McLean County Justice Committee met Aug. 8.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
The Justice Committee of the McLean County Board met on Tuesday, August 8, 2023 at 4:30 p.m. in Room 404 of the Government Center, 115 E. Washington Street, Bloomington, Illinois.
Members Present: Chairman Chuck Erickson, Members Beverly Bell, Susan Schafer, Natalie Roseman-Mendoza, Geoff Tompkins
Members Absent: Member Jack Abraham
Other County Board
Members Present None
Staff Present: Cassy Taylor, County Administrator; Cathy Dreyer, Assistant County Administrator; Anthony Grant, Assistant County Administrator; Trevor Sierra, First Assistant State’s Attorney – Civil Division; Julie Morlock, Recording Secretary; Taylor Williams, Assistant State’s Attorney
Department Heads/Elected Officials Present: Ron Lewis, Public Defender; Suzanne Montoya, Court Services; Kathy Yoder, Coroner
Others Present: Brad Rigdon, First Assistant State’s Attorney – Criminal Division; Hadley Welsch, Chief Deputy, Sheriff’s Department; Dan Leary, IT
Chairman Erickson called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. and declared a quorum.
Chairman Erickson confirmed with Administrator Taylor there was a request to appear by a member of the public. Ms. Taylor noted Mr. Zachary Gettrich had requested to speak but was not present.
Chairman Erickson presented the June 15, 2023 special meeting minutes and July 5, 2023 regular meeting minutes for approval.
Motion by Bell/Roseman-Mendoza to approve the June 15, 2023 special meeting and July 5, 2023 regular meeting minutes.
Motion Carried.
Chairman Erickson presented bills in the amount of $789,781.04 for approval by the Committee.
Motion by Schafer/Bell to approve the bills in the amount of $789,781.04.
Motion Carried.
Ms. Kathleen Yoder, Coroner presented her monthly reports. Chairman Erickson asked if there were any questions for the Coroner; hearing none, he thanked her.
Chairman Erickson indicated there was nothing on the agenda for Mr. Scanlon and moved to the next item on the agenda.
Ron Lewis, McLean County Public Defender presented his monthly report to the Committee. Chairman Erickson asked if there were any questions; hearing none, he thanked him.
Chairman Erickson presented on behalf of Suzanne Montoya, Court Services Director, a request to approve an Agreement between McLean County Court Services and the Center for Youth and Family Solutions (ARI). Ms. Montoya stated this is similar to contract in the past with Kevin Crutcher – he has gotten very busy in the community so a decision was made to go with CYFS because they will be able to accommodate clients. Ms. Schafer asked how the cost is different. Ms. Montoya stated no change but CYFS will bill other entities before going to the grant so actually a benefit to the County.
Motion by Schafer/Roseman-Mendoza to recommend approval of an Agreement between McLean County Court Services and the Center for Youth and Family Solutions (ARI).
Motion Carried.
Ms. Suzanne Montoya, Court Services Director presented her report to the Committee. Chairman Erickson asked if anyone had any further questions or comments; hearing none, he thanked her.
Chairman Erickson presented on behalf of Ms. Molly Evans, Children’s Advocacy Center Director a request to approve a Subcontract/Sub-Award Agreement between Children’s Advocacy Centers of Illinois and the County of McLean Children’s Advocacy Center.
Motion by Tompkins/Bell to recommend approval of a Subcontract/Sub Award Agreement between Children’s Advocacy Centers of Illinois and the County of McLean Children’s Advocacy Center.
Motion Carried.
Chairman Erickson presented on behalf of Ms. Evans a request to approve a County Credit Card purchase. Ms. Taylor noted the committee had a memo about this request. Ms. Taylor noted the CASA grant will cover this cost but Auditor is asking for a waiver from our policy in County Code regarding credit card purchases.
Motion by Schafer/Roseman-Mendoza to recommend approval of a County Credit Card purchase.
Motion Carried.
Chairman Erickson noted Ms. Evans was not present but her reports to the Committee were in the packet. He encouraged members to reach out to Ms. Evans with any questions.
Mr. Bradley Rigdon First Assistant State’s Attorney Criminal Division was present for State’s Attorney Erika Reynolds. Mr. Rigdon presented the State’s Attorney monthly reports to the Committee. Mr. Tompkins asked about recruiting. Mr. Rigdon indicated they are still down but they are working with Administration and others to get the word out about open positions. Ms. Schafer asked how long to get results from the Bar that was taken in July. Mr. Rigdon stated they would get the results in October. Mr. Rigdon indicated they have a person in a 7/11 position in which law students can practice in the court room as long as they are supervised under a licensed attorney. Chairman Erickson asked if there were any questions or comments; hearing none, he thanked him.
Chairman Erickson indicated that Mr. Don Everhart, Circuit Clerk was not present but his monthly and quarterly reports were in the packet and encouraged members to reach out to Mr. Everhart with any questions.
Chairman Erickson noted that Chief Deputy Hadley Welsch was present for Sheriff Matt Lane. Chairman Erickson presented on behalf of the Sheriff’s Department a request to approve a Court Security Collective Bargaining Letter. He asked if anyone needed to go into closed session. Member Bell indicated she had questions.
Motion by Tompkins/Bell to go into Closed Session (if requested by Committee Members) pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2) of the Open Meetings Act for the purpose of discussing collective negotiating matters between public body and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedule for one or more classes of employees.
Motion Carried.
Justice Committee entered closed session at 4:45 p.m.
Motion by Tompkins/Schafer to come out of closed session.
Motion Carried.
Justice Committee returned to open session at 4:52
Motion by Tompkins/Schafer to recommend approval of Court Security Collective Bargaining Letter.
Motion Carried.
Mr. Hadley Welsch presented the monthly reports to the Committee. Chairman Erickson asked if there were any questions or comments; hearing none, he thanked him.
Ms. Cassy Taylor, County Administrator indicated she had no items for the Committee. She noted the Committee would be in 404 again next month as the Board room project had been delayed. Chairman Erickson asked if anyone had any questions for Ms. Taylor; hearing none, he thanked her.
Chairman Erickson stated there was no other business for the Justice Committee to consider and adjourned the meeting at 4:56 p.m.
https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/9736
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