Rock Island Today

Rock Island County Hope Creek Care Center Board of Directors met April 17.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

1) Call to order and roll call

Committee members present: Jessey Hullon, Gregg Johnson, Michael Kelly, Carol Near (arrived at 5:46 p.m.), Ginny Shelton, Rod Simmer (arrived at 5:33 p.m.)

Committee members absent: Bryon Tyson

Others present: Kenneth Maranda, Hayleigh Covella, Ed Langdon, Tammy Muerhoff, Scott Terry, Bill Norman, Lynda Vogt, Patty Luecke, Rhonda Westmorland, Bob Westpfahl, Mia Mayberry, Deanne Bloomberg

2) Approval of the minutes from the March 20, 2017 meeting

Mr. Simmer is present.

Motion to approve: Michael Kelly

2nd: Ginny Shelton

Voice vote

Motion carried

3) Public comments

Mr. Norman asked if Hope Creek is going to have childcare here or not. He has heard it both ways. Mr. Hullon said they would be discussing that under Item 7 if Mr. Swanson wants to wait. Mr. Norman said all he cares about is a yes or a no. Mr. Johnson explained that the item is being presented tonight to discuss. It’s in its very early stages. He welcomed Mr. Norman to sit in during the discussion. Mr. Simmer noted that it’s still an exploratory thing. Mr. Kelly added that the County Board has to approve it also.

Mr. Westpfahl said he thinks there are some great opportunities coming here and they can look at it glass half full or half empty.

4) Financials

Mr. Hullon noted that the accountants are not here today, but everyone got the financials. He knows they always have questions, but for today’s meeting, they can just highlight some stuff then next month they can go ahead and press Mr. Gabelmann and Mr. Dryg.

Mr. Kelly said he’d make a motion to accept the financial report next month when the accountants are here and the Board can ask them questions. He knows April 15 is upon them and those people are very busy, so maybe they should table this until next month.

Mr. Hullon asked if there is any discussion. Mr. Simmer said it’s a good idea.

Motion to table approval of financial reports until May: Michael Kelly

2nd: Rod Simmer

Voice vote

Motion carried

Mr. Hullon noted that everyone also has in their packets a report on agency usage. He asked them to scan those. Mr. Simmer asked if these reports are on outside usage. Mr. Hullon said yes. Ms. Vogt noted that there’s a big decrease due to the closure of the unit. Mr. Simmer said it looks like it’s going better than in the past, but it’s still up quite a bit. He noted that last month they were told that enrollment is down too. Mr. Hullon said enrollment is actually down in the whole Quad Cities area. Mr. Johnson said it’s down all over the state.

Mr. Hullon asked what the census is. Ms. Vogt said it’s at 198 today.

Mr. Simmer said he meant enrollment in school for CNAs, RNs, and LPNs, so it’s good that they’re keeping it there with the decrease in that too.

Mr. Hullon asked how they are on collections. Ms. Luecke said March was a pretty good month. She was looking to see if Mr. Ross had shared the report. Mr. Hullon said she can share it. He knows what it is. Ms. Luecke said that collection was $1.5 million for March. Mr. Hullon said that’s been one of Hope Creek’s better months in months. Ms. Luecke noted that that’s with being down a staff member. Mr. Hullon gave her major kudos and asked how April is looking. Ms. Luecke said she’s not sure yet. She was off on Friday and worked on some public aid issues today. Mr. Hullon said it’s still amazing.

Mr. Johnson noted that it’s pretty clear that with the population drop, closing a wing to him is a win-win. One of the biggest handicaps this facility has is being so big. It wasn’t sustainable. At this point it would be nice to have lower population and higher occupancy. They still have to talk about the Medicaid, Medicare, and private pay mix. That’s something they will always struggle with.

Mr. Simmer noted that he saw that came down a ways. Mr. Hullon said that they were at 48% Medicaid as of last week.

Mr. Johnson added that closing the wing will be a big help in cutting agency and overtime costs both.

