Chambana Sun

Champaign County Board met Dec. 17.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

The County Board of Champaign County, Illinois met at a Regular Meeting at 6:44 PM in the Lyle Shields Meeting Room, Brookens Administrative Center, 1776 East Washington Street, Urbana, Illinois and remote participation via Zoom due to social distancing necessitated by the coronavirus, with County Executive Darlene Kloeppel presiding, Matthew Cross as Clerk of the meeting. Call to Order was delayed due to the preceding Special Meeting running late until 6:41 PM.

ROLL CALL

Roll call showed the following members present: Cowart, Esry, Fortado, Goss, Harper, Humphrey, King, McGuire, Michaels, Passalacqua, Paul, Raab, Rodriguez, Stohr, Straub, Summers, Taylor, Thorsland, Williams, Wolken, Ammons, and Patterson – 22; absent: none; McGuire was signed into the Zoom meeting but did not respond to the roll call. No members were physically present in the Lyle Shields Meeting Room; all participated via Zoom. Thereupon, County Executive Kloeppel declared a quorum present and the Board competent to conduct business. Because of connectivity issues, some members present missed votes: Harper (1 vote missed), McGuire (2 votes missed and the opening roll), and Paul (1 vote missed). Due to the remote attendance situation all voting must be by roll call, per Illinois Public Act 101-0640, approved by Governor Pritzker June 12, 2020.

INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

County Executive Kloeppel read a quote from Mother Teresa and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was recited.

READ NOTICE OF MEETING

The Clerk read the Notice of the Meeting, said Notice having been published in the News Gazette on December 8, December 10, and December 16, 2020.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA/ADDENDA

Board Member Summers offered a motion to approve the Agenda/Addenda; Board Member Harper seconded. Board Member Summers offered an amendment to the Agenda/Addend: move Communications up from item XII to VIII (after Public Participation and before Appointments to All County Board Committees) and rename item XI from “Discussions/Information Only” to “Other Business;” Board Member Thorsland seconded. Board Members Harper and Fortado asked that future Agendas rename “Inspirational Thought and Pledge of Allegiance” to “Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance,” as it has been in prior Agendas. The motion to approve the amended Agenda carried by unanimous roll-call vote.

Yeas: Cowart, Esry, Fortado, Goss, Harper, Humphrey, King, Michaels, Passalacqua, Raab, Rodriguez, Stohr, Straub, Summers, Taylor, Thorsland, Williams, Wolken, Ammons, and Patterson – 20

Nays: None.

Missed: McGuire and Paul – 2

DATE/TIME OF NEXT MEETINGS

Standing Committees:

A. County Faciliies Committee Meeting

Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at 6:30 PM

Lyle Shields Meeting Room

B. Environment and Land Use Committee

Thursday, January 7, 2021 at 6:30 PM

Lyle Shields Meeting Room

C. Highway and Transportation Committee Meeting

Friday, January 8, 2021 at 9:00 AM

Lyle Shields Meeting Room

Committee of the Whole:

A. Justice and Social Services; Policy, Personnel and Appointments; Finance 

Tuesday, January 12, 2021 at 6:30 PM

Lyle Shields Meeting Room

County Board:

A. Regular Meeting

Thursday, January 21, 2021 at 6:30 PM

Lyle Shields Meeting Room

B. Study Session – Tentative

Tuesday, January 26, 2021 at 6:00 PM

Lyle Shields Meeting Room

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

All public participation was remote via Zoom.

Jared Fritz, applicant for CUMTD Board, briefly introduced himself.

Ben Beaupre noted the simulcast issue in the preceding Special Meeting was immediately corrected. He then spoke about the state Covid-19 in the nation, region, and county and noted the disinformation being spread about the pandemic is hurtful to everyone.

Allen Axelrod stated that Illinois American Water is refusing to halt water disconnections despite the economic effect of the pandemic. He then read an open letter urging the suspension of evictions in Champaign County for the duration of the pandemic.

COMMUNICATIONS

None.

APPOINTMENTS TO ALL COUNTY BOARD COMMITTEES

Board Chair Patterson offered an omnibus motion to approve the County Board Committee assignments beginning December 2020 through November 2022: 

Environment and Land Use Committee: Eric Thorsland (Chair), Aaron Esry (Vice Chair), Chris Stohr, Jacob Paul, Mary King, Kyle Patterson, and Stephanie Fortado.

