PUTNAM COUNTY REGULAR BOARD MEETING
JUNE 10, 2019, 5:30 P.M.
The regular meeting of the Putnam County Board was called to order at 5:30 P.M. on Monday, June 10, 2019, in the boardroom at the Putnam County Courthouse in Hennepin, Illinois by Putnam County Board Chairman Steven Malavoli.
Roll Call was taken by the Clerk of the County Board with Sheila Haage, Steven Malavolti, Charles Lenkaitis, and Brad Popurella answering. Board member Luke Holly was unable to be present for the meeting and was absent for the Roll Call.
It was moved by board member Charles Lenkaitis to approve the minutes from the May 13, 2019, Regular Board Meeting. Board member Brad Popurella 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 Brad Popurella to approve the minutes from the June 3, 2019, Special Meeting of the Putnam County Board. Board member Sheila Haage seconded the motion and the motion was carried on a roll call board vote of 3 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 absent.
County Highway Engineer Pat Sloan presented his May report of County Highway Engineer and Maintenance Activities to the board. Mr. Sloan informed the board that the MFT work has continued during the past month, but the weather has caused delays and the shifting of plans. Mr. Sloan also informed the board that a Capital Bill has been passed by the state legislature that will approximately double the amount of revenue received in the Motor Fuel Tax account. The bill has been sent to the Governor for his signature. More information will be available at the July board meeting. Mr. Sloan also informed the board that he is still working on completing the Bottom Road Bridge Replacement Project. Two (2) parcels (totaling 1.758 acres) remain to be acquired from the Spring Valley Boat Club. The earliest bid date at this time is September 20, 2019. Other County Highway Engineer activities have included working with Hennepin Township to upgrade the intersection of Power Plant Road (1250N) and ESK Road to allow better access by large loads from Marquis Energy since the Prairie Industrial Road is limited to legal weight limits (80,000 lbs.). This will require Marquis Energy to utilize Power Plant Road for large loads (100,000 lbs.). Discussions have been initiated with Marquis Energy relative to permit/road use agreements. County Highway Maintenance activities have included checking the roads, servicing the Highway and Sheriff Department’s vehicles, spraying around sign posts, replacing a mail box damaged over the winter, getting equipment repaired, getting trucks tested, checking culverts, repairing washouts due to heavy rains, and removing downed trees. (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 May Sheriff’s and Civil Processing Transaction Reports to the board. Mr. Doyle also informed the board that currently there are no courthouse maintenance issues that need to be addressed. Mr. Doyle had nothing of further interest to report to the board. (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 Mr. Kunkel’s financial reports for the month of May to the board. The General Fund’s working balance for the month of May, Fiscal Year 2019, was $215,193.97 compared to a working balance of $215,578.39 for the month of May, Fiscal Year 2018. Mr. Kunkel’s report also included a review of the “General Fund Accounts Balance by Month, Fiscal Year 2019". The General Fund balance for the month of May, Fiscal Year 2019, was $94,940.47. The General Fund Savings balance for the month of May, Fiscal Year 2019, was $2,502.53. The Illinois Fund - General Fund balance for the month of May, Fiscal Year 2019, was $7,171.81. The total of the General Fund Accounts is $104,615.40. The actual versus budget variance percent target for the period is 50.00%. (The County Treasurer’s financial reports are on file at the Office of the County Clerk for review by any interested parties.)
At 5:40 P.M., committee member Brad Popurella moved that the board retire into Executive Session to discuss personnel issues (5ILCS 120/2). Board member Charles Lenkaitis seconded the motion and the motion was carried on a roll call board vote of 3 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 absent. The committee then retired into Executive Session.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
At 6:10 P.M., committee member Sheila Haage moved that the board return to Regular Session. Board member Brad Popurella seconded the motion and the motion was carried on a roll call board vote of 3 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 absent. The committee then returned to Regular Session.
County Circuit Clerk Carly Neubaum was present for the meeting and gave an update of the activities in her office during the month of May.
County Probation Officer Patricia Hohulin was not present for the meeting and as a result there was no Probation Officer report for the month of May.
County Supervisor of Assessments Tammy Mehalic was present for the meeting but had nothing to report to the board for the month of May.
County Zoning Officer Jim Burger presented his Zoning Officer report for the month of May to the board. Mr. Burger informed the board that there were seven (7) building permits issued during the month of May; one (1) for a pole building, one (1) for residential solar panels, two (2) for home additions, and three (3) for decks. There were nine (9) building inspections completed during the month of May. Of the nine (9) inspections, two (2) were final inspections for a home and an accessory building. Three (3) inspections were also completed at the former steel mill site. Mr. Burger also informed the board that he has been gathering information on Industrial Hemp after learning that MichiCann Medical, Inc., operating as Red White & Bloom, has signed a Letter of Intent to acquire the Color Point greenhouse facility outside of Granville, Illinois. Red White & Bloom will operate the greenhouse facility for the production of premium hemp used in the manufacturing of Cannabidiol (CBD). A copy of the Industrial Hemp Act was distributed to the board for their review along with a press release. Mr. Burger also informed the board that has answered the usual calls on property zoning, setbacks, and parcel size needed for building construction in the county. Mr. Burger also informed the board that he will not be available for building inspections from June 16 through June 22. (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 unable to be present for the meeting. The board reviewed his Death Investigator’s report for the month of May. Mr. Cofoid’s report stated that there were four (4) deaths reported to his office during the month of May. Mr. Cofoid’s report 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 O.E.M. Coordinator’s report for the month of May to the board. The report highlighted the attendance at various meetings, trainings, and other activities the office sponsored and/or participated in during the month of May. Ms. Biagi-Bruer’s report also included a schedule of the PCOEM’s upcoming events in June, July, and August of 2019. (The PCOEM Coordinator Report is on file at the Office of the County Clerk for review by any interested parties.)
