Rock Island Today

Members of the Rock Island County Executive Committee met Thursday, Aug. 11.

"Members of the Executive committee consist of the chairperson of each standing committee of the board along with the President of the Forest Preserve Committee. The County Board Chairperson is the chairperson. Each committee chairperson, including the executive committee, shall select from its members a person to be vice chairperson of the committee and to attend the executive committee meeting when the chairperson of the committee is unable to attend."

Here are the meeting minutes as provided by the Rock Island County Executive Committee:

Executive Committee Minutes Thursday August 11, 2016 9:30 am

The Executive Committee of the Rock Island County Board met at the above date and time in the Conference Room of the Administration Office on the second floor of the County Building, 1504 Third Ave, Rock Island, IL. Chair Ken Maranda called the meeting to order at 9:45 a.m. Minutes as follows:

1) Call to order and roll call

Committee members present: Ken Maranda, Nick Camlin, Steve Ballard, Larry Burns, Kim Callaway-Thompson, Mia Mayberry, Scott Terry, Rod Simmer, Richard Brunk

Committee members absent: None

Others present: Dave Ross, Jerry Clyde, Karen Kinney, Hayleigh Covella

2) Approval of the minutes from the July 14, 2016 meeting

Motion to approve: Richard Brunk 2nd: Kim Callaway-Thompson, Mia Mayberry Voice vote Motion carried

3) Public Comments

There were no public comments.

4) Reports from Committee

a) Finance Committee – Mr. Brunk

Mr. Brunk reported that the Finance committee met just prior to this meeting. They heard all routine reports. They approved various transfers of appropriations and new money resolutions from Public Works, Administration, and HHS. They considered the CBA with AFSCME 2371 and voted to forward it to the full Board. They a considered the sales tax resolution with some modified language and approved moving that to the full board pending State’s Attorney approval of some minor language changes. They also approved claims and TDs.

Motion to approve: Richard Brunk 2nd: Scott Terry Voice vote Motion carried

b) Human Resources – Mr. Camlin

Mr. Camlin reported that the HR committee met on Tuesday morning and approved the minutes from July. They approved claims and TDs. They heard a wellness program presentation from representatives of VIPCO and Profile. Staff is looking into more information on those. The committee recommended approval of an Admissions RN position for Hope Creek. The committee considered changing the third party administrator of the county flex plan from Task to Advantage. This change will make handling the flex plan easier for HR staff and save the county roughly 10% in costs. The committee recommended approval of the new flex plan TPA. The committee considered changing open enrollment eligibility for the flex plan from one year to 90 days in alignment with all other benefit procedures. Currently, employees may have to wait 18 months or more for the first open enrollment period after their one year anniversary date. This change will allow them to participate in the first open enrollment period after 90 days of employment.

Motion to approve: Nick Camlin 2nd: Rod Simmer Voice vote Motion carried

c) Public Works – Mr. L. Burns

Mr. L. Burns reported that the Public Works committee met on Wednesday, August 10, 2016. Minutes of the previous meeting as well as all routine reports were approved. The committee considered claims, TDs, transfers of appropriations, and appropriation resolutions for funds. They considered ZBA findings as follows and recommended approval for all: SU-16-215, John D. Vivian, Seasonal Recreational Use in South Moline Township; and SU-16-216, Linda Hinman Trust, Seasonal Recreational Use in Drury Township. They reviewed bids received on August 8, 2016 for letting the CH-44 bridge repair project. The committee recommended approval of the low bid of $599,299.80 from Civil Constructors.

Motion to approve: Larry Burns 2nd: Nick Camlin Voice vote Motion carried

Mr. Camlin asked if the seasonal recreational uses are something in zoning. Mr. L. Burns explained that it’s a special use permit to camp on the lot to put a camping trailer on it. They have to have a special use permit for that. Mr. Camlin asked if that’s to operate out of it or just to store it. Mr. Maranda said it’s just to put it on a recreational lot. It’s down by the Rock River for a certain amount of time. They have to pull it off and.Mr. L. Burns noted that the one in South Moline is only from May to a week after Labor Day or something. The other one is on the Mississippi River. Mr. Camlin didn’t recall ever seeing anything like this. Mr. Ross said the other one is out in the middle of nowhere without neighbors. The South Moline has neighbors all around it. Mr. L. Burns said they have to have special use permit. They have to buy a permit to camp in a residential area. Mr. Simmer asked if this is something that’s been done before. Mr. L. Burns said yes. They set the price to go buy that permit, but it has to be approved. Mr. Maranda added that the second one is down by Lock and Dam 16 on the south edge. It was one from a long time ago in the 70s. Mr. L. Burns explained that the guy died and they let it go and now they decided they want to camp there again.

