DeKalb County, Illinois

Minutes of the
Executive Committee

August 12, 2008

The Executive Committee of the DeKalb County Board met on Tuesday, August 12, 2008 at 7:00p.m. at the Administration Building’s Conference Room East. Chairman Ruth Anne Tobias called the meeting to order. Members present were Eileen Dubin, Julia Fauci, Pat LaVigne, Rich Osborne, Robert Rosemier, Michael Haines, Pat Vary and Roger Steimel. Others present were Gary Hanson, Ken Andersen, Marlene Allen, Steve Walt, Jeff Metzger, Sr., Jerry Augsburger, Paul Stoddard, Greg Millburg, Aaron Ruder, John Hulseberg and Diane Strand.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

Moved by Ms. LaVigne, seconded by Mr. Rosemier, and it was carried unanimously to approve the minutes from July 2008.

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

Mr. Walt asked to amend the agenda to discuss the potential for a new committee.

Moved by Ms. Fauci, seconded by Ms. Dubin, and it was carried unanimously to approve the amended agenda.

APPOINTMENTS

1. 911 Board: Mr. Bruce Harrison, appointment, to replace Fire Chief Lanson Russell who is retiring, until December 1, 2011.

2. Fairdale Street Light District: Ms. Mary Powell, reappointment for a term of 3 years, until 04/30/2011.

3. Board of Review: Mr. Douglas Johnson, reappointment for a term of 2 years, until 4/30/2010.

4. East Pierce Cemetery Association: Mr. Jack Mullis

Mr. John Engstrom

Mr. John H. Kirchman

Mr. Richard Miller

Mr. Stan L. Schumacher

All reappointments for a term of

6 years, until 9/1/2014.

And,

Mr. Richard Miller,

appointment for a term of 6

years, (to replace Mr. Merle

Allen who is deceased), until

9/1/2014.

5. Squaw Grove Drainage District #1: Mr. Donald Willrett, reappointment for a term of 3 years, until 9/01/2011.

6. Normal Drainage District: Mr. Robert Twombly, reappointment for a term of 3 years, until 9/1/2011.

7. Coon Creek Drainage District: Mr. Frank Engel

Mr. Randy Klein

Both reappointments for a term

of 3 years, until 9/1/2011.

8. Clinton-Shabbona Drainage District #1: Mr. Wayne K. Overby,

reappointment for a term of 3

years, until 9/1/2011.

Appointments expiring for September 2008:

a. River Valley Workforce Investment Act Board: 3 positions

b. Community Services Administrative Board: 1 position

c. DeKalb County Public Building Commission 1 position

d. Rehab and Nursing Center Operating Board 1 position

Moved by Ms. Vary, seconded by Mr. Steimel, and it was carried unanimously to forward the appointments to the full board for approval.

Ms. Vary asked to have all expiring appointments appear on the County Board Agenda from now on under “Appointments”.

APPROVAL OF THE COUNTY BOARD AGENDA

Mr. Gary Hanson, Deputy County Administrator, reviewed the County Board Agenda for the Board Meeting to be held on August 20, 2008.

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

GENERAL DISCUSSION

Mr. Steimel, Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Committee, said that his committee discussed the Hackett’s Trusts Request for a Use Variation. The committee was unanimous in denying the request.

Mr. Rosemier asked Mr. Steimel that if the property was annexed in the City of Sycamore, could they build?

Mr. Steimel said, yes, I believe they could.

Mr. Steimel also said that his committee heard a request by a real estate development company to propose a planned development on Plank Road. This group would develop the land out by the major sharp curve on Plank Road, which Sycamore is already out to – by that property. This developer came to the City a while ago and the City denied their request. He feels the reason for the denial is because the City of Sycamore wanted to slow down on development at the time. The developers then came to the County and have been working with Paul Miller, our Planning and Zoning Director, trying to get the County to accept and move ahead on this request. The committee had a good discussion with them and the committee felt that the policy of the towns would handle the construction and the County was to stay out of that, it was the committee’s desire not to get involved in it. He continued by saying that in time, it will be right for them to go back to the City of Sycamore with their request.

Ms. Fauci asked Mr. Steimel, when the board votes on the Hackett Trust Denial Ordinance, and if they vote yes, they are voting yes to deny the ordinance, right?

Mr. Steimel said that he would clarify the voting at the County Board Meeting.

Mr. Steimel said that he attended a township highway commissioner’s luncheon today and the pipeline company, Enbridge, was there to make a brief presentation. He said that Enbridge mentioned to those present that when they get done with their projects that in most cases the roads that they repair are in better shape or in the same shape that they found them.

The committee then discussed the process of the oil production and the waste material produced that will flow down here to the U.S. through the pipeline, how it will be separated and then how the waste will be pushed back north into Canada.

Ms. Fauci said along with waste and recycling, she was wondering if the Ad Hoc Solid Waste Committee, when they meet again, could investigate the option of recycling garbage at the landfill instead of continuing to fill the landfill. She explained that she was listening to the radio and there was discussion about a company called Ecocycle who recycles all the garbage, but it’s Waste Management’s interest to landfill it all. Possibly the Ad Hoc Solid Waste Committee could look into bringing a business into the County that has a business model planned to recycle everything rather than landfill it all.

Mr. Haines, Chairman of the Finance Committee, said that his committee did not meet for the month of August.

Ms. Vary said that she felt that it was a good idea to make the vice-chairman of the county board the legislative liaison for the board. She would also like to have the lobbyists phone number so that she could talk to them on certain items.

