Chambana Sun

Champaign County Committee of the Whole Met May 11.

Here is the minutes provided by the Committee:

Members Present via Zoom: Titianna Ammons, Lorraine Cowart, Aaron Esry, Stephanie Fortado, Jim Goss, Stan Harper, Jordan Humphrey, Mary King, Jenny Lokshin, Jim McGuire, Diane Michaels, Brad Passalacqua, Emily Rodriguez, Chris Stohr, Jennifer Straub, Steve Summers, Leah Taylor, Eric Thorsland, Jodi Wolken

Members Physically Present: Kyle Patterson

Members Absent: Jacob Paul

Others Present: Darlene Kloeppel (County Executive), Tami Ogden (Deputy Director of Finance), Bill Colbrook (Director of Administration), Megan Robison (Recording Secretary), Aaron Ammons (County Clerk), Cassandra “CJ” Johnson (Treasurer), George Danos (Auditor)

Agenda Items

I. Call to Order

Chair Patterson called the meeting to order at 6:31

II. Roll Call

Roll call was taken, and a quorum was declared present.

III. Approval of Agenda/Addenda

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

Ms. Ammons joined the meeting at 6:34

IV. Approval of Minutes

A. April 13, 2021 – Regular Meeting

MOTION by Mr. Thorsland to approve the minutes of April 13, 2021; seconded by Ms. Cowart. Upon roll call vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

V. Public Hearing

A. Pursuant to the requirements of Section 147(f) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, on the plans to issue Capital Improvement Revenue Refunding Bond, Series 2021 (Countryside School Project) in the amount not to exceed $2,000,000

Public hearing minutes taken by the County Clerk

VI. Public Participation

Trisha Crowley, President of the Champaign County League of Women Voters, spoke to the Board about being on the County Executive’s Redistricting Advisory Group. She believes that the three maps that have been recommended are the best according to the statutory criteria.

VII. Communications

Brad Passalacqua spoke about the large amount of correspondence he has received about the detox center that is proposed in the Rolling Acres neighborhood. He read one letter that represents the majority of the comments. The neighbors are not a against a detox center, but they are shocked that this has not had to go through the Zoning Board of Appeals. He will be forwarding the emails to all Board members.

Jennifer Straub reminded the Board that the communities only emergency homeless shelter will be closing their doors beginning May 12. She would like everyone to keep this in mind while they are discussing what to do with the federal aid dollars.

Jordan Humphrey said the need for the detox center is very great. If they don’t put it in this neighborhood then where should they put this? This type of facility can keep many people out of the jail system and can save lives.

Jim Goss wants everyone to discuss moving back to in-person meetings.

Jim McGuire added on to Mr. Passalacqua’s comments to say that everyone is frustrated that they have not had a chance to comment/discuss the detox center being placed in this neighborhood.

Emily Rodriguez would like everyone to think about a few questions. What does an appropriate neighborhood look like? What does the programming look like? What do the health resources look like? What does access to visitors look like? She also asked everyone to refrain from using stigmatizing language like “addicts”.

VIII. Justice and Social Services

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

• Probation & Court Services – March 2021 & First Quarter report

• Public Defender – February, March & April 2021

• Emergency Management Agency – March 2021

• Animal Control – January & February 2021

• Head Start – January & February 2021

Received and placed on file

B. Rosecrance Re-Entry Financial Report – March 2021

Information only

C. Other Business

None

D. Chair’s Report

None

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

None

IX. Finance

A. Budget Amendments/Transfers

1. Budget Amendment 21-00016

Fund 089 County Public Health Fund / Dept 049 Board of Health

Increased Appropriations: $321,258

Increased Revenue: $321, 258

Reason: COVID mass vaccination grant funding awarded to Public Health Department from State of Illinois $290,000. Increased local health protection grant funding $31,258.

