Kankakee Times

Kankakee County Executive Committee Met March 23.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

Members Present 

Mr. Liehr, Ms. Polk, Ms. Webber, Mr. Payton, Ms. Parker, Mr. Kinzinger, Mr. Fairfield, Mr. Carrico, Mr.  Fetherling, Mr. Miller, Mr. Long, Mr. Hunter, Mr. Sirois and Mr. Wheeler 

Members Absent 

Mr. Hess 

In Attendance 

• Board Members 

Larry Kerkstra 

• Department Heads 

Anita Speckman, John Bevis, Delbert Skimerhorn, Karen Smietanski, John Coghlan and Lori Gadbois 

Media 

No 

1. Call to Order 

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

2. Public Comment 

None 

3. Approval of Minutes: February 23, 2021 

Mr. Wheeler asked for a motion to combine and approve the minutes and the VAC Report. 

Mr. Payton made a motion to combine and approve and Mr. Long seconded it. Motion carried  with a roll call vote of 14 ayes and 0 nays.  

Voting aye were: Mr. Liehr, Ms. Polk, Ms. Webber, Mr. Payton, Ms. Parker, Mr. Kinzinger, Mr.  Fairfield, Mr. Carrico, Mr. Fetherling, Mr. Miller, Mr. Long, Mr. Hunter, Mr. Sirois and Mr.  Wheeler 

4. Presentations 

• Presentation on the American Rescue Plan Act 

Mr. Wheeler presented a PowerPoint presentation to the committee. Mr. Wheeler advised that there  are many rules to the American Rescue Plan and it will require a plan to maximize. There will be  another presentation to the Finance Committee tomorrow from Steve McCarty. Mr. Wheeler cautioned the Committee that this is not a race to spend money, but to create a plan to  maximize the funds. 

Mr. Wheeler provided a summary of the Rescue Plan to the Committee. The Board needs to  authorize the County Board Chairman to sign the Rescue Plan so the funds can be sent. The committee agreed that the Chairman should sign the document to accept the funds. 

Mr. Wheeler advised that this will also go to the full board for a vote, but today was just a head nod to  move forward. 

Mr. Fetherling asked if there will be an audit of the funds and how they were used. 

Mr. Wheeler confirmed that there will be auditing and we will be certain to handle in the same way  that we handled the first round of Covid Money and use best practices. There will be an extensive  audit trail for the funds used and we will use all the checks and balances that are in place. 

Mr. Wheeler spoke about needing to hire employees to assist the county with the disbursement of funds and how to communicate the fund availability to the public. The committee agreed. 

The committee is considering the following employees to assist in the American Rescue Plan act: Full  time grant write, full time Public relations and Communications Professional, and a full-time employee  for Finance. 

Mr. Wheeler stated that he has confirmed that the funds could be used to cover the salary of these  positions. The need is there and it is important to be a hub for this information within the county. 

The committee spoke of the projects that will be a priority for the county and how to maximize the  plan funds. 

5. Legislative – Steve Liehr 

Mr. Liehr provided the committee with a review of a UCCI Webinar that he attended. 

6. County Code Modification to Address Electronic Attendance in Meetings Mr. Wheeler advised the committee that there needs to be policy in the County Code that specifies  direction for attending meetings electronically once the Executive Orders end. 

Mr. Wheeler advised of the importance to be present in the meetings on zoom and to be on camera  when you vote. 

Mr. Wheeler stated that the SAO is reviewing the code and will have the formal changes and  recommendations for the full board. 

Mr. Wheeler introduced Theresa Goudie to the board who will be assisting the board from the State’s  Attorney’s Office. 

Mr. Kinzinger made a motion to approve and Ms. Polk seconded it. Motion carried with a roll  call vote of 14 ayes and 0 nays.  

Voting aye were: Mr. Liehr, Ms. Polk, Ms. Webber, Mr. Payton, Ms. Parker, Mr. Kinzinger, Mr.  Fairfield, Mr. Carrico, Mr. Fetherling, Mr. Miller, Mr. Long, Mr. Hunter, Mr. Sirois and Mr.  Wheeler 

7. Information Services – Kevin Duval 

• Monthly Update 

Mr. Duval updated the committee on the current projects within his office. 

