Official Putnam County Illinois logo

120 North 4th Street, Hennepin, IL 61327 

Hours:  Monday - Friday  9:00 - 4:00

PUTNAM COUNTY REGULAR BOARD MEETING

June 13, 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, June 13, 2022, 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 and Charles Lenkaitis present in person along with Steve Malavolti, Luke Holly being present via zoom, and Tony Rue being absent.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance.

Minutes: It was moved by board member Holocker to approve the minutes from May 09, 2022, Regular Board Meeting.  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. It was moved by board member Malavolti to approve the minutes from May 23, 2022, 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 May bills were tabled until the next board meeting.

Public comment:  

Kristin Salzman was present and gave a handout titled Wind Farms Wreaking Havoc on Wildlife and Local Residents.

Valerie Witzman was present and gave 2 handouts. The first one was about zoning laws and the second handout was about Nordex. Witzman stated this Nordex information is from a handbook for installment and how far away one should stand from a wind turbine.

Charlie Witzman was present and agreed with everything Val and Kristin had to say and hand out. Charlie asks the board again to consider not having wind turbines in the county.

States Attorney Christina Judd Mennie was present and said she drew up a Resolution 2022-09 for a Solar Farm Moratorium. The board looked it over and it was moved by board member Malavolti to approve the Resolution 2022-09 Solar Farm Moratorium. 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 (#2022-09). 

County Highway Engineer Pat Sloan presented his May report regarding County Highway Engineer and Maintenance Activities to the board. Pat said that every 2 years he rates all the bridges within the county. He included an inventory along with bridge conditions within his monthly report. There were 6 applicants for the Highway Maintenance job and after interviewing Matt Mattingly will start on July 4th.  Matt will still get his holiday beings he is staying with the county. Pat also included a transition plan in his report and announced that he will be retired and his last day of work will be March 31, 2023. (The County Highway Engineer Reports are on file at the Office of the County Clerk for review by any interested parties.)   

Sheriff Kevin Doyle was present with his financial reports for May. There were no questions on his report. Sheriff Doyle said that the parking lot is about completed however they are waiting for a drain pipe to be able to finish it. The project should be completed by the 20th as long as parts come in. Sheriff Doyle did ask to go into Executive Session for personal and asked if Pat Sloan would also come in with.  It was moved by board member Holocker to go into Executive Session at 6:02. 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. It was moved by board member Malavolti to come out of Executive Session at 6:11. 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 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 May to the board.  The General Fund’s balance for May, Fiscal Year 2022, is $396,952.61 compared to a balance of $249,508.28 for May, 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 May, Fiscal Year 2022, is $25,627.16.  The General Fund Savings balance for May, Fiscal Year 2022, is $1,012,087.29.  The Illinois Fund - General Fund balance for May, Fiscal Year 2022, is $594,277.23.  The total of the General Fund Accounts is $1,631,991.68.  Year to date for the Fiscal Year 2022 shows revenues of $1,790,074.31 and expenses of ($1,554,712.93) for a total of 235,361.38. Kunkel said that the 1st installment of Real Estate Taxes is due on June 23, 2022. (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 May to the board.  Dolder’s report shows $22,252.41 in total receipts for the month. Dolder said that the .gov domain is up and running along with the emails associated with her office. The Property Fraud Alert flyers went out with the tax bills and there has been a total of 153 residents that have signed up for it. (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 did not have a report for the board.

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 – there was no report.

County Death Investigator Bob Cofoid presented his Death Investigator report for May to the board.  There were (2) deaths reported to his office during May. (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 May report to the board. The State of Illinois has extended its Disaster Proclamation until June 26, 2022, which covers all 102 counties including Putnam County. Biagi-Bruer has attended several meetings this past month. On June 16th will be the next meeting for the National Hazard Mitigation Plan with NCICG. At this meeting we will be reviewing the draft plan and also for public comment on the plan. Putnam County is the administrator of the grant so invoices were sent out for the local share to all 14 participants and about half of them have submitted their local share to us. The south tower radio repair is completed and operational again. Biagi-Bruer gave a presentation at the Putnam County Community Center on “Emergency Preparedness for Older Adults” on May 31. Several handouts were given out to help with their emergency preparedness kits and making an emergency preparedness plan.  (The Emergency Management Coordinators Report is on file at the Office of the County Clerk for review by any interested parties.)

NEW BUSINESS:

Beth Acuncius introduced Pamela Beckett from the Starved Rock Community Foundation and Woman’s Inspired Network. The Starved Rock Country Community Foundation was established on Oct 1, 2015, as one of 850 community foundations in the country. In four short years, the Foundation has amassed assets of over $2.4 million. Pamela and her husband’s vision was to bring the opportunity of a community foundation to Starved Rock Country. The Foundation makes it possible for every non-profit and charitable organization in the area to benefit from the generosity of the community as a whole. Women Inspired Network or WIN is a platform for women to be empowered by other women and become involved and contribute to their community.

Lake Thunderbird Association requested permission to sell beer and wine at the annual Corn Boil. Board member Holocker moved to allow permission to sell beer and wine at the annual Corn Boil. 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.

Lake Thunderbird Association requested permission to hold their annual fireworks display on July 2nd with a rain date on Aug 6.  Board member Holly moved to allow permission to hold their annual fireworks display on July 2nd with a rain date on Aug 6th. 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.

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 April.

Correspondences and Committee Reports:

Board member Malavolti did report on Accelerate Illinois, he said that residents will be getting a survey and if they could fill that out and get it sent in we would appreciate it.

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

Noted in the Sheriff section of the minutes.

ADJOURN:              

At 6:40 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, July 11, 2022, 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