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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/19/1986 FC minutesMINUTES FINANCE COMMISSION FEBRUARY 19, 1986 Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM. Commissioners present were Richard Bachhuber, Paul Davies, Tom Pekras and Ann Smilanic. Also present were Village Manager Terrance Burghard, Finance Director David Jepson, Planning and Zoning Director Steve Park, Economic Development Director Ken Fritz, Public Works Director Herb Weeks, Deputy Public Works Director Glen Andler and Village Engineer Chuck Bencic. II Introduction of 1986-1987 Budget Service Areas Village Manager Terrance Burghard stated that the two service areas that will be discussed, Maintenance of Public Facilities and Planning and Zoning, account for just over $13 million or approximately 500 of the Village's 1986-1987 budget. Maintenance of Public Facilities includes the Street Division, Water and Sewer, Parking and Engineering, whereas Planning and Zoning includes Planning activities, Economic Development, the administration of the Community Block Grant (CDBG) and the Tax Incremental Financing (TIF) Redevelopment Project. Mr. Burghard introduced Planning and Zoning Director Steve Park. III Planning and Zoning Budget Planning and Zoning Director Park presented information to the Commissioners supporting the 1986-1987 budget requests. He indicated that Planning and Zoning activities encompass four general areas: 1) coordination of development within the Village; 2) the Facade Improvement Program; 3) the TIF Project; and 4) CDBG Programs. Following are some of the activities discussed by Mr. Park: 1. Development Coordination includes working with developers and property owners to ensure that new development within the Village meets the standards of quality identified by the Development Code and policies established by the Village Board. Staff personnel work with the Zoning Board of Appeals, the Plan Commission, and the Business District Development and Redevelopment Commission. Economic development services are included in this area. The economic needs of the community as well as marketing strategies to "sell" Mount Prospect as a good place to live are two primary considerations. The funding for these activities comes from the Village's General Fund. 2. The Facade Improvement Program provides grants to property owners in the central business district for exterior improvements to their buildings. The 1986-1987 budget includes $92,500 of Block Grant funds and $105,000 of General Fund revenues to expand this program beyond the original boundaries. The program has been successful in encouraging improvements that have generally been needed for some time. Twenty-two projects have been completed with approximately thirty in progress. 3. The Tax Incremental Financing Project Mr. Park explained the -TIF process to the Commissioners. He reported that property acquisition is proceeding on schedule in Target Area A. The $2.5 million included in the 1986-1987 budget will provide for property acquisition, demolition, and site improvements in Target Areas A and D. Mr. Burghard added that the completion of the TIF project will require additional debt financing, but that the tax-exempt status of TIF bonds is in question due to the pending 1985 Tax Reform Act. 4. CDBG Program The 1986-1987 budget for CDBG projects totals $646,100 and includes the continuation of the single-family and multi -family rehabilitation programs, the facade program, downtown improvements, and the last phase of the recreational improvements to the Commonwealth Edison right-of-way. Mr. Park explained that the funding for the projects included in the 1986-1987 budget will come primarily from prior year CDBG allocations. The allocation for 1986 is expected to be approximately $210,000, some 300 less than 1985. It is expected that the 1987 allocation will also be reduced substantially and that by 1988 the funding could be eliminated. Ken Fritz reviewed the Facade Program in detail with the Commissioners. He reported that in the projects completed to date, the Village has expended approximately $97,000 and property owners have added 2-1/2 times that amount. The Commissioners expressed satisfaction with the Facade IV Program and all the efforts to encourage downtown rede- velopment. Maintenance of Public Facilities Budqet Public Works Director Herb Weeks presented the four budgets included in the Maintenance of Public Facilities. The four budgets are: Street Division $ 3,153,260 Water and Sewer 5,293,550 Parking 88,270 Engineering 1,567,700 Total 10.102.780 Mr. Weeks explained that there is a request for one additional full-time employee in the Streets budget, and the replacement of eleven pieces of equipment. Following are comments regarding the specific budget areas: 1. Streets Division There are 14 programs in the Streets Division. Forestry is the largest except for the Refuse Disposal Contract. The budget proposal includes an increase in bridge repair funding, and the initiation of a pavement crack sealing program. Funds are being proposed for an independent study to evaluate the interior and exterior condition of the Village Hall and Public Safety Builings. 2. Water and Sewer Division The budget for the Water and Sewer Utility anticipates the costs associated with Lake Michigan water for the entire budget year. The costs for water purchases have been increased and electrical energy and chemicals has been decreased. Funds are being requested for replacement of the reservoir roof at Pumping Station No. 4, the roof at Well No. 5, and the plugging of Wells 2, 3, and 6. There are also funds requested for replacement water meters, leak detection equipment and $90,000 for replacement of water mains. 3. Parking Division There is no major construction or repair work contemplated for 1986-1987 fiscal year, however, monies have been budgeted for spot repair in the commuter lots. All major work on commuter lots will be postponed until after the RTA and Chicago and Northwestern Railroad improvements in the downtown area are completed. A sum of $10,000 has been included for some remodeling work on the interior of the railroad station once all the exterior work is completed. 4. Engineering'Division The 1986-1987 Budget includes - 3 - V separate appropriations for street and sidewalk construction and street resurfacing. The following projects are included: New sidewalks $ 129000 Shared cost sidewalk replacement 409000 Street resurfacing 7009000 Sunset Rd improvements (reconstruction) 65,000 Hopi/Burning Bush/Maki Rd improvement reconstruction 135,000 Monies have also been allocated for the third phase of the inspection survey of residential properties to determine compliance with sewer connection regulations pursuant to MSD guidelines. Finally, funds are included for the last segment of the Pavement Evaluation Study and a separate study of the require- ments of Central Road from Rand Road to Wolf Road. Mr. Burghard added that a water rate increase that originally had been planned for January 1985 is being proposed for October 1986. The increase will provide the additional funds needed for the purchase of Lake Michigan water and for the ongoing repair and replacement of water mains and sanitary sewers. Additionally, it is being proposed that the vehicle license fee be increased from $15 to $20. Mr. Burghard expressed the hope that at sometime in the future, the entire amount collected from vehicle licenses could be directed to street maintenance and resurfacing costs. The Commissioners discussed the various Public Works programs in considerable detail with Mr. Weeks, Mr. Andler, and Mr. Bencic. Particular interest was expressed in the continuation of beautification projects, maintenance of public grounds, maintenance of streets, refuse disposal, the Lake Michigan Water Project and the personnel needs of the Public Works Department. It was specifically mentioned that the minutes should report that the Commissioners unanimously supported the request for one additional maintenance worker in the 1986-1987 budget. The Commissioners indicated that they would prepare a separate report of their recommendations at the conclusion of the budget presentations. Next Meeting Date The next meeting of the Finance Commission will be Thursday, March 6, 1986. At that meeting the Police budget, Human Services budget, and the allocations for Community Groups will be discussed. - 4 - VI Adjournment There being no other business the meeting adjourned at 10:10 PM. Respectfully submitted David C. Jepson, Finance Director