Peoria Standard

Peoria County Board met Dec. 14.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Attendance

Present:

Members: Jennifer Groves Allison, Eden Blair, Camille Coates, Linda Daley, Jimmy Dillon, Betty Duncan, Brian Elsasser, Nathan Hoerr, Daniel Kelch, Danny Phelan, Rob Reneau, Steve Rieker, Paul Rosenbohm, Terrence Ruhland, Phil Salzer, Sharon Williams, Matt Windish

Absent:

Members: Brandy Bryant

CALL TO ORDER

MOMENT OF SILENCE

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

ROLL CALL BY THE COUNTY

I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Member Daley moved to approve the November 9, 2023, minutes and Member Williams seconded. The minutes were approved by a unanimous roll call vote of 17 ayes.

II. PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

A. H. Wayne Wilson

B. Karen O'Neill retirement

C. Recognizing Coach Tim Thornton

D. Peoria Heights VFW Post 2602

E. Recognizing Kathy Urban for her 25 years of Service to Peoria County

F. Recognizing Member Brian Elsasser for his 25 years of Service to Peoria County

G. Recognizing Member Rob Reneau for his 5 years of Service to Peoria County

H. Recognizing Member Matt Windish for his 5 years of Service to Peoria County

III. CITIZENS' REMARKS

Cassie Lucchesi, President of Peoria Proud, addressed the Board on gender-affirming healthcare.

IV. CONSENT AGENDA

C1. November 2023 Treasurer's Board Report

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

C3. Monthly Delinquent Taxes - November 2023

C4. Strategic Plan Foundational Elements

C5. Amendment #2 to Joint Commission on Racial Justice and Equity Charter

C6. Extension of External Auditor Services

C7. General Fund Annual Surplus Policy

C8. FY2024 General Fund to Long-Term Care Services Fund Transfer

C9. IGA between Peoria County and Village of Dunlap for Administration of Village of Dunlap's Building Code

C10. Contract with Tokio Marine HCC for Stop Loss Excess Insurance Coverage

C11. Excess Insurance/Broker Quotes for Risk Management Excess Insurance

C12. Worker's Compensation Settlement for Case No. 010015-6169-WC-01

C13. Worker's Compensation Settlement for Case No. 010015-006392-WC-01

C14. Plan Amendment #1 to Peoria County Employee Health Plan

C15. Joint Funding Agreement for State-Let Construction Work with IDOT for Duncan Road bridge

C16. Supplemenetal MFT appropriation for resurfacing on Bell School Road

C17. Agreement with Richard E. Shane and Richard M. Shane for Peoria County Farmland at Maxwell/Plank Road

C18. Chairman Appointments

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

V. ZONING ORDINANCE AND RESOLUTIONS

1. Case #ZBA-2023-0051, Petition of Charles Austin and Madeline Michele Bennett

Member Rosenbohm moved to approve the petition and Member Duncan seconded. The petition was approved by a unanimous roll call vote of 17 ayes.

2. Case #ZBA-2023-0045, Petition of Blaine Kosek

Member Rosenbohm moved to approve the petition and Member Daley seconded. The petition was approved by a unanimous roll call vote of 17 ayes.

3. Case #ZBA-2023-0050, Petition of Lucas Arnold

Member Rosenbohm moved to approve the petition and Member Daley seconded. The petition was approved by a unanimous roll call vote of 17 ayes.

4. Case #ZBA-2023-0054, Petition of Asif Hussain

Member Rosenbohm moved to approve the petition and Member Duncan seconded. Member Rosenbohm mentioned cases four and five are concerning the same property and are being rezoned from an "A-1" to "A-2” Agricultural Preservation. He noted no farm ground will be taken out of production. Member Elsasser asked what the objections were. Member Rosenbohm stated the objection was concerning changing it from an "A-1" to "A-2” however they didn't object to it becoming an Airbnb which is the next case. The petition was approved by a unanimous roll call vote of 17 ayes.

5. Case #ZBA-2023-0055, Petition of Asif Hussain

Member Rosenbohm moved to approve the petition and Member Daley seconded. The petition was approved by a unanimous roll call vote of 17 ayes.

6. Adoption of Revised Annual Tax Levy - All Funds

Member Williams moved to approve the adoption of the revised Annual Tax Levy-All Funds and Member Blair seconded. Heather McCord gave a presentation to the Board. Member Rieker thanked Member Williams for taking on this initiative and several Board Members who have worked closely with her. He also recognized Heather McCord and the Treasurer's work to put this together and thanked them on behalf of the Board. Member Williams thanked Heather McCord and her team as well as County Administrator Scott Sorrel. She noted she put some pressure on him to find a solution so they could get the bonds paid off as soon as possible. She is pleased the plan is coming before the Board and appreciates all their work. The adoption of the revised Annual Tax Levy-All Funds was approved by a unanimous roll call vote of 17 ayes.

7. Plan Amendment #2 to the Peoria County Employee Health Plan

Member Blair moved to approve the resolution and Member Reneau seconded. Member Groves-Allison noted this is not about ethical or moral thoughts, points, or ideas. She conveyed this is about the hard work and research done by our legal counsel and those they have contracted with on their expertise in the healthcare system. She explained this is to ensure they are not putting the taxpayers at risk for potential litigation in the future and this was recommended by legal counsel. Member Elsasser remarked ever since he has been on the Board they have asked the State Legislature to stop giving them unfunded mandates, which this is. He expressed his concerns for County Employees who are already struggling to pay for their health premiums which will add more expense and will possibly raise their premiums more down the road. Member Elsasser brought up some hypothetical situations as to why passing this may cause a slippery slope. The resolution was approved with a roll call vote of 11 ayes and 6 nays with Members Elsasser, Hoerr, Kelch, Rieker, Rosenbohm, and Windish voting nay.

