Rock Island Today

Rock Island County Board Committee of the Whole met May 14.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

The Committee of the Whole of the Rock Island County Board met on Wednesday May 14th 2025 at 5:30pm in the County Board Chambers on the Third floor of the County Office Building located at 1504 3rd Ave, Rock Island, IL. Meeting minutes are as follows:

1. Call to order and roll call:

Vice-Chairman Brian Vyncke called the meeting to order at 5:34pm and asked to call the roll. Members present: Richard Morthland, Melissa Moreno-Baker, Porter McNeil, Drue Mielke, Larry Burns, Dr. Luis Moreno, Brian Vyncke, Carla Enburg, David Adams, Richard Brunk, Timothy Foster, Bob Perkins, Edna Sowards, Kai Swanson, Dr. Rodney Simmer, Johnnie Woods, Bob Westpfahl. Members Absent: Chuck Layer, Enyo Dewith.

Others Present: Sates Attorney Dora Villarreal, Sheriff Darren Hart, Court Services Director Derrick Hendrickx, Attorney Rebecca Kline, County IT Director Kurt Davis, Jim Nelson.

2. Public Comment: Vice-Chairman Brian Vyncke made three calls for public comment: There were no requests for public comment.

3. Approval of the minutes from Wednesday March 12th, 2025 Committee of the Whole Meeting Motion to approve as presented: Carla Enburg Second: Tim Foster Voice vote

Motion Carried

4. Presentation: None

5. Condition of Funds Report: None

6. Staff Reports: None

7. Finance & Personnel Report:

Finance & Personnel Chairman Dr. Luis Moreno read the April Finance & Personnel report as follows: The Finance and Personnel Committee met on Tuesday May 13th at 8:30AM

County Treasurer Nick Camlin reported on Tax Bill mailings and the new County Investment Policy County Auditor April Palmer reported that the external audit is nearly complete and that Baker Tilly will present at the County Board Meeting.

All Routine Reports were approved

The committee considered the following items, recommending approval:

• Delinquent Tax Resolutions as follows:

a. Permanent Parcel Number 16-01-115-008

b. Permanent Parcel Number 16-01-106-019

c. Permanent Parcel Number 08-25-205-226

• Three items from the Highway Department:

A Request for the purchase of a new Road Widener at a cost of $71,556.37.

The Purchase of 4 New John Deere Utility Tractors at a cost $338,402.76

An IDOT Resolution for Improvement Under Illinois Highway Code, to pay Hutchison Engineering $385,000.00 for work related to improvements on CH 78 (Rock Island-Milan Parkway) from US 67 to Indian Bluff Road.

• The Committee considered $25,000 for additional concrete work for the Monuments on Historic Courthouse Square and chose to move this item on to the Committee of the Whole for Chairman Brunk’s input and more discussion.

Chairman Brunk weighed in on the question the additional concrete work is necessary because of a couple of reasons: the original plan had the Gettysburg Address mounted on poles and we chose to have that plaque mounted a piece of granite. With that being said we already have a contractor on site doing concrete work. The monument company was not asked to include that work and the grading required for the mounting of the plaque and the retaining wall in their scope of work. Dr. Simmer asked if we changed the work required. CBC Brunk said when the Board decided to move forward with the new monument the concrete work that was required was not included in the monument contractor’s proposal. We still had centennial on the hook to complete concrete work related to the base for the Gettysburg address plaque. If we would have subbed out that concrete work it likely would have cost more not only because we have a second contractor coming on site but we also would have been paying a markup for the monument contractor to facilitate that work. Dr. simmer asked if locked into the price for the concrete. Chairman Brunk said this is a new addition and a lot of that has to do with the exact placement of the monuments. Dave Adams added that basically we were going to set the Gettysburg address on poles. And instead they switched over to a granite base so now we have to pour the concrete for the granite base and that is more than the pour for the poles.

• The abatement of the county’s portion of the Building Permit Fee for the Andalusia Fire Protection District’s new station, in the amount of $22,701.00. Chairman Brunk has confirmed that the village is aligned with this action and will also be abating its portion as well. This is an effort to assist a small unit of local government, which is- along with numerous other FPDs throughout the county- facing increased costs and requirement

• FOP Non-Union position increases for FOP 935 Court Services. This follows county practice of aligning non-union staff with the associated CBA.

• A Non-Union position increase for the Animal Control Supervisor, to correct compression caused by the negotiated CBA.

• A New Circuit Clerk Administrative Assistant Position at a wage of $28.27.

• Six items for the Sheriff’s Office:

• The low bid related to Rock Island County jail waterproofing, submitted by E & H Restoration LLC in the amount of $194,612.00

• The low bid related to Rock Island County jail window replacement submitted by East Moline Glass in the amount of $78,885.00

• The renewal of 4 School Resource Officer IGA’s for Eagle Ridge/Phoenix, Riverdale, Sherrard and Rockridge (1-year term at $70,000.00 per School District).

Also considered were:

• Transfers of Appropriations and Appropriation Resolutions for Funds

• Claims for FY 2025 in the amount of $2,563,597.52

• Treasurer’s Disbursements for FY 2025 at $2,639,993.37

And lastly, the Board Member Per Diem/Mileage Report.

This concludes the May report of the Finance & Personnel Committee.

8. Governance Health & Administration Report:

The Governance, Health and Administration Committee met on Monday May 12th 2025 at 10:00 AM

The Committee heard the following reports

• County Auditor April Palmer informed the Committee that outside auditor Baker Tilly will be presenting the Audit at this month’s County Board Meeting.

