Sangamon Sun

Sangamon County Board met June 13.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Sangamon County Board met in Regular Statutory Session on June 13, 2023 in the County Board Chambers. Chairman Van Meter called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Chairman Van Meter gave the Invocation and Mr. Krell led the County Board in the Pledge of Allegiance.

ROLL CALL 

Chairman Van Meter asked County Clerk Gray to call the roll. There were 25 Present – 4 Absent. Mr. Bunch and Mr. Cahnman were not present. Mr. Hall and Mr. Stumpf were excused. Chairman Van Meter stated two of their fellow board members Mr. Cahnman and Mr. Bunch have notified both the Chairman and the Clerk that they wish to attend the meeting by telephone conference. This is allowed under the Open Meetings Act when a quorum of this body is present, which it is, and if a majority of the County Board, at least 15 members, vote to allow it. Mr. Cahnman and Mr. Bunch are prevented from physically attending this meeting for a cause recognized by the Open Meetings Act, as one warranting participation by telephone conference. The Chair will now entertain a motion to allow Mr. Cahnman and Mr. Bunch to participate via telephone conference. A second to the motion was made by Mr. DelGiorno and Ms. Douglas Williams. A voice vote was unanimous. The County Clerk is now advised to revise the roll call to reflect that Mr. Cahnman and Mr. Bunch are participating in the meeting via telephone conference as allowed by the Open Meetings Act. They are considered Present at this meeting for purposes of determining a quorum and participating in all proceedings. County Clerk Gray stated the roll call now reflects 27 Present – 2 Absent. Chairman Van Meter noted they are going to be more strictly enforcing these regulations regarding telephone attendance according to the State Code, so he wanted to make everyone aware of that.

PRESENTATION BY SARAH JIMENEZ-SPORTS HALL OF FAME, IL STATE MUSEUM, CAFÉ & COUNTY SQUARE 

Sara Jimenez addressed the County Board on projects related to the Hub. She has been working with many community advisory committees on programming ideas for the Hub space. Tonight they have some of those members with them.

Karen Conn with the Café Advisory Committee addressed the County Board. She is the President and CEO of Conn’s Hospitality Group in Springfield. She introduced Jay Kitterman who is also a member of the Café Advisory Committee. They were asked to lend their thoughts and professional expertise of their vision for the Hub’s café. Each of the committee members gave a considerable amount of thought and consideration on how to create a viable café space that will become a part of the community. One notable approach they took was to partner with the students of the CEO program. These young professionals, entrepreneurs and future leaders spearheaded a public survey of customers’ needs and desires. Their survey included questions like “What brings you to the County Complex?”, “How many times a week do you go out to eat?”, “What types of foods do you tend to purchase?” and so forth. The committee used the results of these services in their continued discussions on envisioning a café concept. Ultimately, they would like to recommend the best approach to support the success of the café space would be 1) to build out a full service kitchen, which gives the greatest opportunity and flexibility to an operator 2) to encourage the prioritizing of pre-packaged grab and take away items using locally sourced ingredients on the menu mix, and 3) integrate local goods from startups, small businesses, and local farmers on the retail space. That is living by the motto “Supporting the community that supports you”. Currently their objective is to finalize and publish an RFP by early 2024, recommend an operator by mid-2024, and ultimately to see the grand opening in 2025. As we all know, time flies and that will be here before we know it. She stated she is honored to play such a small part in the development of this overall project, and particularly the Hub. She honestly feels this whole project will be transformational for the City of Springfield and the kick-starter for future development of downtown. She thanked them for the opportunity.

