DuPage County Legislative & Governmental Affairs Committee met May 25.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
1. CALL TO ORDER
2:00 PM meeting was called to order by Chair Dawn DeSart at 2:01 PM.
2. ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Renehan (Remote), DeSart (Remote), LaPlante (Remote), Chaplin (Remote), Zay (Remote) ABSENT: Selmon
ASA Nick Alfonso, as chief legal counsel, and Chief Policy & Program Officer Sheryl Markay were present in person, per the requirements of Sec. 7(e) of the Open Meetings Act.
Other Board Members in Attendance: Amy Chavez and Paula Deacon Garcia
Staff in Attendance: Nick Alfonso (State's Attorney's Office), Jason Blumenthal, Secretary Theresa Glatzhofer, Mary Keating (Director of Community Services), Sheryl Markay, Joan Olson, Wendi Wagner, and Linda Zerwin (Executive Director of ETSB)
Guests in Attendance: Bill Viney, BGR Group (County's Federal Lobbyist)
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. Legislative & Governmental Affairs Committee - Regular Meeting - May 18, 2021 11:00 AM
| RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Julie Renehan, District 3 SECONDER: James Zay, Vice-Chair AYES: Renehan, DeSart, LaPlante, Chaplin, Zay ABSENT: Selmon |
No public comment was offered.
5. CHAIRWOMAN'S REMARKS - CHAIR DESART
Chair DeSart noted that the County has received its first portion of the American Rescue Plan Act funding in the amount of about $89 million.
6. AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN OVERVIEW – BILL VINEY
Chair DeSart introduced and welcomed Mr. Bill Viney. Mr. Viney thanked the Committee for the invitation. He noted that the U.S. Treasury released an Interim Final Rule to provide guidance to units of local government regarding how the American Rescue Plan Act funds can be spent. Mr. Viney gave a brief, high-level overview of the American Rescue Plan Act, noting that the main purposes of the Act are: pandemic response, economic stabilization, and broadening infrastructure. He also mentioned that the County is able to keep interest earned on the American Rescue Plan Act dollars and noted that the interest is not bound to American Rescue Plan Act spending guidelines. Mr. Viney emphasized that the County is required to obligate the American Rescue Plan Act funds by the end of 2024 and spend the funds by 2026.
The Committee engaged in a question and answer session with Mr. Viney, regarding allocation of American Rescue Plan Act funds. Member Chaplin asked about potentially allocating money to water hookups or health insurance costs. Mr. Viney said that he would double-check on the provisions of the Act and will get back to the Committee. Mr. Viney also confirmed with Member Chaplin that American Rescue Plan Act funds cannot be used to purchase new election equipment; however, purchases relating to voting during a pandemic, such as investing in vote by-mail processes, would qualify. Mr. Viney responded to Member Deacon Garcia that the funds could not be used to build a mental health facility, but could be allocated towards mental healthcare staffing. Mr. Viney confirmed with Member LaPlante that there is less flexibility than was anticipated with the American Rescue Plan Act capital funds, but that the County has the ability to do some long-range planning. Mr. Viney clarified with Member Renehan that the American Rescue Plan Act funds may not likely be used for the rental or purchase of a bus or vehicle. Chair DeSart thanked Mr. Viney for his time.
7. EXPANDED ELIGIBILITY FOR THE COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT (CSBG) – MARY KEATING
Chair DeSart introduced Mary Keating, Director of the Community Services Department. Ms. Keating explained that there is a "Dear Colleague" letter being circulated in the Senate regarding permanently expanding Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program eligibility to 200% of the poverty level, which was increased from 125% under the CARES Act. Ms. Keating asked
the Committee for their consensus so that a letter could be sent to Congress in support of expanding the CSBG program eligibility. Consensus was reached regarding the County Board sending a letter to Congress to support permanently expanding the CSBG program eligibility to 200% of the poverty level. Ms. Keating thanked the Committee for their support. Chair DeSart thanked Ms. Keating for her time.
8. 9-1-1 WIRELESS SURCHARGE UPDATE – LINDA ZERWIN Chair DeSart introduced Linda Zerwin, Executive Director of the Emergency Telephone System Board (ETSB). Ms. Zerwin gave a brief background of the Illinois 9-1-1 Services Advisory Board and the 9-1-1 bill. She explained that the 9-1-1 statute has a built in sunset to check the progress of the consolidation of Public-Safety Answering Points (PSAPs). Ms. Zerwin noted that DuPage County has consolidated from 22 PSAPs to two, and that the state as a whole has eliminated about 100 PSAPs and combined systems to become more efficient. Ms. Zerwin explained that HB 3702, which amends and extends the repeal of the Emergency Telephone System Act with language provided by the 9-1-1 Services Advisory Board, has passed out of the House and may be combined with the Small Cell Wireless Facilities Deployment Act and language regarding prevailing wage. Ms. Zerwin also mentioned HB 2784, which includes significant language for what 9-1-1 dispatch centers would have to do in response to mental health-related calls. Ms. Zerwin noted that the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) and the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) are neutral on HB 2784. Chair DeSart thanked Ms. Zerwin for attending.
9. SPRINGFIELD UPDATE
Chair DeSart introduced Ms. Sheryl Markay, who gave a brief overview of the state legislation the County has taken positions on. Ms. Markay noted that some Springfield issues that are outstanding at this time include the: state budget, potential 10% cut to LGDF, redistricting deadline, marijuana dispensary rule changes, ethics, Safe-T Act trailer bill, and 9-1-1 surcharge. She noted that HB 1711 (pet sourcing) has been posted to a committee. She explained that the Small Cell Wireless Deployment Act sunsets in June. Ms. Markay remarked that the County has received numerous letters from down-state counties regarding the clean energy bill, which would limit local siting authority. She went on to note that HB 2775 (housing) and HB 813 (prevention of trespassing on railway property) did not advance out of Senate committees. Ms. Markay also noted that SB 643, which would have required the DuPage County Health Department to report to the Illinois Department of Public Health during emergencies, was defeated. Ms. Markay confirmed with Chair DeSart that HB 572 (pet financing) should pass the Senate. Chair DeSart thanked Ms. Markay for her time and hard work.
10. OLD BUSINESS
There was no Old Business.
11. NEW BUSINESS
There was no New Business.
12. ADJOURNMENT
Without objection, the meeting adjourned at 2:50 PM.
A. Adjourn
| RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: James Zay, Vice-Chair SECONDER: Elizabeth Chaplin, District 2 AYES: DeSart, LaPlante, Chaplin, Zay ABSENT: Selmon, Renehan |
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