d) Health and Human Services – Ms. Callaway-Thompson

Ms. Callaway-Thompson reported that the Health and Human Services Committee met on Monday, August 8, 2016. They approved minutes of the previous meetings and heard all routine reports. They considered claims, TDs, and transfers of appropriations and recommended approval of all. They considered an Admissions RN position at Hope Creek. Hope Creek has already cut four part-time positions to save over $151,000 annually, which more than covers the cost for the new position. An Admissions RN will help the facility improve clinical and financial operations. The committee recommended approval of the new position. They heard from Ms. Vogt, the interim administrator at Hope Creek, regarding some of the steps she’s taking at the facility. They also heard an update from Mr. Clyde on the Administrator and HR Generalist search. He hopes to have a regular Administrator in place by early October.

Motion to approve: Kim Callaway-Thompson 2nd: Richard Brunk Voice vote Motion carried

e) Governmental Affairs – Mr. Terry

Mr. Terry reported that the Governmental Affairs Committee met on Monday, August 8. They approved minutes of the previous meeting and heard routine reports from Ms. Palmer and from Ms. Kinney. Mr. Terry wanted to highlight part of a portion of Ms. Kinney’s election report to the committee that he finds extremely fascinating and he’s sure the rest of the County Board will too. Ms. Kinney and her office deserve a lot of kudos. During her report, she gave some statistics regarding registered voters and voter turnout. Mr. Terry explained that not only has Ms. Kinney’s office gone through – both early on and continuing to do so – and purged and kept clean and more accurate voter registration lists, but from his understanding, every four years registered voters numbers have gone up and voter participation has also gone up. He asked his colleagues to applaud Ms. Kinney for her work on this. They all know that voting is not only a right but a duty and her office certainly has instilled that belief in this county. The committee applauded Ms. Kinney.

Mr. Terry continued that they approved claims and TDs. They had extensive discussion on the committee consolidation proposal and agreed to table the issue for another month.

Motion to approve: Scott Terry 2nd: Kim Callaway-Thompson, Richard Brunk Voice vote Motion carried

Mr. Simmer noted that his son is going overseas for study abroad for three months. He asked if he can vote absentee and have it sent it over to him and send it back. Ms. Kinney said he can and asked Mr. Simmer to have him contact the office. They’ll take care of him.

Ms. Mayberry asked if people can start sending in applications for absentee ballots already. Ms. Kinney said yes as of this morning. Ms. Mayberry asked when they will receive it. Ms. Kinney said not until the 29th. The first day to vote is September 29th and that’s also when absentee ballots go out. Mr. Terry asked about the list Ms. Kinney gave the Governmental Affairs Committee with the deadlines in her report. Ms. Kinney said she’ll send out letters as they always have, about 900 letters, to community leaders with all the dates and times on there. She wants those people in the loop to assist her office. Mr. Terry noted that the public can access that all online, he’s sure.

Ms. Kinney said they also need election judges and asked the committee, if any of their friends or family or coworkers or anybody expresses an interest, to send them to her office. Mr. Terry asked what the deadline is for that. Ms. Kinney said they have

to attend some classes, so the sooner the better. Mr. Camlin asked if they can be previous committee men. Ms. Kinney said no. Ms. Mayberry asked how much they get paid. Ms. Kinney said $120 for the day for an election judge and $230 or $220 a day for the VST. Ms. Mayberry asked if it’s one training. Ms. Kinney confirmed. Ms. Callaway-Thompson asked what a VST is. Ms. Kinney said Voter Services Technician. They have to have a little more technical experience. They prefer them to be good on a laptop. Mr. Terry said he’d like to include that in his report. Ms. Kinney asked him to get with her to confirm the amount.

Mr. Maranda noted that he didn’t get to the agenda on the election judges and asked if that has to be approved this month. Ms. Kinney said yes. She explained that the secretary of the County Board has to go before the judge and have it approved. Mr. Terry asked about getting it approved with any new election judges that they send to her. Ms. Kinney said they can add. Ms. Mayberry asked what the deadline is. Ms. Kinney said she would like them in the next couple of weeks.

Mr. L. Burns asked if Ms. Kinney’s office sends an application or reminder or anything to people who have voted absentee in the past. Ms. Kinney said they don’t. They have an advertising campaign promoting registration and early voting. Mr. L. Burns asked if they vote in the primary absentee if Ms. Kinney’s office sends one for the general. Ms. Kinney said no, not automatically. They can call and request an absentee application. They also have the newspaper insert that they pay quite a bit for that goes out in the Dispatch. That booklet will contain two applications to vote absentee. They can cut those out of the newspaper and send them in.

