McLean County Executive Committee met Aug. 9.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
The Executive Committee of the McLean County Board met at 4:00 p.m. in Room 400, Government Center, 115 E. Washington Street, Bloomington, Illinois.
Members Present: Chairman John McIntyre and Members James Soeldner, Chuck Erickson, Susan Schafer, Catherine Metsker, Josh Barnett, George Wendt and Randall Martin
Members Absent: Member Laurie Wollrab
Other Board Members
Present: None
Staff Present: Cassy Taylor, Interim County Administrator; Cathy Dreyer Assistant County Administrator; Chris Spanos, First Assistant State’s Attorney – Civil Division; Samantha Vazquez, Assistant State’s Attorney; Julie Morlock, Recording Secretary.
Department Heads/Elected Officials Present: Craig Nelson, Information Technologies
Others Present: None
Chairman McIntyre called to order a meeting of the Executive Committee at 4:00 p.m. and declared a quorum.
Chairman McIntyre presented the minutes from the June 12, 2021 regular meeting of the Executive Committee for approval.
Motion by Metsker/Schafer to approve the minutes from July 12, 2021 regular meeting of the Executive Committee.
Motion Carried.
Chairman McIntyre confirmed there were no public speakers.
Chairman McIntyre presented appointments and reappointments for approval. Mr. Soeldner asked about Mr. Bane sitting on two drainage district boards. Mr. McIntyre stated Mr. Bane owns land in both, and he would confirm that it is not a conflict. Ms. Metsker asked why the Board was appointing someone in Yates Drainage District. Mr. McIntyre confirmed part of that drainage district sits in McLean County.
Motion by Soeldner/Barnett to recommend approval of the appointments and reappointments.
Motion Carried.
Chairman McIntyre indicated there were reports from Information Technologies and the Behavioral Health Coordinating Council in the packet and asked if there were questions. Hearing none, he moved to the next item on the agenda.
Ms. Catherine Metsker, Chairman of the Finance Committee indicated they had no items for action today 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 indicated they had no items for the Committee 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 a Violent Crime Victims Assistance Program Grant Agreement with the State of Illinois Office of the Attorney General for the McLean County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Motion by Erickson/Schafer to recommend approval of a Violent Crime Victims Assistance Program Grant Agreement with the State of Illinois Office of the Attorney General for the McLean County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Motion Carried.
Mr. Chuck Erickson, Chairman of the Justice Committee presented for action a request to approve an Inter-government Grant Agreement between the State of Illinois, Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority and McLean County on behalf of McLean County Court Services (Agreement No. 192212).
Motion by Erickson/Metsker to recommend approval of an Inter-government Grant Agreement between the State of Illinois, Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority and McLean County on behalf of McLean County Court Services (Agreement No. 192212).
Motion Carried.
Mr. Chuck Erickson, Chairman of the Justice Committee presented for action a request to approve a Grant Agreement between Illinois Association of Court Appointed Special Advocates (DBA Illinois CASA) and the County of McLean.
Motion by Erickson/Martin to recommend approval of a Grant Agreement between Illinois Association of Court Appointed Special Advocates (DBA Illinois CASA) and the County of McLean.
Motion Carried.
Mr. Chuck Erickson, Chairman of the Justice Committee asked the Committee if he could combine agenda items d and e. The Committee agreed. Chairman Erickson proceeded to present for action a request to approve a Violent Crime Victims Assistance Program Grant Agreement with the State of Illinois Office of the Attorney General for the Children’s Advocacy Center and a Violent Crime Victims Assistance Program Grant Agreement with the State of Illinois Office of the Attorney General for CASA.
Motion by Erickson/Soeldner to recommend approval of a Violent Crime Victims Assistance Program Grant Agreement with the State of Illinois Office
of the Attorney General for the Children’s Advocacy Center and a Violent Crime Victims Assistance Program Grant Agreement with the State of Illinois Office of the Attorney General for CASA.
Motion Carried.
Mr. Chuck Erickson, Chairman of the Justice Committee presented for action a request to approve a Change Order/Modification of Contract for Grant Agreement #218003 with the Children’s Advocacy Center of Illinois.
Motion by Erickson/Martin to recommend approval of a Change Order/Modification of Contract for Grant Agreement #218003 with the Children’s Advocacy Center of Illinois.
Motion Carried.
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 or 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 an Illinois Department of Transportation Capital Assistance Application – SHOW BUS – Rebuild Illinois Funds. Mr. Soeldner explained this application would provide funds to renovate the main building and build a vehicle storage facility. Ms. Metsker asked him to confirm funds would not go to the County first. Mr. Soeldner confirmed funds would go directly to Show Bus. Mr. Soeldner further indicated some of renovation was due to COVID, but other repairs were needed. He also indicated the vehicle storage was to minimize vandalism that had occurred. Ms. Metsker asked if vehicles vandalized sat on Route 24. Mr. Soeldner stated he did not have specifics on which vehicles had been vandalized.
Motion by Soeldner/Barnett to recommend approval of Illinois Department of Transportation Capital Assistance Application – SHOW BUS – Rebuild Illinois Funds.
Motion Carried.
Ms. Cassy Taylor, Interim 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 (COVID).
Motion by Schafer/Martin to recommend approval of a Resolution of the McLean County Board Continuing the Declaration of a Disaster Pursuant to Section 11 of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act (COVID).
