McLean County Times

McLean County Executive Committee Met April 12.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

The Executive Committee of the McLean County Board met at 4:30 p.m. in Room 404, Government Center, 115 E. Washington Street, Bloomington, Illinois.

Members Present: Chairman John McIntyre and Member Metsker (in Person), Members Jim Soeldner, Chuck Erickson, Susan Schafer, Laurie Wollrab, Josh Barnett, Randall Martin and George Wendt (Via Remote Attendance)

Members Absent: None

Other Board Members Present: None

Staff Present: Camille Rodriguez, County Administrator; Mr. Chris Spanos, First Assistant State’s Attorney – Civil Division, Julie Morlock, Recording Secretary (in person); Cassy Taylor, Assistant County Administrator; Cathy Dreyer Assistant County Administrator (via Remote Attendance)

Department Heads/ Elected Officials Present: Mr. Craig Nelson Information Technologies Director (In-person); Ms. Trisha Malott, Behavioral Health Coordinating Council Supervisor; Mr. Rai Lai, Regional Planning Director, (via remote attendance)

Others Present: Mr. Patrick Hoban, Economic Development Council (via remote attendance)

Chairman McIntyre called to order a meeting of the Executive Committee at 4:30 p.m. and asked Ms. Morlock to Call Roll. Chairman McIntyre stated all members were present and declared a quorum.

Chairman McIntyre presented the minutes from the March 8, 2021 regular meeting of the Executive Committee for approval.

Motion by Barnett/Wendt to approve the minutes from the March 8, 2021 regular meeting of the Executive Committee.

Motion Carried. Roll Call Vote- all Members present voted yes including the Chairman

Chairman McIntyre confirmed with Ms. Rodriguez there were no public comments. Chairman McIntyre presented the appointments or reappointments for approval.

Motion by Schafer/Martin to recommend approval of the appointments and reappointments.

Motion Carried. Roll call vote. All members present voted yes including the chairman.

Chairman McIntyre presented for action for the Information Technologies Department a request to approve DNDC-Areawide bid for phone maintenance services. Mr. Nelson confirmed the total amount of the bid.

Motion by McIntyre/Metsker to recommend approval of DNDC-Areawide bid for phone maintenance services

Motion Carried. Roll call vote – all members present voted yes including the Chairman.

Chairman McIntyre indicated the Information Technology report was in the packet and asked if there were any questions, hearing none he thanked Mr. Nelson.

Chairman McIntyre indicated there was a report from the Behavioral Health Coordinating Council Supervisor in the packet and asked if there are any questions. Ms. Malott indicated that the current online forums were coming to an end in May and the group would be meeting soon to discuss fall forums. Chairman McIntyre asked if there were any questions; hearing none, he thanked her.

Ms. Catherine Metsker, Chairman of the Finance Committee indicated they had no items for action for the Executive Committee but would have items for the Board. Chairman McIntyre asked if there were any questions; hearing none, he thanked her.

Ms. Susan Schafer, Chairman of the Health Committee presented for action a request to approve an Emergency Appropriation Ordinance Amending the McLean County Fiscal Year 2020 Combined Annual Appropriation and Budget Ordinance for the Nursing Home.

Motion by Schafer/Martin to recommend approval of an Emergency Appropriation Ordinance Amending the McLean County Fiscal Year 2020 Combined Annual Appropriation and Budget Ordinance for the Nursing Home.

Motion carried. Roll call vote – all members present voted yes including the Chairman.

Ms. Schafer indicated they had nothing further for action today or for the Board. Chairman McIntyre asked if there were any questions, hearing none, he thanked her.

Mr. Chuck Erickson, Chairman of the Justice Committee presented for action a request to approve an Emergency Appropriation Ordinance Amending the McLean County Fiscal Year 2021 Combined Annual Appropriation and Budget Ordinance – Children’s Advocacy Center.

Motion by Erickson/Wendt to recommend approval of an Emergency Appropriation Ordinance Amending the McLean County Fiscal Year 2021 Combined Annual Appropriation and Budget Ordinance – Children’s Advocacy Center.

Motion Carried. Roll Call Vote - all Members present voted yes including the Chairman

Mr. Erickson indicated the Justice Committee had no further items for action today but would have additional items for the Board. Chairman McIntyre asked if there were any questions, hearing none, he thanked him.

Mr. George Wendt, Chairman of the Land Use and Development Committee indicated they had no items for action today but would have an item for the Board. Chairman McIntyre asked if the Committee had any questions, hearing none, he thanked him.

Mr. Josh Barnett, Chairman of the Property Committee indicated he had no action items for the Committee today but would have an item for the Board. Chairman McIntyre asked if there were any questions; hearing none, he thanked him.

Mr. Jim Soeldner Chairman of the Transportation Committee presented for action a request to approve a Jurisdictional Transfer Agreement, Jurisdictional Transfer Resolution, Transfer Ordinance, Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of Chenoa for Section 20-00053-01-RS – Division Street in Chenoa. He indicated these documents would transfer maintenance and upkeep of 1.8 miles to City of Chenoa. Mr. McIntyre asked him to confirm this was on County Highway 19. Mr. Soeldner confirmed.

