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Illinois Valley Times

Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Bureau County Board discusses jail-expansion proposal

Meeting 04

At a recent meeting, the Bureau County Board discussed a jail-expansion plan.

Below are the minutes from this meeting, as provided by the board.

BUREAU COUNTY BUREAU COUNTY BOARD MINUTES 

? JULY 12, 2016 

Regular Meeting Bureau County Courthouse 

6:30 PM 

700 South Main Street, Princeton, IL 61356 

Bureau County Page 

CALL TO ORDER - Mr. Dale Anderson 

ROLL CALL - Mrs. Hieronymus 

PRESENT: Albrecht, AndersonD, AndersonR, Baracani, Cain, Dobrich, Donarski, Entwhistle, Feeney, Humpage, Jacobs, Kohr, Lilley, Marini, Maynard, McCook, Piccatto, Rabe, Rediger, Robinson, Stetson, Thompson, Volker, Warren, Whited 

ABSENT: Thacker 

INVOCATION - Dan Rabe 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 

APPROVING OF MINUTES 

Approval of Board Minutes from June 14, 2016 

It was moved by Mr. Dobrich, seconded by Ralph Anderson, that the minutes be approved. On vote, motion carried. 

READING OF COMMUNICATIONS - 

Mrs. Hieronymus read the following communications: 

1. A letter from IDOT stating the funds for the enclosed supplement were approved by the department on July 7, 2015. The County may authorize the consultant to proceed with the engineering work. This is for Backbone Road over Big Bureau Creek. 

2. The Quarterly Report of the Regional Superintendent of Schools for April through June, 2016. It was moved by Mrs. Piccatto, seconded by Mr. Robinson, to place the report on file. On vote, motion carried. 

APPOINTMENTS 

Walnut Fire District 

Appoint Steven Hardy as a Fire District Trustee to a 3-year term to replace Trustee Russell Egan who resigned. Mr. Anderson made that appointment and asked for the Board's approval. On vote, motion carried. 

Order for Appointment to the Walnut Fire Protection District 

PUBLIC COMMENT 

Circuit Clerk Mary Dremann 

Discussion on courthouse employee compensation. 

Mrs. Dremann addressed the Board regarding an increase of the salaries of the courthouse employees, which totaled 24 full-time employees. The starting salary is $10 an hour, but is $12 an hour for clerks at the Health and Highway Departments. Mrs. Dremann distributed a list of Deputy Clerks' starting salaries in other counties to illustrate that Bureau County is on the bottom of the list. Some surrounding counties start their employees at more than a current seven-year employee is paid here. She said getting employees to stay isn't easy. It is hard on a department when a trained employee leaves. She said it takes about two years to fully train a Deputy Circuit Clerk, and she gave a list of things that could happen if a mistake is made by an employee. It could affect such things as driving privileges, child support, a decedent's will, and jury pay. She thought that county employees should be given some consideration when they do not participate in the County's health insurance, maybe a year end bonus. Since the current Teamster contract expires at the end of November and it is time to begin discussion of next year's budget, it is a good time to consider pay increases for courthouse employees. Mrs. Dremann is willing to sit on an ad hoc committee, should the Board choose to form one, and hoped other courthouse department heads would be as well. 

STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS 

EMA AND ZONING - MS. LILLEY 

1. There were no applications for zoning approval this month 

2. EMA - Approve of the invoice from Elliott Data Systems at a cost of $31,177 to be paid from Capital Projects 

Ms. Lilley reported that the invoice for Elliott Data Systems has already been approved and is included in the report of bills to be paid this month. 

Zoning Committee Report 

EMA Report 

HEALTH DEPT - MRS. VOLKER 

There was no report from the Health Department this month. 

ANIMAL CONTROL - MS. LILLEY 

There was no report from Animal Control this month. 

FEES AND SALARIES/LABOR RELATIONS - MRS. ENTWHISTLE 

1. Continue process with hiring new County Administrator Mr. Cain reported that they are continuing the process of hiring a new County Administrator, and have two candidates being considered. It is planned to have a meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee on Tuesday, July 19, 2016, at 5:00 pm. 

2. Approve 3 year contract with WIPFLI for auditing service Mrs. Entwhistle moved for approval of the three-year contract with WIPFLI for auditing services, seconded by Mr. Cain. On vote, motion carried. WIPFLI Fee Proposal 

3. Place on file - Circuit Clerk Report, Sheriff Report, County Clerk Report Mrs. Entwhistle reported that the Sheriff received a check from the Circuit Clerk's Office in the amount of $60 to be deposited in the Vehicle Procurement Fund. It is court-funded income derived from fees gained through court supervision cases. She moved to place the report on file, seconded by Mr. Dobrich. On vote, motion carried. 

