Kane County Executive Committee met Sept. 8.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
1. Call to Order
Chairman Pierog called the meeting to order at 9:01 AM.
2. Roll Call
| Attendee Name | Organization | Title | Status | Arrived |
| Corinne M. Pierog | Kane County | Chairman | Present | |
| Mavis Bates | Kane County | Board Member | Present | |
| Dale Berman | Kane County | Board Member | Present | |
| Mark Davoust | Kane County | Board Member | Remote | |
| Ron Ford | Kane County | Board Member | Present | |
| Drew Frasz | Kane County | Board Member | Present | |
| Michelle Gumz | Kane County | Board Member | Remote | |
| Michael Kenyon | Kane County | Board Member | Present | |
| Chris Kious | Kane County | Board Member | Present | |
| John Martin | Kane County | Board Member | Present | |
| Myrna Molina | Kane County | Board Member | Present | |
| Jarett Sanchez | 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 | |
| Kenneth C. Shepro | Kane County | Ex-Officio County Board Vice Chair | Present |
3. Pledge of Allegiance
Member Bates lead the assembly with the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. Approval of Minutes: August 4, 2021
| RESULT: APPROVED BY ROLL CALL VOTE [14 TO 0]
MOVER: Chris Kious, Board Member SECONDER: Dale Berman, Board Member AYES: Mavis Bates, Dale Berman, Ron Ford, Drew Frasz, Michelle Gumz, Michael Kenyon, Chris Kious, John Martin, Myrna Molina, Jarett Sanchez, Cherryl Strathmann, Clifford Surges, Vern Tepe, Kenneth C. Shepro AWAY: Mark Davoust |
1. Non-Agenda Items
None.
2. Agenda Items
Mr. Mohammed Iqbal, as a resident of Elgin, opposed the solar panel proposal because the matter was a zoning change and should go through the proper committee, i.e., the
Development Committee. He pointed out that a 25-year contract was before the committee to vote upon and while he supported solar power, he believed the issue could become contentious and result in a lawsuit due to the nearby neighborhood. Mr. Iqbal expressed concern that glare from the solar panels could become an issue with the nearby owners and there was no mention of glare in the company’s documentation. Additionally he pointed out there shall be no plantings that block the sun’s ray to the panels otherwise it violates the contract and the contract becomes null. He asked the Executive Committee to not support the proposal and to return it to the Development Committee.
Cheryln Cameron, 3810 Ridgepoint Drive, Geneva, explained that until the panels are put in place, it will be really unknown as to how the solar panels will be screened. She expressed appreciation to the members who read her letters.
Mr. Bob Judge - 3726 Ridgepoint Drive, Geneva asked the members to not support the proposal due to 1) moving the project too quickly and the fact that his subdivision was notified about 37 days ago; 2) not much thought was been given to the project and how it would affect the residents' view; 3) White & Company has not been on the residents' site to get their view of the solar panels; and 4) the solar panels are being produced in China and was the company vetted properly. Mr. Judge believed the front of the campus was landscaped beautifully but the back half was not. He supported green energy but believed more research needed to be done.
Mr. Paul Cameron, 3810 Ridgepoint Drive, Geneva appreciated the county's Energy and Environmental Committee working with him (and neighbors) and making some progress. He explained that the planning and feasibility study that was done failed to take into account the aesthetics of the site from the existing neighborhood and the costs to reach an acceptable compromise with the residents as it relates to the north berm. Specifics followed. Mr. Cameron believed more research needed to be done.
