Galesburg Reporter

Knox County Board met Nov. 28.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

The Meeting was called to order by County Board Chairwoman Pamela Davidson and upon roll call the following Members reported present:

District 1 Lyle Johnson

District 2 John Hunigan

District 3 Tara Wilder

District 4 Jared Hawkinson

District 5 Ricardo “Rick” Sandoval

District 1 Cheryl Nache

District 2 David Amor

District 3 Pamela Davidson

District 4 David Erickson

District 5 Brian Friedrich

District 1 Richard Conklin

District 2 Robert Bondi

District 3 Kyle Rohweder

District 4 Sara Varner

And those absent: District 5 Todd Shreves

Also present were County Treasurer Robin Davis and County Clerk Scott Erickson.

County Clerk Scott Erickson delivered the Proclamation. Chairwoman Pamela Davidson led the Members in the pledge to the flag. In lieu of a formal invocation Chairwoman Davidson asked that a moment of silence be observed especially for the family of former Board Member Mike Nelson, who passed away earlier this week.

Chairman Davidson asked for additions or deletions to the agenda. Member Friedrich asked that agenda item 20, approve request for temporary space allocation for the Compliance Officer, be removed from this agenda.

Chairman Davidson asked for public comments.

Kund Ullerup from Altona addressed the Board concerning his local Fire Protection and Ambulance Service. Oneida residents have been informed that their current ambulance service will come to an end as they know it in April 2019. He has questions about the tax money that has been collected for this service. Has it been spent according to the guidelines? He has questions about the possible consequences for the local ambulance service.

Ken Springer from the Knox County Area Partnership for Economic Development addressed the Board in support of the solar farms conditional use requests that are included on this agenda, as items 31-34. KCAP has been in support of renewable energy projects that have been purposed in 2018. Renewable energy is bringing with it much needed taxable investment and jobs in areas like Knox County. Solar energy represents a conservation friendly use of land and creates a minimal level of impact on surrounding properties. It should be remembered that land owners have property rights to authorize development on their land as long it is in accordance with local laws. These projects on this agenda represent contracts between local property owners and solar energy developers. These projects do meet local requirements and they are not asking for any variances. He asked the Board to consider supporting these projects.

Dale Carlson addressed the Board in reference to the conditional use permits for solar farms which are included on this meeting’s agenda. He does not oppose solar energy, only its improper placement on productive farmland. Especially ZBA Case # CU-14-18 should not be approved because this land has high evaluation scores and should not be taken out of production. Case #CU-14-18 and Case #CU-16-18 should not be approved because there are better locations. Solar energy projects do compact the soil and he presented soil samples to demonstrate the effect of this soil compaction over time. The top soil does not remain on the top. Board Members should vote to save the County’s prime farmland.

Motion was made by Member Bondi and seconded by Member Varner to approve the following items of the consent agenda: 1) minutes of the Regular and Closed Board Meeting on October 24, 2018, 2) claims by Members for per diem and mileage for the meetings of November 2018 and other claims for per diem from meetings, and 3) sales tax and various taxes for the month of August 2018 in the amounts of $113,100.56 and $22,011.89 and public safety tax in the amount of $179,086.13. Roll call vote is recorded as follows: Ayes—Johnson, Hunigan, Wilder, Hawkinson, Sandoval, Nache, Amor, Davidson, Erickson, Friedrich, Conklin, Bondi, Rohweder and Varner—(14). Noes—(0). Motion carried.

Motion was made by Member Hawkinson and seconded by Member Erickson to approve the appointment of Geoffrey W. Hurd to the Oneida Cemetery Association. This is a replacement for a vacancy. Roll call vote is recorded as follows: Ayes—Johnson, Hunigan, Wilder, Hawkinson, Sandoval, Nache, Amor, Davidson, Erickson, Friedrich, Conklin, Bondi, Rohweder and Varner—(14). Noes—(0). Motion carried.

Member Friedrich presented the monthly report from the Finance, Insurance, Treasurer, Judicial and Clerk Committee. A printed copy of this report was presented to the Members. This was a late meeting as they finished up the budget. He thanked committee members and the department heads. This budget process involves a lot of time and hard work.

