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HomeMy WebLinkAboutl - June 7 _Budget Roundtable with ECN_SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING June 7, 2006 The special Committee of the Whole Meeting/Budget Roundtable with the Elgin Community Network was called to order by Mayor Schock at 7:05 p.m. in The Centre Heritage Ballroom, 100 Symphony Way. Present: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Absent: None. Welcome and Ground Rules Mayor Schock welcomed the participants to the third annual Budget Roundtable and reviewed the rules and procedures for the discussions. Budget Overview Sean Stegall, Budget Officer and Assistant City Manager, stated that the purpose of the meeting was to find out, as it relates to the budget and the City’s goals, what the City should continue doing, start doing, or, if anything, stop doing. He indicated that the budget, while a financial document, is also a statement of priorities. It is a statement of the community’s desires, wants, and needs and the Council’s values as derived from the community. He then gave a brief breakdown of the budget and a review of the City’s ten goals. Roundtable Discussion Attendees were seated at eight tables and Councilmembers rotated to each table for 15 minutes. A staff member/facilitator took notes at each tables, and they are attached hereto and made a part hereof. Closing Remarks On behalf of the Council and staff, Mayor Schock thanked everyone for their participation. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m. s/Diane Robertson June 28, 2006 Diane Robertson, Administrative Secretary Date Approved Budget Roundtable Wednesday, June 7, 2006 Heritage Ballroom 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Format: Mayor, Council Members and City Manager rotated around seven tables to get the feedback from stakeholders as to what the City should continue, stop, or start doing as it relates to the Strategic Community Goals Safe Community for People • Random traffic stops • DUI enforcement – not hard enough • Not in favor of random traffic stops • More police personnel needed for traffic enforcement • Technology – e.g. photos of speeding cars • Data should be shared on effectiveness of road blocks (traffic enforcement) • Educate community on results of data • Understand impact of growth on service o Public as well as non for profits • Will some sections of Elgin be left behind as a result of growth? • Is the growth balanced? • Send out four color pamphlets • Use City’s website to get information out • Be more informative about ordinances that are on the books • Base of funding is eroding – half of the not-for-profits will be gone in ten years • Summary budget should be available for attendees • Traffic enforcement at calming circle at Division and Gifford • Continue more of a presence at night • More officers for traffic • More code walks – Grant Park • Not enough interest from City with neighborhoods • Lost ROPE officer in Grant park • Offer ride along with residents in neighborhood • Visibility for neighborhood to develop rapport with residents • Offer guest speakers for Hispanic churches • More lights on Dundee Avenue • Expand ROPE Program • Continue education programs for police and fire in the schools • Continue increasing presence in neighborhoods • Continuing trying to decrease gang activity • Continue Bike Patrol • Continue diligence in reporting terrorist activity • More Emergency Meetings/Emergency Planning Information • Consider Camera Enforcement/Red Lights • ROPE working well-increase it • Work with NHS to revitalize poor properties • Fire Fighters and Police Officers go into the schools • Gang active should be a high priority • Gang signs and fights are present in middle schools • More liaison officers in the schools • Communicate to the public what actions they should take in the case of an emergency • Cameras at key intersections for traffic issues • Homeless living behind Quizno’s at different times of year. Area could be lit better. • The new street lights help give a safe appearance • Concern over traffic accidents at Highland and Douglas • No designated bike route lanes coming into the downtown. Perhaps one side of parking could be removed to assist with this. • Butera and housing behind it is a high crime area and attracts transients • Need to inform the community where the new officers will be used • Gang activity-o.k. • Minorities are not of concern-need to chant that • Under Miller did lots of “Zero Tolerance” felt it was effective • More officers to ROPE, code enforcement • Look at best management practices in other cities and set priorities and goals for Elgin based on that • More fireman, with ethnic diversity • ROPE officer program works well • Citizen Awareness Class-good • Tenant/Landlord Classes-good • Speeding and traffic being allowed to break rules • ROPE officer program is “fabulous” and commented on how a new ROPE house on Jackson really improved the neighborhood. • Burnham Manor had a ROPE officer next door at the Mill; when the officer was taken