DeKalb Times

DeKalb County Board met June 17.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

*Due to COVID-19, this Meeting was held as a Virtual Public Meeting

The DeKalb County Board met virtually in regular session through a cloud-based, peer-to-peer software platform called Zoom at 7:00 p.m. Chairman Pietrowski called the meeting to order and the Clerk called the roll. Those Commissioners virtually present were Mr. Larry West, Ms. Suzanne Willis, Mr. Tim Bagby, Mr. Scott Campbell, Ms. Rukisha Crawford, Mrs. Laurie Emmer, Mr. Steve Faivre, Vice-Chairman John Frieders, Mr. Tim Hughes, Ms. Kiara Jones, Mr. Tracy Jones, Ms. Dianne Leifheit, Ms. Maureen Little, Mr. Jim Luebke, Ms. Terri Mann-Lamb, Mr. Roy Plote, Mr. Chris Porterfield, Mr. Craig Roman, Ms. Linda Slabon, Mr. Paul Stoddard, and Chairman Mark Pietrowski. Mr. Jeff Whelan, Mrs. Karen Cribben, and Mr. Jerry Osland were not accounted for. At the time of roll call there were twenty-three Members present and three absent. Directly following roll call, all three missing Members arrived virtually. A quorum was established with all twenty-four County Board Members present.

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

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Motion

It was moved by Ms. Mann-Lamb and seconded by Mr. Porterfield to approve the agenda as presented.

Roll Call Vote

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

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion

Mr. Luebke moved to approve the minutes of the May 20, 2020 County Board Meeting. Mr. Whelan seconded the motion.

Roll Call Vote

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

COMMUNICATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS

Employee Service Awards for June 2020

Chairman Pietrowski recognized the following County Employees who were celebrating Service Awards in the month of June 2020: Twenty Years: Judy Butler – County Clerk & Recorder’s Office and Ana Rodriguez – Health Department.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Ms. Cate Cardella of DeKalb Township addressed the County Board to call for the resignation of DeKalb County Clerk & Recorder Doug Johnson. Ms. Cardella explained that DeKalb County Clerk & Recorder Douglas J. Johnson recently responded to a Daily Chronicle post on social media regarding a white nationalist group, Patriot Front, that was distributing white supremacist / hate propaganda in neighboring Crystal Lake. Mr. Johnson, in two posts, insisted that “tolerance is a two-way street.” Ms. Cardella noted that there is currently a petition on www.change.org with over 500 signatures supporting the immediate resignation of County Clerk Doug Johnson.

Ms. Anna Wilhelmi additionally addressed the County Board calling for a public apology to the community from County Clerk Doug Johnson and for his immediate resignation. Ms. Wilhelmi shared that she whole heartedly condemns white Supremacist/Terrorist groups in DeKalb County or anywhere in the country or in the world. She expressed that she is outraged and disgusted by his recent comments on a social media post.

Another public comment from Mr. Michael Johnson-Kueny addressed County Clerk Doug Johnson’s recent social media comments. He also expressed that due to the recent comments he did not think that Clerk Johnson was fit to oversee the County’s Elections.

Ms. Alyssa Force thanked the County Board for their ongoing support to the peaceful Black Lives Matter protests in DeKalb County. She also thanked the County Sheriff’s Department for the work they do. Ms. Force encouraged the review of the Use of Force Policies throughout the County and review the measures that are put in place to combat police brutality, racial profiling, and hate crimes in the area. She encouraged the Board Members to continue to listen to what the area advocates have to say.

Ms. Amber Quitno of Sycamore shared that County Clerk Doug Johnson should be using his freedom of speech to condemn white supremacist groups and that community Elected Officials should not be calling for the community to be tolerant of these types of groups.

Mr. Isaac Wilson of Sycamore shared that while others are calling for Clerk Johnson’s resignation, he would like to call for Clerk Johnson’s explanation as to why he was comfortable enough to share the comments he made on social media in the first place.

