McLean County Times

McLean County Executive Committee met June 13.

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, Susan Schafer, Chuck Erickson, Gerald Thompson, Josh Barnett, George Wendt, Randall Martin, Elizabeth Johnston

Members Absent: Member Catherine Metsker

Other Board Members Present: None

Staff Present: Cassy Taylor, County Administrator; Cathy Dreyer Assistant County Administrator; Anthony Grant, Assistant County Administrator, Chris Spanos, First Assistant State’s Attorney – Civil Division; Taylor Williams, Assistant State’s Attorney, Julie Morlock, Recording Secretary

Department Heads/Elected Officials Present: Craig Nelson, Information Technologies; Vanessa Granger Belcher, BHCC; Timothy Jorczak, Supervisor of Assessments

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 of the Executive Committee’s April 14, 2022, special meeting and May 9, 2022, regular meeting for approval.

Motion by Soeldner/Martin to approve the Executive Committee’s April 14, 2022, special meeting and May 9, 2022, regular meeting minutes.

Motion Carried.

Chairman McIntyre confirmed with Ms. Taylor there were no requests to speak. Chairman McIntyre presented the appointments and reappointments for approval.

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

Motion Carried.

Chairman McIntyre presented for action on behalf of Craig Nelson, Information Technologies Director a request to approve a contract with Connection Public Sector Solutions.

Motion by McIntyre/Johnston to recommend approval of a contract with Connection Public Sector Solutions.

Motion carried.

Chairman McIntyre presented for action on behalf of Mr. Nelson a request to approve the purchase of Dell computers under the terms of the intergovernmental joint purchasing agreement.

Motion by McIntyre/Thompson to recommend approval of the purchase of Dell computers under the terms of the intergovernmental joint purchasing agreement. Motion Carried.

Ms. Vanessa Granger – Belcher, Director of Behavioral Health presented for action a request to approve a Group Catering Agreement with Bloomington-Normal Marriott Hotel & Conference Center. She indicated this was for the annual mental health forum.

Motion by Barnett/Martin to recommend approval of a Group Catering Agreement with Bloomington-Normal Marriott Hotel & Conference Center. Motion Carried.

Chairman McIntyre indicated there were reports in the packet from both Vanessa Granger Belcher for the Behavioral Health Coordinating Council and Craig Nelson for the Information Technologies Department. Chairman McIntyre asked if there were any questions; hearing none, he thanked them.

Mr. Gerald Thompson Vice Chairman of the Finance Committee presented for action an Ordinance of the McLean County Board to Opt-Out of Preferential Assessment for Affordable Rental Housing Construction and Rehabilitation Pursuant to 35 ILCS 200/15-178. Ms. Johnston asked if Mr. Jorczak could provide comments on the matter. Mr. Jorczak noted he met with Regional Planning and Administration about the opt out statute. He stated he recommended updating the Ordinance language and bringing it back next month. Mr. Soeldner stated Mr. Jorczak had indicated at the Finance committee meeting he did not feel there were any projects that would currently benefit from this program and asked if that had changed. Mr. Jorczak indicated new information was presented and he now felt there might be some who could benefit. He stated postponing would allow them time to get answers on program requirements as well as staffing and software needs to facilitate this program. Mr. McIntyre asked how long he felt he needed to postpone the program. Mr. Jorczak indicated about a year. Mr. Barnett asked if the Committee should consider postponing this Ordinance until next month. Ms. Taylor stated staff could bring to Executive next month an Opt-Out Ordinance with language that would specify how long the Assessor’s office would need to opt out of the program. Mr. Barnett made a Motion to Postpone until the July Executive Committee meeting.

Mr. Erickson stated he thought Mr. Jorczak had indicated at the Finance Committee meeting that the cost of operating this program outweighed the benefits and asked what had changed. Mr. Jorczak stated he had received different information that led him to believe there were those in the County who could participate and benefit from this program. Mr. Erickson stated if the Committee decided to postpone this matter he would want to see a cost benefit analysis when they considered it next month. Ms. Johnston stated she would support tabling the matter as the person from the State who could provide the most clarification was on vacation. Mr. McIntyre asked about the time frame to implement the program as he did not feel they would be ready to implement the program in a month based on Mr. Jorczak previous statement. Mr. Jorczak stated that right now he did not have the capability to handle this program if they would choose to opt-in. He stated if the County could opt out until next year his office could have the pieces in place to implement. Mr. McIntyre asked him to clarify this delay for a month is to rewrite the ordinance but the ordinance would still be an opt-out ordinance. Mr. Thompson stated his understanding at Finance was we were opting out partially because we were not ready to handle this program, but that we could opt in later. Mr. Thompson stated he felt they could go ahead with the opt out until they got the information they needed.

Mr. Erickson made a Motion to Amend the Motion to Postpone to include having a cost benefit analysis provided when the matter is considered by the Executive Committee next month.

Mr. Wendt asked him to clarify it would be a retroactive benefit. Mr. Jorczak confirmed statute indicates benefits would be retroactive. Mr. Wendt stated he felt they should opt out. Ms. Johnston stated it was her understanding the abatement only applies to new buildings or upgrades to existing buildings and not on all current buildings. Ms. Johnston asked if Mr. Spanos had looked at the statute and could provide any insight. Mr. Spanos stated he looked at it briefly several months ago but could not provide more information.

Ms. Schafer asked how this program was different from other programs. She also asked about the technology challenges this program would add. Mr. Jorczak. stated the software programs track when improvements go into place and how long they can receive those benefits and the programs last 10–30 years. He stated he would have more information after a meeting tomorrow with the software company. He stated he could not speak to the differences in this program as opposed to other low-income housing programs.

