Kankakee Times

Kankakee Valley Airport Authority met Feb. 13.

Here is the minutes as provided by the Commissioners:

Call to Order: The regular meeting for the month of February of the Board of Commissioners of the Kankakee Valley Airport Authority was called to order at 5:00 p.m. on Monday February 13, 2017 in the Board Room of the Robert B. Glade Terminal Building at the Greater Kankakee Airport, Kankakee, Illinois. Present: Commissioners Wilder, Payne, Glade, Langlois, and Jacobi. Also, present: Jeff Benoit, Airport Manager, Pamela A. Rose, Airport Office Manager, and Gary Ratcliff, Line Service Supervisor, Attorney Michael Donahue. Visitors: Representative Lindsey Parkhurst, Mr. Timothy Pawula,, Mr. Nick Allen, Edgar County Watchdogs, Mr. John Kraft, Edgar County Watchdogs. A quorum was present. Absent: Commissioner Kuntz.

Chairman Wilder stated that in the absence of Commissioner Kuntz, Commissioner Payne will serve as Secretary Pro-Tem.

Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the regular monthly meeting on Monday, January 9, 2017, were reviewed. A motion was made by Commissioner Glade and seconded by Commissioner Jacobi to accept the minutes as presented. All in favor say aye:. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Public Comment: Mt. John Kraft from Edgar County Watchdogs introduced himself and stated the reason for the visit.

New Business:

 Representative Parkhurst: Not present at this time. 

 Yearly Hangar Discount: Jeff Benoit discussed the yearly hangar discount and credit card fees that we are charged monthly. Following a brief discussion, it was decided that more research will need to be done. No action at this time. 

 Environmental Approval – Fence Project Phase 2: Jeff Benoit discussed that Crawford Murphy and Tilly, Inc. provided contracts be signed for the next phase of the fence project. Following a brief discussion a motion was made by Commissioner Jacobi and seconded by Commissioner Glade to accept and sign the contracts as discusses. Signatures obtained and will be mailed to Crawford Murphy and Tilly, Inc. this week.

Manager’s Report:

 Hangar/Facility Fee Report: Jeff Benoit reported on the Hangar/Facility Report for the month of January. 

 Monthly Credit Card Fees: Jeff Benoit discussed this with the Yearly Hangar Discount. 

 Court of Claims: Jeff Benoit reported that he did receive copies of the filings as requested for the Court of Claims. Attorney Donahue also provided an update of the status of the claims. 

 Executive Hangar C Heaters: Jeff Benoit reported on the status update on the heaters. At this time, more research is needed and no action taken. 

 Equipment – Back Hoe: Jeff Benoit reported that the back hoe is in need of repairs to fix a leak. The suggestion is to budget approximately $5,000.00 into the next year’s fiscal budget for the repair. 

 Tax Bill – Farm House: Jeff Benoit reported that KVAA received a tax bill for the property which states in four (4) installments. Several concerns with paying the tax bill since the house is vacant were raised. More research is needed on this matter. 

 Wildlife Study Reimbursement: Jeff Benoit reported on the status update of the payment received in December. The payment KVAA received is correct per the agreements.

Bills Presented: The bills were presented to the board for and January 9 – February 13, 2017 in the amount of $46,942.14. Commissioner Jacobi motioned and seconded by Commissioner Payne, approved the bills to be paid. On roll call the following voted aye: Commissioners Wilder, Payne, Glade, and Jacobi, Commissioner Langlois, Present. Nays: none. Motion carried Accounts Receivable: Jeff Benoit discussed the Accounts Receivables for the month of January and provided an update on Hangar I – 99. Financial Statements: Commissioner Payne discussed at this time no financial statements are prepared as the office is continuing work on re-entering information into QuickBooks.

Old Business:

 ICE Project: Chairman Wilder introduced Representative Lindsey Parkhurst to the meeting. Jeff Benoit discussed briefly an update on this project. Jeff turned the floor over to Representative Parkhurst to further explain what has been happening. There is a meeting in Springfield on February 24, 2017 at 11:00 am. Everyone is welcome to attend and encourages as many people to attend as possible. Chairman Wilder thanked Representative Parkhurst for coming in and discussing the issue and updates. It was moved by Commissioner Glade and seconded by Commissioner Jacobi to move into executive session. All in favor say aye, nays, none. Motion carried. It was moved by Commissioner Glade and seconded by Commissioner Payne to move to open session.

Executive Session:

 Personnel: During Executive Session we discussed the appointment of independent counselor to represent the Kankakee Valley Airport Authority. No action was taken at this time.

Open Discussion: Commissioner Langlois read and requested the following letter be included in the minutes.

“February 13, 2017

KVAA Board of Commissioners,

Considering the events that have transpired over the last few months, regarding the re-roofing project over Executive hangar # 1, I feel the need to express the following:

1: The KVAA Commissioners decided to receive bids from architects to draw specifications for the above-mentioned roofing project.

2: KVAA Commissioner Rende O. Langlois (President of Langlois Roofing, Inc.) asked the Attorney of the KVAA Board (Mr. Michael Donohue) to research whether Langlois Roofing, Inc. would be able to bid the project.

3: At the following months Board meetings, Mr. Donohue instructed the entire Board (myself included) that Langlois Roofing, Inc. could bid on the project after review of the Law.

4: The KVAA Commissioners decided on the firm of JH2B to draw specifications, and go out for bids for the project. Langlois Roofing, Inc. submitted a sealed bid to JH2B for the project.

5: After receipt of three (3) sealed bids for the project from three (3) different contractors, JH2B met with the KVAA manager to open the sealed bids.

6: Langlois Roofing, Inc. was the apparent low bid of the three (3) bids submitted by $3,573.00. 

7: At the following KVAA Board meeting, the KVAA manager presented the three bids, and at the request of JH2B’s recommendation, suggested the bid from Langlois Roofing, Inc. be accepted. 

8: All KVAA Commissioners voted in favor EXCEPT Commissioner Langlois who ABSTAINED from voting. 

9: KVAA entered a contract with Langlois Roofing, Inc. and the project was started and completed as per specifications.

Since completion of the project, by process of FOIA requests from Mr. John Kraft of the Edgar County watch dog group, the information given to the KVAA Commissioners by Mr. Donohue appears to be incorrect. I as the president of Langlois Roofing, Inc. relied on the information Mr. Donohue gave to be true and correct by standards of the Law

I, then and now, believe I did nothing wrong, nor did my Company do anything wrong. We saved the tax payers of Kankakee County $3,573.00 by process of sealed bids. However, I do not want there to be anymore controversy that could affect our City’s or County’s opportunity to move forward with any future projects to make Kankakee Valley Airport the best Airport in the State of Illinois.

It is for that reason that I tender my resignation as KVAA commissioner. Rende O. Langlois” 

Chairman Wilder regretfully accepted Commissioner Langlois’ resignation. 

Next Meeting: Monday March 13, 2017 at 5:00 pm 

Adjournment: 

There being no further business to discuss, a motion was made by Commissioner Glade and seconded by Commissioner Jacobi to adjourn the meeting at 6:25 pm.

http://www.greaterkankakeeairport.com/files/MIN_022017.pdf