8. PIPCO Companies Bid for replacement of JDC sprinkler heads

Member Salzer moved to approve the resolution and Member Ruhland seconded. Member Salzer asked Administrator Scott Sorrel, to explain this resolution. Administrator Sorrel explained the resolution is recommending the approval of the bid of PIPCO Companies to install tamperproof sprinklers at the Juvenile Detention Center. He noted in the last 18 months they have had six instances where sprinkler heads were broken off by juvenile detainees at JDC. He said while there is minimal operational expense as shown in the agenda briefing there is operational impact from a regulatory perspective. He reported when a sprinkler head is broken by a juvenile who is in detention, that means the fire suppression system goes offline and has to be repaired or at least drained. He stated it also means depending on the time of year the heat or air conditioning systems will have to be disabled. He stressed the JDC operates under a set of regulations that are defined by the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts and the Department of Juvenile Justice for the State of Illinois and they have parameters on systems that can be offline and for how long before it becomes a regulatory issue. He mentioned the source of funds that would be used for this project would be coming out of the Capital Project Fund where there are sufficient dollars in the current operating budget of the JDC for FY 2023 to cover this expense. Member Rosenbohm asked if the sprinkler is guaranteed tamperproof by PIPCO. Administrator Sorrel explained they were specifically designed for detention facilities and believes this will alleviate the current challenge at the JDC where juveniles are breaking off sprinkler heads. The resolution was approved by a unanimous roll call vote of 17 ayes.

9. Amendment to Personnel Policies related to Paid Leave for Non-Union Part Time/Temporary Employees (Pending Committee Approval)

Member Rieker moved to approve the resolution and Member Elsasser seconded. Member Rieker remarked he felt like it was a great program and asked Assistant County Administrator, Shauna Musselman to speak on this resolution. Assistant County Administrator, Musselman explained the purpose of the resolution is to get Peoria County to be in compliance with the Paid Leave for All Workers Act that was recently signed. She conveyed it was the recommendation and belief the paid leave balances that are afforded to full-time employees meet the intent of the law and only part-time leave banks need to be adjusted. She noted that currently part-time employees do not earn paid leave however this act will allow part-time, seasonal, and temporary employees to accrue one hour for every 40 hours worked. She mentioned the employees will have to use the accrued time by the end of the year and those banks will not roll over. Member Reneau asked Ms. Musselman if the State will be supplying any funds for this mandate. Ms. Musselman replied no. The resolution was approved by a unanimous roll call vote of 17 ayes.

10. Quotations for County Highway Maintenance Materials (Pending Committee Approval)

Member Salzer moved to approve the resolution and Member Kelch seconded. Member Salzer mentioned these figures were submitted by Highway Engineer, Amy McLaren and he feels like they are fair. He noted in the past Ms. McLaren

has been very good at taking the next best bid if someone is unable to fulfill their obligation to the County and Ms. McLaren is trusted to handle any situation that may arise. The resolution was approved by a unanimous roll call vote of 17 ayes.

VI. MISCELLANEOUS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Member Elsasser mentioned the food at their potluck was amazing and thanked everyone who made it. He commented that is the main reason he has stayed on the Board another year is the dinner party. He wished everyone a blessed and Merry Christmas. He suggested that if anyone sees Karen O'Neill thank her for the work she has done with the Red Cross because personally, his son benefited a lot from blood donations. He encouraged people to go and donate and mentioned that if you are having trouble with your hemoglobin levels take iron supplements about two weeks before you go and donate.

Member Salzer agreed with everything Member Elsasser just mentioned. Member Rosenbohm wished everyone a Merry Christmas.

Member Williams wished everyone Happy Holidays and mentioned getting to know all of the Members has been a blessing in her life.

Member Reneau reminded everyone about the topping-out ceremony on Monday at the Health Campus where they will be installing the highest piece of steel. He also mentioned that Gretchen Purcell has done a great job in organizing the upcoming ceremony and wished her a Happy upcoming 40th Birthday.

Member Groves-Allison said ditto to what Member Elsasser said and mentioned that one blood donation can save up to three lives which is something you can do around the holidays to give back.

Member Blair wished everyone who celebrates any kind of holiday during the winter solstice Happy Holidays. She mentioned in early January they will be taking applications for the Smart Start Grant. She also recommended thinking of anyone who may be alone during the holiday season and inviting them over.

Member Daley wished everyone a Merry Christmas.

Member Duncan wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Member Coates wished everyone Happy Holidays, Happy upcoming Kwanza, Happy Hanukkah, and as Member Blair said all the holidays we are celebrating as well as a Happy New Year.

Member Hoerr remarked amen.

Member Kelch joked he hired private security to watch Member Elsasser to ensure he doesn't take Member Daley's bowl again this year because that is all he has heard about over the last year.

Member Ruhland thanked Chairman Dillon and Administrator Sorrel for their open mindedness and quick action in making changes regarding the tamper-proof sprinklers at JDC. He thanked the others in the room who counseled him as a fairly new Board Member. He noted the beam topping out ceremony will be at 11:00 am on Monday and he feels it would be great if everyone on the Board signed the beam before it was placed. He then wished everyone a Merry Christmas.

Chairman Dillon thanked County Clerk Rachael Parker and her team for a wonderful holiday luncheon. He thanked the Board for showing faith in him, Member Williams, and all the Chairs this last year. He highlighted the five new Members and said they couldn't have asked for a better group to come on the Board. He also acknowledged the Members five years and younger as being amazing and how they are a great team all around. He is thankful there is great unity among the Board, and everyone rolls up their sleeves and goes to work. He noted he was looking forward to what the next year will bring.

VII. ADJOURNMENT

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

https://www.peoriacounty.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_12142023-1541