PUTNAM COUNTY REGULAR BOARD MEETING

December 12, 2022, at 5:30 P.M.

The regular meeting of the Putnam County Board was called to order at 5:30 P.M. on Monday, December 12, 2022, by County Clerk, Tina Dolder.  The meeting was held in the courtroom at the Putnam County Courthouse in Hennepin, Illinois.

Roll Call was taken by the Clerk of the County Board with, Floyd Holocker, Tony Rue, Steve Malavolti, Luke Holly, and Charles Lenkaitis answering.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance.

The lottery was drawn for the Board Members’ terms of service. Holocker and Malavolti drew the 2-year term positions. Rue, Holly, and Lenkaitis drew the 4-year term positions.   

Then it was opened up for nominations for a new chairman for the county board. Board member Malavolti nominated Board member Lenkaitis to be Chairman of the board. Board member Rue seconded the nomination and the motion was carried on a roll call board vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 0 absent. It was then opened up for nominations for a new vice chairman for the county board. Board member Holocker nominated Board member Rue to be Vice Chairman of the board. Board member Malavolti seconded the motion and the motion was carried on a roll call board vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 0 absent.

At this time Chairman Lenkaitis took control of the meeting.

Minutes: It was moved by board member Holocker to approve the minutes from November 8, 2022, Regular Board Meeting.  Board member Holly seconded the motion and the motion was carried on a roll call board vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 0 absent.

Bills: It was moved by board member Holocker to approve the bills for November 2022. Board member Malavolti seconded the motion and the motion was carried on a roll call board vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 0 absent.  

Public comment: 

Valerie Witzman was present and presented a handout to the board regarding a lady’s experience living near wind turbines in Australia. Valerie also had a speaker and had the courtroom listening to the sound of an active wind turbine.

Charlie Witzman was present and stated that he did agree with everything Val had said. Charlie had a handout regarding “green energy”. Charlie asked the board when it comes down to the decision on the wind turbines, he hopes the board will take all this information into consideration.   

States Attorney Christina Judd Mennie was present and presented several resolutions. The first resolution was the Resolution for Participating in the service program of the Office of State’s Attorney’s Appellate Prosecutor. After a little discussion, it was moved by board member Holly to approve Resolution 2022-14 to participate in the service program. Board member Holocker seconded the motion and the motion was carried on a roll call board vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 0 absent. (The Clerk of the County Board was directed to process the Resolution (2022-14.)

Next, A Resolution Extending the Temporary Moratorium on Wind Farm Applications. It was moved by board member Malavolti to approve Resolution 2022-15 Extending the Temporary Moratorium on Wind Farm Applications.  Board member Holly seconded the motion and the motion was carried on a roll call board vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 0 absent. (The Clerk of the County Board was directed to process the Resolution (2022-15.)

Then, A Resolution Extending the Temporary Moratorium on Solar Farm Applications. It was moved by board member Malavolti to approve Resolution 2022-16 Extending the Temporary Moratorium on Solar Farm Applications.  Board member Holocker seconded the motion and the motion was carried on a roll call board vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 0 absent. (The Clerk of the County Board was directed to process the Resolution (2022-16.)

Finally, the Ambulance Contract specifically added this year to the contract is that this contract will automatically renew on an annual basis unless either party gives notice of intent to vacate said contract within 60 days of the expiration of the contract. At that time, the parties would meet to negotiate any issues that may arise. Each fiscal year, the County will project the levy at the maximum level and will pay, as, in previous years, the actual amount collected to the McNabb Fire Protection Services.  It was moved by board member Malavolti to approve the Ambulance Contract.  Board member Holocker seconded the motion and the motion was carried on a roll call board vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 0 absent.

County Highway Engineer Pat Sloan was present and presented his November report regarding County Highway Engineering and Maintenance Activities to the board. Sloan had (2) action items on the agenda. The Resolution for Maintenance Under the Illinois Highway Code for $300,000.00 of Motor Fuel Tax funds for the purpose of maintaining streets and highways under the applicable provision of Illinois Highway Code from 01/01/23 to 12/31/2023. It was moved by board member Holocker to approve Resolution 2022-17 for Maintenance Under the Illinois Highway Code. Board member Rue seconded the motion and the motion was carried on a roll call board vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 0 absent. (The Clerk of the County Board was directed to process Resolution (2022-17.) Next, was a Resolution Appropriating Funds for the payment of the County Engineer’s Salary. It was moved by board member Holocker to approve Resolution 2022-18 for Maintenance Under the Illinois Highway Code. Board member Holly seconded the motion and the motion was carried on a roll call board vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 0 absent. (The Clerk of the County Board was directed to process the Resolution (2022-18.) (The County Highway Engineer Reports are on file at the Office of the County Clerk for review by any interested parties.)   

County Sheriff Joshua Boedigheimer was present with his financial reports for November. The Sheriff said that for the month of November they saved the county’s general fund about $89,000.00 by using other monies. Board member Holly asked how the courthouse was doing and the Sheriff said everything is okay for now but he will be creating a list of projects that need to be done on a 3 to 5-year plan. Chairman Lenkaitis asked if the Sheriff was ready to fill the Maintenance/Janitor position and the Sheriff said he was still working on that. There were no other questions. (The Sheriff’s and Civil Processing Transaction Reports are on file at the Office of the County Clerk for review by any interested parties.)    

