Good evening everyone. I would like to
call this August County Board meeting to
order. Before we jump in
to the moment of silence and invocation,
I would just like to take a moment to
thank our Metcom 911 operators who have
performed above and beyond their duties
today. We have Brandon Carr, Ramin
Nazari,
Ben Over, Reagan Henry, Ross Hedinger,
Michaela Smith Peters, Kathy Wiseman,
Addison Jepson. We also had a supervisor
who jumped in on the phones and radios
to handle the extra volume and that was
James Peterson. And another supervisor
who came in when he was not on duty,
Ryan Gibson. I want to thank them for
their excellent service to the county. I
also know that the sheriff was
assisting the city of Bloomington today
in trying to address the issues that
we're facing as a as a community from
the storm. So I want to thank the
sheriff's office as well.
Now I will turn it over to item number
two to member Lefler.
» Let us bow our heads in prayer tonight.
We bring the hearts and the blessings to
everyone in this place God.
I was approved to be a
national urban farmer working with the
family.
We give the fields on the roads in the
weeks ahead. God give them safety and
patience, good weather, and bring them
peace to them all.
We also offer you this act of service.
There is in our hearts a genuine desire
to work not for recognition but for the
people of neighbors
of the county with the privilege to
serve.
Help us set aside our differences,
listen with humility and make good
decisions.
Look up to the professional in our midst
tonight in this storm. Watch over those
who are caught in the path. Keep them
safe and out of harm.
» I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States of
America
and to the Republic
for which it stands, one nation under
God,
indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all.
» Thank you, Madam Clerk. If you'll call
the roll.
Sean Fagan
>> Present.
>> Buck Farley
» Absent.
>> William John Frederick
>> Present.
>> Eric Hanson
>> Present.
>> William Beseler
>> Present.
>> Val Lyman
>> Present.
>> Fran Laffler
>> Here.
>> Mike O'Neal
>> Here.
>> Adam Reese
>> Here.
>> Jim Rigal
>> Here.
>> Natalie Roseman Mendoza
>> Present.
>> Jeff Tonken
>> Here.
>> Andy Zeibar
>> Here.
>> Brian Bangert
>> Absent.
>> Corey Byrne
>> Present.
>> Beverly Bell
>> Present.
>> Mark Claus
>> Here.
>> Absent.
Oops.
>> Oh, hold on. Hold on, Mark.
>> Okay, here.
>> Okay.
>> Leah Kline
>> Present.
>> Alex Steffey
>> Here.
>> Elizabeth Johnston
>> I am here.
Uh I do want to take a moment to thank
everyone for being here tonight. I know
this was above and beyond for some of
you as well trying to get through town.
I had to snake snake my way through as
well.
Um but having conducted the opening roll
call and declared a quorum is physically
present, I would like to inform the
committee that member Claus has
requested to participate remotely under
county board rule 2020 and in accordance
with the open meetings act. Uh notice
was received from member Claus in
accordance with our rules. Per board
rule 2020, member Klaus will be
authorized to attend the meeting
electronically if a motion to approve
the member's electronic attendance is
made, seconded, and adopted by a
majority of the members of the
committee.
May I have a motion to approve member
Klaus's attendance?
Motion by Bessler. May I have a second?
by Fagan.
All opposed? Or I'm sorry, all in favor?
Any opposed?
Motion passes.
And that now we have member Klaus
joining us uh remotely and I think he's
on the phone.
So, thank you for joining us.
Um so, we're sure that he is present for
this meeting.
Uh moving on, we will move on to item
number five, appearance by members of
the public and county employees.
>> Chairwoman Johnson, we've had two
requests for public speaking tonight.
The first speaker is David Dawson.
here?
Okay, we'll move on. Our next speaker is
Jeff Jacobs. He can come on up.
Mr. Jacobs, you'll have 3 minutes to
speak.
And the microphone should be on for you.
» Good evening, Chairwoman Johnson,
members of McLean County Board, and
community members. My name is Jeff
Jacobs and I'm a director of development
with EDP Renewables.
has been a proud member
of McLean County since 2008 through our
Twin Groves 1 and 2 wind farms and later
the Bright Stalk wind farm.
