DeKalb County Board met March 15.
Here is the agenda provided by the board:
1. Roll Call
2. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
3. Approval of Agenda
4. Approval of Minutes:
a. February 15, 2023
5. Communications & Proclamations:
a. Employee Service Awards – March 2023
6. Public Comments
7. Approval of Appointments for this Month:
a. Fire Protection Districts
• DeKalb Community Fire Protection District: Gerald Bemis reappointed for a three year term beginning May 1, 2023 and expiring April 30, 2026.
• Genoa-Kingston Fire Protection District: Todd Merritt reappointed for a three-year term beginning May 1, 2023 and expiring April 30, 2026.
• Kirkland Community Fire District: Marty Banks reappointed for a three-year term beginning May 1, 2023 and expiring April 30, 2026.
• Paw Paw Fire Protection District: Neal Rogers reappointed for a three-year term beginning May 1, 2023 and expiring April 30, 2026.
• Shabbona Community Fire Protection District: Berkley Boehne reappointed for a three-year term beginning May 1, 2023 and expiring April 30, 2026.
• Somonauk Community Fire Protection District: Nycole Woody reappointed for a three-year term beginning May 1, 2023 and expiring April 30, 2026.
• Sycamore Rural Fire Protection District: John Ward reappointed for a three-year term beginning May 1, 2023 and expiring April 30, 2026. Peter Springmire appointed to complete a three-year term until April 30, 2024.
• Waterman Fire Protection District: David Stryker reappointed for a three-year term beginning May 1, 2023 and expiring April 30, 2026.
b. East Pierce Cemetery Association – Kevin Marshall appointed to fill an unexpired term ending August 31, 2026.
8. Reports of Standing Committees with Ordinances & Resolutions
a. Ordinance O2023-002—An Ordinance approving a Special Use Permit request by Heliofidem Renewable Energy, LLC. – Plote Somonauk 2 for a 29.7-acre, 5-Megawatt Solar Farm on property located at the southwest corner of Pine Road and Governor Beveridge Highway in Somonauk Township.
Ordinance 2023-002 is for the approval of a Conditional Special Use request by Cenergy Power, representing Heliofidem Renewable Energy, to establish and operate a 5-megawatt commercial solar garden, known as Plote Somonauk 2, on 29.7-acres of the 157.19-acre property located at the southwest corner of Pine Road and Gov. Beveridge Highway, in Somonauk Township. In 2018, DeKalb County Ordinances 2018-47 and 2018-48 were granted approving the establishment and operation of two (2) separate 2-megawatt solar gardens collocated on the subject property (Plote Somonauk 1 and Plote Somonauk 2), in anticipation of being selected to participate in the Illinois Community Solar Program. Both Ordinances contained, as a condition of approval, the requirement that a Building Permit be sought within eighteen (18) months of the approval date of the Ordinance, otherwise the Ordinance would expire. Neither of these projects were among those chosen to participate in the state program, and the expiration date passed with no action taken by the petitioner. In 2022, Heliofidem Renewable Energy, LLC came forward seeking approval for a larger, redesigned solar facility on the site. Given that the previous ordinance had expired and the proposed facility represents a significant departure from the solar garden previously approved, an application has been submitted for approval of a new Special Use Permit for the proposed solar garden. DeKalb County Hearing Officer Dale Clark conducted a public hearing and forwarded his Findings of Fact with a recommendation that the petition be approved with conditions.
Committee Action: The Planning, Zoning and Development Committee considered the request on February 22nd and forwarded the request to the Board with an unfavorable recommendation by a vote of two in favor, two opposed, and two abstained.
b. Ordinance O2023-007—An Ordinance approving a Special Use Permit Request by New Leaf Energy, Inc. for a 35-acre, 5-Megawatt Solar Farm located on the northeast corner of Crego and Bastian Roads in Clinton Township.
Ordinance 2023-007 is for the approval of a Conditional Special Use request by New Leaf Energy to establish and operate a 5-megawatt commercial solar garden on 35-acres of the 77.5-acre property located at the northwest corner of Crego and Bastian Roads, in Clinton Township. Solar gardens are a special use in the A-1, Agricultural District. DeKalb County Hearing Officer Dale Clark conducted a public hearing where the petitioner presented evidence and testimony in support of the application, and six members of the public spoke against the petition, and two members of the public voiced concerns about the project. The Hearing Officer has forwarded his Findings of Fact with a recommendation that the petition be approved with conditions.
