DeKalb Times

DeKalb County Board met Feb. 15.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The DeKalb County Board met in regular session at the Legislative Center’s Gathertorium on Wednesday, February 15, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. Chair Willis called the meeting to order, and the Clerk called the roll. Those Members present were Mary Cozad, Rukisha Crawford, Patrick Deutsch, Meryl Domina, Laurie Emmer, Vice-Chair John Frieders, Ben Haier, Savannah Ilenikhena, Kathy Lampkins, Jim Luebke, Terri Mann-Lamb, Stewart Ogilvie, Jerry Osland, Chris Porterfield, Amber Quitno, Ellingsworth Webb, Tim Bagby, Scott Campbell, and Chair Suzanne Willis. Members Maureen Little, Michelle Pickett, and Roy Plote were absent at the time of roll call. There was a quorum established with nineteen Members present, three absent, and two vacancies.

Cozad led in the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Motion

It was moved by Emmer and seconded by Mann-Lamb to approve the agenda.

Motion to Amend

Chair Willis moved to add an Executive Session for the purposes of discussing Litigation per 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11) prior to Old Business. Webb seconded the motion.

Vote on Amendment

The Chair called for a voice vote on the amendment as presented. All Members present voted aye. The motion carried.

Voice Vote on Amended Motion

Chair Willis called for a voice vote on the motion to approve the agenda as amended. All Members present voted aye. Motion carried unanimously.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion

Cozad moved to approve the minutes of the January 18, 2023 County Board Meeting. Ogilvie seconded the motion.

Voice Vote

The Chair asked for a voice vote on the approval of the minutes. All Members voted aye. Motion carried unanimously.

COMMUNICATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS

Chair Willis declared the seat formerly occupied by Karen Cribben, Republican representing County Board District #11, to be vacant effective immediately.

Pickett and Plote arrived. There were now twenty-one Members present, one absent and two vacancies.

Employee Service Awards – February 2023

The Board recognized and congratulated the following County Employees on their employment anniversaries and who will receive Service Awards in the month of February 2023: Five Years: Lucas Chambers – Sheriff’s Office, Tyler Gosnell – Sheriff’s Office; Fifteen Years: Daniel Brauner – Sheriff’s Office, Ashley Rockstead – Rehab & Nursing Center; Twenty Years: Christian Kuhns – Sheriff’s Office; Twenty-Five Years: Erica Walker – Circuit Clerk’s Office; Thirty Years: David Jacobson – Coroner’s Office, Chuck Simpson – Rehab & Nursing Center.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Mike Villalta, of Sycamore Creek Subdivision in Sycamore, thanked the Board and the County Highway Committee for listening to the pleas of the residents who live near the intersection of Plank & Lindgren Roads. Since last month, speed indicators have been installed on Plank Road and he and his neighbors are thankful for that. He also requested that the County Board ensure that the Peace Road Safety Project stay on track for construction to begin in late 2025 or early 2026, and that regular reports be provided to the Board and the public.

John Lyon, Mayfield Township, expressed that he feels it would be beneficial for the Board to communicate to the citizens of DeKalb County the devastation that will come to the County if HB 4412, that was signed into law, is not stopped or modified. He encouraged the County to develop a media campaign as well as join with other Illinois Counties that are considering a lawsuit as the 120-day extension expires. On another topic, he stressed that the Board must address the proposed Battery Ordinance. Please see Exhibit A for detailed comments.

Katherine Andraski, Kingston Township, thanked the Board for their support with the revised Solar Ordinance last year and for their Resolution Supporting Local Control of Zoning and Land Use Affairs for DeKalb County and Opposing HB 4412. She discussed how HB 4412 would devastate DeKalb County. Andraski additionally urged the County Board to devise a Battery Ordinance. Please see Exhibit B for detailed comments.

John Lageman, Mayfield Township, expressed that he believes a majority of the concerns that were raised by citizens regarding the recently revised Solar Ordinance have gone unanswered. He noted some of his issues with how the process for text amendments had been carried out. He additionally believes that the County should follow up on the approval of current and past solar projects to see if Board Members have voted on projects that have upheld their personal interests. He called for integrity and accountability. He lastly urged the Board to adopt an Industrial Battery Solar Ordinance to adhere to existing codes and technology.

APPOINTMENTS Motion It was moved by Campbell and seconded by Bagby to approve the following appointment:

County Board Member – District 1: Rhonda Henke appointed immediately to fill the unexpired term of Brad Belanger until November 30, 2024.

Voice Vote

The motion carried unanimously by voice vote.

The County Clerk administered the Oath of Office to Henke. There were now twenty-two Members present, one absent, and one vacancy.

Motion

It was moved by Emmer and seconded by Mann-Lamb to approve the remaining appointments: County Board Committees: Rhonda Henke appointed immediately to the County Board’s Facilities & Technology Committee and Planning, Zoning, and Development Committee until November 30, 2024.

