SE Illinois News

Monroe County Board of County Commissioners met October 16.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

The meeting of the County Commissioners of Monroe County, Illinois was called to order at 9:00 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.

There being a quorum present, the meeting was called to order by Chairman Elmore.

There were no public comments.

Carla Heise came to the meeting to discuss Ambulance Service business. She said she has started the ASM training, and she is learning quite a bit about coaching skills, leadership style and professionalism, and during training they also had the opportunity to work with a group of dispatchers. Ms. Heise said networking with others in her field has also been very beneficial.

Ms. Heise said previously REJIS came to the office once a week, and she has decided there is not enough work for them to do that often. She is going to work with them to see if she can initiate monthly or quarterly service. She said there is an upcoming conference on using the paperless system that is used by the Ambulance Service, and she would like to attend, as well as take the three Supervisors. There was some discussion about the cost of taking all of these folks along. Motion was made by Commissioner Wittenauer, with a second by Commissioner Koerber to allow Ms. Heise and the three Ambulance Service supervisors to attend this conference. All voting Aye, none Nay and none Absent. Motion carried.

Ms. Heise asked about the possibility of contracting for an annual HIPAA audit. Commissioner Koerber said maybe that is something CIRMA can do for us. Chairman Elmore said he would check on that.

The minutes from the October 2, 2017 regular meeting were approved upon motion by Commissioner Wittenauer, with a second by Commissioner Koerber. All voting Aye, none Nay and none Absent. Motion carried.

The following Accounts Payable having been approved for payment, Commissioner Wittenauer moved that the same be allowed and that vouchers be issued against their respective funds of the County Treasurer for payment. Motion seconded by Commissioner Koerber, and so declared. All voting Aye, none Nay, and none Absent. Motion carried.

General Fund:

Americom Imaging Systems Inc. 8,911.20

Best Group, LLC 184.00

Blackbaud 752.50

Christian T. Unser 20.52

Christopher Hitzemann 344.54

Coast to Coast Computer Products 687.92

Coast to Coast Equipment 68.53

Coast to Coast 483.30

Columbia Quarry Company 2,228.63

Communications Revolving Fund 527.87

Cory Comte 520.00

Culligan-Schaefer Water Centers 73.77

Da-Com Digital Office Solutions 233.17

Dobbs Tire & Auto Centers 525.30

East St. Louis Bar Association 100.00

Ed Roehr Auto Radio Co Inc. 40.00

Fike & Fike 13,492.00

Gateway FS 3,108.39

Harrisonville Telephone Co 379.41

K&D Printing 1,114.75

Kone Inc. 633.14

Leon Uniform Company Inc. 245.95

Linnemann Lawn Care & Landscaping 86.26

M P S Industries 1,602.00

Marketicity LLC 1,990.00

Mike’s Convenience 774.62

Monroe County Electric Coop Inc. 437.50

Monroe County General Fund 3,600.00

Monroe County Highway Fund 2,243.75

Motorola 132.50

Nabers Shop 218.22

Oak Hill 8,720.00

O’Reilly Auto Parts 45.95

Platinum Technology Resource, LLC 18,760.00

Prairie Farms Dairy Inc. 280.00

Quality Collision 106.67

Quill Corporation 371.06

REJIS Commission 396.00

Reliable Sanitation Service Inc. 2,599.12

Richland Pet Cremation & Memorials 5.25

SILEC 4,016.00

St. Clair/Monroe County CASA 1,200.00

Sure Shine Auto Wash 1,362.27

Tessco 217.75

Tiffani Brewer 198.57

Thomson Reuters-West Publishing Corp. 747.01

Toshiba Financial Services 246.00

Traughber & Morris Ltd 741.67

U.S. Bank Equipment Finance 291.62

Vayden Mechanical 135.00

Vicki Koerber 133.16

Warner Communications Corp 940.00

Watson’s Office City 19.99

Wex 130.58

Wireless USA 162.00

Ambulance Service Fund:

Andres Medical Billing, LTD. 4,146.14

Bound Tree Medical LLC 94.56

Carla Heise 82.74

Chandra Moffitt 100.00

Daniel Parrott 98.01

Dutch Hollow Janitorial Supplies 106.65

Gateway FS 49.56

Medpro Waste Disposal LLC 196.10

United Health Care 95.28

Wilbert Hesterberg 184.16

Health Tax Fund:

Culligan-Schaefer Water Centers 10.00

IMVCA 110.00

Republic-Times LLC 150.24

Julie Valerius 587.50

Sanofi Pasteur Inc. 1,160.87

Stericycle Inc. 278.52

Highway Fund:

