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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES-2007-01-20-2007.ZgS 4OF Eo s CITY COUNCIL * * January 20, 2007 ca ROLL CALL - PRESENT: Alderman Jean -Baptiste Alderman Tisdahl Alderman Holmes Alderman Hansen A Quorum was present. Alderman Wollin NOT PRESENT AT ROLL CALL: Aldermen Wynne, Bernstein, Moran, Rainey PRESIDING: Mayor Lorraine H. Morton A SPECIAL MEETING of the City Council was called to order by Mayor Morton on Saturday, January 20, 2007, at 8:37 a.m. in the Aldermanic Library for the purpose of conducting a Budget Review Workshop on the FY 2007-08 Proposed Budget. At 8:37 a.m., Alderman Wollin moved that Council convene into Closed Session for the purpose of discussing matters related to personnel pursuant to 5 Illinois Compiled Statutes 120/2 (c ) (1). Seconded by Alderman Hansen. 2. All meetings of public bodies shall be public meetings except for the following: (1) The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee to determine its validity. Roll call. Voting aye -- Jean -Baptiste, Holmes, Tisdahl, Hansen, Wollin. Voting nay —none. Motion carried (5-0). At 9:32 a.m. Alderman Rainey moved to convene into Open Session in the Council Chamber. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously. Alderman Bernstein asked if the health services cuts at Cook County would have any impact on Health Department cuts at the City. Health & Human Services Director Jay Terry said there is no direct impact. County funds are for lead paint abatement and mosquito intervention during the summer. The Cook County President's budget calls for closure of 16 of 26 clinics they operate. Most are located in the south suburbs. Alderman Jean -Baptiste asked to put branch libraries back on the table because the City has central library services. The approach to cutting services in the Health Department is that other institutions can provide those services; urged they be consistent; wished to maintain services and jobs. In various departments and divisions, where individual jobs would be cut, he asked whether it was proper to address cutbacks at an Executive Session. Mayor Morton stated it was the responsibility of the City Manager to maintain her staff. Alderman Jean -Baptiste agreed, but noted staffing is related to service. He suggested that Council have the opportunity to probe further. City Manager Julia Carroll confirmed that he wanted an Executive Session about proposed personnel cuts. Alderman Jean -Baptiste wanted to see the impact of personnel cuts on services. Ms. Carroll has a list and will discuss with legal counsel. Alderman Tisdahl stated Council took the library branches off the table due to quality -of -life issues. Alderman Jean - Baptiste asked for a budget memo. Alderman Rainey asked for a public discussion about adding two library employees when they are proposing layoffs. She found that difficult to support; could not understand the memo on staffmg. In memorandum #15 Sanitation Service, page 37 charges where the refuse charge is to households, she could not tell whether it was municipal or private garbage collection. Public Works Director David Jennings stated it was by municipality as to which is contracted out or municipal. Alderman Rainey asked how people were billed. In most cases they are billed directly. She pointed out that Evanston residents pay property taxes, fees and licenses to cover the cost of sanitation. Other communities pay a private hauler. Ms. Carroll thought they would be paying for a service for which the City does not charge presently. An answer will be provided. Alderman Holmes asked for a breakdown and more detail on auto allowances. Z s� 2 January 20, 2007 Insurance Fund Presentation Finance Director Matt Grady announced that page 459 in the budget would be changed. In 2003, staff recommended and Council approved an insurance funding strategy. It was not included and will be in the packet next Thursday. He would update Council on the insurance fund strategy. There would be no impact on property taxes. Alderman Rainey asked how the numbers would change on page 459. Expenditures will increase to $3.3 million and revenues will $3.9 million. Facilities Management Assistant City Manager Rolanda Russell reported that staff examined how the City delivers services; made recommendations and modifications for a more efficient organization. Afterward, they wanted to be sure staff was aware of any gaps or reduction in services to citizens. Each department director was asked to present a transition plan to look at current operations and prepare for fiscal changes next year. Staff was asked to look at all tasks of the position to be eliminated. Then they were to ensure that the individuals within the organization had the skills to do the job. In Facilities Management, the position to be eliminated is the Facilities Management Director and to merge that department into Public Works as a division. They looked at the operations budget and personnel. The director, assistant director and director of Public Works met and are confident the responsibilities could be transferred inside and outside the department. Cable would become part of the City Manager's office. Staff would serve as a liaison, tracking and monitoring