out the neighborhood “went down the toilet.” • Boys and Girls Club reps stated that they work very closely w/ROPE officers. • The Mayor said that at EPD’s suggestion we started the Crime Free Housing officers in rental housing. • Graffiti is going up quicker and getting taken down more slowly. • Comments on where there is a lot of graffit; Grace St south end; along bike path at Chicago St Brdige. • Are we hiring enough officers and firefighters to handle the west expansion? • Code enforcement – the new policy with strict enforcement may discourage citizens from calling in complaints. Is the City increasing its own reporting of violations by Code officers? Mayor stated we are using the same system of citizen call-ins and what Code inspectors observe. Mayor said that people know the rules and the warning system permitted the violation to remain for several days, further irritating the neighbors. • City inspectors should find the problems and we shouldn’t rely on citizen reporting. • Is crime being handled better now than in the past? • Statistics favor Elgin well, perception remains a constant struggle. • Railroad corridor by bus station. Drug needles, suspicious people. Patrol the area more effectively. • The area north of Kimball along railroad tracks . Vagrants living in the area. • Continued DUI enforcement. • Fire education – enhance efforts. • How do new code requirements affect existing buildings that were not built consistent with current code requirements? City needs to clarify its position with respect to requirements for the older buildings (Tower and Professional buildings). • “Needs Assessment” (United Way) identified Community Safety as top priority. Budget needs to reflect that expectation. • Traffic control cameras for enforcement. Neighborhood Vitality • Keep doing what we do – problem that new agencies are diluting funding and level of service • Get information out. How do we know what City is really doing? • Include not for profits and schools in advertising – get information on City functions. • Parks and Rec stuff does not get to Far West (Providence) • There should be someone in the organization responsible to disseminate information • National Night Out – opportunity to get info out on grant programs – bulleted and 4-6 grade level • New resident package – include information on not-for-profits – United Way. Include on website that there are social service agencies in town • Too much loud noise in neighborhoods – state law requires notification by certified mail • Stop signs are being ignored, use LED lights on signs – people don’t see them • Put information on grant programs in Spirit • Increase ROPE program • Reach out to minorities through churches, library • Need a community board – bi-lingual • Grant funds to help host neighborhood festivals • Need follow up on grants, not following up on de-conversion program (not responding) • Strict Code Enforcement like the new code fines-zero tolerance • Encourage participation by neighborhood groups • Continue supporting neighborhood groups • Continue Neighborhood Improvement Grants • Start Advertising Neighborhood Improvement Grant Program more • Do not like the new code procedures (2 people) wants warning letters first • New property maintenance program may be too oppressive. Should there be a first warning citation • Formation of neighborhood groups has been a plus. Enhance this process. • Keep the neighborhood improvements grants-advertise them more. • Use churches to get the word out on neighborhood grants • Provide information in form other than the Intranet • Want a grant to help build a program to help advertise who, what, where is going on • Money to put ads in that focus on downtown, on us to promote more items • Working with ECC/DNA on small business development work • Discussion on advertising strategies and education from ECC • Raise the money in the deconversion program • A sense that new codes that place and businesses don’t get informed. Can we communicate better, even on other community events like Fox Trot • Older neighborhoods, especially eastside, have not received attention in appropriate order • Deconversion program – not all funds applied for. Need to get the word out • 50/50 Residential Grants-need to get the word out • No longer full-time historic preservation-BAD • No effective enforcement of historic preservation ordinance • DCA staff needs to be trained on historic preservation ordinance • Public Information Officer should get info in the local publications (i.e. newspapers, website, Spirit) • Tree ordinance should be considered • More Elgin information on cable TV • Integrate “old” Elgin and new residents • Historic districts by property-low cost to city, easily incorporated • More neighborhood sessions, get word out on neighborhoods and seminars • PUSH historic preservation • What can be done to encourage more tear downs of lousy houses? • Not in favor of parking ban from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. • Multi-family Conversion. Current program effectively reduces the number of