HomeMy WebLinkAboutv - December 2, 2015 COW
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
December 2, 2015
The regular Committee of the Whole meeting was called to order by Mayor Kaptain at 5:00 p.m.
in the Council Chambers. Present: Councilmembers Dunne, Gavin, Martinez, Powell, Prigge,
Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Absent: None.
Approval of Minutes
Councilmember Shaw made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve the
minutes of the November 18, 2015, regular meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas:
Councilmembers Gavin, Martinez, Powell, Prigge, Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, and Mayor
Kaptain. Nays: None. Abstain: Councilmember Dunne
2016 Budget Discussion
City Manager Stegall provided an overview of the items to be presented and discussed at
tonight’s meeting.
Revenue Study
Laura Valdez-Wilson, Management Analyst, provided a recap of the previous budget meetings,
the follow-up board items, and reviewed items that remained open for discussion. She presented
results of a revenue study outlining the methodology used and considerations such as home rule
vs. non-home rule communities and service levels that are provided. Revenue areas that were
compared included property tax, water and sewer fees, utility tax and refuse fees. Based on the
study data compiled it was determined that the typical household pays $395 less in taxes and fees
than comparable communities.
There was discussion regarding the how the communities and the items for comparison were
chosen. It was noted that the items were the most common sources of revenue for communities.
Proposed Budget Alternatives
Assistant City Manager, Rick Kozal, presented alternative plans to the proposed budget.
Highlights of the first alternative plan included maintaining current service levels, drawing down
reserves, funds to make street repairs and water and sewer improvements. Under this plan the
typical homeowner would see an increase of $138 down from the originally propose increase of
$194 for next year.
There was discussion on the possible property tax freeze, revenue diversification, the potential
interest rate and costs of issuing bonds, and the impact of delaying street repairs.
Committee of the Whole
December 2, 2015
Page 2
Mr. Kozal outlined alternative two which assumed worse case scenarios such as a 50 %
reduction to the Local Government Distributive Fund (LGDF) and an indefinite freeze to
property taxes. This scenario could create major service reductions and an estimated deficit of
12 million dollars by the end of the financial plan.
Councilmember Prigge provided details on his proposed budget. This proposal included no staff
reductions, elimination of the electricity tax and the leaf rake out program, reductions to special
events sponsorships, eliminating subsidizes for various organizations, changes to snow removal,
and use of reserves. These changes, proposed for one year, would result in an average annual
reduction of $280 per household.
There was discussion on the feasibility and the long term financial impacts of this proposal and
well as the impact on various policies.
Public Comments on 2016 Budget
Chuck Keysor commented on the comparison with other communities. He presented revenue
ideas such as the sale of city property and vehicle stickers. He felt that the proposed budgets did
not go far enough in making cuts to expenditures.
Councilmember Gavin noted that the 2016 proposed budget was less than the 2015 budget so
there had been cuts made.
2016 Budget
There was discussion regarding the long term impact of using the reserve funds this year to offset
the increase in the refuse fee. Also discussed was drawing down the reserve funds to make an
additional payment to the pension funds.
Councilmember Shaw made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Gavin, to draw down
$535,800 in reserve fund to offset the increase to refuse fee, in addition to moving forward with
alternative one. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmember Shaw. Nays: Councilmembers
Dunne, Gavin, Martinez, Powell, Prigge, Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain
None.
Councilmember Dunne made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Gavin, to move forward
with alternate one of the proposed budget and to draw down reserves to make an additional
payment to the pension funds in the 4th quarter of 2016. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas:
Councilmembers Dunne, Gavin, Martinez, Powell, Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, and Mayor
Kaptain. Nays: Councilmember Prigge.
Committee of the Whole
December 2, 2015
Page 3
Adjourn to the City Council Meeting
Councilmember Gavin made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to adjourn and go
into the City Council meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gavin,
Martinez, Powell, Prigge, Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Reconvene
Councilmember Gavin made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to reconvene the
Committee of the Whole meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gavin,
Martinez, Powell, Prigge, Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Consideration of Purchase Agreement with MorphoTrust USA for Upgrades to the
Livescan Touchprint Fingerprint Systems
Councilmember Shaw made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve a
contract with MorphoTrust USA in the amount of $29,715 for upgrades to the existing Livescan
Touchprint systems in order to maintain operational status and Criminal Justice Information
Services security requirements. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gavin,
Martinez, Powell, Prigge, Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Consideration of Fire Protection Agreements with Illinois Tool Works, DSM Desotech and
St. Charles Properties
Councilmember Gavin made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve fire
protection agreements with Illinois Tool Works, DSM Desotech, and St. Charles Properties
which will generate $61,181 in revenue and provide an economically beneficial way by which
the resources of the city’s fire department can be utilized by properties located outside of city
borders when required. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gavin, Martinez,
Powell, Prigge, Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Announcements from Council
Councilmember Dunne asked residents to remember those in need during the holiday season and
noted several children’s charities including Toys for Tots.
Councilmember Steffen announced the Elgin Symphony Orchestra would be hosting a free
concert on Sunday December 6th at 2:00 p.m. at the Gail Borden Public Library. He also
reminded residents to be good neighbors and shovel their sidewalks.
Committee of the Whole
December 2, 2015
Page 4
Councilmember Rauschenberger reminded residents to attend NENA’s Home for the Holidays
event being held on December 5, 2015.
Mayor Kaptain announced that the Fabricators and Manufacturers Association would be moving
their headquarters from Rockford to Elgin and credited the Chamber for their role in project.
Announcements from Staff
Kristine Rogowski, Communications Director, announced upcoming city events.
Adjournment
Councilmember Shaw made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to adjourn and go
into the Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the following matters. Upon a roll call
vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gavin, Martinez, Powell, Prigge, Rauschenberger, Shaw,
Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Pending, Probable or Imminent Litigation Against, Affecting, or on Behalf of the
Public Body before a Court or Administrative Tribunal - Exempt Under Section
120/2(c)(11) of the Open Meetings Act
Appointment, Employment, Compensation, Discipline, Performance or Dismissal
of Specific Employees of the Public Body - Exempt Under Section 120/2(c)(1) of
the Open Meetings Act
The meeting adjourned at 8:24 p.m.
s/ Kimberly Dewis December 16, 2015
Kimberly Dewis, City Clerk Date Approved