Chambana Sun

Champaign County Board met Sept. 22.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The County Board of Champaign County, Illinois met at a Regular Meeting at 6:31 PM in the Shields-Carter Meeting Room, Brookens  Administrative Center, 1776 East Washington Street, Urbana, Illinois, with County  Executive Darlene Kloeppel presiding and Matthew Cross as Clerk of the meeting. 

ROLL CALL 

Roll call showed the following members present: Harper, King, Lokshin, McGuire, Passalacqua, Rodriguez, Stohr, Straub, Summers, Taylor, Thorsland,  Vanichtheeranont, Williams, Wolken, Carter, Esry, Goss, and Patterson – 18; absent:  Michaels, Paul, Cowart, and Fortado – 4. Wolken departed early at 7:20 and missed the  final three votes. County Executive Kloeppel declared a quorum present and the Board  competent to conduct business.  

PRAYER & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 

County Executive Kloeppel read an American Indian prayer 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 September 1, September 8, September 15, 2022. 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA/ADDENDA 

Board Member Esry offered a motion to approve the Agenda/Addenda; Board Member  Goss seconded. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. 

DATE/TIME OF NEXT MEETINGS 

Standing Committees:  

A. County Facilities Committee Meeting  

Tuesday, October 4, 2022 at 6:30 PM 

Shields-Carter Meeting Room 

 B. Environment & Land Use Committee 

Thursday, October 6, 2022 at 6:30 PM 

Shields-Carter Meeting Room 

C. Highway and Transportation Committee Meeting  

Friday, October 7, 2022 at 9 AM 

1605 E Main Street, Urbana

Committee of the Whole: 

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

Tuesday, October 11, 2022 at 6:30 PM 

Shields-Carter Meeting Room 

County Board: 

A. Truth in Taxation Hearing 

Thursday, October 20, 2022 at 6:15 PM 

Shields-Carter Meeting Room 

B. Regular Meeting and Public Hearing 

Thursday, October 20, 2022 at 6:30 PM 

Shields-Carter Meeting Room 

County Executive Kloeppel read the notices of public hearing for October 20, 2022. 

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION 

Steve Schmall of unincorporated Urbana spoke about and read a letter from Edgewood  Subdivision Homeowner’s Association President Jill Stewart in support of amending the  county nuisance property policy, specifically regarding overgrown landscaping at a  Carrie Ave residence. 

Lei Tian of unincorporated Urbana spoke about property damage resulting from  easement clearing by the Saline Branch Drainage Commission. 

Nik Gordon of unincorporated Urbana spoke in defense of the overgrown landscaping at  his Carrie Ave residence. 

CONSENT AGENDA 

Board Chair Patterson offered a motion to adopt the Consent Agenda Board Member  Lokshin seconded. Board Member requested Resolution No. 2022-192 be removed  from the Consent Agenda. The motion comprising 23 resolutions (Nos. 2022-183, 2022- 184, 2022-185, 2022-186, 2022-187, 2022-188, 2022-189, 2022-190, 2022-191, 2022- 193, 2022-194, 2022-195, 2022-196, 2022-197, 2022-198, 2022-199, 2022-200, 2022- 201, 2022-202, 2022-203, 2022-204, 2022-205, and 2022-206) carried by unanimous  roll-call vote. 

Yeas: Harper, King, Lokshin, McGuire, Passalacqua, Rodriguez, Stohr,  Straub, Summers, Taylor, Thorsland, Vanichtheeranont, Williams, Wolken, Carter, Esry, Goss and Patterson – 18 

Nays: none 

Board Member Esry offered a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2022-192 appointing  Debra Griest to the Beaver Lake Drainage District, term ending 08/31/2025; Board  Member Harper seconded. Board Member Stohr stated he wanted to delay the appointment to investigate Debra Griest’s spouse, Raymond Griest, giving the  statements of Mr. Tian regarding Mr. Griest’s actions as Saline Branch Drainage District  Commissioner. Board Member Esry defended the easement clearing work of Mr. Griest  and noted Ms. Griest’s appointment was unanimously approved at the Committee of the  Whole. Board Member Stohr offered a motion to reconsider the appointment at the  October County Board Meeting; Board Member Rodriguez seconded. The motion to  postpone carried by roll-call vote. 

Yeas: King, Lokshin, Rodriguez, Stohr, Straub, Summers, Taylor,  Thorsland, Vanichtheeranont, Carter, and Patterson – 11 

Nays: Harper, McGuire, Passalacqua, Williams, Wolken, Esry, and Goss –  7  

COMMUNICATIONS 

Board Member Passalacqua noted volunteer opportunities for a Habitat for Humanity  project on Saturday, September 24, 2022.  

Board Member Harper noted that drainage districts have rights to access and modify  property within easements. He also read a constituent email about polling places St.  Joseph. 

Board Member Esry advised drivers to be careful about farm equipment on the roads  during harvest time. 

Board Member Stohr noted an upcoming H3 Coalition community violence event at the  Illinois Terminal Building on Saturday, September 24, 2022. 

