Will County Democratic Caucus Committee met Jan. 16.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
I. CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL
Majority Leader Mark Ferry called the meeting to order at 8:49 AM
| Attendee Name | Title | Status | Arrived |
| Sherry Newquist | Member | Present | |
| Mark Ferry | Majority Leader | Present | |
| Tyler Marcum | Member | Present | |
| Herbert Brooks Jr. | Member | Present | |
| Mimi Cowan | Member | Present | |
| Kenneth E. Harris | Member | Present | |
| Amanda Koch | Member | Present | |
| Meta Mueller | Majority Whip | Present | |
| Beth Rice | Member | Present | |
| Jacqueline Traynere | Member | Present | |
| Joe VanDuyne | Member | Present | |
| Rachel Ventura | Member | Present | |
| Denise E. Winfrey | Speaker | Present |
Also Present: Ms. Dunn
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
Mr. Marcum led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. WC Democratic Caucus - Special Meeting - Dec 15, 2019 6:30 PM
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Meta Mueller, Majority Whip
SECONDER: Tyler Marcum, Member
AYES: Newquist, Ferry, Marcum, Brooks Jr., Cowan, Harris, Koch, Mueller, Rice, Traynere, VanDuyne, Ventura, Winfrey
2. WC Democratic Caucus - Regular Meeting - Dec 19, 2019 8:45 AM
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Meta Mueller, Majority Whip
SECONDER: Tyler Marcum, Member
AYES: Newquist, Ferry, Marcum, Brooks Jr., Cowan, Harris, Koch, Mueller, Rice, Traynere, VanDuyne, Ventura, Winfrey
IV. OLD BUSINESS
V. NEW BUSINESS
1. Discussion of County Board Agenda
Land Use
Mr. Marcum said the first application on the agenda was withdrawn. The first Resolution was tabled at the Land Use Meeting; the second is an appeal of the Planning Zone Commission decision it needs 20 votes to override it.
Finance
Mr. Harris stated we didn’t have a Finance Meeting this month but we do have few items to place on file. The next Finance Committee Meeting will meet on February 4th. Included in that meeting will be a discussion on the Cannabis Tax; my plan is to hear from all other departments and what kind of impact this will have on operations. The funds will start coming in until September 2020. It will most likely not be factored in the budget until next year. We are looking to gather data for the best use of this money.
Ms. Dunn said we are in talks with the Circuit Clerk to begin with her office; based on the fact that she will have data. There is the expungement process and we are working on how we will go about that. We are hoping to have information from Ms. Chasteen and Chief Judge Schoenstedt; because we don’t have current or enough data yet with the Sheriff’s Office, or the Health Department to know what the effects it may have based on the legalization of Recreational Marijuana. If you have questions please contact Mr. Harris or myself.
Mr. Harris said keep in mind this is going to be a Countywide issue and not just a Finance issue.
Ms. Newquist said I understand that the State of Illinois isn’t going to issue any new recreational licenses until July 2020. If they are not going to issue and licenses until then it will be way beyond September before there are any functioning dispensaries.
Ms. Ventura stated we do have two dispensaries in Will County one in Joliet and one in Romeoville both opened on the first of January. I did ask Ms. Tatroe to look at some legislation that the City of Los Angeles has for their recreational marijuana to see what we can use here; and in conjunction with what the State is doing. She has feedback; but It looks like the feedback is telling us what we can and cannot do.
Ms. Traynere stated that I'm guessing there is a cost to this Expungement Process; and has not been budgeted for. This little bit of money that we are going to collect form these two dispensaries will help.
Public Works
Mr. Van Duyne said we have 10 items to vote on today; otherwise it is business as usual. On item 10 I would like to point out we will be doing some bridge inspections. We inspected half of them last year this year we will do the other half.
Mr. Ronaldson stated this is part of our annual program.
Public Health & Safety
The next meeting will be held on February 5, 2020; the meetings have moved to the County Board Committee Room.
Ms. Dunn stated prior to this year people were asking about the burn ordinance. I had staff pull all of the prior burn ordinance discussions; I would like you to review the information before it is brought up at the meetings so you can all understand what options have been reviewed in the past.
Ms. Cowan asked why is the burn ordinance in Public Health & Safety and not in Land Use.
Mr. Dubois stated it has always been reviewed in Public Health & Safety; it may have been brought up in Land Use but it is a Public Health issue.
Ms. Winfrey said historically the concerns around burning have been around people with asthma or respiratory issues; this is how it has come to Public Health & Safety Committee.
Legislative & Policy
Ms. Traynere stated the next meeting is February 11, 2020.
Capital Improvement
Mr. Brooks stated the next meeting will be February 4, 2020. We will have a dedication for Animal Control and the EMA Response Facility tentatively on March 5th ; once we receive confirmation of the time and date a calendar invite will be sent out. Please keep this date open if you would like to attend.
Executive
Ms. Winfrey stated the first item on the agenda the Houbolt Bridge Project will be tabled; we are not ready on that issue yet. Everything else is business as usual.
VI. OTHER NEW BUSINESS
VII. PUBLIC COMMENT
VIII. EXECUTIVE SESSION
IX. ADJOURNMENT
1. Motion to Adjourn @ 9:05 AM
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Joe VanDuyne, Member
SECONDER: Tyler Marcum, Member
AYES: Newquist, Ferry, Marcum, Brooks Jr., Cowan, Harris, Koch, Mueller, Rice, Traynere, VanDuyne, Ventura, Winfrey
X. NEXT MEETING - FEBRUARY 20, 2020
http://willcountyil.iqm2.com/citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=12&ID=3713&Inline=True
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