Government Center

719 S. Batavia Ave., Bldg. A

Geneva, IL 60134

Kane County

KC Administration Committee

Meeting Minutes

KIOUS, Juby, Arroyo, Berman, Garcia, Gumz, Young, ex-officios Roth (County Vice Chair)

and Pierog (County Chair)

Wednesday, April 9, 2025

10:30 AM

County Board Room

Call To Order

Chairman Kious called the meeting to order at 10:57 AM.

Roll Call

Board Member Chris Kious, Board Member Leslie Juby, Alex

PRESENT:

Arroyo, Sonia Garcia, Michelle Gumz, David Young, Bill Roth and

Corinne M. Pierog

Dale Berman

REMOTE:

Also present: Co. Bd. Members Allan, Bates*, Gripe, Lewis, Molina*, Penesis*,

Strathmann*; ITD/BLD Exec. Dir. Fahnestock & staff Lasky, Harris, Smith, Roff, Clark,

Meyers, Walker, Peters; Chief Judge Villa; Court Admin. O'Brien & staff Mathis; SAO

Chief of Civil Frank; KCSO Chief of Admin. Catich; Environ. & Water Res. Dir. Wollnik*;

KCAC Admin. Youngsteadt*; and members of the press and public including Wight &

Co. Rep. Shawn Benson.

Remote Attendance Requests

Chairman Kious announced the remote attendance requests for today's meeting. He

asked the Committee if there were any objections to Committee Member Berman

attending today's meeting remotely. There were no objections.

Approval of Minutes: March 12, 2025

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT

Michelle Gumz

Public Comment

Brian Anderson, Sugar Grove, attended the March 12, 2025 Administration Committee

meeting where Committee members discussed a job acquisition. He noted that the

same item is on today's agenda under 7B. He thought this item was tabled at last

month's Administration Committee meeting. Anderson stated that the Committee

should not look back at what was already discussed and that they need to get into a

mindset where you do and work differently. He spoke on the lack of saving when only

spending is being done. He stated that at the last minute, Chairman Kious spoke on

being financially frugal. He questioned why the job acquisition is back on the agenda

after the Committee tabled it. Additionally, Anderson pointed out page 13 of the

Building Management Department's (BLD) Positions for Second Shift Presentation that

displayed the department's overtime hours. He questioned why the overtime expense

in 2021, 2022, and 2023 were low, while 2024 and 2025 increased. Anderson stated

that the Committee needs to look at a job matrix and work within the means of the

County. There is no need to hire additional employees with the extra $450K that was

found. The Committee needs to evaluate if this money could be transferred to the

County's General Fund to reduce the overall debt. Anderson voiced that moving

forward the Committee needs to look at each line item within the financial reports in

order to become more financially disciplined.

Kane County Board Member and Resident, David Young, spoke on the resolution

pertaining to the additional employees for BLD being on today's agenda when it was

tabled at last month's Committee meeting. Per Robert's Rules, this resolution should

have not been included on today's agenda. Young explained that in order for this

resolution to be included on today's resolution, a vote must occur to remove it from

being tabled. Referencing the previous speaker's comments, he explained that there

was $450K that was not being utilized for a fiber optics project. He questioned why this

is not being put into the County's General Fund. He stated that the Retail Sales Tax

Referendum failed, but the Committee is looking at hiring additional employees. He

explained that the County can do better, and that they must do better. Young explained

that Kane County has wasteful spending, such as the $1M engineering fee for the

Kane County Jail's HVAC system. He stated that this Committee needs to take a look

at where money is being spend and if it is reasonable.

Finance Report

Monthly Finance Reports

Chairman Kious stated the monthly financial reports were on file. No additional

report was made.

Executive Director's Report (R. Fahnestock)

Presentation: Judicial Center Pavement Management Program (Wight & Co.)

ITD/BLD Exec. Dir. Fahnestock stated that two presentations would be shared

today: Judicial Center Pavement Management Program and Building

Management Second Shift Positions. He explained that the Pavement

Management Program will be presented by Wight & Company's Director of Land

Development, Shawn Benson. He would be speaking on the need for the BLD's

second shift positions to give the Committee an understanding as to why the

department is seeking those positions. He noted that an article was published in

the Chicago Tribune that spoke on software implementations in Cook County

who are experiencing delays and overruns with vendor, Tyler Technologies. He

explained that Kane County uses Tyler Technologies for public safety, such as

the Sheriff's Office, Judiciary, Circuit Clerk's Office, Public Defender's Office,

and the State's Attorney's Office. Additionally, Kane County's Finance

Department utilizes Tyler Technologies' Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)

System. Fahnestock explained that Kane County purchased the public safety

and jail management systems and the ERP system from a company called New

World, which was acquired by Tyler Technologies. While going through the

implementation of these systems, Kane County did not experience any of the

delays and overruns that Cook County had. Fahnestock stated that while

nothing is perfect, Kane County is in a good place with their Tyler Technologies

products. Regarding Cook County, he explained that in the process of

implementing new software, old systems must be gone through to review data

and all the business processes. He spoke on the well-educated, capable

persons within the Public Safety and the Information Technologies Department

(ITD) that allowed Kane County's implementation process of these systems

within the time frame and budget that was provided by the County Board. He

suggested the Committee to read the article. Fahnestock complimented the

offices/departments who have made Kane County successful at managing these

systems. Discussion ensued.

