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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/25/1992 COW minutes Minutes COMMITYEE OF THE WHOLE February 25, 1992 I Roll Call The meeting was called to order at 7:34 p m. by Mayor Gerald L. Farley Trustees present were Mark Busse, George Clowes, T~m Corcoran, Leo Floros, Paul Hoefert, and Irvana Wilks · Also present were Village Manager John Fulton Dixon, Pubhc Works D~rector Herbert L Weeks, Inspection Services D~rector Chuck Benclc, Planning Director Dawd Clements, Finance Director David Jepson and Assistant Finance Director Carol W~dmer, Deputy Pubhc Works Director Glen Andler, and Water Superintendent Jerry McIntosh Addmonally, there were four members of the news med~a and twelve Village residents in attendance. II M~nutes ('~, The Committee of the Whole Minutes of February 11, 1992 were accepted and filed III Cmzens To Be Heard Joyce Pedersen, 1001 Ardyce, appeared before the Committee and expressed her concern over the manner that the Farmers Market is admarastered She said the contract that a vendor is required to sign is unfair and that there was discrirmnatlon in the products that a vendor was allowed to sell. She explained that a provision in the contract required the vendor to pay legal fees for any legal action brought against the vendor by the Jaycees and that out-of-state vendors received more favorable treatment than in-state vendors She said she was requesting the Village Board to 1) Change the terms of the contract, and 2) Adopt an ordinance which stated that the Jaycees were responsible for the Farmers Market rather than the Mount Prospect Chamber of Commerce During the discussion that followed, Mayor Farley said the Village Attorney has rewewed the contract and did not think it was inappropriate. Trustee Corcorun said he would like to have more information and that this should be an ~tem for a future Comrmttee of the Whole meeting. Trustee Clowes said he would hke to receive information regarding the operation of Farmers Markets in other communities. Trustee Busse sa~d he d~d not want the Village Board to become ~nvolved w~th the admamstrative procedures for running the Farmers Market. Ms. Pedersen gave Village staff some information she had regarding Farmers Markets ~n other commumtles IV 1992 - 199~ Budget Hearings Village Manager John Dixon presented an overview of the 1992-93 proposed budgets for the Planmng, Inspection Sermces and Public Works Departments Mr. Dixon explmned that Planmng and Inspection Services have the responsibd~ty to see that the neighborhoods and the image of the Village is maintained and the Public Works Department ~s responstble for maintaining the Village's appearance and ~ts infrastructure. These three departments make up 34 4% of the total Vdlage Budget. Planning Director David Clements presented his department's proposed 1992-93 budget of $600,290, a decrease of $43,375 from the 1991-92 Budget of $643,665. Mr. Clements gave a brief overview of the department's actlwties which include day-to-day planning consisting of: permit review, zoning adrmmstration, providing pubhc ~nformat~on, worlong with residents and the business community on lndMdual projects, counsehng on local regulations, and helping to explmn Vdlage ordinances The Department also has long-range planmng activities which consist of momtoring the effectiveness of the Comprehensive Plan to assure that all future growth and redevelopment meets long-range planmng guidelines. In the area of economic development, the Department provides pubhc and business relations, including a bus~ness v~s~tanon program, and represents the Village interests locally and regionally The Department ~s also responsible for the management of the upconung Triangle Downtown Redevelopment Project. The Planmng Department also oversees Community Development Block Grant programs which provides asststance to low-moderate income residents, the handicapped and elderly. In addaion to the activities outlined above, the Planning Department provides staff and techmcal assistance to the Plan Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, Sign Review Board, Business District Development and Redevelopment (B.D.D.R.C.) and the Village Board. The Planning Department has several major tasks planned for the upcoming year. One is the Zoning Ordinance revision which began during the 1991-1992 fiscal year and will be completed in the coming fiscal year. The goals of this project are to correct amb~gmtleS and obsolete regulations in the current zoning ordinance Draft copies of the changes will be presented to the Zomng Board of Appeals and then to the Village Board. The Economic Development budget will emphasize continuation of the facade program with funding for three facade improvements in key areas along Northwest H~ghway The 1992-1993 budget proposes continued funding of several ~mportant and successful Community Development Block Grant Programs. The housing rehabilitatxon program enters its llth year, and the Department expects to achieve the successful rehabilitation of 16 to 18 homes this budget year. Also, the Boxwood neighborhood programs are proposed for fifth year funding These programs prowde after school activities for children and a summer