HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/03/1994 FC minutesFINANCE COMMISSION
Minutes of the Meeting
March 3, 1994
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. Present were Chairman Richard Bachhuber,
Commissioners John Engel, Vince Grochocinsld, Newt Hallman, James Morrison, Ann Smilanic,
and Tom Pekras. Also present were Village Manager Michael Janonis, Finance Director David
Jepson, and Assistant Finance Director Carol Widmer, two residents and one member of the press.
Finance Commission member Earl Sutter arrived at 7:25 p.m. and Village Board member Irvana
Wilks arrived at 7:28 p.m.
II Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the February 17, 1994 meeting were accepted as amended.
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Public Works Director Herb Weeks and Deputy Public Works Director Glen Andler presented the
proposed Public Works Budget. The 1994/95 proposed budget for the Public Works Department
which includes Streets, Water -Sewer, Parking and Refuse Disposal totals $12,968,370 compared to
the 1993/94 budget of $12,957,020, an increase of less than 1%. Mr. Weeks explained the basic
philosophy of the department in which all employees are cross -trained so there is flexibility in
staffing and in responding to the needs of the department. As an example, Mr. Weeks explained that
during the recent snow storms all public works employees participated in snow plowing. Mr. Weeks
also explained the program whereby volunteers are recruited and trained to assist in snowplowing,
thereby enabling the department to respond in a timely and effective manner.
Mr. Weeks explained that in the proposed budget there are 45 area where work is contracted out,
representing some $821,000. Some of these contractual areas are grass cutting, crack filling, repair
and replacement of sanitary sewers and building custodial services.
Mr. Weeks explained that there are some maintenance programs which are not feasible to contract
out. He cited water main breaks (average 120 per year) as one example. The repairs cannot wait
for an outside service because people need their service restored as soon as possible. There was
some discussion of the deteriorating condition some of the Village's water mains. Mr. Weeks
explained that the American Waterworks Association sets the standard for water mains and the
Village has a policy of requiring a higher standard than that set by the AWA. However, some of
the mains installed in the 50's and 60's are of major concern as they are deteriorating faster than
expected.
Chairman Bachhuber asked how much of the Village's water is unaccounted for. Mr. Weeks
explained that the Village has an aggressive leak detection program and has a very low (1.196) rate
of unaccounted water.
Mr. Weeks responded to a question regarding water meters and outside registers. He explained that
the outside registers which were installed a number of years ago as part of an experimental program
have not proved as reliable as had been expected. Public Works has recently started a program
which enables the Village to obtain meter readings through the telephone. A telephone module is
installed on the meters of commercial and multi -family customers and this will increase accuracy and
the reliability of the monthly readings. The telephone readings from the multi -family properties have
not worked out as well as expected due to vacancies and changes in occupancy in the units where
the modules have been attached to the phone lines.
Mr. Weeks reported that the bids for the refuse disposal service contract will be opened on Monday,
March 7. It is expected that as many as 11 companies could submit bids based on the number of bid
packets requested. The Village has 90 days to review the proposals before formal acceptance.
04 - "FINTRIM
Police Chief Ron Pavlock and Deputy Chiefs Tom Daley and Ron Richardson presented the 1994-95
proposed budget for the Police Department. The proposed budget of $6,443,460 is 5.51 % higher
than the 1993/94 budget of $6,107,085. This is due mainly to the addition of the three new officers
in the proposed budget.
Chief Pavlock reviewed the results of the Police Department's annual citizen survey. In December
of 1993 over 900 citizen surveys were mailed to randomly selected addresses in the Village. The
department received a 34 % return. This survey, which is a required part of the accreditation
process, disclosed that the citizens believe the Police Department is providing good service to the
community. The Community Oriented Policing concept of "walk & talk" has helped to develop
positive feelings, reduce fears, and generate more respect for the officers and their abilities.
Chief Pavlock then reviewed a list of challenges that are facing the Police Department. These
challenges directly affect the allocation and distribution of Police resources in the coming year. The
list was included in the handout provided to Commission members by the Police Department.
Newt Hallman asked why there was a request for three new officers when three were added last year.
Mr. Hallman remarked that there has been little change in population since 1985 but we have added
11 police officers since then. Chief Pavlock responded that in the past the department has been
reactive but the department must be proactive and the new officers will enable the department to form
a tactical unit which will enable them to respond where needed. Deputy Chief Daley described a
tactical unit and its function. He explained that a tactical unit can work in a special area or in many
areas. The unit roams and responds as needed rather than being assigned to regular calls. This will
allow the officers to increase enforcement in areas such as underage drinking and alcohol possession
offenses while still covering the necessary general assignments.
Planning PZ=men
Bill Cooney, the Village's Planning Director, presented the Planning Department's proposed 1994/95
budget. This was Mr. Cooney's first appearance before the members of the Finance Commission.
Mr. Cooney pointed out that the Planning Department is staffed by four professional planners, one
secretary, a part-time secretary, and two seasonal interns. The department's 1994/95 budget of
$695,110 is 1.06% higher than the 1993/94 budget of $687,810. Primary responsibilities include
planning and management assistance which includes responding to inquiries on planning, zoning and
subdivision matters; Community Development which includes administering various grant programs
available from Federal and State Agencies and providing assistance to qualified residents for eligible
services from these programs; Long-range/Comprehensive Planning, which includes interpretation
of the Comprehensive Plan and the formation of policies affecting Village development; and
economic development, which will market and promote the Village to maintain and enhance its
economic base.
The department has identified several 1994/95 objectives, including implementing a long-range
planning program to assist in the development of under -developed corridors in the Village and
working closely with BDDROC on spin-off projects as a result of the Pine[Wille project. The
emphasis on economic development includes: marketing, retention and cooperation with the business
community.
Members of the Finance Commission asked about the status of the proposed Target store. Mr.
Cooney said the Village Board has decided not to offer economic assistance to Target but the
company is going through the zoning process and the project is still viable.
N Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 10:20 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for March 17, 1994 at
7:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
CLW/sm
Carol L. Widmer, Assistant Finance Director
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