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Tuesday, April 16, 2024

Monroe County Board met June 18.

Chairs

Monroe County Board met June 18.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

The meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Illinois was called to order at 8:00 a.m. Chairman Robert Elmore, Commissioner Delbert Wittenauer and Commissioner Vicki Koerber were present.

The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Others present included County Clerk Dennis Knobloch, and Sheila Wetzler, along with Press Corps representatives – Joe Leicht of the Monroe County Independent and Alan Dooley of the Republic Times. Also present were Ron Schultheis and Jason Jones.

There being a quorum present, the meeting was called to order by Chairman Elmore.

Public Comments: Jason Jones said in reference to the discussion at the last meeting about the T Road intersection on Illinois Route 3 south of Waterloo, he was wondering why the County Board didn’t ask the Sheriff to conduct more patrols in that area. Mr. Jones said he talked to numerous people in that area, and they have never seen the County Deputies patrolling that area. Chairman Elmore said he knows that the Sheriff has patrol sectors in all areas of the County, so the Deputies are out there. Mr. Jones said the residents have never seen them.

Pam Jacobs asked why the County Board had discussed doing away with the County Extension Service tax levy that was approved by the voters of Monroe County. She said she saw this in the local newspaper after the last meeting, but she did not see it as an agenda item to be discussed. Commissioner Wittenauer said maybe that was his fault, because he said the County has continued to decrease the amount allocated to the Extension Service, and maybe if the County reduced that amount significantly, it would get the attention of the people who need to take notice. He said he hoped the upcoming meeting with all the stakeholders would help bring a solution to the problem. Chairman Elmore said we need to get some help from Madison and St. Clair Counties – he said it’s evident that Monroe County cares more about the Extension Service than the other two Counties.

Aaron Metzger came to the meeting to discuss Highway Department business. He said all local money will be used to microsurface Kaskaskia Road from Illinois Route 3 south 4.7 miles to LL Road. The apparent low bidder was Microsurfacing Contractors of Bridgeton, Mo. With a bid of $344,963.74. Motion was made by Commissioner Wittenauer, with a second by Commissioner Koerber to award the bid for this project to Microsurfacing Contractors. All voting Aye, none Nay and none Absent. Motion carried.

Resolution 18-50

Kaskaskia Road Microsurfacing Contract Award

Whereas, in the interest of improved transportation facilities and safety to the motoring public, Monroe County proposes to improve Kaskaskia Road from Illinois Route 3 South 4.7 miles to LL Road with a microsurfacing; and

Whereas, bids were received on June 6, 2018 for said construction designated as Section 18-00041-02-RS in accordance with plans prepared by the Monroe County Highway Department.

Now, Therefore Be It Resolved, that the County of Monroe shall award the construction contract for said Kaskaskia Road Microsurfacing to Microsurfacing Contractors, LLC, 13940 St. Charles Rock Road, Bridgeton, MO 63044 in the amount of $344,963.74 and that the County Board Chairman and County Clerk are hereby authorized to execute said construction contract upon execution by the Contractor; and

Be It Further Resolved that the following amount be appropriated and authorized for expenditures for construction for the subject contract work:

County Matching Tax Fund - $350,000

Passed by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Illinois at Waterloo, this 18th day of June, 2018.

Motion: Wittenauer Second: Koerber

Aye: Three Nay: None

Absent: None

Bid Summary: Construction Estimate - $428,894.40

Miscrosurfacing Contractors - $344,963.74

Missouri Petroleum - $381,831.64

A.C. Pavement Striping - $442,949.42

Mr. Metzger said Kaskaskia Road near Renault is being oil and chipped this week, along with Hanover Road. Commissioner Koerber asked about intersection lighting invoices. Mr. Metzger said he would provide her with a list of those lights the County is responsible for. There was also discussion regarding the possible use of solar lighting for these intersections. Mr. Metzger presented the semi-annual report of the County Highway Department. Chairman Elmore said they are re-writing the bill for the proposed 4-lane highway in southern Illinois since the first bill has not passed.

Mr. Metzger said he did get the IDOT permit for the T Road intersection work, and he is now finalizing the necessary easements. He said he has also provided conditional approval of Bill Ebeler’s “16 West” subdivision adjacent to The Acorns golf course. There was discussion about the use of golf carts on the subdivision roadways. Commissioner Koerber said she will talk with Mike Fausz for clarification on this issue.

