Carlyle Township Board met Sept. 17.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
1. OPENING PRAYER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
2. CALL TO ORDER
Sheriff, Doug Maue, called the meeting of the Clinton County District Board to order at 7:00 p.m. on September 17, 2018.
3. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS
Present: Cain, Fix, Him, Heiligenstein, Holtgrave, Johnson, Michael, Netemeyer, Nordike D, Nordike K, Rakers, Sullivan, Taylor, and Wessel. Let the record reflect that we have a quorum.
4. RECOGNITION OF VISITORS AND GUESTS
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion – Wessel made a motion to approve the minutes from the August 20, 2018 meeting. Holtgrave seconded the motion. Motion Carried.
6. REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
7. PUBLIC MAY APPROACH THE BOARD
a. Kourtney Hohmeyer approached the board to speak regarding her position as a county health registered nurse. She began her position with the county on May 7. On August 21-23 she was sent to Springfield, Illinois for training. On August 28 she had her three- month evaluation. During the evaluation Marion Voss did most of the speaking. She was told that they felt she was not working out in her position. She was very upset when they informed her of this and she repeatedly requested that they not terminate her.
When she asked why she was being terminated, they stated that it had to do with her not being willing to listen and being too quick to do things. Hohmeyer stated that they were very vague about other things and would never give her specifics. She said they also mentioned that they didn’t approve of a Facebook post she had made regarding her weight loss. She stated that her Facebook status is private so unless you are a friend of hers no one else would see the post. She is very proud of her weight loss and couldn’t see what was wrong with posting this. Voss and Lee told her she was making this too personal. Hohmeyer stated that it is personal because this affects her livelihood. She believes that she was targeted because she supports the union. She stated that another employee that supports the union was suspended. Because Hohmeyer is still on probation it allowed them the opportunity to terminate her. Hohmeyer stated that she asked for a lawyer but Cheryl told her that she was not in the union yet because she was on probation so she could not grieve this dismissal. She requested permission to call her father to meet her in the parking lot just to help calm her down. Hohmeyer stated that Marion Voss asked her twice if they needed to call law enforcement in order to calm her down and get her to leave. Hohmeyer stated that she recently found a new job. What she is asking the board to consider is if termination like this is acceptable. What if this scenario happened to their wife, sister, friend, etc.
b. Robert Rehkmeper approached the board to speak regarding his position at the health department for the past four years. He feels that the health department’s head, Cheryl Lee, is creating a hostile work environment. He recently resigned because of this. He really enjoyed the co-workers and his job but feels Cheryl is making a great deal of mistakes.
c. Stephanie Pitt, President of the Clinton County Board of Health, approached the board. In the past week, she and other Mental Health Board members have read distressing articles in the local newspapers regarding the County Health Department. These articles have painted the health department in a very negative light. She has been president of the board for the past two years and some of the personnel issues are not new issues. Pitt stated that she finds it interesting that no one ever attends the health board meetings. She stated that Bob Rehkemper’s 5% raise was approved and he has received raises every year since he was employed by the county. Pitt told Bob that by his giving no notice of his departure that he put them in a tough position to achieve deliverables. Pitt stated that the health department has never been run as well as it is under Cheryl’s leadership. Under Cheryl’s leadership the health department’s revenue has increased by a half a million dollars over the past three years. She feels that the distressing articles in the paper have been written because employees are resisting change. The changes that have been occurring over the past three years have been a good thing according to Pitt. However, she acknowledges that not everyone likes change. She stated that the future for the health department includes a new building with additional new services such as behavioral health and a dental clinic.
d. Abby Potter certified nursing assistant at Doctors Nursing Rehabilitation Center approached the board to show her support for Kourtney. She stated that Kourtney contacted her the day she was dismissed from her county position. Kourtney is the sister of Abby. She states that Kourtney is an excellent worker and within two days of beginning her nursing position at the rehabilitation center they left her alone on the floor for four hours demonstrating the skill set she has. She stated that some of the residents have already expressed how much they love and appreciate her care. She questioned why wouldn’t the county want someone with this skill set looking after the residents of Clinton County.
