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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/13/1990 COW minutes MINUTES COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - FEBRUARY 13, 1990 I. ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order at 7:36 p m. Present at the meeting were: Mayor Gerald L. Farley; Trustees Ralph Arthur, Mark Busse, Timothy Corcoran, ~ George Van Geem and Theodore Wattenberg. Absent from the meeting was: Trustee Leo Floros Also present at the meeting wereL Village Manager John Fulton D~xon, Assistant Village Manager M~chael Janonis, F~nance D~rector David Jepson, Assistant Finance D~rector Carol W~dmer, Deputy Director of Public Works Glen Andler and Cable Television Administrator Cheryl Pasalic. Also present were three persons from the print media II MINUTES - - The Minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting of January 23, 1990 were accepted and filed. ,III. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD There being no one present at the meeting wishing to address the Committee and the Comrmttee moved on to the next item of business. IV DISCUSSION OF PARKWAY IN FRONT OF BUSSE SCHOOL Mayor Gerald Farley briefly reviewed with Committee members developments over 'the past several months relative to citizens' requests to have the asphalt parking strip (located on the Village parkway) be removed from the south side of Busse School. Mayor Farley indicated that the Park District has chosen not to participate in the construction of a gravel parking lot on the Busse School site. Based upon that update, Trustee Timothy Corcoran suggested that the V~llage move-immediately to prohibit parking in the parkway through the use of barricades and at a later date, remove the asphalt from the parkway and replace it with grass. Trustee Corcoran also suggested that a "No Parlang" zone be created m front of the School on Henry, but which would allow for the dropping off of school children. Trustee Mark Busse concurred wath Trustee Corcoran's suggestion, indmating that it was a first step toward a resolution to this problem. Trustee George Van Geem asked whether the prohibition of parking on the parkway would cause the parking problem in the area to be shifted to other portions of the neighborhood. He questioned whether such a move was premature and requested that if parking were to be removed from the parkway, that the removal of the asphalt be delayed until such time as there was ample opportunity to determine whether other more serious problems were created. Trustee Ralph Arthur indicated his concurrence with Trustee Van Geem's suggestion. It was Trustee Arthur's opinion that the asphalt should simply be left on the parkway until such time as the building is torn down. Mr. Donald Harmon, 16 North ,William Street, addressed Committee members by saying that he opposed any type of drop off zone on Wdliam Street. He indicated that parents currently drop their children off on the south side of Wdliam Street and that these children are then forced to cross the street under hazardous ctrcumstances. Mr. Harmon also indicated that he felt the asphalt should be removed tmmedmtely and replaced with grass and parkway trees similar to other parkways throughout the Vdlage. Mr. William Donovan, N~ne North Owen, indicated that his major concern with the current parking situation was the safety of the children. He indicated that this has been a long-standing problem and agreed that immedmte action to prohibit parking should be taken. He also concurred with the idea that ~the asphalt be removed and grass be put in its place. Mr. George Clowes, 604 South Elm, appeared before Committee members ~to indicate that he had been a Commissioner on the Park D~strict Board dunng the time when this issue was originally discussed. Mr. Clowes indicated his support for the ehmination of parking along the asphalt parkway. He also indicated that there were approyamately 30 months remaining on the tenant leases for the Busse School bmld~ng. ~ ~ ,~ ~ Village Manager John Fulton Dixon stated that the current tenants were in the process of looking for alternate sites in which to eventually relocate their activities. He also stated that it was the Park District's position that the $30,000 expenditure for the proposed gravel parking lot ~was not warranted based on the expected short-term use of the building. ; ~ : ; .. After further discussion among Committee members, it was determined that after proper notice to the Park District and the building tenants, parking would be prohibited along the asphalted ~portion of the ,parkway. Th~s would be accomplished initially by relocating the parking stops from the top edge of the parking space down to the curb line. Additionally, s~gns would be posted on both the north and south sides of Henry Street between Owen and :Wdliam prohibiting parking at all times. 