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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES-2010-11-17-2010ROLL CALL: PRESIDING: OF EVV 0 c�kca 1� EVANSTON CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING BUDGET DISCUSSION AND CONCERNS Wednesday, November 17, 2010 7:00 P.M. Alderman Tendam Alderman Grover Alderman Burrus Alderman Fiske Mayor Elizabeth B, Tisdahl Alderman Jean -Baptiste Alderman Wynne Alderman Holmes Mayor Tisdahl called the Special Council Meeting to order at 7:22 P.M. She announced that Alderman Wilson was flying in from a family death and was on the way, as well as Alderman Rainey who had a prior appointment who was on her way to the meeting too. PUBLIC COMMENT: David Cook, 2683 Prarie came to speak for the Evanston Environmental Board on the clerk III position. He stated they were here to answer any questions, and if there were no other questions that came up from last night then he was done. The following persons spoke concerning the Librarv: Gayle Bush, 1415 Wesley and she is a member of the Library Board. She thanked the community, Aldermen and staff for having many conversations with them and they have listened and learned from them, and now are moving forward to improving the Evanston community in visionary actions in serving the library's need. She stated the City Council, City Government and the City Library serve every Evanstonian. Elisa Gorman, 2604 Eastwood Ave. she gave a brief history of her daughter's enormous appetite for reading, and how the North Branch is their library of choice. Lehla, 2604 Eastwood Ave. she is a first grader at Kingsley Elementary School and repeated all her mother stated earlier with a few additions. She is also a supporter of the library branches. Henry Lattimer, 2322 Isabella Street stated his support of the branches and is in favor of the creation of the proposed funding agency to keep the branches open, as well as restoring the hours of operations. Bennett Johnson. He gave a history of his credentials to give credit to his statements he stated the key to using legislative dollars is to use those dollars to enhance the lives of the people in the community you serve. He also spoke against the 3-1-1 system in his support of the library branches to stay open, because knowledge is gained from books not telephone calls. Bernice Valentenize, 2656 Broadway Ave. spoke in favor of the branch libraries and for the Council to exercise leadership in their decisions to go forward in allowing the voices and actions of so many people of the community and to let the Library Board serve as they should. Special City Council Budget Meeting Francis Sizman, stated she could not believe we are at this same point again and we don't place any value on our library system. She suggests the selling of the artwork that is hanging from the buildings to add to the funding of the libraries. Beth Horner, 1911 Seward a former Librarian who worked in four different libraries in three states. She makes her living as a national touring story teller. She read a news article that was written June 15th 1921 concerning the Evanston Public Library in the Library Journal that is still viable today. The article talked about the same issues now as then, the closing of the branch libraries. She finally said that is the story of our history and our history is also our present. The following spoke on the Inoculation Program: Virginia Mann, 3004 Normandy Place spoke in support of the tree injection program and she encouraged the Council to do what was promised years ago to save all the elm trees in the City of Evanston. Mimi Peterson, 740 Wesley she spoke about the cuts in the tree inoculation program, snow removal, maintaining the parks, the 3-1-1 program and the various personnel cuts that will reveal drastic affects on the services the City of Evanston provides to the residents. Mayor Tisdahl stated Public Comments were now concluded and she called on the City Manager to speak. Mr. Bobkiewicz stated they had prepared to talk on other subjects than the Libraries and if the Council would like to talk about libraries or any other issue we could do that. An Alderman asked if he had a budget presentation to make and Mr. Bobkiewicz responded positively and stated he could do the presentation and asked for the power -point presentation to be placed on the screen. He also had hard copies to pass out to the Council which was an amendment to the previously presented budget. The following restorations of recommendations which were presented resulted in the amount of $552,600.00: 1) To restore the Dutch Elm Tree Inoculation Program ($93,000.00) 2) Restore two Facilities Maintenance Worker III ($160,000.00) 3) Park Forestry