Together, these projects have
contributed more than $60 million in
property tax revenue while supporting
local jobs, organizations, and
agricultural educational programs
throughout the county. We were pleased
to permit the second phase of the Bright
Stalk wind farm last year and are
working hard to start construction on
that project in 2027.
Tonight, I'm here to discuss the Twin
Groves 1 and 2 battery energy storage
projects. Last week, the McLean County
Zoning Board of Appeals unanimously
recommended these special use
applications.
I respectfully ask that this board
approve the ZBA's recommendation. The
ZBA thoroughly evaluated these projects
with particular attention to community
concerns regarding safety, siting, and
compatibility with surrounding land
uses.
After that review, the ZBA found the
projects with significant conditional
requirements met the applicable
standards for approval.
In addition, it's important to recognize
that the Twin Grove storage projects
were evaluated against more stringent
siting requirements of the current
McLean County ordinance, which has
higher setback distances than what the
new state statute directs and that are
required in your updated ordinance
considered this evening.
In addition to adhering to the more
restrictive requirements, we have
actively engaged with each of the
residents adjacent to the proposed
projects.
We listened to them and ultimately
agreed to move one of the project
footprints approximately 500 ft to the
east to further minimize impacts.
Despite occupying only approximately 5
to 10 acres, these projects will
continue EDP Renewables long history of
contributing to McLean County, including
an estimated $11 million
in additional property tax revenue.
Battery energy storage systems are
critical grid reliability assets that
help manage periods of peak energy
demand and allow the grid to capture
excess generation.
They are built and operated under
stringent industry codes and standards
with multiple layers of safety
protections.
The global installed capacity of utility
scale best has dramatically increased
over the last 5 years while the overall
rate of incidents has sharply decreased.
Specifically, the failure rate has
dropped by 99% from 2018 to 2025 as
lessons learned from early failures have
been incorporated into the latest
designs and best practices.
Regardless, in the unlikely event of an
emergency, planning and coordination
with the local fire protection districts
is already underway and will continue
until emergency response protocols are
finalized and adopted.
Ultimately, these projects were cited to
take advantage of the existing
electrical infrastructure built for the
Twin Gables wind farms. They will comply
with the more restrictive setback
standards of the prior ordinance and
were modified in response to neighbor
input.
For these reasons, I respectfully
request that you support the ZBA's
recommendation and approve these
projects. Thank you.
>> Thank you.
All right, moving on. We have no other
comments. Moving on to item number six,
that is consent agenda. May I have a
motion?
by Hanson and a second
by I got to get it on the floor first.
And a second by Byrne.
Member Frietrick.
>> Sorry for jumping the gun there, chair.
Uh I'd like to pull off consent
6C1
C and D.
>> Okay.
>> Thank you.
>> All right, any other comments? Member
Bessler.
>> I will need to abstain from item 6C1B
due to a conflict of interest of my
employer.
>> Okay.
Any other comments from the board?
Seeing none, all in favor of item six,
say I.
>> I.
>> Any opposed?
Motion passes.
All right, we will move on to item
I'm ready.
7A
and that is the executive committee with
Vice Chair Rogel.
» Thank you, Madam Chair. The executive
committee brings two items for action
tonight. The first one is 7A1A,
accept and place on a file audit for
mental health and public safety fund,
and I so move.
>> Thank you. May I have a second?
by
I'm sorry.
Adam Reeves, please.
All right, any comments or questions?
All right. All in favor of item 7A1A,
say I.
>> I.
» Any opposed?
Motion passes.
>> Next one is 7A1B, which is request
approval of resolution of McLean County
Board reporting retention of the closed
meet session meetings session minutes,
sorry.
Uh and this would require a closed
session uh if we wanted to discuss, and
I so move.
>> Thank you. May I have a second? Seconded
by member Fagan.
If there's any discussion, we don't need
to go into closed session. Any
discussion?
Seeing none, all in favor of item 7A1B,
say I.
>> I.
>> Any opposed?
Motion passes.
