Hancock County Board met May 19.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
The meeting was called to Order at 6:30 P.M. by Chairman Delbert Kreps. An invocation was given by Mr. Scheetz. The "Pledge of Allegiance" was led by the Clerk.
Those present were:
Delbert Kreps, Chairman
Kerry Asbridge, County Clerk
Wayne Bollin, Steve Bolton, Dennis Castlebury, Pat Cramer, Patsy Davis, Steve Finney, Janet Fleming, Mark Menn, Tom Rogers, Tom Scheetz, Bryan Stevens,
Telephone Participants:
Mark Hanson, Gary Dittmer, Harry Douglas
Mr. Scheetz moved to suspend the rules requiring that board members must be present to participate, permitting members be allowed to participate by telephone for the evening due to the COVID-19 pandemic, pursuant to a Gubernatorial Proclamation. Ms. Fleming seconded the motion, and it carried. Sheriff Scott Bentzinger, Jenny Meeks, Douglass G. Norvell, Bob Shutwell, and Joy Swearingen of the Hancock County Journal-Pilot, were present.
Mr. Scheetz moved to approve the minutes of the prior meeting with two corrections. Mr. Castlebury seconded the motion, and it carried.
Dr. Douglass G. Norvell, a resident of Nauvoo, Illinois and a emeritus professor at WIU, Fullbright Scholar, graduate of Texas A & M with a Phd. of Agricultural Economics, and instructor of rural economic development, addressed the county board.
Dr. Norvell said the estimate of 65,000 fewer tourists to Nauvoo this year will have a negative $10 million economic impact. He had the following suggestions for the Hancock County Board:
1. Have the County Treasurer produce a monthly cash flow spreadsheet.
2. Have the County Engineer help plan better internet service.
3. Have the Sheriff and Circuit Clerk develope projections for higher crime.
4. Have the County Treasurer mail tax bills locally. Have the Hancock County EMS bill ambulance services locally.
5. Hire a county manager.
Wayne Bollin said Hancock County has a monthly cash flow report, and hired Bellwether Inc. due to the difficulty in dealing with the State of Illinois minimum wage increases.
Tom Scheetz said a manager would be like city managers or school superintendents - totally run meetings and the board members would really have little information on operations.
Mr. Bolton presented the report of the meeting held by the Highway Committee on April 28, 2020. Mr. Bolton moved the reports be approved, recommendations of the Committee be concurred in, and the reports be placed on file with the Minutes of this meeting. The motion was seconded by
Ms. Davis. On roll call, all members participating voted "Yes".
Mr. Bolton moved to approve bids for furnishing culvert pipes.
Mr. Menn seconded the motion, and all members participating voted "Yes".
Approve a material bid letting for furning culvert pipes to Hancock County. One bid was received:
a) Section 20-00000-00-GM, Group I: Up to 48" Diameter Precoated Galvanized Riveted Steel Culvert Pipes. F.O.B. Hancock County
i) Low bid: $31,938.16 by Metal Culverts Inc. of Jefferson City, MO 65102
ii) Alternate bid: (No other bids were received at this letting.)
Mr. Bollin presented the report of the meeting held by the Finance Committee on May 14, 2020. Mr. Bollin moved the reports be approved, recommendations of the Committee be concurred in, and the reports be placed on file with the Minutes of this meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Scheetz. On roll call, all members participating voted "Yes1
Mr. Rogers addressed the county board concerning the Downstate Small Business Development Revitalization Program. It is a forgivable loan for businesses funded by a state grant. Mr. Rogers said Sherry Saint and Kathy Jacob are assisting with preparation of the application, and have been quite helpful.
Mr. Rogers said 75% of grant applications are rejected for failing to comply with rules in the application process. A good example was the tentative publication drafted by a local economic developer. The notice must be published at least 7 days before a hearing. Only 2 days notice were in the tentative notice.
The revised schedule establishes a May 26, 2020 cutoff date for applications. Publication is scheduled for June 2, 2020. A hearing is scheduled for June 12, 2020. One application has been received. The economic developer indicated to him over 20 were "in the works".
Mr. Finney moved to approve a Resolution to issue deed as Trustee for taxing districts in City of Warsaw, successful bid of $810.00 by Darren and Jaime Macarthur. Mr. Bolton seconded the motion, and on roll call all members participating voted "Yes".
Mr. Scheetz presented the report of a meeting held by the Building and Grounds Committee on May 11, 2020. Mr. Scheetz moved the report be approved, recommendations of the Committee be concurred in, and the report be placed on file with the Minutes of this meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Stevens. On roll call, all members participating voted "Yes".
