PUTNAM COUNTY REGULAR BOARD MEETING

NOVEMBER 13, 2017, 9:00 A.M.

The regular meeting of the Putnam County Board was called to order at 9:00 A.M. on Monday, November 13, 2017, in the boardroom at the Putnam County Courthouse in Hennepin, Illinois by Putnam County Board Chairman Steven Malavolti.  

Roll Call was taken by the Clerk of the County Board with Sheila Haage, William Holmes, Steven Malavolti, and Luke Holly answering.  Board member Duane Calbow was absent for the roll call. 

It was moved by board member Sheila Haage to approve the minutes from the October 10, 2017, Regular Board 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 board agreed to allow Robert Cofoid to move up on the agenda and present his Death Investigator’s report for the month of October to the board.  There were five (5) deaths reported to his office during the month of October.  Mr. Cofoid also informed the board that he will be attending the Illinois Coroner’s Meeting / Training next week in Chicago.  (The County Death Investigator Report is on file at the Office of the County Clerk for review by any interested parties.) 

The board also agreed to allow Robert Cofoid to move up on the agenda and present his PCEMA Coordinator’s report for the month of October to the board.  Mr. Cofoid’s report highlighted the attendance at various meetings, training, and other activities the agency sponsored and/or participated in during the month of October.  (The PCEMA Coordinator Report is on file at the Office of the County Clerk for review by any interested parties.)       

County Highway Engineer Pat Sloan presented his October report of County Highway Engineer and Maintenance Activities to the board.  Mr. Sloan informed the board that he has completed the Township Motor Fuel Tax documentation for the year and billed for approximately $11.000 in engineering which will be deposited in the Highway Fund.  Mr. Sloan also informed the board that he has completed contract documentation for the paving contract on Power Plant Road.  Mr. Sloan also informed the board that the electronics pick-up was held on October 27, 2017, at the Marshall County Highway Department in Lacon, Illinois.  Twenty-seven percent of the material came from Putnam County residents.  Other County Highway Engineer activities have included working with Ameren and their consultant on a road use agreement for a powerline rehabilitation project that will traverse both Marshall and Putnam Counties.  County Highway Maintenance activities have included checking the roads, servicing the Highway and Sheriff Department’s vehicles, getting the trucks and equipment prepared for snow and ice removal, cleaning up downed trees,  and finishing up mowing the roadsides for this year.  (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 reviewed his October Sheriff’s and Civil Processing Transaction Reports with the board.  Mr. Doyle informed the board that currently there are no courthouse maintenance issues that need to be addressed.  Mr. Doyle had nothing of further interest to discuss with 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 was not present for the meeting.  It was noted that Mr. Kunkel had not submitted his financial reports for October to the board prior to the meeting for their review.   

County Circuit Clerk Cathy Oliveri had nothing to report for the month of October and therefore was not present for the meeting.      

County Probation Officer Patricia Hohulin had nothing to report for the month of October and therefore was not present for the meeting. 

County Supervisor of Assessments Tammy Mehalic Mehalic had nothing to report for the month of October and therefore was not present for the meeting. 

County Zoning Officer Jim Burger presented his Zoning Officer report for the month of October to the board.  Mr. Burger informed the board that there were four (4) building permits issued during the month of October.  Two (2) were for pole buildings, one (1) for a deck, and one (1) for a patio.  There were also twelve (12) building inspections completed during the month of October.  Three (3) of the inspections were final inspections; two (2) for decks and one (1) for a room addition.  Mr. Burger had nothing of further interest to report to the board.  (The County Zoning Officer 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’s committees for the month of October.

Under “New Business” for Opioid Contracts (Melissa Sims, Pat Herrman); Attorneys Ms. Melissa Sims and Mr. Pat Herrman addressed the board to discuss the nationwide opioid addiction crisis.  Ms. Sims informed the board that pharmaceutical companies are flooding the market with various opioids and individuals are becoming addicted and overdosing at an alarming rate.  Mr. Herrman stated that the manufacturers of opioids are not informing doctors of the addicting properties relative to the use of the different types of opioids.  As a result, legal action is being considered to be taken against certain drug manufacturers for damages caused by the use of opioids.

Also under “New Business” for Regular Meeting Of The Putnam County Board, December Meeting Time Change; the board discussed changing the time of the December board meeting from 9:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.  After brief discussion, it was agreed by the board to leave the December board meeting time at 9:00 A.M. 

Also under “New Business” for Putnam County Conservation District, Trustee Appointment; the   board received a letter from the Putnam County Conservation District recommending the board’s  approval of the appointment of Mr. Dan Kotecki as trustee for the district’s board.  After brief discussion, board member Sheila Haage moved that the board approve the recommendation of the Putnam County Conservation District for the appointment of Mr. Dan Kotecki to the district’s board.  Board member William Holmes 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 send a letter to the Putnam County Conservation District informing them of the county board’s approval of their recommendation.

Also under “New Business” for Budget Meetings For Fiscal Year 12/1/2017 – 11/30/2018; the board agreed to schedule the next budget meeting for Wednesday, November 15, 2017, at 5:00 P.M.

Also under “New Business” for 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 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 October.  Board member Sheila Haage then moved that the board approve the payment of the bills for the month of October.  Board member William Holmes 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 Correspondences and Reports; the board reviewed 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.  Board Chairman Steven Malavolti also reviewed other correspondences that he had received.   

Also under “New Business” for Public Comment Period; there were no members of the public present for any comments.

At 9:50 A.M., board member Sheila Haage moved to suspend the meeting.  Board member William Holmes 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 suspended.  The next Regular Meeting of the Putnam County Board is scheduled for Monday, December 11, 2017, at 9:00 A.M. 

Respectfully submitted,

DANIEL S. KUHN

Clerk of the Putnam County Board