Carroll County Board Hears LRA Growing by 'Bits and Pieces'

By Tom Kocal

The first meeting of the newly-installed Carroll County Board took place Thursday, December 18, with Chairman Rod Fritz (D-3) at the helm. After the usual protocol of approving agenda, minutes, and paying bills, the board then approved the semi-annual reports of the Clerk, Sheriff and Circuit Clerk.

Diane Komiskey, Executive Director of the Jo-Carroll Local Redevelopment Authority, presented the end-of-year LRA report. She was hopeful that the results of the Board Retreat held in November will prove to be as beneficial to this board as they have been for the LRA board. She commended them on their goals (reviewed later in this article), and commented on how the LRA's mission statement has helped them stay focused. The one point she mentioned was the LRA as the "point of contact."

"I think we lost track of that day when Col. Atkins, back in about 1995, said 'The LRA should be the community's one point of contact.' I have looked at what other bases, other LRA's say, and they say they should be the sole point of contact for bringing in redevelopment," Komiskey said.

"When you talk to folks, let them know that we're here, that the LRA wants to help them, we want to get them through the door, we want their businesses to locate here. But if they have questions, call the LRA office. We'll get them in to see the buildings, We'll help answer their questions. It's a very complex process of redeveloping a closed military base, and we want to make sure the answers are as accurate as we know them to be at that moment."

Of the 13,000 total acres that make up the former Savanna Army Depot, approximately 2,947 acres m/l are slated to be turned over to the LRA. At this point, only 35.3% of that total have been received, the first parcels having been transferred in 2005. This year, the LRA received 2 parcels, one about 52 acres in Carroll County and the other parcel of about 20 acres split between Carroll and Jo Daviess Counties. In 2008, 63% of the land they have received has been privatized.

Employment at the depot is the next most frequently asked question according to Komiskey. There are 61 employees to date, she reported.

"Is that enough? No. That's an embarrassment. But we're working on it. We have lots of challenges, and we're going to keep plugging away.

"The thing that excited me was that the November total was higher than the October total. To do that in today's economy is a real plus. We're not growing in leaps and bounds, but we are continuing to grow in bits and pieces."

Rumors of the LRA being in financial distress were quelled, with Komiskey reporting that they currently have $1.96 million in their coffers that need to be stretched to 2016.

Some of the highlights of 2008 included the first new construction at Savanna Depot Park since the depot closed. Riverport Railroad built a new engine house. Tom Kamper told Komiskey that business is so good they have no room to store more rail cars. N-Ovation received a $1 million grant in 2008, and the Rock island Technical Society opened the RITS Museum.

"They have also opened a Savanna Army Depot Museum, and they are planning to spinning it off from RITS, having a separate organization to operate the SAD Museum," Komiskey stated.

The Lost Mound Action Team was formed as a collaboration of the LRA, the Army, some tenants, spearheaded by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. People traveling on the depot is a common issue with these organizations.

"We want people to go to the open areas, we want them to be able to find their way to the Lost Mound Lookout, but we don't want them trespassing on private property."

A map has been created for that purpose. The property is not closed, but they ask people to stay in their vehicles and on the bicycles when traveling through the property.

Komiskey said in November the LRA voted to create a detailed land use plan for the unallocated LRA property in response to Carroll County Board concerns. That is property that is not under lease or sold. The plan includes modeling current and 10-year costs for the water/sewer system, will project expected revenues from the special services district, create a plan for public and private roads, as well as a strategy to implement the plan.

"We'll overlay all these plans and adjust. Once we get them together, it'll be like a jigsaw puzzle, with some of the pieces not fitting together real well. Once the adjustments are made, we'll take it to the LRA board for approval. We have tentatively set up a tour in the spring for the Carroll County board, to take an up-close look at the facilities, rather than glancing at a map."

Board Action

In a report from the State's Attorney/Finance committee by Judy Gray (D-2), the board approved an ordinance amending an ordinance establishing an enterprise zone by expanding the e-zone in the City of Rock Falls by 45.429 acres, as recommended by the committee.

A resolution resolving that the board agree to participate in the service program of the Office of the State's Attorney's Appellate Prosecutor for FY 2009 was recommended and approved.

Edie Block (D-3), chairman of the Zoning & County Services committee, reported that a letter had been sent to legislators and the Illinois Dept. on Aging due to a 4-month backlog of payments owed the Tri-Counties Opportunity Council from the state - over $600,000. The letter, signed by Board Chair Rod Fritz on behalf of TCOC, stated that the "lack of funds will soon cause a financial constraint on the services offered," and encouraged them to "make every effort to see that payments owed to the TCOC by the state will be paid as quickly as possible."

Block said that in January, the committee would begin reviewing the county's zoning ordinances, in order to be more compliant with the Carroll County Comprehensive Plan.

Shawn Picolotti (D-1) reported from the Highway committee kennel report that Joe Grimm, Animal Control Officer, had informed the committee that the dog pound would be open one Saturday each month for a few hours, so that people have a chance to come in and see the dogs available, and possibly adopt one. The pound will be manned by a volunteer, who is also an employee.

Joyce Schubert (D-3) reported that the Carroll County Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) will hold its first quarterly meeting of 2009 on Wednesday, Feb. 4, at 6:30 pm in the Conference Room of the Courthouse.

Several appointments were made. Cathy Brunner was approved to be appointed to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Gary Iben, Scott Marth and Jeff Currens were re-appointed to serve on the 911 Board.

County Board Goals Reviewed

A summary of the 2008-2009 goals developed by the board during the November 1 board retreat were reviewed. The goals will be assigned to board committees as needed and tracked on the "action list" provided by Michael Doty, County Administrator.

#1) Prepare a 20 year "Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)." Paul Hartman (D-1) has started the process.

#2) Review and evaluate the current board committees and consider reorganization. With the new board chairman installed, this step has been completed.

3) Evaluate Carroll County's Public Transportation needs. This has been assigned to the Zoning/County Services committee. The committee will meet with officials from the U of I and the CC Health Dept. to discuss the 5311 Plan on January 13, Sharon Hook (D-2) said. Anyone involved with transportation for county residents are invited to attend.

4) Appraise the Carroll County Courthouse space and security needs. This is an ongoing responsibility of the Sheriff/Property committee.

5) Review and assess each county department. The County Administrator has been assigned this duty, but any final decisions will be made by the County Board.

6) Codification of all county ordinances. This will be a joint project of the Administrator, Clerk & Recorder, and the State's Attorney. The updates will then be added to the county website.

7) Review the county's budgeting process and evaluate policies for the 2009-2010 budget. The Finance committee will also attempt to present balanced budgets, Fritz said. He would also like to see the board prepare their own budget without an accounting firm. "I envision a change in the process to make it better and easier to understand."

8) Consideration of a "Business Incentives Program" to encourage new business and increase employee base within the county. The board will continue to work with municipalities, chambers of commerce, and the Tri-County Economic Development Alliance to develop these incentives.

9) County-wide employee wage survey and contemplation of wage-related policies. The Administrator will conduct these surveys.

10) Consideration of forming an Executive Committee that would include committee heads, board chair and vice chair. This committee would be called on an as-needed basis.

11) Begin the process of Long Range planning, "with the best plans being easily adapted," Fritz added.

12) Formation of a new board member Orientation Program. Ron Preston (D-2) suggested receiving the proposed packet before being elected. "Give it to the people when they file to run for the board."

13) Build a County Employee Orientation Program.

14) Initiate the process of reviewing the County's Zoning Ordinances. This will be addressed during the January meeting of the Zoning/County Services committee.

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