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HomeMy WebLinkAbout24 - November 19, 2011 COW - Special MeetingSPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING November 19, 2011 The special Committee of the Whole meeting was called to order by Mayor Kaptain at 9:04 a.m. at the Heritage Ballroom in the Centre, 100 Symphony Way. Present: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, Steffen and Mayor Kaptain. Mayor Kaptain made opening remarks regarding the process and objectives for the meeting The Council made opening remarks acknowledging the difficult budget process this year; wanting to balance the budget and provide quality of life. They also acknowledged the need to diversify revenue streams and stimulate economic development. Ellen Weidner asked when Erie Street would be resurfaced. She has been told for two years that it would be and it’s still not fixed. David Lawry, Public Service Director, stated it would be started in early 2012. Rose Reinert, Executive Director for the Boys and Girls Club, noted the programs and how the Club helps the community and hoped they would continue to receive funding. Kim Shively, and son Ben, expressed their support for the Boys and Girls club and stated that the Club has had a positive impact on their lives. Eric Robin thanked the council for having the interactive session and thought the transparency was good. He did want to know the thought process behind the refuse fee and how the pricing was determined. Mayor Kaptain said the Council would be addressing this in depth on November 28th. Kathy Oswalt, of Elgin PADS, outlined the services they provide to the community and noted that the loss of revenue from the City would hurt their programs significantly. Terry Gavin posed the question that if the numbers for 2011 aren’t final if the Council should delay the decisions until then. Mayor Kaptain reviewed the need to diversify revenue streams. Also, he reviewed the proposed program for the not for profit groups could apply for funding. City Manager Sean Stegall reviewed the need to change from EAV based property tax to a tax levy. John Erckfritz stated his approval to bringing back the vehicle sticker and thought it was time to cut property owner a little slack. Susan McIntrye likes the idea of community groups competing for grant money but would like to know more about how the organizations are funded and how the money is used. Mayor Kaptain outlined the proposal of having money set aside and how the groups would apply and the application review. Committee of the Whole Special Meeting November 19, 2011 Page 2 Craig Mason, Elgin Octave, stated that he felt there could be cuts made to the code department and that the council should not ask the residents for further revenue. Julie Schmidt suggested the Council focus on basic government such as safety and infrastructure. Jamie Bertoncini, local taxi business owner, is against funding Chamber and Downtown Neighborhood Association Jeff Meyer, Elgin Octave, proposed budget solutions such as reducing all staff salaries and selling city owned properties. Pete Cottore stated he is ok with the proposed refuse fee. He asked how the money was to be collected and how money would be allocated to social services programs. Mayor Kaptain outlined the allocation process. Colleen Lavery, Chief Financial Officer, stated the collection rate for the City is 98%. Chuck Keysor of the Elgin Octave compared management salaries to those of federal government workers and those serving in the military. Robert Beclard commented on core services and maintaining a balanced budget within the City. Nanomi Hjelm, local business owner, is against funding for the Chamber and felt the Chamber has done little to help businesses. City Manager Sean Stegall explained how the City eliminated the Economic Development Department and outsourced that function to the Chamber. Mary Kirkman, a Cultural Arts Commission member, expressed the importance of funding the arts as it relates to quality of life. Vivian Leabhart was in favor of the proposed balanced approach to the budget. She was concerned about the use of overtime as opposed to hiring full time employees. Her concern was that the employee working the overtime would be stretched to thin. Judy Kleizer stated she was in favor of the vehicle stickers. She did not want to see cuts to the Code, Police or Fire Departments. She felt enforcement was important and a way to capture lost revenue. Ms. Kleizer also expressed concerns over reduction to handicap parking. Mayor Kaptain told Ms. Kleizer that staff would follow up with her regarding handicap parking. Kathy Matthews, Executive Director Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra reminded the Council how the arts programs support and prompt the City. Chad Manbeck stated he hoped the City could continue to support social services. He also felt that the arts are good to help attract business to the City. Committee of the Whole Special Meeting November 19, 2011 Page 3 Anthony Nancy believes everything