e. Marilyn Barbaglia, Kourtney’s mother, approached the board to show her support for Kourtney. She feels that the County Board is allowing the leadership at the County Health Department to bully their employees. She asked the Board that if Kourtney didn’t fit in, why the County Health leaders sent her to training at the expense of the county taxpayers. She stated that Kourtney was scheduled to attend another training too. She asked the board to look into these injustices that have happened to Kourtney.
f. Ryan Fulton, SunVest Solar Inc., approached the board to speak about two applications they submitted to the Zoning Board on September 5 for a special use permit to construct a Solar Farm Energy System in an agricultural district in the Aviston area. He stated that the zoning board considers seven factors when determining to grant a special use permit. SunVest believes that they proved these factors. Fulton stated that it was SunVest’s understanding that its applications were not denied because they did not meet the requirements of Clinton County’s solar ordinance but they were denied because of subjective opinions and speculative fears of objectors at the hearing. He states that it would be unreasonable to expect that there will be no opponents to future solar projects. SunVest was disappointed in the outcome of the hearing for these specific projects, but hopes to work with Clinton County on future solar projects.
8. REPORTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICIALS
9. STANDING COMMITTEES
a. Zoning/Subdivision Committee – Duane Nordike 1. Zoning Report – Duane Nordike
Nordike reported that last month there were no requests for subdivisions so the meeting was cancelled. As far as the zoning report, there were no requests for special use permits. The next meeting for the Comprehensive Plan Update will be on Wednesday, October 24 at 9:30 a.m. in the County Board Room.
b. Economic Development/Enterprise Zone – Keith Nordike No Report.
c. Tourism Committee – Matt Cain No Report.
d. Environmental Concerns/Unincorporated/Solid Waste – Lyle Michael No Report.
e. Assessment Committee – Bryan Wessel
Wessel reported that the August declarations for sold properties were up 17 compared to last year. All assessments are completed. The 2018 assessment notices were mailed out. They are waiting for the sales ratio study from the Department of Revenue to calculate any township factors. The ASCS office is compiling the new 2018 plat book.
f. Insurance/ICIT – Larry Johnson
Johnson reported that they met on September 10. The health insurance costs for the first nine months of 2018 were $1,049,208.69 which is $75,791.31 or 6.7% under budget. With reimbursements we spent $651,913.81. The line item was $473,086.19 or 42% under budget. The 025 Liability Fund has a balance of $329,252.84 which is up $256,446.02 from last month. The 016 Worker’s Compensation Fund has a balance of $321,146.23 which is up $87,433.16 from last month.
Johnson stated that Bill Schmaltz spoke about the HSA plan that was approved at last month’s county board meeting. He will meet with County Clerk Mary Rakers to schedule a time to have a meeting with the employees to discuss the HSA plan.
g. Facilities Committee – Duane Nordike
Nordike reported that the meeting was held September 6 the Animal Control Building to do a final inspection. A motion was made by Matt Cain and seconded by Laverne Holtgrave to make final payment to Billhartz Construction for $19,230.50. Payment will only be made after a final inspection by Netemeyer Engineering and a Certificate of Completion is issued. The committee also reviewed a billing statement from Shores Builders Inc. for renovating the front entry of Sheriff’s Department. This was not part of the original renovation. It is separate from the contract. The bill was sent back to the Sheriff’s department for payment. Nordike reported that they reviewed an estimate from Smith’s Detection for an on-site service agreement for a high scan to be used at the Courthouse. The agreement was sent back to Law Enforcement. The committee is working with Kevin Wessel to start the design process for the north entrance of the Courthouse. Plans should be ready for a rough estimate in November.
