SEPTEMBER 17, 2014: Highlights of the September Boone County Board Meeting

 

Below in black  is the agenda taken from:  http://www.boonecountyil.org/sites/default/files/CBAgenda%2009-17-2014.pdf

Important Highlights as seen by Bill

5.1.  Marshall Newhouse is appointed to Health Board by a 7-5 vote.  Mrs. Ward spoke at length how the Health Board needed another women or a Latin, to reflect the county’s and clinic’s demographics. Prior to the vote a motion to repost the appointment  for 60 days  was proposed by Bill Pysson.  The motion was defeated 5 to 7.

9.1. The Garden Prairie Peaker Plant special use permit was unanimously.  Neighbors of the proposed facility addressed the board requesting denial.  Board discussion reviewed original decision and clarification what were proper basis for approval and denial.

9.2  Voice vote unanimously approved clarification of the right to build a residence on a   “lot of record”.

9.3  In keeping with the state legislation on medical cannabis only Industrial Zoned property (I-1) is allowed for either growing or dispensing cannabis. Vote was unanimous. 

10.2  Based upon a recommendation of the States Attorney, the county board did not add to the Animal Service referendum the projected cost of borrowing $800,000 for the new building.  Bill Pysson asked if a “resolution” could be passed to answer the question of costs.  The answer was “Yes” however because this resolution was not on the agenda it could not be voted at this meeting. Sadly the advocates of the referendum will not have a cost for this proposed building for another month.

11.1  For the first time—the county’s farmland was leased based upon the highest bid (rather than private negotiation).  Despite a fall in commodity prices in 2014, the lease price increase $30 per acre to $280.  After some discussion regarding the lease terms the vote was unanimous.

21.1 Collective Bargaining Agreement with Correction Departments is approved.

21.2  A proximately $13K compensation settlement was approved.

Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Boone County Board Meeting
COUNTY BOARD ROOM, 1212 Logan Ave., Belvidere, 6:30 P.M.
1. Call to Order
1.1 Opening of Meeting
2. Roll Call
2.1 Roll Call
3. Approval of Agenda
3.1 Approval of Agenda
4. Minutes
4.1 Approval of County Board Minutes
5. Appointments and Recognition
5.1 Appointments and Recognition
6. Public Comment
6.1 Public Comment
7. Reports from Community Agencies
7.1 Growth Dimensions
7.2 Council on Aging
7.3 Court Appointed Special Advocate
7.4 Board of Health
7.5 Other (RREDD)
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8. General Consent Items
8.1 Fund Transfers
8.2 Road Projects
8.3 Raffle Permits
9. Standing Committee: Planning, Zoning, and Building
9.1 Motion to Approve Ordinance 14-42 Extending the Special Use Permit for the Garden Prairie Peaker Power
Plant for Powers Venture Group. PZB (4-0); CB()
9.2 Motion to Approve Ordinance 14-43 Amending the Boone County Zoning Ordinance regarding Section
3.2.3.B.3 Lot of Record Language. PZB (4-0); CB()
9.3 Motion to Approve Ordinance 14-44 Amending the Boone County Zoning Ordinance Establishing Medicinal
Cannabis Dispensaries and Cultivation Centers. PZB (5-0); CB ()
9.4 Motion to Approve Ordinance 14-45 Granting a Zoning District Change from B-1 General Business to
Traditional Neighborhood Residential at 1082 Irene Road. PZB (4-0); CB ()
10. Standing Committee: Finance, Taxation and Salaries
10.1 Motion to Approve Claims with the Understanding that Kenny Freeman Abstains from Voting on all Claims
Presented by William Charles and Associates and Karl Johnson Abstains from Voting on all Claims Presented by
HD Supply. (Approved 5-0)
10.2 Motion to Approve the Following Language be added to Describe Animal Services Building Ballot "The Owner
of a $100,000 home would pay about $8.50 each year for three years". (Approved 5-0)
11. Standing Committee: Roads and Capital Improvements
11.1 Motion to Approve High Bid from Ed Kasper for the Farm Rental Agreement in the amount of $280.00/acre,
Contingent on the current tenant, Gerald Hulstedt, having until September 30th to match the offer and remain
the tenant. (Approved 5-0)
11.2 Motion to Approve Resolution 14-46 Allowing Membership of the Rockford Mass Transit District to the
Rockford Metropolitan Agency for Planning Policy Committee. (Approved 5-0)
12. Standing Committee: Health and Human Services
12.1 Motion to Approve Intergovernmental Mutual Aid Agreement for the Establishment of the Illinois Public
Health Mutual Aid System. (Approved 4-0)
13. Standing Committee: Administrative and Legislative
13.1 Motion to Approve Creation of the "Foreclosure Mediation Fund" for the Foreclosure Mediation Program to be
implemented by the by the 17th Judicial Circuit. (Approved 5-0)
13.2 Motion to Approve Boone County Holiday Schedule 2015. (Approved 5-0)
14. Standing Committee: City-County Coordinating
14.1 Motion to Approve Scope of Work from TRC for Landfill Gas Collection System repairs at Landfill #2 in the
amount of $12,750. (Budgeted)
14.2 Motion to Approve Proposal from CERONI Piping for Landfill Gas Collection System repairs amount to be
determined. (Budgeted)
14.3 Motion to Approve Ordinance 14-47 extending the Boone County Enterprise Zone until July 1, 2016.
15. Standing Committee: Public Safety
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15.1 No Motions
16. Special Committee Reports
16.1 Workforce Investment Board
16.2 Community Building
16.3 UCCI (United Counties Council of Illinois)
16.4 Farmland Protection Committee
16.5 911 Board
16.6 Other Committees
16.7 Scheduled Committee Meetings
17. Unfinished Business
17.1 Unfinished Business
18. New Business
18.1 Drug Court Grant for 2015
19. Informational Items
19.1 Informational Items
20. Executive Session
20.1 Litigation
20.2 Collective Bargaining
20.3 Land Acquisition
21. Anticipated Motions From Executive Session
21.1 Motion to Approve Collective Bargaining with the Fraternal Order of Police for the Correction's Department.
21.2 Motion to Approve Workman's Compensation Settlement with Sandra Rogers.
22. Adjournment
22.1 Adjourn the meeting

