Will County Gazette

Will County Executive Committee met Dec. 2.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

I. CALL TO ORDER

II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG

Mr. Brooks led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

Speaker Cowan stated I believe everyone has heard this news by now. Unfortunately, the County suffered a tragic and sudden loss this week. The head of our Human Resources Department, Mr. Bruce Tidwell, passed away unexpectedly earlier this week. He served the County for a few weeks shy of 20 years. Anyone who has worked with Bruce knows what a font of information he was and support to his staff; some of which are here with us today and he was really an asset to the County. I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge that his team is hurting and we are here to support them, and we also send our well wishes to his family, friends and loved ones. With that, I would like to ask Reverend Brooks to start us off with a moment of reflection for Bruce.

Mr. Brooks stated good morning ladies and gentlemen and all of you who are tuning in via WebEx, as well as in this room. Having been a County Board Member since 2008, I have had two major surgeries while I sat on this Board. I cannot tell you all how helpful Bruce Tidwell had been with insurance. He always assigned someone to me. I know Ms. Regina Malone probably got tired of me, but he always assigned someone to me that helped me through all my insurance questions and things that I did not understand. Then during the day, when I saw him outside, he would always stop and ask if everything was okay and I would always say “thank you, Bruce”. To his family, I know you all have wonderful stories and testaments to say about him. I am going to ask that we all pause in a moment of silence. At this time Mr. Brooks recited from the Bible, Psalms 23, Verse 4. Thank you. As you know, please keep Bruce Tidwell’s family in your prayers. God bless you.

III. ROLL CALL

Chair Mimi Cowan called the meeting to order at 10:01 AM

Attendee Name	Title	Status	Arrived
Mimi Cowan	Chair	Present
Meta Mueller	Vice Chair	Present
Herbert Brooks Jr.	Member	Present
Mike Fricilone	Member	Present
Kenneth E. Harris	Member	Present
Tyler Marcum	Member	Present
Jim Moustis	Member	Present
Judy Ogalla	Member	Present
Annette Parker	Member	Present
Margaret Tyson	Member	Present
Joe VanDuyne	Member	Present
Rachel Ventura	Member	Present
Denise E. Winfrey	Member	Absent

County Board Members Present In-Person: Cowan, Brooks and Tyson.

Also Present: N. Palmer and B. Adams.

Present from State's Attorney's Office: M. Tatroe and K. Meyers.

IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

1. WC Executive Committee - Assignment Meeting - Oct 7, 2021 10:00 AM

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Margaret Tyson, Member SECONDER: Rachel Ventura, Member AYES: Cowan, Mueller, Brooks Jr., Fricilone, Harris, Marcum, Moustis, Ogalla, Parker, Tyson, VanDuyne, Ventura ABSENT: Winfrey

2. WC Executive Committee - Board Agenda Setting Meeting - Oct 14, 2021 10:00 AM

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Margaret Tyson, Member SECONDER: Herbert Brooks Jr., Member AYES: Cowan, Mueller, Brooks Jr., Fricilone, Harris, Marcum, Moustis, Ogalla, Parker, Tyson, VanDuyne, Ventura ABSENT: Winfrey

3. Executive Committee Executive Session October 14, 2021 Minutes

(Minutes)

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Margaret Tyson, Member SECONDER: Joe VanDuyne, Member AYES: Cowan, Mueller, Brooks Jr., Fricilone, Harris, Marcum, Moustis, Ogalla, Parker, Tyson, VanDuyne, Ventura ABSENT: Winfrey

V. OLD BUSINESS

1. Request by CED for Funding for CEDS (Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy) Plan

(CED)

Speaker Cowan stated my understanding is this is still being worked out between Leadership and the Executive's Office. I would like to request that we postpone for one month.

RESULT: POSTPONED [UNANIMOUS] TO: Will County Executive Committee MOVER: Herbert Brooks Jr., Member SECONDER: Mike Fricilone, Member AYES: Cowan, Mueller, Brooks Jr., Fricilone, Harris, Marcum, Moustis, Ogalla, Parker, Tyson, VanDuyne, Ventura ABSENT: Winfrey

2. Authorizing County Executive to Execute Agreement with Will County Center for Economic Development (CED)

(Discussion)

Speaker Cowan stated I believe the County Executive's Office is in the final stages of working out the details. Will you have everything ready in a week?