Under “Old Business” for Committee Reports; there were no reports from any of the board committee members for the month of May.
Under “New Business” for Resolution Establishing Civil Fees And Criminal And Traffic Assessments To Be Charged By The Clerk Of The Circuit Court; the board reviewed and discussed the draft if a Resolution Establishing Civil Fees and Traffic Assessments to be Charged by the Clerk of the Circuit Court. Public Act 100-0987 was passed by the Illinois General Assembly and completely overhauls the criminal, traffic, and civil fee structures in the circuit courts throughout the State of Illinois effective July 1, 2019. The purpose of the legislation was to consolidate fees into unified schedules for all counties, to realign fees to be constitutional, and to provide for fee waivers for low income individuals. Upon board approval of the resolution, the Circuit Clerk’s Civil and Criminal Fees Assessments would be enacted pursuant to the requirements of 720 ILCS 105/27.1b of the Clerks of the Court Act and the Criminal and Traffic Assessment Act (705 ILCS 135/1-1, et seq.). After brief discussion, board member Charles Lenkaitis moved that the board approve and adopt the resolution as written. Board member Sheila Haage seconded the motion and the motion was carried on a roll call vote of 3 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 absent. The Clerk of the County Board was directed to process the Resolution (#2019-09).
Also under “New Business” for County Health Insurance, Contract Year July 1, 2019 thru June 30, 2020; Putnam County Clerk and Local Health Plan Representative Dan Kuhn had provided information prior to the meeting relative to the Fiscal Year 2020 Intergovernmental Agreement for the county’s Health Insurance Plan through the Department of Central Management Services - Local Government Health Plan, State of Illinois. The Health Insurance Plan’s Group Rate Tier for Fiscal Year 2020 is A+, unchanged from Fiscal Year 2019. The premiums will be increased by 8.7 % for Fiscal Year 2020. After further discussion, board member Brad Popurella moved to approve the Fiscal Year 2020 Intergovernmental Agreement for the county’s Health Insurance Plan through the Department of Central Management Services - LGHP. Board member Charles Lenksitis seconded the motion and the motion was carried on a roll call vote of 3 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 absent. Mr. Kuhn will complete the required contractual paperwork and file it with the Department of Central Management Services, State of Illinois.
Also under “New Business” for Possible Amending Of The Current Bureau/Putnam County Enterprise Zone Abatement Percentage For New And Future Projects; the board briefly discussed the amending of the current Enterprise Zone to reduce the percentage of the county’s abatement for new and future projects. Further review and discussion on this topic will continue.
Also under “New Business” for Ordinance Or Resolution To Initiate The Submission Of A Public Question To The Voters At The March 17, 2020, General Primary Election; the board discussed the process for the submission of an ordinance or resolution to place a public question on the ballot at the next election in March of 2020. The ordinance or resolution would facilitate an increase in property taxes for Public Safety. Board member Charles Lenkaitis moved that the board chairman meets with the State’s Attorney to draft an ordinance or resolution for the submission of a public question to the voters at the next election. Board Sheila Haage seconded the motion and the motion was carried on a roll call board vote of 3 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 absent.
Also under “New Business” for Fish ‘N Fun Request Of Approval For The Sale Of Beer And Wine At Annual Pancake Breakfast (August 4, 2019); the county board reviewed the letter of request for the board’s approval for the sale of beer and wine at the Fish ‘N Fun Annual Pancake Breakfast to be held on Sunday, August 4, 2019. After brief discussion, board member Brad Popurella moved that the board approves the request. The approval is contingent upon the county clerk’s receipt of proof of liquor liability insurance prior to the event. Board member Charles Lenkaitis seconded the motion and the motion was carried on a roll call vote of 3 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 absent. The Clerk of the County Board was directed to send the Fish ‘N Fun Board of Directors a letter notifying them of the board’s approval which is contingent upon the county clerk’s receipt of proof of liquor liability insurance.
Also under “New Business” for Regular Board Meeting Time Change; the board discussed changing the current scheduled time for the regular board meetings from 5:30 P.M. to 8:30 A.M., effective June 10, 2019. Board member Charles Lenkaitis moved that the board approve the regular board meeting time change from 5:30 P.M. to 8:30 A.M. Board member Brad Popurella 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 make known the revision via the news media and the county website.
Also under “New Business” for Putnam County Website (www.co.putnam.il.us); the board discussed information updates submitted for posting to the website. Supervisor of Assessments Tammy Mehalic informed the board that she has talked with Ms. Sue Grady at Connecting Point Computer Centers about utilizing the county website for more business. The addition and/or revising of information, monitoring, and updating will be on-going. 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. .
Also under “New Business” for Approve Bills; the county board reviewed the bills for the month of May. Board member Sheila Haage then moved that the board approve the payment of the bills for the month of May. Board member Brad Popurella seconded the motion and the motion was carried on a roll call board vote of 3 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 absent. Board member Sheila Haage informed the board that an issue with dog owners obtaining tags has been brought to the board’s attention. Dog owners have been directed to contact the Putnam County Animal Control Officer Allison Spayer.
Also under “New Business” for Correspondences and Reports; the board reviewed the monthly report from the County Clerk’s Office and the legislative reports from the Illinois Association of County Board Members and Commissioners.
Also under “New Business” for Public Comment Period; there were no members of the public present for any comments.
At 7:05 P.M., board member Sheila Haage moved to adjourn the meeting. Board member Luke 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, July 8, 2019, at 8:30 A.M.
Respectfully submitted,
DANIEL S. KUHN
Clerk of the Putnam County Board