Kankakee Times

Kankakee County Executive Committee met Sept. 23.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

Members Present

Mr. Liehr, Mr. Byrne, Mr. Hess, Ms. Webber, Mr. Kinzinger, Ms. Haas, Mr. Fetherling, Mr. Miller, Mr. Sirois Mr. Hunter and Mr. Wheeler

Members Absent

Mr. Tholen and Mr. Payton

In Attendance

• Board Members

Mr. Kerkstra

• Department Heads

Anita Speckman, Kevin Duval, Ben Wilson

Media

None

1. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by the Chairman, Mr. Wheeler, at 9:00 a.m. Quorum present.

2. Public Comment

None

3. Executive Session-Pending Litigation 5ILCS 120/2 (c) (11)

At 9:03am, Mr. Hess made a motion to enter Executive Session, and Mr. Byrne seconded it. Motion carried with a roll call vote of 11 ayes and 0 nays. Voting aye were: Mr. Liehr, Mr. Byrne, Mr. Hess, Ms. Webber, Mr. Kinzinger, Ms. Haas, Mr. Fetherling, Mr. Miller, Mr. Sirois Mr. Hunter and Mr. Wheeler

The committee exited the Executive Session at 9:28am.

4. Approval of Minutes: August 26, 2020

Mr. Hunter made to approve the minutes, and Mr. Byrne seconded it. Motion carried with a Roll Call Vote of 11 ayes and 0 nays. Voting aye were: Mr. Liehr, Mr. Byrne, Mr. Hess, Ms. Webber, Mr. Kinzinger, Ms. Haas, Mr. Fetherling, Mr. Miller, Mr. Sirois Mr. Hunter and Mr. Wheeler

5. Legislative

Mr. Wheeler spoke in regards to the cupcake ordinance possibly coming back to the committee.

Mr. Wheeler added that the county is working with the municipalities to create an ewaste drop off program, there will be more information to come.

6. Information Services – Kevin Duval

Mr. Duval updated the committee on technology updates.

Mr. Duval stated that he has been setting up the courts for remote work capabilities.

7. Health Department – John Bevis

• COVID-19 Update

Mr. Byrne updated the committee on the latest COVID-19 updates and how the Health Department responds to complaints for businesses staying open during covid mitigation.

8. Schools – Dr. Gregg Murphy

None

9. Veterans Assistance Commission – Karen Smietanski

None

10. County Administrator’s Report - Anita Speckman 

• Staffing Report

Ms. Speckman reviewed the report with the committee.

• Memo of Understanding Addition to County Highway IUOE Local 150 Contract Ms. Speckman presented the information to the committee regarding the IUOE Contract This was regarding paid leave time language.

Ms. Speckman reviewed and discussed the topic with the committee.

Mr. Sirois made a motion to approve, and Mr. Byrne seconded it.

Mr. Kinzinger made a motion to simplify and approve the amendment with an expiration date, and Ms. Webber seconded it.

Mr. Wheeler advised that this is the vote for the amendment as guided by Mr. Kinzinger.

Motion carried with a Roll Call Vote of 9 ayes and 1 nay. Voting aye were: Mr. Liehr, Mr. Byrne, Mr. Kinzinger, Mr. Hess, Ms. Webber, Mr. Fetherling, Mr. Miller, Mr. Sirois Mr. Hunter and Mr. Wheeler. Voting Nay was Mr. Hunter

Mr. Wheeler advised this is the vote on the original motion.

Motion carried with a Roll Call Vote of 9 ayes and 1 nay. Voting aye were: Mr. Liehr, Mr. Byrne, Mr. Kinzinger, Mr. Hess, Ms. Webber, Mr. Fetherling, Mr. Miller, Mr. Sirois Mr. Hunter and Mr. Wheeler. Voting Nay was Mr. Hunter

• EAP Program Usage and 2021 Renewal

Ms. Speckman reviewed the usage of the EAP program from our county employees. Ms. Speckman stated that the program was beneficial to the employees. The cost is $1,033 per month and Ms. Speckman asked that the program be renewed.

Mr. Hess made to approve, and Mr. Byrne seconded it.

Mr. Wheeler discussed the benefits of offering this program to the employees.

Motion carried with a Roll Call Vote of 10 ayes and 0 nays. Voting aye were: Mr. Liehr, Mr. Byrne, Mr. Hess, Ms. Webber, Mr. Kinzinger, Mr. Fetherling, Mr. Miller, Mr. Sirois Mr. Hunter and Mr. Wheeler

There were no further questions from the committee.

11. Administrative Issues

➢ Resignations/Appointments/Reappointments:

None

➢ Openings:

Mr. Wheeler read each of the available openings to the committee members.

✓ Three Openings on the Manteno No. 9 Drainage District

✓ One Opening on the Momence and Yellowhead Drainage District No. 1

✓ Three Opening on the Momence-Pembroke Union Drainage District No. 1

✓ One Opening on the Raymond Drainage District

✓ One Opening on the Spring Creek Drainage District

✓ One Opening on the Union Drainage District No. 2

✓ One Opening on the Yellowhead & Washington Union Drainage District No. 2 ✓ One Opening on the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (Veterinarian)

✓ Three Openings on the Kankakee County Regional Planning Commission

✓ One Opening on the Historic Preservation Commission

✓ One Opening on the Essex Township Fire Protection District

✓ One Opening on the Kankakee Township Fire Protection District

12. New Business

• Kankakee County Land Bank Authority (Discussion Only)

Mr. Wilson reviewed the Land Bank Authority with the committee.

Mr. Wheeler stated that he supports the land bank and opened the floor to questions from the committee.

13. Old Business

None

14. Other Business

None.

15. Adjournment

Mr. Hess made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:36 a.m., and Mr. Byrne seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote.

http://www.co.kankakee.il.us/files/committees/executive_92320.pdf