Jo-Carroll Depot LRA Board of Directors

Meeting Minutes

JANUARY 7, 2009

 

I. CALL TO ORDER:  Chairman Bill McFadden called the board meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 at the Jo-Carroll Depot LRA Conference Room, 3651 Crim Dr. Ste. 1, Savanna, Illinois.

 

II. ROLL CALL was answered as follows: Present-Don Crawford, Steve Keeffer, Ron Smith, Bill Sparboe, Bill Wright, Bill McFadden. Present: 6. Absent-John Major, Ed Olds. Absent: 2. Ayes: 6. Nays: 0. LRA staff present: Diane Komiskey, Mara Sutton, and Dawn Hall. Others in attendance: Alan Anderson (USFW).

 

III. Executive Session as permitted for the following under for 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11) for pending, probable, or imminent litigation.

Motion to enter closed session made by Bill Wright, seconded by Ron Smith. Motion carried as follows by roll call vote at 3:31 p.m.: Don Crawford, Steve Keeffer, Ron Smith, Bill Sparboe, Bill Wright, Bill McFadden. Present: 6. Absent: John Major, Ed Olds. Absent: 2. Ayes: 6. Nays: 0.

 

At 4:00 p.m. Mr. Anderson (USFW) did a presentation of the youth and disabled hunts that were conducted on their property at Lost Mound. He answered questions of the board and guests.

 

CALL TO ORDER: Chairman McFadden reconvened the meeting at 4:20 p.m.

Guests present: Alan Anderson (USFW), Tom Kamper (RRX), Bill Hooton (IITC) and Cindy Irwin (Army).

 

IV. THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was recited.

 

V. AGENDA ADDITIONS None

 

VI: CONSENT ITEMS

A motion to approve the board meeting minutes of December 3, 2008 and executive session minutes of December 3, 2008 was made by Steve Keeffer and seconded by Bill Wright. The motion carried by voice vote.

C. Bills over $2500 Approved by committee – None submitted. Noted -The third month in a row that utility bills were below $2500.

D. CD transfers since last board meeting – None.

 

VII: OLD BUSINESS: A. COMMITTEE REPORTS:

1.FINANCE/PERSONNEL- Mr. Crawford

a. Approve 2009 budget as Amended -

A motion to approve the 2009 budget was made by Don Crawford, seconded by Bill Wright. The motion carried by voice vote.

b. Second Reading of a Change in Bylaws

            c. Release Closed Session Minutes

            A motion to open closed session meeting minutes from the following dates:

June 19, 2008 Economic Development committee meeting 

      July 9, 2008 Finance/Personnel committee meeting

      July 17, 2008 Economic Development committee meeting

was made by Don Crawford, seconded by Bill Sparboe. The motion carried by voice vote.

d. Approve job descriptions

A motion to approve the job descriptions as submitted for Executive Director, Property Manager, and Bookkeeper-Secretary-Webmaster was made by Don Crawford, seconded by Bill Wright. The motion carried by voice vote.

            e. Extend Riverport Railroad lease

A motion to extend Riverport Railroad’s lease from March 2009 through March 2011, due to the failure to receive property from the Army was made by Don Crawford, seconded by Ron Smith. The motion carried by voice vote.

            f. Approve maintenance agreement for snow removal

A motion to approve the maintenance agreement with Riverport Railroad as presented—for snow removal at the rate of $17.50 per hour was made by Don Crawford, seconded by Ron Smith. The motion carried by voice vote.

 

            2.INFRASTRUCTURE

            Mr. Smith: There were no action items from the meeting.

 

Executive Director Komiskey researched a Fast Start project grant of improving 0.3 mile of roadway. The estimated total cost is $175,000. The grant requires a 50% match. The project was submitted to EDA.

 

            3.ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

The committee did not meet.

 

B. Set Committee Meeting Dates:

            Finance committee meeting: Tuesday, Jan. 20 at 9 a.m.

            Infrastructure committee meeting: Tuesday, Jan. 20 at 10 a.m.

Economic Development committee meeting: Tuesday, Jan. 20 at 11 a.m.

 

Finance committee meeting: Friday, February 27 at 9 a.m.

            Infrastructure committee meeting: Friday, February 27 at 10 a.m.

Economic Development committee meeting: Friday, February 27 at 11 a.m.

