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 Present: Bob Farmer – Vice Chairman; Dave Hepler – Chairman; Andy
Anderson; Kevin Bateman; David Blankenship; Emily Davenport; Pat
O’Neill; Gene Rohlfs; Chuck Ruben; Scott Schaffenacker; Jan
Schumacher Absent:
Guests: Several residents from the Mt. Pulaski area.
Mr. Farmer called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. The Pledge of
Allegiance was led by Mr. Blankenship. Moment of Silence in memory
of Dean Toohey.
A motion was made by Mrs. Davenport, seconded by Mr. Ruben, to
approve the December 11, 2014 minutes.
Mr. Farmer welcomed Citizens of Logan County and thanked them for
their attendance at the Workshop Meeting.
Mr. Farmer read a directive of Rules and Procedures for speaking as
well as courtroom demeanor.
Planning and Zoning: A motion was made by Mr. O’Neill, seconded by
Mr. Hepler, to approve LO 14-15 22-Resolution to approve a
Conditional Permit Case 5-CU-14. Discussion held.
Barbara Stroud-Borth spoke on concerns regarding possible health
effects from living near wind turbines. Ms.Stroud-Borth cited a
resolution passed in Brown County, Wisconsin, where the Board of
Health declared the area unsafe for inhabitants or people passing
through due to the wind turbines. Ms.Stroud-Borth reported the Brown
County wind farm is much smaller than the proposed Relight wind
farm, but the people there are suffering from several negative
health effects, including insomnia, chest pains, headaches, anxiety
issues, and other similar effects due to infrasound.
Dave Opperman spoke on behalf of the Logan County Farm Bureau. Mr.
Opperman reported the Farm Bureau is not in favor of the wind farm.
He stated “Our board of directors is unanimously opposed to the
Relight Wind Farm Project and encourage a no vote”.
Robert Paladino, the vice president of Relight US, spoke on behalf
of Relight. Relight came to Logan County in 2009. At the same time,
the county passed a resolution approving the Economic Development
Master Plan. The Master Plan includes language on encouraging the
development of Wind Farms in the county. Mr. Paladino reported that
due to a tax extension, Relight will be able to slow down their
construction schedule, as they would now have until 2016 to qualify
for federal tax credits. Mr. Paladino reported this is a $400
million investment. Relight estimates that the county could receive
$2.4 million in property taxes in the first year, with 70% of that
going to school districts. In addition, Mr. Paladino said that over
$800,000 in total would be paid to land owners, with
non-participants in the area being compensated at a rate of $5 per
acre or $500 per year, whichever is higher.
Robert O’Neal, a sound engineer, reported Relight conducted a sound
study. According to their results, the noise levels of the turbines
would fall within state regulations for sound during the day, and at
night the towers would need to be adjusted to fall within
regulations. Mr. O’Neal referenced the Brown County Board of Health
minutes; he reported he’s gone over the minutes from the meeting and
that there was a lack of evidence there to support the claim.
Dr. Robert McCunney spoke on health effects of noise from wind
turbines, the key results of which is that infrasound from turbines
is not audible and does not present unique health risks.
Robert Cowan reported he wants proof that there will be no health
problems in the area after the turbines go up. Mr. Cowan worries
about the future and whether or not there would be more piles of
concrete in the ground after the turbines are taken down. Chris
Cowen reported he is struggling over the idea of whether or not the
county needs the tax money. Mr. Cowen said the extra money would be
great, however he feels the people living in the county should
provide the taxes, not a bank outside of the area. Mr. Cowen worries
about property values going down because of the wind farms.
 Kella Allspach reported in the last 5 days she has gotten over 800
signatures on a petition against the project. Ms. Allspach is a
Logan County realtor, she said she can speak from experience that
buyers have indeed lost interest in homes because of turbines. Ms.
Allspach reported her daughter has found the sound of the turbines
near her grandpa’s house in Emden so irritating she can’t sleep at
night when she visits.
Derek Martin spoke on the lack of communication with residents and
Relight. Mr. Martin reported Relight has not been good at
communication between residents from the area. Residents who signed
contracts have heard nothing from Relight as to the status of the
project. Mount Pulaski only heard about the project via
notifications from the ZBA.
Mike Nichols reported he is a professor of Intercultural Studies at
Lincoln Christian University. Mr. Nichols and his wife are
completely opposed to this project on several grounds. Mr. Nichols
has two major concerns which are property values and health.
