South West Illinois News

Monroe County Board of County Commissioners met Feb. 5.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The meeting of the County Commissioners of Monroe County, Illinois was called to order at 8:15 a.m. by Chairman George E. Green.

The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Chairman George E. Green and Commissioner Vicki Koerber were present. Commissioner Dennis M. Knobloch was absent.

Others present included Deputy County Clerk Mia VanZandt, State’s Attorney Ryan Webb, Sheila Wetzler, Oak Hill Administrator Shari Kruep, Scott Woodsmall of the Republic-Times, Zoning Administrator Chris Voelker, Laura Kipping, Maintenance Director Joe Lewis, Ambulance Director Carla Heise, Public Safety Director Kevin Scheibe, Doug Garmer, Ed McLean, Pat Kelly, Sidney Horn, George Bieber and County Engineer Aaron Metzger.

Chairman Green asked for public comments. George Bieber spoke against the Southwestern Illinois Development Authority, also known as SWIDA. He reiterated his objection to the County being a member of SWIDA.

Commissioner Koerber made a motion to approve the County bills and payroll for payment. Seconded by Chairman Green. All voting Aye. None Nay. Commissioner Knobloch Absent. Motion carried.

Commissioner Koerber made a motion to approve meeting minutes for the February 5, 2024 open and closed Board meetings. Second by Chairman Green. All voting Aye. None Nay. Commissioner Knobloch Absent. Motion carried.

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

Commissioner Koerber made a motion to approve the application for use of the courtyard and bandstand for the Waterloo Municipal Band from May 28 through August 7, 2024 for their Tuesday night free concert series. Second by Chairman Green. All voting Aye. None Nay. Commissioner Knobloch Absent. Motion carried.

Commissioner Koerber made a motion to approve the application for use of the courtyard and bandstand for the Waterloo Optimist Club Beer-B-Que Competition on May 10-11, 2024, contingent upon receipt of a current indemnity insurance letter. Second by Chairman Green. All voting Aye. None Nay. Commissioner Knobloch Absent. Motion carried.

Commissioner Koerber made a motion that Valmeyer Police Chief Marty Seitz be reappointed to the 9-1- 1 Emergency Telephone System Board, for a term of four years with term to commence on March 3, 2024 and term to expire on March 2, 2028 or until a successor is appointed and has qualified. Second by Chairman Green. All voting Aye. None Nay. Commissioner Knobloch Absent. Motion carried. Resolution #24-10

Commissioner Koerber made a motion that Matthew Stuckmeyer be reappointed to the Fountain Water District, with term to commence on March 4, 2024 and term to expire on March 3, 2029 or until a successor is appointed and has qualified. Second by Chairman Green. All voting Aye. None Nay. Commissioner Knobloch Absent. Motion carried. Resolution #24-11

Commissioner Koerber made a motion that Thomas P. Vogt be appointed as Monroe County Weed Commissioner, replacing Chris Howell who has retired. The first term shall commence on March 15, 2024 and expire on November 30, 2024. Each successive term shall be for one year or until a successor is appointed and has qualified. Second by Chairman Green. All voting Aye. None Nay. Commissioner Knobloch Absent. Motion carried. Resolution #24-12

Commissioner Koerber made a motion that Dane Luke, Chief of Police for the City of Waterloo, be appointed to the 9-1-1 Emergency Telephone System Board, replacing Jeff Prosise who has retired, with term to commence on February 20, 2024 and term to expire on December 31, 2024 or until a successor is appointed and has qualified. Second by Chairman Green. All voting Aye. None Nay. Commissioner Knobloch Absent. Motion carried. Resolution #24-13

Shari Kruep appeared before the Board to present Oak Hill Care Center business.

Commissioner Koerber made a motion to approve Oak Hill’s February 2024 refund requests totalling $155,558.50. Second by Chairman Green. All voting Aye. None Nay. Commissioner Knobloch Absent. Motion carried. Resolution #24-14

Chris Voelker appeared with Richard Brinkmann to request a rezoning ordinance amendment to rezone Mr. Brinkmann’s property from A2 (agriculture) to B2 (highway business). The property is located at 950 Floraville Road, Waterloo, IL 62298, parcel #08-20-200-002. He would like to build a storage facility with 68 units, 10’x15’.

Commissioner Koerber made a motion to rezone parcel #08-20-200-002 from A2 (agricultural) to B2 (highway business). Second by Chairman Green. All voting Aye. None Nay. Commissioner Knobloch Absent. Motion carried. Ordinance #24-3

Zoning Administrator Chris Voelker came before the Board to present a flood plain variance request. The applicant is Steve Lawrence Jr, 5160 Bluff Road, Valmeyer, IL 62295, parcel # 14-02-200-002. The variance is to build a pole barn on the property. The Board of Appeals unanimously denied the variance because Mr. Lawrence is not a farmer.

Commissioner Koerber made a motion to deny the parcel #14-02-200-002 pole barn. Second by Chairman Green. All voting Aye. None Nay. Commissioner Knobloch Absent. Motion carried.

Joe Lewis gave an update on the jail expansion, which has a projected completion date of October 13, 2024. He also addressed the issue of the vacant Mill Street building, wondering if he should cut off the utilities. The commissioners decided not to do that yet.

Aaron Metzger appeared to discuss highway business.

Commissioner Koerber made a motion to approve a resolution for the 2024 County Aggregate Maintenance Program (MFT Funds). Second by Chairman Green. All voting Aye. None Nay. Commissioner Knobloch Absent. Motion carried. Resolution #24-15

Commissioner Koerber made a motion to approve a resolution for the 2024 Road Districts Aggregate Maintenance Program. Second by Chairman Green. All voting Aye. None Nay. Commissioner Knobloch Absent. Motion carried. Resolution #24-16

Carla Heise discussed no treat/no transport calls and the ambulance remount. The commissioners suggested we try a trial period of no charge for the no treat/no transport calls. Carla will write up a resolution and bring it back to the next meeting for approval. She will also run a report of all bills owed to us as of Jan 1, 2024 so it can be reviewed for possible write-offs.

Commissioner Koerber made a motion to approve going into closed session for the purpose of personnel and litigation. Second by Chairman Green. All voting Aye. None Nay. Commissioner Knobloch Absent. Motion carried. Resolution #24-17

Meeting closed at 9:37 a.m.

Commissioner Koerber made a motion to come out of closed session. Second by Chairman Green. All voting Aye. None Nay. Commissioner Knobloch Absent. Motion carried. Resolution #24-18

Meeting was reopened at 10:10 a.m.

Commissioner Koerber made a motion to adjourn. Second by Chairman Green. All voting Aye. None Nay. Commissioner Knobloch Absent. Motion carried.

Meeting ended 10:10 a.m.

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