Mrs. Entwhistle presented the Sheriff's Earnings Report for June of $9717.45 and moved to place the report on file, seconded by Mr. Donarski. On vote, motion carried. 

Mrs. Entwhistle presented the Circuit Clerk's Receipts and Disbursements Report for June which showed earnings of $16,124.16, Interest Traffic/Criminal/Civil checking of $18.14, Interest/Savings of $.32, and June Passport Fees of $800. She moved to place the report on file, seconded by Mr. Maynard. On vote, motion carried. 

Mrs. Entwhistle presented the County Clerk's Earnings and Expenditures Report for June of $11,189.28. She moved to place it on file, seconded by Mr. Baracani. On vote, motion carried. 

4. Taxes Received for July Report 

Approve transfer of public safety sales tax to General Fund. Mrs. Entwhistle moved to transfer $71,776.27 from public safety sales tax to the General Fund, seconded by Mr. Baracani. On vote, motion carried. 

Mrs. Entwhistle moved for approval of the July tax report as presented, seconded by Mrs. Feeney. On vote, motion carried. Fees Report 

TRANSPORTATION (HIGHWAYS, ROADS & BRIDGES, WEEDS) - MR. RABE 

There was no report from Transportation. Mr. Maynard asked how the bridge on Backbone Road is coming along. Mr. Gross said that it is coming along fine, it is right on schedule, and it should be ready by October. 

Highway Report 

INSURANCE - MR. KOHR 

Insurance Comm Report 

Mr. Kohr reported that the next quarterly meeting of CIRMA will be held on July 21, 2016, in Bloomington, where two topics will be presented. The first is Lexipol. If eight other counties agree to purchase Lexipol, the County could qualify for a 25% group discount. The entire organization may buy Lexipol at which point we would be prorated for the return of our money. Arthur Gallagher is strongly in favor of Lexipol. Prevention is primarily what insurance is about. Also at that meeting the amount of dividends to be paid is announced. Bureau County will be eligible for dividends next year. Paying of dividends is a good sign of their financial strength. 

Mr. Kohr said that during the recent storm, Keenan Campbell, EMA, was complimented for his assistance by individuals who had damage. Though they did not qualify for Federal aid, Keenan was able to put them in contact with Christian Aid Ministries which is a volunteer organization that will help clean up and do emergency aid during events such as this. Mr. Kohr was at one place that had seventeen trees torn down or topped off. This group came in and cleaned up and left the firewood there. They did not ask for any money or publicity. They were about being good neighbors and helping out. 

LAW, MEMORIALS & RULES/ASSESSMENTS - MRS. MARINI 

1. Place on file Coroner's Report, Public Defender Report, Assessor's Report Mrs. Marini presented the Coroner's Report for June which showed 27 coroner's cases, 3 death investigations, 15 cremations, no autopsies, and income of $250. She moved to place the report on file, seconded by Mrs. Feeney. On vote, motion carried. 

Mrs. Marini presented the Public Defender's Report which showed two cases closed and three cases opened. She moved to place the report on file, seconded by Mr. Baracani. On vote, motion carried. Mrs. Marini presented an income report for the Assessor's Office in the amount of $517 and moved to place it on file, seconded by Mr. Thompson. On vote, motion carried. 2. Approve of the Selection of Grand Jurors by order of the Circuit Court 

Mrs. Marini presented a General Order that the County Board select sixteen persons from the jury list to serve as Grand Jurors, on September 9, 2016, and twelve additional persons from the jury list to serve on the First Supplemental Panel, twelve additional persons from the jury list to serve on the Second Supplemental Panel, twelve additional persons from the jury list to serve on the Third Supplemental Panel, and twelve additional persons from the jury list to serve on the Fourth Supplemental Panel so that sixty-four persons may be available for filling the Grand Jury to serve for a period of six months. She moved to place the report on file, seconded by Mrs. Feeney. On vote, motion carried. 

General Order for Grand Jury 

3. Approve of the selection of Election Judges to be appointed to serve the next two years Mrs. Marini presented the lists of Elections Judges to be appointed to serve the next two years and moved for approval, seconded by Mrs. Piccatto. On vote, motion carried. Approval of Election Judges Assessor Report Law Committee Report 

BUILDING AND GROUNDS, PRINTING AND STATIONERY - MRS. WARREN 

1. Mr. Mabry has repaired wall and mulched landscaping in front of courthouse Ray Mabry has worked on the landscaping in the front of the courthouse. He has proposed planting grass to fill in landscaping in front of courthouse. Mr. Mabry will also draw up a plan for fixing the retaining wall for next spring. 

2. Combined Cleaning to clean courthouse offices at a cost of $78 per day Approve of hiring Combined Cleaning - Mrs. Warren reported that they want to hire Combined Cleaning to clean the offices and bathrooms two days a week for $78 per day and she moved, seconded by Mr. Jacobs. On vote, motion carried. 

