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HomeMy WebLinkAbouto - November 11, 2020 COW specialSPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING November 11, 2020 The special Committee of the Whole meeting was called to order by Mayor Kaptain at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Present: Councilmembers Dixon, Gavin, Lopez, Martinez, Powell, Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Absent: None. All members, with the exception of Mayor Kaptain, attended via electronic means. This was allowed at this time granted by Governor Pritzker's Executive Order 2020-07. Proposed 2021 Budget and Three -Year Financial Plan — Continued Discussion City Manager Kozal introduced the topics for this evening's continuing discussion on the proposed 2021 Budget and Three -Year Financial Plan. Staff presented information regarding the General Fund, Riverboat Fund, Central Area TIF Fund, Staff Review, and the Police Collaborative Crisis Services Unit (CCSU). Debra Nawrocki, Chief Financial Officer and Budget Director, provided an overview of the General Fund. She noted that the city will maintain a flat general fund levy for seven (7) consecutive years and stated that the long term cost controls will be implemented to balance the financial plan. The financial plan does not incorporate any new or increased revenues, and it balances the budget utilizing $18.0 million in reserve funds. She stated that the Police and Fire Pension levy for 2021 remains consistent with 2020 regarding the city's pension obligations required by the State of Illinois. She noted that the estimated $5 million from the Kane County CARES Act grant that the city applied for is not included in the budget currently, but recommends that the money be used to pre -fund the required pensions for Police and Fire once received. Ms. Nawrocki stated that the 2021 budget does include the addition of the new staff positions being recommended tonight. There was discussion regarding the CARES Act funds, when they were expected to be received, adjustments to the budget, and their use in pre -funding the pensions. Also discussed were tracking the city's expenditures due to the COVID-19 pandemic related to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and pursuing funds promised from Cook County and FEMA. Debra Nawrocki, Chief Financial Officer and Budget Director, provided an overview of the Riverboat Fund. She went over the revenues and expenditures for 2021, as well as the estimated numbers for 2022 and 2023. She provided the percentages for the investments the fund covers for infrastructure projects, property maintenance, economic development, public safety, financial stewardship and funding for cultural and community agencies. She stated that shortfalls in the fund would delay the LED Light Project and the Dundee/Summit Intersection Project. She noted that all funding for Resurfacing Projects would come from the MFT Fund. There was discussion regarding the reduction in revenue caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the continued impact on capital projects as a result. Also, discussed were impact fees and development fees and how they are distributed to various projects. Committee of the Whole November 11, 2020 Page 2 City Manager Kozal provided an overview of the Central Area TIF Fund. He went over the strategic initiatives being covered by the fund in 2021 as well as providing a plan for the estimated funds through 2025. This presentation is on file in the City Clerk's Office. There was discussion regarding affordable housing, the lack of interest in deconversion grants for the area, the area covered by the TIF, how the funds are being allocated, and the limitations on how the money can be spent. The Council recessed for a ten (10) minute break at 6:25 p.m. Aaron Cosentino, Interim Assistant City Manager provided an overview for the proposed full- time Sustainability Officer. He went over the city's sustainability efforts and history, and outlined some of the successful programs that have been implemented. He stated the proposed duties of the Sustainability Officer would include being the staff liaison to the Sustainability Commission, coordinating an audit to measure the city's progress in achieving its sustainability goals, track existing programs, as well as setting and implementing new goals. There was discussion regarding the funding for the position, duties included, and the estimated salary for the position. Gail Cohen, Human Resources Director provided an overview of the various internship programs the city is currently involved in. She outlined the Summer Youth Program as well as the internships that are currently active in the following departments: GIS, Engineering, Water, Community Development, and Building Maintenance. She provided details on the new STEM internship program that would allow ten (10) high school students to develop life skills in their chosen fields of study — Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). She expects to place the interns within various departments within the city including but not limited to Police, Engineering, and Utilities. There was discussion regarding the qualifications of the participants, the duration of the program, and recruitment efforts. Karina Nava, Assistant to the City Manager provided an overview of the proposed Human Rights and Equity Officer. She stated the proposed duties of the position would include being the staff liaison to the Human Relations Commission, to help establish a community task force on policing, and to help identify and eliminate inequalities within the community that may be driven by systemic inequalities. She noted that this position would be one in only 32 communities within the United States and the first one established in Kane County. There was discussion regarding the duties assigned to the position and the community impact. Committee of the Whole November 11, 2020 Page 3 Police Chief Ana Lalley provided an overview of the history and data regarding the Collaborative Crisis Services Unit (CCSU) as well as case examples. She stated the mission of CCSU was to provide services and assistance to those with mental health related concerns, substance use disorder needs and assisting individuals experiencing homelessness. She went over the current staffing for the unit and stated that the department was requesting additional staff by adding one full-time mental health professional who would act as a triage person for incoming 911 calls involving mental health issues and one part-time mental health professional who would work with the existing police officers and mental health workers currently in the unit. This presentation is on file with the City Clerk's Office. There was discussion regarding housing the unit in a different department within the city, the proposed salaries for the new positions, and similar programs instituted by other communities within the country. Public Comment The following comments were submitted via email. Copies of the emails were provided to city councilmembers and posted on the city's website. Paul Berland outlined his concerns regarding global warming and climate change and asked the city to set aside funds for the Sustainability Commission for educational materials for Elgin citizens. Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford expressed support for the proposed Sustainability Officer and budgeting for the task of inventorying greenhouse gas emissions within the community. Susan Swing stated her concerns regarding climate change and expressed her support for the proposed Sustainability Officer. Tom Armstrong stated his concerns regarding climate change and global warming, expressed his support for the proposed Sustainability Officer. Jordan Wildermuth recommended budgeting for a homeless shelter or transitional housing within the community. Patsy Hirsch expressed her support for the proposed Sustainability Officer. Dustin Good expressed his support for the proposed Sustainability Officer. Committee of the Whole November 11, 2020 Page 4 Adiournment Councilmember Gavin made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Powell, to adjourn the meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Gavin, Lopez, Martinez, Powell, Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. The meeting adjourned at 8:29 p.m. s/ Jennifer Quinton December 2, 2020 Jennifer Quinton, Deputy City Clerk Date Approved