Galesburg Reporter

McDonough County Board met Dec. 18.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

The monthly meeting of the McDonough County Board was held at the McDonough County Courthouse on December 18, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. roll call resulted in 19 present and 0 absent 2 vacant. Sheriff Nick Petitgout made the opening declaration. Chair Dixon led the Pledge of Allegiance.

EXHIBIT 1

Member McGrew motioned to approve the minutes of the November 20, 2019 meeting, with a second by Member Marcott. Motion carried on a voice vote.

EXHIBIT 2

The report from Stephanie Hilton, Public Defender, for the month of November 2019 was received and filed.

EXHIBIT 3

The report of Sales Tax collected in September 2019 was received and filed.

EXHIBIT 4

The report of Balances and Investments from County Treasurer Graves for the month of November 2019 was received and filed.

EXHIBIT 5

The report of Circuit Clerk Wilson for the month of November 2019 was received and filed.

EXHIBIT 6

The report from County Clerk DeJaynes on Warrants Issued in Vacation for the month of November 2019 was received and filed.

EXHIBIT 7

No Report.

EXHIBIT 8

Member McGrew motioned to approve the report of the Finance Committee as read, with a second by Member Mahr. Motion carried on a roll call vote of 19 yeas, 0 nays, 0 absent, 2 vacant as Exhibit 8A.

EXHIBIT 9

Member Schwerer motioned with a second by Member Nissen to dispense the reading of the claims report and to approve it as approved by the Claims Committee. Motioned carried with a roll call vote of 19 yeas, 0 nays 0 absent, 2 vacant as Exhibit 9A.

EXHIBIT 10

Motion to approve annual reports of County Treasurer, County Clerk, Sheriff, and Circuit Clerk moved by Member Cox, second, Member Marcott. Motion carried on a roll call vote of 17 yeas, 0 nays, 2 pass, 0 absent 2 vacant. Exhibit 10a.

EXHIBIT 11

Motion to approve reappointment of Adam Doellman to Emergency Telephone Systems Board (ETSB) moved by Member Mahr, second, Member Twaddle. Chair Dixon explained, last month if you remember, we appointed about, I think it was about five people to that ESTB, one of which was Chris Cunningham to represent the hospital. Since that point in time, there has been a reassignment there and they have asked that Adam Doellman be approved in Cunningham’s absence, so that is the reason for that short term. Motion carried on a roll call vote of 19 yeas, 0 nays, 0 pass, 0 absent 2 vacant. Exhibit 11A.

EXHIBIT 12

Motion to approve reappointment of Mike Moore to Blandinsville-Hire Fire Protection District moved by Member McGrew, second, Member Trimmer. Chair Dixon explained this was in place of Eugene Luster who had been on there for years. Motion carried on a roll call vote of 18 yeas, 0 nays, 1 pass, 0 absent 2 vacant.

Exhibit 12A.

EXHIBIT 13

Motion to approve reappointment of Scott Bagley to New Salem Fire Protection District moved by Member Erlandson, second, Member Toland. Chair Dixon explained, Scott will be filling the seat vacated by Robert Rutledge who passed away just recent, two or three months ago, so that will be a replacement for Rutledge. Motion carried on a roll call vote of 19 yeas, 0 nays, 0 pass, 0 absent 2 vacant. Exhibit 13A.

EXHIBIT 14

Motion to approve Resolution for Public Defender salary, moved by Member McLean, second by Member Kirby. Chair Dixon explains that Public Defender that started the 15th of October, if he remembers correctly, that salary would be at $156,371.00 and that is we are told what that figure would be based on a percent of the, as I understand, the States Attorneys salary. Member Litchfield, no, County Clerk DeJaynes, no, Member Litchfield then said, I think it’s on population isn’t it? Chair Dixon addressed County Clerk DeJaynes, tell us what it’s based on, County Clerk DeJaynes then explained, you can set the Public Defender Salary at anything you want, but to get the reimbursement, it has to be 90% of the States Attorney’s Salary, but there is no set amount, you could set it at anything you wanted. Member Litchfield then questioned, but it has to be 90% of the State’s Attorney’s salary, County Clerk DeJaynes explained, to get the reimbursement. Chair Dixon, this is the figure that was taken off the budget we passed last month. Member Kirby states he’s not clear on, do we pay the 90% to get the reimbursement or are we underneath that? Member Aurelio explained, no we are paying the 90%. Motion carried on a roll call vote of 18 yeas, 0 nays, 1 pass, 0 absent 2 vacant. Exhibit 14A.

EXHIBIT 15

Motion to approve Resolution for Maintenance under the Illinois Highway Code, moved by Member Marcott, second, Member Toland. Motion carried on a roll call vote of 19 yeas, 0 nays, 0 pass, 0 absent 2 vacant.

Exhibit 15A.

EXHIBIT 16

Motion to approve to donate to Christmas Donation. Member Marcott would like to request the Genesis Garden Homeless Shelter for the recipient for the Christmas donation. Motion made by Member Marcott, second by Member Trimmer. Motion carried on a voice vote. Hat was passed through the Board for donations.