Committee Action: The Planning, Zoning and Development Committee considered the request on February 22nd and forwarded the request to the Board with a favorable recommendation by a vote of four in favor, two opposed, and one abstained.
c. Ordinance O2023-008—An Ordinance approving a Special Use Permit Request by New Leaf Energy, Inc. for a 35-acre, 5-Megawatt Solar Farm located on the southeast corner of Kane and Preserve Roads in Clinton Township.
Ordinance 2023-008 is for the approval of a Conditional Special Use request by New Leaf Energy to establish and operate a 5-megawatt commercial solar garden on 35-acres of the 100.95-acre property located at the southwest corner of Kane Road and Governor Beveridge Highway, in Clinton Township. Solar gardens are a special use in the A-1, Agricultural District. DeKalb County Hearing Officer Dale Clark conducted a public hearing where the petitioner presented evidence and testimony in support of the application, and four members of the public spoke against the petition, and three members of the public voiced concerns about the project. The Hearing Officer has forwarded his Findings of Fact with a recommendation that the petition be approved with conditions.
Committee Action: The Planning, Zoning and Development Committee considered the request on February 22nd and forwarded the request to the Board with a favorable recommendation by a vote of four in favor, two opposed, and one abstained.
d. Ordinance O2023-009—An Ordinance Amending Section 53-E-12, “Sustainable Energy Systems,” of the DeKalb County Code to add a New Subsection C.” Battery Storage Systems.”.
The DeKalb County Board directed Community Development Staff to bring forward a proposal to amend and update the regulations for Solar Energy Systems and to establish battery energy storage regulations. The requested Zoning Text Amendments to the DeKalb County Code and Zoning Ordinance were to Section 53-E-12 and would create a new Section 53-E-12.C Battery Storage Systems. Required public hearing(s) were held on September 15, 2022 over by Hearing Officer Dale Clark. The Hearing Officer submitted his Findings of Fact and recommended that the Text Amendments be approved by the County Board with variations from drafted ordinance. Last October, the County Board considered the Text Amendment to for battery storage, but sent it back to Committee for further review and consideration.
Committee Action: On February 22, 2023, the Planning, Zoning, & Development Committee reconsidered the testimony and exhibits previously presented and submitted, along with the testimony presented at the County Board, and staff’s recommendation to add the requirement that the battery storage systems be compliant with the NFPA standards for Sustainable Energy Systems. The Committee then moved to approve and amend the text, and forward the revised recommendation to the County Board for consideration, with a unanimous vote.
COUNTY HIGHWAY COMMITTEE
a. Resolution R2023-024—A Resolution Approving the 2023 General County Letting.
For the bid opening on March 1, 2023, Resolution R2023-024 involves the establishment of prices for calendar year 2023 for aggregate, patching material, hot-mix asphalt, and liquid calcium chloride. All bids are awarded and the lowest cost for each project is calculated by taking the bid price of a product and adding in the cost of travel from the quarry/plant to the job site. The estimate of cost for the County’s portion was $175,000 and the Road Districts’ portion was $142,000.
Committee Action: The Highway Committee reviewed the bids on March 2nd and forwarded a favorable recommendation to the County Board by a vote of six in favor and none opposed.
b. Resolution R2023-025— Award Resolution for 2023 Afton Road District Aggregate Project in the amount of $2,001 to Wagner Aggregate Inc. of DeKalb, Illinois.
For the bid opening held on March 1, 2023, Resolution R2023-025 involves the aggregate spread on road for the 2023 project in Afton Road District and awards the low bid meeting specifications out of two bidders in the amount of $2,001 to Wagner Aggregate Inc. of DeKalb, IL. The estimate of cost for the Road District was $2,100.
Committee Action: The Highway Committee reviewed the bids on March 2nd and forwarded a favorable recommendation to the County Board by a vote of six in favor and none opposed.
c. Resolution R2023-026—A Resolution Awarding the Bid for the 2023 Malta Road District Aggregate Project in the amount of $109,500 to Wagner Aggregate, Inc. of DeKalb, Illinois.
