Galesburg Reporter

Knox County Board met June 22.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Proceedings of the Regular Meeting of the Knox County Board held in person at the Galesburg City Council chambers at 6:00 p.m. Due to the coronavirus precautions, this meeting was presented via teleconference in order to alleviate the need for the public to be in person at the meeting and still participate. The zoom code used tonight will stay the same for future meetings and can be found on the County website.

The Meeting was called to order by County Board Chair Jared Hawkinson and upon roll call the following Members reported present:

District 2 Robert Bondi

District 4 Jared Hawkinson

District 5 Ricardo “Rick” Sandoval

District 1 Darla Krejci

District 2 David Amor

District 3 Pamela Davidson

District 5 Brian Friedrich

District 1 Cheryl Nache

District 2 John Hunigan

District 3 Kyle Rohweder

District 4 Sara Varner

And those absent:

District 1 Roland Paulsgrove

District 3 Tara Wilder

District 4 Todd Olinger

District 5 Jeff Link

Also present was County Clerk Scott Erickson and County Treasurer Robin Davis. Department Heads present were Nursing Home Administrator Jodi Mines, Highway Administrator Duane Ratermann, Landfill Administrator Rod Clair, Mary Davis Home Administrator Wendi Steck, Knox County Housing Authority Executive Director Derek Antoine, Supervisor of Assessments Sonia Hochstettler and Knox County Health Department Public Health Administrator Michele Gabriel.

Chair Hawkinson delivered the Proclamation an led the Members in the pledge of allegiance to the flag. In lieu of a formal invocation, Chair Hawkinson asked that a moment of silence be observed.

Chair Hawkinson asked for additions or deletions to the agenda. No items were deleted or added.

Chair Hawkinson asked for public comments. There was no public comment in person or via zoom.

Motion was made by Member Amor and seconded by Member Varner to approve the following items of the consent agenda: 1) minutes of the Regular and Closed Board Meetings for May 25, 2022, 2) claims for Members for per diem and mileage for the meetings of June 2022 and other claims for per diem from meetings, and 3) sales tax and various taxes for the month of March 2022 in the amount of $146,674.20 and $33,137.82 and public safety tax in the amount of $243,088.01. Roll call vote is recorded as follows: Ayes—Bondi, Hawkinson, Sandoval, Krejci, Amor, Davidson, Friedrich, Nache, Hunigan, Rohweder, and Varner—(11). Noes—(0). Motion carried.

Chair Hawkinson introduced Lisa Torrance. She is the County Director for the University of Illinois Extension Office. Lisa said the last time she spoke was pre-Covid. Due to Covid they had to learn to adjust their programs to more online training. During Covid people asked for help on how to grow a garden, pesticide pros and cons, consumer science, how to reduce stress, and live on a tighter budget. They created online training formats which have been going very well. It has been a learning experience of transferring to online instead of teaching in person due to Covid. Their Youth Development has been a harder one when they were unable to get into the schools. For the 4-H program they did a virtual fair and virtual showing of hogs. She said that was not an easy task but they did it and hope to never have to do it again online. For Agriculture and Natural Resources, they continue to be doing very well online. Not everything for those programs are online some are face to face. They work with several programs such as the Upward Bound Program, Big Brother & Big Sisters, Boys & Girls Clubs, Libraries, and the Health Department. With the Housing Authority they are working with the Hot Spot Program. They have a new facility on the U of I campus and a Japanese Garden that is out by the free parking lot. The founder of Pampered Chef donated the funding for the building. They have received their FY22 money actually in FY22. She said that has not happened since FY08. They are now all caught up and only need payment for the last half of the year. Their biggest issue has been hiring issues. Lisa invited everyone to come out to the fairgrounds at 4pm on July 18th for Master showing and the 18th and 19th for the livestock showing for the 4-H program. Member Amor wanted to give a shout out to in Galesburg location Carrie McKillip with the tremendous help with the broadband and Champagne-Urbana office.

Motion was made by Member Rohweder and seconded by Member Bondi to approve the appointment to Knox County Board of Health of Dr. Carl Strauch. Chair Hawkinson said that the information is in the packet. Roll call vote is recorded as follows: Ayes—Bondi, Hawkinson, Sandoval, Krejci, Amor, Davidson, Friedrich, Nache, Hunigan, Rohweder, and Varner—(11). Noes—(0). Motion carried.