APPOINTMENTS

Chairman Pietrowski recommended approval of the following appointments:

a. Board of Review: Ryan Cardinali appointed immediately for a two-year term until May 31, 2022.

b. Community Mental Health Board: Perry L. Maier appointed immediately to fill an open appointment until December 31, 2020.

c. Shabbona Community Fire Protection District: Berkeley Boehne appointed immediately to fill the unexpired term of Thomas Greenwell until April 30, 2023.

d. Stormwater Management Committee: Dean Johnson and Anita Zurbrugg newly appointed and Derek Hiland, Rich Gentile, Nathan Schwartz, and John Emerson all reappointed for two-year terms beginning July 1, 2020 and expiring June 30, 2022.

e. Clinton-Shabbona Drainage District #1: Wayne Overby reappointed for a three-year term beginning September 1, 2020 and expiring August 31, 2023.

f. Coon Creek Drainage District: Matt Klein reappointed for a three-year term beginning September 1, 2020 and expiring August 31, 2023.

g. Normal Drainage District #13: Barbara Twombly reappointed for a three-year term beginning September 1, 2020 and expiring August 31, 2023.

h. Shabbona Milan Union Drainage District #1: Dennis Johnson reappointed for a three- year term beginning September 1, 2020 and expiring August 31, 2023.

i. Somonauk-Victor Drainage District: Charles Kessler reappointed for a three-year term beginning September 1, 2020 and expiring August 31, 2023.

j. Squaw Grove Drainage District #1: Donald Willrett reappointed for a three-year term beginning September 1, 2020 and expiring August 31, 2023.

k. Union Drainage District #4: Dean Lundeen reappointed for a three-year term beginning September 1, 2020 and expiring August 31, 2023.

l. Victor-Adams Drainage District #1: Bill Coultrip reappointed for a three-year term beginning September 1, 2020 and expiring August 31, 2023.

m. Victor-Clinton Drainage District #13: Tom Bangert reappointed for a three-year term beginning September 1, 2020 and expiring August 31, 2023.

n. East Pierce Cemetery Association: John Kirchman, Richard Miller, and Adam Miller all reappointed for six-year terms beginning September 1, 2020 and expiring August 31, 2026.

Motion

It was moved by Ms. Mann-Lamb and seconded by Ms. Slabon to approve the recommended appointments as presented. Roll Call Vote

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

REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES

COUNTY HIGHWAY COMMITTEE

Resolution R2020-35: Award Resolution for Salt Shed Floor Paving and Highway Department Lot Patching/Repairs

Motion

Mr. Plote moved that the DeKalb County Board hereby approved the lowest bid meeting specifications to Maneval Construction Company of Ingleside, Illinois for the patching repairs to the Highway Department Maintenance Lot and the paving of the floor to a newly designed salt storage facility when completed in the total amount of $52,973.40. Mrs. Emmer 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. West, Mr. Whelan, Ms. Willis, Mr. Bagby, Mr. Campbell, Ms. Crawford, Mrs. Cribben, Mrs. Emmer, Mr. Faivre, Vice-Chair Frieders, Mr. Hughes, Ms. Jones, Mr. Jones, Ms. Leifheit, Ms. Little, Mr. Luebke, Ms. Mann-Lamb, Mr. Osland, Mr. Plote, Mr. Porterfield, Mr. Roman, Ms. Slabon, Mr. Stoddard, and Chairman Pietrowski. The motion carried unanimously with all Members present voting yea.

Resolution R2020-36: Encumbering Federal Highway Matching Tax for Current and Future Highway and Bridge Projects

Motion

Mr. Plote moved the DeKalb County Board hereby notes that the Federal Highway Matching Tax Fund fund balance on December 31, 2019 is estimated to be approximately $3,300,000 and is encumbered for the projects listed within this Resolution anticipated to be completed in the next three fiscal years and further recognizes that many necessary additional projects are already in the planning stages for years 2022 through 2024 that will take additional money from what is available in the existing fund balance and those are delineated on the attached schedule with notice now made to the public that the County Board will, as reasonably practical, seek to begin saving money in order to address those future needs. Mr. Stoddard seconded the motion as presented

Roll Call Vote

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

HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE

Resolution R2020-38: Resolution Authorizing the Execution & Amendment of the Federal 5311 Operating Assistance Grant Agreement for Fiscal Year 2021

Motion

Mr. Porterfield moved the DeKalb County Board hereby authorizes and directs the County Administrator of DeKalb County to execute and file on behalf of DeKalb County a Section 5311 Grant Agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation, and amend such Agreement, if necessary, in order to obtain grant assistance under the provisions of Section 5311 for fiscal year 2021. When funds are approved, they are passed through the County to the Voluntary Action Center along with all responsibilities and liability. Mr. Roman seconded the motion.