Fahnestock addressed the resolution regarding the authorization of a contract

for the Kane County Judicial Center (KCJC) Pavement Improvement Project with

Geneva Construction Company, Inc. He explained that he has had discussions

with BLD Dir. Kevin Harris on the frequency of providing presentations to the

Committee on projects that cost more than $100K, in which he would like to give

more often for a better understanding on what goes into the projects.

Fahnestock introduced Wight & Company's Director of Lane Development,

Shawn Benson.

Benson provided the presentation on the Judicial Center Pavement

Management Program. He explained that he has been working with Kane

County on developing a Pavement Management Plan since March 2024. He

stated that Wight & Company completed the conditions review of the existing

pavement and came up with a five-year maintenance plan. The first project that

was completed in the summer of 2024 entailed the pavement at the Kane

County Branch Court and other smaller County properties. Benson presented

the scope of the pavement project that is planned to begin this summer at the

KCJC. He shared numerous photographs depicting the pavement conditions

throughout the Judiciary Campus. He addressed the reasons as to why the

County should move forward with the Pavement Management Plan, such as

safety. He stated that with the Pavement Management Plan there was a budget

of $1.65M. The bids for these pavement projects came in at $1.34M. Benson

explained that with the order of magnitude of these projects and the time frame

in which it is to be completed is a cost savings to the County. Benson addressed

questions and comments from the Committee. Much discussion ensued.

Presentation: Building Management Second Shift Positions

ITD/BLD Exec. Dir. Fahnestock provided the Building Management Second Shift

Positions Presentation. He explained that he feels this presentation needs

attention due to the demand of County offices/departments for services that

require BLD staff to work at night or early in the morning. Historically, BLD

operates from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. with the remainder of the services being

handled during overtime hours. What BLD is seeing is that there are numerous

projects and activities that need to be completed after normal operating hours.

These proposed second shift positions would help complete these projects.

Fahnestock spoke on the cost of overtime hours. He stated that BLD

Management has noticed that staff are facing fatigue, which is making most not

want to take overtime. He spoke on the KCJC elevator that is in need of

maintenance, but cannot be done during normal operation hours. Due to the

secure areas of the KCJC, BLD needs to have staff available in order for

contractors to complete these jobs, even in the middle of the night. This was

asked of BLD by directors, the judiciary, Sheriff's Office, Court Security.

Fahnestock spoke on the difficulties of having adequate staff to perform these

duties and projects. He provided examples of certain projects and/or situations

when BLD staff has been needed after operation hours, which cost the County

in overtime hours. He spoke on the safety issues of not having competent

employees. Fahnestock reviewed the Information Technologies Department

(ITD) and Building Management Department's (BLD) mission statement. He

provided an overview of ITD/BLD's established objectives and goals from

December 2022. He shared BLD's 2025 goals, such as maintaining the buildings

and facilities with preventative and scheduled maintenance and acquire

additional office space, storage space, and surface parking space for offices and

departments. Fahnestock reviewed the organizational chart of the two

departments, which included the Kane County Board and Administration

Committee. He shared BLD's organizational chart. The department has 52

employees: 16 employees that handle maintenance, 21 janitorial employees,

four painters, three employees in the Mailroom and Printshop, and two Project

Managers. Administration employees are a shared entity of BLD and ITD.

Fahnestock addressed the initial goal of hiring for BLD. He spoke on the

previous vacancies and the increase headcount for painters and janitorial

services. In 2024-2025, BLD was 90% staffed. Additionally, BLD has applied all

of their resources, personnel, and contracts. Fahnestock reviewed the current

staff support model. Currently, employees are working day shift hours with

staggering start/end times, on-call employees for emergencies, repair, and

maintenance, scheduled overtime for projects, scheduled for maintenance that

cannot be performed during daytime hours. Fahnestock noted that the

department has a 24-hour operation, but does not have second, third, and/or

weekend shifts. When employees are called in for emergencies, repairs, and/or

maintenance they are given time and a half or compensatory pay. This has led

to scheduling fatigue for volunteer overtime, injury, illness disruptions, and

backfill. Fahnestock provided a breakdown of where BLD staff is needed 24/7

throughout County offices/departments. He shared further complications that are

hindered with inadequate staffing, such as all contractors needing to be escorted