Motion was made by Member Varner and seconded by Member Amor to approve the appointment to Knox County Housing Authority of Dena Turner, Joey Range, and Sara Robison. Chair Hawkinson said that in the packet is the letter from the Housing Authority listing the applicants. The qualifications and other documentation is on the google drive. Roll call vote is recorded as follows: Ayes—Bondi, Hawkinson, Sandoval, Krejci, Amor, Davidson, Friedrich, Nache, Hunigan, Rohweder, and Varner—(11). Noes—(0). Motion carried.

Motion was made by Member Varner and seconded by Member Friedrich to approve the Resolutions on Deeds of Conveyance. Chair Hawkinson said that two of them did not make Finance Committee so they are listed in the packet. Roll call vote is recorded as follows: Ayes— Bondi, Hawkinson, Sandoval, Krejci, Amor, Davidson, Friedrich, Nache, Hunigan, Rohweder, and Varner—(11). Noes—(0). Motion carried.

Member Friedrich presented the monthly report for the Finance, Insurance, Treasurer, Judicial, Veterans, and Clerk/Recorder Committee. The reports are included in the packet.

Motion was made by Member Friedrich and seconded by Member Amor to approve the dues for Western Illinois Regional Council in the amount of $5,460. Roll call vote is recorded as follows: Ayes—Bondi, Hawkinson, Sandoval, Krejci, Amor, Davidson, Friedrich, Nache, Hunigan, Rohweder, and Varner—(11). Noes—(0). Motion carried.

Motion was made by Member Friedrich and seconded by Member Bondi to approve the wage increase for the Public Defender and State’s Attorney Wages. Member Friedrich said that this is a 2.9% increase that is set by the State. Chair Hawkinson explained the requirement percent. Stating that the Sheriff salary is 80% of what the State’s Attorney makes to comply with what is statewide. Member Amor said that 66 2/3% is paid by the State. Member Friedrich said yes, it is. Roll call vote is recorded as follows: Ayes—Bondi, Hawkinson, Sandoval, Krejci, Amor, Davidson, Friedrich, Nache, Hunigan, Rohweder, and Varner—(11). Noes—(0). Motion carried.

Motion was made by Member Friedrich and seconded by Member Bondi to approve the budget changes for Public Defender and State’s Attorney Wages. Roll call vote is recorded as follows: Ayes—Bondi, Hawkinson, Sandoval, Krejci, Amor, Davidson, Friedrich, Nache, Hunigan, Rohweder, and Varner—(11). Noes—(0). Motion carried.

Motion was made by Member Friedrich and seconded by Member Bondi to approve the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Illinois FOP Corrections and Knox County/Knox County Sheriff for December 1,2020 through November 20, 2024. Roll call vote is recorded as follows: Ayes—Bondi, Hawkinson, Sandoval, Krejci, Amor, Davidson, Friedrich, Nache, Hunigan, Rohweder, and Varner—(11). Noes—(0). Motion carried.

Member Sandoval presented that the monthly report from the Sheriff, Jail, Mary Davis Home, Animal Control, and Building Committee. He stated the reports are in the packet. He said that it has been quiet and quiet is good.

Member Bondi presented the monthly report for the Assessor, Zoning, GIS, Highway, IT, and Landfill Committee. He stated that the reports are in the packet.

Motion made by Member Bondi and seconded by Member Friedrich to approve Case CU-08-22 – Request for a Conditional Use, under Section 5.3.02(11) of the Knox County Zoning Resolution Storage and Sale of Fertilizer, L.P. (Liquid Petroleum) gas, Petroleum in Bulk, Seed, and Feed. Roll call vote is recorded as follows: Ayes—Bondi, Hawkinson, Sandoval, Krejci, Amor, Friedrich, Hunigan, Rohweder, and Varner—(9). Noes—(0). Abstain—Davidson and Nache--(2) Motion carried.

