Sangamon Sun

Montgomery County Board Coordinating Committee met June 26

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Members Present: Doug Donaldson, Mark Hughes, Ethan MlII'zynski, Connie Beck for Andy Ritchie, Chad Ruppert, Ad Hoc Committee Chair Russ Beason

Members Absent: Andy Ritchie, Dr. Patty Whitworth

Others Present: County Board Administrator Mike Plunkett, County Clerk Sandy Leitheiser, EMA/EPA Director Dan Hough, Supervisor of Assessments Kendra Niehaus, Circuit Clerk Daniel Robbins, IS Director ClII't Watkins, Treasmer Nikki Lohman, Engineer Cody Greenwood.

Pledge of Allegiance: was led by Chairman Donaldson.

Public Comments: None

Coordinating Committee: Doug Donaldson, Board Chairman

1. Information Systems Report Update/Approval: IS Director ClII't Watkins reported his department is working on concluding COlll't grant upgrades, annual PC upgrades, and server upgrades. He said county employees need to continue to be diligent and on guard for phishing emails. His department is beginning work on upgrading the phone system and switches, projects funded by the DCEO Energy Transition Grant.

2. EMA Report Update/Approval: EMA/EPA Director Dan Hough reported he has hired an assistant who will begin work the second week of July. He has ordered a new grant-funded drone that will be an asset to multiple depaliments, and is working on other grant oppOliunities.

3. West Central Development Council/Job Center Board/CEO Board Update/Approval: Chairman Donaldson reported the next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, July 17.

4. Ad Hoc Committee to Address SB3455 Wooded Acreage Assessments Update/Approval: Chairman Russ Beason repOlied the next meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 15.

5. Rules Committee Meeting Update/Approval: Committee Chair Connie Beck reported the next meeting is scheduled for 1 p.m. Thursday, July 17.

6. Bluewave Solar Correspondence Update/Approval: County Board Administrator Mike Plunkett reported a mail solicitation from BlueWave expressing an interest in developing a community solar project on county farm ground. The letter, however, also referenced MontgomelY County, PA. Note: An hom after the committee meeting adjourned, County Board Admin received a call from Austin Grammer of BlueWave who said he had indeed identified county farm ground for a potential project, but since the ground is near MJM power lines and not Ameren's, the site is of no interest to BlueWave.

7. Supervisor of Assessments Resignation Update/Approval: Chairman Donaldson said he received a letter of resignation from Supervisor of Assessments Kendra Niehaus on June 10. Her last day of employment will be July 11, and her last day in the office will be Friday, June 27. Donaldson thanked her for her time and service.

8. Other Business: County Clerk Sandy Leitheiser shared a letter dated June 17, 2025, fi'om IDNR to Deer Run Mine asking for numerous modifications to their application for Revision No.1 to Permit No. 424 to increase an impoundment facility height. The letter gave the mine one year to complete the application modifications. Chairman Donaldson added he had learned Deer Run had withdrawn their request to accept Springfield City Water, Light & Power (CWLP) coal combustion waste.

Development & Personnel Committee: Chad Ruppert, Chairman

1. Animal Control Update/Approval: Committee Chair Ruppert said he anticipates discussions on rates for adoptions and the procedme manual.

2. CF IL Solar (Farmersville) Siting Permit Update/Approval: The committee will discuss information from the public hearing and make a recommendation.

3. RDC IL N24th Solar (Harvel) Siting Permit Update/Approval: The committee will discuss information from the public hearing.

4. Atticus & Finch Solar (Route 127) Public Hearing Date Update/Approval: The public hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, July 7.

5. Montgomery IL Solar 1 (Route 16) Public Hearing Date Update/Approval: The public hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, July 28.

6. DCEO Energy Transition Grant Update/Approval: The committee will discuss the Phase II grant agreement and Phase III application.

7. Montgomery First Local Labor Initiative Update/Approval: The committee will review and discuss a recommendation.

8. Secession Resolution Update/Approval: Committee Chair Ruppert will discuss resolution development with the State's Attorney. Chairman Donaldson requested the item be on the July 30 Mayors Meeting agenda.

9. Other Business: Committee Chair Ruppert said he will also ask his committee to consider a wind ordinance revision to accommodate siting approval extensions. He would also like vacancies in the Supervisor of Assessments office to be posted.

Buildings and Grounds: Mark Hughes, Chairman

1. Maintenance Report U pdate/ Approval: The committee will review and discuss.

2. Historical Markel' Update/Approval: Jeff Dunn will be present to provide new information.

3. Elevator Maintenance Contract Update/Approval: On the advice of the State's Attorney, the county will send a letter to Otis Elevator expressing service issues during the recent outage.

4. Generator Pad Bids Update/Approval: The committee will review and discuss.

5. Window Cleaning Update/Approval: The committee will review and discuss.

6. Other Business: None.

Roads and Bridges Committee: Ethan MUl'zynski, Chairman

1. Building Construction Update/Approval: The committee will discuss building progress.

2. Other Business: Engineer Cody Greenwood anticipates agenda items including a Harvel Township bridge letting, summer maintenance projects, an update on the Coffeen Road/Seven Sisters intersection work, and a presentation from a Harvel drainage district.

Finance and Budget Committee: Connie Beck, Vice Chair

1. SOA Report Update/Approval: The committee will review and discuss.

2. Capital Improvement & Coal Fund Reports Update/Approval: The committee will review and discuss.

3. Extension Agreement Update/Approval: The agreement was approved in April and need not be on the agenda.

4. Bruce Harris Contract Update/Approval: SOA Niehaus will request Bruce Harris reps to atteno the meeting.

5. Pre-Approved Vendor List Update/Approval: The committee will review and discuss recommendations from County Board Administration, the County Clerk, and State's Attol'l1ey.

6. Other Business: Additional agenda items that need to be discussed include the budget process, audit contract, and county offices' drinking water.

Appointments:

1. None

Motion to adjourn by Murzinski and second by Hughes. All in favor, motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 9:20 a.m. The summaries of minutes were respectfully submitted by acting secretary Mike Plunkett, as deputized by Montgomery County Clerk/Recorder Sandy Leitheiser.

https://montgomerycountyil.gov/wp-content/uploads/CommitteeMinutes7-25.pdf