complaints. The Emergency Manager will take on some of the director's responsibilities. Facilities management staff created a matrix that goes into every current and future task and who will perform them. Alderman Jean -Baptiste noted Council did not have copies of the matrix. Copies will be provided. Alderman Rainey noted in the Youth Initiative two tasks involve the Human Relations Department; thought they were getting rid of that department. Ms. Carroll stated those responsibilities would be absorbed and the transition plan would be available next week. Alderman Rainey pointed out there cannot be a transition plan for the Youth Initiative because it has not been approved. Ms. Carroll said the Youth Initiative would be coordinated by the Youth Coordinator, a new position in the City Manager's office. That was presented to the Human Services Committee. The Summer Youth Employment Program will continue and be part of next week's report and discussion. Ms. Russell stated the transition plan for the Human Relations Department would be shared with the Human Relations Commission, which will be asked to concur to ensure that no services are lost. Alderman Rainey asked if Council would look at the commission's mission and where it would report. Ms. Carroll said there was no intent to change the mission of the Human Relations Commission. They would support the same services that have been provided. Rolanda Russell will be the liaison to the commission from the manager's office. Health & Human Services Health & Human Services Director Jay Terry expanded on budget memos #3, 7 and 8; explained that virtually no grant is self sustaining. Grants cover from one-third to one-half the total cost of providing a service. General Fund dollars have always been a crucial element of support and it is difficult to keep grants without help to sustain them. There have been ongoing discussions with hospitals and other providers for some time. Every provider they have met with has asked about payer mixes. While discussing services, every provider is concerned about how they will be reimbursed. The City has provided payer mixes. That is why they have asked for a July 1 implementation date, rather than March 1, because they need more time to finalize agreements. Also, that is why it is so important that all children served by the Health Department are registered through the State of Illinois All Kids program. If they have an insurance program tied to them, they are more attractive to providers. All of these discussions are occurring against a backdrop of a changing health care environment. The hospitals are keeping an eye on state legislation about charity care. Both hospitals have been open and cooperative with the parameters under which they operate and try to help any way they can. The transition plan as of that day is that both hospitals have agreed to help out on school physicals and immunizations. The current case load is about 150 physicals and each hospital will take half. Staff has begun to work with District 65 on an aggressive outreach campaign. All families the Health Department has worked with last year will be notified before children leave school for summer. Evanston Hospital has proposed, as part of its plan, to use the school -based health clinic at ETHS and offer it to District 65 families the City has served. As a Health Department, they may be able to get vaccines at lower cost and would explore the opportunity to provide them to the school health clinics. Most adult flu vaccine is available through the private market. Public health's role to deliver flu vaccine is being re- evaluated across the country. Individuals can go to Walgreen's, CVS, grocery stores and hospitals for flu shots. The 2g7 3 January 20, 2007 Health Department looks to transition out of the flu vaccine business. Evanston Hospital has offered to provide flu clinics at four off -site locations and will help senior residence buildings identify flu providers. Familv case manaeement is a state funded program — the home visit program for infants who receive state assistance. Because it is a state program, it is the state's responsibility to identify vendors. The state has asked the Health Department to identify potential vendors. Four or five agencies may have some interest in providing this program. Vision and hearinu screenine is a program where vision and hearing screening was provided to the child care centers in Evanston and a couple of private schools. District 65 has in-house personnel to handle children in school; anticipate they will take over Head Start responsibilities. They will work with the Childcare Network of Evanston to identify all private vendors willing to do screening and outreach. Both hospitals have pledged to be part of this and notify all hearing and vision professionals that are their affiliates to see who would be willing to help. A resource list is being developed to share with the network. Family Dlannine. The state will look for another provider. Unfortunately not many providers are interested in applying because reimbursements are low and administrative requirements are high. The payer mix is not as attractive as some would like. They are in discussion with two potential providers and there has been prior