DuPage County Judicial and Public Safety Committee met April 18
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
1. CALL TO ORDER
8:00 AM meeting was called to order by Chair Lucy Evans at 8:02 AM.
2. ROLL CALL
Other Board Members present: Member Kari Galassi, Member Paula Garcia and Member Sheila Rutledge.
Staff in attendance: Nick Kottmeyer (Chief Administrative Officer), Joan Olson (Chief Communications Officer), Robert Berlin (State's Attorney), Conor McCarthy (State's Attorney Office), Paul Bruckner (State's Attorney Office), Lisa Smith (State's Attorney Office), Barb Reynolds (State's Attorney Office), Jeff York (Public Defender), Craig Dieckman (Director, Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management), Jason Blumenthal (Policy and Program Manager), Evan Shields (County Board Public Information Officer), Jeff Martynowicz (Chief Financial Officer), Valerie Calvente (Procurement), Claire Dragovich (Director, Crime Laboratory), James Mendrick (Sheriff), Edmond Moore (Undersheriff), Robert Carroll (Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer), Jim Gunther (Westmont Police Chief and Chairman of MERIT Board of Directors) and members of the MERIT Executive Team.
PRESENT Chaplin, Childress, DeSart, Eckhoff, Evans, Gustin, Krajewski, Ozog, Schwarze, Tornatore, Zay, and Yoo
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
No public comment was offered.
4. CHAIR REMARKS - Chair Evans
Chair Evans introduced Jim Gunther, Westmont Police Chief and Chair of the Board of Directors of MERIT (Metropolitan Emergency Response Investigations Team) and members of the MERIT team. She then invited Chief Gunther to deliver his MERIT presentation to the Committee.
5. PRESENTATION
5.A. MERIT (Metropolitan Emergency Response Investigations Team) - Westmont Police Chief Jim Gunther
Jim Gunther, Chairman of MERIT and Westmont Police Chief, presented to the Committee an overview of MERIT which is a multi-jurisdictional task force comprised of 36 DuPage County agencies. MERIT, which has been in existence for almost four years, is the only task force of its kind and is comprised of specially trained law enforcement officers. It is a collaboration of three Operations Sections: Tactical, Special and Investigative. Included within these three sections are 14 specific areas of expertise. Chairman Gunther briefly explained each of these areas. He then went on to inform the Committee of some upcoming changes within MERIT's command structure. Chief Gunther stressed the importance of shared services and interoperability which results in the County's law enforcement agencies working very well together.
At this time, State's Attorney Robert Berlin shared information on how MERIT, since it's inception in August of 2019, has made an impact in assisting his office with prosecuting cases.
Chairman Gunther then spoke briefly about MERIT's two Bearcat vehicles and the recent dedication of them. In addition, he mentioned that a Command Vehicle is currently being built and upon completion will be added to their fleet.
In closing, Chairman Gunther thanked the Committee for inviting him to speak today.
Questions were asked by Members DeSart, Chaplin and Ozog to which Chairman Gunther responded.
Following the presentation, Chair Evans recognized two members of the MERIT team who have recently retired: Roselle Police Chief and MERIT Treasurer Steve Herron along with Law Enforcement Bureau Chief Robert Toerpe from the DuPage County Sheriff's Office. She thanked them both for their dedication to public safety.
At this time, Chair Evans and Member Grant Eckhoff presented each of the MERIT team members with a Certificate of Appreciation on behalf of Chair Deborah Conroy to recognize their contributions to enhancing the quality of life for all DuPage County residents through their collaborative efforts. Those receiving awards included: Chairman Jim Gunther, Westmont Police Chief; Vice-Chairman Brian Cunningham, Woodridge Police Chief; Immediate Past Chairman Ray Turano, Warrenville Police Chief (Ret.); Secretary Bill Holmer, Carol Stream Police Chief; Treasurer Tim Roberts, Wayne Police Chief; DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick; DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin; DuPage Chiefs Liaison John Madden, Burr Ridge Police Chief; MERIT Coordinator Dan Bilodeau, Deputy Chief - DuPage County Sheriff's Office; Deputy Coordinator-Investigative Operations Tom Stefanson, Woodridge Deputy Police Chief; Deputy Coordinator-Special Operations Joe Grage, Lombard Deputy Police Chief and Deputy Coordinator-Tactical Operations Colin Fleury, West Chicago Police Chief.
6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
6.A. 23-1552
Judicial and Public Safety Committee Minutes - Regular Meeting - Tuesday, April 4, 2023
The motion was approved on a voice vote, all "ayes".
