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10/05/2015C.O.W – October 5, 2015 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE – Minutes of Meeting October 5, 2015 The Village Board met as a Committee of the Whole in the Council Chambers of the Village Hall at 8:15 p.m. on Monday, October 5, 2015. In attendance were: Village Board Staff Harriet Rosenthal, Mayor Kent Street, Village Manager Alan Farkas, Trustee Andrew Lichterman, Asst. to the Village Manager Robert Nadler, Trustee Barbara Little, Director of Public Works and Engineering William Seiden, Trustee Eric Burk, Finance Director Dan Shapiro, Trustee David Fitzgerald, Management Analyst Barbara Struthers, Trustee Robert Phillips, Asst. Director of Public Works and Eng. John Sliozis, Police Chief Tom Keane, Deputy Police Chief Clint Case, Code Enforcement Supervisor Jeff Ryckaert, Principal Planner Matt Weiss, Computer Systems Coordinator Public Comment None 2016 Budget Discussion Mayor Rosenthal asked Finance Director Burk to review his summary memo highlighting changes discussed as the September 24, 2015, Committee of the Whole meeting. Mr. Burk noted that eliminating the discounted vehicle stickers for all categories (i.e. antique, clergy, disabled, military, and senior) would yield approximately $43,600. Charging full price for the senior stickers only would generate $41,900. Trustee Seiden stated that he would not like to change the senior citizen vehicle sticker discount, as was proposed at the last meeting. He believes it will upset some senior citizen residents. He noted that he would vote against the budget if that discount is removed. Mayor Rosenthal stated that the vehicle sticker revenues are used to fund roads, and noted that all residents should pay their fair share to fund roads. She stated that if a senior household can afford two cars, they can afford two vehicle stickers. She noted that one discount per household could be amenable to her. Trustee Farkas stated he supports eliminating the vehicle sticker senior discount. He noted that there is no logic to the discount and getting rid of it would send the message that the fee is fairly applied. Trustee Nadler stated that he also supports elimination of the senior discount, noting that the Village’s vehicle sticker prices are lower than those of many nearby communities. Trustee Struthers also concurred. Trustee Farkas stated he would like to have the price for all vehicle stickers be $30. Manager Street reported that staff would use this direction in preparing the final fee resolution. C.O.W – October 5, 2015 Manager Street provided follow-up regarding discussion of the senior taxi subsidy from the September 24, 2015, Committee of the Whole meeting. He reported that a random sample survey of taxi tickets performed by staff found that about 3 percent of rides in the taxi program are either to or from O’Hare. Mayor Rosenthal reiterated that she would not like people to use a Village-funded program to help the elderly and disabled to save $5.00 off their taxi to a vacation. Manager Street noted that the change would have to be phased in over time as a number of tickets are currently in circulation. New tickets will note the change. Manager Street inquired if the Mayor and Board would like to use the impact fees collected from Amli and Woodview to cover the cost of purchasing 630 Central Avenue for public use. There was a consensus of the Board to do so as the funds are restricted for the purpose of land acquisition that serves needs of residents of the developments. Manager Street noted that the Village can move forward with the capital plan as presented without needing additional debt. Mayor Rosenthal noted that this was the best way to proceed, as the lack of a State budget threatens some Village revenues. Public Works Director of Public Works and Engineering Barbara Little provided a review of the Public Works Department’s proposed 2016 budget, which reflects an overall decrease of 0.65 percent in the Street Division, a 13.4 percent decrease in the Water Fund, and a 1.54 percent increase in the Sewer Fund. Ms. Little noted that Public Works will see a 2 percent increase in salaries from last year. Mayor Rosenthal inquired about sidewalk plowing. Ms. Little stated that her staff is reviewing the sidewalk plowing routes now. Trustee Shapiro asked how the personnel services figure was determined in the Street Division, as the amount of work needed can change from year to year depending on the weather. Assistant Director of Public Works and Engineering Bob Phillips stated that staff uses a five-year average to help estimate that figure. Manager Street noted that this year’s water meter replacement program completed the project and reduction of one employee in the Water Division began last year. Finance Department Finance Director Eric Burk provided a review of the Finance Department’s proposed 2016 budget, which reflected an overall decrease of 3.91 percent. He noted that Walgreens estimated that their rebate amount would be in-line with the current year. He also noted that any changes to the Jewel-Osco, including a sales tax rebate, have not been included in the budget. Mayor Rosenthal inquired about the overall size of the budget. Mr. Burk noted the 2016 budget anticipates $50 million in revenue and $54 million in expenditures. The operating budget is approximately $27 million. Mayor Rosenthal inquired about a tax on medical cannabis. Mr. Burk noted that the tax is 1 percent, the same as other prescription drugs. Mayor Rosenthal noted that Evanston taxes the sale of medical cannabis between the wholesaler and the distributor. Trustee Struthers noted that C.O.W – October 5, 2015 she would be in favor of such a tax. Mayor Rosenthal requested that staff evaluate this tax further. Mr. Burk and Code Enforcement Supervisor Clint Case discussed building fee revenue projections. Trustee Farkas asked how long it takes to turnaround a building permit. Mr. Case noted it is about one month. Mayor Rosenthal inquired if the Village had a list of possible budget cuts that could be made if the State continues to withhold funds. Mr. Burk reviewed the budget memo that outlined revenues that are threatened by the State budget impasse, including $900,000 in local government distributive funds (LGDF), $425,000 in Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) funds for roadwork. $330,000 in 9-1-1 fees and others. Mr. Street noted that if these revenues are cut by the State, that the Village could push off the North Avenue project if needed. He noted that the Village does have some reserves, but that it continues to look at contingency plans including new revenue streams that are administered locally. IT Computer Systems Coordinator Matt Weiss provided a brief overview of IT spending for 2016. He noted that IT spending is budgeted in the department that will receive the upgrade or product. He highlighted the desktop replacement or virtualization program, telephone upgrade and other initiatives. Much of the IT purchases are budgeted out of existing VERF funds. Comments Trustee Nadler stated that he would like to see the medians on Lake Cook Road on the west side of the Village landscaped. He stated that this is a gateway to the Village and the concrete medians make it look like a highway. He noted that the medians on the east side of Lake Cook Road are a great asset to the community. He suggested installing the landscaping in phases over a few years. Trustee Struthers stated she would like to see screening for the retention basin on Lake Cook Road at Pfingsten Road. Trustee Shapiro stated he would rather wait for a year and take a look at these suggestions after the State budget situation and IMET are resolved. Trustee Nadler noted that AMLI and some of the nearby businesses may be interested in helping pay for the improvement. Trustee Farkas suggested using a sponsorship model. Manager Street asked for staff to determine the costs for engineering the median project, noting that permitting for the project could take more than a year through Cook County. Mayor Rosenthal thanks staff for their preparation of the budget. Manager Street noted the budget will be presented at the November 2 public hearing with the changes discussed to the vehicles stickers and taxi program, as discussed. Trustee Farkas made a motion to adjourn. Trustee Nadler seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 9:35p.m. Respectfully submitted, David Fitzgerald, Management Analyst