HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/25/1992 COW minutes Minutes
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
August 25, 1992
I Roll Call
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Gerald L. Farley at 7:35 p.m. Trustees present were
Mark Busse, George Clowes, Tim Corcoran, Leo Floros, Paul Hoefert and Irvana Wilks. Also
present were Village Manager MAchael E. Sanonis, Planning D/rector David Clements, Public
Works Director Herb Weeks, Deputy Public Works Director Glen Andler, Forester Sandy Clark,
Engineer/ng Coordinator Jeff Wulbecker, Project Engineer Fred Tennyson, Deputy Police Chief
Tom Daley, Finance D/rector David Jepson, Assistant Finance D/rector Carol Widmer and
. ~Village A. ttorney B.n~z Hill. In addition, Di.ck.Bachhuber, Chairman of the Finance Commission,
Don Wethel, Chmrman of the Plan Cormmsslon, Donna Johnson and Peter Hanchal, members
of the Ad Hoc Sight Obstruction Committee, two residents and three members of the print
media were in attendance.
II Minutes of August 11, 1992
The minutes were accepted and filed Trustee Irvana Wilks abstained from the vote.
IIICitizens to be Heard ~
Harold Rentschler. 434 rkdale Lane~
Mr. Rentschler requested that the August 10, 1992 Coffee W~th Council Minutes be corrected
as follows:
1. The last sentence of the second paragraph should read' "118 households are members
, of the association" rather than 118 residents are members of the association.
'/ 2. The last sentence of the third paragraph should read: "signed by 252 people" rather
than signed by several people. , ' ,
IV Sight Obstruction Ordinance Discussion /
Mayor Farley stated that this ordinance deals with the very serious issues of sight obstruction
in Village parkways and had serious consequences for the safety of all Vdlage residents. He
added that an ad hoc committee was formed in September 1991 and that he had asked Trustee
Irvana Wilks to chair the committee and to come back with recommendations that would be as
palatable as possible. He stated that the committee had worked long and hard and had come
up with a solution that balanced the potential risk to the Village, the concerns of property
owners, and aesthetics of the neighborhoods. Mayor Farley yielded to Trustee Wllks and
suggested that the discussion should be limited to 45 minutes
Trustee Wilks stated that the committee was formed because of the number of complaints the
Village Board has received in the past regarding the Village's parkway canvassing program. For
the last six years, the Village would canvass certain areas of the Village and then notify property
owners who had shrubs or trees that presented sight obstruction in the parkways. The resident
was informed that they would need to trim the trees or bushes, or if necessary, remove them to
comply with Village standards Trustee Wilks said that citizens were seeking relief from the
standards when they had trees or bushes which were technically in violation but which they did
not think presented a traffic hazard.
Trustee Wilks stated the committee had met on numerous occasions durmg the past year, they
drove through neighborhood areas and they had discussions w~th public works, engineering,.
planning and pohce personnel as well as the Village attorney about the issues The result of
their work was a comprehensive revision to ail the sections of the Village Code which referenced
parkway safety issues. Their intention was to eliminate the habillty for the Village and provide
a procedure for residents to appeal when they disagreed with adverse findings. The appeal
process would be heard by the Safety Commission and their decision would be final.
Trustee Wiiks aiso mentioned that the proposed changes included a provision for a resident to
plant or retain plantings on pubhc parkways if they would covenant to hold the Village harmless
if an action were brought against the Village. Mr. Hill explained that a change in the tort
immunity law grants municipaiities immumty from liability from failing to enforce their own
ordinances. He said the Village could still be included in the stat but that this provision would
shift some of the liablhty to the homeowner.
Trustee Wilks thanked the members of the comrmttee for the effort they put into the task She
mentioned that the connmttee was made up of residents Donna Johnson and Pete Hanchal; and
Village staff members Sandy Clark, Tom Daiey, and until the time of his death, Drew Johansen
Donna Johnson, 1009 Westgate, read a memorandum addressed to the Mayor and Board of
Trustees from Peter Hanchar and Donna Johnson ~n which they agreed with all the recommen-
dations of the committee except one. They opposed the Inclusion of a provision whereby the
home owners would be required to hold the Village harmless for claims resulting from the
plantings. She mentioned that this provision would encourage lawsmts and would take away
from the work of the committee.
