Peoria Standard

Peoria County Board - Executive Committee met Aug. 27.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: James Dillon – Chairperson; Sharon Williams – Vice-Chairperson;, Jennifer Groves Allison, Eden Blair, Brandy Bryant, Camille Coates, Linda Daley, Betty Duncan, Daniel Kelch, Danny Phelan, Rob Reneau, Steven Rieker, Paul Rosenbohm, Phillip Salzer

MEMBERS ABSENT: Matt Windish

STAFF PRESENT: Scott Sorrel – County Administrator; Shauna Musselman – Assistant County Administrator; Jennie Cordis Boswell - State's Attorney's Office; Heather McCord, Julie Kusturin – Finance; Angela Loftus – County Administration; Andrew Braun – Planning and Zoning; Elizabeth Crider – ROE; Becca Cottrell – Sustainability & Resource Conservation;

VISITORS: Brian LeFevre – Sikich, LLP; Matt Coulter – GFL; John D. Morris, Todd Baker – Peoria Riverfront Museum;

Call to Order

Chairperson Dillon called the meeting to order at 2:37 p.m.

A motion to approve the participation of Member Salzer via teleconference was made by Ms. Duncan and seconded by Mr. Phelan. The motion carried (10-0).

Approval of Minutes

A motion to approve the minutes of June 25, 2024 and July 23, 2024 was made by Ms. Daley and seconded by Ms. Groves Allison. The motion carried (11-0).

(Mr. Kelch enters the meeting)

(Dr. Blair enters the meeting)

Informational Items/Reports/Other Minutes/Updates

⮚ Springdale Cemetery Minutes

⮚ Long-Term Care Services Fund Report

⮚ American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Summary

⮚ Peoria County Enterprise Zone Report

⮚ Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) Grant Application

Mr. Dillon motioned to receive and file the informational reports.

Discussion

•  Report from External Auditor on FY2023 Audit

Mr. LeFevre gave an overview of the audit report. Highlights included:

•  Peoria County has received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association for the 36th consecutive year.

•  Opinion on financial statements based on standards from AICPA and GASB.

•  A clean audit opinion was given on the financial statements.

•  Management discussion and analysis.

(Mr. Rosenbohm enters the meeting)

•  Landfill # 3 Update

Mr. Sorrell gave an overview of the current state of negotiations between the Landfill Committee workgroup. A number of incentives have been brough forward as a result of the discussions. The workgroup’s previous position was to build Landfill #3 as soon as possible and not entertain the transfer station. A letter was received from IEPA and GLF that was a draft denial of GFL’s request to resume the construction permit. This gives the County opportunity to resolve some of this issues that the IEPA has raised. The policy questions is to pivot away from last policy discussion and move forward with finalizing negations for the transfer station.

Ms. Williams noted that when the Committee last had its policy discussion, no one knew that this letter was coming from the IEPA, and after discussions, it was determined that this will likely delay the landfill at least another year. Ms. Williams stated that after meeting with Matt Coulter of GFL, she changed her position and thinks that the County should pivot toward the transfer station. She added that she feels this is a good deal for all parties involved.

Mr. Dillon and Mr. Sorrel gave some highlights that have brought this position change such as, standardized rate for garbage pickup across the county, recycling offered in unincorporated Peoria County, and an expedited construction time for Landfill #3.

Mr. Dillon stated that discussions will continue unless any members object.

Matt Coulter of GFL stated that he has enjoyed working with Ms. Williams and other members of the Landfill Committee. He added that the County is getting a great deal on waste collection.

Mr. Sorrel stated there will be a special meeting of the Executive Committee, prior to the full County Board meeting, for a resolution.

Resolution

•  Energy Transition Community Grant Program Award

A motion to approve was made by Ms. Duncan and seconded by Ms. Bryant. Mr. Braun advised that while preparing the informational item for the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, it was discovered that the FY23 Energy Transition Community Grant Program award had not been accepted. This item was before the Executive Committee in 2023 with a recommendation of a series of projects. Those projects have been approved by the State of Illinois, and the County has subsequently entered into agreements with some of those agencies. Those projects include:

•  Peoria County Jail – Public Health and Safety Study (partial funding) ($116,271.00)

•  Distillery Labs - Operational Support ($50,000)

•  Greater Peoria Economic Development Council - Business Retention and Expansion Program ($25,000)

Mr. Braun noted that these items have been previously included in budgets, so there is no financial component to this resolution.

Mr. Dillon asked for clarification of where the money would be allocated.

