Carbondale Reporter

Jackson County Real Property Committee met December 12. 

Here is the minutes as provided by the committee:

Call to Order (5:00 PM)

Members Present:    Calandro, D. Bost, Erbes, Mendoza, Jr., Mueller, Peterson and Snyder

Also Present: Mitch Burdick, Sarah Patrick, Linda Dutcher, Seth Daniels, Bekkah Schenonia, Ethan Crabtree, AJ Grammer

Approval of Minutes

I.    18-3853     November 14, 2018 Minutes

                        A motion was made by D. Bost, seconded by Mendoza, Jr., to approve the November 14, 2018 minutes as presented. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

Communication

Peterson reviewed an article from the Southern Illinoisan regarding water from pond creek mine and discussed the impact on the Big Muddy and Jackson County levees. Dutcher asked, what is the corps of engineers involvement in the project?

II.   18-3854     Abandoned Property Grant Info

                        The committee coordinator gave a brief summary of the county application process. Due to a lack of interest from any communities the county will not be applying for the grant at this time.

III.   18-3855     Large Tax Appeal

                         Peterson stated that the Supervisor of Assessments could speak about this issue at the January meeting.

Highway Department

      A. SIMPO-Southern Illinois Metropolitan Planning Organization

      B. Jackson County Bike Paths/Trails

            i. Speed Study for Giant City Road

      C. Payment of Highway Monthly Claims

A. Peterson updated the committee on what SIMPO is doing and listed their 2018 accomplishments.

B. Peterson informed the committee that a speed study is going to be done on Giant City Road to reduce the speed near touch of nature where the bikes will be crossing the road. Patrick spoke about Health Department contract with IPHI and the IL Bike Act.

C. Erbes moved and Mueller seconded to pay the Highway monthly claims in the amount of $112,996.98, motion carried.

IV.   18-3856     Resolution for the 2019 County Motor Fuel Tax Appropriation

                         Burdick explained the resolution and what it does for the county.

                          A motion was made by Erbes, seconded by Calandro, to approve the motor fuel tax Resolution for Maintenance Under the Illinois Highway Code. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

V.    18-3857     Resolution for the approval of the Lakeside Water District agreement in support of Dillinger Road Project

                          Burdick explained that the resolution and agreement cover the moving of the utilities on the Dillinger Road project.

                           A motion was made by Mueller, seconded by Erbes, to approve the federal matching fund resolution. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

                          A motion was made by Mueller, seconded by Erbes, to approve the Agreement for Reimbursable Utility Adjustment. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

VI.   18-3858     Discussion of County commitment to the Airport Roadway project

                          Burdick reported that the airport road project is near completion. The county agreed to contribute $250,000 but the engineer asked that it be reduced and now the county portion is $195,000. Burdick reported that the funds are in the FAS account. He will bring a resolution to the committee next month. D. Bost asked about widening the road to allow for bikes to ride on the shoulder outside of the rumble strip.

VII.   18-3859     Discussion concerning upcoming employee vacancies at the Highway Department

                           Burdick reminded the committee that he is losing most of the Highway Department employees to early retirement. He will lose four to five of them in December. Due to the need to have employees to do snow removal and keep the roads safe he will be hiring about four people in the near future and then hire more as the year progresses. He is planning to promote from within to fill the Foreman position, this will help with continuity. Burdick reported that there is a lot of interest in the positions and that no females applied. In the first few people that hires he will be looking for people with CDL experience so they can work on the snow plows. He plans to begin interviewing soon. He encouraged any board member to contact him directly if they want to discuss the positions. Burdick concluded by reminding the committee that the Motor Fuel Tax money has been decreased by about $200,000 a year for the past decade which is almost two million dollars that the county has not been receiving.

Land Use & Economic Development

      A. Greater Egypt Regional Planning & Development Commission

      B. Supervisor of Assessments

      C. Jackson Growth Alliance

      D. Comprehensive Plan

      E. River Levee Project Update

A. Peterson reported on the annual dinner that she attended. Then she showed a marketing video from SI Works. It can be found at www.si.works

B. None

C. Mueller asked that anyone with changes or suggestions for the JGA strategic plan contact her so she can pass the information on to JGA.

D. None

E. None

VIII.   18-3860     Land and Water Conservation Fund

                            Mendoza read the email from Larkin and discussed some notes he had for a comprehensive plan. Erbes offered to contact UCCI to see if they are doing anything along the same lines. County Buildings & Grounds

IX.    18-3861      Courthouse Basement Sink Replacement

                            A motion was made by Mueller, seconded by Erbes, to authorize replacement of the sink in the basement of the courthouse in the amount of $677.00. The motion carried by unanimous vote.

X.    18-3864      County Clerk Office Renovation

                           The committee reviewed the memo and bids regarding the County Clerk's request to renovate his office. The consensus of the committee is to ask the County Clerk to attend the January meeting and explain the need for the renovations.

Old Business

Peterson reported that the Hill Top RV Campground would still like the board to consider an ordinance to reduce the speed on the county road despite two speed study's being completed that show otherwise. The committee discussed why Hill Top wants this, what the repercussions are in doing it, what would need to be done first, whether it would be safe, and what kind of precedent it would be setting. The consensus of the committee is to not move forward with this request at this time.

New Business

D. Bost spoke about a program he heard about in Ohio to help with dilapidated properties in the county. A Residential Development Program would allow a property tax break for home owners who purchase a dilapidated property and fix it up. D. Bost indicated it would be similar to an Enterprise Zone. He would like this item on the agenda in January.

XI.   18-3862      Executive Session under 2 (c) 1 to discuss hiring personnel

                           This was not needed.

Adjourn (6:21 PM)

Mueller moved and Erbes seconded to adjourn, motion carried.

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