1. Pursuant to a call signed by thirteen members (being more than ½ the members of said Board), which was duly received and filed by the Clerk of said Board on the 8th day of March, 2011, and due notice having been given by the Clerk by publication in a newspaper published in the County of Henry in words and figures as follows:
County Clerk”
A certificate of Publication by said newspaper being on file and also by mailing a notice to each member of said Board in words and figures as follows, to-wit:
A certificate of mailing said notice being on file, the Henry County Board of the County of Henry and State of Illinois, convened in REGULAR SESSION in the FIRST FLOOR JUDICIAL WING in the Henry County Courthouse in the Village of Cambridge, in the County and State aforesaid, on Tuesday, the 19th day of April, 2011 at 6:00 P.M.
2. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Tim Wells.
3. The meeting was opened with a prayer by Chaplain Kathy Nelson after which the pledge of allegiance to the flag was given.
4. A Call of the Roll by County Clerk Barb Link showed twenty-two members present: Jim Eccher, Roger Gradert, Rick Livesay, Rebekah McCaw, Pat Rippgerger, Dennis Sullivan, Dan Swanson, Tim Wells, Dennis Anderson, Kathy Nelson, Kippy Nelson, Bill Preston, Tom Steele, Karen Urick, Muriel Weber, Jon Zahm, Ann DeSmith, Jason DeSplinter, Jim Kursock, Jan May, John Sovanski, and Jerry Thompson. Two members were absent: Jim Findley and Ted Sturtevant.
5. Member Jason DeSplinter moved to approve the revised agenda of the April 19, 2011 County Board meeting. Member Muriel Weber seconded the motion.
Motion Carried Via Voice Vote.
6. Chairman Tim Wells asked for Public Comment.
Mr. Raymond Elliott, 206 E 2nd St, Atkinson, IL, gave his opinion on the redistricting of County Board Districts and feels we can do the job with 20 County Board members.
Senator Darin LaHood, Dunlap, IL, Member of the Illinois Senate Representing the 37th Legislative District introduced himself and said he looks forward to working with Henry County. Senator LaHood replaced Dale Risinger.
7. Member Bill Preston moved to approve and place on file the March 8, 2011 County Board meeting minutes. Member Jason DeSplinter seconded the motion.
Motion Carried Via Voice Vote.
8. Mr. Mike Zerull, Executive Director of Abilities Plus, gave a presentation regarding Abilities Plus and Henry County Public Transportation.
9. Member Roger Gradert moved to approve and place on file the monthly reports of the Bi-State Regional Commission, Henry County Health Department, Health Department Annual Financial report, Veterans Assistance Commission, Economic Development Partnership, and County Clerk/Recorder monthly fees. Member Jerry Thompson seconded the motion.
Motion Carried Via Voice Vote.
10. Member Pat Ripperger moved to confirm the reappointment of Mr. Jeffrey Hutchinson to the Cambridge Fire Protection District for a term from April 1, 2011 to April 30, 2014. Member Rebekah McCaw seconded the motion.
Motion Carried Via Voice Vote.
11. Member John Sovanski moved to confirm the reappointment of Mr. Paul Ehnle to the Kewanee Community Fire District for a term from April 1, 2011 to April 30, 2014. Member Rick Livesay seconded the motion.
Motion Carried Via Voice Vote.
12. Member Dennis Anderson moved to confirm the reappointment of Mr. Carl Bates to the Galva Community Fire Protection District for a term from May 1, 2010 to April 30, 2013. Member Kippy Nelson seconded the motion.
Motion Carried Via Voice Vote.