Consensus was reached to place the above comments on file.
| RESULT: APPROVED BY ROLL CALL VOTE [14 TO 0]
MOVER: Kenneth C. Shepro, Board Member SECONDER: Chris Kious, Board Member AYES: Mavis Bates, Dale Berman, Mark Davoust, Ron Ford, Drew Frasz, Michelle Gumz, Michael Kenyon, Chris Kious, John Martin, Myrna Molina, Jarett Sanchez, Cherryl Strathmann, Clifford Surges, Vern Tepe, Kenneth C. Shepro |
1. July Executive Committee Financial Reports
Finance Director Onzick reviewed financials for the county's health insurance fund noting because of an increase in the number of positions now included in the proposed budget, there will be an expected increase in the total budget. While the health plan rates increased approximately 7.0%, the newly created tier for the Employee + children rate unexpectedly increased the overall contribution by 2.4%. Dental, vision, life insurance rates and broker fees remained flat. Further explanation of the budget followed. Member Surges confirmed with Director Onzick that the percentage increase was driven by actual losses at the County level and not due to an increase by Blue Cross/Blue Shield.
Member Surges acknowledged Director Onzick’s accomplishment of the 83% employer / 17% employee insurance rates which simplified the process for the future. Asked if the $1.0M Dollars spent on COVID cases had an impact on the County’s 7% insurance rate increase, Interim Human Resources Dir. Lobrillo explained that the county did have almost $1.0 Million Dollars in total COVID treatment costs for those employees on the county’s health insurance plan which did impact the increase in total claims cost and which would impact the total premiums for the next year.
Director Onzick summarized the General Fund Revenue Budget, explaining the difference between the budgeted revenues and proposed budgeted expenditures, which totaled $15.5 Million Dollars. Revenue was down $6.0M Dollars for what was budgeted for last year. Expenditures were up $9.5M Dollars as compared to last year. Details supporting that amount followed. Director Onzick then presented members with a list of options it could consider over the next few weeks to close the budget gap, stating the budget will have to be balanced by the October full board meeting.
As to when the State’s Attorney’s proposal for a county-wide sales tax would begin, Onzick estimated it would begin in January 2023 and would be less than the original $15M Dollar estimate he cited previously. Member Frasz recommended that Director Onzick make himself aware of the available American Rescue Plan funds to reimburse the County.
The Chairwoman emphasized: 1) there will be costs associated with COVID on the county’s services; 2) there is the potential for lack of revenue; and 3) that board members will have to be cognizant of the expenses that will have to be considered -- cautiously and conservatively. Member Martin reminded the committee that the requested expenditures will have to be evaluated against the available resources. The financial report was placed on file by unanimous consent.
| RESULT: ACCEPTED AND PLACED ON FILE |
None.
8. New Business
None.
9. Preliminary County Board Agenda:
CONSENT AGENDA
American Rescue Plan
1. Resolution: Authorization of Emergency Purchase Affidavit for Limited Engagement of Consultant to Meet Aug 31, 2021 ARPA Reporting Deadlines
2. Resolution: Authorizing Allocation of Recoupment of Lost Revenue under the
American Rescue Plan Act, FY21 Budget Adjustment and Related Transfers
| RESULT: MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE NEXT: 9/14/2021 9:45 AM
To: County Board MOVER: Jarett Sanchez, Board Member SECONDER: Dale Berman, Board Member AYES: Mavis Bates, Dale Berman, Mark Davoust, Ron Ford, Drew Frasz, Michelle Gumz, Michael Kenyon, Chris Kious, John Martin, Myrna Molina, Jarett Sanchez, Cherryl Strathmann, Clifford Surges, Vern Tepe, Kenneth C. Shepro |
A brief discussion followed on the amendments (A and B) that were added to this resolution as explained by Finance Director Onzick. The Chairwoman requested that Director Onzick provide the Finance Committee a report on the draw-down and what the county was reimbursing itself, especially as the board begins planning on how to distribute funds to the community.
