COMMITTEE REPORT COMMITTEE: CHAIRPERSON: DATE/TIME: Executive Committee Merri Berlage February 04, 2013 @ 7:00 pm PRESENT: Merri Berlage Steve Rutz Margie Montelius Randy Jobgen Ron Smith Gerald Bennett Jody Covert RJ Winkelhake Other Board Members: Others: County Administrator Dan Reimer, States Attorney John Hay, County Clerk Jean Dimke, County Engineer Steve Keeffer and Mike Mudge. Merri Berlage called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and read the third floor evacuation policy. 1. Minutes Approval. Margie Montelius made a motion to approve the minutes of the January 02, 2013 Executive Committee meeting and the August 30, 2012 joint budget meeting. Seconded by Steve Rutz and motion passed. 2. Citizens Comments Merri Berlage moved forward item 4a Discussion and possible action regarding items associated with the Electrical Aggregation referendum question that will be on the April 9th ballot Berlage introduced Mike Mudge representative from Rock River Energy Services. Mudge discussed the background and purpose of electrical aggregation in Illinois. Rock River Energy Services assists counties and municipalities with the aggregation process. Mudge previously assisted Jo Daviess County with an ordinance that was adopted by the County Board on October 9, 2012; Ordinance 2012-7 Providing for the Submission to the Electors of the County of Jo Daviess, Jo Daviess County Illinois, the question whether the County of Jo Daviess should have the authority under Public Act 096-0176 to arrange for the supply of electricity for its residential and small commercial retail customers who have not opted out of such program. Mudge read the referendum question that per state statute will appear on the ballot, Shall the County of Jo Daviess have the authority to arrange for the supply of electricity for its residential and small commercial retail customers who have not opted out of such program?. Mudge discussed that Jo Daviess County is similar to many other counties in the fact that a portion of the County is served by ComEd and a portion is served by an electrical cooperative and only those customers in the ComEd service area are eligible to participate. If the referendum is successful, the County will enter into a contract with a supplier for a length of time to be determined, at an agreed upon rate. If a customer wants to opt-out and not participate they may do so. Mudge discussed the process moving forward. The County needs to complete two ComEd forms, a municipal authority aggregation data request form and a governmental authority aggregation form with a primary contact. Berlage asked if the information needed to be forwarded to the County before it could be forwarded to Rock River. Mudge stated yes. Mudge discussed the services offered by Rock River Energy if the County chooses Rock River Energy as their consultant. Mudge stated that Rock River Energy will assist the County in providing needed information to ComEd. Rock River Energy Services will develop a letter to be sent to registered voters about the referendum. All printing and mailing costs are paid by Rock River Energy Services. The County must hold 2 public hearings for questions and comments from citizens about the program. The County must submit a public hearing notice to a local publication and have the notice run for 2 weeks. Public hearings can be held on the same night at different times or two different dates. The C:\Users\dwilliams\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.Outlook\8UCSMANC\Executive minutes (2) 02 04 13.doc - 1 -
hearings can be held before or after the election. Rock River Energy Services will have a representative at public hearings to help assist and answer all questions. After public hearings have been conducted and the referendum is approved, the County Board must pass a 2 nd ordinance that officially adopts a plan of operation and governance and makes the county an aggregator. Rock River Energy Services will provide a draft of the ordinance and plan of operation and governance. After the 2 nd ordinance is passed, Rock River Energy Services will prepare the RFP and oversee the bid process and deliver a bid package to the County for review. The Committee discussed that there is confusion as to who votes on the referendum question and which electric customers in Jo Daviess County will be eligible to participate in the County s aggregation program. Mudge explained that per Statute the question must appear on the ballot of all voters in unincorporated Jo Daviess County even though some customers are in the Jo Carroll Energy service area and will not be eligible to participate in the aggregation program. Mudge suggested that voting and eligibility questions be explained in the letter that will be sent out to the voters. The Committee discussed a consulting agreement with Rock River Energy Services. Mudge discussed that there would be no fees to the County as Rock River Energy is paid by the successful supplier and if the referendum fails, the County would not be responsible for costs incurred by Rock River Energy. The