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Home My WebLink AboutMINUTES-2010-02-01-2010F1 CITY OF EVANSTON, ILLINOIS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING Public Hearing FY10-11 Proposed Budget Monday, February 1, 2010 Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center City Council Chambers 2100 Ridge Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201 7:00 P.M. Roll Call: Alderman Grover Alderman Wynne Alderman Rainey Alderman Wilson Alderman Burrus Alderman Holmes Alderman Fiske Alderman Tendam Alderman Jean -Baptiste Quorum was met. Mayor Tisdahl thanked all for coming out to voice their views concerning the budget. She stated in the past few citizens showed up to discuss the budget, but she was glad to see so many tonight and she apologized for the difficult shape the budget is in at this time. She asked the City Manager to discuss the altered time frame for the February 8t' meeting. Mr. Bobkiewicz stated the alternate schedule that was decided at the Rules committee was as follows: 1) At 5:30 PM Administrative & Public Works Committee would meet and at the conclusion of the meeting there would be a fifteen min. break, 2) Next the Planning and Development Committee would meet for as long as it takes, followed by a fifteen minute break, and 3) The Council would meet after the fifteen minute break of the P & D Committee. This will be an attempt to get away from the 8:30 PM start time for the Council meeting. Mr. Bobkiewicz stated no Council meeting will start before 7 PM. Mayor Tisdahl also stated each speaker had only one minute to speak, and please do not repeat what some other speaker has stated before. Just say you agree and move on. 1 2 February 1, 2010 Citizen Comment: The following persons shared their concerns of the proposed cuts of personnel at the Levy Center: Gunnar Forrest, 1230 Florence Patricia Greil, 2731 Elgin Rd. Dorrance Halverson, 1131 Ridge R. Sue Robert, 2627 Central St Charlotte Abarbanell,1919 Washington The following persons shared their concerns for the budget in general: Don Baker,1224 Sherman Ave George P. Mitd-ore,1229 Emerson Jeannie Sanke,1285 Hartrrey Jordan Luhr,156 S. Allegherm Mike Vasilko, 2728 Reese Jonathan Perman, Evanston C.O.C. Junad Rind Betty Ester, 2130 Church Jason Hayes, 712 Dobson Mimi Peterson, 748 Wesley Daniel KWednsld Chris Ernst 1639 Hinman The following persons shared their concerns for the Branch Library cuts: Karen Terry,1114 Judson Ave. Maria Mahoney,1236 Forest Rosalie Z iiomek, 2149 Hartrey Michael Tannen,1010 Elmwood Lori Keenan, 2901 W. Colfax The fbilowing persons shared their concerns of Ecology proposed cuts: Dick Peach,1414 Greenleaf St Cecelia Ungari, 530 Sheridan Rd. Courtney Price, Elizabeth Kinney, 1020 Brummd St The following persons shared their concerns for the dosing of the Dental Clinic: Jadd Davidoff, 816 Monticello Bead Weiss, 2731 Thayer St Mary Larson, 2010 Cleveland St C. Louise Bo m, 212 Dewey Carolyn Murray (Petty Officer) The following persons shared their concerns for the Mental Health cuts: Marcia Achenbach, 711 Rosland Marsha Schloemer,1304 Kirk Barbara Levin, 2726 Simpson St Judith Ramey, 616 Hinman Sue Holbert, 400 Main St. Gerald Gulley, Mental Health Board Kara Sokol,1709 Langston St The IbIlowing persons shared their concerns for the proposed cuts for ECMC, as well as presenting a short video of what ECMC offers: Ada P. Kahn, 2562 Wellington CL Nathaniel Bmwn,1613 Madison Amon McCall Anthony Arnold, 617 Case PI. #3 Chris Sato,1820 Asbury Althea Gregory, 435 Dewey Rena Ranger, 378 N. Overlook Trail Michael Collins,10217 Dearlover Rd. February 1, 2010 Steve Bartlebaugh, Executive Director ECMC The following person shared her concerns for the Life Safety cuts: Cecilia Bieszczath, resides near Oak & Lake The following persons shared their concerns for the AFSCME Fleet Service cuts: George Vail, 7012 Church, Morton Grove Genero Jackson, 2020 Asbury The following person expressed their concerns for the cuts to Community Development: Jim Wolinsld, 2242 Lincolnwood Dr. Ed Julian, 8140 Keating, Skolde The following persons expressed their concerns for the cuts to the Mental Health Department