Kane County Committee of the Whole Met Feb. 23.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
1. Call to Order
Chairman Pierog called the meeting to order at 4:00 PM.
2. Roll Call
| Attendee Name | Organization | Title | Status | Arrived |
| Barbara Wojnicki | Kane County | Board Member | Present | |
| Corinne M. Pierog | Kane County | Chairman | Present | |
| Dale Berman | Kane County | Board Member | Present | |
| David Brown | Kane County | Board Member | Present | |
| Drew Frasz | Kane County | Board Member | Present | |
| John Martin | Kane County | Board Member | Present | |
| Jarett Sanchez | Kane County | Board Member | Present | |
| Steve Weber | Kane County | Board Member | Present | |
| Kenneth C. Shepro | Kane County | Vice Chair | Present | |
| Deborah Allan | Kane County | Board Member | Present | |
| Mavis Bates | Kane County | Board Member | Present | |
| Mark Davoust | Kane County | Board Member | Present | |
| Ron Ford | Kane County | Board Member | Present | |
| Michelle Gumz | Kane County | Board Member | Present | |
| Mo Iqbal | Kane County | Board Member | Present | |
| Michael Kenyon | Kane County | Board Member | Present | |
| Chris Kious | Kane County | Board Member | Present | |
| Tom Koppie | Kane County | Board Member | Present | |
| Bill Lenert | Kane County | Board Member | Present | |
| Anita Lewis | Kane County | Board Member | Absent | |
| Myrna Molina | Kane County | Board Member | Present | |
| Monica Silva | Kane County | Board Member | Present | |
| Cherryl Strathmann | Kane County | Board Member | Present | |
| Clifford Surges | Kane County | Board Member | Present | |
| Vern Tepe | Kane County | Board Member | Present |
3. Pledge of Allegiance
Madam Chairman Pierog asked Nancy McGary, Human Resource Coordinator to lead the Pledge.
4. Approval of Minutes: January 26, 2021
Madam Chair Pierog acknowledged the beautiful weather and anticipation of spring.
| RESULT: APPROVED BY ROLL CALL VOTE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Michelle Gumz, Board Member SECONDER: Kenneth C. Shepro, Vice Chair AYES: Barbara Wojnicki, Corinne M. Pierog, Dale Berman, David Brown, Drew Frasz, John Martin, Jarett Sanchez, Steve Weber, Kenneth C. Shepro, Deborah Allan, Mavis Bates, Mark Davoust, Ron Ford, Michelle Gumz, Mo Iqbal, Michael Kenyon, Chris Kious, Tom Koppie, Bill Lenert, Myrna Molina, Monica Silva, Cherryl Strathmann, Clifford Surges, Vern Tepe ABSENT: Anita Lewis |
None.
6. Presentations/Discussion
A. Jobs (S. Weber)
Report: Job Development and Opportunities Presented by the Cannabis Industry
Referencing a presentation from Waubonsee Community College, Member Weber discussed a pilot program that would provide professional training for individuals interested in the cannabis industry. Weber reported data which showed tremendous growth in the cannabis industry. Weber acknowledged prior to 1/1/20, there were 5,800 cannabis related jobs and that 8,348 were added in FY20. He reiterated the amount of growth and the great potential of this industry. He provided clarification of cannabis terms and its legality for the committee. Weber discussed several cannabis career opportunities for people displaced from their job. He provided career titles and annual salaries. Weber discussed current job postings in Kane County for cannabis related employment. He spoke on the community college cannabis vocational programs, positive factors and benefits for the community. Weber briefly reviewed the courses related to this industry. He explained the strict guidelines that will be required when the college is approved for these courses. Weber stated that should the Waubonsee program be approved, it would provide great opportunities for Kane County and growth for the industry. Dev. Dir. VanKerkoff confirmed that the jurisdiction is in Kane County and the lab courses would be located at the Sugar Grove Campus. Much discussion ensued.