discussion about Planned Parenthood. There is a Medicaid waiver expansion, pending in the federal government that will be approved shortly. This would make the current client -base more attractive to other providers. They had more substantial discussions with Access Health Care to explore using the Civic Center as a service site. Access, too, would require some waivers from the government to make it happen. Sexuallv Transmitted Diseases. This is one of the traditional roles of public health. Neither hospital has an outreach component to provide this service. They believe a relationship with Access Health Care would be beneficial; are pursuing that and anticipate coming back with an outline of costs and staffing. Obviously, they are concerned that this service continues. This was not a final report. Alderman Bernstein noted they were told that all services would be provided. In Mr. Ter y's memo, he wrote about payer mixes — quoted from page 8 about how, "we learned this week that intake at Evanston Hospital has been frozen until further notice, etc." He was concerned that if they decide to provide health services to people, where they will get it? They were talking about District 65, the state, the county — and all these entities are experiencing similar difficulties. How can they pass a budget eliminating the positions without first knowing who will provide the services and at what cost? Mr. Terry explained one major difference between care provided by hospitals and care through the Health Department is an assumption at the hospitals that the people they serve have a long-term relationship with a doctor. That is not true for any of the services provided by the Health Department. Individuals come in as a stranger, get the service and may never be seen again. The hospitals emphasized that the key to their providing care is the All Kids Insurance program. They want those served by them to linkup with a community physician and establish a long-term relationship. Ideally that is in the client's best interest. Alderman Tisdahl Dronosed a S 10.000 amendment to the budget to restore Drovidine contracenfives for the school -based health center at the high school. Seconded by Alderman Wvnne. Alderman Jean -Baptiste spoke about the preparation to make this transition and find alternative providers; asked what happens to those who come to the City just once. Mr. Terry related that in meeting with Evanston Hospital, those who get their school physicals and immunizations will be considered in a long-term relationship. The wait list won't be frozen forever. They believe the children seen through the . school immunization and well child clinic will have long-term relationships with Evanston Hospital. Alderman Jean - Baptiste asked how much money was spent in this area. Mr. Terry will supply that. Ms. Carroll said they had identified six service areas in the Health Department that provide clinical services. Other than that, they don't accept patients for any kind of illness. The areas of concern are family planning and sexually -transmitted 4 January 20, 2007 diseases; they have a four month transition period to find providers for those two. If that isn't enough time, they won't abandon the service without a plan in place. Alderman Wynne asked for clarification of the motion. Mr. Terry explained that the clinic at the high school is ten years old and was put together as a partnership of the City's Health Department, ETHS and Evanston Hospital. Health Department contributions included a public health nurse and all the pharmaceuticals, mostly for family planning. Five or six years ago the public health nurse was transitioned to Evanston Hospital. All staff at the high school clinic now are Evanston Hospital staff. The City's sole contribution for four or five years has been pharmaceuticals. The original City budget reduced pharmaceuticals. Clinic staff expressed strong concern and he presumed that was what led to the amendment. Alderman Tisdahl stated that was convect; teenagers need a variety of contraceptives. Limiting it to two would not work with a teen-age population. This is a service not covered elsewhere. Alderman Rainey noted on page 70 of the budget a reduction of $294,500 in Health & Human Services. Mr. Terry said there was an offset in health although some of the Human Relations programs were added. They are talking to agencies about family planning and sexually transmitted diseases and if, before the budget is adopted, there are increased costs, they would be low and he would come before them. She asked if they reviewed the grants recently. Teen pregnancy was $30,600 and projected the same for this year. Mr. Terry said they were still in discussion with the Illinois Department of Human Services about providing that service and the staff required. Alderman Holmes confirmed that the 129 children treated at the Well Child Clinic would be taken care of by the hospitals. Mr. Terry explained when they began negotiations 2005 figures of about 150 children were used. The hospitals have worked on an assumption of about 75 children. Ms. Carroll stated staff would bring back a breakdown of the reduction in cost of Health & Human Services, a total savings figure once services are out sourced; stated it is about $1 