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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2. COW Minutes 10/08/2013pr nip �Ir 1 fi�lf��� COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES October 8, 2013 I. CALL TO ORDER — ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m, in the Village Board Room of the Village Hall, 50 South Emerson Street, by Mayor Arlene Juracek. Trustees present included Paul Hoefert, John Korn, John Matuszak, Steven Polit and Richard Rogers. Trustee Michael Zadel arrived at 7:15. Staff present included Village Manager Michael Janonis, Assistant Village Manager David Strahl, Village Attorney Everette Hill, Community Development Director Bill Cooney, Long -Range Planner Nellie Beckner, and Finance Director David Erb. II. APPROVAL OF COMMITTEE OF WHOLE MINUTES FOR SEPTEMBER 10. 2013 Motion made by Trustee Polit second by Trustee Rogers, minutes were approved, III. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD None IV. DOWNTOWN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN Community Development Department Long -range Planner Nellie Beckner spoke: She provided an introduction to the Downtown Plan which was funded through an RTA grant to review downtown linkages to transportation modes. The budget for this project was $100,000 of which the Village paid 20% out of TIF funds. The review process started in 2012 and included a steering committee of citizen groups and staff, stakeholder interviews and open houses. The plan is designated as a guide for the next 15 years. Kevin Clark of the Lakota Group spoke. He stated the project included extensive feedback opportunities to achieve the project goals that were used to create a clear shared vision, create and test a range of alternative development options, short and long -range land -use strategies, maximize the transit oriented nature of the downtown, and design a framework for future changes to the development in the downtown area. One starting point was to create a State of the Downtown which is the initial first volume. Then progress to focus on the downtown to embrace the identity of Mount Prospect through connecting the train station to the downtown through comfortable walking options in which people would be drawn to, in addition to fostering the appearance the downtown. There was also an extensive discussion regarding residential options in the downtown to attract restaurants and entertainment options to the Northwest Highway and Route 83 area. The overwhelming input desired some open space at a major visible location and focused on looking to improve the pedestrian crossing at Route 83 and Busse and some crossing concepts were presented for illustration purposes of the available options. There is a preference for residential development at Central and Route 83 in addition to Committee of the Whole Page 1 of 4 9/10/13 redevelopment options for the Tri -State Electric building site or a mixed -use building on that site. There was a significant interest put on open space options. The discussion also included a review of the Chase Bank building in order to enhance the appearance and connect it to the existing green space at the Village Hall. A preference was expressed to redevelop the light industrial area along Prospect Avenue to the southeast and prepare multifamily housing including additional parking along Prospect Avenue connecting back to the downtown. He stated that much of the businesses along Prospect Avenue are unique businesses that are truly local in nature that should be encouraged to develop further as a destination. Retail market issues include existing vacancies, services geared to personal services, and aligning these options with pedestrian traffic. The objectives are to serve the downtown residents and draw commuters into the downtown with activities and services that is walkable in nature. General comments from the Village Board members include the following items: • It was stated that much the plan is repetitive and has been seen before. • It would have been preferable to have been presented potential solutions as to reaching the designated goals instead of a review of the existing issues. • It was also mentioned that the process from this point would be to present this draft plan to the planning and zoning commission based on the comments from the Village Board. Once the planning and zoning commission reviews it then it would be presented to the Village Board for final approval. • There was a general observation as to whether it's the people or retail that comes first for a downtown to show it as a lively place. Richard Valentino, Attorney for Tod Curtis spoke. He wanted to ask questions regarding the why the plans include some property not owned by the village as part of a potential option and how the market will dictate such re- development in contrast to the impact on people wanting to develop their property on their own. He also asked whether any existing property owners' plans have been included in the development process. Mayor Juracek stated that this plan is a general concept plan process and Mr. Valentino did not participate in the standard process that brought the plan to its current form. Resident Lloyd Levine, 1777 W. Crystal Lane spoke. He