Monroe County Board of County Commissioners met May 15.
Here is the minutes provided by the Board:
The meeting of the County Commissioners of Monroe County, Illinois was called to order at 8:00 a.m. Chairman Robert Elmore, Commissioner Delbert Wittenauer and Commissioner Vicki Koerber were present.
The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Others present included County Clerk Dennis Knobloch, Sheila Wetzler, along with Press Corps representatives – Joe Leicht of the Monroe County Independent and Alan Dooley of the Republic Times. Also in attendance were Arnold Eckart and Kim Ahne.
There being a quorum present, the meeting was called to order by Chairman Elmore.
There were no public comments.
Annmarie Marcuson and Kevin Koenigstein came to the meeting to discuss accrued vacation time for employees of the Sheriff’s Department. The list distributed to the County Board showed 14 employees with a total of $65,225.08 in hours that could be cashed in at this time. Mr. Koenigstein said he suggested that each of these employees be allowed to keep two weeks of vacation time, so this benefit is not completely deleted for these employees. Chairman Elmore said we need to get as much of this off the books as can be afforded, because in the coming years these employees will be appreciating these benefits at higher wages. Following discussion it was decided that the Commissioners would also like to review accrued Holiday pay. One option would be to offer a 5% incentive for these employees to roll this accrued vacation time into the County’s Nationwide retirement plan. There was also discussion of offering this program to the other County employees who have accrued vacation time on the books, and discussion regarding whether employees should be allowed to roll vacation hours or if they should be paid out for any vacation hours not used each year.
Commissioner Wittenauer provided an update on the IT situation. He said the IT Committee is recommending that the County hire an IT System Administrator to study the current County IT situation and then develop and build a new IT system for Monroe County. Commissioner Wittenauer said Kathi Weilbacher has assisted in drawing up a job description for this position. Commissioner Koerber said she has talked to some folks who are experienced in IT, and they have suggested that this position will require an experienced IT Director and a recent College graduate is probably not the best person for the position.
Commissioner Koerber asked if the County hires an IT Director, are we going to a system where everything related to IT, including purchasing equipment, will go through this employee or Department? Commissioner Wittenauer said he felt that would be the case, and it would include all related systems like telephones, copying machines, etc. Commissioner Koerber said she wanted some type of guarantee that Department Heads would work with the IT Director so we can do away with these monthly equipment lease payments that many Departments have. Carla Heise came to the meeting to discuss Ambulance Service activity. She said the new Ambulance will be delivered to Columbia, Mo. soon, and some members of the County Service will drive to Columbia to inspect the unit. Commissioner Wittenauer asked if there is some type of system to make sure the employees don’t put diesel fuel into the gasoline system. Ms. Heise said she has checked into Fuelman, that would limit the product going into the Ambulance, but they require payment within 10 days of purchase. Commissioner Wittenauer said as long as the gas cap is labeled and the employees are instructed on the importance of putting in the right fuel, there shouldn’t be a problem. Ms. Heise said she will check to see if there are any other options. Motion was made by Commissioner Wittenauer, with a second by Commissioner Koerber to designate May 21-27 as Emergency Medical Services Week in Monroe County. All voting Aye, none Nay and none Absent. Motion carried. Chairman Elmore read the Proclamation recognizing this designation. Rather than presenting a video, Ambulance Service personnel demonstrated how they deal with a patient, and also how the newly-acquired binder lift is used. Ms. Heise also provided information about the Ambulance Service Open House to be held on May 24.
Commissioner Wittenauer once again initiated discussion of a Monroe County IT Department. Chairman Elmore said he felt the County Board needed to decide on one IT support company for the IT Director to work with if he needs additional assistance beyond his time and capabilities. Commissioner Wittenauer said he felt that decision should be left to the IT Supervisor, since he will know about what type of services he will need. Commissioner Koerber said she would like for a qualified individual to sit in on the interviews for this new position. Commissioner Wittenauer said he thinks he has someone who can be available for that – a person who does a lot of the IT support work at Scott Air Force Base.
Kim Ahne said he has been doing IT work for about 30 years, and he feels the salary the County is offering for this position is not enough to keep any employee around for very long, and he said he also feels that there should be one person serving as the IT Director along with an intern to do some of the easier work. Mr. Ahne said he also would volunteer to review the resumes submitted, and help the County narrow the list of applicants. Commissioner Koerber asked Mr. Ahne what he would envision as a salary for the IT Department Supervisor. Mr. Ahne said he would suggest a salary of $75,000 to $100,000.
