Kane County Board met January 9.

By Lhalie Castillo

Mar 31, 2018

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

1. Call To Order

The Adjourned Meeting of the Kane County Board was held at the Kane County Government Center, 719 S. Batavia Ave., Bldg. A, Geneva, IL 60134 on January 9, 2018.

Chairman Lauzen called the meeting to order at 9:45 am.

2. Roll Call

Attendee Name; Title; Status; Arrived:

Deborah Allan Board Member Present

Margaret Auger Board Member Present

Theresa Barreiro Board Member Present

Brian Dahl Board Member Present

Mark Davoust Board Member Absent

Drew Frasz Board Member Present

Rebecca Gillam Board Member Present

Barbara Hernandez Board Member Absent

John Hoscheit Board Member Present

Don Ishmael Board Member Present

Michael Kenyon Board Member Present

Kurt R. Kojzarek Board Member Present

Bill Lenert Board Member Present

Philip Lewis Board Member Present

John Martin Board Member Present

Myrna Molina Board Member Present

Jarett Sanchez Board Member Present

Douglas Scheflow Board Member Present

Monica Silva Board Member Present

Thomas Smith Board Member Present

Susan Starrett Board Member Present

Angela C Thomas Board Member Present

Penny Wegman Board Member Present

Barbara Wojnicki Board Member Present

Christopher J Lauzen Chairman Present

Present: County. Bd. staff Duffy, Nagel; County Clerk Dpty. Weilandt; Finance Exec. Dir. Onzick; KDOT Dir. Schoedel & staff T. Rickert; Auditor Hunt; Development Dir. VanKerkhoff & staff Berkhout; Environmental & Water Resources Mgmt. Exec. Dir. K. Anderson; Sheriff Kramer; Recorder Wegman; State's Atty. McMahon; ITD staff Peters; members of the press & public.

3. Pledge Of Allegiance & Prayer

Jessica Mino, coordinator with the county's Environmental & Water Resources Mgmt. department, led the meeting with the recital of the Pledge of Allegiance. Environmental & Water Resources Mgmt. Exec. Dir. Ken Anderson, Jr. said the prayer.

4. Approval Of Minutes: December 12, 2017

Minutes of the December 12, 2017 County Board meeting were approved on motion by Dahl, second by Starrett. Motion passed unanimously by voice vote of 22-0.

5. New And Unfinished Business

A. Presentations/Discussion

Chairman's Short Program

Chairman Lauzen extended his appreciation to the board for their hard work on the budget, but after seeing some board members struggle with a certain program and whether to provide a symbolic vote for something important, he offered to assist members in the future on matters of this type.

B. Speakers (Agenda Items)

None.

C. Zoning Petitions

Petition No. 4432: Michael Thran Trust

Result: Approved By Roll Call Vote [Unanimous]

Mover: Kurt R. Kojzarek, Board Member

Seconder: Barbara Wojnicki, Board Member

Ayes: Deborah Allan, Margaret Auger, Theresa Barreiro, Brian Dahl, Drew Frasz, Rebecca Gillam, John Hoscheit, Don Ishmael, Michael Kenyon, Kurt R. Kojzarek, Bill Lenert, Philip Lewis, John Martin, Myrna Molina, Jarett Sanchez, Douglas Scheflow, Monica Silva, Thomas Smith, Susan Starrett, Angela C Thomas, Penny Wegman, Barbara Wojnicki

Absent: Mark Davoust, Barbara Hernandez

Petition No. 4433: Alvah Withey, et ux & Marcus WIthey

Result: Approved By Roll Call Vote [Unanimous]

Mover: Kurt R. Kojzarek, Board Member

Seconder: Drew Frasz, Board Member

Absent: Mark Davoust, Barbara Hernandez

Petition No. 4434: Larry Polly Trust

A motion was entertained to approve Petition # 4434 with the following three stipulations:

1) The petitioner needs to dedicate 33’ feet of right-of-way from the centerline of Highland Avenue along both parcels; 2) the septic field shall not be in the dedicated right-of-way; and 3) the asphalt apron needs to be placed in the new dedicated right-of- way before the pavers are installed.