B. County Development (M. VanKerkoff)
Ordinance: Rescinding Ordinance No. 19-415 and Permitting Cannabis Business Establishments Within the Unincorporated Areas of the County of Kane
Dev. Dir. VanKerkhoff used a visual presentation presented at the County Development committee meeting to discuss rescinding No. Ord. 19-415. VanKerkhoff thanked Assistant State's Attorney E. Brady for all her assistance from 2019 to the present with revisions and applicable changes. VanKerkhoff reviewed the 2019 decision to allow or prohibit adult use cannabis businesses. VanKerkhoff discussed an ordinance that will be presented for the county board to rescind the 2019 ordinance and would allow adult use cannabis businesses in the unincorporated areas. He discussed zoning ordinances and the processes of the Zoning Board. Madam Chair asked for clarifications on types of adult cannabis use businesses. VanKerkhoff answered questions. Much discussion occurred form the committee. Member Surges discussed reservations in overturning a decision made by a previous board without further review. The committee reached a consensus to request a review by the State’s Attorney’s Office.
VanKerkhoff detailed the steps that would need to be taken if the ordinance were rescinded. He provided State adapted setbacks which include a set distance from a pre existing school and limiting the number of cannabis businesses permitted. He referenced the ordinances of neighboring counties and provided a list of those that have allowed and prohibited cannabis businesses. VanKerkhoff reported the new ordinance would rescind the ordinance to prohibit adult use cannabis businesses in the unincorporated areas, which was adopted on November 12, 2019. Vice Chair Shepro acknowledged the lack of a proposed ordinance, if 19-415 was rescinded.
Assistant State's Attorney Brady reviewed options for the committee. Madam Chair Pierog acknowledged the importance of revisiting past decisions with the change in times and information. She stated that when legislation is changed there is not with intention to insult or question previous decisions. Much discussion ensued.
C. State's Attorney's Office (J. Mosser)
Report: State's Attorney's Request for Additional Staff
Referencing a presentation, State's Atty. Mosser discussed the duties the State’s Attorney’s Office performs. She detailed all of the different court locations and divisions that are managed by the State’s Attorney’s Office. She discussed an increased work load due to the rise in the crime rate. Mosser entered the request for $3.4M to fund additional staff and for technology. She noted a large amount of video that the State’s Attorney’s Office has to review which include bodycam and squad videos. Mosser briefly reviewed seven resolutions that will support staff and increase salaries. She stated the need for competitive salaries and noted the increase being requested is still lower than neighboring counties. Mosser detailed the positions that would receive the monetary benefit.
Mosser discussed a resolution to increase the divisions of domestic violence, abuse and neglect. She reported that in FY20, the crime in these divisions went up 85%. She stressed the need to stop the cycles of violence and protect the victims and children. Mosser proposed the addition of a felony attorney, misdemeanor attorney and a full advocate. She described a shift of staff in order to cover the case load. She stated the need for a supervising attorney and two support staff. Mosser discussed the addition of a mental health unit, which does not yet exist. She requested the addition of a felony review unit to increase consistency. Mosser spoke on the need of additional support in the narcotics unit.
Mosser talked about the post-conviction unit and the need for an independent prosecution integrity unit. She noted that in order to staff the integrity team on an independent level they would need three attorneys, one investigator and one support staff. Mosser emphasized the importance to seek justice and not just convictions. She spoke on case managers to be responsive to the needs of the community. Mosser discussed deferred prosecution and diversion programs. She stressed the need for criminal justice reform and a proactive approach in order to benefit the community.
Member Molina invited the board to continue listening to the presentations as they will continue at the upcoming Judicial Public Safety Meeting. Madam Chair requested additional information on the police reform bill. Brief discussion on funding methods for the body cameras, video and storage ensued.
7. Executive Session (If Needed)
None.
8. Adjournment
| RESULT: APPROVED WITH VOICE VOTE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Michael Kenyon, Board Member SECONDER: Kenneth C. Shepro, Vice Chair AYES: Barbara Wojnicki, Corinne M. Pierog, Dale Berman, David Brown, Drew Frasz, John Martin, Jarett Sanchez, Steve Weber, Kenneth C. Shepro, Deborah Allan, Mavis Bates, Mark Davoust, Ron Ford, Michelle Gumz, Mo Iqbal, Michael Kenyon, Chris Kious, Tom Koppie, Bill Lenert, Myrna Molina, Monica Silva, Cherryl Strathmann, Clifford Surges, Vern Tepe ABSENT: Anita Lewis |
http://kanecountyil.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=15&ID=2905&Inline=True
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