day · care program with field trips and handicraft activaties Two CDBG Programs wall not be continued in the 1992-1993 fiscal year. These are the CDBG Accessibility and Improvements Program and the Commercial Rehabihtatlon Program Instead, increased spending is proposed for the residential and multl-farmly rehabilitation programs. Mayor Farley stated that he did not think the Village has placed a high enough emphasis on economic development He said that other communities are more aggressive and that he would like the Village to focus on all areas of the Village to attract and retain large and small businesses He recommended that the Village establish an Economic Development Commission of nine members to develop a comprehensive Economic Development Program for the Village He suggested that the new commission would develop a strategic plan for econormc development and help to prepare a promotional booklet about the Village. Trustee Wilks said BDDRC has advocated a publication about the Village for a long time. The estimated cost is $10,000 She said it was high time we tried to stop the exodus of businesses from the community and that she supported the new commasslon. Trustee Corcoran said he absolutely agreed that the Village should place a higher priority on economic development, and that a publication would only be a small part of the program. Trustee Hoefert said that he thought a commission would be helpful but that businesses often leave for econormc reasons that may be beyond the control of the Village. He did not want to give the impression that businesses are leaving because of the community TruStee Floros said that businesses often leave because they go out of business He said there is a difference between a business leawng and a business closing Trustee Floros added that the Facade Program is a real plus for the Village and that he would like to see a high emphasis continued on this program. Trustee Clowes said he is not sure two commissions are needed and there could be confusion if one comm~sion is working on the downtown and another commission represented the rest of the Village He also said he would like to see the Mount Prospect Chamber take a more active role in economic development Mayor Farley responded that he thought two comrmssions would serve the Village better. Trustee Busse said he favored whatever action is needed to retain and attract new businesses. He also said he would hke to see at least two visitations per month of existing businesses Inspection Services Department Inspection Sermces Director Chuck Bencic presented the proposed 1992-1993 Budget for the Inspection Services Department which consists of the Building Code Division, the Environmental Health Division and the Engineering Division The Total budget for 1992.1993 is $1,071,120 compared to $1,028,600 for 1991-1992 for an increase of $42,520 The increase can be attributed to increases ~n Personal Services and employee benefits of $43,770, an increase in Contractual Services of $10,750, and a decrease in Capital Expenditures of $12,000 The Environmental Health Division is responsible for inspecting all food estabhshments, swim_rmng pools, day care centers, health clubs and multi-family residential rental umts During 1991, this Division performed a total of 2,342 inspections and they also responded to 1,516 citizens' complaints on property maintenance, insect and rodent control and public health matters. One personnel change is proposed for 1992-1993 A part-time inspector has been added to the budget replacing a summer intern Mr Benclc explained that a part-time inspector would be available two days a week all year around to make inspections and to help maintain the necessary schedule of health inspections The Engineering Division is responsible for the review and inspection of all private site developments and for the design, contract adnumstration and inspection of Village projects such as street resurfacing and reconstruction, sewer and water main replacements, the shared cost and new sidewalk programs, and bridge repair. There were approyamately 57 ongoing and new development projects that were rewewed and inspected during 1991. The Engineering Division also reviews all subd~wslon plats, driveway, patio and sidewalk perrmt applications and handles drainage and sump pump discharge complaints They also review plans for roadway and traffic signal improvements proposed for the State and County roads within Village limits. One major accomplishment last year was the successful apphcation for a Class 9 rating in the Federal Flood Insurance Community Rating System (CRS) Program. Mount Prospect was one of only 9 communities in the State and one of only 2 in Cook County to receive a Class 9 rating The Building Code Dlvaslon is responsible for plan revaew, issuance of pernuts and ~nspection of all buildings and structures in the Village This responsibility includes new residential, commercial and industrial buildings as well as all remodeling projects, fences, driveways, signs, decks, etc. In 1990, 1,938 permits were issued with a value of $33,640,000, and during 1991, 2,000 permits were issued with a value of $31,098,000 The Building Code Division performed 10,419 inspections during 1991 Mr. Benclc