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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES-2007-01-31-20073oq 1 1 CITY COUNCIL ROLL CALL - PRESENT: A Quorum was present. NOT PRESENT AT ROLL CALL: ABSENT: PRESIDING: EVq�, kCO 1 Alderman Holmes Alderman Tisdahl Alderman Rainey Alderman Moran Alderman Bernstein Mayor Lorraine H. Morton January 31, 2007 Alderman Hansen Alderman Wollin Alderman Jean -Baptiste Alderman Wynne A SPECIAL MEETING of the City Council was called to order by Mayor Morton Wednesday, January 31, 2007, 7:13 p.m. in the Council Chamber for the purpose of conducting a Budget Review Workshop on the FY 2007-08 Proposed Budget. Announcements Mayor Morton announced the death of Alice Kreiman who had been active through the years as a school board member and steward of the community. Her death is a great loss and she will be deeply missed. Ms. Morton expressed condolences to her husband, children and grandchildren. City Manager Julia Carroll announced this was the fourth budget workshop; noted that staff has presented a balanced budget and a lot of information about the proposed organizational changes, new revenues and reductions in force. She stated that it was time to face the hard decisions that have to be made on this budget, decisions that are neither popular nor easy. Without them the City is facing a long-term financial problem that will only get worse without this first of a three year strategy. There is a $98 million unfunded public safety pension liability that must be addressed. Staff has kept that out of the current budget discussions because the solution requires a lot of thought, discussion with bond counsel, financial advisers and rating agencies. As promised staff will have a proposal to Council before March 31. Council needs to keep all these liabilities in mind because they are not going to decrease and property taxes that fund pension liabilities will likely increase over the years. She knows that many of them do not want to raise property taxes. That was why she has taken a calculated approach to putting this budget together to try and set the course for a strong financial future so that they don't continue to struggle to balance the budget each year. They must get expenditures in line with revenues. She was concerned about employees affected by this budget. They are a month away from people losing their jobs if it is passed. She felt those employees deserve to know what the future holds for them. It was for that reason she put two key decisions on the agenda that evening for discussion and hoped they could reach a final resolution. The first was on transfer of clinical health services to community providers. A reasonable plan has been put'together to transition these services through July 1. They have worked with the hospitals and continue to work with other providers. They have allowed themselves another four months into the new fiscal year to facilitate this transition. However, if it takes longer than that to find providers for services, they have her commitment that staff will come back to Council and advise them before the transition period ends. The second area is a discussion and decision on the Early Retirement Incentive (ERI) and remaining employee reductions in force. The ERI and reductions in force are linked in that some to be laid off are eligible for the ERI. It is important those employees know where Council stands on this important issue. As proposed, two revenues are necessary to balance the budget and a decision on those two revenues will facilitate the operation of the Public Works Department, particularly regarding yard waste. Staff was present to answer Council's questions and help them come to some decisions. She asked the Mayor to ask the Council to conduct a straw vote on these important items so they can help employees prepare for the transitions that face them. There are short presentations on each of the areas staff wanted to share to lay out issues and current status. 310 2 January 31, 2007 Mayor Morton thanked City Manager Carroll for her presentation. It was good for staff and the community to hear again what she is trying to do. She noted it takes more time because they are covering things they haven't in the past. Transfer of Health Dent. Services to Communitv Providers Health & Human Services Director Jay Terry reported that Evanston Hospital and St. Francis Hospital would each provide half of the school physicals and immunizations currently done by the City Health Department. The City is coordinating the sign up for the State of Illinois All Kids Program. Written commitment letters were included in the Council packet. Adult flu vaccine will be handled by Evanston Hospital at four clinic sites. Dominick's has indicated they would provide flu shots at all senior housing locations. Both hospitals have agreed to solicit area professionals to conduct community vision and hearing screenings. Staff will continue to work with the Childcare Network of Evanston to help child care providers identify who those providers are. The Audiology Department at Northwestern University is being contacted for hearing testing. The Family Case Management program is the home visiting program. He spoke with the Illinois Department of Human Services this week. This is a major state service grant and the state will take the lead in identifying the service provider to be in place by July 1. Possible providers were suggested and soon a community meeting will be held for agencies that may be interested in providing that service. Family planning is state funded also and the state is interested in finding a provider. The City is working in tandem with the state, recognizing it is a local priority. There are ongoing discussions with local providers and the state identified one or two possible