Chambana Sun

Champaign County Committee of the Whole met Sept. 13.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Members Present: Samantha Carter, Aaron Esry, Jim Goss, Stan Harper, Mary King, Jenny Lokshin, Jim McGuire, Diane Michaels, Brad Passalacqua, Jacob Paul, Jennifer Straub,  Steve Summers, Leah Taylor, Bethany Vanichtheeranont, Wayne Williams, Jodi  Wolken, Kyle Patterson 

Members Absent: Lorraine Cowart, Stephanie Fortado, Emily Rodriguez, Chris Stohr, Eric Thorsland 

Others Present: Darlene Kloeppel (County Executive), Tami Ogden (Director of Finance) Megan Robison (Recording Secretary) 

Agenda Items 

I. Call to Order 

Chair Patterson called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

II. Roll Call 

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

III. Approval of Agenda/Addenda 

MOTION by Ms. Michaels to approve the agenda; seconded by Ms. Taylor. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

IV. Approval of Minutes 

A. August 9, 2022 – Regular Meeting

MOTION by Ms. Straub to approve the minutes of August 9, 2022; seconded by Ms. Wolken. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

V. Public Participation 

Debra Griest, Beaver Lake Drainage District applicant, shared a few thoughts about drainage. She stated that drainage is the County’s ultimate infrastructure but not well understood by most citizens. Much of the drainage infrastructure was installed over one hundred years ago and requires maintenance, repairs and upgrades. She pledges to serve the citizens of the Beaver Lake Drainage District with fairness, honesty, respect and integrity at all times.

Micah McMahon, Correctional Officer and elected union representative of the FOP Labor Council, has requested the County begin negotiations with the bargaining unit but they have been denied. He spoke about his journey to become a correctional officer and how things have changed so much in just seven years. He believes they need to work on retention and recruitment by changing the benefits that are offered. They are requesting the tools needed to properly retain and recruit strong, morally sound individuals.

Todd Gill, Correctional Officer, came to speak about the Sheriff’s staffing situation. He shared his journey to become an officer and how things have changed in the last twenty-two years. He stated the starting pay has only increased approximately 26 cents/year over the last twenty-two years. Currently, they are down sixteen officers and are required to work insane amounts of overtime. He believes this is the time for the County be proactive instead of reactive.

VI. Communications 

Mr. McGuire addressed the issues with the jail. He wants to know when the County is going to get serious about providing a proper sized jail and when they are going to start supporting the officers.

Mr. Williams mentioned the results of the County Governance Study done by the League of Women Voters of Champaign County. He encouraged all of the Board members to read through the results of this study.

Mr. Harper recognized Susan Monte for all of her accomplishments and awards she has received.

Ms. Lokshin thanked all of the Board members who supported the funding for immigrant organizations. The County Board is receiving a Community Impact award for their efforts to support the immigrant community.

VII. Finance 

A. Budget Amendments/Transfers

1. Budget Amendment BUA 2022/8/370

Fund 2075 Regional Planning Commission / Dept 100 Regional Planning Commission

Increased Appropriations: $84,375

Increased Revenue: $84,375

Reason: To receive funds from the Illinois Association of Community Action Agencies for providing transportation assistance

MOTION by Ms. Michaels to recommend County Board approval of a resolution approving budget amendment BUA 2022/8/370; seconded by Ms. King. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

2. Budget Amendment BUA 2022/8/123

Fund 8850 Geog Inf Sys Joint Venture / Dept 111 Operations & Administration

Increased Appropriations: $32,875

Increased Revenue: $15,148

Reason: The FY2021 appropriation for the LiDAR Enhancement and 1-ft county-wide contour projects needs to be shifted to the FY2022 budget and for the receipt of member contribution revenue. Also, the 2021 lease payment that was not billed until 2022.

MOTION by Mr. Harper to recommend County Board approval of a resolution approving budget amendment BUA 2022/8/123; seconded by Ms. Taylor. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

3. Budget Amendment BUA 2022/9/10

Fund 1080 General Corporate / Dept 023 Recorder

Increased Appropriations: $3,276.71

Increased Revenue: $3,276.71

Reason: Amendment required to cover the state stipend that was received by the previous Recorder, last year.

MOTION by Ms. Lokshin to recommend County Board approval of a resolution approving budget amendment BUA 2022/9/10; seconded by Ms. Straub. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED.

B. Auditor

1. Monthly Report – July & August 2022 – Reports are available on the Auditor’s webpage Received and placed on file

C. Sheriff

1. Emergency Management Assistance (EMA) Grant

MOTION by Ms. Taylor to recommend County Board approval of a resolution approving the application and acceptance of an Emergency Management Assistance Grant; seconded by Mr. Summers. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

D. County Executive

1. Timeline for general obligation bond issues

Information only – Mr. Goss touched on a couple items, pointing out the dates that require County Board involvement.

