Galesburg Reporter

McDonough County Board ESDA and Claims Committee met March 11

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

The Elms/Building and Grounds Committee met on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. The meeting was held at the McDonough County Courthouse, 3rd floor, Law Library. Committee Members in attendance included, Vice Chair Terra Litchfield, Dustin Berg, Mike Cox, Vicky Kipling, Clayton Murphy, and Dana Walker. Chair Larry Aurelio, and Member Dave Cortelyou were absent. Others in attendance included Chad Wilson, Elms Administrator Jeff Howd, County Chair Eric Blakeley, County Board Secretary Sara Kluthe, and County Clerk Jeremy Benson.

Vice Chair Terra Litchfield called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

Review and Approval of February 11, 2025 Minutes

Member Kipling moved with a second by Member Murphy to approve the minutes as submitted. Motion carried on a voice vote.

Farm Report

Elms Administrator Howd informed the Committee that he received the rent payment.

Administrator’s Report

Census is at 74, with 20 being private-pay. Medicare currently owes $166,051.97. There were 16 admissions, and 14 discharges.

Howd informed the Committee that he is still running employment ads. The financial report shows a loss for the month, part of that is because there was an audit performed on 5 medicare accounts, until they have cleared the audit, payment won’t be made. The cost on everything with all vendors keeps increasing. The laundry service that they currently use only services them, and one other facility in town. The other customer recently dropped their service, it is a possibility that the company will stop coming to town so Howd has been looking in to other options.

Financial Report

Member Walker moved with a second by Member Kipling to approve the February, 2025 Financial Reports. Motion carried on a voice vote.

Elms Claims

Member Cox moved with a second by Member Murphy to approve the Elm’s claims as submitted. Motion carried with a roll call vote of 6 yeas, 0 nays, 0 vacant and 2 absent.

Discuss the Elms Solar Project

Member Cox informed the Committee that he has been in contact with QFB Energy regarding the contract with them and if anything would change should the County sign up for community solar. If consumption changes, that could result in a large change with the current agreement. The Committee discussed signing up for community solar, what the cost would be and where the benefit would be. Member Walker is to contact Nania Company to see if they will come to a meeting and provide information regarding community solar.

Macomb Public Building Commission

Wilson informed the Committee that that new stair treads have been installed in the Zahren building, and that the project in the Sheriff’s department installing floor drains in the isolation cells should start soon.

McDonough County Maintenance Directors Report

Chad Wilson gave the report. All concrete has been completed around the Courthouse except for a small area on the east side and that should be poured next week. All benches have been bolted down, work continues on the bell tower, the heater in the new entrance has been installed, and the new key fobs are working. Wilson informed the Committee that there may need to be an awning installed above the handicap entrance, rain and snow are running off of the entrance roof on the south side right above the handicap doors. Cameras were ran in the sewer lines at the Courthouse from the men and women’s bathrooms. It showed that the lines consisted of cast and clay, there are several holes on the men’s side and the women’s side is not in very good shape either. Wilson will get quotes for replacing the outside lines.

Building and Grounds Claims

Member Walker moved with a second by Member Cox to approve the February, 2025 Building and Grounds Claims.

Motion carried on a voice vote.

Approve Courthouse Generator Project

A grant was received to purchase a generator for the Courthouse, the grant has to be used by June 30, 2025. A notice for bids will need to go out immediately, the bids will be for the generator only as the grant will not cover labor.

Member Berg made a motion to table the approval of the Courthouse Generator Project until bids have been received.

Motion carried with a voice vote.

Discuss Macomb Beautiful Association and Funds

Member Berg informed the Committee that Barb Knox had reached out to him. They have $7,000.00 to contribute to lighting on the square. They would like to put some in the alley ways, and they would like to encourage decorating with Christmas lights. Wilson also brought up that the City decorates the porches on the Courthouse for Christmas, they use a bucket truck to do that and because of the heated concrete, vehicles can no longer be driven on it.

Other Items as Needed

Member Murphy inquired as to what the status is on the Courthouse elevator. Wilson said that the elevator shaft was measured and that it might be approximately 3/4” too small for an electric elevator. He should be receiving a quote for a new elevator and a refurbed one.

Executive Session

None.

Public Comment

Member Walker informed the Committee that Will with RWE will be at the City Hall tomorrow at 7:00 p.m. to discuss the Camp Creek Windfarm.

County Board Chair Comments

County Chair Blakeley had a meeting with IDOT and Hutchison Engineering to work on the road use agreement for the new windfarm. He informed the Committee that he will be meeting with Stacy Nimo, the new director of WIRC regarding a new recycling contract.

Adjourn

Member Cox moved with a second by Member Berg to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 p.m. Motion carried on a voice vote. 

http://mcg.mcdonough.il.us/documents/2025%20Minutes/2025-03-11%20Building%20&%20Grounds.pdf