13. Member Tom Steele moved to hold over until the May 10, 2011 County Board meeting the following appointments/reappointments:
Reappointment of Mr. Mark Hepner to the Henry County 377 Board for a term from June 1, 2011 to May 31, 2014
Reappointment of Mr. Kenneth DeSmith to the Atkinson Fire Protection District for a term from April 1, 2011 to April 30, 2014
Reappointment of Mr. Steve Carton to the Henry County Board of Review for a term from June 1, 2011 to May 31, 2013
Reappointments of Dr. Artemio Cajigal and Dr. Crystal Snider to the Henry County Board of Health for terms from June 1, 2011 to May 31, 2014
Appointments of Mr. Michael Secymore and Mr. Rick Turner to the Cambridge Fire Protection District for terms to be determined by lot at the first meeting of the board after appointments are final
Reappointment of Mr. Robert Anderson to the Bishop Hill Community Fire Protection District for a term from May 1, 2011 to April 30, 2014
Reappointment of Mr. Thomas Curnyn to the Geneseo Fire Protection District for a term from April 1, 2011 to April 30, 2014
Reappointment of Mr. Frank Soliz to the Colona Community Fire Protection District for a term from May 1, 2011 to April 30, 2014
Reappointment of Mr. Dean Peterson to the Oxford Fire Protection District for a term from April 1, 2011 to April 30, 2014
Reappointment of Mr. David Doy to the Osco Community Fire Protection District for a term from April 1, 2011 to April 30, 2014
Reappointment of Mr. Gerald DeSmith to the Annawan-Alba Fire Protection District for a term from April 1, 2011 to April 30, 2014
Reappointment of Mr. Jerry Sheldon to the Orion Fire Protection District for a term from April 1, 2011 to April 30, 2014
Reappointments of Dr. David Nelson, Ms. Sue Gray, and Ms. Susan Philhower to the Hammond-Henry Hospital District Board for terms from June 1, 2011 to May 31, 2014
Appointment of Ms. Dorothy David as an ex-officio member to the Henry County Planning Committee, to replace Mr. Kurt Kuchle as Sanitarian, term to run until replacement is named
Appointment of Mr. Jim King as an ex-officio member to the Henry County Planning Committee, to replace Mr. Mark DeDecker as the representative of the Soil and Water Committee, term to run until a replacement is named.
Member Jim Eccher seconded the motion.
Motion Carried Via Voice Vote.
14. Additional discussion was held regarding outside agency appointments which are archived on tape in the County Clerk’s office.
15. Member Jon Zahm moved to hold over until the May 10, 2011 County Board meeting the appointment of Mr. Tim Wells to the Project Now Board for a term from May 10, 2011 to November 30, 2012, to replace Mr. Ron Salisbury. Member Muriel Weber seconded the motion. Member Jim Eccher asked why someone on the board that is not on a committee couldn’t be appointed to this? Chairman Tim Wells said he is very close to where meetings are being held.
16. Member Roger Gradert moved to amend the motion to have the appointment effective immediately and not hold over until the May County Board meeting appointment of Mr. Tim Wells to the Project Now Board for a term from April 10, 2011 to November 30, 2012. Member Jim Eccher seconded the motion.
Motion Carried Via Voice Vote.
17. Member Karen Urick, Health and Social Services Committee Chairperson, moved to approve and place on file the Health and Social Services February 8, 2011 Committee report. Member Jan May seconded the motion.
Motion Carried Via Voice Vote.
18. Member Karen Urick moved to approve and place on file the Health and Social Services April 6, 2011 Committee report. Member Jan May seconded the motion.
Motion Carried Via Voice Vote.
19. Member Dennis Anderson, Finance Committee Chairman, moved to approve and place on file the Treasurer’s March bank balance reports and March interest earned reports and the County Clerk’s March fund balance reports. Member Jerry Thompson seconded the motion.
Motion Carried Via Voice Vote.
20. Member Dennis Anderson moved to approve the payment of the March county accounts in the amount of $1,765,448.47. Member Dennis Sullivan seconded the motion.
A Call of the Roll by County Clerk Barb Link showed twenty-two members voting “Aye”: J. Eccher, R. Gradert, R. Livesay, R. McCaw, P. Ripperger, D. Sullivan, D. Swanson, T. Wells, D. Anderson, Kathy Nelson, Kippy Nelson, B. Preston, T. Steele, K. Urick, M. Weber, J. Zahm, A. DeSmith, J. DeSplinter, J. Kursock, J. May, J. Sovanski, and J. Thompson. Two members were absent: J. Findley and T. Sturtevant.
