Sangamon Sun

Sangamon County Board met March 13.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

The Sangamon County Board met in Reconvened Adjourned September Session on March 13, 2018 in the County Board Chambers. Chairman Van Meter called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Ratts gave the Invocation and Mr. Smith led the County Board in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll Call:

Chairman Van Meter asked County Clerk Gray to call the roll. There were 27 Present – 2 Absent. Mr. Preckwinkle and Mrs. Small were excused.

Grow Our Own Presentation By Hanson Professional Services:

Kevin Seals with Hanson Professional Services gave the County Board an update on Springfield’s Grow Our Own Minority Participation Program. He stated he has been the Chief Environmental Scientist with the firm for about 30 years. In the last five years or so they have started to formulate this program. As the program administrator, he thanked them for being in support of this program, and they plan on continuing for many years because of the success Springfield has seen in the few short years it has been in operation. The booklets that have been handed out contain a brief summary of some of the activities and programs offered for minority youth in Springfield. This has been expanding a little bit every year. They are now entering the fifth year of the program, and it has been funded at about 1/3 share at $20,000 per sponsor. The sponsors are the City of Springfield, Sangamon County, and Hanson Professional Services. They each kick in $20,000 per year for this program, and it has been offered on a two-year contract basis. They are entering their third contract season now. It is also an award winning program. Last year, at the Martin Luther King Breakfast, all three of the sponsors were honored with a Plaque of Appreciation by Frontier’s International.

They showed their support and appreciation for the program and how it has really supported Springfield’s youth in encouraging them to excel in school, to look for jobs in the Springfield area, and try to root their families here when they get out of school and get some successful jobs. The program was developed as part of the ongoing Springfield Rail Improvements Project. The program was implemented to try to provide a source for workforce diversity in Springfield, not only for the Rail Project, but also for other ongoing infrastructure projects in Springfield. The goal is to increase the awareness of engineering and science in the schools. It would start in middle school, go through high school, college, and even in the adult workforce. They would like to encourage the youth to stay in school, get continuing education at the colleges, and then pursue jobs in Springfield to help spur on the economy.

The program coincides with the school year. They start in the fall with a workshop held in October after the teachers get a little bit of a feeling about the students they have for that year. They are trying to get the higher achieving students involved in the program that have the potential to go on and pursue Engineering and Science degrees. They request referrals for students that would like to be participants in the program from the fall through the end of the year. They then go through those applications and start the placement of students based on their interests, their age in school, and the various programs they offer so far. Some of the programs involve their biggest event, which is the University of Illinois’ Engineering Open House. That was just held last weekend. This was their fifth trip there, and they do charter a bus. Another one of their goals is to make sure there are no students who have limitations on funding for any kind of application fees or travel restrictions. They provide the travel and pay for all registration fees in this program. For the event at the University of Illinois they provide the charter bus and lunch for the students. They engage in tours of the campus. There are over 250 engineering exhibits there, and the kids get very interested and enthused about some of the various engineering projects. There are all kinds of projects from concrete breaking to rocketry, and a lot of things that can interest students at a young age. They had 25 kids go to this event, but they’ve had as many as 40 kids attend.

They also do a bridge building competition in Springfield for students. It’s not only minorities, but all students in the high school level. There is an Association for American University Women that they sponsor. It is very age specific to junior high school aged girls to have professional African American women tell their success stories of the different professions they are in to try and inspire young girls to go into the engineering and sciences. There are astronauts and doctors that come and speak at that event. Another avenue is the Engineering Explorer Post. There are a lot of programs that exist in town, and they are trying to place these students in areas they are interested in. One of the longer programs they offer is the Michigan Tech Summer Camp. It is a week-long summer camp with a $1,200 fee for the week. The program covers all the costs to get those students interested in railroad engineering, which coincides with the 10th Street Project, so they have a project right in our own back yard they can relate to. It is only for high school students, both boys and girls. They send them up there by plane to Houghton, Michigan and they stay in a dormitory. These high school students will get a little taste of what college life is all about. Not only do they live in dorms with other students from around the country, but they also have to eat dorm food. They have sent two to three students to that program every year. They all came back with glowing reports and have met people from around the country.

They also have internships. The City, County, and Hanson have all offered internships to students. Hanson has a commitment to make sure they have three African American interns every summer, and they have been successful in doing that for the past four years. They have no intention of stopping that in future years. They’ve had some great success stories with their internship program. They had three full-time employees that have come through the internships and are African Americans. Nick Moore is an example. When he was an intern he was working on the Carpenter Street Underpass as a summer intern. He was tightening some of the bolts on the railroad bridges that were constructed. He has since been an intern with Hanson for three years, graduated a year ago, and is now a full-time employee with Hanson. He is now the resident Engineer on the new construction of the Ash Street Underpass. That is a great success story. He is planning to get married in another year and is planning to stay in Springfield. That is just a great example of what this program is trying to excel at. There are more success stories like that, and more are waiting.