The following Accounts Payable having been approved for payment, Commissioner Wittenauer moved that the same be allowed and that vouchers be issued against their respective funds of the County Treasurer for payment. Motion seconded by Commissioner Koerber, and so declared. All voting Aye, none Nay, and none Absent. Motion carried.

General Fund:

ADP, LLC 1,400.00

Americom Imaging Systems Inc. 369.11

Americom 882.60

Annmarie Marcuson 35.97

Axon Enterprise Inc. 2,440.00

Beneflex 1,157.00

Bob Barker Company Inc. 1,112.46

Celeste A. Korando 2,631.25

Coast to Coast 218.58

CPR & Safety Training 338.00

Culligan-Schaefer Water Centers 97.94

Custom Vehicle Upfitters 3,491.36

Denise Buettner 160.00

Gateway FS, Inc 36.60

Gateway FS 223.59

Goodin Associates Ltd 700.00

Harrisonville Telephone Company 372.77

Illinois State Bar Association 360.00

K&D Printing 422.50

Kathy Hildreth 125.35

Kelton Davis 12,068.67

Kone Inc. 660.74

Law Enforcement Targets 78.26

Major Case Squad 250.00

Mike’s Convenience 82.89

Monroe County Electric Coop Inc. 437.50

Monroe County EMS Assn 75.00

Monroe County Highway Dept 67.13

Motorola 1,319.00

Nabers Shop 847.01

Prairie Farms Dairy Inc. 140.00

Quality Collision 152.53

Quill Corporation 152.82

Reliable Sanitation Service Inc. 2,599.12

Republic-Times LLC 3353.18

Ronald M. Mueller 201.30

Scott Schumer 19.22

Security Envelope Company 354.77

Sonnenberg Landscaping 449.50

Stanley Convergent Security Sol 885.00

Supply Works 427.20

Thomson Reuters-West Publishing Corp. 1,141.24

Traughber & Morris Ltd 741.67

U.S. Bank Equipment Finance 218.00

Uline 476.10

Warner Communications Corp. 800.00

Waterloo Animal Hospital 164.00

Waterloo Lumber Company Inc. 18.67

Watson’s Office City 894.24

Wex 199.93

Zone 1 Circuit Clerk’s Assoc 20.00

Ambulance Service Fund:

Airgas Mid America 359.69

Andres Medical Billing, Ltd 3,395.03

BJC Healthcare AR-Billing 1,281.05

Bound Tree Medical LLC 51.57

Cintas Fire 636525 239.70

Medpro Waste Disposal LLC 205.91

Mertz Ford 811.70

Motorola Solutions 396.00

Patient Refund 343.00

Zoll Medical Corporation 95.37

Health Tax Fund:

Culligan-Schaefer Water Centers 10.00

Motorola 34.00

University of Illinois Extension 250.00

Highway Fund:

Al’s Auto Waterloo 78.94

Ameren Illinois 41.18

Americom Imaging 273.92

Aramark Uniform Services 1,375.19

Brian Edler 220.00

DataTronics Inc. 188.00

DLT Solutions 612.50

Huel’s Oil Company 9,805.06

Iron Crafters Inc. 324.06

Leaf 299.00

Luby Equipment Services 450.00

Monroe County Electric Cooperative 825.12

O’Reilly Auto Parts 650.07

R.P. Lumber 34.19

Reliable Sanitation Service Inc. 52.10

Republic-Times LLC 92.40

Sunset Ford 197.70

Waterloo Lumber Co. 16.49

County Motor Fuel:

Columbia Quarry Company 2,452.75

Monroe County Highway Fund 61,163.43

Road Motor Fuel:

Columbia Quarry Company 2,046.75

Recorder’s Document Fund:

Fidlar Technologies 1,716.80

Court Document Fund:

Gavel LLC 5,000.00

Goodin Associates 90.00

HOV Services 644.64

The regular and closed session minutes from June 4, 2018 were approved upon motion by Commissioner Wittenauer, with a second by Commissioner Koerber. All voting Aye, none Nay and none Absent. Motion carried.