Motion was made by Member Friedrich and seconded by Member Sandoval to approve the resolutions for the following deeds of conveyance: PIN 99-14-256-012, PIN 18-34-377-005, PIN 99-11-354-014, PIN 99-15-176-007, PIN 11-03-151-005, PIN 12-23-177-017, and PIN 13- 33-382-029. Copies of these resolutions are included in the packets. Roll call vote is recorded as follows: Ayes—Johnson, Hunigan, Wilder, Hawkinson, Sandoval, Nache, Amor, Davidson, Erickson, Friedrich, Conklin, Bondi, Rohweder and Varner—(14). Noes—(0). Motion carried.

Motion was made by Member Friedrich and seconded by Member Johnson to approve Membership dues for NACo for 2019 in the amount of $1, 058.00. Information is included in the packets. Roll call vote is recorded as follows: Ayes—Johnson, Hunigan, Wilder, Hawkinson, Sandoval, Nache, Amor, Davidson, Erickson, Friedrich, Conklin, Bondi, Rohweder and Varner—(14). Noes—(0). Motion carried.

Motion was made by Member Friedrich and seconded by Member Amor to approve dues for the Illinois Association of County Board Members for 2019 in the amount of $1,500.00. Information is included in the packets. Roll call vote is recorded as follows: Ayes—Johnson, Hunigan, Wilder, Hawkinson, Sandoval, Nache, Amor, Davidson, Erickson, Friedrich, Bondi, Rohweder and Varner—(13). Noes—(0). Pass—Conklin—(1). Motion carried.

Motion was made by Member Friedrich and seconded by Member Erickson to approve the resolution for State’s Attorney Appellate Prosecutor. A copy of this resolution is included in the packets. Roll call vote is recorded as follows: Ayes—Johnson, Hunigan, Wilder, Hawkinson, Sandoval, Nache, Amor, Davidson, Erickson, Friedrich, Conklin, Bondi, Rohweder and Varner—(14). Noes—(0). Motion carried.

Motion was made by Member Friedrich and seconded by Member Hawkinson to approve the recurring monthly manual check list. Roll call vote is recorded as follows: Ayes—Johnson, Hunigan, Wilder, Hawkinson, Sandoval, Nache, Amor, Davidson, Erickson, Friedrich, Conklin, Bondi, Rohweder and Varner—(14). Noes—(0). Motion carried.

Motion was made by Member Friedrich and seconded by Member Hawkinson to approve the extension of the alternate public defender contracts for thirty days. Roll call vote is recorded as follows: Ayes—Johnson, Hunigan, Wilder, Hawkinson, Sandoval, Amor, Davidson, Erickson, Friedrich, Conklin, Bondi, Rohweder and Varner—(13). Noes—Nache—(0). Motion carried.

Motion was made by Member Friedrich and seconded by Member Bondi to approve the resolution authorizing the County Clerk and County Treasurer to issue county warrants for certain claims during the period that the County Board is not in session. Roll call vote is recorded as follows: Ayes—Johnson, Hunigan, Wilder, Hawkinson, Sandoval, Nache, Amor, Davidson, Erickson, Friedrich, Conklin, Bondi, Rohweder and Varner—(14). Noes—(0). Motion carried.

Motion was made by Member Friedrich and seconded by Member Varner to approve the engagement letter with the auditor. Chairwoman Davidson added that this is something that they do every year. Roll call vote is recorded as follows: Ayes—Johnson, Hunigan, Wilder, Hawkinson, Sandoval, Nache, Amor, Davidson, Erickson, Friedrich, Conklin, Bondi, Rohweder and Varner—(14). Noes—(0). Motion carried.

Motion was made by Member Friedrich and seconded by Member Sandoval to approve a secretarial services agreement with Watson-Thomas Funeral Home for the County Coroner. A copy of this agreement is included in the packets. Roll call vote is recorded as follows: Ayes— Johnson, Hunigan, Wilder, Hawkinson, Sandoval, Nache, Davidson, Erickson, Friedrich, Conklin, Bondi, Rohweder and Varner—(13). Noes—(0). Pass—Amor—(1). Motion carried.

