APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

Mr. Wiegand moved, seconded by Mr. Wilson to approve the minutes of June 2, 2004.  Motion carried unanimously by a voice vote.

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA 

          Chairman Leifheit stated that there was an additional item to be placed on the agenda under #6a.) The Target Resolution.  Mr. Weigand moved, seconded by Ms. Tobias to approve the amended agenda.  Motion carried unanimously by a voice vote.

UPDATE ON STAINED GLASS WINDOWS IN THE COURTHOUSE

          Mr. Ken Campbell, DeKalb County Facilities Director, stated that the stained glass project went to bid and that there were two companies that responded.  The first company was Houtkamp Art Studio from Rockford, Illinois, who bid $54,500.00 and the second company was Botti Studio Architectural Arts, Inc. from Evanston, Illinois, who bid $25,900.00.  Mr. Campbell felt that the second company, which was the lowest bidder, was also the most qualified company.  He had originally had $30,000.00 approved by this committee for the project and he has spent $3,000.00 already.  He will need an additional $5,500.00 to complete the project.  He said that included in this money is $1,800.00 for the architect’s fee and a $5,000.00 contingency clause.  The differences between the two companies are the amount of artists and the size of the studios.  The more expensive bid company has only one artist doing all the work himself.  The lower bid company has a lot more artists and a larger studio.   Mr. Campbell continued by explaining that when the windows are removed to be taken to the artist’s studio, they will be replaced with painted wood until the original windows are done. 

          Before beginning the presentation, Mr. Wilson stated that he had received a letter recently regarding an optic cable problem at the Sycamore Library.  Could anyone explain what was going on? 

Ms. Joan Berkes-Hanson, IMO Director for DeKalb County, gave a brief history of what lead up to this point.  The conduit, which is used for the Joiner History Room, between the Public Safety Public and the Sycamore Library became damaged and has stopped our computer network connection.  Several possibilities for a solution have been explored, each one being discounted because of high costs.  Just today, a solution may have been accomplished by finally being able to pass a “fish line” through the conduit.  This should now allow a new cable to be strung.  If the overall distance is too long for the cable that can be run, additional hubs may have to be purchased.  It is hoped that network connectivity should be accomplished in a very short period of time. 

However, she feels that they have progressed much further than anticipated and that they should be finished with this project by the end of this year.  The project is comprised of seven databases, 1.) Accidents, 2.) Adopt A Highway, 3.) GASB34, 4.) Highway, 5.) Lights, 6.) Signs, and 7.) Bridges.

As far as wireless phone calls, Ms. Berkes-Hanson, reported that the E-911 Board is working on this project so that when a wireless phone call comes – the call will be placed on a map for them to see where it originated.  Her department has a contract with the E-911 Board to provide the base map which will be displayed on the dispatcher’s console. 

G.I.S. FEE INCREASE 

          Mr. Hanson presented a resolution to the committee this evening with regards to increasing the G.I.S. fee assessed on recorded documents by $11.00.  He stated that there was an extensive study done by “Maximus” of Northbrook, Illinois that made this recommendation for the fee increase and stated that it was in accordance with the Illinois Statutes.  Mr. Hanson explained that this increase would apply to recorded documents.  The current rate is $3.00 and with an increase of $11.00 for the total amount suggested of $14.00.  Our county has been below the average rates across the state, he said. 

          Mr. Sands asked if the 911 fund (wireless) monies could be used to pay for some of the G.I.S. costs?  Mr. Hanson said that it is unlikely that the 911 Board would want to share any more revenues than they are currently sharing. 

           Mr. Van Buer asked if we could phase into this fee increase?  Mr. Hanson said that yes, the amount and the timing is up to the board. 

Mr. Faivre said that he feels that the user should be paying for this fee.

           Mr. Wiegand stated that he could not support this resolution.  He would need to see how many documents the County recorded and then look at the cost calculations. 

           Mr. Bockman stated that the county is subsidizing $11.00 of costs with taxpayer’s money.   

           Chairman Leifheit felt that it was a huge increase.  Mr. Hanson said to remember that all of the taxpayers are paying for it now.  He then said that if this resolution is adopted it will pay for the entire G.I.S. department.

Moved by Mr. Faivre, seconded by Mr. Sands, to support the G.I.S. Fee Increase resolution and to forward it to the full board. 

          Discussion followed.  Chairman Leifheit asked what is in the fund now?  Mr. Hanson said that the G.I.S. costs are paid out of the General Fund.  He said that the current $3.00 charge is reduced by $1.00 for the County Clerk’s fee, which leaves the County with $2.00.  With the increased fee there will be $14.00 collected, then reduced by $1.00 to go the county clerk yet, for a total amount of $13.00 to G.I.S.  This will pay for the entire G.I.S. budget, he reiterated.  Mr. Bockman reminded the committee that the State is the one who picked this fee not the County.  We are following state statutes.

          Ms. Tobias pointed out to the committee that G.I.S. is a part of a whole section of Government now. It is much more efficient and part of the governmental infrastructure.

Ms. Berkes-Hanson said that the Recorder’s Office uses this information in their office daily.  Kane County’s cost is up to $25.00 to record a mortgage and that their G.I.S. fee is $10.00.  She also said that since the County has made the information available on the Website that there have been numerous questions asked by users and especially attorneys.         

          The committee discussed whether or not they wanted another month to look at this resolution.

          Mr. Wilson moved to amend the resolution at the last line to read, “Increase from $3.00 to $10.00 beginning August 1, 2004 and an additional increase of $4.00 beginning in August 1, 2005.  Motion died for lack of a second.

          Mr. Hanson said that the fee study would be available on the Internet.

          Moved by Mr. Faivre, seconded by Mr. Van Buer, to table the resolution until next month so that the committee and county board members could review the study and comparisons.  Motion carried unanimously.

TARGET RESOLUTION

          Chairman Leifheit said that the resolution before the committee this evening is the same one that was brought to the county board meeting in April 2004, but that now we know the firm.

          Moved by Mr. Faivre, seconded by Mr. Wilson, to recommend the Target Resolution to be forwarded to the full board for approval.

          Discussion followed.  Mr. Van Buer stated that he would be voting against this resolution because of the economic rationale that the relocating industries already know where they are going to go.  Mr. Faivre said that it is like playing Russian roulette as they may indeed go to their secondary choice.  We would only be giving them money to come that we won’t have unless they come.

          Mr. Wiegand said that he was concerned over the language in the 6^th paragraph as he has no facts to prove that the land-owners are in fact discounting the land price.  Mr. Faivre suggested that we remove it.     

          Moved by Mr. Wiegand, seconded by Mr. Sands, to strike the 6^th paragraph in the resolution.  Motion carried unanimously.

          Returning to the original motion, the Motion was carried with 2 no votes, being Mr. Van Buer and Mr. Wiegand.

 Before adjourning, Mr. Wilson announced that his committee will be touring the Rochelle Railport either on 8/5/04 or 9/2/04.  They will be leaving the Highway Department around 2:30p.m. to go there and then return to the Highway Department around 6:00p.m. for their monthly meeting.  If any board member is interested in attending, please contact him.

          Chairman Leifheit thanked everyone for a very good meeting and good discussion and heard a motion to adjourn.

          Mr. Wiegand moved, seconded by Mr. Van Buer, to adjourn @ 8:30p.m.  Motion carried unanimously by a voice vote. 

Respectively submitted, 

_____________________________________
Sue Leifheit, Chairman 

_____________________________________
Mary C. Supple, Secretary

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