Government Center

719 S. Batavia Ave., Bldg. A

Geneva, IL 60134

Kane County

KC County Development

Committee

Meeting Minutes

FORD, Williams, Berman, Daugherty, Iqbal, Kenyon, Linder & ex-officios Davoust

(Transportation Chair), Kious (Forest Preserve President), Pierog (County Chair) and Tepe

(County Vice Chair)

Tuesday, July 16, 2024

10:30 AM

County Board Room

Call To Order

Chairman Ford called the meeting to order at 10:30 AM.

Roll Call

Board Member Ron Ford

Board Member Dale Berman

Board Member Mo Iqbal

PRESENT

Board Member Michael Kenyon

Ex-Officio (Forest Preserve President) Chris Kious

Ex-Officio County Board Chair Corinne M. Pierog

Ex-Officio County Board Vice Chair Vern Tepe

Board Member Gary Daugherty

Board Member Michael Linder

Board Member Rick Williams

REMOTE

ABSENT

Ex-Officio (Transportation Chairman) Mark Davoust

Also present: Co. Bd. Members Allan*, Juby*, Roth, Molina*; Dev. Dir. VanKerkhoff;

Environ. & Water Res. Wollnik; OCR Dir. Berger*; Spec. ASA Shepro*; ASA Cermak;

and members of the press and public including IECA President Mark Pikus and Senior

Vice President Anna Maria Kowalik.

Remote Attentdance Requests

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

asked the Committee if there were any objections to Committee Members Daugherty

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

Approval of Minutes: June 18, 2024

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT

Chris Kious

Public Comment (Agenda Items)

All public comments were held until the Zoning Petition discussions.

Public Comment (Non-Agenda Items)

None.

Monthly Financials

Monthly Finance Report

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

report was made.

Building & Zoning Division

A. Building & Zoning Report

Dev. Dir. VanKerkhoff stated the monthly Building & Zoning Report was on file. He

explained that the Building and Zoning team have been working with the Kane County

Office of Emergency Management (KCOEM) to help follow up on any damage that may

have happened with the previous storms. He asked the Committee to direct any

constituents that had damage to contact the Development Department for assistance.

Additionally, the team continues to be busy with permitting and zoning activities.

VanKerkhoff reported that Zoning Planner Aamir has relocated to Texas and is no

longer employed with the County. The position has been posted and applications

continue to be submitted.

Zoning Petitions

Petition # 4632 Petitioner: Matt Kwiatkowski (Lorang Solar, LLC)

Dev. Dir. VanKerkhoff introduced Petition #4632: Matt Kwiatkowski (Lorang

Solar, LLC) located at 3S257 Lorang Road - Blackberry Township. This petition

is for a Special Use request in the F-Farming District for a solar facility.

VanKerkhoff reviewed the 2040 Land Use map and analysis. This parcel is

categorized as Resource Management. VanKerkhoff reviewed the 2040

Conceptual Land Use Strategy. He shared numerous maps and photographs of

this parcel. He reviewed the site plan for the proposed solar facility. He shared

the vegetation screening plan for the solar facility. VanKerkhoff shared the nine

stipulations for this project from the Kane County Water Resource Department.

He spoke on the LESA Score of this parcel. The LESA Score is 57, which

warrants for low protection effort from development. VanKerkhoff spoke on the

Natural Resources Inventory Prime Farmland - Land Evaluation & Site

Assessment map. This parcel is categorized as mostly farmland and prime

farmland, if drained. VanKerkhoff stated that the Zoning Board of Appeals

approved this petition with the recommended stipulations. VanKerkhoff and the

petitioner addressed questions and comments from the Committee. Discussion

ensued.

Joe Scharf (phonetic spelling), Hampshire, provided several suggestions to this

project. He explained that he recently attended a solar farm summit in Chicago,

Illinois. At the summit, he learned of next level opportunities to go beyond using

just pollinator plantings under and around the solar panels. He listed a few solar

gardens that were utilized to grow vegetation that was sold at local farmers'

markets. He stated that there is also research possibilities to collaborate with the

USDA on different solar farm designs that would make solar farming more

compatible with agricultural, such as crop growth. Scharf challenged Lorang

Solar to look into these new opportunities for this solar field.

County Board

RESULT:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

County Board

Dale Berman

Michael Linder

TO:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

Ron Ford, Dale Berman, Gary Daugherty, Mo Iqbal, Michael

Kenyon, Michael Linder, and Chris Kious

AYE:

Rick Williams, Mark Davoust, and Corinne M. Pierog

ABSENT:

Petition # 4636 Petitioner: Alfonso Fregoso/Ponce Lawn Service

Dev. Dir. VanKerkhoff introduced Petition #4636: Alfonso Fregoso/Ponce Lawn.

