Rock Island Today

Rock Island County Public Works and Facilities Committee met Oct. 14,

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

1. Call Meeting to Order:

Chairman Larry Burns called the Public Works and Facilities meeting to order at 8:30am

Members in Attendance: Larry Burns, Dave Adams, Rich Morthland, Bob Westpfahl, Tim Foster, Chuck Layer

Committee Chairman Larry Burns noted that County Board Chairman Richard “Quijas” Brunk is in Springfield advocating for the Chicago to Quad Cities Rail Service program. Also Present: Matt Miller, Josh Boudi, Greg Thorpe, Jim Grafton, Jared VanTieghem, Jim Nelson, Liz Mast, Patty Castro, Nick Camlin.

2. Public Comment-- None

3. Approval of September 8th Public Works & Facilities Minutes:

Motion: Dave Adams Second: Timothy Foster

via voice vote

Motion carried

4. Reports to Committee:

• GIS Director Josh Boudi reported that his revenues for September were $30,903.00 which is great total for the year is almost at $252,000.00 so with 2 months left in the fiscal year it would be great if we go $28,000 and $29,000 and we will cover the $300,000.00 budgeted revenue.

Motion to approve: Dave Adams Second: Richard Morthland via voice vote

Motion carried

• Zoning & Building Director Greg Thorpe reported he had 87 receipts for as net revenue of $29,568.20. Estimated value of $3,851,930.00. Compared to last year we had 111 receipts, revenue of $29,033.00 with an estimated valuation of $1,647,716.00. Year to date we are ahead in fees, but we are far behind in activity and the valuation is higher also, because we have that one big project for John Deere project. Year to date new residences this year 13 last year 15. Price per sq. ft. still around $200 for a new house. September two new houses one in Blackhawk and one in Andalusia. We had 3 cases for ZBA and we are looking at some properties in the flood plain to purchase. Still working on new permitting software. Motion to approve: Dave Adams Second: Chuck Layer via voice vote

Motion carried

• County Engineer Matt Miller reported that earlier in the month they had the Illinois Association of County Engineers conference that he attended. Engineer Miller noted that he learned a couple of items at this conference he is now looking at using Oxcart, a company that basically instead of people sending overweight and oversize permits to the County they send them to Oxcart and they collect the fees but they just charge what they are charging is on top of what our fees are. So, the County doesn’t pay for anything, but the fees are on top of whatever we charge for fees to the people applying for the permits. So, Oxcart takes care of everything for us. They automatically check all of our bridges make sure everything (the route) is done correctly. Engineer Miller noted that the States $400M that they put out for projects we submitted six projects and we did not get anything they chose to focus on underserved areas mostly with populations under 5,000. Most of the projects that were fund were already half built. So, they will just be reimbursed for what has already been done. They said of the $400M awarded there was $5.5B in applications. So, they are hopeful that the State sees that and opens up more money for future endeavors. Committee member Richard Morthland asked how much do the applicants pay for this Oxcart. Engineer Miller answered $4.00.

Motion: Chuck Layer Second: Tim Foster

via voice vote

Motion carried

• County Administrator Jim Grafton had nothing to report but Committee member Bob Westpfahl did ask how the new Fleet service Center is working out. Mr. Grafton answered very well. They had one of the guys had to leave and they picked up another right away. We are also looking at taking care of project now vehicles and have installed the new printers in the Coal Valley Police cars. Mr. Grafton also noted that we are looking at an IGA with the Village of Coal Valley to do light service work on their Police cars at an appropriate labor rate and a 30% mark up on our cost on parts. Committee member Richard Morthland stated he is always dubious when the County is engaging in profitability when we are taking this business from someone else. Mr. Grafton noted we are not sacrificing anything else. Mr. Morthland stated he would not want to prevent anyone else, a legitimate business, from being in business. Mr. Westpfahl asked how much per hour does it cost for labor in the shop Mr. Grafton answered $114.00 per hour

• County Treasurer Nick Camlin noted that on the Treasurer’s report the number from last month was carried over to this report under interest earned. It should be for FY2025 interest received in September 2025 should be $346,971.00 it is correct on the printout of all the funds it didn’t just carry over right on the cover letter.

