Chambana Sun

Champaign County Committee of the Whole met Feb. 9.

Here is the agenda provided by the committee:

I. Call to Order

Chair Patterson called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m.

II. Roll Call

A verbal roll call was taken, and a quorum was declared present

III. Approval of Agenda/Addenda

MOTION by Ms. Taylor to approve the agenda; seconded by Mr. Thorsland. Upon roll call vote the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

IV. Approval of Minutes

A. January 12, 2021 – Regular Meeting

MOTION by Ms. Straub to approve the minutes of January 12, 2021; seconded by Ms. King. Chair Patterson noted that the year was incorrect on the agenda and should be 2021. Upon roll call vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

V. Public Participation

None

Committee of the Whole Minutes

Finance; Policy, Personnel, & Appointments; Justice & Social Services

VI. Closed Session

MOTION by Mr. Summers to enter into CLOSED session pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11) to consider litigation which is pending against or on behalf of Champaign County, and litigation that is probable or imminent against Champaign County and that the following parties remain present: State’s Attorney, State’s Attorney Chief of Civil Division, Legal Counsel, IT staff and recording secretary; seconded by Ms. Taylor. Upon roll call vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

The Committee of the Whole entered Closed Session at 6:43 p.m.

Ms. Cowart joined the meeting during closed session at 6:55 p.m.

The Committee of the Whole resumed Open Session at 7:43 p.m.

VII. Communications

Ms. Straub informed the Board that she was contacted by a constituent about County Board members using their social media accounts to spread conspiracy theories and making light of violence against women. She hopes that everyone will strive to be better than this.

VIII. Policy, Personnel, & Appointments

A. County Executive

1. Monthly HR Report – January 2021

Received and placed on file

2. Appointments/Reappointments (italics indicates incumbent)

a. Resolution appointing Brian Rector to the Champaign County Board of Review, unexpired term ending 5/31/2022

MOTION by Mr. Goss to recommend County Board approval of a resolution appointing Brian Rector to the Champaign County Board of Review; seconded by Ms. Taylor. Upon roll call vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

b. County Board Liaison Appointments

MOTION by Mr. Esry to recommend County Board approval of a resolution appointing County Board Liaisons; seconded by Mr. Patterson. Upon roll call vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

c. Currently vacant appointments – full list and information is available on the County’s website Information only

d. Applications for open appointments

i. Locust Grove Cemetery Association – 1 position – unexpired term ending 6/30/2026 • Marcia Fisher

Information only

3. Requirements for Reapportionment of County Board Districts

Mr. Stohr consulted with the State’s Attorney’s Office and explained there may not be more than 29 members on the County Board by statute. He noted the lack of County Board representation on the Redistricting Advisory Group and how this will make it difficult for the Board to approve the maps they are presented. Live streaming the meetings was suggested as a way for true transparency. Mr. Stohr also mentioned the discussion at the Democratic Caucus meeting and explained how they would be satisfied with the current number of members and districts. Mr. Passalacqua stated the Republican Caucus was also satisfied with the current structure. Mr. Stohr said he would discuss these preferences with the County Executive and no action was taken.

4. COVID-19 testing option for County employees

Board members stated they had not received any information regarding this agenda item and would bring it up again at the full Board meeting.

B. County Clerk

1. Monthly Report – January 2021

Received and placed on file

C. Other Business

None

D. Chair’s Report

None

F. Designation of Items to be Placed on the Consent Agenda

VIII. A. 2. a, b

IX. Finance

A. Budget Amendments/Transfers

1. Budget Amendment 20-00063

Fund 080 General Corporate / Dept 042 Coroner

Increased Appropriations: $15,990

Increased Revenue: $28,853

Reason: To cover end of FY20 additional autopsy and toxicology related expenses. Budget amendment is revenue and expenditure neutral due to increased FY20 revenue from statutory fees and reimbursement of coroner costs totaling approximately $28,853 in additional revenue

MOTION by Mr. Harper to recommend County Board approval of a resolution approving budget amendment 20-00063; seconded by Ms. Michaels. Ms. Fortado mentioned the approximate amount that was used to pay a specific pathologist. Upon roll call vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

2. Budget Amendment 20-00064

Fund 679 Child Advocacy Center / Dept 179 Child Advocacy Center

Increased appropriations: $2,259

Increased revenue: $0

Reason: Increase in spending authority to pay for end of year expenses. See memo.

