DeKalb Times

DeKalb County Board met Dec. 8.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The DeKalb County Board met in special session at the Legislative Center’s Gathertorium at 7:00 p.m. Chairman Frieders called the meeting to order and the Clerk called the roll. Those Commissioners present were Mrs. Kathy Lampkins, Ms. Dianne Leifheit, Ms. Maureen Little, Mr. Jim Luebke, Ms. Terri Mann-Lamb, Mr. Jerry Osland, Mr. Roy Plote, Mr. Craig Roman, Ms. Linda Slabon, Mr. Ellingsworth Webb, Mr. Larry West, Vice-Chair Suzanne Willis, Mr. Tim Bagby, Mr. Scott Campbell, Ms. Mary Cozad, Ms. Rukisha Crawford, Mrs. Karen Cribben, Mr. Bill Cummings, Mr. Patrick Deutsch, Mrs. Laurie Emmer, Mr. Steve Faivre, Mr. Tim Hughes, and Chairman John Frieders. Ms. Kiara Jones was absent. A quorum was established with twenty-three Members present and one absent.

Chairman Frieders asked Mrs. Lampkins to lead in the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Motion

It was moved by Mrs. Lampkins and seconded by Ms. Crawford to approve the agenda as presented.

Voice Vote

Chairman Frieders called for a voice vote to approve the agenda as presented. All Members present voted yea. Motion carried unanimously.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion

Ms. Cozad moved to approve the minutes of the November 17, 2021 County Board Meeting. Mrs. Emmer seconded the motion.

Voice Vote

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

COMMUNICATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS

Employee Service Awards for December 2021

Chairman Frieders and the Board recognized the following County Employee who celebrated a Service Award in the month of December 2021: Five Years: Timothy Stubinger – Veterans Assistance, Rick Amato – State’s Attorney’s Office, Laurie Emmer – County Board Member, Roy Plote – County Board Member, Craig Roman – County Board Member, Jerry Osland – County Board Member, Toni Heniff – Public Defender’s Office; Ten Years: Peter Komitas – Information Management Office, Twenty-Years: Brian Koehnke – Highway Department; Thirty Years: Edith Ellis – Rehab & Nursing Center.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Mr. Brad Belanger, South Grove Township, request the Board’s support on setting a 12,000-acre maximum acreage cap on Industrial Solar Energy in DeKalb County. He also requested the Board reevaluate the County’s current Solar Ordinance and address several inadequacies and concerns that have been expressed by residents over the past several months. Please see Exhibit A for detailed comments.

Mr. Larry Forsberg, South Grove Township, echoed Mr. Belanger’s comments and also requested the Board to support the proposed 12,000-acre cap on Industrial Solar Energy Projects within the County.

Ms. Katherine Andraski, Franklin Township, expressed many concerns and questions she has surrounding Industrial Solar Projects as well as with Leeward. She, too, requested the Board to support the proposed 12,000-acre cap on Industrial Solar Energy Projects within the County. Please see Exhibit B for detailed comments.

Mr. John Lyon, Mayfield Township, requested that the Board set a reasonable acreage cap of 12,000-acres for Industrial Solar Projects within DeKalb County. Please see Exhibit C for detailed comments.

Ms. Rhonda Henke, Mayfield Township, requested the Board to support the PZC’s recommendation of a 12,000-acre cap on Industrial Solar and to also promptly take action to consider revisions to the current Solar Ordinance. Please see Exhibit D for detailed comments.

Mr. John Lageman, Mayfield Township, expressed that the County’s current Solar Ordinance is not adequately setup to protect many interests of those involved or impacted by the projects surrounding them. He also urged the Board to support the 12,000-acre cap on Industrial Solar. Please see Exhibit E for detailed comments.

Mr. Tim Hakes, Mayfield Township, expressed that since the Board approved the Industrial Solar Projects to continue to proceed, it will not be their responsibility to ensure the safety of all Dekalb County residence, not only those that will be surrounded by the obstructive and unsightly panels.

He detailed the uncertainty of how the panels will affect current and future residence health and well-being as well as environmental effects. He additionally requested the Board support the 12,000 total acreage cap for DeKalb County. Please see Exhibit F for detailed comments.

Ms. Linda Timm, Mayfield Township land-owner, requested the Board support the 12,000-acre cap which was forwarded by the Planning & Zoning Committee. She additionally supported a Public Hearing to address the inadequacies of the County’s current Solar Ordinance. Please see Exhibit G for detailed comments.

Mr. Ferald Bryan, DeKalb, shared that he has been a DeKalb County Rehab & Nursing Center Operating Board Member for the past five years. He noted that there were certain things contributing to the proposed Ordinance to dissolve the Operating Board that were out of the Operating Board’s control. Mr. Bryan wanted to stress that a lot of people depend on the Rehab & Nursing Center and urged not to consider the sale of the Nursing Home as inevitable. He simply asked the County Board to respect that they (the Operating Board) did their best to try and be good stewards of the Home, and he hopes that the County Board Members will now do the same.