Motion by Soeldner/Metsker to recommend approval of a Jurisdictional Transfer Agreement, Jurisdictional Transfer Resolution, Transfer Ordinance, Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of Chenoa for Section 20-00053-01- RS – Division Street in Chenoa

Motion Carried. Roll call vote – all members present voted yes including the chairman.

Mr. Soeldner indicated they had no further items for action today but would have items for the Board. Chairman McIntyre asked if there were any questions; hearing none, he thanked him.

Ms. Camille Rodriguez, County Administrator presented for action a request to approve a Memorandum of Understanding between Illinois State University, Illinois Wesleyan University, and other participating agencies and the Town of Normal, City of Bloomington and McLean County. Ms. Schafer thanked Ms. Rodriguez for sending memo and link to video, but that she had more questions and concerns than last month. Ms. Schafer stated it refers to BN and had concerns the name did not represent the entire county. She stated the video showed good things including internet access for rural areas and a tech hub for retaining and attracting jobs, but her concern was that smart cities tended to focus on municipal areas and was not sure how this would assist all of the County. She further stated other groups such as CJCC and BHCC had been created without an MOU, so she was not sure why we needed this MOU. Ms. Schafer stated she also wanted to have a plan in place that showed consideration of all stakeholders’ interests and needs as well as showing revenue sources for projects before they entered into an agreement.

Mr. Soeldner also thanked Ms. Rodriguez for link to video. He stated he did not want the rural part of the county left out. He stated that he felt that if we entered into this agreement then rural communities would be part of the planning to make sure rural needs and improvements for their communities were considered and included. Mr. Wendt asked if Member Schafer wanted to postpone this until next month to get more information. Ms. Schafer stated she would listen to to more information and then had motion she wanted to propose.

Mr. Lai stated this MOU is the first step in a partnership were parties agree to collaborate. He stated there is no plan because there are no specific projects. Mr. Lai indicated once they agree to work together, then the group can work on a plan and seek funding for projects that will help urban and rural areas. He stated he felt having an official agreement in place would help with the new federal government infrastructure plan grant funding opportunities. Mr. Lai stated the group also discussed the use of BN and felt that is how many identify this area; BN or Bloomington Normal and wanted to have that recognition as the group felt it would bring projects to the area that would benefit all of the County.

Mr. McIntyre asked the origin of this MOU. Mr. Lai stated the group had been in discussions for a few years, even before he came to work for the County. He stated that BN Advantage is not part of this as it was work with Universities and metro lab. Mr. McIntyre asked if metro lab was national. Mr. Lai confirmed and indicated metro lab works with a lot of universities. Mr. Hoban stated he agreed that this was the start of a collaboration to assist the community. Mr. Hoban stated the general form resolution was from Metro Lab but was brought to other parties by ISU.

Ms. Schafer made motion to amend MOU. She stated not against this but did not feel the MOU was necessary. Mr. Erickson stated he hoped they could rotate approval of future documents brought through this agreement so the County was not always last. Mr. Barnett asked if this had been approved by City, Town and ISU and Wesleyan. Mr. Lai stated the City of Bloomington would be considering at their meeting that evening, but other parties have approved. Mr. Barnett stated that if changes are made then it would have to go back to those parties. Ms. Rodriguez reminded the Committee that item was brought in both February and March and tabled both times. Ms. Rodriguez confirmed that if they approve the amendment then it would have to go back to other parties for agreement. Mr. Barnett asked Ms. Schafer why we would be part of an MOU if we did not want to be part of the decisions on projects and how to pursue them. She stated she did not feel we needed this MOU as she felt we could work together without an agreement, but more importantly wanted to see a plan before signing this agreement. Mr. Barnett stated he felt the agreement showcases the solid understanding that all local forms of government are together when applying for grants. He stated he felt that by taking agreement apart we look like bad partners.

Ms. Schafer stated that Mayors and Universities are part of this, but no input from other stakeholders in the County. Mr. Barnett stated involving all rural mayors and township supervisors would make it difficult to come to decisions and he felt the County Board represented those people and it would be up to Board members to ask constituents what they wanted and carry that vote forward. Mr. Wollrab stated she would trust Chairman McIntyre to bring back things that need to be considered and felt this was a good faith effort for a needed collaboration.

Mr. McIntyre stated he could see both sides of the issue. Mr. McIntyre reminded members that some grants are matching grants and we might be asked to contribute matching funds. Mr. McIntyre stated the MOU says non – binding but questioned what that meant should the Board decide they did not want to fund a project. Mr. Barnett stated he felt they would have to deal with individual projects and funding as they came up.

Motion by Schafer/Wendt to amend motion to remove the second sentence in the funding paragraph.

