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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES-2010-02-20-2010CITY COUNCIL February 20, 2010 ROLL CALL — PRESENT: Alderman Rainey Alderman Wilson Alderman Burrus Alderman Holmes Alderman Fiske Alderman Tendam Alderman Jean -Baptiste Alderman Grover Alderman Wynne A quorum was present PRESIDING: Mayor Elizabeth B. Tisdahl A SPECIAL MEETING of the City Council was called to order by Mayor Tisdahl Saturday, February 20, 2010, 9:10 a.m. in the Council Chamber for the purpose of conducting a Budget Review Workshop on the FY 2010-11 Proposed Budget. PUBLIC COMMENT Jeff Zich, 1208 Monroe: Spoke on elimination of positions (assistant director, inspectors) in the Building Division. Junad Rizki: Spoke on the amount of money residents pay in taxes and wants to know what we get for it. Brian Stieglitz, 2018 Colfax: Spoke on elimination of the residential structural inspector. Will the level of service be maintained? He said that now that the City was granted $18 million for the renovation of foreclosed and abandoned homes, who would be doing those inspections? He stated that construction relies on timely inspections. Doug Hardy, 1720 Maple: Spoke on the elimination of forestry workers and in his opinion, thought that the City actually needed more forestry tree trimmers. Betty Ester, 2031 Church: Spoke on the overall elimination of employees — are we hurting ourselves by cutting so many people? Are we cutting service to people? BUDGET DISCUSSION Mayor Tisdahl inquired about the impact of losing a structural engineer, architects and other positions in the Community Development Department with regard to the $18,150,000 additional building going on in the City. Lehman Walker, Community Economic Development Director reported that there has been a 15%-20% decline in permit activity and essentially do not require the level of staffing we currently have. With the proposed cuts, we will still have two structural inspectors and three architects to handle the work. City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz stated that there are several disciplines attached to the inspector title and asked Mr. Walker to clarify the distinction between electrical, plumbing or other specific type of inspector, their qualifications vs. their titles and his plans to re -deploy those positions. Mr. Walker stated that inspections are currently divided between the Property Standards Division and the Building Division. The plan is to combine those divisions to achieve some economies and do some cross -training so numerous inspectors, by discipline, will not have to go out. There has been a significant decline in development revenue over the past four years, going from $6 million to $3 million. Permit activity in 2006/2007 was just under 3,600 and we are now projecting less than 3,000. Alderman Rainey asked Mr. Walker to clarify what he meant by cross -training inspectors and going into the Building Division vs. going into the Property Standards Division. Mr. Walker replied that some inspections that could be performed by our property maintenance inspectors are currently being performed by the Buildings Division and that certain levels of inspections that don't require the same level of sophistication that we currently apply. Alderman Rainey stated she was very concerned about the loss of the head of the Building Department and feels it is a critical situation. Although she did not want to seem to be protecting a particular individual, she strongly believes that someone should be in that position. She thinks this may be a knee-jerk reaction to the down -turn, that it is a mistake to . eliminate some positions in the department, and that it may cost us money in the long run. City Manager Bobkiewicz responded by saying since he and Mr. Walker have been here, they have taken a look at the management of the department and feel they have not utilized the talent available to their maximum benefit. There is a need to manage existing resources better and cut down on the number of outside inspectors. He feels existing staff has plenty of time and technical expertise and that we can provide better service with the remaining staff under better management. Alderman Rainey's perception is that high level staff, including the City Manager, "will go to the mat" on certain issues but not on others, i.e. library branches vs. the head of the building department. She feels that position, in terms of what it does, is critical. Alderman Burrus also has a problem with the elimination of that position particularly regarding the implementation and enforcement of the green building ordinance and the new energy code. This position was instrumental in working on this, has knowledge about these things and she fears that the remaining Community Development employees are not educated on these issues. She asked Mr. Walker if he knows the qualifications of the existing staff, if they understand the new energy code or if they have been engaged in the green building ordinance. She thinks it is frustrating to pass something and then not be able to enforce it. Mr. Walker responded by saying that other staff was also involved and clearly has some knowledge of what needs to be done. He also stated that he will make sure remaining staff receive the necessary training in order to implement those ordinances adopted by Council. Alderman Wilson reluctantly supports the cuts in the Community Development Department and disagrees with Alderman Rainey's assertion that staff has