PUTNAM COUNTY REGULAR BOARD MEETING
July 12, 2021, 5:30 P.M.
The regular meeting of the Putnam County Board was called to order at 5:30 P.M. on Monday, May 12, 2021, by County Board Chairman Charles Lenkaitis. The meeting was held in the courtroom at the Putnam County Courthouse in Hennepin, Illinois. The meeting was also available via Zoom.
Roll Call was taken by the Clerk of the County Board with Luke Holly, Charles Lenkaitis, Anthony Rue, and Floyd Holocker answering. Steven Malavolti was absent.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance.
Minutes: It was moved by board member Rue to approve the minutes from the June 14, 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 then moved by board member Holly to approve the minutes from July 6, 2021, Special 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: The approval of bills was tabled until August due to the finance committee not getting time to go through them.
Public comment: Mr. Jeffrey Purtell was present and addressed the board to discuss energy efficiency. Purtell asked the board to review the energy conservation code of 2015 and hopes the board will take a look at any new construction to make sure it is energy efficient. The board said they would take a look at that code. Purtell also urged the board to vote on the resolution to uphold the Second Amendment rights of individuals to own guns. Jaye D Debates was present and addressed the board to discuss the Resolution to Repeal House Bill 3653 regarding criminal justice reform. The passage of the resolution by the county board would request that Governor J.B. Pritzker repeals House Bill 3653. He strongly urges the county board to pass this resolution. The board said they have the resolution and were prepared to vote on it tonight later on the agenda.
County Highway Engineer Pat Sloan presented his July report of County Highway Engineer and Maintenance Activities to the board. Mr. Sloan presented a draft of a “Resolution Appropriating funds for the Federal Participation Agreement for section 20-00031-00RS” to the board for their review and approval. This is to complete the 2.27 miles overlay of McNabb Blacktop Road from Il Rt. 89 to the LaSalle County Line. This project is advertised now on the State Bid Letting. Bids are due at noon, Friday, July 30th. This project requires that the county enter a federal agreement for funding. The construction estimate is $846,083.00. Two grants were received for the work - $204,300.00 from the Truck Access Route Program and $ 54,583.00 in Federal COVID funds. We are using $364,500.00 of the County’s Federal Surface Transportation Rural allotment, $30,000.00 of our State Match Assistance allotment, and $192,700.00 from County Rebuild Illinois Funds and County MFT funds. After a brief discussion, board member Holly moved to approve and adopt the resolution as written. 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 (#2021-011). Other County Highway Engineer activities have included opening bids for the Hennepin Township ESK Rad Coffee Creek Bridge replacement on July 7, 2021. We received three bids, which were all competitive. With the increased material prices and fuel prices, all the bids were higher than the estimate, 1.17% to 8.29%. Sloan recommends award to the low responsible bidder, Curnyn Construction Co., Geneseo, IL. After a brief discussion, board member Rue moved to approve and adopt the resolution as written. 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 (#2021-012). Other County Highway Engineer activities include the bridge project which requires that we pass a resolution to anticipate Township Bridge Program Funds. Putnam County Townships receive an annual allotment of approximately $42,000.00 and only 4 years can be held. The award will allow us to use $42,012 of FY2018 money before it lapses and is lost. Construction is planning on TBP funds from FY2018, 2019, 2020 2021, and 2022. To make this happen the board needs to approve the resolution which says we will borrow $42,000.00 from County Bridge and then pay it back with the TBP funds are allotted. After a brief discussion, board member Holocker moved to approve and adopt the resolution as written. 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 (#2021-012). Sloan also announced an Electronic Collection Day for Marshall and Putnam counties which will be held on July 23, 2021, 12-5 pm, at the City of Toluca’s Public Works Building. (The Putnam County Highway Engineer and Maintenance Activities Reports are on file at the Office of the County Clerk for review by any interested parties.)