Mr. Hullon noted that the financials appear to be looking good, but come May or June they will need some help there. Most likely, Hope Creek will have to borrow some money in May. Mr. Simmer asked if right now they’re at $1 million in borrowing. Mr. Hullon confirmed. Mr. Kelly noted that Mr. Gabelmann and Mr. Dryg gave them a heads up on this last month. Mr. Hullon added that he doesn’t know how this million and a half in anticipation of better collections is going to help, but Mr. Ross is sick and the accountants are not here.

5) Update on mock survey

Mr. Hullon asked Mr. Kelly for an update. Mr. Kelly said he doesn’t have any information. He was here but feels that someone who has a better view and is in their presence is Ms. Vogt. Ms. Vogt explained that they had just gotten started with the mock survey when they had an actual survey by IDPH. They canceled the mock survey and were going to come back to it at a later date. There were not a lot of findings, but they were not able to get into the mock survey at that time.

Mr. Kelly noted that he interviewed a number of residents. That is what he was tasked with. It was most enjoyable. There were lots of positive comments and feedback from clients. The negative one they’ve heard before: the food.

Mr. Johnson added that he and Mr. Hullon came here last Wednesday with Representative McCombie and they had an opportunity to sit down with some residents in the chapel. Everyone was very happy when they met. They talked to five people and they were very pleased. Once again, they get great reports on the memory care. It’s first rate. He didn’t realize the number of couples that stay here, husband and wife. Mr. Kelly said he was not aware of that. Mr. Johnson said there are 8 or 10 now. He added that everybody praised the Activities Coordinator once again. They always get kudos in those two areas every time they talk to people.

6) Update on unit consolidation

Mr. Hullon deferred to Ms. Vogt. Ms. Vogt noted that they had 25 residents up in that unit last week. They accomplished moving all 25 in one week. They were all relocated to empty beds throughout the facility. Families were contacted and given the option to come in and help with the moves. Other than that, they put teams together to move people from that unit down. It went quite well. They had a few remotes missing, but for the most part everybody got to their rooms. She gives a lot of kudos to staff because they really thought out of the box. Individuals who had been together for a long time, they tried to keep those relationships together. That’s huge in this population. Staff did phenomenally.

Mr. Kelly noted that as a nurse and someone who has been involved in these situations, the older people get, the less they like it when their cheese gets moved. They don’t like a lot of change. This was a deal for a lot of people and it will lead to confusion and loss of security for them, but he thanks Ms. Vogt and her team for helping with adjustment to minimize those feelings.

Ms. Near is present.

Mr. Johnson asked if that wing is empty now and shut off. Ms. Vogt said yes. It’s all closed off. They don’t want anyone wandering there.

Mr. Hullon asked if they are still doing maintenance for that wing. Ms. Vogt said yes.

Ms. Mayberry asked where the unit is located. Ms. Vogt said it’s at the end of the hall, and left on the second floor.

Mr. Simmer asked at what population they would have to reopen the wing. Ms. Vogt explained that with the loss of 35 beds, they’re down to 210 and turning away admissions right now. They have no choice. The philosophy needs to be quality versus quantity. Until Hope Creek has the nursing and CNA staff, they need to back up and make sure they take care of the people they have here. As they build employees and get more people hired, they’ll look at if they need to reopen that unit. Mr. Simmer said that sounds great.

Ms. Shelton asked if there’s a waiting list. Ms. Vogt said yes. They’re taking names.

Mr. Hullon noted that as of yesterday they were at 198. He asked if they will hold at that number until they get additional staff. Ms. Vogt said they may have to. There are some infection control issues where people are in semi-privates that they have to make into privates because of infection control issues.

Mr. Hullon asked how long of a wait there is. Ms. Vogt said it depends on if they have discharges coming up in skilled.

Mr. Simmer noted that there’s a discrepancy on the occupancy report. It shows on 4/1/17 a total of 201, but the numbers only add up to 185. He asked where he is missing 16. Ms. Vogt explained that the admissions girl had the audacity to have appendicitis and has been out for two weeks. The numbers may not have been updated because they had someone pinch hitting there. She asked if she could see the report because she might know where the rest are. After looking at the report, Ms. Vogt noted that they’ve got 16 Medicaid-Hospice that aren’t on here. That’s what it is.

