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HomeMy WebLinkAboutx - November 28, 2007 COW COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING November 28, 2007 The regular Committee of the Whole meeting was called to order by City Clerk Robertson at 5:05 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Present: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Powers, Steffen, and Walters. Absent: Mayor Schock. Councilmember Walters made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Figueroa, to appoint Councilmember Gilliam as Mayor Pro Tem. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Powers, Steffen, and Walters. Nays: None. Approval of Minutes Councilmember Figueroa made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Walters, to approve the minutes of the November 14, 2007, regular meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Powers, Steffen, and Walters. Nays: None. Consideration of Fire Protection Agreements for 2008 Councilmember Walters made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Kaptain, to approve the 2008 Fire Protection agreements for ITW, DSM Desotech, and the St. Charles Properties, as outlined in the memo provided to Council. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Powers, Steffen, and Walters. Nays: None. Consideration of Community Development Block Grant Program Sub-Recipient Agreements with Bethesda Community Development Center, PADS of Elgin, Inc., YWCA of Elgin and Wayside Center of Elgin Councilmember Walters made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Figueroa, to approve the sub-recipient agreements between the City of Elgin and Bethesda Community Development Center in the amount of $47,000, PADS of Elgin Inc. in the amount of $95,000, YWCA of Elgin in the amount of $91,000, and Wayside Center of Elgin in the amount of $25,000. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Powers, Steffen, and Walters. Nays: None. Consideration of Service Agreement with Dixon Dance Academy for Dance Instruction at the Centre for 2008 Councilmember Walters made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Kaptain, to approve the service agreement with Dixon Dance Academy in the amount of approximately $37,400 to provide dance instruction at The Centre from January 2008 to December 2008. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Powers, Steffen, and Walters. Nays: None. Committee of the Whole November 28, 2007 Page 2 Consideration of Service Agreement with Midwest Academy of TaeKwon-Do for Martial Arts Instruction at the Centre for 2008 Councilmember Walters made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve a service agreement with Midwest Academy of TaeKwon-Do in the amount of approximately $22,150 to provide martial arts instruction at The Centre from January 2008 to December 2008. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Powers, and Steffen, Nays: None. Councilmember Walters abstained due to a conflict of interest.. Consideration of Engineering Services Agreement with Baxter and Woodman for NPDES Phase II Storm Water Permit Compliance Project Councilmember Walters made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Figueroa, to authorize the execution of a five year engineering services agreement with Baxter and Woodman for a total amount of $579,229 for the City’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II Storm Water Permit Compliance Project. Councilmember Kaptain requested that staff look at alternative financing in the next year for this project, other storm water projects, and for the “greening” of Elgin. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Powers, Steffen, and Walters. Nays: None. Presentation of 2008 Budget including T.I.F. The presentation of the 2008 Budget and the T.I.F Districts was given by Assistant City Manager Sean Stegall and Fiscal Services Director Jim Nowicki. The presentation follows: Committee of the Whole November 28, 2007 Page 3 Committee of the Whole November 28, 2007 Page 4 Committee of the Whole November 28, 2007 Page 5 Committee of the Whole November 28, 2007 Page 6 Committee of the Whole November 28, 2007 Page 7 Committee of the Whole November 28, 2007 Page 8 Committee of the Whole November 28, 2007 Page 9 Committee of the Whole November 28, 2007 Page 10 Committee of the Whole November 28, 2007 Page 11 Committee of the Whole November 28, 2007 Page 12 Committee of the Whole November 28, 2007 Page 13 Committee of the Whole November 28, 2007 Page 14 Committee of the Whole November 28, 2007 Page 15 Committee of the Whole November 28, 2007 Page 16 Committee of the Whole November 28, 2007 Page 17 Councilmember Figueroa asked if consideration had been given to the falling housing market and to the increasing number of foreclosures. Mr. Stegall replied that projections have been adjusted down in the out years, but that the amount received in 2008 will actually be for the year of 2007. He estimated there will be a 13% increase over the previous year. Councilmember Walters said that foreclosed properties still have to pay property taxes even if it is by the mortgage holder. Fiscal Services Director Nowicki stated that a 5% increase has been budgeted for assessed valuations and that the City is being conservative. Councilmember Figueroa asked about the possibility of hiring additional Public Works employees. City Manager Folarin answered that due to the restructuring of a management position after that person had resigned, three additional workers were hired this past year. Mr. Committee of the Whole November 28, 2007 Page 18 Stegall stated that since revenues were slowing, he felt it was fortunate that the City was not looking at layoffs. Councilmember Figueroa asked if the City was prepared for handling snow removal and City Manager Folarin replied that both planning and manpower have been addressed. Councilmember Powers asked if outside contractors were sometimes used and City Manager Folarin replied yes, when necessary. Councilmember Powers said that he felt that good management allocation of resources and not necessarily additional manpower, were more important for better service. He felt the City was currently delivering a high degree of service. Councilmember Kaptain stated that it may be necessary to look at instituting a parking ban to help facilitate leaf collection and snow removal. He also asked how the City compares to other communities in regards to overtime. Mr. Stegall stated that the City’s overtime is higher, but that our overall personnel costs are lower with no discernable reduction in the quality of service. He said the overtime issue is being closely monitored. Councilmember Kaptain stated that he is concerned about whether the City needs to look at a parking ban on days the leaves are collected or hiring more employees to assist with this, and wondered which is more efficient. When asked by Councilmember Kaptain, Mr. Stegall indicated that the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) program would also be available to neighborhood groups or other interested organizations. Councilmember Figueroa asked about the possibility of expanding the TIF districts either by length or by area. Mr. Nowicki explained that these districts are created by special state legislation and that it is difficult to get permission to extend beyond the normal length of 23 years of a TIF district. Mr. Stegall stated that 7% of Elgin is in a TIF district and that it has been a very powerful tool for the City. By the end of the Central Business Area TIF, it is predicted that it will generate more revenue than the riverboat. Councilmember Figueroa asked why the City is charging for the use of Festival Park. Mr. Stegall said that the majority of the use of Festival Park is free. Parks & Recreation Director Randy Reopelle stated that the City only charges for services beyond what is normally available for the entire community or for when the event is for fund raising by an organization. Councilmember Gilliam asked about funding for the existing ball fields. Mr. Stegall said that money has been allocated to the Sports Complex, but that there is flexibility in moving this money to the hard ball fields. Mr. Stegall recommended that the Council not award new grants to any neighborhood organization that hasn’t finished an existing project. Councilmember Walters asked if any money had been allocated to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Wing Park. Mr. Stegall indicated that money had been budgeted for significant marketing, but none at this time for large capital improvements. Councilmember Figueroa asked about the Walnut Avenue project and Mr. Stegall replied it would begin in 2008. Committee of the Whole November 28, 2007 Page 19 Announcements from Council Councilmember Gilliam asked if staff could look into individual signs for businesses in the downtown area due to the inconvenience caused by the recent construction. He would like a report for the December 19, 2007, meeting. Announcements from Staff Public Information Officer Sue Olafson announced upcoming City events. City Manager Folarin thanked all of the staff members who worked on the 2008 budget. Adjournment Councilmember Walters made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Figueroa, to adjourn and go into the Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the following matter: Establishment of Reserves or Settlement of Claims as Provided in the Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act - Exempt Under Section 120/2(c)(12) of the Open Meetings Act Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Powers, Steffen, and Walters. Nays: None. The meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m. s/Diane Robertson December 5, 2007 Diane Robertson, City Clerk Date Approved