Estimated referendum cost for Animal Service Building on a $100,000 HOME

 

Here are the estimates that the Finance Committee will be discussing at 6:00PM on Tuesday, August 26.

 

The above figures are from:  http://www.boarddocs.com/il/boone/Board.nsf/files/9N97RM76BD59/$file/Animal%20Services%20Referendum%20Impact%20To%20Taxpayers_201408221635.pdf

Plote being sued by States Attorney for violation of Boone County Zoning Act

The following appeared on the 17th Circuit, Boone County website today.   SEE: http://www.judici.com/courts/cases/case_history.jsp?court=IL004015J&ocl=IL004015J,2014CH170,IL004015JL2014CH170D1

 

Click on the photocopy to enlarge:

It was only last month that Plote was granted an extension of it special use permit by the Boone County Board.  Bill Pysson voted against the extension because “the county did not have an adequate inspection procedure established’.  The complaint alleges Plote was  operating outside the approved hours.

Boone County Appointment Vacancy

APPOINTMENT VACANCIES:

The following are volunteer Boards of the County of Boone that have vacancies:

BOONE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH

One (1) vacancy for a term that will expire July 1, 2016

Interested parties are asked to send a letter and resume expressing your interest and qualifications to Boone County Board Chairman Bob Walberg, 1212 Logan Ave., Suite 102, Belvidere, IL 61008.  Please respond by September 5, 2014 to assure being considered.

Guest Column-- My View: Boone County Board ethics questioned

By Cathy Ward

Posted Aug. 24, 2014 @ 11:00 am

The Boone County Board likely made history on Aug. 18 at a special meeting, hastily called and not much liked by the packed house and five of 12 board members — and many seriously questioned the ethics of this meeting.

At issue was putting a referendum regarding building an animal shelter on the Nov. 2 ballot. As far as anyone connected with the Boone County Board could recall, no board has ever tried to call a meeting on such short notice on such a controversial topic which had never been debated in open session.

Board members learned of this special meeting on Aug. 15 at 4 p.m., when a notice came via email that four board members had signed to have a special meeting at 7 p.m. Aug. 18. The meeting had to be Monday, you see, because the deadline for getting the referendum on the ballot was midnight Monday.

What bothered many of us was the fact that putting a referendum on the ballot has never been debated at any committee, had never been debated at any board meeting, and yet it was coming before us for a final vote just five hours before the deadline. Also, this notice came late Friday afternoon, giving very few taxpayers and those interested notice of the meeting. Not all of the dozens and dozens who packed our meetings have minute-by-minute easy access to email.

Board member Ron Wait took credit for calling the special meeting, saying he called nine board members, and all said they thought a referendum could be considered. He said that’s the way they did it Springfield.

Boone County State’s Attorney Michelle Courier said the meeting was legal and putting it on the ballot was legal, too. I believe her. Michelle does her homework thoroughly and completely.

However, I believe there is a considerable difference between legal and ethical. I don’t consider this an ethical way to do business by elected officials for our taxpayers. Luckily, word spread to dozens and they came to see what our board would do. The vast majority were not happy by the results when the proposed referendum passed 7-5.

While I totally believe in referendums and have supported many, I don’t believe last-minute, down-to-the wire, hastily called meetings on topics never debated should be decided at the last minute at meetings called just hours before. Our people, the people we represent, deserve better.