Facilities Committee: Steve Summers (Chair), Stan Harper (Vice Chair), Emily Rodriguez, DeShawn Williams, Jim Goss, Jodi Wolken, Jordan Humphrey, and Leah Taylor.

Highway and Transportation Committee: Lorraine Cowart (Chair), Dianne Michaels (Vice Chair), Brad Passalacqua, Cameron Raab, Titianna Ammons, and Jen Straub.

Committee of the Whole:

Finance: Stephanie Fortado (Chair) and Jim Goss (Vice Chair)

Justice and Social Services: Leah Taylor (Chair) and Jim McGuire (Vice Chair)

Policy, Personnel, and Appointments: Chris Stohr (Chair) and Brad Passalacqua (Vice Chair)

Labor Committee: Steve Summers (Chair), Stan Harper (Vice Chair), Stephanie Fortado, Jim McGuire, and Emily Rodriguez.

Litigation Committee: Eric Thorsland (Chair), Diane Michaels (Vice Chair), Kyle Patterson, Chris Stohr, and Jim Goss.

Board Member Thorsland seconded. The motion carried by unanimous roll-call vote. 

Yeas: Cowart, Esry, Fortado, Goss, Harper, Humphrey, King, McGuire, Michaels, Passalacqua, Paul, Raab, Rodriguez, Stohr, Straub, Summers, Taylor, Thorsland, Williams, Wolken, Ammons, and Patterson – 22

Nays: None

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Board Member McGuire offered a motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of the County Board of November 19, 2020; Board Member King seconded. Motion carried by unanimous roll-call vote.

Yeas: Cowart, Esry, Fortado, Goss, Harper, Humphrey, King, McGuire, Michaels, Passalacqua, Paul, Raab, Rodriguez, Stohr, Straub, Summers, Taylor, Thorsland, Williams, Wolken, Ammons, and Patterson – 22

Nays: None

NEW BUSINESS

Board Member Taylor offered a motion to adopt resolution No. 2020-323 authorizing budget amendment 20-00058; Board Member Stohr seconded. Board Members Fortado and McGuire offered their thanks to the Recorder’s Office staff for their hard work. Board Member Summers offered an amendment to the resolution, adding the signature line “Kyle Patterson, Chair, County Board of the County of Champaign Illinois;” Board Member Thorsland seconded. The amendment to the resolution carried by unanimous roll-call vote.

Yeas: Cowart, Esry, Fortado, Goss, Harper, Humphrey, King, McGuire, Michaels, Passalacqua, Paul, Raab, Rodriguez, Stohr, Straub, Summers, Taylor, Thorsland, Williams, Wolken, Ammons, and Patterson – 22

Nays: None

The motion as amended carried by unanimous roll-call vote.

Yeas: Cowart, Esry, Fortado, Goss, Harper, Humphrey, King, McGuire, Michaels, Passalacqua, Paul, Raab, Rodriguez, Stohr, Straub, Summers, Taylor, Thorsland, Williams, Wolken, Ammons, and Patterson – 22

Nays: None

Board Member Humphrey offered a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2020-324 authorizing budget transfer 20-00003; Board Member Stohr seconded. Board Member Summers offered an amendment to the resolution, adding the signature line “Kyle Patterson, Chair, County Board of the County of Champaign Illinois;” Board Member Thorsland seconded. The amendment to the resolution carried by unanimous roll-call vote.

Yeas: Cowart, Esry, Fortado, Goss, Humphrey, King, McGuire, Michaels, Passalacqua, Paul, Raab, Rodriguez, Stohr, Straub, Summers, Taylor, Thorsland, Williams, Wolken, Ammons, and Patterson – 22

Nays: None

Various board members discussed if an omnibus motion could be used to amend all resolutions on the agenda to include the signature line “Kyle Patterson, Chair, County Board of the County of Champaign Illinois,” so that each resolution will not require a separate amendment roll-call vote; the board determined that a friendly amendment could be added without requiring a full roll-call vote on the amendment, as long as it had the approval of the offering and seconding members. Various board members and County Executive Kloeppel then debated the removal of the Board Chair’s signature line from the resolutions. County Executive Kloeppel argued that the Board Chair’s signature is not necessary, and various board members noting that the County Executive’s signature is not necessarily required if the board chair has signed and enough time passes. Chief Deputy County Clerk Angela Patton was invited to join the discussion; she notes that State’s Attorney Julia Rietz had previously noted that the board chair’s signature is required. Board Member Fortado formally requested the party chairs and County Executive Kloeppel appoint a parliamentarian to oversee the procedures of the county board meetings. The motion as amended to include the signature line carried by unanimous roll-call vote.