For the bid opening held on March 1, 2023, Resolution R2023-026 involves the aggregate spread on road for the 2023 project in Malta Road District and awards the low bid meeting specifications out of two bidders in the amount of $109,500 to Wagner Aggregate, Inc. of DeKalb, Illinois. The estimate of cost for the Road District was $120,000.
Committee Action: The Highway Committee reviewed the bids on March 2nd and forwarded a favorable recommendation to the County Board by a vote of six in favor and none opposed.
d. Resolution R2023-027—A Resolution Awarding the Bid for the 2023 Paw Paw Road District Aggregate Project in the amount of $59,800 to Macklin Inc. of Rochelle, Illinois.
For the bid opening held on March 1, 2023, Resolution R2023-027 involves the aggregate spread on road for the 2023 project in Paw Paw Road District and awards the low bid meeting specifications out of two bidders in the amount of $59,800 to Macklin Inc. of Rochelle, Illinois. The estimate of cost for the Road District was $62,000.
Committee Action: The Highway Committee reviewed the bids on March 2nd and forwarded a favorable recommendation to the County Board by a vote of six in favor and none opposed.
e. Resolution R2023-028—A Resolution Awarding the Bid for the 2023 Shabbona Road District Aggregate Project in the amount of $20,175 to Macklin Inc. of Rochelle, Illinois.
For the bid opening held on March 1, 2023, Resolution R2023-028 involves the aggregate spread on road for the 2023 project in Shabbona Road District and awards the low bid meeting specifications out of two bidders in the amount of $20,175 to Macklin Inc. of Rochelle, Illinois. The estimate of cost for the Road District was $21,000.
Committee Action: The Highway Committee reviewed the bids on March 2nd and forwarded a favorable recommendation to the County Board b by a vote of six in favor and none opposed.
f. Resolution R2023-029—A Resolution Awarding the Bid for the 2023 South Grove Road District Aggregate Project in the amount of $25,125 to Wagner Aggregate Inc. of DeKalb, Illinois.
For the bid opening held on March 1, 2023, Resolution R2023-029 involves the aggregate spread on road for the 2023 project in South Grove Road District and awards the low bid meeting specifications out of two bidders in the amount of $25,125 to Wagner Aggregate Inc. of DeKalb, Illinois. The estimate of cost for the Road District was $27,500.
Committee Action: The Highway Committee reviewed the bids on March 2nd and forwarded a favorable recommendation to the County Board by a vote of six in favor and none opposed.
g. Resolution R2023-030—A Resolution Awarding the Bid for the 2023 Squaw Grove Road District Aggregate Project in the amount of $113,750 to Macklin Inc. of Rochelle, Illinois.
For the bid opening held on March 1, 2023, Resolution R2023-030 involves the aggregate spread on road for the 2023 project in Squaw Grove Road District and awards the low bid meeting specifications out of two bidders in the amount of $113,750 to Macklin Inc. of Rochelle, Illinois. The estimate of cost for the Road District was $98,000.
Committee Action: The Highway Committee reviewed the bids on March 2nd and forwarded a favorable recommendation to the County Board by a vote of six in favor and none opposed.
h. Resolution R2023-031—A Resolution Awarding the Bid for the 2023 Victor Road District Aggregate Project in the amount of $19,435 to Macklin Inc. of Rochelle, Illinois.
For the bid opening held on March 1, 2023, Resolution R2023-031 involves the aggregate spread on road for the 2023 project in Victor Road District and awards the low bid meeting specifications out of one bidders in the amount of $19,435 to Macklin Inc. of Rochelle, Illinois. The estimate of cost for the Road District was $17,825.
Committee Action: The Highway Committee reviewed the bids on March 2nd and forwarded a favorable recommendation to the County Board by a vote of six in favor and none opposed.
i. Resolution R2023-032—A Resolution Awarding the Bid for the 2023 County/Road Districts Drainage Pipe Projects in the amount of $82,497.06 to Contech Engineering Solutions, LLC of Oak Brook, Illinois.
For the bid opening held on March 1, 2023, Resolution R2023-032 involves the drainage pipes utilized by the County and Road Districts during 2023 for various drainage projects. This resolution awards the low bid meeting specifications out of two bidders in the amount of $82,497.06 to Contech Engineering Solutions, LLC of Oak Brook, Illinois. The estimate of cost for the County’s portion was $53,758 and the Road Districts’ portion was $33,624.
