08/29/2005MINUTES
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
August 29, 2005
The Village Board met at 7:04 p.m. as a committee of the whole in the board
room of the village hall on Monday, August 29, 2005. In attendance were:
Village Board
Steven Harris, Mayor
Robert Benton, Trustee
Michelle Feldman, Trustee
Harriet Rosenthal, Trustee
William Seiden, Trustee
Barbara Struthers, Trustee (7:17 p.m.)
Matthew Wylie, Trustee
Staff
Robert D. Franz, Village Manager
Robert Fialkowski, Finance Director
Barbara Little, Director of Public Works
and Engineering
John Sliozis, Chief of Police
Philip Kiraly, Asst. to the Village Manager
The Board was asked if they agreed with the Manager's recommendation to defer
discussion of a smoking ban ordinance until later so that more information could be
gathered on the topic. They agreed.
New Scavenger Contract
The Board reviewed an analysis of various rate options proposed by Onyx for residential
scavenger service. There was continued discussion on switching to curbside service, with
some opposing it due to the aesthetic impact four days of every week.
Trustee Seiden distributed his own analysis and proposed that, under certain
circumstances, the village could pay Onyx for total back door service at the same cost as
curbside. After discussing it thoroughly, the majority opinion was that the village should
contract for curb service, with the option for residents to pay Onyx a surcharge for back
door pick up. There was also agreement for switching to recycling carts instead of bins.
Staff was directed to meet one final time with Onyx and then prepare a new contract for
Board consideration. It was noted that SWALCO has reviewed the unit prices submitted
by Onyx and believes that they are very competitive in the current market.
Dutch Elm Disease
The Board was advised that Urban Forest Management's survey of the village disclosed
approximately 325 trees with Dutch Elm Disease (DED) involving 225 properties
throughout the community. It was noted that this does not include several hundred more
along the two creeks which need to be inspected separately. Chuck Stewart, President of
Urban Forest Management, was in attendance and responded to specific questions from
the Board. He advised on how the disease spreads and offered his opinion that
preventative programs are expensive, and none of them have been effective in preventing
the spread of the disease.
There was agreement that the village should exercise its rights by ordinance to get the
DED trees removed immediately. The Board emphasized, however, that the process of
doing so should be explained thoroughly to the public, particularly those residents who
have diseased trees on their property.
Letters will be sent to residents advising them of the tree(s) which must be removed.
They will be given time, should they wish to have their own arborist inspect the tree. If
they disagree with the village on the need to remove it, a sample would be sent to a lab
for an independent finding. That takes approximately seven days and costs $35.
Diseased trees will be marked in some way and, once removed, the property reinspected
to assure compliance.
There was discussion on village involvement in contracting for the work, but it was
agreed that property owners should deal directly with tree firms. The village can supply a
list of companies which have a favorable track record in the community.
Sewer Rate Increase
As part of the 2005-06 budget, it was agreed that critical treatment plant and satellite
facility improvements would be undertaken even though a final decision had not been
made on the long term plan for the treatment plant and sewer system. At that time, the
Board directed staff to present options on rate increases during the first quarter of the
fiscal year.
Bob Fialkowski noted that the current sewer fund is operating at a significant deficit. He
presented three alternative means of raising revenue required to fund the sanitary sewer
operations and capital requirements of the sewer fund:
1. A higher fixed cost per user per month plus a somewhat lower rate per unit.
2. Some combination of a property tax levy and user rate. Essentially the operating
costs could be rate based and the capital or debt service cost could be property
tax based.
3. Remove the "winter quarter billing system" now in place, which would involve
fluctuating bills based on actual water usage.
After discussing the matter, it was agreed to proceed with option #2 but also eliminate
the winter quarter billing arrangement. These changes will be presented at a Board
meeting and will require passage by ordinance.
Residential Construction Projects
This item was introduced by Trustee Feldman, who has received several complaints
regarding contractors' disregard for residents adjacent to construction sites. Complaints
have included noise violations, damaged streets, tree ordinance infractions, security
fence violations and parking issues.
The Board discussed ways of holding contractors more accountable for their actions
through a performance bond and increased fines. They want it to be known that the
village will not tolerate contractors causing problems for their neighbors. Enforcement
measures should be timely and aggressive. Staff was directed to work with the village
attorney on possible changes in the Municipal Code to address these construction
problems.
The meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
Minutes prepared by:
AOWERT D. FRA&Z, Village