7) Consider additional options post-unit consolidation

Mr. Hullon explained, before they go into this, that as a Board they are just here to advise and give a view. They give no yeses or nos. Today as they discuss Item 7, he just wants everyone to be aware of that. He’s sure a lot of folks in this room have an opinion and that’s all this is going to be. If anyone is here to discuss childcare, it’s only one of the options. They are here today to also advise the County Board what other options there might be.

Mr. Hullon said they’ll lead off with the childcare option. He sees Ms. Muerhoff is here from the Regional Office of Education, so he’ll give her chance to speak. Mr. Hullon reiterated that this is only an idea in its infancy. No decisions have been made. They can advise the County Board members who are here tonight or he can call Mr. Ross tomorrow, but they also are here to give other ideas and opinions on this item. He knows this is a hot button issue. He and Mr. Johnson were here and everyone has that question, but he doesn’t believe the presentation has been made to the full County Board yet. Mr. Simmer said they heard it in committees. Ms. Muerhoff noted that she presented to the Committee of the Whole.

Mr. Hullon added that as an advisory board, they are here to throw ideas out. That’s one idea, but they should also look at other options that are going to be out there to help Hope Creek. This is definitely not an item that is set in stone yet.

Mr. Simmer explained, to answer some questions, that at full County Board the only thing they came up with in the full Committee of the Whole is to continue researching it. No decision is being made this month. They are just looking for Ms. Muerhoff to get back to them with logistics and how it will work out. They know adults and kids work out great together, but how are they going to do it. It’s in its preliminary stages. They are looking to put it in her hands and let the ROE give them some more ideas. They’re open to all sorts of ideas. He just wants to use it for something they can make money on. This is one option.

Mr. Johnson noted that he really appreciates Ms. Muerhoff coming up with it and thinking outside the box here with different things.

Ms. Muerhoff said she appreciates the opportunity to come here. Inside the packet she passed around is some information that she had shared with both committees she presented to at County Board. There are two articles she had come across as she explored the concept. Those are there for the Board’s review and reading pleasure. There is also a two page, double-sided synopsis of the information she has gathered.

Ms. Muerhoff said she’d like to take a moment to discuss how she came about this. She had recently viewed a clip of a documentary that is to be released. The documentary is entitled Present Perfect. It is to be released in the early summer months. Present Perfect is a documentary regarding an intergenerational preschool program provided in the Seattle, Washington area. In viewing that clip, which is approximately five minutes long, she thought, “Well, what could we do here in Rock Island County? Why couldn’t it be possible to explore the idea?”

Ms. Muerhoff explained that the ROE has provided preschool programming since the 2003-2004 fiscal year, so they definitely have experience with preschool programming, grant writing, and so forth. They have provided service to well over 9,000 children aged three to five. They collaborate with facilities and home providers and help them utilize curriculum, assessment tools, etc. to ensure the children are well prepared for entering school and being successful throughout school. Knowing that they have experience with preschool programming and relationships with childcare providers in Rock Island County prompted her to say, “Why not explore this idea?” Ms. Muerhoff noted that they have a beautiful facility here that provides high quality service in Rock Island County. The ROE feels that they provide high quality service for young children. She asked, “Why not explore the opportunity to blend those two together?”

Ms. Muerhoff explained that the preschool programming is a grant funded program. They are utilizing early childhood block grant funds with Illinois State Board of Education and currently provide service to 31 classrooms. The program is free. Currently, the classrooms are 2.5 hours for a.m. and p.m. The Illinois State Board of Education is seeking applications that have a full day program. The ROE is in search of, potentially, an opportunity to expand a program to full day for at least one classroom of 20 children. Initially, they were told that the grant would be a competitive grant for this upcoming fiscal year. That has been changed to where it will be only available to those programs that are continuing. The ROE would like to prepare, whether it’s for this upcoming fiscal year or the next, to have a full day program and have an innovative collaborative partner.