devoted most of its energy to the branch libraries. His perception is to the contrary. He feels that staff has been very responsive to his inquiries on various issues. We are losing a great many hard working employees all over the City, and he fears that City employees do not feel appreciated. He wants to make sure that Council send the message that they are. Alderman Holmes brought up the Virchow Krause report from several years ago and asked Alderman Rainey if she thought these cuts supported that report. Alderman Rainey said that report focused on professionalism and raising the bar and does not think the report addressed the elimination of that position. Although she does think that the loss of that position diminishes that professionalism. Mr. Walker countered that he read the report and that it spoke specifically to the operation of that department - that there was considerable duplication of services and a lack of coordination between different divisions. Most issues identified were in the Building Division and that is why the proposed reorganization, the merger of the Property Standards Division and the Building Division, will address those issues. Alderman Wynn agreed with Mr. Walker and the Virchow Krause report. Alderman Burrus appreciates the fact that Mr. Walker is willing to train staff but also feels that the person in the current position has a lot of knowledge and experience that we are losing and sending someone to training sessions won't bring them up to speed. Alderman Jean -Baptiste says everyone knew this situation would come about eventually and questioned what criteria were considered to determine which position would be eliminated. Alderman Grover requested that City Council receive a copy of the Virchow Krause report. RECOMMENDED REDUCTIONS / ADJUSTMENTS DISCUSSION Several items under the Revenue Adjustments section were discussed. Alderman Rainey asked for an explanation regarding the Reimbursement from School Districts for Resource Officers. City Manager Bobkiewicz explained that in a meeting with School Districts 65 and 202, they have agreed to take this on through funds they are receiving from the TIFs. We now have a re -draft of the one TIF agreement and we need the draft of the actual school liaison agreement as well. At this time there is an oral agreement to move forward. It will be on a pro rata basis of their actual expenditures - there are two officers for District 65 and one from District 202. He further explained there are several pieces of this plan that require the consent of others, and there are collective bargaining issues involved. He would recommend that City Council direct him to resolve this over the next 60 days. And if, after 60 days, he does not come back with a resolution from all of these issues that require consent of others, he come back with a plan for additional reductions in order to balance any funds not recovered by meeting with these various groups. Alderman Jean -Baptiste inquired what would happen if the school board did not agree to reimburse the City. Mr. Bobkiewicz replied that if we are not reimbursed by the School Districts through the re- negotiation of the TIF agreement then the option would be to find general fund revenues elsewhere to fund the officers or eliminate the positions. Alderman Rainey moved to retain the $290,000.00 in the revenue column and if the school districts do not agree to fund these officers, they will not be provided by the City of Evanston. Motion carried unanimously. Alderman Rainey is concerned about the number of yard waste stickers that will have to be sold in order to generate $950,000.00. She believes we are being overly optimistic in indicating we are going to generate that amount of money. Suzette Eggleston, Interim Director, Public Works explained how the amount of $950,000.00 was determined and answered numerous questions from Council. Alderman Burrus stated she felt that the $950,000.00 was too high and not realistic and suggested it be reduced by $50,000.00. After very lengthy discussion, Alderman Rainey moved to reduce the yard waste fee to $750,000.00. It was seconded. Motion failed 2-7 Alderman Jean -Baptiste moved to reduce the revenue projection by $50,000.00. Motion was seconded. Motion failed 4-5. Alderman Holmes moved to restore the 5% salary reductions to all managers (below the line cuts). Motion passed 7-2 Alderman Wynne moved to add an additional furlough day (making it a total of five unpaid holidays) resulting in the addition of $180,000.00. Motion passed unanimously. Alderman Holmes moved to restore the two below the line forestry positions. Motion passed 5-4. There was then a very lengthy discussion regarding the library, its endowment fund and the use of the interest from that fund to sustain the library branches for six months. Alderman Rainey questioned the library board's unwillingness to make a contribution to subsidize the operations for six months while private sources generate some kind of fundraising campaign. She talked about a letter the Council received from a former library employee who asks what happens after six months — where will the money come from for maintenance, ADA compliance, etc. Alderman Rainey feels that if the library board is not willing to even make a contribution then the branches should be closed. She asked that those in favor of keeping the branches open to please reconsider. Alderman Wynne stated she too was disappointed in the library board's response but her interpretation was that maybe the board thought