is re- presenting his Great World concept in which the structure is built in the downtown over the railroad tracks. He stated the Lakota plan does not solve the problem of people getting across the tracks into the downtown. He stated his plan is to create a showcase and destination rivaling the Merchandise Mart shopping opportunities. He stated the concept would generate significant interest and extensive tax revenues because of its unique design and concept. V. STREET FUNDING PLAN - FINANCE COMMISISON RECOMMENDATION Finance Director David Erb spoke. He stated that there are no street funding options included in the 2014 proposed Budget which is about to go out. He stated a revenue shortfall has created a backlog of street resurfacing. Committee of the Whole Page 2 of 4 10//08/13 Finance Commission has proposed several alternatives: Original Plan This plan would generate $2.245 million in revenue for streets, the components are: 1) Decrease the property tax levy by $471,000 or 2.86 %; 2) Increases in revenue items that would occur over a two -year period with the resurfacing backlog not addressed. The components of this plan require the vehicle sticker funds shifting from the General Fund to the Street Fund and an increase to the vehicle sticker fee from $36 -$45 to generate the additional $350,000; 3) Increasing MFT from $.02 -$.05 which generates $500,000. In order to replace the funds that were shifted from the General Fund to the Street Fund through vehicle sticker revenue there is a need to change the allocation for how refuse is paid for. To generate the $3.13 million needed for refuse funding all charges would be shifted to a direct charge and none would be collected through property tax. Therefore, the $1.385 million that is currently on the property tax levy allotted to refuse would be maintained for General Fund purposes. Revised Plan This plan as presented would be implemented over a five -year period using similar increases under the two -year plan; however, the MFT increase would be from $.02 -$.04 and the vehicle sticker increase would be spread over two years. Reserves would be utilized from the Street and Refuse Fund funds for years two and three to make up the difference of not increasing the amounts over a two year period. The direct refuse charge would increase in years one, three, and five to reach the $242 by the end of 5 year period. The backlog of streets that need resurfacing is not addressed under either plan presented. In order to address the backlog there is a need for a bond sale of $5.5 million, which would increase the property Tax Levy 8.92% in a single year. Vince Grochocinski, Chairman of the Finance Commission spoke. He stated the Finance Commission did not modify its funding options and recommended base increases in vehicle sticker and refuse changes. They felt the hybrid plan covers all of the needs; move the vehicle sticker to road funding and replace the general fund money is still viable. He stated the Village cannot borrow its way out of this funding shortfall. The general comments Village Board members include the following items: • There was a comment regarding the refuse fee charge being switched to being an all direct charge and removed from the property tax generated concern about such a significant change all at once. • There was also a concern about the direct charge for refuse going from $100 to $243 and would like to see the increase spread over a period of time. • There was also a request to stretch out the vehicle sticker increase over time. • The question was raised as to the breakout of the payment for refuse for multifamily homes compared to the cross subsidy for single - family homes. • If the enforcement of the vehicle sticker continues to be an issue that might be worthwhile to have a discussion about eliminating the sticker altogether was offered as a point of discussion. • It was noted that when the increases are broken down over a period of time the refuse amounted to three dollars per week and the variable price of gas of three cents per gallon did not seem that dramatic. These options were also preferred over a 4.89% increase in the property tax Levy. Committee of the Whole Page 3 of 4 10//08/13 General consensus of the Village Board is to support the Finance Commission recommendations by smoothing out increases over a minimum of three years with a phase -in plan over that period of time. Also if there was an opportunity to phase -in these increases and address the backlog within a 3 to 5 year period the board would be interested in a further discussion on that scenario. The Village Board requested another review by the Finance Commission to offer an option for possible 5 year phase in. VI. MANAGER'S REPORT Manager Janonis stated that the October Coffee with Council is scheduled for October 12 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the Village Hall. He also stated that Oktoberfest is October 12 in downtown Mount Prospect. VII. ANY OTHER BUSINESS Trustee Steve Polit reminded everyone the Farmers Market has two more weeks before concluding for the season. VIII. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 10:02 p.m. DAVID STRAHL Assistant Village Manager Committee of the Whole Page 4 of 4 10//08/13