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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-10-07 MinutesMINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 7, 2009, SPECIAL MEETING — BUDGET WORKSHOP OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES RICHARD T. FLICKINGER MUNICIPAL CENTER 6101 CAPULINA AVENUE MORTON GROVE, ILLINOIS 60053 Pursuant to proper notice in accordance with the Open Meetings Act, the special meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Mayor Daniel J. Staackmann who led the assemblage in the pledge of allegiance. Clerk Kalogerakos called the roll. In attendance were: Elected Officials: President Daniel Staaekmann, Trustees Dan DiMaria, Larry Gomberg, William Great, Sheldon Marcus, and Maria Toth, and Village Clerk Tony Kalogerakos Absent: Trustee John Thill Village Staff: Village Administrator Joseph F. Wade, Corporation Counsel Teresa Hoffman Liston, Finance Director /Treasurer Ryan Horne, Community and Economic Development Director Bill Neuendorf, Public Works Director Andy DeMonte, Police Chief Mark Erickson, Deputy Police Chief Brian Fennelly, Deputy Police Chief Norman Stromberg, Police Coordinator Gil Santiago, Family and Senior Services Director Jackie Walker O'Keefe, Network Administrator Boyle Wong, and Fire Chief Tom Friel Also Present: Members of the press and public President Staaekmann turned the meeting over to Mr. Wade who noted this is the Second Budget Workshop for the 2010 Budget. The first formal presentation will be presented by Police Chief Mark Erickson who will present the Police Department Budget. Fire Chief Tom Friel will present the Fire Department Budget and give an explanation relative to the sinking fund for the purchase of a new Village Ambulance, and Andy DeMonte will present the Public Works Budgets. Ryan Horne then addressed questions from the Board from the previous meeting. Jackie Walker O'Keefe advised the Board in answer to Trustee Marcus's questions that there are currently 472 members of the Civic Center. Fifty of those members are not Morton Grove residents. The monthly attendance for outside trips is approximately 410 members and non- members. Mr. Horne then answered Mayor Staackmann's question regarding the Finance Department phone bills. He stated the bill appears high because the Finance Department's budget includes phone bills that can not be allocated to other departments. He noted the Village's phone bills had actually decreased from 2006 when they were $104,000 to the current expense of $74,510 per year. He then introduced the Police Department Budget and noted the total Police Department budget before pension expenses for 2010 is projected to be $6,935,835, or a decrease of $16,602 (24 %). Police pension costs rose from $1,411,984 in 2009 to $1,615,174 in 2010; an increase of $203,190 or 14 %. Hence the grand total of the Police Department's budget with the pension fund is $8,551,009 or an increase of $186,588 or 2.23 %. Chief Erickson began his presentation by reminding the Board the following Friday, October 9, 2009, marked the 20'h anniversary of Patrol Officer Barry Shalin's death. A ceremony was being planned for that day. He then reviewed the mission and values of the Police Department. The mission statement had been rewritten by Chief Erickson and his command staff. He noted the department strived to be more accountable, cohesive, and productive; and supervisory members will continue to monitor activity and provide a monthly and annual assessment. Chief Erickson has been involved in the budget process since 1991. He noted all supervisory personnel take responsibility for monitoring their aspect of the budget. He then reviewed some of the Police Department's functions which include community liaisons, crime prevention, and community relations, and enforcement activities. He then reviewed the current Police Department organizational chart with the Board. He noted in 2010, the department planned to implement a cyber -watch with the help of community volunteers. He noted staffing levels had not been raised in 25 years. Costs have increased due to personnel and pension expenses and the need for adherence to state and federal unfunded mandates. Ammunition costs have also increased substantially. Chief Erickson requested funds for a grant writer; if approved this individual will work with the Village to obtain grants to improve the department's technology needs. Chief Erickson then reviewed the workload indicators projected for 2010 which included 22,000 service calls, 7,000 traffic stops, 1,200 accident investigations, 600 felony arrests, 350 misdemeanor arrests, and 6,150 ordinance citations. Chief Erickson noted for 2010 in light of the current economy, the department had implemented substantial stopgaps. This includes the deferment of one sworn police officer, the deferment of two part-time community officers, a request to review the crossing guard program, and the deferment of one squad car, the animal control vehicle and the incident commander vehicle. The Village also deferred numerous capital improvements needed at the Police Department facilities. Chief Erickson then answered questions from the Board. Mr. Horne