McLean County Times

McLean County Public Building Commission met Aug. 5.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

The Public Building Commission of McLean County, Illinois (the "Commission") was called to order by Chairman Novosad on August 5, 2025 in Room 404 of the Government Center, 115 East Washington Street, Bloomington, McLean County, Illinois.

Acting Secretary Robert Porter called the roll with the following members answering "present": Novosad, Zimmerman, Fruin, Harris, Fazzini, Johnson, Townsend, and Roller. Mr. Reid was absent.

Also present were Commission Attorney Robert Porter, Commission Treasurer James Mulligan, Assistant County Administrator Tony Grant, County Director of Facilities Management Joe Gaither, Dan Joos of CORE, and Chad Frankeberger of the Farnsworth Group, Inc.

No members of the media, press, and/or radio were present.

Chairman Novosad began the meeting by presenting the Minutes of the July 1, 2025 Regular Monthly Meeting of the Commission for approval. Chairman Novosad asked if there were any questions, additions, and/or revisions to the Minutes. Hearing none, Chairman Novosad asked for a Motion to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes. It was moved by Mr. Harris and seconded by Mr. Johnson that the Minutes of the July 1, 2025 Regular Monthly Meeting be approved as submitted. The Motion was unanimously approved by voice vote.

Chairman Novosad then called on Commission Treasurer James Mulligan to present the Treasurer's Report for the Fiscal Year. Mr. Mulligan began his remarks by noting that the Treasurer's Report was current through July 31, 2025. Mr. Mulligan then relayed that the Treasurer's Report featured up-to-date interest earnings on all of the Commission's accounts except those at PNC and Heartland Bank & Trust Co.

Mr. Mulligan next indicated that the Commission's CDARS account at Clock Tower Community Bank matures on August 15, 2025. Mr. Mulligan relayed that the account is currently yielding 4.52% in interest per year. Mr. Mulligan remarked that he had distributed Clock Tower Community Bank's current CDARS rate sheet and asked for input from the Commission.

Chairman Novosad asked whether the rate sheet contained bank rates. Mr. Mulligan responded in the affirmative and noted that the rates were locked for the term.

Commission Attorney Robert Porter reminded the Commission that it had approximately one million seven hundred thousand dollars and 00/100 ($1,700,000.00) invested in CDARS with Clock Tower Community Bank. Mr. Porter noted that these funds were previously invested in a U.S. Treasury Fund at Heartland Bank & Trust Co. Mr. Porter recalled that the Commission reinvested the funds at Clock Tower Community Bank after the U.S. Treasury holdings matured. Mr. Porter specifically noted that Heartland Bank & Trust Co. wanted the Commission to place the maturing funds into an investment vehicle that earned less than the CDARs account at Clock Tower Community Bank.

Mr. Fazzini then voiced his belief that the Commission should not tie the maturing CDARS funds up too long. Mr. Fazzini felt that the inverted yield curve made long-term investments an imprudent option.

Chairman Novosad asked Mr. Mulligan for his opinion and Mr. Mulligan stated his view that the maturing CDARS funds should not be invested beyond a one (1)-year term. Mr. Fazzini then stated that the Commission should not re-invest in Clock Tower Community Bank's CDARS for more than six (6) months. The Commission then expressed a general consensus to re-invest at a six (6) month term.

Mr. Mulligan then reminded the Commission that its C.D. at J.P. Morgan Chase Bank matured in December. Mr. Mulligan noted that the Commission was earning an annual yield of approximately 3.8% on this C.D. Mr. Mulligan similarly added that the Commission's Money Market Accounts at PMA Securities, LLC. and Heartland Bank & Trust Co. were each generating approximately 4.2% annual interest.

Mr. Mulligan next relayed that the Commission's monthly disbursements could be found on page twenty (20) of the Treasurer's Report. Mr. Mulligan also reminded the Commission that it would soon need to contract with an auditing firm for the performance of the Commission's Fiscal Year 2025 Audit Report.

Mr. Johnson asked whether the Commission was required to alternate auditing firms every few years. Mr. Porter responded in the negative. Mr. Porter indicated that the Commission put the audit out for bid several years ago. Mr. Porter noted that MCK CPAs & Advisors and CLA both responded to the bid. Mr. Porter stated that MCK CPAs & Advisors' bid was for approximately eleven thousand dollars and 00/100 ($11,000.00) and CLA's bid was for approximately twenty thousand dollars and 00/100 ($20,000.00).

