DRAFT

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MINUTES

October 13, 2009

The Executive Committee of the DeKalb County Board met on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at 7:00p.m. at the Administration Building’s Conference Room East.  Chairman Ruth Anne Tobias called the meeting to order. Members present were Marlene Allen, Ken Andersen, Larry Anderson, Eileen Dubin, Julia Fauci.  Chairman Tobias asked Mr. Hulseberg to sit in for Michael Haines, Mr. Emerson to sit in for Pat LaVigne, and Mr. Paul Stoddard to sit in for Mr. Metzger, Sr.  Others present were Ray Bockman, Gary Hanson, Greg Millburg, Steve Walt, Scott Newport, Mark Todd, Riley Oncken, Anita Turner, Pat Vary and Mr. Neil Palmer.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

            Mr. Larry Anderson amended the minutes on page 3 to reflect I-88 not Route 38 and the other change was Ken Andersen and not Mr. Larry Anderson.

          Moved by Mr. Andersen, seconded by Ms. Dubin, and it was carried unanimously to approve the amended minutes from September 2009.

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

          Moved by Mr. Kenneth Andersen, seconded by Mr. Stoddard, and it was carried unanimously to approve the agenda.

APPOINTMENTS

          Chairman Tobias said that she now has four nominated names that she is reviewing for the appointment to the Public Building Commission.  Because of this, she will not have a decision made until the November committee meeting.

Appointments expiring for November 2009:

1. Community Mental Health Board – 3 positions

2. Community Services Advisory Board – 2 positions

3. Victor Adams #1 Drainage District – 2 positions

PROCLAMATION #P2009-06:  THE BIG READ FOR DEKALB COUNTY

          Chairman Tobias presented a proclamation regarding The Big Read for DeKalb County to the committee. She said that since this is the 200th anniversary of Edgar Allan Poe, they are promoting literacy in America and Mr. Poe is the author that they have picked for Americans to read.  Various public and private entities in DeKalb County are all committed to restoring reading to the center of American culture.  The Big Read is a program envisioned as a partnership in our community to encourage children and adults to embrace reading and discussion of the same book in our community.  She will be declaring the month of October 2009 as the Big Read for DeKalb County.

RESOLUTION #R2009-59:  RECOVERY ZONE BONDS APPLICATION/FEES

          Mr. Bockman, DeKalb County Administrator, informed the committee members that the County has received two separate allocations for the Recovery Zone Bonds.  One allocation was for public facilities ($5.9 million) and the other allocation was for private activities ($8.959 million).  He had asked the Economic Development Corporation to work with our Economic Development Committee to solicit applications from the private sector, screen them, rank them and make recommendations to the Economic Development Committee.  Hopefully, if the projects are worthy, you will then make recommendations to the County Board, he said.

          What you have before you this evening, said Mr. Bockman, is a resolution proposing Mr. Borek’s guidelines and application form that he has sent me that they will be using to solicit these applications.  The language that he used in the application came out of the Act.  There are three proposed fees included in the guidelines.  The first one is the review and processing fee that equals $1,000 payable to the DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation, with an application, to cover the time that they will be reviewing these applications and developing these guidelines for us.  The issuance fee is the fee that is payable to the County.  You don’t have to charge it though if you don’t want to.  The third one is the DeKalb County Bond Counsel review fee, which is simply reimbursing the County. We would not recommend doing this without having our Bond Counsel review the project that’s been proposed to assure us that it is a non-recourse issue.  That it meets the guidelines of the Federal Act, etc.  They will have to have their own bond counsel work on their issue.  We would want our own bond counsel to review it.  He would like the full board to endorse the guidelines and application form so that the Economic Development Corporation can get started collecting these, said Mr. Bockman.

          After a brief discussion, it was moved by Mr. Kenneth Andersen, seconded by Mr. Larry Anderson and it was carried unanimously to forward this resolution to the full board for approval.

RESOLUTION #R2009-58:  INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH THE VILLAGE OF SHABBONA AND THE COUNTY OF DEKALB

          Chairman Tobias said that Village of Shabbona would like the County to provide certain services for the Village and their one and half mile jurisdiction regarding the wind farm and wind turbines.  We would only be required to enforce those conditions and rules that we have adopted.  This will provide for our inspection of these towers in the same manner and rules as the other towers that lie in our jurisdiction.

          Moved by Ms. Fauci, seconded by Mr. Larry Anderson, and it was carried unanimously to enter into the intergovernmental agreement with the Village of Shabbona and to forward this recommendation to the full board for approval.