introduced Chief Tom Friel who presented the Fire Department Budget for 2010 in the amount of $5,329,629, which was a decrease of $2,754 from the prior year. However, pension costs had increased by $182,975 to a total of $1,794,274 for a total Fire Department budget with pension expenses in the amount of $7,123,903 or an increase of $180,221 from the previous year (a 3% increase). The Chief reviewed the mission of the department and the department's current organizational chart. He then noted the department was actively pursuing cost savings through cooperative relationships. He also detailed the operations of the Fire Prevention Bureau, and the operation of the three shifts which comprise the divisions of the department. He noted for 2009, the Fire Department has or will respond to 3,658 alarm incidents which is an approximate 20% increase from 2004. 65% to 70% of these activities pertain to EMS alarms or a request for paramedic services. Chief Friel noted the department strives for -- expeditious responses to these alarms. The department has a record of responding within four minutes for 95% of all alarms. He noted a fire in an unconfined room will double in size every thirty seconds. He also noted the human brain begins to suffer damages after four to five minutes without oxygen. He then reviewed the staffing levels for engine companies which require a minimum of four members, and an ambulance company which require a minimum of two members. The department currently uses a jump solution for which responses are manned by a lieutenant, engineer, and one firefighter on an engine, plus two firefighters from the ambulance. The solution has worked well for the Village. In 2010, the department will downsize by eliminating one part-time fire inspector for a savings of $20,000. The department asked the Village continue funding the sinking fund for a new ambulance to replace the 1997 model at a cost of $260,000. He then reviewed the 2010 goals and objectives for the Emergency Management Agency Budget. Chief Friel noted the 2009 highlights for EMA and noted their 2010 goals and objectives. The 2010 budget of $11,942 was flat compared to the previous year's budget. Mayor Staackmann noted the Emergency Management Agency was probably one of the best examples of an organization doing more with less and thanked these tireless volunteers. Mr. Horne introduced Mr. DeMonte who then presented the Public Works Budgets. The first budget, the Public Works Street Budget in the amount of $2,200,775 reflected a decrease of $156,000 or 7 %. Mr. DeMonte noted the Village experienced significant increases in 2008 and 2009 to its commodity purchases, mainly due to the increased costs for salt. The Village had prepurchased salt for 2010. Mr. DeMonte thought the supply was sufficient. Mr. DeMonte noted for 2010, the department expected to replace two new plows at a cost of $10,000 each and would trade in four bobcats for a net cost of $4,400 each. The goal was to maintain a flat budget without any cuts in services including leaf collections and storm clean -up. Mr. DeMonte also stated the further goal was to improve communications with residents which was and continued to be an ongoing priority with the Department. Mr. DeMonte then introduced the Public Works Engineering Budget in the amount of $343,675 or $14,773 (4% increase). This increase was due to increases in personnel costs for step increases and health insurance. Mr. DeMonte reviewed the goals of the Engineering Department for 2010 which included completing work related to the Dempster Street water main and roadway improvements, completing work related to the Lincoln/Ferris water main and streetscape improvements and completing the design and construction work related to the relocation of the Metra yard. Mr. DeMonte then introduced the Public Works Vehicle Budget at a cost of $731,753 or a decrease of $5,035 from the previous year (1 %). All budgets relating to Public Works showed a total decrease from the prior year of $147,000 or 4 %. Mr. DeMonte then viewed the Commuter Parking Fund Budget which showed an increase in net review over the previous year of $11,300. Mayor Staackmann then asked for questions from the Board and there were none. Mayor Staackmann asked for questions from the audience. There was one question commending the Police Department for their reorganization and budget, and a request to consider the impact of multiple solid waste collection trucks on streets. Mr. Wade noted garbage trucks were considerably heavier than other trucks and cars and the Village's alleys were not built to sustain this type of weight. One large truck has the equal effect of four thousand cars. There being no further business, Trustee Di Maria moved to adjourn to Executive Session to discuss personnel issues as well as the purchase and sale of Village real estate. The motion was seconded by Trustee Marcus and approved unanimously pursuant to a roll call vote at 8:26 pm. At the close of the Executive Session, Trustee DiMaria moved to adjourn the Special Meeting. The motion was seconded by Trustee Marcus and approved unanimously purchase to a vice vote at 9:42 pm. i o „ 1.1 by: Tony Special meeting minutes.] 0 -07 -09