The concept would be, if it is chosen to explore this option, to have the preschool program from approximately 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and offer childcare from approximately 5:45 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., so offering extended hours beyond the preschool time. That’s the approximate time most childcare providers in the community offer the option for care. If eligible, families could partake in the childcare assistance program outside of those hours for the childcare portion of the day. The educators would be licensed through the State Board of Education, have at minimum a four-year college degree, and be registered in Rock Island County to teach. There would be at least one paraprofessional in the classroom with the children. Again, there would be consistent curriculum and assessment as well.

Ms. Muerhoff explained that the document provided in the packet outlines some aspects that were already mentioned about the intergenerational preschool program concept, such as benefits for students, as well as for older adults in their interactions. Those include social emotional wellbeing and creating meaningful interaction opportunities for both parties. The concept would be to have older adults and children interacting throughout the day. Those are possibilities and decisions that are yet to be made. Nothing is set in stone. Some examples of what other programs have offered is that at different times throughout the day, there could be an art experience, cooking activity, reading books, and many other opportunities there. Ms. Muerhoff noted that some benefits for Hope Creek specifically could be decreased absenteeism if children are enrolled in a preschool program and provided with childcare, so employees will spend less time away from work. Again, there is no cost to the families for the preschool program. They could partake in the childcare assistance program for the childcare portion of the day.

Ms. Shelton asked if this is a one year grant. Ms. Muerhoff said it’s an annual application process, but they have had funding since 2003-2004. Ms. Shelton said that a concern they’re having with the Department of Health is grants aren’t coming through and they have to eliminate programs. That concerns her when they’re looking at trying to provide a long-term solution to their problems. Other than that, she likes the idea and thinks it would help the employees that have small children.

Ms. Near noted that it would be nice for the older folks. Many don’t get visitors. Ms. Shelton noted that they love children, or some of them do.

Mr. Johnson asked what this would entail and how much would it take to convert the wing over to a daycare. He’s curious about the requirements and costs associated with them. Ms. Muerhoff explained that that still has to be explored with the Department of Children and Family Services. A licensing agent would have to view the space and determine the costs and what it would entail.

Mr. Hullon asked who would pay. Ms. Muerhoff said that would be determined between both entities.

Ms. Shelton said she would think there’d have to be a playground area fenced in. Ms. Muerhoff said yes.

Mr. Johnson noted that this has come up from a lot of people that unfortunately this isn’t like the old days where when kids were sick, people kept them at home. He asked what happens if a child is dropped off at daycare and they have the flu and they bring some seniors over and there’s cross contamination. He asked what they would do to ensure that doesn’t happen. Ms. Muerhoff explained that in researching what other programs have done, some have a wellness check each morning both for the older adults and the children to determine if they are well enough to interact. They would not have those interactions on those particular days.

Mr. Hullo noted that one item on Ms. Muerhoff’s list is to provide Hope Creek staff high quality childcare. He asked if this program is centered around the employees of Hope Creek only or if it’s a program that’s open to the public. Ms. Muerhoff said it’s open to the public, but the employees may have.Mr. Hullon said if they’d be first priority. Ms. Muerhoff said eligibility is based on at-risk factors per the requirements of the grant. Children who are eligible to be enrolled would have to meet at-risk criteria. There’s a specific checklist the ROE has developed. Each program can develop their own based on the needs of the community. At risk factors are totaled to determine who is enrolled first. The children with the most at risk factors are enrolled first so they can receive support to reduce or diminish those risks. Mr. Hullon asked if two children with equal status in at risk factors apply and one is an employee’s child and one is outside, how and who makes the determination of who gets enrolled. Ms. Muerhoff said it’s based on who is deemed to be the director of the site working in collaboration with Ms. Vogt and her team. Mr. Hullon asked if one person or a team is making that decision. Ms. Muerhoff said it’s typically a team.

Mr. Kelly said, as a health care professional, he has to express some concern for safety here. He knows that children get their immune system from mom in utero, then through breast milk, then through inoculations. After that it’s trial and error and children are always growing their immune system and are quite the vectors for viruses. When they look at the other end of the human spectrum and look at older adults, especially those who are in a facility like this, many have compromised immune systems from aging or other factors. Mr. Kelly noted that he doesn’t mean to say that everyone here has a compromised immune system, but there is a larger portion here than out in the community. He is concerned about contact between these two communities. Until he gets reassurance, he can’t move any further on this. Ms. Shelton said they need to research it more.