Board Member McGuire spoke about the voter removal process and the Clerk’s office  requesting ID numbers for voter applicants.  

Board Member King noted that the state offers same-day voter registration. 

Board Member Williams noted that all polling places in the county are universal polling  places, so voters are not restricted to a single polling place, and he also noted the state  identification number requirements for voter registration. 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES 

Board Member Goss offered a motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of  the County Board of August 18, 2022; Board Member Lokshin seconded. The motion  carried by unanimous voice vote.

AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY 

County Executive Kloeppel noted the Summary of Action Taken for the Committee of  the Whole (Justice and Social Services; Finance; Policy, Personnel, and Appointments)  on September 13, 2022, was received and placed on file. 

FINANCE 

Board Member Goss offered a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2022-207  approving budget amendment BUA 2022/9/10 required to cover the state stipend  that was received by the previous Recorder last year; Board Member King  seconded. The motion failed to achieve the required 15-vote threshold.  

Yeas: King, Lokshin, Rodriguez, Stohr, Straub, Summers, Taylor,  Thorsland, Vanichtheeranont, Williams, Wolken, Carter, Esry, and  Patterson – 14 

Nays: Harper, McGuire, Passalacqua, and Goss – 4  

Board Member Goss offered a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2022-208  authorizing an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Champaign,  Illinois and the County of Champaign, Illinois regarding the Champaign Diversity  Advancement Program; Board Member Carter seconded. Board Member  Williams requested a roll-call vote. Board Member Goss noted his opposition to  paying the City of Champaign for their minority and women-owned approved  businesses list. Board Member Carter noted the county currently has no  contracts with black-owned businesses. Board Member Goss stated the county  should select the best contractor by competitive bids, noting that the county  doesn’t “see color.” Board Member Straub noted she supports the resolution as a  step towards employment equity. Board Member Lokshin noted the list tracks  race, gender, and veteran status. Board Member Williams asked if the county  currently has a list of approved vendors; County Executive Kloeppel confirmed  the county maintains lists of approved vendors. Board Member Rodriguez stated  the contractor list is a means of opposing structural bias. The motion carried by  roll-call vote. 

Yeas: King, Lokshin, McGuire, Rodriguez, Stohr, Straub, Summers, Taylor, Thorsland, Vanichtheeranont, Williams, Carter, and  Patterson – 13 

Nays: Harper, Passalacqua, Wolken, Esry, and Goss – 5  

STANDING COMMITTEES 

COUNTY FACILITIES 

County Executive Kloeppel noted the Summary of Action Taken for County Facilities Committee on September 6, 2022, was received and placed on file.

Board Member Summers offered a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2022-209  authorizing the Champaign County Executive to execute an agreement between  the County and the East Central Illinois Building and Construction Trades Council  regarding a Project Labor Agreement for the Satellite Jail Consolidation Project;  Board Member Rodriguez seconded. Board Member Passalacqua asked of the  agreement would constitute a barrier. Board Member Summers stated it  facilitates smoother work. Board Member Rodriguez stated the agreement is the  first step of a community workforce agreement. Motion carried by voice vote. 

ENVIRONMENT AND LAND USE 

County Executive Kloeppel noted the Summary of Action Taken for Environment  and Land Use Committee on September 8, 2022, was received and placed on  file. 

Board Member Esry offered a motion to adopt Ordinance No. 2022-6 amending  Zoning Ordinance for a Zoning Map amendment on certain property, Zoning  Case 059-AM-22; Board Chair Patterson seconded. The motion carried by  unanimous roll-call vote. 

Yeas: Harper, King, Lokshin, McGuire, Passalacqua, Rodriguez, Stohr,  Straub, Summers, Taylor, Thorsland, Vanichtheeranont, Williams, Carter, Esry, Goss and Patterson – 17 

Nays: none 

HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORTATION 

County Executive Kloeppel noted the Summary of Action Taken for Highway and  Transportation Committee on September 9, 2022, was received and placed on  file. 

NEW BUSINESS 

Board Member Williams offered an omnibus motion to adopt Resolutions No. 2022-210 authorizing payments of claims and No. 2022-211 authorizing purchases not following  purchasing policy; Board Member Thorsland seconded. The motion carried by  unanimous voice vote. 

Board Member Goss offered a motion to adopt ordinance No. 2022-7 authorizing the  issuance by the County of General Obligation Bonds (Public Safety Sales Tax  Alternative Revenue Source) in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed  $20,000,000 to construct and equip a jail facility next to the existing satellite jail; Board  Member Stohr seconded. Deputy Finance Director Tami Ogden and Raymond James  county advisor Elizabeth Hennessy were invited to join the discussion. Ms. Hennessy  gave a brief presentation on the bonds for the jail and the County Plaza projects, noting the jail project will include American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds in addition to the  bond funding and the bonds are projected to be paid off in 14 years (due to the Public  Safety Sales Tax source) rather than 20 years, which will save the county more than  $3,000,000. Deputy Finance Director Ogden noted the County Plaza estimates do not  include replacement windows, as that estimate had not been received. Board Member  Williams asked about using Public Safety Sales Tax source for the County Plaza  project, as it will be housing the offices for the County Sheriff; Deputy Finance Director  Ogden stated that doing so would be prohibitively difficult and potentially not legal, and  Ms. Hennessy and County Executive Kloeppel offered specific details as to why that  would not be a viable option. Board Member Stohr asked about the difference in bond  interest rates between the two projects; Ms. Hennessy stated the jail project has a lower  interest rate because it will be a 14-year bond and the County Plaza will be a 20-year  bond. The motion carried by roll-call vote. 

