Will County Diversity & Inclusion Committee met March 3.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
I. CALL TO ORDER
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
Ms. Berkowicz led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
III. ROLL CALL
Chair Margaret Tyson called the meeting to order at 12:18 PM
| Attendee Name | Title | Status | Arrived |
| Margaret Tyson | Chair | Present | |
| Denise E. Winfrey | Vice Chair | Present | |
| Julie Berkowicz | Member | Present | |
| Gretchen Fritz | Member | Absent | |
| Kenneth E. Harris | Member | Present | |
| Raquel M. Mitchell | Member | Present | |
| Sherry Newquist | Member | Present |
Also Present: N. Palmer, and M. Mueller.
IV. APPROVAL OF MUNUTES - AMENDED
1. WC Diversity & Inclusion Committee - Regular Meeting - Feb 3, 2021 11:00 AM
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Raquel M. Mitchell, Member SECONDER: Denise E. Winfrey, Vice Chair AYES: Tyson, Winfrey, Berkowicz, Harris, Mitchell, Newquist |
1. Diversity & Inclusion RFQ
(Update)
Ms. Tyson stated we have a draft that was attached. We do not need to vote as a committee to move this forward. The RFQ is just that; a request for qualifications not a final scope. The scope of work and pricing will be worked out in the future. The draft in today’s package is a collaborative effort between Mr. Palmer, Ms. Winfrey and I; and the County Executive’s Office. This draft is only the substantive language for the RFQ. The legal boilerplate stuff is being added prior to the RFQ going out. Being released is the first step of this process; once we have a proposal of qualifications from consultants we are going to interview. Starting Friday I believe that’s our target date for sending this RFQ out. We are going to interview a slew of consultants and consultant firms. We are going to rank up to three firms; the County Board will then approve the recommended list. Hopefully it will be available; this is the target date it will be available by the April County Board meeting. The County Executive’s Office will be responsible for negotiating the final scope and contract price; which will come back to the County Board for final approval probably in May. These are our target dates. The funding for this effort is in the County Executive Budget; but was originally talked about as a disparity study. We are not doing a disparity study at this time; but we may do one in the future based on the findings of the consultants work. Are there any questions?
2. Mission and Vision Statement
(Discussion)
Ms. Tyson stated the statement was attached to our agenda. Hopefully you had a chance to read it. I am going to read it again today. The mission and vision of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee is to promote diversity, inclusion, and equity within our workforce and community. We envision a county where every person is treated equally. This mission and vision statement is a compilation of what I read of what people submitted. I want to thank everyone who took the time to send something in; and even the ones who didn’t send anything in. You were just saying to me that what you saw was good enough; and we didn’t want to be redundant; and I appreciate that. So today I would like for us to vote on it; can I get a motion? Are there any questions. We have a vision and mission statement; we have a foundation we can move forward.
VI. OTHER OLD BUSINESS
VII. NEW BUSINESS
VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT
Ms. Ceci read the Public Comment into the record.
From: Ellen S. Walsh in regards to Cannabis Sales tax dollars. I would like to know why the Will County Board has not discussed and come up with a plan for the usage of these funds. Since these are not new tax dollars based on usage, it seems to me that these funds should be used for some type of community good or reparations. Evanston seems to be leading the way in terms of trying to use these funds in a humanitarian manner. I understand that a resolution has been written regarding the potential use of these funds, but no committee will put this resolution on their agenda for discussion. If this is in fact the case, I find it reprehensible that you as our elected officials are not opening this idea up for discussion. It seems to me that this does represent open government. We elected you to represent us, not to ignore and avoid any new ideas. Minimally there should be an open discussion and a hearing to determine how the citizens feel these funds should be spent. If no committee will place this item on their agenda, I suspect that these funds will at some time just slide into funds balances and be used in the general funds. This potential “bait and switch” is not open government. The citizens will figure out what you have done. You have an opportunity to truly make a difference in the lives of some of our residents and lead the way with creative legislation. Instead of operating with politics as usual, why not take a risk and at last have an open and honest forum and discuss this resolution? I propose that the Finance Committee place this resolution on their agenda for the April committee meeting. If it is not going to be placed on the agenda, I would like communication as to why you will not consider this item. We elected you, now do your jobs. Lead, follow, or get out of the way. Sincerely, Ellen S. Walsh; Plainfield, IL
IX. ANNOUNCEMENTS/REPORTS BY CHAIR
X. EXECUTIVE SESSION
XI. ADJOURNMENT
https://willcountyil.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=15&ID=4010&Inline=True
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