Peter Hanchal, 1311 Ironwood, stated that any time anything is planted in the parkway there is
some risk. However, he said he had been informed that the Vtllage has never had a claim
because of sight obstruction. He said that plantings on the parkways improve the neighborhood
and that residents would be discouraged from planting with this provision
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Mayor Farley said he agreed that Mrs.'Johnson and Mr. Hanchal had valid poirits but that the
Village had a unique responsibility to protect the entire Village. He said the action of a few
should not obhgate .the entire Village. He added that he endorsed the report as presented
Trustee Hoefert said the proposal does help to limit the risk of the Village and that the
homeowner is put on notice when they apply for a permit. ~ -
Trustee Busse asked about the liability the Village assumes for the trees the Village plants and
said he was concerned that the Safety Commission would have the final say. Attorney Hill said
that the objective was to have the homeowner assume the liability where they were responsible
for the plantings. Mayor Farley responded that the Safety Commission would react based on
safety considerations and would take the question out of the political process
Trustee Clowes said he was concerned because the new definition of the sight triangle was much
,more restrictive than the previous definition and that it was moved back onto private property.
Attorney Hill said the previous definition attempted to regulate within the definition and that
was not proper. Forester Sandy Clark said previous definitions in Chapters 15 and 16 of the
Village Code were not consistent and the new definition corrected the problem. She also added
that John Dahtberg, the accident investigator for the Pohce Department, helped to establish the
new sight triangle. Addxtionally, because the fight-of-way varies from property to property this
change was more consistent.
Mayor Farley said that the Ordinance changes would be presented for a first reading at the
Village Board meeting on September 1, 1992 and that additional questions and discussion could
take place at that t~me.
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Financial Forecast
Finance Director David Jepson reviewed information which had been presented to the
Committee which compared actual revenues and expenditures for the previous five years with
estimates for 92/93 and projections for the next four years Mr. Jepson stated that the Village
has been affected by the slowdown in the economy and that revenues are expected to be
signlficanfly lower than had been anticipated Additionally, the long-term trend 'shows that the
imbalance between revenues and expenditures ~s expected to grow. The estimates for 92/93
indicate a deficit of $650,000 and the projections show a potential deficit of $2.1 million for
96/97.
Mr. Jepson stated that this trend is affecting many municipalities and that Mount Prospect has
fared better than most other communiues. He pointed out that as of April 30, 1992 the Village
was in a strong financial position and could weather the current shortfall and emergency
situaUons but that some action needed to be taken to resolve the problem on a long-term basis.
The information presented to the Committee included six financial schedules Some of the
specific items of information contained in those schedules are summarized below:
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~ ,i ~.: ,The property tax levies for the next four years are expected to increase a maximum of 5% per year.
Sales taxes are estimated to increase 2-1/2% in 92/93 and 4% for future years
Interest income is estimated to be $135,000 less in 92/93 t~an in 91/92
Vehicle license fees are projected to increase from $20 to $30 as of May 1, 1994.
Total revenues for the five year period of 92/93 - 96/97 are projected to ~ncrease a
total of 21.3% compared to 42.1% during the previous five years.
Estimated expenditures in 92/93 include an additional $75,000 in the F~re Department
for un-anticipated vested sick-leave for 20 employees; $50,000 in Planning for the
~ Broadacre agreement; and $75,000 in Public Works as a result 'of the June storm
damage. , , ,
Expenditures for capital equipment for Pohce, Fire, and Public Works which had been
~previously funded by the Capital Improvement Fund, has been included in the
General Fund for 93/94 and subsequent years.
After adjustments for unusual expenditures in 92/93 and 93/94, expenditures are
expected to increase 5-1/2% per year for Public Safety and 5% for all other
departments except for the Refuse Disposal D~ws~on. Refuse Disposal is expected to ~'~
increase 7%~n 93/94 - 94/95 and 6% in 95/96 - 96/97.
An allocation of $250,000 for street resurfacing for 94/95 - 96/97 is included and ~s
to be funded from the increased vehicle license fees
Total expenditures are expected to increase 34 5% for 92/93 - 96/97 compared to
46 2% for the prior five year period.
The projected deficits for the General and Refuse Dtsposal Funds increase from
$649,750 in 92/93 to $2,117,900 in 96/97.
Starting in ~93/94, the Capital Improvement Fund wtll be used for extraord:nary
improvement projects and payment of principal and interest for the bonds issued to
purchase the Ald~'s property and to fund the Auditorium Project.
