Peoria Standard

The Peoria County Health, Public Safety and Justice Committee met Jan. 3 to address staffing shortages.

Here are the meeting's minutes, as provided by the committee:

The Health, Public Safety, and Justice Committee considers matters concerning a) the operations of the justice system in the County including civil and criminal courts; law enforcement; adult and juvenile detention; and emergency management, b) public health and environmental issues including prevention of disease, illness and injury; sustainability and resource conservation and care and support for the elderly and the disabled, c) animal control and protection and d) it shall serve as the Appeal Board under the Peoria County Housing Maintenance and Occupancy Ordinance.

Approved 1/23/17 MINUTES Health, Public Safety and Justice Committee January 3, 2017 @ 2:00 p.m.

MEMBERS PRESENT Robert Baietto - Chairman; Brian Elsasser (via

teleconference), Thomas O'Neill, Rachael Parker, Michael Phelan, Phillip Salzer - Committee Members MEMBERS ABSENT: Sharon Williams OTHERS PRESENT: Scott Sorrel - County Administrator; Shauna Musselman -

Assistant County Administrator; Larry Evans, Ben Ciravolo - State's Attorney's Office; Andrew Rand - County Board Chairman; Eric Dubrowski - Chief Financial Officer; Randy Brunner, Joyce Harmon - Finance; Angela Loftus - Human Resources; Gretchen Pearsall - Communications; Gene Huber - Health Department; Karen Raithel - Sustainability & Resource Conservation; Rena' Parker - Court Administration; Dan Hunt - Probation & Court Services; Steve Richter - Heddington Oaks; Mark Little - Chief Information Officer; Denise Patton, Doug Gaa - Sheriff's Office; Amy Marion - ETSB; Dan O'Connell - Facilities; Robert Spears - Circuit Clerk

Call to Order Chairman Baietto called the meeting to order at 2:00 pm.

A motion to approve the participation of Mr. Elsasser via teleconference was made by Mr. Salzer and seconded by Ms. Parker. Motion carried.

Mr. Evans introduced Mr. Ben Ciravolo, the new Assistant State's Attorney in the Civil Division.

Approval of Minutes A motion to approve the minutes of November 14, 2016 and November 22, 2016 was made by Mr. O'Neill and seconded by Mr. Rand. The motion carried.

Informational Items / Reports / Other Minutes / Updates

DUI Court Treatment Services Mr. Hunt advised that in late 2016, the courts were awarded a DUI Court Grant. The grant funds treatment services involved, and an agreement between the 10th Judicial Circuit Court and the Human Service Center will provide for those services.

PCAPS Monthly Department Report No report. No questions or comments from committee.

ETSB Ms. Marion advised that the State of Illinois has mandated the 911 System to consolidate PSAP's, with Peoria mandated to consolidate down to two. She stated that the ETSB Board has been approached by both Chillicothe and Peoria Heights; Chillicothe requested that their PSAP be officially closed by the end of January, and Peoria Heights has requested a waiver from the State of Illinois for up to two years. Both requests have been submitted to the State, who has approved the plan modification to make Chillicothe part of Peoria Heights. The State has also granted an 18 month extension, to December 31, 2018, to complete the final consolidation.

Emergency Management Agency Update No report. No questions or comments from committee.

Public Defender Report No report. No questions or comments from committee.

Board of Health Ms. Huber advised that a community kick-off for the Community Health Improvement Plan is scheduled for January 19, 2017. The multi-county plan includes Peoria, Tazewell and Woodford Counties, along with hospitals in those counties.

Ms. Huber advised that Jennifer Allison has been elected as Board of Health President, effective January 2017.

Sustainability and Resource Conservation Office Ms. Raithel noted that the holiday season results in an increase in the amount of material in both the waste stream and the recycling drop off centers. She advised that information regarding "Give Back Box" is included in the update, which provides alternate uses for cardboard boxes through re-use.

Ms. Raithel advised that a fire set in one of the drop-off bins has been cleaned with the assistance of the Sheriff's Office and the Ecology Crew.

Heddington Oaks Update - Marketing Report Mr. Richter advised that November saw 40 referrals, 17 admissions and 17 discharges. He also commented that 17 tours were given in November. He stated that there are currently 55 individuals waiting for a Medicaid bed at Heddington Oaks, and reminded the committee that only Medicare and Private Pay residents are being accepted due to the staffing issues and the closing of the Medicare Unit.

Mr. Sorrel advised that the staffing shortage continues to be a challenge and the sole reason the Medicare Wing has not been re-opened. He stated that the facility is in need of RNs, particularly for the Medicare Wing, as opposed to LPNs or CNAs. He advised that although the starting wage has been increased for RNs, which has resulted in the recruitment and hiring of several RNs, he added that at the same time several RNs have been terminated. He commented that although the wage rate for RNs is market competitive for long-term care, the county cannot be competitive with hospitals. He stated that when Methodist College of Nursing begins its spring semester, the county will initiate a CNA participation program. He also advised that utilizing the county's tuition reimbursement program will allow, or incentivize, employees who are CNAs or LPNs to go back to school through a partnership with Methodist College of Nursing to become an RN.

Mr. Sorrel advised that Mr. Tim Turpin, previously the Assistant Director of Nursing, is the current Interim Administrator effective January 1, 2017. He has begun working on plans of correction as they relate to the annual survey. The Director of Nursing position has been filled via internal promotion, and active recruitment continues for Assistant Director of Nursing and Finance Director.

Financials No report.

Committee Action

• Review of Executive Session Minutes Mr. Evans recommended that all previously held executive session minutes continue to be held closed as the need for confidentiality still exists, and to destroy executive session audio recordings more than two years old, except those that relate to pending litigation. A motion to accept the recommendation of the State's Attorney's Office was made by Mr. O'Neill and seconded by Mr. Salzer. The motion carried, with Mr. Elsasser voting aye via teleconference.

Miscellaneous Mr. Brunner advised of the passing of Mark Elliott, the individual who trained him in volunteer work for EMA.

Adjournment The meeting was adjourned by Chairman Baietto at 2:20 p.m.

Recorded & Transcribed by: Jan Kleffman