h. Animal Control/County Farm Committee – Craig Taylor
Taylor stated that Don Deiters had reported that most of the remaining items at the new building have been corrected. He reported that the county has taken in fifty-one dogs and twenty-six have been reclaimed. Fourteen were adopted out to rescue groups. They have taken in eighty-four cats. They had three new bite cases and six spay and neuters.
i. Education Committee – Rafael Him No Report.
j. Veterans Committee – Rafael Him No Report.
k. Finance/Health/Revolving Loan Committee/General Services/Judiciary – Jim Rakers 1. Denise Trame gave the monthly report.
i. Motion - Approval of Monthly Budget and Financial Report
Taylor made a motion to approve the report. Rakers seconded the motion. Motion Carried.
Trame reported that they received an oil check in the amount of $19,481.66. The gaming collected for the month of August was $4,280.92. The second installment of taxes was due today.
ii. Motion – Approval of Predictable Fee and Vital Fee Ordinance
Rakers reported that this ordinance had been posted for the last two weeks as required by statute. Mike Kreke questioned if these fees were being raised because the county needs the money to provide the services to the citizens. Rakers stated that the increase is due mainly because everything to perform these services is increasing. Kreke stated that we always come in at budget or under budget so why do we want to charge more for these fees? Rakers stated that everything we use to process the fees such as the computers, paper, and personnel costs more money than it used to. Bellwether Management provided the estimate of what we could charge and their recommendation was higher than what we decided to charge. The county tried to keep the increase equal to what it would cost us to process these fees. Heiligenstein asked County Clerk Mary Rakers if it was true that the general public knew that our county was the cheapest and that is why people were coming to us. Rakers stated that this is true with marriage licenses. People from outside counties have been shopping around for the best price on marriage licenses. Rakers stated that as far as the recording side goes, Fred Becker had stated years ago that we don’t take the amount of money in that it actually costs the clerk’s office to do the business. Kreke again questioned why it was necessary to raise the fees. Rakers stated that if you don’t raise the fees you will be taking more money out of the general fund. The revenue coming in from the recording fees does not cover the cost of processing the recording.
Kreke stated even so the taxes coming in along with the fees from recording keeps the county in the black so why do we need to increase the fees. He sees it as we are taking money because we can take money. Netemeyer echoed the same feelings. Johnson stated that he feels it makes more sense to charge people the extra money for services performed versus taxing them more each year. He feels it would make more sense to work at lowering taxes than worrying about the small increase in fees.
Rakers made a motion for a roll call vote. Cain seconded the motion.
Cain (Yes); Heiligenstein (Yes); Him (Yes); Holtgrave (Yes); Johnson (Yes); Kreke (No); Michael (No); Netemeyer (No); Nordike, D (Yes); Nordike, K (No); Rakers (Yes); Sullivan (Yes); Taylor (Yes); Wessel (Yes).
Motion Carried.
Law Enforcement/EMA/Welfare/Safety/Liquor – Jim Sullivan
Sheriff Doug Maue stated that on Friday, September 14, the sheriff’s office received a 911 call for a working house fire in Hoffman. Deputy Eric McClaren who is from Hoffman had just finished his shift and was home. He still had his portable on when he heard the call come in. Eric ran out the door and got to the residence first and assisted rescuing the two people living in the residence by helping them out a first-story window. He also kicked in the front door to get the pets out too. Sheriff Maue wanted Eric to be recognized for his quick response to this fire even though he was off duty.
Sullivan asked the board if anyone had any objections to him still holding the Law Enforcement Meeting on October 8 even though it was a County Holiday. No one had any objections. Sullivan also stated that he and the sheriff are going to have a meeting with the security personnel at the courthouse about improving the security at the north front entrance of the courthouse.