Mr. Johnson agreed that they do need to do more research, especially since this population really dropped precipitously a couple months ago. They lost 34 patients in six weeks. The other side of that is his daughter is in school and half her class was out with the flu and they thought it was over. Then someone else came in and half were out again. His concern is what safeguards they’d have to make sure that doesn’t happen. Ms. Muerhoff said that’s understandable.

Mr. Simmer suggested that they follow up with Seattle and see what they do with their group. They can see how they did it and how it came out.

Mr. Kelly said he wants to close his comments with saying that he appreciates all the effort Ms. Muerhoff has made. She’s quite diligent in her work and does very good work that is excellently researched. He likes kids and likes intergenerational goings on. He’s not opposed to that. He’s concerned about his responsibility here as a board member. His primary responsibility is to the residents here.

Mr. Terry said he’d like to reiterate what everyone said. He thanked Ms. Muerhoff so much for her intriguing idea and noted that he’s interested in exploring it more. In terms of what’s expressed here, they are not reinventing the wheel. He asked for confirmation that this has been tried and tested in multiple other facilities. Ms. Muerhoff confirmed. Mr. Terry asked if Ms. Muerhoff has been able to research these concerns that are expressed and if she is aware of any incidents. Ms. Muerhoff said none that she is aware of, but she hasn’t reached out directly to those programs without knowing she has the approval to research it. Mr. Terry asked, during the follow up she pledged to do, if that’s something she’d be doing at that time. Ms. Muerhoff said absolutely.

Ms. Near asked, while they are on the subject of passing germs back and forth and passing various viruses, if these children that are allowed to come in would have to be vaccinated with all the shots they’re supposed to have and a flu vaccine. Ms. Muerhoff said yes. That is required for licensing. Mr. Hullon noted that some parents elect not to give their children vaccinations and asked if those children who do not have vaccinations would be eliminated as possible candidates. Ms. Muerhoff said she believes so. She would have to research that more specifically. She’s not aware of any children in the program who do not have those.

Mr. Johnson noted that the flu shot is the most optional vaccination, but a lot of parents don’t do flu shots. Ms. Near said there are parents who do not do any.

Mr. Norman noted that Ms. Muerhoff said they’d do a wellness test. He knows a lot of preschools say the same thing and those kids come to school sick. This gentleman here [Mr. Kelly] expressed his first concern. Mr. Norman said they must know what happens at preschools. They say the same thing about this wellness check. Ms. Muerhoff explained that a wellness check is just one concept that is provided. It’s not definitive. If there’s approval from the County Board to move forward, she would investigate with other programs that have done this for a number of years. Mr. Norman said those programs will side on what they did.

Mr. Norman added that he’s showing his age here, but when he went to kindergarten it was discussed at that time whether kindergarten was too early. Now they’re going down to three years old and stuff. It’s more of a babysitting service, he thinks, than an education system. They questioned whether kindergarten was too early when he went to school. Mr. Johnson said it’s amazing what children learn at two or three. He had a child in his late forties and she’s already smarter than he is. Mr. Norman said that on these preschool things, they’re not getting any training at home. That’s what they’re filling in for. Ms. Muerhoff said that’s not necessarily true. Mr. Norman said most parents can teach a child to count to ten and their colors. He doesn’t understand why they take tax money to teach a child to count to ten. There are studies he has seen that once they get into school and don’t have preferential treatment, they’re not any further ahead because now the same parents who weren’t working with them aren’t working on them in first or second grade. He knows what they learn. The most important thing is the health thing. That’s his biggest concern. His father is 101. He doesn’t want him to get a cold.

Mr. Kelly thanked Mr. Norman for his input and noted that he does not think kindergarten is too young.

Ms. Mayberry offered a quick comment on where things are at in the process with this board and the decisions they’ll pass on to the County Board for advice and where the County Board is at tomorrow for their vote. This is just to give Ms. Muerhoff the go ahead to apply for the grant and see if she gets it. If she does, at that point they’ll make a decision whether or not to implement this. The vote is not the end all be all on this. She wants to make that clear.

