Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine wrote a letter to the Bi-State Development Agency inquiring about its history of conducting meetings in closed session and seeking information about a recent policy change and discipline "rumor."
The letter was addressed to Barbara Enneking, general counsel at Bi-State Development Agency.
“On behalf of Madison County Government regarding the practices of the Board of Commissioners for your agency,” Haine wrote. “Specifically, it has been suggested to our office that your Board of Commissioners conducts much of its deliberations in executive session away from public view or participation.”
He asked Enneking to confirm if the agency - unique in that its Board and services include two states - understands it is subject to the Illinois Open Meetings Act, the Missouri Sunshine Law, or another set of rules, regulations, ordinances or statutes.
“Please advise as to which law or laws, if any, you believe governs the meetings of your Board,” he wrote.
Haine also noted that the agenda for the March 19 Bi-State Development Agency Board meeting references a Board policy, “presumably adopted by your Board at some point.” He requested a copy of the policy.
Haine concluded the letter by bringing up a rumor about the Bi-State Development Agency considering action or imposing discipline upon one of the board commissioners representing Madison County.
Justin Zimmerman and Derrick Keith Cox are Madison County representatives of the Agency.
“Such reports are concerning to Madison County Government and, if there is any truth to such rumors, I would appreciate you providing some detail regarding the alleged improper conduct, the planned action or discipline being considered by your Board, and the legal basis upon which your Board can take such action,” he wrote.
Last month, the Madison County Board passed a resolution urging Bi-State Development Agency to arm its security guards following the murder of an unarmed Metrolink security guard at a transit station on Jan. 31 and the violent assault of a teenage girl traveling on the Metrolink in July 2020.
The resolution was presented by the Government Relations Committee. The Madison County Board voted unanimously to approve it.
“Now, therefore be it resolved, the County Board of Madison County, Illinois cautions residents who travel on the Metro Transit System, including Metrolink, and calls on the Bi-State Development Board to improve security by arming its security guards to reduce its violent crimes,” the resolution states.
According to the resolution, the Metrolink is operated by the Bi-State Development Board, which signed a security agreement disarming its guards that took effect on April 1, 2020.
The resolution states that the Madison County Board and employers in the St. Louis region are concerned about the safety and welfare of Madison County citizens and passengers on the Metro Transit System.
“The Madison County Board believes the security is ineffective in preventing violent crimes on the Metrolink system,” the resolution states.
“The Madison County Board believes that every effort should be made to improve public safety of riders on the system,” it continues.
“I think we are all tired of reading and seeing on TV of the violence on the Metrolink and we’re against urging Bi-State to arm their guards” and provide protection for those riding to and from Madison County,” board member Chris Guy said at the Feb. 17 meeting.
Board member Mick Madison thanked Guy for bringing the resolution before the Madison County Board, saying there is no common sense involved in taking firearms away from Metrolink security guards.
“Nobody’s afraid of a toothless dog,” he said.
Board Chairman Kurt Prenzler said Madison County has been in opposition to disarming security guards. He said Zimmerman and Cox made a motion to revisit the policy but were outvoted 7-2.