Fulton County Board met March 10.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
Chairman Patrick J. O’Brian called the Regular Session meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. in Courtroom 201 at the Fulton County Courthouse in Lewistown, IL.
County Clerk Jennifer J. Bankert called the roll and found the following members present: Quorum was present. (Present-P; Absent-A)
| Cindy Arnett – P | Donna Hudson – A | Terry Pigg – P |
| Carolyn Blodgett – A | Laura Hepp Kessel – P | Warren Potter – A |
| Steven Bohler – P | Dan Kumer – P | John Spangler – P |
| Roger Clark – P | Nestor Madson – P | Jason Strandberg – P |
| Mary Deushane – P | Joe Murphy – P | John E. Taylor – P |
| Susan Duquenne – P | Jason Myetich – P | Lisa Thompson – P |
| Vicki S. Hoke – A | Patrick O’Brian – P | Neil Williams – P |
Staff – Audra Miles – Administrative Comptroller, Cindy Simpson – Fulton County Administrative Assistant
Guests – Earl Allen – University of Illinois Extension office
Media John Froehling – Fulton Democrat, Hannah Schrodt – Canton Daily Ledger, Mark Bixler -WBYS
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES
A. Regular Session– February 11, 2020
Member Clark moved to accept and place on file the regular session February 11, 2020, minutes with a second from Member Kumer. Motion carried by roll call vote (17-0).
B. Special Session – February 24, 2020
Member Kumer moved to accept and place on file the special session February 24, 2020, minutes with a second from Member Deushane. Motion carried by roll call vote (17-0).
ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO AGENDA
Pull item #8 from Consent- Finance
Member Murphy moved to approve the amended agenda with a second from Member Clark. Motion carried by roll call vote (17 -0).
ANNOUNCEMENTS, COMMUNICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE
A. University of Illinois –Annual Extension Report, Earl Allen
Mr. Allen discussed videos that can viewed on the website at https://extension.illinois.edu/fmpt.
The extension office wants to get the word out what the extension office does in Fulton, Mason and surrounding counties. A short survey was handed out to all County Board members to complete on programming priority options.
On the education side at the U of I has experts that travel the surrounding area and the state that give educational programs on disaster preparedness of management. Mr. Allen thanked the board for their time and if anyone has any additional questions to contact Mr. Allen at uie-fmpt@illinois.edu.
B. Census 2020
Clerk Bankert discussed at the last Finance meeting touching base on the 2020 Census. Bankert handed out flyers regarding the census and the date time lines that are in place. The census is a 10 question survey and a final mailing between April 20 – April 27, 2020 to complete the census.
PROCLAMATIONS:
A. Honoring Student Athletes from Lewistown High School Girls Basketball Team 2nd Place
The Lewistown Lady Indians received 2nd place in the Class 1A IHSA Basketball State final with a 33-2 season record.
Member Clark moved to approve the Proclamation with a second from Member Kumer. Motion carried by roll call vote (17-0).
B. Special Recognition: Fulton County Rehabilitation – 2 Special Olympic Basketball teams
Chairman O’Brian recognized the two Special Olympic Basketball teams that competed in the State tournament.
Member Kumer moved to approve the Proclamation with a second from Member Kessel. Motion carried by roll call vote (17-0).
PUBLIC REMARKS:
Name: Lewis Lashbrook Jr.
Topic: Illinois Separation Movement for upcoming Election
Address: Farmington, IL
Mr. Lashbrook discussed the Separation Movement and the movement is hoping to get on the November ballet and the question is a yes or no question to see how many counties want separation from Chicago. This movement to separate Illinois Counties from Chicago or Cook County, is mainly due to the taxes that are imposed. The amount of taxes imposed make it very difficult for small businesses to survive by paying so much tax.
The southern counties are starting to get this on the November Ballot and currently petitions are being signed to get this on the ballot in Central Illinois. This is the time for rural counties to be united.
Materials are available on the movement and can be found on the Illinois separation website.
