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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/28/2008 COW minutes . COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES October 28, 2008 I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7: 1 0 p.m. in the Village Board Room of the Village Hall, 50 South Emerson Street, by Mayor Irvana Wilks. Present at the meeting were Trustees Paul Hoefert, John Korn, John Matuszak, Steven Polit, and Michael Zade!. Staff present were Village Manager Michael Janonis, Police Chief John Dahlberg, Deputy Police Chief Mike Semkiu, Commander Tim Janowick, Crime Free Housing Coordinator Pat Lyons, Finance Director David Erb, Finance Deputy Director Lynn Jarog, Community Development Director William Cooney, Community Development Deputy Director Brian Simmons, Senior Planner Clare O'Shea, Human Services Director Nancy Morgan, Human Services Deputy Director Jan Abernethy, and Administrative Analyst Michael Dallas. II. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES A motion to approve the minutes of September 9, 2008, was made by Trustee Korn and seconded by Trustee Polit. Minutes were approved. III. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD None. IV. 2009 BUDGET DISCUSSION A. OPENING REMARKS. Mayor Irvana Wilks introduced the evening's subject matter and gave an overview of the night's presentation order. She indicated that the Village's financial condition is strong, the budget is balanced, and that critical infrastructure improvements are addressed in the budget. Additionally, she commented that the Village's financial situation appeared better than many of its neighboring communities. Finally, she provided several methods on how the public could comment on the proposed budget and where they could obtain a copy of the budget. B. BUDGET OVERVIEW. Before introducing Finance Director Dave Erb, Village Manager Michael Janonis noted the Village's financial stability despite the recent downturn in the economy and reemphasized that the Village's proposed budget is balanced. He indicated that a modest property tax levy increase will be necessary. As an overview of the 2009 budget, Mr. Erb described the annual budget process and identified budget considerations. He highlighted significant budget impacts and examined revenue sources and expenditures. He identified the proposed property tax levy and how the tax bill is apportioned. The Village's general fund was examined and its fund reserves identified. Finally, Mr. Erb summarized the 2009 budget and discussed the budget calendar. During discussions with the Board, Mr. . Erb described inter-fund transfers, including vehicle maintenance, vehicle replacement, and computer replacement as a method to plan and address large expenses. General comments or concerns from the Village Board members included the following: · The Village is fortunate to rely on diversified revenues and is not extremely reliant on property taxes as its main source of revenue. · Whether the assessed values of properties will have a negative impact on the Village's future revenue. · How the motor fuel tax impacts the Village's operations. · Why the home rule sales tax revenue has been decreasing while the state sales tax has been increasing. · Interest was expressed to have a financial sensitivity analysis conducted to assess what impact lower tax revenues could have on the Village. · Whether the Village staff made significant adjustments to the capital infrastructure plan in order to balance the budget. · What impact Wal Mart's renovation will have on the Village's sales tax. · Whether the Village relied on grants to pay for operating costs. Mr. Janonis highlighted a recent Park Ridge study that concluded that the Village's cost of providing municipal services was the lowest among participating municipalities. C. NEIGHBORHOOD RESOURCE CENTER. Senior Planner Clare O'Shea introduced the Neighborhood Resource Center concept and how the project came to fruition, focusing on the Chicago Community Trust Grant and the Feasibility Study. In light of the evening's focus, she highlighted the Center's proposed cost sharing arrangement with the Mount Prospect Public Library and community partners and its impact on the Village's budget, provided some detail on expenses including hiring new staff (receptionist, social workers/NRC Coordinator, Community Outreach Officer), and identified the main funding sources. Finally, she presented the proposed timeline to get the Center operational. In response to an inquiry about the Center's hours of operations, Ms. O'Shea and Mr. Janonis indicated that the Center will have evening hours, but thus far have not yet agreed to established hours. General comments or concerns from the Village Board members included the following: · The Center's mission was praised and many acknowledged looking forward to its opening. · What the Village's maximum exposure in the outgoing years will be if grant money and community partner revenue is unavailable. · Performance measurements must be, developed to illustrate the Center's success. · Specific concerns were raised about staffing · Village staff was asked to consider part-time employees, especially in light of the possibility of evening hours. ') · Whether there were any other examples of neighborhood resource centers. Before moving on to the Community Development Department's budget overview, Mr. Erb responded to a question from a caller regarding how the Village will address rising pension costs. D. