421 N. COUNTY FARM ROAD

WHEATON, IL 60187

DU PAGE COUNTY

Human Services

www.dupagecounty.gov

Final Summary

Tuesday, February 20, 2024

1. CALL TO ORDER

9:30 AM

Room 3500A

9:30 AM meeting was called to order by Chair Greg Schwarze at 9:30 AM.

Chair Schwarze stated a physical quorum is present. The Chair entertained a motion to permit

those members not physically present due to personal illness, disability, employment purposes, or

for the business of the Board or family or other emergency, to participate via video or

teleconference. Member Galassi and Member LaPlante, if available will be remote. Member

DeSart so moved, Member Childress seconded, all ayes on a voice vote, motion carried.

ROLL CALL

Other Board Member present: Member Yeena Yoo.

Staff in attendance: Nick Kottmeyer (Chief Administrative Office) Joan Olson (Chief

Communications Officer), Renee Zerante (State's Attorney Office) Mary Catherine Wells and

Keith Jorstad (Finance), Valerie Calvente (Procurement), Gina Strafford and Mary Keating

(Community Services), and Janelle Chadwick (DuPage Care Center) (remote).

Childress, DeSart, Garcia, and Schwarze

PRESENT

ABSENT

LaPlante

Galassi

REMOTE

PUBLIC COMMENT

No public comments were offered.

CHAIR REMARKS - CHAIR SCHWARZE

Chair Schwarze read the following editorial from the day’s issue of the Daily Herald.

Hunger continues to be a real challenge for far too many residents living in the suburbs.

In a recent story about the Northern Illinois Food Bank, Our Rick West reported that the

organization serves roughly 540,000 people each month within its 13-county area, including

DuPage, Lake, Kane, and McHenry counties. That is nearly double the number of neighbors the

food bank served during the months before the pandemic.

Maeven Sipes, chief philanthropy officer for the food bank, told West that folks are still

struggling and facing tough choices.

“Prices are higher than before”, Sipes said. “And even if people are working, their wages can’t

keep up with what their expenses are looking like:”

So, we welcome anything local governments can do to make it easier for food pantries to assist

those who need help.

One example happened last week when DuPage County Board members approved nearly $1M in

funding requests from 16 food pantries to help pay for trucks, refrigerators, and other capital

equipment needs.

The grants were possible because the county received more than $179M from the federal

American Rescue Plan Act.

In September 2022, DuPage leaders set aside $5M of those federal dollars to address the issue of

food insecurity. Part of that included funding for long-term investments in food pantries.

We are pleased to see local food pantries benefiting 17 months after that decision.

DuPage officials deserve a lot of credit. They found ways to spend money from the COVID-19

relief package in ways that will have a lasting impact in their county. They have, for example,

used some of the federal dollars to address homelessness.

Food insecurity is a growing problem. It’s not going away anytime soon. So, we applaud

DuPage for acknowledging the crisis and trying to seek solutions.

Joan Olson stated the editorial will be in the News from Inside DuPage so everyone will receive

a copy.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

5.A.

24-0721

Human Services Committee - Regular Meeting - Tuesday, February 6, 2024

APPROVED

RESULT:

Michael Childress

Paula Garcia

MOVER:

SECONDER:

LENGTH OF SERVICE AWARD

6.A. Length of Service Award - Amy Gaydos - 10 Years - Community Services

COMMUNITY SERVICES - MARY KEATING

7.A.

FI-R-0040-24

Acceptance and appropriation of the 211 Illinois Department of Public Health Grant

PY24, Company 5000 - Accounting Unit 1765, from January 1, 2023 through June 30,

2024, in the amount of $102,600. (Community Services)

APPROVED AND SENT TO FINANCE

Michael Childress

RESULT:

MOVER:

Dawn DeSart

SECONDER:

7.B.

HS-CO-0001-24

Recommendation for the approval of an amendment to purchase order 6640-0001 SERV,

for a contract issued to Benevate, Inc. D/B/A Neighborly Software, for the purchase of

grants management software, to increase the contract in the amount of $8,000 for the

SmartyStreets add-on, resulting in an amended contract total amount not to exceed

$142,000, an increase of 5.97%. (ERA2 Grant-Funded)

APPROVED AND SENT TO FINANCE

Dawn DeSart

RESULT:

MOVER:

Michael Childress

SECONDER:

DUPAGE CARE CENTER - JANELLE CHADWICK

8.A.

FI-R-0041-24

Additional appropriation for the DuPage Care Center Foundation Music Therapy Grant

PY22, Company 5000, Accounting Unit 2120, from $55,332 to $67,587, an increase of

$12,255. (DuPage Care Center)

APPROVED AND SENT TO FINANCE

Dawn DeSart

RESULT:

MOVER:

Paula Garcia

SECONDER:

8.B.

8.C.

8.D.

HS-P-0013-24

Recommendation for the approval of a contract to Performance FoodService, for

secondary food, supplies and chemicals, for the DuPage Care Center, for the period

March 1, 2024 through February 28, 2025, for a contract total not to exceed $63,000;

under bid renewal #23-020-DCC, first of three one-year optional renewals.