Motion was made by Member Friedrich and seconded by Member Bondi to approve the resolution to amend the previous resolution on the establishment of elected official’s salaries for officers elected in November 2018. A copy of this resolution is included in the packets. Chairwoman Davidson explained that all elected officials should have been included under one umbrella when the Board voted on those salaries. Somehow the Circuit Clerk, Kelly Cheesman, was omitted. So they are trying to make it right. County Clerk Scott Erickson added that Circuit Court Statute allows for this salary to be established off cycle. The rest of the elected officials have an established schedule.

Roll call vote is recorded as follows: Ayes—Johnson, Hunigan, Wilder, Hawkinson, Sandoval, Nache, Amor, Davidson, Erickson, Friedrich, Conklin, Bondi, Rohweder and Varner—(14). Noes—(0). Motion carried.

Motion was made by Member Friedrich and seconded by Member Amor to forgive the loan from the Knox County Nursing Home Referendum to the Nursing Home Fund. A copy of this resolution is included in the packets. Chairwoman Davidson added that the Nursing Home is in the black. Roll call vote is recorded as follows: Ayes—Johnson, Hunigan, Wilder, Hawkinson, Sandoval, Nache, Amor, Davidson, Erickson, Friedrich, Conklin, Bondi, Rohweder and Varner—(14). Noes—(0). Motion carried.

Motion was made by Member Friedrich and seconded by Member Bondi to restrict building expenditures during the fiscal year 2018-2019 to emergency projects. A copy of this resolution is included in the packets. Roll call vote is recorded as follows: Ayes—Hunigan, Wilder, Hawkinson, Sandoval, Amor, Davidson, Erickson, Friedrich, Conklin, Bondi, Rohweder and Varner—(12). Noes—Johnson and Nache—(2). Motion carried.

Motion was made by Member Friedrich and seconded by Member Bondi to approve the resolution establishing a hiring freeze and procedures for replacing personnel. A copy of this resolution is included in the packets. Member Hawkinson questioned if this just applies to new employees.

Chairwoman Davidson responded that this applies to newly created positions. A department should come to the Board and seek approval. Roll call vote is recorded as follows: Ayes—Hunigan, Wilder, Hawkinson, Sandoval, Nache, Amor, Davidson, Erickson, Friedrich, Conklin, Bondi, Rohweder and Varner—(13). Noes—Johnson—(1). Motion carried.

Motion was made by Member Friedrich and seconded by Member Varner to approve the resolution establishing procedures for department wage requests in excess of the annual budget. A copy is this resolution is included in the packets. Roll call vote is recorded as follows: Ayes— Johnson, Hunigan, Wilder, Hawkinson, Sandoval, Nache, Amor, Davidson, Erickson, Friedrich, Conklin, Bondi, Rohweder and Varner—(14). Noes—(0). Motion carried.

Motion was made by Member Friedrich and seconded by Member Erickson to approve budget line item changes as presented for the FY 2018-2019 budget. Budget changes are listed in the packet and in the handout that was presented to the Board members. Member Bondi added that he had another line item to include in these changes.

Motion was made by Member Bondi and seconded by Member Hawkinson to add another line item change in regards to agenda item 27, approve compensation agreement with captain in the Sheriff’s Department. That salary has been changed from $59,118 to $75,000. This will also be changed from overtime to an exempt employee status associated with this captain’s position. Roll call vote is recorded as follows: Ayes—Johnson, Hunigan, Hawkinson, Sandoval, Nache, Amor, Davidson, Erickson, Friedrich, Conklin, Bondi, Rohweder, and Varner—(13). Noes—(0). Pass—Wilder—(1). Motion carried.

County Clerk Scott Erickson explained that this item can now be included in the list of line item changes.

Member Friedrich added that this pay raise will not allow for overtime. There is a specific salary amount in the budget. There will not be concern about overtime wages.

Chairwoman Davidson reminded Members that a person is going to a new position and starting as a captain. There will be no overtime wages with this position.

Roll call vote on the previous motion to approve budget line item changes as presented for the FY2018-2019 budget is recorded as follows: Ayes—Johnson, Hunigan, Wilder, Hawkinson, Sandoval, Nache, Amor, Davidson, Erickson, Friedrich, Conklin, Bondi, Rohweder and Varner—(14). Noes—(0). Motion carried.