by a Kane County employee, all staff must be verified, background checked, and

approved, appropriate skill sets for the work, safety issues working alone in large

buildings with heavy mechanical and industrial equipment, and on-call frequency

and duration. Fahnestock provided a chart that depicted BLD's overtime pay. In

2021, overtime pay equated to $23,588.26. In 2025, overtime is projected to

cost $169,156.00. He shared the reasons to why overtime costs have increased

over the years. Fahnestock provided BLD's desired support model. He would

like to create three maintenance positions for second shift. These staff members

would be compensated from the Public Safety Sales Tax Fund 125, in which

$450K under Communications Equipment could be utilized. He proposed that

this $450K be redirected into Personnel to fund these three positions. If these

positions are budgeted for, he believes that the revenue from this Sales Tax

Fund would cover the salaries of the new employees for the foreseeable future.

Fahnestock stated that recurring revenue would allow for budgeting positions in

future years. In 2025, the prorated cost would be $180,193 in wages and

benefits. The projected cost in 2026 for these additional employees would cost

$380,386 in wages and benefits. Fahnestock listed the proposed positions for

second shift: Chief Building Engineer at $37.87 per hour, Maintenance Tech II at

$29.25 per hour, and Maintenance Tech III at $32.12 per hour. He noted that no

funding would be utilized from the County's General Fund. Fahnestock reviewed

the next steps for the resolution addressing the new positions on today's

agenda. If the County Board does not approve these three second shift

employees and BLD continues to have the mentioned complications, it will effect

the ability to execute projects and attend to the buildings for maintenance.

Fahnestock stated that BLD is asking for the Committee's consideration for

these three positions based on the information that has been presented from a

sales tax special fund that is for public safety. He noted that the money within

the special fund cannot be reallocated to the County's General Fund, due to

County policy.

Building Management (K. Harris)

Authorizing Job Positions and GL Changes in the 125 Fund for the Building

Management Department

Committee Member Arroyo motioned to remove this resolution from being

tabled, Berman seconded. Motion passed by a 5-2 vote.

The resolution was motioned by Committee Member Gumz, seconded by Juby

at last month's Committee meeting. This resolution was re-opened for

discussion. ITD/BLD Exec. Dir. Fahnestock addressed questions and comments

from the Committee. Much discussion ensued.

Committee Member Juby motioned to postpone this resolution indefinitely,

Young seconded. Motion failed by a 3-4 vote. Further discussion ensued. The

original motion failed with a tie vote.

(Committee Members Juby and Young left at 12:13 p.m.)

Gumz inquired of the possibility of taking existing staff and making a second

shift considering the County's budget restraints. Discussion ensued.

Committee Chairman Kious moved to agenda item 8G.

KC Finance and Budget Committee

RESULT:

MOVER:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

Michelle Gumz

Leslie Juby

SECONDER:

Chris Kious, Board Member Arroyo and Board Member Berman

AYE:

Board Member Juby, Board Member Gumz and Board Member

Young

NAY:

Board Member Garcia

ABSTAIN:

Authorizing Updated Capital Projects from the Capital Fund

ITD/BLD Exec. Dir. Fahnestock spoke on the addition and deletions to the Kane

County Capital Project list. This resolution was held over until next month's

Administration Committee meeting.

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

HELD OVER

Michelle Gumz

Dale Berman

Authorizing Execution of a Master Intergovernmental Cooperative Purchasing

Agreement to Participate in a Purchasing Cooperative with Midland Paper and

Authorizing the Purchase of Paper and Envelopes Under Said Agreement by

Kane County (Contract# P-76708)

ITD/BLD Exec. Dir. Fahnestock addressed questions and comments from the

Committee.

The Committee moved to agenda item 8F.

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Alex Arroyo

MOVER:

Michelle Gumz

SECONDER:

Chris Kious, Board Member Arroyo, Board Member Berman,

Board Member Garcia and Board Member Gumz

AYE:

Board Member Juby and Board Member Young

ABSENT:

Authorizing a Contract Extension for Commercial Floor Coverings and Related

Services with Mohawk Industries Through OMNIA Partners (Contract#

2020002149)

ITD/BLD Exec. Dir. Fahnestock introduced this resolution. He provided

additional information on this resolution. Fahnestock addressed questions and

comments from the Committee.

The Committee moved to agenda item 12A.

