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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/26/1991 COW minutes MINUTES COMMITI'EE OF THE WHOLE MARCH 26, 1991 I. ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order at 7'30 p.m. Present at the meeting were' Mayor Gerald L. Farley; Trustees Ralph Arthur, Mark Bnsse, T~mothy Corcoran, Leo Floros, George Van Geem and Don Welbel. Also present at the meeting were' Village Manager John Fulton D~xon, Assistant Village Manager John Burg, F~nance Director Dave Jepson, Assistant Finance Director Carol Wldmer, Public Works Director Herb Weeks, Deputy Public Works Dtrector Glen Andler, Inspection Services Director Chuck Benclc, Fire Chief Ed Cavello, Police Chief Ron Pavlock, Deputy Police Chief Tom Daley and Public Works Administrative Aide Lisa Angel1; 28 persons in the audaenee and three members of the press II. . MINUTES The Minutes of the committee o~ the Whole meeting of March 12, 1991 were accepted and filed. III. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD ~ ,Dick Button, a resideni of Crystal Towers complimented Mel B~'th of the Public Works Department for assisting in the removal of debris which was blocking the creek. He said that Mr. Both called the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District _ and the debris was cleared from the creek the next day. Also, Public Works hauled away two truckloads of the debris. IV.. REFUSE AND RECYCLING CONTRACT Mayor Farley requested that the discussion on the Refuse and Recycling Contract be deferred until April 9. He smd this would allow,more input by concerned .citizens and would allow the press more time to publicize the issue. Mayor Farley asked the staff to answer various addaional questions: ' 9 1. Which alternanve has~the least financial impact on residents. 2. What will the final impact be on multi-family housing specifically as ~t relates to the second pick-up? 3. How would brush,' apphances and furniture be handled? 4. How woul_d the Village prevent thievery of st~ckers? 5. What would the cost to the Village be for larger recychng containers for residents? Trustee Welbel asked what the median number of bags would be at each home. Trustee Floros asked why residents cannot burn any items. Village Manager D~xon said that State, County and Federal laws prevent this. Staff was asked to obtain information on regulations for burning. 1991-1992 BUDGET HEARING l Mayor Farley ~av~ opening remarks' reg~dlng the wrap-up of the d~scussion of the Budget for all of the Village Departments. He said this budget reflects the state of the present economy. Every expenditure was ~carefully scrutinized and this budget projects an increase in expenditures of less than 4%. He said for the ninth year rnnmng, the Village has placed 19th in a survey of nearby commumues, whmh means that the Village has the lowest per capita expenditures of ~any of these communities. ~ ' ' ~ Mount Pro~pect Library_ Budget_ ~ '~ '~ ~ Bill Blaine handed out an information sheet to the Village Board. ~ He~ smd the Library just completed a survey, noting that 72.5% of ehgible residents have a Library card and have used it in the last year. He said that only 50% nationwide have hbrary cards. He praised the various volunteers of the Library, two of whom were in the audience. He also praised the Friends of the ~brary who just provided $3700 for new electronic equipment ~ He said there has been a large tncrease in the use of the Library with a 15% increase m c~rculat~on, 25% increase in reference referrals and a 42% increase in the children's department. He also noted that the ~Library budget anticipates an increase of only 3 5% in the Levy Mr. Blaine smd the budget is $2,823,655. The Levy, including loss and costs, will be $2,187,365 vath a rate estimated at .2917. ~ ~, Trustee We~bel asked for a breakdown of this year's administration costs. Truste& Van Geem noted that historically the Board has approved the Library budget. However, he recalled that the Levy had beeff capped at $.23 and he asked for background informataon on th~s situataon. Mr. Blaine then ~nd~c~ted that there was an Advisory Referendum ~in 1978 which ~ asked the Ltbrary Board to cap expenditures at $ 23 He indicated the applicable portion of the budget, which does not include pensions and a few other ~tems, vail require a Levy th~s year of 23.76 cents. Last year,' the levy was $ 23 ~ Trustee