Yeas: Cowart, Esry, Fortado, Goss, Humphrey, King, McGuire, Michaels, Passalacqua, Paul, Raab, Rodriguez, Stohr, Straub, Summers, Taylor, Thorsland, Williams, Wolken, Ammons, and Patterson – 22

Nays: None

Missed: Harper – 1

Board Member King offered a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2020-335 establishing polling locations for the 2021 Election; Board Member Thorsland seconded. Board Member Summers offered a friendly amendment to include the signature line “Kyle Patterson, Chair, County Board of the County of Champaign Illinois;” Board Member Thorsland seconded and offering Board Member King accepted the friendly amendment. Board Member Harper asked if Board Member Ammons should be required to recuse herself from this and all decisions involving the County Clerk, as her father is Clerk Ammons; County Executive Kloeppel noted she was advised that Board Member Ammons did not need to recuse herself as the resolution relates to Clerk Ammons’ office and not Clerk Ammons personally. The motion as amended to include the signature line carried by unanimous roll-call vote.

Yeas: Cowart, Esry, Fortado, Goss, Harper, Humphrey, King, McGuire, Michaels, Passalacqua, Paul, Raab, Rodriguez, Stohr, Straub, Summers, Taylor, Thorsland, Williams, Wolken, Ammons, and Patterson – 22 

Nays: None

Board Member Thorsland offered a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2020-325 authorizing budget transfer 20-00004; Board Member Taylor seconded. Board Member Summers offered a friendly amendment to include the signature line “Kyle Patterson, Chair, County Board of the County of Champaign Illinois;” offering Board Member Thorsland and seconding Board Member Taylor accepted the friendly amendment. The motion as amended carried by roll-call vote.

Yeas: Cowart, Esry, Fortado, Harper, Humphrey, King, McGuire, Michaels, Passalacqua, Paul, Raab, Rodriguez, Stohr, Straub, Summers, Taylor, Thorsland, Williams, Wolken, Ammons, and Patterson – 21

Nays: Goss – 1

Board Member Fortado offered a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2020-329 designating the Office of the State’s Attorney’s Appellate Prosecutor as its Agent, with the friendly amendment to include the signature line “Kyle Patterson, Chair, County Board of the

County of Champaign Illinois;” Board Member Summers seconded both the resolution and the friendly amendment. The motion as amended carried by unanimous roll-call vote.

Yeas: Cowart, Esry, Fortado, Goss, Harper, Humphrey, King, McGuire, Michaels, Passalacqua, Paul, Raab, Rodriguez, Stohr, Straub, Summers, Taylor, Thorsland, Williams, Wolken, Ammons, and Patterson – 22 

Nays: None

Board Member Taylor offered a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2020-328 approval to extend contract with Rosecrance for Re-Entry Programming for the County of Champaign through December 2021, with the friendly amendment to include the signature line “Kyle Patterson, Chair, County Board of the County of Champaign Illinois;” Board Member Straub seconded both the resolution and the friendly amendment. The motion as amended carried by unanimous roll-call vote.

Yeas: Cowart, Esry, Fortado, Goss, Harper, Humphrey, King, McGuire, Michaels, Passalacqua, Paul, Raab, Rodriguez, Stohr, Straub, Summers, Taylor, Thorsland, Williams, Wolken, Ammons, and Patterson – 22 

Nays: None

Board Member Michaels offered an omnibus motion to adopt Resolutions No. 2020-326 authorizing RFQ 2020-004 contract for engineering services with Champaign County and No. 2020-327 authorizing RFQ 2020-005 contract for architectural services with Champaign County; Board Member Passalacqua seconded. Board Member Summers offered a friendly amendment to add the signature line “Kyle Patterson, Chair, County Board of the County of Champaign Illinois;” offering Board Member Michaels and seconding Board Member Passalacqua accepted the friendly amendment. Member Fortado asked about the use of two architectural firms in Resolution No. 2020-327; Board Member Harper noted that the large scope of the work, largely due to hail damage in the summer, would require two firms. The motion as amended carried by unanimous roll-call vote.

