PUTNAM COUNTY REGULAR BOARD MEETING
December 13, 2021, at 5:30 P.M.
The regular meeting of the Putnam County Board was called to order at 5:31 P.M. on Monday, December 13, 2021, by County Board Chairman Charles Lenkaitis. 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, Charles Lenkaitis, Floyd Holocker, Steven Malavolti, Luke Holly answering, and Tony Rue being absent.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance.
Minutes: It was moved by board member Malavolit to approve the minutes from the November 08, 2021, Regular Board Meeting. Board member Holocker seconded the motion and the motion was carried on a roll call board vote of 3 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 absent. It was moved by board member Holocker to approve the minutes from the November 15, 2021, Special Board meeting. Board member Holly seconded the motion and the motion was carried on a roll call board vote of 3 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 absent.
Bills: It was moved by board member Malavolti to approve bills for November 2021. Board member Holocker seconded the motion and the motion was carried on a roll call board vote of 3 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 absent.
Public comment: Valerie Witzman was present and expressed her concern for windmills coming to Putnam County. There are 18 houses located near hers and only 1 home is for the windmills. There are many health effects to these windmills and she will continue to help educate the board on this subject. Valerie presented the board with a handout that gave information about wind turbines. Valerie then asked a question about zoning and chairman Lenkaitis directed her to the Zoning board for that answer.
Charlie Witzman was present and stated that he had been to a meeting several meetings ago and had asked if the board would take the time to learn and do homework on the windmills. He has done his homework and he has found it is not green energy that people think it is. Chairman Lenkaitis informed Charlie that they have been doing their research as well and put the moratorium in place to give them more time to do gather more information, meeting with different people, visiting other facilities.
Jaye Debates was present and asked if the board would consider creating a 20-member research team with 10 people that were for windmills and 10 people that are against windmills. This way the most amount of data could be collected and presented to the board. Jaye stated that this way the board would have all the positives and negatives that would apply to Putnam County. Chairmen Lenkaitis told Jaye that this is something that they may consider and discuss.
Board member Holly said that he has talked to numerous people from the community that was for and against. Anyone is more than welcome to email call or text with questions or comments about this situation or any other.
Niel Odonnel was present and said that he appreciated the Moratorium but he has looked at what the windmills have done in other areas. Niel said he fails to see the value of the windmills if they are just going to send the energy elsewhere. Niel has talked to Scout Energy and they told him that these windmills will only be good for 6-8 years. Niel does not want to walk outside and see a windmill churning in his backyard.
Alexis Campbell was present and said I 2nd what they said. Chairman Lenkaitis said noted.
County Highway Engineer Pat Sloan presented his report regarding November of County Highway Engineer and Maintenance Activities to the board. Pat wanted to point it the summary of the 2021 construction projects totaling $1,810,00.00. Funding was from a variety of sources. Construction engineering for all this work was accomplished in-house. The townships pay the county for our services, which totaled approximately $31,000.00 and was deposited in the highway fund. Pat requested that the board approve 2 IDOT resolutions for County MFT that appropriated 2022 funds for the county engineer’s salary and the expenditures for maintenance and construction on County roads. After a short discussion, it was moved by board member Holocker to approve the Resolution 2021-23 Appropriating Funds for the payment of the County Engineer’s Salary. Board member Holly seconded the motion and the motion was carried on a roll call board vote of 3 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 absent. The Clerk of the County Board was directed to process the resolution (#2021-23.) It was moved by board member Holly to approve the Resolution 2021-24 Maintenance under the Illinois Highway Code. Board member Malavolti seconded the motion and the motion was carried on a roll call board vote of 3 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 absent. The Clerk of the County Board was directed to process the resolution (#2021-24). Pat then announced that it was Suzy’s last week as County highway secretary. He was putting an ad in and hopefully will have someone new next month. (The Putnam County Highway Engineer and Maintenance Activities Reports and summary of audit of County MFT fund are on file at the Office of the County Clerk for review by any interested parties.)