They also have a program for adult-aged people who don’t really have a college education, but want to get in the workforce. They have partnered with IDOT, and have a Highway Career’s Construction Training Program that will take young adults and give them a 10-week training session to earn some of the trades such as concrete pouring and skid steers, and things that the construction trades will use. They have two to three orientation classes each year based on the need. They send those students to Lincoln Land for the 10-week course. They’ve been successful in having about three or four hires through the unions for some of the students that have graduated from the program.

Mr. Seals thanked them again for their support. They’ve had a lot of great comments and compliments from the community. There has also been some good media coverage on the program. There has been some national magazines such as Engineering Inc. and Professional Engineers. The Urban League from New York City has also followed the program. They want to push this to other cities around the country because there are no other cities doing a program quite like this for African Americans or any minority youth, so this is kind of a model program as well. Mr. Seals concluded that they are very excited about this and know it couldn’t happen without their support.

Mrs. Scaife asked if they review grades at all. Mr. Seals stated they do not look at grades. They request from the people that refer the students that they are higher achieving. They started off with a GPA level of the A’s or B’s. They want students who will go on and pursue a college education and internships in some of the engineering companies around town. They are leaving it at the discretion of the person that refers the student because grades aren’t everything. Students with lower grade point averages can excel later in college, so they don’t want to limit it. It’s really an interest that they are looking for. They want someone who has a passion to pursue this kind of career.

Chairman Van Meter stated he knows that Hanson led the way with this program. He asked if there are other engineering firms involved with it now. Mr. Seals stated they have not gotten any other firms officially involved, but there are four or five engineering firms that are interested in bringing interns on. That is another one of their goals. They don’t have enough kids right now in the program for the internships.

There are not a lot of minority students in college for engineering that are coming back to Springfield for the summer. This is why they want to get the word out. This program is all about showing students there is a future in this. They encourage and mentor them. They are always open for phone calls with any student that doesn’t know what to do, or doesn’t know how to get the grant money to pursue a college education. They are more than willing to help a student excel through college and get that diploma.

Public Speakers:

Chairman Van Meter stated there are three speakers who have signed up to speak this evening. They typically have them scheduled to speak at the end of the meeting, but because they wish to speak regarding a matter that is on the Agenda this evening and also for their convenience, he asked for unanimous consent to suspend the rules so they can speak now. There were no objections.

Jim Dixon representing the Faith Coalition for the Common Good and as a citizen of Sangamon County addressed the County Board. He is here to support the resolution pertaining to transparency for the Land of Lincoln Economic Development Corporation. It’s being funded annually with a half million dollars of taxpayer’s money from Sangamon County, and he understands a quarter million from Springfield, and thousands more from EDC board members. He believes the members of the Sangamon County Board, acting in the best interests of the taxpayers, should require that the EDC be subject to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act and the Illinois Open Meetings Act, so the citizen taxpayers are able to know their money is being wisely spent and wisely invested. He’s heard some concern about proprietary information being protected, and he’s sure that could be sufficiently safeguarded in an executive session of the EDC when necessary. The Faith Coalition for the Common Good is not opposed to the concept of the EDC. They are aware that hundreds of jobs here in Springfield will disappear before too long because of computerization, and that’s according to a study by Oxford University. They share the belief they must invest in jobs that will last in Springfield and will continue to exist and again make Springfield thrive. This commission will have the power to determine the future of our city and our county. The citizens must have knowledge to determine that their money is being well invested for their children and their children’s children. They do continue to be concerned about the lack of diversity on the board, especially when the report from the consultants specifically stated there is a problem with racism in our community. This is another reason they need transparency. Making the EDC subject to the Freedom of Information Act and the Open Meetings Act would show this board is committed to an open process that benefits the entire community. Too often they have seen laws that were written, even though not intended to be racist, do in fact have a racist outcome. Board members must ensure they do not create barriers to an inclusive community. Members of this board, as elected representatives of the citizens of their districts, he believes, have an obligation to ensure transparency in the use of taxpayer’s dollars. On behalf of the Faith Coalition, he urges them to support the resolution.

President of the Faith Coalition Silas Johnson, addressed the County Board. He stated he is also a Pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Springfield. He is here to share some personal reasons for support of this resolution.

