Carbondale Reporter

Jackson County Real Property Committee

Jackson County Real Property Committee met Wednesday, April 12.

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.

Call to Order (5:00 PM)

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

Also Present: John S. Rendleman, Orval Rowe, Dan Bost, Maureen Berkowitz, Jeff Doherty, Grant Guthman, Carol Hoffman, Kaneu Binder, Earl Hale, Brandy Nance, Cindy Cain, Bill Oliver, Carla Spears, Geoff Spears, David Schulze, LeeAnn Schulze, George Madka, Barbara Bush, Michael Cripps, Gene Basden, Charles Basclen, Les Lange, Susan Lange, Rex Burked, Brad Genving, Jim Ewers

Approval of Minutes

I. 17-2345 March 15, 2017 Minutes

A motion was made by Erbes, seconded by S. Bost, to approve the March 15, 2017 minutes as presented. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

Highway Department

II. 17-2346 Southern Illinois Metropolitan Planning Organization (SIMPO)

Peterson stated there is no new report this month.

III. 17-2347 Road Sign Maintenance

Guthman stated that things are the same as last month.

IV. 17-2348 Highway Monthly Claims

A motion was made by S. Bost, seconded by Mueller, to approve the Highway Monthly Claims in the amount of $539,530.68. The motion carried by the following vote:

Yes: 6 - Endres, Hunter, Mendoza, Jr., Mueller, Peterson and S. Bost

Abstain: 1 - Erbes

V. 17-2349 Bid Acceptance and Contract/Contract Bond Approval for Union School Road Bridge Section 12 - 01113-00-BR

A motion was made by Erbes, seconded by S. Bost, to approve the bid acceptance and contract/contract bond approval for Union School Road Bridge Section 12-01113-00-BR. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

VI. 17-2350 County Bridge Fund Resolution for Union School Road Bridge Section 12-01113-00-BR 

A motion was made by Hunter, seconded by Erbes, to approve the County Bridge Fund Resolution for Union School Road Bridge Section 12-01113-00-BR. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

VII. 17-2351 Construction Engineering Agreement Cora/Levee Road Section 15-03111-00-FP

A motion was made by Erbes, seconded by Mueller, to approve the Construction Engineering Agreement Cora/Levee Road Section 15-03111-00-FP. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

VIII. 17-2352 Preliminary Engineering Agreement Addendum #1 Cora/Levee Road Section 15-03111-00-FP

A motion was made by Erbes, seconded by S. Bost, to approve the preliminary Engineering Agreement Addendum #1 Cora/Levee Road Section 15-03111-00-FP. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

IX. 17-2353 Negotiated ROW Payment Approval Cora Road Section 15-03111-00-FP

A motion was made by Erbes, seconded by Hunter, to approve the Negotiated ROW payment approval Cora Road Section 15-03111-00-FP. The motion carried by the following vote:

Yes: 6 - Endres, Erbes, Hunter, Mendoza, Jr., Peterson and S. Bost

Abstain: 1 - Mueller

X. 17-2354 Giant City Road-Giant City State Park Speed Limit Reduction Request

Guthman inquired about what the committee would like him to do with regard to the request for speed limit reduction on Giant City Road in Giant City State Park. The committee discussed the issue and requested the Guthman perform a speed study and bring the data back to the committee in May.

XI. 17-2355 Summer Employment

Guthman informed the committee that he is advertising for summer employment.

Land Use & Economic Development

XII. 17-2356 Greater Egypt Regional Planning & Development Commission

a. Resolution in Support of the Economic Development Association

Peterson informed the committee that the Reed Station Mobile Home Park work is almost complete and it is currently DRA grant cycle time so if anyone knows of a project let her or Guthman know. Also, the county has benefited from the Economic Development Association (EDA) and since it is uncertain what will happen on the federal level the committee/board should consider passing a resolution in support of the EDA.

XIII. 17-2357 Supervisor of Assessments

a. Land Division PIN#13-10-400-033

Berkowitz presented and explained a map outlining the land division. She informed the committee that the health department and highway department have no objections to the division and a flood certification has been added. 

A motion was made by Erbes, seconded by Mueller, to approve the land division PIN #13 -10-400-033. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

XIV. 17-2358 Board of Review 2016 Report

This was presented for informational purposes.

XV. 17-2359 Jackson Growth Alliance

Doherty introduced the mountain bike trail presentation emphasizing the potential it has for tourism growth in the county.

XVI. 17-2360 Touch of Nature-Mountain Bike Trail Presentation

The Director of Touch of Nature, J.D. Tanner spoke to the committee about the multi-use recreational trail that is being built at Touch of Nature. Tanner presented a powerpoint presentation that outlines the benefits of mountain bike trails to tourism and the local economy in general. The committee asked questions and a discussion about the benefits and costs of the plan took place.

XVII. 17-2361 Southernmost Illinois Tourism Bureau-Cindy Cain

Cain and Hoffman spoke to the committee about all the work that the Southernmost Illinois Tourism Bureau has been doing. Some of the things they have been doing are: bringing in events, commercials, tracking tourism statistics, and magazines. They showed some commercials and a powerpoint.

XVIII. 17-2362 Shawnee Hills Wine Trail Funding Request

Nance spoke to the committee about what the Shawnee Wine Trail does and reviewed the presented material. Her associate informed the committee about the specifics of the wine trail and the economic impact on the region. They asked for $10,000 to do social media ads and wine bucks for promotional advertising. The committee asked several questions about surveys, distance people travel to come to area, and how the wine trail tracks the results of their advertising. 

A motion was made by Mueller, seconded by Hunter, to authorize taking $10,000 for the Shawnee Wine Trail advertising plan out of the county contingency fund. The motion carried by unanimous vote

XIX. 17-2363 Comprehensive Plan

This item will remain on the agenda in May.

XX. 17-2364 River Levee Project Update

Peterson informed the committee that work is being done on the north end of the levee in the Sand Ridge area.

XXI. 17-2365 County Group Solar Buy Program

This item will remain on the agenda in May.

XXII. 17-2366 Dr. Spears

Dr. Spears spoke to the committee about his belief that the county assessor and board of review are not doing their jobs properly. He believes that property taxes are assessed arbitrarily and are causing people to move out of the county. He also stated that the PTAB laws are not understandable and quoted some portions of what the laws state. He went on to state that he believes that a special prosecutor should be appointed to investigate the Board of Review and Supervisor of Assessments. The committee and several citizens engaged in a discussion of various points that were brought up. Rendleman pointed out that this is the best board that the county has had in long time. Rendleman requested that the Board of Review receive a transcript and/or have the opportunity to respond to the claims that Dr. Spears and other citizens made.

County Buildings & Grounds

XXIII. 17-2367 Sign for County Parking Lot

A motion was made by Erbes, seconded by Hunter, to approve replacing the sign in the county parking lot. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

XXIV. 17-2368 Storage needs for Circuit Clerks Office

Old Business

New Business

Adjourn (7:18 PM)

Peterson adjourned the meeting.

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