>> The Executive Committee has no other
items for action. Our general report can
be found on pages 23 through 31 of the
unapproved minutes. I can answer any
questions if anyone has any.
>> Thank you. We'll move on to item 7B, and
that is Finance Committee with uh member
Lehman.
>> Thank you, Chair Johnston. The Finance
Committee has two items for action this
evening. The first, 7B1A, is a request
approval of an emergency appropriation
ordinance amending the McLean County
fiscal year 2026 combined annual
appropriation and budget ordinance for
Animal Services. This requires a 2/3
County Board approval pursuant 55 ILCS
561003,
and I so move.
>> Thank you. May I have a second? Seconded
by member Loftus.
Comments or questions?
I do want to take a few moments to thank
um the uh Jane L. and David Eric Mensen
Critter Care Perpetual Charitable Trust.
Um they This is money that we are
receiving as a grant from them to assist
with a large hoarding population that
was received by the Animal Services
on the heels of a second animal uh
hoarding situation. So, in the last
month, 6 weeks,
they've had 100 cats and kittens
delivered to animal services for care
and for getting them ready for adoption.
So, we thank the trust
for stepping up to assist us with that
to help the animals be ready for
adoption as soon as possible. So.
Any other comments or questions?
Seeing none, all in favor of item 7B1A
say I.
>> I.
>> Any opposed?
Motion passes.
» 7B1B is a request approval of an
ordinance of the McLean County Board
amending the McLean County General
Compensation Plan for non-union
employees and I so move.
>> Thank you. May I have a second? Seconded
by member Vescio. Any comments or
questions?
>> [clears throat]
» Seeing none, all in favor of item 7B1B
say I.
>> I.
>> Any opposed?
Motion passes.
» Thank you again, Chair.
The Finance Committee has no other items
to be presented for action this evening.
Our general report may be found in the
unapproved minutes packet and happy to
answer any additional questions.
>> Thank you. We'll move on to item 7C and
that is Health Committee with member
Burns.
>> Thank you, Madam Chair. Health Committee
brings three items for action tonight.
First up is 7C1A request approval of an
emergency appropriation ordinance
amending the McLean County fiscal year
2026 combined annual appropriation
budget ordinance for fund 2112
and this requires a 2/3 vote and I so
move.
>> Thank you. May I have a second?
Seconded by member Klein.
Comments or questions?
Seeing none, all in favor of item 7C1A
say I.
>> I.
» Any opposed?
Motion passes.
>> Thank you, Madam Chair. Moving on to
item 7C1B request approval of an
emergency appropriation ordinance
amending the McLean County fiscal year
2026 combined annual appropriation and
budget ordinance for fund 2107 also
requires a 2/3 vote to approve and I so
motion.
>> Thank you. May I have a second? Seconded
by member Hanson. Any comments or
questions?
Seeing none, all in favor of item 7C1B
say I.
>> I.
>> Any opposed?
Motion passes.
>> Thank you, Madam Chair. Lastly, we have
7C1C
request approval of an emergency
appropriation ordinance amending the
McLean County fiscal year 2026 combined
annual appropriation and budget
ordinance for fund 4401 also requiring a
2/3 vote to approve and I so move.
>> Thank you. May I have a second?
Seconded by member Fagan.
Comments or questions?
Very excited to be receiving these funds
from Ameren as a reward for our efforts
to increase energy efficiency and reduce
the energy load
out there and so we get the savings and
then we also get
a nice little check from them, so very pleased to be receiving this.
All right then, all in favor of item
7C1C say I.
>> I.
>> Any opposed?
Motion passes.
>> Thank you, Madam Chair. The Health
Committee brings no other items for
action. Do want to join the voices in
calling out those who helped out today.