3. Circuit Clerk's front office to have carpet installed at a cost of $3,800 Purchase of carpet to be paid out of Circuit Clerk's budget. Mrs. Warren said the carpet will be paid from the Operations Administration Fund from the Circuit Clerk's Office. 

4. A/C unit was replaced in County Clerk's office Mrs. Warren reported that an air conditioning unit had to be replaced in the County Clerk's Office. 

Printing and Stationery Comm Report 

Building and Grounds Comm Report 

Mrs. Warren reported that Nelson, Shipp, Taylor and Reed attended the Buildings and Grounds meeting and brought many issues with the jail. There are only four cells in the female block, and they have a need for more. The Sheriff and staff would like the Building and Grounds Committee to start forming a strategic plan for the jail. Sergeant Nelson contacted an architectural firm that would do a preliminary study looking at all of the various information that the County has from previous studies and any other options they feel would be viable at no cost to the County at this point. However, they will continue at a cost of $1500 which Mr. Reed has in his budget and approved them to continue on. Mrs. Warren said that, hopefully, when the County gets an administrator, all this can be put together to come up with a five to ten year plan. 

Mrs. Warren said she has a new report from the Sheriff with all of the statistics for the month: 52 accidents, 28 accidents involving animals, 45 traffic citations, 5 criminal citations, 3 DUI arrests, 16 domestic disputes or child custody calls, 2 domestic battery arrests, and 43 offenders processed through the County jail. It is planned to have this report each month. 

SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORTS 

LIQUOR LICENSE, DANCE HALLS, MOTELS - DALE ANDERSON 

HOUSING AUTHORITY - MR. BARACANI 

TOURISM - MR. REDIGER 

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - MR. CAIN 

Mr. Cain reported that Ivan Baker has been hired as the Chief Executive Officer for EDCNC and will begin his duties on July 18. The next meeting will be Wednesday, July 20. 

PROBATION, CRIME - MRS. MARINI, MR. DONARSKI 

COOPERATIVE EXTENSION - MRS. ENTWHISTLE 

EMERGENCY TELEPHONE SYSTEM BOARD (E911) - MR. RABE 

911 Stats 

COMPUTER COMMITTEE - MRS. ENTWHISTLE 

PAYMENT OF CLAIMS 

Approve All Claims for Month of July - Mrs. Entwhistle moved for the payment of all claims plus $2,045.44 and all payroll, seconded by Mrs. Marini. AYES: Albrecht, Ralph Anderson, Baracani, Cain, Dobrich, Donarski, Entwhistle, Feeney, Humpage, Jacobs, Kohr, Lilley, Marini, Maynard, McCook, Piccatto, Rabe, Rediger, Robinson, Stetson, Thompson, Whited, Volker, Warren, and Dale Anderson. ABSENT: Thacker 

EXECUTIVE SESSION 

Litigation, purchase of real estate and negotiations 

Mr. Anderson said the Board needed to go into Executive Session to discuss litigation according to 5 ILCS 120/2c11, purchase of real estate according to 5 ILCS 120/2c5, and negotiations according to 5 ILCS 120/2c2. Mr. Baracani so moved, seconded by Mrs. Entwhistle. AYES: Albrecht, Ralph Anderson, Baracani, Cain, Dobrich, Donarski, Entwhistle, Feeney, Humpage, Jacobs, Kohr, Lilley, Marini, Maynard, McCook, Piccatto, Rabe, Rediger, Robinson, Stetson, Thompson, Whited, Volker, Warren, and Anderson. ABSENT: Thacker 

Upon conclusion of the Executive Session it was moved by Mrs. Entwhistle, seconded by Mr. Baracani, to return to regular session. 

AYES: Albrecht, Ralph Anderson, Baracani, Cain, Dobrich, Donarski, Entwhistle, Feeney, Humpage, Jacobs, Kohr, Lilley, Marini, Maynard, McCook, Piccatto, Rabe, Rediger, Robinson, Stetson, Thompson, Whited, Volker, Warren, and Dale Anderson. 

ABSENT: Thacker. 

Larry Kerrick from BPART 

Request to enter into the purchase of property for BPART usage. 

Signed Resolution Authorizing Purchase of BPART Real Estate 

OLD BUSINESS 

Approve of hiring County Administrator 

NEW BUSINESS 

Approve the purchase of real estate to house and maintain the vehicles for BPART and be used for other BPART operations. 

Mr. Albrecht moved for approval of the Resolution for BPART, seconded by Mr. Baracani. On vote, motion carried. 

ADJOURN 

To August 9, 2016 - It was moved by Mr. Donarski, seconded by Mr. Rediger, that the meeting be adjourned. On vote, motion carried.

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