Mr. Schaben replied yes.

RESULT: POSTPONED [UNANIMOUS] TO: Will County Executive Committee MOVER: Mike Fricilone, Member SECONDER: Rachel Ventura, Member AYES: Cowan, Mueller, Brooks Jr., Fricilone, Harris, Marcum, Moustis, Ogalla, Parker, Tyson, VanDuyne, Ventura ABSENT: Winfrey

VI. OTHER OLD BUSINESS

VII. NEW BUSINESS

1. Presentation by RTA on FY22 Capital Program and Budget - Presentation Attached

(Leanne Redden)

Mr. Ross stated welcome. I am here to help answer any questions you have and to let the Board know this has been a very challenging year for the RTA and all three service Boards.

Ms. Leanne Redden gave an overview the of the RTA's FY2022 Capital Program and Budget.

Speaker Cowan thanked Ms. Redden for joining the meeting and sharing the information from RTA; it is always good to know about these services.

Mrs. Ogalla asked you mentioned you were able to take advantage of the veto session; can you explain exactly what the outcome of that was?

Ms. Redden replied I will try to do it as simply as possible. As a region, we are required to have 50% of the fares as the operating costs of the three operations. Because of these dynamics, it is really a math problem, and not the worse problem to have, because ridership is still low and fares are low, in order to encourage ridership, and because the sales taxes have come back very strongly, the numbers are out of whack. The easiest way to describe it is, because the numbers are out of whack, we are not able to meet the 50% recovery ratio. The federal relief dollars have been floating the service Board, in terms of the lost revenues, but we needed to get a technical waiver from the State of Illinois to not have to have the 50% recovery ratio requirement. We asked for that waiver for the next three years as we try to work out and determine what the future is going to look like. We recognize that we want to ensure that there is good balance between the fed’s revenue and other taxpayer subsidies. That was the work we have been doing in Springfield over the last couple of months.

Mrs. Ogalla stated thank you for the explanation. I thought that might be a problem as there are not as many people riding.

Mrs. Parker asked when you said there was 874,000 trips; does that mean people taking trips, or round trip rides?

Ms. Redden replied the number of trips each day. As an example, one individual might be two trips, if you took Metra downtown, presumably you would take it back. We count the individual trips, and on average there are 874,000 trips each day, across the three service Boards. That is down significantly from the 1.5 million we carried daily, pre-pandemic. It is still down significantly, but it has been slowly growing back over the summer. One of our challenges is looking at what ridership is going to look like in the future as people will be traveling and moving differently. One thing we have seen is a strong recovery, back to pre-pandemic levels in terms of weekend ridership, special event ridership and those type of things. We know that transit is still viable, we just have to think about how people are going to use it and how we are going to operate it going forward.

Speaker Cowan stated once again, thank you to our friends at the RTA and we certainly appreciate your time. If anybody as further questions, we will reach out.

VIII. COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT REQUESTS

A. Land Use & Development Committee

T. Marcum, Chair

B. Finance Committee

J. Traynere, Chair

Mr. Harris asked if the discussion of the RNG project was going to be on the Finance Committee Agenda?

Mrs. Jakaitis replied the agenda will be going out today and there is a discussion, under Old Business, on the RNG Facility. Our Bond Counsel has a presentation that will be in the packet about options for the financing.

1. Appropriating Emergency Solutions Grant Funds in the Veterans Assistance Commission FY2022 Budget

(Kristi McNichol)

2. Transferring Appropriations within Various County FY21 Budgets (ReShawn Howard)

3. Authorizing County Executive to Execute Necessary Documents for Delinquent Tax Program

(Julie Shetina / Jen Alberico)

C. Public Works & Transportation Committee

J. VanDuyne, Chair

1. Confirming Award of Contract to Various Contractors, Let on November 17, 2021, County Wide Maintenance Material - Bituminous Patching, All County Board Districts

(Jeff Ronaldson)

2. Confirming Award of Contract to Various Contractors, Let on November 17 2021, County Wide Maintenance Material - Various Aggregate, All County Board Districts