Note: These minutes are not official until approved by the DeKalb County Board at a subsequent meeting. Please refer to the meeting minutes when these minutes are approved to obtain any changes to these minutes.

APPOINTMENTS

Chairman Frieders recommended approval of the following appointment:

a. Community Mental Health Board: Kristen Quinn appointed immediately to fill the unexpired term of Jerald Helland until December 31, 2023.

Motion

It was moved by Mrs. Emmer and seconded by Mr. Webb to approve the recommended appointment.

Voice Vote

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

REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES

PLANNING & ZONING COMMITTEE

Ordinance O2021-15: An Ordinance Amending Section 53-E-12A of the DeKalb County Code Regarding a Limitation on Commercial Solar Energy Systems

Motion

Mr. Faivre moved that the DeKalb County Board hereby approves the amend Section 53-E-12A of the DeKalb County Code to add the following new language: “In an effort to balance the County’s heritage of rich farmland with the emerging solar energy system technology, the DeKalb County Board has imposed a county-wide limit of 12,000 total acres. This limit does not apply to ancillary uses, such as panels installed on rooftops or private solar energy systems installed for the purpose of powering that particular property.” Mr. West seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote

The Chair called for a roll call vote on the motion as presented. Those voting yea were Mrs. Lampkins, Ms. Leifheit, Ms. Little, Mr. Luebke, Ms. Mann-Lamb, Mr. Osland, Mr. Plote, Mr. Webb, Mr. West, Mr. Bagby, Mr. Campbell, Mrs. Cribben, Mr. Cummings, Mr. Deutsch, Mrs. Emmer, Mr. Hughes, and Chairman Frieders. Those voting nay were Mr. Roman, Ms. Slabon, Vice-Chair Willis, Ms. Cozad, Ms. Crawford, and Mr. Faivre. Seventeen Members voted yea, six nay, and one Member was absent. The motion carried.

FINANCE COMMITTEE

Ordinance O2021-16: Adoption of the FY2022 Tax Levy

Motion

Mr. Bagby moved that the DeKalb County Board hereby approves to levy upon all the taxable property within DeKalb County, as assessed, for the calendar year beginning January 1, 2021 and ending December 31, 2021, and to be collected for fiscal year beginning January 1, 2022 and ending December 31, 2022, in the total amount of $25,116,205. Mr. Faivre seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote

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

Note: These minutes are not official until approved by the DeKalb County Board at a subsequent meeting. Please refer to the meeting minutes when these minutes are approved to obtain any changes to these minutes.

Ordinance O2021-17: Adoption of the Annual Appropriation and Budget Ordinance for Fiscal Year 2022

Motion

Mr. Bagby moved that the DeKalb County Board hereby approves that the monies received by the County Treasurer from taxes and other revenues, for the use of DeKalb County during the Fiscal Year starting January 1, 2022 and ending December 31, 2022 are hereby appropriated as set forth in the attached “Exhibit A” for the purposes necessary for DeKalb County to carry out its responsibilities. Mr. Osland seconded the motion.

Roll Call Vote

Chairman Frieders called for a roll call vote on the motion. Those voting yea were Mrs. Lampkins, Ms. Leifheit, Ms. Little, Mr. Luebke, Ms. Mann-Lamb, Mr. Osland, Mr. Plote, Mr. Roman, Ms. Slabon, Mr. Webb, Mr. West, Vice-Chair Willis, Mr. Bagby, Mr. Campbell, Ms. Cozad, Ms. Crawford, Mrs. Cribben, Mr. Cummings, Mr. Deutsch, Mrs. Emmer, Mr. Faivre, Mr. Hughes, and Chairman Frieders. The motion carried unanimously with all Members present voting yea.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Delinquent Property Tax Sale Resolutions R2021-140 & R2021-141

Motion

Vice-Chair Willis moved that the DeKalb County Board hereby authorizes the Chairman of the Board to execute deeds of conveyance of the County’s interest or authorizes the cancellation of the appropriate Certificate(s) of Purchase, as the case may be, on parcel #09-33-105-002, for the

sum of $815.00 and on parcel #09-33-126-001, for the sum of $815.00, to both be paid to the Treasurer of DeKalb County Illinois, to be disbursed according to law. Ms. Crawford seconded the motion.

Roll Call Vote

Chairman Frieders called for a roll call vote on the motion to approve both Resolutions. Those voting yea were Mrs. Lampkins, Ms. Leifheit, Ms. Little, Mr. Luebke, Ms. Mann-Lamb, Mr. Osland, Mr. Plote, Mr. Roman, Ms. Slabon, Mr. Webb, Mr. West, Vice-Chair Willis, Mr. Bagby, Mr. Campbell, Ms. Cozad, Ms. Crawford, Mrs. Cribben, Mr. Cummings, Mr. Deutsch, Mrs. Emmer, Mr. Faivre, Mr. Hughes, and Chairman Frieders. The motion carried unanimously with all Members present voting yea.