Roll Call Vote

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

Resolution R2020-39: Acceptance of the Special Warranty as a Condition to Receive Section 5311 Funds for Fiscal Year 2021

Motion

Mr. Porterfield moved that the DeKalb County Board does hereby agree to the terms and conditions of the attached Special Warranty for receiving Section 5311 Funds regarding fair and equitable arrangements to protect the interests of employees affected by such assistance. Mrs. Emmer seconded the motion as presented.

Roll Call Vote

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

Ordinance O2020-11: Public Transportation Applicant Ordinance

Motion

Mr. Porterfield moved the DeKalb County Board hereby authorizes and directs the County Administrator to execute on behalf of the County of DeKalb, Illinois Grant Applications and Agreements to the Illinois Department of Transportation for the purpose of providing public transportation within the County limits. Ms. Slabon seconded the motion.

Roll Call Vote

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

FINANCE COMMITTEE

Ordinance O2020-12: Supplemental Ordinance Providing for the Issuance of General Obligation Bonds (Alternative Revenue Source), Series 2020, of the County of DeKalb, Illinois

Motion

Mr. Bagby moved that the DeKalb County Board hereby approves the Supplemental Ordinance Providing for the Issuance of General Obligation Bonds (Alternative Revenue Source), Series 2020, of the County of DeKalb, Illinois. He further described that this Ordinance sets parameters for the sale of bonds which supplements Ordinance O2018-14, adopted June 20, 2018, which authorized up to $14,000,000 of Bonds for the Purpose of Financing the Improvement and Expansion of the DeKalb County Rehab & Nursing Center. Ms. Leifheit seconded the motion as presented.

Roll Call Vote

Chairman Pietrowski called for a roll call vote on the motion as presented. Those Members voting yea were Mr. West, Mr. Whelan, Ms. Willis, Mr. Bagby, Mr. Campbell, Ms. Crawford, Mrs. Cribben, Mrs. Emmer, Mr. Faivre, Vice-Chair Frieders, Mr. Hughes, Ms. Jones, Mr. Jones, Ms. Leifheit, Ms. Little, Mr. Luebke, Ms. Mann-Lamb, Mr. Osland, Mr. Plote, Mr. Porterfield, Mr. Roman, Ms. Slabon, Mr. Stoddard, and Chairman Pietrowski. All twenty-four County Board Members vote yea. None were opposed. The motion carried unanimously.

Resolution R2020-41: Establishing a Goal for Reserve Fund Balance for the County’s Tort & Liability Insurance Fund

Motion

Mr. Bagby moved that the DeKalb County Board does hereby accept the Actuarial Report of the Madison Consulting Group as of December 31, 2019 and that the County Board further establishes the goal for the reserve balance for the Tort & Liability Insurance Fund to be at the 95% Confidence Level at the end of each fiscal year, with the annual revenues adjusted as necessary and appropriate through the annual Budget Ordinance in order to achieve and maintain that goal in as timely of a manner as is reasonable. Mr. Plote seconded the motion.

Roll Call Vote

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

Claims – June 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 $6,878,781.65. Mrs. Cribben seconded the motion.

Roll Call Vote

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

Reports of County Officials

Motion

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

2. Cash & Investments in County Banks – May 2020 Public Defender’s Report – May 2020

3. Adult & Juvenile Monthly Reports – May 2020 

4. Pretrial Report – May 2020

5. Sheriff’s Jail Report – May 2020

6. Building Permits & Construction Reports – May 2020 

Ms. Willis seconded the motion.

