McLean County Property Committee met Nov. 7.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
Members Present: Chairman Josh Barnett, Members Jacob Beard, Elizabeth Johnston (4:48) and Logan Smith
Members Absent: Member Lyndsay Bloomfield, William Friedrich, Gerald Thompson
Other Members Present: Chairman John McIntyre
Staff Present: Camille Rodriguez, County Administrator; Eric Schmitt, Assistant County Administrator; Cassy Taylor, Assistant County Administrator; Jessica Woods, First Assistant State’s Attorney – Civil Division; and Ms. Julie Morlock, Recording Secretary;
Department Heads/Elected Officials Present: Mr. Mike Steffa
Others Present: None
Chairman Barnett called the meeting to order and declared a quorum with the attendance of Chairman McIntyre.
Chairman Barnett presented the minutes from the September 17, 2019 special meeting and October 3, 2019 regular meeting of the Property Committee for approval.
Motion by Smith/Beard to approve the September 17, 2019 special meeting and October 3, 2019 regular meeting minutes of the Property Committee.
Motion carried.
Member Johnston arrived 4:48 p.m. Quorum of regular Property Committee members confirmed.
Chairman Barnett indicated the first item on the Agenda was a presentation by the Laborers’ International Union of North America from the Laborer’s Home Development Corporation regarding the Fairview Building. He welcomed Jayne Lourash and Tim Ryan and they presented a video presentation. Mr. Ryan handed out and went over floor plans for the original building renovation and new construction. Mr. Barnett asked them to confirm they had walked through with an architect. Mr. Ryan and Ms. Lourash confirmed and said foundation of building is in good condition. Ms. Johnston asked if there were plans for the basement. Ms. Lourash indicated they would probably leave it for mechanical and maintenance. Mr. Ryan indicated the current systems in the basement would probably need to be brought out and/or brought up to date. Ms. Lourash confirmed building and units would be energy efficient. Ms. Lourash also explained Federal and State historical tax credits and limits to what could be changed in the building. Mr. Barnett asked if they have rehabbed other older buildings. Ms. Lourash indicated they have rehabbed some of their building, and are starting rehab of old high school to turn into senior apartments. Mr. Beard asked what they would want from the County. Ms. Lourash indicated they do not have a typical ask and provided examples of incentives they have received in past. Chairman McIntyre asked if subject to property tax. Ms. Lourash indicated they are based on income not value. Mr. Chairman asked qualifications for low income. Ms. Lourash went over funding based on percentages of median income in the area. Mr. McIntyre asked how other building owners have responded to their facilities. Ms. Lourash indicated complexes near their facilities usually try to keep their building updated. Ms. Lourash said she likes that they are proposing to put affordable senior housing next to a nursing home and provided example of how that would be beneficial.
Ms. Johnston asked about break down of homes and percentages. Mr. Ryan went over typical breakdown. Ms. Johnston asked them to confirm the new building will be maxed energy efficient. Ms. Lourash confirmed and said old building will be ADA compliant as well. Mr. McIntyre asked for clarification on skilled care and how that would work into this project and if they have assisted living communities. Ms. Lourash indicated that they have one supportive living facility but state funding has changed so they have not been developing any assisted living facilities. Mr. Ryan also indicated they try to help with Veteran’s housing, so they would reach out to see how they could help with that population in this community. Chairman Barnett asked if there were any other questions or comments; hearing none, he thanked them for their time.
Mr. Mike Steffa, Director, Parks & Recreation presented his general report to the Committee and let them know he applied and received a permit for the deer counts. He stated he would pass out letters to those around the park to let them know they would be doing the spotlighting for deer counts, as it is illegal to do unless you have a permit. Chairman Barnett asked if there were any questions, hearing none, he thanked him.
Ms. Camille Rodriguez presented for review and approval the 2020 Recommended budgets for PBC Lease Government Center Building (0161-0115-0115), PBC Lease Law & Justice Building (0161-0045-0050), PBC Rent/ O&M Government Center Building (0162-0115- 0115), PBC Rent/O&M Courthouse (0162-0041-0049), PBC Rent/O&M Law & Justice Center (0162-0045-0050), PBC Rent/O&M Animal Control (0162-0041-0065), and PBC Rent/O&M JDC (0162-0041-0022). Mr. Schmitt went over each line and noted any differences from previous year’s budget. He noted that the Bond on Government Center would be paid in the next year. Ms. Johnston asked if the expansion was at full capacity. Mr. Schmitt indicated it is not at full capacity. She asked if mental health areas were being used. Mr. Schmitt confirmed they are. Mr. Beard asked about long-term condition of the Animal Control building. Ms. Rodriguez indicated that were looking at possible location or other changes for that building.
