DeKalb Times

DeKalb County Board met Feb. 28.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The DeKalb County Board met in special session at the Legislative Center’s Gathertorium on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. Vice-Chair Frieders called the meeting to order, and the Clerk called the roll. Those present were Board Members Michelle Pickett, Roy Plote, Chris Porterfield, Amber Quitno, Ellingsworth Webb, Tim Bagby, Scott Campbell, Mary Cozad, Rukisha Crawford, Patrick Deutsch, Meryl Domina, Laurie Emmer, Vice-President John Frieders, Ben Haier, Rhonda Henke, Savannah Ilenikhena, Maureen Little, Jim Luebke, Terri Mann-Lamb, Joe Marcinkowski, Stewart Ogilvie, and Jerry Osland. Kathy Lampkins was absent. There was a quorum established with twenty-two Members present, one absent, and one vacancy.

Pickett 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 as presented. Voice Vote

A voice vote was taken on the agenda as presented. The motion carried.

COMMUNICATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS

Acceptance of Resignation of the County Board Chair

Vice-Chair Frieders shared the following message from Chair Suzanne Willis: “It is with sadness that I have to inform you that I am resigning my seat on the County Board, as well as the chair position, for reasons of health. I have very much enjoyed working with all of you; we have done some very important work together. I trust that this will continue into the future. Be well.”

Declaration of Vacancy for County Board District #10

Vice-Chair Frieders officially declared that the seat formerly occupied by Suzanne Willis, representing County Board District #10, vacant effective immediately.

SELECTION OF CHAIR PRO-TEM

Vice-Chair Frieders noted that traditionally, the County Board has selected the longest-tenured, out-going Member of the previous County Board to serve as the Chair Pro-Tem. Steve Faivre served as the Chair Pro-Tem when the last County Board elected a new chair. Because this process is occurring mid-term, Faivre was asked to attend the meeting tonight.

Motion

Vice-Chair Frieders moved to elect Steve Faivre as County Board Chair Pro-Tem. Campbell seconded the motion.

Voice Vote

The motion carried

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Anna Wilhelmi, Paw Paw Township, expressed her appreciation to Suzanne Willis. She noted that Sue worked hard to ensure that County business was handled effectively and with integrity. Her service and dedication are unmatched, and that she will be missed dearly.

Laura Hoffman, Democratic Candidate for County Board District #10, introduced herself to the County Board and expressed her excitement and eagerness to join the Board and represent District #10.

Tim Bagby, County Board Member and DeKalb County Republican Central Committee Chair, expressed a heartfelt appreciation to Suzanne Willis for her thoughtful contributions to the Board and her impartial leadership.

ELECTION OF COUNTY BOARD CHAIR

Nominations

Luebke nominated Ellingsworth Webb for DeKalb County Board Chair. Cozad seconded the motion.

Chair Pro-Tem Faivre asked three times if there were any other nominations.

Close Nominations

Hearing no other nominations, Chair Pro-Tem Faivre closed nominations for the County Board Chair.

Vote to Elect County Board Chair

The Chair Pro-Tem called for a roll call vote to elect Webb as DeKalb County Board Chair until November 30, 2024. Those voting yea were Pickett, Plote, Porterfield, Webb, Bagby, Campbell, Cozad, Deutsch, Domina, Emmer, Vice-Chair Frieders, Haier, Henke, Ilenikhena, Little, Luebke, Mann-Lamb, Marcinkowski, and Ogilvie. Osland opposed. Quitno and Crawford abstained. The motion carried 19-1-2-1.

APPOINTMENTS

Motion

It was moved by Mann-Lamb and seconded by Quitno to approve the following appointment: County Board Member - District 10: Laura Hoffman appointed immediately to fill the unexpired term of Suzanne Willis until November 30, 2024.

Roll Call Vote

Chair Webb called for a roll call vote to approve the appointment. Those voting aye were Board Members Pickett, Plote, Porterfield, Quitno, Bagby, Campbell, Cozad, Crawford, Deutsch, Domina, Emmer, Vice-Chair Frieders, Haier, Henke, Ilenikhena, Little, Luebke, Mann-Lamb, Marcinkowski, Ogilvie, Osland, and Chair Webb. None were opposed. The motion carried.

Clerk Sims administered the Oath of Office to Hoffman and then she took her seat. There were now twenty three Members present and one absent.

APPOINTMENTS...Coiitmued

Motion

It was moved by Luebke and seconded by Pickett to approve the following appointment: County Board Committees: Laura Hof&nan appointed immediately to the County Board's Highway Committee and Planning, Zoning and Development Committee until November 30, 2024.

Voice Vote

Chair Webb called for a voice vote. Motion carried.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion

Crawford moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:15 p.m. Emmer seconded the motion. Voice Vote

The motion carried.

https://dekalbcounty.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/minutes-cb-02282024.pdf