Result: Approved By Roll Call Vote [Unanimous]

Mover: Kurt R. Kojzarek, Board Member

Seconder: Deborah Allan, Board Member

Absent: Mark Davoust, Barbara Hernandez

D. Resolutions/Ordinances

--------------------------------------------------- Consent Agenda ----------------------------------------------

The chairman asked if there were any items to be pulled off the Consent Agenda to be considered separately. None were voiced. A motion to approve the Consent Agenda was entertained.

Result: Approved By Roll Call Vote [Unanimous]

Mover: Brian Dahl, Board Member

Seconder: Kurt R. Kojzarek, Board Member

Absent: Mark Davoust, Barbara Hernandez

Res. #18 - 01 Authorizing Intergovernmental Agreement with Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology

Res. #18 - 02 Authorizing a Contract for Kane County Elevator Preventive Maintenance Services

Res. #18 - 03 Authorizing the Intergovernmental Agreement Among the County of Kane, the Village of West Dundee and eWorks Electronics Services Inc. for the Recycling of Electronic Equipment 2018

Res. #18 - 04 Approving November 2017 Payment of Claims

Ord. #18 - 05 Adopting Sexual Harassment Policy According to Public Act 100-0554

Res. #18 - 06 Approving an Agreement with HNTB Corporation of Chicago, Illinois for On-Call GIS Services

Res. #18 - 07 Approving Appropriation of the County Engineer's Salary and Authorizing the Transfer of Funds Therefor - Section No. 18-CS089-00-AC

Res. #18 - 08 Approving Adopt-A-Highway Program Applicants

Res. #18 - 09 Approving FY 2018 County Maintenance MFT Appropriation Kane County

Section No. 18-00000-00-GM

Res. #18 - 10 Approving an Engineering Services Agreement with Hampton, Lenzini and Renwick, Inc. of Elgin, Illinois for 2018 Bridge Structure Safety Inspections, Kane County Section No. 17-00486-00-EG

Res. #18 - 11 Approving Amendment No. 2 to a Phase II Engineering Services Agreement with Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd. of Rosemont, Illinois for 2013 Highway Safety Improvement Project, Kane County Section No. 12-00424-00-SP

---------------------------------------------End Of Consent Agenda ----------------------------------------

Res. #18 - 12 18 - 12 : 18-01 AJC Medical - Amendment

Scheflow proposed an amendment to Resolution 18-12 to defer the consideration of the budget adjustment noting that from his understanding, last year’s budget was not finalized and department surpluses were unknown at this time. An opportunity existed for the board to find out what other department budget requests/surpluses/revenues existed and to give the finance department another opportunity to review the budget request. After consulting with Finance Dir. Onzick and preparing the wording, Scheflow stated that if all references to the budget adjustment were deleted, then the county was not in conformance with the county’s financial policies because the county would be entering into a contract that was not budgeted. The intention of his [proposed] paragraph would say that the adjustment will be paid out of the sheriff’s existing budget, and while not entirely possible, Scheflow believed the county could make the adjustment in the future.

Motion made by Scheflow to delete the reference to the budget adjustment, as stated, and insert the following paragraph: Now therefore be it further resolved by the County Board that the Sheriff is expected to absorb as much of the unbudgeted expense of the contract as possible through savings in other line items in his budget, and that a budget adjustment will be considered later in the year for any remaining shortfall. Seconded by Allan.

Discussion followed as to the repercussions if there was a 30-day delay on this matter, wherein Hoscheit explained the contract was already expired and there was an urgency to get a contract in place. He concurred with Scheflow’s above comments and believed that should excess funds exist, they could be a source of funding instead of using this year’s contingency fund. He supported Scheflow’s amendment with the understanding that the finance committee would continue to work with the sheriff on this matter in the upcoming year. Per Hoscheit, due to the medical contract being a necessity for residents at the corrections facility, he stated the county has to fund it and other resources would have to considered throughout the year.

