Title
Resolution recognizing individuals who responded to the July 2017 Flood.
Body
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, On July 11 and 12, 2017, Lake County was inundated by heavy rains, which led to flash flooding in several Lake County communities, and record-setting flooding to our major river systems causing widespread damage across the county; and
WHEREAS, the Lake County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) was activated the morning of July 12, bringing together decision makers, command staff and numerous personnel from across county departments and agencies, as well as volunteers to coordinate disaster response plans and activities, and
WHEREAS, Lake County Board Chairman Aaron Lawlor issued a disaster proclamation, which was followed by a State Disaster Declaration that allows for immediate access to state resources to assist in public safety and recovery efforts, and can open the door for potential federal disaster relief assistance, and
WHEREAS, the EOC consists of multi-agency team members who play a vital role in disaster response, including: predicting weather and stormwater impacts, ensuring safe travel on roads and updating Lake County PASSAGE around the clock to provide motorists with the information needed to navigate local roads, delivering sandbags and clean up kits to municipalities and townships, assessing damage to thousands of properties, connecting residents with resources, as well as providing timely and accurate information to communities and partner agencies, and the public; and
WHEREAS, staff from the Emergency Management Agency, County Administrator’s Office, Finance and Administrative Services, Division of Transportation, Public Works, Stormwater Management Commission, Health Department, Sheriff’s Office, GIS, Planning Building and Development, Community Development, along with volunteers and partner agencies, including the American Red Cross and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, and others, spent countless hours and worked tirelessly in the EOC and in the field for more than two weeks to ensure critical tasks in flood response and recovery were completed; and
WHEREAS, we know that every team needs a leader, and Kent McKenzie-former EMA Coordinator and current 911 Communications Center Manager-did an extraordinary job leading this effort, bringing his 20+ years of Emergency Management knowledge and experience and savvy technology skills that made a tremendous impact in successfully responding to this disaster; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Lake County Board first extends its heartfelt sympathies to the flood victims of this devastating disaster, including residents and businesses who are still recovering; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Lake County Board does hereby recognize all the employees and volunteers for their diligence and dedication in assisting the residents and communities of Lake County during these difficult days, and gratefully extends its deepest appreciation and gratitude for their individual and collective contributions, and they are hereby recognized by name in this Resolution.
Emergency Management Agency
Kent McKenzie, Mike Jackson
Planning Building and Development
Matt Meyers, Dan Krill, Jodi Gingiss, Leslie Fulton, Mea Blauer, Eric Foote, Laura Walley, Monika Bobo, Yareli Facundo, Dominick Strezo, Brian Frank, Eric Steffen, Wes Schulmeister, Bob Sherwood, Gene Anderson, Joe Muskat, Alex Schiffer, Tim Phelan, Adam Nebgen, Kelly Loftus, Eric Tooke, Bob Springer, Ray Gomoll, Ben Peters, Lizeth Zuniga, Amanda Wolak, Cindy Godbold, Iwona Kosciuch, Debra Geder, Sharon Harris, Terry Kuss
Public Works
Phil Perna, Mike Grinnell, Josh Casper, Bob Haley, Hal Fox, Juan Cisneros, Jeremy Becker, Steve Hauer, Jake Kaiser, John Cooper, Jamie Kiraly, Brent Mason, Glen Curtis, Scott Mclean, Ron Daily, Matt Muhlenbeck, Todd Demien, Brian Sikorski, John Draper, Tom Spooner, Pete Falotico, John Streicher, Patrick Steuer, Don Glenn, Charles Taylor, Yuri Volfovich
Stormwater Management Commission
Tim Cook, Juli Crane, Bob Gardiner, Scott Griffith, Ernesto Huaracha, Jeff Laramy, Ben Limer, Darcy McNeill, Sharon Osterby, Neil Schindelar, Kelcey Traynoff, Mike Warner, Ashley Warren, Glenn Westman, Kurt Woolford
Information Technology
Kevin Cashmore, Gary Barton, Terri Kath
Finance and Administrative Services
Gary Gordon, Mike Topp
Division of Transportation
Andrew Grigg, Brooke Hooker, Pete Krawczyk, Ryan Legare, Eric Lostroscio, Dan Martinez, Joe Munno, Dirk Philipp, Phil Ruiz, Ben Russo, Larry Savage, Tom Sodt, Kevin Weakley, Tom Bennecke, Glenn Petko, Jonathan Nelson, Mike Zemaitis, Kevin Kerrigan
Health Department
Rob Scaramella, Dan Eder, Scott Robertson
County Administrator’s Office
Barry Burton, Amy McEwan, Paul Fetherston, Dakisha Wesley, Jennie Vana, Alex Carr, Brooke Hooker, Lisa Hancock, Haley Meents, Donna Jo Maki
Sheriff’s Office
Mark Curran, Roy Garcia, Dave Hare, John Petrillo, Chris Covelli, Sara Balmes, Lou Kent, Tom Struck, along with LCSO Reserve Deputies and LCSO Telecommunicators
Geographic Information Systems
Keith Caldwell, Peter Schoenfield
Matthew Coleman
LCEMA Volunteers
James Herring, Michael Belmonte,
Erin Laske, Jeff Szczech
LC RACES/ARES/SKYWARN Volunteers
Greg Perkins, Bruce Becker, David Kleckner
American Red Cross
Yvette Alexander-Maxie, Charlotte Hazel
William Szyjkowski
IEMA
Jimmy Thompson, Wendell Brewer
DATED, at Waukegan, LAKE COUNTY, ILLINOIS, on August 8, 2017.