Motion by Smith/Johnston to recommend approval of 2020 Recommended budgets for PBC Lease Government Center Building (0161-0115-0115), PBC Lease Law & Justice Building (0161-0045-0050), PBC Rent/ O&M
Government Center Building (0162-0115-0115), PBC Rent/O&M Courthouse (0162-0041-0049), PBC Rent/O&M Law & Justice Center (0162-0045-0050), PBC Rent/O&M Animal Control (0162-0041-0065), and PBC Rent/O&M JDC (0162-0041-0022).
Motion Carried.
Ms. Rodriguez presented for action a request to approve a proposal for architectural/engineering services from Farnsworth Group for the Nursing Home. Ms. Rodriguez indicated they reached out to Farnsworth Group because of standing relationship with them from the Law and Justice Expansion. She stated there are certain items that require attention at the nursing home with deadlines following a State and Federal survey. Mr. Schmitt went over specific areas that needed to be addressed including smoke barrier walls, sprinkler system and electrical panels. Mr. Schmitt went over budgeted amount for the design work. Ms. Johnston asked him to confirm this is just for the design work. Mr. Schmitt confirmed design work and that they would put out a request for bids for the construction. Ms. Johnston asked about a deadline from the State. Mr. Schmitt and Mr. Runge indicated plan of correction includes a 1-year waiver. Mr. Barnett asked about consequences if we did not make correction. Ms. Rodriguez indicated we could lose our licenses to provide services.
Motion by Beard/Smith to recommend approval of proposal for architectural/engineering services from Farnsworth Group for the Nursing Home.
Motion Carried.
Ms. Rodriguez presented for information a project at the Old Courthouse, the McLean County Museum of History to replace lighting and update the restrooms utilizing an IDNR grant. Mr. Schmitt indicated that Mr. Moody helped the Museum submit paperwork for this grant in 2013-2014, but funding of the grant was put on hold until recently. He stated the project would include refurbishing the lighting with updated wiring and more energy efficient lighting as well as an update to the restrooms on the first floor and possibly one on the second floor. Mr. Schmitt went over floor plans to show what they would be doing and discussed staging of the project to least interfere with the operation of the museum. Mr. Barnett asked if they could meet at the museum next month and staff indicated they would take care of that.
Ms. Rodriguez went over the positions filled report. Chairman Barnett asked if there was any questions, hearing none, he thanked her.
Chairman Barnett stated under other business that the Committee heard a presentation for the Fairview building and asked the Committee if they would like to have it put out for an RFP to get other proposals. It was the consensus of the Committee to put it out for RFP to see if there are other proposals or suggestions on how to best utilize the Fairview building. Ms. Rodriguez indicated they would put out a request for information and gather ideas from the Community and would do some informal discussions with Department Heads about possible County use of the building. The Committee agreed they would like to have a decision made by the March 2020 meeting.
Chairman Barnett presented a transfer for the Facilities Department for approval. Mr. Schmitt indicated that first transfer is for uniforms and bulletproof vests for the screeners at the Law & Justice Center.
Motion by Smith/Johnston to approve the transfer for the Facilities Department. Motion Carried.
Chairman Barnett presented a transfer for the Facilities Department for approval. Mr. Schmitt indicated that this is to add antifreeze for chillers in the government center after replacing chillers this past spring.
Motion by Beard Johnston to approve the transfer for the Facilities Department. Motion Carried.
Chairman Barnett presented the bills from the Auditor with a Prepaid Total and Fund total amount of $4,080,342.20.
Motion by Beard/Johnston to approve payments of bills from the Auditor in the amount of $4,080,342.20.
Motion Carried
Chairman Barnett asked if there was any other business to come before the Committee; hearing none, he adjourned the meeting at 6:04 p.m.
https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/7018
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