South West Illinois News

Monroe County Board of County Commissioners met March 18.

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, Doug Garmer, Treasurer Kevin Koenigstein, Scott Marquardt, Scott Woodsmall of the Republic Times, Ambulance Director Carla Heise, Pat Kelly, Jim Crowe, George Bieber, County Clerk Jon McLean, Eric Sutton, Maintenance Director Joe Lewis and Zoning Administrator Chris Voelker.

Chairman Green asked for public comments. George Bieber was looking for clarification on two points – 1) he wants to know why we hired an Economic Development Executive Director when he thought that’s what our involvement with SWIDA was for, and 2) he’s hoping Joe Lewis will explain the change order he is requesting when he approaches the Board.

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 March 4, 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 appointment of Eric Sutton as Monroe County Building Inspector, for a term of one year with term to commence on March 18, 2024 and term to expire March 18, 2025 or until a successor is appointed and has qualified. Second by Chairman Green. All voting Aye. None Nay. Commissioner Knobloch Absent. Motion carried. Resolution #24-23

Commissioner Koerber made a motion to approve the resignation of Richard Heine as Commissioner of Road District No. 6, and the Board appoints Martin Mertz as the Road District No. 6 Commissioner, for a term to commence on April 5, 2024 and term to expire May 19, 2025 or until a successor is appointed and has qualified. Second by Chairman Green. All voting Aye. None Nay. Commissioner Knobloch Absent. Motion carried. Resolution #24-24

Commissioner Koerber made a motion to approve the appointment of Brian Coats to the Board of Appeals, to fill the unexpired term of Dennis Rodenberg, with term to commence on March 18, 2024 and term to expire July 1, 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 #24-25

Commissioner Koerber made a motion to approve the resignation of Brian Coats from the Monroe County Regional Planning Commission. Second by Chairman Green. All voting Aye. None Nay. Commissioner Knobloch Absent. Motion carried.

Commissioner Koerber made a motion to approve the appointment of Alexander Knoll to the Monroe County Regional Planning Commission, replacing Brian Coats who has resigned, for a term of three years with term to commence on March 18, 2024 and term to expire March 17, 2027 or until a successor is appointed and has qualified. Second by Chairman Green. All voting Aye. None Nay. Commissioner Knobloch Absent. Motion carried. Resolution #24-26

Commissioner Koerber made a motion to approve the appointment of Thomas Falk to the Monroe County Regional Planning Commission, filling an open seat, for a term of three years with term to commence on March 18, 2024 and term to expire March 17, 2027 or until a successor is appointed and has qualified. Second by Chairman Green. All voting Aye. None Nay. Commissioner Knobloch Absent. Motion carried. Resolution #24-27

Commissioner Koerber made a motion to approve a resolution for the execution of the contract between Monroe County and the Monroe County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC), authorizing George Green, Chairman of the County Board, to sign said contract, wherein the County accepts the recommendation for hiring of an Executive Director from the MCEDC, where such hire shall be as an employee of Monroe County, and the MCEDC shall reimburse Monroe County for the salary and benefits conferred to the position. Second by Chairman Green. All voting Aye. None Nay. Commissioner Knobloch Absent. Motion carried. Resolution #24-28

Commissioner Koerber made a motion to approve the application for use of the courtyard and bandstand for the Monroe County Arts Alliance 2024 3rd Annual Chalk-A-Lot on September 14, 2024. 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 Truth Church 2024 4th Annual Back-to-School Bash on August 3, 2024. Second by Chairman Green. All voting Aye. None Nay. Commissioner Knobloch Absent. Motion carried.

Zoning Administrator Chris Voelker came before the Board to present a flood plain variance request. The applicant is Roger Schaefer, 9442 Taake Road, Columbia, IL 62236, parcel #03-26-200-003. He would like to put a 50’, 30,000-bushel bin on the property. Commissioner Koerber made a motion to approve the variance request. Second by Chairman Green. All voting Aye. None Nay. Commissioner Knobloch Absent. Motion carried.

Mindy Hanna appeared before the Board to present the Oak Hill Care Center Report. Kevin Koenigstein presented the FY2024 quarterly financial report.

Carla Heise came before the Board to present a change order for the Lifeline ambulance remount resolution and contract.

Commissioner Koerber made a motion to approve a change order with respect to the purchase agreement originally dated February 24, 2023, between Conrad Fire Equipment and Monroe County, that the commissioners are satisfied that the change order is necessary as the additional work was not discoverable at the time the original contract was bid, and that the change is in the best interest of the County. Second by Chairman Green. All voting Aye. None Nay. Commissioner Knobloch Absent. Motion carried. Resolution #24-29

Assistant County Engineer Casey Carnahan appeared to discuss highway business.

Commissioner Koerber made a motion to approve a resolution for 2024 MFT Maintenance Asphalt Material Delivered to the County Garage for Storage. Second by Chairman Green. All voting Aye. None Nay. Commissioner Knobloch Absent. Motion carried. Resolution #24-30

Commissioner Koerber made a motion to approve a resolution for 2024 MFT Maintenance Asphalt Materials Deliver and Install Contract Award to Illini Road Oil, LLC. Second by Chairman Green. All voting Aye. None Nay. Commissioner Knobloch Absent. Motion carried. Resolution #24-31

Commissioner Koerber made a motion to approve a resolution for 2024 MFT Maintenance Asphalt Materials Deliver and Install Contract Award to Illiana Construction Company. Second by Chairman Green. All voting Aye. None Nay. Commissioner Knobloch Absent. Motion carried. Resolution #24-32

Commissioner Koerber made a motion to approve a resolution designating authority to George E. Green to enter into contracts with the State of Illinois. Second by Chairman Green. All voting Aye. None Nay. Commissioner Knobloch Absent. Motion carried. Resolution #24-33

Joe Lewis appeared to discuss a change order due to over dig of the footings, as well as two wells discovered that needed to be filled in. Commissioner Koerber made a motion to approve the change order after having previously awarded a contract relating to the expansion of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, whereas the commissioners find that the circumstances necessitating the change were not reasonably foreseeable at the time the contract was signed, that the change is germane to the original contract as signed, and that the change order is in the best interest of the County as accomplishing the Sheriff’s Department expansion. Second by Chairman Green. All voting Aye. None Nay. Commissioner Knobloch Absent. Motion carried. Resolution #24-34

Commissioner Koerber made a motion to approve going into closed session for the purpose of litigation and personnel. Second by Chairman Green. All voting Aye. None Nay. Commissioner Knobloch Absent. Motion carried. Resolution #24-35

Meeting closed at 9:09 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 #24-36

Meeting was reopened at 9:24 a.m.

Pam Poetker, the new Economic Development Executive Director, popped into the meeting once it opened to say hi to the commissioners.

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

Meeting ended 9:31 a.m.

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