DeKalb Times

DeKalb County Committee of the Whole met Nov. 8.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

The Committee of the Whole of the DeKalb County Board met in Sycamore, Illinois on Wednesday, November 8, 2023. Chair Suzanne Willis called the meeting to order at 7:00pm. Those Members present were Tim Bagby, Scott Campbell, Mary Cozad, Rukisha Crawford, Patrick Deutsch, Meryl Domina, Laurie Emmer, John Frieders, Rhonda Henke, Savannah Ilenikhena, Kathy Lampkins, Jim Luebke, Terri Mann-Lamb, Joseph Marcinkowski, Stewart Ogilvie, Jerry Osland, Michelle Pickett, Roy Plote, Chris Porterfield, Amber Quitno, and Ellingsworth Webb. A quorum was established with twenty-two Members present, two absent.

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

Mann-Lamb moved to approve the agenda as presented. Webb seconded the motion. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

It was moved by Porterfield, seconded by Deutsch and it was carried by a voice vote, with all votes cast in the affirmative, to approve the minutes of the October 11, 2023 Regular Committee of the Whole Meeting and the November 1, 2023 Special Committee of the Whole Meeting.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Anna Wilhelmi spoke and reminded the County Board that oversight of the DeKalb County Rehab & Nursing Center (DCRNC) is important. She encouraged the County Board to establish an Oversight Board to oversee the operations of the DCRNC.

Carol Deemer thanked the County Board for working with her to find a way to keep the DCRNC and congratulated the Health & Human Services Committee on an excellent meeting.

Steve Ducrow spoke in favor of establishing an Oversight Board for the DCRNC and implementing the Jordan Healthcare Group’s Business Plan.

CHAIR’S COMMENTS

Chair Willis stated that the Committee will be discussing establishing an Oversight Board for the DCRNC. She stated that she does intend for this to be an action item for the County Board in November and the intention is to hash out the bylaws for the Oversight Committee so that the item will be ready for action by the December County Board Meeting.

PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

Discussion of Nursing Home Oversight Board

County Administrator Brian Gregory explained that it was asked that an Ordinance establishing an Oversight Board for the DCRNC be brought to the Committee of the Whole. The Bylaws of the previous nursing home operating board were provided to the Committee as a starting point for drafting Bylaws for the Oversight Board. Gregory suggested modifying the Bylaws of the Operating Board to include language that retains more authority for the County Board including aligning with the County’s procurement policy, procedures for employment status, determination of wages, and that collective bargaining be maintained by the County Board. Additionally, it was recommended that in the instance that the County Board decides to hire a management company, limitations and the authority of the management company be laid out in the Bylaws.

Crawford asked if this would be a volunteer board or if the members would be paid. Chair Willis stated that this would be a volunteer Board.

Campbell stated that he and Chair Willis have been independently working on proposals for the makeup of the membership for the Board. He requested that Chair Willis share her proposal. Chair Willis provided the following proposal:

• No current staff members shall be a member of the Oversight Board

• The County Board Chair shall be the Chair of the Oversight Board

• The Board will include one member of the County’s Health & Human Services (HHS) Committee and one member of the Finance & Administration (F&A) Committee

• The Board shall have one member to represent the DCRNC Resident Council

• The remaining members shall be members of the public that have relevant expertise

• The Oversight Board shall be non-partisan

• Selection for appointment to the Oversight Board is determined by both the County Board Chair and Vice-Chair to ensure that the selection is bipartisan.

Campbell asked how Chair Willis envisions members of the HHS and F&A Committees be selected. Chair Willis stated that the member will be chosen by the Committee. Campbell stated that his proposal was similar but also included one member of the County Board at large for a total of nine members.

Frieders suggested having an even number of members, either eight or ten, so that decisions by the Oversight Board are made by consensus. He suggested that if there is no consensus on a decision, that the decision shall be referred to the County Board.

Ogilvie suggested that a member of the Facilities & Technology Committee should be on the Oversight Board in place of the member at large.

Portfield stated that he feels an odd number of members so that a consensus can be reached is more practical than having an even number of members. Chair Willis said the effectiveness of an even vs odd number of members can be evaluated and changed after a period of time if necessary.

Bart Becker, the Administrator of the DCRNC, suggested that the remaining positions be composed of members of the public that have expertise in one or more of the remaining fields: Skilled Nursing, Accounting, Law, Healthcare, and Healthcare Administration.