Mr. Mulligan asked Assistant County Administrator Tony Grant whether the County changed auditing firms every three (3) years. Mr. Grant responded that that was the County's typical practice. Mr. Grant nevertheless indicated that CLA was currently serving as the County's auditors and that the County intended to use CLA for more than a three (3)-year period.

Mr. Johnson inquired whether the Commission had ever had problems with the work performed by MCK CPAs & Advisors. Mr. Mulligan responded by noting that MCK CPAs & Advisors had always done a good job on the Commission's Fiscal Year Audit Reports.

Mr. Zimmerman then complimented MCK CPAs & Advisors' work and noted that it was helpful when Renee Brucker attended Commission meetings and provided an overview of the Audit Reports.

Chairman Novosad asked whether any other local firm performed audits of public entities. Mr. Porter replied that Striegel, Knobloch & Co. performed public audits, but that the firm could not perform the Commission's audit due to Mr. Mulligan's affiliation with Striegel, Knobloch & Co.

Chairman Novosad asked if there were any additional questions or comments for Mr. Mulligan on the Treasurer's Report. Hearing none, Chairman Novosad asked for a Motion to approve the Treasurer's Report and proposed payments as submitted. It was moved by Mr. Fazzini and seconded by Mr. Townsend to approve the Treasurer's Report and proposed payments as submitted. Upon a roll call vote, all Commissioners voted in favor of the Motion.

Chairman Novosad next turned to the Commission's "New Business" and asked Mr. Grant to discuss the modernization of elevators in the Law & Justice Center and Old County Courthouse.

Mr. Grant began his report by informing the Commission that Oris Elevator Co. was in the process of modernizing the Project's final bank of elevators. Mr. Grant specifically noted that modernization work on the Old Jail Visitor's Elevator was now complete and that Otis Elevator Co. was beginning modernization work on the Jail Duplex Elevator.

Chairman Novosad asked whether the Elevator Modernization Project was still on track to be completed in November 2025. Mr. Grant responded by noting that all of the inspections would not likely be complete until the first (1st) quarter of 2026.

Chairman Novosad then inquired whether the modernization work on the Old Jail Visitor's Elevator had passed all of its inspections and Mr. Grant responded in the affirmative.

Chairman Novosad asked whether there were any additional questions or comments for Mr. Grant regarding the modernization of elevators in the Law & Justice Center and Old County Courthouse. Hearing none, Chairman Novosad asked Mr. Grant to provide a status report on the operation and maintenance of Commission-owned facilities.

Mr. Grant initially reported that the Health Department Building would soon be completely modernized with LED lighting. Mr. Grant added that the facility would also have state-of-the-art lighting controllers. Mr. Grant anticipated that this work would be done by the end of 2025. Mr. Grant further noted that this work would be paid for in part by an Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant in the sum of one hundred thousand dollars and 00/100 ($100,000.00) and another one hundred thousand dollars and 00/100 ($100,000.00) in incentives from Ameren.

County Director of Facilities Management Joe Gaither added that the County was exploring the installation of LED lighting in the Jail. Mr. Gaither stated that the installation of LED lighting would allow for staff to dim the lights, which would have a beneficial effect on the Jail's mental health population.

Mr. Gaither also reported that the County was beginning to perform renovation work on the Fairview Building.

Chairman Novosad inquired about the County Departments that would occupy the renovated Fairview Building. Mr. Grant responded by noting that he was not yet in a position to publicly announced which Departments would occupy the renovated space.

Mr. Gaither next noted that the installation of new boilers in the Government Center, Health Department, and Juvenile Detention Center had greatly improved the County's overall energy costs.

Mr. Fazzini asked about the amount saved. Mr. Gaither responded by noting that the County's energy costs have remained flat in spite of a general trend of increased energy costs.

Chairman Novosad then asked whether there were any questions or comments for Mr. Grant or Mr. Gaither regarding the operation and maintenance of Commission-owned facilities. Hearing none, Chairman Novosad asked Mr. Grant to discuss the Animal Control Shelter Project.

Mr. Grant initially noted that the County was in the process of "buttoning up" many aspects of the Project. Mr. Grant specifically indicated that the County was working through some issues with the new facility's IT. Mr. Grant added that furniture from the old facility would be moved into the new facility on Thursday, the animals would move in on Friday, and the new facility would be open to the public on Monday, August 11th. Mr. Grant then reminded the Commission that the ribbon-cutting ceremony would take place on August 29th at 10:00 a.m.