Committee discussed the requirements for public hearings and it was suggested that the public hearings be scheduled before the referendum in an effort to better inform the public. Stockton and Warren have already passed an aggregation referendum. Apple River, Nora and Scales Mound will have an aggregation question on the April 9, 2013 ballot. The Committee discussed locations for the public hearings. RJ Winkelhake made a motion to hold two (2) public hearings regarding Electrical Aggregation; hearings to be held March 13, 2013 and March 14, 2013 with one public hearing to be held in Apple River at the Apple River Event Center and one public hearing to be held in Galena at the JDC Courthouse in the large Courtroom, public hearings to start at 7:00 pm; pending County Board approval of a professional service agreement with Rock River Energy Services. Seconded by Jody Covert and motion passed. The committee discussed the two ComEd forms. Berlage expressed concern with all the information that will be going through the County Administrators Office. Mudge stated that all correspondence with ComEd should be forwarded to Rock River Energy Services. Steve Rutz made a motion to approve two ComEd forms, the Governmental Authority Aggregation Form (GAAF) and the Municipal Authority Aggregation Data Request Form. Seconded by RJ Winkelhake and motion passed. Smith abstained. Chairman Berlage moved forward item 4b Discussion and possible action to enter into a natural gas supply agreement for the supply of natural gas to the JDC Courthouse, Public Safety Building and Highway Building. Dan Reimer reviewed the two proposals received; Rock River Energy Services/Integrys Energy Services Inc. and Realgy, LLC. The RFP requested suppliers to submit two quotes - Natural Gas Index (NGI) plus any adder and/or additional costs and Fixed Price. Reimer reviewed the bid tally sheet. The cost analysis of the proposals indicated that the most cost effective proposal is the Natural Gas Index (NGI) plus an index adder proposal submitted by Integrys Energy Services, Inc. RJ Winkelhake made a motion to enter into a natural gas purchase agreement with Integrys Energy Services Natural Gas, LLC for the supply of natural gas to the Jo Daviess County Courthouse and Public Safety Building, in Galena, Illinois and the Highway Facilities in Hanover, Illinois, for a period of 12 months, at a year one rate of Natural Gas Index (NGI) plus an index adder of $0.028, with an annual option to renew for two (2) consecutive annual terms at a rate of Natural Gas Index (NGI) plus an index adder of $0.03 for year two and year three. Seconded by Steve Rutz and motion passed. - 2 -
3. Unfinished Business a) Update from US EPA Bautsch Gray site on Blackjack Road Nothing to report at this time. b) Update on County FOIA request An updated FOIA spreadsheet was provided in the packet. c) Jo Daviess County Strategic Plan FY2012 Committee Goals Nothing to report at this time. d) Update on the Jo Daviess County background check policy Nothing to report at this time. Berlage will contact Sheriff Turner for a status update. e) Update on the EDA Disaster Program grant and the associated costs - This item can be taken off the agenda. 4. New Business a) Discussion and possible action regarding items associated with the Electrical Aggregation referendum question that will be on the April 9th ballot - see above b) Discussion and possible action to enter into a natural gas supply agreement for the supply of natural gas to the JDC Courthouse, Public Safety Building and Highway Building - see above c) Discussion and possible action on a Supplemental Motor Fuel Tax Resolution for the County Engineer's Salary for a period of January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012 Berlage informed the committee that this is a supplemental resolution that is adopted annually once the final salary of the County Engineer is determined. This resolution appropriates $306.81 from the Motor Fuel Tax Allotment. Margie Montelius made a motion to approve a Supplemental Motor Fuel Tax Resolution for the County Engineer's Salary for a period from January 1, 2012 to December 31. 2012. Seconded by Gerald Bennett and motion passed. d) Discussion and possible action on a Supplemental Motor Fuel Tax Resolution for the County Engineer's Salary for a period of January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013 - Berlage reported that this resolution is for the FY2013 salary of the County Engineer. Gerald Bennett made a motion to approve a Supplemental Motor Fuel Tax Resolution for the County Engineer s Salary for a period January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013. Seconded by Jody Covert and motion passed. e) Discussion and possible action regarding renewal of a Public/Educational Entity Pollution Liability Insurance Policy with ACE Illinois Union Insurance Company - Reimer presented and reviewed a copy of the 2013-14 pollution liability insurance renewal proposal received from Illinois Union Insurance Company. County Engineer, Steve Keeffer, explained the history and purpose of the pollution insurance. The premium amount will remain the same as last year. Margie Montelius made a motion to approve the renewal of a Public/Educational Entity Pollution Liability Insurance Policy with ACE Illinois Union Insurance Company; inception date March 1, 2013, expiration date of March 1, 2014, total premium cost $6,090. Seconded by Gerald Bennett and motion passed. - 3 -
