Carbondale Reporter

Jackson County Real Property Committee met Tuesday, Feb. 7.

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 Jackson County:

REAL PROPERTY COMMITTEE

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2017 5:00 PM

JACKSON COUNTY COURTHOUSE

Call to Order (5:00 PM)

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

Members Absent: Mueller

Also Present: John S. Rendleman, Larry Reinhardt, Grant Guthman, Susie Kilquist, Jeff Doherty,

Approval of Minutes

I. 17-2162 January 10, 2017 Minutes

A motion was made by Erbes, seconded by Mendoza, Jr., to approve the January 10, 2017 minutes as presented. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

Land Use & Economic Development

II. 17-2163 Greater Egypt Regional Planning & Development Commission

Peterson informed the committee that Greater Egypt has purchased a drone to help increase their water monitoring ability. The Greater Egypt meeting will be at the Carbondale Civic Center on February 14 at 7pm and IDOT will be doing their yearly presentation. 

Greater Egypt has some concerns about the Economic Development Administration (EDA). Greater Egypt does a lot of granting through the EDA which brings in millions of dollars to the five county region. There is concern that with the current political climate that the EDA might be in danger.

Peterson asked the committee if they would be interested in sending a resolution to Representative Bost about this matter. The consensus of the committee is to have the State's Attorney's office draft a Resolution, addressed to Representative Mike Bost, in favor of continuing the Economic Development Administration.

III. 17-2164 Supervisor of Assessments

IV. 17-2165 Jackson Growth Alliance

Doherty gave the committee a handout on the Southern Illinois Economic Development Authority. Doherty is on the board of the SIEDA and in the past the authority hasn't been able to get together on a regular basis but there is a project in Saline County and a consultant is coming from Springfield to work with the group.

Highway Department

V. 17-2166 SIMPO-Southern Illinois Metropolitan Planning Organization

Peterson informed the committee that there is a SIMPO meeting on February 14th at 4:30pm where Mr. Z will present a study on the East West Corridor. She also said that Mass Transit will be having riders complete a survey and they are looking for volunteers to help riders with the survey.

VI. 17-2167 Road Sign Maintenance

Guthman reported that 911 has completed their inventory of signs, there is no dollar amount yet but all the township signs except Makanda are back up. These are not the reflective signs; the county has about 500 signs to replace due to the reflective requirement. 911 currently has no plan for when they run out of inventory. Guthman sent word to the townships to let them know that they should make requests for signs now before the inventory runs out.

VII. 17-2168 Payment of Highway Monthly Claims in the amount of $184,014.13

A motion was made by Erbes, seconded by S. Bost, to authorize payment of the Highway Monthly Claims in the amount of $184,014.13. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

VIII. 17-2169 IL RTE 13 Multi-use Path and Underpass

IDOT has a plan for a multi-use path from Carbondale to Murphysboro. They are requesting matching funds from the county and the cities of Muprhysboro and Carbondale; Carbondale has already agreed. Guthman stated that the matching funds could come from his federal aid matching funds but there is a cash flow problem because of other projects and the need to wait for reimbursement. This led Endres to ask if there might be grant funds available to the county to help pay for things like in the future. The committee discussed various grants that they knew about and requested that the committee coordinator look for grants that the county would be eligible for and present them to the appropriate committee for review.

A motion was made by S. Bost, seconded by Hunter, to approve the county covering one third of the matching costs for the IDOT planned multi use path and underpass. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

County Buildings & Grounds

IX. 17-2170 Murphysboro Hometown Christmas

A motion was made by Erbes, seconded by Endres, to approve in accordance with applicable law the Murphysboro Hometown Christmas decorating proposal. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

X. 17-2171 Discussion of Meeting Day/Time

The committee discussed the day and time of the meeting and agreed to move it the 2nd Wednesday at 5pm.

XI. 17-2172 Tax Delinquent Property Discussion

Reinhardt informed the committee of the process that a piece of property goes through when it is considered a tax delinquent property, the history of these types of properties and some suggestions for how the county can look into dealing with them. The committee asked several questions including how may parcels are currently list; 91. The committee discussed setting up a review committee to investigate property issues and the consensus is that the Real Property committee can handle any issues. They also discussed the need to fix the current ordinance now that they have more information. Hunter stated that the Finance & Administration Committee is going to send letters to each of the taxing bodies to see if they are willing to join the County and the City of Murphysboro in the ordinance.

A motion was made by Hunter, seconded by Erbes, to authorize the State's Attorney's office to put a lien on the Lucier Street property and the Stalls property. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

XII. 17-2173 River Levee Project Update

Peterson informed the committee that she spoke with Mr. Holt and work is being done. Additionally, they are working with Greater Egypt and the USDA on a possible loan to assist with further improvements.

XIII. 17-2174 Storage Needs for Circuit Clerks Office

XIV. 17-2175 Group Solar Presentation

Old Business

Erbes informed the committee that the chair of Washington County has invited Jackson County Board members to tour the new

Washington County courts building.

New Business

Adjourn (6:04 PM)

Hunter moved and Endres seconded to adjourn, motion carried.