Gregory stated that Staff will review all of the suggestions made and bring forward a list of options at the next Committee of the Whole.

Reports from Appointed Boards & Commissions

There were no reports from Appointed Boards & Commissions.

Reports from Committee Chairs

Terri Mann-Lamb, Chair of Planning, Zoning, and Development Committee, reported that the Committee did not have any actionable items.

Patrick Deutsch, Chair of Highway Committee, shared that the Highway Committee has brought forward five resolutions: R2023-105—A Resolution Approving 2024 MFT General Maintenance Expenditures, R2023-106—A Resolution for the Federal Highway Matching Tax Fund Balance, R2023-107—A Resolution for Anticipation of FY24 Township Bridge Funds for Section 19-17129-00-BR, Pritchard Road Bridge, R2023-108—A Resolution Approving a Preliminary Engineering Agreement for Anderland Road Bridge, and R2023-109—A Resolution Approving a Preliminary Engineering Agreement for Plank Road Intersection.

Rukisha Crawford, Chair of Human Health & Services Committee, reported that the Committee has brought forward R2023-114—A Resolution Authorizing the Increase of Daily Private Pay Resident Room Rates at the DeKalb County Rehab & Nursing Center Effective January 1, 2024. Gregory noted that private room rates were overlooked during the discussion at the Committee and recommended that the private room rate be set at an additional $50 per day.

Ellingsworth Webb, Chair of the Facilities & Technology Committee, shared that the Committee did not have any actionable items.

Kathy Lampkins, Chair of Law & Justice Committee, reported that the Committee met on October 23rd and heard a report from the Sheriff’s Department regarding Electronic Home Monitoring. Lampkins noted that the Law & Justice Committee would be hearing a presentation from Court Services at their next meeting.

Scott Campbell, Chair of Finance & Administration Committee, reported that the Committee has forwarded five Resolutions: R2023-110—A Resolution Approving the Salaries of Elected Officials, R2023-111—A Resolution Approving of the Annual Participation in the Service Program of the Office of the State's Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor, R2023-112—A Resolution Approving Amendments to the FY2023 Budget, R2023-103—A Resolution Approving Amendments to the FY2024 Preliminary Budget, and Resolution R2023-113—A Resolution Approving the Payment of County Claims for November 2023, and Off-Cycle Claims Paid During the Previous Month, Including All Claims for Travel, Meals, and Lodging, as well as the reports of County Officials.

Vice-Chair Frieders shared that following this meeting, the Executive Committee would be considering Ordinance O2023-26—An Ordinance Establishing an Oversight Committee for the DeKalb County Rehab & Nursing Center, as well as three Resolutions: R2023-115—A Resolution Authorizing the Approval and Release of Certain Executive Session Meeting Minutes, and the Destruction of Certain Verbatim Recordings, R2023-116—A Resolution Authorizing the Adoption and Implementation of Jordan Healthcare Group’s Business Plan for the DeKalb County Rehab & Nursing Center, and R2023-117—A Resolution Approving a Letter of Support for the Harkness Property Tax Increment Redevelopment Project Area Termination Date Extension Request.

COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

Mr. Gregory shared that the December meeting schedule has changed. He stated that traditionally, the County Board takes a recess during the month of December, but due to several time sensitive items, certain Committees will hold meetings. Those meetings will be held a week prior to their regularly scheduled meeting date.

Gregory discussed that a preliminary plan set has been created for the updates to the public bathrooms in the Administration Building. Those plans were brought to the Public Building Commission and approved. Additionally, new carpet is scheduled to be installed in the Elections Office.

Additionally, Gregory took a moment to recognize all of the veterans on the County Board and members of the public and thank them for their service. He went on to congratulate the City of DeKalb for being recognized as the Veteran City of the Year by the national veteran organization 40&8.

Old Business

There were no Old Business items.

New Business

Crawford inquired about the policy for virtual attendance. Chair Willis noted that she will consult the State’s Attorney’s Office and also determine if virtual participation is allowed under the open meetings act.

ADJOURNMENT

Mann-Lamb moved to adjourn the meeting. Crawford seconded the motion and it was carried unanimously.

https://dekalbcounty.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/minutes-cow-11082023.pdf