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Dale Berman

MOVER:

Alex Arroyo

SECONDER:

Chris Kious, Board Member Arroyo, Board Member Berman and

Board Member Garcia

AYE:

Board Member Gumz

NAY:

Board Member Juby and Board Member Young

ABSENT:

Ratifying an Emergency Purchase Affidavit for the Purchase of Judicial Center

Chiller System Upgrades

ITD/BLD Exec. Dir. Fahnestock provided additional information on this

resolution. Fahnestock addressed questions and comments from the

Committee.

The Committee moved to agenda item 8C.

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Alex Arroyo

MOVER:

Sonia Garcia

SECONDER:

Chris Kious, Board Member Arroyo, Board Member Berman,

Board Member Garcia and Board Member Gumz

AYE:

Board Member Juby and Board Member Young

ABSENT:

Authorizing a Contract for the Kane County Judicial Center Pavement

Improvement Project with Geneva Construction Company, Inc. (BID#

25-014-TK)

ITD/BLD Exec. Dir. Fahnestock provided additional information on this

resolution. Fahnestock addressed questions and comments from the

Committee.

The Committee moved to agenda item 9A.

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Alex Arroyo

MOVER:

Dale Berman

SECONDER:

Chris Kious, Board Member Arroyo, Board Member Berman,

Board Member Garcia and Board Member Gumz

AYE:

Board Member Juby and Board Member Young

ABSENT:

Authorizing Additional Judicial Facility Construction Funds for General

Construction Services with MRRW Construction, LLC (BID# 23-032)

ITD/BLD Exec. Dir. Fahnestock introduced this resolution. He provided a

summary of the proposed work that this resolution addresses. Fahnestock

addressed questions and comments from the Committee. Discussion ensued.

The Committee moved to agenda item 11A.

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Michelle Gumz

MOVER:

Alex Arroyo

SECONDER:

Chris Kious, Board Member Arroyo, Board Member Berman,

Board Member Garcia and Board Member Gumz

AYE:

Board Member Juby and Board Member Young

ABSENT:

Authorizing the Kane County Sheriff’s Office Forensic Laboratories Renovation

Project and Budget Adjustment to the Capital Fund

This resolution was pulled by the Kane County Sheriff's Office (KCSO) for

revision.

The Committee moved to agenda item 8D.

Information Technologies (C. Lasky)

Authorizing Additional Funds for Fiber Optic Support Services with Nat Tech,

LLC d/b/a National Technology, LLC NTI for the Information Technologies

Department

ITD CIO Lasky provided additional information on this resolution. Lasky

addressed questions and comments from the Committee.

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Michelle Gumz

MOVER:

Alex Arroyo

SECONDER:

Chris Kious, Board Member Arroyo, Board Member Berman,

Board Member Garcia and Board Member Gumz

AYE:

Board Member Juby and Board Member Young

ABSENT:

10.

Geographic Information Systems (K. Lebo)

None.

11.

Mill Creek SSA (R. Fahnestock)

Authorizing Purchase of Trades, Labor, Materials, and Related Services for

Sidewalk Trip Hazard Removal with Precision Concrete Cutting, Inc. for the Mill

Creek Special Service Area (TIPS Contract# 23010402)

(Madam Chairman Pierog left at 12:24 p.m.)

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Michelle Gumz

MOVER:

Alex Arroyo

SECONDER:

Chris Kious, Board Member Arroyo, Board Member Berman,

Board Member Garcia and Board Member Gumz

AYE:

Board Member Juby and Board Member Young

ABSENT:

Authorizing a Contract for the Kane County Mill Creek Special Service Area for

Curbside Brush Pick-up Services Program with Kramer Tree Specialists, Inc.

(BID# 25-012-TK)

The Committee moved back to agenda item 8E.

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Dale Berman

MOVER:

Alex Arroyo

SECONDER:

Chris Kious, Board Member Arroyo, Board Member Berman,

Board Member Garcia and Board Member Gumz

AYE:

Board Member Juby and Board Member Young

ABSENT:

12.

Vehicles

Authorizing the Purchase of Two Vehicles from Morrow Brothers Ford, Inc.

Using the State of Illinois Contract for the Building Management Department

The Committee moved to agenda item 8B.

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Alex Arroyo

MOVER:

Michelle Gumz

SECONDER:

Chris Kious, Board Member Arroyo, Board Member Berman,

Board Member Garcia and Board Member Gumz

AYE:

Board Member Juby and Board Member Young

ABSENT:

New Business

13.

Committee Member Gumz asked about the Broadband Bill. She inquired about the

number of leases the County has acquired. ITD CIO Lasky stated that the State's

Attorney's Office (SAO) is still reviewing the lease agreement. The County has had no

leases that have been submitted or signed.

14.

15.

Old Business

None.

Reports Placed On File

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT

Michelle Gumz

16.

Executive Session (if needed)

None.