providers. They will work together to have a provider in place by July 1. Sexually Transmitted Disease Testing and Treatment can be obtained through hospital clinical services but staff is trying to find another provider who can provide extra access to testing. They look forward to coming back to see how STD testing and treatment is working out. Alderman Tisdahl reported that St. Athanasius wants help to provide vision and hearing screening and asked that Childcare Network contact them. Mr. Terry assured her they would. Ms. Carroll asked for a commitment to fund these services through July 1 with the understanding that if a provider has not been found for any of them by mid -May, staff would return to let Council know where they are and modify the budget if necessary. It was important to start transition plans and communication so the community knows what is going on. Alderman Wollin moved to accept the Health Department's transition plan with the enumerated agencies, with the contingency that staff would come back in May if service providers have not been found. Seconded by Alderman Rainey. Alderman Jean -Baptiste confirmed that the budget would be modified and asked where the funds would come from. Ms. Carroll responded that it depends on which program. The programs left have the lowest cost. They could come back with a proposal to go into General Fund Reserves, verify where they are with revenues and possibly use current revenues. Alderman Jean -Baptiste asked for the current cost of the programs. Ms. Carroll stated that was given at the Health & Human Services presentation in October. A budget memo would be provided. She asked for conceptual approval and was confident they will find providers. Mr. Terry said the negotiations have been based on the premise that the City's budget would not reimburse for anything. They have tried to do this at no cost to the City. There may be providers that, for a slight reimbursement, would enter into an arrangement. Those costs would be significantly less than the direct service provision model they have now. Ms. Carroll noted the state would take care of two programs and a provider would be found for the third program. She was concerned about Health Department employees who are eligible for the ERI. If their services run through July, they need to know what will happen. Alderman Rainey asked if there was any discussion with Evanston Hospital about family planning. Mr. Terry recalled they had discussions, but family planning is not a separate and distinct service provided by that hospital. If one has a relationship with a physician, the doctor writes prescriptions for family planning pharmaceuticals. It would require them to initiate something different from what they do now. Mayor Morton thought there were other agencies that do family planning. Mr. Terry stated that Access Health Care (on the other side of Howard St.) has family planning services available. Evanston residents take advantage of Planned Parenthood in Chicago. The state identified at least one agency that does not now supply family planning but may be interested in doing it. Alderman Wollin noted that most colleges 3 3 January 31, 2007 provide family planning services and HIV testing. Those who attend Oakton Community College or are emeritus students may take advantage of those services. Mayor Morton confirmed there is HIV testing at the high school. Voice vote. motion carried unanimously. Early Retirement Incentive Proeram Human Resource Director Judith Witt presented the highlights; noted the ten-year cost analysis was based upon 51 employees who indicated a non -binding interest in the program. It was based on ERI cost, which is an individual cost given to the City by the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF). Based upon projected salary savings of positions that could be eliminated, replaced at a significantly lower salary or replaced at the same range but at a hiring salary that is lower to start, there are benefit savings through lower Social Security, Medicare and IMRF costs. For positions eliminated there would be lower health insurance costs. Replacement employees earn less vacation than more senior staff. Savings on those 51 positions was equivalent to two man years for every year of the ten amortization period. Recapping the cost and savings, ERI costs of the 51 people are $6.8 million; salary savings for those positions are $9.5 million; benefit savings $1.5 million; insurance savings $1.2 million for a net savings of just under $5.5 million over ten years and just over a half million savings each year. Mayor Morton asked if any employees had indicated an interest in the program. Ms. Witt stated an information meeting was held in December where employees were asked to submit non -binding interest. There is considerable interest by employees about the status of the program. Alderman Rainey wanted to be sure that if Council approved the program, that job elimination and early retirement were separate. Yes. The manager's proposed job eliminations are there. The analysis for ERI was done separately. Some people whose jobs are proposed for elimination are eligible for ERI. Alderman Wynne asked whether ERI can only be offered once every ten years. Ms. Witt explained the normal amortization period for ERI is ten years. The City can do it in less than ten years. However, IMRF will not allow another until the first is paid off. Alderman Wynne confirmed that, essentially, this is a one-time offer. Alderman Holmes had asked for the timeline on this. Ms. Carroll said she misspoke on Saturday; that for people proposed for reduction in force by February 28, if ERI is passed, it would be unfair to lay them off if they are eligible to participate in ERI just four months later. They need to be employed up to the window period