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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/02/1995 FC MinutesFINANCE COMMISSION Minutes of the Meeting November 2, 1995 Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. Those present included Chairman Richard Bachhuber, Commission Members John Engel, Joe Etchingham, Vince Grochocinski, Newt Hallman, Jim Morrison and Frank Wolfinger. Also present were Finance Director David Jepson, Assistant Finance Director Carol Widmer, one member of the press and one resident. Village Manager Michael Jannis arrived at 7:20 p.m. Commission members Tom Pekras and Ann Smilanic were absent. II Accept Minutes of October 19, 1995 The minutes of October 19, 1995 were accepted as presented. III Presentation of 1996 Budget Fire Department - Chief Ed Cavello and Devuty Chief Steve Dumovich Chief Ed Cavello began the presentation of the proposed 1996 Fire Department budget. The proposed budget of $6,013,095 represents a modest 3.2 % increase from the 1994/95 budget on an annualized basis. Chief Cavello noted that during 1995 a reorganization at the command level resulted in reducing the number of deputy chiefs from two to one and reassigning a firefighter/inspe- ctor to shift and replacing that position with a civilian fire prevention coordinator position resulting in a net savings of approximately $22,000 in salaries. Also, during 1995 changes were adopted to the rules and regulations of the BOFPC which improved the quality of the applicants for firefighter positions. The new minimum requirements for firefighters include either two years of military experience, 60 hours of college credits, Firefighter III certification or EMT -P certification. While reducing the number of applicants, and thus reducing the costs related to testing, these requirements have given the department a very promising group of candidates. Deputy Chief Dumovich reviewed the operations as they relate to the budget of the Fire Department and highlighted some of the capital improvements proposed. The Department is considering several changes in operations in order to fully utilize the recently acquired "quint." The department is proposing the purchase of a rescue squad truck under capital improvements in the amount of $85,000 to be used in conjunction with the quint. The quint/rescue squad plan being developed will give more flexibility to the department, better manpower distribution and will reduce the need to replace some other types of apparatus in the future. Deputy Chief Dumovich also reviewed the department's request to upgrade the traffic signal pre- emption system known as Opticom. This upgrade will take place over the next two years, at a total cost of $205,000. Many of the intersections involved have equipment that is over 20 years old and it has become difficult to maintain and repair the equipment and replacement seems to be the only alternative. Approximately 40 of the 50 intersections currently equipped with Opticom will be involved in the proposed replacement program. Included in the 1996 Budget is $15,000 for the Fire Training Academy Program. The Fire Department will offer three basic level HazMat programs as well as several other programs in 1996. The programs offered directly benefit Village firefighters and are also open to firefighters of other communities. The student enrollment fees are designed to make the academy self-supporting and there is an amount of $20,000 budgeted for these fees in the revenue section. Other Programs highlighted by Deputy Chief Dumovich included the Fire Prevention Bureau and Equipment Maintenance at $358,160 and $350,640 respectively. The Fire Prevention Bureau has taken steps to establish a central computer filing system that will be used for fire inspections as well as preplan information, owner/manager information and more. The Equipment Maintenance Division maintains the Department's specialized fleet of vehicles. Chief Cavello concluded the department's presentation by reviewing several successful events the department planned in 1995. They included a Prom Night, Fire Prevention Week activities and a Children's Fire Safety Festival at Randhurst. Commissioner Newt Hallman asked for information on the vehicle lease payment plan. Mr. Jepson explained that the Fund was set up to have money available for replacement of vehicles and also to record all costs associated with a department in the department's budget. Other questions concerned mutual aid agreements, and the training budget. Police Department - Chief Ron Pavlock. DMuty Chief Tom Daley and Deputy Chief Ron Richardson The Police Department's 1996 proposed budget is $7,636,695. Personal services which make up 85 % of the Police Department budget are up $227,444 from 1994/95 to 1996. This is an annualized increase of 2.75 %. The lower than expected increase is largely due to the lower salaries of six replacement officers and the shifting of mechanics' salaries to the Vehicle Maintenance Division of the Public Works Department. Chief Pavlock noted that the Board of Fire and Police Commission Employment testing account has been increased from $20,000 in 1995 to $23,000 in 1996 due to the recruit officer test process which is being completed and the sergeant test process. There is a new Police Protective Clothing account in the Patrol and Traffic Enforcement program. In 1996, $10,000 has been budgeted in this amount to replace soft body armor for officers. The new union contract provides for this replacement on a seven year basis but since many officers are still wearing their initial issue from 1982, the costs for the program will be high in the beginning but they should moderate in coming years. 