 

VIII: NEW BUSINESS

A.     Actions resulting from Executive Session – None

            B. Bills over $2500 not approved by committee – None submitted.

            C. Staff Reports

1. Executive DirectorThe Executive Director referred the board to her written report, highlighted various items in it and apologized for it being unusually long. The highlights included the mayors’ coffee, annual report to the County Board, talks with the West Carroll Superintendent of Schools about the Enterprise Zone and with DCEO and lawmakers about funding for infrastructure improvements. She updated the Board on a push by the Association of Defense Communities for funding for infrastructure and environmental remediation at closed military bases and the International Economic Development Council’s recommendations for funding for shovel-ready projects, waiving of the local match for grant programs and focus on job retention as well as job creation. She will be attending forums of both organizations this winter and continuing conversations with state and federal lawmakers.

 

a. Calendar - The board reviewed the proposed calendar of items to be considered annually by committee and board by the Executive Director.

b. Resignation of Marketing Consultant

A motion to accept the resignation of Tony Graff, MTG Land Management and Development, LLC effective Dec. 31, 2008, with regret was made by Bill Wright, seconded by Ron Smith. The motion carried by voice vote.

c. Legislative and other Updates – Letters were sent to the Offices of Sen. Durbin and Congressman Manzullo asking for support for an economic recovery bill that gives priority to funding infrastructure projects and environmental remediation at closed, military bases.

 

2. Property Manager Report and Correspondence – Property Manager Sutton reported that two letters from the IL EPA were received. She noted that the Army, USEPA and ILEPA sent out a proposed plan for Site 111 in Parcel 16B.  Public comments will be accepted Jan 15 – Feb 15, 2009 and there will be a public meeting to discuss the proposed plan on Jan 29, 2009 at 6 p.m. Details are in everyone’s packet.

In response to a request from the LRA Board of Directors, Ms. Sutton will be reviewing parcel information at every board meeting.  Ms. Sutton presented LRA Parcel 5 which includes the LRA’s only remaining industrial/warehousing buildings, 146 and 147.  The board was updated on the acreage, transfer date, tenants and cleanup sites that are located within that parcel.  Due to the complexity of the particular area, it was essential that Parcels 7 and 9 were reviewed also.   

a. Employment Numbers - On-site full time employees for the month of December 2008 are 55 compared to 68 one year ago.

b. Property transferred: No change since last month.

Army to LRA                           ACRES

Total to Transfer                       2,947

Total transferred to date            1,043

Transferred this month  0

 

LRA to Private Sector

Total transferred to date            660

Total transferred this month       0

The board reviewed the current property transfer schedule as of 12/22/08.  The Army will be providing an updated spreadsheet in the February timeframe, after they receive and review updated reports from the contractors and/or regulators.

c. Award contract

A motion to authorize the Infrastructure Committee to award the contract was made by Steve Keeffer, seconded by Bill Wright. The motion carried by voice vote.

 

            3. Bookkeeper

a. Cash Flow - Financial reports from December 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008 show total income of $11,176.22 and total expense $20,712.30. This shows a deficit of $9,536.08 for the month of December. She noted that expenses were down from November and comparable to the months of April and May.

b. Bank Account Balances - The LRA bank account balances total $1,946,602.04.

The bookkeeper reported that Dave Meade, Minor Gilroy & Meade, began work on the 2008 audit.

D. Board of Director’s Report – Chairman McFadden reported that the first tenant luncheon had taken place earlier today and that it went very well. Eleven tenants attended representing six businesses/organizations. The consensus was that all were in the same boat—wanting to see infrastructure improvements made, but lacking funds to make them.

            E. Attorney’s Report – None submitted.

            F. Other: Matter(s)-for discussion only – None.

           

IX OTHER REPORTS

            A. Commander’s Rep Next RAB meeting Jan. 15 at 6 p.m.

            B. TenantsNo comments.

            C. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – LMAT meeting on Jan. 21 at 1 p.m.

            D. Illinois Department of Natural ResourcesNo one present

            E. Illinois Natural History SurveyNo one present.

            F. Jo-Carroll Energy – No one present.

 

X PUBLIC COMMENTS - None

 

XI ADJOURNMENT A motion to adjourn was made at 5:25 p.m. by Don Crawford, seconded by Bill Sparboe. The motion carried by voice vote.

 

_________________________

Dawn Hall, LRA Secretary