Government Center

719 S. Batavia Ave., Bldg. A

Geneva, IL 60134

Kane County

KC Administration Committee

Meeting Minutes

KIOUS, Juby, Arroyo, Garcia, Gumz, D. Young, K. Young, ex-officios Roth (County Vice

Chair) and Pierog (County Chair)

Wednesday, February 11, 2026

10:30 AM

County Board Room

Call To Order

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

Roll Call

Board Member Chris Kious, Board Member Leslie Juby, Alex

Arroyo, Sonia Garcia, Michelle Gumz, David Young, Kimberley

Young, Bill Roth and Corinne M. Pierog

PRESENT:

Also present: Co. Bd. Members Allan, Linder, Molina*; ITD/BLD Exec. Dir. Fahnestock

& staff Harris, Lasky, Roff, Clark, Smith, Peters, Walker, Tedder; State's Attorney

Mosser* & staff Frank, Ford; KDOT Deputy Dir. Rickert & staff Way; KC Historian

Shepro; Chief Judge Villa & staff Di Giovanni, O'Brien, Mathis; Dev. Preservation

Planner Thavong; Auditor Wegman; Fin. Exec. Dir. Hopkinson; Purchasing Dir.

Keovongsak; and members of the press and public.

Remote Attendance Requests

There were no remote attendance requests for today's meeting.

Approval of Minutes: January 14, 2026

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT

Michelle Gumz

Public Comment

Kane County Board Member and resident, David Young, spoke on First Amendment

retaliation. He stated that the United States Constitution First Amendment provides that

Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech. He explained that the

phrase "abridging of speech" means that the government is prohibited from punishing

or censoring individuals for what they say. The clause applies to federal, state, and

local governments, including the Kane County Board. Young stated that First

Amendment retaliation refers to adverse actions taken by a government official in

response to an individual's exercise of their First Amendment Rights. He explained that

to demonstrate First Amendment retaliation of an individual who showed engagement

in expression protected by the First Amendment, a government official would have took

adverse action against an individual, and the individual's protected expression

motivated the official to take adverse action. He stated that courts have repeatedly held

that state and local officials cannot retaliate against free speech, suppress speech

based on view points, use government authority to silence critics, and coerce third

parties in helping to suppress speech. He explained that 42 USC, Section 1983 has

been violated by County Board Member Chris Kious. He stated that possible remedies

from a civil liability lawsuit include monetary damages, which include emotional

distress, reputation harm, financial losses, and ongoing harm caused by retaliation or

suppression and violation of constitutional rights. He noted that civil rights damages

often exceeds tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars depending on severity. He

added that punitive damages can be substantial, if the government's conduct was

malicious, reckless, willful, or intended to suppress or punish constitutional rights.

Young explained that in finding that a local official violated a citizen's First Amendment

Rights is a public scandal. He stated that when an elected official decides to send out

emails to make a call to action against someone, they can be faced with severe

consequences.

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)

ITD/BLD Exec. Dir. Fahnestock stated that at today's meeting there were a few guests

that will speak in support for a neutral exchange, supervised time location at the Third

Street Court House. He explained that today's presentation will culminate into a

recommendation for a neutral exchange family center. He stated that there is a

partnership being proposed between the Kane County Judiciary, Kane County Bar

Foundation, and the County Board. He noted that this proposal was brought to him by

Chief Judge Villa and Judge Di Giovanni. He explained that after the presentation, staff

will be seeking a consensus from the Committee to agree with the financial aspects of

this project and to move forward with the development of a neutral exchange family

center.

Fahnestock presented the Neutral Exchange Supervised Time (NEST) Renovation

Project of the Annex Building located at 401 Campbell Street, Geneva. He reviewed a

brochure that describes thae NEST Program, the vision and mission, and the overall

plan for the courthouse annex building. He shared the past historic use of the annex

building. He reviewed the proposal for the NEST Project. (Madam Chairman Pierog

arrived in-person at 10:40 a.m.) He stated that the renovation of the Annex Building

would cost $200K, which $100K would be covered by Judicial Facility Fees and $100K

would come from the Capital Projects List. He explained that the building would not

need any structural changes, but would need a new roof, HVAC system, windows,

siding, doors, break area, restrooms, paint, flooring, lighting, security, and accessibility

improvements. Additionally, signage and landscaping would need to be installed.

