Randolph County Care Center gets perfect score on annual surveys

<span>The Randolph County Care Center underwent its annual re-certification, licensure and life safety surveys on May 12 and earned a perfect score from the Illinois Department of Public Health.</span>

<span>The results were discussed during the May 22 meeting of the Randolph County Board of Commissioners.</span>

<span>"That is quite the accomplishment for a building built in 1958," said Randolph County Care Center Administrator Ken Slavens. "The surveyor was even shocked at how well it was. And that's an accomplishment."</span>

<span>The inspections, which are typically made during a duration of four to five days and involve either for or five surveyors, cover all aspects of the center included the building and grounds, as well as all areas of resident care.</span>

<span>The surveyors checked for cleanliness, quality of care, and safety matters, like making sure all the alarms work and all doors work properly. Slavens said for the fifth year in a row, the kitchen and dining area, along with the staff who work there, had no tags (complaints).</span>

<span>Slavens credited the Center's staff for the great results.</span>

<span>"It took a lot of dedication and hard work," he said. "Everyone did a great job."</span>

<span>Slavens did tell the board that there were two minor tags for pharmaceutical issues, but these issues were not in the area of quality of care.</span>

<span>He stated that these issues were for small things like a vial of medicine taken out of the center's stock, then placed in a bag. The bag was labeled, but the vial was not.</span>

<span>As for the great results overall, Slavens credited the center's staff. Randolph County Board of Commissioners Chair Marc Kiehna thanked Slavens for all of his and his staff's work.</span>

<span>"I know how hard it is to get results like this," he said</span>

<span>Commissioner Ronnie White added that he had visited the center recently and went on an unplanned tour. He noted that the center was very clean and organized, and all of the staff were actively involved in resident care.</span>

<span>Another topic of discussion at the meeting was that of a zoning change. Michael Pour had requested a zoning change from agricultural to commercial for 40 acres located along South Prairie Road, outside of Red Bud.</span>

<span>Pour was present at the meeting and elaborated. The property is currently owned by his mother, but he will be purchasing it.</span>

<span>The plan is to build a single story 50x80 foot seasonal banquet building that will be used for weddings, anniversaries or other parties. This building will be open on two sides, facing the lace and vineyard on the property.</span>

<span>He also plans to add a kitchen area and bathrooms.</span>

<span>If approved and all goes well, he also plans to approach the county later about getting a liquor license for the winery.</span>

<span>White said he had talked with David Wolter, with the county's land resource management department, about the matter.</span>

<span>"He feels it is a great plan," White said.</span>

<span>Kiehna pointed out that there were two individuals who spoke out about the rezoning at the public hearing, but added that these two were wanting clarification on liquor licensing in the county.</span>

<span>The commissioners followed the zoning board's recommendation and unanimously approved of the rezoning.</span>

<span>Kiehna then took a moment to point out to the Pours that as a result of the noise complaints with Red Bud Winery, the county has been asked to consider a sound ordinance.</span>

<span>He said that while it is still a ways off, they are looking into it and will be soliciting public comment on if they should create such an ordinance.</span>

<span>"I just wanted to let you know that this is happening and to be aware," Kiehna said, adding that he would like the Pours to be sensitive to the issue of sound.</span>

<span>Pour said that they have considered sound issues. To help with this, they plan to put the building as far back from the road as possible.</span>

<span>In other matters, Commissioner David Holder gave a brief update on the Illinois Counties Insurance Trust (ICIT).</span>

<span>Holder had attended the ICIT meeting on May 20 and said that they had not yet voted to discontinue, but they will be discontinued by Sept. 1.</span>

<span>Currently, Randolph County is looking into rolling into one of two other trusts, Illinois Counties Risk Management Trust (ICRMT) or SERMA. Holder noted that both groups are preparing proposals for Randolph County and the commissioners will see how they would fit the county's budget.</span>

<span>There was brief discussion on the donation of a used Randolph County patrol car to the Career Center of Southern Illinois (CCSI).</span>

<span>The car, which is a 2008 Chevrolet Impala, is no longer fit for regular patrols and would be given to CCSI for educational purposes.</span>

<span>"In addition to their law enforcement program, they also have an auto body program. It would be good for them," Kiehna said before adding, "They do a good job and we want to support them."</span>

<span>The other commissioners thought it was a great idea.</span>

<span>The next meeting for the Randolph County Board of Commissioners will be held on Thursday, June 4 at 6:30 p.m.</span>

Roundup

<span>Harvey Liefer was appointed for a five-year to the Randolph County Planning Commission.</span>

<span>Mike Schmitz was appointed for a one-year term to the Randolph County Extension Board.</span>

<span>Appointed to the Randolph County 708 Mental Health Board were: Ronnie White for a one-year term, Angela Peck Wilson for a four-year term, Lou Ann Eggemeyer for a four-year term and Kathy Nagel for a four-year term.</span>

<span>Kiehna elaborated that White would be taking Holder's spot on the 708 Board as they are required to have a commissioner on the board and Holder had resigned.</span>

<span>Holder said that he is stepping down due to his ties with the Human Service Center. While he was told that it would be okay to serve on the 708 Board, he felt it would be best to step down.</span>

<span>The annual fireworks permit for Lake Camp A Lot's Fourth of July display was approved. Also approved were raffle licenses for St. Patrick's Church in Ruma and Kaskaskia Church.</span>

<span>General assistance at the meeting was $1,684.32.</span>

Highway Department

<span>County Engineer Mike Riebeling noted that the Shawneetown Trail resurfacing project is almost completed.</span>

Health Department

<span>Administrator Tom Smith noted that they held a mosquito control training session for local municipalities recently. Ten people participated, representing Chester, Steeleville, Percy, Tilden and Baldwin.</span>

<span>Smith also told the commissioners that the department recently donated $100 from their casual Friday donations to the Randolph County CEO program.</span>

<span>Kiehna took a moment to recognize that Dr. Allan Liefer, a local doctor and member of the Randolph County Board of Health, is retiring. Kiehna had a certificate thanking Liefer for his 14 years of service on the board of health.</span>

<span>He gave the certificate to Smith, so he can present it to Liefer on behalf of the county.</span>