dwelling units within single family homes. Currently about 1,400 units; about 350 units converted. • Citizen Participation. Boards and Commissions always looking for help. Neighborhood involvement – look around your community to recognize deficiencies and report them to City staff. • Nuisance information sent out should be revised to explain how citizens report nuisance issues. • Leadership Academy needs to be continued. • Leadership only attracts people at higher levels of citizen involvement. Need also those who otherwise won’t get involved, to get involved. • Examine how our programs are being advertised to the community. New homeowner packets; website; newspapers, etc. • Work to get new homeowners involved. • Continued support of ECN. Has been a great asset to the community. • “Study Circles” to bridge cultural gaps. 8-10 week sessions where employers address cultural issues to raise awareness of differences within the community. (Fort Wayne, Texas was the example). Quality Housing • Attend “Affordable Housing” seminar sponsored by PADS • All for gentrification – City’s responsibility to provide quality housing. St. Charles is ahead of Elgin in providing quality housing. • Like the new code enforcement initiative • Grass cutting after hours is too punitive • need another direct mailing on the issue • Poplar Creek – burnt building not being taken care of • Long grass may be indicative of another problem within the house • Should develop brownstones in urban areas • Design guidelines for residential areas • Communication improved between developers and City of Elgin. City should be taking the more proactive approach • Liked the Plank Road development • Continue doing realtor tours • Incentive program to realtors to sell in Elgin • Fear from letter from Jerry • Emphasis in improving the quality of housing • Try to expand the housing market • Continue high standard for new construction • Start a tree farm/provide trees • Stop cutting down so many trees for new construction • Variety of Elgin housing stock is a positive • Certification of older housing stock is very positive • Standards for type of building materials on homes area a plus • Stop clear cutting of trees in new subdivisions. Respect the urban forest • Tree planting program • It seams we are going in the right direction downtown • Careful to not remove too many parking spots • Maybe proved a shuttle to various locations to bring people into the downtown for lunch • We need to improve signage for available parking • There should be a retail portion in the bottom floor of parking deck • Code enforcement too lax, too complaint driven • Needs to be inspection driven • Do we need more code inspections? Yes • All city employees have been asked to report issues this is good and should be measured as to if it works • Neighborhood walks are effective tools, not frequent enough • Educate people on code compliance • Use cable network to get word out (city events, commission meetings) • Imbalance of Elgin of subsidized housing (too much)? • Work with neighborhoods to identify potential park space • Need to address transportation needs within new development areas. • Need to address how a new development will impact access to an existing isolated development. Recreation & Leisure & Cultural Opportunities • Promote the banquet facilities • Loved the dinosaur program because of the good public relations outreach • Library is an asset to the community • Some programs are too expensive for low income and/or large families • Place copies of Spirit newsletter at stores • Flyers for youth scholarship and summer programs should be sent home with students in U-46 • Nice well rounded opportunities – but they are expensive – not good availability for poor • Scholarships go only to poor • Don’t want to lose Girl Scout camp • Wing Park – continue new fence and a greater pace • Provide more information on the third regional park • Lack tennis courts and skate parks • Expansion of Wing Park Clubhouse (double size) and more parking with a small kitchen – use for cross country skiing • Recreation activities for high risk kids – to keep kids from joining gangs • Ice skating at Wing & Lords • How do we advertise Lords Park – not as many weddings – park not utilized in general – build auxiliary kitchen • Lords Park – path through woods deteriorated no longer level • Do what we need to do for river • Concerts in Lords Park great • Wooden steps – lake to pavilion at Lords Park need to be painted • Marketing Elgin as a Cultural Center • Expand cultural arts opportunities-seek more opportunities • Continue to encourage existing art groups • Hold more cultural events (outdoor movies) • Art shows on a regular basis • Keep growing the arts • Use caution about putting building right next to the river, have public usable space right next to the river • Recognize the neighborhood parks are an economic development tool • Invest more in parks • We need greenery • Western area is o.k. with parks it is the east are that needs pieces put together to form some park area • Focus longer