Kishwaukee Water Reclamation District: Annie Ray appointed immediately to fill the unexpired term of Dawn Constantino until April 30, 2023.

Voice Vote

All Members present voted aye. The motion carried unanimously.

REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES

PLANNING, ZONING & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

Ordinance O2023-001: An Ordinance Approving a Zoning Map Amendment for a Planned Development Industrial District Located at 13567 State Route 38, in Cortland Township Motion

Mann-Lamb moved that the DeKalb County Board hereby approve An Ordinance approving a Zoning Map Amendment for a Planned Development Industrial District Located at 13567 State Route 38, in Cortland Township. Luebke seconded the motion as presented.

Voice Vote

The Chair called for a voice vote on the motion as presented. All Members present voted aye. The motion carried unanimously.

Plote recused himself from the meeting.

County Administrator Brian Gregory shared with the Board that he and staff recommend that the Board send this Ordinance back to Committee. There has been some question as to whether certain Board Members should have abstained from voting or not and feels that the best course of action would be to send it back to the PZD Committee.

Ordinance O2023-002: An Ordinance Approving a Special Use Permit for a Solar Garden for Property Located on the Southwest Corner of Pine Road and Governor Beveridge Highway in Somonauk Township

Motion to Refer Back to Committee

Crawford referred Ordinance O2023-002 back to the PZD Committee. Luebke seconded the motion.

Voice Vote

All Member present voted aye. The motion carried unanimously.

Plote returned to the meeting.

Ordinance O2023-003: An Ordinance Approving a Zoning Map Amendment for 10256 Somonauk Road, in Squaw Grove Township

Motion

Mann-Lamb moved that the DeKalb County Board hereby approve an Ordinance approving a Zoning Map Amendment for 10256 Somonauk Road, in Squaw Grove Township. Lampkins seconded the motion as presented.

Voice Vote

The Chair called for a voice vote on the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

Ordinance O2023-004: An Ordinance Approving a Special Use Permit for a Cemetery for Property Located on Irene Road, in Franklin Township

Motion

Mann-Lamb moved that the DeKalb County Board hereby approve an Ordinance approving a Special Use Permit for a Cemetery for Property Located on Irene Road, in Franklin Township. Ilenikhena seconded the motion.

Voice Vote

All Member present voted aye. The motion carried unanimously.

COUNTY HIGHWAY COMMITTEE

Ordinance O2023-005: An Ordinance Providing for the Establishment of an Altered Speed Zone for Peace Road

Motion

Deutsch moved that the DeKalb County Board hereby approve an Ordinance establishing an Altered Speed Zone of 50 mph on Peace Road, beginning at Bethany Road and continuing northerly to a point 500 ft south of Foxbend Drive for a distance of 0.47 miles (2,480 feet). Mann-Lamb seconded the motion.

Voice Vote

The Chair called for a voice vote on the motion as presented. All Members present voted aye. The motion carried unanimously.

Ordinance O2023-006: An Ordinance Providing for the Establishment of an Altered Speed Zone for Gurler Road

Motion

Deutsch moved that the DeKalb County Board hereby approve an Ordinance establishing an Altered Speed Zone of 45 mph on Gurler Road, beginning at Illinois State Route 23 and continuing west to the west ROW of the Union Pacific Railroad for a distance of 1,140 feet. Ilenikhena seconded the motion as presented.

Voice Vote

All Member present voted aye. The motion carried unanimously.

Resolution R2023-021: A Resolution Authorizing Job Reclassification for Certain AFSCME Positions in the Highway Department

Motion

Deutsch moved that the DeKalb County Board hereby approves a Resolution authorizing job reclassification for certain AFSCME positions within the County Highway Department. Luebke seconded the motion as presented.

Voice Vote

The Chair called for a voice vote on the motion as presented. All Members present voted aye. The motion carried unanimously.

City of Sycamore Police Chief Jim Winters addressed the Board and was present to answer any questions regarding the next Resolution before them, which is to approve an Intergovernmental Agreement for the installation and maintenance of License Plate Readers. The Resolution would allow the City of Sycamore to place License Plate Readers on two County-Owned poles on Peace Road within County Right-of-Way. Chief Winters indicated that in the future, the City of Sycamore will also be requesting permission to place City-Owned poles in three additional locations on County Right-of-Way.

Resolution R2023-022: A Resolution Approving an Intergovernmental Agreement for Installation and Maintenance of License Plate Readers with the City of Sycamore

Motion

Deutsch moved to approve a Resolution authorizing the approval on an Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of Sycamore for the installation and maintenance of License Plate Readers on two County-Owned poles on Peace Road within County Right-of-Way. Webb seconded the motion.

Motion to Refer to Committee

Frieders moved to Refer Resolution R2023-022 to the Executive Committee for further review. Crawford seconded the motion.

Chair Willis asked Deutsch if he wanted to withdrawal his motion. He stated he would. Webb (seconder) stated he would not. The motion was not withdrawn.