they were not legally permitted to use endowment funds and asked if Mary Johns could respond before there was further discussion. I Mary Johns, Library Director, reported that although the endowment funds have been used to supplement a number of aspects such as collections, the board feels that using endowment funds for operating costs was outside the parameters of the intent of the endowment and it is inappropriate to use for operations. Alderman Burrus read some of the library board's February 18th letter to Council. She doesn't understand how they could interpret operations or facilities not to include branch libraries and looked to our legal department for an explanation on how the board can say the endowment can't fund operations or facilities when it is clearly written in the endowment. She also wants to know the name of the ad hoc task force committee and what their relationship is with the board. Grant Farrar, City Attorney, addressed Alderman Burrus' question regarding the board's discretion to use the endowment funds and said although he was not privy to their discussions, he does not see anything in the by-laws of the board that would prevent them from spending those funds on short-term operating costs. He deferred to Ms. Johns for clarification and answers to her other questions. Ms. Johns answered Alderman Burrus' second question by stating the task force is currently made up of two members of the board and four or five citizens but they do hope to increase their membership. Alderman Grover stated that the decision to fund the branches for six months was not predicated on finding funding from the endowment. She said she was pleased to know that a contribution of 121,000.00 was received from the Friends of the Library. Ms. Johns confirmed that a significant amount of money was given through the Friends of the Library for branch renovations and when the Friends of the Library disbanded, those funds were transferred to the library's gift fund with the same stipulations and the donor has indicated that they would be willing to re -direct some of the money. Alderman Rainey questioned the expenditure of over $700,000.00 in the 2007 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. Paul Gottschalk, Library Manager, Administrative Services reported that no use of endowment money was used last year because of the market loss in the endowment. The last major expenditure from the endowment was to support the Youth Services Renovation Proj ect. Alderman Rainey asked for the current balance of the endowment. Mr. Gottschalk replied approximately $2.6 million. Alderman Burrus explained that a grant with restrictions is not a gift. She would like to see the language of the grant and who signed it. She also asked the law department to give Council the definition between a gift and a grant. Alderman Holmes asked about what happens after six months? What is the plan for getting money for renovations and making the south branch ADA compliant? Alderman Fiske wants the task force to come up with a plan to keep the branches open and running and if they don't, she is prepared to close them. le % Alderman Rainey said considering that the cost of operating the branches is about $465,000.00 per year (which includes cleaning but not rent), she does not think the library supporters will be able to come up with anywhere near the money needed to keep the branches operating. Alderman Holmes asked about what the City's responsibilities, as landlord of the north branch, were regarding upkeep and maintenance. City Manager Bobkiewicz responded that it is his understanding that the funds being raised are to supplant tax dollars for the operation of the library so should the libraries remain open, the City would be responsible for normal operations and maintenance just like any other facility the City owns. Alderman Wynne motioned to keep the north and south branch libraries open and provide $168,000.00 for six months. If after six months and one day, the supporters do not develop a sustainable funding system, then they close. Motion was made to call the question. Motion carried unanimously. Alderman Wynne's motion was voted on. It passed 5-4. That concluded discussions on the library issue. Alderman Rainey asked City Manager Bobkiewicz for a preview of the report on the Capital Improvement Plan and if there were any surprises. Mr. Bobkiewicz said there was a huge surprise in that he is proposing spending significantly less on capital. It is currently at $16 million and the final amount is being lowered to $11 million and Council would see it on Monday night. Mayor Tisdahl mentioned she had spent several hours at ETHS and students there asked that the City repair the skateboarding area. She asked Mr. Gaynor to respond. Doug Gaynor, Director, Parks/Forestry/Recreation & Facilities Management said the site of the skateboarding facility, on the east side of the Robert Crown Center, closed because (1) there was no money to make repairs (2) there were liability issues and (3) supervision was required. He said he would report back on what it would cost to open it again. Alderman Burrus stated she believes the location that the Mayor is referring to is near Pooch Park which is a Skokie Park District responsibility. Alderman Wilson motioned to approve the budget as amended. Motion was withdrawn. Meeting adjourned at 1:35 pm. Respectfully submitted Elaine Autwell Deputy City Clerk A DVD recording of this meeting is part of the Permanent Record and is available in the City Clerk's office.