Chambana Sun

Champaign County Committee of the Whole met Nov. 9.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Members Present: Samantha Carter, Lorraine Cowart, Aaron Esry, Stephanie Fortado, Jim Goss, Mary King, Jenny Lokshin, Jim McGuire, Diane Michaels, Brad Passalacqua, Chris Stohr, Jennifer Straub, Steve Summers, Leah Taylor, Eric Thorsland, Jodi Wolken, Beth Vanichtheeranont, Kyle Patterson

Members Absent: Stan Harper, Jacob Paul, Emily Rodriguez

Others Present: Darlene Kloeppel (County Executive), Tami Ogden (Director of Finance), Cassandra Johnson (Treasurer), Matt Banach (Assistant State’s Attorney), George Danos (Auditor), Mike Ingram (Recorder of Deeds), Susan McGrath (Circuit Clerk), Susan Monte (Planner – Planning & Zoning), Megan Robison (Recording Secretary),

Agenda Items

I. Call to Order

Chair Patterson called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m.

II. Roll Call

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 Ms. Straub. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

IV. Approval of Minutes

A. August 30, 2021 – Finance Study Session

B. August 31, 2021 – Finance Study Session

C. October 12, 2021 – Regular Meeting

OMNIBUS MOTION by Ms. Taylor to approve the minutes of August 30, 2021, August 31, 2021 and October 12, 2021; seconded by Ms. King. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

V. Public Participation

Rohn Koester, Urbana resident, stated that no one wants to see the Downtown Jail remain open. He also spoke about the County Board’s current plan to renovate the jail, believes calling it “the right size plan” does not fit the facts and he explained those. Finally, he made three recommendations to benefit the jail conversation; ask constituents if they want to spend public funds, consider alternatives to traditional jail space, and asked that they don’t equate quick approval of a plan with responsible governance.

Dottie Vura-Weis, Urbana resident, shared information about the jail population trends. She stated there was a 30% decrease from 2012-2019 and that it was policy driven. She also noted there was an increase this year that has been due to the gun violence and she emphasized the importance of prevention rather than treatment.

Allan Max Axelrod, Urbana resident, spoke about the ending of the utility shutoff moratorium. He believes this was a gap in the policies from phase 3 to phase 4. He quoted the 2007 Congressional Resource Services Report, titled Pandemic Influenza, that includes the continuity of public utilities as a measure to keep their residents safe. Mr. Axelrod now leads the “No Ameren Shutoffs Campaign” that won four moratorium extensions from the President. He asked the County Board to consider something similar to the Utility Shutoff Avoidance Program enacted by Governor Pritzker.

Arthur Paginini, Urbana resident, spoke about the ending of the eviction moratorium and the thousands of people in Champaign County that are at risk of eviction. He reminded everyone that more crime will result from the loss of housing in the community. He asked for more money to be put towards the rental assistance program at the RPC and stated the hours are not convenient. He wants to see more money spent on community services.

Eddie Pratt Jr., Champaign-Urbana resident, spoke about the difficulties so many people in the community face. He asked what the Board’s justification was for putting millions of dollars in a jail when so many people are dying in the community. He said there are more than 100 unhoused individuals in the community. He believes the Board should be spending money to end chronic homelessness and investing in workforce development. He asked the Board to invest in bringing equity to Campaign County.

VI. Communications

Ms. King informed the Board there will be a Zoom presentation tomorrow by the Director of the Dixon Mound State Historic Site called Illinois Mounds and their Meanings.

Ms. Michaels let the Board know there will be a Veteran Memorial being dedicated at the Family Sports Complex in Rantoul at 11:00 a.m. on November 11th.

Mr. McGuire addressed some of the jail issues since he was not able to attend the last Jail Facilities Meeting. He reminded everyone that the County is mandated to fund and provide a safe and secure jail. He said they would not be increasing the number of beds but just consolidating two facilities. He also said the County does have social programs and they are trying to fund more but they must also properly fund the jail project to protect the public.

Ms. Lokshin extended her appreciation to everyone that helped with the smooth rollout of the vaccine for 5– 11-year-olds and thanked everyone for continuing to wear a mask at their meetings.

VII. Policy, Personnel, & Appointments

A. County Executive

1. Monthly HR Report – October 2021

Received and placed on file

2. Appointments/Reappointments

a. Resolution appointing Kelly Dillman to the Sadorus Fire Protection District, unexpired term ending 4/30/2024

b. Resolution appointing James Randol to the Zoning Board of Appeals, term 12/1/2021-11/30/2026 c. Resolution appointing Andy Quarnstrom (D) to the Public Aid Appeals Committee, term 12/1/2021-11/30/2023

d. Resolution appointing Danielle Chynoweth (D) to the Public Aid Appeals Committee, term 12/1/2021-11/30/2023

e. Resolution appointing Norman Davis (R) to the Public Aid Appeals Committee, term 12/1/2021- 11/30/2023