Mr. Johnson noted that Mr. Terry hit on a good point. They are not reinventing wheel. He’s got to believe a lot of these same things were asked when the other programs were created. Ms. Mayberry noted that that’s what this research will give them if they go forward on this.

Ms. Westmorland noted that she noticed on the news clip that people were more mobile, up, and active. She asked what the general age group was for that study. Ms. Muerhoff said she’s not certain. Ms. Westmorland said they seemed a lot more active and involved. It seemed to be more of an assisted living facility where cognition was higher and they were more able to do activities. She was just wondering. Ms. Muerhoff said it’s a good question. Mr. Johnson said it doesn’t really give an age. It says from 60 to over 100 for the residents. There are wide parameters.

Ms. Westmorland added that she worries about, on children’s behalf, when they get attached to these people and lose them. The Board just mentioned that they had one month where Hope Creek lost 35 people in six weeks. That’s hard as staff. She hates to think how that would be on a child who has never dealt with grief.

Mr. Simmer noted that on page two of the handout, there are six different websites to look into for different research. There’s quite a bit out there.

Ms. Near noted that they have an empty wing now. She asked if they put a daycare center or preschool in, how that will help the facility’s financial issues. She asked if the preschool would pay rent. Mr. Hullon said that to the best of his knowledge, that’s one of the things still up for discussion. His suspicion is if they as board members feel this will be a money maker for Hope Creek, he doesn’t believe that will be so. It will be a service for minimal reimbursement. They’ll let the County Board decide that.

Ms. Shelton noted that she believes other options are being considered for that space. Mr. Hullon said they’ll let Ms. Muerhoff finish, and then discuss those options.

Ms. Muerhoff said she doesn’t have too much more after all those questions, but she appreciates the opportunity to join them and share a little bit about the program. She asked the board members to take a look at those articles and, if they get a chance, to take just a moment to view that clip of Present Perfect. She noted that they may find some information there. Ms. Near asked where they can find that. Ms. Muerhoff said right now it’s just on YouTube. The actual documentary is not released yet. They just have clips.

Mr. Hullon asked if the number in the packet is Ms. Muerhoff’s direct phone number to reach her with questions. Ms. Muerhoff said yes.

Mr. Hullon said before they vote on directions, there are other options for them to look at as well. One option that he was talking about and did discuss with Ms. Vogt is having an all-day daycare for Alzheimer’s folks in that wing as well. Ms. Near said she wrote that idea down, too. Mr. Hullon said that’s also an option for the wing. It would be his suggestion that it would be private pay only. He knows Ms. Shelton is getting excited about that already and she is entitled to that. Ms. Shelton said she does agree on that. Mr. Hullon explained that this second option is one of the options for money. That would be something that could be a lucrative thing for Hope Creek. Mr. Simmer said they’d be adding a service. Mr. Hullon noted that they already have great staff here. Mr. Johnson said they already have great memory care here as well. Mr. Hullon agreed that they have a good history with that. That’s also an option.

Ms. Near asked if they would we have conflict or competition with In Touch. Mr. Hullon said last time he checked, competition built this country. Hope Creek does a good job here. Maybe they could take some of their clients. Ms. Near said she doesn’t believe In Touch charges. Mr. Hullon said he doesn’t know, but this would be for private pay. Mr. Johnson said they might be the only show in town by then.

Mr. Hullon asked how many they could take. Ms. Vogt said she’d have to look. She wrote the request for proposals for In Touch and it was 60 feet/person. She was the Director at In Touch for nine years and they do charge. They charge a private pay charge, a busing charge.

Ms. Shelton said there is a need for that service out here. She dealt with people who literally had to quit their jobs to take care of loved ones at home and then had to turn around and go on welfare.

Mr. Hullon asked for the wing square footage up there that they closed. Ms. Vogt said she doesn’t know.

Mr. Hullon asked if there are any other ideas. Ms. Shelton said hospice or long-term Alzheimer’s, but that takes special people to take care of. That’s a difference. It’s a deep subject. They have to have special facilities to take care of them.

