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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/28/2010 FC MinutesFINANCE COMMISSION MINUTES OF THE MEETING OCTOBER 28, 2010 COMMUNITY CENTER — VILLAGE HALL CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 6:06 p.m. Those present included Chairman Vince Grochocinski and Commissioners Pam Bazan, Wayne Gardner (arrived at 6:10), John Kellerhals, Tom Pekras and Ann Smilanic. Also present were Village Manager Michael Janonis, Assistant Village Manager Dave Strahl, Chief of Police John Dahlberg, Deputy Chief of Police Administration Michael Semkiu, Deputy Chief of Police Operations Tim Janowick, Police Operations Commander John Wagner, Fire Chief Mike Figolah (arrived at 6:30), Deputy Fire Chief John Malcolm, Battalion Chief Training Officer Chris Truty, Acting Fire Marshall Brian Loomis, Finance Director David Erb, Deputy Finance Director Lynn Jarog and Finance Administrative Assistant Lisa Burkemper. Commissioner Don Ocwieja was absent. Also present were the following residents, employees or interested parties: Phil Wnek Eric Mertes Craig Rodewald Joe Knoll Dave Miller Thomas Willming Thomas Kanelos Jill Friedrichs Kevin Maslon Will Baas William Ritchie Lloyd Miller Pat Ritchie Torrie Wolczyz Matt Pastori Mike Wolczyz Todd Novak Jeff Hunt Nicolas Schlenbecker Cliff Woodbury Kevin Swat Mary Woodbury Dan Ackerman Kevin Christianson Il APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner John Kellerhals motioned to approve the minutes of August 10, 2010. Commissioner Tom Pekras seconded the motion. With all members in favor, the minutes were accepted as presented. Chairman Vince Grochocinski advised the agenda needed to be changed to accommodate the parties in attendance at this evening's meeting as well as future meetings. Commissioner Tom Pekras motioned to adjust the agenda to allow for citizens to be heard. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Pam Bazan and all members were in favor. Minutes of the Finance Commission Page I of 5 October 28, 2010 III. REVIEW OF THE PROPOSED 2011 VILLAGE BUDGET Village Manager Mike Janonis opened the meeting by asking the audience to sign in so their attendance could be made part of the official records. Mr. Janonis then asked if anyone would like to address the Commission with comments or concerns. Village resident Cliff Woodbury asked to address the Commission. Mr. Woodbury provided a brief summary of his background and stated he has been a Village resident for 23 years and is currently employed by another municipality as a firefighter. Mr. Woodbury expressed his concerns and stated he was upset that police and fire services are proposed to be cut from the budget and that these services could be greatly compromised. Mr. Woodbury asked questions related to the General Fund fund balance, asked for descriptions of several departments in the Village, asked if there was a proposed increase to the tax levy being considered and asked if there were provisions to hire back employees that are laid off. Mr. Janonis provided details related to what services the Community Development Department, TV Services and Civic Services provide the Village. Director of Finance David Erb explained the General Fund fund balance and that currently the balance is 24.8% and is estimated to be 23% as of December 31, 2010. Mr. Erb explained the problems that would arise if the fund balance became too low including the need for the Village to borrow short term to cover expenses. Mr. Erb also added the State is currently four months in arrears in paying state income taxes which equates to approximately $1.5 million. Mr. Erb stated the proposed tax levy reflects a zero percent increase from the previous year. Assistant Village Manager Dave Strahl addressed the questions related to hiring back employees that were laid off. Mr. Strahl mentioned by state law there is no limit of recall right. Per government and state contracts, the employee with least seniority would be laid off first. Rehiring of laid off personnel would be done according to seniority. Chairman Vince Grochocinski mentioned the state mandated police and fire pension plans and their affects on the property tax levy. Mr. Woodbury thanked the Commission for their attention and again reiterated he felt strongly about finding a way to reduce the deficit without the elimination of police and fire jobs. Police Department Police Chief John Dahlberg provided an overview of the 2011 Proposed Budget and highlighted several 2010 accomplishments. Discussed were accomplishments involving the creation of the Special