Sara Jimenez showed a video from Dave Kimsey who is a member of the County Square Plaza Committee. Mr. Kimsey stated when given the task of finding opportunities for the Hub to serve and attract people to the space, they began brainstorming within their group to get as many ideas on the table as possible. From the notion that there were no wrong or impossible ideas, they found there were many great suggestions. Among the ideas, a local planner and landscape architect, Sue Massie, suggested a large digital feature for the outside of the building. This led us to further explore how they could provide an immersive experience inside the space that could be used year round. With a lengthy career in hospitality and tourism, he has spent a considerable amount of time traveling, and took note of different aspects of locations, watching how they catch a visitors eye and attention to create an experience that gets them talking but also directly tying it to the place where they were part of it. This made that physical place an integral component of their experience. One of those notable examples exists at Union Station in St. Louis where they have tied experience into the place in a way that gets people to talk, not just about the building or the entertainment, but the experience at that place. This effectively tied the two together into a story of “You have to go here, to be able to see this”. That example provided their group with the question of whether they could do that here. They determined they wanted to do something that was in the digital/audio space so it could be updated throughout the years with the various shows and content that could tie the Hub, promote local events, be adaptable enough to remain relevant and timely, as well as, provide a reason for return visits as it changed. Working with the County, they developed and issued an RFP to reflect those desires that attracted some very impressive responses. Our committee selected what they believe to be an extremely creative firm’s mood, media and design. They came up with an immersive plan that includes the sky theater, tower wall, and info wall, which he believes they have all seen. Their committee believes this type of unique and immersive programming will draw people in from the community and from the region. It will give them a reason to tie an experience with a place in a way that they want to share with others to encourage additional visitors. They look forward to seeing this project and others move forward.

Director of Community & Government Relations at the University of Illinois Springfield Joan Sestak, addressed the County Board. She thanked her fellow committee members. John Eck and Sue Massie are two that are present tonight. All of the people in the room, each time they met, were equally passionate about making Springfield and Sangamon County a place with excitement and drive moving into the 21st Century. They challenged each other to think of what is possible and what sets them apart. The vendor team they have selected has done work around the country and around the world. They have worked with familiar places such as Disney & Universal. They also have a project in St. Louis at Union Station. She was able to go with Sara Jimenez and Byron Deaner to view the work in St. Louis. They talked with the Union Station hotel owners and management. What she found was an immersive experience that not only caught her attention, but also made her want to linger. They learned they have added only a couple of shows since they started almost 10 years ago. In their first year after starting the shows, as they call them, their revenue increased in the lobby by ten times. She is sure that is a combination of many things, but they believe the use of the technology helped to get guests and visitors to linger a bit longer. They also talked about how locals frequent the space too and bring guests. They were really impressed by the creativity of the vendor, and believe this will be something that will attract people to our community and increase our overnight stays. Some of the equipment that would be installed would be relatively low maintenance. This technology is very forward thinking, and will feature something new and exciting that we do not currently have in our area.

President/General Manager of Neuhoff Media Springfield Kevin O’Dea, addressed the County Board. He thanked them for the opportunity to relocate the Springfield Sports Hall of Fame exhibit to what is really an exciting space. They were blown away by this, and this is a great opportunity to finally showcase the Springfield Sports Hall of Fame. It was originally in the City building and not in a high traffic location. It is currently in the Lincoln Library and you would see us on the way to the men and women’s restrooms, so this change will be outstanding. The Springfield Sports Hall of Fame has been inducting athletes and teams and friends of sport since 1990. They have often discussed expanding their pool to include other athletes outside the city limits, and it was somewhat controversial in the past. This has provided the perfect opportunity for them to do so. They are currently working with the architects on design options that will include a hybrid approach with some visuals, and not just a bunch of plaques hanging there. There will be digital components that will allow them to change things up and get with the times. They will also have to come up with a new name for the Springfield Sports Hall of Fame. They will also work on a program to incorporate Sangamon County athletes starting in 2026. It is not official, but he thinks what is going to happen is they will have each one of the county high schools pick a graduate from any time and that will be the initial county of athletes, men and women, to go in. They will take it from there after that. They are excited because they will get some exposure. Chairman Van Meter reminded County Board members as part of their pitch they promised that our non-city board members would help the Sports Hall of Fame with any introductions they need out into the rural community, so you have all been volunteered to help make those connections.