Committee Action: The Highway Committee reviewed the bids on March 2nd and forwarded a favorable recommendation to the County Board by a vote of six in favor and none opposed.
FACILITIES & TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE
a. Resolution R2023-023—A Resolution Approving A Letter of Intent to Enter into a Land Lease with U.S. Cellular for a Telecommunication Tower on 2,500 Square Feet on the DeKalb County Highway Department Campus, DeKalb, Illinois.
County Staff actively works to find ways to generate revenue from sources that offset the burden on taxpayers. An opportunity has been identified to lease 2,500 square feet (50ft by 50ft) of property on the DeKalb Highway Department Campus to U.S. Cellular so that they may install a telecommunication tower. The Letter of Intent is the first step in the process, which allows County Staff to further explore this opportunity. If this resolution were to pass, an executable lease would be forthcoming.
Committee Action: The Facilities & Technology Committee considered Resolution 2023-023 on March 7th and forwarded a favorable recommendation to the County Board by a vote of five in favor and none opposed.
b. Resolution R2023-034—A Resolution Approving a Five-Year Extension of Life Safety Inspection Services for the DeKalb County Jail from Johnson Controls.
The proposed life safety contract includes a quarterly sprinkler inspection, annual testing of all the heat and smoke detectors, and an annual inspection of the fire pump at the DeKalb County Jail. This Proposal would extend the County’s current contract with Johnson Controls for five years with a seven percent cost increase in the annual.
The total proposed cost of the extension is $112,774.89 over the five-year term. The County Board previously approved Resolution R2023-003 which approved a five-year contract for life safety inspections at the Courthouse, Public Safety Building, Administration Building, Legislative Center, Community Outreach Building, Health Department and Multi-Purpose Room.
Committee Action: The Facilities & Technology Committee considered Resolution R2023-024 on March 7th and forwarded a favorable recommendation to the County Board by a vote of four in favor and one opposed.
HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE
a. Resolution R2023-033 A Resolution Authorizing Execution and Amendment of Federal 5311 Grant Agreement.
Voluntary Action Center operates as a purchased service provider to DeKalb County under the 5311 and DOAP transportation grants. The Voluntary Action Center, in conjunction with DeKalb County Administration, is preparing an application on behalf of the TransVAC program to secure up to $450,695 in Federal and $1,215,913 in State of Illinois transit operating assistance. As part of the process, IDOT requires the DeKalb County Board to hold a public hearing on the project and pass a resolution that authorizes the submittal of an application for the project. This grant, under the auspices of the Federal Transit Administration’s 5311 program, offers transit operators in rural counties the ability to receive reimbursement for the costs involved in providing transportation for public ridership in the TransVAC service area.
Committee Action: The Human & Health Services Committee considered Resolution R2023-033 on March 6th and forwarded a favorable recommendation to the County Board by a vote of five in favor and none opposed.
LAW & JUSTICE COMMITTEE
a. Ordinance O2023-010—An Ordinance Establishing Civil Fees and Criminal and Traffic Assessments to be Charged by the Clerk of the Circuit Court.
This Ordinance modifies the current fee ordinance to reflect changes in law and to address uniformity of fees across the state. This Ordinance modifies two fees in regard to Guardianship and Advocacy fee pursuant to 705 ILCS 105/27.3f, and The Expungement fees as are addressed in 20 ILCS 2650/5.2(a)(10) and 705 ILCS 105/27.1b(t). The fees enable the Circuit Clerk’s Office to serve the public at lower cost to the taxpayers, while also remaining transparent as to the basis for the fees being charged. This will also assist the Clerk's office with filings and fees charged through e-filing.
Committee Action: The Law & Justice Committee forwarded a favorable recommendation to the County Board by a vote of five in favor and none opposed.
FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
a. Claims to be Paid in March 2023: Move to approve the payment of claims for this month, and off-cycle claims paid during the previous month, including all claims for travel, meals, and lodging, in the amount of $ 6,046,292.97.
b. Reports of County Officials: Move to accept and place on file the following Reports of County Officials:
Cash & Investments in County Banks – February 2023
Public Defender’s Report – February 2023
Adult & Juvenile Monthly Reports – February 2023
Pretrial Report – February 2023
Sheriff’s Jail Report – February 2023
Building Permits & Construction Reports – February 2023
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
a. Resolution R2023-022—A Resolution Approving an Intergovernmental Agreement for Installation and Maintenance of License Plate Readers with the City of Sycamore.
