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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/11/2003 COW minutesI1. III. IV. MINUTES COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE NOVEMBER 11, 2003 CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m., in the Boardroom of the Mt. Prospect Park District Community Center, 1000 West Central Road, 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, Community Director William Cooney, Deputy Community Development Director Michael Jacobs, Environmental Health Coordinator Bob Roels, Building Coordinator Bill George, Police Chief Richard Eddington, Deputy Police Chief Ron Richardson, Police Commander Michael Semkiu, Fire Chief Michael Figolah, Deputy Fire Chief John Malcolm, Fire Captain Gary Klein, Fire Marshal Paul Valentine, Finance Director DaVid Erb and Deputy Finance Director Carol Widmer. APPROVALOF MINUTES Approval of Minutes of October 28, 2003. Motion made by Trustee Lohrstorfer and Seconded by Trustee Corcoran to approve the Minutes. Trustee Wilks requested a change detailing additional Budget bullet points that were highlighted during the presentation to be included in the Minutes. Minutes were approved with revision. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD No citizens were present wishing to address the Village Board. 2004 BUDGET DISCUSSIONS Openin.q Remarks Mayor Farley provided some general opening remarks regarding the Budget process. Community Development Department Discussion Community Development Director Bill Cooney introduced the members of his staff who were present. He stated that his Budget is clearly a barebones budget with less than a 1% Budget increase. He stated the Budget includes a Planning position that is to remain open. He added that the downtown improvement process continues with some additional downtown tenants. He stated the Randhurst demolition has started with Costco projected to be open in August of 2004 and Randhurst representatives are looking for replacement tenants for the new section that is to be built near the Montgomery Ward area that has been demolished. Corridor improvement projects have been delayed due to funding issues. He stated that permit activity has started to level off between 3,000 and 31500 per year. He stated the year 2004 looks quite promising with the opening of the Parking Deck, the Village Hall, the Mount Prospect Public Library and the Streetscape Improvements along with activities of the Downtown Ad Hoc Committee should set the stage for completion of downtown improvements. He stated the Kensington Business Center has been fully developed with the recent build-outs. He stated the Multi-Family inspection Program continues and he anticipates getting a permit tracking software system on line in the very near future to assist in monitoring the permit process. Janet Koy, 409 South Albert, spoke. She inquired whether there was any money available for the Winter Festival Parade for 2004. Village Manager Michael Janonis responded by stating that the 2004 Parade has been recommended by staff to be eliminated due to Budget issues. Police Department Budget Summary Police Chief Richard Eddington stated that he has stretched resources significantly to get the most out of his available funds. He stated one of the items that the Department undertook was a ten-week saturation enforcement program where the locations were published ahead of time. Enforcement efforts showed the average speed limit to be 16 miles an hour over the limit. He stated the Department has applied for a Grant from Cook County to enhance tactical officer activities. He stated the Department has expanded its web presence for recruitment efforts and increased DUI arrests. He stated the Department has added a Hispanic information line and participated in distribution of 9-1-1 only cell phones. He stated the Department has worked with John Jay School for a Hispanic Outreach Program and Alexian Brothers Health Center for health clinic activities. He stated the only items that are on the docket for 2004 is a Commander test process along with a Commander being scheduled to attend the FBI Academy. He stated they anticipate enhancing the Hispanic Outreach Program and to complete the hire list for entry-level patrol officers. He stated the increase associated with his Department is directly tied to personnel expenses including wages, pension and health insurance. He stated the Capital Improvement Programs slated for 2004 include document imaging, gun range improvements along with laptops for Command staff. He also stated there are 11 new vehicles anticipated, however, some vehicles may be deferred depending on current usage levels. He stated 2004 will require the Department of Justice mandate coordination along with opportunities to address dedicated traffic unit utilization. General comments from Village Board members included the following items: There was a general discussion regarding Departmental activities and those activities upon the community. The Department received praise for undertaking many positive programs with limited budgetary options. Fire Department Bud.qet Discussion Fire Chief Figolah stated the increase in the Departmental Budget is based solely on increasing wages, benefits and pensions. He stated there is a new hire test slated for 2004 and a significant increase in overtime accounts due to labor contract obligations. He stated the ClP items scheduled are the diesel exhaust system and a Grant has been applied for to assist in that purchase. He stated also there are architectural fees for Station 14 in the budget. These fees will be for due-diligence review. He stated that there are two vehicles scheduled for replacement including an ambulance. He also said the Department is undertaking the conversion of the ESDA to a Citizen Corps and revising the necessary data associated with those activities. General comments from Village Board members included the following items: There were questions regarding the Citizen Corps start-up activities. There was also discussion regarding the impact of State mandates on operational costs and pension costs. There was also discussion regarding recruitment activities. There was a question regarding possible abuse of non-emergency ambulance calls and impact of recently approved Sprinkler Ordinance for new construction. There was also discussion regarding equipment and ambulance lifespan. There was a suggestion for retrofitting buildings with sprinkler systems. Chief Figolah explained that there have been instances where individuals have called for an ambulance for non-emergency purposes on a repeated basis and in those instances, such individuals are turned over to Human Services in an effort to alleviate future calls. He also stated the Department spent a good deal of time communicating with potential developers so that the requirement of residential sprinkler systems would not be a surprise during the design process. Finance Commission Comments John Korn, Chairman of the Finance Commission, spoke. He stated there have been significant cuts to the Budget and the increases are related to personnel-related expenses. He stated the Commission is supportive of the Community Outreach and expansion of programs as the Budget allows. He stated the Commission supports diverse hiring and hopes that budgetary conditions will allow the Fire Department to fill the current open position. He stated the Commission supports the architectural fee due- diligence work for Station 14. He stated the Commission is also pleased with the aggressive pursuit of Grant funds for various items. ANY OTHER BUSINESS Village Manager Michael Janonis stated the deadline for Shining Star Awards' applications is coming up soon. Trustee Wilks stated that the Holiday Festival Parade is scheduled for December 6 at 5:00 p.m. Mayor Farley stated there was no need for a Closed Session as originally scheduled on the Agenda. I. DS/rcc ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the Committee of the Whole meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, DAVID STRAHL Assistant Village Manager