Aaron Metzger 280.60

Al’s Auto Waterloo 213.37

Ameren Illinois 47.91

Americom Imaging 170.00

Calser Corporation 450.00

Christ Bros. Asphalt Inc. 871.23

Columbia Quarry Company 155.81

DataTronics Inc. 188.00

Fountain Water District 51.60

G.W. Van Keppel Co. 1,356.21

Handling Systems Inc. 416.00

Leaf 299.00

Monroe County Electric Cooperative 700.68

Nabers Shop 2,838.72

Nu-Deal Oil Company 114.18

O’Reilly Auto Parts 299.13

Paving Maintenance Supply Inc. 4,909.56

Quality Rental 35.00

Reliable Sanitation Service Inc. 50.60

Roger’s Redi-Mix Inc. 428.00

Safety-Kleen Systems Inc. 2,392.50

Scott Scheibe 86.50

Williams Office Products Inc. 15.80

County MFT:

Monroe County Highway Fund 19,163.21

Township Bridge Fund 36,000.00

Road Motor Fuel:

Columbia Quarry Company 8,080.32

JTC Petroleum Co. 35,636.92

Recorder’s Document Fund:

Fidlar Technologies 1,450.10

Kim Keckritz came to the meeting to discuss Oak Hill. She said the census and revenue figures have been down because of the rooms taken out of service during the Evergreen Pointe construction. Also compounding the problem – staff has been hired for the Evergreen Pointe addition, and there is no income from that area since final approval has not been granted by IDPH. Ms. Keckritz said the expenses were also higher this month because of a $5,000 water bill for the Evergreen Pointe area. She talked to the City, and they said they haven’t billed since the construction was started there, and they felt the high bill could have been caused by all the watering that was done this Summer to keep the sod alive. Commissioner Koerber said Ms. Keckritz should talk to Brian Hooten about putting in a separate meter there for watering so there wouldn’t be extra expenses for sewer charges on the water bill. Ms. Keckritz said there have also been a lot of leaks in the sprinkler system, and this could have been because the nitrogen generator was turned off, and she didn’t know that. The generator has now been turned back on, and she hopes this will solve that problem.

Ms. Keckritz said the inspection architects have looked at Evergreen Pointe, and they noted some problems that have been fixed. She is expecting a signoff letter from the architect later this week, and once that is received, the final IDPH inspection team can come in to inspect the facility. She said there are still some electrical issues – last week the emergency lights went out as they did previously. Holland is sending out an electrical engineer to study the issue, and Oak Hill is contracting with JF Electric to do an independent inspection of the electrical system.

Ms. Keckritz said the Nursing Home is making a change in pharmacy service, and she is expecting savings from that move.

Ms. Keckritz said she received a letter from the attorney firm for Holland Construction regarding payment for items that were allocated to the contract contingency fund. She has discussed this with Chris Hitzemann, the Monroe County State’s Attorney. The Commissioners said they felt the Holland representative misrepresented the use of the contingency fund when it was discussed at the County Board meeting. Commissioner Wittenauer said he felt the Board was told the contingency fund would only be used if something unexpected was found like a utility line or something underground that wasn’t previously noted. He said he didn’t think all of the items listed should be included in the contingency billing. The County currently owes Holland $80,792.40 from the final bill plus $77,902.49 shown as contingency fund billing. The Commissioners will continue to work with the State’s Attorney toward resolution of this situation.

The monthly Nursing Home bills were approved upon motion by Commissioner Wittenauer, with a second by Commissioner Koerber. All voting Aye, none Nay and none Absent. Motion carried.

Commissioner Koerber read a letter from the Columbia Police Chief Jerry Paul, asking that he be appointed to the County 9-1-1 Board. He said currently CPD Telecommunicator Rachele Starr serves on the Board, and he has discovered the position should be filled by a law enforcement administrator. He said Mrs. Starr will continue to come to the meetings to provide input when necessary. Chief Paul also asked that Columbia EMS Chief Kimberly Lamprecht be appointed to the Monroe County 9-1-1 Board. Commissioner Koerber said the 9-1-1 Board also discussed adding the Valmeyer Police Chief to their Board.

Commissioner Koerber said there have been some problems with excess trash after events held on or near the Courthouse grounds. She will be meeting with Mayor Smith and Brian Hooten to try to come up with a solution to those problems.

