Peoria Standard

Peoria County Board met July 14.

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, Daley, Dillon, Duncan, Elsasser, Fennell, Groves Allison, Pastucha, Rand, Reliford, Reneau, Rieker, Rosenbohm, Salzer, Watkins, Williams, and Windish, with Member Bryant absent.

I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

∙ Approval of June 9, 2022 County Board Meeting Minutes

∙ Approval of June 21, 2022 Special County Board Meeting Minutes

Member Groves Allison 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 proclamation recognizing Illinois Valley Central High School junior David Russell for his first place finish in the IHSA Class 2A discus state championship.

∙ A proclamation recognizing Richwoods High School Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corp on their national 1st and 3rd place finishes in the Marine Corps JROTC Physical Fitness Competition.

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 May 2022 and Revenue & Expenditure Reports for the month of April 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 Finance, Audit, and Legislative Committee recommending approval of a contractual agreement with Matt Werner Consulting for professional services to resolve outstanding Medicaid balances related to Heddington Oaks, in an amount not to exceed $42,000.00.

C4. A resolution from your Public Safety and Justice Committee recommending approval of an Intergovernmental Agreement between Peoria County, Peoria County Sheriff, and the Metropolitan Airport Authority of Peoria for dedicated police services, effective March 1, 2022 through February 28, 2027.

C5. A resolution from your Public Safety and Justice Committee recommending approval of an Intergovernmental Agreement between Peoria County, Peoria County Sheriff, and Dunlap Unit School District 323 for on-site police services, effective August 15, 2022 through May 23, 2025.

C6. A resolution from your Public Safety and Justice Committee recommending approval of a Sponsored Research Agreement with Illinois State University for the professional evaluation of the Peoria County Problem-Solving Courts, in an amount not to exceed $28,145.00.

C7. A resolution from your Land Use Committee recommending approval of the most responsible low bid of Jimax Group, Peoria, IL, for the demolition of six (6) unsafe structures located in unincorporated Peoria County, in an amount of $77,093.53.

C8. A resolution from your Land Use Committee recommending approval of amendments to Chapter 12, Building and Property Maintenance Code, Appendix A, Building Permit Fee Schedule, of the Peoria County Code.

C9. A resolution from your County Operations Committee recommending approval of the most responsive bid of Janus Associates, Stamford, CT, to perform an IT Security Risk Assessment of Peoria County’s IT Infrastructure, in an amount not to exceed $71,123.00.

C10. A resolution from your Infrastructure Committee recommending approval of a contract with Dewberry, Peoria, IL, for architecture and engineering services for renovation to the IT Services and Public Defenders Departments at the Peoria County Courthouse.

C11. A resolution from your Infrastructure Committee recommending approval of the lowest responsible bid of R.A. Cullinan, a Division of UCM, Tremont, IL, for the resurfacing of Cedar Hills Drive, in the amount of $987,412.78.

C12. A resolution from your Infrastructure Committee recommending approval of a Construction Engineering Agreement with Hermann & Associates, LLC, Peoria Heights, IL, for the resurfacing of Cedar Hills Drive, at a cost not to exceed $41,665.00.

C13. A resolution from your Infrastructure Committee recommending approval of a supplemental appropriation in the amount of $1,300,000.00 from the County Motor Fuel Tax Fund for the reconstruction of Glen Avenue.

C14. A resolution from your Infrastructure Committee recommending approval of an amendment to the Local Agency Agreement with the State of Illinois, transferring funding from construction into construction engineering for the bridge replacement project on Brimfield Jubilee Road.

C15. A resolution from your Infrastructure Committee recommending approval of the FY2023 Peoria-Pekin Urbanized Area Transportation Study (PPUATS) Annual Agreement and Motor Fuel Tax Appropriation.

C16. A resolution from your Infrastructure Committee recommending approval of an Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of Peoria for the City of Peoria to perform pavement marking installations and traffic signal maintenance for the County of Peoria.

C17. Chairman Appointments

Member Fennell moved to approve the Consent Agenda and Member Reliford seconded. Member Rieker asked to pull Item C6. The Consent Agenda, except for Item C6, was approved by a unanimous roll call vote of 17 ayes.

C6. A resolution from your Public Safety and Justice Committee recommending approval of a Sponsored Research Agreement with Illinois State University for the professional evaluation of the Peoria County Problem-Solving Courts, in an amount not to exceed $28,145.00.

Member Rieker moved to approve Item C6 and Member Rosenbohm seconded. Member Rieker explained he wanted to pull the Item because the original packet was incomplete. He said the additional materials for exhibits A, B, and C have been added to the packet. He asked for an explanation of the program. Mark Bronke, Director of Probation and Court Services, detailed the evaluation process for the four Problem-Solving Courts. Mr. Bronke stated the evaluation will consist of looking at entry into each of the Courts. He said the scope of work will include a full examination of the Courts over a calendar year and interviews with probation officers, Judges, service providers, and clients. The resolution passed by a unanimous roll call vote of 17 ayes.

