Kane County Human Services Committee met Sept. 14.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
1. Call to Order
Chairman Lenert called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM.
| Attendee Name | Title | Status | Arrived |
| Deborah Allan | Board Member | Late | 9:05 AM |
| Ron Ford | Vice Chair | Late | 9:04 AM |
| Rebecca Gillam | Board Member | Present | |
| John Martin | Board Member | Present | |
| Douglas Scheflow | Board Member | Present | |
| Thomas Smith | Board Member | Present | |
| Bill Lenert | Chairman | Present |
2. Approval of Minutes: August 17, 2018
RESULT: APPROVED WITH VOICE VOTE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Douglas Scheflow, Board Member
SECONDER: Thomas Smith, Board Member
AYES: Rebecca Gillam, John Martin, Douglas Scheflow, Thomas Smith, Bill Lenert
ABSENT: Deborah Allan, Ron Ford
3. Public Comment
None
4. Monthly Financial Reports
Monthly financial reports were included in the agenda packet. Finance staff Waggoner stated there were no General Fund FY18 concerns to report at this time. In the Special Revenue Funds, Insurance Liability has continued to trend higher than recommended. They will continue to monitor those expenditures.
5. Veteran's Assistance Commission
VAC Supt. Zimmerman reviewed statistics from the monthly reports included in the agenda packet. Claims filed through his office were processed 13 days faster than the average Illinois VA claim. The total Illinois VA claims pending for last month were 8,194 with 152 from our County office. In August, Kane County claimants received almost $500,000 in new benefits. There were no financial assistance expenditures.
6. Department of Human Resource Management
A. Monthly Applicant and Staffing Report
The monthly report was included in the agenda packet. HR Exec. Dir. Wetzel noted there were 25 terminations and 10 new hires. They received 367 job applications for open positions. HR has been working with IT to streamline and track the incoming applications. (Ford arrives @ 9:04 a.m.)
B. Monthly IPBC Funding
Referencing the IPBC funding sheet, Chair Lenert reported the county paid out just under $1.3M for the month of August, which equates to about $16M per year.
C. Monthly July Prescription Drug Report
Referencing a report included in the agenda packet, Lenert noted there nine people that utilized this service during the month of July. The numbers have been increasing by about 25% per year with an average savings of 18%-24%. (Allan arrives @ 9:05 a.m.) Wetzel noted program information has been sent to all of the Kane County school Superintendents.
D. Monthly MERP Report
Referencing documents included in the agenda packet, Lenert reported as of September 6 enrollment is up to 31 people. That results in about $310,000 savings for the county. He hopes within the next couple of years to double that number. Wetzel reported MERP information has been sent to the Coroner's Office employees and the County Clerk has scheduled their session for December 6, 2018. She hopes more employees will join the program during open enrollment on October 9.
E. 2019 Holiday Schedule
Chair Lenert discussed the 2019 Holiday Schedule included in the agenda packet. The schedule is based upon the IL Supreme Court decision and an agreement between the County Board Chairman and Chief Judge. The proposed schedule has 13 holidays, which is the same number of holidays as last year.
7. Compliance
None
8. Old Business
A. County Board/Committee Member Meetings Guidelines
Referencing a previous discussion, Chair Lenert asked the committee for their thoughts on meeting attendance. Martin shared an overview of an issue at his law firm regarding office attire. He concluded that the risk in getting a list together could be a false assurance of clarity. He was not opposed to rules of conduct, just did not want to be the enforcement officer.
Referencing a handout of a draft policy, Lenert explained that it is a generic document for everyone to review. He questioned whether the discussion should be tabled then brought up again if there is an interest in the future. Smith felt that something should be put in place so the Board knows its responsibilities.
Wetzel provided an overview of the draft noting it was compiled from policies that McHenry County, DuPage County, and various counties in California have implemented. Lenert reminded the committee that the Board made a commitment when they pledged their oath to serve and for some reason people have decided not to honor that oath. Paid employees should have a responsibility to their employer, which is the County taxpayers. He felt there should be guidelines in place with some standard for attendance. Considerable deliberation occurred throughout the discussion.
