DeKalb Times

Dekalb County Board met March 18.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

On March 9, 2020, Governor Pritzker declared all counties in Illinois as a disaster area in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. As the spread of COVID-19 continues to grow, the Governor issued an Executive Order today to suspend the physical presence requirements under the Open Meetings Act (OMA) and to limit the size of all public and private gatherings in Illinois, among other things. The suspension of the OMA requirements was of utmost importance to public bodies throughout the State.

In general, Governor Pritzker encouraged public bodies to postpone meetings, when possible, for the duration of the disaster proclamation. Recognizing that some meetings are necessary during this time, the Governor has suspended the requirement that a quorum of the members of a public body be physically present at a board meeting and the conditions which limit when remote participation is permitted. This means that:

 A public body may convene a properly noticed meeting with any number of members physically present, or no members physically present, as long as the total participating members constitutes a quorum; and

 No specific reason or vote to allow for remote participation is required.

The DeKalb County Board met in regular session at the Legislative Center’s Gathertorium on Wednesday, March 18, 2020. Chairman Pietrowski called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and the Clerk called the roll. Those Members present were Mr. Craig Roman, Ms. Linda Slabon, Mr. Paul Stoddard, Mr. Larry West, Mr. Jeff Whelan, Ms. Suzanne Willis (remotely), Mr. Tim Bagby, Mr. Scott Campbell (remotely), Mrs. Karen Cribben (remotely), Mrs. Laurie Emmer, Mr. Steve Faivre (remotely), Vice-Chairman John Frieders, Mr. Tim Hughes, Mr. Tracy Jones (remotely), Ms. Dianne Leifheit, Ms. Maureen Little (remotely), Mr. Jim Luebke, Ms. Terri Mann-Lamb (remotely), Mr. Roy Plote, Mr. Chris Porterfield, and Chairman Mark Pietrowski, Jr. Those Members absent were Ms. Rukisha Crawford and Mr. Jerry Osland. A quorum was established with twenty-one Members present (fourteen physically, 7 remotely via phone), two absent, and one vacancy.

Chairman Pietrowski asked Mr. Roman to lead in the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Motion

It was moved by Mr. Porterfield and seconded by Mr. Roman to approve the agenda as presented.

Motion to Amend

Mr. Bagby moved to remove items a (DeKalb County Board Member – District 5) & b (County Board Committee Assignments) from Appointments for this Month. Mr. Stoddard seconded the motion.

Vote on Amendment

The Chairman called for a voice vote to approve the proposed amendment. The motion carried unanimously.

Voice Vote

Chairman Pietrowski called for a voice vote to approve the agenda as amended. The motion carried unanimously.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion

Mrs. Emmer moved to approve the minutes of the February 19, 2020 County Board Meeting. Mr. Whelan seconded the motion.

Voice Vote

Chairman Pietrowski asked for a voice vote on the approval of the minutes. All Members voted yea. Motion carried unanimously.

COMMUNICATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS

Chairman Pietrowski thanked the DeKalb County Health Department for their countless efforts and work during this COVID-19 pandemic. He also thanked all of the local grocers and food establishments and all those who are being affected as well.

The Chairman additionally read a Proclamation declaring a disaster in DeKalb County with COVID-19. He also clarified that there have not been any confirmed positive tests in DeKalb County at this time but that could change in the near future as more testing becomes available.

Employee Service Awards for March 2020

Chairman Pietrowski recognized the following County Employees who were celebrating Service Awards in the month of March 2020: Five Years: Mary Luan Olson – Circuit Clerk’s Office; Ten Years: Robert Knuuttila – Forest Preserve District; Fifteen Years: Kay Chase – Health Department, James Eklund – Sheriff’s Office; Forty-Five Years: Terry Hannan – Forest Preserve District. Chairman Pietrowski shared that the Board would be inviting and further celebrating Mr. Hannan’s forty-five years of service at a future Board Meeting.

Declaration of County Board Vacancy

Chairman Pietrowski called for a motion to officially declare the sea formally occupied by Sandra Polanco, Democrat, representing County Board District #5 to be vacant effective Wednesday, March 11, 2020.

Motion

Mr. Luebke moved to declare County Board District #5 seat vacant. Mr. Stoddard seconded the motion.

