Carbondale Reporter

Jackson County Legislative and Public Safety Committee met August 15. 

Here is the minutes as provided by the committee:

Call to Order (5:00 PM)

Members Present: Burke, Comparato, D. Bost, Larkin, Maxwell, Mendoza, Jr. and Mueller

Also Present: Andrew Erbes, Dan Brenner, Lloyd Nelson, Sarah Patrick, Kerri Gale, Derek Misener, Gary Schaffer, William D. To dd, Matt Bernhardt

Approval of Minutes

I. 17-2706 July 11, 2017

A motion was made by Comparato, seconded by Maxwell, to approve the July 11, 2017 minutes

as presented. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

Health Department & Solid Waste

II. 17-2707 Jackson County Health Department

Patrick reported that the $3.7 million dollar Health Department budget has been

approved. The Board of Health will continue to monitor the budget to see if the Health

Department can go back to a 35 hour work week. The Little Free Library in the WIC clinic

waiting area is very popular and helps address a social determinant of health (literacy); 51

children were seen on dental day supported by SIU dental hygiene students. The Health

Department will be open for Environmental Health inspections, Public Information, and

Incident Command functions the weekend of the eclipse. Over 30 temporary food vendors and

9 temporary campgrounds are scheduled for inspection starting on the 16th. Comparato asked

when the Opiod Discussion is scheduled for; September 12th at 5:30pm at the Carbondale Civic

Center. Mueller informed the committee that a congressional candidate will be speaking at the

Plumbers & Pipefitters Hall on August 17th at 5pm about the Opiod epidemic.

III. 17-2708 Solid Waste Enforcement

Gale reported that the new inspector is working with a certified employee until she gets

certified. They did 17 inspections 14 of which were revisits.

IV. 17-2709 Solid Waste Fund Update

Gale reported that there is a bit of an issue with the new financial software program and the

amounts are off. She will have an updated report at the September meeting.

V. 17-2710 Solid Waste Management Plan Update

Gale reported that she should have an updated plan for the committee to review at the

September meeting.

VI. 17-2711 Recycling Program

Gale reported that in a few weeks she will begin enrolling schools in the educational program

and she is working with the Sheriff Department on scheduling a Shred/Med day in November.

Emergency Management

VII. 17-2723 Emergency Management Assistance Grant/Emergency Management Performance Grant

Application & Authorization

Misener informed the committee that he received notice about the Emergency Management

Assistance/Emergency Management Performance Grant. He requested that the committee give

him authorization to apply for the grant and request the Chairman to sign the agreement.

A motion was made by Maxwell, seconded by Mueller, to authorize the Ambulance Director to

apply for the Emergency Management Assistance/Emergency Management Performance Grant

and authorize the Chairman to sign the agreement. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

Ambulance Service

VIII. 17-2712 Approval for eCore Software License Agreement (SLA) for scheduling and payroll

Misener spoke to the committee about the Ambulance Department's need for a scheduling and

payroll program. He told the committee that they have not had time clocks for several years

but they are a necessary thing. The eCore software combines scheduling and payroll and is

made for emergency personnel hours. This software will cost $232 a month with an initial $75

set up fee; it is a month to month contract that can be cancelled anytime. Comparato asked

Misener if he has money in his budget to cover the cost; Misener said yes. Larkin inquired

about if this would affect bargaining units and if there is a policy in place about employees

starting or ending early or late. Misener stated that he has not officially talked with the

union. Brenner suggested that Misener notify the Union in writing at least ten days before

implementing the software. Larkin asked that Misener bring the aforementioned policy to the

committee for review.

A motion was made by Comparato, seconded by Maxwell, to authorize the Ambulance Director

to execute the eCore Software License Agreement pending State's Attorney's Office approval.

The motion carried by unanimous vote.

IX. 17-2713 Quote for Communications Tower Fence Replacement

Misener presented the committee with a bid for clean up and repair to the fence around the

communications tower. The current wood fence was built in 2000 and now has vegetation

grown around it to the point that the fence needs repaired. Larkin asked why it was a wood

fence and not chain link; Misener does not know why wood was chosen. The consensus of the

committee is to ask Brenner to work with Misener to draft an RFP that addresses the clean up

and a bid for a 10 food chain link fence that meets all security requirements.

X. 17-2714 Ambulance Monthly Claims

A motion was made by Maxwell, seconded by Comparato, to approve the Ambulance

Department monthly claims in the amount $39,688.78. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

XI. 17-2715 Ambulance Director's Report

a. Accounts Receivable Cash

b. Activity Report

Misener reported that there is $298,353.12 in accounts receivable cash, this amount includes a

past due payment from medicaid. He informed the committee that there were 781 calls and

629 transports in July.

Legislative

XII. 17-2718 Firework Permit

Todd spoke to the committee about a firework display that he would like to have on his

property on August 21, 2017. He is asking the committee for approval to have a fireworks

show. D. Bost asked if it was going to be on his personal property and if he had a permit from

the State of Illinois; Todd replied yes to both questions. Jackson County has not ordinance

relating to fireworks so the committee does not need to do anything. Todd stated that he

needs a signature for the firework company. Brenner suggested a letter informing the

company that Jackson County does not have a firework ordinance.

A motion was made by D. Bost, seconded by Mendoza, Jr., to authorize the Committee Chair to

sign a letter stating that Jackson County does not have a firework ordinance and that the

committee is aware of the firework show taking place on August 21, 2017. The motion carried

by unanimous vote.

XIII. 17-2716 Animal Control

Larkin turned the meeting over to Burke to discuss this issue. She began by stating that the

contract with the Humane Society needs to be updated. Brenner said he agreed; he presented

an update to the committee several years ago with no substantive changes it is just

modernizing the language from the original contract he can update that and have it ready for

the committee at the next meeting. Larkin suggested developing an RFP for getting bids on the

services that the Humane Society provides plus including a section stating that they have to

work with other organizations in the county. Brenner asked if the committee wanted to bid the

entire Animal Control contract and was told yes. Larkin asked Brenner to get the RFP to the

committee at least a week before the September meeting so they could review it. Burke asked

Nelson if he had a computer and email address. Nelson replied that there is not money in his

budget for a computer but that IT could set him up an email address any time. Burke wants

citizens and board members to be able to email complaints to Nelson and get a quick

response. She went on to say that she would like Nelson to come up with some community

outreach ideas for letting the citizens know about rabies clinics, the need to spay and neuter

and where they can take or get animals from. The consensus of the committee is to have

Nelson put the cost of a new computer into his FY18 budget and until then he should use the

computer in the County Board office to check his email. Burke then went on to ask Nelson to

explain to the committee the recent cat issue he dealt with. Nelson informed the committee

that a citizen voluntarily gave up about 45 cats and he took them to the Humane Society and

notified the State of Illinois of the situation. Nelson then informed the committee about how

tag fees are collected and the difference between a tag fee and a registration fee.

XIV. 17-2717 Unmanned Aircraft Ordinance

Schaffer began by complimenting Brenner on drafting the model ordinance. The committee

reviewed the ordinance and asked some questions of both Schaffer and Brenner.

A motion was made by Mueller, seconded by Maxwell, to approve the adoption of the

Ordinance to Regulate the Operation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems near the Southern Illinois

Airport. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

Citizen Comments

Old Business

New Business

Adjourn (5:59 PM)

Mueller moved and Burke seconded to adjourn, motion carried.

http://www.jacksoncounty-il.gov/Home/Components/MeetingsManager/MeetingMinutes/ShowPrimaryDocument/?minutesID=1451&isPub=True&includeTrash=False