Macon Reporter

Moultrie County Board met Jan. 13.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Moultrie County Board met in the County  Board Room, Second Floor, Moultrie County Courthouse. Chairman Larry Baker called  the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 

Opening Prayer by Larry Baker. 

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 

Roll Call was taken, with the following Board members present Larry Baker, Billy  Voyles, Elizabeth Houser, Marsha Kirby, Arlene Aschermann, John Vander Burgh, Tyler  Graven. Absent: Todd Maxedon, John Fayhee  

Baker wanted it noted that Maxedon did not attend the last two Board meetings,  and a couple of Committee meetings prior to those Board meetings without notifying  anyone that he would not be present. 

Baker stated that Fayhee had notified him that he was unable to attend the meeting  but would like to be connect telephonically. Since a quorum was already present, the  Board needed to vote to allow Fayhee to attend by phone. Motion passed by roll call  vote. (7 yes, 0 no) Fayhee was connected telephonically, which made eight Board  members present. 

There were 38 people in attendance, which included seven Board members, one  Board member telephonically, and County Clerk Georgia England. 

Mission Statement: read by Larry Baker 

Minutes: Graven moved to approve the December 9, 2021 County Board meeting  minutes. Kirby seconded said motion, which passed by roll call vote. (8 yes, 0 no Note:  Fayhee was not recognized during roll call votes until later in the meeting. Since he was  aware of all the motions and discussions, he voted Yes to the motions in which he was  not called upon.) 

Guest Speaker: Kelly Lockart, Coles County Regional Planning gave an update  on the Moultrie County Comprehensive Plan. The County approved having a plan drawn  up in 2017 for a total cost of $25,000. As of this date, there remains to be paid to Coles  County Regional Planning approximately $6,000, which will be paid when the project is  completed. Lockart said the Plan should be completed by spring. 

Unfinished Business: At the December Board meeting, the motion to pay for  membership to the Sullivan Chamber of Commerce was tabled to allow time for the State’s Attorney to review the matter. Baker received the State’s Attorney’s opinion,  which stated that Illinois law allows the County to expend funds for economic  development, but to do so there would need to be a specific levy for economic  development, and for future reference the same goes for any allocated money. The  State’s Attorney stated there was no statutory authority to belong to and/or pay  membership dues to a Chamber & Economic Development (SCED). Baker said that the  former Board Chair sat on the SCED Board, and he was strongly advised by the State’s  Attorney that could possibly cause a conflict of interest. With that in mind, Baker stated  he was declining to sit on the SCED Board. Taking the State’s Attorney’s opinion and advise, Baker was withdrawing the motion to pay membership dues to SECD. Baker  inquired with the State’s Attorney that withdrawing the motion is all he had to do regarding  this matter, and was told yes. 

Appointments by County Board Chairman: None. 

NEW BUSINESS: 

STANDING COMMITTEE 

BUDGET AND FINANCE COMMITTEE (Chair: Baker) 

Committee met January 10, 2022. 

Graven moved to approve the Treasurer’s report for December 2021. Kirby  seconded said motion, which passed by roll call vote. (8 yes, 0 no Note: Fayhee was not  recognized during roll call votes until later in the meeting. Since he was aware of all the  motions and discussions, he voted Yes to the motions in which he was not called upon.) 

Houser moved to approve all claims as presented. Houser seconded said motion,  which passed by roll call vote. (8 yes, 0 no Note: Fayhee was not recognized during  roll call votes until later in the meeting. Since he was aware of all the motions and  discussions, he voted Yes to the motions in which he was not called upon.) 

Baker moved to authorize the Board Chair to enter into an agreement with West &  Company LLC of Sullivan, Illinois to conduct an audit for Fiscal Year ending November  30, 2021. Houser seconded the motion. During roll call vote it was noted that Fayhee  had not been included in this motion, nor the previous motions. Fayhee was asked if he  was able to hear all that was said, which he was and he voted yes on all prior motions  that he hadn’t been called upon. Baker confirmed with the State’s Attorney that Fayhee  was allowed to vote on all prior motions; all motions do reflect Fayhee’s Yes votes. 

Baker moved accept and spend any grant money received from the Illinois Court  Technology Modernization Program for a scrolling docket display outside courtrooms and  an audio/video system in Courtroom B, including an integrated video conferencing  system, audio for hearing impaired persons, and electronic evidence display, and to  authorize the Board Chairman, Presiding Judge of Moultrie County, and/or Moultrie County Treasurer to sign any necessary contracts or document necessary to carry out  the terms of the Program. Graven seconded the motion, which passed by roll call vote.  (8 yes, 0 no)  

Baker moved to approve the six-month reports from the County Clerk, Circuit  Clerk, Sheriff and Dive Team from the period of June 1, 2021 to November 30, 2021.  Kirby seconded said motion, which passed by roll call vote. (8 yes, 0 no) 

Baker moved to approve that the Moultrie County State’s Attorney develop an  Interagency Agreement between the City of Sullivan and Moultrie County with respect to  services Moultrie County provides for Planning and Zoning, building permits/building  inspections for the City of Sullivan. Voyles seconded said motion. Baker stated that the  City pays the County $500/month $6,000/year for Planning and Zoning, and building  permits/inspections the fee is for each inspection, which in 2021 the County was paid  approximately $13,740. Baker met with Mayor Richard Glazebrook, and the City does  not want an increase in fees, but would like to keep the agreement as is. The State’s  Attorney was asked to prepare an Agreement between the City and the County, which  Agreement will state that either the City or County may withdraw from the Agreement at  any time for no specific reason. Motion passed by roll call vote. (8 yes, 0 no) 

BUILDING AND GROUNDS COMMITTEE (Chair: Graven) 

Building and Grounds committee did not meet. 

