DeKalb Times

DeKalb County Committee of the Whole met Jan. 15.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

The Committee of the Whole of the DeKalb County Board met in Sycamore, Illinois on Wednesday, January 15, 2025. Chair John Frieders called the meeting to order at 7:00pm. Those Members present were Tim Bagby, Scott Campbell, Kim Coovert, Mary Cozad, Rukisha Crawford, Patrick Deutsch, Meryl Domina, Laurie Emmer, Benjamin Haier, Rhonda Henke, Laura Hoffman, Savannah Ilenikhena, Kathy Lampkins, Jim Luebke, Elizabeth Lundeen, Terri Mann

Lamb, Joseph Marcinkowski, Jerry Osland, Michelle Pickett, Roy Plote, Chris Porterfield and Ellingsworth Webb. A quorum was established with twenty-three Members present, one absent.

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

Webb moved to approve the agenda as presented. Porterfield seconded the motion and the motion was approved via voice vote, with all votes cast in the affirmative.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

It was moved by Mann-Lamb, seconded by Crawford and it was carried by a voice vote, with all votes cast in the affirmative, to approve the minutes of the November 13, 2024 and the December 11, 2024 Committee of the Whole Meetings.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

There were no Public Comments.

CHAIR’S COMMENTS

There were no Comments from the Chair.

PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

DCRNC Update from DCRNC Administrator Bart Becker

DCRNC Administrator Bart Becker presented the following reports to the Committee: https://dekalbcounty.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/fn-rpt25nov-dcrnc.pdf https://dekalbcounty.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/fn-rpt25dec-dcrnc.pdf

Reports from Appointed Boards & Commissions

Vice-Chair Webb told the Committee that he received a legislative update from the Illinois Association of County Board Members (IACBM) and forwarded the information to staff and the County Board. Additionally, Webb reported that he attended the latest Board of Directors Meeting for CIRMA, the County’s insurance provided. Finally, Webb invited members of the Board to attend a professional development event hosted by IACBM.

Reports from Committee Chairs

Tim Bagby, Chair of the Planning, Zoning, and Development Committee, reported that the Committee did not have any actionable items.

Savannah Ilenikhena, Chair of Highway Committee, shared that the Committee has forwarded the following Resolutions:

a. R2025-001—A Resolution Approving Expenditure of RBI & MFT Funding for the Peace Road Bridge & Road Widening Project in the amount of $4,000,000.00.

b. R2025-002—A Resolution Awarding the Peace Road Bridge & Road Widening Project to Sjostrom & Sons, Inc., of Rockford, Illinois in the amount of $6,988,552.50.

c. R2025-003—A Resolution Approving a Supplemental Expenditure Authorization of MFT for Section 13-00066-01-RS Project in the amount of $2,986.31.

Rukisha Crawford, Chair of Human Health & Services Committee, reported that the Committee forwarded Resolution R2025-004—A Resolution Authorizing the Administrator of the DeKalb County Rehab and Nursing Center to Execute the Provider Agreement with Aetna Network Services LLC on behalf of the DCRNC.

Michelle Pickett, Chair of Facilities & Technology Committee, reported that the Committee did not have actionable items.

Kathy Lampkins, Chair of Law & Justice Committee, reported that the Committee did not have actionable items.

Scott Campbell, Chair of Finance & Administration Committee, reported that the Committee did not

Vice-Chair Webb shared that following this meeting, the Executive Committee would be considering the following Ordinance & Resolutions:

a. O2025-01—An Ordinance Amending Chapter 2, “County Board Rules,” Section 2-19, “Standing Committees Enumerated”.

b. R2025-005—A Resolution Authorizing the Interim County Administrator to Execute the Interlocal Agreement Between the City of DeKalb and County of DeKalb for the Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program Award.

c. R2025-006—A Resolution Selecting the DeKalb County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau as DeKalb County’s Agency of Record for Tourism Promotions for the Illinois Office of Tourism FY2025.

d. R2025-007—A Resolution Approving the Payment of County Claims for December 2024, and Off-Cycle Claims Paid During the Previous Month, Including All Claims for Travel, Meals, and Lodging.

e. R2025-008—A Resolution Approving the Payment of County Claims for January 2025, and Off-Cycle Claims Paid During the Previous Month, Including All Claims for Travel, Meals, and Lodging.

f. R2025-009—A Resolution Appointing a County Administrator.

COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

Interim County Administrator Derek Hiland began by wishing the Committee a Happy New Year and welcoming the new Board Members to their first County Board Cycle.

Hiland provided an update on the Solar installation at the Community Outreach Building. He shared that the contractor changed the electric meter and ran new power lines from the transformer to the building. He stated that the final steps for the project are to install fencing and energize the panels.

Next, Hiland provided an update on the Courthouse. He stated that staff has been working with the architects for the expansion project to obtain an updated cost estimate to finish the construction of the expansion. He stated that he expects to receive the updated cost proposal in the coming months. Hiland also related that the Courthouse skylight was repaired and resealed in late December and is no longer leaking.

He also shared that the County obtained a grant through the DeKalb County Community Foundation to update the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Plan. Staff is working with the NIU Center for Governmental Studies to have the plan updated.

Additionally, Hiland stated that the County Board will be appointing the members of the Oversight Board, including two public members and the three County Board positions. He encouraged members of the public to apply if they are interested in serving on the Oversight Board.

Finally, Hiland reminded the County Board that if they have not already done so, they need to complete their Open Meetings Act training and have their photo taken for the Website.

OLD BUSINESS

There were no Old Business items

NEW BUSINESS

There were no New Business items.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Pickett moved to enter into Executive Session for the purpose the appointment, compensation and employment of personnel pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) at 7:56pm. Henke seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously via roll call vote.

The Committee entered back into open session at 9:05pm.

ADJOURNMENT

Lampkins moved to adjourn the meeting. Plote seconded the motion and it was carried unanimously.

https://dekalbcounty.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/packet-cow-02112025.pdf