Motion was made by Member Friedrich and seconded by Member Nache to approve County Tax Levy (with changes). Chairwoman Davidson added that they did not increase the taxes. Roll call vote is recorded as follows: Ayes—Johnson, Hunigan, Wilder, Hawkinson, Sandoval, Nache, Amor, Davidson, Erickson, Friedrich, Conklin, Bondi, Rohweder and Varner—(14). Noes—(0). Motion carried.

Motion was made by Member Friedrich and seconded by Member Amor to approve the County Budget for FY 2018-2019 (with changes as presented). Roll call vote is recorded as follows: Ayes—Johnson, Hunigan, Wilder, Hawkinson, Sandoval, Nache, Amor, Davidson, Erickson, Friedrich, Conklin, Bondi, Rohweder and Varner—(14). Noes—(0). Motion carried.

Member Johnson presented the monthly Building, Courthouse and Annex Committee Report. A copy of this report was presented to Board Members. There are no action items for this meeting.

Member Bondi presented the monthly Sheriff, Jail, Mary Davis Home, Animal Control, and Nursing Home Committee report. The report is included in the packets.

Motion was made by Member Bondi and seconded by Member Friedrich to approve an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Galesburg for vehicle maintenance for the Sheriff’s Department. A copy of this agreement is included in the packets.

Roll call vote to approve an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Galesburg for vehicle maintenance for the Sheriff’s Department is recorded as follows: Ayes—Johnson, Hunigan, Wilder, Hawkinson, Sandoval, Nache, Amor, Davidson, Erickson, Friedrich, Conklin, Bondi, Rohweder and Varner—(14). Noes—(0). Motion carried.

Motion was made by Member Bondi and seconded by Member Friedrich to approve the compensation agreement with Captain Jason Landers in the Sheriff’s Department. Information is included in the packets. This salary amount is $75,000. Roll call vote is recorded as follows: Ayes—Johnson, Hunigan, Wilder, Hawkinson, Sandoval, Amor, Davidson, Erickson, Friedrich, Conklin, Bondi, Rohweder and Varner—(13). Noes—Nache—(1). Motion carried.

Motion was made by Member Bondi and seconded by Member Amor to approve SNF Help Desk Proposal for the Nursing Home. Member Bondi commented that this is an outstanding group of people who provide valuable assistance and training with the collection of receivables. Information is included in the packets. Roll call vote is recorded as follows: Ayes— Johnson, Hunigan, Wilder, Hawkinson, Sandoval, Nache, Amor, Davidson, Erickson, Friedrich, Conklin, Bondi, Rohweder and Varner—(14). Noes—(0). Motion carried.

Motion was made by Member Bondi and seconded by Member Johnson to approve bad debt write off for the Knox County Nursing Home in the amount of $862,644.79. Information is included in the packets. These are delinquent accounts and the recommendation is to write them off. Roll call vote is recorded as follows: Ayes—Johnson, Hunigan, Wilder, Hawkinson, Sandoval, Nache, Amor, Davidson, Erickson, Friedrich, Conklin, Bondi, Rohweder and Varner—(14). Noes—(0). Motion carried.

Member Hunigan presented the monthly Assessor, Zoning, GIS, Recorder’s Office, Highway Department and Landfill Committee report. The monthly report is included in the packets. This month most of the committee conversation was about the solar projects. As the fiscal year is closing, the Assessment Office is completing work on the Certificates of Errors. The Highway Department was doing some winter safety training.

Motion was made by Member Hunigan and seconded by Member Johnson to approve ZBA Case# CU-17-18, request a for conditional use permit for a 4MW solar farm in the “M-2” heavy industrial zoning district on property located at 1440 IL Route 41, Galesburg, filed by DG Illinois Solar, LLC, Juno Beach, Florida. Member Hunigan added that at this location businesses are located across the road and farmland is located to the west. The recommendation from the Zoning Board of Appeals is to approve this request with conditions. Information is included in the packets.

Member Conklin commented that a lot of information was presented in the past few days regarding these projects. It is a complex subject. However, he did not see how much tax revenue would be generated by these projects, or how much revenue the land owners would receive.

Chairwoman Davidson responded that information was not included.

