The Executive Committee of the DeKalb County Board met on Tuesday, February 8, 2005 @ 7:00p.m. at the Legislative Center’s Liberty Room.  Chairman Ruth Anne Tobias called the meeting to order.  Members present were Frank Van Buer, Julia Fauci, Roger Steimel, Pat LaVigne, Steve Slack, Robert Rosemier, Jeff Metzger, Dennis Sands and Sue Leifheit.  Others present were Ray Bockman, Eileen Dubin, Diane Strand, Greg Millburg and Eric Johnson.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

          Moved by Mr. Steimel, seconded by Ms. Leifheit, and it was carried unanimously to approve the minutes from January 2005.

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

          Chairman Tobias said that she would be presenting a proclamation to the board on support for the Illinois Affordable Housing Week. She will address this issue under General Discussion.

          Moved by Ms. LaVigne, seconded by Mr. Van Buer, and it was carried unanimously to approve the agenda.

APPOINTMENTS

          There were no appointments for the month of February 2005.  Chairman Tobias did, however, inform the committee about the upcoming expiring appointments scheduled for March 2005. They are: most of the fire protection districts, 1 position from the DeKalb Sanitary District, and 1 position from the Community Services Advisory Board.  Ms. LaVigne said that the county still needs to appoint two members to the River Valley Workforce Investment Act Board.

APPROVAL OF THE COUNTY BOARD AGENDA

          Mr. Ray Bockman, County Administrator, reviewed the county board agenda for the board meeting to be held on February 16, 2005.

          Mr. Bockman said that there will be a county employee representing AFSCME Local 3537 who sent a letter to Chairman Tobias requesting an opportunity to address the board.  They would like to update the board on the negotiations and to introduce themselves to the board. 

Mr. Sands asked why this request was not referred to the Labor Relations Committee?  Mr. Bockman said because the written request stated that they wanted to address the county board and that they said that they would not be talking about bargaining.  Mr. Bockman said that he and Chairman Tobias thought it was a friendly thing to do.  Mr. Bockman further stated that the contract expired 12/1/04 and that they are currently going through negotiations. 

Ms. Fauci asked how many employees are members of this AFSCME Local?  Mr. Bockman said between 140 to 160 employees.

          Moved by Ms. Leifheit, seconded by Mr. Rosemier, and it was carried unanimously to forward the county board agenda to the full board for approval.

GENERAL DISCUSSION

          Mr. Rosemier, Chairman of the Health and Human Services Committee, said that they heard from Ms. Karen Unger, a representative from the DeKalb County Housing Authority, who explained what her agency does.   He said the Mr. Bockman pointed out to the committee that it would be a good thing to ask each of the agencies that come before them in the next year, what their #1 unmet need is? 

          His committee also discussed the growing concern of rising costs of malpractice insurance in the State of Illinois.  He said that there is a county in Illinois who has awarded thousands of dollars in malpractice suits and as a result, many doctors are leaving our State.  His committee will be discussing this issue again in the near future.

          Ms. Fauci, Chairman of the Forest Preserve Committee, said that they donated a bench in honor of past board member, Clifford Simonson, in the forest preserve trail behind the Michael’s store.  When it gets warmer out they will have a dedication ceremony.  March 5, 2005 is Maple Syrup Saturday and some astronomers are coming to Afton Forest Preserve on 2/11, 2/12 and 2/13/2005.  She and Mr. Hannan attended the Illinois Association of Park Districts in Chicago last weekend and met with many other Superintendents from other counties.  She said an interesting bit of news was that in DuPage County there is only 5,000 acres left of undeveloped land that is selling for $1 million an acre.  Ms. Fauci said that more information on the seminar would be included in her report.  This report will be included in the packet under the forest preserve section. 

          Mr. Frank Van Buer, Chairman of the Finance Committee, said that his committee had a presentation regarding NIU.net and fiber optics.  He also said that Mr. Bockman informed the committee about the rising costs of health insurance.  Because of these rising costs the committee discussed other problems that may arise during the budget process.  They would like to begin discussing these issues early this year so that they can keep ahead of the problems.

          Mr. Metzger, Chairman of the Economic Development Committee, said that they discussed a property tax abatement request from a company from St. Charles, Illinois.  They would like to take more time since it was the first request and then take action on it next month.  Mr. Sands said that he spoke to Bonnie from the tourism bureau and that she will be speaking on agri-tourism.  Mr. Metzger asked him to email her information to Ms. Supple, DeKalb County Board Coordinator.

          Ms. LaVigne, Chairman of the County Highway Committee, said that as the committee can see by the county board agenda, they discussed all the items coming to the board this month including the Bethany Road extension.

          Mr. Steimel, Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Committee, said that they are reopening the public hearing for the proposed zoning amendment issue.  The reopened public hearing is scheduled for Thursday, February 24, 2005, @7:00p.m. at the Health Facilities, Multi-Purpose Room.

          Mr. Sands asked that with Mr. Jerry Lane retiring from the 708 Mental Health Board, he would like to see him recognized for all of his years of service at the next county board meeting.  Chairman Tobias said that it was a very good idea and she directed Ms. Supple to see about a plaque to present to him that evening.

           Before adjourning, Chairman Tobias, said that the proclamation that she will read at the county board meeting next week for the support of the Illinois Affordable Housing Week, will be on the tables.

ADJOURNMENT

          Moved by Mr. Van Buer, seconded by Mr. Rosemier, and it was carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting.

                                                           Respectfully submitted,

                                                          ______________________________

                                                          Chairman Ruth Anne Tobias

_____________________________

Mary C. Supple, Secretary

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