DeKalb Times

DeKalb County Facilities & Technology Committee met Sept. 3.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

The Facilities & Technology Committee of the DeKalb County Board met on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, in the Legislative Center’s Gathertorium in Sycamore, Illinois. Chair Michelle Pickett called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m. The members present were Scott Campbell, Laurie Emmer, Rhonda Henke, Kathy Lampkins, Stewart Ogilvie, and Chair Pickett. A quorum was established with all six members present.

Others present included Network Systems Specialist Donny Adams, Interim County Administrator Derek Hiland, Information Management Office Director Sheila Santos, Facilities Management Director Jim Scheffers, Administrative Analyst Liam Sullivan, and County Board Chair Ellingsworth Webb.

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

Laurie Emmer moved to approve the agenda as presented. Rhonda Henke seconded the motion, and the motion was approved.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

Kathy Lampkins moved to approve the June 4, 2024 minutes. Stewart Ogilvie seconded the motion, and the motion was approved.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

None

PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

Presentation and Update from DeKalb County History Center (DCHC)

Executive Director Michelle Donahoe provided a chronology and background of the DeKalb History Center (DCHC). She outlined the DCHC’s mission to inspire curiosity in DeKalb County’s history. Donahoe reviewed the center’s programming, which includes collaborative exhibits, educational activities, publications, and resource sharing.

Donahoe outlined that the DCHC has received an Illinois Economic and Tourism Development Grant that will allow for significant property improvements, including increasing programming space and expansion of the parking area. She shared a map with the committee that illustrates how the new parking space will be configured on the property. Interim County Administrator Derek Hiland provided additional details of the project, including outlining how a portion of the space will continue to be used by the Sheriff’s Department. Donahoe mentioned that the DCHC is looking to finalize the plans for the property improvement by the end of the year.

Chair Pickett thanked Donahoe for the information provided and for the work she does for DeKalb County.

Discussion of Implementation of County Board iPads

Administrative Analyst Liam Sullivan provided instructions for operating the iPads and distributed a draft of the County Board iPads User Guide to the committee members. He thanked Information Management Office Director Sheila Santos and Network Systems Specialist Donny Adams for their work in implementing the new devices. Sullivan requested that the committee members provide Sullivan with feedback on the user guide draft.

Chair Pickett requested that Sullivan provide the committee with an estimate of the resource savings that will be realized as a result of the transition from paper copy. She added that the estimate will help to illustrate the value in implementing the iPads. Sullivan agreed to provide the estimate.

CONSIDERATIONS

Review of Ongoing County Maintenance Projects

Administration Bathroom Update

Derek Hiland provided overview of the Administration Building’s bathroom renovation, outlining that the project has taken longer to complete than originally anticipated due to challenges with the availability of labor and materials. He outlined that he is pleased with the results and invited the committee members to inspect the progress after the meeting is adjourned. Hiland credited the Administration Building staff for their patience during construction, adding that he expects the project to be completed by the end of the month.

OLD BUSINESS

Chair Pickett inquired with Facilities Management Director Jim Scheffers about the courthouse skylight repair and the status of the air conditioner repair at the nursing home. Scheffers stated that they are still working out the details of how to safely accomplish the skylight repair, as the project presents unique challenges. He mentioned that a crane may need to be used to facilitate the repair. Scheffers stated that he believes the air conditioner repair at the nursing home has been completed however, he mentioned that the repair does not fall under his area of responsibility.

NEW BUSINESS

None

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved by Kathy Lampkins and seconded by Rhonda Henke to adjourn the meeting. The motion was carried, and the meeting adjourned at 7:26 p.m.

https://dekalbcounty.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/packet-ft-10012024.pdf