Member Conklin stated that he would like to have an outside expert in this field come and evaluate these projects rather than relying on Mr. Carlson or anybody else.

Chairwoman Davidson asked Janet Ward, a representative for DG Illinois Solar LLC Project, to address the Board about project placement and the impact to the soil.

Ms. Ward introduced George Hart, with TBS Engineering. She stated that they do have a decommissioning plan.

Mr. Hart spoke of the Agricultural Impact Mitigation Agreement (AIMA), which is a measure to restore the farmland back to production once this solar project is decommissioned. There is a list of things that they have to comply with for this project to move forward. This requires a bond be put up to insure that this happens. That includes things like having a completed drain tile study, obtaining the necessary building permits, completing a geo-technical report, and making sure that they are ripping the soil back to an 18 inch depth. This will put the soil into a rest period. There will be permanent vegetation on these solar farm sites.

Chairwoman Davidson spoke of the lottery process with the State of Illinois. There is the possibility that this project at this location might not happen.

Ms. Ward stated that this is part of the Illinois Adjustable Block Program which is an incentive program that helps the utilities meet these requirements. These applications must be at a certain level of development. The application process opens January 15, 2019 and closes January 29, 2019. These applications will be reviewed sometime during the first quarter of the year. As the projects are approved, they can move forward with developing these projects. She does not have figures available regarding the increased tax revenue that these projects could create or the anticipated revenue for the landowner.

Roll call vote to approve ZBA Case# CU-17-18, request for conditional use permit for a 4MW solar farm in the “M-2” heavy industrial zoning district on property located at 1440 IL Route 41, Galesburg, filed by DG Illinois Solar, LLC, Juno Beach, Florida, is recorded as follows: Ayes—Johnson, Hunigan, Wilder, Hawkinson, Sandoval, Nache, Amor, Davidson, Erickson, Friedrich, Bondi, Rohweder and Varner—(13). Noes—(0). Pass—Conklin—(1). Motion carried.

Motion was made by Member Hunigan and seconded by Member Rohweder to approve ZBA Case # CU-14-18, request for conditional use permit for a 4MW solar farm in the “A” agricultural zoning district on property located at 378 Knox Road 2300E, Yates City, Illinois, filed by Sustainable Holdings, LLC DBA Sunrise Ventures, Wayzata, Minnesota. The recommendation from the Zoning Board of Appeals is to approve this request. Information is included in the packets.

Roll call vote is recorded as follows: Ayes—Johnson, Hunigan, Wilder, Hawkinson, Nache, Amor, Davidson, Friedrich, Bondi, Rohweder and Varner—(11). Noes—Sandoval and Erickson—(2). Pass—Conlin—(1). Motion carried.

Motion was made by Member Hunigan and seconded by Member Rohweder to approve ZBA Case #CU-15-18, request for conditional use permit for a 4MW solar farm in the “M-2” heavy industrial zoning district on property located at 1421 IL Route 41, Galesburg, filed by Sustainable Holdings, LLC DBA Sunrise Energy Ventures, Wayzata, Minnesota. The recommendation for the Zoning Board of Appeals is to approve this request. Information is included in the packets.

Member Amor commented that these projects have met all of the County’s requirements. If Board Members have questions and concerns, the only way to proceed would be to change the zoning ordinances, rather to vote down particular projects that have followed the established ordinances.

Roll call vote to approve ZBA Case #CU-15-18, request for conditional use permit for a 4MW solar farm in the “M-2” heavy industrial zoning district on property located at 1421 IL Route 41, Galesburg, filed by Sustainable Holdings, LLC DBA Sunrise Energy Ventures, Wayzata, Minnesota, is recorded as follows: Ayes—Johnson, Hunigan, Wilder, Hawkinson, Sandoval, Nache, Amor, Davidson, Erickson, Friedrich, Bondi, Rohweder and Varner—(13). Noes—(0). Pass—Conklin—(1). Motion carried.

Motion was made by Member Hunigan and seconded by Member Rohweder to approve ZBA Case # CU-16-18, request for conditional use permit for a 4MW solar farm in the M-2 heavy industrial zoning district on property located at 2500 Grand Avenue, Galesburg, (outside of the city limits), filed by Sustainable Holdings, LLC, DBA Sunrise Energy Ventures, Wayzata, Minnesota. The recommendation from the Zoning Board of Appeals is to approve this request with conditions. Information is included in the packets.

