PUTNAM COUNTY REGULAR BOARD MEETING
MARCH 11, 2013, 10:00 A.M.
The regular meeting of the Putnam County Board was called to order at 10:00 A.M. on Monday, March 11, 2013, in the boardroom at the Putnam County Courthouse in Hennepin, Illinois by Putnam County Board Chairman, Duane A. Calbow.
Roll Call was taken by the Clerk of the County Board with Duane Calbow, Chauntelle Biagi-Bruer, Sheila Haage, William Holmes, and Jordan Ellena answering.
It was then moved by board member Chauntelle Biagi-Bruer to approve the minutes from the February 11, 2013, Regular Board Meeting. Board member Jordan Ellena seconded the motion and the motion was carried on a board vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 0 absent.
Sheriff Kevin Doyle presented his February Sheriff’s and Civil Processing Transaction Reports to the board. Mr. Doyle was asked by the board to find out the number of years of service that Donnie Camatti had prior to his retirement. The years of service is needed for his memorial plaque. The board also asked Mr. Doyle to look into the possibility of the county adopting an ordinance that would require door to door salespeople to register with the County Sheriff’s Office. Mr. Doyle stated that there are no current maintenance issues within the courthouse complex and that he had nothing further to report to the board at this time. (Mr. Doyle’s 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 February to the board. The General Fund’s working balance for the month of February - 2013 was $719.53 compared to a working balance of $28,363.43 for the month of February - 2012. The General Fund Income for the month of February - 2013 was $137,876.02 compared to $185,147.07 for the month of February - 2012. Mr. Kunkel’s report also included a review of the “General Fund Accounts Balance by Month - 2013". The General Fund balance for the month of February - 2013 was $15,809.55. The General Fund Savings balance for the month of February - 2013 was $449,278.42. The Illinois Fund - General Fund balance for the month of February - 2013 was $549,029.20. Mr. Kunkel’s report also included a review of the budget for the current fiscal year for the period ending February 28, 2013. The actual versus budget variance percent target for the period is 0.250%. Mr. Kunkel also informed the board that he is reviewing options for property owners to pay their property taxes on-line via the county web-site. (Mr. Kunkel’s financial reports are on file at the Office of the County Clerk for review by any interested parties.)
County Circuit Clerk Cathy Oliveri had nothing to report for the month of February and therefore was not present for the meeting. Ms. Oliveri had submitted the “10th Judicial Circuit’s Policy on Access for Persons with Disabilities” to the board for their review prior to the meeting.
County Probation Officer Greg Duffy had nothing to report for the month of February and therefore was not present for the meeting.
County Supervisor of Assessments Tammy Mehalic had nothing to report for the month of February and therefore was not present for the meeting.
County Zoning Officer Jim Burger was not present for the meeting. It was also noted that Mr. Burger had not submitted his Zoning Officer Report for the month of February for review by the board.
County Death Investigator Robert Cofoid presented his Death Investigator’s report for the month of February to the board. There were two (2) deaths reported to his office during the month of February. Mr. Cofoid informed the board that he will be attending the ICMEA Winter Conference in Mt. Vernon, Illinois later this week. (Mr. Cofoid’s report is on file at the Office of the County Clerk for review by any interested parties.)
Putnam County Emergency Management Agency Coordinator Jim Goldasich was not present for the meeting. The board reviewed his agency’s report for the month of February. The board briefly discussed the newly acquired EMA building and the garage / equipment building construction project. (Mr. Goldasich’s report is on file at the Office of the County Clerk for review by any interested parties.)
County Highway Engineer Edward Andrews reviewed his February report of County Highway Engineer and Maintenance Activities with the board. Mr. Andrews informed the board that he has finalized and submitted the MFT program to the IDOT for March 22nd opening. This year’s program will encompass over forty (40) miles of pavement throughout the county, including seven and one half (7.5) miles of seal-coating of County Highways as a means of limited pavement preservation. This year’s estimate shows that nearly 80% of paving cost per mile is attributed to oil (over 150,000 gallons). Mr. Andrews also discussed the County Highway Building renovation project with the board. Other County Highway Engineer activities have included attendance at the IACE’s Review Committee by webinar on February 14th. The critical state of transportation funding and the distribution of state MFT revenues were the main topics of discussion. County Highway Maintenance activities have included checking roads, discussing this year’s road projects with County Engineer, spreading salt on roads, plowing snow, cleaning up shop, washing down trucks and frames, and servicing the highway and sheriff’s vehicles. (The County Highway Engineer and Maintenance Activities report is on file at the Office of the County Clerk for review by any interested parties.)