Interim Director of the IL State Museum Jennifer Edginton addressed the County Board. She thanked them for the opportunity for the IL State Museum to be involved in such an important exhibit at the Hub. This project started under her predecessor the late Cinnamon Catlin-Legutko who passed away in January. This is her vision and how she wanted to do this project. They have been working with what she set up for them. Their shared vision is an exhibit space that is from the community’s perspective to tell the story of the 1908 Race Riot. They are working together with consultants to build a more robust story that centers the community in a story of resilience, love, and healing. Their first community conversation is going to be June 24, 2023, and the consultants they have hired for this project will lead them. They are going to center community voices, and the museum is going to be listening. In their exhibit project, their hope is the messages, the themes, the words you see on the walls within the exhibit come from the community themselves and not just the curators at the museum. They have been working with the artifacts found, not too far away from where the Hub will be, to get a basic design space that will be refined after they talk to the community and see what they would like. The plan is to complete install by 2025. She thanked them again for this opportunity. Chairman Van Meter stated they are so grateful to the museum for partnering with them. The County has no bandwidth to put this together, and they are so professional. The Museum has been so inclusive in their process and the County really appreciates the partnership.

Ms. Lathan asked where and what time the community conversation would be. Ms. Edginton stated the first one would be at 10:30 a.m. It will be on their social media pages as well as the website for the IL State Museum. They will also be sending out an Email. The second one will be at 3:00 p.m. at the African American History Museum out by the cemetery.

Ms. Jimenez thanked the committee members for speaking tonight. She also thanked the County Board members who have served on some of these advisory committees.

MINUTES 

A motion was made by Ms. Williams, seconded by Mr. DelGiorno, for approval of the Minutes of May 9, 2023 and May 25, 2023. A voice vote was unanimous.

MOTION CARRIED

MINUTES ADOPTED

CORRESPONDENCE 

A motion was made by Ms. Williams, seconded by Mr. DelGiorno, to place correspondence on file with the County Clerk. A voice vote was unanimous.

RESOLUTION 1 

1. Resolution approving a Joint Funding Agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation for a project at County Highway 22 (Iron Bridge Rd.) and County Highway 23 (Woodside Rd.).

A motion was made by Ms. Fulgenzi, seconded by Mr. Krell, 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 FY2023 County Highway bituminous material MFT contracts.

A motion was made by Mr. Fraase, seconded by Ms. Williams, to place Resolution 2 on the floor. A motion was made by Mr. Preckwinkle 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. Resolution approving a Supplemental Engineering Agreement with Cummins Engineering Corporation to revise Clear Lake Township-Oak Crest Road structure replacement plans.

A motion was made by Mr. Fraase, seconded by Mr. Ayers, to place Resolution 3 on the floor. A motion was made by Mr. Preckwinkle that the roll call vote for Resolution 1 stands as the roll call vote for Resolution 3. A voice vote was unanimous.

MOTIONS CARRIED

RESOLUTION ADOPTED

RESOLUTION 4 

4. 2023-009 – Chicago Title Land Trust Company, Trustee of Trust No 13-04314-00, 800 West Hazel Dell Road, Springfield – Granting a Variance. County Board Member – Brad Miller, District #13.

A motion was made by Mr. Miller, seconded by Mr. Mendenhall, to place Resolution 4 on the floor. A motion was made by Mr. Mendenhall to waive the reading of the professional staff’s report. There were no objections. A voice vote was unanimous for the adoption of Resolution 4.

MOTIONS CARRIED

RESOLUTION ADOPTED

RESOLUTION 5 

5. 2023-010 – Dietrich & Jessica Ostermeier, 10303 Boyd Farm Road, Rochester – Granting Variances. County Board Member – David Mendenhall, District #3.

A motion was made by Mr. Mendenhall, seconded by Mr. Tjelmeland, to place Resolution 5 on the floor. A motion was made by Mr. Mendenhall to waive the reading of the professional staff’s report. There were no objections. A voice vote was unanimous for the adoption of Resolution 5.