million in personnel costs. Due to a transition plan, the City has to pay severance and a couple of other services. Alderman Jean -Baptiste noted they lost $261,000 in grants and asked to have that integrated into the report. Alderman ' Wollin noted that in family planning services, 47% are non-residents. Early Retirement Incentive (ERI) Presentation Human Resources Director Judith Witt presented the Early Retirement Incentive program available through the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF). Alderman Bernstein confirmed the figures were based upon 51 employees who indicated an interest in early retirement; asked the impact on City services. He saw potential problems. Ms. Carroll said two-thirds who have indicated interest are already eligible to retire, two of the fourteen are directors and others are managers, assistant division heads and professionals. Anytime people leave an organization there is some institutional memory loss. She believed enough people would remain with experience that the City could continue to provide a high level of service. Any change involves a learning curve with people coming up. Ms. Carroll said this tied into the City's three-year plan to restructure the organization. As people retire they want to look at each position and make sure they want to continue funding it. They are confident this will work and is the reason they are giving themselves a lot of time from the notice point. On a regular retirement, IMRF requires no notice. The City requires a minimum of two weeks and will have four months so they can plan. Alderman Bernstein asked if employees had to leave at a certain time. Ms. Witt explained if five people from one department said they wanted to leave on the same date, those would be spread out. The City has the right as long as they give 30 days notice of a date change to the employee. Alderman Rainey asked for a projected cost of replacing the people who will retire; confirmed a few positions would be eliminated. Ms. Witt described the projected number as fluid. Alderman Jean -Baptiste asked when they would be able to realize these savings. Ms. Witt stated if half of the people left in the first half of the year -long window, they would see budget savings going into the next budget year. If all left before the next fiscal year they would see savings of $542,000. The City does not know when these people will choose to go. Alderman Jean -Baptiste asked for a report on what is going on. Alderman Wollin commented that with so many variables it would be difficult to calculate what new salaries would be. Alderman Jean -Baptiste asked how many staff the manager projected the City would lose. Ms. Carroll stated if the Health Department transition is approved, it would be 27.75 FTEs. There were 36 positions that translated into 27.75 FTEs of which 10 are vacant. A couple of people expressed a desire to retire early. Ms. Witt explained anybody who fell into the category of age 50, with 20 years of service was in the 5 January 20, 2007 104 number. A handful of people in the proposed reductions met that criterion. Those on the proposed elimination list would be proposed regardless of what happens with the ERL Alderman Rainey noted this is a mature, complicated wealthy community that provides many services and a healthy budget. She did not believe, in the long run, when they provide for early retirement that the City would save that much money. She noted the director's have to be highly skilled. She wanted to see the cost of replacing three or four recently departed employees; wanted to be convinced that getting rid of highly paid and responsible staff would be a big savings. Ms. Carroll said she was correct. The City will have to pay market rates. Ms. Carroll said there are many positions, especially unionized employees, who would be hired at the beginning pay range. Nobody said that at the director level they would save money. Alderman Rainey said telling Council they would save $9 million was tempting. Statewide experience is that about a third of those eligible to retire do so. In Evanston that would be about 34 people. Information would be provided. Alderman Holmes asked if they had considered re -engineering and consolidation of other departments. Ms. Carroll explained that in year two of this restructuring, every vacancy will be scrutinized to make sure it needs to be filled. They may look at other opportunities for consolidation. Staff wants to make sure they do not offer redundant services. That is ongoing as part of their study and plan for the future. Alderman Jean -Baptiste said those who have lived here for a long time are concerned about efficient government, but also about the people who will lose their jobs. With the early retirement plan, he would like to see those who will lose their jobs get some preference for jobs vacated by early retirees. In many other institutions there is a process by which that organization tries to absorb those who are phased out and provide them with training. Constituents do interpret the kind of humanity the City manifests. A number of Evanston residents will lose their jobs. He could swallow this easier if he knew that people being let go are being taken care of. Ms. Carroll explained that there were 10 