PUTNAM COUNTY REGULAR BOARD MEETING
February 14, 2023, at 5:30 P.M.
The regular meeting of the Putnam County Board was called to order at 5:30 P.M. on Tuesday, February 14, 2023, 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, Floyd Holocker, Tony Rue, and Charles Lenkaitis answering. Steve Malavolti and Luke Holly were absent.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance.
Board Member Steve Malavolti entered the meeting at 5:33 pm.
Minutes: It was moved by board member Rue to approve the minutes from January 09, 2023, 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.
Bills: It was moved by board member Holocker to approve the bills for January 2023. Board member Rue seconded the motion and the motion was carried on a roll call board vote of 3 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 absent.
Public comment:
Charlie Witzman was present and once again expressed his opinion that he did not think we should have wind turbines in Putnam County. They are hazardous to people and wildlife. Witzman encouraged the board to continue to educate themselves on the turbines.
Valerie Witzman was present and said she didn’t have too much to say. She asked Where are we going with this? What can you do for us to keep us safe now that the government passed that bill?
The States Attorney replied and said that on January 27th the government passed a law and we have 120 days to pass an ordinance. It is out of the county’s hands and encouraged them to call their legislators.
States Attorney Christina Judd Mennie was present and presented a resolution that would Appoint Ryan Giacometti as Zoning Officer Administrator. After a little discussion, it was moved by board member Holocker to approve Resolution 2023-03 Appointing Ryan Giacometti as County Zoning Office Administrator. Board member Rue 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 (2023-03.)
Christina also presented an Intergovernmental Agreement between Marshall County and Putnam County Regarding the Joint Employment of a Zoning Administrator. Both parties wish to share the services of a Zoning Administrator who will investigate zoning regulations and violations to streamline and manage zoning for both communities and employing a professional Zoning Administrator is intended to result in cost savings that exceed the cost of the Zoning Administrator and Putnam agrees to employ the Zoning Administrator, Marshall will share 50 percent (%) of all costs associated with the employment of Zoning Administrator. After a little discussion, it was moved by board member Holocker to approve Resolution 2023-07 Intergovernmental Agreement between Marshall County and Putnam County Regarding the Zoning Administrator. Board member Rue 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 (2023-07.)
Next, Christina presented a Fair Housing Ordinance 2023-O-02. An Ordinance Prohibiting and Making Unlawful Discrimination in Housing and/or Real Property because of Race, Color, Religion, Creed, National origin, Ancestry, Sex, Physical or Mental Handicap in Putnam County, Illinois. After a short discussion, it was moved by board member Malavolti to approve the Fair Housing Ordinance. 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 Ordinance (2023-O-02.)
County Highway Engineer Pat Sloan was present and presented his January report regarding County Highway Engineering and Maintenance Activities to the board. Sloan reported that they received the $162,000 grant for work on the Truck Access Route. Sloan continues to interview candidates for the County Engineering position. There were no other questions. (The County Highway Engineer Reports are on file at the Office of the County Clerk for review by any interested parties.)
Sheriff Joshua Boedigheimer was present with his financial reports for January. The Sheriff reported about the beginning of March they will have the car ready for Zoning. Everything is going well at the Sheriff’s office and in the Courthouse. 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 not present but did include a copy of his financial reports for January. The General Fund’s Income for January, Fiscal Year 2023, is $376,483.60 compared to an income of $261,079.07 for January, Fiscal Year 2022. Kunkel’s report also included a review of the “General Fund Accounts Balance by Month, Fiscal Year 2023". The General Fund balance for January, Fiscal Year 2023, is ($133,525.39). The General Fund Savings balance for January, Fiscal Year 2023, is $916,908.35. The Illinois Fund - General Fund balance for January, Fiscal Year 2023, is $2,033,473.78. The total of the three Accounts is $2,816,856.74. Year to date for the Fiscal Year 2023 shows revenues of $611,077.20 and expenses of ($725,345.23) for a total of ($114,268.03). There were no other questions. (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 January. Dolder reported the revenues collected for the month were $15, 014.81. Documents are still coming in slowly due to the interest rates still being high. The Consolidated Election filing period has ended the election is underway, and early voting starts February 23, 2023. Tina has begun the process of striking the rates and Levy confirmations were sent out last Friday. 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 Ryan Giacometti was present with his report. Ryan has been getting familiar with things here in PC as well as in Marshall. Ryan also met with the Director of Project Management at Marquis Energy, to discuss future plans for the Marquis group. Charlie also brought up the Reconciliation of the Zoning Budget from last year to Tammy and Steve for filling the interim position. Tammy handed in $5,000.00 worth of hours and Steve said that he did not want any compensation for the extra work. After a short discussion, it was moved by board member Holocker to approve the $5,000.00 in pay to Tammy. Board member Malavolti seconded the motion and the motion was carried on a roll call board vote of 3 ayes including Charlie, 1 abstain, and 1 absent. (The Zoning Officer’s full report is on file at the Office of the County Clerk & Recorder for review by any interested parties.)
County Supervisor of Assessments Tammy Mehalic was not present and had nothing to report.
County Death Investigator Bob Cofoid was present with his Death Investigator report for January. Cofoid reported (2) deaths for the month of January. 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 present with her report for November & December 2022, and January 2023. The State of Illinois extended its Disaster Proclamation until March 4, 2023, which covers all 102 counties. Chantelle has been working on a joint exercise program with Bureau County and the Bureau-Putnam LEPC. They conducted a tabletop exercise with the health department in November on train derailment with hazardous materials and then began updating the plan. Chantelle has also completed a few other pieces of training. There was 1 deployment for the Generator on December 22, 2022. The Village of Toulon lost power and the Toulon Nursing Home’s backup generator failed and they were going to have to evacuate the nursing home. The Generator saved the Nursing home from having to evacuate all the residents in the -35-degree wind chills. Chauntelle then requested a moment of silence for Henry County OEM Chief Deputy Tony Tracy who passed away while off duty on the 13th of February. His dedicated service to Henry County and surrounding communities will be greatly missed. (The County Emergency Management Coordinator’s full report is on file at the Office of the County Clerk for review by any interested parties.)
NEW BUSINESS:
Lake Thunderbird Association is requesting permission to hold the annual fireworks display on July 1, 2023. The current Insurance and Certificates are on file in the County Clerk and Recorder’s office. After a short discussion, it was moved by board member Malavolti to approve the Lake Thunderbird Associations’ request for fireworks. 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.
Participation in the State of Illinois Federal Surplus Property Program – After a short discussion, this subject was tabled for the next meeting. Meanwhile Luke, Charlie, and the Sheriff will have a discussion about this.
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 January.
Correspondences and Committee Reports:
Tony reported going to a 911 meeting and everything seemed to be going well. There was nothing to report.
Charlie reported on an ARPA meeting. Some of the projects that are still on the list to complete are going out for a new bid.
Charlie also reported that he talked to Diane for NCICG about the dilapidated building grant money and she said that we are on the top of the list when it becomes available.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
ADJOURN:
At 6:09 P.M., Board member Rue moved to adjourn the 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. The meeting was adjourned. The next Regular Meeting of the Putnam County Board is scheduled for Monday, March 13, 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