Lake County F&A Special Committee on COVID-19 Recovery met June 12.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
1. Call to Order
Chair Frank called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m.
Present 5 - Chair Frank, Vice Chair Vealitzek, Member Carlson, Member Clark and Member Pedersen
Others present:
Sam Cunningam, City of Waukegan
Cheri Neal, Zion Township
Tom Poynton, Village of Lake Zurich
Leon Rockingham, City of North Chicago
Donny Schmit, Village of Fox Lake/Lake County Municipal League
Dan Venturi, Lake Villa Township
Marah Altenberg, County Board
Kristy Cechini, County Board Office
Jennifer Clark, County Board
Kevin Considine, Lake County Partners
Mary Ross Cunningham, County Board
Michael Danforth, County Board
Mandi Florip, Lake County Municipal League
Karen Fox, State's Attorney's Office
Gary Gibson, County Administrator's Office
Gunnar Gunnarson, State's Attorney's Office
Sandy Hart, County Board
Jim Hawkins, County Administrator's Office
Carl Kirar, Facilities and Construction Services
Angelo Kyle, County Board
Judy Martini, County Board
Matt Meyers, County Administrator's Office
Brenda O'Connell, Community Development
Jennifer Serino, Workforce Development
Julie Simpson, County Board
Patrice Sutton, Finance and Administrative Services
Craig Taylor, County Board
Cassandra Torstenson, County Administrator's Office
Eric Waggoner, Planning, Building and Development
Deb Waszak, City of North Chicago
Terry Wilke, County Board
2. Pledge of Allegiance
Chair Frank led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. Addenda to the Agenda
There were no additions or amendments to the agenda.
4. Public Comment
4.1 20-0812
Public Comment.
Blanca Vela-Schneider, County Administrator's Office, provided a public comment regarding CARES Act funding for park districts. Chair Frank remarked that Lake County is currently focusing on human services but the parks concern is valid.
Public comment was presented.
5. Chair's Remarks
There were no remarks from the Chair.
6. Old Business
There was no old business to discuss.
7. New Business
Consent Agenda (Items 7.1 - 7.2)
Approval of Minutes
7.1 20-0796
Minutes from May 22, 2020.
Attachments: F&A COVID-19 Recovery 5.22.20 Minutes - Final.pdf
A motion was made by Member Vealitzek, seconded by Member Clark, to approve Consent Agenda items 7.1 and 7.2. The motion carried unanimously.
Aye: 5 - Chair Frank, Vice Chair Vealitzek, Member Carlson, Member Clark and Member Pedersen
7.2 20-0804
A motion was made by Member Vealitzek, seconded by Member Clark, to approve Consent Agenda items 7.1 and 7.2. The motion carried unanimously.
Aye: 5 - Chair Frank, Vice Chair Vealitzek, Member Carlson, Member Clark and Member Pedersen
Regular Agenda 7.3 20-0798
Presentation: Municipal Perspective on COVID-19 Expenses and CARES Act Funding - Lake County Municipal League.
Donny Schmit, Village of Fox Lake Mayor and Lake County Municipal League President, discussed the economic effects of the pandemic on Lake County communities. The County received CARES Act funding with the intent that it would be shared with local municipalities. COVID-19 expenses continue to grow for municipalities; more than $10,000,000 has already been spent by 31 of the 45 municipalities thus far. Revenues are estimated to decrease by 30 percent and municipalities will need to cut services and programs as a result.
Leon Rockingham, City of North Chicago Mayor, reported on the impact that COVID-19 has had to the residents of North Chicago. North Chicago has the highest per capita cases of COVID-19 positive cases in the Lake County due to the number of residents who were deemed essential, continued to work and were subjected to higher exposure of the virus. North Chicago quickly suspended its water shut-offs and implemented early actions to assist its residents and the business community by extending deadlines for various fees and taxes. North Chicago anticipates a loss of revenue of $2,000,000 and has incurred an unanticipated $200,000 in COVID-19 related expenses. North Chicago requests that the County extend a portion of the CARES funds to municipalities based upon population.
