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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/27/2000 FC minutes FINANCE COMMISSION Minutes of the Meeting April 27, 2000 1. Call.to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. Those present included Chairman John Kom and Commissioners Charles Bennett, John Engel, Vince Grochocinski, Betty Launer, Jim Morrison, Tom Pekras, and Ann Smilanic. Also present were Finance Director Douglas Ellsworth, Community Development Director Bill Cooney, Building Commissioner Bill George, Environmental Health Coordinator Bob Ro61s and Deputy Finance Director Carol Widmer. Commissioner George Busse was absent. II. Approval of Minutes The minutes of the March 23, 2000 meeting were approved as submitted. III. CommuniW Development Department Pre-Budget Discussion Community Development Director Bill Cooney along with Building Commissioner Bill George and Environmental Health Coordinator Bob Roels presented the department's internal and external issues. Mr. Cooney stated that one °fthe on,going internal issues in his department is the operational difficulty of having a department on three separate floors. He noted that the lack of proximity reduces the operational efficiency of the department and creates a perception that they are three independent divisions rather than one-department. Another internal issue Mr. Cooney brought forward was the employment of seasonal interns. The department is considering the possibility of replacing the interns with part-time employees in order to maintain more consistency and reduce the amount of training required each summer. The last internal issue was the continual process of evaluating the procedures for review and inspection of development projects with the goal of streamlining all aspects of the process. As an example, Mr. Cooney mentioned that residents are now able to apply for garage sale permits on the interact. Several external issues were discussed as well. They included the continuation of the downtown redevelopment project and the status of a new Village Hall. The decision on the Village Hall will impact the long-term viability of the downtown area. The continuation of the trend of residential improvements in the Village has continued to impact the Building Division. Permits issued and inspections performed continue to increase each year. Property maintenance issues in single-family neighborhoods and along commemial corridors have placed a greater demand on inspectors. As the environmental health division continues to review methods for adequately addressing the demand, they will be looking at the possibility of switching from seasonal to part-time employees as noted above under internal issues. Reviewing design modifications to the Rand/Kensington/Rt 83 area will be a focus over the next several years as IDOT moves forward with ~eir plans. The Village will be monitoring this project to ensure that any redesign of the intersection will maintain the economic viability of the surrounding commercial properties. The last external issue will be to focus on target areas to implement improvements in the public rights of way now that the Corridor Design Study is nearing completion. During the discussion at the conclusion of the presentation, Jim Morrison asked how eliminating the interns would impact the number of part-time employees. Mr. Cooney stated that instead of four summer interns the department would request permission to hire two part-time employees. John Engel asked if the Department is fully staffed and Bill said currently they are but they will be losing a planner in June. In response to a question regarding the impact of the plans examiner position, Mr. Cooney responded that the position has greatly helped streamline the permitting process. Ann Smilanic asked about the status of the apartment inspections and Bob Roels stated that the division is starting the third:year 0f!nspections and the program has been accepted by both the owners and the tenant. A new handbook for tenants will be coming out shortly. Jim Morrison asked what downtown redevelopment would mean to him as a resident. Bill Cooney responded that the anticipated increase in the Village's EAV will mean a small decrease in a homeowner's property tax and hopefully the market value of homes in the area will increase. IV. Chairman's Report John Kom reported that this will be Jim Mordson's last meeting. Jim served on the Finance Commission for 11 years and will be retiring at the conclusion of the meeting. Chairman Kom and all the members of the Finance Commission thanked Jim for his years of service and his contributions to the Village. Chairman Kom also announced that John Engel will be retiring in May after also serving on the commission for 11 years. After Chairman Korn updated the members 0fthe Finance Commission on recent Board actions, he distributed copies of the Village Code regarding the duties of the Finance Commission and asked that they come prepared to discuss their responsibilities at the May meeting. Chairman Korn next turned the discussion to the Fire Department's Five-Year Plan that was presented at the last meeting. Betty Launer suggested that the Fire Department look at whether 2 compensating Prospect Heights for the disparity in mutual aid calls would be more cost effective than building a new fire station. Other Commission members agreed and said the Fire Department should be prepared to discuss this issue when the CIP is reviewed. Ann Smilanic suggested that the Village explore the idea of purchasing the vacant lot next to the Fire station at Golf and Busse and building the vehicle maintenance facility there rather than knocking down walls of the relatively new Public Works facility. Several other members of the Commission seemed to agree that the issue should be looked at by the Fire Department. Vince Grochocinski questioned the need for two full-time mechanics in the Fire Department. He also remarked that a major addition to the Golf and Busse Fire Station would be several hundred thousand dollars. He suggested that it might be beneficial to build a new fire station and do it properly. Chuck Bennett stated that he like the concept of a five-year plan. He though it was well thought out and did not think it contained anything he couldn't support over time. V. Discussion Regarding New Village Hall All members of the Village Hall Task Force Committee have been appointed. The Chairman of the Committee has asked that an alternate from the Finance Commission be named in case Ann Smilanic, the appointed delegate, is unable to attend a meeting. Vince Grochocinski volunteered to attend in Ann's absence. The Committee hopes to have their work completed by June 30. VI. Finance Director's Report Mr. Ellsworth discussed the Village's 1999 sales tax receipts with the Finance Commission. He noted that sales tax in 1999 showed an overall increase of 4 1/2% w/th some categories such as apparel showing an increase of 2 ½% and others such as general merchandise down 7%. Mr. Ellsworth asked if Finance Commission meetings are supposed to be scheduled for the last Thursday of the month or the fourth Thursday of the month. It was determined that the Finance Commission meets on the fourth Thursday of the month. Mr. Etlsworth advised the Finance Commission that departmental meetings regarding the 2001-2005 CIP are almost complete and the document will be distributed in mid-May. VII. Adioumment The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for May 25, 2000. Respectfully submitted, Carol L. Widmer Deputy Finance Director 3