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HomeMy WebLinkAbout24 - December 2, 2009 COW COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING December 2, 2009 The regular Committee of the Whole meeting was called to order by Mayor Schock at 5:04 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Present: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Absent: None. Approval of Minutes Councilmember Steffen made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Warren, to approve the minutes of the November 11, 2009, special meeting and the November 18, 2009, regular meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Budget Discussion City Manager Sean Stegall recapped the presentation of November 18, 2009. Assistant Finance Director, Colleen Lavery, then presented the revised, proposed sewer and water rates. Budgeted Sewer Rates Year % Increase Rate/HCFT 2010 7.0% $1.3375 2011 7.0% $1.4310 2012 9.0% $1.5600 2013 8.0% $1.6848 2014 7.0% $1.8027 Committee of the Whole December 2, 2009 Page 2 Budgeted Water Rates Year % Increase Rate/HCFT 2010 7.0% $3.1940 2011 9.0% $3.4815 2012 9.0% $3.7948 2013 7.0% $4.0604 2014 5.0% $4.2634 She noted that this revision would still maintain 25% reserves in both the sewer and water funds. She said that this rate adjustment is possible by extending the meter replacement program to four years instead of the originally proposed three years. Councilmember Kaptain wondered if the interest rates on the sewer bonds could be improved. Mr. Nowicki said that the market was in the city’s favor at this time and that this is an area that is constantly monitored. He noted that any refunding of debt would also be considered if any savings are realized. Councilmember Kaptain asked if any savings were realized could they be applied to any future rate increases and Mr. Nowicki replied that they definitely could. Councilmember Kaptain stated that he was concerned that the higher sewer and water rates would impact those with a lower income the most. At the request of Mr. Stegall, Mr. Nowicki then explained the process of refunding and working with the city’s financial advisors. Councilmember Dunne stated that he felt the sewer reserve rate was too high. Ms. Lavery responded that it will be reviewed each year as it will change from one year to the next. Mr. Nowicki next reviewed the special revenue funds, the corporate bond fund, the enterprise funds, the internal service funds, and trust and agency funds. In the special revenue funds, he highlighted the Emergency Telephone System Fund. This fund accounts for a portion of emergency communications for the city and revenues are based on a charge of $.65 per telephone line plus a portion of a surcharge on wireless (cell phone) phones. He noted that more and more people are moving from land lines to cell phones, thereby decreasing Committee of the Whole December 2, 2009 Page 3 what once was a very constant revenue source. He said that the current system is at the end of its usefulness due to obsolete technology, lack of support, and unavailable replacement parts. The replacement cost is approximately $14 million and the Emergency Telephone System Board has voted to support a referendum for November in 2010. Regarding the Corporate Bond Fund, he noted that the city’s direct debt is low. Lastly, the various types of user fees were reviewed. These include fees for community services (water and sewer funds), regulatory and administrative (police and fire services, building permits, fees paid by developers, and licenses), and quality of life (parks and recreation). Mr. Stegall summarized the final steps of the budget process as being the following: Truth in Taxation Public Hearing Ordinance adopting the budget Ordinance for the levy and assessment of taxes 2010 Budget and 2010-2014 Financial Plan recorded with Kane County. These steps will take place during the month of December. Councilmember Kaptain commented that he would like to see the funding for the non-profits reviewed to see if changes are necessary. Snow Removal Presentation David Lawry, General Services Director, along with Charles Blalark, Streets Superintendent, and Dan Rich, Public Works Superintendent, presented the 2009-2009 Season Snow Plan. It was reported that there are currently 22 snow routes (19 residential and 3 super routes) that cover 325 center lane miles. Nearly 13,000 tons of salt were spread last snow season and the total cost of snow removal was $601,108. For an average snowfall, it is the department’s goal to have all streets plowed from curb to curb with 12 hours after snow ceases. Salt storage facilities include: Northwest – Holmes Road Southwest Quadrant– Bowes Road Northeast Quadrant – Brandt Drive Area Southeast Quadrant– Shales Parkway Additions to this year’s snow plan include: Integration of personnel from the Sports Complex and Golf Operations Contracting for Cul-de-Sac Snow Removal Expansion of the Department’s Fleet and Installation of GPS Units Spot Salting Techniques Establishment of “Super Routes” on the City’s Main Streets Committee of the Whole December 2, 2009 Page 4 Councilmember Prigge asked what residents could do to facilitate snow removal. Mr. Rich and Mr. Blalark responded that parked cars are the biggest challenge. If those can be moved, it would help tremendously with snow removal. The other request was that residents not blow snow from their sidewalks and driveways back into the street. Councilmember Prigge then asked if a report could be submitted on a regular basis regarding the effects of the odd/even parking ban on snow removal. Mr. Lawry said this could be provided. Consideration of Acceptance of Grant from Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority for One Part-Time Domestic Violence Case Manager Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to accept the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority grant award for one part-time Domestic Violence Case Manager in the amount of $34,694. