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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/02/1995 CWC minutesMinutes COFFEE WITH COUNCIL September 2, 1995 The Village Board and the Finance Commission met one hour prior to the start of the regular Coffee With Council meeting for the purpose of discussing the Village's 1996 budget process and general goals of the Finance Commission. The meeting was called to order at 8:00 a.m. by Mayor Gerald L. Farley. Trustees present were George Clowes, Timothy J. Corcoran, Paul Hoefert, Michaele W. Skowron and Irvana K. Wilks. Also present were Finance Commission members: Chairman Richard Bachhuber, John Engel, Joseph Etchingham, Newt Hallman, James Morrison, Ann Smilanic and Frank Wolfinger. In addition, Village Manager Michael Jannis, Finance Director David Jepson, and Assistant Finance Director Carol Widmer were present. Mayor Farley welcomed the Finance Commissioners and on behalf of the Village Board thanked them for their efforts on behalf of the Village. Finance Director Jepson then gave an overview of the results of the audit of the fiscal year that ended April 30, 1995 and reviewed the budget schedule for 1996. Because of the "short year" for May -December 1995, the Finance Department would not be preparing a six-month budget report prior to the start of the new budget year but will be using the experience of four months for the new budget. The 1996 Budget is scheduled to be delivered to the Village Board and Finance Commissioners on October 13, 1995 with the first meeting before the Finance Commission on October 19, 1995. There will again be three budget work sessions with the Finance Commission and three Village Board Committee of the Whole meetings where the proposed budget will be discussed. It is expected that the budget will be adopted at the regular Village Board Meeting on December 19, 1995. During the discussion that followed, it was agreed that the review of the proposed budget by the Finance Commission was an important step in the process and that the Village Board appreciated the recommendations of the Finance Commission. Several of the Finance Commissioners expressed their desire to have the opportunity to review significant finance issues prior to action by the Village Board. It was explained that this is not always possible because of timing considerations but, when possible, the Finance Commission would be consulted. Also, it was suggested that in addition to the budget the Finance Commission should focus on longer term financial issues. Some of the issues mentioned were medical insurance, capital expenditure policy, funding the Weller Creek Project, vehicle replacement policy and a five-year capital plan. It was agreed that the joint meeting was a good start and that after the budget process, there should be another meeting to establish guidelines and formulate a Plan for accomplishing the goals expressed. This portion of the meeting adjourned at 9:10 a.m. The Coffee With Council Meeting was called back to order at 9:20 a.m. by Mayor Farley. June Richards, 1412 South Hickory Street, expressed concern that the Village Newsletter has not been delivered in the Hickory Street/Cypress Street area during 1995. She stated that this is the only communication from the Village that many residents see, and without the Newsletter, the residents do not know what the Village is doing. She said she has contacted the U. S. Post Office, but the problem has not been corrected. Village Manager Janonis said the Village would have the printer work with Postal officials to make sure the entire Village receives the Newsletter. Back issues will also be made available to the residents. Trustee Clower said he would like to discuss the Newsletter at a Committee of the Whole meeting after the budget meetings are completed. Ms. Richards also said she is concerned about the campaign to solicit funds for the Police Department. Village Manager Jannis explained that neither the Village nor the Mount Prospect Police Department sanctioned this fund raising program. It was the Metropolitan Association of Police Union "umbrella group" that was soliciting the funds and not Mount Prospect Police. It was stated that the group was misrepresenting the facts and the Village was trying to prevent this type of solicitation effort. It was agreed that an annual article will be put in the Newsletter regarding these solicitation campaigns. About ten residents who 'lived on Camp McDonald Road were present to discuss the possible improvement to Camp McDonald Road. Village Manager Janonis stated that the County is planning on improving the road in 1997 or 1998, and that he had received some telephone calls asking the Village to rethink a previous decision not to approve the addition of a third lane. Mr. Janonis said Camp McDonald Road is owned by Cook County and that several years ago the County offered to improve the roadway, including the addition of a third lane, if the Village would assume future maintenance responsibilities. He said this practice has been an issue with the Village Board because of cost to the Village and the Village Board would need to address this part of the proposal. He continued by saying that the traffic on Camp McDonald Road will probably increase in the future, especially when the Wisconsin Central commuter lot and station are opened in Prospect Heights. The reason for a third lane is primarily for safety reasons. He said he understood that not everyone agrees with that assessment, but if the Village did not take action soon the opportunity would be lost. Sean Mayo, 1811 Camp McDonald Road, stated that he had contacted all the residents in the 1700 - 1900 blocks of Camp McDonald Road and he had a petition signed by 31 households who opposed the proposed widening. He said that there were about 40 homes in the area and that some of the residents were not home when he circulated the petition. He said that widening the road for safety reasons could be debated, and he urged the Board not to try to fix what wasn't broken. Several other residents expressed their views why Camp McDonald Road should not be widened. They were concerned about increased traffic, speed of vehicles, less -safe conditions, reduced property values, and a change from a rural environment. Joe Divita, 1816 Camp McDonald Road, said he supported the widening because he thought it would improve the area, and a third lane would be a safety factor. 2 Mayor Farley reminded the residents that Camp McDonald Road is not a neighborhood street and that the Village Board must consider what is best for the entire Village. Trustee Skowron stated that the traffic problems will not go away and regardless of the decision that is made there will still be problems. She said the Village is presented with an opportunity and must evaluate the advantages and disadvantages for the Village as a whole. Trustee Wilks said the residents along Mount Prospect Road were faced with a similar problem several years ago and opted not to improve the Mount Prospect side of the road and now they are sorry. She stated everyone needs to look at the bigger picture. Trustee Corcoran suggested that more research should be done and presented to the Board and residents before a final decision is made. Mayor Farley thanked the residents for coming to the meeting and expressing their views. The meeting adjourned at 10:50 a.m. A copy of the petition presented by Sean Mayo is attached. Respectfully submitted, ��qv�tgsvm� David C. Jepson, Finance Director DCJ/sm Enc PETITION We, the undersigned residents of the 1900, 1800 and 1700 blocks of Camp McDonald Road, Mt. Prospect, IL., do hereby protest the widening of Camp McDonald Road and furthermore protest the installation of sewers along Camp McDonald Road as well. v VA ADDRESS 1b PMIRWA�'� P i I �L! UK, 0 ....7 0 W1 WA, &P ME! ERR4MA 09. .� `� • LFI _ FURIFFM UK i rl .J ....j _ i INO V M14t 1- 0 6 MAN WrIH v VA PETITION We, the undersigned residents of the 1900, 1800 and 1700 blocks of Camp McDonald Road, Mt. Prospect, IL., do hereby protest the widening of Camp McDonald Road and furthermore protest the installation of sewers along Camp McDonald Road as well. r. - i ✓ •r •1. i�� �.. �u I Ira 75 MA W19 A '?AZ WRO - ----0 voir vyl won i r.