Name: Joe Schaub
Address: Lewistown, IL
Topic: County Highway 4 and Oscar Linn intersection
Mr. Schaub stated he is at the Fulton County Board meeting to ask the county for help on the County Highway 4 and Oscar Linn intersection. The intersection has 6 to 8-inch wash outs on the road that do not allow traffic to drive through. Mr. Schaub provided pictures that were highlighted to show the area in question. This is the county right-away this is not Oscar Linn or Buckheart township to fix as this is on the apron that is on County Highway 4. This intersection there is water that flows across the road and the highway when it rains and this is causing issues with the road. The former Fulton County Engineer indicated that this is Liverpool’s township and Liverpool township is responsibility to fix the intersection. Mr. Schaub indicated this is not in Liverpool’s Township. It was discussed with Mr. Schaub to contact the new Fulton County Engineer to discuss the issue with the road and confirm if this is a county issue or one of the townships issue with the intersection. Member Clark said he would take the photos to the new Fulton County Engineer and discuss the issue to determine what needs done.
CONSENT AGENDA
Member Thompson moved to approve the consent agenda with a second from Member Murphy. Motion carried by roll call vote (16- 1) with Member Taylor voting nay.
A. CLAIMS
1. Claims- Sheriff, Jail, Board of Review, Zoning, County Board, Miscellaneous, 1st Quarter Benefit-Wellness Program, Public Defender, County Tourism & EDC, Property, Supervisor of Assessments, ESDA, Animal Control, Highway, VAC, Clayberg, Camping & Recreation, Spay/Neuter, Fulton County Public Transportation, 1st Quarter County Board Mileage & Per Diem
B. REPORTS
1. Reports- Animal Control, Treasurer, FCCRA POS Report, VAC, Zoning,
2. Other Reports- Public Defender, State’s Attorney/Circuit Clerk, Sheriff, County Clerk
C. APPOINTMENTS
1. Resolution: Kenneth L. Barrick – Appointment – The Board of Trustees of the Cuba Fire Protection District.
D. PROPERTY & PERSONNEL/COURTS
E. FINANCE/INSURANCE
1. General Fund Transfer
2. Other funds Transfers
3. General Fund Immediate Emergency Appropriations
4. Other Fund Immediate Emergency Appropriations
i. $67,070.00 Immediate Emergency Appropriation from Unappropriated Funds to #045-101-575300 to Retro Pay and Bonus
5. Resolution: Creation of Line Items: #001-016-565100 Telephone & Internet, #001-016-565200 Utilities, and #001-016-565300 Water in the County Board Fund
6. FY2020 5311 Compliance Review – Vehicle Disposition
7. FY2020 5311 Compliance Review – Preventative Maintenance
8. Hotel expense Reimbursement – Clayberg Interim Administrator PULLED
9. Trustee Parcels
F. PUBLIC SAFETY & CAMPGROUND
G. COUNTY HIGHWAY
1. Resolution: HWY-20-008 Resolution Appropriating Funds for County Engineer’s Salary 20-00000-01-CS
H. HEALTH
I. LIQUOR CONTROL
J. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
K. MISC.
ACTION AGENDA
TREASURER’S REPORT
Treasurer Mayall reported the revenue for February $627,079.90 and expenses were $808,489.46 leaving the February deficit of $181,409.56. Currently the county is through the first quarter of the year and the total year to date deficit is $428,463.97 this will improve when once the property taxes go out.
FINANCE/INSURANCE
a. Discussion/Action: Resolution in opposition to HB4416 Amends the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act.
Member Myetich discussed the HB4416 that amends the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act, this bill prohibits the sale of Cannabis within 1.5mile radius of contiguous unincorporated area that surround the corporate limits of a municipality.
Member Myetich moved to approve the resolution HB4416 with a second from Member Murphy. Motion carried by roll call vote (17-0).
HEALTH
a. Discussion/Action: Clayberg non-union employee benefit change
Member Kessel discussed a resolution for Clayberg non-union employees to receive the same benefits as the Clayberg union employees. The Health Committee will discuss this further at their meeting and bring the resolution to the April Fulton County Board meeting.