Tom Poynton, Village Lake Zurich Mayor, reported that Lake Zurich anticipates a $1,738,000 shortfall in revenue due to the pandemic and has accumulated nearly $60,000 in unanticipated COVID-19 related expenses. Business owners have struggled to obtain loans and the loan application processes have been confusing. He requested that the County disburse a portion of the CARES funds to municipalities.
Sam Cunningham, City of Waukegan Mayor, identified the negative impact the pandemic has had to the City of Waukegan. Waukegan has incurred expenses of more than $250,000 in overtime costs due to essential workers, $150,000 in personal protective equipment, Information Technology equipment, and disinfection services, and an estimated $147,000 in paid sick time and injured-on-the-job pay specifically related to COVID-19. He requested the County disburse a portion of the CARES funds to municipalities.
Discussion ensued regarding how municipal funding should be distributed and the uses in which the funding can be spent. The consensus of the Committee was that the county wants to understand where the greatest need are before making a determination on the amount of funding to be disbursed.
The municipal perspective was presented.
7.4 20-0799
Presentation: Township Perspective on COVID-19 Expenses and CARES Act Funding - Lake County Township Supervisors.
Cheri Neal, Zion Township Supervisor, reported that the townships have collectively compiled information to identify agencies impacted by COVID-19. Dan Venturi, Lake Villa Township Supervisor, noted that townships will likely see an influx of assistance requests once the Governor's Executive Order regarding suspension of evictions and utility shut-offs expires. Discussion ensued regarding services the township provides.
The township perspective was presented.
7.5 20-0800
Update on Lake County's Strategy, Programs, and Budget for CARES Act Funds.
Jim Hawkins, Deputy County Administrator, reviewed Lake County's guiding principles for CARES Act funding. At this time, six categories for funding have been identified: 1. assistance to residents; 2. business and economic assistance; 3. public health assistance, 4. municipal and local essential services; 5. county government essential services; 6. contingency reserve.
Rental and Utility Assistance
Cassandra Torstenson, County Administrator's Office, reviewed the rental and utility assistance application and funding process. Training through ServicePoint is recommended to agencies who receive funding in order to effectively manage CARES funds. Monthly reports will be required.
Business and Economic Task Force Priorities and Budget.
Jennifer Serino, Workforce Development Director, provided a concept overview regarding the criteria for a Small Business Grant Program. Grant funding would be formula-based and priority would be for businesses that shut down or had operated at a reduced capacity, minority and/or women owned establishments, businesses who had to lay of employees in 2020, and businesses that did not receive the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) or Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) funds. It is recommended that Lake County
Partners be the initial application reviewer followed by a Grant Award Committee. Discussion ensued regarding eligibility criteria and what industries this program will support. Director Serino sought direction on the percent of minority/women owned businesses that the program should target.
An update on Lake County's Strategy, Programs, and Budget of CARES Act funds was provided.
7.6 20-0801
Discussion on Municipal COVID-19 Related Expenses.
Jim Hawkins, Deputy County Administrator, discussed the reimbursement model for municipalities. Staff is recommending an initial amount of $5,000,000 to help municipalities. Discussion ensued. The consensus of the committee is to increase the amount to $10,000,000.
The Committee discussed Municipal COVID-19 related expenses.
7.7 20-0802
Discussion on Township COVID-19 Related Expenses.
Jim Hawkins, Deputy County Administrator, reported that he is working with townships on rental, utility, and food assistance. The goal is to disburse the funds by the end of June 2020.
The Committee discussed Township COVID-19 related expenses.
7.8 20-0803
Guidance to Staff.
Jim Hawkins, Deputy County Administrator, reported that based on today's conversation, staff will prepare a resolution for municipal/fire protection district CARES Act funding and the Small Business Program. Staff will also prepare a resolution for Lake County Partners to help administer the Small Business Program application review.
Discussion ensued regarding potential assistance to long-term care facilities.
Staff reviewed the guidance provided by the Committee.
8. Executive Session
The Committee did not enter in Executive Session.
9. Public Comment
There were no additional comments from the public.
10. County Administrator's Report
There was no County Administrator's report.
11. Members' Remarks
There were no remarks from members.
12. Adjournment
Chair Frank adjourned the meeting at 12:05 p.m.
https://lakecounty.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=M&ID=790620&GUID=C2AE7E01-C528-4F4F-905B-25D893441F3A
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