Board members voting for the referendum were Chairman Bob Walberg, Vice Chairman Paul Larson, finance chairman Karl Johnson, Denny Ellingson, Brad Fidder, Chris Berner and Wait.

Board members voting no were Bill Pysson, Marion Thornberry, Craig Schultz, Ken Freeman and me.

The whole scenario was very disappointing.

I would not advise other boards to follow this tactic.

Read more: http://www.rrstar.com/article/20140824/Opinion/140829735#ixzz3BPZMzKlC

What is the county board’s referendum proposal?

 

Well unless you are in the”in group” you don’t know much. Below is the resolution which was sent to board members at 10AM on Monday, August 18. (This is all I know about the referendum proposal)

The figure $800,000 is  interesting in as much as the Health and Human Services Committee was recommending building a structure for only $713,000.  Where is the building going to built? The old site or on Route 76 or somewhere else? Are there any preliminary plans for an $800,000 building?

Oh yes—what about the $5.00 increase in dog tags that went into effect in January 2014 for the expressed purpose of improving the animal service building.  That is nearly $40,000 PER YEAR and how will that be used?

BILL PYSSON, Health & Human Services Committee, Boone County Board (Not a member of the “in group”)

Click on the photocopy to enlarge:

 

District 100 may have a referendum item on the November Ballot

This may make a minimum of seven referendums—5 for the state and two for Boone County government entities.

The following is taken from the Monday agenda of District 100;  see:  http://www.boarddocs.com/il/district100/Board.nsf/Public

Agenda Item Details

Meeting

Aug 18, 2014 - Regular Meeting of the Board of Education - 6:00 pm

Category

G. Board Action and Discussion

Subject

3. Adoption of a Resolution providing for and requiring the submission of the proposition of the election of School Board Members at Large and without restriction by area of residence within the District on the November 4, 2014 General Election Ballot

Type

Action

Last Minute Referendum request from some of the Boone County Board

Is this an attempt to not vote on the recommendation  from the Health and Human Service to build a new Animal Services Building on Route 76? 

The $708,000 decision is scheduled for vote by the county board at the regular meeting on Wednesday, August 20.  Building costs would be paid by the special $5.OO dog fee that has been collected since January 2014 and from approximately $20,000 due annually from other sources. That recommendation is shown at the bottom of this posting.

Why did Mr. Walberg and his voting majority not raise the question of a referendum in a more timely way? This proposal is just before the deadline to place a referendum? Why a referendum on this issue?  No referendum for $5,000,000 on the new Administrative Building/Courthouse improvements.

There are already five state referendums on the ballot.  Do the voters really want another?

 

From: Julaine Drake
Sent: Friday, August 15, 2014 4:06 PM
To: County Board
Cc: Michelle Courier; Ken Terrinoni
Subject: Special Meeting

Board Members,

I have received signed requests from Ron Wait, Chris Berner, Paul Larson and Denny Ellingson for a special board meeting on Monday, August 18^th at 7:00 p.m. for the purpose of voting on whether to place on the November 4^, 2014 ballot the question of borrowing to construct a new Animal Services Building.

Have a good weekend and see you Monday evening.

Bob

 

Agenda Item Details

Meeting

Aug 18, 2014 - Boone County Board Special Meeting

Category

5. New Business

Subject

5.1    Motion to Approve Resolution to Submit a Public Question for the November 4, 2014 Ballot to Construct an Animal Services Building and Authorize Bonds for the Purpose of Paying Costs Thereof.

The motion to build without a referendum  should be voted on Wednesday, August 20, 2014.

 

 

12. Standing Committee: Health and Human Services

12.1 Motion to Approve Building a $713,000 New Animal Services Facility on County Property along Route 76. (Approved 4-0)

See you at the Boone County Fair

Stop by the Democratic Tent—speak of your concerns,  fill out our survey or just talk.

Health & Human Services Committee “moves to build new Animal Services Building on ROUTE 76”

July 31—The H&HS committee of the Boone County Board voted to build a 2,700 square foot animal shelter off of Route 76 near Maplecrest Nursing Home and the County Highway Department.  The vote was 3-0 with one abstaining and one not present. The decision is subject to the approval of the entire county board on August 20, 2014.

Last year the county board increased dog tags by $5.00 pre year with the funds dedicated to building improvement and maintenance.

Below are the rough plans and cost estimates.  The committee’s action limited cost to $713,000. Alternative plans to build the facility on the old site on Appleton Road were also discussed. Below are the preliminary figures and drawings presented by the architect.

CLICK ON THE PHOTOCOPY TO ENLARGE:

Below are the alternatives which were rejected.

First, a summary of costs for the above shown “new building” on the current Appleton Road Site.

Second, a summary of costs of using the old facility as a base—renovate and upgrade adding 900 square feet.  All at the Appleton Road site.

Timetable for Reopening Tollway Overpasses

 

Click on the photocopy to enlarge:

Cooling Sites in Boone County