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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/09/1990 COW minutes MINUTES COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE JANUARY 9, 1990 I. ROLL CALL The m~eting was called to orde~ at 7:35 p m Present at the meeting were Mayor Gerald L. Farley; Trustees Ralph Arthur, Mark Busse, Timothy Corcoran, Leo Floros and George Van Geem Absent from the meeting was. Trustee Theodore Wattenberg Also present at the meeting were: Village Manager John Fulton DLxon, Assistant Village Manager Michael Janonis, Finance Director David Jepson and Environmental Health Coordinator Bob Roels. Also present were three persons from the pnnt media II MINUTES ·, , The Minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting of December 12, 1989 were accepted and flied. ~III. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD Mr. Donald Harmon, 16 North William Street, appeared before Committee members to state his d~spleasure with the recent decision of the Mount Prospect Park District to refrain from installing, a parking lot at the Busse School Mr. Harmon felt that a late-filed petition by area children opposing the parking lot was given undue consideration in making the decision. IV. DOWNSPOUT ORDINANCE - FINAL REVIEW Conmutiee members reviewed the revised Downspout Ordinance relative to the changes incorporated into it based on previous discussion at Village Board meetings. Assistant Village Manager Michael Janoms indicated that a resident had requested the abihty to extend the discharge point for downspouts into the rear yard more than five feet from the foundation. ~ This resident's rationale was that the proximity of the discharge point to the foundation might cause water to percolate down into the foundation drainage system thereby defeating the intent of the Ord:nance. Mr. Janoms said that he would consult with the 'Village Engineer regarding this point. Trustee Corcoran felt that the present language of the Ordinance provided for ) rehef in the nature being requested by the resident· After brief discussion, Committee members approved the Ordinance as presented and staff was directed to include this item on the next Village Board Agenda. BUDGET AMENDME - 1989/1990 ~ Finance Director Dawd Jepson reviewed with Committee members two memorandums outhning Budget projections for the 1989/1990 fiscal year as well . as the proposed Budget Amendments for the same fiscal year· ~ ~ Mr. Jepson explained that during the past several weeks, each line item in the 1989/1990 Budget had been revaewed with the goal of developing projections of total revenues and expendiiures for the Budget year. Using this and other available Information, estimates were ,made of the expected revenues and expenditures by Fund and the Fund Balances that were expected to be available to start the next fiscal year. ~ ',, Mr. Jepson reviewed with Cormmttee members estimated-revenues and expenditures by major fund group With regard to revenues, Mr. Jepson indicated that the substantial increase in the General Fund could be largely attributed to the State Income Tax surcharge and higher Sales Tax receipts. The Income Tax surcharge was a completely unexpected event which netted the Village some $940,000 while Sales Tax revenues continued to show remarkable growth; in the ~ area of 9% for the year Unbudgeted expenditures included engineering charges for the Central Road project; additional personnel costs in the F~re Department and substantial increases to the annual Street Maintenance and Reconstruction Program. , ~, , Additionally, Mr. Jepson reviewed with Committee members the various expected Fund balances for major fund groups. With regard to the General Fund, Mr Jepson indicated that a prudent Fund balance would equal approxamately 15% of expected expenditures or $2·5 million. When the State Income Tax surcharge monies are subtracted from the expected year-end balance, the $2·5 million figure is revealed. The large estimated Fund balance in the Water Fund would be used to avoid a water rate increase this year and to stabilize rates in future years. Additionally, some of these extra funds would be used in an accelerated water main repmr and replacement program. ~ ~, Mr. Jepson suggested ~hat the $940,000 in State Income Tax surcharge monies be specifically des~guated by appropriate resolution for expenditure on several special projects which have been previously identffied as priorities by the Village Board· ,These included renovation or reconstruction of the Village's Public Safety Building, 'an increased emphasis on road resuffac~ng and reconstruction ~and alleviating flooding problems throughout the Village. .~) Mr. Jepson also reviewed with Committee members proposed Amendments to the 1989/1990 Budget. Increases m revenues totaled $1,802,975 and expenditures increased by $1,817,725. These changes would revise total Budget revenues for ~ 1989/1990, exclusive of interfund transfers, from $35,616,375 to $37,419,350 and total expenditures from $35,403,205 to $37,220,480. Finance Commission Chairman Dick Bachhuber indicated that the Finance Commission had thoroughly reviewed the proposed Amendments presented by Mr. Jepson and that the Conumssion fully supported the recommendations. Trustee Leo Floros inquired as to why the Village seems to consistently underestimate revenue sources. Mr. Jepson explained that the continued robust growth in Village Sales Tax revenue is difficult to forecast and that the growth m State Income Tax revenues, absent the surcharge was completely unexplainable. Mr. Jepson indicated that while conservative, the estimates were based on sound judgment and available information regarding the expected condition of the economy during the coming year. Trustee George Van Geem asked that Mr. Jepson prepare detailed ~nformation regarding Personal Services for the Village. This would include a breakdown by Department as well as comparisons to previous Budgets. After brief discussion among Committee members, consensus was to concur with the recommendation of the Finance Director. Staff was directed to prepare the necessary Ordinances for th6 Budget Amendments. VI. AMENDMENT TO THE VILLAGE CODE CONCERNING PARKING ,, PRIVILEGES OF HANDICAPPED PERSONS ~, Village Manager John Fulton Dixon requested that the Mayor and Board of Trustees entertain a request to increase the fine for illegally parking in a handicapped zone from $50 00 to $100.00. Mr. Dixon indicated that this would bring Mount Prospect's Ordinances into conformity with a recently passed State Statute increasing said fines. Additionally, Mr. Dixon.