Road and Bridge Committee – Lavern Holtgrave
Behrens reported that the packet contained a Letter of Understanding with the State of Illinois in regards to allowing IDOT to improve sections of Shattuc and Noltings Roads. The state wants Behrens to sign off on this letter. Behrens didn’t like item #6 in the letter which states “Clinton County shall exercise its franchise rights to cause private utilities to be relocated, if required, at no expense to the state.” Behrens felt this left the door open for us to have to pay to have utilities relocated. After discussing this with State’s Attorney Hudspeth they asked the state to change the language for this line item to the following. “If reasonably required by the state and to the extent that such can be accomplished with no expense to Clinton County, Clinton County shall exercise its franchise rights such as to cause private utilities to be relocated at the expense of the utility company or companies at no expense to the state or Clinton County.” Behrens stated that there is a resolution in the packet to approve this Letter of Understanding.
a. Motion – Approve Resolution Regarding Letter of Understanding for the Shoal Creek Bridge Project on IL Route 161 Keith Nordike made a motion for a roll call vote. Him seconded the motion. Motion Carried.
Behrens then reported on the progress of the Breese Roundabout Project. He believes the contractor may finish the entire concrete pavement. They will still have concrete in the median, curb and gutter, and sidewalks to complete. They also will have to complete some transition tie-ins at all four approaches and complete the seeding. The contractor plans on being finished in October. The roundabout is open to traffic. They just have stop signs in place until the project is finished.
Behrens reported that the Boulder Road resurfacing project will be moved up to 2019.
m. Personnel/Labor Committee-Steve Heiligenstein
Heiligenstein reported that the Personnel committee met with the PBPA union today in an attempt to negotiate a collective bargaining agreement with the Probation Department. He stated he is pleased to report that they did reach an agreement with them. A contract will be drafted by the County’s labor attorney and then will be given to the members of the PBPA for final approval. He hopes to be able to get this contract on the agenda for November for approval by the full board. He will have all the details of this contract at the October Personnel meeting. The committee also has a negotiation scheduled for September 26 with the PBPA for the Body Politic, Health Department and the Circuit Clerk’s office.
10. SPECIAL COMMITTEES
a. 708 Mental Health Board/Area Agency on Aging – Rafael Him
Him reported that they met on September 13 and reviewed the annual report. The 708 Mental Health Task force also has a three year strategic plan which Cheryl agreed to take on above and beyond her other duties.
b. County Health – Rafael Him
1. Motion - Health Department Monthly Report
Him made a motion to approve the report. Wessel seconded the motion. Motion Carried.
c. GIS Committee – Craig Taylor
Taylor reported that they had their meeting on September 11. All bills are in order. They reviewed the proposed budget for 2019. He stated that they also talked about the Animal Control personnel possibly using the GIS vehicle to transport animals during extreme heat and cold. The next meeting is scheduled for October 9 at 5:15 p.m.
d. 911 Committee – Mike Kreke
Kreke reported that the software update on server is complete. There is about six hours left on the project.
e. Technology Support – Rafael Him
Him stated that the committee continues to discuss ways to save the county money using technology. He said they discussed maybe putting their systems on the cloud and having a paperless agenda.
f. UCCI – Lavern Holtgrave
Holtgrave reported that there is an executive board meeting at 6:00 on Sunday night and the regular board meeting will be on Monday at 9:30 a.m.
11. APPROVAL OF ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
Taylor made a motion for a roll call vote. Keith Nordike seconded the motion.
Cain (Yes); Heiligenstein (Yes); Him (Yes); Holtgrave (Yes); Johnson (Yes);
Kreke (Yes); Michael (Yes); Netemeyer (Yes); Nordike, D (Yes); Nordike, K (Yes); Rakers (Yes); Sullivan (Yes); Taylor (Yes); Wessel (Yes). Motion Carried.
12. COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS
13. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
14. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
15. NEW BUSINESS
16. ADJOURNMENT UNTIL MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2018
Holtgrave made a motion to adjourn until Monday, October 15, 2018. Keith Nordike seconded the motion. Motion Carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
file:///Users/socimoabella/Downloads/2018-September-County-Board-minutes.pdf
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