Motion to approve: Dave Adams Second: Tim Foster

via voice vote

Motion carried

5. Consider Zoning Board of Appeals Cases

SU-25-209 Vernon & Darlene Seitz Density Increase ED RZ-25-112 Scott L Kammerman Trust AG-2 to SE-1 BO Motion: Dave Adams Second: Chuck Layer

via voice vote

Motion carried

6. Consider Ordinance 2025-02 related to urban chickens pending final review by Civil. Motion: Dave Adams Second: Tim Foster

Discussion: Mr. Grafton commented that the issue on the Chickens is that it creates a lot of discussion. What has stimulated a lot of discussion is we currently have a $400 fee to have chickens in the County that fee is set by special use permit. Mr. Grafton noted that what we wanted to do was to create an ordinance that would allow for the resident have a simple approach to have Urban Chickens. All they need to do is to submit a sketch plan where will the chicken tractors be located on the property according to the sketch plan, is it within the setback, do the neighbors know that they have chickens and pay a one-time fee of $25. We do not have a lot of enforcement written into this because it really was not intended to be policing of chickens that are maintained and cared for by the residents. Nothing like if they don’t do what they are supposed to do we will issue fines. Nothing like that, just a sketch plan, where the chicken tractor will be located, is it within the setback, do the neighbors know that chickens are there and if there are problems we have the ability with Zoning & Building to go out and do a little inspection. I guess the only enforcement is your permit can be taken away. Committee Chair Burns asked if it was an annual fee? Mr. Grafton answered a onetime fee. We are trying to keep this as simple as possible and if there is a problem we can revisit the ordinance if it becomes a nuisance problem. Again, the purpose of the ordinance is, we know what is going on, the neighbors know what is going on, and is there is an appeal or a denial of a permit they can come to the administration office and appeal to us. Mr. Thorpe noted that the Zoning Ordinance does not allow farm animals in R-1 zoning as well as real estate 2 so this will supersede that and give residents an avenue to have urban chickens. The whole purpose is to try to keep it simple, the only issue is if an inspection is needed my office will handle that such as the setbacks or the structure animal control will be notified if there is a problem with the care of the chicken. Mr. Morthland asked about the number of chickens allowed. Mr. Thorpe answered 6 to 10 depending on the lot size. Mr. Layer asked if there are containment requirements? Mr. Thorpe answered yes. Mr. Westpfahl asked what brought this on? Mr. Grafton answered that there have been 2 of three requests for allowing urban chickens. The complaint was if I want chickens I have to pay $400 for a special use permit that is what brought this on. Patty Castro asked if we were doing away with the special use permit? Mr. Thorpe answered we have several items that require a special use permit. Mr. Grafton noted that there are no roosters allowed, only hens.

via voice vote

Motion carried with one no vote

7. Consider Resolution for improvement under the Highway Code for supplement #2 of 23- 00395-00-PV (CH63)

Motion: Tim Foster Second: Dave Adams

Discussion: County Engineer Matt Miller explained that this is supplement #2 for County Highway 63 this will allow Hutchison Engineering to move on with the project and do driveways that are needed in the actual printout itself shows in blue where the parcel driveways are being taken for ditch grading, culvert extensions. There are 10 total parcels.

via voice vote

Motion carried

8. Consider Highway Department Utility agreement with AT&T Corp

Motion: Chuck Layer Second: Tim Foster

Discussion: County Engineer Matt Miller explained this is just a simple switch of an agreement with AT&T Corp. because they have changed their name to AT&T Enterprises. This gave us a good opportunity to update the language in the agreement. So, basically this is just an updated agreement with AT&T Enterprises, LLC. Mr. Adams asked if the new language went through the States Attorney’s office.

via voice vote

Motion carried

9. Closed Session: None

10. Consider action needed based on closed session: None

11. Committee member opportunity for brief comment:

Bob Westpfahl noted that he had seen that the mowers were out mowing on Indian Bluff Road and the guy was actually out of the truck trimming up underneath the signs with a weed eater and they had a sign out mowing ahead. That is the first time they had a sign out that I have seen all year. Mr. Westpfahl said that Highway must have had different guys on the crew or they finally got the message to follow the rules and regulations to take the liabilities off of us. County Engineer Miller stated that we put signs out every time per the State regulations that we follow, which are stricter than the actual local roads regulation still says that we need a sign within 4 miles of where they are mowing so, if you enter a roadway and that sign is 4 miles down the road. Mr. Westpfahl said at least they know that mowing is going on. Mr. Morthland state 2 things, roadsides a still an utter mess and we can see your spraying is starting to take ahold on the guardrails.

12. Motion to adjourn

Motion: Tim Foster Second: Chuck Layer via voice vote

Motion carried

Meeting was adjourned at 8:50am

https://www.rockislandcountyil.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/1981?fileID=2089