Logan County Board reviews Public Transportation dilemma, Veteran's Assistance Program, a request to rezone for mining, and community college scholarship criteria

[September 11, 2015]  LINCOLN - On Thursday, September 10, the Logan County Board grappled with several tough decisions as they met for three hours in Workshop. The meeting was held in the third floor courtroom the Logan County Courthouse in anticipation of the crowd that was present. Eleven of 12 board members were present. Also attending were representatives from Heartland Community College, Show Bus (a rider transportation company), the Sangamon County Veterans Assistance Commission, Lincoln VFW represented by Michelle Ramlow, a number of Logan County veterans and various community members who were interested in the evening's issues or who were there to present information to the board.

Most of the open floor discussion focused on the ongoing transportation issue and the Relight Scholarship criteria with brief presentations about veteran's assistance commissions and a request to rezone land for mining. There was also a brief executive session mid-meeting.

To further discuss the public transportation issues and the transportation grant, the board went into a brief executive session under the allowance of possible litigation. After the session, Schumacher explained that they would on Tuesday night extend a 30 day termination notice to Community Action that they would use a different provider after thirty days.

Schumacher asked Show Bus director Laura Dick to provide the board with more information about the Show Bus transportation system, which has an intergovernmental agreement with several counties and collaborates with social service agencies. Dick said that they would work with the county in any way the county wishes them to "in order to reinforce and grow rural public transportation in Logan and Mason."

When O'Neill expressed concern about going with another provider, Schumacher shared that they are looking at options because of various challenges encountered recently with regard to Community Action.

Alison Rumler-Gomez from Community Action then spoke about the operating agreement, the various responsibilities, and cost allocations acknowledging that since Community Action is not the grantee, she does not understand where Community Action stops and the county begins on the cost allocation.

Board member Kevin Bateman reminded her that since the board is the grantee, they have to pay the fine if information does not get to Illinois Department of Transportation (the state monitor of the grant).
Board member Jan Schumacher said that getting required information is the main issue.

Rumler-Gomez said her biggest concern is serving community and clients and she tries to meet grant requirements.

Bateman says the committee should talk about the issue more in-depth on a monthly basis and should get monthly reports from the Program Compliance Oversight Monitor.

Rumler-Gomez said she appreciates them looking closely at these issues and shared more information about their costs and expenses, which she feels are comparable to Show Bus and others. She said their projected operating cost per trip is $18.19, lower than last year's $20.42.

Board Chairman David Hepler reminded the board that they need to base the decision on what is best for the people they are here to serve. When the floor was opened to public comments, Brian Jenkins, whose wife Angie Jenkins works with the public transportation, reminded the board how much she has done for the county. He says they are looking to keep the transportation jobs in Logan County and says that may not happen if the county switches providers. Jenkins urged the board to think about that when they are considering changing providers.

A motion came forward out of Planning and Zoning to rezone land from Ag, Special District to M-3, Mining District.
 

A resident living near the proposed site, Glenda Downing, reiterated some of her concerns about the lack of specifics of conditional uses and asked about the process. Bateman reminded her that right now, it is just a petition to rezone the land for mining, and the conditions can be looked at after the permit has been applied for. Downing just wants to make sure all the conditions are clear to those wanting to come in and mine. Bateman told her D'Andrea has a list of five criteria the board can add to the conditions.

With the intent to mine for limestone, land co-owner, Doug Muck, spoke to the board about his plans. Showing the map of the proposed area, he reviewed the most pertinent information about well depths, excavation depths, setbacks, directives for growth, and economic benefits, all of which he previously shared with the Regional Planning Commission, and the Zoning Board of Appeals.

When Hepler asked about the possible number of jobs the mining could provide, Muck said he would anticipate at least 25-30 jobs if there is a plant.

On another topic, Schumacher updated the board about the work she and Hepler have done concerning Community College Scholarships that would be created out of a donation from Meridian/Relight Wind Farm after the turbines become operational. Most of the Logan County students attending a community college attend Heartland. Logan County residents living in another community college district would also qualify for scholarship.

Heartland Community College Foundation Executive Director Chris Downing and Heartland Community College Vice President for Learning and Student Success Rick Pearce provided information about the scholarship process, scholarship recipients, the need for facility expansion, and new programs in Logan County.

The Heartland curriculum and campus in Lincoln is currently limited by three classrooms and unable to expand due to being land-locked.

Board members had questions about the intended purposes of the gift money to be used, with Chuck Ruben reminding them that when they voted for the wind farm, the money was to be used for scholarships.

Schumacher said that the needs of students in Logan County should be considered. Hepler would like to see a building but not at the expense of scholarships, so he is looking for ways to do both, proposing an amendment to some of the language in the document.

Since the money will not available for a quite a while, the board agreed that they will continue to research the needs and further discuss the issue in upcoming months.

Heartland College representatives said they would do the same beginning with a specific assessment of community needs. Heartland would contact local employers to learn their needs, which would drive program development, and then choose a fitting facility to teach those courses.
 

The board and Heartland would continue to sort out how the wind farm dollars would most benefit the community in higher education opportunities beginning at the community college level.

Hepler made a motion for a discussion Tuesday about placing a referendum on the March primary ballot. Soon all counties will need to provide for a Veteran's Assistance Commission. The referendum is for a tax levy with the tax not to exceed .03 percent.

Superintendent of the Sangamon County Veteran's Assistance Commission, Kimberly Bannister, explained the many services provided by the Veteran's Assistance Commission.

Lincoln VFW Post Commander Michelle Ramlow wanted to know what happens if the referendum is not approved. Hepler said that he hopes that by the time a Veteran's Assistance Commission is formed, they will know whether the levy is there or not. The board will continue discussion on the issue at Tuesday's meeting.

In other updates, the Finance, Road and Bridge, and Legislative Committees will bring forth resolutions next Tuesday. Law enforcement plans to discuss an independent contractor agreement and job description that Sheriff Nichols would present on Tuesday.

The board will meet Tuesday, September 15, at 7:00 p.m. at the Logan County Courthouse for their Regular Board meeting to vote on matters presented above.

[Angela Reiners]