Mr. Renau asked Mr. Sorrel if the grant gave the ROE any use of Distillery Labs space as requested. Mr. Sorrel advised that they would work those terms into the contract and bring it back for a vote.

The motion to approve carried (14-0).

•  Intergovernmental Agreement for Truancy Services

A motion to approve was made by Mr. Reneau and seconded by Ms. Coates. Ms. Musselman advised that under Illinois State law, counties are responsible for providing truancy services to schools within its boundary. Previously, these services were shared between the County and the ROE with at least one employee being a County employee and the wages shared between the two organizations. In reviewing the operations of this service, it was determined by both the ROE and County Administration that the creation of an IGA wherein the ROE provided the services on behalf of the County would create workforce and program efficiencies for both parties.

The IGA clearly identifies the roles and responsibilities of each party to provide legislatively mandated truancy services. These roles and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

•  Monthly invoicing to the County from the ROE for reimbursement of program costs:

o $72,500 annually (per position) for 4 student support staff positions, which includes wages and benefits.

o $102,528 annually for one truancy director, which includes wages and benefits.

•  Additional grant funds that are received for truancy services will be used to offset the County’s costs.

•  For County fiscal years 2026-2029, the 2025 rate shall be increased based upon the CPI-U unadjusted percent change from May of the previous year to May of that current fiscal year, as illustrated in Table 1 of the Detailed CPI Report by the U.S. Department of Labor-Bureau of Labor Statistics; not exceed 4%.

Ms. Crider stated that she understands that this is a big request but believes that this is the number one issue affecting all other issues with students.

Committee discussion ensued with Ms. Crider answering questions regarding funding, number of staff, procedures, and caseloads.

The motion to approve carried (14-0).

Discussion

•  Standing Committee Agendas

The following Standing Committee meetings were summarized by their respective Chairperson as follows:

Infrastructure

The following resolution was recommended to the County Board for approval:

•  Preliminary Engineering Agreement for Glasford Road Resurfacing •  IDOT County Motor Fuel Tax General Maintenance Appropriation

•  Contract Award for Jail Sally Port Trench Drain Replacement

•  Contract Award for Renovation of Conference Room 402

•  Courthouse Plaza and Block Renovations Engineering Services

•  Election Commission Lease

Ways and Means

•  Monthly Delinquent Taxes

Land Use

The following were recommended to the County Board for approval.

Zoning Cases

•  Case #ZBA-2024-0056, Petition of Merle & Vicky Turner

Subdivision Waivers

•  Case #WAV-2024- 0005, Petition of Petition of Pamela J. Morris as Successor Trustee of the Bonnie L. Mabeus Revocable Trust

Ms. Cordis Boswell gave the Committee a brief training on wind farm cases. Ms. Cordis Boswell stated that no wind cases have been filed yet, but she reminded Committee members that the Zoning Board of Appeals is the fact-finding body, and that the only facts that can be considered are those that have come through the ZBA. Ms. Cordis Boswell advised Committee members to encourage their constituents to come to the ZBA hearings so that what they want to be heard, will be heard through the proper channels. Committee discussion ensued with Ms. Cordis Boswell answering procedural questions.

County Operations

The following resolutions were recommended to the County Board for approval.

•  IT Computer Room Air-Conditioning System Replacement

•  2025 Health Insurance Premiums

•  Health Savings Account Contributions

•  Worker’s Compensation Settlement 010015-006266-WC-01 & 010015-006415-WC 01

•  Worker’s Compensation Settlement 010015-006366-WC-01

County Health

None.

Public Safety and Justice

The following resolutions were recommended to the County Board for approval.

•  Raised Flooring Bid – Jail

•  Agreement between the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office and the Village of Brimfield for intermittent police patrols within the Village.

•  Cost-of-Living Adjustment for Peoria County Sheriff

•  Cost-of-Living Adjustment for Peoria County Public Defender

Finance Audit and Legislative Affairs

Canceled

Public Comment

Mr. Dillon called for any public comment and there was none.

(Ms. Coates left the meeting)

Presentation

•  Peoria Riverfront Museum Annual Report

Mr. Morris gave an update on the Peoria Riverfront Museum. Some highlights include:

•  Current and upcoming exhibits

•  Funding and donations

Mr. Morris introduced Chief Craig Harper of the Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma. Chief Harper thanked the Board spoke about the Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma. He added that he was excited to work on the 14 cases for the Center for American Decoys.

Miscellaneous

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned by Chairperson Dillon at 4:18 p.m.

https://www.peoriacounty.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_08272024-1652