Arthur asked why this budget is not following the desires of the residents. Finance Director Dave Jepson indicated that in 1989, the rate was 22.27 cents, in 1990 it was 23 cents and in 1991, 23.76 cents. He said there was an agreement to level off tliis mount over a three-year period. Village Manager John Dixon then gave a presentation outlining this year's budget. He noted that the expenditures by the Village will be $2.9 nulhon less than the 18th ranked community in the survey of communities referred to by Mayor Farley Budget Wran-Uo Mayor Farley suggested conducting the meeting by following the Revenues and Expenditures Budget Issue Report. The first item was the Hotel/Motel Tax. Trustee Weibel said he has heard some criticism about this Tax but Mount Prospect is one of only two communities in this area that does not have the Tax Trustee Corcoran felt this 3% charge was very reasonable compared to the charge in other communities around the country. Trustee Corcoran asked how this money will be spent. He noted he would like to see the money spent on the Historical Society and suggested that the Village give a dollar to the Historical Society for each dollar that they raise. He also suggested increasing the funding for fireworks or the Parade. The Committee supported the Hotel/Motel Tax. The next item discussed was the Resident Ambulance Fee. Trustee Floros said he does not support this and he did not support the charge for the non-residents Trustee Van Geem noted this was an attempt to keep the Property Taxes down as the Village residents have requested. He said an Ambulance Fee is usually covered by insurance. It is a user charge which affects only those who use the service. He feels the revenues derived would help bolster the very excellent Fire Department. He noted the charge is not as ridiculous as it sounds and he suggested discussing it in future years. Trustee Busse does not support the Ambulance Fee. He smd the Village has always funded this service. He is concerned that some people will not call because they will be afraid they cannot afford the service. Trustee Arthur said it is part of the service already provided by Taxes. He does not support an Ambulance Fee. Trustee Corcoran said he does not support an Ambulance Fee and he never will. He said it should be part of the Property Taxes. !There was no ~upport by 'the Committee for this Resident Ambulance Fee. ~ Villag~ Manager Dixon asked if we could request that residents voluntarily submit such a bill to their insurance companies. Trustee Busse smd he was not in favor of such a proposal However, he suggested it could be discussed at a later date The Comnuttee then discussed an increase in Parking Fines from $10 to $20 The Comrmttee supported this increase. ~ The Committee discussed the transfer of $93,650 from the Parking Fund to reimburse ~the General Fund for the cost of widening Prospect Avenue. The Committee supported this The Comrmttee supported the use of the Foreign Fire Insurance Tax receipts m the General Fund. , ,~ ' ' There was a d~scussion about increasing the Parkway Tree Cost-Share Program contribution from $50 to $100.' Village Manager D~xon said it is costing the ~Village $200-$225 and this-fee has not been increased for aqong time. He smd , th~s wall not apply to this planting season but w~ll come into play in the spring and summer of 1992. The Committee supported this The Committee supported the accounting change related to the General Fund/ Cable Television Dtvision. ,~ Finance Director Dave Jepson explained the various ~.rate alternatives and recommended an Option for the Water and Sewer Rate Increase He suggested that the Village go'w~th a uniform rate and a customer charge. He felt the Village should consider a'rate increas6 every year and with this Option, the Village could probably get by on a 5% or less increase over the ~next years Trustee Arthur felt there should be a maintenance fee for those who do not use w~ter. He supported the increase from $2 50 up to $2.62. Trustee Van Geem felt the Village should stay with the present methodology, m other words the uniform rate. He said he is not in favor of a fee for those who do not use ~t. ~ ' Trustee Busse also wants to stay with the uniform rate., Trustee Floros agreed with the uniform rate. Trustee Weibel agreed with the uniform rate, notxng there is a problem with the customer charge for customers of Citizens