Ms. Mayberry asked when early voting starts. Ms. Kinney said September 29th in her office is the first day.

Mr. Ross noted that the County Board is set to consider the 2016 election judges list. He asked what they are actually considering and if it’s just a list of names. Ms. Kinney said yes. Mr. Maranda asked if Ms. Shields is sending that up today. Ms. Kinney said yes. Ms. Callaway-Thompson asked for confirmation that Ms. Kinney still wants them to refer people. Ms. Kinney said yes and explained that as long as they attend the classes, she can get them certified at a later date, but they need the initial list.

f) Administration – Ms. Mayberry

Ms. Mayberry reported that the Administration Committee met on Tuesday, August 9th. They approved minutes from the previous meeting and heard all routine reports. They considered claims, TDs, transfers of appropriations, and appropriation resolutions for funds. Mr. Davis reported to the committee that the website

advertising is still going well. It’s not the most lucrative thing, but something is better than nothing. There haven’t been any issues or complaints. The other thing is Ms. Weikert is doing a really good job keeping the committee apprised of e-filing and how she’s working with the Chief Judge to make sure that’s getting implemented smoothly.

Motion to approve: Mia Mayberry 2nd: Kim Callaway-Thompson Voice vote Motion carried

g) Forest Preserve – Mr. Ballard

Mr. Ballard reported that the Forest Preserve Committee met at 3:00 pm Wednesday. A Forest Preserve budget meeting was held prior to the regularly scheduled Forest Preserve meeting and they approved a 4% increase for exempt employees. The committee approved the July meeting minutes and claims for the Forest Preserve Fund, the Niabi Zoo fund, the Liability Fund, and treasurer’s disbursements for both FY16 and FY17. They approved transfers of appropriations in the Forest Preserve General Fund and the Niabi Zoo Fund for FY16 and FY17. They approved a liability fund loan resolution. They laid on display for 30 days the Annual Budget and Appropriation Ordinance for the General Fund of the District, the Niabi Zoological Preserve Fund, the IMRF Fund, the Liability Fund, the FISSA fund, and the Development of Forests & Construction of Improvement Fund. The committee laid on display for 30 days the changes to the District Hiring Practices Policy. The committee laid on display the changes to the District’s Holidays and the Holiday Pay Policy. They discussed the impact of the Fair Labor Standards Act salary exemption on District employees. Routine reports from Department Heads were approved.

Motion to approve: Steve Ballard 2nd: Rod Simmer Voice vote Motion carried

Mr. Simmer noted that Mr. Craver does a fantastic job with the budget. He’s on his game. He keeps them up and looking ahead, much like Mr. Ross. He keeps them on their toes. He asked the members, if they get a chance, to tell him nice work. He knows his stuff. Mr. Simmer was mad as hell when they guys got him from the city because he was working with the city a bunch with his kids at that point. He was a great asset for the city and is definitely a great asset to the Forest Preserve.

h) Updates/Comments – Mr. Simmer

Mr. Simmer reported that the Hope Creek Care Center Board met last night. They reviewed the contract. Mr. Ross discussed it. Mr. Simmer thinks they had a unanimous recommendation to approve it. It seemed like a much more balanced contract. They met the new interim director and the new Hope Creek Care Center Board member. Mr. Simmer noted that he wasn’t able to show up until partly through.

Mr. Ross added that they had Tom Dryg from Gabelmann and Associates out there. Ms. Callaway-Thompson said they’re back now. Mr. Ross noted that they will be reporting to that group. He’s taking a month to get them up to speed because things are out of whack now. Mr. Simmer said he discussed that with him and that’s what he said. He asked if they’ve been able to find stuff and they haven’t gotten Mr. Dryg any information either. He’s working on it. Ms. Callaway-Thompson noted that he is 75% of what they were before. Mr. Ross confirmed that they took a 25% pay cut.