| RESULT: MOVED FORWARD AS AMENDED BY ROLL CALL VOTE NEXT: 9/14/2021 9:45 AM
To: County Board MOVER: Jarett Sanchez, Board Member SECONDER: Dale Berman, Board Member AYES: Mavis Bates, Dale Berman, Mark Davoust, Ron Ford, Drew Frasz, Michelle Gumz, Michael Kenyon, Chris Kious, John Martin, Myrna Molina, Jarett Sanchez, Cherryl Strathmann, Clifford Surges, Vern Tepe, Kenneth C. Shepro |
1. Resolution: Authorizing Refuse and Recycling Services for the Mill Creek Special Service Area
| RESULT: MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE NEXT: 9/14/2021 9:45 AM
To: County Board MOVER: Mavis Bates, Board Member SECONDER: Drew Frasz, Board Member AYES: Mavis Bates, Dale Berman, Mark Davoust, Ron Ford, Drew Frasz, Michelle Gumz, Michael Kenyon, Chris Kious, John Martin, Myrna Molina, Jarett Sanchez, Cherryl Strathmann, Clifford Surges, Vern Tepe, Kenneth C. Shepro |
Finance
1. Resolution: Authorizing FY21 Budget Adjustment for Business Analysis
2. Resolution: Authorizing a Budget Adjustment for the Office of Emergency Management
3. Resolution: Establishing Special Revenue Fund 413, Adopting a Budget for the CDBG CV Program, and Adding Special Revenue Funds to an Existing Line of Credit
4. Resolution: Authorizing Inter-Governmental Agreement with the State of Illinois, Department of Human Services--Juvenile Justice Council Grant
5. Resolution: Authorizing Contract Extension Bottled Water Service
6. Resolution: Authorizing Contract Extension for Gasoline and Diesel Fuel
| RESULT: MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE NEXT: 9/14/2021 9:45 AM
To: County Board MOVER: Dale Berman, Board Member SECONDER: Jarett Sanchez, Board Member AYES: Mavis Bates, Dale Berman, Mark Davoust, Ron Ford, Drew Frasz, Michelle Gumz, Michael Kenyon, Chris Kious, John Martin, Myrna Molina, Jarett Sanchez, Cherryl Strathmann, Clifford Surges, Vern Tepe, Kenneth C. Shepro |
(Moved Off Consent.) Ms. Ivy Klee, from the Environmental Department, proceeded to explain that an updated landscaping plan for the project was completed, which passed through the Administration and Energy & Environmental Committees.
Ms. Patty King, landscaping architect with Wight & Company, proceeded to respond to the comments made by the public and reassured that her staff will meet with residents at their homes once the site has been engineered and to provide accurate information. She reviewed the conceptual landscaping plan in further detail. Ms. Klee added that she and a number of county staff met with HGTS Landscaping & Tree Service to walk the Judicial Center site to identify about 15 to 20 trees that will be relocated and added to the proposed landscaping plan for screening purposes. This was due to the Judicial Center adding a parking lot and the existing trees being in the way.
After quite a bit of discussion, Madam Chair Pierog stated that much detail was in the presentation and other members believed the discussion was also premature. She reminded the committee members and the public that the only action being taken was to allow the board to enter into the Purchase Power Agreement and land lease with Wight & Company; the project was not being finalized yet. More comments followed. Madam Chair emphasized that need for the board to assure the neighbors that the county hears them and it will work with them to ensure the site is mitigated, enhanced, and the solar farm is something they take pride in, because they are the county’s residents and taxpayers. Surges inquired about the financial ramifications to the county if the berm could not be lowered if the contract was signed. Much discussion ensued.
