Kankakee Times

Kankakee County Community Services Committee met August 15.

Here is the minutes as provided by the committee:

Members Present

Ms. Webber, Mr. Vickery, Mr. Tholen, Ms. Polk, Mr. Snipes, Mr. Payton, Ms. Peters, Ms. Dunbar,

and Ms. Parker

Members Absent

Mr. Sirois, Mr. Stauffenberg, and Ms. Evans

In Attendance

 Board Members

Mr. Wheeler and Mr. Liehr

 Department Heads

Lori Gadbois, Bruce Clark, Julie Boudreau, Erich Blair, Nick Africano, and Dr. Gregg Murphy

 Media

Present

1. Call to Order/Roll Call

The meeting was called to order by the Committee Vice-Chairman, Ms. Webber, at 9:00 a.m.

Quorum present.

2. Public Comment

Dianne Arp commented on the Citizens’ Advisory Board.

3. Approval of Minutes: April 27, 2016, May 25, 2016, July 27, 2016, August 24, 2016,

September 28, 2016, November 22, 2016, and July 18, 2017

A motion to combine and approve the minutes was made by Mr. Vickery, and seconded by

Ms. Parker. Motion carried with a voice vote.

4. Recorder: Lori Gadbois

 Monthly Report

Ms. Dunbar made a motion to accept the report, and Mr. Payton seconded it. Motion

carried with a voice vote.

Ms. Gadbois reviewed and discussed the report with the committee.

 Discussion of Pending State Law & Raising the County Recorder’s Fees Accordingly

Ms. Gadbois stated that she wanted to bring the committee up to date on House Bill 3036 which

was passed in both Houses and is on the Governor’s desk. It was sent to the Governor on June

28th, but still isn’t signed. From what she understands, and in communication with the Governor’s

office, after 60 calendar days, if it is not signed by the Governor, it is automatic law. So, on

August 28th, it would be automatic law. We would then need to follow the process of the

legislation that was written.

5. Assessor: Erich Blair

 Monthly Report

Mr. Tholen made a motion to approve the report, and Ms. Peters seconded it. Motion

carried with a voice vote.

Mr. Blair reviewed and discussed the report with the committee.

6. County Clerk: Bruce Clark

 Monthly Report

Mr. Tholen made a motion to approve the report, and Ms. Dunbar seconded it. Motion

carried with a voice vote.

Mr. Clark reviewed and discussed the report with the committee.

 Tax Discussion

Mr. Clark reviewed and discussed with the committee the part the County Clerk’s office has in the

real estate tax process. The reports are on file for the public to view.

7. Animal Control: Julie Boudreau

 Monthly Report

Ms. Parker made a motion to approve the report, and Ms. Polk seconded it. Motion carried

with a voice vote.

Ms. Boudreau reviewed and discussed the report with the committee.

 Software Update

Ms. Boudreau provided the committee with a summary of the software update that she plans on

adding to their software. It offers the opportunity to get the community more engaged and be able

to interact on how they log their pets or their rabies. What they put into the system is exactly what

is written on the rabies certificate. Having this portal that will allow people to become engaged

and be able to interact will be a nice component for the community. She hopes to have everything

up and running within the next 30 days.

8. Old Business

 Kankakee County Animal Welfare Advisory Committee:

Mr. Wheeler stated that we had about 20 applicants and one veterinarian apply. Normally, the

chairman would bring appointments to the committee and ask for approval. He wanted to include

other people in that process, so Board Members Ms. Parker and Ms. Dunbar assisted him on this.

He came up with a scoring system, and proceeded to explain the criteria to the committee. He

also wanted to make it blind so that it wasn’t based on names. He prepared a grid, much like is

done in Human Resources on scoring individuals on skill sets, and he looked towards what the

key things he felt were essential for a good board member.

Ms. Parker stated that, as Mr. Wheeler stated, the process of selecting members for this

committee was done fairly and, with the cohesive group of people, this will be a very positive

committee working together with a very purposeful mission to help our animals and to help our

County and community shelters bring it all together. The people who will be serving on this

committee will be working hard and working together. She feels that we have chosen the best

committee possible to move forward and she is anxious to start our work.

Mr. Wheeler stated that those who were not selected are still welcome to be part of the committee;

they just won’t be voting members. They can still come to the meetings, give input in public

comment, and be part of the group. It is not a policy adopting committee. It’s a committee to help

vet policy and recommendations before it comes to this committee.

 Appointment of Dr. Ande’ A. Wegner (Veterinarian)

 Appointment of Dawn M. Tutt

Appointment of Jennifer Katajamaki

Appointment of Jamie Jamnik

Appointment of Karen Hemza

Appointment of Kathleen A. Voss

Appointment of Dina Raymond

Appointment of Alice (Tinker) Parker as Chairperson

Appointment of Elisabeth Dunbar as Vice-Chairperson

Ms. Peters made a motion to combine and approve the appointments, and Mr. Snipes

seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote.

9. New Business

Mr. Liehr reviewed and discussed with the committee UCCI’s notification regarding the Governor’s

amendatory veto and the inclusion of information from the Illinois Statewide School Management

Alliance listing items included in the amendatory veto. There are nine items in the amendatory

veto, but he thought that the sixth item was particularly important to the County Board and its’

members, and that is that this change will eliminate the PTELL and TIF equalization assessment

subsidies.

Dr. Gregg Murphy and Bruce Clark also spoke on the above issue.

10. Adjournment

A motion was made by Ms. Peters to adjourn the meeting at 10:35 a.m., and was seconded

by Mr. Snipes. Motion carried.

http://www.co.kankakee.il.us/files/committees/comm_services_81517.pdf