Fahnestock stated that the furnishings and decorations would be provided by "In Kind"

donations. Lastly, the County would need to decide if the building would be leased to

the Kane County Bar Foundation for NEST, or simply have an agreement with them to

run the program out of the annex building. Fahnestock provided a breakdown of the

budgetary estimates for the 1,800 square foot building renovation. He shared a map of

the location of the building and photographs of the conditions inside and outside of the

building. He described what work would be need to be addressed. He further

addressed the funding of this project and the approval needed to move forward.

Chief Judge Villa explained the need for improving assets in Kane County. He spoke

on the improvements made to the Third Street Courthouse, Kane County Diagnostic

Center, and the partnership with the Kane County Bar Foundation with the shift of the

Driver Safety Program from Waubonsee Community College to them. Additionally, they

have worked with the Bar Association on the proposed project of a NEST location. He

spoke on the traumatic experiences of neutral exchange sites for children. He stated

that it is the Kane County Judiciary's goal to help the Kane County Bar Foundation with

the ability to fund the operations of NEST and the facility itself.

Presiding Judge of the Family Division in Kane County, Kim Di Giovanni, spoke on the

2025 case filings involving children. She addressed the need for this type of exchange

center. She stated that the Kane County Bar Association and the County held a

fundraiser to help support this NEST location. She spoke on the availability and access

this location at the Third Street Courthouse holds as an exchange family center. She

explained that the Kane County Bar Foundation would provide the support needed,

such as mental health providers, security, and funding. Villa and Di Giovanni

addressed questions and comments from the Committee. Much discussion ensued.

The Committee provided consensus to partner with the Kane County Judiciary and the

Kane County Bar Foundation to move forward with the NEST project.

Fahnestock stated that the Committee will need to address the landscaping contract for

County facilities. He explained that the Building Management Department (BLD) will

need direction from the Committee on how to move forward with obtaining a

landscaping contract. He stated that this could go out to bid again, but it is likely that

the County would receive many of the same vendors. He spoke on the timing of this

contract due to the spring weather approaching and the work that is needed. He asked

the Committee for their consensus to either have a scope review and present the

resolution for a contract with Ratliff Landscaping, or to choose the second lowest

qualified bidder. Much discussion ensued.

The Committee provided a consensus to have BLD work with the State's Attorney's

Office (SAO) and the Purchasing Department to possibly accept the second lowest

qualified bidder and place a resolution on the next Executive Committee meeting

agenda. Further discussion ensued on the appeal rights of the first lowest qualified

bidder. The SAO asked for more time to review this matter to further advise the

Committee. The Committee conceded.

Building Management (K. Harris)

Chairman Kious requested the Committee move to agenda item: Building

Management: 8C. The Committee conceded.

Authorizing Number of Procurement Cards Issued to the Building Management

Department and Each of Their Transaction Limits

BLD Dir. Harris stated that this is an annual housekeeping resolution. He

explained that there has been no change in the transaction limits from FY2025.

He stated that procurement cards allow the Building Management Department

(BLD) to purchase items that are found to be lower in cost on non-standard parts

and address any emergent situations.

KC Finance and Budget Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Finance and Budget Committee

Michelle Gumz

MOVER:

Sonia Garcia

SECONDER:

Chris Kious, Board Member Juby, Board Member Garcia, Board

Member Gumz, Board Member Young and Board Member Young

AYE:

Board Member Arroyo

AWAY:

Authorizing a Contract Extension for Kane County Elevator Preventative

Maintenance Services for the Building Management Department (BID# 23-011)

BLD Dir. Harris introduced this resolution. He explained that this is a first

contract extension with Urban Elevator, who provide all of the maintenance work

on the elevators throughout the County. He noted that there are two additional

extensions, if the County decides to grant them. Harris addressed questions and

comments from the Committee. Discussion ensued.

