DeKalb Times

DeKalb County Board met June 21.

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. May 17, 2023

5. Communications & Proclamations:

a. Employee Service Awards – June 2023

b. Proclamation P2023-01 – Veterans Weekend

6. Public Comments

Any member of the public may address the County Board for up to 3 minutes on any topic of their choosing. There will be no yielding of time to other members of the public and agenda time for public comments is limited to 30 minutes in total.

7. Approval of Appointments for this Month:

a. Stormwater Management Committee

• Kevin Bunge reappointed for a two-year term beginning July 1, 2023 and expiring June 30, 2025.

• Patricia Vary reappointed for a two-year term beginning July 1, 2023 and expiring June 30, 2025.

• Todd Latham reappointed for a two-year term beginning July 1, 2023 and expiring June 30, 2025.

b. Sycamore Rural Fire Protection District: Todd Cambier appointed to fill the unexpired term until April 30, 2026.

c. Emergency Telephone Systems Board (E911): Rich Robinson appointed to fill the unexpired term until December 31, 2023.

8. Reports of Standing Committees with Ordinances & Resolutions

PLANNING, ZONING & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

a. Ordinance O2023-013—An Ordinance Approving a Special Use Permit for a 88-Acre, 5- Megawatt Solar Garden Located on the West Side of Somonauk Road in Squaw Grove Township.

Ironwood Renewables is seeking to establish and operate a 5-megawatt commercial solar garden, to be known as Shenandoah Solar, on 88-acres of a 95.73-acre property located on the west side of Somonauk Road, in Squaw Grove Township. Solar gardens are a special use in the A-1, Agricultural District, and Ironwood Renewables has submitted an application for approval of a Special Use Permit for the proposed solar garden. The required public hearing for a Special Use Permit was conducted by Hearing Officer Dale Clark on April 27, 2023. Mr. Clark has made his findings of fact and recommended that the Special Use Permit be granted with conditions.

Committee Action: The Planning, Zoning & Development Committee considered Ordinance O2023-013 on May 24th and forwarded the Ordinance to the County Board with a favorable recommendation by a roll call vote of four in favor and three opposed.

b. Ordinance O2023-014—An Ordinance Approving a Special Use Permit for a Large-Scale Agritainment Use on Property Located at 905 South Countyline Road in Sandwich Township.

Joe & Jennifer Roberts are seeking to expand their existing farm stand located at 905 South County Line Road, in Sandwich Township, into a large-scale agritainment use. An agritainment use is a special use in the A-1, Agricultural District, and the Roberts have submitted an application for approval of a Special Use Permit for the proposed agritainment use. The required public hearing for a Special Use Permit was conducted by Hearing Officer Dale Clark on April 27, 2023. Mr. Clark has made his findings of fact and recommended that the Special Use Permit be granted with conditions.

Committee Action: The Planning, Zoning & Development Committee considered Ordinance O2023-014 on May 24th and forwarded the Ordinance to the County Board with a favorable recommendation by a roll call vote of seven in favor and none opposed.

c. Ordinance O2023-015—An Ordinance Amending a Special Use Permit for an Agribusiness on Property Located at 1811 West State Street in Mayfield Township.

CHS Elburn is seeking to expand their agribusiness operation at 1811 West State Street, Sycamore, in Mayfield Township, with the addition of a new Urea Ammonium Nitrate storage tank. Ordinance 1980-06 granted approval of a Special Use Permit for the establishment and operation of the facility, and Ordinances 1999-19 and 2012-05 were subsequently approved, amending the Special Use Permit to allow for expansions and upgrades to the facility. CHS Elburn has submitted an application for approval of an amendment to their Special Use Permit for the proposed expansion. The required public hearing for a Special Use Permit was conducted by Hearing Officer Dale Clark on May 4, 2023. Mr. Clark has made his findings of fact and recommended that the Special Use Permit be granted with conditions.

Committee Action: The Planning, Zoning & Development Committee considered Ordinance O2023-015 on May 24thand forwarded the Ordinance to the County Board with a favorable recommendation by a roll call vote of seven in favor and none opposed.