Voice Vote

The motion was approved unanimously by voice vote.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Those Members of the Public that addressed the Board were:

- Terry Lozier, Gerry Ln., Sycamore Township

- Julie Weingarz, Gerry Ln., Sycamore Township

Two citizens addressed the Board regarding their safety concerns and the driving conditions of Plank Road, specifically between Moose Range Road and just east of Lukens Road. Their concerns are the speed of the vehicles, drivers not obeying the rules of the road by passing at intersections, and vehicles passing when vehicle(s) in front of them are making a turning movement that requires them to cross a lane of traffic. Ms. Weingarz noted that there is still a petition circulating. The petition summary stated that “Residents along Plank Road and commuters request restriping of Plank Road from south edge of Moose Range curve eastward to past the s-curve that is east of Lukens Road with a double, solid yellow stripe to indicate no passing zone. Place no passing signs along this stretch of road and lower speed limit to 45mph. There are 4 intersections on this stretch of road that should be clearly marked as no passing zones. The complexity of road conditions on this stretch include 4 intersections, 2 sharp curves, 2 moderate curves, 1 steep hill, entrances to 2 subdivisions, 1 school bus stop and multiple farm entrances. These conditions make passing very dangerous and rate of speed needs to be reduced from 55mph to 45mph to allow for safer entrance to and exiting from Plank Road for area residents and farmers and commuters until turn lanes or road straightening on Plank Road can be implemented.” The Action Petitioned for was “We the undersigned are concerned citizens who urge our leaders to act now to extend no passing zone with appropriate signage on Plank Road eastward from the southern edge of Moose Range curve to eastern edge of S-curve that is just beyond Lukens Rd. Reduce speed limit to 45mph for this stretch of Plank Road.”

APPOINTMENTS

Chairman Pietrowski recommended approval of the following appointments:

c. Kishwaukee Water Reclamation District: Dawn Cosentino appointed for a three-year term beginning May 1, 2020 until April 30, 2023.

d. Fairdale Light District: Jami Wright reappointed for a three-year term beginning May 1, 2020 until April 30, 2023.

e. Cortland Community Fire Protection District: Dan Black and Mike Friedlund both reappointed for three-year terms beginning May 1, 2020 until April 30, 2023.

f. DeKalb Community Fire Protection District: Gerald Bemis reappointed for a three- year term beginning May 1, 2020 until April 30, 2023.

g. Genoa-Kingston Fire Protection District: Todd Merritt newly appointed immediately until April 30, 2023.

h. Hinckley Community Fire Protection District: Charles Harris reappointed for a three-year term beginning May 1, 2020 until April 30, 2023.

i. Kirkland Community Fire District: Marty Banks reappointed for a three-year term beginning May 1, 2020 until April 30, 2023.

j. Malta Community Fire Protection District: William Engstrom reappointed for a three-year term beginning May 1, 2020 until April 30, 2023.

k. Paw Paw Fire Protection District: Neal Rogers reappointed for a three-year term beginning May 1, 2020 until April 30, 2023.

l. Shabbona Community Fire Protection District: Thomas Greenwell reappointed for a three-year term beginning May 1, 2020 until April 30, 2023.

m. Somonauk Community Fire Protection District: Edward Stahl reappointed for a three-year term beginning May 1, 2020 until April 30, 2023.

n. Sycamore Community Fire Protection District: John Ward reappointed for a three-year term beginning May 1, 2020 until April 30, 2023.

o. Waterman Fire Protection District: David Stryker reappointed for a three-year term beginning May 1, 2020 until April 30, 2023.

Motion

It was moved by Ms. Slabon and seconded by Mr. Whelan to approve the recommended appointments as presented.

Voice Vote

Chairman Pietrowski called for a voice vote. The motion carried unanimously.

REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES

COUNTY HIGHWAY COMMITTEE

Resolution R2020-14: Engineering Agreement for Waterman Road Culvert & Ditch Modifications

Motion

Mr. Plote moved the DeKalb County Board hereby approves to enter into an agreement with the Engineering Firm of Chastain & Associates, LLC from Rockford, Illinois for certain engineering services associated with the culvert extension and ditch modifications on Waterman Road from Duffy Road to the Somonauk Creek a distance of 0.15 miles for the cost not to exceed $55,145.00; and further authorizes the Chairman of the Board to execute the appropriate Preliminary Engineering Services Agreement with Chastain & Associated, LLC. Mr. West seconded the motion.