term on proposed park development • Skate Park needed. A suggestion for a site is a parking lot near downtown and the Centre • Encourage better use of Wing Park bandshell • Parks and their programs are an amenity to the community and never make money. • Talked about water conservation and availability. • Should conserve our water resources regardless of availability. Be good stewards of the environment. • Need to develop skate parks. • Highlands club House – what are current plans? • Mosquito abatement? Cook County sprays; Elgin cooperates with Kane County to spray and treat breeding areas. River as a Resource • Canoe landing/passage • Revitalization of riverfront-good, continue • Continue revitalization of downtown housing • Look for 50-100 easements along river behind David C. Cook property Customer Service & Diverse Management Staff • City has responded any time we ask (Crisis Center). They are fabulous • New resident packet should be implemented throughout the City (not just new residents) • Added emphasis for staff to get each to call (private property, abandoned car), voicemail not responded to • Survey the residents is great – why can’t we have these type of meetings more often • Incident in my neighborhood – removing graffiti on vacant building o Cooper and Preston took too long to remove • Saturday morning work projects for restitution • Urgent stuff not reflective of community • Difficult for my board to get minority board members • Make an effort to get out in neighborhoods and attract diverse staff • Training and reinforce behavior • Provide rewards for good customer service • Centre customer service lacking, but has improved. • Not calling back in a timely manner • Residents could fill out survey on customer service • Mystery shoppers • Continue “Niceness” at Code Counter • Improve information about City facilities • Rules and regulations –packets for Parks and Recreation too complicated • Improve Customer Service for Parks and Recreation • Improve banquet facilities • Market Centre better • New resident information has been good • City website is good • Simplify the rules and regulations for using and leasing city space • Insure the Heritage Ballroom staff-get back on a timely fashion • Why don’t service organizations use the Heritage Ballroom • Positive comments about Police and Fire • Still concerns about service at Rec Centre • No continuity of flow to the community from the Centre • Complaints about Centre are given to different downtown businesses • Better attitude in people that are working here • Quiznos has consistency problems with staying on the catering list • General phone people are good • Still a little standoffish in code • RuthAnne is very good, pleasant, and responsive • A lot of discussion on hiring bilingual employees • New resident packs are a good resource-“old” residents could distribute • Door-to-door delivery not good • Very responsive, always able to reach people • Need diversified total workforce • Building permits taking longer than the sign in Code says they will. Is there sufficient staff to handle the permit requests with all the building going on? Wouldn’t this support increasing staff? • The website is really nice and easy to use. The Heritage Commission page still states that Dan Miller is the head; he’s been gone for 2 years. • Service has to be the City’s business. One table member left 2 or 3 messages regarding construction on Highland and did not get a call back. • Give people good training that emphasizes that you need to respond and be polite to the people you serve. The Centre is focusing on customer service. • How diverse is city staff? Brenda discussed women in management and the diversity committee’s efforts to recruit minorities for city positions. • Good experiences with City customer service. • Created new fees with hope in part to use it to enhance customer service. • Website is well received. • Need to include entire City personnel directory on the website including email addresses. • Maintain consistent levels of communication given a stressed organization. • Continue training efforts to maintain high quality service. • Departmental communication needs to improve. Economic Growth & Financially Stable • How do we get retail development along Rt. 20? • Need to look to replace the tax base lost from Unilever • More allowances for stores in pedestrian way o (i.e. A-frames, balloons) • Speed limit changes to slow traffic to see businesses • WGN campaign to work with downtown businesses for advertising • Corridor improvements improve the awareness • Need to create a small business association • Distressing to watch Randall Road expand every where but here. There are always impediments • How do you get more business downtown? • Need more offices/business • Haven’t we given all the prime space away? • Need high tech-can the buildings handle that? • By riverboat need a grocery store. Butera is falling apart • Tower building – do like uptown Chicago – hold business hand to get them started. Incubator concept – the city needs to do that • Who is