Final 'no' for proposed overnight homeless shelter

After two recent slam sessions against a proposed overnight homeless shelter at the H.E.L.P.S. Ministry in Valley View, the final rejection of the proposal on Tuesday seemed like a mere formality. Even the line of neighbors speaking against the plan at every other public forum dwindled to a vocal handful. Representatives from the ministry, like support for the project, completely vanished without a single final plea. They didn't even show up to see the Kane County Board unanimously turn down the project.

The reasons for the denial sat mainly in a lack of faith that the ministry could actually provide any help for the homeless other than a roof over their heads while they slept. Board members also said they hadn't seen any goodwill from the ministry in getting the facility up to code with county rules for a homeless shelter.

“The track record here, in terms of compliance, is not positive, county board member John Hoscheit said.

Board members said they feared the county doesn't have the staff to monitor the shelter and ensure future compliance if the application was approved. The question moving forward may be whether the county has the staff to ensure the ministry isn't providing shelter for the homeless without the county's approval. Angelo Valdes runs the ministry. He has said he will follow what God calls him to do despite what he county says he can't do.

In other action, the county board approved a new organizational structure for the county health department. The structure reflects the loss of 62 employees, roughly half the current staff. Health Department Executive Director Paul Kuehnert said there are no pay raises resulting from the structure change. He also said the transition of social services out of the county is going smoothly. One problem with a doctor have trouble accessing the health records of a foster child made its way back to the county board. But Kuehnert said the county resolved the problem within 24 hours after learning about it.

The board also locked in new rules for red-light cameras. The rules require several new proofs that a problem exists at an intersection directly stemming from motorists running red lights before a camera is considered. The rule changes are generally believed to mark the end of cameras as their current one-year permits expire. There is now a three-year time limit on any camera approved.