Carbondale Reporter

Jackson County Legislative and Public Safety Committee met Feb. 13.

Here is the minutes provided by the Committee:

Call to Order (5:02 PM)

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

Members Absent: Larkin and Nehring

Also Present: Andrew Erbes, Derek Misener, Kerri Gale, Sarah Patrick, Cindy Nelson, Lloyd Nelson, Stacey Ballard, Roy Oellermann, Nick Stokovich, Jessica Terry, Dorie Wilburn

Animal Control

Burke began the meeting by discussing Animal Control.

I. 18-3143 Rabies Tag Fees

Nelson was asked to explain the current rabies tag fees that the county collects. The one year tags are $5 and the three year tags are $12

II. 18-3145 Information from Best Friends Burke reviewed the information included from the Best Friends Animal Society (BF). The BF letter includes information about a state ordinance that says each county can collect a $10 registration fee that would go to a pet population control fund to be used to spay, neuter, and vaccinate feral cats. Nelson explained that there is a difference between a rabi es tag fee and a registration fee. He will do whatever the board directs him to do but it is an important distinction that he wanted to make clear to the committee. Past boards have decided to only charge a rabies tag fee to keep costs low for citizens and to encourage compliance in an effort to keep rabies outbreaks low in the county. Nelson also suggested talking with veterinarians before increasing any fees. The additional fee suggested by Burke would increase the initial costs of pet ownership which may be a deterrent for some people. Nelson pointed out that currently the county does not do any work with cats. If the county wants to start spay, neuter and vaccinating feral cats there will need to be an increase in man power. Nelson also said that the program is a trap, neuter and release which means that the cats go back to where they were found and this would not solve the citizen complaints that come about because citizens do not want cats on their property. Ballard addressed the committee and reiterated that before any decisions are made it would be a good idea to speak with the veterinarians in the county. Burke stated that she believes the increased costs to provide a fund to trap, neuter and release to the county is worth it. Mueller pointed out that the added expense could deter some citizens from taking their pets to the veterinarian. Burke offered to invite a representative from BF to attend the March meeting. Mueller suggested inviting a representative from the Humane Society also.

III. 18-3144 Euthanasia numbers Burke presented the committee with a spreadsheet outlining the euthanasia numbers for the Humane Society and the surrounding counties. She is concerned about the Humane Society's comparatively high numbers. L. Nelson pointed out that the Humane Society is a nonprofit that is not run by the County. The County has a contract with the Humane Society to provide the County with certain services but their operation is not governed by the County. He also informed the committee that he spoke with the Humane Society and their euthanasia rate has been reduced to about eleven percent. Comparato inquired about the large reduction and where the animals are going. L. Nelson reported that many of the animals the Humane Society takes in do not come from this county they come from surrounding areas. He further explained that the reduction in euthanasia is in part due to the Humane Society increase their outreach efforts over social media and their connections with other agencies throughout IL and surrounding states. L. Nelson suggested that any other questions or issues with the Humane Society should probably be addressed to the Humane Society Board.

Approval of Minutes

IV. 18-3148 January 23, 2018 minutes

Mueller reminded the committee that the minutes had not been approved.

A motion was made by Comparato, seconded by Mueller, to approve the January 23, 2018 minutes as presented. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

Ambulance Service

A. Payment of Ambulance Monthly Claims

B. Ambulance Director's Report

i. Accounts Receivable Cash

ii. Activity Report

Burke and Mueller discussed quorum issues due to both of them needing to leave the meeting at this point. The committee coordinator requested that they remain to vote on the Ambulance monthly claims.

A. Burke moved and Maxwell seconded to approve payment of the Ambulance monthly claims in the amount of $27,591.60, motion carried.

Burke and Mueller exited the meeting. No other items were voted on due to a lack of quorum.

B. This item was addressed after the Health Department gave their reports. Misener reported that the Accounts Receivable Cash is $249,627.63. He also reported that there were 864 ambulance reports for 697 transports and 41 livery van transports.

Health Department & Solid Waste

A. Jackson County Health Department

B. Solid Waste Enforcement

C. Solid Waste Fund Update

D. Recycling Program

A. Patrick reported that there is an active TB case in the county and reminded the committee that this why the TB fund is so important. She reported that the Health Department is out of doses of the flu shot for adults but they still have doses for seniors and children. She will not be in attendance at the February Board meeting but will have a representative there.

B. Gale reported that there were six visits to open dumping/burning sites, two were revisits. She also reported that there were two citizen complaints and one land fill inspection.

C. Gale went over the Solid Waste Fund update.

D. Gale informed the committee that she attended a webinar on January 31, 2018 that had 62% of the counties in IL represented, this is a large number for these calls. Also, the next Shred Med day has been set for April 14th at 8am to Noon.

Emergency Management

Legislative

V. 18-3146 IL Bicentennial and Veterans Event

This is for informational purposes.

Erbes presented a press release regarding the Jackson County Memorial Day celebration and indicated that he wants to notify the Bicentennial organization of the celebration.

VI. 18-3147 1% School Tax Referendum

The citizen declined to attend the meeting, he will address this issue another way.

Citizen Comments

Old Business

New Business

Executive Session

Adjourn (5:41 PM)

Comparato adjourned the meeting.

https://www.jacksoncounty-il.gov/Home/Components/MeetingsManager/MeetingMinutes/ShowPrimaryDocument/?minutesID=3594&isPub=True&includeTrash=False