Mr. Terry asked if there’s any way for him to meet the Interim Director. He asked if there’s any way to do that or if she could come to a County Board meeting. Ms. Callaway-Thompson said she did come to HHS, though she did state she was told she didn’t have to be there. She is a sharp lady. Ms. Callaway-Thompson was there for the open house and got to spend the time talking to her and the Department Heads and toured the facility. They are very fortunate that she agreed to do this. Mr. Simmer said she was on the bubble. Ms. Callaway-Thompson said she would hope she would agree to stay on longer. Ms. Mayberry asked if they can meet her at full Board. Mr. Ross said he can ask her. It was important to her that she wouldn’t have to go to 50 million meetings so she could focus on her job, but he can ask her. Ms. Callaway-Thompson noted that she came out of retirement to do this. Ms. Mayberry said that since she’s so great, they just want to meet her. Mr. Maranda explained that she has 40 years out there to start with. He spoke at her retirement party. It was moving when she left. Everybody really, really missed her. She has a lot of respect out there. Mr. Ballard pointed out that since she retired on IMRF, she can only work 1,000 hours/year by law in another IMRF position. She’s limited. Mr. Ross said that as long as they hire somebody by November 1st, they’re perfectly fine. Mr. Ballard explained that that’s why. Otherwise she has to drop off of her retirement. She has to stop drawing her retirement. Ms. Callaway-Thompson said she realizes that. Mr. Ross confirmed that she is very well respected.

i) Updates/Comments – Mr. Ross

Mr. Ross had no comments.

5) Consider appointments

a) Greater Metropolitan Area Housing Authority (5)

Bernard Young, 2112 28th St., Rock Island, IL 61201 Reappointment, term to expire August 30, 2016 New term to expire August 30, 2021

b) Workforce Development Board

Virginia Shelton, 519 26th Avenue, Moline, IL 61265 Reappointment, term to expire September 30, 2016 New term to expire September 30, 2018

Catherine Dorothy, 6600 34th Avenue, Moline, IL 61265 Reappointment, term to expire September 30, 2016 New term to expire September 30, 2018

Barbara Eskildsen, 729 34th Avenue, Rock Island, IL 61201 Reappointment, term to expire September 30, 2016 New term to expire September 30, 2018

Mark Evans, 506 15th Street, Moline, IL 61265 Reappointment, term to expire September 30, 2016 New term to expire September 30, 2018

Carmen Fuentes, 925 4th Avenue, Moline, IL 61265 Reappointment, term to expire September 30, 2016 New term to expire September 30, 2018

Amanda Lucki, 4711 44th Street Suite 3, Rock Island, IL 61201 Reappointment, term to expire September 30, 2016 New term to expire September 30, 2018

Russell Medley, 321 W. 2nd Avenue, Milan, IL 61264 Reappointment, term to expire September 30, 2016 New term to expire September 30, 2018

Glenda Nicke, 301 Avenue of the Cities, East Moline, IL 61244 Reappointment, term to expire September 30, 2016 New term to expire September 30, 2018

Berta Scritchfield, 604 19th Street Unit B, Moline, IL 61265 Reappointment, term to expire September 30, 2016 New term to expire September 30, 2018

Bettie Truitt, 6600 34th Avenue, Moline, IL 61265 Reappointment, term to expire September 30, 2016 New term to expire September 30, 2018

Scott Verschoore, 1700 52nd Avenue, Moline, IL 61265 Reappointment, term to expire September 30, 2016 New term to expire September 30, 2018

6) Consider Board Agenda

Mr. Ross noted that they still don’t have total claims and TDs, so that’s still blank. They’ll be there.

Mr. Maranda explained that appointments are lengthy because half the 25 of the Workforce Development Board.they cut it from 50 or whatever they had, then they cut it to 25 and then they split the year. That’s why those are all there.

Mr. Ross noted that right now they’ve got it set to approve the 2371 agreement under the Finance committee report. He asked the committee if they think it’s fine or if it’s necessary to go into closed for that. He doesn’t think it is. Ms. Mayberry said some who don’t sit on Finance might want to. Mr. L. Burns said he hasn’t heard anything about it. Mr. Camlin said the contract should be open. It was approved. Ms. Mayberry noted that they went into closed for Finance. Mr. Terry suggested leaving it as it is and it’s on there if they need to go into closed. Mr. Ross confirmed that they can go in if they need to. Mr. Ballard agreed that it’s good there. He said pretty much everyone knows about it anyway. On Tuesday night if some County Board members have specific questions, they do need to go under closed session under law to talk about contracts and personnel and things like that. Mr. Maranda said he’ll take care of that. He can bring it to a halt and bring it into closed. Mr. Ballard said they might not have to. Mr. Simmer noted that they’ve got a week to inform everybody and make sure they understand it. Mr. Camlin suggested sending out that bullet point email. Mr. Ross said he’ll send out the whole contract and the bullet point list.

7) Committee member opportunity for brief comments (no decisions will be made)

There were no comments.

8) Adjourn

Meeting adjourned at 10:11 a.m. by Chair Ken Maranda.

Future scheduled meetings on September 15, October 13, November 10, December 15