| RESULT: MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE NEXT: 9/14/2021 9:45 AM
To: County Board MOVER: Dale Berman, Board Member SECONDER: Mavis Bates, Board Member AYES: Mavis Bates, Dale Berman, Mark Davoust, Ron Ford, Drew Frasz, Michelle Gumz, Michael Kenyon, Chris Kious, John Martin, Myrna Molina, Jarett Sanchez, Cherryl Strathmann, Clifford Surges, Kenneth C. Shepro ABSTAIN: Vern Tepe |
9. Resolution: Approving Fee in Lieu of Detention for Prairie Farm Drainage Project
10. Resolution: Approving a Contract with Conley Excavating, Inc for the Church Molitor Drainage Project
11. Resolution: Authorizing a Contract with Integral Construction, Inc. for the Construction of the Ogden Gardens Water Trust Water Storage Tank and Building
12. Resolution: Authorizing a Contract for Drainage Consultant Services
13. Resolution: Authorizing Contracts Providing 2022 Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance Plans
14. Resolution: Authorizing Blue Cross/Blue Shield as Kane County's Group Health Benefit Provider for 2022
15. Resolution: Approving the 2022 Monthly Health and Dental Contributions
16. Resolution: Cancelling the 2021 Annual Employee Wellness Biometric Screening Due to COVID-19
17. Resolution: Authorizing Appointment of Private Placement Agent for the Sale of General Obligation Refunding Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source)
18. Ordinance: Authorizing the Issuance of Not to Exceed $9,750,000 of General Obligation Refunding Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source) of the County for the Purpose of Paying the Costs of Refunding Certain Outstanding Bonds of Said County, Providing for the Pledge of Certain Revenues to the Payment of Principal and Interest on the Bonds and for the Levy of Property Taxes Sufficient to Pay Such Principal and Interest if the Pledged Revenues are Insufficient to Make Such Payment, and Providing for the Sale of the Bonds to the Purchaser Thereof
19. Resolution: Approving of Personnel Hiring, Kane County Division of Transportation - Ride in Kane Program Coordinator
20. Resolution: Approving of Personnel Replacement Hiring, Kane County Division of Transportation - Highway Maintainer
| RESULT: MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE NEXT: 9/14/2021 9:45 AM
To: County Board MOVER: Dale Berman, Board Member SECONDER: Jarett Sanchez, Board Member AYES: Mavis Bates, Dale Berman, Mark Davoust, Ron Ford, Drew Frasz, Michelle Gumz, Michael Kenyon, Chris Kious, John Martin, Myrna Molina, Jarett Sanchez, Cherryl Strathmann, Clifford Surges, Vern Tepe, Kenneth C. Shepro |
(Moved Off Consent.) Member Surges discussed the lengthy time it takes for the county’s interview/hiring process to replace an employee who has left. The resolution before the committee would allow for a replacement employee to be hired only if the position has been previously budgeted. To streamline the entire process, only the signature of the department head and the Chairwoman would be required to move the resolution forward. A dialog followed on why the original hiring freeze was put in place.
Interim Human Resources Exec. Dir. Lobrillo proceeded to explain that the resolution in the agenda packet was only seeking approval for the building management and Information Technology departments. But after discussing the matter with others, she believed it would benefit all county departments. Per questions, Ms. Lobrillo explained the new process would eliminate a review/approval of a resolution for a replacement hire by the full board. Madam Chair Pierog confirmed her understanding that as long as the pay range of the replacement hire stayed within the department's budget, there would be no issue. If the pay range was higher than budgeted, she did not have to sign the resolution. Member Molina raised the question if it would be beneficial to either remove or amend Resolution 17-202 (County hiring freeze), or return the proposed resolution to the committee, wherein Member Surges clarified he did not want to remove the hiring freeze but only to expedite the replacement hiring process.
While there was a motion and a second to amend the motion to include all departments, after some discussion the amendment was rescinded, the Committee agreed to vote on the resolution as written, and, at next month’s meeting consider the other departments.
| RESULT: MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE NEXT: 9/14/2021 9:45 AM
To: County Board MOVER: Dale Berman, Board Member SECONDER: Clifford Surges, Board Member AYES: Mavis Bates, Dale Berman, Mark Davoust, Ron Ford, Drew Frasz, Michelle Gumz, Michael Kenyon, Chris Kious, John Martin, Myrna Molina, Jarett Sanchez, Cherryl Strathmann, Clifford Surges, Vern Tepe ABSTAIN: Kenneth C. Shepro |
| RESULT: MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE NEXT: 9/14/2021 9:45 AM
To: County Board MOVER: Dale Berman, Board Member SECONDER: Jarett Sanchez, Board Member AYES: Mavis Bates, Dale Berman, Mark Davoust, Ron Ford, Drew Frasz, Michelle Gumz, Michael Kenyon, Chris Kious, John Martin, Myrna Molina, Jarett Sanchez, Cherryl Strathmann, Clifford Surges, Vern Tepe, Kenneth C. Shepro |
1. Resolution: Establishing Juneteenth as a Holiday in the County of Kane
Because Juneteenth is recognized as a Federal and State holiday, passing the resolution would allow Kane County to be in compliance.