and why it became more important to determine ERI. People need time to make a decision. They have to pay for their own health insurance. Some may want to find another job or work part time. It is not a decision to be taken lightly. Alderman Jean -Baptiste asked about notice to employees. Ms. Witt stated the requirement is a one-year window period, which is July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008, and 104 employees are eligible for ERI. In order to plan ahead, to replace positions, they have a required 60-day notice for employees and 120 days for senior management staff. They have discussed an incentive to get an indication before May of when an employee will leave during the year. The notice period is fine unless most decide they will go June 30 and cannot delay their retirement past the window. If they get binding notices now, they can deal with dates within that window. Mayor Morton praised Ms. Witt's memo. She asked if Council can make up a plan. Ms. Witt explained that IMRF, as part of their state statute, has the window plan the City has to comply with. It is the one-year window period, amortization period and the resolution Council has to adopt. There are certain variations the City can require for a binding notice and no union requirements. Alderman Tisdahl asked what savings were anticipated this year, if any. Ms. Witt noted there are eight months of the window in the upcoming fiscal year and four in the next. She could prepare an estimate. Alderman Holmes thought they had to be able to separate the budget and the ERI. Ms. Carroll said staff looked at how they could lower personnel costs and one way is to incentavize more highly paid employees to retire. Those are two separate issues and they will see savings in the second and third years. During the first year, people will retire at different times, so the savings would not be the full $542,000. This is an estimate based upon the 51 employees who indicated interest in the ERI. It could be different depending on who retires and if more or fewer retire. They tried to look at this as setting up lower costs for the future by lowering salary costs. To make it work, they have to look at some position eliminations and she thought it came out to about seven positions. It is part of the overall purpose of looking at productivity, efficiency and using technology in the future. This helps highly paid people with longevity, more vacation and other things leave and who are replaced by people at a lower salary cost. 3 � Z 4 January 31, 2007 Alderman Rainey thought if the ERI is not linked to eliminating positions or replacing employees with lower cost people, she did not see how they could look at the ERI program and think about it in terms of savings. She did not think they all understood this is a cost -saving measure. Ms. Witt stated none of the proposed savings are figured into the 2007-08 budget. This is for year two and year three. Alderman Moran moved approval of the ERI program. Seconded by Alderman Wollin. Alderman Jean -Baptiste asked how many employees scheduled for layoff are eligible for ERI. Ms. Witt stated there are six employees on the job elimination list who are eligible for ERI. Mayor Morton asked if what the City is doing is similar in the corporate world. Ms. Witt stated this is similar to corporate downsizing. IMRF allows the City to do this and the purpose is cost savings. Alderman Rainey stated they always have had indexes of budget memos and asked that those be provided. Voice vote. motion carried unanimouslv. Proposed Fee Increases Public Works Director David Jennings stated there are two proposed fees related to sanitation services. One is the yard waste sticker program in Ordinance 5-0-07, which establishes a yard waste fee of $1.50 per bag. The other is a sanitation service charge, formerly the recycling charge of $3.72 per month, and to be replaced with a sanitation service charge at $5 per month. When Sanitation Superintendent Suzette Eggleston came, one of her first assignments was to review the Sanitation Division's operation in depth to identify operating efficiencies and look long-range on how they could do a better job at lower cost. She did and that analysis is in a series of 12 recommendations presented at a Budget Policy Committee meeting and further discussed at the meeting in November at the Levy Center. These are items 6 and 7 from that list. Costs in the sanitation budget were running a little more than $4.5 million and consist of refuse collection and disposal, recycling and yard waste. The yard waste program would implement a sticker program to offset the cost of yard waste. At one time they had a bag program. Now the common way to do this is through a sticker program. In the SWANCC area, 9 of 23 municipalities charge for this service. Fees range from $1.25 to $2.25. Evanston recommends $1.50 with the average at $1.80. The revenue impact would be about $200,000, which is about a third of the cost. The other program is the Sanitation Service Charge proposal. This re -designates the recycling fee of $3.72 a month to $5 per month sanitation service charge. The benefits, in addition to increasing revenues, will offset the cost include removing the appearance of penalizing people who recycle. Refuse and recycling go hand in hand. If the waste stream can be reduced by putting it into recycling there is no additional cost and actually a savings. Recycling is done on a fee basis, so people are not charged for putting more in the recycling bin. The more garbage that is put in the waste stream, the higher the cost to the City due to disposal costs. Currently, the City charges people for recycling and wants them to recycle more. It was thought that it would be better to charge them for sanitation. It is a subtle difference. Make recycling free