Logan County Board Briefs:
Program to assist strengthening families financially working, other board matters and appointments

[June 01, 2017]  LINCOLN - At the Logan County Board meeting May 16, the board voted on motions and resolutions from several committees.

Community Action Update

Board member Janet Dahmm, who serves on the Community Action Board, handed out a report with data on 'Community Action's Strengthening Working Families Initiative Program (SWIF).' Stephanie Savery, Director of Client Management Services at Community Action, gave an update on the program and shared some success stories.

Savery said a student who took the Financial Peace University course has been able to move out of subsidized housing, saving public assistance about "$3,000 a year." She said another student who took the Jobs for Life class was previously unemployed, but now has "living wage employment" and no longer receives benefits, which saves over $2,300.

Savery said five families have been able to attend classes because of the county's investment in the program. They are now able to pay their bills and save money on a monthly basis. She said another student who took Financial Peace University has now saved over $500 and has an emergency fund.

Savery said with the funding SWFI has been able to help students with transportation, day care, uniforms, and textbooks. Many have gotten jobs and reduced their benefits. She said family functioning scores have "increased by 70.42 percent since January 2017" and many families served "have advanced above the prevention line."

Savery thanked the board for helping with funding that enables students to participate in these classes. She said another phase of classes begins in June.

Board Chairman Chuck Ruben said he was impressed with the response and feels the board is getting "their money's worth" from a very good program.

Executive and Personnel Committee Update

Executive and Personnel Committee Chairman Emily Davenport motioned for the approval of the Joint Solid Waste Agreement.

Board member Kevin Bateman motioned that they table the agreement another thirty days and send it back to committee to see if they come up with a proposal of different language. He said the city has gone out for a proposal for a different recycling company.

Board member Scott Schaffenacker said the Waste Management Committee meeting would be on Wednesday (May 17) and they are voting on the amendments from the Executive and Personnel Committee. He said it is time to move on the agreement.

Bateman said those amendments have not come before the board, and tabling it would allow for more discussion at the Waste Management meeting.

Schaffenacker said they will be able to bring the agreement back with the amendments. Board member Bob Sanders said it was time to make a decision.

Bateman's motion to send it back to committee failed 7-5 with Kevin Bateman, Janet Dahmm, Emily Davenport, David Hepler, and Gloria Luster voting yes. Dave Blankenship, Bob Farmer, Gene Rohlfs, Chuck Ruben, Bob Sanders, Scott Schaffenacker and Annette Welch voting no.

Davenport's main motion to accept the Joint Solid Waste Agreement passed 11-1 with Dave Blankenship, Janet Dahmm, Emily Davenport, Bob Farmer, David Hepler, Gloria Luster, Gene Rohlfs, Chuck Ruben, Bob Sanders, Scott Schaffenacker and Annette Welch voting yes. Kevin Bateman voting no.

Finance Committee update

Finance Committee Chairman David Hepler's motion to fund Tropics sign from Historic Sites Fund passed unanimously.

At the Finance Committee meeting on May 9, Logan County Economic Development Partnership Executive Director Bill Thomas requested $5,000 from the board for the restored Tropics sign.

Ruben said they could use money from the historic sites fund, which has around $5,700.

Board member Gene Rohlfs motioned that they see what is left in the fund after they purchase the plaques for veterans and split it 50 percent.

Ruben said no amount is listed in the motion because it will be half of the remainder after the project with the plaques, but the amount will "not exceed $3,000."

Building and Grounds Committee update

The board unanimously approved Building and Grounds Committee Chairman Kevin Bateman's motion to authorize payment for the repair of the elevator for $5,988.72 coinciding with a new maintenance agreement at an annual cost of $2,700 for KONE Elevator. Bateman said this maintenance agreement would have covered the cost of repairs if it had already been in place.

Board member Scott Schaffenacker asked why there was not a maintenance agreement when the new elevators were put in.

Bateman said at that time, they thought a warranty covered the repairs, but "what actually broke was a part not replaced in the agreement." He said the agreements have been done and the amount of money has been lowered "significantly." So the committee has decided to go with a service contract just a few dollars more than the maintenance contract they had. This contract will cover repairs on the interior elevator.

Board member Gloria Luster asked what it covers as far as the labor and parts.

Bateman said it pays for labor and eighty to ninety percent of the parts.

Bateman also said the park benches have been put in at Scully Park and look "really nice." The new benches are bolted together as one unit and bolted down to the ground.

Airport and Farm Committee update

Airport and Farm Committee Chairman Gene Rohlfs' motion to authorize increased expenditure from the Airport Capital Improvement account for additional engineering and design fees up to $2,000, 10 percent county share, for re-design and re-bidding replacement of the AV gas fuel farm was unanimously approved.

Road and Bridge Committee update

The board unanimously approved Bob Farmer's motion to approve a resolution to award contracts for sealcoat work in Logan County and various road districts to JTC Petroleum & Illinois Road Contractors.

Logan County Engineer Bret Aukamp gave a couple project updates. Aukamp said they are continuing to work on the Sugar Creek bridge project on Nicholson Road north of Lincoln and making progress as expected.

Aukamp said they have been "trying for years to encourage a competitive environment in the county for sealcoat work" and "finally did get some competitive bids" that saved about "25 percent."

Logan County Department of Public Health update

Logan County Department of Public Health Administrator Don Cavi said the department recently received a $15,000 grant from the Woods Foundation to be used for their home health services. Cavi said the nurses now have tablets to use when they are out in the field, which will "eliminate having to reduplicate data entry."

Cavi said he is meeting next week with SIU and the Veteran's Commission about the possibility of SIU bringing some behavioral health services to the community. He said SIU is a TriCare provider and has a lot to offer veterans.

Cavi said they plan to have a kickoff with SIU in either June or July.

Insurance/Legislative/Liquor Committee makes several appointments

Several appointments were brought forward by the Insurance, Legislative, and Liquor Committee Chairman David Hepler.

Hepler's motion to approve Penny Thomas to the office of Logan County Treasurer to commence June 1, 2017 through the term ending November 30, 2018 was approved 10 by ten yesses with Emily Davenport abstaining.

The board unanimously approved Hepler's motion to appoint Gloria Luster as a member of the County Board District 5. Luster was immediately sworn into office by County Clerk and Recorder Sally Turner.

The board also unanimously approved three other motions by Hepler:

• A motion to appoint Gloria Luster to Transportation, Building and Grounds, Safety, and Lincoln City Council Committees replacing Adam Schmidt.
   

• A motion to appoint Annette Welch as chairperson of Insurance/ Legislative/ Liquor Committee replacing Adam Schmidt in that role.
   

• A motion to appoint John Fulton to the Zoning Board of Appeals.

The board also unanimously approved eight other appointments as part of their consent agenda.

1. Jeff Jones to Beason Fire Protection District

2. Ronald Ritchhart to Logan County Cemetery District Trustee

3. Darrell White to Logan County Cemetery District Trustee

4. Tonya Bare to Logan County Housing Authority Board

5. Ann Curry to Board of Review

6. Warren Grover to Board of Review

7. Tracy Mizeur to Logan County Tuberculosis Board

8. Kaye Wilmert to Logan County Board Tuberculosis Board

The next Regular Board meeting will be Tuesday, June 20 at 7:00 p.m. in the Logan County Courthouse.

[Angela Reiners]