Committee of the Whole Minutes

Finance; Policy, Personnel, & Appointments; Justice & Social Services

MOTION by Ms. King to recommend County Board approval of a resolution approving budget amendment 20-00064; seconded by Ms. Straub. Upon roll call vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

3. Budget Transfer 20-00009

Fund 076 Tort Immunity Tax Fund / Dept 075 General County

Amount: $28,626

Reason: To pay final FY2020 worker’s compensation premium billing.

MOTION by Mr. Goss to recommend County Board approval of a resolution approving budget transfer 20-00009; seconded by Mr. McGuire. Upon roll call vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

4. Budget Transfer 20-00008

Fund 080 General Corporate / Dept 030 Circuit Clerk

Amount: $5,202

Reason: $5,201.53 in publications run between 12/1/19 and 5/14/20 in the News Gazette were unpaid. News Gazette has waived service charges for past due amounts. Requesting personnel funds be transferred to cover past due amounts so 080-030 non-personnel lines can be used for any remaining and en route invoices.

MOTION by Mr. Stohr to recommend County Board approval of a resolution approving budget transfer 20-00008; seconded by Ms. Taylor. Mr. Stohr asked for clarification on the type of publications. Upon roll call vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

5. Budget Amendment 21-00011

Fund 630 Cir Clk Operation & Admin / Dept 030 Circuit Clerk

Increased Appropriations: $89,000

Increased Revenue: $0

Reason: The Circuit Clerk’s Office has 34 desks in one large room; many side by side. Staff in this area answer 300 to 350 calls a day. Partitions would provide sound dampening, improve COVID-19 social distancing, and still allow visibility across the room. Clerk will absorb cost of labor.

MOTION by Mr. Patterson to recommend County Board approval of a resolution approving budget amendment 21-00011; seconded by Ms. King. Discussion followed regarding the layout of the office, the Facility Department’s efforts to provide barriers and the multiple reasons these barriers are needed. Mr. McGuire recused himself due to a relationship with the vendor. Upon roll call vote: 

Yea: 18 – Esry, Fortado, Harper, Humphrey, King, Michaels, Passalacqua, Raab, Rodriguez, Stohr, Straub, Summers. Taylor, Thorsland, Wolken, Ammons, Cowart, Patterson

Nay: 2 – Goss, Paul

The MOTION CARRIED.

6. Budget Amendment 21-00007

Fund 091 Animal Control / Dept 247 Animal Warden Services

Increased Appropriations: $16,077

Increased Revenue: $0

Reason: Transfer from fund balance to cover the cost of van conversion. Was originally budgeted for in FY2020 but the conversion was not complete by the end of the year.

MOTION by Mr. Harper to recommend County Board approval of a resolution approving budget amendment 21-00007; seconded by Mr. Summers. Upon roll call vote:

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

Nay: 1 – Paul

The MOTION CARRIED.

7. Budget Amendment 21-00009

Fund 075 Regional Planning Comm / Dept 899 US Dpt of Treas Rntl Asst

Increased Appropriations: $6,215,623

Increased Revenue: $6,215,623

Reason: See attached

MOTION by Mr. McGuire to recommend County Board approval of a resolution approving budget amendment 21-00009; seconded by Ms. Taylor. Ms. Benson gave some background information about the program. Upon roll call vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

8. Budget Amendment 21-00010

Fund 105 Capital Asset Replcmt Fnd / Dept 051 Juvenile Detention Center, 059 Facilities Planning

Increased Appropriations: $85,833

Increased Revenue: $0

Reason: Re-encumber funds for Courthouse and JDC video security and master control projects started in FY2020; however, not completed until January 2021

MOTION by Mr. Esry to recommend County Board approval of a resolution approving budget amendment 21-00010; seconded by Mr. Summers. Upon roll call vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

B. Treasurer

1. Monthly Report – January 2021 – Reports are available on the Treasurer’s webpage Received and placed on file

2. Resolution authorizing the County Executive to assign mobile home tax sale certificate of purchase

MOTION by Ms. King to recommend County Board approval of a resolution authorizing the County Executive to assign mobile home tax sale certificate of purchase; seconded by Mr. Thorsland. Upon roll call vote:

Yea: 20 – Esry, Fortado, Goss, Harper, Humphrey, King, Michaels, Passalacqua, Paul, Raab, Rodriguez, Stohr, Straub, Summers, Taylor, Thorsland, Wolken, Ammons, Cowart, Patterson Nay: 1 – McGuire

The MOTION CARRIED.