and charge for sanitation. Alderman Rainey confirmed the recycling charge is by household. If thousands of households do not recycle, those who do recycle pay for those who don't. Currently a little more than half of the SWANCC communities charge for solid waste collection and disposal. The average charge is $13.72 per household per month and ranges up to $22. No community does a partial offset. Currently people either pay a sanitation fee or through their property taxes. The revenue impact is about $300,000 a year. The fees proposed for the yard waste sticker and sanitation service charge are about $500,000. Staff recommends establishing the fee and approving the two ordinances that were introduced at the last Council meeting. Alderman Wynne asked if someone buys a yard waste cart for about $85, how long would it take to pay for the cart. Mr. Jennings stated there are many variables. The City does not recommend stickers be used on yard waste carts. He thought they would start the program with people who use their carts at no charge. Stickers would be sold at the City Collector's office and at multiple retail outlets in the community. 312 5 January 31, 2007 Alderman Wynne asked the advantage of making the sanitation service charge separate on the water bill; why not put it on the property tax so people could deduct it. Ms. Carroll said it is more equitable in a couple of ways. She thinks the City is headed toward a volume -based garbage charge. The base fee of $5 is as low as anybody would get. Looking at volume -based garbage fees over time would be the way to incentivize people to recycle. They have to think about the business community, which already pays taxes at a much higher rate and pays for 100% of its garbage cost. She saw this as an equity issue between residential and business. That is why staff has recommended a partial offset. Alderman Wynne suggested if they really want to incentivize people to recycle, so the City does not have to pay disposal fees, they should look at what other communities have been doing for some time. In Seattle garbage is weighed and residents pay based upon weight. She wanted a "best practices" program to encourage more people to recycle. Mr. Jennings said a couple of initiatives already have been approved for pilot programs to get people who do not recycle at all and increase recycling in areas where people already recycle. Ms. Eggleston has been to SWANNC and they have information packets. They will do the pilot programs, which he thought would lead to using large bins with wheels for much more capacity. Right now if people have too much recycling the excess goes into the garbage. When people have a larger recycling container, there is more incentive to recycle. Long term, with volume -based garbage, a certain amount is free and anything above has a sticker and the household is charged for the garbage they put out. Yard waste cans will continue to sold. Alderman Rainey thought the $5 sanitation fee was inequitably distributed because those who have lots of garbage pay the same as those who have little garbage. She asked what effect would "C" tickets on recycling. At what point do they require people to recycle. Mr. Jennings said a law would have to be passed and have penalties for not recycling. There is no legal requirement to recycle. Recycling has been done voluntarily by people. The City has been recycling for more than 20 years. Alderman Rainey said when the water bills goes to a 100-unit apartment building would there be a $5 charge on each unit. If their garbage is picked up by a City -sponsored collector, yes. Alderman Moran said that SWANNC has done a number of studies on recycling. In communities where the larger bins are used, more people recycle. Ms. Carroll said a straw poll would be helpful as Mr. Jennings has to order stickers, distribute them and promote this. Mayor Morton asked about the size of recycling bins. Mr. Jennings stated that currently, the City uses 14-18 gallon bins and will work toward a recycling program with at least a 65 gallon cart on wheels. They would be next to the garbage cart. The carts would have lids so that contents would not blow out and would be free. Alderman Tisdahl understood the sympathy toward the business community but had difficulty feeling sorry for people who live in $3 million homes with one sack of garbage; asked how much would this hit business if this was put on the property tax. Alderman Wollin confirmed that they were just calculating the $1.28 because taxpayers already pay $3.72 a month. The increment generates the $300,000. Alderman Wollin said there is an alternative to having yard waste picked up. Some homeowners compost or mulch all their yard waste. $1.28 per month per household was not onerous. Alderman Rainey said it is the $5 a month and next year $7 a month. They cannot look at this in a vacuum. Alderman Rainey said when they start adding on fees, it starts to be too much. If they put the garbage tax on the property tax bill she would support it. The reason they started adding fees onto the water bill was so they could capture payments from Northwestern University. There is no need to put this fee on. Those with modest incomes can at least deduct it from their income tax. People are being nickel and dimed but she did not believe in getting rid of parking meters. Mr. Grady said on an $8,000 tax bill, the increase in property tax would be $14 a year. On a $10,000 tax bill it would be an additional $17. Alderman Wynne moved approval of the yard waste sticker program. Seconded by Alderman Moran. Mayor Morton confirmed that people with yard waste cans would not have to buy stickers. Voice vote, motion carried. Alderman Wynne moved that the sanitation service fee be put on the property tax and not on the water bills. Seconded by Alderman Rainey. 