Motion Carried. Roll call vote – Member Wollrab Voted no. Members Metsker, Erickson, Soeldner, Barnett, Martin, Schafer, and Chairman McIntyre voted yes.

Motion by Soeldner/Wollrab to approve a Memorandum of Understanding between Illinois State University, Illinois Wesleyan University, and other participating agencies and the Town of Normal, City of Bloomington and McLean County, as amended.

Motion Carried. Roll call vote – all members present voted yes including the Chairman.

Ms. Camille Rodriguez, County Administrator presented for action a request to approve a Resolution of the McLean County Board Continuing the Declaration of a Disaster Pursuant to Section 11 of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act.

Motion by Martin/Soeldner to approve a Resolution of the McLean County Board Continuing the Declaration of a Disaster Pursuant to Section 11 of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act.

Motion Carried. Roll Call Vote - all Members present voted yes including the Chairman

Ms. Camille Rodriguez, County Administrator presented for action a request to Accept and place on file the requisite 2020 Annual Report of the Intergovernmental Revenue Sharing Agreement between the County of McLean, the City of Bloomington, and the Town of Normal. Mr. Barnett thanked the Town and City for continued partnership.

Motion by Schafer/Metsker to Accept and place on file the requisite 2020 Annual Report of the Intergovernmental Revenue Sharing Agreement between the County of McLean, the City of Bloomington, and the Town of Normal

Motion Carried. Roll Call Vote - all Members present voted yes including the Chairman

Ms. Camille Rodriguez, County Administrator presented for action a request to approve an Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of Bloomington and the Town of Normal for Drop Box Recycling. (Without the Support of the Committee).

Motion by Wollrab/Barnett to approve an Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of Bloomington and the Town of Normal for Drop-Box Recycling. (Without the Support of the Committee)

Motion by Soeldner/Wendt moved to table this to next month’s Executive Committee meeting.

Motion Carried. Roll call vote – all members present voted yes including the Chairman.

Ms. Wollrab asked if Mr. Brown could be present at the next meeting so he can describe research that has been done and provide additional information. Mr. McIntyre stated that he would have administration reach out and he would also reach out to Mr. Brown.

Mr. McIntyre thanked Mr. Hoban and Mr. Lai for their work to the County.

Mr. Hoban provide a Quarterly EDC update on the strategic plan, initiatives, and 30 projects currently underway. He also showed a breakdown of the 19 forgivable loans issued. Mr. Hoban went over other programs including BN Grows, BN Stem work force readiness program, and BN Forward a grant matching program. He stated they hoped to bring a standardized incentives resolution for the property tax abatement program for the Enterprise zone. Mr. Hoban then went over projects they were involved in including One Voice, an economic gardening project to help companies on the verge of expansion, and a rural development fellowship. Mr. Erickson thanked Mr. Hoban for coming and providing the quarterly report. Ms. Schafer stated she did not receive the strategic plan. Mr. Hoban and Ms. Rodriguez indicated they would make sure she and others received a copy. Mr. McIntyre thanked him for efforts and report.

Ms. Rodriguez provided a report from the Human Resources office. She went over staff of the office and their role as well as information provided in the report. Mr. McIntyre thanked her for initiating this type of report. He also thanked Ms. Baker for their work.

Under Other Business and Communication Mr. Soeldner mentioned that the Rules Committee met last month for a work session and would be meeting Wednesday April 28th at 4:30. He stated that if members had proposed changes those needed to be submitted to administration by April 21st by 4:30 p.m.

Mr. McIntyre noted they needed to move the June Executive Committee meeting to June 7th to fit with the Board meeting resolution passed in December.

Mr. McIntyre stated he had talked with Staff about having additional meetings of the Executive Committee in the next month that would be open to the public for comment and suggestions regarding redistricting. He stated if individuals or groups had suggestions they wanted them to be able to present them. He stated he was also in discussion with the State’s Attorney to make sure they met state statute deadlines. He noted deadlines might changes because of delay in census but wanted to be prepared in case they did not change. Chairman McIntyre also stated he wanted to hold meetings in person in room 400 if possible. Ms. Wollrab thanked him for his efforts to involve the public. She asked how organizations would be able to get maps and other information for their proposals. Ms. Rodriguez indicated it would be important to set up a public meeting quickly and asked that requests for maps and other information come through administration.

Chairman McIntyre asked if there was other business to come before the Committee; hearing none he moved to payment of transfers and bills.

Chairman McIntyre presented for approval a transfer of $555.00 and bills in the amount of $512,311.18 for the General Fund, Shared Sales Tax and Veterans Assistance Commission and bills in the amount of $18,617.27 for Regional Planning.

Motion by Metsker\Barnett to approve payment of the transfer, and the General Fund, Shared Sales Tax Veterans Assistance Commission and Regional Planning Invoices.

Motion Carried. Roll Call Vote: All members present voted yes including Chairman McIntyre

Chairman McIntyre indicated there was no further business to come before the Committee and adjourned the meeting at 6:08 p.m.

https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/8108