The roll was called on the amendment to Resolution #18-12:

Result: Adopted As Amended [18 To 4]

Mover: Douglas Scheflow, Board Member

Seconder: Deborah Allan, Board Member

Ayes: Deborah Allan, Margaret Auger, Brian Dahl, Drew Frasz, Rebecca Gillam, John Hoscheit, Michael Kenyon, Kurt R. Kojzarek, Bill Lenert, Philip Lewis, John Martin, Myrna Molina, Jarett Sanchez, Douglas Scheflow, Thomas Smith, Susan Starrett, Penny Wegman, Barbara Wojnicki

Nays: Theresa Barreiro, Don Ishmael, Monica Silva, Angela C Thomas

Absent: Mark Davoust, Barbara Hernandez

2. Vote on original Res. No. 18-12

The vote was called on the original Resolution 18-12:

Result: Approved By Roll Call Vote [Unanimous]

Mover: Susan Starrett, Board Member

Seconder: John Hoscheit, Board Member

Absent: Mark Davoust, Barbara Hernandez

17 - 342 Authorizing Additional Funding Under Resolution R-16-165 for Electronic Solution

(This resolution was previously returned to committee.) Allan explained approval of this resolution would allow the current Tyler Technology program to become a seamless process for those sheriff's officers writing tickets in the field to the final outcome of the ticket. Allan explained the resolution was tabled prior because some of the municipalities were considering an adjudication process. Details were shared.

Result: Adopted By Roll Call Vote [Unanimous]

Mover: Deborah Allan, Board Member

Seconder: Drew Frasz, Board Member

Absent: Mark Davoust, Barbara Hernandez

6. Executive Session

The chairman entertained a motion to go into executive session to discuss personnel, settlement of claims and pending litigation The board moved into executive session at 10:06 a.m.

Result: Approved With Voice Vote [Unanimous]

Mover: Susan Starrett, Board Member

Seconder: Bill Lenert, Board Member

Absent: Mark Davoust, Barbara Hernandez

Return to Open Session

The board returned to open session at 10:15 a.m.

Result: Approved With Voice Vote [Unanimous]

Mover: Don Ishmael, Board Member

Seconder: Susan Starrett, Board Member

Absent: Mark Davoust, Barbara Hernandez

7. Speakers (Non-Agenda Items)

A. Timothy O'Neil - Working Conditions at the Kane County Adult Corrections Facility

Mr. Timothy O'Neil, as a taxpayer and as the attorney for the county's correction officers, discussed the duty to protect the health, welfare and safety of the county's citizens. He reviewed an inspection history of the jail, provided inmate-to-officer study statistics for 2010 and 2011, and voiced that the ratio was the highest in the area and highest in the seven surrounding counties. Currently, 116 officers were at the jail, which was four less officers than in 2010. The Illinois Dept. of Correction’s recommendation of 128 officers was still being recommended but Mr. O’Neil stated he had seen a recommendation for 136 officers.

Mr. O’Neil discussed the relationship that exists between the Merit Commission, the Sheriff’s Office and the jail, explaining the Merit Commission is the hiring entity for the office and usually receives over 200 applications annually for correction officer positions. This past year 79 applications were received. Officers’ reasons for leaving the jail included the working conditions and low salary. Statistics followed on mandated lockdowns and mandated overtimes totaling $674,000, enough to hire six full-time officers. Mr. O’Neil recalled the Delnor Hospital tragedy that occurred on May 13, 2017 which had only single officer coverage which was against all federal, state and county standards. Another incident he cited occurred on October 8, 2017 where an on-duty officer overseeing 64 inmates was jumped, beaten severely, and strangled. Details followed. Mr. O’Neil summarized an officer working the midnight shift routinely may have 1 or 2 pods (64/128 inmates). Over the past month, a brief study has revealed to him that 8 to 9 officers on the midnight shift have been in charge of a jail with 560 inmates and there is cause for concern should a fire or fight break out.