Utihties. Trustee Corcoran asked what plans there are for the billing system Mr. Jepson said ther6 is a software package in the budget. Trustee Corcoran smd he agrees that a peak usage billing system is not workable now but the Village should review it in the future to encourage conservation. He also ,said he would like, to see senior citizens insulated from large increases in the future ff possible. Trustee Arthur noted that some companies are hooked into the water system for fire protection only and they pay nothing. Trustee Corcoran agreed these customers should pay something. The Committee supported the continuation of the uniform rate the Vdlage has been charging in the past with an increase from $2.50 to $2.62. On the Expehditure side, the Committee supported adding $5,200 to'organizational memberships for participation in the NWMC Transportation Unit. The Committee also approved a reduction of the salary adjustments in the Manager's office from $10,000 to $5,000. In the .Communicat~ons D~vision, the Committee agreed wath the Manager's recommendation to use the money that had been suggested for upgrading the part- time secretary to a full-time ~position for Capital Expendatures for equipment replacement in the amount of $9700. The Committee also supported leaving the responsibility for the Village Newsletter in the Village Clerk's office. Trustee Floros asked about the Finance Commission's recommendation to d~sband the Cable Television Division. Trustee Van Geem said he is opposed to this idea He said he attended the Finance Commission meeting and he felt the Commission really wanted to get a citizens' survey to determine what services this Division ~ should be providing for the community. Mayor Farley also supported the Cable Division and agreed that a citizens' survey was in order. Trustee Weibel felt that a thorough survey should be done to determine how effective cable television is (~.~ and how this D~wsion can ~mprove service to the residents Trustee Weibel also · strongly supported the Cable Television Division Trustee Corcoran agreed that the V~llage should look at ways of increasing the Cable Television service to the commumty, noting that a survey would be desirable. Trustee Arthur said he will continue to be a loyal member of Channel 63. There was no support by the Conumttee to follow the recommendation of the Finance Commission regarding .the Cable Television Division. ~ 'With regard tS the Police Department, the Committee supported the following provisions: Reduction of the gas line item from $94,800 to $79,000 and moving *the squad conversions to the Motor Equipment Pool. With regard to the Fire Department, the Committee a~re6d to th~ following provisions: Increase Holiday Pay by $15,500 and HazMat Incentive by $12,000 on the basis of the new~ Employee Agreement and reduce the gas line item from $22,200 to $18,500 · The Commlttee~ drscussed the question regarding funding of social agencies in the Human Services Division. Mayor. Farley felt the Board should reconsider and provide fundmg at least this year and next year per the recommendation of the Village Manager. ~rrustee Floros agreed that the social agencies should be funded 100% this year and 50% next year. Trustee Busse said fie supPorts funding of the agencies. He said he is afraid that other towns _will look at Mount Prospect and cut these programs~if the Village does Trustee Arthur said he does not agrees the agencies were not warranted. He said he prefers to donate to the charity of his choice rather than being forced to pay in taxes Trustee We~bel said he re-evaluated his position and he agrees with the phase-out recommended by the Village Manager. However, he feels the Township should handle these programs. Trustee Corcoran said he relies on staff to make a recommendation and suggested this issue be stud~ed at a ~future Committee of the Whole meeting. Trustee Van Geem said he supports the social agencies. He would not want to reduce the funding next year. He is thankful that the Board has reinstated the funding for this year but urged the future Board to consider 100% funding in the years to come.