The City of Sycamore is requesting authorization from the County Board to install License Plate Readers (LPRs) at five locations within the County right-of-way. An initial request was made to the Highway Committee to install LPRs on two county owned poles with a request for a utility permit to construct three City owned standalone poles in County right-of-way. The request was sent to the Executive Committee for consideration and has been combined for consideration. An Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) is included with Resolution R2023-022 to allow the LPRs as follows:
• Two locations along Peace Road the LPRs would be installed on County owned traffic signal poles.
• Three locations in County right-of-way near intersections in the Peace/Plank Road corridor on poles installed and maintained by the City of Sycamore.
The IGA outlines that the City of Sycamore is responsible for all installation and maintenance costs of the LPRs. The County is indemnified against any claims related to the installation, placement, location and use of data gathered by the LPRs.
Committee Action: The Executive Committee considered Resolution R2023-022 and the corresponding IGA on March 8th and forwarded a favorable recommendation to the County Board by a vote of seven in favor and two opposed.
b. Resolution R2023-035—A Resolution Authorizing a Contribution to the DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation “Opportunity Unbound” Branding Initiative.
The DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation’s “Opportunity Unbound” branding initiative came about from the a county-wide economic development strategy (CEDS). The initiative aims to sustain business attraction throughout DeKalb County, by promoting business assets and communicating successes across the region, state, and nation. Opportunity Unbound couples traditional economic development principles with an effort on attracting young people, students, professionals, and entrepreneurs to live, buy homes, raise families, and start businesses in DeKalb County. The mission of the branding initiative for DeKalb County is to create a countywide collaborative business climate that delivers a consistent message and narrative which contributes to business and population growth.
In September 2020, members of DCEDC presented the Opportunity Unbound Initiative to the County’s Economic Development Committee with a request for the County to be a significant funding source for the $750,000 target budget. The Committee forwarded a Resolution that would provide just over one-third of the funding however it was sent back to Committee.
DCEDC shifted its funding focus starting with private companies and has been able to secure nearly $500,000 in contributions and pledges to date. With Opportunity Unbound in motion and a County-wide Marketing Manager in place, DCEDC is once again reaching out to public partners to request support.
The request to the County is for a three-year pledge of ten thousand dollars per year (2024, 2025, & 2026) for a total of $30,000. The funding would come from the Opportunity Fund.
Committee Action: The Executive Committee considered Resolution R2023-035 on March 8th and forwarded a favorable recommendation to the County Board by a vote of nine in favor and none opposed.
c. Resolution R2023-036—A Resolution Pre-Approving ARPA Transferee Grant Project Applications from Genoa, Kingston, Lee, Shabbona and Waterman.
In November 2021, the County Board voted to extend $100,000 of American Rescue Plan Act funds in a subrecipient program to each of the fourteen municipalities in the County for water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure projects. The County Board previously approved submitted projects in eight municipalities. Resolution R2023-036 approves projects submitted in Genoa, Kingston, Lee, Shabbona and Waterman and authorizes the disbursement of the funds after the project is completed and the appropriate documentation is submitted.
Committee Action: The Executive Committee considered Resolution R2023-036 on March 8th and forwarded a favorable recommendation to the County Board by a vote of nine in favor and none opposed.
9. Old Business
10. New Business & Referral of Matters to Committee
a. Appointments scheduled to be made in the month of April 2023:
1. County Board – 1 position
2. Health & Human Services Committee and County Highway Committee – 1 position
3. Farmland Assessments Board – 1 position
4. Board of Review – 2 positions
5. Board of Review-Alternates – 3 positions
6. Cortland Community Fire Protection District – 2 positions
7. Hinckley Community Fire Protection District –1 position
8. Lee Community Fire Protection District – 1 position
9. Malta Community Fire Protection District – 1 position
10. Regional Plan Commission Primary and Alternate Appointments
11. Adjournment
https://dekalbcounty.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/agenda-cb-03152023.pdf
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