Lenert asked for all suggestions on the draft policy be sent to Wetzel within the next 30 days for her to incorporate into a resolution. He felt they should continue the discussion at next month’s meeting.
9. New Business
A. Resolution: Approving the 2019 Monthly Health and Dental Contribution Schedule
This approves the 2019 costs for health and dental group insurance as set forth on the document attached.
RESULT: MOVED FORWARD WITH VOICE VOTE [UNANIMOUS] Next: 9/26/2018 9:00 AM
TO: Finance and Budget Committee
MOVER: Ron Ford, Vice Chair
SECONDER: Deborah Allan, Board Member
AYES: Deborah Allan, Ron Ford, Rebecca Gillam, John Martin, Douglas Scheflow, Thomas Smith, Bill Lenert
B. Resolution: Approving the Kane County Lactation Accommodation Policy
This establishes the Kane County Lactation Accommodation Policy to accommodate mothers in our workplace as outlined in compliance with the Illinois Nursing Mothers in the Workplace Act, 820 ILCS 260/1 et seq., and the Fair Labor Standards Act, §29 U.S.C. 207(r).
RESULT: MOVED FORWARD WITH VOICE VOTE [UNANIMOUS] Next: 10/3/2018 9:00 AM
TO: Executive Committee
MOVER: Rebecca Gillam, Board Member
SECONDER: John Martin, Board Member
AYES: Deborah Allan, Ron Ford, Rebecca Gillam, John Martin, Douglas Scheflow, Thomas Smith, Bill Lenert
C. Group Alternatives
Chair Lenert initiated a discussion on retaining Group Alternatives consulting services. He provided an overview of their recommendations noting the savings the County has obtained through their services has more than offset the cost of their fees. Lenert reviewed the steps for implementing a change in healthcare along with the time constraints involved. He asked the committee's opinion on whether they felt the County should continue using Group Alternatives.
Martin shared his concerns over the limitations of not being able to make a governmental decision because of program restraints with insurance. Lenert noted that last May the head of IPBC told him the County would be getting an $800,000 dividend check. Later he was notified the County would not receive a dividend check at all. He suggested the County continue to use Group Alternatives to survey the market then revisit the decision in April. Considerable discussion followed. There was a consensus amongst the committee members to stay with Group Alternatives until April 1.
A change in the agenda order followed.
10. Executive Session
The committee moved into Executive Session at 10:02 a.m. to discuss the Release of Closed Session minutes.
RESULT: APPROVED BY ROLL CALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: John Martin, Board Member
SECONDER: Ron Ford, Vice Chair
AYES: Deborah Allan, Ron Ford, Rebecca Gillam, John Martin, Douglas Scheflow, Thomas Smith, Bill Lenert
The committee returned to Open Session at 10:04 a.m.
11. Release of Closed Session Minutes
RESULT: APPROVED WITH VOICE VOTE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Deborah Allan, Board Member
SECONDER: Douglas Scheflow, Board Member
AYES: Deborah Allan, Ron Ford, Rebecca Gillam, John Martin, Douglas Scheflow, Thomas Smith, Bill Lenert
12. Reports Placed On File
RESULT: PLACE WRITTEN REPORTS ON FILE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Ron Ford, Vice Chair
SECONDER: Deborah Allan, Board Member
AYES: Deborah Allan, Ron Ford, Rebecca Gillam, John Martin, Douglas Scheflow, Thomas Smith, Bill Lenert
13. Adjournment
RESULT: ADJOURNED BY VOICE VOTE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Thomas Smith, Board Member
SECONDER: Douglas Scheflow, Board Member
AYES: Deborah Allan, Ron Ford, Rebecca Gillam, John Martin, Douglas Scheflow, Thomas Smith, Bill Lenert
This meeting was adjourned at 10:05 AM.
http://kanecountyil.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=15&ID=2196&Inline=True
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