Evanston residents out of 26. Employees received significant notice. They were told in December of potential job eliminations. Those people may work until February 28, then receive four months severance. For those in the Health Department it is 10.5 months notice. Human Resources Department is working with employees, giving them copies of every job available so they can apply for vacant positions for which they are qualified. There are also contractual provisions for AFSCME people. Ms. Witt stated there are specific guidelines provided to place affected employees. Union personnel have re-employment and re -call rights. Her staff has met with affected employees. Surrounding municipalities have been asked to send vacancies, which are forwarded to employees. Assistance will be provided in resume writing and interview skills. Some people have secured other positions. One person chose to retire. They have tried to minimize the effect of this financially and emotionally. They hope to place them in similar or better positions. Ms. Carroll noted one person accepted a promotion and another left with a better position in another agency. Others are applying for other jobs. Alderman Jean -Baptiste asked about giving those to be laid off preference in hiring. Contractual employees are given preference over non -contractual employees for jobs. He asked about non -union personnel. Ms. Carroll said based upon skills they would have a leg up, given equal qualifications. Ms. Carroll did not want to put department directors in the position of having to hire someone unqualified. Alderman Jean -Baptiste asked for a report on who has found jobs. She urged him to remember the Health Department won't transition until June. Alderman Jean -Baptiste moved that Citizen Comment be extended to five minutes for each speaker. Seconded by Alderman Moran. Motion carried unanimouslv. CITIZEN COMMENT: Junad Rizki.. 2767 Ridge Ave., addressed Ms. Carroll, noted she has a three-year plan; asked the effect of pensions on this plan. Council must realize they need a broad brush on what will happen to the budget in the next three years. What is the effect of the payback of the pensions over the long term. Judith Treadway. 226 Callan Ave., stated that Council has a fiduciary responsibility to maintain City services but not at the expense of health services to those who need but cannot afford to purchase those services privately. Quality of life issues are safety, health and education. Quality of life issues for current employees, especially taxpaying residents of Evanston, is important for the stability of Evanston. This is an issue of compassion. She asked about the role of the Human Relations Commission in dismantling the Human Relations Department. What would be the complaint process, 6 January 20, 2007 the authority for reviewing and executing any complaints, the hearing process and legal ramifications of dismantling this department? How would they communicate how the City will render services, especially to new residents with children younger than school age, who may seek those services? She appreciated the efforts to accommodate those who will be impacted by cutbacks and that an alderman asked for a report on the status of those individuals. She asked, of those eligible to retire with the early retirement incentive, who pay the 4.5% for five years, do they have to pay right away or would this come out of their retirement check. Some individuals may not have the financial wherewithal. Would they be forced to retire? She thanked them for the reports. Ms. Carroll stated that no one will be forced to retire. If approved, those eligible may choose to retire. Employees can pay in cash, from vacation/sick leave payout, or from their pension over 24 months. Gerald Gordon. 1228 Lake St., responded to a January 17, 2007 memo, the nine month year-to-date actual budget performance report. The response appeared in a letter addressed to him. The nine month report showed an excess of revenues over expenditures of $1.7 million in the General Fund. Assuming a continuing trend to the end of the fiscal year, he suggested this excess be used to reduce the tax demand on the taxpayer or the budget. Could this be revisited when 11 months of data are provided? He raised the issue of the Water Fund two weeks ago. He found a discrepancy between what he said and the response, and asked for clarification. The letter showed an unreserved fund balance in the Water Fund of $1.9 million. On the nine -month operating statement, the nine -month balance showed, after $3.9 million in construction expenditures in the current year, a fund balance of $53.7 million. It doesn't say whether it is unreserved or reserved. At the beginning of the year there was a $54 million fund balance and by the end of November, a $53.7 fund balance. The Water Fund statement is all cash and he did not know why some cannot be transferred to the General Fund. Ms. Carroll explained the fund balance includes all assets of the system. They need to give a breakdown of the total fund balance of fixed assets, unrestricted cash, etc. The letter was regarding the unreserved balance. Alderman Rainey found that the information given to Gerald Gordon did not contain last year's actuals and wanted to see that