Roll Call Vote

Chairman Pietrowski called for a roll call vote on the motion as presented. Those Members voting yea were Mr. Roman, Ms. Slabon, Mr. Stoddard, Mr. West, Mr. Whelan, Ms. Willis, Mr. Bagby, Mr. Campbell, Mrs. Cribben, Mrs. Emmer, Mr. Faivre, Vice-Chair Frieders, Mr. Hughes, Mr. Jones, Ms. Leifheit, Ms. Little, Mr. Luebke, Ms. Mann-Lamb, Mr. Plote, Mr. Porterfield, and Chairman Pietrowski. The motion carried unanimously with all Members present voting yea.

Motion

Mr. Plote moved that the DeKalb County Board hereby approve the following Award Resolutions as detailed in R2020-16, R2020-17, and R2020-18. Mrs. Emmer seconded the motion.

Resolution R2020-16: Award Resolution for 2020 General County Letting. The DeKalb County Board hereby awards the 2020 General County Letting for aggregate, patching material, And hot-mix to the following companies who submitted the lowest bid meeting specifications: Curran Contracting, Peter Baker, Martin & Company Excavating, Macklin Inc. of Rochelle, Illinois, Vulcan Materials of Sycamore/DeKalb, Illinois, and Wagner Aggregate Inc. of DeKalb, IL; the Board further approves the lowest bid meeting specifications to Gasaway Distributors of Romeoville, Illinois for liquid calcium chloride.

Resolution R2020-17: Award Resolution for 2020 Aggregate Projects, Crack Route and Fill Projects and Drainage Pipes. The DeKalb County Board hereby approves the lowest bid meeting specifications to Macklin Inc. from Rochelle, Illinois for 6,200 tons of aggregate SOR to be placed on Benson and Sanderson Roads in Paw Paw Road District in the amount of $80,600.00; Vulcan Construction Materials, LLC from Naperville, Illinois for 2,000 tons of aggregate surface SOR to be placed on Chase Road in Pierce Road District in the amount of $22,500.00; Wagner Aggregate Inc. of DeKalb, Illinois for 4,300 tons of aggregate surface course SOR to be placed on Bastian Road in Clinton Road District in the amount of $55,427.00, and for 4,600 tons of aggregate surface course SOR to be placed on Orchard and Creek Roads in Somonauk Road District in the amount of $62,882.00, and for 4,500 tons of aggregate surface course SOR to be placed on Barchard Road in South Grove Road District in the amount of $38,700.00; Contech Engineered Solutions, LLC from Oak Brook, Illinois for 3,157 feet of various size culvert pipe and 40 connecting bands of various sizes for use in DeKalb County and Clinton, DeKalb, and Milan Road Districts in the amount of $87,674.28; Behm Pavement Maintenance Inc. for 411,329 feet of crack routing and filling on various roads and streets in DeKalb, Pierce, Shabbona and Somonauk Road Districts, the City of Genoa and the Villages of Kirkland and Somonauk in the amount of $164,120.27.

Resolution R2020-18: Award Resolution for New Salt Storage Facility. The DeKalb County Board hereby approves the sole bid meeting specifications to Wheeler Lumber, LLC of Eden Prairie, Minnesota for the provision of designing, furnishing and delivery of materials for the construction of an 80 x 60-foot building for use as salt storage at the DeKalb County Highway Department in the amount of $131,100.00.

Roll Call Vote

The Chairman called for a roll call vote on the motion as presented. Those Members voting yea were Mr. Roman, Ms. Slabon, Mr. Stoddard, Mr. West, Mr. Whelan, Ms. Willis, Mr. Bagby, Mr. Campbell, Mrs. Cribben, Mrs. Emmer, Mr. Faivre, Vice-Chair Frieders, Mr. Hughes, Mr. Jones, Ms. Leifheit, Ms. Little, Mr. Luebke, Ms. Mann-Lamb, Mr. Plote, Mr. Porterfield, and Chairman Pietrowski. The motion carried unanimously.

Motion

Mr. Plote moved the DeKalb County Board hereby approves the following Intergovernmental Agreements as detailed in Resolution R2020-19, R2020-20, R2020-22, and R2020-25. Mr. Roman seconded the motion.