1990-1991 BUDGET HEARING Mayor Gerald L. Farley opened the Budget Hearings by stating that the Budget document itself was a wealth of information which reflect the priorities and policies established by the Board of Trustees. Mayor Farley indicated that the Board had recently discussed several substantml policy questions such as flood control, downtown redevelopment, a new Public Safety facility, an increased road maintenance program and downtown parking. Additionally, the Mayor indicated that the Board would be discussing the need to hire an additional Police Officer to partac~pate in the multa-junsdtctmnal gang crimes umt as well as the question of adchtional personnel to cover the obligations of the Elk Grove Township Rural Fire Protectmn District contract as well as the increased demands on the Human Services Division Mayor Farley indacated that the Budget, as presented, was a balancing of both short and long-term needs for the Village. He also acknowledged the substantial contributions of the Finance Commission. Village Manager John Fulton Dixon presented a General Budget Overdcw in which he identified the Budget as a program of serwces which were being provided to residents throughout the Village. He noted that once again the Village of Mount Prospect ranked first (last) in the Park Ridge Survey identifying those c~ties prowd~ng sennces to the public at the least cost. Mr. Dixon also noted that the Village remains in good overall financial condition and that the Budget document itself incorporates the past financial policy positions adopted by the Village Board. Mr. Dixon was proud to note that the Village continues to be a leader among mumcipahties in providing cost-effective services to residents. Mr. Dixon indicated that one of the more significant items in the Budget was the anticipated increase in revenues of approyamately $6.1 million over the 1989-1990 Budget. He indicated that the sources of this increase included the Income Tax Surcharge proceeds, revenues from the Elk Grove Township Rural Fire Protection District contract, a proposed Flood Control Service Charge, the sale of yard waste disposal bags and the expected receipt of two Solid Waste Recycling Grants. Also included in the increase are two anticipated Bond Issues for flood control and downtown redevelopment totaling $3 5 million. Major items of note on the expenditure side included the request for three additional Firefighters to help meet the Village's obligation in providing fire protection to the Elk Grove Township Rural Fare Protection District as well as the purchase of a new ambulance in the Fire Department. In the Human Services Division, a part-time employment counselor is being changed to a full-time pos~t~on as well as the proposed hiring of a part-time social worker to cover the loss of counseling services originally provided through the Police Department pursuant to an arrangement w~th Forest Hospital. The Planning and Zoning Department is proposing a major revision of the Zoning Code. Accelerated funding for the Street Repair Program was also being continued. The Water and Sewer Budgets continue to emphasize ~ an aggressive water main and sewer replacement program The Parking Division anticipates expenditures for continued lot rehabilitation as well as the reconstrucUon of a retaining wall at the west commuter lot. It was noted that tins particular item would hkely cost less than the current estimated of $210,000. ,~ ' In the area.of refuse collection, the Village would begin implementation of its Yard Waste Collection Program on April 1, 1990. In the area of downtown redevelopmem, a Bond Issue is anticipated in order to undertake additional property acquisttlon in the Central Business District. ~ It was also requested that up to $30,000 in matching grants be budgeted for the Mount Prospect Historical Society. Mr. Dixon indicated that the Board might want to consider the implementation of a 3% Hotel/Motel Tax with the proceeds being earmarked for the Historical Society In conclusion, Mr. Dixon indicated that the Budget, as presented, was* ambitious, yet provided the high level of services that Mount Prospect residents have come to expect. This Budget was being presented with an accompanying Tax Rate of less than $1.00. · , Finance Director David Jepson covered the Revenue portion ofAhe proposed Budget. Mr. Jepson reviewed both the structure of the Budget document as well as the summary information contained at the begin_rung of the Budget Mr. Jepson indicated that total revenues for all Village funds, excluding the /-'") Library, are expected to be $41,095,630 in 1990-1991 compared to last year's total of $34,949,950. This is an overall increase of $6,145,680 including $3,500,000 in antmipated Bond/Note proceeds. When the proceeds from the Bond Issues are excluded, the increase is a more reasonable $2,645,680. Among the various revenue sources, Mr. Jepson indicated that Sales Tax receipts remmn strong and are meeting or exceeding armual projections. Mr. Jepson identified several new revenue sources in the upcoming Budget including funds expected from the Elk Grove Township Rural Fire Protection District, sale of yard waste bags, Recycimg Grants, proceeds from the Flood Control Service Charge. Mr. Jepson also indicated that an important indicator of financial health, year- end fund balances remain within satisfactory limits. Mr. Jepson noted that the $2.5 mffilon in excess fund balance could be attributed in large part to the one- time Income Tax Surcharge which the Village had previously earmarked for major capital improvements to be decided at a later date. D~scussion among Conumttee members included a remark by Trustee George Van Geem that he would be paying parucular attention to the size and nature of the increase in