He comes here tonight, not with elegant words or fanfare, he comes to ask a couple questions that may direct your heart and your thinking. How many here are familiar with Superman, Batman and the Black Panther? Each one of these characters had special powers. Even though Superman was the mild mannered Clark Kent, when things arose he changed from Clark Kent to Superman. Batman was the millionaire Bruce Wayne, but when the bat light went up he transferred to Batman. The Black Panther was a great King of Luwanda, and when the time came he had the equipment to protect what he needed to protect. He says to them tonight, each one of you has a special meaning. You in your mild mannered state as you go to work and drive down the street, you have a special gift tonight that you can change. That gift is the ability to vote. It is called the voting button. So when time comes for you to support this resolution, use your special gift and vote for or against this resolution. They appreciate it if you would vote in favor, and this is your opportunity. Faith Coalition and the community are not here to downgrade or stop economic development. That is not their intent. Their intent is to do one thing, and that is they want you to be held accountable, because you are using public money, for what you do. They want you to be what you can be and do what you can do. By him being a business man, he doesn’t have as much money as other folks, but they want you to look at the entire city. They want you to right what is wrong.

Sam Cahnman addressed the County Board on behalf of the Faith Coalition and himself. This week is Sunshine Week, and he stands here before them to urge their support of the “Sunshine Resolution” by members Tony DelGiorno and Craig Hall pertaining to transparency for the new Land of Lincoln Economic Development Commission. He thinks it’s important when public money is expended, that there be accountability. The EDC would be a quasi-public entity. While legally not subject to the Open Meetings Act and the Freedom of Information Act because it is not a public body as defined by those acts, he thinks it is important for the Economic Development Commission to be accountable to the public and to the taxpayers. The Board can do that by voluntarily subjecting itself to the Open Meetings Act and the Freedom of Information Act. He knows there is some concern about confidentiality in negotiating deals to bring entities to the County that would help their economic development. He thinks deals like that would be negotiated by the EDC Executive Director or other staff. Those negotiations are not subject to the Open Meetings Act just like if the County Board Chairman or the Mayor were negotiating a deal to bring some company here. Those negotiations are not subject to the Open Meetings Act. There is an exemption in the Freedom of Information Act already that says preliminary documents including: drafts, notes, recommendations, memorandums, and other records in which opinions are expressed, up until the final one is done, are not subject to the Freedom of Information Act. He thinks if an exemption is needed to allow the Economic Development Commission to discuss a proposed deal in a closed meeting, then the resolution could be amended to allow that. The bottom line is the Economic Development Commission’s Board of Director meetings should, as a starting point, be public. If there is a need to go into closed meetings because of confidentiality or for other reasons then they could take a vote, just like the County Board and City Council does, to go to closed meetings. He thinks as a basic matter, those meetings should be open to the public since the EDC will be largely funded by public money. He urged their adoption of this resolution either in its current form or in an amended form that would be more appropriate to protecting the confidentiality concerns that have been expressed.

Minutes:

A motion was made by Ms. Sheehan, seconded by Mr. Bunch, for approval of the Minutes of February 13, 2018. A voice vote was unanimous.

Motion Carried

Minutes Adopted

Correspondence:

A motion was made by Mr. Bunch, seconded by Ms. Sheehan, to place correspondence on file with the county Clerk. A voice vote was unanimous.

Motion Carried

Correspondence Filed

Resolution 1

1. Resolution approving a preliminary engineering contract for pavement management projects.

A motion was made by Mr. O’Neill, seconded by Mr. Tjelmeland, to place Resolution 1 on the floor. Chairman Van Meter asked County Clerk Gray to call the roll. Upon the roll call vote, there were 26 Yeas – 0 Nays.

Motion Carried

Resolution Adopted

Resolution 2

2. Resolution approving the purchase of a maintenance pickup truck.

A motion was made by Mr. Fraase, seconded by Mr. Krell, to place Resolution 2 on the floor. A motion was made by Ms. Sheehan, seconded by Mr. Bunch, that the roll call vote for Resolution 1 stands as the roll call vote for Resolution 2. A voice vote was unanimous.

Motions Carried

Resolution Adopted

Resolution 3

3. 2018-008 – Roy & Madonna Strawn, 9430 N. Pawnee Road, Pawnee – Granting Variances and a Conditional Permitted Use. County Board Member – Jeff Thomas, District #4.

A motion was made by Mr. Thomas, seconded by Mr. Krell, to place Resolution 3 on the floor. A motion was made by Mr. Stumpf to waive the reading of the professional staff’s report. There were no objections. A voice vote was unanimous for the adoption of Resolution 3.

Motions Carried

Resolution Adopted

Resolution 4

4. Resolution authorizing the County to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Springfield for the Minority Participation Plan.

A motion was made by Mrs. Annette Fulgenzi, seconded by Mrs. Linda Fulgenzi, to place Resolution 4 on the floor. A motion was made by Ms. Sheehan that the roll call vote for Resolution 1 stands as the roll call vote for Resolution 4. A voice vote was unanimous.