Yeas: Harper, King, Lokshin, McGuire, Passalacqua, Rodriguez, Stohr, Straub, Summers, Taylor, Thorsland, Vanichtheeranont, Carter, Esry, Goss, and  Patterson – 16 

Nays: Williams – 1  

  

Board Member Goss offered a motion to adopt Ordinance No. 2022-8 authorizing the  issuance by the County of General Obligation Bonds (General Sales Tax Alternative  Revenue Source) in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $20,000,000 to  renovate, repair, and equip the former County Plaza building for the relocation of  various County offices; Board Member Summers seconded. The motion carried by  unanimous roll-call vote. 

Yeas: Harper, King, Lokshin, McGuire, Passalacqua, Rodriguez, Stohr, Straub, Summers, Taylor, Thorsland, Vanichtheeranont, Williams, Carter, Esry, Goss and Patterson – 17 

Nays: none 

OTHER BUSINESS 

Board Member Passalacqua offered a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2022-212  authorizing an amendment to intergovernmental agreement with the Central Illinois  Land Bank; Board Member McGuire seconded. The motion carried by unanimous voice  vote.  

Board Member Summers offered an omnibus motion to adopt Resolutions No. 2022- 213 approving agreement between the Champaign County Executive, Sheriff,  Treasurer, Coroner, and Clerk/Recorder and the American Federation of State, County,  and Municipal Employees, Council 31 for the General Bargaining Unit, January 1, 2022  – December 31, 2024; No. 2022-214 approving agreement between the Champaign  County State’s Attorney and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal  Employees, Council 31 for the General Bargaining Unit, January 1, 2022 – December  31, 2024; No. 2022-215 approving agreement between the Chief Judge of the Sixth  Judicial Court and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees,  Council 31 for the General Bargaining Unit, January 1, 2022 – December 31, 2024; No. 2022-216 approving agreement between the Champaign County Circuit Clerk and the  American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Council 31 for the  General Bargaining Unit, January 1, 2022 – December 31, 2024; and No. 2022-217  approving agreement between the Champaign County Executive and the American  Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Council 31 for the Highway  Department, January 1, 2022 – December 31, 2024; Board Member McGuire seconded.  The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. 

Board Member Esry offered an omnibus motion to keep closed the Closed Session  Minutes for the County Board, the County Administrator Search, and the Nursing Home  Board of Review; Board Member Passalacqua seconded. The motion carried by  unanimous voice vote. 

Board Member Vanichtheeranont offered a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2022-218  authorizing memorandum of understanding between the Champaign County Board and  the Regional Planning Commission to utilize facility for early childhood education  services; Board Member Goss seconded. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. 

DISCUSSION/INFORMATION ONLY 

Board Member Goss noted the FY2023 County Budget has no discussion points.  County Executive clarified that the budget will have two points of discussion: funding for  ARPA projects and the County Administrator line item that had been used as a  discretionary fund since the County transitioned to the County Executive model. 

Deputy Finance Director Ogden noted the October Truth in Taxation meeting is the  result of $128,000,000 in new revenue which resulted in a decrease in the levy rate. 

ARPA Project Manager Kathy Larson presented an update on various ARPA projects.  Board Member Carter asked if all organization have signed contracts; Project Manager  Larson stated that 37 contracts have been drawn (31 signed and seven awaiting  signatures) and five contracts are currently in the draft process. Board Member Stohr  asked about small business grants; Project Manager Larson replied that those contract  drafts are under review. Board Member Thorsland thanked Project Manager Larson for  her hard work. 

County Executive Kloeppel and various board members discussed the public lottery to  determine two-year versus four-year board terms for the November General Elections at  the October 11, 2022, Committee of the Whole Meeting. County Executive Kloeppel  stated the intent to use the procedure as outlined in Ordinance No. 909. Assistant  State’s Attorney Matthew Banach was invited to join the discussion; he noted that the  statute states they must be a public drawing of lots and advised against deviating from  the procedure outlined in Ordinance No. 909. County Executive Kloeppel and various  board members discussed whether or not to hold the public lottery before or after the  October 11, 2022, Committee of the Whole Meeting.

ADJOURNMENT 

County Executive Kloeppel adjourned the meeting at 8:04 PM. 

 https://www.co.champaign.il.us/CountyBoard/CB/2022/220922_Meeting/220922_Draft_Minutes.pdf