Member Conklin explained that he is abstaining because he is not confident that these projects have met all of the zoning requirements. He would like additional proof that they have complied. Mr. Carlson raised valid concerns about the impact on the soil. Member Conklin would like to have an objective opinion.

Chairwoman Davidson stated that the Zoning Commission has developed rules and regulations concerning solar projects.

Member Conklin commented that there is room for doubt and he would like to have these concerns addressed.

Member Hunigan added that the State and County have standard rules and regulations. The County could have more stringent standards than the State but not any less.

Member Erickson stated that there are no State standards for the establishment of solar farms. It is County controlled. This is a misstatement. There are no State standards other than the Agricultural Impact Mitigation Agreement (AIMA). This is County controlled.

Member Hunigan commented that he had misspoken.

Chairwoman Davidson stated that the County through the Zoning Department has developed guidelines for Knox County. These projects have met the County’s guidelines.

Member Erickson commented that he had voted for some of these projects but not all of them. Just because it meets the County’s standards, it doesn’t mean that the Board must approve it. Maybe there is concern about the project as perhaps they are over-applying so they can get enough projects. Maybe the Board Members do not know about a company’s track record or have concerns about projects that they have done in the past. Members are certainly able to vote on their own will based on their own feeling as to how the project might impact the local economy or their community. Or perhaps they have concerns about the petitioner. They are certainly within their rights to vote “No”, even if it meets the standards that the County has established in the Zoning Ordinances.

Chairwoman Davidson agreed that Members to have the right to vote “No”. She wanted to make it clear about zoning ordinances.

Member Amor stated that it was his understanding that if the Members voted “No” to these projects that have met the County’s guidelines, such action would open up the possibility of litigation. This has been the case in other places. The Board would have to show that there were sufficient reasons to justify that. The Board cannot vote against it because they don’t like it as it opens the door for possible litigation.

Roll call vote to approve ZBA Case # CU-16-18, request for conditional use permit for a 4MW solar farm in the M-2 heavy industrial zoning district on property located at 2500 Grand Avenue, Galesburg, (outside of the city limits), filed by Sustainable Holdings, LLC, DBA Sunrise Energy Ventures, Wayzata, Minnesota, is recorded as follows: Ayes—Johnson, Hunigan, Wilder, Hawkinson, Nache, Amor, Davidson, Friedrich, Bondi, Rohweder, and Varner—(11). Noes—Sandoval and Erickson—(2). Pass—Conklin—(1). Motion carried.

Motion was made by Member Hunigan and seconded by Member Bondi to approve the resolution on 2019 Motor Fuel Tax Salary. A copy is this resolution is included in the packets. Member Hunigan added that this is in regards to the salary of the County Highway Engineer, Duane Ratermann. Roll call vote is recorded as follows: Ayes—Johnson, Hunigan, Wilder, Hawkinson, Sandoval, Nache, Amor, Davidson, Erickson, Friedrich, Conklin, Bondi, Rohweder, and Varner—(14). Noes—(0). Motion carried.

Chairwoman Davidson presented the monthly report from the Knox County Board of Health. Many services are offered through the Health Department and those services are available to everyone. They accept most insurance plans and have been in existence for nearly 26 years.

Administrator of the Health Department, Michele Gabriel, addressed the Board. Over the next 18 months the Knox County Board of Health is looking at putting together a capital plan. Currently they are at full capacity. Their goal is to prepare for the future. They want to stay at top notch as they move into the future.

Member Varner presented the monthly report from the Galesburg Convention and Visitors Bureau. The meeting scheduled for November 27th, had been cancelled.

Member Hawkinson presented the monthly report from the 9-1-1 committee. There was no meeting this month. For next month’s Board Meeting, there should be an appointment to replace a 9-1-1 committee member. Recently there was a 12 hour plus phone outage. A major fiber line was cut south of our area. There is not a redundant system that covers our area. This outage also impacted emergency services. Calls were forwarded to a back-up system in Monmouth.