We had a bit of an early end to our day
at the Health Department
today after some flooding and some weather damage
forced the building to close down, but
want to thank all of our partners with
that. I understand that we had several
helpers from the fire service and other
municipal agencies come in, so
appreciate that cooperation, that
community and just wanted to to point
out what happened today with the storm
and driving in and walking around
through my own neighborhood in East
Bloomington, could hear a lot of
chainsaws out, could see a lot of people
out helping out neighbors with with with
the significant damage that occurred
today. And then driving in today with
for me is usually about a 15-minute
drive, took about 40 minutes today. But
in several places where there is
significant damage, I saw a lot of
neighbors and regular citizens out
directing traffic, helping to move
things. You know, the the fire service
and the emergency services are very very
busy today. And so it was just it was
really cool to see so many folks out
there just stepping up and helping out.
So is a a good day for our community.
We're still looking out for each other.
We're still helping each other out. It
was very very gratifying to see. Um in
terms of health health business, a lot
of business as usual. We did get to
profile a fabulous new organization
called the Bridge to Hope, which is a
new
therapy organization geared towards
helping out the LGBTQ community. They
are new in town. They are very
well-funded. They got some fabulous
professionals in there. We got to hear
from them as well. So welcome to the
community.
And other than that, I think that's
about it for today.
>> All right. Thank you so much.
>> Thank you.
>> All right. With that, we will move on to
item 7D, Justice Committee and Vice
Chair Rogal.
>> Thank you, Madam Chair. The Justice
Committee has four four items for action
tonight. 7D1A, which is request approval
of an emergency appropriation ordinance
amending McLean County fiscal year 2026
combined annual appropriation budget
ordinance for fund 1001, the Sheriff's
Department. This requires a 2/3 county
board approval pursuant to 55 ILCS
56-1003,
and I so move.
>> Thank you. May I have a second?
>> Seconded by member Bell.
Any comments or questions?
Seeing none, all in favor of item 7D1A,
say I.
>> I.
» Any opposed?
Motion passes.
>> Next up, we have 71 7D1B,
which is request approval of an
interlocal agreement between the city of
Bloomington and the county of McLean for
the 2025 Byrne Justice Assistance Grant
Program. And I so move.
>> Thank you. May I have a second? Seconded
by member Zehrbarth.
Comments or questions?
Yes, member Bester.
>> I will need to abstain from this item
due to a conflict of interest with my
employer.
>> Okay.
Thank you. Any other comments or
questions?
Seeing none, all in favor of item 7D1B
say I.
>> I.
>> Any opposed?
Motion passes.
>> Next up we have 7D1C,
which is request approval of an
emergency appropriation ordinance
amending the McLean County fiscal year
2026 combined annual appropriation and
budget ordinance for fund 1001,
Public Defender Department 2021. This
requires a 2/3 county board approval
pursuant to 55 ILCS 56-1003.
And I so move.
>> Thank you. May I have a second?
Seconded by member Hanson.
Comments or questions?
Seeing none, all in favor of item 7D1C
say I.
>> I.
>> Any opposed?
Motion passes.
>> And last up we have 7D1D, which is
request approval of an ordinance with
the McLean County Board amending the
McLean County Code Chapter 185 Section
Sorry, 184 Section 184-3. And I so move.
>> Thank you. May I have a second?
Seconded by member Bester. Comments or
questions?
Seeing none, all in favor of item 7D1D
say I.
>> I.
>> Any opposed?
Motion passes.
» The Justice Committee has no other items
for action. Our general report can be
found on pages 14 through 16 of the
unapproved minutes, and I would like to
quickly thank member Roseman for running
committee last week while I was teaching
class. Thank you.
>> All right. Thank you so much. We'll move
on to item 7E, that is Property
Committee with member Lehman.
>> Thank you, Chair Johnston. The Property
Committee has one item to be presented
for action this evening, 7E1A.
Is the request approval of a temporary
ordinance of the McLean County Board
amending chapters 205 and 282 of the
McLean County Code, and I so move.
>> Thank you. May I have a second? Seconded
by member Fagan.
Any comments or questions?
Seeing none, all in fa-
We have a
All right, member Lehman.