Investigation and Gang Intelligence Unit, which was formed in September of 2010. Also discussed were the accomplishments of the Traffic Unit, Criminal Apprehensive Team (C.A.T.), Crime Free Housing, the Community Connections Center and a third place finish in the Illinois Traffic Safety Challenge. Chief Dahlberg mentioned six officers are expected to retire in 2010, which will ultimately reduce the number of employees laid off. Chief Dahlberg stated the department's proposed 2011 budget totals $14,783,963 down from the 2010 budget of $15,042,664. The department expects a projected savings in overtime costs of approximately $250,000 in 2010. Minutes of the Finance Commission Page 2 of 5 October 28, 2010 Chief Dahlberg outlined the department requests in the Capital Improvements Plan and listed several objectives for calendar year 2011. Chairman Vince Grochocinski asked how the department proposes to deal with the proposed elimination of services. Chief Dahlberg advised the traffic unit has been extremely successful but a shift to gang initiatives is a more pressing issue at the present time. According to the most recent citizen survey, the number one concern among residents is no longer traffic control but is gang activity. Chief Dahlberg added the traffic unit will hopefully be brought back in the future when the economy allows for it. Commissioner Ann Smilanic asked who would provide the crossing guards for the local schools. Chief Dahlberg said there will be discussions related to the topic in the coming weeks. The police department has offered to help the schools train volunteers and help however possible to make the transition go smoothly and safely. Commissioner Tom Pekras asked how the department will deal with crime prevention once the program is eliminated. Chief Dahlberg said the two officers that currently make up crime prevention will be assigned to the day shift and will have a limited amount of time allowed for the crime line. These two officers will also maintain their Village issued cells phones and principals of the local schools will be able to contact them with questions or concerns during regular school hours. Commissioner John Kellerhals asked how many officers were proposed to be laid off given the expected number of officers that have opted for retirement. Chief Dahlberg stated three officers accepted the retirement package and two positions have been open for most of the year; therefore, one person is proposed to be laid off. Resident Tom Kanelos expressed his gratitude for the work done by the traffic unit and added it's a shame the traffic unit will be cut because of the budget deficit. Fire Department Fire Chief Mike Figolah stated this was his last opportunity to come before the commission as he is leaving the Village next week. Chief Figolah introduced Deputy Chief Malcolm and stated he would be appointed the new Fire Chief at the Village Board meeting on November 3. Deputy Chief Malcolm began the presentation stating the proposed budget calls for a reduction of nine sworn personnel positions and a reduction of one full time and one part time civilian position. Deputy Chief Malcolm outlined some of the department's 2010 accomplishments. Mentioned were 90% compliance in NIMS training, delivery of two new ambulances, near completion of fire station 14 and companion projects and notification that Mount Prospect was named best in the EMS system with respect to save rate for cardiac arrests. Malcolm also mentioned several 2011 objectives as outlined in the proposed budget. The department will conduct an Emergency Preparedness seminar for the business community, will update the Fire Department Strategic Plan and will continue to pursue grant opportunities whenever possible. Minutes of the Finance Commission Page 3 of 5 October 28, 2010 Deputy Chief Malcolm stated the Fire Department proposed budget for 2011 totals $11,382,258, which is a 1.5% decrease from the 2010 budget. The department was required to make $790,287 in cuts. Because of these cuts, current minimum staffing will fall from 18 to 15 persons per shift. Daily personnel will be cut by two people at Station # 13 and one person at Station 412. Deputy Chief Malcolm added there were no items in the Capital Improvements Plan for 2011 and the replacement of two staff vehicles scheduled for 2011 will be pushed back to 2012. There was a discussion regarding the equipment that will be used to respond to calls and the equipment that will be in service at the various stations. Deputy Chief Malcolm advised the department will dispatch one less engine to a fire alarm call allowing