Kane County Judicial/Public Safety Technology Commission met May 10.
Here is the minutes provided by the Commission:
1. Call to Order
Chairman Martin called the meeting to order at 9:00 am.
Attendee Name Title Status Arrived
Rebecca Gillam Board Member Present
Kurt R. Kojzarek Vice Chair Present
Bill Lenert Board Member Present
Monica Silva Board Member Present
Thomas Smith Board Member Present
Susan Starrett Board Member Late 9:04 am
John Martin Chairman Present
Also present: Co. Bd. Chairman Lauzen; Co. Bd. staff Nagel; Co. Bd. Members Barreiro, Kenyon, Lewis, Molina, Sanchez; Finance staff Waggoner, Dobersztyn; Court Svcs. Dir. Aust & staff Jefko; JJC Supt. Davis; Juvenile Custody staff Tsang; ITD staff Peters; Sheriff staff Campbell; Chief Judge Clancy Boles & staff Naughton, O'Brien; KaneComm Dir. Farris & staff Guthrie; Coroner Russell; Circuit Clk. Hartwell; Public Defender staff Willett; State’s Atty. McMahon; Asst. State's Atty. Niermann, Seberger; OEM Dir. Bryant; Auditor Hunt & staff Oscarson; Merit Commission staff Zies; and members of the press & public.
2. Approval of Minutes: April 12, 2018
Result: Approved With Voice Vote [Unanimous]
Mover: Monica Silva, Board Member
Seconder: Bill Lenert, Board Member
Ayes: Rebecca Gillam, Kurt R. Kojzarek, Bill Lenert, Monica Silva, Thomas Smith, John Martin
Absent: Susan Starrett
3. Public Comment
Jeff Ward, resident of Kane County, shared his concerns regarding sexual harassment within the Kane County State's Attorney's Office. He discussed various allegations, which he documented in a blog. (Starrett arrives @ 9:04 a.m.) The State's Attorney's Office has refused to abide by FOIA Laws. He has gone to the Attorney General three times regarding FOIA requests. Ward asked the Board to hold those responsible accountable.
Dominic Romanazzi, President of Teamsters Local 330, discussed the probation officer and youth counselors' labor dispute. He asked those present to approve the request for approximately $200,000 to end the strike and restore public safety.
Jared Weiser, Kane County Youth Counselor at the JJC, discussed the requirements for youth counselor's education and training. He shared his concerns over staff not being adequately trained and the youth not getting the help or education they need during the labor dispute. He urged the Committee to allocate the funds for employees to get back to work.
Krista Larson, Kane County Special Programs Officer in the Sex Offender unit, noted her department serves approximately 10,000 individuals. She provided an overview of the services they offer. She said a great number of people are being affected by this situation. Larson shared statistics on those enrolled in various programs. She discussed her concerns over their clients not being adequately supervised and provided with the services they deserve.
Isabel Ocon, Kane County Probation Officer, discussed her background and why she became a probation officer. After 11 days on strike, they have yet to hear about another meeting between management and the union. They would like to see the strike end; they are not top pay employees. The strike has been very stressful with employees facing serious challenges. Ocon stated her job is essential to the clients they serve; they cannot meet those expectations while on strike.
4. Monthly Financial Reports
Monthly financial reports were included in the agenda packet. Finance staff Waggoner reported the Coroner's Office is trending 1.35% over budget in the General Fund under the salary and wage line items. She has reached out to their office and will continue to monitor. In the Special Revenue Funds, areas over the recommended budget continue to be monitored. All of those funds have enough cash balance to support the trends they are experiencing right now.
5. State's Attorney (J. McMahon)
State's Atty. McMahon noted they have seen a significant uptick in violent crimes in Aurora and Elgin. Filings seem to be comparable to last year.
Referencing a PowerPoint presentation not included in the agenda packet, Asst. State's Atty. Seberger provided background on the Kane County Juvenile Justice Council noting who is on their Board. The council includes representatives from various service providers, child welfare agencies, schools, and other community coalitions. Their purpose is to support ongoing collaboration between agencies and programs to better address juvenile delinquency. They develop and implement plans and provide recommendations for utilizing services more effectively. The program is funded through a Federal grant. Brief discussion followed.
In response to questions, McMahon discussed the impact of the cancellation of the EHM/GPS program and trends in crime. He presented the following resolution:
A. Resolution: Authorizing FY18 Budget Adjustment and Fund Transfer from Fund 234 to Fund 237
This authorizes the budget adjustments needed to facilitate the transfer of $224,260 from Fund 234 (Drug Asset Forfeiture Fund) into Fund 237 (State's Attorney Money Laundering Fund).
Result: Moved Forward With Voice Vote [Unanimous] Next: 5/30/2018 9:00 am
To: Forest Preserve District Finance And Administration Committee
Mover: Bill Lenert, Board Member
Seconder: Kurt R. Kojzarek, Vice Chair
Ayes: Rebecca Gillam, Kurt R. Kojzarek, Bill Lenert, Monica Silva, Thomas Smith, Susan Starrett, John Martin
6. Sheriff/Adult Corrections (D. Kramer)
Lt. Campbell noted the monthly reports were included in the agenda packet.