| RESULT: MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE NEXT: 9/14/2021 9:45 AM
To: County Board MOVER: Clifford Surges, Board Member SECONDER: Dale Berman, Board Member AYES: Mavis Bates, Dale Berman, Ron Ford, Drew Frasz, Michelle Gumz, Michael Kenyon, Chris Kious, John Martin, Myrna Molina, Jarett Sanchez, Cherryl Strathmann, Clifford Surges, Vern Tepe, Kenneth C. Shepro AWAY: Mark Davoust |
1. Resolution: Approving a Contract with Morse Electric, Inc. of Freeport, Illinois for Comprehensive Generator Replacement Project for the Division of Transportation (Bid 35-021)
2. Resolution: Adopting Land Use Assumptions Associated with the Imposition of Impact Fees
3. Ordinance: Approving Alteration of Statutory Speed Limit - St. Charles Township
4. Resolution: Establishing a Public Hearing Date for Consideration of the Comprehensive Road Improvement Plan and the Imposition of Road Improvement Impact Fees
5. Resolution: Approving an Amendment for On-Call Design Engineering Services with BLA, Inc. of Itasca, Illinois, Kane County Section No. 18-00506-00-ES
| RESULT: MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE NEXT: 9/14/2021 9:45 AM
To: County Board MOVER: Drew Frasz, Board Member SECONDER: Clifford Surges, Board Member AYES: Mavis Bates, Dale Berman, Ron Ford, Drew Frasz, Michelle Gumz, Michael Kenyon, Chris Kious, John Martin, Myrna Molina, Jarett Sanchez, Cherryl Strathmann, Clifford Surges, Vern Tepe, Kenneth C. Shepro AWAY: Mark Davoust |
(Moved Off Consent.) Member Kious, on behalf of his constituents, voiced objection to this resolution due to 1) its size; 2) it requiring residents to pay for a toll to cross a bridge in their own town, and 3) a large portion of the toll paying for the administration of collecting the toll. Kious reminded the board that the toll for the bridge did have a sunset clause. Transportation Chairman Frasz relayed that this resolution pertained to the last land acquisition (Section C2) for the project and was part of the mitigation requirement with the forest preserve, as also explained by KDOT Deputy Rickert. Per Rickert, the cost for collecting (operations) the toll was estimated at $0.30 cents.
| RESULT: MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE NEXT: 9/14/2021 9:45 AM
To: County Board MOVER: Drew Frasz, Board Member SECONDER: Dale Berman, Board Member AYES: Dale Berman, Drew Frasz, Michelle Gumz, Michael Kenyon, John Martin, Myrna Molina, Cherryl Strathmann, Clifford Surges, Vern Tepe, Kenneth C. Shepro ABSTAIN: Mavis Bates, NAYS: Chris Kious, Jarett Sanchez AWAY: Mark Davoust, Ron Ford |
None.
10. Committee Reports
None.
11. Adjournment
| RESULT: APPROVED WITH VOICE VOTE [13 TO 0]
MOVER: Michael Kenyon, Board Member SECONDER: Kenneth C. Shepro, Ex-Officio County Board Vice Chair AYES: Mavis Bates, Dale Berman, Drew Frasz, Michelle Gumz, Michael Kenyon, Chris Kious, John Martin, Myrna Molina, Jarett Sanchez, Cherryl Strathmann, Clifford Surges, Vern Tepe, Kenneth C. Shepro AWAY: Mark Davoust, Ron Ford |
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