COUNTY HIGHWAY – None
PUBLIC SAFETY & CAMPGROUND
a. Discussion/Action: Animal Control Intergovernmental Agreement
Member Deushane discussed the Animal Control Intergovernmental agreement and the revisions that were made. The Humane Society will pay for 1/3 of the electric and natural gas, 1/3 of the mowing and 1/3 of feed for the animals. The County and the City of Canton will split the remainder 2/3 of the cost.
Member Clark asked how many animals Canton brings to the Humane Society, last year the City brought 47% of the animals. In the board packet there is a monthly break down on the animal control report.
Member Duquenne asked what the Humane Society was paying previously to the changes on this agreement. The Humane Society was not paying anything the county and the City of Canton were paying all the charges.
Sheriff Standard spoke that the Humane Society benefited from keeping the animals longer and did not have to pay for food, utilities and mowing.
Member Deushane moved to approve the Intergovernmental agreement with a second from Member Kumer. Motion carried by roll call vote (17-0).
b. Discussion/Action: Ordinance: Amending the Fulton County Animal Control Ordinance of 2004 – Stray Animal Control and Rabies Prevention
Member Deushane discussed this adds cats to the rabies ordinance and brings the fee to retrieve dogs or cats to $50.00. Animals with no rabies vaccination the fee is $100.00 plus transportation to the animal shelter plus any food fees.
Member Williams discussed an extensive project that was conducted 10 or so years ago on the animal shelter on animals that are taken in and that is when the current fee structure was adopted.
The way this reads the County will add $50.00 to the current fee structure and the county is not eliminating any fees and animals left more than one day the fee raises $10.00 per day. Member Williams asked if a study was conducted to validate the fee structure in and surrounding area. The last time the study was conducted, Fulton County was considerably higher than the surrounding counties and the fees were lowered. There is a direct correlation with the number of animals being retrieved due to the fees being charged.
By raising the fees, this is punishing owners with animals for retrieving their pets and by raising the fees more animal owners cannot afford to retrieve their animals. The most cost effective thing to do is to get the animal back to the owner as soon as possible.
Justin Jochums States Attorney stated he drafted the document and takes no position on what direction the Board chooses to go with this Ordinance. The change was made to cats as this came into Illinois State law on January 1, 2020. The $50.00 fee will bring Fulton County in line with Peoria Counties fees and the $100.00 fee is for dogs at-large that have not been inoculated against rabies or do not have a Fulton County rabies tag.
Member Murphy stated a meeting was held with the Humane Society and Officer Beekman the main concern is not adoptions it is having animals with our rabies vaccinations and rabies tags and without the ordinance there is no deterrent for breaking the law. The feeling is the county does not need vicious dogs at-large that are in violation of the ordinance.
Member Strandberg asked what sections Member Williams would like removed from the Ordinance, Member Williams stated all new fees.
Member Taylor stated in neighboring counties with large fee or fines for escaped animals or at-large animals, it is difficult for low income families to pay the high fees to retrieve their animals.
Member Williams recalled his amended motion and Member Madson recalled his second to the amendment.
Chairman O’Brian inquired with States Attorney Jochums if the ordinance needs a vote tonight. States Attorney Jochums stated the portion regarding the cats does need a vote due to the Illinois State law that went into effect January 1, 2020.
Member Murphy spoke with Officer Beekman and without the Ordinance the Animal Control Officer cannot enforce the ordinance for cats.
States Attorney Jochums advised if portion C is only in effect this would cause issues, the ordinance needs to have everything in it or nothing.
Chairman O’Brian has a reinstatement of Member Williams motion and a reinstatement of the second from Member Madson.
Member Williams moved to amend the ordinance to remove the second page sections A, B and C with a second from Member Taylor. Motion failed by roll call vote (7-10) with Members Pigg, Spangler, Bohler, Deushane, Duquenne, Kessel, Kumer, Murphy, Myetich, O’Brian voting nay.
Member Deushane moved to approve the amended Ordinance with a second from Member Kumer. Motion carried by roll call vote (12-5) with Members Taylor, Thompson, Williams, Arnett, Madson voting Nay.
