10/06/2009 Special MeetingMINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DES PLAINES, ILLINOIS
HELD IN THE ELEANOR ROHRBACH MEMORIAL
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, DES PLAINES CIVIC CENTER,
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2009
CALL TO ORDER: The Special meeting of the City Council of the City
of Des Plaines, Illinois, was called to order by
Mayor Martin J. Moylan at 6:30 p.m. in the Eleanor
Rohrbach Memorial Council Chambers, Des Plaines Civic
Center on Tuesday, October 6, 2009.
ROLL CALL:
Roll call indicated the following aldermen present:
Haugeberg, Robinson, Bogusz, Higgason, Brookman,
Walsten, Wilson, Argus.
Also present were: City Manager Bajor, Assistant City Manager
Slowinski, Director of Finance Wisniewski, Assistant Director of
Finance Bromber, Financial Analyst Fundament, Financial Analyst
Raymond, Director of Media Services Kozenczak, Police Chief Prandini,
Fire Chief Wax, Deputy Fire Chief Eilken, Director of Public Works &
Engineering Oakley, Director of Information Technology Duebner,
Director of Human Resources Earl, Director of Health & Human Services
Puetz, Director of Community and Economic Development Conlan, and
City Attorney Wiltse.
MAYOR MOYLAN DECLARED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL WAS NOW
RESOLVED INTO A COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION - Alderman Higgason, Chair
2010 BUDGET: Alderman Higgason reviewed the agenda for the Budget
Hearing.
City Manager Bajor gave a Power Point presentation
(in file) of the 2010 Draft Budget which included an
Introduction, Budget Objectives, Budget Challenges,
Budget Process and Budget Solutions.
Director of Finance Wisniewski gave a Power Point
presentation (in file) of the 2010 Draft Budget which
included a Financial Organizational Chart, a Budget
Snapshot of All Funds, and the General Fund.
Director of Finance Wisniewski answered questions
from the aldermen.
Mr. Brian Burkross, 2133 Webster Lane, addressed the
Committee of the Whole and asked if the 2010 proposed
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2010 BUDGET: levy is 3% above last year's. Director of Finance
(Cont'd) Wisniewski stated that in 2008 it was 1%. Mr.
Burkross pointed out that due to the economy and
foreclosures the population of Des Plaines is less
than 58,000. Mr. Burkross cautioned the Committee of
the Whole to be careful when considering the gas tax
to be increased; it could make the tax leakage
bigger; regarding land use and values, Mr. Burkross
requested the records going back 10 years. Mr.
Burkross received a letter from the Cook County
Assessor that as a result of the value of his home
going down, the taxes are going down.
Mr. Dion Kendrick, 943 Webster Lane, addressed the
Committee of the Whole and asked that since TIF #1
has been profitable, can the funds be transferred to
the General Fund. Director of Finance Wisniewski
stated no.
Mr. Dion Kendrick, 943 Webster Lane, addressed the
Committee of the Whole and asked how the TIF money
flows. City Manager Bajor stated that this would
have to be reviewed in order to answer.
Mr. Dick Sayad, 290 Shannon Court, addressed the
Committee of the Whole and recommended that the City
Council have 25% in reserve funds; rent equipment
instead of purchasing; and upon completion of budget,
have ward meetings to inform residents.
Mrs. Barbara Van Slambrouck, 286 Stratford Lane,
addressed the Committee of the Whole and stated that
she agreed that the City should go back to basics in
terms of services; raise the City tax, not the gas
tax.
GENERAL FUND: Alderman Higgason referred to page 1 of the Overview
which gives a definition of the General Fund and its
purpose and reviewed each page within the division.
ELECTED Director of Finance Wisniewski presented the Elected
OFFICE: Office division and explained that the City Clerk's
Office and the Legislative Department (which is
composed of the Mayor, eight Aldermen, and the
Mayor's secretary) have been combined and renamed
"Elected Office". No changes were made to the budget
as presented.
Alderman Walsten asked if the phone stipend had been
PAGE THREE 10/6/09
ELECTED removed and if the decision was voted on or was it
OFFICE: administrative. City Manager Bajor stated that it
(Cont'd) had been cleaned up and was an administrative
decision.
