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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/26/2004 COW minutes MINUTES COMMITTEE OF TI::IE WHOLE OCTOBER 26, 2004 I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m., in the Village Board room of the Mount Prospect Village Hall, 50 South Emerson Street, by Mayor Gerald Farley. Present at the meeting were: Trustees Timothy Corcoran, Paul Hoefert, Richard Lohrstorfer, Michaele Skowron, Irvana Wilks and Michael ZadeL Staff members present included Village Manager Michael Janonis, Assistant Village Manager David Strahl, Finance Director Dave Erb, Deputy Finance Director Carol Widmer, Community Development Director Bill Cooney, Deputy Community Development Director Mike Jacobs, Human Services Director Nancy Morgan and Deputy Human Services Director Jan Abernethy, Police Chief Richard Eddington, Deputy Police Chiefs John Dahlberg and Mike Semkiu, Fire Chief Michael Figolah, Fire Marshal Paul Valentine and Public Information Officer Maura EI Metennani. Mayor Farley introduced Deputy Mayor for the day, Samantha Roberts. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of Board Workshop Minutes of September 28, 2004; Motion made by Trustee Lohrstorfer and Seconded by Trustee Skowron to approve the Minutes. Trustee Zadel requested that a type-o be corrected under II - the word "approvaL" Minutes were approved as corrected. III. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD No citizens were present wishing to address the Village Board. IV. 2005 BUDGET DISCUSSIONS ODenina Remarks Mayor Farley provided a general overview of the Budget process and the involvement and advising component from the Finance Commission. Budaet Overview Village Manager Janonis provided opening remarks and an overview of 2004. He stated the budget picture is looking brighter. After three years of decline, the Village is experiencing a modest rebound in many revenues. The 2005 budget shows no deficit spending for operations. However, there still has not been the opportunity to address pent-up demands that have been discussed in the past such as a traffic unit, adding an engine to the downtown fire station as well as other capital projects are issues that will need to be addressed and will continue to be a challenge. 2004 In Review - Significant Events/Accomplishments included: Des Plaines River Flood, May 2004: sandbagging on River Road. Cost: $177,000. 1 Village Hall construction and move. The $17.1 million project has served to be a huge success. Mr. Janonis stated that the new Village Hall and renovated Library are hallmarks of a civic block that will be the cultural heart of the community for decades to come. Revitalization of Randhurst - Opening of Costco and other mall improvements in terms of color schemes and signage. New storeslrestaurants include BW3 and Steve & Barry's. Downtown redevelopment continues on pace: former Village Hall site redevelopment, Emerson Street rowhomes, the Village Board continues to look at what will be done with the small triangle (Northwest Highway, Route 83, Busse Ave.), Le Peep restaurant will occupy former Corner Bakery site. Capital Projects - continued accelerated road program, 8.8 miles of streets were resurfaced All departments continued to provide a high level of service under difficult conditions and financial constraints. Finance Director Dave Erb provided an overview of the budget document and budget process. 2005 Budaet at a Glance: . The total 2005 Budget is $69.8 million; an 11.6% reduction from 2004. . The Operating Budget is $48.2 million; a 3.3% increase from 2004. 0 Includes reinstatement of three vacant positions that were held open in 2004. 0 3.5% general wage increase for non-union employees . General Fund is balanced for operations for the first time since 2001. . $805,000 pre-planned drawdown of general fund reserves. . No new staffing, programs or initiatives are forecast for 2005. . For the fourth year, no General Fund transfer to Capital Improvement Fund. . $2.2 million in Capital Improvement Projects deferred. . This budget restores travel and training budgets and reforestation . There is a capital budget decrease 64.1 % due to the completion of the Village Hall/Parking Deck project. Budaet Revenues/Expenditures Mr. Erb provided a breakdown of the Operating expenditures by use: Public Safety: 43.6% Public Works: 39.4% Administration: 8.1 % Community Development: 5.0% Other 3.9% Operating Expenditures by Type: Personnel 61 % Contractual 30.5% An item of concern is the condition of the General Fund reserves. The General Fund balance in 2003 was 33%. There was a planned draw down bringing it to a target of 25% 2 as part of the Long Range Plan. During this time, many external factors occurred - the economy slowed down creating a shortfall in many Village revenues. This caused the General Fund to fall quicker than anticipated. At the end of 2004, the fund balance is expected to be at 25.5%. This year, the drawdown will leave the reserve at 25%, by 2007 it is expected to be at 20.7%. This is an issue the Board will need to discuss at the Long Range Financial Planning workshop in the Spring. 