John Stewart spoke on his previous experience building wind towers.
Mr. Stewart reported noise definitely becomes an issue in situations
like this, when a wind farm is built in a residential area. Mr.
Stewart reported the money would help the school and county, but
there would be too many negative consequences.
Carol Anderson spoke on the effect the wind turbines have on
wildlife animals.
Bill Thomas spoke on behalf of the Economic Development
Partnerships; Mr. Thomas reminded the County they passed the Master
Plan which included wind turbines of this size.
Tom Martin referred to the Master Plan.
Bill Gossett asked the County Board to please vote against the wind
farm.
Terry Coppinger asked the County Board to put the size of the
turbines and the wind farm into perspective.
Scott Ruhl spoke on property tax value. Mr. Ruhl also spoke on the
noise from the wind turbines. Mr. Ruhl said he doesn’t want to see
those flashing red lights when he’s coming home.
 Gena Monical-Ruhl spoke on health concerns that could come up in the
future. Mrs. Monical-Ruhl reported there have been studies done on
people who become sick after the towers are turned on, eventually
forcing some of them to leave their homes. Mrs. Monical-Ruhl
provided several copies of studies on health effects from wind
turbines to the board members.
Deanne Mott referred to a letter from William Mulvaney. Mrs. Mott
provided the County Board members with the letter.
Ryan Mott submitted a list of all the industrial wind facilities
currently in operation in Illinois. Mr. Mott spoke on health
concerns.
Bobbie Taylor spoke on health concerns. Mrs. Taylor runs a daycare
in her home; she is concerned about her family’s health and her
daycare children. Mrs. Taylor has had parents tell her if the wind
farm passed they will pull their children from Mrs. Taylor’s
daycare. Mrs. Taylor also has animals on her property; she worries
about the animals health as well.
Hugh Campbell spoke in favor of the Wind Farm. Mr. Campbell is a
wind technician who worked on the Rail-splitter Wind Farm.
Ashley Combs spoke on shadow flicker. Shadow- Flickering and the
strobing effect of operating wind turbines was linked to blinding
effects, headaches, disorientation, confusion, loss of balance,
increased levels of stress and anxiety, and drivers on roads passing
by the wind turbine farms. Lisa Leonard spoke on her house being
surrounded by 13 turbines within 1 mile.
Mrs.Leonard reported the entire community of Lake Fork, Broadwell,
and the southern part of Mt. Pulaski will be inside the one mile
impact zone. The generators will be 104 feet taller, 90% more
powerful, and there will be 10 times the number of citizens living
within two miles of these turbines. Mrs. Leonard asked the County
Board if they were positive that this project will not endanger the
health or the property values of those 200 people. Mrs. Leonard
ended her comments by asking the County Board to please vote no on
the conditional use permit.
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Corey Leonard spoke on property value. Mr. Leonard handed out a
report done by McCann Appraisals, LLC to support his comments
regarding property values.
Jim Drew spoke on the Master Plan. Mr. Drew helped with the
Master Plan.
Larry Cyrulik spoke on favor of the wind farms. Mr. Cyrulik
reported his family owns land within the footprint of this
project. Mr. Cyrulik reported he will get money off his property
because he is in the footprint. Mr. Cyrulik said he is one of 8
families who have already signed agreements with Relight.
Mrs. Schumacher reported she recently attended a Health
Department Board meeting last week. Mrs. Schumacher reported the
physicians on the Board of Health are concerned and that the
clinical studies don’t exist because of the newness of the
information.
Mr. Ruben explained the policy with regards to the straw vote. The
County Board will vote on the topic on Wednesday, January 21, 2015
at 7p.m. Straw vote taken, motion passed. The County Board took a
short break.
Airport/Farm: Mr. Rohlfs reported 271 gallons of fuel were sold in
December. A motion was made by Mr. Rohlfs, seconded by Mr. Ruben, to
approve a budget amendment to remove $3,000.00 from Balloon Fest
funds and transfer into General Funds for CEDS. Discussion held. Mr.