MOTIONS CARRIED

RESOLUTION ADOPTED

RESOLUTION 6 

6. 2023-011 – Brett and Melissa Hunley and Paul and Nicole Hunley, 8101 W. State Route 104, Auburn – Granting a Rezoning and Variances. County Board Member – Tracy Sheppard, District #6.

A motion was made by Ms. Sheppard, seconded by Mr. Constant, to place Resolution 6 on the floor. A motion was made by Mr. Mendenhall to waive the reading of the professional staff’s report. There were no objections. A voice vote was unanimous for the adoption of Resolution 6.

MOTIONS CARRIED

RESOLUTION ADOPTED

RESOLUTION 7 

7. 2023-012 – Bobby Chastain Testamentary Family Trust, Stacy Chastain, Trustee, 1093 Cantrall Creek Road, Cantrall – Granting Variances. County Board Member – Annette Fulgenzi, District #17.

A motion was made by Ms. Fulgenzi, seconded by Ms. Deppe, to place Resolution 7 on the floor. A motion was made by Mr. Mendenhall to waive the reading of the professional staff’s report. There were no objections. A voice vote was unanimous for the adoption of Resolution 7.

MOTIONS CARRIED

RESOLUTION ADOPTED

RESOLUTIONS 8 - 18 

8. Resolution authorizing the issuance and sale by the County of its Economic Development Revenue Bonds (Land of Lincoln Goodwill Industries Project), Series 2023, authorizing the execution of a loan agreement, an assignment and agreement, and a bond purchase agreement, all relative to said bonds, and authorizing other action to be taken with respect to the issuance, sale and delivery of said bonds.

A motion was made by Mr. Preckwinkle, seconded by Mr. Krell, to place Resolution 8 on the floor. A motion was made by Mr. DelGiorno, seconded by Ms. Williams, to consolidate Resolutions 8 – 18. Chairman Van Meter asked County Clerk Gray to read Resolutions 9 – 18.

9. Resolution approving a grant application for Public Health from the Illinois Department of Human Services for the WIC Supplemental Program in the amount of $618,207.

10. Resolution approving a grant application for Public Health from the Illinois Department of Public Health for the Illinois Breast & Cervical Cancer Grant 24-25 in the amount of $603,478.

11. Resolution approving a grant application for Public Health from the Illinois Department of Public Health for the Public Health Emergency Preparedness Grant-Menard in the amount of $35,278.

12. Resolution approving a grant application for Public Health from the Illinois Department of Public Health for the Public Health Emergency Preparedness Grant-Sangamon in the amount of $114,032.

13. Resolution approving a grant application for Public Health from the Illinois Department of Human Services for the State Opioid Response II Grant in the amount of $641,620.

14. Resolution approving a grant application for Public Health from the Illinois Department of Human Services for the Family Case Management-Better Birth Outcomes Program in the amount of $88,200.

15. Resolution approving a grant application for Public Health from the Illinois Department of Human Services for the Family Case Management Program in the amount of $699,600.

16. Resolution approving a grant application for Public Health from the Illinois Department of Human Services for the Early Intervention Grant in the amount of $894,368.

17. Resolution approving a grant application for Public Health from the Illinois Department of Human Services for the WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Grant in the amount of $57,647.

18. Resolution approving a grant application for the Circuit Clerk from the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services for the IV-D Child Support Reimbursement Program in the amount of $41,753.

A voice vote was unanimous on the consolidation. A motion was made by Mr. Preckwinkle that the roll call vote for Resolution 1 stands as the roll call vote for Resolutions 8 – 18, as consolidated. A voice vote was unanimous.

MOTIONS CARRIED

RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED

WAIVER OF TEN-DAY FILING PERIOD 

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

MOTION CARRIED

TEN-DAY FILING PERIOD WAIVED

RESOLUTIONS 19 – 22 

19. Resolution approving recommendations so that planning can continue towards final plans, contracts, and space preparation for The Hub.

A motion was made by Ms. Williams, seconded by Mr. McGuire, to place Resolution 19 on the floor. A motion was made by Mr. McGuire, seconded by Ms. Williams, to consolidate Resolutions 19 – 22. Chairman Van Meter asked County Clerk Gray to read Resolutions 20 – 22.

