South West Illinois News

Monroe County Board of Commissioners met April 7.

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, Commissioner Vicki Koerber and Commissioner Doug Garmer were present.

Others present included County Clerk Jonathan McLean, Deputy Clerk Kara Etherton, Maintenance Supervisor Joe Lewis, Treasurer Kevin Koenigstein, County Engineer Aaron Metzger, Sidney Horn, Scot Luchtefeld, Pat Kelly, Jim Crowe, Kermit Constantine from the Republic Times, and Sheila Wetzler.

Commissioner Koerber made a motion to approve the regular Board meeting minutes from the March 17, 2025 and the closed Board meeting minutes from the March 17, 2025. Second by Commissioner Garmer. All voting Aye. None Nay. None Absent. Motion carried.

Chairman Green asked for public comments.

Pat Kelly stated he would like to see a change to the turn in at the YMCA. He said that it is not safe to turn in or out of there. Mr. Kelly then said he would like to see some progress on the EMA project of making addresses better visible to First Responders in the County.

There were no more public comments.

Commissioner Koerber made a motion to move 6a from the Consent Agenda, concerning the BBQ Courtyard Application, to new business. Second by Commissioner Garmer. All voting Aye. None Nay. None Absent. Motion carried.

Commissioner Garmer made a motion to approve the consent agenda. The following items were on the consent agenda:

1. Truth Church Courtyard Application for the Annual Back to School Bash to be held on August 2, 2025.

2. Reappointment of Eric Osterhage to the Waterloo Community Fire Protection District for a term of three years to commence on May 1, 2025 and expire on April 30, 2025. Resolution #25-20

3. Reappointment of John Kaiser to the Hecker Fire Protection District for a term of three years to commence on May 1, 2025, and expire on April 30, 2028. Resolution #25-21

4. Reappointment of Randy Rusteberg, Michael Fausz, and Leland Mueller to the Maeystown Fire Protection District for a term of three years to commence on May 1, 2025, and expire on April 30, 2025. Resolution #25-22

5. Reappointment of Matthew Schmitz and Darren Johanning to the Fountain Water District for a term of five years to commence on May 2, 2025, and expire on May 1, 2030. Resolution #25- 23

Motion to approve the consent agenda was seconded by Commissioner Koerber. All voting Aye. None Nay. None Absent. Motion carried.

Maintenance Supervisor Joe Lewis appeared before the Board to give a quick update on upcoming projects at the Courthouse. He stated that the contract with Middendorf still needed to be signed before the renovations in the State's Attorney's Office and the 2nd Courtroom could begin. He stated that they were waiting for all materials to come in before starting the project. He also stated that the Annex Building cameras were up and running. Mr. Lewis stated the 226 Shed project had an original bid of $15,000 and that to help lower the cost of that project, maintenance went ahead and did all the wiring, which brought the cost down to $13,000. The Assessor's office will be moved across the street as soon as they are ready to do so and then the remodel for their office can begin. He stated that he did not have any bids or pricing for that just yet. County Clerk Jonathan McLean stated that he would like the collector books removed before the renovations begin in order to keep them protected. Mr. Lewis then explained to the Board that he was going to try just replacing the weatherstripping around the windows to see if that helped and then maybe the windows would not have to be replaced.

Commissioner Garmer made a motion to approve the invoices of $10,000.00 or greater. Second by Commissioner Koerber. All voting Aye. None Nay. None Absent. Motion carried.

There was discussion regarding a credit card policy ordinance. Commissioner Koerber asked how many credit cards were active throughout the County. Treasurer Kevin Koenigstein stated that there were currently 18 cards in use across the various departments. County Clerk Jonathan McLean presented a draft copy for a possible new ordinance. The Commissioners stated that they would like some time to read through the draft and make any changes or additions they felt were needed. Therefore, they were not ready to vote on this issue yet. Commissioner Koerber made a motion to table the issue. Second by Commissioner Garmer. All voting Aye. None Nay. None Absent. Motion carried.

Commissioner Koerber made a motion to approve the Waterloo Optimist Club's Courtyard Application for a Beer and BBQ Competition to be held on May 2, and May 3, 2025, pending insurance approval. Second by Commissioner Garmer. All voting Aye. None Nay None Absent. Motion carried.

County Engineer Aaron Metzger brought a resolution before the Board Approving Addendum 1 to the Agreement Rogers Street North between the County of Monroe and the City of Waterloo. Commissioner Garmer made a motion to approve. Second by Commissioner Koerber. All voting Aye. None Nay. None Absent. Motion carried. Resolution #25-24

Mr. Metzger inquired about the proposed highway maintenance facility, mass vaccination site and recycling center on Old Red Bud Road. He stated there were still some questions concerning funding for the project but that nothing could be done until a topographical survey of the property had been completed. Commissioner Koerber stated that everyone involved would need to come together to lay out plans and discuss budgets. Commissioner Koerber then made a motion to approve a Topographical Survey of the property not to exceed the amount of $20,000.00. Second by Commissioner Garmer. All voting Aye. None Nay. None Absent. Motion carried.

Commissioner Koerber made a motion to approve going into closed session for the purpose of purchase, sale, or lease of real estate. Second by Commissioner Garmer. All voting Aye. None Nay. None Absent. Motion carried. Resolution #25-25

The meeting was closed at 9:20 a.m.

Commissioner Koerber made a motion to come out of closed session. Second by Commissioner Garmer. All voting Aye. None Nay. None Absent. Motion carried. Resolution #25-26

The meeting returned to open session at 12:38 p.m.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:38 p.m.

https://monroecountyil.gov/departments/board-of-commissioners/county-board-agendas-2/