Sheriff Kevin Doyle presented his Sheriff’s and Civil Processing Transaction Reports for the month of June to the board. Sheriff Doyle also discussed that he has been in contact with the Illinois Department of Transportation. The Illinois Department of Transportation has performed a safety review of the intersection. Based on their safety review and the Sheriff’s recommendations they will be adding rumble strips and flashing lights on the STOP signs at the intersection of 71 & 89. Illinois Department of Transportation is ordering the material and intends to have this work completed by the end of July, dependent on material availability. Sheriff Doyle is also the chairman of the American Recovery Act and stated that they have several bids back for many different projects. He will be reaching out to committee members to schedule a meeting to start getting a move on some projects. (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 presented his financial reports for the month of June to the board. The General Fund’s working balance for the month of June, Fiscal Year 2021, was $939,641.91 compared to a working balance of $589,084.26 for the month of June, Fiscal Year 2020. Mr. Kunkel’s report also included a review of the “General Fund Accounts Balance by Month, Fiscal Year 2021". The General Fund balance for the month of June, Fiscal Year 2021, was $14,506.56. The General Fund Savings balance for the month of June, Fiscal Year 2021, was $819,458.92. The Illinois Fund - General Fund balance for the month of June, Fiscal Year 2021, was $306,224.88. The total of the General Fund Accounts is $1,140,190.36. Year to date for Fiscal Year 2021 shows revenues of $939,641.91 and expenses of ($224,302.36) for a total of $715,339.55. Mr. Kunkel did explain that the County board did waive tax bill penalties for tax bills in 2020, which meant a lot of residences waited until September to pay. Therefore, the difference between June 2020 and June 2021 was significantly higher in 2021 than it appeared in 2020. (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 County Clerk & Recorder report for the month of June to the board. Her report shows $45,755.86 in total receipts and $20,070.70 in total disbursements for the month of June resulting in a closing balance of $11,551.33. Dolder stated that she has been in contact with Fidlar Technologies to inquire about an online records management system. I will be meeting with a representative and getting a quote hopefully before the next board meeting. In regards to our current land records management system & Accounting software; recently it was subject to a cyberattack that encrypted files and prevented access to its IT systems. CIC will be sending letters out with information and how to sign up to start monitoring your personal information. (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 had nothing to report to the board for the month of June and therefore was not present for the meeting
County Probation Officer Patricia Hohulin was present and reported that standards were changing for probation just as they are for Sheriff’s department and Circuit Clerk’s office. However, she will see the change a little later than they will and she is anticipating many more call-ins after the changes are in place. Hohulin says she has already accumulated a lot of comp time so as much as she likes being in the office, she will need to use up some of that time.
County Supervisor of Assessments Tammy Mehalic had nothing to report to the board for the month of June and therefore was not present for the meeting.
County Zoning Officer Jim Burger presented his Zoning Officer report for the month of June to the board. Mr. Burger informed the board that there were eleven (11) building permits issued and fourteen (14) building inspections completed during the month of June. Mr. Burger also informed the board that several zoning questions were answered via phone calls and email. Mr. Burger also informed the board that on June 3rd a public hearing was held by the zoning board of appeals for a text amendment to raise the tip height of a wind tower from 500 feet to 700 feet. The text amendment was denied. He is in the process of typing the minutes and will have them ready for the meeting in August. Mr. 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 was not present but did include his Death Investigator report for the month of June to the board in their packet. There were four (4) deaths reported to his office during the month of June. Cofoid also noted that he will be attending the Illinois Coroners and Medical Examiners Association MEDICOLEGAL DEATH INVESTIGATION CONFERENCE in Fairview Heights, IL next month (Aug.). This training opportunity is an annual summit of a variety of excellent speakers from across the country and is attended by numerous law enforcement personnel that have various backgrounds in the investigation process. 