20. Resolution approving a grant application for the Regional Planning Commission from the Illinois Department of Transportation for the PY2024 Springfield Area Transportation Study in the amount of $759,177.75.

21. Resolution approving the realignment of precincts.

22. Resolution approving a lawsuit settlement in the amount of $110,000.

A voice vote was unanimous on the consolidation. Mr. thanked the County Clerk’s Office for their work on the precinct lines.

A motion was made by Mr. Preckwinkle that the roll call vote for Resolution 1 stands as the roll call vote for Resolutions 19 – 22, as consolidated. A voice vote was unanimous. Mr. Ayers thanked the Clerk’s Election Office on behalf of the Sangamon County Democrat Executive Committee for working with the party on the realignment of precincts. Chairman Van Meter asked County Clerk Gray if they conducted a meeting with the chair of the Democratic Party and the chair Republican Party, and if there is an understanding between the two parties that overtime, as some precinct committeemen vacate their offices, they may continue to consolidate some precincts in the interest of efficient administration of government. County Clerk Gray stated they had fruitful discussions in terms of taking a strategy to more regularly, allowable by law, annually or bi-annually, take up a potential of changes of precincts instead of waiting for the full duration of the ten years.

This will allow us to be more timely in those changes, more efficient administration of election within mid-range, and better prepared when they hit the census for the next round.

MOTIONS CARRIED

RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED

OLD BUSINESS 

There was no Old Business.

NEW BUSINESS 

A. Resolutions

23. Motion to reconsider the Board’s May 9, 2023 vote on Resolution 9-1, a Resolution concerning River Maple Solar II, LLC’s request for a Conditional Permitted Use for a Commercial Solar Energy System.

A motion was made by Ms. Deppe, seconded by Mr. O’Neill, to reconsider the Board’s May 9, 2023 vote on Resolution 9-1. Upon a roll call vote, there were 14 Yeas – 12 Nays. Those voting Nay were Mr. Constant, Ms. Douglas Williams, Mr. Forsyth, Mr. Fraase, Mr. Krell, Mr. Mendenhall, Mr. Miller, Mr. O’Neill, Mr. Preckwinkle, Ms. Scaife, Ms. Small, and Mr. Tjelmeland. The motion to reconsider passed. This motion will be considered at the July 11, 2023 County Board meeting.

MOTION CARRIED

MOTION PASSED

24. If the motion to reconsider is approved, see Agenda Item 23 (above), a motion to set July 11, 2023 (the Board’s July meeting) as the date to reconsider Resolution 9-1 will be made.

B. Appointments

Appointment of Kenneth Stewart to the Illiopolis Fire Protection District for a term expiring May, 2026.

Appointment of Brad Miller to the Sangamon County Extension Board for a term expiring May, 2024.

Appointment of Raj Dhamrait, DDS, to the Sangamon County Board of Health for a term expiring June, 2026.

Appointment of Tabitha Bock to the Historic Preservation Commission for a term expiring June, 2028.

A motion was made by Ms. Williams, seconded by Mr. McGuire & Mr. DelGiorno for approval of the appointments. A voice vote was unanimous.

MOTION CARRIED

APPOINTMENTS ADOPTED

Nominations for appointment in July were also submitted.

PUBLIC COMMENT 

There was no public comment.

REPORTS OF COUNTY OFFICIALS, REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES, REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES, COMMITTEE REPORT ON CLAIMS 

A motion was made by Ms. Williams, seconded by Mr. DelGiorno, to place the reports on file with the County Clerk. A voice vote was unanimous.

ADJOURN 

A motion was made by Ms. Williams, seconded by Mr. DelGiorno, to adjourn the meeting to June 27, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. for a special meeting to approve construction contracts for the Juvenile Center & Helping Hands. A voice vote was unanimous.

MOTION CARRIED

MEETING ADJOURNED

https://countyclerk.sangamonil.gov/County-Board/documents/MinutesJune132023.pdf