Title
Joint resolution authorizing an agreement with A Safe Place, Zion, IL for operation of neutral site custody exchange facility in an annual amount, not to exceed $175,000.
Staff Summary
• Lake County originally received a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women in 2008 to establish the Family Visitation Center of Lake County, which opened in 2010 in partnership with A Safe Place.
• In 2020, the Lake County Board passed an ordinance establishing the Neutral Site Custody Exchange Fund and imposing a Neutral Site Custody Exchange fee of $10 on civil cases to support neutral site custody exchange services pursuant to the Neutral Site Custody Exchange Funding Act (55 ILCS 82/1 et.al.).
• A Safe Place, Zion, Illinois operates a facility that provides for the Neutral Site Custody Exchange, maintain all records, make available interpreter services at no fee to clients and provide for necessary security services.
• Per the ordinance, all monies deposited in the Neutral Site Custody Exchange Fund shall be disbursed by Lake County to one or more qualified not-for-profit organizations to support neutral exchange services, provided that the expenditure is also approved by the Chief Judge.
• Pursuant to Section 33.066 of the Purchasing Ordinance, the request for bid exemption has been reviewed and approved by the Purchasing Agent to award the operation of a neutral site custody facility to A Safe Place based on the proven argument that it is the only source for the service and there exists a long-standing, successful relationship for professional services, and the knowledge gained through this relationship adds value integral to the services provided.
• This agreement will cost the county an annual amount not to exceed $175,000.
Body
WHEREAS, Lake County received a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women in 2008 to establish the Family Visitation Center of Lake County, which opened in 2010 in partnership with A Safe Place; and
WHEREAS, in 2020, the Lake County Board passed an ordinance establishing the Neutral Site Custody Exchange Fund and imposing a Neutral Site Custody Exchange Fee of $10 on civil cases to support neutral site custody exchange services pursuant to the Neutral Site Custody Exchange Funding Act (55 ILCS 82/1 et. al.); and
WHEREAS, Per the ordinance, all monies deposited in the Neutral Site Custody Exchange Fund shall be disbursed by Lake County to one or more qualified not-for-profit organizations to support neutral exchange services, provided that the expenditure is also approved by the Chief Judge; and
WHEREAS, Pursuant to Section 33.066 of the Purchasing Ordinance, the request for bid exemption has been reviewed and approved by the Purchasing Agent to award the operation of a neutral site custody facility to A Safe Place based on the proven argument that it is the only source for the service and there exists a long-standing, successful relationship for professional services, and the knowledge gained through this relationship adds value integral to the services provided.; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by this County Board of Lake County, Illinois, that the Purchasing Agent be authorized to enter into an agreement with A Safe Place, Zion, IL for operation of neutral site custody exchange facility in the annual amount not to exceed $175,000.
DATED at Waukegan, Illinois, on October 11, 2022.