Sheriff Kevin Doyle presented his financial reports for November to the board. The sheriff also gave reports on the ARPA committee project/funds as committee chairman. The sheriff said that there should be an ARPA committee should be meeting this coming Friday to discuss some projects. The safety rumple strips and flashing lights have been installed. One of the lights has moved a couple of times and with a phone call, they have come out and fixed it. (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 and presented his financial reports for November to the board. The General Fund’s balance for November, Fiscal Year 2021, was $282,398.11 compared to a balance of $272,068.42 for November, Fiscal Year 2020. Kunkel’s report also included a review of the “General Fund Accounts Balance by Month, Fiscal Year 2021". The General Fund balance for November, Fiscal Year 2021, was $147,568.36. The General Fund Savings balance for November, Fiscal Year 2021, was $1,231,491.89. The Illinois Fund - General Fund balance for November, Fiscal Year 2021, was $84,303.92. The total of the General Fund Accounts is $1,463,364.17. Year to date for the Fiscal Year 2021 shows revenues of $3,728,188.28 and expenses of ($2,963,333.22) for a total of $764,855.06. (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 presented her report for November to the board. Her report shows $71,050.77 in total receipts and $56,901.06 in total disbursements for November resulting in a closing balance of $14,149.71. We went live with AVID on Nov 1st and currently have 6 Laredo agreements that have been signed, however, they are counting on all our documents to be available soon. We currently go back to June of 2009 to the current day with documents online. There was a lot of discussion on the importance that we complete this project. Chairman Lenkaitis tabled the 2nd Scanning Contract until after the ARPA committee meets next Friday and they will revisit this project in January. The tax sale was on Nov 9th and we were bombarded with tax redemption payments which is what drove up the receipting. The Congressional Maps have finally been made official, there are still some litigations but shouldn’t affect us. Unfortunately for Putnam County, we have been split into two Districts 14 & 16. All of Magnolia Township is in 16 along with part of Hennepin and Senachwine. Hennepin precinct is the only precinct that is split with both districts. I will be doing interviews soon to find a qualified candidate for this office. (The County Clerk & Recorder’s report is on file at the Office of the County Clerk & Recorder for review by any interested parties.)
County Circuit Clerk Carly Neubaum was present and requested the board to pass Resolution 2021-25 Authorizing County Law Library Fee. By statute, this will decrease the Law Library fee from $21.00 to $20.00 effective January 1, 2022. It was moved by board member Holly to approve the Resolution 2021-25 Authorizing County Law Library Fee. Board member Holocker seconded the motion and the motion was carried on a roll call board vote of 3 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 absent. The Clerk of the County Board was directed to process the resolution (#2021-25).
County Probation Officer Patricia Hohulin was not present and did not have a report for the board
County Supervisor of Assessments Tammy Mehalic was not present and did not have a report for the board.
County Zoning Officer Jim Burger presented his Zoning Officer report for November to the board. Burger informed the board that this month there were six (6) building inspections completed and two (2) building permits issued during November. Burger included the minutes from the Putnam County Zoning Board of Appeals Public Hearing on October 28, 2021, Daniel Swain’s petition for a variance to allow owner camping in a Conservation District. Burger also handed out Article V – Provisions Governing CO-1 Conservation District. Specifically looking at Section 5.03 Special Uses in the CO-1 Conservation District. The buyer of the property has since sold the property and has no affiliations with this property. After a short discussion, the County Board agreed with the Zoning board on the denial of the special use permit. It was moved by board member Malavolti to agree with the Zoning board of the Denial of the Special Use Permit. Board member Holocker seconded the motion and the motion was carried on a roll call board vote of 3 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 absent. Burger has been looking at zoning on windmills and it is a lot more than just one person can handle any help would be appreciated. Burger also informed the board that he will continue to issue building permits and perform inspections while observing the proper guidelines while out in the public. (The County Zoning Officer Report is on file at the Office of the County Clerk for review by any interested parties.)