Yeas: Cowart, Esry, Fortado, Goss, Harper, Humphrey, King, McGuire, Michaels, Passalacqua, Paul, Raab, Rodriguez, Stohr, Straub, Summers, Taylor, Thorsland, Williams, Wolken, Ammons, and Patterson – 22 

Nays: None

Board Member Michaels offered a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2020-330 awarding of contracts for aggregate materials for the 2021 maintenance of road districts in Champaign County; Board Member Passalacqua seconded. Board Member Summers offered a friendly amendment to add the signature line “Kyle Patterson, Chair, County Board of the County of Champaign Illinois;” offering Board Member Michaels and seconding Board Member Passalacqua accepted the friendly amendment. Board Member Stohr noted that the contract is being awarded to a company outside of Champaign County because the transportation of aggregate is the highest portion of the cost and Tuscola is closer to many of the expected projects, and he noted that they provide a high-quality stone product. Board Member Michaels notes that Tuscola Stone has been contracted by the county in the past. The motion as amended carried by unanimous roll-call vote.

Yeas: Cowart, Esry, Fortado, Goss, Harper, Humphrey, King, McGuire, Michaels, Passalacqua, Paul, Raab, Rodriguez, Stohr, Straub, Summers, Taylor, Thorsland, Williams, Wolken, Ammons, and Patterson – 22

Nays: None

Board Member Michaels offered an omnibus motion to approve the annual renewal of Recreation and Entertainment Licenses for Champaign County Fair Association, 1302 North Coler Avenue, Urbana, 07/22/2021-07/31/2021 and Bluestem Hall, 1401 East Old Church Road, Urbana, 01/21/2021-12/31/2021; Board Member Stohr seconded. The motion carried by unanimous roll-call vote.

Yeas: Cowart, Esry, Fortado, Goss, Harper, Humphrey, King, McGuire, Michaels, Passalacqua, Paul, Raab, Rodriguez, Stohr, Straub, Summers, Taylor, Thorsland, Williams, Wolken, Ammons, and Patterson – 22

Nays: None

Board Member Esry offered a motion to approve the annual renewal of Recreation and Entertainment License for Gordyville LLC, 2205 CR3000N, Gifford, 1/1/2021-12/31- 2021; Board Member Goss seconded. Board Member Stohr objected, noting that he had recently driven past Gordyville LLC and noticed a number of vehicles in the lot and raised the question that Gordyville LLC may not be in compliance with Champaign Urbana Public Health Department guidelines; Board Member Stohr reiterated that his was merely speculative based on personal observations. Various board members noted that Gordyville LLC often has vehicles and horse trailers in their lot even when not holding public events. Board Chair Patterson stated that this was an issue for the Champaign Urbana Public Health Department and not up for debate without proof or verified complains. Board Member Stohr withdrew his objection. The motion carried by unanimous roll-call vote.

Yeas: Cowart, Esry, Fortado, Goss, Harper, Humphrey, King, Michaels, Passalacqua, Paul, Raab, Rodriguez, Stohr, Straub, Summers, Taylor, Thorsland, Williams, Wolken, Ammons, and Patterson – 21

Nays: None

Missed: McGuire – 1

Board Member Summers offered a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2020-331 designating the 2021 County Board Calendar of Meetings amended to include the signature line “Kyle Patterson, Chair, County Board of the County of Champaign Illinois;” Board Member Passalacqua seconded agreeing to the amendment. The motion as amended carried by unanimous roll-call vote.

Yeas: Cowart, Esry, Fortado, Goss, Harper, Humphrey, King, McGuire, Michaels, Passalacqua, Paul, Raab, Rodriguez, Stohr, Straub, Summers, Taylor, Thorsland, Williams, Wolken, Ammons, and Patterson – 22

Nays: None

Nays: Esry, Goss, Harper, McGuire, Michaels, Passalacqua, Paul, and Wolken – 8

OTHER BUSINESS

County Executive Kloeppel solicited volunteers for Board Liaisons. Board Member offered his name to be a liaison to the Board of Health.

Board Member Fortado asked the Labor Committee to consider changing the holiday of the second Monday in October from Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples’ Day in future labor contracts.

ADJOURN

County Executive Kloeppel adjourned the meeting at 8:20 PM.

http://www.co.champaign.il.us/CountyBoard/CB/2020/201217_Meeting/201217Minutes.pdf