column. Mr. Grady stated they will do a monthly or quarterly report and explained unreserved and reserved balances. The unreserved fund is the only one that they can take funds from. Ms. Carroll read from the 2005-06 audit that the Water Fund balance was $54 million with $42.3 million for capital assets, $10.4 million restricted for debt service and $1.9 million unrestricted. In response to Alderman Wollin, routine water main breaks are budgeted for in the operating budget. Alderman Bernstein asked when water bond obligations cease. An answer would be provided. Alderman Rainey asked if infrastructure improvements are paid for by bonds from the Water Fund. Mr. Gordon will meet with Mr. Grady and get clarification. He noted there is an operating surplus in the General Fund and urged that be returned to the taxpayers. Ron Kvsiak. 2921 Sheridan Rd., spoke for Inventure, a private non-profit economic development organization, about outsourcing certain clinical services to the hospitals. He recalled five years ago when they discussed the head tax, Inventure proposed bringing the hospitals to the table. He understood getting a balanced budget is difficult and the City has done so in the past by raising fees and licenses. Now the City is running out of options and they are looking at an increase in property taxes, which he thought they would not want to deal with if they don't have to. This is the first budget that looks at this community's long-term fiscal problem. The approach is sound business by re -organization, downsizing and outsourcing services that can be done by other entities. If the City can retain high quality services while reducing costs that makes good business sense. He thought that good business is good politics in running the City. One of Inventure's concerns is the cost of doing business in Evanston. If the City keeps on nickel and diming through the service sector with a high property tax on top of that, makes it more difficult for people to stay here and do business. It is in the City's interest to find a way to resolved this by doing business differently. Inventure commends Ms. Carroll on what she is trying to do. She was hired because of her fiscal experience in Naperville; has good business sense and Inventure wants to support what she is doing on the healthcare side. He explained a goal for this year was to bring together their non -for - profit members, which includes the hospitals, both elderly assisted entities (Presbyterian Homes and The Mather), Northwestern University, and the General Board of Pensions of the United Methodist Church. All of those entities are willing to sit down with the City to see how they can help reduce the cost of services or reduce the City's bottom line. Currently the city manager is working with the hospitals. There is a possibility of discussions with the elderly service 0�V 7 January 20, 2007 providers. Five years ago, Northwestern University produced a list of 20 items in which they would do something to help reduce costs to the City. They were unable to put all that together and the City's administration then did not seem interested in going that route. These groups are offering a continuous discussion with the City Manager and others. The many non -for -profits who like being in Evanston (which are maligned because they don't pay property taxes), are looking for ways they can help this community and want to sit down and make that happen. The hospitals are the first piece of that and, hopefully, they can do that in other areas. Alderman Jean -Baptiste suggested they set up meetings immediately. Ms. Carroll reported several meetings have been set up with the eldercare community on areas where they could collaborate. She asked Mr. Kysiak to provide the list of 20 that NU had offered. She was not sure it would produce huge reductions in the bottom line. Alderman Tisdahl noted there are wonderful examples of other universities working with their municipality; suggested MIT and Harvard University be contacted and they discuss those. When Mr. Kysiak was in New Haven, CT, Yale University finally began participating with some projects. He noted there are many ways that universities are integrated into communities, but there are just as many universities that are at arm's length, which is Evanston's case. He thought Northwestern was open to ways it could help the community; did not think they would write a big check; suggested they could integrate security and communications operations. Council Questions Alderman Holmes asked when she would receive requested information on child care. Ms. Carroll said it would be available next Saturday. Alderman Jean -Baptiste recalled Ms. Treadway talked about an income tax and other issues; thought they would get feedback from legal and some response to other issues. Ms. Carroll needed to work with the Law Department and said that would be available at the January 27a' or 31 st budget meeting. Alderman Rainey noted on page 34, a clear presentation of the status of the Water Fund reserve. She noted the City's policy is one month reserve at 10% and 5% debt reserve. There are unrestricted funds of $952,237 and a sentence follows that, "One-time revenues should not be used to finance on -going operating costs." She challenged