should be on the table. His suggestions included eliminating City owned property, reduce facility costs and reduce overtime. Craig Dresang, member of First Congressional Church, moved to Elgin for many reasons including the quality of life, which to him includes parks, arts, histor y, and development. He would like to see the City cut or reduce union labor and raise taxes to come to a balanced budget. John Murphy was concerned that the city was looking at a new 911 system if the current system still works. Chiefs Fahy and Swoboda noted that the system is obsolete and parts are no longer made to repair it. Karen Beyer, Executive Director of the Ecker Mental Health Center was in favor of the proposed funding of social services and hopes they can continue to receive funding. Dale Lonis, Chief Executive Director for the Elgin Symphony Orchestra, expressed the importance of the arts and their role in the economic development of an area. He also commended the Council and the community for being open and involved in the budget process. There was a break from 10:30 a.m.-10:45 a.m. Mary Ellen Kanies mentioned several arts programs she has been involved in and how they enriched her life. She expressed her hope that the arts would continue to be supported by the City. Lynn O’Shea advocated for the Ride in Kane program funding. She stated it was an essential core service and that it was not a free ride. Participants pay a small fee to use the service and the City funding is matched by federal funding. Mayor Kaptain noted that there have been discussions to make the bus routes more user friendly and efficient. David Metzger, a local graphic artist, was involved in the recent Nightmare on Chicago Street. He saw how creative people were and how important the arts were in the City. Mayor Kaptain noted that several businesses had stated they had their best day of business during the Nightmare on Chicago Street event. Victor Laporte, former employee of Elgin Police Department and current candidate for County Board, stated his concerns about rising property taxes, the low voter turnout and the need for jobs in the City. Rissa Jones, Executive Director of Hamilton Wings, knows how the arts can help children and asked that the Council not cut funding to those programs. Olga Lopez compared the city’s budget to that of a homeowner and suggested they take another look at cutting waste and take a close look at funding. Committee of the Whole Special Meeting November 19, 2011 Page 4 Daniel Scott supports the arts and asked the Council to consider continuing funding for the arts. Terry Gabel favored the balanced approach and he was against staffing cuts. He asked about putting in a sunset provision to the city stickers and if revenue streams were indexed. Mayor Kaptain confirmed the revenue streams were indexed but suggested that the city could take another look at this idea. Herb Gross, member of several local organizations, offered fundraising suggestions such as races or galas. Sean Hardodon, chair of the Cultural Arts Commission, stated his support for the arts and asked that the Council take a wide view of what they considered to be core services. Jerry Cain, a member of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra board, was in support of the arts and stated having the Orchestra brought people to Elgin. Ina Dews supported funding the social services programs and stated that salaries should be looked at as a possible area to cut. Cindy Schuman suggested layoffs were not the answer but perhaps cutting hours would help. She opposed raising fees as too many people were out of work. Natalie Parochka stated her support for the arts and their funding. R.L. Smith opposed the refuse fee and stated it was not equitable. Jozette Skelnik was in favor of small amounts of increases and believes in shared burden. She was not in favor of the proposed expenditure only budget. Jeanette Naimiec liked the city sticker and changes to the leaf collection program. She asked that social services or arts programs not be cut. Ms. Naimiec suggested ways to cut energy costs at the city buildings and proposed a fee to use leaf blowers. Sara Krikau is a dancer and supports the arts and implored the Council to continue their support. Gary Masching suggested hiring a consultant to look into waste and inefficiency in government and they would get paid based on their findings. The Council made closing remarks and thanked everyone for coming. They also thanked everyone for providing their input and feedback. There were comments about personnel, overtime, salary cuts, sale of city property, diversifying revenue, quality of life and the refuse fee. Finally, they encouraged everyone to contact them with other ideas and suggestions. Committee of the Whole Special Meeting November 19, 2011 Page 5 Adjournment Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Dunne, to adjourn the meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None The meeting adjourned at 11:40 a.m. s/ Kimberly Dewis Kimberly Dewis, City Clerk Date Approved