Alderman Brookman asked about the PPO health
insurance. City Manager Bajor stated that Staff
works to get better rates and that the premiums went
up 7% between 2008 and 2009.
Alderman Brookman stated that he would like a
representative from the Northwest Municipal
Conference to come before the City Council to talk
about membership benefits and what it does for its
members.
Mr. Dion Kendrick, 943 Webster Lane, addressed the
Committee of the Whole and asked about the $60,000
for the Lobbyist. City Manager Bajor responded that
the Lobbyist reduced his fee from $75,000 for 2009.
CITY CLERK: No changes were made to the budget as presented.
City Clerk Ludwig answered questions from the
Aldermen regarding requests for educational training.
CITY MANAGER: Assistant City Manager Slowinski presented the City
Manager's division and explained the divisions within
it: City Manager, Information Technology, Legal,
Media Services, Human Resources, and Health and Human
Services.
City Manager: Assistant City Manager Slowinski
presented and answered questions from the Aldermen.
No changes were made to the budget as presented.
Alderman Walsten asked about the placement of the
copiers. Assistant City Manager Slowinski stated
that they had been placed in the category under all
expenses.
Alderman Brookman asked about the expense for web
training. Director of Information Technology Duebner
stated that it was to keep his staff up to speed on
constant changes that occur.
Mr. Dion Kendrick, 943 Webster Lane, addressed the
Committee of the Whole and observed that a profit and
loss summary should be listed for all divisions.
PAGE FOUR 10/6/09
CITY MANAGER: Information Technology: Director of Information
(Cont'd) Technology Duebner appeared before the Committee of
the Whole to answer questions. No changes were made
to the budget as presented.
Legal: City Attorney Wiltse appeared before the
Committee of the Whole to answer questions. No
changes were made to the budget as presented.
Alderman Brookman asked about outside counsel. City
Attorney Wiltse stated that outside counsel was
necessary for union negotiations.
Mr. Dick Sayad, 290 Shannon Court, addressed the
Committee of the Whole and requested a break out for
time spent doing legal work for the library. City
Manager Bajor stated that there were in kind services
that the City provides for the Library which is not
paid back to the City by the Library.
Mr. Brian Burkross, 2133 Webster Lane, addressed the
Committee of the Whole and inquired about the
recording fees. City Attorney Wiltse stated that
these fees were for the filing of legal documents
which were not previously filed.
Media Services: Director of Media Services Kozenczak
appeared before the Committee of the Whole to answer
questions. No changes were made to the budget as
presented.
Alderman Higgason explained that the wireless
microphones requested were for remote locations, i.e.
ward meetings.
Human Resources: Director of Human Resources Earl
appeared before the Committee of the Whole to answer
questions. No changes were made to the budget as
presented.
Health and Human Services: Director of Health &
Human Services Puetz appeared before the Committee of
the Whole to answer questions. No changes were made
to the budget as presented.
Mr. Dion Kendrick, 943 Webster Lane, addressed the
Committee of the Whole and asked about reducing
contractual services. City Manager Bajor stated that
111
CITY MANAGER:
(Cont' d)
COMMUNITY AND
ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
(CED) /
COMMUNITY
BLOCK GRANT
(CDBG):
FINANCE AND
GENERAL FUND
OVERHEAD:
PAGE FIVE 10/6/09
a reduction would not solve the problems. Director
of Health & Human Services Puetz stated that the
seniors who qualify for a discount are usually lower
income.
Director of Community and Economic Development Conlan
presented the Community and Economic Development
division (which includes Building and Code
Enforcement Division, Planning and Zoning Division
and Economic Development Division) and the Community
Development Block Grant Fund. No changes were made
to the budget as presented.
Alderman Brookman noted that there were a number of
positions dropped.
Alderman Wilson asked about the income derived from
permit fees. Director of Community and Economic
Development Conlan stated that the fees collected in
2007 completely covered his department's expenses and
that the fees collected in 2008 and to date in 2009
did not.