3(. q 6 January 31, 2007 Alderman Holmes asked if this included the $3.72 recycling charge. Alderman Wynne confirmed it would be the $5 sanitation fee because it could be deducted from the property tax bill; asked for the impact of this change. Ms. Carroll explained she was talking about adding $800,000 to the property tax bill, not just $300,000. Alderman Rainey pointed out that garbage collection does not cost $800,000 more dollars. Ms. Carroll noted that $828,000 was budgeted for recycling in the 2007-08 Budget. That is the $3.72 recycling fee. What was proposed was an increase in the fee of $1.28 to give the City $300,000 more to offset the solid waste charge in total. If they don't want the $3.72 to continue, then they have to make up $800,000. Alderman Rainey thought the charge should be on the tax bill. Alderman Wynne was willing to modify her motion to just the $1.28 on the tax bill with the understanding in the next few years they need to think of more ways to get more people to recycle and go to a volume -based garbage charge. The City is losing money and paying for waste disposal. Ms. Carroll agreed; noted the pilot programs address this issue. They need to have a smaller refuse cart and a larger recycling cart and would move in that direction if that is the consensus of Council. Alderman Jean -Baptiste would rather see the $300,000 on the tax bill and not add $800,000 to the tax bill. Alderman Moran said they were talking about adding $15 annually to a household. On the tax bill it would save $3 or $4. This year they are coming to grips with the systemic deficits with alternate approaches. Currently they have tried to increase revenues and decrease costs where they can. He thought it moves them toward a more reality based approach to match up costs and revenues. Perhaps they will find a better way in the next few years. Alderman Wollin confirmed that Alderman Jean-Baptiste's idea is to add the $1.28 to the tax bill but leave the $3.72 charge for recycling on the water bill. Alderman Jean -Baptiste did not think they had taken all the necessary steps to balance the budget. In response to Mayor Morton, Ms. Carroll explained there is no increase proposed for the sewer rate. The $3.72 appears on the water bill and the $1.28 would be a refuse fee. The $300,000 raised from the refuse fee would be put on the tax bill if Council agrees. Alderman Rainey did not know what it tells somebody about the cost of collecting garbage to put a $10 charge on their water bill. When people look at their tax bill they know they receive fire/police and other services and what it costs to run the City. She did not think it told people the reality of the cost of sanitation collection and disposal. If the City charges $5 a month that will cost every household $60 a year. If on the tax bill it would cost less. She supported putting the entire $5 a month on the tax bill. Alderman Moran referred to the differential between the business and residential taxes; reminded them that every time they bump up the property tax that increases the cost of doing business in Evanston. When they increase the property tax, they bump up the residents 16 cents and the businesses 38 cents. Alderman Wynne changed her motion to put the increment of $1.28 on the tax bill. Seconded Alderman Jean - Baptiste. Motion carried. Alderman Tisdahl noted that the Human Services Committee voted to recommend an additional $15,000 requested by the Mental Health Board. Alderman Moran moved approval. Seconded by Alderman Jean -Baptiste. Voice vote, motion carried unanimously. Alderman Rainey asked the Human Services Committee to give Council the gist of that discussion. Alderman Tisdahl explained that for many years funding for the Mental Health Board has not increased and the board has funded many wonderful organizations, so they wanted to correct that downward trend. Alderman Moran explained these are purchase of service contracts where the City commits funds to social service agencies that deliver many social services here. There has been no revenue increase for 12 years. It is around $890,000 annually. When that number was adjusted for inflation, they found they have been funding social services at the level of 1986, which bears examination. A $15,000 increase is a small gesture, but needed to show a renewed commitment to social service funding. Alderman Wollin asked if this includes new agencies. Jay Terry explained when the Mental Health Board went through their fall funding process they received requests far in excess of what was available. At the end they felt they had gone through a discerning process and identified a funding request that was $15,000 higher than last year's allocation. Last year they voted not to fund the Youth Job Center and with improvements are recommending funding this year. There is a new collaborative program with the high school from Center for Independent Futures. Last year they did not fund the social work component of the Evanston Community Defender but this year have allocated funds for that program. Some other agencies received small cost of doing business increases. The $15,000 will be spread among a number of agencies. 