Chambana Sun

Champaign County Board met Dec. 2

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The County Board of Champaign County, Illinois met at a Biennial Organizational Meeting, Monday, December 2, 2024, at 6:04 PM in the Shields-Carter Meeting Room, Brookens Administrative Center, 1776 East Washington Street, Urbana, Illinois, with Board Member Eric Thorsland presiding and Matthew Cross as Clerk of the meeting.

SWEARING IN OF COUNTY BOARD MEMBERS

Chief Deputy County Clerk Angela Patton administered the Oath of Office to the recently elected board members: Cagle, Carter, Farney, Fava, Peugh, Rodriguez, Rogers, Sullard, Wiggs, and Wilson. Crane, Greer, and Hanauer-Friedman were not present to swear the Oath of Office.

ROLL CALL

Roll call showed the following members present: Cagle, Carter, Cowart, Esry, Farney, Fava, Fortado, Locke, Lokshin, Peugh, Rodriguez, Rogers, Stohr, Sullard, Thorsland, Vanichtheeranont, Wiggs, and Wilson – 18; absent: Crane, Greer, Hanauer-Friedman, and Sexton – 4. Board Member Thorsland declared a quorum present and the Board competent to conduct business. Board Member Farney departed early at 6:20 PM following the election of the County Board Vice Chair; Board Member Fortado departed early at 6:53 PM following the item IX. Presentation.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA/ADDENDA

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

READ NOTICE OF MEETING

The Clerk read the Notice of the Meeting, said Notice having been published in the News Gazette on November 21, November 26, and November 30, 2024.

COMMUNICATIONS

Board Member Carter read an excerpt of the Maya Angelou poem “Still I Rise.”

Board Member Wilson spoke on the upcoming 82nd anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7.

Board Member Rogers noted that the week of December 2-6, 2024, was the last week for leaf collection in the City of Urbana.

SELECTION OF CHAIR

Presiding Board Member Thorsland opened the floor for nominations for County Board Chair: Board Member Cowart nominated Board Member Carter, Board Member Lokshin nominated Board Member Locke, and Board Member Wilson nominated Board Member Esry. All three nominated member accepted their nominations. Board Member Locke was elected Board Chair by roll-call vote.

Carter: Carter, Cowart, and Peugh – 3

Locke: Esry, Farney, Fava, Fortado, Locke, Lokshin, Rodriguez, Rogers, Stohr, Sullard, Thorsland, Vanichtheeranont, and Wiggs – 13

Esry: Cagle and Wilson – 2

SELECTION OF VICE CHAIR

Presiding Board Member Thorsland opened the floor for nominations for County Board Vice Chair: Board Member Cowart nominated Board Member Esry, Board Member  Lokshin nominated Board Member Rodriguez, Board Member Esry nominated Board Member Farney, Board Member Carter nominated Board Member Wilson, and Board Member Peugh nominated Board Member Carter. Board Members Esry and Wilson declined their nomination. Board Member Rodriguez was elected Vice Chair by roll-call vote.

Rodriguez: Fava, Fortado, Locke, Lokshin, Rodriguez, Rogers, Stohr, Sullard, Thorsland, Vanichtheeranont, and Wiggs – 11

Farney: Cagle, Esry, Farney, and Wilson – 4

Carter: Carter, Cowart, and Peugh – 3

PRESENTATION

County Director of Administration Michelle Jett gave a brief presentation on county structure, County Board powers and duties, and County Board and Committee meetings; she noted that more detailed information was available in both the Biennial Organizational Meeting agenda packet, in an email sent to all Board Members, and on the County Board website. Director Jett specifically noted the county structure and financing, budgetary priorities established by the Board, and a Robert’s Rules of Order cheat sheet. Board Member Fortado gave a presentation on County finance and the budget process.

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT AND OPEN MEETINGS ACT

Director Jett provided information about the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Open Meetings Act (OMA), noting a January 2025 Study Session for FOIA education and a March 2025 Study Session for OMA education. Director Jett noted that new members must complete online OMA training by February 23, 2025. Board Chair Locke noted the FOIA and OMA study session dates in the agenda differ from those in the 2025 County Board Annual Calendar; Director Jett stated that the calendar has the correct dates.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHANGES TO COUNTY BOARD RULES

Director Jett solicited changes to County Board Rules to be taken up by the Policy, Personnel, and Appointments Committee; she noted the County Administration memorandum for potential changes included in the Agenda Packet was drawn from remarks from various County Board Members throughout the past year. Board Member Peugh asked about the proposal that Elected Officials/Department Heads be excluded from speaking during Public Participation; Director Jett clarified that Department Heads would be able to speak in an unofficial capacity during Public Participation, but not if they are providing an update on their official work to enable active discussion and comments from Board Members. Board Member Wilson requested that Elected Officials and Department Heads provide quarterly or semiannual presentations to update the Board; Board Member Thorsland suggested having a rotation of a limited number of Elected Officials/Department Heads each month. Board Member Peugh asked if the current rules contain any repercussion or sanctions for Board Members who comment or talk back during Public Participation; Director Jett stated that the current Board Rule do not provide any sanctions for such acts; Board Member Peugh stated that he would like that language added to the Board Rules. Board Member Carter stated that she expects more respect to be shown to Elected Officials/Department Heads. By a showing of thumbs, the Board directed the Policy, Personnel, and Appointments Committee to solicit changes to the County Board Rules.

APPOINTMENT TO COUNTY BOARD COMMITTEES

Board Chair Locke requested that the Democratic and Republican Board Caucus Chairs meet to discuss committee appointments.

LIAISON APPOINTMENTS

Board Chair Locke asked Board Members to send requests for liaison openings to her based-on interest.

OTHER BUSINESS

None

ADJOURNMENT

Presiding Board Member Thorsland adjourned the meeting at 7:09 PM.

https://www.co.champaign.il.us/CountyBoard/CB/2024/241202_Organizational_Meeting/241202Minutes.pdf