8. Health Department – John Bevis 

• COVID-19 Update 

Mr. Bevis presented numbers to the Committee to show the most current numbers for Covid positivity  and vaccines in the County and included specific demographics for review. 

Mr. Bevis also provided where vaccines are available and upcoming vaccinations events. 

9. Schools – Dr. Gregg Murphy 

None 

10. Veterans Assistance Commission – Karen Smietanski 

• Monthly Report 

Ms. Smietanski was available to take any questions from the committee. There were no additional  questions or comments. 

 11. County Administrator’s Report – Anita Speckman 

• Monthly Report 

Ms. Speckman updated the committee on the space needs for the county, termination numbers, covid  updates and FMLA information. Ms. Speckman added that most terminations of employees at the  county are due to retirement or voluntary resignations. 

 11. Administrative Issues 

➢ Resignations/Appointments/Reappointments: 

Mr. Wheeler read the appointments and reappointments to the committee. 

• Reappointment of Robin Batka to the Bloom’s Grove Cemetery Association 

• Reappointment of Jon Whitten to the Bloom’s Grove Cemetery Association 

• Reappointment of Andy Pallissard to the Bloom’s Grove Cemetery Association 

• Reappointment of Donna Nelson to the Bloom’s Grove Cemetery Association 

• Reappointment of James Schopf to the Kankakee River Conservancy District  

• Reappointment of Gerald Thiesen to the Yellowhead & Washington Union Drainage District  No.2 

Mr. Wheeler and the committee agreed that if there are multiple applications for a position, the  applicants would be invited to the meeting and present to the committee for appointment. The committee agreed. 

 Mr. Liehr made a motion to combine and approve the appointments and reappointments and  Mr. Carrico seconded it. Motion carried with a roll call vote of 13 ayes and 0 nays.   Voting aye were: Mr. Liehr, Ms. Polk, Ms. Webber, Ms. Parker, Mr. Kinzinger, Mr. Fairfield, Mr.  Carrico, Mr. Fetherling, Mr. Miller, Mr. Long, Mr. Hunter, Mr. Sirois and Mr. Wheeler 

➢ Openings  

Mr. Wheeler read the openings to the committee. 

• Three Openings on the Manteno No.9 Drainage District 

• Two Openings on the Momence-Pembroke Union Drainage District No.1 

• One Opening on the Raymond Drainage District

• One Opening on the Spring Creek Drainage District 

• Two Openings on the Union Drainage District No.2 

• One Opening on the Canavan Drainage District 

• One Opening on the Gar Creek Drainage District 

• One Opening on the Little Beaver Special Drainage District 

• One Opening on the McGillivray Special Drainage District 

• One Opening on the Minnie Creek Drainage District 

• One Opening on the Momence & Yellowhead Drainage District No.1 

• Eight Openings on the Kankakee County Regional Planning Commission 

• One Opening on the Kankakee River Conservancy District 

• Two Openings on the Kankakee County Board of Review 

• One Opening on the Kankakee County Farmland Assessment Review Committee 

• Two Openings on the Kankakee Township Fire Protection District 

• Two Openings on the Reddick Community Fire Protection District 

• One Opening on the Bourbonnais Fire Protection District 

• Three Openings on the Essex Township Fire Protection District 

• One Opening on the Cabery Fire Protection District 

• One Opening on the Grant Park Fire Protection District 

• One Opening on the Greater Momence Fire Protection District 

• One Opening on the Manteno Community Fire Protection District 

• One Opening on the Otto Township Fire Protection District 

• One Opening on the Pilot Township Fire Protection District 

• One Opening on the St. Anne Fire Protection District 

12. New Business 

Mr. Sirois requested to revisit having Kankakee County as a sanctuary county for the 2nd Amendment. Ms. Parker agreed and stated that she has had several constituents reach out to her. 

Mr. Wheeler suggested that Mr. Sirois speak to the Sheriff and get his input. Mr. Sirois confirmed that  he has spoke with Sheriff regarding the issue. 

Mr. Sirois stated that he will get a resolution prepared for the board to consider. Mr. Sirois would like to see a measure of security within the admin building. 

 13. Old Business 

None 

14. Other Business 

None 

15. Adjournment 

Mr. Fetherling made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 11:13 a.m., and Mr. Miller seconded it.  Motion carried with a voice vote. 

https://www.k3county.net/files/committees/executive_32321.pdf