Galesburg Reporter

Fulton County Board met March 23.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

Chairman Patrick J. O’Brian called the Emergency Special Session meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. in Courtroom 201 at the Fulton County Courthouse in Lewistown, IL.

The Fulton County Clerk 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 – P
Steven Bohler – P	Dan Kumer – P	John Spangler – A
Roger Clark – P	Nestor Madson –P	Jason Strandberg – P
Mary Deushane – A	Joe Murphy – P	John E. Taylor – A
Susan Duquenne – P	Jason Myetich – P	Lisa Thompson – P
Vicki S. Hoke – P	Patrick O’Brian – P	Neil Williams – A

Elected/Appointed Officials –Jennifer Bankert- County Clerk, Staci Mayall – Treasurer, Charlene Markley – Circuit Clerk, Jeff Standard – Sheriff, Justin Jochums – States Attorney

Staff – Cindy Simpson – Fulton County Board Administrative Assistant

Guests –None

Media – None

CALL IN INFORMATION:

Call in number:(712) 775-7031

Meeting code: 177821 #

ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO AGENDA

Member Bohler moved to accept the agenda with a second from Member Pigg. Motion carried by roll call vote (14-0).

PUBLIC REMARKS:

Name: Trudy Williams

Address: Canton, IL

Topic: Continuity of Government

Ms. Williams spoke that the Fulton County employees are all very concerned about the Fulton County government and as employees of the county want to keep the government offices running. Williams went on to say that as employees everyone’s jobs differs and the one goal for everyone is to serve the residents of Fulton County. County employees at Clayberg are trying to care for the residents while caring for their own families and keeping everyone safe. Williams asked anyone felt inclined to send a note of thanks to the employees of Clayberg employees need to know they are appreciated. The county employees at the Sheriff’s office continue to keep the county safe and everything running smoothly.

Williams went on to say employees at the courthouse are the paper pushers and are no less important in keeping the continuity of government. There are some court cases being heard and child support checks are still processed. Fines and fees are still collected and hundreds of court cases have been continued and notifications were mailed to notify of the new court date.

Much of the first floor at the court house can do isolation, but bills still need paid, phone calls answered and an election is being finalized the list can go on and on.

The proposed rotation for employees in each department is a very sensible solution to assure the continuity of government. There is no cost to the General Fund as the pay has been budgeted. Currently there are 18 employees in courthouse that are head of household and many of the new hires have not been employed long enough to build earned time off and many live pay check to paycheck. All employees are ready and willing to continue to do their jobs to serve the residents of Fulton County.

ACTION AGENDA

PROCLAMATIONS:

a. Discussion/Action: Fulton County Disaster Proclamation

Chairman O’Brian discussed the proclamation and the declaration that was made and signed on March 20. The proclamation is valid for 7 days and with the Fulton County Boards vote the proclamation can extend another 30 days. At the end of 30 days the proclamation will need reviewed and the Fulton County Board can reconvene to extend the proclamation for another 30 days.

Member Bohler moved to approve the proclamation for another 30days with a second from Member Madson. Motion carried by roll call vote (14-0).

MISC:

a. Discussion/Action: Discussion of Continuity of Government

Chairman O’Brian discussed the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) information regarding the continuity of government. Currently the Board is giving the department head the discretion to rotate their employees working in and out of the office while being on an on call status during the hours of 8:00am – 4:00pm Monday through Friday.

Chairman O’Brian stated the health and safety of the employees is the number one priority and the health of the Fulton County budget is number two. This was discussed with the Union President Trudy Williams and Tim Lavelle the union attorney to assure all parties are in agreement.

The board agreed to pay employees in 10 business day intervals without asking the employees to use their accrued time off. FLMA or any state agreements would supersede this agree and the agreement renegotiation would need to take place. This agreement will be sent to AFSCME Local 3433 for approval.

Member Murphy moved to approve the MOU with a second from Member Strandberg. Motion carried by roll call vote (14-0).

b. Discussion/Action: Suspending Rules of Order. April meetings “committee of the whole”.

This extends from the Executive Committee meeting on March 19 and by conducting the April Board meeting as a “Committee of the whole” this will limit exposure during this pandemic. In order to accomplish this the Board will need to suspend the Rules of Order.

Currently work is being done to get better communications to all by using either by WebEx or Zoom. All the committee’s agendas will go on the board agenda for the board to vote on. A vote of 2/3 is needed to suspend the Rules of Order.

Member Myetich moved to approve Suspending the Rules of Order and the April Fulton County Board meeting be conducted as a “committee of the whole”, with a second from Member Pigg. Motion carried by roll call vote (15-0).

c. Discussion/Action: Open Meeting Procedures for Future meetings

Chairman O’Brian discussed with the board voting to suspended the Rules of order the open meeting procedures will change to a committee of the whole. Chairman O’Brian would like to discuss what time to have the Fulton County Board meeting and notice will need to be given to change the date or time of the meeting. Discussion was had and the Fulton County Board meeting date will not change from April 14, but the new time is 5:30pm. The Fulton County Board meeting will not have any proclamations, all Claims and other essential business will be conducted.

Chairman O’Brian also stated the Fulton County Board office will be closed to the public until April 7.

Member Murphy moved to change the April 14 Fulton County Board meeting to start at 5:30pm with a second from Member Thompson. Motion carried by roll call vote (15-0).

ADJOURNMENT

Time: 5:37pm

Member Strandberg made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 5:37pm with a second from Member Pigg. The motion carried with all present voting ayes (15-0). The next regular session meeting of the Fulton County Board will be held on April 14, 2020 at 5:30PM, Fulton County Courthouse, Room 201 Lewistown, IL.

http://www.fultonco.org/march-23-2020-fulton-county-board-special-meeting-minutes/