MINUTES
FULTON COUNTY BOARD
REGULAR SESSION
January 11, 2022
Chairman Roger P. Clark called the Regular Session, January 11, 2022, meeting to order at
6:33 p.m. in Courtroom 201 at the Fulton County Courthouse in Lewistown, IL.
County Clerk Patrick J. O’Brian called the roll and found the following members present: Quorum was present. (Present-P; Absent-A)
Cindy Arnett – P |
Vicki S. Hoke – P |
Brian Platt – P |
Barry Beck – P |
Donna Hudson – A |
John Spangler – P |
Stan Berry – P |
Laura Hepp Kessel – P |
John E. Taylor – A |
Steve Bohler – P |
Dan Kumer – P |
Lisa Thompson – P |
Roger Clark – P |
Nestor Madson – P |
Karl Williams – P |
Mary Deushane – P |
BJ McCullum – A |
Heidi Wilner – P |
Susan Duquenne – P |
Craig Medus – P |
|
Elected/Appointed Officials Staci Mayall- Treasurer, Patrick O’Brian – County Clerk, Julie Russell – Supervisor of Assessment, Charlene Markley – Circuit Clerk, Keith Munter – Fulton County Engineer, Justin Jochums – States Attorney
Staff – Cindy Simpson – Fulton County Administrative Assistant
Guests – Ike Hackett – President of the Spoon River Valley FOP Lodge #427
Media– John Froehling – Fulton Democrat
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES
A. Regular Session – November 22, 2021 & December 14, 2021
Member Duquenne moved to accept the minutes and place on file the regular session November 22, 2021 & December 14, 2021 minutes with a second from Member Spangler. Motion carried by roll call vote (17-0).
ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO AGENDA
Member Thompson moved to approve the agenda with a second from Member Beck. Motion carried by roll call vote (17-0).
ANNOUNCEMENTS, COMMUNICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE
A. Fulton County’s 2021, Jail and Detention Standards Unit Annual Inspection
Sheriff Standard stated the inspection was fine and will be done yearly.
B. Kone Maintenance Contract Increase
C. Proposed CO2 pipeline
Chairman Clark discussed the Fulton County Farm Bureau sent a note to advise Fulton County of a proposed CO2 pipeline that will be constructed throughout the area. Navigator CO2 Ventures, LLC, has announced it plans to pipe CO2 from South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, and Iowa, ending in Illinois. Thirteen Illinois counties will be impacted: Hancock, Adams, McDonough, Henry, Knox, Fulton, Schuyler, Brown, Pike, Scott, Morgan, Sangamon, and Christian. Several meeting are scheduled to discuss the subject. If you would like more information, contact the Fulton County Farm Bureau.
PROCLAMATIONS:
A. Discussion/Action: Resolution: Fulton County Disaster Proclamation
Member Berry moved to approve the resolution with a second from Member Madson. Motion carried by roll call vote (17-0).
B. Discussion/Action: Ken Fuller retirement as Village President of Banner
Member Kumer moved to approve the Proclamation for Ken Fuller retirement as Village President of Banner with a second from Member Arnett. Motion carried by roll call vote (17-0).
C. Discussion/Action: Resolution: Clayberg Retiree Brenda Ford
Member Madson moved to approve the resolution with a second from Member Arnett. Motion carried by roll call vote (17-0).
D. Discussion/Action: Resolution: Clayberg Retiree Carol Haggert
Member Duquenne moved to approve the resolution with a second from Member Kumer. Motion carried by roll call vote (17-0).
E. Discussion/Action: Resolution: Clayberg Retiree Sheila Schisler
Member Beck moved to approve the resolution with a second from Member Arnett. Motion carried by roll call vote (17-0).
PUBLIC REMARKS: None
CONSENT AGENDA
Member Thompson moved to approve the consent agenda with a second from Member Bohler. Motion carried by roll call vote (17-0).
A. CLAIMS
Claims- Courts, Sheriff, Jail, Board of Review, Zoning, County Board, Miscellaneous, Public Defender, Merit, Property, Supervisor of Assessments, ESDA, Animal Control, Highway, VAC, Clayberg, Camping & Recreation, Spay/Neuter Program, Fulton County Public Transportation
B. REPORTS
Reports- Animal Control, Treasurer, FCCRA POS Report, VAC, Zoning
Other Reports- Public Defender, State’s Attorney/Circuit Clerk, Sheriff, County Clerk
C. APPOINTMENTS
a. Resolution: Sally Clark, Cathy Eathington, Mat Fletcher, Bob Ackerman and Jason Herrick – Reappointment Zoning Board of Appeals
D. PERSONNEL & LEGISLATIVE
E. PROPERTY & COURTS
F. FINANCE/INSURANCE
a. General Fund Transfer
b. Other Funds Transfers
c. General Fund Immediate Emergency Appropriations
d. Other Fund Immediate Emergency Appropriations
PUBLIC SAFETY & CAMPGROUND
a. Contract for Police Services between Fulton County Sheriff’s Dept. and the County of Fulton and the Town/Village/City of Cuba
COUNTY HIGHWAY
a. Acceptance of 2022 Maintenance Quotations
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
EXECUTIVE
HEALTH
MISC.