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Michelle Gumz

MOVER:

Leslie Juby

SECONDER:

Chris Kious, Board Member Juby, Board Member Arroyo, Board

Member Garcia, Board Member Gumz, Board Member Young

and Board Member Young

AYE:

Authorizing Updated Capital Projects from the Capital Fund

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Michelle Gumz

MOVER:

Kimberley Young

SECONDER:

Chris Kious, Board Member Juby, Board Member Arroyo, Board

Member Garcia, Board Member Gumz, Board Member Young

and Board Member Young

AYE:

The Committee moved to agenda item: Building Management: 8A.

Information Technologies (C. Lasky)

Authorizing Number of Procurement Cards Issued to the Information

Technologies Department and Each of Their Transaction Limits

ITD CIO Lasky stated that this resolution is in response to the annual process to

approve the procurement card limits. He noted that the transaction limits and

single purchase limits have remained the same from last year.

KC Finance and Budget Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Finance and Budget Committee

Alex Arroyo

MOVER:

Sonia Garcia

SECONDER:

Chris Kious, Board Member Juby, Board Member Arroyo, Board

Member Garcia, Board Member Gumz, Board Member Young

and Board Member Young

AYE:

Approving the County of Kane Compliance Statement for Website Accessibility

ITD CIO Lasky introduced this resolution. He explained that this is in response to

the new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance requirements for

public-facing websites and digital communications from the County. Based on

this, the Information Technologies Department (ITD) staff have worked with the

Kane County State's Attorney's Office (SAO) to draft a County of Kane

Accessibility Compliance Statement. Once it is approved by the County Board,

the compliance statement will be placed on Kane County websites. Additionally,

a Laserfiche form will be made available for those wanting to file a complaint on

anything on the website that is not ADA compliant, so that the County can

evaluate the issue.

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Kimberley Young

Leslie Juby

TO:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

Chris Kious, Board Member Juby, Board Member Arroyo, Board

Member Garcia, Board Member Gumz, Board Member Young

and Board Member Young

AYE:

Authorizing a Contract for the Information Technologies Department with Walker

and Associates, Inc. dba Netceed & Alxtel for Juniper, Cisco, Fortinet & Support

Services (RFP# 26-004-Tk)

ITD CIO Lasky introduced this resolution. He explained that this is in response to

a bid that went out through the Purchasing Department to purchase network,

gears, services, software, and support. He stated that this will cover all

equipment used to maintain the fiber network and wireless access points

throughout the County. He explained that Walker and Associates, Inc. and Alxtel

have been rewarded the contract due to their pricing on two separate items.

Lasky addressed questions and comments from the Committee. Discussion

ensued.

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Alex Arroyo

MOVER:

Sonia Garcia

SECONDER:

Chris Kious, Board Member Juby, Board Member Arroyo, Board

Member Garcia, Board Member Gumz, Board Member Young

and Board Member Young

AYE:

Authorizing Execution of a Master Intergovernmental Cooperative Purchasing

Agreement and Other Documents Necessary to Participate in a Purchasing

Cooperative with AT&T, and Authorizing the Purchase of Telecommunications

Services Under Said Agreement by Kane County

ITD CIO Lasky introduced this resolution. He explained that this resolution

authorizes the Information Technologies Department (ITD) to continue to

purchase services through AT&T under the contract that was done by the State

of Illinois. He stated that the County would be joining the cooperative to get

pricing the State negotiated. He explained that this is how the County has

maintained access to most of the AT&T services utilized throughout the years.

He added that the state contract has provided the best option to do so.

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Michelle Gumz

TO:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

Alex Arroyo

Chris Kious, Board Member Juby, Board Member Arroyo, Board

Member Garcia, Board Member Gumz, Board Member Young

and Board Member Young

AYE:

Authorizing a License Agreement for Dark Fiber with ISI Communications, Inc.