County Death Investigator Bob Cofoid presented his Death Investigator report for November to the board. There were one (3) death reported to his office during November. Cofoid also said he was not able to make it to the fall conference in Chicago. He has hopes to make it to the Spring Conference. Cofoid had nothing of further interest to report to the board. (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 was not present but did include her report. (The Emergency Management Coordinators Report is on file at the Office of the County Clerk for review by any interested parties.)
Hector Gomez, Director of the Bureau, Putnam, and Marshall County Health Department was present. Gomez reported that there has been a total to date of 673 positive COVID cases in Putnam County. The cases have been raised in the last couple of weeks. A total of 3,214 residents have received 1 vaccine. A total of 2,947 residents are fully vaccinated. The Health Department has started giving boosters and there has been a total of 1,766 boosters given to date. They have started giving pediatric clinics, the turnout has been low. There are several places available to get the vaccine, residents can check the Bureau, Marshall, and Putnam County Health Department website or FB page for information.
STATES ATTORNEY Christina Judd Mennie was present and requested the board to pass Resolution 2021-26 States Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor program. This is a yearly resolution and this fee was discounted due to COVID from $2500.00 to $1500.00 from last year. It was moved by board member Holocker to approve the Resolution 2021-26 States Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor program. Board member Malavolti seconded the motion and the motion was carried on a roll call board vote of 3 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 absent. The Clerk of the County Board was directed to process the resolution (#2021-25).
NEW BUSINESS:
2022 County Board Scheduled Meetings – The schedule was presented and with no discussion it was moved by board member Holly to approve the 2022 Board Meeting Schedule. Board member Holocker seconded the motion and the motion was carried on a roll call board vote of 3 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 absent. The Clerk of the County Board was directed to post the schedule on the website.
Illinois Department of Agriculture – Illinois Noxious Weed Law – Board member Malavolti checked around about this. Most of the weeds in our rural area are taken care of and mowed down. There are a total of 11 different weeds that they are concerned about. Board member Holly asked Burger if he could check with the solar farm to make sure this is taken care of. No further discussion.
University of Illinois Extension Service, Annual Program Update – Jill Guynn wanted to thank the board for the support that the county provides to them. Ann Shields provides all the local programming which is all volunteer. She is excited to be back in the schools with the stem program and robotics team along with all the other projects that she has been involved with. Beth Delatori is the development educator. It has been a trying year but she said she was happy and appreciated the support. Susan Glassman is the Nutritional & Wellness Educator. In the summer she held a very popular canning program. She works with the Senior Center a lot specifically education on Diabetes and how to manage sugars. She again appreciates the support from the county board. Darryl Wragge is the Commercial Ag Coordinator thanked the board and chairman for the great support with extension. This last year has been more virtual than they would like to have. Hopefully the next coming year we can get back into more in-person activities. Jill Guynn’s last comment was thankful for the leadership and the annual support to extension. Darryl Wragge announced that Jill was retiring after the first of the year. Chairman Lenkaitis thanked Jill for all her service and congratulated her on her retirement.
OLD BUSINESS:
Putnam County Website (www.co.putnam.il.us) there was nothing to be discussed.
Correspondences and Committee Reports:
Board member Malavolti attended a meeting with Ogle County that had to do with Accelerate Illinois. This is a 14-week program, it requires 3 people from the county, 1 person from GIS, or an IT person, and economic development. This program would bring in high-speed broadband lines closer to the county. Malavolti said that he did pencil us in to attend but did want to bring it to the board.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
ADJOURN:
At 7:05 P.M., board member Holocker moved to adjourn the meeting. Board member Holly seconded the motion and the motion was carried on a roll call board vote of 3 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 absent. The meeting was adjourned. The next Regular Meeting of the Putnam County Board is scheduled for Monday, January 10, 2021, 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