This petition has requested an additional five-year Interim Special Use to

accommodate an existing landscaping business. VanKerkhoff shared numerous

maps and photographs depicting the location of this parcel. He reviewed the

Kane County Water Resource Department's stipulation. He stated that the

Zoning Board of Appeals approved this petition with the recommended

stipulation.

County Board

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

County Board

Michael Kenyon

Mo Iqbal

MOVER:

SECONDER:

Ron Ford, Dale Berman, Gary Daugherty, Mo Iqbal, Michael

Kenyon, Michael Linder, and Chris Kious

AYE:

Rick Williams, Mark Davoust, and Corinne M. Pierog

ABSENT:

Property Code Enforcement Division

Monthly Report

Property Code Enforcement Officer Mall stated the monthly report was on file.

He explained that they have a few large businesses that the team has been

working with to get into compliance. These businesses have been out of

compliance for several years.

10.

Planning & Special Projects

Monthly Report

Dev. Dir. VanKerkhoff stated the monthly Planning & Special Projects report was

on file. He explained that a new report has been added to share detailed

information on the Development Department's American Rescue Plan Act

(ARPA) projects. This report will be included within the monthly report.

IECA Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) Program

Presentation

Dev. Dir. VanKerkhoff introduced IECA President Mark Pikus and Senior Vice

President Anna Maria Kowalik from the Illinois Energy Conservation Authority

(IECA). He noted that IECA is under contract with Kane County as the program

administrator for the County's C-PACE Program. Kane County was the first

County in Illinois to adopt a program under the state statute. VanKerkhoff stated

that a contract extension will need to be submitted by the end of this year.

Kowalik provided a presentation on Setting the PACE in Illinois. She explained

the Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) is a tool to assist commercial

property owners with financing energy efficiency projects, water use

improvements, renewable energy installations, resiliency improvements, and

electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. C-PACE financings are funded with

private capital sources and may be repaid on the property tax bill. Kowalik noted

that C-PACE is up to 100% financing at fixed rates, long-term for energy

efficiency, renewable energy, water conservation/purification, EV charging

infrastructure, and select resiliency projects. C-PACE is a financing tool that is

specific to energy efficiencies. Kowalik stated that C-PACE is enabled by

legislation in 38 states and Washington D.C., with active programs in over 32

states. She explained the definition and components of an active program. She

reviewed the activity of C-PACE from 2011-2024. During this time, over $7B in

C-PACE projects have been funded across United States, representing over

3,300 projects completed and over 88K jobs created. Kowalik stated that the

IECA was responsible for bringing the C-PACE program to Illinois as a 501(c)(3)

nonprofit corporation, which charges nothing to their customers for performing

their services. She listed the 16 Illinois counties C-PACE is enabled, such as

Kane, DuPage, and McHenry. Kane County's program was renamed Kane

Energy Efficiency Program (KEEP), in order to lessen the confusion with PACE

Transit. Kowalik shared the eligible commercial properties and projects for

C-PACE funding. She noted that multi-family residences that are available for

rent and have five or more units do qualify as commercial under C-PACE

legislation. Kowalik listed the eligible improvements, such as energy and water

efficiency, renewable energy, and water use - purification. She reviewed the

reasons as to why Kane County should continue with C-PACE. C-PACE

finances 100% of eligible costs, lien runs with property and transfers to new

owner upon sale, tenants may share cost and savings, and reduce waste and

improve experience. Kowalik reviewed IECA's C-PACE features, such as no

cost, open market, uniform approach, voluntary participation, and single point of

access through a program administrator. She shared the local government

benefits. Kowalik presented the transaction process and partners. She listed

several open market qualified capital partners. She reviewed the typical C-PACE

financing options, such as financing terms and statutory and IECA program

requirements. She shared why mortgage lenders consent to this program.

Mortgage Lenders consent to maintain valuable relationships, improve the

lender's collateral, improve cash flow, and upon default, C-PACE financings

does not accelerate. A lender is only ever subordinated to delinquent payments.

Kowalik reviewed the seven C-PACE start-up steps: confirm eligibility, develop

energy project, secure financing, IECA approval, close financing, install energy

project, and repay. For more information on C-PACE, visit www.iecapace.org.

Kowalik reviewed previous C-PACE projects and savings Kane County has

established. She shared the completed C-PACE and IECA projects across

Illinois counties. The majority of approved projects are energy efficiency. Kowalik

reviewed the annual impacts of the 28 projects. She introduced IECA President,

Mike Pikus, to continue with the presentation. Kowalik and Pikus addressed

questions and comments from the Committee. Discussion ensued.

