the information considered in the decision to keep the current site. Member Dillon recognized Chairman Rand and Member Williams for their leadership. Member Bryant thanked Member Williams for explaining the process thoroughly. She shared concern over the facility moving out of the community that uses its services the most. The resolution passed by a roll call vote of 13 ayes and 4 nays, with Members Daley, Elsasser, Rosenbohm, and Windish voting nay.

5. SUSPENSION OF RULES

Member Groves Allison moved to suspend the rules and Member Daley seconded. The motion passed by a roll call vote of 15 ayes and 2 nays, with Members Reliford and Windish voting nay.

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

Member Reneau moved to approve the resolution and Member Groves Allison seconded. The resolution passed by a roll call vote of 13 ayes and 4 nays, with Members Elsasser, Reliford, Rosenbohm, and Windish voting nay.

VI. MISCELLANEOUS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Member Rieker left the meeting.

Member Salzer described a new project technique implemented on Evans Mill Road by the Highway Department. He announced the American Public Works Association presented an award to the Highway Department for their work on the project.

Member Blair congratulated graduates from Bradley University and other universities in the area. Member Reneau extended thoughts to a Deputy Sheriff who was injured.

Member Williams informed the Board of a meeting at the Hanna City Park District to gauge interest in purchasing the Hanna City trail land. Chairman Rand brought up potential environmental and cost issues. Member Williams mentioned a non-profit is considering purchasing the land so that the County wouldn't be involved.

Member Bryant invited Board members to attend a meeting of the Joint Commission on Racial Justice and Equity.

Member Fennell announced his granddaughter would be graduating with a degree in Elementary Education.

Mr. Sorrel recognized Ronda Guyton for receiving a community service award at the Women's Fund Leader Luncheon. He referenced a letter Peoria County residents received from HomeField Energy. He detailed pricing set from a capacity auction held by an eleven state energy regulatory body. He reported a decision was made not to take that pricing. He stated the County is looking to secure better pricing as soon as possible, likely in August. Chairman Rand questioned why better pricing could not be found before August. Mr. Sorrel said electricity is treated as a commodity, and estimates show the market should settle sometime in August. Chairman Rand asked if the Board would like a representative to be present at the next Executive Committee meeting to inform them better. Member Fennell stressed that Board members need to know what options are available regarding green energy versus non-green energy. Member Groves Allison thanked Mr. Sorrel for reviewing the information.

VII. ADJOURNMENT

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

https://www.peoriacounty.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_05122022-1198