(Jeff Ronaldson)

3. Adopting IDOT Resolution for Improvement by County under the IL Highway Code for the County Wide Maintenance Material, All County Board Districts, Using MFT Funds ($4,442,020.00)

(Jeff Ronaldson)

4. Authorizing Approval of Professional Services Agreement for Design Engineering Services (Phase II) with A. Epstein and Sons International, Inc., on the Proposed Gougar Road (CH 52) Bridge over the CN Railroad, Section 21-00154-19-BR, County Board District #12

(Jeff Ronaldson)

5. Authorizing an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Lockport and the County of Will for Placement of an Emergency Vehicle Preemption System at Cedar Road (CH 04) and Division Street (CH 75), County Board District #7

(Jeff Ronaldson)

6. Improvement by County Under the IL Highway Code for the Countywide Concrete Repairs (Various County Highways), Using Additional MFT Funds ($7,460.89), Various County Board Districts

(Jeff Ronaldson)

7. Confirming Award of Contract to "D" Construction, Inc. ($249,146.06), Let on November 17, 2021, Wilmington Road District - W. Kankakee River Road, County Board District #6

(Jeff Ronaldson)

8. Authorizing Approval of a Revised IDOT - County Joint Agreement for Improvements along 80th Avenue (CH 83) between 191st Street (CH 84) and 183rd Street - County Board District #12

(Jeff Ronaldson)

9. Authorizing Approval of a Revised IDOT - County Joint Agreement for Improvements on Bell Road (CH 16) from 151st Street to 159th Street, County Board District #7

(Jeff Ronaldson)

D. Diversity & Inclusion Committee

M. Tyson, Chair

E. Public Health & Safety Committee

R. Ventura, Chair

F. Legislative & Judicial Committee

D. Winfrey, Chair

G. Capital Improvements Committee

H. Brooks, Jr., Chair

H. Executive Committee

M. Cowan, Chair

1. Presentation by Northern Illinois Food Bank

(Jeannine Kannegiesser/Hester Bury)

2. Presentation by Heritage Corridor & Convention Visitors Bureau and Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau

(Bob Navarro/Jim Garrett)

3. Amending Will County Code of Ordinances, Chapter 116 Re: Raffle Regulations

(Mary Tatroe)

4. Authorizing the County Executive to Execute a Contract with the ARPA Consultant

(County Executive's Office)

5. Affirming Support for Additional Funding for the Expansion of Paratransit Services in Will County

(Nick Palmer)

6. Amending Resolution #19-374, Suspending All Services other than Election Related Functions in the County Clerk's Office on March 17, 2020, November 3, 2020, March 15, 2022 and November 8, 2022

(Lauren Staley Ferry/Chuck Pelkie)

7. Will County Paratransit Integration and Efficiency Study (Mitch Schaben / Elaine Bottomley)

8. Authorizing the County Executive to Petition the City of Joliet for Annexation of a Will County Campus Parcel Pursuant to the County’s Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of Joliet

(Mitch Schaben)

9. Dissolving Ad-Hoc Committees No Longer Needed

(Mimi Cowan)

10. Correcting Scrivener’s Error in Ordinance #21-405

(Mimi Cowan)

11. Authorizing the Acquisition of Land Easements for Parcels Needed for the Construction of the RNG Pipeline

(Christina Snitko)

12. Authorizing the County Executive to Execute an Intergovernmental Agreement between New Lenox Township and the County of Will, Illinois for Electronics & Traditional Recycling

(Marta Keane)

13. Authorizing the County Executive to Execute Intergovernmental Sponsorship Participation Agreement with Crete Township for the Will County Mobility Management Project

(Wendie Garlich)

14. Authorizing the County Executive to Execute Intergovernmental Sponsorship Participation Agreement with Frankfort Township for the Will County Mobility Management Project

(Wendie Garlich)

15. Authorizing the County Executive to Execute Intergovernmental Sponsorship Participation Agreement with Monee Township for the Will County Mobility Management Project

(Wendie Garlich)

16. Authorizing the County Executive to Execute Intergovernmental Sponsorship Participation Agreement with Peotone Township for Continuation in the Will County Mobility Management Project

(Wendie Garlich)

