Rock Island Today

Rock Island County Board Committee of the Whole met Dec. 11.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Call to order and roll call

Chairwoman Enburg called the meeting to order at 10:02 AM

Roll call as follows:

Members Present: Chairwoman Enburg, M. Moreno Baker, P. Mcneil D. Mielke

Members Absent: J. Woods, E. Dewith

Others Present: J. Grafton, J. Nelson, K. Kinney, N. Camlin, B. Gustafson, M. Meyers, D. Hendricks

Public Comment

Chairwoman Enburg made three calls for public comment; There were no requests for pubic comment

Approval of minutes from the November 13th 2023 Governance Health & Administration Committee Meeting

Motion to approve as presented D. Mielke

Second M. Moreno Baker

Voice vote

Motion carried

Reports to the Committee

Ms. Kinney distributed her vital record report with average figures.

She also reported interviewing vendors and a request for proposal would be sent for election equipment and voters registration systems. She stated the equipment would be for the 2025 election.

Mr. Gustafson stated his monthly reported was provided to the members in their packets and noted that previously he was redacting the names and ages of the decedents. He was asked to not redact them and but had a family google their decedent’s name and it came up in the search as part of the County Board minutes. He stated from now on, the names would be redacted in the report, but the County Board members were more than able to ask about the report or see it fully in his office. Mr. Mielke stated he had asked about the change in a previous meeting and assumed it was due to court reasons. He stated perhaps it was a good idea to redact the names in the report and supported the decision.

Mr. Camlin reported over the weekend, the names and parcels were posted in the newspaper for delinquent taxes. He noted sending out a friendly reminder notice via certified letter sent out in November drastically reduced the number of delinquent parcels. He also noted on an item for the finance committee to move a treasurer’s office employee from 32 to 40 hours.

University of Illinois Extension Educators Elaine Cable and Jennifer Peterson reported on the monthly newsletter and on upcoming Nursery School Gardening classes and workshops offered through the extension office. The youth 4-H program was highlighted.

Chairwoman Enburg noted the

Dereck Hendricks introduced himself as the new Court Services Director replacing Mr. Trent Vandersnick after his retirement in early December. He was very excited to assume the position and thanked the Board for their support.

Motion to approve all routine reports D. Mielke Second P. McNeil

Voice vote

Motion carried

Consider Proclamation for January 2024 as Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month Motion to approve M. Moreno-Baker

Second D. Mielke

Voice vote

Motion carried

Consider Proclamation for January 2024 as Big Brothers Big Sisters Mentoring Month Motion to approve P. McNeil

Second D

Voice vote

Chairman Brunk updating the committee and stated Wolfe Carbon Solutions had withdrawn their application at this time via a letter dated November 20th. He stated it was anticipated they would refile the application. The SAO recommended the board not to take any action at this time and continue to monitor the situation.

Mr. Mielke asked if it was known why they withdrew the application; Chairman Brunk stated it was not knows and asked Mr. McNeil if he had any other information. Mr. McNeil stated the summary of the press report indicated they faced far more objections in Iowa from local governments’. Mr. Mielke stated he hoped if they do refile that the county had done their research to indicate where they stand.

Closed Session

No items for closed session review; no action necessary.

Review of pending/proposed legislative matters affecting Rock Island County Mr. McNeil had nothing to report

Committee Member Opportunity for brief comment

Chairman Brunk stated he and Mr. Grafton had a conversation with State Senator Mr. Halpin and asked to consider any asks that Rock Island County would have of the State Legislature for the benefit of Rock Island County and the region.

On another note, Chairman Brunk informed the committee with great sadness that former County Board member Pat O’Brien had passed away unexpectedly of natural causes and noted the members would be informed of pending arrangement’s when available.

Adjourn

No further business; the committee adjourned at 10:20 AM.

https://www.rockislandcountyil.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_12132023-800