PROPERTY & PERSONNEL/COURTS
a. Discussion/Action: Courthouse air conditioner bids
Member Williams discussed the bids for the courthouse air conditioners. The bid opening was Friday, March 6, 2020 and Members Williams and Madson attended the bid opening. During the bid opening the engineers discussed only replacing two air conditioners and discussed the third air conditioner does not need replaced at this time.
The options tonight are to replace two air conditioners and replace the third air conditioner at a later time. Phillips and Associates could get the bids for the third air conditioner and present the findings to the Property committee and the board. With the current cash flow issues this may be fortunate for the county. Currently there are some maintenance issues of running water at the courthouse, but the running water or leak cannot be found and new service entrance may need to be installed. There are also two pumps making noise that recirculate the heat and an estimated cost to replace the pumps is $14,000.00.
The recommendation is to replace the two air conditioners and the low bid from GM Mechanical at $24,500.00. The other bid received was Spoon River Mechanical Services, Inc. at $30,494.00.
Member Williams moved to approve the GM Mechanical bid for $24,500.00 with a second from Member Madson. Motion carried by roll call vote (17-0).
b. Discussion/Action: Amendment to the Rules of Order
Member Thompson discussed the amendment to the Rules of Order change: The Comptroller/Administrative Assistant reports to the Executive Committee with daily supervision by the Fulton County Board Chairman.
Member Thompson moved to approve the Amendment to the Rules of Order with a second from Member Strandberg. Motion carried by roll call vote (17-0).
c. Discussion/Action: Fragrance Memo
Member Thompson discussed the fragrance memo is to request that offices in the courthouse do not use fragrance emitting devices. The memo was written to ask employees at the courthouse to unplug the devices.
Member Strandberg discussed the memo needs to come from the department heads at the courthouse and inquired if the memo was discussed at the department head level, as this does not need to come from the board as a whole.
Chairman O’Brian conferred this is only a memo for a reasonable accommodation to an employee with sensitivity to scents. Chairman O’Brian recognizes that all officials run their own offices and why the Board is making this a request and not a policy.
Member Taylor discussed this needs taken care of at the department head level.
Sheriff Standard made comments that the memo has no bearing on any elected official’s offices. This is a request for all to exist as good neighbors. A request not to use a fragrance how far does this go, is it down to someone’s perfume or aftershave this infringes on a person’s rights and is a fine line. Everyone needs to exist as a good neighbor, and not everything needs a policy behind it. If there is an ADA requirement this needs to be documented and placed on file.
Member Thompson did research on the National institute of Health and 12 to 16% have fragrance allergies.
Member Thompson did get feedback from all the department heads in the courthouse regarding the fragrance memo and indicated there were no big issues.
Member Thompson moved to approve the Fragrance Memo with a second from Member Murphy. Motion failed by roll call vote (5-12) with Members Williams, Clark, Deushane, Duquenne, Kessel, Kumer, Madson, Myetich, O’Brian, Pigg, Strandberg, and Taylor voting nay.
d. Discussion: Resolution: To adopt the Business Travel and Expense Policy
Member Thompson wanted to make the board aware this policy is on the agenda for the April Board meeting and copies have been distributed electronically and if a paper copy if needed to contact Cindy Simpson.
e. Discussion: Employee Personnel Records Policy – None
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT –None
EXECUTIVE SESSION – None
MISC. – None
AD-HOC Committee
a. Discussion/Action: Fulton County Property Tax Committee
Chairman O’Brian discussed this committee to improve communication between the three offices Assessment office, County Clerk’s Office and Treasurer’s office. This will allow unified communications to constituents.
Member Williams moved to approve the Ad-Hoc Property Tax Committee with a second from Member Murphy. Motion carried by roll call vote (17-0).
ADJOURNMENT
Time: 8:03pm
Member Williams made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:03pm with a second from Member Myetich. The motion carried with all present voting ayes (17-0). The next regular session meeting of the Fulton County Board will be held on April 14, 2020 at 6:30PM, Fulton County Courthouse, Room 201 Lewistown, IL.
http://www.fultonco.org/march-10-2020-fulton-county-board-meeting-minutes/
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