Resolution R2021-142: Approval of the Participation in the Service Program of the Office of the State’s Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor

Motion

Vice-Chair Willis moved that the DeKalb County Board hereby supports the continued participation in the service program of the Office of the State’s Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor, commencing December 1, 2021 and ending November 30, 2022 in the amount of $27,000.00. Ms. Mann-Lamb seconded the motion.

Roll Call Vote

The Chair called for a roll call vote. Those voting yea were Mrs. Lampkins, Ms. Leifheit, Ms. Little, Mr. Luebke, Ms. Mann-Lamb, Mr. Osland, Mr. Plote, Mr. Roman, Ms. Slabon, Mr. Webb, Mr. West, Vice-Chair Willis, Mr. Bagby, Mr. Campbell, Ms. Cozad, Ms. Crawford, Mrs. Cribben, Mr. Cummings, Mr. Deutsch, Mrs. Emmer, Mr. Faivre, Mr. Hughes, and Chairman Frieders. The motion carried unanimously.

Note: These minutes are not official until approved by the DeKalb County Board at a subsequent meeting. Please refer to the meeting minutes when these minutes are approved to obtain any changes to these minutes.

Ordinance O2021-18: An Ordinance Creating the Self-Represented Litigant (SRL) Self Help Room Motion

Vice-Chair Willis moved that the DeKalb County Board hereby approves that the room located on the first floor of the DeKalb County Courthouse, which previously housed the Children’s Waiting Room shall be repurposed as the Self-Represented Litigant (SRL) Self Help Room and that Resolution R2005-46 is hereby repealed to the extent it is inconsistent with this Ordinance, furthermore, Pursuant to the closing of the Children’s Waiting Room under this Ordinance, the repeal of Resolution R2005-46, and repeal of 705 ILCS 105/27.7 pursuant to Public Act 100- 987, the fee previously collected for the Children’s Waiting Room shall no longer be collected by the Circuit Clerk and that from this time forward, a fee of $10.00 shall be collected by the Circuit Clerk for a ‘SRL Self Help Room Fund’ so as to allow for the establishment and outfitting of a SRL Self Help Room; The DeKalb County Board additionally approves that Ordinance O2019-34 is hereby amended to the extent that all references to “Children’s Waiting Room Fund - $10.00” are stricken and replaced with “SRL Self Help Room Fund - $10.00” and that all remaining Ordinances, Resolutions, rules and regulations in conflict with this Ordinance are repealed to the extent they are inconsistent with this Ordinance. Mrs. Lampkins seconded the motion as presented.

Roll Call Vote

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

Ordinance O2021-19: An Ordinance Dissolving the DeKalb County Rehab & Nursing Center Operating Board and Reintegrating its Functions into the DeKalb County Board Motion

Vice-Chair Willis moved that the DeKalb County Board does hereby approve to dissolve the DeKalb County Rehab & Nursing Center Operating Board of Directors and repeals the bylaws under which it operates; The DeKalb County Board further approves to dissolve the DeKalb County Supportive Living Facility Board; furthermore, the DeKalb County Board shall act in all respects as the operating authority for the DeKalb County Rehab & Nursing Center, and any and all contracting powers are reserved solely to the DeKalb County Board along with those powers and responsibilities provided for in 55 ILCS 5/5-21001, et seq., the Board further shall act in all respects as the operating authority of the County’s facilities for the aged, previously under the control of the DeKalb County Supportive Living Facility Board, and any and all contracting powers are reserved solely to the DeKalb County Board along with those powers and responsibilities provided for in 55 ILCS 5/5-22001, et seq. This Ordinance and the regulations contained therein shall be in full force and effect on and after December 31, 2021. Any Ordinances, bylaws or Resolutions in conflict with this Ordinance are hereby repealed to the extent they are in conflict. Mr. Faivre seconded the motion.

Roll Call Vote

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

Note: These minutes are not official until approved by the DeKalb County Board at a subsequent meeting. Please refer to the meeting minutes when these minutes are approved to obtain any changes to these minutes.

Chairman Frieders acknowledged the volunteer Operating Board Members that have severed over the many years. He noted that it is the kind of job that doesn’t get headlines in the paper, but what has been done over the years has been deeply appreciated. He added that this is mostly likely the first of many difficult decisions that will need to be made surrounding the DeKalb County Rehab & Nursing Center.

Resolution R2021-143: Request for Information for Brokerage and Consulting Services Related to the DeKalb County Rehab & Nursing Center

Motion

Vice-Chair Willis moved that the DeKalb County Board hereby approves the issuance of a Request for Information for brokerage and consulting services related to the DeKalb County Rehab & Nursing Center to ensure the County Board has the necessary information needed to determine the future of the DCRNC. Mr. Webb seconded the motion as presented. Roll Call Vote

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

OLD BUSINESS / NEW BUSINESS

County Board Member, Maureen Little, District 2, shared that there was yet another near-fatal accident at the intersection of Baseline Road and Five Points Road in Kingston Township the other evening. She requested that the Highway Committee look into additional safety measures at said intersection.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion

Mrs. Emmer moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:54 p.m. Mr. Hughes seconded the motion.