>> Uh sorry. Uh just wanted to to call out
uh with this one. Uh we do have a a a
relatively newer director of Parks and
Recreation, uh Mr. Patrick Murphy uh out
of Comlara Park. Uh and this particular
action item is one of the things that he's bringing to the table. Uh it's
a a great experience. It's a great
opportunity for anybody in our community
who has never gone camping, or who's
maybe interested in going camping, uh
but just doesn't have all of the
equipment, doesn't have the know-how for
getting things set up. So, this is a a
great way uh to give McLean County
residents uh and anybody in the kind of
surrounding area uh to give them an
opportunity to engage with one of our uh
absolute gems in the community being
Comlara Park. So, uh should we pass this
if this evening, which I certainly hope
we do, uh I would encourage anybody uh
who has any inkling to go camping uh to
check out this service because uh it has
a a a lot of bells and whistles for you.
Uh you don't even have to have your own
tent, and you even get a a a paddle
board or kayak rental that goes along
with it. So, uh very cool service.
Exciting stuff coming out of the park
right now.
>> Yes, it is. Any other comments or
questions?
Just making sure.
>> All in favor of item 7E 1A, say I.
>> I.
>> Any opposed?
Motion passes.
» The Property Committee has no other
items to be presented for action. Our
general report can be found in the
unapproved minutes packet. Again, happy
to answer any questions.
>> Thank you so much. We'll move on to item
7F, Land Use and Transportation
Committee uh with member Klein.
>> Thank you, Chair Johnston. The Land Use
and Transportation Committee has two
items removed from the consent agenda.
The first item is F1.
Sorry, 7F1A,
uh approve the application of Twin
Groves 1 Storage LLC by EDP Renewables
on parcels parcels 23-13-200-004
for the battery energy storage system
BES and the 20 and 23-12-300-008
for the electric substation in case
SU2608.
It is requesting a special use to allow
a BES in the agricultural district and
to amend the electric substation to
which it is connected. The properties
are located in Dawson Township. The BES
property is approximately 1/3 mile west
of 3000 East Road, immediately south of
1200 North Road. The electric substation
is at 29230
East 1200 North Road in Ellsworth and I
so move.
>> Thank you. May I have a second? Second
by member
>> Hansen.
>> Comments or questions?
Member Frederick.
>> Thank you, Madam Chair. I'll be opposing
this action item.
Uh
there's a rather large
hog confinement hog confinement facility
that's uh
fairly close to the project with
around 3000 head of hogs and
uh upwards of 7500 small baby pigs. and
as we seen today's with today's weather
event
and fire concerns,
uh I understand what we heard from
the applicant, but uh it's still a
concern
because it's
virtually impossible to move if there
were to be an issue with a fire to move
that many hogs
out.
And secondly, the drainage situation on
the farm, I'm very concerned about that.
It is
floods quite a bit. I know the farm, and
so therefore I will be opposing this.
>> I'd like to remind the members of the
board that we can only consider
testimony that was given in the ZBA
hearing. That is a legal hearing. Um and
so if you
uh have the opportunity when we have
these hearings, please review the
content. Um the ZBA uh does work very
diligently uh to assure that all safety
standards are being met. Um and so we
can continue to have discussion as long
as it is regarding what was presented as
part of the ZBA hearing.
Any further comments
or questions?
Yes, member Ernie.
» I'll be opposing this as well. Um with
the uh
amount of livestock in the area with
the hogs, there's another neighbor that
has uh
cattle herd.
As well as um
this is good productive farm ground. Um
I I think it was is not a good place for
it to keep taking farm ground out of
production.
Um
so I'll be opposing it.
>> Thank you. Any other comments or
questions?
Seeing none, all in favor of item 7F1A
say I.
Any opposed?
>> Nay.
» Okay, motion passes.
» Okay, thank you chairwoman. We are now
on to
7F1B.
Approve the application of Twin Groves
Two Storage LLC by EDP Renewables on
parcels 24-12-100-03
for the battery energy storage system
best and 24-12-300-010
for the electric substation in case
SU-2609.
It is requesting a special use to allow
a best in the agricultural district and
to amend the electric substation to
which it is connected. The properties
are located in Arrowsmith Township. The
best property is 2/3 mile north of 100
1,200 North Road immediately east of
3,500 East Road. The electric substation
is at 12493 North 3,500 East Road,
Arrowsmith, Illinois and I so move.
