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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2.1 MinutesMr�GauC �'d'+rt;�iect Meeting Fiscal Impact Dollar Amount Budget Source Category Type Information Alternatives Minutes of the Committee of the Whole - September 13,2022 October 11, 2022 - COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - APPROVAL OF MINUTES Minutes ATTACHMENTS: Committee of the Whole 9.13.22.pdf 1 Village of Mount Prospect Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes Tuesday, September 13, 2022 / 7:00 p.m. 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Paul Hoefert, in the boardroom at Village Hall, 50 S. Emerson Street, called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Members present upon roll call: Mayor Paul Hoefert, Trustee Agostino Filippone, Trustee Terri Gens, Trustee Richard Rogers, Trustee Colleen Saccotelli and Trustee Michael Zadel. Trustee John Matuszak was absent. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 2.1 Minutes of the Committee of the Whole - July 12, 2022 Motion by Colleen Saccotelli second by Richard Rogers to approve the Committee of the Whole minutes of June 14, 2022: Aye: Agostino Filippone, Terri Gens, Richard Rogers, Colleen Saccotelli, Michael Zadel Absent: John Matuszak Nay: None Final resolution: Minutes approved. 3. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD None 4. DISCUSSION ITEMS 4.1 Solid Waste Programs Overview and Update Director of Public Works Sean Dorsey introduced Mary Allen and Kristina Sievert of the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC) who will lead the presentation and Public Works Administrative Superintendent Kristina Jakupovic. Christina Seibert, Executive Director of SWANCC, presented an overview of the mission, formation and function of the Agency. Ms. Siebert discussed how SWANCC is involved in supporting legislation that would drive better manufacturing and production of materials to reduce waste. Extended Producer Responsibility laws engage and encourage manufactures and brand owners to reevaluate how they create packaging. SWANCC helped introduce legislation to improve recycling protocols and programs relating to electronics recycling, pharmaceuticals collection bill 2 passed into law this year and carpet and paint recycling. SWANCC is very active in supporting legislation regarding packaging and paper products. This legislation has been in development since 2021 and will be introduced in the 2023 legislative session. Ms. Siebert displayed Residential Disposal and Diversion tonnage graph for FY2018-2022 for Mount Prospect. At a 25% recycling rate for single-family homes, the Village is above SWANCC member's average rate. Ms. Siebert introduced Mary Allen, Recycling and Education Director for SWANCC. Ms. Allen provided an overview of each of the Agency's Special material programs that include electronics, document destruction, mercury thermometers, CFLs and tube lights, medications, sharps, holiday lights and batteries. Ms. Allen acknowledged the Village's commitment to promoting and encouraging recycling and added the Village has been a great partner. Ms. Allen highlighted SWANCC's outreach efforts, working closely with municipalities, schools and the public and detailed media platforms used to educate the public. Ms. Allen continued her presentation by acknowledging that recycling is often confusing and frustrating for consumers fueled by misinformation. Ms. Allen provided information regarding the history, basic guidelines and process of recycling. She stressed "recycling right" is important and public education is key to avoid costly recycling mistakes. Ms. Allen asked recyclers to keep these rules of thumb in mind: • Quality and not quantity • Empty, Clean, Loose and Dry • When in doubt, throw it out Ms. Allen shared information regarding the May 2022 initiation of Mount Prospect's Cart Tagging Program Pilot. Carts were tagged for four consecutive weeks. Residents received an "Oops" tag if improper recycling was found and a "Thank You" tag for proper recycling. The program was deemed a success with good feedback from residents. Ms. Allen shared a CBS news video on the pilot program. Ms. Allen wrapped up her presentation with an informative video regarding "wish recycling." Mayor Hoefert opened the floor for discussion. Board Comments: • Presentation provided an important and clearer understanding of what can and cannot be recycled • Expressed gratitude for the presentation; very informative • Public Works Administrative Superintendent Kristina Jakupovic was acknowledged for her role in leading Mount Prospect's recycling efforts, programs and initiatives Mayor Hoefert raised a concern regarding Styrofoam. Ms. Allen stated Styrofoam gets broken down into very small particles but never disintegrates completely and poses a danger to sea life, birds and humans. Plastics are the same way. Through a grant from the Food Processing Institute and assistance from SWANCC, Ms. Allen announced Mount Prospect will acquire a densifier that will aid in recycling Styrofoam into useful products. Mayor Hoefert displayed a few common products used daily by consumers and asked for recycling guidance. 3 A discussion followed. Public Comment: Carole Delahunty Mount Prospect resident • Questioned the recyclability of black plastic; was not aware it was not recyclable Ms. Allen responded, stating black plastic is not recyclable because optical sorters cannot identify black plastic Steve Polit 601 N. Wilshire Drive • Mount Prospect was one of the first communities in the State to offer curbside recycling • Consumers need to be mindful what they are recycling; recycling errors can be costly to correct Jeff Nejdl • 313 N. MacArthur Ave. Best Buy accepts electronics for recycling but there is a charge to the consumer for this service Ms. Allen shared information regarding local municipalities who also offer electronic recycling events including SWANCC's Saturday recycling events. No further discussion. 