Kim Keckritz and Rachel Giffhorn came to the meeting to discuss Oak Hill. Census and financial situations for each area of the home were discussed. She said the change of pharmacies with more favorable pricing has increased the monthly income for the facility. Ms. Keckritz said she wanted to address parking on the Magnolia side of the building. She said during the construction of Evergreen Pointe, the drive lane on the Magnolia side was widened to two lanes, and now she would like to make that a permanent change. Ms. Keckritz said the existing parking area also needs to be resurfaced, because nothing has been done to it since 2006. She said she got an estimate on widening the road and resurfacing the parking area, and the total project was $34,000. Commissioner Koerber asked if this money was set aside in the Nursing Home budget. Ms. Keckritz said no, it was not. Commissioner Wittenauer said a base would have to be put down for the driveway area before paving. Commissioner Koerber said this project would have to go out to bid. Commissioner Wittenauer said maybe the Highway Department could help with the prep work. Motion was made by Commissioner Wittenauer, with a second by Commissioner Koerber to allow Ms. Keckritz to proceed with this project, and to work with Aaron Metzger for preparing a bid proposal for the work to be completed. All voting Aye, none Nay and none Absent. Motion carried.

Motion was made by Commissioner Wittenauer, with a second by Commissioner Koerber to approve the Nursing Home bills. All voting Aye, none Nay and none Absent. Motion carried.

Motion was made by Commissioner Wittenauer, with a second by Commissioner Koerber to approve the Prevailing Wage Rate information for 2018. All voting Aye, none Nay and none Absent. Motion carried.

Ordinance 18-9

An Ordinance Of The County Of Monroe, Illinois Ascentaining The Prevailing Rate Of Wages For Laborers, Workmen And Mechanics Employed On Public Works Of Said County

Whereas, the State of Illinois has enacted “An act regulating wages of laborers, mechanics and other workers employed in any public works by the State, County, City or any public body or any political subdivision or by any one under contract for public works, “approved June 26, 1941, as amended (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1987, CH 48, par 39s-1 et seq. As amended by Public Acts 86-799 and 86-693 and,

Whereas, the aforesaid Act requires that the commissioners of the County of Monroe investigate and ascertain the prevailing rate of wages as defined in said Act for laborers, mechanics and other workers in the locality of said County of Monroe employed in performing construction of public works, for said Monroe County, so

Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved by the Board of County Commissioner of Monroe County, Illinois that:

Section 1: To the extent and as required by “An Act regulating wages of laborers, mechanics and other workers employed in any public works by State, County, City or any public body or any political subdivision or by any one under contract for public works, “approved June 26, 1941, as amended, the general prevailing rate of wages in this locality for laborers, mechanics, and other workers engaged in construction of public works coming under the jurisdiction of Monroe County is hereby ascertained to be the same as the prevailing rate of wages for construction work in the Monroe County area as determined by the Department of Labor of the State of Illinois as of June of the current year, a copy of that determination being attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference. As required by said Act, any and all revisions of the prevailing rate of ages by the Department of Labor of the State of Illinois shall supersede the Department’s June determination and apply to any and all public works construction undertaken by Monroe County. The definition of any terms appearing in this Resolution which are also used in aforesaid Act shall be the same as in the Act. (“Let It Be Noted That The Most Current Prevailing Wage Rate Information Available From The Illinois Department Of Labor Is Dated September, 2017, And Those Are The Rates Included With This Ordinance.”)

Section 2: Nothing herein contained shall be construed to apply said general prevailing rate of wages as herein ascertained to any work or employment except public works construction of Monroe County to the extent required by the aforesaid Act.

Section 3: The Monroe County Clerk shall publicly post or keep available for inspection by any interested party in the main office of the Courthouse this determination or any revisions of such prevailing rate of wage. A copy of this determination or of the current revised determination of prevailing rate of wages then in effect shall be attached to all contract specifications.

Section 4: The Monroe County Clerk shall mail a copy of this determination to any employer, and to any association of employers and to any person or association of employees who have filed their names and addresses, requesting copies of any determination stating the particular rates and the particular class of workers whose wages will be affected by such rate.

Section 5: The Monroe County Clerk shall promptly file a certified copy of this Resolution with both the Secretary of State Index Division and the Department of Labor of the State of Illinois.

Passed by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Illinois at Waterloo this 18th day of June, 2018.