~ndicated that he had received information from several Police Officers that persons were in fact abusing ~ the parking privilege extended to handicapped persons. Specifically, automobiles with the proper designation were seen utilizing handicapped parking spaces when, in fact, no handicapped person was present in the car. Mr. Dtxon concurred with Police Officers' feelings that this was an abuse of the law. Therefore, Mr. Dixon was recommending that the V:llage Ordinance be amended so that use of the parking spaces would require the presence of a handicapped or disabled person. Brief d~scussion among Committee members resulted in a consensus to support the recommendation of the Village Manager. Trustee Mark Busse inquired as to how many tickets had in fact been issued for v~olation of the restricted ~parking Mr. Ducon indicated that he would supply that information. -3- Mayor Gerald Farley inquired as to whether a private citizens' watchdog group could be formed to supplement Police patrols m ldent~f3ting violators Mr. Dixon J ~ indicated that while the concept was noble, it would probably open the Village up to ~ncreased liabdity if members of the watchdog group were injured or attacked during the ~performance of their ,duties. No further action' on th~s l~Olnt was pursued -,' VII UPDATE OF FOOD CODE Committee members reviewed the recornmcndations of Environmental Health Coordinator Bob Roels regarding the need to update the Village's Food Code to bring it into consistency with the State requirements. Mayor Gerald Farley inquired as to how many t~mes a year restaurants were - inspected.' Mr. Roels indicated that approximately every six months an inspection ~ ~s conducted without advance warning and that follow-up ~nspections are made as needed. ,Mr. Roels also indicated that the Vdlage had entered into a cooperative effort with Cook County to ensure uniform interpretation of area Food Codes. Trustee Arthur asked how many restaurants are~ operating, in the Village. ~ ~ Mr. Roels indicated that approximately 100 restaurants including those of the fast- food type as well as 60 food stores currently held Business Licenses within the Vdlage. Trustee Mark Busse asked whether the State Cod(was more stringent than the Village Code and whether the Amendments would create a hardship for vendors operating as part of food festivals and carmvals. Mr. Roels indicated that the two Codes were basically the same and that the Amendments would, in fact, allow for eas~er certification of operators at food fests and carmvals. , , Mayor Farley asked;whether a stricter Code would help' ~n better enforcement. , ~Mr. Roels responded that rather than stricter controls, more t~me needed to be , spent with problem establishments. Trustee Leo Floros asked what Mr. Roels' estimate of overall comphance was. Mr. Roels indicated ~that ~he thought overall compliance was good,.and that add~tional~ time spent with problem establishments should recufy any existing problems ~ ' ~ Trustee Mark Busse asked what the general procedure was for ~nspect~on of food ~ establishments. Mr. Roels indicated that an inspection~ was conducted. If vaolations were found, a notice was given to the owner to remedy the violations usually within 14 days unless the violations constituted an emergency. Thereafter, a reinspection was scheduled to determine ff the *owner had brought the estabhshment into compliance. Further follow-ups were scheduled as needed with the last resort being c~tation and a Court Heanng. ~, ,. ~ , After general discussion, it was the consensus of the Committee to adopt the recommendations of Mr. Roels for updating the Village's Food Code Staff was instructed to prepare the Ordinances to accomplish this purpose. -4- VIII MANAGER'S REPORT-,'; ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ' Mr. DLxon reported that the billboard at Dempster and Ro~/te 83 had an extension \ added to it. Upon inquiry, it was"determined that the City of Des Plaines would be contactmg the sign company and asking for a reduction in the size of the sign and that a report to Committee members would be forthcoming. Mr. Dixon also reported that a tentative agreement had been react~ed ;~vith Francis Cadillac for ~the continued rental pf the old Pubhc' Wor Building.. IX ANY OTHER BUSINESS Upon a Motion by Trustee Floros and Seconded by Trustee Bnsse, the Mayor and Board of Trusiees~went4nto~Executive Session for the'p~urposcs of discussing potential litigation. , ~ ~ ~ X. RECONVENE MEETING At 9.44 p.m, the,Mayor and Board of Trustees reconv'ened the Committee of the Whole meeting at which time a Motior/ by .Trustee Arthur and Seconded by Trustee CorcoranJauthorizing staff to take necessary steps to defend the Village against the lawsuit filed by the Elk Grove Township Rural Fire Protection District. XI ADJOURNMENT There being no other busmess to come before the Committee ,of the Whole, the meeting was adjourne~d at 9 45 p.m.~ 4, . ~ Respectfully submitted, MICHAEL E. JANONIS Assistant Village Manager MEJ/rcw ~ -5-