stated that during 1991 there were more remodehng permits and fewer slngle-farmly pernuts issued However, both require substantially the same amount of review time. One objective of the Inspection Services Department in 1992-1993 is to complete review of the 1990 BOCA Code and to recommend the necessary changes to incorporate it into the Village Code. Mayor Farley asked if the penalty for starting work without a permit is being addressed in the recommended Code changes Mr. Bencic responded that the changes will provide for minimum penalty of $100 and a maximum of $1,000 During the discussion that followed, Trustee Hoefert asked if there was any overlap in health inspections between the Village and the State or County. Mr. Bencic said there was not. Trustee Corcoran asked for an update on the Microfilm Project. Mr Benclc responded that the Village is continuing to contract for microfilrmng services rather than buying equipment to do it in-house Trustee Clowes asked if Village engineering costs were added to Public Works Projects and if we are charging enough for remspectlons. Mr. Benclc answered that we do not charge other departments and recommendations for increases in certain inspection services will be brought to the Village Board within the next three months Trustee Clowes also said he would like to see performance measures incorporated in the budget. Trustee Busse asked if it is worthwhile to staff Inspection Servaces on Tuesday evening and Saturday mormng Mr D~xon responded that this is being evaluated and would probably be reduced after the building season 4 lrvana Walks said she agreed with the personnel change that exchanged an Intern position w~th part-time position P~l~hc Work~ Department Pubhc Works Dtrector Herb Weeks presented the proposed 1992-1993 Budget The Public Works Department consists of four div~sions' Streets, Water and Sewer, Parking and Refuse Disposal The Street Division of the Public Works Department has 14 separate service oriented programs for the maintenance of Vxllage equipment and pubhc properties This Division is responsible for maintenance of approxamately 150 miles of streets as well as parkways, storm sewers, street lights, traffic signals, public buildings, detention/retention basins, all beautification projects and pool vehlclesThe Street Division Budget for 1992-1993 totals $4,641,680 compared with $4,736,885 in the 1991-1992 Budget, for an overall decrease of $95,205. The decrease ~s made up of reductions in the Street Maintenance, Forestry and Traffic Signals and Street Lighttng Programs along with an increase in Admimstrauon and Support Street resurfacmg and reconstrucuon has been reduced $100,000, tree replacements by $16,000, traffic signal energy by $66,000 and traffic signal construction of $40,000 An increase of $70,220 in Admimstrauon and Support is made up of a provision for salary adjustments of $16,850, increased pension costs of $16,920, increased medical insurance of $18,600 and increased Workers' Compensation of $3,000 Mr. Weeks pointed out that even with the reduction of $100,000 for street resurfacmg and reconstruction, it is still a high priority with $1,400,000 included in the budget for this purpose. Additionally, it is expected that approximately $600,000 in street reconstruction will be accomplished through the flood control projects that are included in the Capital Improvement section of the Budget. The decrease in costs for traffic energy is a result of a change in the Franchise Agreement with Commonwealth Edison that is expected to be approved prior to May 1, 1992. There is an increase in the request for flood control monies due to two major projects whmh are expected to be completed in the 1992-93 fiscal year These two projects are the WaPella/Central/CanDota project and the Des Plaines backwater valve project. He also mentioned that storm water basin maintenance at the Opus/Kensington Business Park has been added to the budget this year. The project is expected to cost $10,000 The Water and Sewer DMsion has twelve major programs and all are related to the repmr and maintenance of the water and sewer system. Major responsibilities include the maintenance of all pumping stations and adjacent properues, well houses including all appurtenances there~n, all underground water and sewer facilities,, some 2,000 fire hydrants, approxamately 170 miles of water mains, and 310 reales of sewers. The proposed budget for this Division of Public Works totals $6,645,855, an increase of $93,425 from last year. Of the increase, $28,750 is due to increases in medical insurance for employees and their families and $60,000 appropriated for imual funding for the possible acqmsmon of Citizens Utilities Company water system in Mount Prospect and Prospect Heights. Some of the sigmhcant projects in the Water and Sewer Budget include the continuation of the booster pump 5 replacement program ($65,000), replacement water mains ($145,000), replacement sewer maxns ($80,000) and replacement of control panel at Huntington Commons sewage hft stanon at ~') $12,000 Mr Weeks stated that the budget also included $30,000 for an inspection of the downtown water tank and to provide speofications for rehabilitation work in 1993. It ts expected that the cost