In closing, Mr. O’Neil shared that after the county board cut the budget 3.6%, he had to speak up. He believed the county’s citizens and the officers at the jail deserved to be safe. He stated officers were spit on, hit on, yelled at, and disrespected. More officers were needed. Mr. O’Neil invited board members to tour the jail, see the conditions the officers work under, and to meet with him personally to discuss the data he compiled.

Officer Brett Kmieciak, president of the Kane County Adult Correction Officers Union, explained the jail is the most unsafe it has ever been due to it being understaffed. When newly-elected Sheriff Kramer was elected he was aware of that and removed the housing for federal inmates, which the board saw as a loss of revenue. A housing unit of 64 inmates was also eliminated but was only a temporary solution, since the population increased steadily. Currently, all housing units were operating with no additional officers, resulting in increased staff assaults, jail lock-downs and critical incidents. Ofc. Kmieciak reported that the 2010 Illinois Dept. of Corrections report recommended increasing jail staff by a minimum of 8 officers (to the then 120 officers) to maintain a safe operating level. As of 11/1/2017, current staff included 116 officers which was 12 short of the recommendation. Ofc. Kmieciak described the challenges a corrections officer faces when trying to manage 64 detainees on a regular day. If the shortage is not addressed soon, he said, similar incidents, such as the Delnor incident would become more frequent. He invited the board to visit the jail.

Officer Blythe Miller, a 17-year employee and a five-generation Kane County resident, discussed the reasons why she chose a career in corrections and described the unsafe working conditions at the jail: low staffing levels, senior officers retiring, and new officers leaving for better paying departments. She feared for her and her co-workers’ lives due to the understaffing and pointed out that the detainees were aware of staff shortages which was life- threatening. The shortages have resulted in violence between detains and detainees and officers with response times longer due to the lower staffing levels. Ofc. Miller asked the board for help and invited members to tour the jail, view the conditions, and to ask officers questions in order to arrive at a solution. If the jail was staffed properly she voiced the federal inmates could have remained, the Delnor incident would not have occurred, and officers could receive the appropriate training they wanted and deserved. Inmates would be safer, officers would not be attacked and workmen’s comp cases and lawsuits would be reduced.

Officer John Bredlau concurred with the above comments, summarized the officer-to- detainee ratio at the jail over the past 7 days, and detailed the conditions the officers were placed in to manage the jail population. Specifically, 4 out of 7 days four officers provided security for two detainees at the hospital; 3 out of 7 days two officers provided security for one detainee at the hospital; and during all 7 days, one officer provided security for one specific detainee on a 24-hour suicide watch/observation. He, too, recommended that board members visit the jail.

Chairman Lauzen emphasized the importance of hearing the officers voice their concerns. At the same time, he explained to the board that over the past four years the cost for public safety rose from about $25M to $29M and that of the $5.5M gap the board faced at the beginning of the budget year process, the $4M could be accounted for in this area. Referring to a Nov. 29, 2017 inspection report from the Illinois Dept. of Corrections and assuming the report was accurate, the chairman pointed out a question within the report (pg. 14) asking whether “sufficient jail officers were present in the jail.” The report stated "Yes." He further summarized the importance of those concerns raised by the above speakers and asked for the board’s consensus that the county supply a list of wages and benefits as part of the on-going conversation.

This meeting was adjourned at 10:37 am.

http://kanecountyil.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=15&ID=2015&Inline=True

ORGANIZATIONS IN THIS STORY

Kane County Board

!RECEIVE ALERTS

The next time we write about any of these orgs, we’ll email you a link to the story. You may edit your settings or unsubscribe at any time.

Sign-up

DONATE

Help support the Metric Media Foundation's mission to restore community based news.

Donate