>> Thank you. May I have a second? Seconded
by member Bestler.
Comments or questions?
Seeing none, all in favor of item 7F1B
say I.
>> I.
>> Any opposed?
That's O'Neal and Grace.
Correct.
You're opposed. Okay, also member
Frederick.
Um the motion passes.
And back to member Klein.
>> Uh thank you so much chairwoman uh
Johnston. I would um just have
one quick announcement. I would say our uh
committee report is in the unapproved
minutes pages two to six, but I just
like to do one final reminder to the
board members to ask for you to help
spread the word that the household
hazardous waste collection will happen
on August the 22nd. Um to find more
information about this, go to
hhwmclean.org,
Um this is run through our Ecology
Action Center. You do need to sign up
for an appointment. Um it is I think the
day before just to make sure they have
enough coverage um for the different
materials you're bringing in. Um but
this is a a wonderful service that is
provided through the Ecology Action
Center that helps you to get rid of that
mysterious bottle of you don't know what
that you inherited in your garage, and
old incandescent light bulbs, and uh
things like that. So, um please spread
the word, and that is again on August
the 22nd. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Member Klein. I'm moving on
to item 7G with our County
Administrator, Ms. Taylor.
>> Thank you, Chair Johnston. I do not have
anything to present for action this
evening. I will let the uh board know
that we are hard at work at the budget,
and we will be presenting that at the
next month's meeting for a proposed
budget. Uh I would also like to thank
and um recognize the facilities team uh
with the pop-up storms that we're
having, uh including today's storm, they
are hard at work. I'm sure they're still
hard at work right now uh getting our
buildings secured uh and dealing with
the flooding issues that come when we
have such uh
storms as we had today. So, wanted to
personally thank them for their efforts
as well.
>> Thank you.
Uh then we'll move on to other business
and communication. Just a reminder to
the board members, cuz we do have quite
a few who are still newish. Um the
presentation will be next month from the
administrator. Uh it will be an overview
of the budget. Uh you will be given
budgets in each committee. In October
meetings is when we will be having
discussion and making any amendments or
adjustments. Um and then it will be
voted on in the November meeting. So, if
there any questions about that, um you
may feel free to reach out to me or to
administrative team. Um we'll be happy
to help you walk through those pieces,
but committee meetings is where the bulk
of the work gets done.
Um so, please read your budgets for your
particular oversight committee and um
and be ready to come in with discussions
and I appreciate that.
Member Bern.
>> Thank you, Madam Chair. Uh with uh
school starting and so many thousands of
our community's children going back to
school,
uh do be watching for folks. You're
going to see a lot of walkers. You're
going to see a lot more college
students. You're going to see a lot more
school bus on the road. If you are
sending your kids to school, uh please
do remember that there are vaccination
requirements for public schools and our
health department does offer a
pre-vaccination clinic. There is one
more coming up on Friday, August 28th,
but there are lots of other options for
that. So,
don't hesitate to use your health
department to help you get all of those
things in order.
» Yes, Ms. Sheraga.
>> Just also a reminder, um Member Loftler
mentioned the the farmers and getting
ready soon to do harvesting. Um this is
also we always mention in April that
we're getting ready to start
construction season, but August is the
highest portion of our season for our
construction workers. So, um whether
they're on county war roads or whether
state roads or city roads as you drive
through Bloomington-Normal, please slow
down and uh protect our workers. Thank
you.
>> Thank you. That's also a reminder. I've
been driving out in the county recently
and this is the time of the year with
very little visibility when you're
driving through the cornfields. Um also
a good reminder to slow down around the
equipment and around intersections that
may sneak up on you. So, please be
careful out there so that we can get
through this season with everybody
safely making it home. Any other
comments or questions? Member Reese.
>> Uh speaking of emergencies, can we get a
status update on the emergency generator
at the health department?
» We can certainly ask for one. I'm not
sure if we have one on.
>> I do not have that information in front
of me right now, but I can bring that to
the board um
in an email.
» Anything else for the good of the
community?
Seeing none, I thank you for your
service to the county and this meeting
is adjourned.