Roll Call Vote

The Chairman requested a roll call vote to accept the Reports of County Officials as presented. Those Members voted yea were Mr. West, Mr. Whelan, Ms. Willis, Mr. Bagby, Mr. Campbell, Ms. Crawford, Mrs. Cribben, Mrs. Emmer, Mr. Faivre, Vice-Chair Frieders, Mr. Hughes, Ms. Jones, Mr. Jones, Ms. Leifheit, Ms. Little, Mr. Luebke, Ms. Mann-Lamb, Mr. Osland, Mr. Plote, Mr. Porterfield, Mr. Roman, Ms. Slabon, Mr. Stoddard, and Chairman Pietrowski. The motion carried unanimously.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Resolution R2020-40: Approval of the DeKalb County Election Judge List

Motion

Vice-Chairman Frieders moved that the DeKalb County Board do hereby appoint those persons named in the Certified Lists of Candidates for Judges of Election (attached) submitted by the Chairmen of the Democratic and Republican County Central Committees. Mr. Whelan seconded the motion.

Roll Call Vote

The Chair called for a roll call vote on the motion as presented. Those voting yea were Mr. West, Mr. Whelan, Ms. Willis, Mr. Bagby, Mr. Campbell, Ms. Crawford, Mrs. Cribben, Mrs. Emmer, Mr. Faivre, Vice-Chair Frieders, Mr. Hughes, Ms. Jones, Mr. Jones, Ms. Leifheit, Ms. Little, Mr. Luebke, Ms. Mann-Lamb, Mr. Osland, Mr. Plote, Mr. Porterfield, Mr. Roman, Ms. Slabon, Mr. Stoddard, and Chairman Pietrowski. No Members opposed. The motion carried unanimously.

Resolution R2020-42: A Resolution to Approval a Quit Claim Deed for the Transfer of the Ben Gordon Center by the County of DeKalb to the DeKalb County Community Mental Health Board 

Motion

Vice-Chairman Frieders moved the DeKalb County Board hereby authorizes the Chairman of the Board to sign a Quit Claim Deed, conveying the property, commonly known as the Ben Gordon Center located at 12 Health Services Drive in DeKalb, IL, and further identified by the Property Tax Parcel #08-12-202-004, from the County of DeKalb to the DeKalb County Community Mental Health Board. Mrs. Emmer seconded the motion as presented.

Roll Call Vote

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

OLD BUSINESS / NEW BUSINESS

Chairman Pietrowski shared that on Friday, June 19, 2020, at noon he and Vice-Chairman Frieders would be conducting a DeKalb County Govt COVID-19 Update: Restore Illinois Phase 4 Conference Call. The call will be run by the DeKalb County Public Health Department with hopefully more information regarding moving into Phase 4 at the end of the month. He encouraged everyone to listen in on the call.

The Chair additionally thanked County Board Members Rukisha Crawford and Kiara Jones and Mental Health Board Director Deanna Cada for their willingness to be the go-to persons for moving forward with additional Forums on Race Relations in DeKalb County. Chairman Pietrowski shared that the plan is to utilize the report created by Deanna Cada from the Forum on Race Relations in DeKalb County along with research on the topic and a second forum, create five action items the County can work toward implementing this year. Kisha and Kiara will host the second forum on race relations and having members of public share additional experiences. It will be run similar to the first one and would be moderated again and managed by Deanna Cada. This would be a 7 p.m. forum so it is a different time than first one. From the notes/reports from the two forums Kiara and Kisha can work with Deanna to come up with five topic areas to focus on for DeKalb County Government in consultation with the Chair. This is all to begin Mid-June. Leaders on the five topics should be selected by July 1st and meeting to present action items should be done in the beginning of August. Implementation should be done this year.

Mr. Stoddard questioned what the County Board could be doing to make for a better environment for all of the citizens of DeKalb County. One solid suggestion that he recently heard and agreed with very much was to consider having County Board Members and DeKalb County Government Employees participate in some type of Implicit Bias Training. The Chairman agreed and noted that County Administrator Gary Hanson was currently looking into that type of training for the County. It was agreed that this topic would be on the next Executive Committee Agenda for further discussion.

Ms. Crawford shared that she wants the Board to address the public comments that were made this evening at a future meeting.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion

Ms. Mann-Lamb moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 p.m. and Ms. Crawford seconded the motion.

Roll Call Vote

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

https://dekalbcounty.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/min20-cbjun.pdf