ACTION AGENDA
TREASURER’S REPORT
Treasurer Mayall reported County General expenditures of $695,758.15 and revenue is $858,630.99. The surplus for December is $162,872.84.
Treasurer Mayall discussed the health care insurance provider did not send a bill to the county for December, and January’s financials will reflect a higher expenditure. The county audit has started and is expected to be completed by the end of the week.
OPEB (Other Post-Employment Benefits) audit is underway and Treasurer Mayall stated a separate auditing firm does this audit. Work Compensation audit will begin in February.
W2 work is expected to be completed by January 31, 2022.
HEALTH
Member Kessel reported the Covid numbers are up in Fulton County and currently there are four cases of Covid at the Clayberg.
The Health Department is reporting a 9.74% test positivity rate for Covid for Fulton County. There are 611 active Covid cases in Fulton County. Current Fulton County has a 55% vaccination rate.
The IDPH survey was completed at the Clayberg.
COUNTY HIGHWAY
Member Madson reported the quote was received for the coal patch. The IDOT MFT (Motor Fuel Tax) paperwork has been completed.
The Highway Department has done an outstanding job with snow removal in Fulton County.
PUBLIC SAFETY & CAMPGROUND
Member Deushane discussed the renewal of the Cuba police contract between Fulton County Sheriff’s Dept. and the County of Fulton and the Town/Village/City of Cuba was approved. The only update to the contract is the salary.
Sheriff Standard has a surplus of radios and would like to donate them to a fire department or another Sheriff’s office that could use them.
PROPERTY & COURTS
Member Arnett reported capital repairs are needed for the bell tower columns and the last estimate was $200,000.00. A new estimate will be done in the Spring of 2022. The cost of the last air conditioner that needs to be replaced at the courthouse is approximately $36,255.00. The Property Committee will decide when to get bids for the air conditioner project.
A yearly contract for roof inspection is needed for the Courthouse roof inspection.
PERSONNEL/LEGISLATIVE
a. Discussion/Action: Amended Covid Policy and Vaccines
Member Thompson discussed the amended Covid Policy and Vaccines policy will follow the IDPH guidelines. There are changes covered for employees, the Circuit Clerk’s office will also need to follow the 9th Judicial Circuit guidelines. The second change is in the mandatory vaccination section; the health department will follow the policy from the Board of Health and the employees of the Clayberg Fulton County Nursing are subject to a mandatory vaccination requirement per the Interim Final Rule of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
The third change is under Face Covering; Fulton County encourages all employees to wear a face covering over the nose and mouth while indoors. If the employee is not vaccinated, the employee is required to wear a face covering.
Member Thompson discussed at the P&L committee meeting members had questions regarding vaccination and testing. Fulton County will be doing rapid tests on site and tests will be available for all departments. The department heads will need to report that all employees have tested negative.
Member Thompson Illinois OSHA approved the vaccine mandate for Illinois. The sooner Fulton County does something, the safer the work place will be for everyone.
Member Kessel discussed the Covid 19 vaccination and suggested adding; Fulton County employees are encouraged to get their vaccine at the Fulton County Health department. Under work place safety; there are several place that state a doctor’s note is required to return to work. Generally, the Health department releases employee to return to work but the IDPH will not provide a release back to work.
Clerk O’Brian stated the employers are to keep track when employees have been in contact with Covid. It is the employers’ discretion on when to release the employee to return to work. Clerk O’Brian stated this is not ideal and the employees return to work policy needs to meet the IDHP guidelines.
Member Thompson stated the doctors note should remain in the policy, if an employee has an extended illness, this would protect the county.
Member Duquenne stated IDHP has changed their guidelines and this would cover what is needed.
Member Thompson stated the employees will need to work with their supervisor on returning to work guidelines.
Member Kumer inquired who is going to enforce the vaccination mandate for Fulton County employees. Member Thompson stated this is not a mandate for vaccination, the policy states if you are not vaccinated the employee will need to test one time a week for Covid and have a negative test result.
Chairman Clark stated the policy is to help Fulton County to follow IDHP guidelines.
Member Kessel discussed the face coverings section; should this state according to IDPH guideline a face cover should be worn.