EXHIBIT 17

None

PUBLIC COMMENT

Chair Dixon explained, last month we had pretty full agenda and we did not have any of our outside agencies make a presentation, fortunately we have two of them with us tonight so we can play catch up a little bit, at this time I would like to offer the floor to Brian Dietz to represent the hospital. Continue to improve our operation of financial performance, number a new leaders filling our team, Craig Fields will be our new Director of Human Resources starting on January 3, he has 25 years of experience of Human Resources and Management experience. Albert Fairbunce January 27 as the director of Quality, he has many years experience in large hospital developing, quality improvement performance programs. Jimmy Rogers,

Directory of Engineering on January 13. Delores Peter Switzer Women’s Center, state inspector was supposed to show today, we are hoping to get verbal ok to use the facility, as soon as we get the ok, we plan to have an open house and everyone will be invited. Clinical growth is going well, affiliation with Blessing could not be better.

Kim Pierce from Maedco, Cardinal Point Wind had a meeting at Spoon River last night. Project is more than half complete, project will be done in March. They do have a manager, Joe Glaze, he came in September. At the first of this month, they have 15 topped out turbines and now they have around 28. They will be doing another land owners meeting sometime in the summer. Starbucks and Verizon renovation in the old Ponderosa is in full throttle. Middle part of the building is around 1600 sq ft and is still available. Provided three identifiable adult cannabis dispensaries. We have one under lease right now and all have their applications in and we are working with them for sight selections. Car wash, automated will be the first in Macomb. Seven jobs, one full time manager, right across from Hampton. In front of Farm King, lots available, they are selling some of their frontage lots. Lots of very nice changes.

Chair Dixon mentioned that Noel Oliver was in attendance and is appreciated.

Also, Christmas Party is Friday and all are invited to attend.

Chair Dixon: I have another deal here that if you would allow me, I would like to read to you. When I was elected Chairman of the Board, the directive of the work was to develop a team which would work together which would work together to accomplish the work of the county. We have considerable improvement, we have seen considerable improvement, input from individuals on the board, more engaged and participating to a larger degree. Nearly all the board members are team players, working for the betterment of the county.

We continue a strong relationship between democrats and republicans and not all boards can make that brag.

We have made improvement with administration at the Elm’s, we have facilitated a much stronger hospital board, which we just visited about a minute ago. We have seen improved relationships with affiliated offices outside of the Courthouse. We identified the need for and took action to bring the business of the Board back under the control of the Board, like it should be. I am proud of these accomplishments we have made in this past year, but there is a lot more that needs to be done. I deeply regret, my health will not let me lead the board forward to accomplish these goals. My doctor and my family insist I relinquish my role as board Chairman, I had no way of knowing these conditions would develop, would prevent me from filling my term. I will resign the Chairmanship at the conclusion of this meeting. I have complete faith in the ability of Mike Cox, Vice Chairman, as he will step forward into this position. I pledge my support to him as he sees fit. However, for him to accomplish his goals, he must put an end, or we must an end to the selfish hatred that exists in some departments and work together for the betterment of the county. I sincerely thank the many board members for the continued support over the past 12 years, that support has been greater than I anticipated. I thank you for that.

Member Litchfield: Can I make a comment?

Chair Dixon: uh are we going to enter into the public comment, and you may.

Member Litchfield: Well first thing I want to thank you George for your 12 months of service in this office, and county board members, um during the past year, I believe that Chair Dixon has pursued a common theme, making the county board informed, that’s evidence by, quarterly reports from the county board meetings for Brian Dietz at MDH, Kim Pierce at Maedco, and Lynette Cale at the McDonough County Health Department.

Uh, we also get updates from Capital Power, continually providing us updates about the wind farm project.

When leadership changes, there are often growing pains, as people adapt to different styles. However, these growing pains became much more than that, the county has many challenges, we are losing good board members with servants hearts who wanted to make a difference for the betterment of this county. This trend cannot continue, as a board we need to be able to share differences of opinions with each other and reach consensus, that contributes to the common good of this county. We need a county government that can rise above the fray, we need to implement a spirit of cooperation and an open-door policy to the county offices and staff. When we work together and not against each other, our county will benefit. Let’s put the County first!! I am making a pledge to all of you that I will support Mike Cox as he takes over as Chair of this county board and I’m not asking you to agree with everything that Mike proposes, but I am asking you to support him in a way that allows him to do his job and that he has been sworn in to do and I thank you. Thanks George Dixon: Thank you I appreciate that, any other public comment.

Sheriff Petitgout addressed the Board to announce his new deputy, Morgan Werkheiser, she is the first female deputy in McDonough County History. Julie Tierstrip thanked George for his service.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Member Schwerer wanted to recognize the passing of two former board members. Dan Pendarvis served on this board for 23 years and was Chair of the Road and Bridge Committee for some time and John Lawson was a member for 38 years and he was Chair of Law and Legal for quite sometime. That was 61 years of service and I wanted to recognize their service.

ADJOURN

Motion to adjourn moved by Member McGrew, second, Member Melvin. Motion passed at 7:58 p.m.