Motions Carried

Resolution Adopted

Resolution 5

5. Resolution approving the purchase of computers for the Land of Lincoln Workforce Alliance.

A motion was made by Mrs. Deppe, seconded by Mrs. Hills, to place Resolution 5 on the floor. A motion was made by Ms. Sheehan that the roll call vote for Resolution 1 stands as the roll call vote for Resolution 5. A voice vote was unanimous.

Motions Carried

Resolution Adopted

Waiver Of Ten-Day Filing Period

A motion was made by Ms. Sheehan, seconded by Mr. Bunch, to waive the ten-day filing period. A voice vote was unanimous.

Motion Carried

Ten-Day Filing Period Waived

Resolutions 6 – 9

6. Resolution approving the purchase of a 2018 Ford Truck for use by the Special Investigator in the State’s Attorney’s Office.

A motion was made by Mr. O’Neill, seconded by Mr. Madonia, to place Resolution 6 on the floor. A motion was made by Mr. Bunch, seconded by Mr. Smith, to consolidate Resolutions 6 – 9. Chairman Van Meter asked County Clerk Gray to read Resolutions 7 – 9.

7. Resolution authorizing the execution and amendment of a Section 5311 Grant Agreement.

8. Resolution to provide public transportation in Sangamon County through the Public Transportation Applicant Ordinance.

9. Resolution approving an agreement between Sangamon County and the Sherman Fire Protection District for access to the County’s communications systems.

A voice vote was unanimous on the consolidation. A motion was made by Ms. Sheehan that the roll call vote for Resolution 1 stands as the roll call vote for Resolutions 6 – 9, as consolidated. A voice vote was unanimous.

Motions Carried

Resolutions Adopted

Resolution 10

10. Resolution pertaining to transparency for the Land of Lincoln Economic Development Corporation.

A motion was made by Mr. DelGiorno, seconded by Mr. Hall to place Resolution 10 on the floor. Chairman Van Meter stated it is the general policy of the County Board to have committees work through resolutions first. This resolution was timely filed, but it would be the best policy to send it through committee. They do not generally meet as a Committee of the Whole, so he recommends they refer this to the Finance Committee and it can be reported back for the April County Board meeting.

Motions Carried

Resolution Referred Back To Finance Committee

Resolution 11

11. Resolution approving an agreement with Tyler Technologies for the contract extension of the Integrated Criminal Justice Public Safety Computer Solution.

A motion was made by Mr. Ratts, seconded by Mr. Snell, to place Resolution 11 on the floor. A motion was made by Ms. Sheehan that the roll call vote for Resolution 1 stands as the roll call vote for Resolution 11. A voice vote was unanimous.

Motions Carried

Resolution Adopted

Resolution 12

12. Resolution approving the execution of an Intergovernmental Agreement between Sangamon County, City of Springfield and ETSB.

A motion was made by Mrs. Scaife, seconded by Mrs. Hills, for the adoption of Resolution 12. A motion was made by Ms. Sheehan that the roll call vote for Resolution 1 stands as the roll call vote for Resolution 12. A voice vote was unanimous.

Motions Carried

Resolution Adopted

Old Business:

There was no old business.

New Business:

A. Resolutions

There were no new resolutions.

B. Appointments

Appointment of Michael Krall to the Sangamon County Building Code Board of Appeals for a term expiring November, 2018.

Appointment of Jamie Petitt to the Dawson Fire Protection District for a term expiring May, 2018.

A motion was made by Ms. Sheehan, seconded by Mr. Bunch, for approval of the appointments. A voice vote was unanimous.

The nominations for appointment in April were also submitted.

Motions Carried

Appointments Adopted

Reports Of County Officials, Reports Of Standing Committees, Reports Of Special Committees, Committee Report On Claims

Sheriff Wes Barr gave a brief report. He recognized the Sangamon County Jail for passing the audit for Prisoner Rape Elimination Act (PREA) compliance. This is a really big deal for the Sheriff’s Office and for Corrections in general. It recognizes that the Sheriff’s Office takes this situation and complaints seriously and does proper investigations.

The process took about a year and a half to prepare for the audit. The auditor said that very few facilities pass the audit compliance on the first round. The Sheriff’s Office did pass it on the first round, so it is a huge deal for them to recognize that Sangamon County is always taking the lead in trying to go out and get certifications before they are actually required by law.

A motion was made by Mr. Bunch, seconded by Ms. Sheehan, to place the Committee Report on Claims on file with the County Clerk. A voice vote was unanimous.

Motion Carried

Reports Filed

Recess

A motion was made by Ms. Sheehan, seconded by Mr. Bunch, to recess the meeting to Monday, April 9, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. A voice vote was unanimous.

Motion Carried

Meeting Recessed

https://www.sangamoncountyclerk.com/County-Board/documents/March132018_000.pdf