2 The crime prevention program in 1996 will include the costs associated with the compensation and activities of two crime prevention officers and two problem solving officers. The program includes a new Community Policing Training account of $5,000 that will be used to train Village staff and all Police Department personnel in COP (Community Oriented Policing) programming and strategies. Chief Pavlock gave a brief review of other departmental initiatives and programs such as the School Resource officer at River Trails School and the Problem Solving Unit in Boxwood and then went on to highlight some of the equipment replacement requests. In 1996, the department is planning to replace 2 Police utility vehicles and two Police squad cars for a total of $84,000. The department is also requesting $26,500 for Mobile data terminal replacement. These are in -car computer terminals used for computer aided dispatch, car to car communications, and record checks. The department has also budgeted $5,000 to be used to replace one of the department's four copy machines. At the close of the presentation, Chief Pavlock answered several questions from members of the Finance Commission. The members of the Finance Commission discussed the new minimum requirements adopted by the BOFPC for Police and Fire applicants. Village Manager Mike Janonis, in response to an inquiry, briefly outlined the new police contract. Mr. Janonis advised that the new starting salary for a police officer will be $31,674 under the new contract. Mr. Janonis also explained that under the new contract officers will reach top pay in six years instead of five years. The problem solving officer and the use of grant money was also discussed. Community Development Department Community Development Director Bill Cooney and Deputy Director Dave Hulseberg, Building Inspector Coordinator Brad Paulson, Environmental Health Coordinator Bob Roels and Planning Coordinator Dan Ungerleider presented the proposed 1996 Community Development Department Budget. Bill Cooney reviewed the consolidation of the Planning Department and the Inspection Services Department. One of the objectives of the consolidation has been to streamline the process of obtaining permits and inspections, to eliminate duplicative reviews and to provide faster service to the public. These efforts have been successful and have met with approval from the public. Mr. Cooney next focused on economic development activities over the past year. The Village has been very successful in helping to market available properties within the community. The Randhurst Shopping Center has had several improvements with the Home Depot Store ready to open in November, a new 16 Theater General Cinema has been approved, and a new Jewel Food Store is under construction. Several businesses have moved into formerly vacant space in the Kensington Business Center and U. S. Robotics has recently announced a move to Mount Prospect with the prospect of 2000 jobs. Brad Paulson, Coordinator in the Building Code Division, discussed the ongoing process to utilize a computer program to issue permits and to streamline other operations and procedures. Other improvements are being planned for the Division. Environmental Health Coordinator Bob Roels explained that the division has prepared an exterior property maintenance brochure for distribution to property owners, established a violation database, and implemented administrative enforcement fees designed to encourage property owners to bring their property into compliance with Village codes. Dan Ungerleider, Planning Coordinator, discussed ongoing plans to streamline the process of obtaining zoning board approval, utilize CDBG funds to rehabilitate single family residential properties and to continue to improve facades and sidewalks in the downtown area. Members of the Finance Commission discussed the Clocktower project and the expected completion and occupancy of the buildings. Traffic congestion concerns, now and in the future, were also mentioned by the Commission. Mr. Cooney agreed that traffic congestion is an area of concern and mentioned vans and pools as one possible solution. Mr. Cooney extended an invitation to the members of the Finance Commission to attend the Community Development Department's Open House on Thursday, November 9 at 6:00 p.m. at the Senior Center. IV Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for November 16, 1995 at 7:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted CLW/sm 4 Carol L. Widmer, Assistant Finance Director 4W