Union County Board of Commissioners met July 26.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
I. Call Meeting to Order
The Union County Board of Commissioners met for a regular meeting in the Union County Courthouse Community Room at 08:30am. County Chairman Max Miller called the meeting to order.
II. Roll Call
Commissioners in attendance are Kent Pitts, Bobby Toler Jr., Dale Foster and Max Miller. David Gould was absent.
III. Approval of Minutes
Mr. Pitts made the motion to approve the minutes for 06/28/19 and Mr. Foster seconded the motion.
Kent Pitts YES
Bobby Toler Jr. YES
Dale Foster YES
Max Miller YES
David Gould ABSENT
Motion Passed
IV. Public Comments
Teresa Vincent asked why the Treasures Report isn't on the agenda anymore. Mr. Miller explained that there is no particular reason and that they are setting up a new format that will be easier to understand. He stated that the county isn't trying to hide anything but giving the Treasurer a chance to put it together the way she wants to have it set up and it will be back on the agenda.
V. Committee Reports
Mr. Toler attended a Shawnee Development Meeting and stated that 541 Union County houses have signed up for the energy assistance grant. They also received a big donation of food for the food pantry and Mr. Toler wanted to thank the Anna Lutheran Church for their help. Mr. Toler also spoke about the big turnout for the Shredded Documents and Medication Disposal day. Southern Seven, Union County Farm Bureau and the County all partnered together. 90 people used this service and 3035 pounds of documents shredded and 77 pounds of medication that were received too. Mr. Toler wanted to thank all the agencies that helped and the A-J Football team for helping unload each car that came up.
VI. Building Permits
1. 02-19-00-942-A Brenda K Newton at 1755 Campground Rd
2. 04-25-02-489-A Richard & Mary Jane Bennett 385 Bennett Ln
Mr. Toler made the motion to approve the building permit and Mr. Pitts seconded the motion.
Kent Pitts YES
Bobby Toler Jr. YES
Dale Foster YES
Max Miller YES
David Gould ABSENT
Motion Passed
County Engineer, Kevin Grammer spoke on some of the flooding issues and stated that some of the county roads are starting to open back up and he has turned in $552,000 in damages to IEMA and the total prediction of damages are $675,000. Mr. Grammer also stated that there are 40 wooden bridges left in the county and hopefully 20 of those will be taken care of this year. Also he has crews out oil and chipping and mowing along roadways.
VII. County Finances
None
VIII. Old Business
A. Ordinance Authorizing a Mutual Aid Box Alarm System Agreement
Grant Capel, Ambulance Director stated that this allows extra resources to be available for the county in any type of natural disaster. Mr. Miller made the motion to approve the ordinance and Mr. Foster seconded the motion.
Kent Pitts Bobby Toler Jr. Dale Foster Max Miller
David Gould Motion Passed
YES YES YES YES ABSENT
B. Subcontractor Agreement By and Between Union County and Melissa Grissom Transportation Company
Mr. Miller stated that this agreement is still tabled.
IX. New Business
A. Approve Payment of Bills
Mr. Foster made the motion to approve the bills and Mr. Pitts seconded the motion.
Kent Pitts YES
Bobby Toler Jr. YES
Dale Foster YES
Max Miller YES
David Gould ABSENT
Motion Passed
B. Gun Sanctuaries/Prosecutorial Nullification - John Wittenborn
Mr. Wittenborn stated that a lot of people are concerned about some of the laws that are changing that due with firearms and protection for privet citizens. He then presented resolutions that were first passed by Effingham and Iroquois Counties last year. Now there are 66 counties that have approved some type of this action and most were by 80% approval. Some counties are non-binding and some say that the county will not use any resources for any unconstitutional acts. Mr. Wittenborn stated that this action is more about civil rights than gun sanctuaries.
C. Resolution Relating To Participation by Elected Officials in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund
Mr. Miller made the motion to approve the resolution and Mr. Toler seconded the motion.
Kent Pitts YES
Bobby Toler Jr. YES
Dale Foster YES
Max Miller YES
David Gould ABSENT
Motion Passed
D. Acceptance of Resignation of State's Attorney and Declaration of Vacancy
Tyler Edmonds, States Attorney accepted a Judge Positon for the 1st Circuit Court. He will serve through August 8th at 4:00pm. Mr. Miller read Mr. Edmond's letter and made the motion to accept the resignation of Mr. Edmonds and Mr. Foster seconded the motion.
Kent Pitts YES
Bobby Toler Jr. YES
Dale Foster YES
Max Miller YES
David Gould ABSENT
Motion Passed
E. Resolution Filling Vacancy in the Office of State's Attorney until such Office is Filled at the 2020 General Election.
Mr. Miller tabled the item until someone is found for the new position.
F. Approval of Union County Clerk Election Equipment Bid
Lance Meisenheimer, County Clerk stated that an RFP was out for the new equipment and two companies turned in bids. The bids were opened at 9am on July 25th, 2019. This first bid was from Platinum for ES&S equipment and Liberty for Unisyn equipment. Both companies met the requirements for being state certified election equipment.
Liberty's bid was for $143,640 with a 6 year lease agreement and $40,000 down and $27,256 per year payments. Also, if the county wanted to own the equipment after the lease there would be 2 more additional years' payments of the $27,256 per year. The interest rate on this plan was 5%
Platinum summited a bid of $149,920 with a 5 year purchase agreement with $0 down and $32,973 per year payments. The county would own the equipment out right and would be financed with ES&S at 2.99%.
The County Clerk then recommended going with the ES&S equipment by Platinum. Mr. Meisenheimer stated that we have a good history with them and they have provided services for a long time without any issue. Mr. Meisenheimer stated that there might be a better option with the financing and has reached out to some local banks and have got some interest from them about using a local government lease agreement with the banks at a lower interest rate. Mr. Meisenheimer stated that we should keep our money local and in the county if we are going with the financing option. Mr. Meisenheimer stated that he asked the States Attorney if another RFP would have to be put out for the financing and Mr. Edmonds stated that it was not necessary. Mr. Meisenheimer than stated that he would like to go to all 6 of the local banks in the county and ask for proposals for financing the equipment.
Mr. Miller made the motion to approve the bid summited by Platinum and ES&S and giving authority to the County Clerk and County Adminis negotiate with the local banks on the terms for financing to be given to the board for the next meeting to accept. Mr. Toler seconded the motion.
Kent Pitts YES
Bobby Toler Jr. YES
Dale Foster YES
Max Miller YES
David Gould ABSENT
Motion Passed
X. Executive Session
None
XI. Other Business
Mrs. Billie Henderson asked to speak and stated that after coming to the meetings for some time now that it is nice to see the board work together in a bi-partisan manner.
Mr. Foster stated that he got a call from the Union County Fair President asking if it was approved by the board that the Highway Department be utilized by the fair for some of their manpower and equipment to help with the fair. Mr. Grammer then explained what the Highway Department normally provides for the fair. The board voiced that there was no issue with them and left it up to Mr. Grammer to handle.
XII. Adjournment
Mr. Foster made the motion to adjourn and Mr. Pitts seconded the motion.
Kent Pitts YES
Bobby Toler Jr. YES
Dale Foster YES
Max Miller YES
David Gould ABSENT
Motion Passed
Motion Passed and meeting adjourned at 9:15am
https://www.unioncountyil.gov/wp-content/uploads/minutes-agendas/Minutes_2019-07-26.pdf
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