Justin Jochums discussed the IDHP guidelines are only guidance unless a mandate is adopted. Primarily this is a public ruling that was adopted by IDPH on Friday and is based off the federal standard. This is from OSHA and the State of Illinois adopted this rule. This rules goes in effect on January 24, 2022. Fulton County needs to have something in place by January 24, 2022 or would need a special meeting to adopt the ruling. Currently the ruling is in effect from January 24, 2022 until July 2022.
Member Kessel discussed the face covering section; employees may take their masks off to eat and drink, but if the employee has not been vaccinated employees need to remain 6 feet apart.
Treasurer Mayall asked under workplace safety; if an employee should seek permission with his or her supervisor before working for an additional employer. There is nothing stated what is the disciplinary action is. Treasurer Mayall stated she is not comfortable telling an employee they cannot work a second job for another employer after 4:00pm.
Keith Munter, Fulton County Engineer discussed for the Highway department to comply with this policy
40 to 50 tests per month and approximately 600 per year would be needed for employee testing. Munter inquired if the Supreme Court rules and this does not pass, does the Illinois ruling supersede the policy ruling. Justin Jochums stated the Supreme Court would supersede the Illinois ruling. As the supreme court is dealing with all of the states and if this fails, the State of Illinois ruling would be in effect.
Member Spangler inquired if Fulton County would be able to get the Covid tests.
Member Platt stated in July, the FDA went through the emergency authorization for the PCR tests and withdrew the PCR tests effective December 31, 2021. This is due to the PCR tests could not distinguish between Covid, influenza or Corona virus.
Member Thompson rescinded the first and Member Duquenne rescinded the second for the motion.
Member Thompson amended the Covid policy and vaccines to include the Circuit Clerk’s office will also need to also follow the 9th Judicial Circuit Court guidelines, the licensed health care provider will be reviewed with the States Attorney, no physician note is needed, encourage employees to be vaccinated at the Fulton County Health Department, when removing your mask to eating and drinking employees should remain 6 feet apart and the face covering section will be reviewed.
Member Thompson moved to approve the Amended Covid Policy and Vaccines with a second from Member Duquenne. Motion carried by roll call vote (15-2) with Member Kumer and Platt voting nay.
b. Discussion/Action: Resolution: Fulton County Board Members adherence to Covid Policy
Member Thompson discussed the violation of this resolution is a petty offense and the offense holds a fee of $75.00 to $1,000.00. Chairman Clark discussed this resolution is not a requirement for the Fulton County Board members. This would set the precedent that the Fulton County Board wants to set a good example for all Fulton County employees.
The ruling from the state, states when reporting back to work a person would need to be tested.
Member Kumer stated in his opinion all Fulton County Board members are not employees, they are elected officials, and should have the choice to be tested or not.
Member Thompson stated that Fulton County Board members need to provide proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test with 7days of the meeting that the board member will be attending.
Member Kumer stated the mask mandate for the courthouse is a mandate from the Sheriff.
Member Clark stated if a Fulton County Board members does not wish to be vaccinated or tested to attend any Fulton County committee or board meetings, a call in number is provided for the meetings.
Member Thompson moved to approve the resolution with a second from Member Arnett. Motion carried by roll call vote (15-2) with Member Kumer and Platt voting nay.
FINANCE/INSURANCE
a. Discussion/Action: Ordinance: Opting out of New Provisions in Low-income Housing Projects Legislation
Member Spangler discussed this ordinance is primary focused on and for Cook County. The Fulton County Assessor, Julie Russell recommended Fulton County opt out of the new provision in low income house projects legislation.
Member Spangler moved to approve the ordinance with a second from Member Beck. Motion carried by roll call vote (17-0).
b. Discussion/Action: COVID Bonus pay for employees
Member Spangler discussed Covid bonus pay for employees. This is one of the items that the ARPA Funds can be used for. The Finance Committee will have a special meeting on January 25, 2022 at 5:30pm to discuss uses for the ARPA funds.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Nothing for board action
EXECUTIVE SESSION: None
MISC. None
ADJOURNMENT
Time: 7:53pm
Member Kessel made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:53pm with a second from Member Berry. The motion carried with all present voting ayes (17-0).
_________________________________
Patrick J. O’Brian, Fulton County Clerk &
Ex-Officio Clerk of the Fulton County Board
C E R T I F I C A T I O N:
I, Roger P. Clark, Chairman of the Fulton County Board, State of Illinois, do hereby certify that I have examined the record of the January 11, 2022 Regular Session of the County Board of Fulton County, Illinois and find the same to be true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief, this day approve the same.
Witness this 8th day of February, 2022.
_________________________________
Roger P. Clark
Fulton County Board Chairman
Signed FCB minutes Jan11 2022