Mr. Grant also indicated that there were a number of door strikes in the new facility that would need to be replaced. Mr. Grant next stated that the County was working on a licensing agreement to integrate the cameras at the new Animal Control Shelter with the County's overall campus of facilities. Mr. Grant added that the County would be obtaining a cell service booster for the new facility.

Mr. Grant next reported that the Health Department would be signing off on the new Animal Control Shelter's septic system on Wednesday. Mr. Grant then indicated that Building and Zoning would inspect the new facility on Friday.

Mr. Grant also relayed that the new Animal Control Shelter would most likely open with a temporary occupancy certificate. Mr. Grant explained that this was due to the fact that the Health Department had yet to deem the well water safe for consumption.

Mr. Gaither added that the County would rely on a portable water cart until such time as the Health Department deems the well water safe for consumption.

Mr. Grant then stated that the County hoped that the new Animal Control Shelter would receive its full occupancy certificate on Friday or Monday.

Mr. Fazzini asked whether the issues with Frontier had been resolved. Mr. Grant responded in the affirmative and indicated that wireless access points had been installed in the new Animal Control Shelter.

Chairman Novosad then recounted learning that there were electrical circuit issues in the new Animal Control Shelter's sallyport. Chairman Novosad asked if those issues had been resolved. Mr. Grant indicated that those issues had been resolved and that the County was installing another subpanel in the sallyport. Mr. Grant added that the County would also be removing one (1) of the freezers from the sallyport.

Dan Joos of CORE then provided a power point presentation to the Commission. Mr. Joos indicated that the first (1st) slide contained photographs of the new facility's exterior façade and lobby. Mr. Joos noted that downspouts were still being placed.

Mr. Joos stated that the second (2nd) slide featured photographs of the new facility's office furniture. Mr. Grant added that the shelves in the photographs were loose. Mr. Grant stated that he had asked Stocks Office Furniture to install extra hardware in order to better secure the shelves to the walls.

Mr. Joos then indicated that the third (3rd) slide contained photographs of the employee breakroom and lobby restroom, the fourth (4th) slide contained photographs of the euthanasia room and cat climbing tree, the fifth (5th) slide contained photographs of the cat rooms, and the sixth (6th) slide contained photographs of the dog kennels.

Mr. Grant then pointed out that the handles on the dog kennels were designed in the shape of a dog bone. Mr. Gaither noted that the color of the panels on the sides of the dog kennels was designed to be soothing to dogs.

Mr. Johnson remarked that the new Animal Control Shelter looked great.

Chairman Novosad inquired as to whether any of the veterinarians contracted with the County had visited the new facility. Mr. Grant noted that he was uncertain and would have to check with the Animal Control Department's staff.

Chairman Novosad further asked whether the new Animal Control Shelter had the same lighting that would be installed in the Health Department Building. Mr. Grant responded in the negative.

Mr. Joos lastly pointed out the seventh (7th) slide, which contained information regarding Project billing. Mr. Joos added that the dog runs would be installed by August 22nd.

Mr. Fazzini asked about the amount of funds that would be left over following the completion of the Project. Mr. Grant replied that he anticipated there would be between two hundred thousand dollars and 00/100 ($200,000.00) and two hundred sixty thousand dollars and 00/100 ($260,000.00) in unused Bond funds at the conclusion of the Project.

Mr. Grant also informed the Commission that the County was exploring entering into a lease with the Bloomington-Normal Water Reclamation District ("BNWRD") to build a trail system and park near the new Animal Control Shelter. Mr. Grant indicated that the park would be restored to traditional prairie on the south side. Mr. Grant noted that the rest of the park would consist of walking trails.

Mr. Fazzini asked about the cost of maintaining such a park and Mr. Grant replied that the County was still in the process of ascertaining the cost.

Chairman Novosad asked whether the new Animal Control Shelter's road sign had been installed. Mr. Grant replied that the sign would be installed prior to the ribbon-cutting on August 29th.

Chairman Novosad further inquired about the status of inspections, commissioning, and punch list items. Mr. Grant responded by noting that commissioning would occur throughout August. Mr. Joos then added that a full commissioning cycle takes approximately one (1) year.

