Chambana Sun

Champaign County Board met March 23.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The County Board of Champaign County, Illinois met at a Regular Meeting, Thursday, March 23, 2023, at 6:30 PM in the Shields-Carter Meeting Room, Brookens Administrative Center, 1776 East Washington Street, Urbana, Illinois, with County Executive Steve Summers presiding and Angie Patton as Clerk of the meeting.

ROLL CALL

Roll call showed the following members present: Harper, Ingram, Locke, Lokshin, Michaels, Rodriguez, Rogers, Sexton, Stohr, Straub, Thorsland, Wilson, Cowart, Esry, Fortado, Goss, Hanauer-Friedman, and Patterson – 18; absent: Carter and Vanichtheeranont– 2. Late: Taylor. County Executive Summers declared a quorum present and the Board competent to conduct business.

PRAYER & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

County Executive read a 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 March 6, 9, and 13, 2023

APPROVAL OF AGENDA/ADDENDA

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

DATE/TIME OF NEXT MEETINGS

Standing Committees:

A. County Facilities CommitteeTuesday, April 4, 2023 at 6:30 PMShields-Carter Meeting Room

B. Highway and Transportation CommitteeWednesday, April 5, 2023 at 9:00 AM1605 E Main Street, Urbana

C. Environment and Land Use CommitteeThursday, April 6, 2023 at 6:30 PMShields-Carter Meeting Room

Committee of the Whole:A. Justice and Social Services; Policy, Personnel and Appointments; and FinanceTuesday, April 11, 2023 at 6:30 PMShields-Carter Meeting Room

County Board:

A. Study SessionTuesday, March 28, 2023 at 6:00 PMShields-Carter Meeting Room

B. Regular MeetingThursday, April 20, 2023 at 6:30PMShields-Carter Meeting Room

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Jessica Etheridge spoke about the non-profit group, Nest Postpartum. Introduced herself and gave background info about the organization.

Matt Soyland spoke about the conditions at the Champaign County Jail and the concern about the phone/video visits are cost prohibitive.

Brian Dolinar spoke about the conditions at the Champaign County Jail and advocated to fund the public defender’s office.

Grace Wilken asked a question about the FOP Labor Contract that she hoped County Board Members would clarify. She also read a letter into the record asking for humane treatment for those incarcerated.

Luke Lee spoke about the conditions at the Champaign County Jail especially in the wake of the hunger strike. He also advocated to fund the Public Defender’s office.

Linda Turnbull spoke in support of newly appointed County Board Member Brett Peugh.

*Adoption of Resolution No. 2023-68 appointing Brett Peugh as the new County Board Member in District 11 to fill Wayne Williams’ unexpired term ending November 30, 2024.

Chair Patterson made a motion to adopt, Board Member Taylor seconded. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.

CONSENT AGENDA

Board Member Ingram offered a motion to approve the Consent Agenda; Board Member Michaels seconded. The motion comprising 16 resolutions (Nos. 2023-44, 2023-45, 2023-46, 2023-47, 2023-48, 2023-49, 2023-50, 2023-51, 2023-52, 2023-53, 2023-54, 2023-55, 2023-56, 2023-57, 2023-58, 2023-59) and 2 ordinances (Nos. 2023-5 and 2023-6) carried by unanimous roll-call vote.

Yeas: Harper, Ingram, Locke, Lokshin, Michaels, Peugh, Rodriguez, Rogers, Sexton, Stohr, Straub, Thorsland, Wilson, Cowart, Esry, Fortado, Goss, Hanauer-Friedman, and Patterson – 19

Nays: none

COMMUNICATIONS

Board Member Ingram read a letter from Dottie Vura-Weis concerning the conditions of the Champaign County Jail. He also spoke about the need for election judges for the 2023 Consolidated Election.

Board Member Wilson noted that National Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day is March 29th.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Board Member Goss offered a motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of the County Board of January 19, 2023, February 23, 2023, and February 28, 2023; Board Member Patterson seconded. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

Board Member Thorsland offered a motion to approve the minutes of the Special Meeting of the County Board of December 19, 2022; Board Member Lokshin seconded.

The motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

STANDING COMMITTEES

COUNTY FACILITIES

County Executive Summers noted the Summaries of Action Taken for County Facilities on March 7, 2023 and were received and placed on file. 

Board Member Straub offered a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2023-60 Authorizing a Lease Agreement between the County of Champaign and the Illinois Attorney General, Board Member Thorsland seconded. Board Member Lokshin offered a friendly amendment that carried by unanimous voice vote.

Various Board Members discussed, Executive Summers read an e-mail from Facilities Director, Dana Brenner. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

Environment and Land Use Committee Summary of Action Taken March 9, 2023 Meeting. 

Highway & Transportation Committee Summary of Action Taken March 10, 2023 Meeting

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

County Executive Summers noted the Summary of Action take for the Committee of the Whole (Justice and Social Services; Finance; Policy, Personnel, and Appointments) on March 14, 2023, was received and placed on file.

NEW BUSINESS

Board Member Patterson offered a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2023-61 authorizing payment of claims; Board Member Thorsland seconded. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

Board Member Ingram offered a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2023-62 authorizing purchases not following purchasing policy; Board Member Lokshin seconded. Board Member Harper expressed his appreciation for the memo Sheriff Heuerman sent. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

Mimi Hutchison from RPC Champaign County Area Rural Transit System (CCARTS) gave a presentation related to the resolutions on the agenda. Board Member Michaels offered an omnibus motion to adopt the following resolutions and ordinance; Resolution No. 2023-63 Authorizing Execution and Amendment of Federal 5311 Grant Agreement, Ordinance No. 2023-7 to Provide for Public Transportation in Champaign County, Illinois, Resolution No. 2023-64 Acceptance of the Special Warranty, Resolution No. 2023-65 Authorizing Execution and Amendment of Downstate Operating Assistance Agreement.

Board Member Straub seconded; various Board Members discussed. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

OTHER BUSINESS

LABOR COMMITTEE

Board Member Harper offered a motion adopting Resolution 2023-66 approving agreement between the Champaign County Board, the Sheriff of Champaign County and the Fraternal Order of Police Law Enforcement and Law 

Enforcement Sergeants, January 1, 2023-December 31, 2025. Board Member Taylor seconded the motion. Board Member Rodriguez noted one of the goals of the contract is to address retention issues. Board Member Fortado addressed a question from public participation and noted that the contract compensation is accumulative. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT

American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Project Manager Kathy Larson was invited to join the discussion and gave a brief update.

Board Member Locke made a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2023-67 Authorizing Intergovernmental Agreement to Provide Financial Assistance for Health and Wellness Facility. Board Member Lokshin seconded. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

Children’s Advocacy Center request for funding for counseling services (discussion only). A representative from the Children’s Advocacy Center gave a brief overview of issues facing the center and the kinds of issues facing clients.

Board support was demonstrated through a showing of raising thumbs up.

Public Defender’s request for funding for tech needs (discussion only). Various Board Members discussed. Board support was demonstrated through a showing of raising thumbs up.

Additional disbursement for Central Illinois Land Bank Authority (discussion only).

Board support was demonstrated through a showing of raising thumbs up.

SEMI ANNUAL CLOSED SESSION MINUTE REVIEW (to be distributed)

Board Chair Patterson made a motion to remove item XVI C, 1-3 from the Agenda. The item will be placed on April’s agenda. Board Member Sexton seconded and the motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

ADJOURNMENT

County Executive Summers adjourned the meeting at 7:49 PM.

https://www.co.champaign.il.us/CountyBoard/CB/2023/230323_Meeting/230323Minutes.pdf