McLean County Justice Committee met January 2.
Here is the minutes as provided by the committee:
The Justice Committee of the McLean County Board met on Wednesday, January 2, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. in Room 400 of the Government Center, 115 E. Washington Street, Bloomington, Illinois.
Members Present: Chairman George Gordon Members Susan Schafer, Randall Martin, Jim Soeldner, Josh Barnett and George Wendt via remote attendance
Members Absent: Member Carlo Robustelli
Other County Board
Members Present Member Logan Smith and Sharon Chung
Staff Present: Mr. Bill Wasson, County Administrator, Ms. Jessica Woods, First Assistant State’s Attorney - Civil Division; Mr. Eric Schmitt, Administrative Services Director and Ms. Julie Morlock, Recording Secretary
Department Heads/
Elected Officials Present: Kathy Yoder, Coroner; Cassy Taylor, Court Services; Jon Sandage, Sheriff; Mr. Don Everhart, Circuit Clerk; Cassy Taylor, Court Services; Mr. Jason Tabb, Juvenile Detention Center
Others Present:
Chairman Gordon called the meeting to order and declared a quorum. He informed the Committee that Member Wendt had requested to attend remotely under County Board Rules and asked if there was any objection. Hearing no objection, he approved Mr. Wendt’s request to attend remotely and declared him present.
Chairman Gordon presented the minutes of the November 20, 2018 special meetings and the December 4, 2018 regular meeting for approval.
Motion by Schafer/Martin to approve the minutes from the November 20, 2018 special meeting and December 4, 2018 regular meeting minutes. Motion Carried.
Chairman Gordon confirmed there were no appearances by members of the public.
Mr. Don Everhart, McLean County Circuit Clerk presented for action a request to approve an exemption from the McLean County purchasing policy for a microfilm reader/scanner. Mr. Everhart stated that Illinois Supreme Court mandates that the permanent court record be a microfilm copy and statute requires he follow that mandate. He stated that he is required to have a way for those microfilmed documents to be read and the current Kodak system is aged and no longer serviceable. Mr. Everhart stated that he had been researching systems for a couple of years now and proposed a system that would not only read, but would allow them more capabilities such as converting to a writable PDF. He indicated that the system he proposes purchasing could be purchased at a discount of approximately $6,000 if he gets approval by the end of business today. Mr. Everhart explained the system and that the manufacturer has licensing restrictions, which only allows resellers to sell in certain territories. He stated that this limits his ability to receive multiple quotes as the policy requires. He stated that other systems do not offer the capabilities that this system does and would recommend it to not only meet needs of today but possible and more probably needs of the future. Mr. Soeldner asked him to confirm this machine’s capabilities. Mr. Everhart went over the capabilities. Ms. Schafer asked if this put documents on microfilm. Mr. Everhart confirmed it does not put on microfilm. He indicated they have to put document on microfilm before they can destroy the paper copy, and in turn, they have to have a way to read the microfilm. Chairman Gordon indicated that because this is an exemption from County policy, the McLean County Ordinance requires approval by 2/3 vote of the oversight committee. Mr. Wasson also clarified this approval was only needed by the oversight committee, but would be included in minutes as it does need to be reported to the Board.
Motion Martin/Barnett to approve an exemption from the McLean County Code purchase policy (2/3 vote required by McLean County Code) – unanimous vote from the oversight.
Motion Carried – chair voted
Mr. Everhart presented his monthly reports. He indicated that he would present an emergency appropriation to stand up for the microfilm reader. Chairman Gordon asked if there were any additional questions for Mr. Everhart, hearing none; he thanked him.
Ms. Carla Barnes, Public Defender presented her monthly reports. Chairman Gordon asked if there were any questions; hearing none, he thanked Ms. Barnes.
Mr. Jon Sandage, Sheriff presented for action a request to approve Ray O’Herron’s 2019 Uniform and Equipment Bid for the McLean County Sheriff’s Office. He indicated O’Herron’s was the only bidder to provide a complete bid.
Motion by Martin/Barnett to recommend approval of Ray O’Herron’s 2019 Uniform and Equipment Bid for the McLean County Sheriff’s Office
Motion Carried.