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT. Community Development Director Bill Cooney presented his department's budget overview and the department's 2008 key accomplishments, including the redevelopment of Randhurst Village, Sub-Area 1 Redevelopment, CDBG public service projects, obtaining grants for various studies, the Building Division's joining of the US Green Building Council, expanding the systematic inspection program, and the business retention program. Then, he summarized the 2009 department expenditures and primary changes, including an increase in records management efforts (using Laserfische), an increase in building inspection services, and utilizing laptop computers for property maintenance inspections. E. HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT To provide an overview of the Human Services Department, Human Services Director Nancy Morgan first presented the department's social services program area, including advocacy, case management, emergency financial assistance, home visits, police social services, and paramedic outreach. She also identified the department's major nursing/health program areas. Then, she identified the populations served by the department and their available referral services. Finally, she highlighted the department's 2009 proposed budget highlights, as well as the benefit of a new State of Illinois Department of Aging Grant. General comments or concerns from the Village Board members included the following: · The department's services are "basic lifeline services." · Whether the department knew of individuals in the community who needed services, but were not currently receiving services from the Human Services Department. · In light of the department's budget cuts, there were concerns raised as to whether the department could maintain the same quality of service. · The department operates in a unique way from other municipalities in that its staff members work closely with both the Police and Fire Departments. F. POLICE DEPARTMENT Before Police Chief John Dahlberg presented his department's budget overview, he showed a photo collage of the department's activities and noted that the department had a very good year. As an overview of his department and its budget, Chief Dahlberg described the department's 2008 accomplishments, including the new traffic unit, Operation HEAT, Chat with the Chief, recruit testing, new hires, promotions, awards and officer recognition, and the firing range renovation. Then, he examined the Village's crime statistics. Next, he summarized the 2009 proposed budget figures, including capital improvement projects. Then, project objectives for 2009 were examined. Before closing, Chief Dahlberg introduced Crime Free Housing Coordinator Pat Lyons to present a brief overview of the Crime Free Housing Program. Mr. Lyons described the program's intent and identified its training statistics. Mr. Janonis applauded the efforts of Mr. Lyons and the Community Development Department for the program's initial success. General comments or concerns from the Village Board members included the following: · The Police Department was applauded for their professionalism, efforts, and modest budget increase · How properties come to the attention of Mr. Lyons and how many residents have been evicted from properties as a result of the program. · Many program trainees find the crime free housing information extremely valuable · A series of questions regarding the department's impact on major community issues such as speeding, burglaries, and tobacco sales were addressed. · The department's successful use of property seizures, specifically vehicle seizures, as well as its participation in the Click It or Ticket program and Operation HEAT. · The department's training program has been very efficient. · What impact a proposed casino may have on the department's operations. · Whether the Village would consider red light cameras. Prior to moving on to Any Other Business, Chief Dahlberg and Mr. Janonis addressed a caller's question about a possible cell phone ban in Mount Prospect. On an unrelated note, Finance Commission member Anne Smilanic commented that the Commission fully supported the Neighborhood Resource Center project and was confident that the Village could successfully fund its future operations. V. ANY OTHER BUSINESS Village Manager Michael Janonis reminded all that the next Village Board meeting would be held on Wednesday, November 5, 2008. Trustee John Korn stated that while serving as Mayor Pro Tern, he had an enjoyable time representing the VilJage at Fairview Elementary School. He also indicated that he believed the Village's first Octoberfest was well received by the community. Finally, he stated that he had free tickets to a concert event performed on Sunday, November 2 at the Forestview Education Center. Mayor Irvana Wilks commented that Prospect High School band was preparing to play in London, England, and that they had received some royal china from their English hosts. VI. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 10:42 p.m.