31� 7 January 31, 2007 Alderman Rainey noticed in the yard waste budget page 265, it was budgeted for $100,000 less; asked why regular pay has decreased by $95,000. Ms. Carroll said two equipment operator positions were eliminated. Were they filled during 2006-07 — yes. How would that impact the yard waste program? Mr. Jennings recalled taking one from yard waste and one from refuse collection. The proposed two job eliminations in Streets & Sanitation were presented when they did the program review. Ms. Eggleston combined some functions so they could give up those positions. Alderman Rainey noted the City will ask residents to pay more, when it costs the City almost $100,000 less. Ms. Carroll stated the fee was suggested so that property taxes would not be raised. Alderman Rainey asked if staff had ever thought seriously of getting rid of the compost pile. Could that $130,000 be transferred to disposal fees? Mr. Jennings said at the end of February they will bring a report on composting. One solution is to eliminate the compost site, but they still have to deal with the material and there are disposal costs. Ms. Eggleston and Alderman Hansen have worked on that. On the sanitation question, in October, staff showed the current structure and the reorganized business district where they will combine refuse and litter pickup. With that and other efficiencies, they went from 18.5 to 16.5 employees. Mayor Morton asked Mr. Grady about the $350,000 the City received from Northwestern University, money promised when Northwestern University took 1800 Sherman off the tax rolls. For each of three years the City was to receive $350,000. She thought it would go into the General Fund.; suggested it might continue. Ms. Carroll explained the City has received two payments of $350,000 and the money is in an Escrow Account awaiting direction from Council on how to use. Staff believed it would be better to spend it on capital, as they don't know if it would continue. Ms. Carroll would not use it for operating expenses. Library EmDlovees — Proposed Personnel Additions Alderman Rainey asked why library employees are needed when they are doing early retirements, laying off people, and charging people more for doing less. She thought the library has been attended to and they were keeping the branch libraries. She urged them to hold off hiring until next year. From budget memo #22, page 16, Alderman Rainey moved that the teen librarian at $26,425, the adult services collection librarian increase of $35,216 and the children's library assistant at $14,423, roughly $76,000, be removed from the budget and that special attention be given to these positions next year. Seconded by Alderman Holmes. Alderman Jean -Baptiste asked for a presentation on the three positions. Library Director Neal Ney stated they talked about this during the program review in the fall. All positions are part of the Essential Staffing Plan that was prepared in 1974 and have been proposed a number of times before this year. The teen position was mentioned in the Capital Improvements Plan. The intent is to take a part-time position and make it full time. This librarian would be charge of collections and oversee the new teen room. They would transfer two part-time reader advisers to the teen area. The intent is to have that area open all the hours that they could reasonably expect teenagers to be in the library. There would be after school hours, weekends, holidays, summer, and vacation periods. If they don't fill this position, they need to make a fairly significant adjustment in how they use the space; reduce hours open by about 25% and a have a part-time person oversee that program. The other two positions are related to collection development. The now part-time adult collection librarian would become full time. He noted that the Arlington Heights library spends as much time during one day as Evanston does in a week on collection management. This would mean going from a 20-hour position to one 37.5 hour position. The idea is to free the two professionals who do most of the selection work to reduce the amount of time they spend at the service desk so they have more time for collection development. In his 14 years of employment here, the desire to do a better job of collection management has come up many times from staff and the library board. Alderman Tisdahl agreed the positions are needed and asked Alderman Rainey to amend her motion to leave the teen librarian in because of the Youth Initiative. Alderman Rainey amended the motion to include the $19,100 and $7,425 for health insurance to make that position full time effective June 1. Alderman Holmes, who had seconded the motion, did not accept the amendment. Alderman Moran noted the Mr. Ney felt that adding these positions was more significant than keeping the branch libraries open. He stated that what Evanston spends on library services in comparison with other communities is woefully low; cited statistics on library personnel versus other communities. After the most basic services, Evanston needs to catch up on library funding. He advocated funding the three positions. 31L 8 January 31, 2007 Alderman Hansen did not think positions would be added to the budget unless they added efficiencies and something for the people. She recalled Mr. Ney told them that the library needed more full-time positions. She noted they will spend money at the library to renovate children and teen's services. They have started the Youth Initiative and made it a priority in the strategic plan. If they don't fund these positions, they won't be going in the direction they have told the library they want to go, which is to improve services for teenagers and children. She supported the three new positions. Alderman Holmes supported the library but thought Evanston does not have the same tax base as Arlington Heights, Skokie or Oak Park. If they want keep the branch libraries, she did not see how they could fund the positions. Alderman Wynne asked Mr. Grady the cost of having these three positions on an $8,000 tax bill. It would cost $5 a year on an $8,000 tax bill. She knew positions would be cut and understood that staff has looked at what the service was and cut judiciously. For years, Evanston's library has lagged behind neighboring communities. Evanston built a magnificent library and, by not funding all the positions, they continue to have a beautiful building without necessary resources. Teens