HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/24/2012 COW MinutesCOMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES
January 24, 2012
CALL TO ORDER — ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. in the Village Board Room of the Village
Hall, 50 South Emerson Street, by Mayor Irvana Wilks. Trustees present included Arlene
Juracek, John Korn, Paul Hoefert, John Matuszak, Steven Polit, and Michael Zadel.
Staff present included Village Manager Michael Janonis, Assistant Village Manager
David Strahl, Public Works Director Sean Dorsey, Police Chief John Dahlberg, and
Finance Director David Erb.
II. REQUEST DEFERRAL OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES FOR JANUARY
10, 2012
Motion made by Trustee Korn seconded by Trustee Zadel minutes were deferred to
February 14, 2012.
III. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD
State Representative David Harris presented a certificate of recognition to Police Chief
John Dahlberg from the Illinois House of Representatives commemorating his years of
service to the village.
IV. WATER & SEWER RATE STUDY - RESPONSE TO RATE INCREASE FROM THE
CITY OF CHICAGO
Village Manager Michael Janonis stated that the Village has been recently notified that
the City of Chicago increased its water rates by 25% which impacts member
communities in the Joint Action Water Agency which includes Mount Prospect. He stated
this rate increase is reflective of the rates charged to Chicago residents and he stated
the rate increase would be effective on February 15, 2012 for all water purchases after
that date.
Finance Director David Erb provided a summary of the water rate study underway to
review the ongoing operational expenses of the Village water system. He stated he had
previously proposed a rate increase of 5% as part of the 2012 budget, but with the
recent Chicago water increase that rate will need to be increased again. He stated that
the Finance department is in the process of modifying the billing cycles to take
advantage of the new software. He stated the Chicago water rate increases for 2012 will
be 25% with a 15% increase for each year between 2013 and 2015. Without an increase
in the rates to correspond to the Chicago rate increase the Village would have to
significantly scale back on its capital programs and that would seriously impact operating
expenses.
He stated in order to cover the Chicago rate increases an additional water rate increase
for Village residents for 2012 would amount to 13.2 %, 5.4% for 2013, 8.3% for 2014,
5.7% for 2015, and 2.5% for 2016. Typically the Village also has a standard annual
percentage increase which would likely be in addition to these percentages. He stated
the anticipated additional cost to the average water user is approximately $82.80 per
year.
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Finance Director David Erb also stated there is a need to address the phase out of
Special Service Area #5. He stated the service area generates funds for capital
improvements to the water system for the residents that benefit from the Village water
system. However, the special service area is due to expire in 2017 and there will be a
need to add the capital funds to the utility bills in order to capture what was generated by
the Special Service Area property tax. He stated the shift of the capital funding to the
utility bills would add approximately $.17 per 1000 gallons used.
Manager Janonis stated that the Joint Action Water agency has explored other supply
options as a result of this water rate increase from Chicago. He stated that JAWA's
contract is currently obligated to purchase water from Chicago until 2023 and has to
purchase 80% of the water supply from Chicago. He stated that even if an alternative
supply could be obtained, the additional capital costs would be very similar to the capital
costs that were covered through SSA #5.
Consensus of the Village Board was to phase out SSA #5 by shifting the rate to the
utility bills. Continue to explore different supply options. Try to work with the City of
Chicago to obtain consistent or steady future rates, which could be budgeted for. Include
a multiyear rate increase for budgeting purposes to obtain the required additional
revenue through a rate increase and to include the additional water cost on bills issued
after May 1, 2012.
V. FUTURE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE DISCUSSION ITEMS
Village Manager Michael Janonis provided a summary of the proposed topics for
2012. Those topics include the following:
1. Establish a commission to plan for the 100th anniversary of the Village
2. Review of vicious dog regulations
3. Police actions at house parties were underage drinking takes place
4. Review of municipal deregulation opportunities
5. Consider enforcement of synthetic drugs or medical marijuana
6. Review door -to -door solicitation regulations
7. Consider possible regulations for snow removal on residential and business
sidewalks /enforcement
8. Roadside memorial displays /regulations
9. Freedom of Information Act training
10. Agenda efficiency discussion
11. Northwest suburban housing cooperative update
12. Updated downtown plan discussion
13. Police and Fire department staffing discussion
14. EAB /Gypsy Moth update
15. Levee 37 update
16. July 23, 2011 flood study report
17. AMR /AMI system replacement
18. Street improvement program
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VI. MANAGER'S REPORT
Village Manager Janonis reminded everyone of the Celestial Celebration on February
4 at Bristol Court Banquets and stated there are tickets still available.
VII. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Mayor Wilks stated she recently attended the grand reopening of Fisher Scientific
Clinical Services at the Kensington Business Center.
Trustee Korn stated that the Sister City trivia fundraiser is scheduled for February 10 at
the Village Hall.
Trustee Polit reminded everyone that Pet Smart is now open at Randhurst.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.
DAVID STRAHL
Assistant Village Manager
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