• County Clerk Karen Kinney reported on the vital records reports and an increase in requests for records due to the rush for “Real ID’s”.

• University of Illinois Extension representative Kayla Lousher gave updates on Extension activities going on in Rock Island County and the region; like Nutrition programs, exercise for summer programs and the gift garden program.

• County Treasurer Nick Camlin reported on tax bill mailings and tax values, as well as the updated County Investment Policy.

• All routine reports were approved by the Committee

The Committee considered and recommended approval of the following:

• A Flowers on the River Proclamation to prevent violence against women

• A Resolution in Support of Agriculture, as part of the statewide Illinois Farm Bureau Allies in Agriculture program.

• The University of Illinois Extension Levy Agreement; the annual agreement committing the county to passing through the property tax dollars collected via the Extension Levy.

• Updates to 2 Employee Policies

a. The Conclusion of Employment Policy is updated to prevent the use of sick time to extend employment with the county.

b. The Employee Appreciation Policy is updated to prohibit the purchase of gift cards due to them being considered taxable income by the IRS.

The Committee considered & forwarded the following items to Finance and Personnel for further consideration.

• The Committee also considered the renewal of four Sheriff’s Office School Resource Officer Agreements, (Eagle Ridge/ Phoenix, Riverdale, Sherrard and Rockridge)

This concludes the April report of the Governance, Health & Administration Committee

9. The Public Works & Facilities Committee Report

The Public Works & Facilities Committee met on Monday May 12th at 8:31AM

The committee heard reports from the following:

• Zoning & Building Director Greg Thorpe reported that the office had 86 total receipts for the month, with a net revenue of $31,536.49 and an estimated value of work of $2.1M. Year to date they are ahead of last year on activity, but a little behind on revenue.

• GIS Director Josh Boudi reported on $29,439.00 in revenue for the month of April and the ongoing work with the new Zoning & Building permit software.

• County Engineer Matt Miller reported on preparations for the mowing season, the near completion of the locker room renovation, and GPS being installed in all 34 vehicles at a cost of $8,000.

• County Administrator Jim Grafton reported that he continues to work with the architect, ESTES and the IT firm to resolve the problems with the countertops in the county board chambers. The IT firm is going to absorb the cost of removing, and then re-installing the technology once the countertop issue is addressed.

He also reported that the epoxy floor in the basement of the county office building may be completed over the Memorial Day Weekend and that he has reached out to the city about sidewalk replacement in front of the COB. Mr. Grafton noted that the Fleet Service Center is up and running, with one mechanic onboard, having serviced 42 vehicles to date. And, that we will have a surplus furniture sale at the Fleet Service Center on May 22nd & 23rd.

All routine reports were approved

Four Zoning Board of Appeals Cases

a. RZ-25-105 Alex Strandgard AG-2 to SE-2 RU b. RZ-25-106 Martha Thorpe/Mark Prescott B-4 to R-1 AN c. RZ-25-107 GKM Investments LLC R-1 to B-4 CV d. RZ-25-108 Eugene Hamerlinck AG-1 to AG-2 RU

The committee considered and recommended approval of the following and forwarded to the Finance & Personnel Committee for Further consideration

• Bids related to a Road Widener

• The purchase of 4 new Utility tractors at a cost of $338,402.76

• An IDOT Resolution funding an Engineering agreement between the County and Hutchison Engineering in the amount $385, 000.00 for reconstruction CH 78 from US 67 to Indian Bluff Road.

• And, Additional Concrete work for the monuments at Historic Courthouse Square in the amount of $25,000.00.

The committee also considered an IDOT Resolution for maintenance funds, which was later pulled from further consideration at this time, at the request of the county engineer.

This concludes the report of the Public Works & Facilities Committee

10. Approval of the County Board Agenda

Motion: Dr. Luis Moreno Second: Dave Adams

Voice Vote

Motion Carried

11. Closed Session as allowed in 5 ILCS 120/2(c) (1) The appointment, employment compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of a specific employees of the Public Body or legal counsel for the Public Body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee of the Public Body or against legal counsel for the Public Body to determine its validity.

Motion: Dave Adams Second: Kai Swanson

Roll call vote: Richard Morthland, Melissa Moreno-Baker, Porter McNeil, Larry Burns, Dr. Luis Moreno, Brian Vyncke, Carla Enburg, David Adams, Richard Brunk, Timothy Foster, Bob Perkins, Edna Sowards, Kai Swanson, Dr. Rodney Simmer, Johnnie Woods, Bob Westpfahl.

Motion Carried

The May 14th Committee of the Whole meeting entered Closed session at 5:58 pm The May 14th Committee of the Whole meeting returned to open session at 6:38pm Roll call vote: Richard Morthland, Melissa Moreno-Baker, Porter McNeil, Larry Burns, Dr. Luis Moreno, Brian Vyncke, Carla Enburg, David Adams, Richard Brunk, Timothy Foster, Bob Perkins, Edna Sowards, Kai Swanson, Dr. Rodney Simmer, Johnnie Woods, Bob Westpfahl.

Absent: Enyo Dewith, Drue Mielke, Chuck Layer

12. Consider action based on closed session-None

13. Committee member opportunity for brief comment:

Dr. Luis Moreno Thanked Sheriff Hart for his service to the County.

Kai Swanson recognized

14. Adjourn

Motion to adjourn: Dave Second by: Enyo Dewith

Voice Vote

motion carried

Meeting adjourned at 5:58 pm

https://www.rockislandcountyil.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/1888?fileID=2005