Mr. Kelly agreed that one way hospice is advantageous for Hope Creek is there is a need on this side of the river for hospice. If Hope Creek was to be one, he understands from a variety of unconfirmed sources that they might get a favorable look from the state if they were to fill a need that’s not being filled. He personally likes the concept of hospice care. He was involved with that and has some knowledge.

Mr. Hullon said he doesn’t personally get too excited when Mr. Kelly mentions the state. He asked if they are going to pay them. Mr. Kelly said they do need to curry their favor at times.

Ms. Vogt added, to dovetail on what Mr. Kelly said, one thing with hospice is they only have to decertify half the population, so take down 17 beds compared to 35. She also had some confirmation from the ACOs that Hope Creek would be looked upon favorably by them in having something on this side of the river in terms of hospice. They would be more supportive of the facility.

Ms. Shelton noted that the Lutheran hospital had hospice on this side of the river, but they closed.

Mr. Hullon asked, speaking of the ACOs, how that is coming. He asked if it’s still at a standstill because of Hope Creek’s rating. Ms. Vogt said yes. Mr. Hullon asked if this would help. Ms. Vogt said potentially.

Ms. Shelton said she thinks these are all ideas that need to be pursued further.

Mr. Johnson said he would motion to table this for now. Ms. Shelton said they need to explore all options. Mr. Johnson noted that a lot of people have homework. Ms. Mayberry reminded them that the County Board is voting tomorrow on the daycare option. Mr. Kelly said he’s hesitant to jump in because he’d like to know how more County Board members are feeling. Ms. Mayberry said she doesn’t think making a decision tomorrow night means these other things can’t be explored. They are not mutually exclusive. Mr. Terry confirmed and said it just authorizes Ms. Muerhoff to apply for the grant. Ms. Mayberry added that it is helpful to have input from this board when the County Board makes a decision. Mr. Johnson asked what they are looking for from the Board of Directors tonight. Mr. Terry said he thinks tabling it is reasonable because they’re just going to move forward with the grant. No final decision is being made on childcare. They have time to discuss it further and provide input next month or whenever. Mr. Kelly suggested that it would be good for them to show our support for Ms. Muerhoff and go ahead with investigating the possibility. Ms. Shelton said to apply for the grant. Mr. Kelly noted that he’s sure Ms. Muerhoff wasn’t surprised by his comments

8) Consider partnership with the Regional Office of Education

Motion to advise the County Board to allow Ms. Muerhoff to apply for childcare grant:

Gregg Johnson

2nd: Rod Simmer

Voice vote

Motion carried

9) Board of Directors member opportunity for brief comments (no decisions will be made)

Mr. Kelly noted that as far as new business, there’s a lot of negativity in all of the media. Everyone has negativity in their lives. There are many good things that happen here, but one good thing that happened is he was walking out and saw some people in t-shirts and a costume and inquired about it. He said they are the Bunny Hoppers. They visited this facility and 39 others. They gather plush toys and come in to facilities like this and others where people have mental and physical health challenges and issues and distribute plush toys and other gifts. They are called the Bunny Hoppers. Mr. Kelly has their card and wanted to present that to the board. These are very nice people. They donate all their time and the plush toys they get are donated to them. He thinks that their altruism should be applauded by this Board.

Mr. Simmer noted that all these concerns they were talking about with the children’s stuff were brought up in Committee of the Whole and the individual committees. They discussed them too, but their move was to continue exploring further.

Mr. Johnson noted that in addition to Mr. Simmer and Ms. Shelton, they have five other County Board members here and he appreciates them coming here. He knows they have busy lives. He thanked them and the others present for taking the time to come to the meeting. Mr. Hullon noted that this is the first time they have had so many Board members here, so whatever their motivation is, please come back. Mr. Johnson thanked them. Mr. Kelly thanked the media.

10) Adjourn

Motion to adjourn: Rod Simmer

2nd: Gregg Johnson

Meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m. by Chair Jessey Hullon.

http://www.rockislandcounty.org/CountyBoard.aspx?id=40517