Motion: Wittenauer Second: Koerber

Aye: Three Nay: None

Absent: None

Certification:

State of Illinois

County of Monroe

I, Dennis M. Knobloch, Do Hereby Certify That I am the duly elected County Clerk in and for Monroe County, Illinois; that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of an Ordinance duly passed by the Chairman and Board members of the County of Monroe, being entitled: “An Ordinance Of The County Of Monroe, Illinois, Ascertaining The Prevailing Rate Of Wages For Laborers, Workmen, And Mechanics Employed On Public Works Of Said County”, at a regular meeting on the 18th day of June, 2018, the Ordinance being a part of the official records of said County

Dated – this 18th day of June, 2018

Motion was made by Commissioner Wittenauer, with a second by Commissioner Koerber to allow the Waterloo Lions Club and the Waterloo VFW Post 7980 to use the Courtyard and Bandstand for the Waterloo Homecoming on August 24 and 25. All voting Aye, none Nay and none Absent. Motion carried.

Lisa Fallon and Brenda Hempen came to the meeting to discuss activity in the Circuit Clerk’s office. Ms. Fallon said she would be moving funds from an existing Midland Bank account to a First National Bank account. She said from they can tell the account was never balanced, and Ms. Hempen has worked hard to balance the account with the information and bank statements available. Ms. Hempen said she is only able to balance back to 2011 with the available records. Ms. Hempen said by statute some of the account records can be destroyed annually once they are balanced, and other account records need to be kept for at least five years before destruction. Ms. Fallon said the difference in the account at this point is $14,127.37. There was extensive discussion regarding this account and how to proceed with reconcilement. Ms. Hempen said to fix this in the Circuit Clerk’s office, she will have to make a negative deposit to the case management system in the amount of $14,127.37, and her name will be on that transaction, so she wanted to make sure the Board knew exactly what was happening. Commissioner Koerber said she would like to see the State’s Attorney and Treasurer involved in reviewing this situation and developing a proper solution – then that information should be brought back to the County Board for review, approval and inclusion in the County Board records.

Motion was made by Commissioner Koerber, with a second by Commissioner Wittenauer to go into closed session to discuss personnel. All voting Aye, none Nay and none Absent. Motion carried.

Resolution 18-51

Be It Resolved by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Illinois that the Board is going into closed session for the purpose of Personnel Discussion.

Passed by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Illinois at Waterloo, this 18th day of June, 2018.

Motion: Koerber Second: Wittenauer

Aye: Three Nay: None

Absent: None

Motion was made by Commissioner Wittenauer, with a second by Commissioner Koerber to end closed session and return to open session. All voting Aye, none Nay and none Absent. Motion carried.

Resolution 18-52

Be It Resolved by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Illinois that the board is ending its closed session and returning to open session.

Passed by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Illinois at Waterloo, this 18th day of June, 2018.

Motion: Wittenauer Second: Koerber

Aye: Three Nay: None

Absent: None

Alan Dooley, Neal Rohlfing, Kevin Koenigstein and Jason Jones returned to the meeting.

Annmarie Marcuson and Carl Wuertz came to the meeting to discuss the County’s IT situation. Chairman Elmore said there are some things that still don’t work following the computer virus outbreak. Mr. Wuertz said there are still parts of his system that are not working properly. Chairman Elmore said he decided to check on another IT company called CDW that is headquartered in Chicago. He, along with Ms. Marcuson and Mr. Wuertz were involved in a phone conversation with a representative of this Chicago-based company. Mr. Wuertz said they would like to do an audit of our technology and equipment, and then make recommendations about things that should be done to protect the County’s files and information. CDW proposes to review the county’s equipment, etc. for a price of $5,925, including recommendations for revisions to our systems. Commissioner Koerber said since this isn’t budgeted, where would this come from. Kevin Koenigstein said it could come from the Commissioner’s Contingency Fund or the equipment Fund. Commissioner Wittenauer said we need to go one direction or another – having multiple companies coming in and making promises means nothing. Chairman Elmore said this new company also sells computer hardware. Chairman Elmore said he called Dave Dillenberger of Americom to come to a Board meeting to discuss this, and Mr. Dillenberger said he didn’t have time. Commissioner Koerber said she would check the Americom contract to review details and determine whether the signed contract covered the virus problems experienced by the County. It was decided to review information and make a decision at the next County Board meeting on Monday, July 2.

