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Home My WebLink Aboutz - November 8 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING November 8, 2006 The regular rescheduled Committee of the Whole meeting was called to order by Mayor Schock at 5:07 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Present: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters and Mayor Schock. Absent: None. Approval of Minutes Councilmember Figueroa made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Walters, to approve the minutes of the October 25, 2006, regular meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of the Truth in Taxation Act Requirements and Budget Schedule A resolution will be presented at tonight’s Council meeting for adoption by the City Council. Presentation of 2007 Budget Assistant City Manager Stegall stated that tonight’s discussion will be a general overview of the proposed 2007 budget and five-year financial plan. An overview of the specific funds and decision packages will be reviewed at the special budget meeting November 15. Mr. Stegall stated that the proposed budget is a balanced budget. During the budget process, the budget team realized three things. Material costs have affected the City and will have a major impact on the 2007 budget. Residential growth is slowing down, so they lowered the property tax projected increase from three percent to one percent in the years 2008 and 2009. They kept hearing that residents would like to see more money budgeted for street work. This is the first year there will be significant use of impact fees. The extension of South Street will be completely paid by impact fees. Fire Station #7 will be 100 percent paid for by developer contributions. The proposed budget is $297,562,960, and riverboat revenue is 22 percent of the total revenue. Budget highlights include Central Business District street project is primarily being funded by the Central Area TIF fund. One million dollars is budgeted for the sidewalk program, and this is ten times as much as was budgeted in 2006. The significance of the Central Area TIF fund is increasing each year. The Waste Transfer Station revenue will pay for the spring cleanup which had previously been paid out of the telecommunications tax. The telecommunications tax will be used 100 percent for public safety. Committee of the Whole November 8, 2006 Page 2 Presentation of the Cultural Arts Feasibility Study Chris Brewer of Economics Research Associates and Bob Campbell of Fisher Dachs Associates gave a presentation on the Economic Feasibility of a Performing Arts Center. They described the approach they used which included: reviewing the demographic and economic context, held discussions with Hemmens Cultural Center user/stakeholders, performed an architectural and physical assessment, attendance, utilization, revenue and expenses. They studied the regional competitive environment and performing arts industry trends. They looked at the architectural program options of doing renovations to Hemmens, building a music hall, or building a multi-purpose hall. They gave a financial analysis of each of the options. They stated that Hemmens is heavily utilized and is a multi-purpose hall. It is structurally sound, but the biggest issue is the seat limitation. A music hall is just for symphony use. They studied venues in several cities and found that most of the venues have a subsidy of $600,000 to $1 million annually. The architectural program options are as follows: Hemmens renovations - $25 million Music Hall - $125 million (does not include parking) Performing Arts Center - $125 million (does not include parking) They presented a financial analysis and implications for the following six options: Option 1 – The Baseline – existing conditions extended to the year 2010 Option 2 – Renovate Hemmens Option 3 – Renovate Hemmens plus build a new 2000-seat music hall Option 4 – Renovate Hemmens plus construct a new 2000-seat multi-purpose performing arts center Option 5 – Build a new music hall (This option includes closure and removal of Hemmens) Option 6 – Build a new multi-purpose performing arts center (This option includes closure and removal of Hemmens) Councilmember Gilliam stated that he would like to have staff explore a method for financing a 2000-seat venue plus parking, and also look into possible locations. Councilmember Sandor stated that he agrees on taking this next step. However, he looks at this as a dream. Consideration of the Transfer of Industrial Revenue Volume Cap to the Illinois Housing Development Authority Councilmember Sandor made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Figueroa, to authorize the transfer of $6,070,880 of the City’s remaining Industrial Revenue Bond (IRB) capacity to the Illinois Housing Development Authority for use by the Evergreen Real Estate, L.L.C. to acquire and renovate the Buena Vista Townhome Complex. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Committee of the Whole November 8, 2006 Page 3 Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement for Engineering Services with Metcalf & Eddy for the Elgin-Bartlett Interconnection Councilmember Walters made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Figueroa, to authorize the execution of Amendment No. 1 with Metcalf & Eddy, Inc., for a total cost of $22,500 to provide additional engineering services for the Elgin-Bartlett Interconnection Project. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Auditing Services Councilmember Sandor made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Walters, to accept the proposal of Sikich LLP to provide auditing services for the City of Elgin for the next five years. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of the Purchase of Automated External Defibrillators from Philips Medical System Councilmember Figueroa made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Kaptain, to authorize the purchase of seven Automated External Defibrillators and accessories in the amount of $12,530 from Philips Medical Systems. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Announcements from Council Councilmember Figueroa introduced to the City Council and the Community of Elgin the new addition to the Kane County Board, Jesus De La Isla. He stated that Mr. De La Isla was appointed this morning by the Kane County Board to fill the vacancy left by former board member, Marlena Fox. He will be working with the City regarding issues related to that district. Councilmember Sandor announced that the 5th Annual Veterans Day Program will be held Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at the American Legion, 820 North Liberty Street, and the public is invited. Councilmember Sandor also requested that the City Manager and Corporation Counsel draft a resolution urging the President of the United States and the United States Congress to enact and enforce comprehensive and equitable immigration laws. He asked that this be presented to the Council at the next meeting. Councilmember Rodgers stated that the Community Crisis Center is looking for donations for their annual toy giveaway. They are trying to collect 5000 toys and any donations can be Committee of the Whole November 8, 2006 Page 4 dropped off at the Grand Victoria Casino Pavilion or the fire station. Adjournment Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Sandor, to adjourn and go into the Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the following matters. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Setting of a Price for Sale or Lease of Property Owned by the Public Body - Exempt Under Section 120/2(c)(6) of the Open Meetings Act Purchase or Lease of Real Property for the Use of the Public Body - Exempt Under Section 120/2(c)(5) of the Open Meetings Act The meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m. s/Dolonna Mecum November 29, 2006 Dolonna Mecum, City Clerk Date Approved