~ There was agreement by the Committee to continue 100% funding for the ~agencies this year. The Committee supported adding a line item concermng ~affordable housing in the amount of $2,500 in the Planning and Zo?ing Budget. The Committee discussed the Street Resuffacing Program. Mr. Jepson noted that 'the Lake Briarwood traffic light wall not be completed this fiscal year and that $40,000 will have to be placed into the 1991/1992 .Budget. The Comrmttee supported this. The Committee supported a reduction of the gas ~line item in the Street Division from $41,000 to $35,000. The Water Dtwslon budget also had a reduction in the gas hne item from $31,200 to $28,000. ~ There was a d~scussion about '~he ~Parking Lbt Rehabilitation. Mayor Farley supports the proposed work.~ Trustees 'Arthur, Busse, Floros and Weibel also supported the Parking Lot .Rehabilitation' Trustee Corcoran asked that th~s pro,.lectb& deferred .... and that the money be used for parking in the triangle redevelopment. However, the Comrmttee agreed the project should go forward in the proposed budget. The Committee also supported reduction of the land lease from $27,350 to $15,3~50 per the agreement ~with.Sh~e C~hicago and North Western. ' The Committee supporteit the reduction in the payment to the Solid Waste Agency from $97,000 to $65,880 per the latest Agency budget. Trustee Busse asked how~the Flower Program ~11 be'cut back in Public Works. Mr. Weeks said that last year 31 locations had flowers but this year 9 or less will have flowers in the areas where there is the most visibility and traffic. Mr. Weeks said that the Village would have to pay full retail price if we were to add any flowers to the Program at this time. Trustee Busse said be'was d~sappointed and he would hke to see the Flower Program budget increased if thts would be economical. Mr. Weeks also noted that three seasonal dmployees who worked on this program were cut from the budget; , , There was a discussion about the percentage of increase in the Tax Levy. Trustee Corcoran would like to leave the Street Budget at $1,250,000 and not transfer the $93,650 from the Parking Fund to the General Fund He said this would keep the increase-to 4%. Trustee Van Geem was reluctant to defer Capital Improvements. He felt the Street Budget should be $1.5 milhon. Trustees Busse, Floros and Weibel also supported an expenditure of $1.5 million on streets this year. With the increase in the Street Budget, the projected Tax Levy increase would be 6.9%. Trustee Corcoran said he was not in favor of using the one- quarter percent Sales Tax surplus for abating Property Taxes for Capital Improvements such as the streets. He was concerned about this 6 9% Levy increase. Mayor Farley noted that the majority position ts to use any surplus from the one-quarter percent Sales Tax for the reduction of Capital Debt items. Finance Director Jepson noted that possibly the Village will have no Levy for the Fire and Police Station in 1991 if there are add:tional funds available from the one-quarter percent Sales Tax. There was a five-minute intermission at 9.45 p.m Mayor Farley then asked if there was any citizen input regarding the 1991/1992 Budget. There were no citizens who wished to speak about the Budget. VI. ANY OTHER BUSINESS Trustee Weibel asked what response will be made to the comments concerning the boat trailer by Mr. Hendricks at a previous meeting. Trustee Weibel noted that he has received complaints about people who have trucks w:th plow blades parked in their driveways Mayor Farley indicated that current Ordinances prohibit trucks with snow plow blades in driveways. He said it is a matter of notifying staff so they may inform the residents. Mayor Farley asked for a report by staff regarding whether these types of vehicles are covered by existing Ordinances. He noted that the Village Attorney's report regarding spec:ftc questions raised by Mr. Hendncks on boat trailers will be distributed in Friday's packet Trustee Busse thanked the administration including the Village Manager, Dave Jepson, Carol Widmer, the Finance Commission and the Department D~rectors because they reacted to the pulse of the community and the economy and provided the residents with a realistic budget. He suggested that the Board s~t down w~th Department Directors on a Saturday or at a Committee of the Whole meeting in the future to discuss informally the plans and needs for the future. Mayor Farley said he feels Trustee Busse has echoed the feelings of the entire Board. ~ ~DJOURNMENT ~ ' Th~/ne ti g _adj d 10 00 p e n oume at · .m. ~ '~ ~ ~ '~ ~ ' Respectfully submitted, ~- JOHN P. BURG ' ' ' Assistant Village ager JPB/rcw ' ,' ~ ~ ~ ~