Motion Carried.
21. Member Dennis Anderson moved to approve and place on file the Finance Committee report. Member Jerry Thompson seconded the motion.
Motion Carried Via Voice Vote.
22. Member Rick Livesay, Transportation Committee Chairman, moved to approve and place on file the Transportation Committee report. Member Bill Preston seconded the motion.
Motion Carried Via Voice Vote.
23. Member Ann DeSmith, Planning and Development Committee Chairperson, moved to hold over until the May 10, 2011 County Board meeting a Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance. Member Rick Livesay seconded the motion.
Motion Carried Via Voice Vote.
24. Member Ann DeSmith moved to approve Resolution 11-01R Amending the By-Laws of the Henry County Planning Committee. Member Roger Gradert seconded the motion.
A Call of the Roll by County Clerk Barb Link showed twenty-two members voting “Aye”: J. Eccher, R. Gradert, R. Livesay, R. McCaw, P. Ripperger, D. Sullivan, D. Swanson, T. Wells, D. Anderson, Kathy Nelson, Kippy Nelson, B. Preston, T. Steele, K. Urick, M. Weber, J. Zahm, A. DeSmith, J. DeSplinter, J. Kursock, J. May, J. Sovanski, and J. Thompson. Two members were absent: J. Findley and T. Sturtevant.
Motion Carried.
25. Member Kippy Nelson moved to approve Resolution 11-09 Continuing Economic Development in Henry County as a major priority through the Henry County Rural Revolving Loan Fund Plan. Member Pat Ripperger seconded the motion.
A Call of the Roll by County Clerk Barb Link showed twenty-two members voting “Aye”: J. Eccher, R. Gradert, R. Livesay, R. McCaw, P. Ripperger, D. Sullivan, D. Swanson, T. Wells, D. Anderson, Kathy Nelson, Kippy Nelson, B. Preston, T. Steele, K. Urick, M. Weber, J. Zahm, A. DeSmith, J. DeSplinter, J. Kursock, J. May, J. Sovanski, and J. Thompson. Two members were absent: J. Findley and T. Sturtevant.
Motion Carried.
26. Member Kippy Nelson moved to approve revisions to the Rules of the Henry County Board under Committee rules: Item 7 the Chairman of the County Board shall count as a member for quorum purposes and shall have voting privileges. Member Roger Gradert seconded the motion.
A Call of the Roll by County Clerk Barb Link showed twenty-two members voting “Aye”: J. Eccher, R. Gradert, R. Livesay, R. McCaw, P. Ripperger, D. Sullivan, D. Swanson, T. Wells, D. Anderson, Kathy Nelson, Kippy Nelson, B. Preston, T. Steele, K. Urick, M. Weber, J. Zahm, A. DeSmith, J. DeSplinter, J. Kursock, J. May, J. Sovanski, and J. Thompson. Two members were absent: J. Findley and T. Sturtevant.
Motion Carried.
27. Member Kippy Nelson moved to approve and place on file the Executive Committee report. Member Jason DeSplinter seconded the motion.
Motion Carried Via Voice Vote.
28. Member Roger Gradert, Administration Committee Chairman, moved to establish an open enrollment period for the Henry County Health Care Plan beginning November 1, 2011 and each year in November. Member John Sovanski seconded the motion.
29. Member Kippy Nelson moved to amend the wording as follows: open enrollment period run annually from November 1 through November 30 starting in November 2011. Member Jason DeSplinter seconded the motion.
A Call of the Roll by County Clerk Barb Link showed twenty-two members voting “Aye”: J. Eccher, R. Gradert, R. Livesay, R. McCaw, P. Ripperger, D. Sullivan, D. Swanson, T. Wells, D. Anderson, Kathy Nelson, Kippy Nelson, B. Preston, T. Steele, K. Urick, M. Weber, J. Zahm, A. DeSmith, J. DeSplinter, J. Kursock, J. May, J. Sovanski, and J. Thompson. Two members were absent: J. Findley and T. Sturtevant.