Anderson and Mrs. Schumacher were not in favor of pulling money from
the Balloon Fest. Straw vote taken, motion failed but will be placed
on the agenda for Wednesday night. A motion was made by Mr. Rohlfs,
seconded by Mr. Hepler, to approve Blankenship Electric to repair
the PAPI Lighting system at Runway 3. Straw vote taken, motion
passed. Mr. Hepler will get in touch with Mr. Wright to see if it’s
a conflict of interest if Mr. Blankenship works on the PAPI at the
airport. Nothing further to report. Animal Control: A motion was
made by Mr. Schaffenacker, seconded by Mr. Bateman to approve Animal
Control Ordinance Revisions. Straw vote taken, motion passed.
Nothing further to report.
Building and Grounds: A motion was made by Mr. Bateman, seconded by
Mr. Rohlfs, to pay 50% of the $7,995 for the air conditioner unit
for the 911 computer room at the Safety Complex. Discussion held.
Mr. Bateman presented the board with the two bids, one from Henson
Robinson and one from Harmons Heating and Air Conditioner. Straw
vote taken, motion passed. Mr. Bateman reported the elevator project
will start on January 28, 2015. Mr. Bateman reported he would like
to add a phone line and computer line to the County Board Conference
room. This would only be for the 8 weeks while the elevator is done.
If Todd Farley cannot make this happen, the Sheriff would like to
use walkie talkies. Mr. Bateman will get in touch with Todd Farley
regarding running new lines for the help desk. Nothing further to
report.
Community Action: Mr. O’Neill reported Public Transportation
ridership is on the raise. Mr. Anderson reported Cheeseburger in
Paradise is March 14, 2015. Nothing further to report.
Executive/Economic Development:
A motion was made by Mrs. Schumacher, seconded by Mr. Blankenship,
to remove the straw vote wording from the board policies. Straw vote
taken, motion passed.
A motion was made by Mrs. Schumacher, seconded by Mrs. Davenport, to
approve the chairman’s recommendation to separate Executive and
Economic Development into two separate committees. Straw vote taken,
motion passed.
Mr. Ruben asked if Mrs. Schumacher plans to change the resolution
setting the members of that committee.
A motion was made by Mrs. Schumacher, seconded by Mr. O’Neill, to
remodel the interior of the elevator car. Straw vote taken, motion
passed.
Mr. Ruben is not in favor of spending $13,500 on remodeling the
elevator, Mr. Ruben would like to just paint the inside of the
elevator. Nothing further to report.
Finance: Mr. Ruben reported the auditors are at the health
department right now.
A motion was made by Mr. Ruben, seconded by Mr. Schaffenacker, to
accept the copier proposal from DCS. Straw vote taken, motion
passed.
Mr. Ruben reported the representative from DCS will be here
Wednesday night.
 A motion was made by Mr. Ruben, seconded by Mr. Rohlfs, to approve
LO 14-15 20-Tax Anticipation Note. Straw vote taken, motion passed.
A motion was made by Mr. Ruben, seconded by Mr. O’Neill, to approve
LO 14-15 19 Designated Bank Depositories. Straw vote taken, motion
passed.
Nothing further to report.
General Assembly: Nothing to report.
Health: Nothing to report.
Insurance/Legislation:
A motion was made by Mr. Anderson, seconded by Mr. Aylesworth, to
approve the following raffles:
LO 14-15 16 West Lincoln-Broadwell School Booster Club,
LO 14-15 17 Atlanta Memorial Park District,
LO 14-15 18 Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce,
LO 14-15 24 Lake Fork Community Center Consignment Sale. Straw vote
taken, motion passed.
A motion was made by Mrs. Schumacher, seconded by Mr. Anderson, to
approve LO 14-15 25 Recognition of Hartsburg-Emden Girls’ Volleyball
Team. Nothing further to report.
Workforce Investment: Nothing to report.
Law Enforcement and EMA: Nothing to report.
Liquor: Nothing to report.
Economic Development Partnership: Nothing to report.
Road and Bridge: A motion was made by Mr. Blankenship, seconded by
Mr. Rohlfs, to approve LO 14-15 23 Improvements to County Highway 9
Section 11-00038-05-RS.Straw vote taken, motion passed. Nothing
further to report.
 Waste Management: Nothing to report.
Safety: Nothing to report.
Personnel: Nothing to report.
County Board Chairman’s Report: Nothing to report.
A motion was made by Mr. O’Neill, seconded by Mr. Blankenship to
adjourn the meeting. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 10:05 p.m.
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