Kankakee Times

Kankakee County Community Services Committee met Aug. 20.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

Members Present

Ms. Webber, Ms. Parker, Mr. LaGesse, Ms. Polk, Mr. Snipes, Ms. Peters, Ms. Dunbar, Mr. Fairfield, Mr. Ekhoff, Mr. Carrico, Mr. Fetherling and Mr. Swanson

Members Absent

Mr. Zenz and Ms. Zuccollo

In Attendance

 Board Members

Mr. Sirois and Mr. Wheeler

 Department Heads

Julie Boudreau, Dan Hendrickson, Erich Blair, Lori Gadbois, Anita Speckman, Kevin Duval and Mark Rogers

 Media None

1. CalltoOrder/RollCall

The meeting was called to order by the Committee Chairperson, Ms. Webber, at 9:01 a.m. Quorum present.

2. Public Comment

None

3. Approval of Minutes: July 16, 2019

Ms. Parker made a motion to approve the minutes and Mr. Fetherling seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote.

4. County Clerk – Dan Hendrickson

 Monthly Report

Mr. Ekhoff made a motion to approve the monthly report, and Mr. Swanson seconded it.

Motion carried with a voice vote.

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

Mr. Hendrickson advised that the staff went to Urbana for a Cyber Security Seminar in regards to safeguarding the voting process. Mr. Hendrickson assured the committee that the threat for Kankakee County is very low and the process is secure.

Upcoming events were discussed. September 3rd, 2019 is the first day to circulate petitions for the 2020 general primary election. Packets are available in the County Clerk office and online.

September 17th is constitution day and KCC has asked them to be a part of the voter registration drive.

September 24th is National voter registration day. There will be decorations out in the office and the public will be encouraged to register to vote.

October 8th the county clerk will be partnering with Asbury United Church and Project Homeless Connect. This is a service to provide free birth certificates to those that are homeless or indigent. This will be at Asbury United Church.

Mr. Snipes asked if delegates will be elected in 2020. Mr. Hendrickson confirmed.

Ms. Parker asked what the deadline is for filing knowing that the September 3rd is the circulation for petitions date.

Mr. Hendrickson advised that the deadline is November 25th thru December 2nd, 2019. That time period does include the two days that we are closed for Thanksgiving. That is for filing here for local races.

Ms. Webber asked for an update on the Census meeting at Lindsay Parkhurst’s office.

Mr. Hendrickson stated that the State Representative is willing to provide any information that is necessary and the meeting was needed for planning.

Mr. LaGesse asked if the 2020 election in November, do we run in the present district that we have.

Mr. Hendrickson confirmed and said that redistricting will not take place until the summer of 2021 and in 2022 will be the first time that all the County Board seats will be up at that time. So everyone who is filing for County Board this year, it will be a two year term.

There will be a lottery to determine which county board spots are 4 year term and 2 year.

There were no further questions from the committee.

5. Assessor – Erich Blair  Monthly Report

Ms. Dunbar made a motion to approve the monthly report, and Ms. Peters seconded it. Motion carried with voice vote.

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

All of the township assessment changes have been received. The Assessor’s office is ready to create the publication and notification file. That way the changes to assessments can be published on September 12th, 2019. That was the original goal and there shouldn’t be any hang-ups.

There will then be a 30 day window to accept assessment appeals.

Ms. Webber wanted to confirm that the assessment changes will be published in the three local papers. Ms. Webber asked if they will be posted in the building as well.

Mr. Blair advised that he will speak with Chairman Wheeler about other ways to advertise than what is normally done.

The assessment appeal form is available online and in the office. Mr. Blair wanted to clarify that this appeal is not the tax bill, this is an appeal on the value of the property and whether you feel that it is appropriate.

Mr. Snipes asked for the window of time that you can appeal.

Mr. Blair advised that once published on September 12th, the deadline will be October 15th, 2019.

Mr. Snipes asked about the residences that do not receive the Daily Journal, if there is a letter that could be sent out.

