DuPage County Legislative Committee met Aug. 8.
Here is the minutes provided by the Committee:
1. CALL TO ORDER
9:15 AM meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Donald Puchalski at 9:45 AM.
2. ROLL CALL
PRESENT: DiCianni, Elliott (9:50 AM), Khouri, Puchalski, Tornatore, Noonan
ABSENT: Zay
County Staff present:
Sheryl Markay, Rick Veenstra, Alyssa Caballaro, Chad Shaffer, Evan Shields, Board Member James Healy
Public Present:
Jay Mitchell, Mike Albin
B. Motion to make Sam Tornatore and Sean Noonan members of the Committee for quorum purposes.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Donald Puchalski, Vice Chair
SECONDER: Peter DiCianni, District 2
AYES: DiCianni, Elliott, Khouri, Puchalski, Tornatore, Noonan
ABSENT: Zay
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. Legislative & Governmental Affairs Committee - Regular Meeting - May 9, 2017 5:00 PM
RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Sean T Noonan, District 2
SECONDER: Peter DiCianni, District 2
AYES: DiCianni, Elliott, Khouri, Puchalski, Tornatore, Noonan
ABSENT: Zay
4. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mr. Jay Mitchell offered brief remarks regarding lobbyists.
5. CHAIRMAN'S REMARKS
Vice-Chairman Puchalski informed the Committee there has been no financial increase to the cost of County lobbyists this year. There was a $36,000 savings as DuPage is assuming responsibility for the Election Commission. Puchalski noted that Dupage County is the second largest county in Illinois with a balanced budget and AAA Bond rating. Puchalski stated some accomplishments at the state level including the passage of organ donation legislation, continuation of Medicaid care enhanced rate for the DuPage Care Center and a smaller cut than proposed to the Local Government Distributive Fund (LGDF).
6. SPRINGFIELD WRAP UP
Ms. Sheryl Markay, Deputy County Administrator, stated over 500 bills in Springfield were passed this year. Chairman Cronin and the Legislative Committee set specific legislative goals for the lobbyists and Ms. Markay speaks to the lobbyists daily during session to ensure these goals are met. One of the many federal lobbyists' goals for the coming year is to obtain $2 million that is owed in administrative costs to our Stormwater Department that coordinated on behalf of four other governmental entities to clean-up the Tronox Superfund site. This past year, our federal lobbyist Bill Viney worked to add to the federal Transportation Bill to ensure suburban areas in addition to rural and urban areas received an appropriate share of transportation funding. The Medicaid enhanced rate was maintained for the DuPage Care Center which equals roughly an additional $3 million annually. At the state level, Small Cell Wireless Legislation was defeated after some very contentious debate. This bill would have basically given control of municipal and county infrastructure, including traffic signals and water towers to communications companies causing many safety concerns. Another bill of concern this year in Springfield was the prohibition against the use of video conferencing for juvenile adjudication hearings that would have cost the County $130,000 a year to open the courthouse on holidays and weekends. Our state lobbyists were also instrumental in the passage of legislation to establish a statewide electronics recycling program that will go into effect in 2019. There will be 5 countywide electronic recycling stations, at no cost to the residents or County. In addition, Ms. Markay worked closely with state lobbyists on a FOIA exemption bill on behalf of the Sheriff's Association and animal control legislation.
7. ACTION ITEMS
Legislative items A through D were combined and approved.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Peter DiCianni, District 2
SECONDER: Sean T Noonan, District 2
AYES: DiCianni, Elliott, Khouri, Puchalski, Tornatore, Noonan
ABSENT: Zay
A. LEG-P-0228-17 Recommendation for the approval of a County Contract to Roger C. Marquardt and Company Inc., to provide Consulting Services as Lobbyists representing DuPage County before the Illinois General Assembly and State Executive Branch. This contract covers the period of September 15, 2017 through September 14, 2018 for County Board, for a contract total amount not to exceed $65,000.00. Other Professional Service not subject to competitive bidding per 55 ILCS 5/5-1022(a). Vendor selected pursuant to DuPage County Code Section 2-300.4-108 (1) (b)
B. LEG-P-0229-17 Recommendation for the approval of a County Contract to NJ Kimme and Company Inc., to provide Consulting Services as Lobbyists representing DuPage County before the Illinois General Assembly and State Executive Branch. This contract covers the period of September 15, 2017 through September 14, 2018 for County Board, for a contract total amount of $35,000.00. Other Professional Service not subject to competitive bidding per 55 ILCS 5/5-1022(a). Vendor selected pursuant to DuPage County Code Section 2-300.4-108 (1) (b)
C. LEG-P-0230-17 Recommendation for the approval of a County Contract to BGR Government Affairs, LLC, to provide Consulting Services as Lobbyists providing DuPage County before the U.S. Congress and the Federal Executive Branch for DuPage County’s Division of Transportation and Stormwater Management. This contract covers the period of September 1, 2017 through August 31, 2018 for County Board, for a contract total amount not to exceed $80,000.00. Other Professional Service not subject to competitive bidding per 55 ILCS 5/5-1022(a). Vendor selected pursuant to DuPage County Code Section 2-300.4-108 (1) (b)
D. LEG-P-0231-17 Recommendation for the approval of County Contract to All Circo Inc., to provide Consulting Services as Lobbyists representing DuPage County before the Illinois General Assembly and State Executive Branch. This contract covers the period of September 15, 2017 through September 14, 2018 for County Board, for a contract total amount of $102,000.00. Other Professional Service not subject to competitive bidding per 55 ILCS 5/5-1022(a). Vendor selected pursuant to DuPage County Code Section 2-300.4- 108 (1) (b)
8. OLD BUSINESS
There was no old business.
9. NEW BUSINESS
There was no new business.
10. ADJOURNMENT
Without objection the meeting was adjourned at 9:50 a.m.
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