APPROVED AND SENT TO FINANCE

Michael Childress

RESULT:

MOVER:

Dawn DeSart

SECONDER:

HS-P-0014-24

Recommendation for the approval of a contract purchase order to Advacare Systems, for

rental of medical equipment - beds and mattresses, for the DuPage Care Center, for the

period of March 1, 2024 through February 28, 2025, for a contract total not to exceed

$99,000; under bid renewal #20-142-CARE, third and final optional renewal.

APPROVED AND SENT TO FINANCE

Paula Garcia

RESULT:

MOVER:

Michael Childress

SECONDER:

24-0722

Recommendation for the approval of a contract purchase order to CareVoyant, Inc., for

CV hosting for large database and additional licenses, for the DuPage Care Center, for

the period May 1, 2024 through April 30, 2025, for a total contract amount not to exceed

$22,800, per Other Professional Services.

APPROVED

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

Paula Garcia

Dawn DeSart

Childress, DeSart, Galassi, Garcia, and Schwarze

LaPlante

ABSENT:

8.E.

24-0723

Recommendation for the approval of a contract purchase order to Equipment

International, Ltd., for laundry equipment repair services and parts, as needed, for the

DuPage Care Center, for the period March 1, 2024 through February 28, 2025, for a

contract total not to exceed $27,000; per bid #24-014-DCC.

APPROVED

RESULT:

Dawn DeSart

MOVER:

Michael Childress

SECONDER:

Childress, DeSart, Galassi, Garcia, and Schwarze

LaPlante

AYES:

ABSENT:

8.F.

24-0724

Recommendation for the approval of a contract purchase order to KCI USA, Inc. dba 3M

Medical Solutions, for wound vac therapy and medical supplies for wound and skin care,

for the DuPage Care Center, for the period February 24, 2024 through February 23, 2025,

for a total contract total amount not to exceed $25,000; under quote renewal

#21-100-CARE, second of three one-year renewal options.

APPROVED

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

Paula Garcia

Dawn DeSart

Childress, DeSart, Galassi, Garcia, and Schwarze

LaPlante

ABSENT:

CONSENT ITEMS

9.A.

24-0725

Valdes, LLC, contract 6169-0001 SERV - This contract purchase order is decreasing in

the amount of $20,438.57 and closing due to the purchase order has expired.

APPROVED

RESULT:

MOVER:

SECONDER:

AYES:

Michael Childress

Dawn DeSart

Childress, DeSart, Galassi, Garcia, and Schwarze

LaPlante

ABSENT:

9.B.

24-0726

Symbria Rehab, Inc., 6056-0001 SERV - This contract purchase order is decreasing in the

amount of $397,693.80 and closing due to contract purchase order has expired.

APPROVED

RESULT:

Michael Childress

Paula Garcia

MOVER:

SECONDER:

10.

RESIDENCY WAIVERS - JANELLE CHADWICK

No residency waivers were offered.

11.

DUPAGE CARE CENTER UPDATE - JANELLE CHADWICK

Janelle Chadwick, Administrator of the DuPage Care Center, stated there were over 600 balloons

issued to residents and the Foundation made about $6000 from the Valentine’s Day Balloon

event. Ms. Chadwick expressed her appreciation to everyone that came and participated, and to

all that toured the renovation.

She added if anyone is interested in touring the new construction to reach out and she will try to

coordinate a tour.

Ms. Chadwick announced the construction projects two and three, which includes 3 Center and

the outdoor lobby area, were approved by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). Some

of the furniture for 4 North will arrive today.

Chair Schwarze asked about an ETA for residents moving back into the fourth floor. Ms.

Chadwick replied that the Care Center will submit a request for temporary occupancy when they

are about 90% done, which is hopefully within the next week. IDPH will have 60 days to

respond, which most likely will include an onsite visit.

12.

COMMUNITY SERVICES UPDATE - MARY KEATING

Gina Strafford, Administrator in Community Services, stated 211 Illinois received funding in

2023 from the State of Illinois. The County recently received two contracts for the money. A

contract for about $98,000 was approved in December, and the contract on today’s agenda is for

$102,000. The funds are intended for publicity or staffing, although the state discourages the

funds being spent on staffing. The contract expires at the end of June, so there is a limited time

to spend the money.

Ms. Strafford-Ahmed stated that she is looking at means of publicity (television, social media,

cable,etc.) with Joan Olson, DuPage County’s Chief Communications Officer, as the calls are not

increasing as they hoped.

The committee discussed ways of reaching out to the residents of DuPage County.

Ms. Strafford-Ahmed stated that getting the word out is their priority regarding the use of funds.

The committee should see a procurement at the next meeting regarding the money. Ms.

Strafford-Ahmed is confident that the county will continue to receive funds for 211 and asked the

committee members to contact her if they are aware of advertising opportunities.

13.

OLD BUSINESS

Member Galassi raised concerns regarding the distribution of funds for the different food

pantries. She said HCS in Hinsdale, who serves Hinsdale and Willowbrook, was not aware they

could order a refrigerated truck. As a representative of District 3, Member Galassi asked how can

we get that added? Chair Schwarze replied that he will be meeting with Vice Chair Garcia and

staff after the meeting and will give this matter consideration to move forward in an equitable

manner.

Member Galassi stated that Nick Kottmeyer said he was going to look into facilitating group

buying for all the refrigerated trucks. Member Galassi said HCS has been quoted $79,000 for a

truck. Chair Schwarze said he would keep the board apprised of any actions regarding this issue.