Iroquois County Board Special met February 28.
Here is the minutes as provided by the board:
The Iroquois County Board met in Special Session at the Administrative Center, in
Watseka, IL on Wednesday, February 28, 2018 at 9 A.M. Chairman Shure called the meeting to
order and asked County Clerk Lisa Fancher to call the roll.
STATE OF ILLINIOS
IROQUOIS COUNTY
Roll call and votes in Iroquois County
Special Session, February 28, 2018
Chairman Shure
On motion to call the roll
Aye: Bills, Coughenour, Crow, Hasbargen, Johnson, McGinnis, McTaggart, Offill,
Pursley, Shure, Whitlow
Absent: Alt, Anderson, Behrends, Bohlmann, Curtis, Krumwiede, LaMie, Rayman,
Stichnoth
Prayer & Pledge of Allegiance
Mrs. Offill introduced Reverend Ron Bogenschneider, Pastor of the Agape Church in
Watseka, who gave the opening prayer after which the Pledge of Allegiance was recited in
unison.
Clerk Reads Call for Special Session
County Clerk Lisa Fancher read the call for the Special Session.
To Lisa Fancher:
We, the undersigned members of the County Board of Iroquois County, Illinois, do
hereby request you to call a special meeting of the County Board of Iroquois County, Illinois
to meet at the Administrative Center in the City of Watseka, Illinois on Wednesday, February
28, 2018 at 9 A.M. for the purpose of discussion and vote on extending the declaration of
disaster in Iroquois County and discussion and possible action on telecommunicator issues.
s/John Shure
s/Gerald “Jed” Whitlow
s/Ernest Curtis
s/Charles Alt
s/Marvin Stichnoth
s/Barb Offill
s/Donna K Crow
Agenda
It was moved by Mr. Bills and seconded to move the discussion and action regarding the
extension of the time period of the disaster declaration in Iroquois County before the discussion
and action regarding the telecommunicator union matter on the agenda. The motion carried by a
voice vote.
Public Comments
There were no public comments.
Discussion and Action Regarding Extension of the Time Period of
The Disaster Declaration in Iroquois County
EMA Director Eric Ceci updated the Board regarding the major flooding that has recently
occurred throughout the County. He said many citizens have been evacuated from their homes,
most of which resided in the City of Watseka. At the present time, the waters have receded and
damage assessment has begun throughout the County. He explained that the County Board
Chairman signed the original disaster declaration on February 21, 2018. This declaration is good
for 7 days and must be extended by the full County Board in order for emergency operations to
continue throughout the County. Eric confirmed that if the declaration is extended, it will give
the Chairman purchasing powers for expenses related to the flood and emergency operations,
which will come from the general fund. He also said most of the expenses will be from recovery
and debris management. It was moved by Mr. Bills and seconded to extend the disaster
declaration for an indefinite term. The motion carried by a roll call vote.
STATE OF ILLINOIS
IROQUOIS COUNTY
Roll call and votes in Iroquois County
Special Session, February 28, 2018
Chairman Shure
On motion to extend the disaster declaration for an indefinite term
Aye: Bills, Coughenour, Crow, Hasbargen, Johnson, McGinnis, McTaggart, Offill,
Pursley, Rayman*, Shure, Whitlow
Absent: Alt, Anderson, Behrends, Bohlmann, Curtis, Krumwiede, LaMie, Stichnoth
*denotes Board member that arrived after the initial roll call
Discussion
The Board continued discussion about the current flood. EMA Director Eric Ceci
speculated the snowmelt before the immense rains with the ground still frozen caused a lot of
water to come up very quickly resulting in the current flood. While there is no promise that
FEMA will provide aid, damage assessments will still have to be done throughout the flooded
areas of the County. There are several organizations that will be in the area that will be
providing Muck Out Crews which will aid residents in cleaning out their homes and properties.
It is advised that anyone wishing to volunteer with the Muck Out, please register at the reception
center which has been set up for spontaneous volunteers. This is located at the Unit 9
Administration Building. Also, there is a resource for residents with flood insurance that will
allow an additional $30,000 from FEMA in order to raise homes above base flood level. Lastly,
there will be a Flood Help Resource Center located at the old Big R building, next to Casey’s in
Watseka, which will have various charities, governmental agencies, and other organizations that
will be setup there to meet with flood victims to provide assistance. Mr. Bills said months from
now, when recovery is over the issue of flooding will go to the back burner; he encouraged the
Board to stay on top of the topic this time until a solution can be found.
Discussion and Action Regarding the Telecommunicator Union Matter
State’s Attorney Jim Devine talked to the Board regarding the telecommunicator union matter. He
was asked to get a second opinion on the arbitrator’s decision and consulted various law firms that are
well versed and experts in labor laws. He signed an engagement letter with the law firm of Clark Baird
Smith to represent the County on the matter. Jim introduced James Powers, attorney for Clark Baird
Smith, to talk with the Board regarding their options with the arbitrator’s ruling. It was moved by Mrs.
Crow and seconded to go into executive session under 5/ILCS 120/1 (c) (2) Collective Negotiating matters
between the public body and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary
schedules for one or more classes of employees at 9:39 A.M. The motion carried by a roll call vote.
STATE OF ILLINOIS
IROQUOIS COUNTY
Roll call and votes in Iroquois County
Recessed Session, February 28, 2018
Chairman Shure
On motion to go into executive session under 5/ILCS 120/1 (c) (2) Collective Negotiating
matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations
concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees at 9:39 A.M.
Aye: Bills, Coughenour, Crow, Hasbargen, Johnson, McGinnis, McTaggart, Offill,
Pursley, Rayman, Shure, Whitlow
Absent: Alt, Anderson, Behrends, Bohlmann, Curtis, Krumwiede, LaMie, Stichnoth
Executive Session
It was moved by Mr. Rayman and seconded to come out of executive session at 10:16
a.m. The motion carried by a voice vote.
Old Business
There was no old business.
New Business
There was no new business.
Adjournment
It was moved by Mr. Rayman and seconded to adjourn the meeting at 10:17 a.m. The
next County Board meeting will be held in Watseka, IL at the Administrative Center on Tuesday,
March 13, 2018 at 5 p.m.
http://www.co.iroquois.il.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Special-Session.pdf
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