Will County Republican Caucus Committee met April 20.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
I. CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL
Minority Leader Mike Fricilone called the meeting to order at 5:34 PM
| Attendee Name | Title | Status | Arrived |
| Sandy Ceci | Present | ||
| Mike Fricilone | Minority Leader | Present | |
| Judy Ogalla | Minority Whip | Present | |
| Jim Moustis | Member | Present | |
| Raquel M. Mitchell | Member | Absent | |
| Gretchen Fritz | Member | Absent | |
| Donald Gould | Member | Present | |
| Steve Balich | Member | Present | |
| Annette Parker | Member | Present | |
| Julie Berkowicz | Member | Present | |
| Frankie Pretzel | Member | Present | |
| Tom Weigel | Member | Present | |
| Debbie Kraulidis | Member | Present |
Mrs. Ogalla led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
IV. OLD BUSINESS
V. NEW BUSINESS
1. Discussion of County Board Agenda
Mr. Fricilone stated we have 4 proclamations.
Mrs. Parker asked the status of item #3 for Land Use - zoning case ZC-22-004; map amendment from C-1 and R-4 to I-1 and special use permit for light equipment sales/rentals.
Mrs. Ogalla answered the committee supported it.
Mr. Fricilone indicated he did not see an issue with it. There is already a building there.
Mrs. Parker commented Ms. Ventura does not believe it should go to an I zoning because then a warehouse could be put there. I have not heard any objections. Mr. Weigel stated on item #6 - ZC-22-007; special use permit for a halfway house (in-patient rehabilitation facility), there is an objection to that.
Mr. Palmer indicated the objection was filed yesterday; it was certified as a legal objection, so that requires 20 votes. It is possible that the applicant may ask for it to be delayed, just because there is some uncertainty whether he has support or not. The language in our ordinance has to call it a halfway house, but it is not a halfway house. It is a 16-bed treatment center. This individual runs one on Richards St and on Rt. 52 right by the Public Safety Complex. Both are well maintained and have not had any complaints. In comparison, the location on Rt. 52, the applicant had to send out 70 certified letters, because they are closer to a residential area. The one on the agenda tomorrow; he only had to send out 6 certified letters. That gives you an idea how close the homes are. But it is close to Cadence Logistics, the objector.
Mr. Fricilone noted this property is surrounded by the property owned by Cadence Logistics and the owner wanted to buy this property. He bought the property after the applicant bought his property.
Mrs. Adams advised the caucus that the applicant will be asking to postpone the case.
Mr. Fricilone reviewed the resolutions under the Finance Committee. Mr. Gould reviewed the resolutions under the Public Works & Transportation Committee.
Mr. Fricilone reviewed the resolutions under the Public Health & Safety Committee.
Mr. Palmer advised the caucus that the legislation proposed by the County Executive did not pass in the Spring Session; it could come back in the Veto Session.
Mr. Fricilone asked if everyone understood what we are doing with the energy we will be providing for the RNG plant? We will be buying it from Constellation, who is our current provider for the other electricity. We will be doing 75% green. Mr. Moustis stated he will not be voting for that.
Mrs. Ogalla indicated she is a no vote too.
Mr. Gould noted he is at 50%. Yesterday the Biden Administration said nuclear is part of our future. I don’t understand why this County Board does not believe in buying locally. Half the energy this County buys will be at that RNG plant.
Mr. Fricilone suggested trying to amend it on the floor to 50%. We didn’t have the votes at committee.
Mr. Gould stated he will amend it to 50%. We met everyone half way 3 years ago; it was a good agreement.
Mrs. Ogalla indicated she will second that tomorrow.
Mr. Moustis expressed concern with the resolution authorizing vehicles for the Coroner’s Office and EMA Department.
A brief discussion followed regarding the purchase of the vehicles.
Mr. Fricilone asked if everyone is aware of what is going on with the RNG plant. There are resolutions for spare parts that we have to keep on hand and removal of the underground storage tank.
A brief discussion followed regarding the budget for the RNG plant.
Mr. Fricilone asked if everyone was OK with the appointments this month.
Mr. Palmer stated there is one clarification. The Lockport Cemetery appointment was removed last month at the request of the County Executive; there was an error in the software system that you could still get to the removed document. For all practical purposes, you did not approve it last month, so it is on the agenda for this month.
Mr. Fricilone stated we talked last time about the Kronos system and Mrs. Ogalla has been trying to figure out what is going on. This system deals with payroll. We have a contract that is time and material; we do not know if there is a not to exceed clause in there. Mr. Palmer will be getting a meeting together with Mrs. Ogalla, Mr. Shay and myself so we can find out what is going on. We don’t want this to be endless.
Mrs. Ogalla commented she believes there is a real issue. We might get it to work, but there is concern on the on-going maintenance.
Mr. Fricilone indicated once we have this meeting; we may need to have an independent consultant that can do an assessment to determine where this is going. We may need to shut it down and look at a new system.
Mr. Fricilone announced in July, our County Board meeting will be on Wednesday, July 20th. We will probably move the caucus to the Saturday before. Everyone please check your calendars to see if that date works. We will also take a look at the agenda; we can also meet before the County Board meeting and keep it short.
VI. OTHER NEW BUSINESS
VII. PUBLIC COMMENT
VIII. ANNOUNCEMENTS/REPORTS BY CHAIR
IX. EXECUTIVE SESSION
X. ADJOURNMENT
1. Motion to adjourn at 6:09 PM
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Steve Balich, Member SECONDER: Frankie Pretzel, Member AYES: Ceci, Fricilone, Ogalla, Moustis, Gould, Balich, Parker, Berkowicz, Pretzel, Weigel, Kraulidis ABSENT: Mitchell, Fritz |
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