MOTION by Ms. Taylor to recommend County Board approval of a resolution approving budget amendment 21-00016; seconded by Ms. Lokshin. Upon roll call vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

2. Budget Amendment 21-00017

Fund 080 General Corporate / Dept 040 Sheriff

Increased Appropriations: $67,834

Increased Revenue: $67,834

Reason: Increased grant funding to cover increased FY21 expenditures for the new Records Management (RMS) implementation (see attached memo).

MOTION by Ms. Taylor to recommend County Board approval of a resolution approving budget amendment 21-00017; seconded by Mr. Thorsland. Upon roll call vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

3. Budget Amendment 21-00019

Fund 103 Hwy Fed Aid Matching Fund / Dept 060 Highway

Increased Appropriations: $345,297

Increased Revenue: $0

Reason: Request for budget amendment for final county share of CH 13 Section #17-0/445-00- RS. Agreement executed with the State of IL on 7/25/2018. $350,000 was carried in the federal aid FY 2020 budget. The final invoice was received on 04/15/2021. Grant funding of $2,300,000 was received. The total project cost was $2,645,297.

MOTION by Ms. Cowart to recommend County Board approval of a resolution approving budget amendment 21-00019; seconded by Ms. Michaels. Upon roll call vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

B. Treasurer

1. Monthly Report – April 2021 – Reports are available on the Treasurer’s webpage

Received and placed on file – Mr. Goss asked for an update regarding the issue with taxes in Fisher. Ms. Johnson explained they are waiting for Devnet to get back to them with the total cost. They believe the Village of Fisher will be agreeable to pay for the cost and then they can proceed immediately, and it should be a very simple process.

C. Auditor

1. Monthly Report – April 2021 - Reports are available on the Auditor’s webpage 

Received and placed on file

2. Update from the Auditor

Information only

D. County Executive

1. Resolution adopting the Champaign County Financial Policies

MOTION by Mr. Goss to recommend County Board approval of a resolution adopting the Champaign County Financial Policies; seconded by Ms. King. Ms. Ogden pointed out the main changes to the policies and the reasons for the changes. Upon roll call vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

2. FY2022 County Budget Process

Information only – Ms. Kloeppel explained they have a robust budget schedule to get the budget in place by November. She also explained the ARPA funds do not need to be spent by 2024 but only allocated by that time. One additional change being made this year is the reduction in expenditures for personnel from 100 to 94.5%.

3. Intergovernmental Agreement between the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District and Champaign County, for the allotment transfer of local CURE funding

MOTION by Mr. Thorsland to recommend County Board approval of a resolution authorizing the County Executive to sign an intergovernmental agreement between the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District for CURE funding; seconded by Ms. Taylor. Ms. Kloeppel explained there was leftover CURE funding that can be transferred back to the County. This is just the formal steps for the transfer. Upon roll call vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

E. Other Business

1. Request for public input on American Rescue Plan Act Funds

Ms. Fortado thanked everyone that attended the first study session. The next study session will be a setting to receive input from the public. She is asking the public to give written ideas and priorities for the funding. She reminded everyone that this is not a time for specific funding proposals.

F. Chair’s Report

Ms. Fortado extended her congratulations to Ms. Ammons on her recent graduation. 

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

IX. A. 1, 2, 3, D. 1, 3

X. Policy, Personnel, & Appointments

A. County Executive

1. Monthly HR Report – April 2021

Received and placed on file

2. Appointments/Reappointments

a. Resolution appointing Kathryn Stacey to the Locust Grove Cemetery Association, unexpired term ending 6/30/2024

b. Resolution appointing Derek Winstanley to the Urbana-Champaign Sanitary District, term 6/1/2021-5/31/2024

c. Resolution appointing Steve Parrish to the Penfield Public Water District, term 6/1/2021- 5/31/2026

OMNIBUS MOTION by Ms. Lokshin to recommend County Board approval of a resolution appointing Kathryn Stacey, Derek Winstanley and Steve Parrish to their respective boards; seconded by Mr. Thorsland. Upon roll call vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

d. Resolution appointing Meghan Hennesy to the Sangamon Valley Public Water District, term 6/1/2021-5/31/2026