CONSIDERATION OF BUDGET APPEALS

          Mr. Gary Hanson, Deputy County Administrator, informed the committee that they have three budget appeals to discuss this evening.  The first one involves item #23 regarding the Lobbyists, the second one is item #5530 regarding the County Administrator’s vehicle and the third one is item #A – eliminate the Exceptional Performance Program for exempt employees.

          The committee first discussed item #A elimination of the Exceptional Performance Program for exempt employees forever.

          Mr. Bockman said that he would like to speak against the permanent elimination of this item.  He suggested that the board might want to recognize certain people now and bring it back up again in a couple of years.

          Ms. Dubin asked Mr. Bockman if it has built morale?

          Mr. Bockman said yes, and that it has helped to save the taypayers money, he feels. 

          Ms. Fauci said that she agrees with Mr. Bockman and that we shouldn’t do away with it.

          Mr. Walt said that he submitted this appeal because he felt that in the private sector bonuses are a thing of the past.  The taxpayer is paying for this and he feels that we compensate our employees very well.  He feels that we have a very good, wonderful staff on board across the board, but they are not the only ones that can do their jobs.

          Ms. Vary said that at NIU excellence is rewarded at NIU through a merit raise. 

          Moved by Mr. Kenneth Andersen, seconded by Mr. Larry Anderson, and it was carried, to eliminate the Exceptional Performance Program for Exempt Employees forever.  Motion failed with 3 yes votes and 6 no votes.      

          The committee then discussed item #23, to delete $50,000 appropriation for the Federal Lobbyist.

          Mr. Kenneth Andersen said that he can’t agree with a budget that has any kind of deficit, let alone what we have this year.  We need to eliminate some money to help get back to a balanced budget.

          Ms. Fauci said that she agrees with Mr. Andersen.

          Mr. Oncken said that the Federal Government is still handing out money and it would be nice to have someone in Washington, D.C. to make sure that our hand is still out there.  I feel that it is a bad idea to “start” and stop” again, and again.  He said that we should stick with the same company.

          Ms. Turner said that she agrees with Mr. Oncken on this issue.

          Mr. Hulseberg asked if the contract was for 6 months?

          Mr. Bockman said that it is for 1 year.

          Moved by Ms. Allen, seconded by Mr. Hulseberg, and it was carried to deny the appeal for #23.  Motion carried by voice vote. 

          The last item #5530 is to delete the $21,000 appropriation to replace the County Administrator’s vehicle.  Mr. Todd said that because of the economic times this year, he was feeling that we may be able to wait another year on that purchase. 

          Mr. Bockman said that the car was put in service in June of 2003.  It now has 76,000 miles on it and is running fine. Putting it off for a year is purely a judgment call.  He spoke with Kevin Hickey at the Sheriff’s Department and he said that they have 13 of this year’s Impala’s in their fleet and that they have held up remarkably well.  They have noticed some increases in maintenance above 70,000 miles, most frequently for transmissions which are $3300 items.  They have also noticed sensors for fuel break and cooling systems that run about $1500 to $1800.  They have cars that they run well over 100,000 miles.  It is a seven year rotation cycle.  We put $3,000 a year in the fund and after 7 years you have essentially enough money to purchase a new car. 

          Moved by Mr. Kenneth Andersen, seconded by Ms. Fauci, and it was carried by a voice vote, to delete the $21,000 appropriation for the replacement of the County Administrator’s vehicle.

ELECTRONIC ATTENDANCE AT MEETINGS

          Chairman Tobias asked Mr. Bockman to look into amending our bylaws to include electronic attendance, which would include attendance by other than physical means, including audio or videoconferencing.  She needs to check IMO to see what would be a good way to do that at the County.  She also said that she learned about Winnebago County who used it before for someone who was stuck at home and could not attend a meeting. 

          Chairman Tobias explained then to the committee that a quorum would have to physically be present in the meeting room.  You would have to notify the county board 24 hours in advance that you would like to do this.  Personal illness, disability, family or other emergency and travel for work or county board business are the requirements. 

          Mr. Stoddard said that if we have dangerous roads because of bad weather for people who live down south, would that be a valid excuse to attend the meeting at home?

          Mr. Bockman said that there would have to be a quorum present first.  He said that if you wanted to enable more attendance you could do it or if you want it to be more restrictive – you could do it. 

          Ms. Fauci asked if you need to have a room set up for this type of meeting?

          Mr. Bockman explained that you could do it with a phone.

          Mr. Larry Anderson that his biggest concern is that this could be abused.