Resolution R2020-19: Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of Genoa for General Maintenance Projects. The DeKalb County Board hereby approves to enter into an agreement with the City of Genoa for certain general maintenance projects overseen by the DeKalb County Engineer; and further authorizes the Chairman of the Board to execute the appropriate Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of Genoa. Illinois.

Resolution R2020-20: Intergovernmental Agreement with the Village of Shabbona for General Maintenance Projects. The DeKalb County Board hereby approves to enter into an agreement with the Village of Shabbona for certain general maintenance projects overseen by the DeKalb County Engineer; and further authorizes the Chairman of the Board to execute the appropriate Intergovernmental Agreement with the Village of Shabbona, Illinois.

Resolution R2020-21: Intergovernmental Agreement with the Village of Somonauk for General Maintenance Projects. The DeKalb County Board hereby approves to enter into an agreement with the Village of Somonauk for certain general maintenance projects overseen by the DeKalb County Engineer; and further authorizes the Chairman of the Board to execute the appropriate Intergovernmental Agreement with the Village of Somonauk, Illinois.

Resolution R2020-22: Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of Sycamore for General Maintenance and Construction Projects. The DeKalb County Board hereby approves to enter into an agreement with the City of Sycamore for certain general maintenance and construction projects overseen by the DeKalb County Engineer; and further authorizes the Chairman of the Board to execute the appropriate Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of Sycamore, Illinois.

Resolution R2020-25: Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of Sandwich for General Maintenance Projects. The DeKalb County Board hereby approves to enter into an agreement with the City of Sandwich for certain general maintenance projects overseen by the DeKalb County Engineer; and further authorizes the Chairman of the Board to execute the appropriate Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of Sandwich, Illinois.

Roll Call Vote

The Chairman called for a roll call vote on the motion as presented. Those Members voting yea were Mr. Roman, Ms. Slabon, Mr. Stoddard, Mr. West, Mr. Whelan, Ms. Willis, Mr. Bagby, Mr. Campbell, Mrs. Cribben, Mrs. Emmer, Mr. Faivre, Mr. Frieders, Mr. Hughes, Mr. Jones, Ms. Leifheit, Ms. Little, Mr. Luebke, Ms. Mann-Lamb, Mr. Plote, Mr. Porterfield, and Chairman Pietrowski. The motion carried unanimously.

Resolution R2020-23: Approval of DeKalb-Sycamore Area Transportation Study (DSATS) Intergovernmental Agreement

Motion

Mr. Plote moved that the DeKalb County Board hereby approves to enter into an intergovernmental cooperation agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation, the City of DeKalb, the City of Sycamore, the Town of Cortland and Northern Illinois University for the purpose of providing continuing, cooperative and comprehensive transportation planning processes for the designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) DeKalb-Sycamore, Illinois Urbanized Area; and further authorizes the Chairman of the Board to execute the appropriate cooperation agreement. Mr. Luebke seconded the motion.

Motion to Amend

Mr. Luebke moved to amend the Resolution by adding the following language to Article VI (C) within the Intergovernmental Agreement:

C. Subject to applicable law, the entities agree that the venue for any legal proceedings

between them shall be the Circuit Court of DeKalb County, Illinois, Twenty-Third Judicial Circuit, State of Illinois, except for claims covered by the Illinois Court of Claims Act, which shall be filed exclusively with the Illinois Court of Claims.

Ms. Slabon seconded the motion to amend. Vote on Amendment

Chairman Pietrowski called for a voice vote on the proposed amendment. All Members voted

yea. Motion carried. Voice Vote

The Chair called for a voice vote on the motion as amended. The motion carried unanimously with all Members present voting yea.

Resolution R2020-24: Adoption of Labor Contract for International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 150 (Highway Department)

Motion

Mr. Plote moved that the DeKalb County Board does hereby concur in the recommendations attached to this Resolution and does hereby ratify the proposed five (5) year agreement with the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 150 and does direct the Chairman of the DeKalb County Board to execute said agreement. Mr. Stoddard seconded the motion.

