The Morgan County Board of Commissioners met in the Law Library on December 14, 2015 at 9 am. Chr. Zeller asked Clerk Waggener to conduct the roll call for the meeting. Clk. Waggener asked for roll call as follows, Chr. Zeller present, Commissioner Meier present and Commissioner Fanning present. Clk Waggener informed the Chairman that a quorum was present and the meeting could continue.
Chr. Zeller said that the first item needing approval is the agenda. Commissioner Meier made a motion to approve the agenda as presented. Commissioner Fanning seconded the motion. All voted “AYE”. The motion is approved.
Chr. Zeller said that the next item on the agenda is the approval of the November 23 board minutes. Commissioner Fanning made a motion to approve the minutes as written. Commissioner Meier seconded the motion. All voted “AYE”. The motion is approved.
Chr. Zeller said that the next item on the agenda is the re-organization of the board. There was discussion. Chr. Zeller said that the board chairman and vice chairman rotate every December and that Commissioner Meier would be the upcoming chairman. Commissioner Fanning made a motion for Commissioner Meier to become the next board chairman. All voted “AYE”. The motion is approved. Chr. Zeller made a motion for Commissioner Fanning to rotate into the vice chairman seat. Commissioner Meier seconded the motion. All voted “AYE”. The motion is approved. The new board is seated.
Chr. Meier said that the bills in the amount of $359,388.05 are the next items on the agenda for approval. Commissioner Fanning made a motion to approve the payment of bills in the stated amount. Commissioner Zeller seconded the motion. All voted “AYE”. The motion is approved.
Chr. Meier said that the verifiable payroll for the distribution on December 15 is the next item on the agenda. Commissioner Zeller made a motion to approve the verifiable payroll for the stated date. Commissioner Fanning seconded the motion. All voted “AYE”. The motion is approved.
Chr. Meier said that the 2016 holiday schedule is the next item for approval. There was discussion. Chr. Meier said that in addition to the Courthouse being closed Christmas Day that Judge Reif has issued an order for the Courthouse to close at noon on Christmas Eve. Commissioner Fanning made a motion to approve the holiday/Christmas Eve closing as presented. Commissioner Zeller seconded the motion. All voted “AYE”. The motion is approved.
The 2016 county board meeting schedule is the next item on the agenda Chr. Meier said. There was discussion. Commissioner Zeller made a motion to approve the county board meeting schedule as presented. Commissioner Fanning seconded the motion. All voted “AYE”. The motion is approved.
Chr. Meier said that the approval of memorandum of understanding for the joint dispatch is the next item on the agenda. Chr. Meier said that Mr. McCarty, ESDA director is present and would explain a little about this. Mr. McCarty said that this is an ongoing project between many entities and all involved are striving hard to make this a fair and equal service. Commissioner Zeller said that the City of Jacksonville has offered an office for this state of the art system. There was discussion. Commissioner Fanning made a motion to approve the memorandum of understanding as stated. Commissioner Zeller seconded the motion. All voted “AYE”. The motion is approved.
Chr. Meier said that the approval of a road use agreement between Dakota Access Pipeline and the County is the next item on the agenda. Chr. Meier said that Mr. Coultas, highway engineer, is present and would briefly explain this for the board. Mr. Coultas said that this agreement lays out the rules and expectations of all involved. Mr. Coultas said that only a handful of road districts would be somewhat affected by this. There was discussion. Commissioner Zeller made a motion to approve the agreement as discussed. Commissioner Fanning seconded the motion. All voted “AYE”. The motion is approved.
Chr. Meier said that the setting of the County Highway Engineers salary is the next item for approval on the agenda. Chr. Meier said that this is an annual agreement with the State of Illinois. There was discussion. Commissioner Zeller made a motion to approve the county highway engineer’s salary as discussed. Commissioner Fanning seconded the motion. All voted “AYE”. The motion is approved.
Chr. Meier said that a re-appointment of Thomas Burrus to the Coon Run Drainage District is the next item on the agenda. Chr. Meier said that the board had in hand the appropriate paperwork. There was discussion. Commissioner Fanning made a motion to approve the re-appointment of Thomas Burrus as stated. Commissioner Zeller seconded the motion. All voted “AYE”. The motion is approved.
Chr. Meier said that the re-appointment of Matthew Bangert to the Coon Run Drainage District is the next item on the agenda and again has in hand all the appropriate paperwork. Commissioner Zeller made a motion to approve the re-appointment as stated. Commissioner Fanning seconded the motion. All voted “AYE”. The motion is approved.
Chr. Meier said that an appointment of Jay Talkmeyer to replace Jim Rolf on the Indian Creek Drainage District is the next item on the agenda. There was discussion with Chr. Meier stating that the board did have the necessary paperwork in hand for this appointment. Commissioner Fanning made a motion to approve the appointment as stated. Commissioner Zeller seconded the motion. All voted “AYE”. The motion is approved.
Chr. Meier said that a resolution for delinquent property taxes is the next item on the agenda and that Ms. Geirnaeirt, County Treasurer, is present and would briefly explain this. Ms. Geirnaeirt said that there were 2 properties that sold successfully through the sealed bid auction and the county now had the deeds to turn over to the successful bidders. There was discussion. Commissioner Fanning made a motion to sign the deeds over to thesuccessfulbidders as discussed. Commissioner Zeller seconded the motion. All voted “AYE”. The motion was approved.
Chr. Meier said that a resolution for the animal control shelter committee is the next item for approval. There was discussion. Commissioner Zeller made a motion to approve the animal control shelter committee as read. Commissioner Fanning seconded the motion. All voted “AYE”. The motion is approved.
Chr. Meier said that an ordinance allowing the chairman to execute a service agreement for low cost electrical wholesale supplier is the next item on the agenda for approval. There was discussion. Commissioner Fanning made a motion to allow the Chairman to execute the service agreement as stated. Commissioner Zeller seconded the motion. All voted “AYE”. The motion is approved.
Chr. Meier said that the next item for approval on the agenda is the appointment of Mr. Gray Noll as Morgan County State’s Attorney effective at 12:01 am on January 1, 2016. Chr. Meier said that this appointment is due to the resignation of the current States Attorney. There was discussion. Commissioner Fanning made a motion to approve the appointment of Mr. Gray Noll to the States Attorney position as stated. Commissioner Zeller seconded the motion. All voted “AYE”. The motion is approved.
Reports of Departments-Treasurer Geirnaeirt said that the Illinois Funds account had changes their policy and that her office is looking to move the monies from these accounts to different locations.
Communications-Chr. Meier said that he again wanted to state the Judge Reif issued an order closing the Courthouse on December the 24 at noon and reopening on December 28 at 8:30 am.
Commissioner Zeller made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Fanning seconded the motion. All voted “AYE”. The motion is approved. The meeting is adjourned.