17. Authorizing the County Executive to Execute Intergovernmental Sponsorship Participation Agreement with Washington Township for the Will County Mobility Management Project

(Wendie Garlich)

18. Authorizing the County Executive to Execute Intergovernmental Sponsorship Participation Agreement with Will Township for the Will County Mobility Management Project

(Wendie Garlich)

19. Authorizing the County Executive to Execute The Northeastern Illinois Area Agency on Aging/Age Guide Title III Older Americans Act Grant Award Agreement FY22

(Wendie Garlich)

20. Authorizing the County Executive to Execute Intergovernmental Service Provider Agreement with Pace for Continuation as the Service Provider for the Will County Mobility Management Project

(Wendie Garlich)

IX. OTHER NEW BUSINESS

X. REQUEST FOR STATE'S ATTORNEY'S OPINION

XI. ACCEPT COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT REQUESTS

Motion to Add Appropriating Grant Funds in the Coroner's Budget to the Finance Committee Agenda

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Meta Mueller, Vice Chair SECONDER: Rachel Ventura, Member AYES: Cowan, Mueller, Brooks Jr., Fricilone, Harris, Marcum, Moustis, Ogalla, Parker, Tyson, VanDuyne, Ventura ABSENT: Winfrey

Motion to Add to the Executive Committee Agenda, an Adjustment of Election Precincts

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Margaret Tyson, Member SECONDER: Herbert Brooks Jr., Member AYES: Cowan, Mueller, Brooks Jr., Fricilone, Harris, Marcum, Moustis, Ogalla, Parker, Tyson, VanDuyne, Ventura ABSENT: Winfrey

Motion to Accept the Committee Assignment Requests as Amended

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Margaret Tyson, Member SECONDER: Herbert Brooks Jr., Member AYES: Cowan, Mueller, Brooks Jr., Fricilone, Harris, Marcum, Moustis, Ogalla, Parker, Tyson, VanDuyne, Ventura ABSENT: Winfrey

XII. PUBLIC COMMENTS

Mrs. Jakaitis read the following e-mail into the record:

From: DORELLE ACKERMANN

Sent: Tuesday, November 30, 2021 9:28 AM

To: CB Public Comment <publiccomment@willcountyillinois.com>

Subject: Electrify our bus fleet

As a will county resident who recognizes the urgency of the climate crisis, I ask you to ramp up efforts to electrify our bus fleet. I am impressed with the county’s sustainability plan and now want to see actions that speak loudly.

Thank you,

Dorelle Ackermann

Mokena,Il. 60448

XIII. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT/ANNOUNCEMENTS

Speaker Cowan stated the County Executive has appointed Ms. Regina Malone as the Interim Director of Human Resources. If you have any items of concern or need to contact anyone, Ms. Malone is here and ready to help us out. I wanted to let everyone know that. Just another reminder, our intention is to go back to fully in-person meeting, beginning in January. The last time we tried this, we got a new variant and a spike and that seems to be happening again. We are going to keep our fingers crossed and try to make this work. Please everyone stay safe and healthy in the meantime.

XIV. EXECUTIVE SESSION - NECESSARY

1. Motion to go into Executive Session for Discussion of Labor Negotiations at 10:29 AM

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Margaret Tyson, Member SECONDER: Meta Mueller, Vice Chair AYES: Cowan, Mueller, Brooks Jr., Fricilone, Harris, Marcum, Moustis, Ogalla, Parker, Tyson, VanDuyne, Ventura ABSENT: Winfrey

2. Motion to Come Out of Executive Session at 11:40 AM

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Herbert Brooks Jr., Member SECONDER: Mike Fricilone, Member AYES: Cowan, Mueller, Brooks Jr., Fricilone, Harris, Marcum, Moustis, Ogalla, Parker, Tyson, VanDuyne, Ventura ABSENT: Winfrey

XV. ADJOURNMENT

1. Motion to Adjourn at 11:42 AM

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Margaret Tyson, Member SECONDER: Mike Fricilone, Member AYES: Cowan, Mueller, Brooks Jr., Fricilone, Harris, Marcum, Moustis, Ogalla, Parker, Tyson, VanDuyne, Ventura ABSENT: Winfrey

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