V. ZONING ORDINANCE AND RESOLUTIONS

1. Appointment of Christopher M. Watkins as Peoria County Sheriff.

Member Rosenbohm moved to approve the appointment and Member Dillon seconded. Mr. Watkins thanked the Board and said he looks forward to working with them in the future. He acknowledged his family and team at the Sheriff’s office. Member Blair congratulated Mr. Watkins and remarked the Board is there to help him to the best of their ability. Member Dillon thanked Mr. Watkins’ family for allowing him to take this step for the County. Member Rieker mentioned he looks forward to working together to address the needs of the community. Member Daley extended her congratulations. Member Elsasser stressed that Mr. Watkins has the most important task in a unit of government, protecting the people. The appointment was approved by a unanimous roll call vote of 17 ayes.

2. A resolution from your Public Safety and Justice Committee recommending approval of the SFY2023 Adult Redeploy Grant Agreement with the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority in the amount of $282,574.00.

Member Rosenbohm moved to approve the resolution and Member Rieker seconded. Member Rosenbohm asked Mr. Bronke to discuss the grant. Mr. Bronke summarized the purpose of the redeploy program is to help reduce the incarceration of non-violent offenders. He stated this program also employs two and a half of his staff members. He noted the program sees approximately 36 new clients each year and approximately 65% complete the program. He discussed the average cost of incarceration and how much taxpayers save because of this program. Member Rieker asked if the probation staff members could be recognized for their work. Mr. Bronke introduced his staff who work on the redeploy program and thanked them for their efforts. Member Elsasser expressed appreciation for everything they do. Member Rosenbohm emphasized the 65% completion rate may not seem very high, but it’s actually a great success rate and saves the taxpayers a lot of money. The resolution passed by a unanimous roll call vote of 17 ayes.

3. A resolution from your County Administrator and Chairman of County Operations Committee recommending approval to settle Worker’s Compensation Case Number 010015-006111-WC-01 in an amount not to exceed $79,758.00. (Poll Vote per Rules of Order, Article V, Section 18C)

Member Reneau moved to approve the resolution and Member Daley seconded. Member Dillon asked which department this involves. Member Reneau reported it involves the Juvenile Detention Center. The resolution passed by a unanimous roll call vote of 17 ayes.

4. A resolution from your County Health Committee recommending approval of a Project Labor Agreement for the construction of a new Health and Human Services Campus. (Pending Committee Approval)

Member Duncan moved to approve the resolution and Member Blair seconded. Member Williams stated she will be abstaining because it is her employer. Scott Sorrel, County Administrator, declared the agreement is a practice that the County has done for large capital projects in the past. He detailed the agreement ensures the unions provide the labor necessary to complete the project, protects against work stoppages, manages disputes, and codifies the workforce participation goals. The resolution passed by a roll call vote of 15 ayes and 2 abstentions, with Members Dillon and Williams abstaining.

5. An Amended Ordinance from your Finance, Audit, and Legislative Affairs Committee authorizing the issue of not to exceed $42,000,000.00 General Obligation Alternate Bonds of the County, to authorize the sale of said Bonds pursuant to a private placement and making other related changes. (Pending Committee Approval)

Member Fennell moved to approve the ordinance and Member Salzer seconded. Mr. Sorrel reported the cost of borrowing was lowered because the County’s credit rating was upgraded. He explained this amendment gives the County flexibility. Member Fennell expressed the Board’s goal was to sell Heddington Oaks without incurring any extra cost to the public. He commented that it appears the bonds will be paid off with the sale of the building, money from the general fund, and a levy from the County. Member Rieker asked when the bonds would be put out for bid. Mr. Sorrel specified the buyer would have a hearing on Tuesday. He said they would go to the bond market next week and close on the bonds in early August. The ordinance passed by a unanimous roll call vote of 17 ayes.

6. SUSPENSION OF RULES

Member Blair moved to suspend the rules and Member Pastucha seconded. The motion passed by a roll call vote of 16 ayes and 1 nay, with Member Windish voting nay.

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

Member Fennell moved to approve the resolution and Member Pastucha 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

Rachael Parker, County Clerk, introduced the new Chief Deputy Clerk Brooke Sommerville. Chairman Rand welcomed Ms. Sommerville and stated he looks forward to working with her.

Member Reneau mentioned the meeting was a happy one for him. He conveyed he was happy to recognize a youth group that does great things nationwide, appoint a very qualified candidate as Sheriff, and be involved in the unveiling of a new bus with the Center for Prevention of Abuse. He wished the previous Sheriff well and thanked him for everything he did for the County.

Member Groves Allison commended the Election Commission for getting through the Primary Election using new voting equipment. She said she did not hear any complaints and thought everything ran smoothly.

Member Fennell thanked Ms. Parker for attempting to fix the issue with the screen from the last Board meeting.

Member Dillon noted that Peoria is known as being a generous town and he believed that tradition has continued. He brought up a national news story about AMT donating an ambulance to Ukraine.

Member Salzer announced that the 73rd Annual Heart of Illinois Fair begins next week. He mentioned all Board members and elected County officials are invited. He stressed it’s a great opportunity to meet members of this community and others. Chairman Rand and Member Elsasser thanked Member Salzer for being an advocate for the local fair.

VII. ADJOURNMENT

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

https://www.peoriacounty.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_07142022-1240