OMNIBUS MOTION by Mr. Esry to recommend County Board approval of resolutions appointing Kelly Dillman, James Randol, Andy Quarnstrom, Danielle Chynoweth and Norman Davis to their respective boards; seconded by Ms. Taylor. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED.

f. Resolution appointing Heather Soder as the Animal Control Administrator, term 1/1/2022- 12/31/2023

MOTION by Ms. Michaels to recommend County Board approval of a resolution appointing Heather Soder as the Animal Control Administrator, term 1/1/2022-12/31/2023; seconded by Ms. Carter. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

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

h. Applications for open appointments

Information only

B. County Clerk

1. Monthly Report – October 2021

Received and placed on file

C. County Executive

1. Request approval of the 2022 Holiday Calendar

MOTION by Mr. Patterson to recommend County Board approval of a resolution approving the 2022 Holiday Calendar; seconded by Mr. Summers.

MOTION by Mr. Patterson to amend the calendar to change the title of the October 10th holiday to Indigenous Peoples’ Day; seconded by Ms. Straub.

Upon vote, the MOTION to amend CARRIED by hand vote of 12-6.

Upon vote, the MOTION with the amendment CARRIED.

2. Request approval of the 2022 County Board Calendar of Meetings

MOTION by Ms. King to recommend County Board approval of a resolution approving the 2022 County Board Calendar of Meetings; seconded by Ms. Taylor. Ms. Lokshin noted a typographical error. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

D. Other Business

Mr. Thorsland, as the Litigation Committee Chair, mentioned the death of a dog last December and the large amount of public outcry. Himself and three other members will be bringing forward a resolution to amend the Animal Control Ordinance to add a verification process.

E. Chair’s Report

None

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

VII. A. 2. f, C. 2

VIII. Finance

A. Budget Amendments/Transfers

1. Budget Amendment 21-00058

Fund 676 Solid Waste Management / Dept 011 Solid Waste Management

Increased Appropriations: $3,609

Increased Revenue: $3,609

Reason: See attached letter of explanation

MOTION by Mr. Stohr to recommend County Board approval of a resolution approving budget amendment 21-00058; seconded by Mr. Esry. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

2. Budget Amendment 21-00059

Fund 080 General Corporate / Dept 023 Recorder

Increased Appropriations: $548,567

Increased Revenue: $791,000

Reason: Breaking even last year’s best-ever year, we find ourselves needing, even earlier, to increase the pass-through amounts to the state, which will also boost the County’s revenue via the share we keep.

MOTION by Mr. Summers to recommend County Board approval of a resolution approving budget amendment 21-00059; seconded by Ms. Lokshin. Discussion followed about the appreciation for the additional revenue without adding any additional staff. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

B. Treasurer

1. Monthly Report – August & September 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, permanent parcel number 09-011-0001

3. Resolution authorizing the County Executive to assign mobile home tax sale certificate of purchase, permanent parcel number 20-032-0008

OMNIBUS MOTION by Mr. Thorsland to recommend County Board approval of a resolution authorizing the County Executive to assign mobile home tax sale certificates of purchase, permanent parcel 09-011-0001 and 20-032-0008; seconded by Ms. Michaels. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

C. Auditor

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

Received and placed on file

D. County Executive

1. FY2021 General Corporate Fund Budget Projection

Ms. Ogden presented her FY2021 budget report to give everyone an update of the current projections for this fiscal year. She reminded everyone that the FY2021 budget was prepared very conservatively and currently they are projecting revenues to come in higher than budgeted. Ms. Ogden explained where the additional revenues are coming from. She then moved on to expenditures, which are projected to be underspent, and explained that the savings largely comes from personnel.

2. Annual Tax Levy Ordinance

MOTION by Mr. Goss to recommend County Board approval of the FY2022 annual tax levy ordinance; seconded by Mr. Summers. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

3. Annual Budget and Appropriation Ordinance

MOTION by Ms. Taylor to recommend County Board approval of the FY2022 annual budget and appropriation ordinance; seconded by Mr. Patterson. Discussion followed regarding the excess of expenditures over revenues being due to the money they are setting aside for the design of the jail plans. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED.

Ms. Ogden reminded the Board that this ordinance would not be placed on the Consent Agenda per the State’s Attorney’s recommendation.

E. Other Business

None

F. Chair’s Report

None

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

VIII. A. 1-2, B. 2-3, D. 2

IX. Justice and Social Services

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

• Probation & Court Services – September 2021

• Public Defender – September & October 2021

Received and placed on file

B. Rosecrance Re-Entry Financial Report – September 2021

Information only

C. State’s Attorney

1. Request approval for release of RFP 2021-011 for Digital Evidence Management System

MOTION by Ms. Straub to approve the release of RFP 2021-011 for Digital Evidence Management System; seconded by Ms. Michaels. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

D. Other Business

None

E. Chair’s Report

None

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

None

X. Other Business

None

XI. Adjournment

Chair Patterson adjourned the meeting at 7:45 p.m.

https://www.co.champaign.il.us/CountyBoard/Committee_Of_The_Whole/2021/211109_Meeting/211109Minutes.pdf