HomeMy WebLinkAboutn - July 18, 2007 COW retreat
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
SPECIAL MEETING
July 18, 2007
The special Committee of the Whole meeting was called to order by Mayor Schock at 4:18 p.m. in
the Heritage Ballroom of The Centre. Present: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain,
Powers, Steffen, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Absent: None.
Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Figueroa, to suspend the
Committee of the Whole Meeting and enter into Executive Session. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas:
Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Powers, Steffen, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays:
None.
At 4:45 p.m. the Mayor reconvened the Committee of the Whole with all members present.
Discussion Regarding 2008-2012 Budget Priorities
City Manager Olufemi Folarin lead the budget discussion and reminded Council that the items
previously presented in the budget matrix will not be the only items ultimately presented. The
purpose of this meeting was to focus only on those items ranked in the top ten.
Finance Director Jim Nowicki then presented an update on the 2007 budget. He indicated that the
City is on track for the first six months and stated that 75% of the expense items are employee based.
Assistant City Manager Sean Stegall then reviewed the budget matrix focusing on the top ten items:
1. Funding for mandatory deconversions
2. “Green” master plan
3. Four fulltime Public Works operational staff
4. Professional softball stadium/complex
5. Sports Complex support facility enhancements
6. New performing arts center or major Hemmens renovation
7. Entry corridor improvement program
8. Acquisition of problem residential properties
9. Burying/relocating overhead electric utilities
10. Dundee Avenue sign amortization/conformance program
In reference to Item #1, Corporation Counsel Bill Cogley stated that the Legal Department has
drafted an ordinance to require adequate, off-street parking for multi-family units. The ordinance
would provide for a minimum of two parking spots for each dwelling and a specific period of time in
which the owner would have to meet these provisions. It was estimated that this would affect over
1,200 multi-family properties or over 2,400 units.
Observations noted by Mr. Stegall were:
Committee of the Whole – Special Meeting
July 18, 2007
Page 2
• Public Works Operations is viewed as the most important staffing need for the community.
• The Entry Corridor Improvement Program is the most important infrastructure project for
the City Of Elgin.
• There is strong agreement among the Council as to which projects are low priorities and
those which are high. The only exceptions would be the Bikeway Implementation and the
burying/relocating of overhead electric facilities.
• The City Council is seeking a comprehensive shift in City policy and operations through the
creation of a Green Master Plan.
• The City Council is satisfied with the current level of street funding as $10,000,000 was
added to the budget last year.
• The City Council believes moving operating capital expenditures from the Riverboat Fund
to the General Fund is a low priority.
• The development of the Unilever property as a park should be delayed.
• Not-for-profit funding should remain at 2007 levels.
• In all respects, Parks, Public Works, and Planning/Preservation is the highest priority.
• Water rate increases should be kept at a moderate level.
• The needs of the Sports Complex should come before the development of the Regional Park.
A professional softball stadium and a new performing arts center or major Hemmens
improvements are top priorities for the City Council.
It was noted that 2009/2010 will represent a significant opportunity for staffing adjustments if the
Early Retirement Program proceeds. If the program was to be offered, it would most affect top and
middle management.
City Manager Folarin indicated that in order to fund a new project or to raise the priority of an
existing project, it may be necessary for the funding to be taken from an existing project. Council
requested an estimate of the cost for funding the top ten items and Mr. Stegall advised this
information would come with the budget material.
Adjournment
Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Figueroa, to adjourn the
meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Powers, Steffen,
Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None.
The meeting adjourned at 6:35 p.m.
s/ Diane Robertson August 8, 2007
Diane Robertson, City Clerk Date Approved