are some of the highest users of library services. She stated that they have to fund these essential positions. Alderman Wollin supported funding the three positions; noted the teen section will be moved to a different floor. They have to staff that area and monitor teenagers. The City is talking about a Youth Initiative, which she believed to be essential. She recalled starting the Fund for Excellence, which has been successful. They have put off for years getting enough people to put the collection out there. They have had huge donors from the community and now need to show them that they are ready to step up to the plate. When they built the library, people said it was the community's responsibility to build the library, but when it comes to books people are willing to donate. Alderman Rainey urged Council to stop looking at each item in a vacuum. She had no problem with including a teen librarian. The library cannot be all things to all people; suggested it would have to get along with a little less. All the arguments are valid to some extent. Alderman Jean -Baptiste noted that Neal Ney is an expert in library science yet, he has not heard Mr. Ney speak about serving the underserved. Access to books in other parts of the City has stagnated or has retreated. He urged them to look at this in totality. To him the best allocation of funds would be to get an initiative from Mr. Ney on how they could better serve the underserved. The Youth Initiative part of that is to serve those who haven't been served. All youth need some attention. He proposed that the $15,000 allocated to the Mental Health Board be contributed toward the library. Alderman Moran said they could not work on establishment of a west side branch now, but was willing to work on it over time. Part of that feeling is his belief in the value of library services. He urged them to make a statement on services to teenagers, children and lifelong education and pursue it to its final conclusion. Neal Ney and the library board have reported on the many efforts on outreach to people without direct access to a library. This involves bringing kids to the main library and programs at the branches. As the library services empower library users, Council has the opportunity that evening to empower Neal Ney, his staff and the library board to do what they are talking about, getting teen services, children services and the collections up to scale. Mayor Morton asked, when the proposal was made to build out the structures in the library, was staffing included. Mr. Ney said the funding is entirely separate. On their proposals for capital improvements they were asked to include any staffing changes. Staffing was included for library services. They are under budget on capital improvements at the library. Furniture is part of the approved budget. Alderman Wollin said libraries are the most democratic institutions in the City. People can use the Internet and there is job training. She wanted Mr. Ney to describe the current outreach programs. Mr. Ney stated they have a Children Services outreach librarian. When the library adopted its own strategic plan, a part of that was Focus on Youth. The second step was to address facilities. They hired Rick Kennebrew for that position, sat and identified the areas with the lowest use in town. His job was to increase library use in those areas. He works with volunteers who deliver deposit collections to day care facilities and Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center. There are programs with the schools; every kindergarten class in the City to get a library card for each child; works with groups to arrange trips to the library, deposit collections at the YMCA, after school care programs, a grant with Evanston Community Foundation and Childcare 317 9 January 31, 2007 Center for project LEAP, basically educating child care providers about literacy and library use. The teen services librarian visits the middle schools to promote teen reading materials and to get youth into the library. He recalled that Rick's contacts annually are in the thousands. The early childhood position would work in outreach. Mr. Ney stated the library had a grant in 1994 to purchase materials in Spanish. They had Spanish lessons for staff members and have a number of staff who are fluent in Spanish. Alderman Wynne had asked librarians at South Branch to list all their outreach programs; asked that it be produced again. Alderman Wynne said adding the three positions would cost $4 a year on an $8000 tax bill or $1 per household. She noted that Alderman Feldman used to say that the budget reflected the values of the community. Alderman Rainey stated if this budget reflects the values of the community, they needed to rethink that because dissolving the Human Relations Department is not a value of the community. She said the library currently operates without these three positions and was willing to make the teen librarian a full-time position. Evanston will maintain the branches and most communities don't have them. The other two positions could be added next year. Alderman Rainey said the original motion was to eliminate all three positions, which was seconded by Alderman Holmes. Alderman Rainey wanted to amend the motion to fund just the teenage librarian but Alderman Holmes would not second it. Voice vote, motion failed. Alderman Rainey moved to eliminate the two positions from the library budget with a total cost of $49,648. The motion was seconded. Roll call. Voting aye — Tisdahl, Rainey, Jean -Baptiste. Voting nay — Holmes, Moran, Hansen, Wollin, Wymme. Motion failed (3-5). Alderman Moran moved that the three suggested positions at the library be added to the budget. Seconded by Alderman Wynne. Roll call. Voting aye — Moran, Tisdahl, Hansen, Wollin, Wynne. Voting nay — Holmes, Rainey, Jean -Baptiste. Motion carried (5-3). Mayor Morton suggested that Council members submit any questions they have in writing to staff. Citizen Comment Lori Keenan. 