COUNTY HIGHWAY COMMITTEE

a. Resolution R2023-065—A Resolution Requesting Consent from the Illinois Department of Transportation for the Reappointment of the Incumbent as County Engineer.

This Resolution requests the consent of the Illinois Department of Transportation for the reappointment of Incumbent Nathan F. Schwartz, P.E. as County Engineer.

Committee Action: The Highway Committee considered Resolution R2023-065 on June 1st and forwarded the Resolution to the County Board with a favorable recommendation by a voice vote, with all votes cast in the affirmative.

b. Resolution R2023-066—A Resolution Reappointing Nathan F. Schwartz, P.E. to the position of County Engineer for Six-Year Term Effective June 25, 2023.

This Resolution authorizes the reappointment of Nathan F. Schwartz, P.E. to the position of DeKalb County Engineer for Six-Year Term Effective June 25, 2023, pending consent of the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Committee Action: The Highway Committee considered Resolution R2023-066 on June 1stand forwarded the Resolution to the County Board with a favorable recommendation by a voice vote, with all votes cast in the affirmative.

c. Resolution R2023-067—A Resolution Awarding the purchase of a new 6-Ton Class Compact Excavator to CSR Bobcat, Inc., of DeKalb, IL in the amount of $101,047.42.

For the bid opening held on May 31, 2023, Resolution R2023-067 involves the purchase of a new 6-Ton Class Compact Excavator and awards the low bid meeting specifications out of the three bidders in the amount of $82,681.50 to CSR Bobcat, Inc. of DeKalb, IL.

Provision of three available options add: Plate compactor $6,528.90, 40” flail mower $10,761.70 and 3-tined grapple $1,075.32; net with 3 options total $101,047.42. The estimate of cost was $140,000.00.

Committee Action: The Highway Committee considered Resolution R2023-067 on June 1st and forwarded the Resolution to the County Board with a favorable recommendation by a voice vote, with all votes cast in the affirmative.

d. Resolution R2023-068—A Resolution Awarding Afton Road District Culvert Pipes Replacement Project to Martin & Company Excavating, of Oregon, IL in the amount of $143,544.00.

For the bid opening held on May 31, 2023, Resolution R2023-068 involves the removal and replacement of existing pipe culverts on McGirr Road and awards the low bid meeting specifications out of the three bidders in the amount of $143,544.00 to Martin & Company Excavating of Oregon, IL. The estimate of cost was $146,550.00.

Committee Action: The Highway Committee considered Resolution R2023-068 on June 1st and forwarded the Resolution to the County Board with a favorable recommendation by a voice vote, with all votes cast in the affirmative.

e. Resolution R2023-069—A Resolution to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement for the Provision of Engineering Services for the Village of Kingston, Illinois in DeKalb County, Illinois.

This Resolution enters into an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the Village of Kingston for the general maintenance projects overseen by the DeKalb County Engineer. This IGA will provide engineering services for general maintenance projects for the maintenance and repairs of certain streets within the Village of Kingston.

Committee Action: The Highway Committee considered Resolution R2023-069 on June 1st and forwarded the Resolution to the County Board with a favorable recommendation by a voice vote, with all votes cast in the affirmative.

HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE

No Actionable Items

FACILITIES & TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE

a. Resolution R2023-070—A Resolution Authorizing Job Reclassification for a Certain AFSCME Position in the Facilities Management Office.

The Collective Bargaining Agreement between DeKalb County, Elected Officials, and AFSCME established a job audit committee to review certain job classifications. This Committee consisted of two AFSCME representatives, the Facilities Management Director, and the County Administrator. After review by the job audit committee, the re-classification of an administrative position within the Facilities Management Office from Secretary B to Office Coordinator was recommended. According to the Agreements, the reclassification only takes affect after County Board Approval.

Committee Action: The Facilities & Technology Committee considered Resolution R2023-070 on June 6th and forwarded the Resolution to the County Board with a favorable recommendation by a voice vote, with all votes cast in the affirmative.

LAW & JUSTICE COMMITTEE

No Actionable Items

FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE

a. Resolution R2023-071—A Resolution Authorizing Job Reclassification for A Certain AFSCME Position in the Finance Office.