When asked about the status of the roof, Graven indicated that the company may  begin work on the roof by Spring time, they are still having problems getting materials. 

ROAD AND BRIDGE COMMITTEE (Chair: Voyles) 

Committee met January 4, 2022. 

Voyles moved to approve the Ordinance establishing a reduced speed limit  through Kirksville. [40 M.P.H.] Aschermann seconded the motion, which passed by roll  call vote. (8 yes, 0 no) 

Voyles moved to approve the 2022 Bridge Petition List. Kirby seconded the motion,  which passed by roll call vote. (8 yes, 0 no) 

Voyles Moved to approve the Resolution for Improvement on County Highway 8,  Section 19-00077-00-PV. Houser seconded the motion, which passed by roll call vote.  (8 yes, 0 no)

Voyles moved to approve the County Bridge Fund Petition from Sullivan Township  for Section 19-07136-00-BR. Graven seconded the motion, which passed by roll call  vote. (8 yes, 0 no) 

PLANNING & ZONING COMMITTEE (Chair: Maxedon) 

Committee met January 4, 2022. 

Baker moved to approve the application by Robert F. Coleman to rezone part of  PIN #09-07-25-000-302, 938 Wright Cemetery, Findlay, IL from R-1 to C-2 for rental  property. Graven seconded said motion. Lauren Sesko was not present at the Board  meeting due to illness. Baker stated that Sesko did tell him that there was a quorum at  the Zoning hearing, but no quorum at the Planning & Zoning Committee meeting, to be  able to vote on this, however, she felt this matter could move forward due to the Zoning  Board’s decision. After discussion between the Board and Mr. Coleman and concurring  with the State’s Attorney that the motion could be voted on, a roll call vote was taken.  Motion passed. (8 yes, 0 no) 

Baker stated that the Board needed to decide on what to do with Planning and  Zoning. After Karen Cody resigned, Lauren Sesko was acting as Interim. The Assessor’s  office approached the Board regarding assuming those duties, stating that no additional  staff or money would be needed at this time; however, if at a later date, there is a need  Barringer stated it be addressed with the Board. Barringer also state that the Assessor’s  office would be able to take the duties over in a couple of weeks. The other option would  be to advertise/post the position as a full-time position. Discussion followed. Aschermann moved to have Lauren Sesko continue to be director of ESDA and GIS; Planning and  Zoning responsibilities would be transferred to the Assessment office, with transition of  responsibilities to be completed on or before February 14, 2022. Houser seconded said  motion, which passed by roll call vote. (7 yes, 1 no with Graven having voted no). 

PUBLIC HEALTH SAFETY & WELFARE COMMITTEE (Chair: Aschermann) 

The committee did not meet. No motions. 

AS NEEDED COMMITTEES 

LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE (Chair Kirby) 

The committee did not meet.  

Kirby moved to appoint the following Drainage Commissioners: 

To Expire September 2024: 

Aaron Bontrager Asa Creek DD 

Ed Kuhns Jonathan Creek DD #4 

Michael Yoder DD #3 Town of Lovington

Keith Krapt DD #6 Town of Lovington 

John C. Yoder Lowe DD #2 

Levi Yoder Lowe DD #4 

Daniel L. Gingerich Lowe DD #5 

R. Dennis Miller Lowe DD #7 

Steve Jurgens Lowe Special DD 

John W. Durbin Sullivan DD #2 

Eric Monroe DD #6 of Sullivan 

J.W. Day Union #1 by User, Lovington & Dora Twp. 

Randy Meyer Union DD #1 

Kenneth Bontrager Union #1 Sullivan, J. Creek, Lowe & Lovington Twp. 

Berle Casteel West Union Outlet 

Fred Smith Whitley DD #1 

Toby Wiley #1 East Nelson 

Mike Orris Union DD #1 of Mt. Zion and Dora Township To Expire September 2023: 

Michael Sheehan Unions DD #1 of Mt. Zion and Dora Township 

Houser seconded said motion, which passed by roll call vote. (8 yes, 0 no)

 INSURANCE COMMITTEE (Chair: Houser) 

The committee did not meet. No report. 

PERSONNEL COMMITTEE (Chair: Baker) 

The committee did not meet. No report. 

AD HOC COMMITTEES 

AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT (ARPA) (Chair: Stephanie Helmuth) 

Committee met January 4, 2022. 

Baker stated that there were approximately 14 applications requesting funds with  a total combined request of $1,575,607.12. The applications and requests would be sent to Bellwether for further review and comments. Checks to recipients will be cut in the very near future. 

COUNTY EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK (Chair: Tracy Weaver)  

Committee did not meet. No motions. 

WECS (WINDFARM) (Interim Chair: Jeff Birch) 

Committee met January 11, 2022.

Birch stated that the meeting was well attended by the public. Discussion on the  Met Towers and LIDAR Systems were discussed. Resolutions and Ordinances were  discussed; however, the matter was tabled until the next scheduled meeting on February  8, 2022. 

Baker stated that Voyles offered to take the position of WECS Chair, and was then  appointed as Chair to WECS by Baker. 

OTHER BUSINESS 

None. 

EXECUTIVE SESSION 5 ILCS 120/2(e) 

No executive session held. 

COMMENTS 

OFFICE HOLDERS/DEPARTMENT HEADS 

BOARD 

PUBLIC 

Rodney Flora from RWE briefly spoke on various topics of the Wind Energy farm,  including geological towers. 

With no further business, Graven moved to adjourn the meeting. Houser seconded  said motion, which passed by voice vote. (8 yes, 0 no) 

Meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.