Worker II position ($71,000.00) 4) Recreation Maintenance Worker 5) The Noyes position 6) The Ecology Center position ($80.000,00) + The Zoning Administrator be reclassified as a Zoning Planner Revenues to make up this $552,600.00: 1) Contribution from the Evanston Environmental Association of $7,000.00 to sustain the Ecology employee as a full-time position 2) Dutch Elm Inoculation Program will come from the reserve funds 3) 3-1-1 number of hours reduced to 7 am-7 pm Monday -Friday ($96,333.00 savings) 4) Health Department correction for an incorrect amount of $137,000.00 which is real money that will be added to their budget 5) Transfer from internal Fund (IRMF) $100,000.00 annual 6) A 1 % of the Director's cut be restored instead of the previous 2% 7) The 2% COLA for non -union workers to be deferred until April 2011 with a savings of $27,500.00 OA Special City Council Budget Meeting Mr. Bobkiewicz concluded his presentation by stating he was open for any questions from the Council. Ouestions,Answers, and Concerns from the Council: 1) Alderman Rainey stated her appreciation of him listening to the concerns of the Council and she accepts the budget he presented. 2) Alderman Holmes asked where was the $137,000.00 error in the Health Department Budget? Answer: At the time of printing there was a 0.00 commitment from the Township. The $137,000.00 was put in as a place holder, but when The Township agreed later to contribute close to $100,000.00 to support the community services budget the amount could be reduced to that amount and the level of services and fund could remain the same. 3) Alderman Fiske questioned the 3-1-1 amount needed for funding the program. Answer: The new money needed would be $355,830.00 for the first ten months. 4) What would the expense be for year two and three? Answer: The amount needed would be $704,436.00 annually. This figure is actually staff driven and the funds maybe decreased as we go on. 5) This is a very expensive program and can we justify it? Answer: Once we obtain the data then that will be the justification for the program. 6) Alderman Jean -Baptiste commented on the Inclusion Specialists position as one that would be reconsidered for restoring, and he said he did not believe creating the 3-1-1 system to have a larger basket to collect complaints is a logical thing to do. He suggested to have the $200,000.00 plus to be reallocated to help people better organize than investing in a system we don't need right now. He also wanted a response from the City Manager on the Inclusion Specialist and secondly on the 3-1-1 program. Answer: City Manager stated there were three positions in the City that respond to ADA issues, and he could not find in any of the surrounding municipalities that had as many as Evanston has. Their ADA program is shared by two persons in various capacities, and he stated he could not justify having three positions. The two remaining staff members are capable of handling the ADA issues that will come up. Regarding 3-1-1 he stated we are completely changing the way we communicate with the residents with supplying information and service. 7) Alderman Rainey stated she is convinced the City could handle the ADA issues with the two Inclusion Specialists and that Mr. Brian Barns would be a great loss to the City. She suggested that a meeting with the people who will be filling Brian Barn's shoes, as well the community, Over -The -Rainbow residents, and Mary Friedle to introduce them to one another to gain the needed trust that is necessary. She stated the cuts to the 3-1-1 are sustainable and will not come back into the budget, but it is a mistake to project the next full year budget for 3-1-land she believes with proper direction it will work. 8) Alderman Tendam voiced his support of the 3-1-1 program. 9) Alderman Holmes gave her support of the 3-1-1 program and asked if the time could be from 8:00 am-8:00 pm instead of 7-7. Her second concern was the kind of savings that would occur if the Forestry service was outsourced. Answer: There is not enough information on hand at this time for either outsourcing or in service, but with a new look from top to bottom of the Forestry Department makes good sense but we will come, back in January or February to discuss it then. Special City Council Budget Meeting 10) Alderman Burrus asked if the incumbent Zoning Administrator moving into the Zoning Planner position? Answer: The Zoning Planner is an existing classification and is a union classification and we will go through a recruitment process and anyone could apply. She wanted an explanation of the transfer from the IRMF fund, and if there were other ways to fund the hard working Directors and staff. Answer: Mr. Lyons