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HomeMy WebLinkAboutm - June 25, 2014 COW (Special) SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING June 25, 2014 The special Committee of the Whole meeting was called to order by Mayor Kaptain at 1:00 p.m. at the Centre of Elgin in the Heritage Ballroom located at 100 Symphony Way. Present: Councilmembers Dunne, Gavin, Martinez, Powell, Prigge, Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Absent: None. Business Plan for: 311/One- Elgin Colby Basham, 311 Citizen Services Director, provided a historical overview of the program. A copy of the presentation is on file in the City Clerk’s office. He highlighted the software features, the future roll out to different departments, and statistics regarding call volume and staffing levels. Laura Valdez-Wilson, Management Analyst, discussed the features that would capture detailed data about community engagement. The information would be utilized to better serve the community and help increase citizens satisfaction with city service. Dan Ault, Senior Management Analyst, presented detailed information regarding the upcoming roll out of the next phases including a 311 Mobile App, the Campaign feature, Permit Administration, and License Administration. There was discussion regarding call data, the number of bilingual calls, how calls are handled after hours, the power source for the call center, the type of information that can be collected and the features that will be available on line for constituent’s self-service options. Budget and Finance Update City Manager Stegall provided information regarding the city’s finances as of the end of 2013. A copy of the presentation is on file in the City Clerk’s office. Overall 2013 revenues and expenditures slightly exceed expectations. In the near future, funding requirements for Police and Fire pension and accelerated street repairs due to a significant snow season will need to be addressed. Assistant City Manager Rick Kozal provided information regarding finances to date for 2014. A copy of the presentation is on file in the City Clerk’s office. The General Fund, Central Area TIF, and Riverboat Fund would be reviewed today. Committee of the Whole June 25, 2014 Page 2 The General Fund revenue streams and their performances were reviewed for 2014. The sales, use, electricity, and natural gas taxes were currently over the budgeted amounts. While the telecommunications, alcohol, and video gambling taxes were currently under their budgeted amounts. Also reviewed were the income tax and the Local Government Distributive Fund (LGDF) revenue and how it could be impacted by policy changes at the state level. It was suggested that the city become less reliant on this uncertain revenue stream, and in the 2015 budget process this concept would be examined in detail. Mr. Kozal outlined the current status of the Central Area TIF noting that the decrease to the EAV reduced the annual increment to $1.8 million. He outlined the 2014 budget for this fund highlighting the new strategic initiatives and the funding for each project. Mr. Kozal provided a review on how the different sources of revenue are received that make up the Riverboat Fund and the city’s policy that determined how those funds are to be allocated. He noted that through the May disbursement the Riverboat revenues are down by 16.3% or $834,659. He outlined the status of the projects coming from the fund and noted that the projects need to be reviewed and reassessed to determine if they should still receive funding. Staff asked that the council review this information and determine how it would like to address the shortfall in the Riverboat Fund. There was a discussion regarding the terms of the ground lease and when it would expire. Also discussed were potential options to make up the budget shortfall in this fund. Elgin Municipal Code Review Center City Assistant City Manager Rick Kozal provided information regarding food push carts, buskers and their current regulations. A copy of the presentation is on file in the City Clerk’s office. Food push carts are addressed by section 6.45.180 of the Elgin Municipal Code and are currently not allowed. The Illinois Food Service Sanitation Code requirements for pushcarts were outlined. Under these guidelines a food pushcart may be required to utilize a commissary or other fixed food service establishment and report daily for their supplies, cleaning, and servicing of the operation. Sales of certain food items from a food pushcart such as, packaged snacks and bottled water were exempt from these requirements while items such as hot dogs and ice cream are not. There was discussion regarding the differences between the food trucks and pushcarts, the impact on staffing if this type of use would be allowed, and the amount of requests the health department receives for this type of business. The council directed staff to research this further. Committee of the Whole June 25, 2014 Page 3 Mr. Kozal explained what a busker is and the current city regulations. The Elgin Municipal Code allows a street performer (busker) to conduct a performance without actively seeking donations from a passerby. He further outlined potential First Amendment rights and issues when communities attempt to regulate street performances Elgin Municipal Code Review – Backyard Chickens Aaron Cosentino, Senior Management Analyst, provided a presentation regarding allowing backyard chickens and the concerns that are most often associated with this practice. A copy of the presentation is on file in the City Clerk’s office. There was discussion regarding the types of zoning where it would be allowed, permits required and associated fees, complaints and issues other communities faced and if the council would like to move ahead and consider a proposed ordinance regarding backyard chickens. The consensus was to move forward with draft ordinance at an upcoming Committee of the Whole for further discussion and consideration. Neighborhood Business Councils Mayor Kaptain introduced the concept of Neighborhood Business Councils and the role he saw the city taking in the process. He compared the concept to that of a neighborhood association where residents work together to resolve issues that are impacting their area. Laura Valdez-Wilson, Management Analyst, presented the concept of a neighborhood business council and outlined different models other communities have used. A copy of the presentation is on file in the City Clerk’s office. She noted that the city’s role would be that of a connector or resource for the businesses that would be interested in participating. The area surrounding Route 20 and McLean Boulevard had been identified as a potential spot for implementing the pilot program. There was discussion regarding utilizing a pilot project, the amount of staff time involved and amount of funding that would be required. Future Meeting Dates and Topics City Manager Stegall outlined the upcoming quarterly meeting dates and the anticipated topics for each meeting. There was a discussion regarding the quality and length of meetings. There were suggestions regarding presentations and time limits for speakers. Committee of the Whole June 25, 2014 Page 4 Adjournment Councilmember Shaw moved, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to adjourn. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gavin, Martinez, Powell, Prigge, Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. The meeting adjourned at 5:05 p.m. s/ Kimberly Dewis July 9, 2014 Kimberly Dewis, City Clerk Date Approved