Roll Call Vote

The Chairman called for a roll call vote on the motion. Those voting yea were Mr. Roman, Ms. Slabon, Mr. Stoddard, Mr. West, Mr. Whelan, Ms. Willis, Mr. Bagby, Mr. Campbell, Mrs. Cribben, Mrs. Emmer, Mr. Faivre, Vice-Chair Frieders, Mr. Hughes, Mr. Jones, Ms. Leifheit, Ms. Little, Mr. Luebke, Ms. Mann-Lamb, Mr. Plote, Mr. Porterfield, and Chairman Pietrowski. All Members present voted yea. The motion carried unanimously.

FINANCE COMMITTEE

Resolution R2020-15: Approval of Sheriff’s Body Camera Program

Motion

Mr. Bagby moved that the DeKalb County Board hereby (a) accepts the Sheriff’s Body Camera program proposal as presented to the Law & Justice Committee and adjusted by the Finance Committee, (b) appropriates $128,000 from the Opportunity Fund for the balance of the 2020 fiscal year, (c) approves two staffing changes in the Sheriff’s Office to upgrade one Secretary B position to an Administrative Secretary position and to increase one part-time Secretary B position to that of a full-time 40 hour per week Secretary B position at an initial annual cost of $52,000, and (d) further requests that when the Finance Committee compiles the 2021 and 2022 budgets that 67% and 33%, respectively, of the annual operating costs of the Body Camera project be subsidized by the Opportunity Fund with the balance from the General Fund; The County Board further concurs with the Sheriff that operational efficiencies and financial savings would be realized if the equipment for Body Camera Project was through the same vendor, Kustom Signals Inc., who is already providing for the Vehicle Video System and, therefore, waives bidding requirements and authorizes the Sheriff to negotiate directly with Kustom Signals Inc. for the best value available to make this project a reality. Mr. Hughes seconded the motion as presented.

Roll Call Vote

A roll call vote was taken. Those voting yea were Mr. Roman, Ms. Slabon, Mr. Stoddard, Mr. West, Mr. Whelan, Ms. Willis, Mr. Bagby, Mr. Campbell, Mrs. Cribben, Mrs. Emmer, Mr. Faivre, Vice-Chair Frieders, Mr. Hughes, Mr. Jones, Ms. Leifheit, Ms. Little, Mr. Luebke, Ms. Mann-Lamb, Mr. Plote, Mr. Porterfield, and Chairman Pietrowski. All Members present voted yea. The motion carried unanimously.

Resolution R2020-26: A Resolution Approving Unexpected and Emergency Appropriations and Budget Transfers for the Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2019

Motion

Mr. Bagby moved the DeKalb County Board hereby approves the unexpected and emergency appropriations and budget transfers as set forth on Attachment A for the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2019. Mr. Plote seconded the motion.

Voice Vote

All Members presented voted yea. The motion carried unanimously.

Claims – March 2020

Motion

Mr. Bagby moved to approve the payment of claims for this month, and the off-cycle claims paid during the previous month, including all claims for travel, meals, and lodging, in the amount of $6,941,141.93. Mr. Whelan seconded the motion.

Roll Call Vote

Chairman Pietrowski asked for a roll call vote on the approval of the March 2020 Claims. Those Members voted yea were Mr. Roman, Ms. Slabon, Mr. Stoddard, Mr. West, Mr. Whelan, Ms. Willis, Mr. Bagby, Mr. Campbell, Mrs. Cribben, Mrs. Emmer, Mr. Faivre, Vice-Chair Frieders, Mr. Hughes, Mr. Jones, Ms. Leifheit, Ms. Little, Mr. Luebke, Ms. Mann-Lamb, Mr. Plote, Mr. Porterfield, and Chairman Pietrowski. All Members present voted yea. The motion carried unanimously.

Reports of County Officials

Motion

Mr. Bagby moved to accept and place on file the following Reports of County Officials:

1. Cash & Investments in County Banks – February 2020

2. Public Defender’s Report – February 2020

3. Adult & Juvenile Monthly Reports – February 2020

4. Pretrial Report – February 2020

5. Sheriff’s Jail Report – February 2020

6. Building Permits & Construction Reports – February 2020

Vice-Chair Frieders seconded the motion.

Voice Vote

The Chairman requested a voice vote to accept the Reports of County Officials as presented. Motion carried unanimously.

OLD BUSINESS / NEW BUSINESS

None.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion

Mr. Luebke moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:27 p.m. and Mr. West seconded the motion.

Voice Vote

The motion to adjourn the meeting carried unanimously.

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