Peoria Standard

Peoria County Health, Public Safety and Justice Committee met January 22.

Here is the minutes provided by the Committee:

Members Present: Robert Baietto - Chairman; Brian Elsasser, Rachael Parker, Kate Pastucha, Steven Rieker, Phillip Salzer

Members Absent: Sharon Williams

Others Present: Scott Sorrel – County Administrator; Shauna Musselman - Assistant County Administrator; Jerry Brady, Larry Evans - State's Attorney's Office; Brad Harding – County Board Member; Eric Dubrowski – Chief Financial Officer; Julie Ciesla – Finance; Angela Loftus – Asst. Director of Human Resources; Gretchen Pearsall – Director of Strategic Communications; Monica Hendrickson – Health Department; Pat Risen – Circuit Clerk; Dan Hunt – Probation & Court Services; Rena’ Parker, Jennifer Shadid – Court Administration; Nicole Demetreas – Treasurer; Bridget Domenighini - PCAPS: Amy Marion - ETSB; Karen Raithel - Sustainability & Resource Conservation; Brian Asbell, Doug Gaa – Sheriff’s Office; Jamie Harwood - Coroner; Nathan Bach, Kristen Collins - Public Defender; Dan O’Connell – Facilities

Call to Order:

Chairman Baietto called the meeting to order at 1:03 pm.

Approval of Minutes:

A motion to approve the minutes of November 27, 2017 was made by Mr. Salzer and seconded by Mr. Elsasser. The motion carried.

Informational Items / Reports / Other Minutes / Updates:

• Establishment of Peoria City/County Health Department as the Emergency Management Agency designee for the County of Peoria

Ms. Hendrickson advised that a recommendation to establish the Health Department as the Emergency Management Agency designee for the County is being brought forward to the committee for discussion. She noted that EMA was incorporated into the Sheriff’s Office several years ago, with the Health Department providing strategic support for the EMA utilizing an All Hazard Emergency Operations Planning model. She advised that recent discussion between County Administration, the Health Department and the Sheriff’s Office centered on capacities, strategic importance and prioritization has resulted in a goal of incorporating the EMA into the Health Department. She commented that the Health Department has two large, Federal passthrough grants, which would increase the ability to streamline as well as collaborate for cost savings.

Mr. Sorrel reiterated that the Sheriff’s Office has been the official designee for approximately five years; prior to that the EMA was comprised of an appointed department head who reported to the County Administrator. Sheriff Asbell stressed continued collaboration, and stated that the involvement of designated employees at the Sheriff’s Office will continue unchanged. He advised that establishing the Health Department as designee will assist in grant funding. Captain Gaa advised that the Sheriff’s Office will continue to be actively involved as the coordinator for any law enforcement function of the EMA. He also noted the increased funding capabilities, additional opportunity for revenue and continued ability to work collaboratively with the Health Department.

• PCAPS Monthly Department Report

Mr. Rieker noted the consistent year to year numbers, and asked if PCAPS has adequate resources for the conduct of business in the coming year. Ms. Domenighini advised that the office intends to remodel in the coming months, which will positively impact adoptions. She also stated that the spay/neuter program was expanded in 2017.

• ETSB

No report. No questions or comments from committee.

• Emergency Management Agency

Mr. Harding asked if the EMA bunker is currently populated, and the future status of the bunker. Captain Gaa advised that Lt. Mitzelfelt is currently stationed at the bunker and there is no intent of depopulating the location. He also noted that the Lieutenant handles maintenance of the weather sirens, and there are no plans to change those functionalities. Mr. Harding asked if the water issues are being address, and Captain Gaa advised that the issues continue to be managed.

• Public Defender Report

Mr. Bach introduced Kristen Collins, ParaLegal/Administrative Assistant for the Public Defender’s Office.

• Sustainability and Resource Conservation Office

Ms. Raithel advised due to a posting error, the Landfill Committee meeting scheduled last week was rescheduled to January 24th. She stated that as the 2018 City/County Landfill budget will be voted on at that time, it will be necessary to schedule a special meeting of this committee to vote on passage of the budget in order to place the item on the February County Board agenda.

Mr. Elsasser asked about the increased landfill charges. Ms. Raithel advised that Waste Management made an autonomous decision in January 2016 to increase their minimum load rates coming into the landfill, which was not part of the pre-load program. She noted that the rate jumped from $20.00 a load to approximately $63.00 a load. Mr. Sorrel advised that the designated spokesman for the Landfill Committee is spearheading negotiations with Waste Management on this issue. Mr. Elsasser stated that the increased cost discourages individuals from transporting items to the landfill, and increases dumping along roadsides and in farm fields.

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. Salzer and seconded by Ms. Parker. The motion carried.

Resolution:

• State’s Attorney Appellate Prosecutor Authorization/Appropriation FY 2018

A motion to approve was made by Mr. Rieker and seconded by Mr. Elsasser. The motion carried.

Adjournment:

The meeting was adjourned by Chairman Baietto at 1:23 p.m.

http://www.peoriacounty.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02262018-491