RESULT: APPROVED
MOVER: Jim Zay
SECONDER: Patty Gustin
7. PROCUREMENT REQUISITIONS
7.A. JPS-P-0052-23
Recommendation for the approval of a contract purchase order to Trinity Services Group, Inc., to provide meals for the inmates and officers in the jail, for the Sheriff's Office, for the period of June 1, 2023 through May 31, 2024, for a contract total amount of $1,225,031; per RFP #23-026-SHF. (Sheriff's Office)
Members Zay, DeSart and Krajewski asked questions regarding why there were not more vendors bidding on this contract. Valerie Calvente from Procurement responded. Member DeSart inquired whether or not Trinity Services Group had a backup plan in the event they are not able to provide services. Ms. Calvente confirmed that Trinity does have a backup plan in place. Chair Evans further commented that DuPage County has had the same contract for the last four years. In that time, the cost per meal has increased which she attributes to inflation, labor shortages and an increase in the inmate population. Policy and Program Manager Jason Blumenthal then informed the Committee that this is a not to exceed contract and may possibly come in under the total amount of the contract. The motion was approved on a voice vote, all "ayes".
RESULT: APPROVED AND SENT TO FINANCE
MOVER: Mary Ozog
SECONDER: Patty Gustin
8. BUDGET TRANSFERS
8.A. 23-1553
Transfer of funds from account no. 1000-4402-53090 (other professional services) to account no.1000-4402-52000 (furniture/machinery/equipment small value) in the amount of $5,000 for the purchase of 44 chairs for the Crisis Intervention Training room. (Sheriff's Office)
The motion was approved on a voice vote, all "ayes".
RESULT: APPROVED
MOVER: Jim Zay
SECONDER: Liz Chaplin
8.B. 23-1554
Transfer of funds from account no. 1000-6300-50000 (regular salaries) to account no. 1000-6300-50050 (temporary salaries) in the amount of $70,300 for additional temporary legal intern’s salaries for the Spring and Summer. (Public Defender’s Office)
The motion was approved on a voice vote, all "ayes".
RESULT: APPROVED
MOVER: Mary Ozog
SECONDER: Yeena Yoo
8.C. 23-1555
Transfer of funds from account nos. 5000-6192-50000 (regular salaries), 5000-6192-51010 (employer share IMRF), and 5000-6192-51030 (employer share social security) to account nos. 5000-6192-51040 (employee medical and hospital insurance), 5000-6192-53070 (medical services), 5000-6192-52000 (furniture/machinery/equipment small value), 5000-6192-52200 (operating supplies and materials), and 5000-6192-53830 (other contractual expenses) in the amount of $10,618 to offset salaries and benefits to cover the increased cost of treatment services, for furniture and small equipment, operating supplies, and other contractual expenses to line up with the grant budget supplemental funding per the grant authority, per Activity Code 192301. (Probation and Court Services)
The motion was approved on a voice vote, all "ayes".
RESULT: APPROVED
MOVER: Jim Zay
SECONDER: Liz Chaplin
9. GRANTS
9.A. 23-1556
GPN-021-23: FY23 Formula DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR) Program – US Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance - $395,280. (Sheriff's Office)
The motion was approved on a voice vote, all "ayes".
RESULT: APPROVED AND SENT TO FINANCE
MOVER: Liz Chaplin
SECONDER: Jim Zay
10. TRAVEL
10.A. 23-1557
Authorization is requested for one Coordinator from the DuPage Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (OHSEM) to attend an all-day workshop on April 26, 2023 hosted by the Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System (ILEAS) to issue and Judicial and Public Safety Committee Summary - Final April 18, 2023 train on new equipment. DuPage OHSEM is the host agency for ILEAS communications assets ITECS 4. ILEAS is providing lodging for this Coordinator on the night prior to the workshop. Breakfast is included at the hotel and ILEAS is providing lunch during the workshop. Other than gas reimbursement in the amount of $50, there is no cost to DuPage County. (Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management)
The motion was approved on a voice vote, all "ayes".
RESULT: APPROVED AT COMMITTEE
MOVER: Liz Chaplin
SECONDER: Brian Krajewski
10.B. 23-1558
Authorization is requested for one Reservist from the DuPage Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (OHSEM) to attend an all-day workshop on April 26, 2023 hosted by the Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System (ILEAS) to issue and train on new equipment. DuPage OHSEM is the host agency for ILEAS communications assets ITECS 4. ILEAS is providing lodging for this Reservist on the night prior to the workshop. Breakfast is included at the hotel and ILEAS is providing lunch during the workshop. There is no cost to DuPage County. (Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management)
Member Zay asked why it was necessary for these two travel requests to appear on the agenda. Policy and Program Manager Jason Blumenthal and Member Chaplin responded that the travel policy is currently being reviewed.
The motion was approved on a voice vote, all "ayes".
RESULT: APPROVED AT COMMITTEE
MOVER: Liz Chaplin
SECONDER: Jim Zay
11. INFORMATIONAL
11.A. 23-1559
Public Defender's Office March 2023 Monthly Statistical Report (Public Defender's Office)
The motion was approved on a voice vote, all "ayes".
RESULT: ACCEPTED AND PLACED ON FILE
MOVER: Jim Zay
SECONDER: Liz Chaplin
12. OLD BUSINESS
No old business was offered.
13. NEW BUSINESS
No new business was offered.
14. ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:45 AM. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 2, 2023 at 8:00 A.M.
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