Carbondale Reporter

Jackson County Real Property Committee met Wednesday, March 15.

The Jackson County Real Property Committee reviews matters related to the county's real and personal property including land-use planning and matters concerning county taxing units. The committee also reviews matters related to roads and bridges and recommends any action to the County Board. The committee meets in the Jackson County House, 1001 Walnut St., Murphysboro.

Here are the minutes as provided by the committee:

DRAFT

REAL PROPERTY COMMITTEE

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15, 2017 5:00 PM

JACKSON COUNTY COURTHOUSE

Call to Order (5:00 PM)

Members Present: Erbes, Hunter, Mendoza, Jr., Mueller, Peterson and S. Bost

Members Absent: Endres

Also Present: Grant Guthman, Maureen Berkowitz, Jeff Doherty, Marcia Lochmann, Brent Ritzel, Michael Hornitschek

Approval of Minutes

I. 17-2248 February 7, 2017 Minutes

A motion was made by S. Bost, seconded by Hunter, to approve the February 7, 2017 minutes as presented. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

Highway Department

II. 17-2249 SIMPO-Southern Illinois Metropolitan Planning Organization

Peterson told the committee about the projects that SIMPO has planned for Jackson County; see provided attachment. She also informed the committee about the SIMPO transit study, the comment sheets, web address of the survey and the plan to update the Jackson County Mass Transit report with some current info from SIMPO. Finally, she went over the finalized Carbondale to Murphysboro Bike Plan. The committee reviewed the included report and project map; the IDOT box culvert section will begin in 2018. Peterson indicated that SIMPO can work with Murphysboro to assist with completing the section East to the box culvert.

III. 17-2250 Road Sign Maintenance

Guthman stated that he continues to replace the county signs his estimate of around 560 signs seems to be right on target. He recently turned in an order for Pomona Township and will continue to assist the townships with getting their signs replaced.

IV. 17-2251 Highway Monthly Claims

A motion was made by Erbes, seconded by Mueller, to authorize payment of the Highway monthly claims in the amount of $211,719.77. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

V. 17-2252 Acceptance Resolution of the 2017 County MFT Maintenance Program Bids

A motion was made by Erbes, seconded by Hunter, to approve the Resolution for the Acceptance of the 2017 County MFT Maintenance Program bids. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

VI. 17-2255 Acceptance Resolution for the 2017 Township MFT Maintenance Program Bids

A motion was made by Mueller, seconded by S. Bost, to approve the Resolution for the Acceptance of the 2017 Township MFT Maintenance Program bids. The motion carried by the following vote:

Yes: 4 - Mendoza, Jr., Mueller, Peterson and S. Bost

Absent: 1 - Endres

Abstain: 2 - Erbes and Hunter

VII. 17-2256 Approval to offer appraised value for ROW and easements on the Cora Road/Levee Road Project

Guthman requested that the committee authorize him to offer and pay the appraised value for the right of way and easements on the Cora Road/Levee Road project. This will allow him to have checks ready when owner accept the offers.

A motion was made by Erbes, seconded by Mueller, to approve offering and paying the appraised value for right of way and easements on the Cora Road/Levee Road project. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

VIII. 17-2257 Bike Path/Underpass funding

Guthman informed the committee that in an effort to find the funds to cover the $55,000 matching funds needed for the box culvert bike path project he spoke with Gary Schaffer from the Southern Illinois Airport. A few years ago the county agreed to $250,000 in matching funds for work on Airport Road. Since then the Airport has been able to get some grant funds from other sources. Mr. Schaffer has agreed to allow the county to reduce their matching funds by the $55,000 need for the bike path project. The committee members thanked Guthman for his time and effort in figuring this out and helping the county find the funds.

Peterson informed the committee that all of the entities have voted to approve the project and it should begin in 2018.

Land Use & Economic Development

IX. 17-2258 Greater Egypt Regional Planning & Development Commission-CEDS Update Peterson began by inquiring about the request for the State's Attorney office to draft a resolution in support of the Economic Development Association. The committee coordinator informed the committee that the State's Attorney's office has respectfully declined to draft the resolution because the resolution pertains to a political issue and does not have any bearing on the legal affairs of the county. Peterson stated that she will work with Greater Egypt to draft a resolution and bring it to the committee at the April meeting. Next, Peterson informed the committee that Greater Egypt has some temporary jobs for young people through the Delta Corp program and asked the members to spread the word. Currently, Greater Egypt is looking for projects for the DRA grant cycle. Greater Egypt was in the paper on the previous Sunday. Additionally, Greater Egypt has purchased a drone to be used to survey watersheds and other areas. The committee briefly discussed drone laws and training's.

X. 17-2259 Supervisor of Assessments

Berkowitz informed the committee that the annual assessor meeting took place on March 14th and all of the assessors are running unopposed in the April 6th election.

XI. 17-2260 Jackson Growth Alliance

Doherty spoke to the committee about SIEDA; they held their second meeting and the group is excited to be moving forward. Doherty also gave the committee some information and a handout with a map of the area Carbondale is annexing near the airport.

XII. 17-2261 Comprehensive Plan

Peterson informed the committee that she has some material on comprehensive plans and inquired if Erbes has any information, he thought he might and will look for it. She then asked if anyone has seen the 1964 county comprehensive plan and Erbes indicated that he has seen it before. Peterson went on to explain that a comprehensive plan will include more than just economic development and that is is important for the future of the county to begin working on a plan. She suggested that the committee think about a developing an identity for the plan, a name and logo, and possibly involve the schools and/or community in the process. She asked that the committee think about this and read the included information and be ready to discuss this at the next meeting.

XIII. 17-2262 River Levee Project Update

Peterson gave a brief update of information she received from Mark Holt on the River Levee project. Mr. Holt stated that the project is about half way done and the Army Corp of Engineers is going to start replacing the slides around May.

XIV. 17-2263 Group Solar Presentation

Lochmann, Ritzel and Hornitschek spoke to the committee about participating in a group solar opportunity. The went through a powerpoint and various handouts with the committee members (Please see attached documents). The committee members asked several questions and agreed to discuss this matter at the next meeting.

County Buildings & Grounds

XV. 17-2264 Storage needs for Circuit Clerks Office

This item is being held. The committee had a brief discussion about the progress of the building commission.

Old Business

New Business

Adjourn (6:27 PM)

Erbes moved and S. Bost seconded to adjourn, motion carried.