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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/03/1999 FC minutes14 FINANCE COMMISSION Minutes of the Meeting June 3, 1999 I. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. Those present included Chairman John Korn and Commissioners John Engel, Vince Grochocinski, James Morrison, Tom Pekras and Ann Smilanic. Also present were Assistant Village Manager Dave Strahl, Public Works Director Glen Andler, Deputy Public Works Director Sean Dorsey, Fire Chief Mike Figolah, Deputy Fire Chief John Malcolm, Deputy Police Chief Ron Richardson, Community Development Director Bill Cooney, and Cable Production Coordinator Ross Rowe. Also present were Finance Director Douglas Ellsworth and Deputy Finance Director Carol Widmer. Finance Commissioner George Busse was absent. II Approval of Minutes The minutes of the May 27, 1999 meeting were approved as presented. III Review of Proposed 2000-2004 Capital Improvements Program Finance Director Doug Ellsworth discussed the format of the Proposed Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) for the years 2000-2004 and the summaries which can be found on pages A-1 through A-9 in the CIP. These summaries recapitulate the project requests by department, by project type group and by sources of funds. Mr. Ellsworth noted the CIP is a planning tool and not a budget Mr. Ellsworth briefly summarized the impact the proposed CIP would have on some of the Village's major funds. For instance, for the years 2000-2004, the General Fund will be funding $250,000- $300,000 worth of projects each year. The Capital Improvement Fund would show a deficit of approximately $1.4 million if all of the proposed projects are completed in the years 2000-2004. The Motor Fuel Tax Fund, Community Development Block Grant Fund, and the Downtown Redevelopment Fund have planned expenses matching planned revenues. A $4.4 million deficit would result if all projects proposed for the Water and Sewer Fund were approved. The total of all projects proposed over the next five years is $48,254,743. Administration Assistant Village Manager David Strahl discussed the need for a fiber connection to the Public Works Building when the GIS is in full operation. This project is being proposed for the year 2002 and is expected to cost approximately $50,000. Mr. Strahl also discussed the proposed $30,000 of software and memory upgrades for the year 2001. These expenditures are planned to ensure that the Village - wide computer system will stay current in technology and will provide a stable working environment. Mr. Strahl also discussed the continuation of the Television Services Division's conversion to an all digital format. In the years 2000 and 2001, $23,000 and $27,000 will be spent on additional digital equipment. FI Finance Department Mr. Ellsworth explained the requests for modular office furniture for the Finance Department. Mr. Ellsworth said by providing a more efficient and productive work environment, employee productivity and morale would be much higher. The modular workspaces would be adaptable to a new Village Hall also. The estimated cost would be $17,500 in the year 2000 and $12,000 in 2001. Community Development Community Development Director Bill Cooney discussed the projects being recommended by his department. In the year 2000, $450,000 is being proposed for the streetscape program. Ms. Smilanic asked for further clarification as to what is Streetscape. Mr. Cooney explained that Streetscape is lighting, bricks, benches, trees and curbing. Ms. Smilanic asked if the investment the Village has made is paying off. Mr. Cooney replied that the Village has received compliments on the visual appearance of the downtown area. The downtown redevelopment program consisting of facade improvement and interior buildout was discussed next. In the year 2000, a total of $200,000 is being proposed to be spent. In response to a question regarding the program from John Korn, Mr. Cooney explained that the Village pays 1/3 of the cost and the business pays the remaining 2/3's. The area targeted for the year 2000 includes the Carriage House and Little America restaurants as well as the block containing Sakura Restaurant and Continental Bakery. Additional discussion regarding the Year 2002 proposed Village Hall/Senior Center Facility in the amount of $4.5 million centered on anticipated space needs and whether the building would be designed to accommodate further expansion. In response to Mr. Morrison's question as to whether the bank building would be available for Village use, Mr. Strahl confirmed that space is available. Mr. Cooney also explained the proposed parking facility. The facility is scheduled for the year 2002 at a projected cost of $5 million. Fire Department Fire Chief Mike Figolah discussed the department's ongoing program to replace turnout gear for the firefighters. In the year 2000, $12,500 is being requested for this program. In response to a question by Jim Morrison, Chief Figolah said approximately 10 sets of turnout gear are scheduled to be replaced each year. The manufacturer's suggested useful life is six years and is consistent with the Village's experience. A new program to replace outdated self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) is being proposed by the Fire Department. Deputy Chief John Malcolm explained that the current equipment will reach the end of its 15 -year useful life in the year 2000 and the department is requesting $62,000 for replacement of that apparatus. Mr. Malcolm showed the members of the Finance Commission both the old and new equipment and explained the improvements which have been made over the past 15 years. 1) Police Department Deputy Chief Ron Richardson explained the need to replace mobile data terminals in the marked police cars. The terminals, which were installed in the early 1980's, are well beyond their projected 5-7 year life cycle and are no longer reliable. The request is for $69,153 in the year 2000 and $26,868 in 2001. Vince Grochocinski asked if the terminals are removed when cars are taken out of service and Deputy Chief Richardson indicated that was the case. Jim Morrison asked if the terminals were the primary communication link. Deputy Chief Richardson replied that the radio is the primary communication link and the mobile data terminal is used for non -emergency information. Public Works Public Works Director Glen Andler and Deputy Public Works Director Sean Dorsey presented the department's CIP requests. Mr. Andler stated that a recent $1 million grant from the State of Illinois will permit stabilization work on Weller Creek from School Street to Route 83 to begin in the year 2000. Ann Smilanic asked about ownership of Weller Creek. Mr. Andler replied that the Village can maintain the creek property and the residents would deed the property to the Village. Mr. Andler discussed water main replacement. He stated that the Village has 150 miles of water mains and replacements are ongoing. A total of $400,000 is being requested for the year 2000. Mr. Morrison asked what type of water main is being used. Mr. Andler said the Village is using Class 56 metal pipe. He further remarked that it is the cast iron pipe that is failing. Other projects mentioned by Mr. Andler included $138,764 in the year 2000 for the Village's tree planting program, streetlight improvements totaling $525,000 in the year 2000 and a new initiative in the year 2000 for inspecting and rehabilitating Village -owned motor vehicle bridges. $75,000 has been recommended for this project. Mr. Andler advised the Finance Commission that approximately 50% of the Village consists of combined sewers. Recent inspections have revealed significant structural deterioration and the Village will need to begin addressing the problem. Mr. Andler is requesting $750,000 in the year 2001 for this project. In order to provide the funds necessary to fund the needed repairs, water and sewer rates would need to increase 12-17% in addition to the annual 4% increases. At the conclusion of the presentations, Ann Smilanic asked Dave Strahl to explain the Automated Emergency Call Out System purchase recently approved by the Village Board. Mr. Strahl gave several examples of ways the system would be utilized in the Village. For example, the system could be programmed to automatically call employees to assist in the cleanup for a hazmat spill. The system could be programmed to call residents to notify them of a Zoning Board hearing. IV Chairman's Report Chairman Korn updated the commission members on recent Village Board actions. He also complimented Village staff on the CIP. He said it is a very useful document. Q V Finance Director's Report Mr. Ellsworth distributed the Village's 1998 Comprehensive Annual Report to the members of the Finance Commission. VI Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for June 24. At that meeting recommendations for the CIP and the Year 2000 Budget will be discussed. cLwsm Respectfully submitted Carol L. Widmer Deputy Finance Director 4