Pikus explained that the original contract between Kane County and the IECA

was extended for three years on December 30, 2021, with an expiration date of

December 30, 2024. He noted that one additional three-year extension from the

original contract remains, which extends services through 2027. (Madam Chair

Pierog arrived in-person at 11:00 a.m.) He shared a table depicting the current

project closing fees. He explained the IECA program fee. The current program

fee structure requires 1.75% of the C-PACE financing amount and maximum

program fee capped at $75K is due at closing. The proposed program fee

structure would require 1% of the C-PACE financing amount up to $5M, 0.50%

of the next $20M of C-PACE financing, and maximum program fee of $150K

occurring at a C-PACE financing amount of $25M. Pikus reviewed the reasons

behind the proposed program fee change. He shared a table depicting counties

that have agreed to the new proposed program fee structure for counties that

have adopted it, considering it, and those that are using the existing program

fee. The current fees collected by Kane County are 1% of the C-PACE financing

amount, due at closing, and $200 due with each assessment payment, per

parcel. Pikus reviewed the reason why C-PACE believes that Kane County

should have a Fee Cap. An uncapped County fee can make a transaction fee

package above market and market feedback has been that an uncapped County

fee can be detrimental to C-PACE consideration. Kane County currently does

not have a capped fee. Pikus reviewed the proposed project closing fees.

VanKerkhoff thanked Pikus and Kowalik for their presentation and partnership.

He mentioned that only four projects were completed in Kane County. He hopes

to have more in the future. He noted that Kane County continues to market and

encourage the use of C-PACE when speaking to businesses. He explained that

this presentation was an introduction to the proposed fee changes and contract

extension. He shared that all parties within the County have been made aware

of these potential changes and the affect it may have. VanKerkhoff addressed

questions and comments from the Committee. Much discussion ensued.

11.

12.

Subdivision

None.

Environmental Resources

FY2025 Environmental & Water Resources Budget Presentation

Environ. & Water Res. Dir. Wollnik presented the FY2025 Environmental and

Water Resources Budget. She listed the standing committees that the

Environmental and Water Resources Department report to. The Kane County

Development Committee is the primary, followed by Energy and Environmental,

Administration, and Agriculture Committees. Wollnik presented the

Environmental and Water Resources Department's Organizational Chart. The

department is made up of three sub-departments: Water Resources,

Environmental, and Subdivision. Wollnik reviewed a graph depicting the

department's salaries. She noted that the department salaries were greater in

2014 than 2023, due to staff reduction and reorganization. The increase in 2024

were a product of the County's internal equity study. Wollnik reviewed the history

of the 650 Enterprise Surcharge Fund. This fund was created with revenue from

Tipping Fees from Settler's Hill Landfill. The 650 Fund minimum balance that is

required is $3M to provide funds for environmental issues following Closed

Landfill Care Period, which is typically 20 years. The FY2025 Budget is

essentially flat with a slight projected increase in Hauler License revenue, which

is offset by the increase expense in salary as a result of the internal equity study.

Wollnik noted that the intent is to maintain a balance of $4M within the 650

Fund. In order to maintain the minimum balance, this fund will use interest

earned to pay for salaries, contractual services, and commodities. She

explained that the department's total FY2025 request for all General Fund

Contractual and Commodities is $5,350, which will include office supplies,

vehicle maintenance/fuel, and conferences to maintain licenses required for

positions. The Environmental and Water Resource Department has reduced the

General Fund Contractual and Commodities request by -31% over the last 10

years. Wollnik explained that when this presentation was given at the last

Energy and Environmental Committee, concerns arose on the $200 budget for

vehicle maintenance/fuel. The Committee requested that the $5,350 be

increased to $6K to help with these costs. She requested that the County Board

take into consideration the historic trends within the General Fund and allow

department heads to vet calculations before it is presented at the Finance and

Budget Committee meetings. Wollnik addressed questions and comments from

the Committee. Much discussion ensued.(Committee Member Berman left at

11:45 a.m.)

13.

Water Resources

Authorizing a Contract with Misfits Construction for the Construction of the

Chisholm Trail Drainage Project for $183,205

Environ. & Water Res. Dir. Wollnik provided additional information on this

resolution.

KC Finance and Budget Committee

RESULT:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Finance and Budget Committee

Michael Kenyon

TO:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

Mo Iqbal

Ron Ford, Gary Daugherty, Mo Iqbal, Michael Kenyon, Michael

Linder, and Chris Kious

AYE:

Rick Williams, Dale Berman, and Mark Davoust

ABSENT:

14.

Office of Community Reinvestment

FY2025 OCR Budget Reports

OCR Dir. Berger presented the Office of Community Reinvestment's (OCR)

FY2025 Budget. He reviewed OCR's Mission and Outcomes Statement. The

OCR's budget relies on several external funding sources, primarily from the U.S.