Mr. Blair advised that the established process meets the requirements and guidelines, anything above and beyond that could be discussed.

There were no further questions from the committee.

6. Recorder – Lori Gadbois • MonthlyReports

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

Mr. LaGesse made a motion to approve the monthly report, and Mr. Ekhoff seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote.

There were no questions about the report from the committee. Ms. Gadbois touched on property fraud awareness.

Ms. Gadbois advised the committee that her staff is hoping to have all records online from 1967 to that current year within the 4 years.

Ms. Gadbois stated that there will be 2500 mortgage assignments to be completed within three days and her office agreed that they are capable of completing the task. This is for a clean chain of title for the 2500 documents.

Lastly, the recorder’s office has completed the complete computer upgrade and that is running smoothly.

Ms. Gadbois encouraged everyone to sign up for the property fraud alert.

Ms. Dunbar stated that she sold her house and the office immediately contacted her when it was filed, so she appreciated that.

7. Animal Control – Julie Boudreau

• Monthly Report

Ms. Dunbar made a motion to approve the monthly report, and Ms. Polk seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote.

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

Ms. Boudreau advised that there have been a few bats that tested positive for rabies in the county and they are responding to those calls. September and October are peak times for bat activity, so she anticipates the number to rise.

Mr. Sirois asked if strays are checked for ticks and if they are testing for the heartland virus.

Ms. Boudreau stated that they are sent out for testing and most are coming back as the longhorn, thankfully not the Asian longhorn.

• Monthly Statistical Data

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

• Reckless Owner

Ms. Boudreau stated that there was some confusion last month, so she is back this month with the reckless owner ordinance that addresses perpetual reckless owners that do not care for their animal.

Ms. Boudreau gave examples of a few cases that show the event history of some owners.

Ms. Boudreau stated that the owners should be held accountable, not the animal. Ms. Boudreau is asking for the committee to allow her to take the language to the State’s Attorney’s office to review and she will bring it back to the committee. She provided an example ordinance from a different county as a starting point.

Ms. Webber asked for clarification as to what was highlighted.

Ms., Boudreau advised that the highlighted areas are changes that would be made in order to pertain to Kankakee County.

Ms. Parker noted that some people do not deserve to own a pet and that it is sad that we need to make such laws.

Mr. Wheeler asked if these complaints can be filed in the circuit court. Ms. Boudreau confirmed. Mr. Wheeler asked if residents are requesting things be done, why is it not being communicated that they have this option under the state law.

Ms. Boudreau advised that under the state law, it is more dangerous and vicious. This will cover the reckless owner to provide the proper language.

Mr. Wheeler stated that he didn’t agree that the animal control could act as judge and jury. He will not support this as it is written.

Mr. Wheeler asked what the vote total was from the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee.

Did they vote to support or not support?

Ms. Parker advised that the ordinance will be reviewed at the September 11th, 2019 AWAC meeting.

Mr. Wheeler advised that is not how this procedure works. The ordinance would have to come from AWAC with their approval.

Ms. Webber advised that the AWAC recommendation was for Ms. Boudreau to present the reckless owner to the Community Services committee. Ms. Boudreau advised that she was not present at the last AWAC meeting.

Ms. Boudreau stated that she needs the Committee’s approval to take it to the State’s Attorney and then bring it back to the committee.

Mr. Snipes agreed with Chairman Wheeler’s concern, but is in support of the ordinance going to the State’s Attorney for review.

Ms. Dunbar stated that all of this conversation is irrelevant since the proper protocol has not been met. Something firm needs to come out of AWAC that says yes, we have approved this language and then come to the committee.

Mr. Wheeler asked if that was the motion to send back to AWAC.

Ms. Webber confirmed.

Mr. Snipes wanted to confirm that the ordinance will get to the State’s Attorney’s office for review.

Mr. Wheeler stated that the protocol is to send to the State’s Attorney for review once the language has been approved by the Community Services Committee. First the language needs to be approved by AWAC. It is not possible to have the State’s Attorney review every item, especially items that haven’t even been approved by this committee.