Chris Hitzemann and Neal Rohlfing came to the meeting to discuss the proposed fee study for County offices. The only way that some of the county offices can increase their fees for services is to do a fee study to determine the cost of providing those services. Mr. Hitzemann said he had contacted Bellwether, LLC, one of the only companies in Illinois to do this type of work. The fees proposed by Bellwether, LLC were as follows:

Clerk and Recorder of Deeds $6,000

Sheriff and Jail $6,000

Court Security Fee $4,000

Animal Control $6,000

Health Dept. (misc.) $10,000

GIS $2,500

Highway $5,000

The County Board decided that review of the Animal Control Department and the Highway Department were not necessary. Motion was made by Commissioner Koerber, with a second by Commissioner Wittenauer to enlist the services of Bellwether, LLC, and have State’s Attorney Hitzemann negotiate the fees for the offices required, with a maximum price of $28,500. All voting Aye, none Nay and none Absent. Motion carried. Chris Hitzemann came back to the meeting later to say he called Bellwether, LLC, and they agreed to do the offices as specified for a total of $24,000, and they would try to have the work completed by the end of November).

The Board discussed the outstanding Holland Construction/Nursing Home bill with State’s Attorney Chris Hitzemann.

Ryan Weber and Neal Rohlfing came to the meeting to discuss a change in the operation of the Emergency Management office. Chairman Elmore asked Mr. Weber how many grants are awarded to the office each year. Mr. Weber said he normally gets one in the amount of $21,000 or $22,000, and if the State has any funds leftover, they are sometimes divided among the participating Counties, but those extra amounts are not guaranteed. Mr. Weber said if this is put under the control of the Sheriff’s office, will he still be doing the line item budget. Commissioner Koerber said she felt that would be the case. Motion was made by Commissioner Wittenauer, with a second by Commissioner Koerber to transfer the management of the Emergency Management office to the Sheriff’s Department. All voting Aye, none Nay and none Absent. Motion carried.

Resolution 17-81

Whereas, it is the intent of the Monroe County Board of Commissioners (County Board) to centralize budget functions and work duties throughout the various offices of the Monroe County courthouse for the benefit and cost savings of Monroe County taxpayers, and

Whereas, it has been determined by the Monroe County Board of Commissioners that transferring the supervision of the Monroe County Emergency Management Department to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department will provide a more efficient method of operation for the EMA Department, and

Whereas, this decision will help to bring Monroe County into compliance with the regulations of the Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division that state to qualify for executive employee exemption, all of the following tests must be met:

1 The employee must be compensated on a salary basis (as defined in the regulations) at a rate not less than $455 per week;

2 The employee’s primary duty must be managing the enterprise, or managing a customarily recognized department or subdivision of the enterprise;

3 The employee must customarily and regularly direct the work of at least two or more other full-time employees or their equivalent; and

4 The employee must have the authority to hire or fire other employees, or the employee’s suggestions and recommendations as to the hiring, firing, advancement, promotion or any other change of status of other employees must be given particular weight.

Whereas, it is the intention of the members of the (County Board) that all functions of the Monroe County Emergency Management Department, including budget and management decisions, will after this action, be put under the control and supervision of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, and

Now, Be It Therefore Resolved, that the (County Board) has made the decision to transfer the supervision of the Monroe County Emergency Management Department to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, effective Monday, October 16, 2017.

Adopted by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Illinois at Waterloo, this 16th day of October, 2017.

Motion: Wittenauer Second: Koerber

Aye: Three Nay: None

Absent: None

Mike Fausz came to the meeting to discuss a Flood Plain variance request. He said David Schultheis wants to build a 60’ X 60’ pole shed on his property near Boxtown, where he farms. Motion was made by Commissioner Wittenauer, with a second by Commissioner Koerber to approve that request. All voting Aye, none Nay and none Absent. Motion carried.

Mr. Fausz reported that the Monroe County 9-1-1 Board has approved another year of supplementing Ryan Weber’s EMA salary for the hours he spends helping all of the members of that group with radio programming. There is no contract detailing that arrangement at this point, and there was some discussion as to whether there should be a contract.

Motion was made by Commissioner Wittenauer, with a second by Commissioner Koerber to approve a Raffle Permit for the Holy Name Men’s Society of St. Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Church in Hecker. All voting Aye, none Nay and none Absent. Motion carried.

Motion was made by Commissioner Wittenauer, with a second by Commissioner Koerber to approve a Courtyard/Bandstand permit for the City of Waterloo for their Trunk or Treat to be held on Tuesday, October 31. All voting Aye, none Nay and none Absent. Motion carried.

Motion was made by Commissioner Wittenauer, with a second by Commissioner Koerber to reappoint Dennis Rodenberg to the Monroe County Public Building Commission. All voting Aye, none Nay and none Absent. Motion carried.

