The Monroe County Board discussed a broad range of subjects during its regular Monday session at the Monroe County Courthouse.

The board took up a proposed new Monroe County Economic Development Corporation agreement. The organization will replace the Monroe County Economic Development Council that was headed up by Nora Feuquay before her untimely passing. That organization was jointly funded by the county and the University of Illinois Extension.  This new group is a 5013C not-for-profit corporation.

The group’s chairman, Jim Hill, was accompanied by its treasurer, Kevin Koenigstein, and Paul Ellis. Hill said local insurance man Chuck Pittman will be vice chairman. An early task is hiring an executive director who will be a county employee and will work from the former development council office in the courthouse. The new group is seeking substantial financial support from local businesses.

Hill, who is active in several other local programs supporting tourism and development of the Kaskaskia-Cahokia Trail, said he hopes the new corporation will that become a multi-million dollar economic engine for the county. The corporation is modeled on similar organizations in 13 other Illinois downstate counties with similar populations, most closely Morgan County.

Monroe County Engineer Aaron Metzger presented a proposed road use ordinance to address the growing number of bike, running and walking events on county roads. The ordinance, which was approved, calls for groups of 50 or more to seek a permit from the sheriff. The permits are free and will be evaluated considering road conditions, traffic volumes, construction issues and other events, as well as the group’s compliance during previous events.

Permits must be requested at least 30 days in advance of an event and the sheriff will have until 10 days before the requested event to issue or deny the permit.

Metzger also addressed an extension of the Rogers Street shared use trail that would connect the Rogers trail to the trail along the new Route 3 bypass.  The proposal would fill the gap from the end of the Route 3 trail at North Market Street to Country Club Lane.

He updated commissioners on discussions with the Illinois Department of Transportation concerning a proposal to realign the intersection of Route 3 and Kaskaskia Road. IDOT will not approve a stoplight there since Route 3 is a two-lane, 55 mile-per-hour highway at that point.
Representatives of Control Technology & Solutions of St. Louis discussed plans to conduct an energy audit for county facilities by identifying possible energy savings that would pay for the recommended improvements and continue to save costs after the project is completed. The audit will consider replacement cycles for items such as HVAC equipment as it examines energy savings.

Oak Hill Director Kim Keckritz updated commissioners on the facility’s performance, noting first, the census of residents was very good in April.  She also told the board administration is completing an updated employee handbook that will incorporate the recent union agreement and rules for such things as use of social media. Keckritz also said the facility will soon roll out a new, more user-friendly web site.

Monroe County Ambulance Director Carla Heise presented a proclamation noting the week of May 15-21 as EMS Week. The proclamation praised the providers of emergency medical services for risking their own live to protect others.  Heise and fellow EMS personnel showed a video featuring local EMS providers, including the telling statement, “My work number is 911.”

Jennifer Duensing and others associated with Fort de Chartres volunteers told the board of problems caused by the state budget stalemate. The state will no longer provide the $25,000 annually that was used to fund Rendezvous and other special events. They have mounted a strong campaign, Duensing said, to gather donations from businesses and individuals to sustain events this year.

She said this may become an ongoing effort, as future state funding is uncertain.

The fort, a historical centerpiece of the region, draws 30,000 visitors from special events alone each year, she said.  The volunteers of Les Amis du Fort de Chartres are soliciting donations from businesses and individuals at P.O. Box 366, Prairie du Rocher, IL, 62277.

Koenigstein discussed personnel changes in the treasurer’s office, telling commissioners that Annmarie Marcuson, who has been in his office full-time, will split her workweek to assume general human resource administrator tasks, many of which were assigned to former county coordinator Linda Lehr, who is no longer employed by the county.

Monroe County Emergency Management Agency Director Ryan Weber sought guidance on sharing costs of the recent winter flood fight, and was authorized to bill other regional entities for $3,994.69 for trucking costs incurred by the county.

Monroe County Clerk and Bicentennial Committee Co-chair Dennis Knobloch discussed arrangements for the ceremonial county board meeting to be conducted Saturday, June 4, in the county’s original seat in 1816 — Harrisonville.  The event will reenact some early board actions. It will be outdoors and attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.

The last action by the commissioners was a resolution reappointing Metzger to the Southwest Regional Planning Commission Executive Committee.

The Monroe County Board will meet next in regular session in the courthouse at 8 a.m., June 6.