Ms. Parker stated that AWAC hasn’t had the opportunity to dissect this specific ordinance and will be looked at September 11th as planned.

Ms. Dunbar made the motion to send the issue to the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee to create the ordinance and Ms. Peters seconded it. Motion carried with a voice Vote.

8. Animal Welfare Advisory Committee – Tinker Parker

Ms. Webber stated that AWAC has changed their monthly meeting dates in order to have met right before the Community Services Committee meeting instead of after. This will allow for better progress flow.

 Monthly Update

 Extreme Temperature Ordinance

Ms. Parker presented an ordinance that has been dissected and approved by AWAC. This was approved by AWAC with a vote of 7-0.

Ms. Parker reviewed the changes with the committee which includes: changing the word may to shall, add a time limit of 30 minutes, addition of specific temperatures (above 90 degrees or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit) and providing fresh water at all times.

Mr. Sirois stated he has concerns about the time limit of 30 minutes and the specific temperature. As living on a farm, there are many outside cats, as an example this ordinance would be extremely difficult with the farm cats. Mr. Sirois stated that he wouldn’t want to support something that would automatically make him a lawbreaker.

Mr. Fetherling stated that the time limit and specific temperatures are a stretch. Many hunters and even police animals are exposed to longer time frames and temperatures. It is unrealistic to think that this would be enforceable. Mr. Fetherling recommended added the word unattended.

Ms. Webber stated that it would still be difficult to prove.

Mr. Wheeler stated that he supports this, but the time limit is unenforceable. It’s too restrictive and an overreach. Mr. Wheeler stated that he would approve this with amending to exclude the time limit and temperature.

Mr. Swanson wanted to confirm that this is only enforced in the unincorporated areas and Chebanse and Buckingham, the areas that Animal Control oversees.

Ms. Boudreau confirmed.

Ms. Peters agreed that the time limit and temperature is too restrictive.

Ms. Peters said the having water at all times opens a door for someone to harass someone and how could that be controlled.

Ms. Parker restated that this is ordinance is aimed towards irresponsible owners that have their animals chained without water, no shelter and in extreme temperatures.

Ms. Dunbar asked to confirm that is the committee seems to be in agreement to remove the time and specific temperature; the only thing that is changed is the word may to the word shall. Is that correct?

Ms. Parker confirmed.

Ms. Dunbar asked if the whole conversation is based on one word.

Mr. Wheeler stated that there is a change in section 3 also, fresh water and 4 walls.

Ms. Dunbar made a motion to make the proposed amendments, and Mr. LaGesse seconded it.

Mr. Wheeler stated removing the time and temperature takes away the problematic part.

Mr. Wheeler stated that the change is the word “may” to “shall” and the fresh water. Ms. Peters asked if it includes the four walls.

Ms. Parker stated that it is already in the ordinance; they are just emphasizing the shelter as four walls.

Ms. Webber stated that this ordinance was approved to be reviewed by the State’s Attorney’s Office and then on to the full county board.

9. New/Old Business

Ms. Webber reminded the committee about the renaming of the JCDC safety building and the invite that was sent to the board members for August 29th.

Mr. Snipes asked about the process for tax bidding and if there is a rule that a municipality can bid and have something pulled back before the bidding process. Mr. Snipes stated that we may need to look into it.

Mr. Wheeler stated that he will speak with the Treasurer after the meeting and double check the process is being followed.

Ms. Parker added that applications are being accepted for AWAC members.

Ms. Parker thanked everyone for their prayers and concern for her grandson that was in an accident.

Ms. Boudreau stated that there were new laws that are going into effect and quickly reviewed them with the committee.

Mr. Wheeler stated the most concerning one is that all animal control and shelters have to have sprinkler systems installed, which is very expensive.

10. Adjournment

Ms. Dunbar made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:18 a.m., and Ms. Polk seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote.

http://www.co.kankakee.il.us/files/committees/comm_services_82019.pdf