Ken Springer presented the monthly report from the Knox County Area Partnership for Economic Development. He reported that over the past 18 months he has been talking about the CEO Program, which is the entrepreneurship module. The class works with High School junior and seniors throughout the County and is doing very well. They are about mid-point in the school year. In the fall this class launches their class business and in the spring they launch their individual businesses. KCAP has another free workshop coming up December 4th about how to start your own business. A couple of weeks ago they held their manufacturing showcase at both Galesburg and Knoxville High Schools. The previous day they had about 600 kids come through. The objective is to get kids interested in careers that are growing in our area. Another showcase will be held January 16th and this will focus on the health care industry. These showcases do rotate around the County.

Member Johnson presented the monthly report from Prairie Hills Resources Board. They did meet this month and that meeting covered several topics. They discussed small business loans. They did approve a loan application for a Galesburg business. The accreditation for the Conservancy is progressing. They anticipate that they will be fully accredited in March. They hosted a family field day at one of their nature centers that was well attended. They are hoping to finalize another acquisition which is located between two properties that they already own. They did receive the Brownfield grant. In January they hope to begin some Brownfield projects in the County.

Member Johnson presented the monthly report from the United Council of Counties. He had distributed a handout to the Members about the Open Meetings Act. This addresses what should and should not be done in executive session. They also discussed public finance and how a County can finance through different means other than selling bonds.

Member Bondi presented the monthly report from the Ad Hoc Committee for Technology Services. They met on November 13th. They discussed the progress on the Landfill tower, new phones for the Nursing Home, a new IT rack for the Nursing Home, and the County website. Stratus is working on a couple of items for the County.

Member Conklin presented the monthly report from the Knox County Mental Health 708 Board. There was no meeting this month. They will be meeting next month and soon will be accepting and evaluating applications.

Motion was made by Member Nache and seconded by Member Sandoval to approve the opening of the budget for line item changes. Roll call vote is recorded as follows: Ayes— Johnson, Hunigan, Wilder, Hawkinson, Sandoval, Nache, Amor, Davidson, Erickson, Friedrich, Conklin, Bondi, Rohweder and Varner—(14). Noes—(0). Motion carried.

A list of proposed budget line item changes was presented to the Board Members.

Motion was made by Member Nache and seconded by Member Sandoval to approve the proposed line item changes. Roll call vote is recorded as follows: Ayes—Johnson, Hunigan, Wilder, Hawkinson, Sandoval, Nache, Amor, Davidson, Erickson, Friedrich, Conklin, Bondi, Rohweder and Varner—(14). Noes—(0). Motion carried.

Motion was made by Member Hawkinson and seconded by Member Friedrich to approve the claims against Knox County, Illinois, for the period of October 25, 2018 through November 28, 2018 (ordering that invoices be accepted and approved and that the County Clerk and County Treasurer be authorized and directed to issue County Warrants in payment of the bills.)

Chairwoman Davidson noted that some bills were not signed. Those bills were pulled. County Clerk Scott Erickson noted that there was another bill that arrived that day from the judicial department. The Board directed that bill to be pulled till next month. Additionally there were some bills that lacked documentation and those bills were also pulled.

Roll call vote to pay the bills that had not been pulled is recorded as follows: Ayes— Johnson, Hunigan, Wilder, Hawkinson, Sandoval, Nache, Amor, Davidson, Erickson, Friedrich, Conklin, Bondi, Rohweder and Varner—(14). Noes—(0). Motion carried.

STATEMENTS OF GENERAL CONCERN

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

Member Hunigan extended his thoughts and condolences to the family of former Board Member Mike Nelson. It had been such an honor to serve with him.

Member Wilder also extended her thoughts and condolences to the family of former Board Member Mike Nelson.

Member Hawkinson wished everyone a Merry Christmas and stated his appreciation for all that Member Erickson has done for the County and its citizens. This is Member Erickson’s official last full meeting. He has asked good questions.

Member Sandoval extended his condolences to the family of Mike Nelson. To the departing Board Members, Member Conklin and Member Erickson, he commented that it had been an honor to serve with them. He will miss their experience and wished them well.

Member Nache echoed the thanks to Members Conkin and Erickson and congratulated the newly elected Board Members. Also wished everyone a Merry Christmas.