2005 Revenues - Increases Property Taxes Other Taxes Intergovernmental Revenues 4.6% 3.7% 3.2% 2004 Proposed Tax Levy - 2003 Tax Levy was $11.5 million. The proposed levy for 2004 is $12.1 million, a 4.8% increase. This is an average increase per homeowner of $14. Community Development Department Budaet Summary Bill Cooney announced that Deputy Community Development Director Mike Jacbos was leaving Mount Prospect having accepted a position as Director of Planning with the Village of Palatine. 2004 Community Development Department Accomplishments include: continued downtown redevelopment, text amendments to zoning code, enhanced web site services. 2005 Goals include: redevelopment of former Village Hall site (5 story mixed use development), row home project on southeast corner of Central and Emerson street, "Small Triange" of Route 83, Busse Ave. and Northwest Hwy; redevelopment of Central Plaza at northwest corner of Route 83 and Central Road, monitor downtown parking, utilizing new Village Hall - all Community Development divisions in same area - enhanced efficiency, new Building Permit system fully on line, continuing Community Development Block Grant program. The Community Development Department 2005 budget shows 8.8% increase due to cost of living increases and the staffing of vacant position. Human Services Department Budaet Summary Human Services Director Nancy Morgan provided a summary of the services provided. The 2005 Human Services budget shows a 4% increase over 2004. The Social Services budget shows $37,800 - this reflects a merging of Youth Activities and Social Service category due to the loss of a staff position and transfer of Summer Adventure day camp program to Philip Herman's Greater Wheeling Area Youth Organization. 2005 focus will be on understanding new Medicare drug program that will go into effect in 2006. Major events of 2004: loss of flu vaccine and cancellation of flu vaccine clinics, replacing annual health fair with monthly health screenings - this has resulted in more efficient use of staff time and more personalized contact with residents; leadership training for minorities and development of self-help resource center; relocation of Senior activities to new Community Center and coordination of volunteers to work information desk. Senior physical activities were transferred to the River Trails Park District. 3 Police Department Budaet Summary Police Chief Richard Eddington provided an overview of the police department and staffing breakdown and stated that 2005 budget reflects no staffing changes. 2004 Police Department accomplishments include: receipt of BADGE grant from Cook County Judicial Advisory Council for youth outreach programs; established police recruit list with focus on minority candidates; continued pace of DUI arrests; received Second Place in the Illinois Traffic Safety Challenge; 3rd Place in National Law Enforcement Challenge; began to deploy semi-marked squad cars equipped with state of the art radars and in- panel video recorders; received PEERS grant for railroad crossing safety. In 2004, the department will continue to implement additions to the Hispanic outreach programs throughout the Village; continue to prepare departmental personnel for terrorist threats and enhance homeland security capabilities; seek grant funding for outreach programs; establish pool of eligible candidates for promotion to rank of commander and sergeant. In 2005, Police department budget will increase by 3%. Significant capital expenditures include an upgrade for the LiveScan computerized booking system, the continuation of the pistol range renovation and funding for a bi-directional antenna at Randhurst Mall (this may be unnecessary - negotiations are underway with the cellular phone provider to remedy this problem). The Police Department will continue to seek grants for several programs. Approximately 12 vehicles are expected to be purchased in 2005. In the area of Police recruiting, Chief Eddington stated that the department will continue to focus on school job fairs. In addition, the department adjusted some job qualifications to attract more bi-lingual officers. The Police Department continues to find success in using the Village web site as a recruiting tool. Chief Eddington cited the following areas of future concern: need for neighborhood resource center to serve growing immigrant population; dedicated traffic unit; operations commander. Fire Department Budaet Summary Chief Figolah reviewed the Fire Department's 2004 accomplishments which include: revision of Village disaster plan; updated 5 year comprehensive plan; trained eleven people for Citizen Corps, development of Wellness/Fitness program; conducted 25th Annual Children's Fire Safety Festival at Randhurst Mall; staff attended a workshop that focused on conducting threat and risk assessment in our community. 