Macon Reporter

DeWitt County Board met June 22.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Meeting was called to order at 6:00pm by Chairman Matthews.

Roll call was answered by Riddle, Ryan, Tilley, Werts, Witte, Carter, Deerwester, Farris Ferguson, Matthews, Myers, Prestegaard.

Attorney, Rich Marvel, spoke on behalf of some of the residents living next to the rezoning case R-127- 2023. Mr. Marvel made aware to the Board 3 issues he was having with passing the rezoning request. First were the technical requirements of the permit, stating he felt that the requirements of the permit were not fully met. Second was that the applicant failed to appear at the ZBA hearing thus failing to produce evidence or allowing the residents to ask the applicant questions about the rezoning. He stated that the ZBA hearing was supposed to present evidence and allow questions to be asked by the residents but since the applicant failed to show, neither of those happened. The last issue Mr. Marvel addressed was the applicant refusing to communicate with the residents. Such questions as if the property is for sale have not been answered by the applicant, leaving the residents with no answers as to what, if any, plans the applicant has for the property.

Dave Livingston and Jay Sprague were also listed on the agenda to speak to the Board about the rezoning case, but both conceded their talking time to Mr. Marvel.

The County Clerk advised that she had received via USPS a “Written Notice of Protest Of Rezoning Request # R127-2023” and that had emailed all 12 board members the notice. She wanted to verify that all board members received the email and all 12 members acknowledged that they had received it.

Motion by Tilley second by Farris to approve the May 18, 2023, County Board meeting minutes. Aye: Riddle, Ryan, Tilley, Werts, Witte, Carter, Farris, Deerwester, Ferguson, Matthews, Myers, Prestegaard. Motion Carried.

Motion by Matthews second by Ferguson to appoint Mark Walston to a 3-year term ending April 30, 2026, to the Clinton Sanitary District to fill the expired term of Ben Whitted. Aye: Riddle, Ryan, Tilley, Werts, Witte, Carter, Farris, Deerwester, Ferguson, Matthews, Myers, Prestegaard. Motion Carried.

Motion by Matthews second by Werts to appoint Tina Harrison of Farmer City, IL to the DeWitt County Community Mental Health Board to fill an unexpired term set to expire 12/31/2025. Aye: Riddle, Ryan, Tilley, Werts, Witte, Carter, Farris, Deerwester, Ferguson, Matthews, Myers, Prestegaard. Motion Carried.

Carter gave the Board a brief description of what was discussed at the current month’s Land Use meeting. Minutes from the Land Use meeting are filed with these minutes.

Motion by Carter second by Tilley to approve Case R-127-2023- Rezone Kristin’s Addition and North part of parcel 12-03-377-004 to RD-1. Ferguson wanted to let the Board know that he spoke with the zoning officer, who was not present at the meeting due to a vacation, and she told him that the application was

fully met. Aye: Riddle, Tilley, Werts, Witte, Carter, Deerwester, Ferguson, Matthews, Myers. Nay: Ryan, Farris, Prestegaard. Motion Carried.

Myers told the Board that Public Safety did not meet this month and she had nothing to share.

Ferguson told the Board that Property did not meet this month. He did want to let the Board know that the County Clerk’s office renovation is complete and that they are getting information for bid packets for the jail roof project.

Prestegaard gave the Board a brief description of what was discussed at the current month’s Road and Bridge meeting. He said he had a motion on the agenda to approve an Engineer Contract for Revere Rd, however, at this time they have not received the contract. He is going to let that motion sit for now. He said Revere Rd should start next month and asked Mr. Mathon if he had anything further to say about the Revere Rd project. Mr. Mathon stated that he will have a press release going out in the next few days and that there will be detours set up, but all businesses will still have access. He said July 5, 2023, looks to be the start of the project, right after the 4th of July holiday. Prestegaard also informed the Board that there is an open position in the department and Mr. Mathon has a few applications and they will be advertising the opening as well. Minutes from the Road and Bridge meeting are filed with these minutes.

Motion by Prestegaard second by Carter to approve the Resolution for Salary & Expenses of DeWitt County Engineer, Section 23-00000-CS & 23-CS039-AC. Prestegaard informed the Board that this an annual resolution and when approved the County MFT account can be reimbursed up to 50% by Federal funds. The increase this year is 2%. Aye: Riddle, Ryan, Tilley, Werts, Witte, Carter, Farris, Deerwester, Ferguson, Matthews, Myers, Prestegaard. Motion Carried.

Matthews told the Board that Marina did not meet this month. He did state that he had received a letter from DNR after the May meeting about the possibility of purchasing the Marina. DNR is doing a 60-day study and will get back to the County in 60 days. He is expecting to hear from them in July sometime. He is hoping to have the next Marina meeting next week, the week of June 26th instead of the normal meeting week which is the week of the 4th of July Holiday. (Matthews forwarded the DNR letter to the Clerk on 6/26/23 since she did not receive a copy before the meeting. The DNR letter is attached to these minutes.)

Tilley told the Board that Finance did meet but she had nothing to pass along to the Board. Minutes from the Finance meeting are filed with these minutes.

Motion by Tilley second by Ferguson to pay all bills. Aye: Riddle, Ryan, Tilley, Werts, Witte, Carter, Farris, Deerwester, Ferguson, Matthews, Myers, Prestegaard. Motion Carried.

Motion by Myers second by Farris to enter into a shelter medicine contract with the U of I. Myers stated that she forwarded the contract to Mr. Markwell to look over and the only change being made is the name of the contact person. The contact person will be changed to the County Administrator. Witte asked if she had the contract because he did not get one. Myers did not have one on hand and had assumed Dee Dee had emailed everyone a copy. No Board member or the Clerk received the contract. Witte believes until everyone has a chance to look at the contract, the motion should be tabled.

Motion by Witte second by Tilley to table the motion to enter into a shelter medicine contract with the U of I. Aye: Riddle, Ryan, Tilley, Werts, Witte, Carter, Farris, Deerwester, Ferguson, Matthews, Myers, Prestegaard. Motion Carried.

Motion by Tilley second by Ferguson to approve and certify the salary increase for the full time Public Defender position at 90% of the State’s Attorney’s salary pursuant to 25ILCS 120/6.6 and 55ILCs5/3- 4007. Mr. Markwell informed the Board that he had received the COLA information from the Treasurer who had received it from the IL Dept of Revenue stating July 1, 2023, the increase will be 4.6%. Aye: Riddle, Ryan, Tilley, Werts, Witte, Carter, Farris, Deerwester, Ferguson, Matthews, Myers, Prestegaard. Motion Carried.

Ryan informed the Board that he had a meeting with Revize and discussed options for the new website such as layout, colors, etc. He just wanted the Board to know he has them going on the website. He also stated that all existing content currently on each office tab will remain on the new website, just in the new format and design.

Motion by Tilley second by Ferguson to adjourn at 6:32pm with all in favor.

http://www.dewittcountyill.com/minutes/2023/board/Board-062223.pdf