ITD CIO Lasky introduced this resolution. He explained that this resolution is the

first fiber license agreement since the change in legislation occurred. He stated

that GIS Dir. Lebo and ASA Ford worked together on this agreement and that

the final language was finalized this morning. He explained that this would be an

agreement that would bring to the County $44,648.95. He stated that this is a

four-year agreement for a section of fiber that is coming off of the SBA Data

Center.

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Michelle Gumz

MOVER:

Kimberley Young

SECONDER:

Chris Kious, Board Member Juby, Board Member Arroyo, Board

Member Garcia, Board Member Gumz, Board Member Young

and Board Member Young

AYE:

10.

11.

Geographic Information Systems (K. Lebo)

None.

Mill Creek SSA (R. Fahnestock)

Authorizing a Contract Extension with Langton Group for the Mill Creek SSA

Landscape Maintenance Services Program (Tree Related Services) (BID#

24-025-TK)

ITD/BLD Exec. Dir. Fahnestock introduced this resolution. He explained that this

would be covered by the Mill Creek Special Service Area (MCSSA) funds. This

is the first year of a three-year extension. Fahnestock noted that Mill Creek has

had a good experience with Langton Group. He added that this contract is in the

amount not to exceed $200K.

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Michelle Gumz

TO:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

Alex Arroyo

Chris Kious, Board Member Juby, Board Member Arroyo, Board

Member Garcia, Board Member Gumz, Board Member Young

and Board Member Young

AYE:

Authorizing a Contract Extension for the 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)

ITD/BLD Exec. Dir. Fahnestock introduced this resolution. He explained that this

is a service contract to remove trip hazards in the Mill Creek Special Service

Area (MCSSA). He stated that Precision Concrete Cutting, Inc. has already

addressed thousand of tripping hazards within MCSSA. He explained that this

company will give recommendations on where trip hazards need to be

addressed. He stated that this extension is seeking to approve an additional up

to $150K to address these matters. He noted that this program has been widely

appreciated by residents. Fahnestock addressed questions and comments from

the Committee. Discussion ensued.

KC Executive Committee

RESULT:

TO:

MOVED FORWARD BY ROLL CALL VOTE

KC Executive Committee

Michelle Gumz

MOVER:

Alex Arroyo

SECONDER:

Chris Kious, Board Member Juby, Board Member Arroyo, Board

Member Garcia, Board Member Gumz, Board Member Young

and Board Member Young

AYE:

12.

Vehicles

None.

13.

New Business

Facility Use of the Judicial Center Parking Lot for The Fox River Trail Runners

Charity Event

ITD/BLD Exec. Dir. Fahnestock introduced this Facility Use Request. He

explained that this request is for the use of the Kane County's Judicial Center

parking lot for the Fox River Runners Charity Event on May 3, 2026 from 5:30

a.m. to 11:30 a.m. He noted that there would be approximately 500 to 800

participants for this event. He stated that Chief Judge Villa has approved this

facility use request. Fahnestock addressed questions and comments from the

Committee. Discussion ensued. Fahnestock spoke about the online form that

was developed to address questions for Facility Use Requests.

The Committee provided a consensus to approve this facility use request.

14.

Old Business

Discussion: Committee Goals

Chairman Kious introduced the discussion on 2026 Committee Goals. He stated

that the proposed Committee goals were emailed out to all Committee Members

for review.

Committee Member Juby stated that since this is a governance committee, she

reviewed the previous goals to separate the work of the Committee from the

work of staff. She tried to realign it within the Committee's governance. She

addressed the six proposed 2026 Committee Goals.

Committee Member Gumz would like to add a goal that addresses the County

properties and the possibility of leasing, selling, and buying property. Discussion

ensued.

Kious stated that any changes to the Committee Goals to be sent to all

members before next month's meeting.

15.

16.

Reports Placed On File

RESULT:

MOVER:

APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT

Michelle Gumz

Executive Session (if needed)

None.