2005 Objectives: increase citizen corps from 11 to 20 people; re-establish fire safety education program in schools by filling vacant Public Education Officer position; implementation of well ness/fitness program; continue to pursue grant opportunities; implement safe schools program for which the Fire Department received a grant. Chief Figolah provided an overview of the Fire Department 2005 Budget. It reflects a 6.1 % increase over 2004. Chief Figolah stated that the operations budget increases for two reasons - maintenance of equipment received from the federal government to detect chemical and biological agents. There was also an increase in Northwest Central Dispatch fees. Another change in the 2005 budget is filling of the Public Education Officer position. Chief Figolah stated that there was $95,000 included in the Capital Improvement Budget to hire an architect to develop drawings for proposed new Fire Station 14. A new location 4 for that station has not yet been established, a recommendation will be presented to the Village Board in 2005. The department is looking at four vehicles that are up for replacement in 2005. Some replacements will be deferred if conditions warrant another year of service. There were questions about the Citizen Corps program, whether the grants received for the program start up would be available to keep the program going in the future or how the program would be funded. Chief Figolah responded that the bulk cost in the first year was in the start-up and training the initial members of the.Citiien Corps. There was a question about increased service to the downtown area and future plans to enhance service. Chief Figolah responded by saying that the downtown fire station was now the busiest station. The Fire Department has asked for an additional three firefighters to run an engine out of that station. Chief Figolah said that putting an engine downtown would reduce the mileage and call volume to the Quint truck, which is very expensive to run on the street. An engine will also provide a faster response time. Finance Commission Comments John Korn, Finance Commission Chairman, thanked the Village Board for the opportunity to comment on the budget. He stated that the Budget for 2005 is for the fourth year, a maintenance budget. However, things are looking better with a projected surplus in 2005. However, he mentioned that funding for Capital Improvement Fund has not been underwritten yet. Mr. Korn referred to recommendations that the Finance Commission submitted to the Village Board that would generate $1.2 million, which would more than cover the $750,000 need for the capital improvement fund and the balance could go toward restoring the general fund balance. Mr. Korn said that hopefully, after holding to the maintenance budgets year after year, the economy will eventually turn around and things will get better. Mr. Korn said that the Finance Commission was looking forward to a response from the Village Board. Trustee Wilks thanked the Finance Commission for their input and recommendations. Two phone calls were received. One resident wanted to know if the revenue received from the sale of the Kenilworth right-of-way and the land across from the library is reflected in the 2005 budget. Mr. Janonis replied that the revenues from the Kenilworth sale are pending the closing, but will be applied to offset fund draw downs. The proceeds from the sale of the property at Central and Emerson will go into the TIF fund. Another resident called to say that the Village should include a grocery store or deli in the downtown redevelopment. Mr. Janonis stated that that is the number one emphasis on promoting future economic development downtown. There are some logistical constraints - we don't have a large footprint where a full size grocery store could go but we are pursuing on a smaller scale a neighborhood grocery. v. ANY OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Farley again introduced Deputy Mayor for the Day Samantha Roberts and reviewed her schedule that day. 5 Mr. Farley extended congratulations to Dave Morrison and the Prospect Marching Knights on their win of the Illinois Marching Band Festival. This is their 22od consecutive win of this competition. Trustee Wilks requested a copy of the Police Department presentation. Trustee Skowron thanked Deputy Community Development Director Mike Jacobs. She stated that he did an outstanding job and always performed right on task. Mr. Janonis passed on a reminder about the Sister Cities Commission Thanksgiving in October banquet taking place on Thursday, October 28 at Avalon Banquets. VI. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the Committee of the Whole meeting adjourned at 8:37 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Maura EI Metennani Public Information Officer MEJ 6