Voice Vote on Motion to Refer

Following further discussion, Chair Willis called for a voice vote on the motion to Refer Resolution R2023-022 to the Executive Committee. The motion carried.

LAW & JUSTICE COMMITTEE

Resolution R2023-017: A Resolution Approving the Procurement of Body Cameras from Axon Enterprise, Inc. of Scottsdale, Arizona in the Amount Not to Exceed $205,838.70 Motion

Lampkins moved that the DeKalb County Board hereby approve the procurement of body cameras from Axon Enterprise, Inc. of Scottsdale, Arizona in the amount not to exceed $205,838.70. Mann-Lamb seconded the motion.

Roll Call Vote

Those Members voting aye were Cozad, Crawford, Deutsch, Domina, Emmer, Frieders, Haier, Henke, Ilenikhena, Lampkins, Luebke, Mann-Lamb, Ogilvie, Osland, Pickett, Plote, Porterfield, Quitno, Webb, Bagby, Campbell, and Chair Willis. All Members present voted aye. The motion carried unanimously.

FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE

Resolution R2023-018: A Resolution Authorizing Job Reclassification for Certain AFSCME Positions in the County Clerk & Recorder’s Office

Motion

Campbell moved that the DeKalb County Board hereby authorize job reclassifications for certain AFSCME positions in the County Clerk & Recorder’s Office. Crawford seconded the motion as presented.

Voice Vote

The Chair called for a voice vote on the motion as presented. All Members voted aye. The motion carried unanimously.

Resolution R2023-019: A Resolution Authorizing an Open Purchasing Order for Procurement of Highway Department Vehicles and Equipment

Motion

Campbell moved to that the DeKalb County Board hereby authorize an Open Purchasing Order for Procurement of Highway Department vehicles and equipment as outlined in the Resolution. Pickett seconded the motion.

Roll Call Vote

Those Members voting aye were Cozad, Crawford, Deutsch, Domina, Emmer, Frieders, Haier, Henke, Ilenikhena, Lampkins, Luebke, Mann-Lamb, Ogilvie, Osland, Pickett, Plote, Porterfield, Quitno, Webb, Bagby, Campbell, and Chair Willis. All Members present voted aye. The motion carried unanimously.

Resolution R2023-020: A Resolution Authorizing an Open Purchasing Order for Procurement of Facilities Management Office Vehicles and Equipment

Motion

Campbell moved that the DeKalb County Board hereby authorize an Open Purchasing Order for Procurement of Facilities Management Office vehicles and equipment as outlined in the Resolution. Emmer seconded the motion.

Roll Call Vote

Those Members voting aye were Cozad, Crawford, Deutsch, Domina, Emmer, Frieders, Haier, Henke, Ilenikhena, Lampkins, Luebke, Mann-Lamb, Ogilvie, Osland, Pickett, Plote, Porterfield, Quitno, Webb, Bagby, Campbell, and Chair Willis. The motion carried unanimously.

Claims – February 2023

Motion

Campbell 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 $11,418,393.20. Deutsch seconded the motion.

Roll Call Vote

Chair Willis asked for a roll call vote on the motion to approve the February 2023 Claims. Those Members voting aye were Cozad, Crawford, Deutsch, Domina, Emmer, Frieders, Haier, Henke, Ilenikhena, Lampkins, Luebke, Mann-Lamb, Ogilvie, Osland, Pickett, Plote, Porterfield, Quitno, Webb, Bagby, Campbell, and Chair Willis. The motion carried unanimously.

Reports of County Officials

Motion

Campbell moved to accept and place on file the following Reports of County Officials:

1. Cash & Investments in County Banks – January 2023

2. Public Defender’s Report – January 2023

3. Adult & Juvenile Monthly Reports – January 2023

4. Pretrial Report – January 2023

5. Sheriff’s Jail Report – January 2023

6. Building Permits & Construction Reports – January 2023

Domina seconded the motion.

Voice VoteThe Chair requested a voice vote to accept the Reports of County Officials as presented. All Members present voted aye. The motion carried unanimously.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Motion

Emmer moved to enter into Executive Session at 8:18 p.m. for the purposes of discussing Litigation as provided for in 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(l 1). Domina seconded the motion.

Roll Call Vote

Those voting aye to enter into Executive Session were Cozad, Crawford, Deutsch, Domina, Emmer, Frieders, Haier, Henke, Ilenikhena, Lampkins, Luebke, Mann-Lamb, Ogilvie, Osland, Pickett, Plote, Porterfield, Quitno, Webb, Bagby, Campbell, and Chair Willis. The motion carried unanimously.

The Board entered back into Open Session at 8:34p.m.

OLD BUSINESS / NEW BUSINESS

None.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion

Webb moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:36 p.m. Lampkins seconded the motion.

Voice Vote

The motion to adjourn the meeting carried unanimously.

https://dekalbcounty.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/minutes-cb-02152023.pdf