Motion made by Member Bondi and seconded by Member Sandoval to approve Case CU-11-22 – Request for a Conditional Use, Under Section 5.4.02, of the Knox County Zoning Resolution, (9) Home Occupations. (Effective since 27 February 2012) requested by Crystal D. Prahl, 2359 North State Route 8, Elmwood, IL. Roll call vote is recorded as follows: Ayes— Bondi, Hawkinson, Sandoval, Krejci, Amor, Friedrich, Nache Hunigan, Rohweder, and Varner—(10). Noes—(0). Abstain—Davidson --(1) Motion carried.

Motion made by Member Bondi and seconded by Member Rohweder to approve the purchase of a new Batwing Mower. Member Bondi said that the current mower is 19 years old. It is worn out and needs repair. This approval is to purchase a 2022 Bush Hog that can mow 15- foot-wide spots just like the current one. They are going with the lowest bid which was made by Birkey’s for $24,180. The other bids were Bushnell for $24,468 and Painter’s for $28-$30,000. He said that they were very competitive bids and there is $180,171.70 in the budget which is plenty for the purchase. Roll call vote is recorded as follows: Ayes—Bondi, Hawkinson, Sandoval, Krejci, Amor, Davidson, Friedrich, Nache, Hunigan, Rohweder, and Varner—(11). Noes—(0). Motion carried.

Member Hunigan presented the report from the Nursing Home committee. The report is in the packet. Hunigan said there are no action items. He said that the committee decided to wait on the presentation from James Norton on solar panels since there is a lot of information and

they are still deciding on how they would pay for the cost. He said that the use of the staffing company is at its all time lowest in two years. Their expenses did exceed revenue. In another 14 days Wing 4 should be ready to go. Chair Hawkinson said good job John and Jodi on going 6 months without having to touch the referendum. He said there was three payroll periods this month so that is why they went over on expenses. Member Bondi agreed and said good job. Member Hunigan said that it is a team effort.

Chair Hawkinson stated that the reports from the outside committee assignments are on the Google drive and in the packet. If anyone has a question in regards to an outside committee or their report, they should contact the Board Member that is serving on that committee and ask them directly.

Motion made by Member Bondi and seconded by Member Amor to approve Opening of Budget for Line Item Changes. Roll call vote is recorded as follows: Ayes—Bondi, Hawkinson, Sandoval, Krejci, Amor, Davidson, Friedrich, Nache, Hunigan, Rohweder, and Varner—(11). Noes—(0). Motion carried.

Motion made by Member Friedrich and seconded by Member Sandoval for the approval of Proposed Line Item Changes. Chair Hawkinson said that the Proposed Budget Line Item Changes are in the packet for the Sheriff, Health Department, State’s Attorney, Public Defendant, Child Advocacy, and Highway Department. Roll call vote is recorded as follows: Ayes—Bondi, Hawkinson, Sandoval, Krejci, Amor, Davidson, Friedrich, Nache, Hunigan, Rohweder, and Varner—(11). Noes—(0). Motion carried.

Chair Hawkinson said that there was nothing out of the ordinary for bills this month.

Motion made by Member Friedrich and seconded by Member Nache to approve the claims against Knox County, Illinois for the period of May 26, 2022 through June 22, 2022 (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 in the aggregate amount approved by the County Board). Treasurer Davis reported that the vouchers submitted amounted to $1,802,125.29. There were two bills pulled for clarification on mileage that are not in that total. Roll call vote is recorded as follows: Ayes—Bondi, Hawkinson, Sandoval, Krejci, Amor, Davidson, Friedrich, Nache, Hunigan, Rohweder, and Varner—(11). Noes—(0). Motion carried.

The next Regular Meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at 6:00 p.m., at Galesburg City Hall Council Chambers. The Zoom option will be available to the viewing public only. Board Members will be present in person for this meeting.

Motion was made by Member Friedrich and seconded by Member Bondi to adjourn the meeting. Roll call vote is recorded as follows: Ayes—Bondi, Hawkinson, Sandoval, Krejci, Amor, Davidson, Friedrich, Nache, Hunigan, Rohweder, and Varner—(11). Noes—(0). Motion carried. Motion carried and meeting adjourned at 6:38 p.m.

https://co.knox.il.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Board-Minutes-June-2022.pdf