Motion Carried.
30. Member Roger Gradert moved to approve and place on file the Administration Committee report. Member Rebekah McCaw seconded the motion.
Motion Carried Via Voice Vote.
31. Member Jason DeSplinter, Public Safety Committee Chairman, moved to approve Resolution 11-13 changing the hours of sale back to 7:00 a.m. every day for liquor license classes B1, C1, F and G1. Member Karen Urick seconded the motion.
A Call of the Roll by County Clerk Barb Link showed twenty-two members voting “Aye”: J. Eccher, R. Gradert, R. Livesay, R. McCaw, P. Ripperger, D. Sullivan, D. Swanson, T. Wells, D. Anderson, Kathy Nelson, Kippy Nelson, B. Preston, T. Steele, K. Urick, M. Weber, J. Zahm, A. DeSmith, J. DeSplinter, J. Kursock, J. May, J. Sovanski, and J. Thompson. Two members were absent: J. Findley and T. Sturtevant.
Motion Carried.
32. Member Jason DeSplinter moved to approve and place on file the Public Safety Committee report. Member Rick Livesay seconded the motion.
Motion Carried Via Voice Vote.
33. Member Bill Preston, Communications Committee Chairman, moved to approve and place on file the Communications Committee report. Member Jerry Thompson seconded the motion.
Motion Carried Via Voice Vote.
34. Member Roger Gradert moved to approve Ordinance 11-10 to Provide for Public Transportation in Henry County. Member Jerry Thompson seconded the motion.
A Call of the Roll by County Clerk Barb Link showed twenty-two members voting “Aye”: J. Eccher, R. Gradert, R. Livesay, R. McCaw, P. Ripperger, D. Sullivan, D. Swanson, T. Wells, D. Anderson, Kathy Nelson, Kippy Nelson, B. Preston, T. Steele, K. Urick, M. Weber, J. Zahm, A. DeSmith, J. DeSplinter, J. Kursock, J. May, J. Sovanski, and J. Thompson. Two members were absent: J. Findley and T. Sturtevant.
Motion Carried.
35. Member Tom Steele moved to approve Resolution 11-11 Authorizing Application for FY2012 5311 Grant. Member Kippy Nelson seconded the motion.
A Call of the Roll by County Clerk Barb Link showed twenty-two members voting “Aye”: J. Eccher, R. Gradert, R. Livesay, R. McCaw, P. Ripperger, D. Sullivan, D. Swanson, T. Wells, D. Anderson, Kathy Nelson, Kippy Nelson, B. Preston, T. Steele, K. Urick, M. Weber, J. Zahm, A. DeSmith, J. DeSplinter, J. Kursock, J. May, J. Sovanski, and J. Thompson. Two members were absent: J. Findley and T. Sturtevant.
Motion Carried.
36. Member Ann DeSmith moved to approve Acceptance of the Special Warranty for FY2012 5311 Grant. Member the Karen Urick seconded the motion.
A Call of the Roll by County Clerk Barb Link showed twenty-two members voting “Aye”: J. Eccher, R. Gradert, R. Livesay, R. McCaw, P. Ripperger, D. Sullivan, D. Swanson, T. Wells, D. Anderson, Kathy Nelson, Kippy Nelson, B. Preston, T. Steele, K. Urick, M. Weber, J. Zahm, A. DeSmith, J. DeSplinter, J. Kursock, J. May, J. Sovanski, and J. Thompson. Two members were absent: J. Findley and T. Sturtevant.
Motion Carried.
37. Member John Zahm moved to approve Proclamation 11-12 Establishing May as Motorcycle Awareness Month. Member Jason DeSplinter seconded the motion.