2214 Colfax St., thanked those who support branch libraries. The branches serve the community that cannot make it to the main library; circulation may be down due to Internet use. It is a virtual world and nice to have a place to go in the community that offers so much more than books. She frequently visits the North Branch Library and sees a woman in a wheelchair there; asked what her life would be like without that library. She thought people who support the north and south branches would support a west branch library. She showed a picture of the Brownie troop, where each girl had given a reason why they loved the North Branch. This library serves children from Kingsley, Haven, and Lincolnwood schools. As they consider the vision for Central Street, this library serves as an anchor and the public regardless of race, age, ability or net worth and stands for what Evanston is about. Richard Peach, 1414 Greenleaf St., operates a business at 2001 Dempster St. He was pleased with the budget the manager has presented; said it was long overdue. He has witnessed this process for more than eight years and said it's a breath of fresh air to actually see something being done in the right direction to bring fiscal responsibility. Alderman Moran mentioned keeping the business community in mind. He watched as they added to the 6.5% increase they propose a small fee for recycling/garbage collection. As a business owner, that 6.5% on a home is $128.On his little business with eight employees, that is almost a $1,000 more on his property tax bill. They are almost forcing him out of town. Now they want to add refuse collection, which he pays for separately. He found that offensive; supports recycling and is president of Keep Evanston Beautiful. When they speak of minor increases to an $8,000 or $10,000 residential tax bill, keep in mind that his little business already pays nearly $1,000 a week in property taxes. Sig 10 January 31, 2007 Mary Rosinski. 1729 Chancellor Ave., brought her children who wanted to speak on keeping the branch libraries, which reflect the values of this community. Evanston has always prided itself on being educationally oriented. It gives a sense of community when they try to create neighborhoods where people feel comfortable. She suggested they look at creating a west branch library for that underserved area. If they bring the Civic Center to the west side, they might consider putting a branch library in the Civic Center; suggested they renovate the branch libraries. Emma Rosinski said she does her homework at the library. Judith Treadwav, 226 Callan Ave., stated that everybody has garbage but not everybody recycles. It is harmful to those who are committed to recycling to be charged more for this service. She wanted to know that residents are charged based upon the number of households, not who recycles. She suggested a mandatory recycling ordinance or charge people who do not recycle. She asked if the $3.72 would go to sanitation and the $1.28 would be on the tax bill. She commended the yard waste program. She favored a "pay as you go" fee. If they value branch libraries, why don't they have one on the west side? They will spend $2 million for renovation of the main library and three employees. Almost $500,000 will go to renovate the branch libraries, so why can they not have a west side branch. That is not equitable. A study told them who is underserved and a policy to serve the people on the west side ought to come from that study. Doree Stein. 505 Hinman Ave., spoke about health care and the elimination of clinical services at the City. She stated the clinic at Evanston Hospital does not really reflect the values of Evanston. This summer she tried to get in June. Eventually she spent a month in a nursing home. She has been to that clinic many times. Because of her persistence, she got a test yesterday and a biopsy. She now has cataracts due to taking steroids. It should not take months and months after having her physician and City staff call the clinic to get in. She thanked the City and believed she was alive because of the City staff. Last year, she had a hard time navigating the Medicare Drug Program and testified to her congresswoman. She signed up and it did not work. She could not get medication. She wound up in a nursing home with no hot water in her room for a week. When she got to the nursing home, it was not clean. The Evanston clinic personnel are nice. She urged them to remember that lives are involved. Karen Terrv. 1114 Judson Ave. thanked Council for funding the three positions at the main library and for the branch libraries. Junad Rizki, 2627 Ridge Ave., spoke about vacant space in the Sherman Plaza garage that appears not to be rented. It appears the flooring was not finished. He wanted to know what is going on. This is rental property that should be generating income. He felt they should not renovate the main library. He believed a children's library should be built on the west side. He did not think they would serve children downtown because they cannot get there. They need to look at why residents go to other communities for library service. In December he asked for construction drawings on the library renovation. He was interested in how this project is being run. Alderman Rainey asked that the drawings requested by Mr. Rizki be made available to him. There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Morton asked for a motion to adjourn and the Council so moved at 10:17 p.m. Mary P. Morris, City Clerk A videotape recordine of this meetine has been made nart of the permanent record and is available in the Citv Clerk's office. 1