7. Judiciary & Courts (Chief Judge Clancy Boles/D. Naughton)
Chief Judge Boles shared an update on the EHM/GPS Task Force noting they had their second meeting. They are in the process of putting together a prototype for a program that will be sustainable. The new program will cost about $600,000 or a little more than the previous program. It will be a hybrid between the Sheriff's Office and Court Services. Prototype information will be presented at the next Task Force meeting. Boles said they are still looking into sustainable funding. She hopes to provide an update in two months. Staff Naughton presented the following resolution:
A. Resolution: Authorizing Contract for Interpreters
This authorizes an agreement with Translation Today Network Inc., for interpreting services at the Aurora Branch Court and Elgin Branch Court for the time period of June 1, 2018 to June 1, 2019, with options to extend on a yearly basis for a period of four years. The total of said contracts shall be paid from General Fund 001, Department 240, Division 240, Line Item 50150 (Contractual Services) and Line Item 50120 (Per Diem Services) for interpreting services not covered by contract, i.e., exotic languages.
Result: Moved Forward With Voice Vote [Unanimous] Next: 5/30/2018 9:00 am
To: Finance And Budget Committee
Mover: Bill Lenert, Board Member
Seconder: Susan Starrett, Board Member
Ayes: Rebecca Gillam, Kurt R. Kojzarek, Bill Lenert, Monica Silva, Thomas Smith, Susan Starrett, John Martin
8. Court Services Administration (L. Aust)
Naughton presented the following resolution:
A. Resolution: Authorizing Adult Drug Court Grant Funds to Enter into Contract with Gateway Foundation, Lutheran Social Services, and Cornell Interventions
This authorizes contracts between the Kane County Adult Drug Court and Gateway Foundation, Lutheran Social Services, Cornell Interventions for three years from October 1, 2017 through September 30, 2020 for the amount of $300,000.
Result: Moved Forward With Voice Vote [Unanimous] Next: 6/6/2018 9:00 am
To: Executive Committee
Mover: Susan Starrett, Board Member
Seconder: Rebecca Gillam, Board Member
Ayes: Rebecca Gillam, Kurt R. Kojzarek, Bill Lenert, Monica Silva, Thomas Smith, Susan Starrett, John Martin
Court Svcs. Admin. Aust addressed issues recently reported in the newspapers. She said salaries and benefits for Court Services last year totaled over $9M. Every 1% increase equals about $90,000, which compounds over time. When looking at the department as a whole, the proposed union contract would require an additional $2M by the end of three years. She explained that since Court Services is not a revenue-generating department that would pose a significant problem. There are roughly 3,000 people on probation. Those people have been deemed by a judge as a safe risk to reside in the community. Across the country, it is not uncommon to have 1-2% of the general population on some kind of community supervision. Aust explained recidivism and how the rates vary between communities.
9. Juvenile Justice Center (M. Davis)
Monthly reports were included in the agenda packet. JJC Supt. Davis read a letter that he drafted to go out to the department heads and Chief Judges regarding the labor dispute with the youth counselors. He explained that while he would rather have the staff back at work, his job was to ensure the well-being of the children housed in the facility and fulfill contractual obligations. Court Services has redirected services through the probation department by infusing the JJC with additional staff members. The staff members are not poorly trained individuals that are ill equipped to work in detention. Many of them are highly skilled employees that began their careers in the JJC. Since the labor dispute began, they have not had a single restraint or crisis situation. Each day operations have continued to run more smoothly. All units have been up and running with daily programming almost back to normal. Davis said they have received many calls and support from intergovernmental partners. He will continue to give updates on the ongoing labor dispute. Davis assured the committee that the children are being well cared for. He responded to questions.
Davis provided an update on the security system noting they are still putting together the bid specs and working on an RFP. The agency that has handling the current service has been working okay in the meantime.
10. KaneComm (D. Farris)
A written report was included in the agenda packet. Dir. Farris reported April was Public Education Month. Their Public Education Coordinator made presentations to approximately 360 students during the month. Staff participated in Operation Prom Night in Hampshire and the Sheriff's Office Citizens Police Academy. One of their Telecommunicators was given an award at the Hampshire Fire Protection District's dinner for call handling. Farris announced that he would be leaving the county at the end of May. He thanked the committee, members of Kane Comm, and staff Guthrie for their support. Chair Martin thanked Farris for his service.
11. Merit Commission
The monthly reports were included in the agenda packet. Staff Zies reported they would be having promotional testing for Patrol Lieutenants, Correction Lieutenants, and Patrol Sergeants within the next month and a half.
12. Circuit Clerk (T. Hartwell)
Referencing the monthly reports included in the agenda packet, Circuit Clk. Hartwell reported they have seen a decrease in civil and criminal case filings.
13. Public Defender (K. Childress)
None
14. Coroner (R. Russell)
Monthly reports were included in the agenda packet.
15. Executive Session (if needed)
The committee entered into Executive Session at 9:54 a.m. to discuss Personnel and Contract Negotiations.
Result: Approved By Roll Call Vote [Unanimous]
Mover: Bill Lenert, Board Member
Seconder: Kurt R. Kojzarek, Vice Chair
Ayes: Rebecca Gillam, Kurt R. Kojzarek, Bill Lenert, Monica Silva, Thomas Smith, Susan Starrett, John Martin
The committee returned to open session at 10:52 a.m.
16. Place Written Reports on File
Result: Place Written Reports On File [Unanimous]
Mover: Thomas Smith, Board Member
Seconder: Kurt R. Kojzarek, Vice Chair
Ayes: Rebecca Gillam, Kurt R. Kojzarek, Bill Lenert, Monica Silva, Thomas Smith, Susan Starrett, John Martin
17. Adjournment
Result: Adjourned By Voice Vote [Unanimous]
Mover: Kurt R. Kojzarek, Vice Chair
Seconder: Susan Starrett, Board Member
Ayes: Rebecca Gillam, Kurt R. Kojzarek, Bill Lenert, Monica Silva, Thomas Smith, Susan Starrett, John Martin
This meeting was adjourned at 10:53 am.
http://kanecountyil.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=15&ID=2100&Inline=True
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