of rehabilitation and painting will be around $450,000. Th~s amount would then be included m the 1993/94 budget. The Parking Division is responsible for the administration and maintenance of the various Village-owned or operated parking facilities The Parlong DMs~on budget for 1992-1993 totals $103,810 compared to the 1991-1992 budget of $217,985, for a reduction of $114,175 A new Village lot was opened February 1, 1992 on the former site of the Ald~ store and adjacent to the Old Pubhc Works building This lot is referred to as the Wille Street North parking lot. The 77 parking spaces acqmred will be for commuter parking and should be available until the summer of 1993 The Refuse D~sposal secuon of the proposed Budget contains the expendttures associated w~th the collecuon and d~sposal of sohd waste from all residential umts m the Village. The total budget for 1992 - 1993 ~s $2,544,130 compared to $2,403,035 for 1991 - 1992. The 1992 - 1993 budget reflects the costs assocmted with the second year of a three year agreement with Arc D~sposal Co The budget also ~ncludes higher recychng costs to cover the expanded recychng program that went into effect on August 1, 1991. Mr. Weeks mentioned that cardboard ~s not ~'h part of the recychng program but that they have received a number of suggestions from residents ~ that it should be included. Mayor Farley asked Mr. Weeks how the Village handled requests for new street lights. Mr Weeks responded that hghts for subd~ws~ons are forwarded to Commonwealth Edison and hghts on major h~ghways are provided by contributions from developers. Mayor Farley asked Mr. Weeks to see if anything could be done w~th the hghts in the Boxwood area on Wheehng Road between Euchd and Kensington. He also smd he would like to see more emphasis on the flower planting program. Mayor Farley also commended the Pubhc Works staff for the work they put into the White Lights that were put up in conjunction wtth the 75th Anmversary Trustee Floros said he would hke the White Lights as an annual activity. He smd he received many compliments on the lights and that he thought ~t was a worthwhile program He also said he would like to see the flower planting to be restored to its prewous level. Mr. Weeks responded that there is no provision in the 1992 - 1993 budget to continue the White Lights Program He smd the total cost of the Program was about $90,000 w~th $21,000 for labor, $28,000 for materials and contractual services and $41,000 for equipment He also said that he would need the 3 seasonal employees if the flower program was restored to ~ts prewous level Trustee Busse said he would also hke to see the flower planting restored to the prewous level. He asked Mr. Weeks about the Sewer TV Truck that is budgeted for $110,000. Specifically ~'~ he asked if this eqmpment could be rented or if the work could be contracted Mr Weeks~J_ smd it was a necessary piece of eqmpment and produced revenue for the Water Fund Trustee 6 Busse said he would like more information to justify this expenditure. He also asked about the resurfacing program and the progress with Opus on the traffic signal for Wolf Road. Mr. Weeks responded that the resurfacmg program should be about the same as in prevaous years Mr. D~xon said he is trying to get an answer from Opus regarding the light. Trustee Busse smd he would hke to be kept informed about this project Trustee Hoefert asked what factors were used to determine the vehicle replacement schedule. Mr. Weeks said they use odometer males, but they also used engine hours and how the vehicle is used Trustee Hoefert also asked why the paint had to be removed from the downtown water tank Mr. Weeks explained that all paints are not compatible and they needed to get down to the base metal Trustee Hoefert also smd n was ~mportant to include corrugated materials to recychng as soon as possible Trustee Corcoran said he would hke to see some hard numbers on how much it will cost to reinstate the flower planUng program He also said he would like to move ahead on adding cardboard to the recycling program Trustee Wilks said she was concerned about the reduced participation in the cost-share tree replacement program and that she would hke the fee to be reduced from $100 to $75. She also mentioned that according to the vehicle replacement schedule, costs could double in the 1993-1994 budget Trustee Clowes sa~d he supported the proposal to include cardboard in the recycling program as soon as possible He also asked Mr. Weeks about maintenance responsibilities at Kensington Business Center Mr. Weeks said there was $10,000 to repair intake and outflow structures for the Kensington ponds and $4,000 for mowang common areas and parkways Other Business Trustee Wilks asked if there would be another information meeting for the residents in the Citizens Uuhties Area. Mayor Farley said he d~d not think another meeting was necessary but that the Village could send out another marling. Trustees Corcoran, Clowes, Busse, Wflks and Floros said they thought another meeting would be helpful A meeting was set for Saturday, March 14, 1992 at 10 00 a m. VI Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 11:25 p.m Respectfully Submitted . , - , David C. Jepson, Finance Director DC J/sm 7