Chairman Elmore asked how much you would have to pay an intern. Mr. Ahne said some companies pay them, and others provide unpaid positions as training for students. Mr. Ahne said he works for Ameren, and Ameren pays their interns about $12 per hour. Kim Ahne said he also represents the Waterloo Citizens for a Pool, and would like to address the County Board on that issue. Mr. Ahne said at this time he just wanted to let the Board know about this group, and maybe in the coming months be allowed to make a presentation about the plans of Waterloo Citizens for a Pool. Mr. Ahne said they recently got a response from the Waterloo Park District saying the Park District was not interested in being a part of this movement. Mr. Ahne said their goal is to build a lap pool and a lazy river. Commissioner Wittenauer asked if there has been any contact with the YMCA. Mr. Ahne said there have been discussions, and currently the YMCA is talking about building a splash pad on the back of their facility. Mr. Ahne said they have also discussed this with the Waterloo School District. Mr. Ahne said their group is also interested in doing a “Queen of Hearts” raffle to raise money, and he wasn’t sure what would be necessary. Arnie Eckart said in order to hold one of these raffles, you have to be a 501C3 organization, and you have to hold the raffle at a facility that has a liquor license. Mr. Ahne thanked everyone for the information.
Aaron Metzger came to the meeting to recognize Marvin Wiegand, who is now retiring after serving as Road District No. 1 Commissioner for 32 years. Mr. Wiegand said he had worked for the District since 1955. The Commissioners presented Mr. Wiegand with a certificate recognizing his years of devoted service.
Members of the Friends of the Courthouse Bison came to the meeting to discuss beautification of the area around the Bison statue. Those in attendance included Paul Feldker, Jim Hill, Joann Fricke, Susan Rick and Norma Reheis. Mr. Feldker gave a Powerpoint presentation regarding the project. Mr. Hill said members of their group would be willing to do this presentation at any group or organization that is willing to listen to their request for funding assistance. The cost for steel fencing similar to the fence around the Ziebold Fountain is estimated at $3,400, and the landscaping, etc. is estimated to cost about $700, for a total project cost of $4,100. All labor will be donated. Mr. Hill said one tree may have to be moved so plenty of sun can shine on the area of the new plantings. Kevin Koenigstein has set up an account to accept donations from the public for this project.
Bob Hill came to the meeting to discuss the Coroner’s office. He said that currently the Monroe County Coroner’s office is not a part of the Illinois Coroners and Medical Examiners Association Mutual Aid Agreement. This would provide extra resources and service to Monroe County in the event of a mass fatality event. Mr. Hill said he recently participated in a mass fatality exercise, and realized Monroe County would benefit from the Mutual Aid Agreement. He said in the future he also hopes to be able to assemble more resources including a mass fatality trailer or possibly make arrangements to store bodies at the Rock City Business Complex in the event of a mass fatality event. Motion was made by Commissioner Koerber, with a second by Commissioner Wittenauer to approve the participation of the Monroe County Coroner’s office with the Illinois Coroners and Medical Examiners Association Mutual Aid Agreement. All voting Aye, none Nay and none Absent. Motion carried.
Resolution 17-41
A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of a Mutual Aid Agreement with the Illinois Coroners and Medical Examiners Association Whereas, the Constitution of the State of Illinois, 1970, Article VII, Section 10, authorizes units of local government to contract or otherwise associate among themselves in any manner not prohibited by law or ordinance; and,
Whereas, the “Intergovernmental Cooperation Act”, 5 ILCS 220/1 et seq., provides that any power or powers, privileges or authority exercised and enjoyed jointly with any other unit of local government; and,
Whereas, Section 5 of the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act, 5 ILCS 220/5, provides that any one or more public agencies may contract with any one or more public agencies to perform any governmental service, activity or undertaking which any of the public agencies entering into the contract is authorized by law to perform, provided that such contract shall be authorized by the governing body of each party to the contract; and,
Whereas, the Monroe County Coroner wishes to prepare for potential emergencies which may require that they provide aid and assistance to other county coroners or that the Monroe County Coroner may request aid and assistance from other county coroners; and,
Whereas, the objective of preparing for these emergencies can be furthered by the establishment of a state-wide mutual aid and assistance system between and among the county coroner’s of this state by and through the Illinois Coroners and Medical Examiners Association;
Now, Therefore, be it Resolved, by the County Board of Monroe County Illinois, that the County Board Chairman and County Coroner be authorized to enter into this intergovernmental agreement that authorizes Monroe County Coroner’s participation in the Illinois Coroners and Medical Examiners mutual aid agreement effective upon the approval of this resolution.
http://monroecountyil.org/admin/upload/document_center/meeting-agendas-minutes/594010a09cd52.pdf
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