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 Chauntelle Biagi-Bruer presented her June P.C.O.E.M. Coordinator’s reports to the board. Ms. Biagi Bruer informed the board that the State of Illinois has extended its Disaster Proclamation until July 24, 2021. This covers all 102 counties including Putnam County. Ms. Biagi-Bruer discussed with the board her continued planning for, preparing for, and responding to the Coronavirus COVID-19 and helping the health department execute mass vaccinations for COVID-19. This has included in-person meetings, conference calls, emails, web-based meetings, telephone calls, working with our partners, working with local officials, delivering Personal Protective Equipment’s, filling out necessary forms and paperwork such as resource requests, situation reports, public assistance program forms, etc., and keeping the public informed on social media. The Putnam County Emergency Operations Center has been activated to a Level 2 (Partial Activation) since March 21st, 2020. I have been working at the Putnam County Emergency Management EOC or remotely from home since then. Ms. Biagi-Bruer also informed the board that she has been working on the accreditation documents and applications to IEMA so we can continue to be eligible for grants and I am waiting for them to approve the documents and issue or 2-year certificate of accreditation. Biagi-Bruer also reported the 2nd door arrived and was installed but it had damage to the top and it has a gap at the bottom. Justin Judd has informed the manufacturer ad they are going to be sending the 3rd door. When it arrives Justi will put it in at no cost to the county. The Health Department also held a Putnam County Board of Health meeting at the PC OEM EOC on June 15th (in-person and zoom). Also, the last time the Health Department used the PC OEM Building for COVID-19 vaccinations was on May 5th. The Health Department has paid all vaccination rental, regular cleaning, and snow removal bills in full. When the Health Department lets Biagi-Bruer know that they are done using the PC OEM Building, she will ask them to have the carpets cleaned. Biagi-Bruer continues to fill needed PPE requests from our first responders, health department, courthouse, library and assisted living facility. On June 6th there was a request from Henry/Stark OEM for mutual aid with our generator to the Village of Bradford. Before the generator could be deployed, we were notified that Bradford had regained power and no longer needed the generator. Assistant Brian Biagi was able to change the Light tower battery and worked with Josh Randall from the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office on finding a place for the light tower on the corner of High Street and Route 26 for the 4th of July celebration in Hennepin to better light that intersection so that the officers could be seen better. Biagi-Bruer thanked the Sheriff for his help in ordering the battery. There is one requested item in need at the OEM Building. The air conditioner that covers the training room and the south side of the OEM building is not working correctly. Biagi-Bruer will continue on with inquiring estimates to fix the unit. As part of Ms. Biagi-Bruer’s report, Mr. Hector Gomez with the Bureau, Marshall, Putnam County Health Department gave an update on the current situation relative to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Mr. Gomez informed the board that there are 4,879 vaccinated Putnam County residents, 2,389 fully vaccinated 41.62%. 85% at least have 1 dose. These numbers suggest that many residents went for the 1st dose and skipped the 2nd dose. The numbers are similar in surrounding counties. (The P.C.O.E.M. Coordinator Report is on file at the Office of the County Clerk for review by any interested parties.)
NEW BUSINESS: American Recovery Act; No further information, tabled until August.
OLD BUSINESS:
Second Amendment Ordinance, after discussion and hearing from the public at the last several board meetings it was moved by board member Rue to approve the ordinance. Board member Holocker seconded the motion and the motion was carried on a roll call board vote of 0 ayes, 3 nays, and 1 absent. The ordinance did NOT pass.
Resolution for the repeal of House Bill 3653, after discussion and hearing from the public it was moved by board member Rue to approve the ordinance. 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.
Putnam County Website (www.co.putnam.il.us); the board discussed information updates submitted for posting to the website. The addition and/or revising of information, monitoring, and updating will be ongoing. Any and all updates should be forwarded to Ms. Susan Grady with Connecting Point Computer Centers. Her e-mail address is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Correspondences and Committee Reports; the board chairman reviewed correspondences that he had received with the other members of the board. Board committee members also gave updates on meetings they have attended.
At 6:35 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 3 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 absent. The meeting was adjourned. The next Regular Meeting of the Putnam County Board is scheduled for Monday, August 09, 2021, at 5:30 P.M. The meeting will be held in the courtroom at the Putnam County Courthouse. The meeting will also be available via Zoom.
Respectfully submitted,
TINA DOLDER
Clerk of the Putnam County Board