Kankakee Times

Kankakee County Executive Committee met Oct. 26.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Members Present

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

Members Absent

Mr. Miller and Mr. Sirois

In Attendance

Department Heads

Karen Smietanski, John Bevis, Kevin Duval, Anita Speckman, Lori Gadbois, John Coghlin, Theresa Goudie, Ben Wilson

Media

None

Call to Order

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

Mr. Carrico made a motion to allow Mr. Fetherling and Ms. Parker to attend the meeting via zoom, and Ms. Polk seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote.

Quorum was present.

Public Comment

None

Approval of Minutes: September 28, 2021

Mr. Payton made a motion to approve the minutes and Mr. Fairfield seconded. Motion carried with a voice vote.

Presentations

None

Legislative

Mr. Liehr provided an update to the committee regarding a UCCI conference that he recently attended.

Mr. Wheeler updated the committee on a law being ready to go through the state. Healthcare Right of Conscious Act and whether the committee wishes to support or not support the amendments being proposed. Discussions were held.

The committee voted to support the original act and not support the proposed amendments. Mr. Fetherling made a motion to approve sending a letter in support of the right to choose, and Mr. Long seconded it. Motion carried with a roll call vote of 12 ayes and 0 nays. Voting aye were: Mr. Hess, Ms. Polk, Mr. Liehr, Ms. Parker, Ms. Webber, Mr. Payton, Mr. Fairfield, Mr. Carrico, Mr. Fetherling, Mr. Long, Mr. Hunter and Mr. Wheeler

Information Services – Kevin Duval

Mr. Duval gave an update to the committee. Discussions were held.

Health Department – John Bevis

Mr. Bevis provided the committee with an update on COVID-19 and vaccinations within Kankakee County. Discussions were held.

Mr. Carrico asked if a fully vaccinated person can transmit COVID-19 to another person. Mr. Bevis confirmed.

Mr. Hunter asked about interfacing with various school contacts for vaccinations. Mr. Bevis stated that he is working on the details and more information will follow.

Discussions were held.

Schools

None

Veterans Assistance Commission – Karen Smietanski

• Monthly Report

There were no questions from the committee.

Ms. Smietanski reviewed the report and updated the committee on the events that they are hosting and coming up soon.

Mr. Hunter asked about Christmas donations for veterans. Ms. Smietanski updated the committee and advised that she will send something out to the board with the details once finalized.

Mr. Liehr made a motion to approve and Mr. Long seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote.

County Administrator’s Report – Anita Speckman

Monthly Update

Ms. Speckman provided the committee with an update on the renewal rates with Blue Cross Blue Shield for the County Employees. Discussions were held.

Ms. Speckman spoke regarding the recruiting process and updates for the committee. Discussions were held.

Administration

Mr. Wheeler read the appointments into the record.

• Appointment of Dave Horn to the Emergency Telephone System Board

• Reappointment of Jeff O’Connor to the Gar Creek Drainage District

Mr. Hess made a motion to combine and approve and Mr. Long seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote.

Openings

Mr. Wheeler read the openings to the committee.

• One Opening on the Claussen Park Drainage District

• One Opening on the Spring Creek Drainage District

• One Opening on the Zoning Board of Appeals

• One Opening on the Exline Creek Drainage District

• One Opening on the Kankakee Development Corporation (KDC) for a Kankakee County Representative

• Two Openings on the Kankakee Township Fire Protection District

• Two Openings on the McGillivray Special Drainage District

• Two Openings on the Canavan Drainage District

• Two Openings on the Manteno No.9 Drainage District

• Three Openings on the Kankakee County Historic Preservation Commission

• Eight Openings on the Kankakee County Regional Planning Commission

Mr. Wheeler noted that the KDC appointment should be someone associated with the County Board.

New Business

• Authorizing the County Board Chairman to Sign an Intergovernmental Agreement with Pembroke Township for Wastewater System Repairs

Mr. Wheeler advised the committee that this agreement allows the repairs to be done with payment provided directly to the company performing the repair.

Discussions were held.

Ms. Polk made a motion to approve and Ms. Webber seconded it.

Mr. Hunter requested a unanimous second on the motion. Ms. Webber agreed. Motion carried with a voice vote.

• Bid Letting for Pembroke Wastewater System Repairs

Discussions were held regarding the process for the Pembroke wastewater system repairs. Phase one is to get the area pumped out.

This project will come in two parts. Discussions were held.

• Amending Resolution 2021-09-14-312 for American Rescue Plan Fund Requirements for Not For-Profits within Kankakee County

Mr. Wheeler reviewed the amendment with the committee and advised that this was due to not-for profits that serve Kankakee County in its entirety. Discussions were held.

Mr. Hunter made a motion to approve, and Ms. Webber seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote.

Old Business

Mr. Wheeler spoke about church requests for ARPA funding and it is within the federal guidelines for programming, but not best use of funds as lost revenue. Discussions were held.

Mr. Hunter requested updates on the land bank. Discussions were held.

15. Adjournment

Mr. Hess made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:45 a.m., and Mr. Carrico seconded it. Motion carried with a voice vote.

https://www.k3county.net/files/committees/executive_102621.pdf