Kevin Koenigstein came to the meeting to discuss establishing Monroe County as a 501C3 organization to benefit those who make donations to various County entities like Miles Cemetery, Palmier Cemetery, the Bison fund, etc. He said establishing a 501C3 status, with various line items within the fund for each separate category of donations, is the only way that contributors can use these financial donations as a tax deduction. Mr. Koenigstein said it would involve some fees to establish this status with the Secretary of State and with the Internal Revenue Service. He said it would also involve setting up bylaws, establishing a Board of Directors, holding an annual meeting and filing an annual tax return. Dennis Knobloch said as long as the donors are told the County is not 501C3, and the donations are not tax deductible, there should be an issue. Commissioner Wittenauer said he felt we were putting these donors at risk by not setting up the tax exempt status. Commissioner Koerber asked Sheriff Rohlfing how the canine fund is handled. Sheriff Rohlfing said he would have no problem moving the money in that fund to this new donation fund to get it started. Motion was made by Commissioner Wittenauer, with a second by Commissioner Koerber to set up a 501C3 donation fund for Monroe County so donors to various County fund raising efforts can use those as tax deductible donations. All voting Aye, none Nay and none Absent. Motion carried.

Sheriff Rohlfing met with the Board. Chairman Elmore said earlier in the meeting during public comments, one individual asked why the Sheriff is not patrolling Illinois Route 3 south in the area of T Road. (this area was discussed at the 6/4/18 County Board meeting.) Sheriff Rohlfing said his Deputies are out there all the time, and there are some unmarked vehicles, so many people don’t realize it’s the County Sheriff’s Department. Commissioner Wittenauer asked if the mobile speed trailer could be set up in that area. Sheriff Rohlfing said he has borrowed the city of Waterloo’s trailer on other occasions, and it probably could be used. Commissioner Wittenauer asked why the State Police aren’t out there. Sheriff Rohlfing said they focus their attention on the areas with more traffic and more problems. Sheriff Rohlfing also said his office has not received any calls or concerns regarding T Road.

Sheriff Rohlfing said he has applied for a State grant to do more monitoring of the State Highway, and he knows once that starts, the people will be saying, why are you stopping people on the State Highway, the State Police should be doing that. He said the reason he has stayed away from those grants in the past is that IDOT wants you to write lots of tickets, and he has not agreed with that approach. Commissioner Wittenauer said he agreed. He said he felt the State Police should pay more attention to the State Highways in Monroe County. Sheriff Rohlfing said the State Police used to have officers assigned to each County, but now they have bigger problems in other areas, and they also spend a lot of their time on the interstates because of all the traffic.

Commissioner Wittenauer said part of the problem is that a lot of people move here from other areas, and move into the country expecting a city-like environment with more controls.

Sheriff Rohlfing said he also wanted to let the Board know that the county Deputy working with the DEA seized $510,000 last week from a major drug trafficking organization, and Monroe County will be receiving 20% of that amount for the Asset Forfeiture Fund. Commissioner Wittenauer asked if these funds can be used to pay the salary of this Deputy. Sheriff Rohlfing said yes, it can. Commissioner Wittenuaer said then that money should be used for that, and the Sheriff’s Department budget should be reduced by that amount – if a program is going to be economical, then the income from that program needs to go back into the budget. Sheriff Rohlfing said the program is economical.

Commissioner Wittenauer told Sheriff Rohlfing he is doing a good job, but the money coming in from Asset Forfeiture should be used to reduce the Sheriff’s Department budget.

Sheriff Rohlfing said he has purchased three patrol cars and other necessary pieces of equipment from the money in this fund, and that money has not had to come from the regular budget. Sheriff Rohlfing said the majority of his budget increase has come from employee pay raises, and that is controlled by the union contract, which is agreed to be the County Board.

Sheriff Rohlfing said he has made a lot of positive changes at the Sheriff’s Department, and these are all meant to create a safer environment for the residents of Monroe County.

Sheriff Rohlfing left the meeting.

Chairman Elmore said he has contacted folks from St. Clair and Madison Counties regarding the upcoming U of I Extension meeting on Tuesday, July 17 at 11:00 a.m., but has not gotten any answers as to who will attend.

There was review of paperwork regarding a parcel proposed to be annexed from rural Monroe County into the City of Columbia.

Chairman Elmore reported on the status of the problems with the building at the Schorr Winery. He said Mike Fausz reported to him that there was now some consideration of trying to annex the property into the City of Waterloo. Chairman Elmore said today is liquor license renewal day, so we’ll see what happens. Commissioner Wittenauer said the City has the same rules and regulations, so he doesn’t see how that will work unless he makes the required changes to the building.

Chairman Elmore said there will be a meeting next week in Chester regarding the proposed 4- lane highway.

There being no further business to come before the Board, motion to adjourn was made by Commissioner Koerber with a second by Commissioner Wittenauer. All voting Aye, none Nay and none Absent. Motion carried.

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