stated the IRMF fund is kept in the City's Operational Fund and several years ago a reserve fund was established to handle future IRMF issues. He stated we have millions -of -millions dollars that cover all the IRMF costs. There is a designated reserve of 2.5 million dollars in the fund and we could easily afford to spend $ 1 00,000.00/year. Alderman Burrus made a motion to take the necessary funds from the IRMF Fund to restore the Director's 5% cut in salary and Alderman Holmes seconded the motion. A roll call was made with a result of 6-3 against the motion failed. Alderman Rainey motioned to amend to add an additional 2% which equals a total of 3%, and the 2% from the IRMF Reserve Fund, and Alderman Tendam seconded the motion. A roll call was made with the result of 6-3 for approval and the motion passed. Mayor Tisdahl stated we are discussing anything on this budget balancing sheet and is not confined to 3-1-1. Alderman Jean -Baptiste stated he thought we are discussing anything in the budget not just this and Alderman Fiske stated she was going to discuss anything in the budget. The Mayor responded then go and discuss anything. 11) Alderman Fiske asked if the City Manager was comfortable that the Zoning would be adequately covered. Answer: YES, Mr. Marino would take on the leadership position of Zoning Administrator. Alderman Fiske stated she wanted to make a motion concerning the branch libraries, she hesitated and looked in the direction of the Mayor and asked if it was alright and the Mayor said "GO AHEAD". Alderman Fiske continued and motioned to have the branch libraries funded from the Economic Development Fund for as long as it takes to creating two SSA's surrounding each branch that will fund those branches permanently. Alderman Jean -Baptiste seconded the motion. Alderman Tendam stated this is not a good concept of a SSA Funding District, but he would listen and will support the funding from the Economic Development Fund because the North Branch is an economic engine for the business district. He stated the Main Street community is a very successful community and it is not fair to create a SSA around a successful existing business development that includes a library. Alderman Wilson also agreed not to create an SSA District and he did not support the idea, because there is not enough community support and it's not a path we should travel down. Alderman Grover wondered if the SSA was compatible with the Library Board of Trustees' mission to provide the greatest benefit to the greatest number, and the Libraries way of expanding services. She can not support the creation of an SSA. She is comfortable in allowing the Library Board to use their discretion and expertise in how they deliver the services. Alderman Wynne stated the North Branch is an economic anchor for the Main Street businesses and she suggested moving the South Branch somewhere on Main Street. She supports the funding from the Economic Development Fund for one year for the branches. An SSA is not a good idea we all should support the libraries. Special City Council Budget Meeting Alderman Rainey stated by reintroducing the branch libraries is a waste of time and we need to move on to more important things, because people are concerned about other things than the branch libraries. There are many foreclosures in this City and we need to be concerned about that. Alderman Burrus supports the SSA proposal and she does not want to keep the branches open. She stated she could not approve taking money from the Economic Development Fund to give to the wealthiest part of the City for their branch library. Alderman Jean -Baptiste supports the idea of creating a SSA for the Libraries to fund the branches. He suggested coming to a compromise to improve the library model with using the six months of funding that is available now. He stated either we loose everything or compromise and get something and in the meanwhile study the process in trying to improve the services we have. Alderman Grover stated the branches do serve thousands of residents and she does not think the SSA would work as an interim measurement or become one. Alderman Fiske motioned to amend her previous motion to having the branch libraries funded with the $150,000.00 from the City Manager's Miscellaneous Business Operations to extend their opening until the end of July, 2011, giving them time to form SSA's. Alderman Jean -Baptiste seconded the motion. Alderman Rainey stated to get a SSA district the taxpayers in the geographical area either agree or it or opt out to be taxed extra. She would bet the idea would not be supported and it would fail she does not want to vote for a SSA and it is a silly effort to delay the