C. Auditor

1. Monthly Report – January 2021 - Reports are available on the Auditor’s webpage Received and placed on file

D. County Executive

1. Resolution abating certain taxes hereto levied to pay the principal of and interest on various outstanding bonds of the County of Champaign, Illinois

MOTION by Ms. Michaels to recommend County Board approval of a resolution abating certain taxes hereto levied to pay the principal of and interest on various outstanding bonds of the County of Champaign, Illinois; seconded by Mr. Goss. Upon roll call vote:

Yea: 20 – Esry, Fortado, Goss, Harper, Humphrey, King, Michaels, Passalacqua, Paul, Raab, Rodriguez, Stohr, Straub, Summers, Taylor, Thorsland, Wolken, Ammons, Cowart, Patterson Nay: 1 – McGuire

The MOTION CARRIED.

2. RFQ2020-006 – Employee Health Insurance & Related Benefits Broker Consultant Services

MOTION by Mr. Stohr to recommend County Board approval of a resolution authorizing the County Executive to enter into a contract for Employee Health Benefits Broker/Consultant Services to Gallagher Benefits Services; seconded by Mr. Thorsland. Discussion followed regarding the lack of Board representation on the evaluation team. Upon roll call vote:

Yea: 17 – Esry, Fortado, Goss, Harper, Humphrey, King, McGuire, Passalacqua, Paul, Raab, Rodriguez, Stohr, Straub, Taylor, Thorsland, Wolken, Ammons

Nay: 4 – Michaels, Summers, Cowart, Patterson

The MOTION CARRIED.

3. COVID-19 testing option for County employees

Information was not received – no action was taken

E. County Clerk

1. Resolution authorizing an acceptance agreement between Champaign County and the Illinois State Board of Elections for a Voter Registration State Grant 2021

MOTION by Mr. Patterson to recommend County Board approval of a resolution authorizing an acceptance agreement between Champaign County and the Illinois State Board of Elections for a Voter Registration State Grant 2021; seconded by Ms. Taylor. Upon roll call vote:

Yea: 18 – Esry, Fortado, Humphrey, King, McGuire, Michaels, Paul, Raab, Rodriguez, Stohr, Straub, Summers, Taylor, Thorsland, Wolken, Ammons, Cowart, Patterson

Nay: 3 – Goss, Harper, Paul

The MOTION CARRIED.

2. Budget Amendment 21-00008

Fund 080 General Corporate / Dept 022 County Clerk

Fund 628 Election Assist/Accessibility / Dept 022 County Clerk

Increased Appropriations: $80,369

Increased Revenue: $80,369

Reason: Grant funds to offset cost for annual license fees of voter registration system, VBM, staff time for IVRS work, ETC….

MOTION by Mr. Thorsland to recommend County Board approval of a resolution approving budget amendment 21-00008; seconded by Mr. Patterson. Discussion followed about the uses of the grant money and any long-term costs. Upon roll call vote:

Yea: 17 – Fortado, Humphrey, King, McGuire, Michaels, Paul, Raab, Rodriguez, Stohr, Straub, Summers, Taylor, Thorsland, Wolken, Ammons, Cowart, Patterson

Nay: 4 – Esry, Goss, Harper, Passalacqua

The MOTION CARRIED.

F. Other Business

None

G. Chair’s Report

None

H. Designation of Items to be Placed on the Consent Agenda

IX. A. 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8

X. Justice and Social Services

A. Monthly Reports – All reports are available on each department’s webpage through the department reports page

• Animal Control – November & December 2020

• Probation & Court Services – December 2020 and 4th Quarter Report

Received and placed on file

B. Rosecrance Re-Entry Financial Report – December 2020

Information only

C. Memorandum of Understanding for implementation of the Moral Reconation Therapy for youth ages 11-18 in Champaign County

MOTION by Mr. Patterson to recommend County Board approval of a Memorandum of Understanding for Implementation of the Moral Reconation Therapy for youth ages 11-18 in Champaign County; seconded by Mr. McGuire. Discussion regarding the funding for this program followed. Upon roll call vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

D. Other Business

None

E. Chair’s Report

Ms. Taylor stated she will be bringing information, to the March Committee of the Whole, about the Animal Control Taskforce and recommendations from the Racial Justice Taskforce.

F. Designation of Items to be Placed on the Consent Agenda

X. C

XI. Other Business

Mr. Patterson recognized Treasurer Johnson as the first woman of color to be elected to a County position

XII. Adjournment

Chair Patterson adjourned the meeting at 9:14 p.m.

http://www.co.champaign.il.us/CountyBoard/Committee_Of_The_Whole/2021/210209_Meeting/210209Minutes.pdf