          Mr. Bockman said that when an ad hoc committee was meeting, there was a concern then.  The law doesn’t tell you that you have to do it, it only says that you can do this.  If you want to then it is pursuant to the rules that you adopt.  If at any time you wanted not to allow it, the county board would simply say that they want to amend their rules and drop electronic attendance.

          Ms. Turner suggested that we could ask for a doctor’s note.

          Ms. Fauci said that she would agree on that.  We want to encourage physical participation.

          Mr. Oncken said that when he did research on this it seemed that board consisting of memberships of 6 or 8 members seemed like it always worked.  Does Mr. Metzger really need to be worried about this, he just needs to get healthy right now.  There are no penalties for missing a meeting, so we just need to give Mr. Metzger a pass.  He would be opposed to this and feels that it creates too much potential for problems. 

          Chairman Tobias said that she would not allow for travel for work and take that wording out.

          After a brief discussion it was decided by the committee to form an ad hoc committee and have them study this law.  They would bring back their recommendation to the Executive Committee in a couple of months.

APPROVAL OF THE COUNTY BOARD AGENDA

Mr. Ray Bockman, County Administrator, reviewed the County Board Agenda for the Board Meeting to be held on October 21, 2009. 

Moved by Mr. Hulseberg, seconded by Ms. Fauci, and it was carried unanimously to approve the County Board Agenda and to forward it to the full board for approval.

GENERAL DISCUSSION

          Ms. Eileen Dubin, Chairman of the Economic Development Committee, said that her committee heard two proposals for abatements from Mr. Ken Andersen for small businesses.  They will be exploring these proposals further.  They will be holding their next meeting on October 27^th jointly with the Economic Development Corporation’s Task Force Committee to hear the results of the study for what DeKalb has to attract better paying jobs and small businesses particularly coming into the area.  November 14, 2009 her committee will be co-sponsoring an event with the Economic Development Corporation regarding a Small Business Workshop.  There will be a variety of resources from the community taking part in this event.

          Mr. Kenneth Andersen, Chairman of the Planning & Zoning Committee, said that there have been a lot of public hearings scheduled lately regarding variations.

          Ms. Fauci, Chairman of the Forest Preserve Committee, said that they are placing their FY2010 Budget on File for public viewing this month.  They are looking at hiring off-duty Sheriff’s deputies to patrol some of the forest preserves because of unruly people.

          Mr. Stoddard, Vice-Chairman of the Health and Human Services Committee said that they heard from Mr. Chuck Rose of the Mental Health Department regarding his annual report.  Mr. Rose said that some agencies in the community have not received all of their monies from the State yet and one of those agencies is Safe Passage.  Safe Passage has informed them that if the Mental Health Board does not help them with this problem this month they will have to close their doors sometime in October.

          Mr. John Hulseberg, a Member of the Finance Committee, said that they heard from Mr. Kevin Hoecker from Scott Balice and Associates regarding a Capital Improvement Plan for the expansion of the County Courthouse and the  County Jail.  The Plan will be presented to the full board on October 21, 2009.

          Mr. John Emerson, a Member of the of the County Highway Committee, said that they discussed budget appeals at the meeting and that they are returning two tabled resolutions to the board for approval at this month’s county board meeting.

          Chairman Tobias said that she had heard from the Supportive Living Center who would like to invite the entire county board for a breakfast or luncheon at their facility as a way of saying thank you for all of your support.  She suggests various dates to the committee.  They decided on having breakfast @ 7:15a.m. on November 4, 2009.  Chairman Tobias will suggest this to the Supportive Living Facility Director.

EXECUTIVE SESSION:  LAND ACQUISITION AND COLLECTIVE BARGAINING

          It was moved by Mr. Larry Anderson, seconded by Ms. Dubin, and it was carried unanimously to move into closed session to discuss collective bargaining and land acquisition by a roll call vote.

          It was moved by Mr. Emerson, seconded by Ms. Allen, and it was carried unanimously to return to open session by a roll call vote.

          It was moved by Mr. Hulseberg, seconded by Ms. Fauci, and it was carried unanimously, to recommend the purchase of one parcel of land located at 203 E. Exchange Street in Sycamore, Illinois for the total price of $175,000.00 and to forward this recommendation to the full board for approval.

          It was moved by Mr. Stoddard, seconded by Ms. Allen, and it was carried unanimously, to recommend the approval of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the County of DeKalb and AFSCME Local Council 31, Local 3537, and to forward this recommendation to the full board for approval.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved by Ms. Allen, seconded by Mr. Larry Anderson, and it was carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting.

Respectfully submitted,

______________________________

Chairman Ruth Anne Tobias

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