Mr. Scheetz moved to approve a resolution to establish a due date for the first installment of real estate taxes as August 3, 2020. Mr. Cramer seconded the motion. On roll call, all members participating voted "Yes".
Ms. Davis moved to approve a Hancock County, Illinois Return to Work Recommended Guidelines Business Ordinance. Mr. Scheetz seconded the motion.
The Recommended Guidelines included 8 pages of public health and safety measures for various business and recreation activites. The county board and Hancock County Health Department would monitor compliance.
The goal is to reopen businesses and activities since the number of cases in Hancock County and the region is low, retail and service businesses are suffering (some long established ones have closed permanently), and neighboring states Iowa and Missouri have reopened. Illinois consumers are flocking to Iowa and Missouri.
States Attorney Rachel Mast said the situation is balancing consequences - economic activity versus health and safety. She believes the views of other stakeholders - the hospital, health department, state police, etc. - should be sought before passing it.
Mr. Cramer said he believed individuals rights were violated by Governor Pritzker's Executive Order 2020-33, which re-issued Executive Orders 2020-03, 2020-04, 2020-05, 2020-06, 2020-07, 2020-08, 2020-09, 2020-11, 2020-12, 2020-13, 2020-14, 2020-15, 2020-16, 2020-17, 2020-19, 2020-20, 2020-21, 2020-22, 2020-23, 2020-24, 2020-25, 2020-26, 2020-27, 2020-28, 2020-29, 2020-30, and 2020-31. Mr. Cramer said a circuit court already declared it unconstitutional.
Ms. Mast did express support for a resolution adopted by the cities of Carthage and Hamilton that asked the Governor to reconsider his classification of Emergency Medical Service Regions. (Hancock County is included in the Central Illinois Region running to Champaign and Danville - which are much farther than St. Louis, Columbia, or Iowa City - where residents here sometimes go for advanced medical care.)
Mayor Jim Nightingale of Carthage said he preferred Hancock County speak with one voice, and adopt the same resolution as Carthage and Hamilton. He pointed out reconsideration of the Governor's classification of Emergency Medical Service Regions, and an improved reopening plan for low impact areas are included in the resolution.
Mr. Finney moved to amend the title to a RESOLUTION REQUESTING MODIFICATIONS TO GOVERNOR PRITZKER'$ Restore ILLINOIS PLAN, and inserting language identical to a resolution adopted by the City of Carthage. Ms. Fleming seconded the motion. The amendment was germane to the subject of reopening businesses in response to COVID-19 ordered business closings.
Roll call on the amendment retitling and replacing the content of the original ordinance , the amendment being RESOLUTION REQUESTING MODIFICATIONS TO GOVERNOR PRITZKER'S Restore ILLINOIS PLAN resulted as follows: Wayne Bollin, Steve Bolton, Dennis Castlebury, Harry Douglas, Steve Finney, Janet Fleming, Mark Hanson, Delbert Kreps, Tom Rogers, Bryan Stevens, and Tom Scheetz voted "Yes", totalling eleven. Pat Cramer, Patsy Davis, Gary Dittmer, and Mark Menn voted "No", totalling four. The amendment was approved.
Roll call on the a RESOLUTION REQUESTING MODIFICATIONS TO GOVERNOR PRITZKER'S Restore ILLINOIS PLAN (which replaced the title and content of the original motion) resulted as follows: Wayne Bollin, Steve Bolton, Harry Douglas, Steve Finney, Janet Fleming, Mark Hanson, Delbert Kreps, Tom Rogers, Bryan Stevens, and Tom Scheetz voted "Yes", totalling ten. Dennis Castlebury, Pat Cramer, Patsy Davis, and Mark Menn voted "No", totalling four. Gary Dittmer abstained. The resolution was approved.
Ms. Fleming presented the report of a meeting held by the County Health Committee on May 12, 2020. Ms. Fleming moved the report be approved, recommendations of the Committee be concurred in, and the report be placed on file with the Minutes of this meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Finney. On roll call, all members participating voted "Yes".
Ms. Castlebury moved to approve hire Jenny Meeks as Ambulance Coordinator, at will, with an annualized salary of $50,000 payable bimonthly. Mr. Finney seconded the motion. On roll call, all members participating voted "Yes. Her first working day, training, will be May 20, 2020.
Ms. Fleming moved to approve a Resolution Writing Off $72,477.57 in Contractual Adjustments for Medicare, Medicaid in March, 2020. Mr. Cramer seconded the motion. On roll call, all members participating voted "Yes".
Mr. Bollin moved to adjourn until Friday, June 12, 2020. Mr. Finney seconded the motion, and it carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:40 P.M.
https://www.hancockcounty-il.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/County-Board-Minutes-May-19-2020.pdf
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