Ms. Dubin, Chairman of the Economic Development Committee, said that her committee held a joint meeting with the Health and Human Services Committee on affordable housing. She said that it was a very good discussion and that the committee members heard from President Seyller of Cortland, Bill Nicklas, City Manager of the City of Sycamore, and Mr. Russ Farnum from the City of DeKalb. She said that they heard from President Seyller who gave them a good idea of what Cortland’s doing and their future plans. She said that they are looking into bringing more senior citizens to the town and spoke about transportation problems too.

She further explained that the City of DeKalb had the largest proportion of affordable housing, the City of Sycamore next and then the town of Cortland.

Mr. Rosemier said that they also heard from Ms. Diane Hammon, a realtor, who spoke on the number of foreclosures in the county and that local banks are making mortgages here. He also said that the City of DeKalb mentioned that they have some form of assistance and programs to help people out, however, they have not had anyone come forth and ask for assistance yet.

Mr. Rosemier, Chairman of the Health and Human Services Committee, said that they heard from Ms. Ramp, Director of the DeKalb County Community Services Department, who stated that there is quite a large balance in the Senior Services Tax Levy Account. He said that they purposely did not spend everything in that account - we are supposed to allow for some funds to remain in the balance. They had an agency who did not spend all of their money for the third straight year, plus another agency had budgeted for a person to work 40 hours a week, but the person ended up only working 32 hours a week. The committee has allocated monies to various agencies for one-time allotments currently, too. Mr. Rosemier asked the committee that if they know of any other agency that has not applied for these funds and who meet the guidelines to please let Ms. Ramp know about them so that she can send out an application to them.

Ms. Fauci, Chairman of the Forest Preserve Committee, said that the forest preserve staff took three days to clean up after storms that we have had recently. Their next meeting will be held at the property in Leland, Illinois, that they are looking at for a potential grant to purchase. The owner of the property has been asked not to be present during this meeting so that the committee could hear from some naturalists who will give them objective viewpoints on the property.

Mr. Osborne, Chairman of the Law and Justice Committee, said that the Public Defender’s numbers have gone up slightly, but that she told the committee that her office is able to handle it. The Jail Report reflects an increase in out-of-county transportation and housing costs, and the average daily population count was 133 inmates for the month of June.

He also mentioned that they heard from the Children’s Waiting Room staff who said that they will be celebrating their anniversary in September and that they will have cared for 1,000 children by then. His committee is asking Chairman Tobias to make an announcement at the August 20^th County Board Meeting to ask people to bring a slightly used book in to donate to the Room so that each child can bring a book home with them when they leave. The children being cared for range in ages from infant to 10 years of age.

Ms. LaVigne, Chairman of the County Highway Committee, said that the street name changes in Elva were discussed because of a petition that was signed by 14 people requesting the change. There are two roads that will have their names changed and she believes that they are the only two roads in Elva.

Ms. LaVigne also mentioned that with regards to the two Preliminary Engineering Agreements, the money being spent would mostly be township money and some MFT funds.

Mr. Andersen asked Ms. LaVigne if the $71,900 being spent for the backhoe - is it just for one item?

Ms. LaVigne said yes, that they would purchase the rest of the equipment at a later date.

Mr. Augsbuger mentioned that the original invoice was for $96,000 but with the trade-in the amount was reduced to the $71,900 figure that appears in the resolution.

Mr. Andersen then asked Ms. LaVigne if the County Highway Committee could look at mowing the roadside areas at the committee level and discuss if it is necessary and how often it should be done?

Mr. Stoddard said they are looking at safety issues at intersections, and that the committee also talked about looking at prairie grasses to plant so that it would be low maintenance.

Chairman Tobias said that there will be a NACo delegation visiting Illinois and will be meeting at the Chicago Midway Marriott on September 18, 2008 and if anyone is interested in attending to let her know.

She also reminded the members about the Go Green Energy Conference that will be held on September 20, 2008 at the Kishwaukee College Conference Center.

POTENTIAL NEW COMMITTEE

Mr. Walt said that in the last few months he has noticed that at certain committee meetings the discussion has included many environmental issues, like the Go Green Initiative. Maybe these various issues could be consolidated from various committees into one committee, like an Environmental Committee.

Chairman Tobias said that it may be hard to add another committee because the board members now are committed to those already in place.

Mr. Rosemier said, but we could do an Ad Hoc committee.

Ms. Vary said that she has been pushing for this too, but she feels that we should reduce the number of county board membership to 12 members instead of 24 members, which could be done after a census.

The committee members said that if that is done, you may double everyone’s workload too.

Ms. Vary said that maybe we should look at the committee structure again and see if we should consolidate some or not, because the environmental issue is critical right now.

Mr. Rosemier said that with an ad hoc committee we would have the option to also include the townspeople and university people who may be experts in this field.

Mr. Andersen said yes and that we could possibly form it like the Regional Plan Commission.

Ms. Fauci said that she felt that we could get “committed-out”, even though it is her issue.

Ms. Vary said that she attended the court services graduation luncheon for the Summer Camp kids and she felt it was a wonderful lunch to hear what the kids had to say. She felt it was an excellent program and it was one of the most rewarding things that she has been to in a long time.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved by Mr. Steimel, and seconded by Ms. Vary, to adjourn the meeting. The motion was approved unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,

______________________________

Chairman Ruth Anne Tobias

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