The Executive Committee of the DeKalb County Board met on Tuesday, January 8, 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, Michael Haines, Pat LaVigne, Richard Osborne, Robert Rosemier, Roger Steimel and Pat Vary.  Others present were Marlene Allen, Ken Andersen, Larry Anderson, Jerry Augsburger, Sally DeFauw, Julia Fullerton, John Hulseberg, Jeffery Metzger, Sr., Paul Stoddard, Anita Turner, and Stephen Walt.  Others present were Dennis Whittlesly, Ronald Matekaitis, John Farrell, Steve Ortiz, Rey Kitchkumme, Liz Carney, Gary Hanson, Greg Millburg, Kate Schott, Dennis Sands, Kathy Sands, Diane Strand, Aaron Ruder and Michael Rosetti.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

          Moved by Mr. Haines, seconded by Ms. Vary, and it was carried unanimously to approve the minutes from December 2007.

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA     

          Moved by Mr. Haines, seconded by Ms. Vary, and it was carried unanimously to approve the agenda as presented.

APPOINTMENTS

Supportive Living Facility

Organization:                                    Veronica Casella

                                                          George Daugherty

                                                          Eileen Dubin

                                                          Ronald Klein

                                                          Nate Kloster

                                                          Ruth Anne Tobias

                                                          Richard Ubl

All reappointments for a term of one-year, until 01/01/2009.

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

Appointments expiring for February 2007:

Workforce Investment Act Board – 2 positions

DeKalb County Community Mental Health Board:  1 position

Metropolitan Planning Organization:  1 position

All of the Fire Districts – 10 positions

Paw Paw Cemetery  - 1 position

DeKalb Sanitary District – 1 position

DeKalb County Mental Health Board – 1 position

COUNTY BOARD WORKSHOP ON TRIBAL AGREEMENT

          Chairman Tobias stated that she decided to hold a workshop on the Tribal Agreement so that county board members could better understand the agreement. She said that this workshop is for county board members to have their questions answered and to have their discussion, so that they all feel comfortable with what the agreement says.  Tonight’s meeting is not for public questions and comments.  That public meeting will be held on February 11, 2008 at the Nursing Home Multi-Purpose Room.  At this point she turned the workshop over to DeKalb County State’s Attorney Ronald Matekaitis.

          Mr. Matekaitis said that he would review each provision throughout the agreement.  The County Board made a choice to resume negotiations with the tribe and this proposed agreement is the result of those negotiations.  We won’t be resolving whether or not the land in question is a reservation or if Shabbona’s name is spelled correctly, etc.  We will be answering any questions that you may have relative to the agreement and to see if you find it acceptable.

          Some of the questions that the county board members asked with regards to the agreement are as follows:

1.)   On page 1, 3^rd Whereas, if the quoted language regarding the treaty included all of the original treaty language?  This would add about four lines of text to the agreement.

2.)   Is the Tribe the political successor-in-interest?

Do we know that for a fact?

3.)   On page 2, 4^th Whereas, could the word “support” be changed to “allow”?

4.)   Is this Whereas (4^th) necessary?

5.)   What does “the amenities” mean, associated with gaming?

6.)   One page 6, Section 4A., strike the word “substantive”?

Mr. Whittlesy said that it is an effective mechanism for the County to exercise breach of contract.

7.)   On page 11 and 12, could the County be included in the selection of people to conduct the Transportation Impact Analysis?  For example, various townships for some of the township roads that may be affected by the traffic to and from the bingo hall (Malta Township, Clinton, Milan).

8.)   Page 15, Section 9.  Could the annual charitable donation of $25,000 go to the Community Foundation?

9.)   Page 15, Section 10. Compulsive Behavior.  Could the money for the Illinois Council on Problem and Compulsive Gambling, Inc., of $15,000, could it be directed to a local agency like the Mental Health 708 Board, or an agency in Downers Grove?  Do not send it to Chicago.

10.)          Are weapons allowed on the property?

11.)          Incarceration.  Where will we house the criminals in Shabbona?  Will there be a facility built in Shabbona?

12.)          Page 21, Termination.  There is still some work that needs to be done under this section.

Mr. Augsburger said that he was very impressed by the comprehensiveness and the Daily Chronicle editorial on this issue that was published recently.  He read some excerpts from that editorial.

Mr. Matekaitis said that he and the attorneys from Washington would be reviewing the questions that had been asked tonight.  He will be getting back to those people who asked the questions in the near future.

Chairman Tobias thanked everyone for attending the workshop this evening.

                                                                                                .

APPROVAL OF THE COUNTY BOARD AGENDA

Mr. Ray Bockman, County Administrator, reviewed the County Board Agenda for the Board Meeting to be held on January 16, 2008. 

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

GENERAL DISCUSSION

          Mr. Rosemier, Chairman of the Health and Human Services Committee, said that they heard from Ms. Leslie Wicks, the Director of Hope Haven and Ms. Mary Ramp, DeKalb County Community Services Department. Ms. Wicks reviewed the homeless needs for the County.  She said that they need a shelter in the southern part of the County near Sandwich. 

Ms. Fauci, Chairman of the Forest Preserve Committee, said that Ellwood Log Cabin would be renovated then moved to Russell Woods. 

          Mr. Obsorne said that his committee heard from the Court Service Department regarding the Engh property proposal and the need for more foster families in DeKalb County.

          Chairman Tobias mentioned that NACo Legislative Conference would be held in the beginning of March 2008. Anyone interested in attending, please contact Mary Supple, DeKalb County Coordinator in the County Board Office.

          She also encouraged members to attend the University of Illinois Leadership Academy. There are usually 8 sessions to attend.  Please contact Mr. John Horn at the University of Illinois Cooperative Extension Office if you are interested in attending these sessions.

ADJOURNMENT

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

Respectfully submitted,

______________________________

Chairman Ruth Anne Tobias

__________________________

Mary C. Supple, Secretary

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