Under “Old Business” for Committee Reports; board (committee) members Jordan Ellena and Chauntelle Biagi-Bruer discussed their attendance at the January U.C.C.I. meeting. The Open Meetings Act Certification was one of the topics of discussion. Board (committee) members Chauntelle Biagi-Bruer and William Holmes discussed change orders for the County Highway Building renovation project. They will meet with the County Highway Engineer to discuss any new occurrences. If over the allotted amount, the committee will discuss with the full board for approval. There were no other reports from any of the board’s other committee members.
Under “New Business” for Joint Resolution To Incorporate Putnam County Into The LaSalle County Regional Office Of Education No. 35; the board reviewed and discussed the resolution which seeks the board’s approval for the voluntary consolidation of Putnam County into an educational service region of LaSalle, Marshall, and Putnam Counties, effective July 1, 2015, to meet the population requirement of Section 3A-4 of the School Code (at least 61,000 inhabitants). This has been brought about by the State Legislation which dictates the reduction in the number of Regional Offices of Education. After brief discussion, board member Chauntelle Biagi-Bruer moved that the board approve and adopt the resolution for the voluntary consolidation as so provided for by the language in the said resolution. Board member Jordan Ellena seconded the motion and the motion was carried on a board vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 0 absent. The Clerk of the County Board was directed to process the resolution (#2013-10).
Also under “New Business” for Heritage Corridor Convention And Visitors Bureau Update; Mr. Robert Navarro, President and CEO of the bureau updated the board on the bureau’s projects and activities.
Also under “New Business” for Granville-Hennepin Fire Protection District, Trustee Re-appointment; the board reviewed a letter of request from the Granville-Hennepin Fire Protection District for the re-appointment of Mr. John Holmbeck to their board of trustees. After brief discussion, board member Sheila Haage moved that the board approve the request for the re-appointment of Mr. Holmbeck as trustee for the Granville-Hennepin Fire Protection District. Board member Chauntelle Biagi-Bruer seconded the motion and the motion was carried on a board vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 0 absent. The Clerk of the County Board was directed to send a letter to the district informing them of the board’s decision.
Also under “New Business” for County Board Proclamation for Motorcycle Safety & Awareness Month (May); Mr. Robert Ganze with the Starved Rock chapter of A.B.A.T.E. (A Brotherhood Aimed Toward Education) of Illinois, Inc. had submitted to the board a proclamation for review and approval for execution. A.B.A.T.E. of Illinois, Inc. is striving to provide a safe, unrestricted motorcycling environment in the State of Illinois, community by community. In an effort to enhance and promote motorcycle safety, education, and awareness, Monthly Safety and Awareness Month Proclamations are being presented to the leaders of the community, respectfully requesting the execution of the proclamation. A.B.A.T.E. of Illinois,, Inc. has proclaimed the month of May as Motorcycle Awareness Month. After brief discussion, board member Chauntelle Biagi-Bruer moved that the board approve and execute the proclamation for Motorcycle Awareness during the month of May in Putnam County. Board member William Holmes seconded the motion and the motion was carried on a board vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 0 absent.
Also under “New Business” for Resolutions For Authorization To Execute Deeds Of Conveyance; Putnam County Clerk Dan Kuhn presented to the board the draft of a resolution authorizing the Chairman of the Putnam County Board to execute a deed of conveyance of the county’s interest or authorize the cancellation of the appropriate Certificate of Purchase as it relates to specific delinquent tax properties acquired by the County of Putnam as Trustee for the Taxing Districts. After brief discussion, board member Chauntelle Biagi-Bruer 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 board vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 0 absent. The Clerk of the County Board was directed to process the resolution (#2013-11).
Also under “New Business” for Tax Redemptions; State’s Attorney James Mack stated that, to date, the county no longer has interest in any delinquent tax properties.
Also under “New Business” for Putnam County Website; the board discussed the progress being made with the overall content of the website. The addition of information, monitoring and updating will continue. The site’s address is www.co.putnam.il.us.
Also under “New Business” for Approve Bills; the county board reviewed the bills for the month of February. Board member Sheila Haage then moved that the board approve the payment of the bills for the month of February. Board member William Holmes seconded the motion and the motion was carried on a board vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 0 absent.
Also under “New Business” for Correspondences and Reports; the board reviewed the monthly reports from the County Clerk’s Office and the Regional Office of Education. The board also reviewed the legislative reports from the Illinois Association of County Board Members and Commissioners and information from the United Counties Council of Illinois.
Also under “New Business” for Public Comment Period; there were no members of the public present at the meeting.
At 11:25 A.M., board member Sheila Haage moved to adjourn the meeting. Board member Chauntelle Biagi-Bruer seconded the motion and the motion was carried on a board vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 0 absent. The meeting was adjourned. The next Regular Meeting of the Putnam County Board is scheduled for Monday, April 8, 2013, at 4:00 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
DANIEL S. KUHN
Clerk of the Putnam County Board