The regular meeting of the Putnam County Board was called to order at 5:30 P.M. on Monday, September 10, 2018, 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 Duane Calbow, William Holmes, Steven Malavolti, and Luke Holly answering. Board member Sheila Haage was absent for the meeting.
It was moved by board member William Holmes to approve the minutes from the August 13, 2018, Regular Board Meeting. Board member Duane Calbow 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 Luke Holly to approve the minutes from the August 15, 2018, Putnam County Board Finance Committee Meeting. Board member Duane Calbow 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 Luke Holly to approve the minutes from the August 20, 2018, Putnam County Board Special Meeting. Board member Duane Calbow 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 unable to be present for the meeting. Mr. Sloan’s secretary, Ms. Susie Simmons, presented the August report of County Highway Engineer and Maintenance Activities to the board. Ms. Simmons informed the board that the construction of the salt storage building foundation and floor is underway. The fabric building will be erected when the foundation and floor is completed. Ms. Simmons also informed the board that the striping of no-passing zones and centerlines on county highways will be completed next month. Ms. Simmons also informed the board that the proposed Bottom Road Bridge project plans have been sent to adjacent land owners. A secondary Spring Valley Boat Club entrance as part of the overall project has been discussed with the boat club. Other County Highway Engineer activities have included a Resolution Appointing a County Highway Engineer with Marshall County and an Intergovernmental Agreement for County Engineer Services for both Marshall and Putnam Counties. The board agreed to table the two (2) items for discussion and decision until the October 9, 2018, Regular Meeting of the Putnam County Board. County Highway Maintenance activities have included checking the roads, servicing the Highway and Sheriff Department’s vehicles, patching edges on South Mark Road and Fish N’ Fun Road, fixing some driveways along with filling in shoulders, mowing roadsides, preparing for salt shed construction, and preparing equipment for the upcoming winter road maintenance. (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 August 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. There was a mechanical problem with the John Deere mower that was repaired. The repairs were covered under warranty. 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 presented his financial reports for the month of August to the board. The General Fund’s working balance for the month of August, Fiscal Year 2018 was $143,256.61 compared to a working balance of $108,909.71 for the month of August, Fiscal Year 2017. Mr. Kunkel’s report also included a review of the “General Fund Accounts Balance by Month, Fiscal Year 2018". The General Fund balance for the month of August, Fiscal Year 2018, was $46,123.00. The General Fund Savings balance for the month of August, Fiscal Year 2018, was $180,924.99. The Illinois Fund - General Fund balance for the month of August, Fiscal Year 2018, was $41,544.11. The actual versus budget variance percent target for the period is 75%. Mr. Kunkel also informed the board that the 2nd installment of property taxes is due September 18, 2018. Mr. Kunkel also informed the board that the problems with the Computer Information Concepts (C.I.C.) budgetary and accounting software program have improved. Currently, the General Fund is now in balance. (The County Treasurer’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 August and therefore was not present for the meeting.
County Probation Officer Patricia Hohulin had nothing to report for the month of August and therefore was not present for the meeting.
County Supervisor of Assessments Tammy Mehalic had nothing to report for the month of August and therefore was not present for the meeting.
County Zoning Officer Jim Burger presented his Zoning Officer report for the month of August to the board. Mr. Burger informed the board that there were five (5) building permits issued during the month of August. There were sixteen (16) building inspections completed during the month of August. One (1) of the final inspections was for a house that did not pass the final inspection. It will be inspected again after corrections are made. Mr. Burger discussed the noxious weed control procedure. The Soil and Water Conservation District will be contacted for clarification of what is required by the county. (The County Zoning Officer Report is on file at the Office of the County Clerk for review by any interested parties.)
County Death Investigator Robert Cofoid was not present for the meeting. It was noted that Mr. Cofoid had not submitted his Death Investigator report for the month of August to the board for their review prior to the meeting.
Putnam County Office of Emergency Management Coordinator Robert Cofoid was not present for the meeting. It was noted that Mr. Cofoid had not submitted his Putnam County Office of Emergency Management Coordinator’s for the month of August to the board for their review prior to the meeting.
Under “Old Business” for Committee Reports; there were no reports from any of the board’s committees for the month of August.
Under “New Business”, the agenda item for Resolution For Dispatching Services was moved up on the agenda as agreed to by the board. The board reviewed a draft of a Resolution Authorizing Agreement For Dispatching. Currently, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office dispatching center dispatches emergency calls for many entities other than for the County Sheriff and County Departments. The cost of that dispatching center has been borne exclusively by the county over the last many years. The resolution recommends that the costs of dispatch should be allocated to rural Village Police Departments and that the allocation should be based on proportional shares of dispatching activity (CAD Events). After further discussion, board member Duane Calbow moved that the County, Sheriff, and all Village Police Departments enter into separate contracts outlining the finances and services with the Village’s portion of the costs for the Dispatch Center being allocated proportionately to Village Police Departments based on the total rural CAD Events, beginning July 1, 2018 contract year. 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 Clerk for the County Board was directed to process the Resolution (#2018-19).
Also under “New Business” for Opioids Contract Decision; Attorney Mr. Pat Herrmann was present and addressed the board to discuss Putnam County’s participation in a class action lawsuit against the producers of opioids. Mr. Herrmann stated that opioid producers told doctors that various opioids prescribed to their patients were safe and non-addictive which has proven to not be the case. The case information for the number of cases in Putnam County can be provided by the Sheriff’s Department and the Death Investigator. Mr. Herrmann also stated the there will be no cost to the county in enter into the lawsuit unless there is an award that exceeds the legal costs or if the county withdraws from the lawsuit. Attorney fees would be 25 percent of an award. Putnam County State’s Attorney Christina Judd-Mennie informed the board that she has reviewed the contract and is in support if the board votes to approve it and enter the class action lawsuit. After further discussion, board member Duane Calbow moved that the board enters into a contract which would allow for the county’s participation in the class action lawsuit. 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.
Also under “New Business” for Resolutions (2) For Authorization By County Board Chairman To Execute Deeds Of Conveyance; Putnam County Clerk Dan Kuhn presented to the board the drafts of two (2) resolution authorizing the Chairman of the Putnam County Board to execute deeds of conveyance of the county’s interest or authorize the cancellation of the appropriate Certificate(s) 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 Duane Calbow moved that the board approve and adopt the two (2) resolutions as written. Board member William Holmes seconded the motion and the motion was carried on a board vote of 3 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 absent. The Clerk of the County Board was directed to process the Resolutions (#2018-20 & #2018-21).
Also under “New Business” for Budget Meetings For Fiscal Year 12/1/2018 - 11/30/2019; the board agreed to schedule the Finance Committee’s budget meetings on September 17 and September 24, 2018, at 5:30 P.M. Tentative budget meetings are scheduled for Oct. 1, 15, 22, and 29, 2018, at 5:30 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 August. Board member William Holmes then moved that the board approve the payment of the bills for the month of August. Board member Duane Calbow 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 6:20 P.M., board member Luke Holly moved to adjourn the meeting. Board member Duane Calbow seconded the motion and the motion was carried on a roll call board vote of 3ayes, 0 nays, and 1 absent. The meeting was adjourned. The next Regular Meeting of the Putnam County Board is scheduled for Tuesday, October 9, 2018, at 5:30 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
DANIEL S. KUHN
Clerk of the Putnam County Board