Motion Carried.
Ms. Taylor 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 (FLOODING). Ms. Metsker asked if SBA loans could be extended to other areas in the county such as Danvers and Carlock. Ms. Taylor indicated she had contacted EMA to determine if a separate declaration for those new areas would be needed. Ms. Metsker asked who constituents should contact. Ms. Taylor stated they should reach out to EMA.
Motion by Soeldner/Metsker to recommend approval of a Resolution of the McLean County Board Continuing the Declaration of a Disaster Pursuant to Section 11 of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act (FLOODING).
Motion Carried.
Ms. Taylor presented for action a request to approve an Emergency Appropriation Ordinance Amending the McLean County Fiscal Year 2021 Combined Annual Appropriation and Budget Ordinance for the County Board and Information Technologies budgets. Ms. Taylor stated that at meetings last month there had been a request to bring forth information about streaming or posting a recording of our meetings. Ms. Taylor stated after a review with IT they had determined there were a few options. Ms. Taylor went over the options including one to continue only streaming the County Board meeting; two, add committee meetings to You Tube and have current staff do the work; or three contract with an outside service to stream meetings. Ms. Taylor stated that the proposed budget amendment is for the option Administration is recommending. She stated Administration and Information Technology believe they can stream County Board and Standing Committees with existing staff through the end of the year, but it would be at an additional cost for overtime or added part time staff. Ms. Taylor noted for the Committee that Mr. Nelson had posted for assistance during COVID for additional staff to assist with streaming, but no applications were received. Ms. Taylor reminded the Committee that she was only bringing forth a request for the remainder of this budget year and they would address streaming of meetings for 2022 as they worked through that budget and contemplated hiring a full-time employee who would be responsible for recording and uploading meetings and other social media needs of the County. Ms. Taylor noted that costs for an outside vendor would be similar to the cost of an additional FTE but an FTE we would allow Information Technologies the ability to have other duties performed.
Mr. Soeldner asked about other costs such as additional equipment. Ms. Taylor stated she was not aware of any additional equipment needs for this request. Ms. Metsker thanked her and staff or getting information together, but stated she felt salary would not be competitive in the current market. Ms. Taylor agreed it was on the lower end but felt they would list it as an entry level position and if they had difficulty filling the position then they would come back
to the Committee. Ms. Metsker asked them to consider a contract employee. The Committee asked Mr. Nelson to come forward for his input.
Mr. Nelson stated there were a few issues including possible compression and the fact that meetings are before and after a regular workday. Ms. Metsker suggested filling two part time positions. Ms. Taylor stated that if the Committee and Board approved this request then staff would work to find the best fit in the 2022 budget. Mr. Martin asked if they had explored the option of hiring interns. Mr. McIntyre indicated student schedules could be a problem. Ms. Metsker asked if the position had been posted with universities. Mr. Erickson asked about tabling long term discussion to next month. Ms. Taylor stated that the only action she was requesting was for the $15,000 to cover additional costs for this year. She stated she thought they could discuss long term solutions during the 2022 budget discussions.
Mr. Barnett stated it had been his experience in the past year that securing interns had been difficult as students have not been around, and they don’t seem to be interested. Mr. Barnett further stated part time staffing is also very tight right now. He stated he hoped the market would get better in the coming months. Mr. Erickson asked if they would work with the City of Bloomington to find someone to cover all meetings. Ms. Taylor stated it was considered but there were too many meetings that overlap. Mr. McIntyre called the question.
Motion by Martin/Barnett to recommend approval of Emergency Appropriation Ordinance Amending the McLean County Fiscal Year 2021 Combined Annual Appropriation and Budget Ordinance for the County Board and Information Technologies budgets.
Motion carried.
Chairman McIntyre asked for a motion to go into Closed Session (if necessary) pursuant to section 2(c)(1) of the Open Meetings Act (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1)) to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees, specific individuals who serve as independent contractors in a park, recreational, or educational setting, or specific volunteers of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee, a specific individual who serves as an independent contractor in a park, recreational, or educational setting, or a volunteer of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity.
Motion by Barnett/Martin to go into closed session (if necessary) pursuant to section 2(c)(1) of the Open Meetings Act (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1)) to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees, specific individuals who serve as independent contractors in a park, recreational, or educational setting, or specific volunteers of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee, a specific individual who serves as an independent contractor in a park, recreational, or
educational setting, or a volunteer of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity.
Motion carried.
Executive Committee went into closed session at: 4:35 p.m.
Motion by Wendt/Barnett to come out of closed session.
Executive Committee returned to open session at 4:55 p.m.
Chairman McIntyre asked if there was any other business to come before the Committee; hearing none, he moved to the payment of the bills.
Chairman McIntyre presented for approval bills in the amount of $253,575.72 for the General Fund, Shared Sales Tax and Veterans Assistance Commission,
Motion by Erickson/Wendt to approve payment the General Fund, Shared Sales Tax and Veterans Assistance Commission.
Motion Carried.
Executive Committee Minutes
Motion by Metsker/Martin to approve payment of the Regional Planning Invoices.
Motion Carried.
Chairman McIntyre indicated there was no further business to come before the Committee and adjourned the meeting at 4:56 p.m.
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