inevitable. She believed the Library Board should establish a referendum for creating a SSA District. She also believes this is a chicken way out. She repeated again this is a waste of time and to let's just improve our Main Library and move on. Alderman Burrus agreed with Alderman Rainey and she stated we don't want to make hard decisions because we want everyone to like us and we don't want our neighbors mad with us. She said the way we are moving along she sees it as cowardly. Alderman Grover asked so what was the motion? Answer: Mayor Tisdahl stated the motion was to take the money from the City Manager's contingency fund instead of the Economic Development Fund in furtherance of two SSAs. Alderman Fiske restated her new motion with her amendment to the original motion that she posed and was seconded by Alderman Jean -Baptiste. Alderman Holmes stated she could support going ahead with the proposed budget and allow the Library Board to develop the services they proposed to do. Alderman Rainey motioned to amend Alderman Fiske's motion to have the Council accept the City Manager's recommendation as stated in his budget message for the library funding as it is. Mayor Tisdahl asked Alderman Fiske if she accepted the amendment and she responded no. Alderman Tendam called for the question on the motion. The City Manager then repeated the motion on the floor and when completed Mayor Tisdahl stated "before you vote I want to thank Alderman Fiske for her attempt to save the branches". City Manager made a roll call and the results were 7-2 against so the motion failed. Alderman Rainey motioned to accept the City Manager's recommendation for Library funding and direct the Library Board to spend the money in the way they see most responsible. Alderman Tendam seconded the motion and City Manager called the roll which resulted in a 7-2 vote to approve and the motion passed. Alderman Wilson motioned to defer the tree planting program for a year. The motion received a second after discussion from other Aldermen and after Alderman Jean - Baptiste called for a point of procedure and stating the motion had not been second. Special City Council Budget Meeting Alderman Rainey then seconded the tree deferral motion made by Alderman Wilson, and she continued with her concerns for this proposal. Alderman Grover asked if trees were prioritized. Answer: They are based on the order of the tree to be replaced. After much discussion on the tree issue from the Aldermen and responses from the staff a roll call was performed and the vote was 5-4 against so the motion failed. O & A's and Concerns Continued: 12) Alderman Jean -Baptiste asked if the items for the 2011 budget were all derived from a 10/12th process. Answer: No, they are all revenue driven whenever the funds come in as stated by the City Manager. He also wanted an explanation of the Real Estate Transfer Tax entry. Answer: Ms. Earl stated the RETT's do not come in as equal chunks per month, but instead come in when sales are more active in the middle of the year. Next he asked what would be the projected budget for 2011. Answer: Ms. Earl stated we will trend a little ahead this year and expect to do the same next year, but we won't receive two months so we could not level fund it even though we feel we'll be a little this year. 13) Alderman Grover wanted an explanation from the Zoning Office Enhancement statement of $82,000.00 of new revenue for zoning fees. Is this already incorporated into the budget or is it new? Are they compared to other municipalities or were they already in the works? Answer: City Manager stated the information that was provided to us late this afternoon was news to all of us. It has not been previously reviewed, but will look at all of our fees and charges and that email came directly from a staff member and not through management. She wanted management's perspective by Monday. Answer: Mr. Bobkiewicz stated it would be very difficult to have it looked into by Monday because it is very intensive, but will come back at a later date if she liked. 14) Alderman Rainey wanted an explanation of the Sales and Home Rule Tax reductions, and Long Care Licenses. Answer: City Manager stated they will make notes and have a set of answers for the Council next meeting. 15) Alderman Wynne wanted an explanation of the Elm Tree Reserve Fund. 16) Is the Funding for the Elm Trees under any threat? Mayor Tisdahl reported on her visit to Springfield and stated she and three other Mayors spoke on the IRMF issue, and the City should not expect much help from the State. She then asked for a motion to adjourn as well as performing the Roll Call which netted 8-0 for adjournment. Respectfully submitted, Rodney Greene, City Clerk on