f) Discussion and possible action to enter into a professional services agreement with Rick Stewart Jr. as special counsel for labor negotiations - Chairman Berlage reported that the Labor Committee recommended that Jo Daviess County enter into a professional services agreement with Rick Stewart Jr. for special counsel associated with labor negotiations. States Attorney John Hay reported that he has reviewed the agreement with Richard Stewart. Ron Smith made a motion to enter into a professional services agreement with Hesse Martone, P.C. and Richard Stewart, Jr. for services associated with collective bargaining. Seconded by Steve Rutz and motion passed with a nay by Margie Montelius and Gerald Bennett. g) Discussion and possible action regarding a professional services agreement with Carlson Dettmann Consulting for services associated with the Position Classification and Compensation Study - Berlage reported that this is a professional service agreement with Carlson Dettman Consulting in which the consultants would present the position classification and compensation study for collective bargaining. Steve Rutz made a motion to enter into a professional services agreement with Carlson Dettmann Consulting for services associated with the Jo Daviess County Position Classification and Compensation Study. Seconded by RJ Winkelhake and motion passed. h) Discussion and possible action regarding consolidation of the Local Workforce Investment Area (ILWIA 4) with (LWIA 3) or (LWIA 12) - Ron Smith discussed that Jo Daviess County is currently a member of the region 4 Workforce Investment Board. The funding for this program is through the Illinois Department of Labor and because of funding being cut by the State of Illinois; Workforce Investment Areas are consolidating regions. Jo Daviess County needs to decide with which region (3 or 12) that they would like to consolidate. Berlage stated that it was her understanding that each County would have to remain in the region that their unemployment office is located. The unemployment office in Freeport, IL has been closed and operations moved to Rockford, IL. Ron Smith will research and report back at next months meeting. i) Inter-committee comments and discussions- Merri Berlage reported that the Legislative Committee has learned that Representative Jim Sacia will reintroduce the prevailing wage bill. RJ Winkelhake reported that the Law Enforcement and Courts Committee is waiting on an engineer report for exterior repairs for the Courthouse. Winkelhake reported that the new Radio Communication System is still being implemented. The committee approved renewal of inmate insurance and moved forward to the County Board the equitable property sharing agreement. Steve Rutz reported that the Finance, Tax and Budget Committee passed a motion to request each standing committee to submit a five year capital plan with a funding plan. Margie Montelius reported that the Board of Health met and they are reviewing the different programs that the Health Department currently provides and if these programs can continue with the current funding. Montelius reported that the personnel committee of the Board of Health is currently conducting a search process - 4 -
to hire a new Public Health Administrator to replace Peggy Murphy who has announced her retirement. Berlage requested that each Committee chairperson submit a bullet point list of items from their committee meeting to be included in the Executive Committee packet. 5. Board Member Concerns- Merri Berlage discussed that at the next Executive Committee that the closed committee meeting minutes be reviewed. 6. Citizens Comments 7. Closed Session At 9:44 pm Steve Rutz made a motion to enter into closed session for the purpose of personnel section 2(c) 1; The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity. Topics of discussion: Appointment of County Engineer; States Attorney request regarding salary of Assistant States Attorney. Seconded by Jody Covert and motion passed. At 10:39 pm Steve Rutz made a motion to reconvene into open session. Seconded by Gerald Bennett and motion passed. 8. Possible action as a result of closed session. Steve Rutz made a motion to approve a Resolution Requesting Consent of the Department of Transportation to the Reappointment of the Incumbent (Steven Keeffer) as County Engineer. Seconded by Jody Covert and motion passed. Jody Covert made a motion that the pay grade of the Assistant States Attorney remain at Pay Grade 18 Step 1. Seconded by Gerald Bennett and motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 10:44 p.m. following a motion made by Gerald Bennett and seconded by RJ Winkelhake, motion carried. - 5 -