County Treasurer Kevin Kunkel was present with his financial reports for November.  The General Fund’s balance for November, Fiscal Year 2022, is $268,676.21 compared to a balance of $282,398.11 for November, Fiscal Year 2021. Kunkel’s report also included a review of the “General Fund Accounts Balance by Month, Fiscal Year 2022".  The General Fund balance for November, Fiscal Year 2022, is $47,974.92.  The General Fund Savings balance for November, Fiscal Year 2022, is $1,410,666.85.  The Illinois Fund - General Fund balance for November, Fiscal Year 2022, is $1,544,959.84.  The total of the General Fund Accounts is $3,003,601.61.  Year to date for the Fiscal Year 2022 shows revenues of $4,572,063.55 and expenses of ($3,025.692.09) for a total of 1,546,371.46. Kunkel informed the board that there were hundreds of old “moldy” books from the Collectors and Assessors Office stored over on the Sheriff’s side in the basement that need to be disposed of and burned. Kunkel is requesting the use of ARPA funds to dispose of the books that he has already got permission to destroy as long as they get a certificate of destruction. Kunkel asked that the budget gets amended so he can cut a check to the Library by Wednesday. A Resolution Amending the 2022-2023 Budget. The changes are to account numbers 001-014-5003, 001-031-5422, and 001-031-5423. It was moved by board member Rue to approve Resolution 2022-19 for Amending the 2022-2023 Budget. Board member Holocker seconded the motion and the motion was carried on a roll call board vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 0 absent. (The Clerk of the County Board was directed to process the Resolution (2022-19.)  (The County Treasurer’s financial reports are on file at the Office of the County Clerk for review by any interested parties.).

County Clerk & Recorder Tina Dolder was present with her report for November. Dolder reported that the Consolidated Election filing period started today and the election is April 4, 2023. Dolder also reported Mary Ann will be fully retired by the end of December. The board thanked her for all her years of service. Dolder had (1) action item which was 15 Resolutions for Properties Conveyed to the Trustee in a Sealed Bid Auction. It was moved by board member Malavolti to approve Resolution 2022-20 through 2022-34 for Properties Conveyed to Trustee in a Sealed Bid Auction. Board member Holocker seconded the motion and the motion was carried on a roll call board vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 0 absent. (The Clerk of the County Board was directed to process the Resolution (2022-20 through 2022-34.) There were no other questions regarding her report. (The County Clerk & Recorder’s financial report is on file at the Office of the County Clerk & Recorder for review by any interested parties.)

County Circuit Clerk Carly Neubaum was not present and had nothing to report.

County Probation Officer Shawn Oetzel was not present and had nothing to report.

Zoning Officer No Zoning Officer was present.

County Supervisor of Assessments Tammy Mehalic was present and requested to talk in Executive Session regarding personal.

At 6:05 P. M., It was moved by board member Holly entered an executive session for personnel. Board member Holocker seconded the motion and the motion was carried on a roll call board vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 0 absent.

At 6:24 P.M., It was moved by board member Holocker to adjourn the executive session. Board member Rue seconded the motion and the motion was carried on a roll call board vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 0 absent.

County Death Investigator Bob Cofoid was present with his Death Investigator report for November but did have to leave.  Cofoid reported (2) deaths for the month of November. There were no other questions regarding his report.  (The County Death Investigator Report is on file at the Office of the County Clerk for review by any interested parties.)

Putnam County Office of Emergency Management Coordinator Chauntelle Biagi-Bruer was not present and did not have a report for November.

NEW BUSINESS:

Resolution to Enter into an Agreement for Implementing Coordination of Recycling Services on Behalf of Putnam County.  Board member Holly moved to approve the Agreement for Implementing Coordination of Recycling Services. Board member Malavolti seconded the motion and the motion was carried on a roll call board vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 0 absent. The Clerk of the County Board was directed to process the Resolution (2022-35).

Rededication Ceremony for a grave at Florid Cemetery. Sharon Bittner was present and on behalf of her chapter, the Chief Senachwine Chapter NSDAR, established in Henry nearly 5 years ago, would like to rededicate both Strawn DAR markers. This would be a short ceremony, attended by their members. Neither the markers nor the headstone would be touched or changed in any way A rededication would mean that our chapter would watch over the markers and stone and most likely honor Isaiah’s war service on Veterans Day. After a short discussion Board member, Holocker moved to approve the Rededication of the grave. Board member Rue seconded the motion and the motion was carried on a roll call board vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 0 absent.

OLD BUSINESS:

Putnam County Website (www.co.putnam.il.us.)

Website Care Report was included in the packet for the board to see the activity for November.

Correspondences and Committee Reports:

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

ADJOURN:              

At 6:49 P.M., Board member Rue moved to adjourn the meeting.  Board member Holly seconded the motion and the motion was carried on a roll call board vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 0 absent.  The meeting was adjourned.  The next Regular Meeting of the Putnam County Board is scheduled for Monday, January 9, at 5:30 P.M.  The meeting will be held in the courtroom at the Putnam County Courthouse.

Respectfully submitted,

TINA DOLDER, Clerk of the Putnam County Board