Member Amor thanked Member Erickson and Member Conklin for their service. It has been a pleasure to serve on the Board with them. He thanked them for wishing him a Happy Hanukah and he wished them a Merry Christmas.

Chairwoman Davidson wished everyone Happy Hanukah. She also extended her thoughts and condolences to the family of Mike Nelson, who as a County Board Member represented District 3. She is glad for the opportunity to get to know him and his family. She thanked Member Conklin and Member Erickson for serving on this Board. It has been good to get to know them. She thanked them for their service.

Member Erickson presented his closing remarks to the Board. He stated that it had been a pleasure to serve District 4 as a Board Member. The reason that he did not seek re-election is that he was seeking an elected position with the Illinois Farm Bureau which did not turn out. His opinion is that if you feel that you cannot perform your duties than you should not run for that office. He congratulated Todd Olinger on his election. He stated that the County Board is a position where Members have a lot of responsibility and very little authority. There are cases where Members might feel like they need to do something and yet they do not have the authority to do it. As elections go, when you are elected to a position, they don’t bestow on you either respect or knowledge. It is up to you to earn and develop them.

He shared his other concerns for the Board. As he has attended committee meetings and even Board Meetings, too many times he has observed Board Members that aren’t up to speed. They haven’t opened or read their packet. They are not knowledgeable on the issues. It is a deep concern as a Board Member and a citizen.

Another concern is that in the last two years they have lost the attendance of nearly all of the elected officials at Board Meetings. He has never seen this before. There are wounds there to patch. He doesn’t know what it is all about but he has never experienced the absence of elected officials at County Board Meeting like they have in the last two years. It is something that needs to be addressed. They are not required to attend but it sure shows a lot of support for the County Board when they do attend.

He encouraged people to get into government at whatever level they can, such as township or County Board. People should get involved and find out more about the issues and become informed citizens. He is glad for the opportunity to serve and wished everyone Best Wishes.

Member Friedrich extended his thanks to Member Conklin and Member Erickson. It has been an honor to serve with them. Sometimes they have presented things from a different angle than he had thought about.

Member Conklin commented that he might be the Board Member that served the shortest term. He came to the Board with a party label behind his name. Yet he learned at the committee level, the party labels drop off. At least 90% of the time the party labels are not there. He found that to be really eye opening. He wishes that that would take place a higher levels of government. In working with the committees, he found that everyone is working for the betterment of the County not the political party. He enjoyed working with them.

He especially enjoyed working with Member Friedrich, who served as Chairman the first two years and currently Chairperson on the Finance Committee. He also thanked Chairwoman Davidson. One cannot believe how much time is invested in this position. Additionally he thanked County Treasurer Robin Davis. Every year they go through the Budget Process. She has to prepare all of those reports. There are multiple meetings and every year she has to educate people how the budget process actually works. It has been good to work with them and he wished them well as they move forward.

Member Bondi also extended his thoughts and condolences to the family of Mike Nelson. He wished everyone Happy Holidays. He extended his thanks to Donna Motz, Interim Administrator of the Knox County Nursing Home. He apologized as he thought that they would have the resolution prepared for the Advisory Board. However, there were some delays. Hopefully, it will be on the agenda in December. It has been an honor to work with Member Erickson and Member Conklin.

Member Rohweder spoke of Mike Nelson as he considered him as his hero. He played a huge role throughout his life. Ultimately leading him to the County Board, for which he is very grateful. Member Rohweder also thanked Member Erickson and Member Conklin for all of their work with the County Board. He has found them both to be so refreshing. They are great teachers even though they might not know that they are teaching. He is thankful for their service.

Member Varner echoed the comments of the other Board Members in thanks to Members Conklin and Erickson. She learned a lot from them during her time on the Board.

The next Regular Meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 26, 2018, 6:00 p.m., at the Galesburg City Hall Council Chambers, Galesburg, Illinois.

Motion was made by Member Erickson and seconded by Member Sandoval to adjourn from this meeting until the next regularly scheduled meeting. Voice vote is recorded as follows: Ayes—(14). Noes—(0). Open Meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.

https://co.knox.il.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Board-Minutes-November-2018.pdf