MOTION by Ms. King to recommend County Board approval of a resolution appointing Meghan Hennesy to the Sangamon Valley Public Water District; seconded by Ms. Straub. Discussion followed regarding the possibility of a conflict of interest by being on the school board. Upon roll call vote:

Yea: 14 – Humphrey, King, Lokshin, Rodriguez, Stohr, Straub, Summers, Taylor, Thorsland, Ammons, Carter, Cowart, Fortado, Patterson

Nay: 7 – McGuire, Michaels, Passalacqua, Wolken, Esry, Goss, Harper

The MOTION CARRIED.

e. Resolution appointing Colleen Schultz to the Sangamon Valley Public Water District, term 6/1/2021-5/31/2026

MOTION by Ms. Straub to recommend County Board approval of a resolution appointing Colleen Schultz to the Sangamon Valley Public Water District; seconded by Mr. Patterson. Discussion followed regarding the possibility of a conflict of interest by being on the school board. Upon roll call vote:

Yea: 14 – Humphrey, King, Lokshin, Rodriguez, Stohr, Straub, Summers, Taylor, Thorsland, Ammons, Carter, Cowart, Fortado, Patterson

Nay: 7 – McGuire, Michaels, Passalacqua, Wolken, Esry, Goss, Harper

The MOTION CARRIED.

f. Resolution appointing Olen Parkhill to the Sangamon Valley Public Water District, unexpired term ending 5/31/2024

MOTION by Mr. Esry to recommend County Board approval of a resolution appointing Olen Parkhill to the Sangamon Valley Public Water District; seconded by Mr. Goss. Discussion followed regarding the concern for a conflict of interest as a property developer in the area. Upon roll call vote:

Yea: 4 – McGuire, Esry, Goss, Harper

Nay: 17 – Humphrey, King, Lokshin, Michaels, Passalacqua, Rodriguez, Stohr, Straub, Summers, Taylor, Thorsland, Wolken, Ammons, Carter, Cowart, Fortado, Patterson

The MOTION FAILED.

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

h. Applications for open appointments

Information only

3. Request for Job Content Evaluation Committee to review a Senior Zoning Technician position for the Planning and Zoning Department

MOTION by Mr. Thorsland to forward the Senior Zoning Technician position for the Planning and Zoning Department to the Job Content Evaluation Committee; seconded by Ms. Straub. Upon roll call vote:

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

the MOTION CARRIED.

4. Request for Job Content Evaluation Committee to review an Assistant Animal Control Director position for the Animal Control Department

MOTION by Ms. Lokshin to forward the Assistant Animal Control Director position for the Animal Control Department to the Job Content Evaluation Committee; seconded by Ms. Taylor. Discussion followed about the current approved staffing positions that may be similar to this position and why this new position is required. Upon roll call vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

5. County Executive’s recommendation for a redistricting map

Information only – Ms. Kloeppel explained the process she has gone through with her Redistricting Advisory Group. She has provided a summary of all this information and is recommending three maps to the County Board for consideration. The maps recommended are Plan 1, Plan 3 and Plan 5A.

B. County Board

1. County Board member compensation for the 2021 Apportionment Plan

a. Per diem rate for County Board, Committee of the Whole, Standing Committees and Study Sessions

b. Per diem rate for Special committees, sub-committees, and labor negotiation sessions c. County Board Chair annual salary amount

Mr. Stohr reminded the Board that the consensus has previously been that there would be no change to compensation. No one spoke in opposition to this statement.

C. County Clerk

1. Monthly Report – April 2021

Received and placed on file

D. Other Business

None

E. Chair’s Report

None

F. Designation of Items to be Placed on the Consent Agenda X. A. 2. a, b, c

XI. Other Business

None

XII. Adjournment

Chair Patterson adjourned the meeting at 8:14 p.m.

https://www.co.champaign.il.us/CountyBoard/Committee_Of_The_Whole/2021/210511_Meeting/210511Minutes.pdf