personnel costs for the overall Budget. Trustee Van Geem indicated these costs included salaries, pensions, compensated absences and other fringe benefits. Trustee Van Geem also indicated that d~scretionary services such as funding for the Historical Society should be paid for through innovative revenue sources and not traditional sources such as Sales and Property Tax. Village Manager John Fulton Dixon reviewed with Committee members the proposed Budget for the Village Manager's office. The proposed Budget of $419,550 Jincluded an allocation of $10,000 for limited.benefits for part-time employees. Mr. Dixon indicated that the Village in the past has had trouble retaining good part-time help because of a lack of a fringe benefit package. It was noted that in determining which benefits should be offered, linuted Holiday and Vacation allowances were more common in the industry and that the provision of health insurance was not thought to be critical to the retention of good part-time employees. It was noted that use of part-time employees is an important way in which personnel costs could be controlled. Mr. Dixon indicated that the Cable Television Diwsion would be concentrating more on local programming in the upcoming year. This was a direct result of prior discussions by the Village Board. Finally, increases in the Clerk's Budget were caused m large part by the costs associated with production and distribution of the Newsletter. Discussion among Committee members resulted in several questions regarding the need for part-time benefits. Trustee Van Geem inquired as to the manner in which the final proposed package was arrived at. Again, it was indicated that the most attractive combination of limited fringe benefits included Holiday and Vacation Pay. Finance Director David Jepson presented the proposed Budget for the Finance Department. Mr. Jepson indicated that the proposed 1990-1991 Budget of $1,113,425 represents an increase of $13,425 over the revised 1989-1990 budget. The additional amount represents a 1.2% increase in the overall budget. Mr. Jepson indicated that Personal Services are expected to decrease even though a new part-time position is~bemg included in the Customer Service area. Mr. Jepson indicated that the reduction is a result of the replacement of the Data Processing Supervisor and the Accounting Manager's position with non-super~nsory positions of lower pay ranges. Mr. Jepson indicated that overall medical insurance increases m the R~sk Management Fund amount to some 17%. This was m line with the increases being experienced nation-wide. Discussion among Committee members resulted in Trustee Arthur inquiring about the continuing need to hire a Purchasing Agent. Mr. Jepson indicated that based on overall Village requests, he was deferring this item. Trustee Arthur asked what the approximate salary for such a person would be. Mr. Jepson indicated that a salary of about $35,000 would be necessary to hire someone with the requisite experience. Trustee George Van Geem commended Mr. Jepson for the fact that his overall Personal Services' Budget was realizing a net decrease for the upcoming fiscal year. Trustee Van Geem indicated that he was looking for sinnlar efforts in other Departments. After further general discussion, Mayor Farley indicated that the Trustees were free to return to the Manager's and Finance Department's budget at any time during the process to review any particular items. VI. ANY OTHER BUSINESS Vdlage Manager John Dixon reported that the Recycling Commission and staff had prepared an informational brochure 'and other mailings which would be sent to each resident of Mount Prospect outlining the upcoming yard waste recycling program Specifically, Mr. Dixon was seeking a waiver of the bidding procedures for the printing of the brochures. Deputy Public Works D~rector Glen Andler had solicited bids from V&G Pnnting and R-Printing. V&G Printing had submitted a bid in the amount of $8,730. Because of the short time line required to mail the brochures, the recommendation of the staff was to contract w~th V&G Printers for the necessary printing. Committee members concurred with the recommendation and staff was instructed to proceed to make arrangements to have the printing done. 'This action would be officially ratified at the next Village Board meeting. ? Village Manager John DLxon also indicated to Committee members that the lawsuit w~th McCarty Fire Eqmpment Company has recently been cited in favor of the Village. Mr. Dixon also indicated that he had received a response from the Elk Grove Township Rural Fire Protection District to the Village's requests for information and interrogatories~ ~ _ ~ ~,~ Mr. D~xon indicated he would also be meeting with First Chicago Bank President Jay Fritz to discuss the possibility of a shared parking facility in conjunction with ~the new Public Safety Building.. ~ ~ Finally, Mr. Dixon indicated that he had received the resignation of the Assistant Village Manager effective March 2. He indicated that Mr. Janonis would be accepting a similar position vnth the Village of Hoffman Estates. VII. :' ADJOURNMENT ~ . ~ There being no other business to come before the Committee of the Whole, the meeting was adjourned at~ 10:10 p.m. ~ '~ Respectfully submitted, MICHAEL E. JANONIS Assistant Village~ Manager MF_J/rcw