Mr. Barnett noted it would be difficult to consider possible projects and he was not sure they would be able to pull together information on current projects before next month. Mr. Erickson stated he felt he needed additional cost information before he could decide. Mr. Soeldner asked if they had a final date the County could opt out. Mr. Jorczak stated he was basing the date on when the Board of Review had to make their final determinations. He stated based on that he felt the very last date would be December 31, 2022. Ms. Taylor stated they could put together information for them to consider but noted it would not be a traditional cost benefit analysis. Mr. Erickson indicated he still wanted to see information on costs and benefits.

Motion by Erickson/Soeldner to amend to add a cost benefit analysis when it comes back for consideration.

Roll call vote was requested. Member Barnett voted no. All other members present voted yes.

Motion Carried.

Motion by Barnett/Schafer postpone this item to July Executive Committee meeting as amended.

Roll call vote was requested. All members voted yes.

Motion carried.

Motion by Thompson/Wendt to recommend approval of the McLean County Board to Opt-Out of Preferential Assessment for Affordable Rental Housing Construction and Rehabilitation Pursuant to 35 ILCS 200/15-178.

Motion was Postponed to July 11, 2022

Mr. Thompson presented for action a request to Receive, accept and place on file the Popular Annual Financial Report, December 31, 2021 – County Auditor.

Motion by Thompson/Schafer to recommend that the Committee receive, accept and place on file the Popular Annual Financial Report, December 31, 2021 – County Auditor.

Motion Carried.

Mr. Thompson presented for action a request to receive, accept and place on file the Outside Auditor’s Report including Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the Fiscal year Ended December 31, 2021 – County Administrator’s Office.

Motion by Thompson/Johnston to recommend that the Committee receive, accept and place on file the Outside Auditor’s Report including Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the Fiscal year Ended December 31, 2021 – County Administrator’s Office

Motion Carried.

Mr. Thompson presented for action a request to approve an Abatement Ordinance abating the 2021 taxes on property purchased by Rivian. Mr. Erickson stated he felt it was important for the public to know the Board denied abatements in the past if the Company does not meet the requirements and benchmarks. He also asked that people keep in mind when they see the amount of the abatement the benefits abatements bring to the community. Ms. Johnston asked staff to clarify this was the last year for this abatement. Ms. Taylor confirmed.

Motion by Thompson/Barnett to recommend approval of an Abatement Ordinance abating 2021 taxes on property purchased by Rivian.

Motion Carried.

Mr. Thompson presented for action a request to approve an Abatement Ordinance abating the 2021 taxes on property purchased by Brandt. Mr. McIntyre noted this request had different requirements as it was a different type of business.

Motion by Thompson/Wendt to recommend approval of an Abatement Ordinance abating 2021 taxes on property purchased by Brandt.

Motion Carried.

Mr. Thompson indicated they had nothing further for the Committee but would have an additional item for the Board later this week. Chairman McIntyre asked if there were any questions for Mr. Thompson; hearing none, he thanked him.

Ms. Susan Schafer, Chairman of the Health Committee indicated they had no items for the Committee today but would have items for the Board. Chairman McIntyre asked if there were any questions; hearing none, he thanked her.

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

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

Mr. Jim Soeldner Chairman of the Land Use and Transportation Committee presented for action a request to approve a Regional Planning Service Agreement for their fiscal year July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023.

Motion by Soeldner/Thompson to recommend approval of a Regional Planning Service Agreement for their fiscal year July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023. Motion Carried.

Mr. Soeldner presented for action a request to approve a Resolution Reappointing the County Engineer. Ms. Johnston stated she was on county roads in southern Illinois recently that were not in good shape and was thankful for Mr. Stokes and the work he does to keep the McLean County roads in good condition.

Motion by Soeldner/Martin to recommend approval of a Resolution Reappointing the County Engineer.

Motion Carried.

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. Taylor presented for action a request to approve a bid from J. Spencer Construction for repairs to exterior brick.

Motion by Schafer/Barnett to recommend approval of a bid from J. Spencer Construction for repairs to exterior brick.

Motion Carried.

Ms. Taylor presented for action a request to approve a bid from Wilcox for upgrades to the Emergency Electrical Supply System.

Motion by Johnston/Thompson to recommend approval of a bid from Wilcox for upgrades to the Emergency Electrical Supply System.

Motion Carried.

Ms. Taylor presented for action a request to approve an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funding Agreement. She noted this was for the rural mayors’ proposals previously brought before the County Board.

Motion by Martin/Thompson to recommend approval of an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funding Agreement.

Motion Carried.

Ms. Cassy Taylor, County Administrator presented for action a request to approve a Resolution of the Mclean County Board continuing the Declaration of a Disaster (COVID).

Motion by Johnston/Martin to recommend approval of a Resolution of the Mclean County Board continuing the Declaration of a Disaster (COVID). Motion Carried.

Mr. McIntyre asked for any other business. Mr. Erickson noted that he had called another county to get some tax information and was told they did not have an Assessor; he noted he was thankful for the services McLean county provides.

Chairman McIntyre presented for approval bills in the amount of $1,463,978.39 for the General Fund, Shared Sales Tax and Veterans Assistance Commission and $38,020.12 for Regional Planning.

Motion by McIntyre/Soeldner to approve payment of the General Fund and Regional Planning invoices.

Motion Carried.

Chairman McIntyre indicated there was no further business to come before the Committee and adjourned the meeting at 4:48 p.m.

https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/8796