South Central Reporter

Macoupin County Board Public Safety Committee met July 1.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Members Present: Aaron Stayton, Mark Dragovich, Leann Barr, Ross Adden, Jim Ibberson, Jon Payne, and Harry Starr

Members Absent:

Officials and Department Heads Present: Larry Schmidt, Emily Gerl, Pete Duncan, and Shawn Kahl

1.Call to Order

1.1Roll Call

There were 7 members present.

2.Guests

2.1Partners for Pets

Danette from Partners for Pets was available remotely to discuss the partnership between the organization and the county. They were working together on spayed and neutered as well as pulling animals for rescue. From the end of January until now they have pulled over 160 animals from the county for rescue.

3.Updates

 3.1911 Telephone

Ibberson said that the ad for the administrator position is out and 2 applicants have applied so far.

3.2Emergency Management Agency

Lewis was on vacation but Barr did provide an update that there is a Local Emergency Planning Committee had recently been reformed. It's mission was trying to protect from hazardous materials.

3.3Sheriff's Department

Kahl discussed that he has 75 people in the jail currently has been filling up quicker than anticipated. It had been between 45-55 for about 6 months. They will also be doing away with in person visitation at the jail. Visitors will be using kiosks in the lobby of the jail to speak with inmates. Kahl also said the jail door system needs to be replaced as they are breaking down and he expects it will be a $500,000 cost to upgrade.

.4Animal Control

Gerl said she had no real updates other than the other agenda items coming up. Barr had the Monthly Animal Control Reports on the big Board though Gerl had not submitted the most recent report yet.

4.Executive Session - Personnel

Motion by Stayton, seconded by Ibberson 5:36 pm

Motion by Payne, seconded by Stayton 5:44 pm

5.Old Business

5.1Animal Control Tranquilizer Projectile Device Proposal

Barr asked if everyone had a chance to review the policy. Starr said he had and had a few questions and clarifications he would like. Since the meeting was running long, the committee decided to discuss it again next month.

5.2Animal Control Ordinance Revisions/Updates

Barr said they would move this to next month since they was a lot to discuss.

6.New Business

6.1Animal Control Website Updates Needed

Barr noted that there were some links on the page that were older in nature. The committee wanted to take some time to review the page and then update it. Duncan said that any changes could be requested of Illini Tech by Gerl as administrator.

6.2Municipality Animal Pick-up Fees

Schmidt said the mayor of Gillespie had reached out and asked if it would be possible to pay an annual fee for pickups instead of by pick up as that would be easier to budget for. The committee asked if Gerl would be to come up with some numbers for next month as a possible annual fee that would cover the costs.

6.3Animal Control Budget Changes

Barr asked Duncan to walk through the proposed way the Animal Control Fund budget that had been discussed for the upcoming fiscal year. Duncan said that the change would be moving the payment of the salaries of the animal control department from the Animal Control Fund to the General Fund. This would mean instead of transferring money from the general fund to the Animal Control Fund, this would have the Animal Control Fund transfer the amount equal to the administrator's salary into the General Fund. This should mean that the Animal Control Fund should be able to pay for the administrator's salary and all other expenses and still break even. The committee saw no issue with this change.

7.Adjournment

7.1Adjourn Meeting

Motion by Starr, seconded by Ibberson to adjourn at 5:58 pm. All in favor. Motion carried.

https://macoupincountyil.diligent.community/document/9eab8ffd-0ae1-49e1-8be3-8278f69c961d/