PUTNAM COUNTY REGULAR BOARD MEETING
March 13, 2023, at 5:30 P.M.
The regular meeting of the Putnam County Board was called to order at 5:30 P.M. on Monday, March 13, 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 Chief Deputy Clerk of the County Board with, Floyd Holocker, Tony Rue, Steven Malavolti, and Charles Lenkaitis answering. Luke Holly 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 February 14, 2023, 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.
Bills: It was moved by board member Malavolti to approve the bills for February 2023. 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:
None
States Attorney Christina Judd Mennie was present and presented a resolution amending compensation for County Board for fiscal years 2023 through 2025. After a little discussion, it was moved by board member Malavolti to approve Resolution 2023-04 to amend compensation for board members. 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 (2023-04.) The discussion of updating the 29-year-old elevator was then discussed. The estimate that was received to fix and upgrade the elevator was approximately $120,000. Chauntelle did fill out a grant application to help with updating the elevator however we may not hear back from them until around October. Mennie would like for us to move forward now and not wait for the grant approval. Lenkaitis did say that this is important because we cannot be having people getting stuck in the elevator. There would not be enough ARPA money to cover the complete cost of the elevator. Rue said that he did not think the price would get any cheaper and asked if the balance could come out of Tort. There will be approximately an additional $50,000 added to this project to make the elevator ADA-compliant as well. After a long discussion, it was moved by board member Rue to approve the bid of approximately $120,000. 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.
County Highway Engineer Pat Sloan was present and presented his February report regarding County Highway Engineering and Maintenance Activities to the board. Sloan announced his replacement Catherine Terando and will stay on through the year if that is what it takes for her to get adjusted. Terando will begin next week. Sloan also had an Intergovernmental Agreement between Marshall-Putnam Counties for County Engineer Services. This agreement will be deemed effective on April 1, 2023, and replace the previous Agreement dated December 13, 2018. After a little discussion, it was moved by board member Holocker to approve the Intergovernmental Agreement between Marshall-Putnam Counties for County Engineer Services. 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 (2023-05.) Sloan reported that the bid opening for seal coating will be on March 15th at 10 am at the Marshall County Highway Department. There is bridge work starting in approximately April of 2024 on the county line bridge on Stagecoach Road. 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 February. The Sheriff reported that the County Clerk’s office is getting some electrical work done. The Zoning Office vehicle is almost done. Also reporting that animal control wants to amend the budget in order to have more help. There were no other questions regarding his report. (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 with his financial reports for February. The General Fund’s Income for February, Fiscal Year 2023, is $156,467.70 compared to an income of $129,492.26 for February, 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 February, Fiscal Year 2023, is ($71,218.40). The General Fund Savings balance for February, Fiscal Year 2023, is $618,191.18. The Illinois Fund - General Fund balance for February, Fiscal Year 2023, is $2,168,081.48. The total of the three Accounts is $2,715,054.26. Year to date for the Fiscal Year 2023 shows revenues of $767,544.90 and expenses of ($1,090,550.96) for a total of ($323,006.06). 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 not present; however, Chief Deputy Clerk & Recorder Erica Pierski was present with her report for February. Pierski reported the revenues collected for the month were $14,031.14. Recordings are still slow as interest rates continue to climb. Early Voting started on February 23, 2023, for the Consolidated election on April 4, 2023. We have sent out approximately 240 Vote by Mail ballots. 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 present and reported that her audit was completed and stated another great job done by Hopkins Associates. Neubaum also reported that she received a grant and purchased laptops for the prosecutor and defense tables in the courtroom. There were no further questions.
County Probation Officer Shawn Oetzel was not present and had nothing to report.
Zoning Officer Ryan Giacometti was present with his report. Ryan has issued 5 building permits on several different projects. Ryan has continued updating office files and permits, developing a schedule between the two counties, and has continued working on zoning book updates. There were no questions regarding his report. (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 February. Cofoid reported (1) death for the month of February. Cofoid was not able to attend the winter training but within the next couple of months will try to get to a couple. Cofoid is updating office equipment to have better aspects of the operations and is going to be purchasing supplies as it is time to restock. 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 February 2023. The State of Illinois extended its Disaster Proclamation until April 1, 2023, which covers all 102 counties. Chantelle has continued working on the joint exercise program with Bureau County and the Bureau-Putnam LEPC. Chantelle received a letter from Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau with IEMA. She is extending our EOP and Accreditation until 2025 because there are lots of changes coming. (Letter is attached to the report) Chauntelle has received information from NCICG on grant opportunities and has been working with Chairman Lenkaitis and Lynn Haage to get the necessary paperwork submitted to them to try to get grant funding for the elevator project and OEM project. The upcoming schedule for the EMA building is looking busy for March and April. (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 sell beer and wine at the annual Corn Boil held on August 5, 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 Holocker to approve the Lake Thunderbird Associations’ request to sell beer and wine at the corn Boil. 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 County Clerk was directed to send a letter granting permission to the Association so they can get a one-day state license.
A.B.A.T.E. Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month Proclamation – The Putnam County Board Proclaims the month of May 2023 as Motorcycle Awareness Month in the County of Putnam, and urge all motorists to join in an effort to improve safety and awareness on our roadways. It was moved by board member Malavolti to approve the Proclamation. 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 (2023-06.)
OLD BUSINESS:
Putnam County Website ( www.putnamil.gov )
Website Care Report was included in the packet for the board to see the activity for February.
Correspondences and Committee Reports:
Letter of Support for the Marquis Land Holdings LLC Mega site Development Program. The funding opportunity would allow Marquis to continue remediation efforts of the Marquis Industrial Complex to provide business growth and opportunities in Hennepin, IL. This letter of support would assist with the application for more funding opportunities. It was moved by board member Malavolti to approve the State’s Attorney in sending a letter of support. 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.
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, April 10, 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