2. Resolution authorizing the execution of a service agreement for the supply of electricity for residential and small commercial retail customers who do not opt out of such a program (electric aggregation)

MOTION by Ms. Vanichtheeranont to recommend County Board approval of a resolution authorizing the execution of a service agreement for the supply of electricity for residential and small commercial retail customers who do not opt out of such a program; seconded by Ms. Lokshin. Upon roll call vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

3. Resolution approving employee health insurance and related benefit plans for FY2023

MOTION by Ms. Michaels to recommend County Board approval of a resolution approving employee health insurance and related benefit plans for FY2023; seconded by Mr. Summers. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

4. Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Champaign, Illinois and the County of Champaign, Illinois regarding the Champaign Diversity Advancement Program

MOTION by Ms. Carter to recommend County Board approval of a resolution approving an intergovernmental agreement between the City of Champaign and the County of Champaign regarding the Champaign Diversity Advancement Program; seconded by Ms. Straub. Ms. Straub mentioned how important this move is for the County. The MOTION CARRIED by a hand vote of 10 to 7.

E. Other Business

1. Semi-Annual Review of Closed Session Minutes

MOTION by Mr. Summers to follow the State’s Attorney’s recommendation to open the finance closed session minutes of 1/21/2004, 2/18/2004, 1/11/2022 and for all other minutes to remain closed; seconded by Mr. Esry. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

F. Chair’s Report 

None

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

VII. A. 1-2, C. 1, D. 2-3

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 – July 2022

• Public Defender – July 2022

• Animal Control – August 2022

• Emergency Management Agency – July & August 2022

Received and placed on file

B. Rosecrance Re-Entry Financial Report – July 2022

Information only

C. Veterans’ Assistance Commission

1. Resolution to support 2022 Operation Green Light for Veterans

MOTION by Ms. Straub to recommend County Board approval of a resolution to support 2022 Operation Green Light for Veterans; seconded by Mr. Summers. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

D. Other Business

1. Semi-Annual Review of Closed Session Minutes

MOTION by Mr. Summers to follow the State’s Attorney’s recommendation to open the Justice and Social Service closed session minutes of 7/7/1999 #1 and for all other closed session minutes to remain closed; seconded by Mr. Passalacqua. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

E. Chair’s Report

None

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

VIII. C. 1

IX. Policy, Personnel, & Appointments 

A. County Executive

1. Monthly HR Report – June, July & August 2022

Received and placed on file

2. Appointments/Reappointments (italics indicates incumbent) 

a. Resolution appointing Debra Griest to the Beaver Creek Drainage District, term ending 8/31/2025 

b. Resolution appointing Joseph Klein to the Kankakee Drainage District, term ending 8/31/2025 

c. Resolution appointing Wayne Cox to the Owl Creek Drainage District, term ending 8/31/2025 

d. Resolution appointing Kenneth Schmidt to the Raup Drainage District, term ending 8/31/2025

e. Resolution appointing Jerry Thinnes to the Union Drainage District #1 Philo and Crittenden, term ending 8/31/2025

f. Resolution appointing Richard Rayburn to the Conrad Fisher Drainage District, term ending 8/31/2025

g. Resolution appointing Valerie Rogers to the Blackford Slough Drainage District, term ending 8/31/2025

h. Resolution appointing Marc Shaw to the Fountain Head Drainage District, term ending 8/31/2025 

i. Resolution appointing William Wilson to the Willow Branch Drainage District, term ending 8/31/2025

j. Resolution appointing Brian Buss to the St. Joseph #3 Drainage District, term ending 8/31/2025 

k. Resolution appointing Brian Buss to the St. Joseph #4 Drainage District, term ending 8/31/2025 

l. Resolution appointing Carl Park to the Kerr and Compromise Drainage District, term ending 8/31/2025

m. Resolution appointing Lucas Meharry to the Pesotum Consolidated Drainage District, term ending 8/31/2025

n. Resolution appointing Tom Kacich to the Clements Cemetery Board, term ending 6/30/2023

OMNIBUS MOTION by Ms. King to recommend County Board approval of resolutions appointing Dbra Griest, Joseph Klein, Wayne Cox, Kenneth Schmidt, Jerry Thinnes, Richard Rayburn, Valerie Rogers, Marc Shaw, William Wilson, Brian, Carl Park, Lucas Meharry and Tom Kacich to their respective boards; seconded by Ms. Lokshin. Mr. Williams thanked Ms. Griest for speaking about the history of drainage in our area. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

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

p. Applications for open appointments

Information only

B. County Clerk

1. Monthly Report – August 2022

Received and placed on file

2. Resolution to establish additional place of election for the 2022 General Election

MOTION by Ms. Straub to recommend County Board approval of a resolution to establish additional place of election for the 2022 General Election; seconded by Mr. Goss. Mr. Goss asked for a correction to be made to the language on the resolution, removing the word “and” between Fisher and Conrad. Discussion continued regarding the limited rural polling locations, options to vote at any polling location in the County and the overall accessibility throughout the County. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED.

C. Other Business

1. Semi-Annual Review of Closed Session Minutes

MOTION by Mr. Summers to follow the State’s Attorney’s recommendation to open the Policy, Personnel, & Appointments closed session minutes of 6/8/2005 at 8:28 p.m. and for all closed session minutes to remain closed; seconded by Ms. Michaels. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED unanimously.

D. Chair’s Report 

None

E. Designation of Items to be Placed on the Consent Agenda IX. A. 2. a-n, B. 2

X. Other Business 

None

XI. Adjournment 

Chair Patterson adjourned the meeting at 7:09 p.m.

https://www.co.champaign.il.us/CountyBoard/Committee_Of_The_Whole/2022/220913_Meeting/220913Minutes.pdf