Chairman Novosad next asked whether there were any additional questions or comments for Mr. Joos, Mr. Grant, and/or Mr. Gaither regarding the Animal Control Shelter Project. Hearing none, Chairman Novosad asked Mr. Porter to discuss the possible Public Building Revenue Bond Issue to fund a BNWRD Project.

Mr. Porter reminded the Commission that BNWRD's Executive Director, Tim Ervin, attended the Commission's July 1st regular monthly meeting. Mr. Porter then indicated that schematic designs would likely be ready by December. Mr. Porter added that he and BNWRD's counsel, Elizabeth Megli, were continuing to work on a Memorandum of Understanding between the Commission and BNWRD that would provide for the issuance of bonds for the project.

Mr. Porter also informed the Commission that BNWRD had formally requested that the Commission convey ownership of the old Animal Control Shelter site to BNWRD. Mr. Porter reminded the Commission that this conveyance would be in exchange for BNWRD deeding the new site to the Commission for the construction of the new Animal Control Shelter Project.

Mr. Grant added that the old Animal Control Shelter site should be ready to be conveyed to BNWRD in September.

Chairman Novosad next asked whether there were any additional questions or comments for Mr. Porter and/or Mr. Grant regarding the possible Public Building Revenue Bond Issue to fund a BNWRD Project. Hearing none, Chairman Novosad next moved to the meeting's "Consent Agenda."

Mr. Harris then moved and Mr. Zimmerman seconded that the following items be approved:

Approval of Otis Elevator Co.'s Invoice Number Forty-One (41) in the Sum of Six Thousand Five Hundred Seventy-Six Dollars and 71/100 ($6,576.71) from the Commission's Series 2022 Public Building Revenue Bond Issue's Project Fund. This Invoice encompassed labor costs on modernization work performed on the Old Jail Visitor's Elevator. This Invoice had been reviewed and approved by Mr. Grant,

Approval of Otis Elevator Co.'s Invoice Number Forty-Two (42) in the Surn of Ten Thousand One Hundred Eighteen Dollars and 03/100 ($10,118.03) from the Commission's Series 2022 Public Building Revenue Bond Issue's Project Fund. This Invoice encompassed release of retainage for the modernization work performed on the Old Jail Visitor's Elevator. This Invoice had been reviewed and approved by Mr. Grant; and

Approval of CORE's Fifteenth (15th) Pay Application in the sum of Seven Hundred Eighty-One Thousand Six Hundred Seventy-Three Dollars and 98/100 ($781,673.98) from the Commission's operation and maintenance account at J.P. Morgan Chase Bank (ARPA funds). This Pay Application encompassed general conditions work performed by CORE, work on the generator performed by Foster- Jacob, masonry work performed by Otto Baum, drywall, EIFS, and interior work performed by Allied Construction, glass and glazing work performed by East Moline Glass, plumbing work performed by Chief City Mechanical, steel fabrication and erection work performed by H&S Mechanical, roofing work performed by Henson Robinson, concrete work performed by Knapp Concrete, fire protection work performed by the PIPCO Companies, HVAC systems work performed by Reliable Mechanical, earthwork and paving work performed by Stark Excavating, and electrical equipment supply and systems work performed by Zeller Electric.

Upon a roll call vote, all Commissioners voted in favor of the aforementioned "Consent Agenda" items.

Chairman Novosad then asked Mr. Porter whether he had any additional “Other Business” to discuss. Mr. Porter indicated that the Illinois Department of Transportation had notified him that it will be acquiring approximately forty-eight (48) square feet of land from the Commission at the corner of Olive and East Streets for planned improvements to U.S. 51 North. Mr. Porter stated his belief that the State specifically wants to place ADA Warning Pads on the sidewalk at the cross walk. Mr. Porter indicated that the State would be compensating the Commission in the sum of five hundred dollars and 00/100 ($500.00). Mr. Porter added that the State would require the County to waive its leasehold interest in the forty-eight (48) square feet. Mr. Porter stated that the Commission would need to approve deeding the property to the State at its September 2nd meeting.

There being no "Other Business" to discuss, Chairman Novosad asked for a Motion to adjourn. It was moved by Mr. Fazzini and seconded by Mr. Fruin to adjourn. The Motion was unanimously approved by voice vote and the meeting adjourned at 4:17 p.m.

https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_08052025-980