South West Illinois News

Monroe County Board Commissioners Met Feb. 1.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

The meeting of the County Commissioners of Monroe County, Illinois was called to order at 8:15am by Chairman Vicki Koerber.

The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Chairman Vicki Koerber, Commissioner Dennis Knobloch and Commissioner George Green were present.

Others present included County Clerk Jonathan McLean, State’s Attorney Lucas Liefer, and Sheila Wetzler.

Commissioner Vicki Koerber asked for public comments. There were none.

Commissioner Knobloch made a motion to approve the following Accounts Payable and Payroll for payment. Second by Commissioner Green. All voting Aye. None Nay. None Absent. Motion carried.

Motion by Commissioner Green to approve the open and closed minutes of the January 19, 2021 meeting. Second by Commissioner Knobloch. All voting Aye. None Nay. None Absent. Motion carried.

Commissioner Knobloch made a motion to approve the Oak Hill Care Center Accounts Payable. Second by Commissioner Green. All voting Aye. None Nay. None Absent. Motion carried.

Kevin Scheibe came before the Board to discuss service issues with Frontier Communications. Monroe County 9-1-1 service has been down three times in the past year. Mr. Scheibe advised the Board that he is going to be looking at a new service provider named N Digital. It is the same provider who provides service to St. Clair County. Commissioner Knobloch made a motion to support Mr. Scheibe’s efforts to research other telephone service providers for 9-1-1 service. Second by Commissioner Green. All voting Aye. None Nay. None Absent. Motion carried.

Amy Cope, Executive Director of the University of Illinois Extension, came before the Board to discuss the Annex Building lease agreement. First, there was discussion about the EMS staff using a portion of the recreation room for living quarters. Due to the extension office unable to use the recreation room for activities, Commissioner Knobloch made a motion to refund the extension office $250.00 a month until the EMS staff vacates the area. Second by Commissioner Green. All voting Aye. None Nay. None Absent. Motion carried.

A three-year lease agreement between the University of Illinois Extension and Monroe County Board of Commissioners was presented by Chairman Koerber. Commissioner Knobloch made a motion to approve the lease agreement as presented. Second by Commissioner Green. All voting Aye. None Nay. None Absent. Motion carried.

Commissioner Knobloch made a motion to approve a resolution to authorize the County Board Chairman to sign the local public agency agreement for federal participation for the Hanover Road phase II resurface project. Second by Commissioner Green. All voting Aye. None Nay. None Absent. Motion carried. Resolution #21-12

Health Department Director John Wagner came before the Board to provide an update on COVID-19. Vaccines are arriving weekly.

Carla Heise came before the Board to discuss the renewal of an agreement with the St. Clair County Emergency Management Agency.

Edie Koch came before the Board to discuss COVID-19 Micro Grant Program.

Lynden Prange came before the Board to discuss funding for Stringtown, Ft. Chartres, and Harrisonville Levee Districts. The Army Corp of Engineers has sent a list of unacceptable items that need to be repaired. There is a program to assist them with the repairs but the districts will have to find funding to pay for the repairs. The Army Corp of Engineers recommended that the County consider a county-wide tax levy to help cover the costs. The projected costs for all of the repairs will be over $800,000. Commissioner Knobloch made a motion to write a letter in support of levee repairs but the Board is not able to provide any funding at this time. Second by Commissioner Green. All voting Aye. None Nay. None Absent. Motion carried.

Circuit Clerk Lisa Fallon came before the Board to request approval of the Circuit Clerk Union Employee Contract. Commissioner Green made a motion to approve the contract. Second by Commissioner Knobloch. All voting Aye. None Nay. None Absent. Motion carried.

Commissioner Green made a motion to go into closed meeting for the purpose of discussion property acquisition. Second by Commissioner Knobloch. All voting Aye. None Nay. None Absent. Motion carried. Resolution #21-13

Commissioner Knobloch made a motion to end closed meeting. Second by Commissioner Green. All voting Aye. None Nay. None Absent. Motion carried. Resolution #21-14

There being no further business to come before the Board, a motion was made by Commissioner Green to adjourn. Second by Commissioner Knobloch. All voting Aye. None Nay. None Absent. Motion carried. Meeting ended at 9:45 a.m.

http://monroecountyil.gov/departments/board-of-commissioners/county-board-minutes/#