Mr. Sandage presented for action a request to approve a Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan proposal submitted by American Environmental Corporation. He stated that if we do not have a plan in place and a natural disaster would occur, we would be limited in the amount of federal financial assistance we would receive. Mr. Soeldner asked for the definition of a natural hazardous disaster. Mr. Sandage provided examples of a tornado or flood. Mr. Soeldner asked him to confirm that we were not talking about hazardous materials. Mr. Sandage confirmed.
Motion by Soeldner/Schafer to recommend approval of Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan proposal submitted by American Environmental Corporation
Motion Carried. Chair voted
Mr. Sandage presented his monthly report for the Sheriff’s Department. Ms. Schafer asked if there were inmates in the new addition. Mr. Sandage indicated there were not. Chairman Gordon asked if there were comments or questions; hearing none, he thanked Mr. Sandage.
Ms. Molly Evans, Director, Children’s Advocacy Center presented for action a request to approve the GATA Inter-Governmental Agreement and Revised Amended Budget for the CASA VOCA Grant with the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority. Ms. Evans explained this is an extension to the current grant through June 30th that covers salary, benefit, travel and training for three CASA staff as well as utilities. Ms. Schafer asked if they came to us for this extension or we went to them. Ms. Evans indicated this came from them to put this grant in line with the state budget.
Motion by Martin/Schafer to recommend approval of the GATA InterGovernmental Agreement and Revised Amended Budget for the CASA VOCA Grant with the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority.
Motion Carried.
Ms. Evans presented her monthly statistical reports to the Committee. Chairman Gordon asked if there were any questions, hearing none, he thanked her.
Ms. Kathy Yoder, McLean County Coroner presented her monthly report. Ms. Yoder indicated a decrease in overdose numbers and continued increase in out-of-county autopsy numbers. Chairman Gordon asked if the Committee had any questions for Ms. Yoder, hearing none, he thanked her.
Mr. Wasson explained that Mr. Knapp was called out of town but his monthly reports were in the packet, and he and Ms. Woods would attempt to answer any questions. Chairman Gordon asked the Committee if there were any questions or comments; hearing none, he thanked them.
Ms. Cassy Taylor, Director, Court Services presented her monthly reports. She indicated they had hired a Veteran’s Court Mentor Coordinator who was already reaching out to people. Chairman Gordon asked if the Committee had any questions for Ms. Taylor; hearing none, he thanked her.
Mr. Bill Wasson, County Administrator presented his monthly report on recent employment activities. Mr. Soeldner asked about three hires with Coroner. Mr. Wasson indicated those included seasonal/occasional. Mr. Soeldner asked if she had a chief deputy. Mr. Wasson indicated she did not. Chairman Gordon asked if there were any further questions for Mr. Wasson; hearing none, he thanked him.
Chairman Gordon asked if there was any other business to come before the Committee; hearing none, he moved to the payment of the Bills and Transfers. He indicated the transfer included for information only and had been approved at Health Committee.
Chairman Gordon presented the Justice Committee with bills for review and approval as transmitted by the County Auditor with a prepaid total of $355,709.25. Mr. Gordon indicated that the Auditor indicated there were overages in a couple of budgets. Mr. Wasson confirmed those would be taken care of during end of the year clean up.
Motion Soeldner/Martin to approve the Justice Committee bills as transmitted by the County Auditor with a prepaid total of $355,709.25.
Motion Carried.
Chairman Gordon asked for a motion to go into closed session pursuant to 5ILCS 120/2(c)(1) in order to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees of the public body or legal counsel for the public body including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity. Mr. Wasson indicated that members attending remotely cannot attend a closed session and Mr. Wendt has already disconnected from the meeting. Chairman Gordon indicated members of the Committee, other elected members of the McLean County Board, Administration Staff of Mr. Wasson, Ms. Woods and Mr. Schmitt could remain.
Motion by Schafer/Martin to go into closed session pursuant to 5ILCS 120/2(c)(1) in order to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees of the public body or legal counsel for the public body including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity.
The Justice Committee entered into closed session at 3:34 p.m.
The Justice Committee returned to open session at 3:45 p.m.
Chairman Gordon asked if there was any other business or communication for the Justice Committee; hearing none, he adjourned at 3:46 p.m.
https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/6489
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