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Fire Protection Agreements for 2010 Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve the 2010 Fire Protection agreements for three properties located outside the City limits in the amount of $85,247. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Amendment to Chapter 11 of the Elgin Municipal Code, Entitled “Vehicles and Traffic” Councilmember Kaptain made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve amendments to Chapter 11 “Vehicles and Traffic” as provided by the Neighborhood Services Committee. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Approval of Honorary Street Name for South Geneva Street to George Van De Voorde Place Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Prigge, to approve that Geneva Street, between East Chicago Street and DuPage Street, be dedicated with the honorary street name George Van De Voorde Place, per Chapter 13.27 of the Elgin Municipal Code, Honorary Street Names. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Committee of the Whole December 2, 2009 Page 5 Consideration of Contract with Equipment Management Company for Fire Department Protective Turnout Clothing Councilmember Warren made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Kaptain, to approve the award of a contract to Equipment Management Company for Fire Department protective turnout clothing in the amount of $15,000 annually for two years. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Proposed Agreement with Congress for the New Urbanism Regarding Sustainable Street Network Project Councilmember Kaptain made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve Phase 1 of the agreement with the Congress for the New Urbanism regarding a sustainable street network project at an amount not to exceed $50,000 which will be funded by the Energy Efficient and Conservation Block Grant. Councilmember Kaptain asked who would pay for this project if the Grand Victoria Foundation denies the city’s grant application,. Mr. Stegall stated the city would because the project is noteworthy and would benefit the city. He noted that the project is also eligible for federal stimulus money. Councilmember Kaptain commented that the Congress for New Urbanism should work with the Sustainability Master Plan Transportation Work Group. Councilmember Dunne asked if the item would be brought back to the council for consideration if the city had to fund it completely. Mr. Stegall replied that it would not and that approval was being requested even if the funding were not received. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Designation of Freedom of Information Act Officers Councilmember Steffen made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Warren, to authorize the City Manager to designate Freedom of Information Act officers and individuals to receive training relative to the Freedom of Information Act and Open Meetings Act as may be necessary from time to time. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Amendment No. 4 to the Engineering Services Agreement with Rezek, Henry, Meisenheimer and Gende for the 2006 Combined Sewer Separation Project Councilmember Kaptain made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Prigge, to approve Amendment No. 4 with Rezek, Henry, Meisenheimer and Gende in the amount of $179,903 for the Construction Phase Services for the Bent Street Combined Sewer Separation. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Committee of the Whole December 2, 2009 Page 6 Consideration of Sole Source Contract with Siemens/Smith Ecological Systems for Purchase and Installation of a Replacement Lime Slaker at the Riverside Water Treatment Plant Councilmember Kaptain made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve the purchase of the lime slaker from Smith Ecological Systems in the amount of $79,900. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Community Development Block Grant Sub-Recipient Agreement with the Housing Authority of Elgin for the Central Park Tower Elevator Renovation Project Councilmember Steffen made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Warren, to approve the Sub- Recipient Agreement between the City of Elgin and the Housing Authority of Elgin for the Central Park Tower Elevator Renovation Project in the amount of $68,500. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Community Development Block Grant Sub-Recipient Agreement with P.A.D.S. of Elgin for the Emergency Shelter Monthly Rental Cost Councilmember Warren made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve the Sub- Recipient Agreement between the City of Elgin and P.A.D.S. of Elgin for Emergency Shelter Monthly Rental Costs in the amount of $50,000. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Announcements from Council Councilmember Prigge congratulated Parks and Recreation staff for the amount of savings that were realized during the pool season. Councilmember Gilliam said that he felt the budget presentations had been very good. Councilmember Warren said that staff had been very helpful to the new council members during the budget process. Announcements from Staff Public Information Officer, Sue Olafson, announced upcoming city events. Committee of the Whole December 2, 2009 Page 7 Adjournment Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Warren, to adjourn the meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. The meeting adjourned at 6:38 p.m. s/Diane Robertson December 18, 2009 Diane Robertson, City Clerk Date Approved