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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/19/1987 FC MinutesMINUTES FINANCE COMMISSION FEBRUARY 19, 1987 I Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM with Commissioners Richard Bachhuber, Paul Davies, Newt Hallman, William Holloway, Tom Pekras and Ann Smilanic present, Also in attendance were Acting Village Manager Michael Janonis, Public Works Director Herb Weeks, Deputy Public Works Director Glen Andler, Village Engineer Chuck Bencic, Village Planner Mike Sims and Finance Director David Jepson. Discussion of Minutes of February,41 1987 Commissioner Holloway commented that increased medical 'insurance costs were discussed during the 84/85 budget hearings and asked if the Village's Medical Benefit Plan was more generous than benefits in the private sector. Finance Director Jepson explained that a change in the Village's basic coverage was made on July 1 , 1985, and that the increased costs in the current year were due to extraordinary claims, It was also mentioned that the Village has asked our insurance carrier to provide cost saving alternatives prior to our next renewal on July 1 1987. A discussion followed regarding questions that were raised at the Public Hearing on February 10, 1987 regarding Police and Fire Testing charges, attorney's fees, and the possibility of an additional sales tax. It was again confirmed that the Commissioners would make their specific recommendations in a separate report after all of the presentations have been made, III Planning and Zoning Budet Presentation 'I _ . 9 Acting Village Manager Janonis introduced Village Planner Mike Sims who was filling in for Planning and Zoning Director Steve Park. Mr. Janonis stated that the Planning and Zoning Department is responsible for planning and coordinating the Village's physical development and administering the Community Development Block Grant Program. The total budget for Planning and Zoning is $636,400 with. $238,450 coming from the General Fund and $397,950 from CDBG funds. Mr. Sims pointed out that the planning and development activities include liaison with the Plan Commission, the Zoning Board of Appeals, the Business District Development and Redevelopment Commission and the newly created Sign Review Board. Some of the specific projects to be funded by Block Grant monies are: the train station remodeling* widening of the Senior Center sidewalk; construction of the residential rehab program; the Facade Progam; Downtown Streetscape 'improvement., and support for the Girl Scout's summer program in the Boxwood area. Mr. Sims Also mentioned that the Planning and Zoning Department administers the TIF Redevelopment Program. It 'is expected that Target Area A will be completed -F and movement into Target Area D will take place in the 87/88 budget year. The Commissioners discussed the Rehab Loan Programq the Facade Program and the TIF Project* Concerns were expressed regarding the possible elimination of CDBG funds and the future funding for CDBG programs. It was explained that the 19B7 allocation has been granted and that there are funds available from previous years which have not been drawn -down. If CDBG funds are eliminated, the Village Board would determine the priorities for allocating funds. IV Public Works DePartment BudetPresentation Mr. Janonis introduced Herb Weeks, Glen Andler, and Chuck Bencic. He then added that the Public Works Department is responsible for street maintenance, main- tenance of public buildings and grounds, forestry, refuse disposal, water and sewer, and street resurfacing. Total budget expenditures for all divisions are in excess of $11 million and represent approximately 1/3 of the Village budget. Mr. Weeks stated that there are no new programs or services being proposed in the budget and that capital expenditures in the various divisions are based upon a replacement schedule. Some of the highlights that Mr. Weeks pointed out in the Street Division follow: 1. There is an increase in the Contractual Tree Trimming Account in the Forestry Program to bring the Village back to a five-=year schedule to cover thd entire Village. 2. There is an increase from $38,845 to $44,415 in the State Route Maintenance Program due to some special projects on State routes. However, it was explained that the entire cost of this program is recovered from the State and is recorded as a revenue in the General Fund. 3. There is a significant increase in the Refuse Disposal Program. The 1987/88 budget amount of $1,425,000 is $218,000 higher than the $1 207 1000 budgeted in 1986/87. Mr. Weeks mentioned that the Village's current contract expires July 31, 1987, and indications ape that costs will be dramatically higher after that time. Higher tipping fees and operating costs are contributing to the expected increase* In the Water and Sewer Division, there are plans to plug Well No. 7 and to install a new water main along Rand Road, from Courtesy Home Center to the Mount Prospect Plaza. Additionally, completion is expected of the Sewer Rehab Program and some repairs and replacements of sewers on Northwest. Highway from Owen to William Streets are budgeted. Mr. Weeks commented that the Village has been on Lake Mi6higan water for over a year and the results have been very good. Chemical costs are lower than expected and electrical energy is down from around $750,000 annually prior to the change- over to an expected $70,000 in 1987/88. 2 0 VI Included in capital expenditures is an engine analyser which is needed to replace 0 equipment that cannot adequately test Village vehicles. One of the advantages of the proposed equipment will be opportunity to do emission testing in-house rather than at other locations, In the Engineering Divisiong resurfacing is down from $725,000 in 1986/87 to $535,000 in 1987/88. The amount appropriated is expected to resurface approxi- mately 4 miles of streets compared to •6 miles in 1986/87. Mr. Weeks stated that more funds will be needed 'in the future to maintain the Village streets at an acceptable level, One of the other Engineering programs pointed out by Mr. Weeks is the Cost/Share Sidewalk Replacement Program. The' current participation amount for a homeowner is $25.00 per square. Mr. Weeks is recommending an increase to $32.00 per square as Village costs are almost double the $25.00 amount. In the Parking Divi ion some of the noteworthy items are the proposed Parking Study and the rehab i1it at ion of the lot around the railroad station. Additionally, there is the planned replacement of a pick-up truck and an air compressor. Discussion bL Finance Commission 40"W"00 0, Commissioner Bachhuber asked Mr. Weeks why the Leaf Program was increasing approximately $30,000, and why Traffic Sign Maintenance was increasing approxi -- m telt' $20,00,0., ft. Weeks explained that the increase in the Leaf Program was due to the replacement of a leaf machine and a provision for higher disposal costs. The 'increase in Traffic Sign Maintenance is due to a proposed expenditure of $209000 for a sign making machine. Discussion then focused on the proposed Public Works Facility and the upcoming referendum. The Commissioners were interested in the feedback the Village has been receiving and asked what they could do to help publicize the need for a new facility. Specifically, Commissioner Hallman stated that he had been convinced of the need through the meetings and the information presented. Several Commissioners expressed the fact that the Public Works Department's services have been outstanding under difficult working conditions. And Commissioner Davies stated he thought the Finance Commissioners should write letters to the editors of the Herald and Journal in support of the project. It was suggested that each Commissioner contact as many friends and neighbors as possible and encourage them to vote in the April election. The next meeting date was set for Wednesday, March 4, 1987 when presentations will be made from the Police and Fire Departments. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:00 PMO C Respectfully Submitted David C. Jepson, FInance Director R