A Call of the Roll by County Clerk Barb Link showed twenty-two members voting “Aye”: J. Eccher, R. Gradert, R. Livesay, R. McCaw, P. Ripperger, D. Sullivan, D. Swanson, T. Wells, D. Anderson, Kathy Nelson, Kippy Nelson, B. Preston, T. Steele, K. Urick, M. Weber, J. Zahm, A. DeSmith, J. DeSplinter, J. Kursock, J. May, J. Sovanski, and J. Thompson. Two members were absent: J. Findley and T. Sturtevant.
Motion Carried.
38. Member Jon Zahm made a motion to present the reapportionment plan with 2 Districts to be held over until the May 10, 2011 County Board meeting. Member Roger Gradert seconded the motion.
39. Member Tom Steele moved to amend the motion to state that 2 plans be held over until the May 10, 2011 County Board meeting; the proposed 2 district map and the other plan being a 3 district map. Member John Sovanski seconded the motion.
A Call of the Roll by County Clerk Barb Link showed eleven
members voting “Aye”: J. Eccher, R. McCaw, P. Ripperger, D. Sullivan, Kippy Nelson, T. Steele, A. DeSmith, J. Kursock, J. May, J. Sovanski, and J. Thompson. Eleven members voting “Naye”: R. Gradert, R. Livesay, D. Swanson, T. Wells, D. Anderson, Kathy Nelson, B. Preston, K. Urick, M. Weber, J. Zahm, and J. DeSplinter. Two members were absent: J. Findley and T. Sturtevant.
Motion Failed.
40. Back to the main motion to approve holding over the reapportionment plan with 2 Districts.
A Call of the Roll by County Clerk Barb Link showed fifteen members voting “Aye”: R. Gradert, R. Livesay, R. McCaw, D. Swanson, T. Wells, D. Anderson, Kathy Nelson, Kippy Nelson, B. Preston, T. Steele, K. Urick, M. Weber, J. Zahm, A. DeSmith, and J. DeSplinter. Seven members voting “Naye”: J. Eccher, P. Ripperger, D. Sullivan, J. Kursock, J. May, J. Sovanski, and J. Thompson. Two members were absent: J. Findley and T. Sturtevant.
Motion Carried.
41. Member Jon Zahm made a motion to hold over until the May 10, 2011 County Board meeting a reduction to the number of County Board members from 24 to 20. Member Rick Livesay seconded the motion. Discussion was held which is archived on tape in the County Clerk’s office.
42. Member Kippy Nelson asked for Point of Order, “What is the State’s Attorney’s opinion?” According to the Assistant State’s Attorney, approval of the number of County Board members can not be done tonight because it was not listed as an action item on the County Board agenda.
43. Member Roger Gradert asked for Point of Order, dropped the motion to reduce the County Board members from 24 to 20, and the motion was dropped.
44. Member Jerry Thompson moved to go into closed session. Member Tom Steele seconded the motion.
A Call of the Roll by County Clerk Barb Link showed twenty-two members voting “Aye”: J. Eccher, R. Gradert, R. Livesay, R. McCaw, P. Ripperger, D. Sullivan, D. Swanson, T. Wells, D. Anderson, Kathy Nelson, Kippy Nelson, B. Preston, T. Steele, K. Urick, M. Weber, J. Zahm, A. DeSmith, J. DeSplinter, J. Kursock, J. May, J. Sovanski, and J. Thompson. Two members were absent:J. Findley and T. Sturtevant.
Motion Carried.
45. Member Roger Gradert moved to resume into open session. Member Jerry Thompson seconded the motion.
Motion Carried Via Voice Vote.
46. Chairman Tim Wells asked for County Board comment.
Member Jerry Thompson commented County Board Member John Sovanksi received Citizen of the Year from the Chamber of Commerce in Kewanee.
Member John Zahm questioned that they had previously discussed having on the agenda an additional public comment at the end. It is being checked on, but in the meantime, Jon Zahm noted he would like to see an additional public comment at end of the Agenda.
47. Member Rick Livesay moved to adjourn until the May 10, 2011 County Board meeting. Member Rebekah McCaw seconded the motion.
48. Chairman Tim Wells declared the meeting adjourned.