the engine to remain in service. A discussion ensued regarding safety concerns for residents if the minimum staffing levels were lowered at the fire stations. Resident Tom Kanelos added if the Village can't man the equipment, they will be taking a gamble. Mr. Kanelos said he has an issue with upper management in Village Hall for not controlling costs. Commissioner John Kellerhals asked if they know how many employees had opted for the retirement package. Deputy Chief Malcolm advised they would know tomorrow as the deadline was extended 24 hours. Resident and Fire Department employee Kevin Christianson added that Police and Fire personnel are there to save lives and cuts should come from other places in the budget. Knowing that none of the budget process has been easy and cuts needs to be made; Mr. Christianson stated public safety should be a first priority. Commissioner Pam Bazan asked for clarification regarding the number of engines that are dispatched to a fire alarm. Deputy Chief Malcolm confirmed that 3 engines are sent to every fire alarm call. Ms. Bazan then asked if the amount of time the two person engine from station 14 would be alone on scene will be a minimal amount of time. Deputy Chief Malcolm confirmed that the amount of time would be minimal. Commissioner John Kellerhals asked whether or not the lieutenant at station 14 would have to be a paramedic if staffing was lowered to four. Deputy Chief Malcolm advised that it would be necessary. Commissioner Kellerhals also asked how the department will be able to control overtime costs if they reduce the number of workers per day by three. Deputy Chief Malcolm advised that with the proposed schedule there would be 20 people assigned per shift; minimum manning is 15 people per shift. This would allow for vacations, sick time and injuries. Commissioner Tom Pekras asked why contractual services in the Fire Department proposed budget increased $250,000. Mr. Erb stated this was due to vehicle maintenance and lease payments being added back into the budget after being deferred in 2010. Commissioner John Kellerhals asked if the Commission could be updated on the number of employees accepting the retirement package at the next meeting. Mr. Janonis may have some of this information available for the next meeting. Minutes of the Finance Commission Page 4 of 5 October 28, 2010 Administration Assistant Village Manager Dave Strahl provided an overview of the proposed cuts to the 2011 Public Representation and Administration Budgets. Approximately $4,000 was eliminated from Public Representation as the Mayor will not be attending the US Conference of Mayors. Village Administration was required to cut $245,067 from the budget. This was accomplished with the elimination of a part time Community Production Producer, reduction of the full time Community Producer position to part time, and the elimination of the Deputy Village Clerk position. Commissioner Ann Smilanic asked where the funds were listed for the ERP project as they were not listed under the Information Technology Division. Mr. Erb stated costs associated with the project are found in the Capital Improvements Plan. Commissioner John Kellerhals asked if any Village Hall employees or members of the management team have taken advantage of the early retirement package being offered. Mr. Janonis could not comment at this time as the deadline for most employees ended today and the deadline for fire personnel will end tomorrow. Commissioner Tom Pekras asked about the progress being made at Levee 37. Mr. Janonis stated the project is on schedule and will probably be completed within the next two years. The Village's responsibility has been taken care of already with the exception of a 600 foot gap that will be finished at a later time. Commissioner John Kellerhals asked what amount of money has been budgeted for the settlement of the Ye Old Town Inn lawsuit. Mr. Erb stated funds would be available when the settlement amount is known and will come from the Risk Management Fund. IV. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT There was nothing to report. V. FINANCE DIRECTOR'S REPORT There was nothing to report. VI. OTHER BUSINESS There was nothing to report. VII. NEXT MEETING: NOVEMBER 4, 2010 Commissioner Wayne Gardner motioned to adjourn which Commissioner Tom Pekras seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 10:02 p.m. The next meeting will be November 4, 2010. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Burkemper Administrative Assistant Finance Department Minutes of the Finance Commission Page 5 of 5 October 28, 2010