Department of Housing and Urban Development, U.S. Department of Labor, and

the U.S. Treasury Department. These funds help support affordable housing,

public facility and neighborhood infrastructure improvements, human/social

services, homelessness, and Workforce Development for adults, dislocated

workers, and youth and trade programs. Berger provided a breakdown from the

past three years of OCR's staffing. In FY2025, there are 42 full-time positions

budgeted for, with four current vacant. The full-time employee (FTE) increase

reflects the transfer of fiscal staff from the Finance Department and the addition

of a Business Services Representative. Berger shared the OCR's Organizational

Chart. He noted that the office has three divisions: Finance and Administration,

Community Development, and Workforce Development. He shared the ten

Special Revenue funds for the Community Development Programs. For FY2025,

OCR has projected the total revenue budget of $17,579,301. He provided

comments that describe the budget deviations year over year. He noted that

these figures do include draft budget figures for the Riverboat Fund, which is

currently pending approval at the Riverboat Committee. Berger spoke on Fund

480: Workforce Development Division. This fund is anticipated to see a 7%

increase in funding from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic

Opportunity (DCEO) for the fiscal year. Overall the proposed FY2025 Budget for

OCR is approximately $27M. Berger addressed questions and comments from

the Committee.

Authorizing Renewal of a Support Services Contract for the Homeless

Management Information System

OCR Dir. Berger provided additional information on this resolution.

Authorizing an Agreement Between Kane County and the Fox Valley Park

District for the Completion of an Environmental Review for the Lippold Park

Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge Project

OCR Dir. Berger provided additional information on this resolution.

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Michael Kenyon

MOVER:

Michael Linder

SECONDER:

Ron Ford, Gary Daugherty, Mo Iqbal, Michael Kenyon, Michael

Linder, and Chris Kious

AYE:

Rick Williams, Dale Berman, and Mark Davoust

ABSENT:

New Business

15.

FY2025 Development Budget Report

Dev. Dir. VanKerkhoff presented the FY2025 Development and Community

Services Department Budget. He listed several programs that his department

oversees, such as Building and Zoning, Property Code Enforcement, Farmland

Preservation, and Growing for Kane - Local Food Businesses. Additionally, the

department provides staff support to the County Board Committees: County

Development, Agriculture, Jobs, and Energy and Environmental. VanKerkhoff

shared the department's organizational chart. For FY2025, there will be 22 total

positions, with 2 part-time and 20 full-time. He provided the department's

General Fund Summary from 2023 to 2025. He noted that the Development

Department's General Fund budget has consistently been revenue positive by

approximately $700K+ per year. The expense increases for FY2025 are due to

salary increases from the County's internal equity study and for the two

approved vacant positions that were filled in FY2024. Overall, the Development

Department's expenses for FY2025 will increase by 1.6%. VanKerkhoff reviewed

the department's other fund summaries. He shared the differences in the

FY2025 proposed budget versus FY2024. Fund 430 - Farmland Protection's

revenue source, Riverboat Fund, has increased for New Farm Bill, new funding

sources, and waiting list of farms for protection. VanKerkhoff shared recent and

current grants his department has applied for. There will be over $8M in current

grants and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funded projects over the next two

years. VanKerkhoff addressed questions and comments from the Committee.

Proclamation Recognizing Mott’s Lounge in Burlington, Illinois on its 100th

Anniversary

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Michael Kenyon

Chris Kious

MOVER:

SECONDER:

Ron Ford, Gary Daugherty, Mo Iqbal, Michael Kenyon, Michael

Linder, and Chris Kious

AYE:

Rick Williams, Dale Berman, and Mark Davoust

ABSENT:

16.

17.

Reports Placed On File

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT

Chris Kious

Executive Session

The Development Committee entered into Executive Session at 12:10 p.m. to discuss

the release of closed session minutes on a motion made by Kious, seconded by

Kenyon. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.

RESULT:

APPROVED BY ROLL CALL VOTE

Chris Kious

MOVER:

Michael Kenyon

SECONDER:

Ron Ford, Gary Daugherty, Mo Iqbal, Michael Kenyon, Michael

Linder, and Chris Kious

AYE:

Rick Williams, Dale Berman, and Mark Davoust

ABSENT:

Release of Closed Session Minutes

18.

Open Session

The Committee returned to Open Session at 12:14 a.m. on a motion made by Kious,

seconded by Kenyon. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote.

RESULT:

APPROVED BY VOICE VOTE

Chris Kious

MOVER:

Michael Kenyon

SECONDER:

Vote on Release of Closed Session Minutes