responsible for attracting business? • Need replacement for Eagles on Big Timber • Have to be huge to be financially successful • Give grocery stores the same incentives you give developers • How are we doing with industrial parks? • What happened to San Fillipo property at EMHC? • Attract Microsoft • Increase funding Elgin information • Is there any way to get more jobs in Elgin? • Increase Elgin’s visibility • More events in Elgin to bring people to Elgin • How is the City finding new jobs for Elgin? Femi said we work with the Chamber of Commerce. Our business parks have substantial success. We are trying to entice businesses such as accounting firms to come downtown. • Someone asked if we had people devoted to this? Femi stated that Ray and Cherie’s full time jobs are economic development as well as the Chamber of Commerce. • Ruth Munson stated that we are losing jobs to other states. • Table member asked about all the industrial development on 90. Femi said that many of the buildings east of 47 are in Elgin. • Table member asked if City has a database of all businesses in Elgin? Yes, at the Chamber. • Discussion about Elgin’s lack of restaurants. Femi discussed future sites for restaurants at the Walmart outlots, the Grove and the old Gail Borden Library site. In the west, many areas are mapped for commercial/retail. A development similar to the Glen will have shopping within walking distance of the homes. We need to increase our median income and median house price. Ruth reminded us that there are many fine, family owned restaurants in Elgin. • Need to continue to entice retail development to Elgin. • Home Depot is staying in Elgin. • Sherman Hospital’s new development and employee introduction to Randall Corridor. Alive Downtown • Image – downtown perceived dangerous. How do we overcome that image? • How can the City help downtown businesses advertise? • City skate is a good attraction; Festival Park good continuation of Riverfront work. • Downtown is not just a “9 to 5” area any longer. • Encourage patrons of Hemmens to eat downtown by sending a flyer with all of the dining opportunities • Talent shows at the Hemmens • Festival Park • Need retail plan • The City should provide a struggling business grant • A lot of empty space that people are waiting to do something with. Not sure what they are waiting for • Entertainment – do Aurora one night then Elgin the next – people aren’t going to Aurora from Elgin • Partnership between Paramount & Hemmens • We get benefit from Chicago, but also get hurt by Chicago • What is the need for a larger venue for the symphony? • I look at the downtown town homes and I think there are people in crisis • People at my agency can not live there and buy a car • Continue focus on Downtown revitalization • Continue Façade Program • Expand entertainment opportunities • Provide more activities for youth downtown • More free events downtown-concerts, dances, etc. • Previous submission for cultural arts will enhance downtown • Continue to revitalize the downtown • Facade Programs keep • More youth activities in the downtown • Downtown concert at Festival Park • The business owners would like to see the City provide a marketing grant for the downtown businesses • Projecting signs are a good thing – maybe include this in the façade program • Consider banners, etc. for streets coming into the downtown • Where is the way finding program? • We need to improve signage downtown • We must get better at coordinating the street and light repairs • Web site marketing program/strategy for downtown initiatives • Discussion on how to get people downtown • Sean discussed survey sent to surrounding cities regarding the downtown • We also need to make certain that we get people working downtown • Review parking decks and uses on a regular basis • Put in retail on floor one of Fulton Street deck • Don’t forget Historic Preservation and take it into consideration with everything we do with the downtown • Something for teens downtown • Summer/Winter dances • Evening activities for teens • Restaurants • High end clothing retailers • Starbucks • General Merchandise (Kohl’s or the like) • Book store • Trader Joe’s • Discussion about retail plan for downtown. Dave said we need to encourage people to bike downtown. Need bike racks and public washrooms. The retail expert who was at the council retreat said most people who shop will live within a mile or 2 of their destination. • People west of Randall are not going to come downtown to go shopping so we need to encourage those who live near downtown to shop there. • Are the condos we are building downtown enough to support business there? • More residents will help support downtown businesses. • City expending millions to redevelop downtown. • Downtown retail strategy. • Unilever purchase a good move on the City’s part. • Continue to enhance Riverfront. • Bikeway system enhancement. • Sidewalks need to be constructed where none currently exist. • Tower Building enhancements -clock -architectural lighting -new windows -life safety code compliance