Resolution 17-82

Be It Resolved by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Illinois that Dennis Rodenberg, 3211 Kaskaskia Road, Fults, Illinois be reappointed to the Public Building Commission for a term of five years with a term to commence on October 1, 2017 and term to expire on September 30, 2022 or until a successor is appointed and has qualified.

Passed by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Illinois at Waterloo this 16th day of October, 2017.

Motion: Wittenauer Second: Koerber

Aye: Three Nay: None

Absent: None

Motion was made by Commissioner Wittenauer, with a second by Commissioner Koerber to reappoint Harry Reichert as a Trustee to the Miles Cemetery Baord. All voting Aye, none Nay and none Absent. Motion carried.

Resolution 17-83

Be It Resolved by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Illinois that Harry Reichert, 9352 Gall Road, Columbia, Illinois be reappointed as Trustee to the Miles Cemetery Board for a term of three years with term to commence on November 1, 2017 and term to expire on October 31, 2020 or until a successor is appointed and has qualified.

Passed by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Illinois at Waterloo this 16th day of October, 2017.

Motion: Wittenauer Second: Koerber

Aye: Three Nay: None

Absent: None

Motion was made by Commissioner Wittenauer, with a second by Commissioner Koerber to set the meeting dates for County Fiscal Year 2017-2018. All voting Aye, none Nay and none Absent. Motion carried.

Resolution 17 – 84

Whereas, it is the duty of the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Illinois to designate the dates at which time they will meet during the ensuing year in accordance with 55 ILCS 5/2-4002; so

Now, Therefore Be It Resolved by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Illinois that the following dates be observed as meeting dates during Fiscal Year 2018;

December 4, 2017 Monday

December 18, 2017 Monday

January 2, 2018 Tuesday

January 16, 2018 Tuesday

February 5, 2018 Monday

February 20, 2018 Tuesday

March 5, 2018 Monday

March 19, 2018 Monday

April 2, 2018 Monday

April 16, 2018 Monday

May 7, 2018 Monday

May 21, 2018 Monday

June 4, 2018 Monday

June 18, 2018 Monday

July 2, 2018 Monday

July 16, 2018 Monday

August 6, 2018 Monday

August 20, 2018 Monday

September 4, 2018 Tuesday

September 17, 2018 Monday

October 1, 2018 Monday

October 15, 2018 Monday

November 5, 2018 Monday

November 19, 2018 Monday

Passed by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Illinois at Waterloo this 16th day of October, 2017.

Motion: Wittenauer Second: Koerber

Aye: Three Nay: None

Absent: None

Motion was made by Commissioner Wittenauer, with a second by Chairman Elmore to approve the Holiday Schedule for County fiscal Year 2017-2018. Commissioner Koerber said she felt all of the County unions should be listed as exceptions to this Holiday Schedule. Chairman Elmore and Commissioner Wittenauer voting Aye, Commissioner Koerber Nay, none Absent. Motion carried.

Resolution 17 – 85

Whereas, it is the duty of the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Illinois to designate the holidays that employees of Monroe County, excluding the Monroe County Oak Hill Care Center employees and the Monroe County Health Department employees, are entitled to as paid holidays; so

Now, Therefore Be It Resolved by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Illinois that the following dates be observed as holidays for the fiscal year 2018.

New Year’s Day Monday, January 1, 2018

Martin Luther King Day Monday, January 15, 2018

President’s Day Monday, February 19, 2018

Good Friday Friday, March 30, 2018

Memorial Day Monday, May 28, 2018

Independence Day Wednesday, July 4, 2018

Labor Day Monday, September 3, 2018

Columbus Day Monday, October 8, 2018

Veterans Day Monday, November 12, 2018

Thanksgiving Day Thursday, November 22, 2018

Thanksgiving Holiday Friday, November 23, 2018

Christmas Eve Monday, December 24, 2018

Christmas Day Tuesday, December 25, 2018

Passed by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Illinois at Waterloo this 16th day of October, 2017.

Motion: Wittenauer Second: Elmore

Aye: Two Nay: One

Absent: None

Motion was made by Commissioner Wittenauer, with a second by Commissioner Koerber to approve a Raffle Permit for the Valmeyer Lakers for their fundraiser at Fountain Tavern on October 29. All voting Aye, none Nay and none Absent. Motion carried.

There being no additional business to come before the County Board, motion to adjourn was made by Commissioner Wittenauer, with a second by Commissioner Koerber. All voting Aye, none Nay and none Absent. Motion carried.

http://monroecountyil.org/admin/upload/document_center/meeting-agendas-minutes/5a0c1c1abc5c5.pdf