Kankakee Times

Kankakee County Community Services Committee Met March 16.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

Members Present

Ms. Webber, Ms. Parker, Ms. Polk, Mr. Snipes, Ms. Peters, Mr. Carrico, Mr. Kerkstra, Mr. Darrel Smith, Mr. Ekhoff, Mr. Hunter, Ms. Bryan, Ms. Hudson, Mr. Kenneth Smith, Mr. Wheeler

Members Absent

Mr. Tholen

In Attendance

• Board Members

Mr. Wheeler and Mr. Hunter

• Department Heads

Anita Speckman, Erich Blair, Dan Hendrickson, Lori Gadbois, John Coghlan and Kari Laird

Media

None

1. Call to Order/Roll Call

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

Ms. Webber welcomed Mr. Alexander-Hildebrand to the committee.

2. Public Comment

None

3. Presentation

None

Ms. Webber asked for a motion to combine and approve all the reports including the County Clerks Report, Assessors report, Recorders Report, Animal Control Report and the minutes from the February 16, 2021 meeting.

Ms. Bryan made a motion to combine and approve the minutes and all reports, and Ms. Polk seconded it. Motion carried with a roll call vote of 13 ayes and 0 nays. Voting aye were: Ms. Webber, Ms. Parker, Ms. Polk, Mr. Snipes, Ms. Peters, Mr. Carrico, Mr. Kerkstra, Mr. Darrel Smith, Mr. Ekhoff, Mr. Hunter, Ms. Hudson, Mr. Kenneth Smith, Mr. Wheeler

4. Approval of Minutes: February 16, 2021

Ms. Webber asked for a motion to amend the agenda and move Animal Control to give the report next.

Ms. Parker made a motion to amend the agenda and Ms. Peters seconded it. Motion carried with a roll call vote of 13 ayes and 0 nays. Voting aye were: Ms. Webber, Ms. Parker, Ms.

Polk, Mr. Snipes, Ms. Peters, Mr. Carrico, Mr. Kerkstra, Mr. Darrel Smith, Mr. Ekhoff, Mr. Hunter, Ms. Hudson, Mr. Kenneth Smith, Mr. Wheeler

8. Animal Control – Kari Laird

• Monthly Report

• Monthly Statistical Data

Ms. Laird reviewed and discussed the reports with the committee. Ms. Laird advised they are transporting animals to Champaign and she appreciates changing the agenda.

Ms. Laird advised that there was a generous donation of $7500 to Animal Control which was greatly appreciated.

An updated report showing the donation will be sent.

Ms. Laird stated the agreement with Bourbonnais is working very well and assistance is able to arrive sooner with this agreement.

Mr. Wheeler asked how many animals are in the shelter right now.

Ms. Laird advised that there are 8 dogs currently, with 2 being transferred later today. There are currently 0 cats.

There were no additional questions or comments from the committee.

5. County Clerk – Dan Hendrickson

• Monthly Report

Mr. Hendrickson advised that early voting starts in his office on March 17th, 2021. The County clerk website has all of the voting information online.

Mr. Hendrickson said the software used to create the ballots, called Gem, will no longer be accepted. This will prompt a serious inquiry into new voting equipment. At the end of May or early June, Mr. Hendrickson will invite anyone who is wanting to come and look at the options, to come in.

The equipment has to be certified by the state and there only 3-4 options to choose from. Ms. Polk asked when the mail in ballots will arrive at the homes.

Mr. Hendrickson advised that they will be sent out later today.

Mr. Smith asked how much money is available in the Circuit clerks’ budget to get the new equipment?

Mr. Hendrickson stated that there is zero money available. The last time equipment was purchased was in 2004 and there were grants available as well as residual funds for the touch screens in 2006/2007.

Mr. Smith asked how much this is going to cost.

Mr. Hendrickson stated that for a 6-year lease, it will be a ballpark of $686,000. The touch screens and optical equipment also needs to be replaced.

Ms. Peters asked if the ebooks are still able to be used?

Mr. Hendrickson confirmed they were able to be used.

Mr. Snipes asked if there was money being set aside for the voting machines, knowing that we will have to upgrade that equipment regularly.

Mr. Wheeler stated that new voting equipment is needed and there will be a way to get it done.

Mr. Hendrickson advised that he would like to have a public demonstration for the equipment, he is wanting to view the options with an open mind.

Ms. Webber reminded the committee of the importance of the April 6th election.

6. Assessor – Erich Blair

• Monthly Report

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

Mr. Blair advised that the final abstract certification has been received from the Department of Revenue.

Mr. Blair advised that he had hired a Mapping Technician and that person has accepted a position elsewhere. There was a new job posting posted yesterday and he will keep the committee updated.

There were no questions or comments from the committee.

7. Recorder – Lori Gadbois

• Monthly Report

Ms. Gadbois reviewed the report with the committee.

Ms. Gadbois stated the Kankakee County is growing and moving forward.

Ms. Webber stated that every house that was listed for sale in Herscher has sold, which is great news.

Ms. Gadbois stated that the computer upgrade has gone well and the staff has adjusted well to it. There were no additional questions or comments from the committee.

9. Animal Welfare Advisory Committee – Tinker Parker

• Monthly Update

• Running at Large Ordinance

Ms. Parker advised that the running at large ordinance is included in the packet and is on the agenda for a vote today.

Ms. Webber added that if Ms. Laird was present, she would speak in support of this ordinance.

Mr. Wheeler added that this addresses an issue from over a year ago, where repeat owners, knowingly allow their animals to roam and repeatedly happens again.

Mr. Coghlan stated that any type of animal that is out and shouldn’t be out will be covered by the ordinance.

Ms. Parker thanked Mr. Coghlan for his work with getting this ordinance completed and brought to the committee.

Ms. Webber advised that this ordinance will continue to the full board meeting for approval.

Ms. Bryan made a motion to approve, and Mr. Kerkstra seconded it. Motion carried with a roll call vote of 13 ayes and 0 nays. Voting aye were: Ms. Webber, Ms. Parker, Ms. Polk, Mr. Snipes, Ms. Peters, Mr. Carrico, Mr. Kerkstra, Mr. Darrel Smith, Mr. Ekhoff, Mr. Hunter, Ms. Hudson, Mr. Kenneth Smith, Mr. Wheeler

• Wild Fowl Signage Update

Ms. Parker presented the signage that will be placed at various places throughout the county to educate the public on feeding wild fowl and the damaging effects of non-proper food items being fed to them.

Ms. Parker presented the template to the committee and the signs are being made now.

Ms. Parker thanked the Sheriff’s Department and State’s Attorney’s Office for their assistance in getting the signs purchased. Volunteers will be installing the signs at the approved locations.

Ms. Webber advised that the Illinois Department of Natural Resources was also involved in the program.

This signage could possibly be used at a Regional level.

Ms. Parker advised that next the AWAC committee will be working on a TNR program for trap, neuter and release program.

10. New/Old Business

11. Adjournment

Mr. Kerkstra made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:03 a.m., and Ms. Peters seconded it.

Meeting adjourned.

https://www.k3county.net/files/committees/comm_services_31621.pdf