Mr. Dion Kendrick, 943 Webster Lane, addressed the
Committee of the Whole and noted the number of full-
time employees in 2008 and 2010.
Mr. Dick Sayad, 290 Shannon Court, addressed the
Committee of the Whole and asked about the Building
Code division. City Manager Bajor described the
types of jobs that the building inspectors perform.
Planning & Zoning: Mr. Dick Sayad, 290 Shannon Court,
addressed the Committee of the Whole and asked if
there was an increase in the Facade program.
Director of Community and Economic Development Conlan
stated no. No changes were made to the budget as
presented.
Community Block Grants: Director of Community and
Economic Development Conlan stated that any grants
available are being pursued. No changes were made to
the budget as presented.
Director of Finance Wisniewski presented the Finance
and General Fund Overhead. No changes were made to
the budget as presented.
PAGE SIX 10/6/09
FINANCE AND Historical Society: Mr. John Burke, President of the
GENERAL FUND Des Plaines Historical Society made a presentation
OVERHEAD: (in file) on behalf of the Historical Society and
(Cont'd) reviewed its importance to the City of Des Plaines'
residents as well as visitors. Mr. Burke answered
questions from the aldermen regarding fundraising and
grants.
Alderman Walsten stated that the Historical Society
is considered a part of the downtown revitalization.
Alderman Wilson asked what other communities do.
Historical Society Director Matthiessen stated that
the Arlington Heights Historical Society has an
agreement with the City, Park District and Library
for support.
Alderman Brookman requested a financial report from
the Historical Society.
Alderman Bogusz requested financial information from
the Historical Society.
Mrs. Barbara Van Slambrouck, 286 Stratford Lane,
addressed the Committee of the Whole and stated that
the City should maintain the status quo.
Mr. John Hecker, 984 Walter Avenue, the Executive
Director of the Des Plaines Park District and a
resident of Des Plaines, addressed the Committee of
the Whole and encouraged them not to cut the funding.
Mr. Dion Kendrick, 943 Webster Lane, addressed the
Committee of the Whole and suggested that a business
plan be submitted by the Historical Society.
Ms. Alice Chrostowski, 430 Western Avenue, addressed
the Committee of the Whole and stated her experience
of how the Historical Society helped her become
acquainted with Des Plaines as a new resident.
Mr. Brian Burkross, 2133 Webster Lane, addressed the
Committee of the Whole and asked about the 911 phone
service charge. Director of Finance Wisniewski
responded that Des Plaines shares the cost with other
communities.
Mr. Burkross, 2133 Webster Lane, addressed the
Committee of the Whole and asked about the business
incentives. Director of Finance Wisniewski responded
g
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PAGE SEVEN 10/6/09
FINANCE AND that it is based on the latest sales tax figures.
GENERAL FUND
OVERHEAD: Mr. Dick Sayad, 290 Shannon Court, addressed the
(Cont'd) Committee of the Whole and suggested that the
Historical Society submit a business plan to the City
Council.
Mr. Dion Kendrick, 943 Webster Lane, addressed the
Committee of the Whole and asked about how the sales
incentives are determined. City Attorney Wiltse
stated that they are based on $250,000 in sales and
that the agreement was passed by the City Council.
Mrs. Jana Haas, 63 Van Buren Street, addressed the
Committee of the Whole and stated that 79% of the
City budget is salaries; if all 58,000 residents gave
$3 each, it would amount to the $166,600 needed to
cover this expenditure.
Mr. Dion Kendrick, 943 Webster Lane, addressed the
Committee of the Whole and asked about the request
for the Special Events Commission Fireworks.
Director of Finance Wisniewski responded that the
expense would be covered by escrow.
Alderman Brookman asked if any division reviewed
tonight could be revisited later.
City Attorney Wiltse responded yes.
ADJOURNMENT: Moved by Brookman, seconded by Robinson, that the
special meeting of the City Council adjourn. Motion
declared carried. Meeting adjourned at 10:35 p.m.
APPROVED BY ME THIS "
DAY OFwoU. fAL.0il� , 2009
Mart;' J. SIT lan, MAYOR
4;4_ 9, Gloria J. Ludwig Yetde,)?,i, CLERK