The Executive Committee of the DeKalb County Board met on Tuesday, January 7, 2003 @ 7:00 p.m. at the Legislative Center’s Freedom Conference Room. Chairman Robert Pritchard called the meeting to order.  Members present were Marlene Allen, Sue Leifheit, Clifford Simonson, Roger Steimel, Ruth Anne Tobias and John Wilson.  Others present were Ray Bockman, Gary Hanson, Pat LaVigne, Steve Slack, Eileen Dubin, Diane Strand, Greg Millburg, Dennis Sands and Paul Miller.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

          Moved by Mr. Steimel, seconded by Ms. Allen, and it was carried unanimously to accept the minutes of the December 2002 meeting. 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

          Moved by Mr. Wilson, seconded by Ms. Tobias, and it was carried unanimously to approve the agenda.

APPOINTMENTS

          Chairman Pritchard recommended the following appointments:

DeKalb County Nursing Home Foundation Board:  Ms. Sharon Fessler, for a term of
                                                                                    3 years, until 02/01/2006.

Moved by Ms. Leifheit, seconded by Ms. Allen. and it was carried unanimously to approve the appointment as presented by Chairman Pritchard, and to forward it onto the full board for approval.

APPROVAL OF THE COUNTY BOARD AGENDA

          Chairman Pritchard reviewed the county board agenda for the board meeting to be held on January 15, 2003.

          Moved by Mr. Simonson, seconded by Mr. Steimel, and it was carried unanimously to accept the amended county board agenda as presented.

GENERAL DISCUSSION

          Mrs. Allen, Chairman of the Public Services Committee, said that Ms. Margaret Whitwell, Supervisor of Assessments and Sheriff Roger Scott introduced themselves to the committee. 

Mr. Wilson, Chairman of the Public Infrastructure and Development Committee, said that there is one resolution coming to the board with regard to a bid award for a snow-plow and equipment. 

          Mr. Simonson, Vice-Chairman of the Forest Preserve Committee, said that Mr. Hannan did an overview of all of the Forest Preserves.  They were given an assignment for this month for each of the members to come up with a goal that they would like the committee to achieve over the next 2 years.  They also had an Executive Session for Land Acquisition. 

          Ms. Tobias, Chairman of the Public Policy Committee, said that her committee will be discussing the legislative agenda again and finalizing it on Wednesday evening (1/8/03).  The results will be on the tables along with the resolution.  She also mentioned that the Legislative Agenda Breakfast is scheduled for February 7, 2003 and that the time has not been set yet.  It will be held in the Legislative Center – Gathertorium and will be hosted by Mr. Hanson and Mrs. Joan Berkes-Hanson.  All the legislators have been invited and have responded that they will be present. 

Mr. Steimel, Chairman of the Planning & Regulations Committee,  said that they didn’t have a meeting but he reminded the committee that the county board workshop is scheduled for this Saturday from 9:00a.m. – 11:00a.m.  They will be reviewing the comprehensive plan and the zoning regulation.  He felt that it was important that all members attend.   

Mr. Steimel also notified the committee that he recently attended a seminar in Kane County where they spoke about “warehousing” land.  This means that the land speculators and developers are buying up the land now at a lower price and then will build on it in the future.

Mr. Steimel reminded the committee about the Wind Farm Hearing @ the Multi-Purpose Room at the Nursing Center is scheduled for Thursday, 1/9/03 @ 7:30p.m.

Chairman Pritchard said that IDOT has initiated Phase I –Preliminary Engineering and Environmental Studies – on the Prairie Parkway.  This will be a review of a lot of the work that has already been done.  He was told that this would probably take one year to get Phase I done.  There will be an elected officials briefing on 1/16/03 at the Plano High School @ 6:00p.m.

He also notified them about the following other items:  the Illinois Department of Agriculture has approved the Burnett Swine Farm Issue; Social Security Association notified him that their site in DeKalb will be closed because the utilization was so low; Mike Scavotto shared a note with him that the Rehab and Nursing Center was inspected by the Illinois Department of Public Health and the determination of compliance with federal certification was received.  He said congratulations to them!  Also please put on each of your calendars, he said, the State of the County Dinner that the Economic Development Corporation puts on annually is scheduled for 1/30/03.  The will be having two program this years – one @ 5:00p.m., and one at 6:15p.m. so that there won’t be quite a congestion.

EXECUTIVE SESSION – PENDING LITIGATION

          Moved by Mr. Wilson, seconded by Ms. Leifheit, and it was carried unanimous with a roll call vote to go move into closed session to discuss Pending Litigation.

          Moved by Mrs. Leifheit, seconded by Mrs. Tobias, and it was carried unanimous to return to open sesson.  No action taken.

ADJOURNMENT

          Moved by Mr. Steimel, seconded by Mr. Wilson, and it was voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting.

                                                          Respectfully submitted,

                                                          _________________________________
                                                          Robert W. Pritchard, Chairman

_______________________________
Mary C. Supple, Secretary