4.2 Discussion — Village Vehicle Sticker Program Director of Finance Amit Thakker provided a brief history and overview of the Vehicle Sticker Program. The Village implemented the vehicle sticker program in 1957 at a cost of $7.50 per vehicle. Today, a vehicle sticker costs around $45.00 per passenger vehicle. Senior citizens can purchase a sticker for $15.00. The vehicle sticker program generates an average of $1.3 million annually. Mr. Thakkar provided a five - year snapshot of sticker revenue that detailed both gross and net revenue. In 2022, the Village received $1,191,792 (net revenue) that includes certain fixed costs but does not include finance department wages. Mr. Thakkar added revenue from the vehicle sticker program is earmarked for the Village Street Construction Fund to benefit the annual street resurfacing program. Mr. Thakker next shared survey results staff conducted of 74 towns in six collar counties. Of the 74 towns surveyed, 32 towns do not require a vehicle sticker versus 42 that do require a sticker. The average cost of a vehicle sticker is $45.90. Mr. Thakkar stated many financially stable towns have eliminated the sticker programs in Cook County including Schaumburg, Oak Lawn, Wheeling, Hillside, Des Plaines, Rolling Meadows, Glenview, Hoffman Estates and most recently, Palatine. Mr. Thakkar reviewed Village financials. Mr. Thakkar stated the Village has seen a great growth in State shared Intergovernmental Revenues that include sales tax, home rule tax, use tax and PPRT tax. In 2021, the Village recorded a surplus of $8.7 million in the General Fund and staff is anticipating similar amounts in 2022. Mr. Thakkar reviewed the allocation of surplus. 4 Mr. Thakkar stated staff proposes to deploy $1.4 million from the State Sales Tax towards the Street Construction Fund and suspend the Village Vehicle Sticker program for 2023. Based on current information and data analysis, staff is confident this recent growth will sustain. Mr. Thakkar stated the Finance Commission met on July 28, 2022 and rejected staff's recommendation to suspend the vehicle sticker program. The Finance Commission stated due to the variable nature of sales tax revenues and certain factors out of the Village's control including a possible recession, the sticker program should remain as one of the Village's stable revenue source. The Finance Commission suggested staff research more modern and efficient ways to run the vehicle sticker program. Staff acknowledges and understands some of the concerns brought forward by the Finance Commission. Mr. Thakkar detailed the reasoning behind the recommendation to suspend the program. Staff's effort is to minimize the tax burden. Mr. Thakkar stated revenue from the vehicle sticker program ($1.4 million) is 1.8% of the total budget and 0.8% of the total Village revenue budget and accounts for 23.3 % from the State Sales Tax surplus. Mr. Thakkar stated the Village will have the option to reinitiate the vehicle sicker program or there is an option to add property tax levy of $1.4 million under the umbrella of Streets and Bridges. It will increase an average household burden by $73.8 million, which is less than the price of two passenger vehicle stickers. A discussion followed. Mr. Thakkar provided the following in response to questions from the Board: • Overtime hours are not used for enforcement of this program • Revenue from commercial vehicles is relatively insignificant; 75% of the revenue is generated from non-commercial vehicles • Staff will perform research as recommend by the Finance Commission • Seeking direction from the Board Board Comments: • Concerned about the long-term sustainability of sales tax • Appreciates the comments and recommendation from the Finance Commission • Village is currently financially stable; uncertain future • Difficult to fund $1.4 million if Village experiences a drop in revenue from sales tax • Suspension equates to elimination; it would be difficult to reinstate the vehicle sticker after a period of suspension; unfair to residents • Concurs with recommendation from the Finance Commission; would like to see one or two years of stable sales tax before making a final decision • Suggested elimination of the vehicle sticker; instead, add tax to water and sewer bill • Residents who drive should share in the cost of maintaining our roads; hesitant to suspend the program; explore other ways to substitute this revenue source • Does not believe the Village should collect a fee or tax that is no longer needed • Residents do not like the program and have asked for its elimination for many years • Supports staff decision but would like to see more research and analysis Public Comment: Steve Polit 5 601 N. Wilshire Drive • Understands both sides of the issue; difficult decision • If decision is to suspend, discussion should occur every year based on current conditions Louis Goodman Resident • Residents do not like vehicle stickers and would like to see them eliminated; many surrounding communities have done so Jeff Nejdl Resident • Understands the good intention of the sticker program but suggested lowering the price of the sticker • Revenue from future developments will help ensure sales tax sustainably No further discussion. Village Manager Michael Cassady recorded an informal poll of the Board resulting in a tie with one member of the Board absent. Mr. Cassady stated this topic will be discussed further during the budget process next month. The Board will render the final decision regarding the future of the vehicle sticker. S. VILLAGE MANAGERS REPORT No report 6. ANY OTHER BUSINESS Mayor Hoefert acknowledged the success of the Village -sponsored "Fridays on the Green" summer concert series. 7. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Hoefert asked for a motion to adjourn. Trustee Rogers, seconded by Trustee Zadel, moved to adjourn the meeting. By unanimous roll vote of the Village Board, the September 13, 2022 Committee the Whole meeting adjourned at 8:58 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Karen M. Agoranos Village Clerk 6