Mr. Jepson concluded by saying ~that the V:llage has been affected by the current economic
slowdown; expenditures are increasing faster than revenues, the Village primarily had a revenue
problem rather than an expendxture problem; and that the purpose of the Fxnancial Forecast was
to present the upcoming problem so that solutions could be determined.
V~llage Manager Janonis stated that what has been presented is a snapshot of what to expect in
the future and is the result of a weak economy, self-imposed limitations on property taxes, and
a widening gap between revenues and expenditures Although the forecast shows a potential
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deficit of $2.1 million in 96/97 we wall not allow that to happen. The ability to act and take
corrective measures is what sets apart local government from the State and Federal government.
Mr. Janonis stated that a qmck-f~x will not work in this situation and that we need long-term
solutions that will set the course for future years He suggested that we need to change our
approach from the "bus~ness as usual" mentality to more innovation and possibly using a scalpel
to expenditures rather than a meat cleaver. Mr. Janonis said that Vdlage staff would review the
figures again after six months of the current year and at that time come back with a
comprehensive plan to address the problem.
Trustee Hoefe~t recommended that each department review their budgets and come back with
possible reductions of 2 to 3%. He also said that the Village should consider deferring capital
expenditures and try to extend the life of Village equipment. Additionally, he mentioned that
the Vdlage should look at zero-based budgeting to make sure that the services provided are
actually needed. In regard to the suggesnon of the Solid Waste Commission to charge a user
fee for refuse ptckup and disposal, he could support the concept but not as a means of raising
additional revenue.
Trustee Clowes stated that he supported '~h~ comments b~ Trustee Hoefert. He also said that
he did not view the problem as a revenue problem but that expenditures needed to be reduced.
He said the "well ~s running dry" and that it was important not to assume that the Village can't
do better even with reduced resources. ·
Trustee Fioros stated that he thought the operating departments should live within their budgets
Mayor Farley agreed that staff should come back with a plan to resolve this problem 'in
November.
VI Commonwealth Edison F~anchise Agreement ·
Vdlage Manager Janonis stated that the Village presently has a franchise agreement that expires
in 2013 but that due to circumstances in other communities the Northwest Municipal Conference
was charged with the responsibility for negotiating a model Franchise Agreement. The
agreement being considered is the result of those negotiations. Mr. Janonis said that the Village
has had a very good relationship with Commonwealth E&son, and that the model agreement
provides substantial ~mprovements. The agreement calls for a new system of notice and
communication between Corn Ed and the Vdlage, and in addition to free electricity for all
Village facilities not associated with an enterprise operatmn, the agreement includes free
electricity for traffic signals. The total value fif the free electricity in 1991 dollars with the traffic
signals added is $337,000. Mr. Janonis said the staff recommended adopting the agreement as
presented.
Mr. Janonis introduced Wayne Larsen, the District Manager of Commonwealth Edison.
Mayor Farley asked how certain circumstances that are not included in the model agreement are
handled such as the electricity for holiday decorations Mr. Larsen said that conditions like this
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will be handled by side agreements just as they are no~'. He explained {hat the model
* agreement is bro~id in nature and that these types of questions will be worked out apart from
the franchise agreement.
Trustee Hoefert asked about coordinating tree trimming and said he was ~oncerned about the
60 year term Pubhc Works Director Herbert Weeks responded that Com Ed notaries the
Village where and when they will be trimming trees. Village Manager Janonls said that there
is an early-out clause at 45 years and that there is a re-opener clause every 10 years.
Trustee Floros asked about another feature of the agreement which provides for burying up to
500 feet of overhead cables per year. Mr. Larsen responded that projects are prioritized based
on need and that this is one of the subjects that is discussed annually with Village officials.
~ ~ Trustee Wilks complimented Com Ed and the Northwest Municipal Conference for the model
agreement. She also pointed out that one of the names listed on page 27 had changed. Mr.
Janonis said that names will be deleted and only titles used in the final ordinance.
It was agreed that the ordinance approving the agre,ement would by presented for a first reading
' .. on Septemb~r~l, 1992.
VII Manager's Report ', ~ ~ -~ ~
~ No additional information was presented. ~' ~ ' '
VIII Other Business
Trustee Hoefert asked which overhead lines would be buried first. Public Works D~rector Weeks
said his first priority is the overhead hues on Northwest Highway by the water tower.
IX Adjournment ~
The meeting adjourned at 10:40 p.m.: '
~. ~ ~ ' ~' Respectfully submatted,
.... ~ Dawd C Jepson Ftnance Director
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