The Collective Bargaining Agreement between DeKalb County, Elected Officials, and AFSCME established a job audit committee to review certain job classifications. This Committee consisted of two AFSCME representatives, the County Comptroller and the County Administrator. After review by the job audit committee, the re-classification of an administrative position within the Finance Office from Administrative Clerk B to Administrative Clerk A was recommended. According to the Agreements, the reclassification only takes affect after County Board Approval.

Committee Action: The Finance & Administration Committee considered Resolution R2023-071 on June 7th and forwarded the Resolution to the County Board with a favorable recommendation by a voice vote, with all votes cast in the affirmative.

a. Resolution R2023-072—A Resolution Authoring the County Board Chair to Assign Mobile Home Tax Sale Certificate of Purchase for Parcel Number 09-29-400-016 0062O, to be Purchased by Cortland MHP LLC in the Amount of $815.00.

The County of DeKalb, as Trustee for the Taxing Districts therein, pursuant to the authority of 35 ILCS 516/35, has undertaken a program to collect delinquent mobile home taxes. Pursuant to public auction sale, the Resolution denotes the purchase of the tax certificate. This Resolution requests that the County of DeKalb assign to said Purchaser(s) the said Certificate of Purchase and all of the rights of DeKalb County to obtain a Tax Certificate of Title as to the said mobile home.

Committee Action: The Finance & Administration Committee considered Resolution R2023-072 on June 7th and forwarded the Resolution to the County Board with a favorable recommendation by a voice vote, with all votes cast in the affirmative.

b. Resolution R2023-073—A Resolution Approving the Payment of County Claims for June 2023, and Off-Cycle Claims Paid During the Previous Month, Including All Claims for Travel, Meals, and Lodging, in the amount of $5,997,345.83.

Committee Action: The Finance & Administration Committee considered Resolution R2023-073 on June 7th and forwarded the Resolution to the County Board with a favorable recommendation by a voice vote, with all votes cast in the affirmative.

c. Reports of County Officials: Move to accept and place on file the following Reports of County Officials.

Cash & Investments in County Banks – May 2023

Public Defender’s Report – May 2023

Adult & Juvenile Monthly Reports – May 2023

Pretrial Report – May 2023

Sheriff’s Jail Report – May 2023

Building Permits & Construction Reports – May 2023

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

a. Resolution R2023-074—A Resolution Pre-Approving an ARPA Transferee Grant Project Application from the Village of Maple Park, Illinois.

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 thirteen of the fourteen municipalities. Resolution R2023-074 approves the project submitted by the Village of Maple Park 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 R2023-074 on June 14th and forwarded the Resolution to the County Board with a favorable recommendation by a voice vote, with all votes cast in the affirmative.

a. Ordinance O2023-017—An Ordinance Approving Election Precinct Boundary Realignments for DeKalb County, Illinois.

This Ordinance brings forward the realignment of Election Precinct Boundaries. In November of 2021, the Illinois Election Law, 10 ILCS 5/11-2, increased the number of registered voters within a given precinct from 800 to 1,200. In the assessment of the current precinct boundaries, there are several precincts that are well over the number of registered voters allowed by statute, many that are significantly under, and others that contain multiple County Board Districts and Municipal Wards. These proposed realignments were created by the Elections Division of the County Clerk & Recorder’s Office with the assistance of the IMO/GIS Department.

Committee Action: The Executive Committee considered Ordinance O2023-017 on June 14th. It was moved to establish an Ad Hoc County Board Working Group, composed of two County Board Members from each political party, the County Clerk, Elections Division Staff, and the County’s IMO/GIS Department, for the purpose of amending the proposed plan. The motion carried by a voice vote, with all votes cast in the affirmative. The Committee forwarded the Ordinance, pending amendment, to the County Board with a favorable recommendation by a voice vote, with all votes cast in the affirmative.

9. Old Business

10. New Business & Referral of Matters to Committee

a. Appointments scheduled to be made in the month of August 2023

11. Adjournment

https://dekalbcounty.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/agenda-cb-06212023.pdf