Marsha Schloemer,1304 Kirk Marcia Achenbach The following person voiced his concerns for the cuts in the Forestry Department: Steve Murray, 36228 N. Laurone Dr. Lake Wina The following person expressed his concern for the cuts th Emergency Medical Access: Nicholas A Bilandic, 2756 Garrison The Council reconvened after a short five minute break, atwhtch time the Mayor allowed City Manager Bobkiewicz to explain the purpose for the meeting. Mr. Bobldewicz directed the attention to the various memorandums that were sent ouL He then called Mr. Lyons, Assistant City Manager, to give his report Mr. Lyons discussed the Capital Fund as well as the Fine & Policeman Fund and others. The -I-IF Funds are used help the Parking Funds to be self sufficient as the other funds are. He stated the Dental Services is covered 100% by the employees. Mr: Lyons stated the Capital Improvement Fund accounts for all capital projects, the majority of the projects are funded by issuing debt bonds. He stated there is a substantial reserve in the Capital Fund. In conclusion Mr. Lyons stated the following facts: (1) The General Fund Budget has been impacted the most, (2) Capital Funds will need to be addressed to provide adequate funding, (3) Water & Sewer- Funds will need additional revenues and, (4) Police & Fire Pension funding needs to be addressed at the state level. With comments from the Aldermen concerning the presentation by Mr. Lyons, City Manager Bobkiewicz responded to the concerns. Mr. Bobkiemcz stated he and Staff did not expect Council to give a massive approval, this is just a wish list from Staff. He also stated he was concerned with the amount of debt that the City possesses, being that the debt is already over the Council's debt ceiling of $20,000,000. He stated he did not feel oomfortable with moving ahead and placing an additional $15,000,000 to the budget, because he is really concerned with the amount of debt the City is in. Alderman Rainey motioned to accept the City Manager's proposal to dose the North and South Branch Libraries. Alderman Holmes seconded the motion. The motion entertained the folloWng concerns: 1) The brandies are important for the whole community. 76 February 1, 2010 2) The lack of money to support the branches. 3) We should not be moved by sentimental statements from the citizens. 4) The North branch is a stabilizing factor to the merchants in that area. 5) The north branch is an economic entity for the merchants. 6) There is a task force that has been formed. 7) Lets give the task force one year. 8) We will be coming back next year with the same situation. 9) Doubt the success of the library friends in finding financial support. 10) We have asked the City Manager to come back with a plan. 11) Keep the North Branch building and see what happens in a year. 12) To see the South branch through its lease period. Alderman Rainey amended her pre\Aous motion to hold onto the north branch and decide on the South branch at a later date. Alderman Holmes accepted the amendment and seconded. Roll call vote resulted in a 6 — 3 to dose the branches. The motion passed with Aldermen Wynne, Grover, and Tendam vote against the dosing. Alderman Rainey moved to restore some of the overtime from the a-ts to the Fire Department Alderman Wynne motioned to restore the Dental Clinic and Alderman Holmes seconded the motion. A Roll Call vote was taken with the results of 9 — 0, and the motion passed. Alderman Wilson motioned to accept the City Manager's proposal to cut ECMC budget, with a second from Alderman Grover. Discussion among the Aldermen broughtforvvard these concems: 1) To reduce the arts from the ECMC budget. 2) They could sustain themselves with ttmeir finances. 3) Where is the fat in the budget? 4) Could they have some religious programming? 5) Need to have more clarity. Alderman Wilson made a motion to adjourn this meeting to continue the meeting on Wednesday, February 3, 2010 at 6 PM to continue the discussion. The meeting was dosed at 11:00 PM. Respectfully submitted, Rodney Greene, Cfij Clerk A CD RECORDING OF THIS MEETING CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE CLERK'S OFFICE, ROOM 1200 1 1