this statement. Water Fund revenues are not one-time revenues. She moved that $500.000 of the $952.237 be moved to the revenue side of the 2007-08 budget. Seconded by Alderman Bernstein. When Gerald Gordon challenged them to look at unrestricted fund balances as they did the tax levy, while Council felt pressured, they agreed to wait until the budget deliberations to talk about some of those other dollars. She thought this $500,000 could move out of the unrestricted reserves. Ms. Carroll cautioned Council that before they did anything with fund balances, 'they needed to discuss the police and fire pensions. If they have excess monies, they have a $94 million obligation. Alderman Wollin said it would help if Council had a tally sheet so they can have an idea of what they are dealing with. Ms. Carroll said that would be available next week. Alderman Moran assumed the motions were for purposes of discussion. Mr. Grady said the Water Fund should have an opportunity to comment on moving funds out. Alderman Rainey asked for information on yard waste collection. In the yard waste budget there are expenditures of $130,000 for contract services. She thought the total budget is $480-490,000 and they propose to charge people for additional sanitation services. They must have garbage pick up and recycling, but they don't have to offer yard waste pick up. It can be composted or left where it is. She would prefer to do away with yard waste collection and tell people there are six yard waste companies that they can hire. She asked if people are hired that do nothing other than pick up yard waste. Public Works Director David Jennings responded that none are hired but are assigned seasonally to work in other areas. She asked staff to look at that and to identify yard waste contractors. Mr. Jennings explained that they grind and screen compost at various times during the year. Because the equipment is super expensive, they hire a service to grind at the beginning and screen at the end. Alderman Jean -Baptiste, budget book page 291 Recreation, line 3030, Robert Crown understood they propose staff changes. The budget is up by $11,000.Overall expenditures increased by $1 million. Ms. Carroll explained that staff has b January 20, 2007 changed the way they budget for people and benefits. Salaries and benefits were budgeted for in the Contingency Fund. On page 306 of the budget, accounts 61710, 61725 and 61730 were not budgeted last year, but this year show IMRF, Social Security and Medicare costs in the department budget by division. That accounts for the difference of $11,000. Salaries have been reduced by one position cut and a couple of line items have been increased. One is electricity, which has gone up due to a rate increase. The difference was in how they budget salaries and electricity. Before making this change, the City did not capture the total cost of people in the budget for each department as they had a pot of money in the General Contingency Fund. They will see that throughout the budget. The General Contingency Fund is now $200,000 and before it was $4 million. Mayor Morton inquired about where life insurance, etc is listed, are those actual numbers or have they taken a total and divided it among departments. Ms. Carroll said they used the Iris payroll system to take the authorized positions and calculated their raises and the actual cost of IMRF, Social Security, etc. For a vacant position they used the lowest step and calculated the same benefits. She thought it was the most accurate portrayal of salaries and benefits. Alderman Jean -Baptiste asked how the child care expenditures are listed. Ms. Carroll said a full report would be prepared. They are looking at child care programs at the Robert Crown and Chandler -Newberger centers. Alderman Tisdahl wanted to hear from the Recreation Division; understood that Wilmette charges a great deal more for non-residents than Evanston does. When Evanston goes to Wilmette, they don't get to sign up at the same time as Wilmette residents and are charged much more. Wilmette residents are not treated the same way when they come to Evanston. What are the rates for non-residents compared to other cities. Alderman Rainey stated the Police Department memo on juvenile services was excellent. The most important thing she noted was there were only 449 juveniles arrested. Total number of cases brought to the Police Department was 1,300. On page 15, juvenile bureau statistical data 2006, it has youth service referrals at 66. Some were concerned about the Youth Services Bureau and wanted to know the meaning of the number. She asked for clarification on page 14, where it says that juvenile detectives will respond to all major incidents in which a juvenile is an offender or victim and will take the lead in those investigations. She asked what is a "major incident." How frequently do they have to respond to a major incident? She asked if they count the number of children who disappear from Rice Center as runaways. Under youth service statistical data, she found it interesting that the two outreach people shown had only 59 gang -related interventions. On page 3 of the cigarette tax memo Alderman Rainey found that since 2003, between the City and Cook County, the tax raised 780%. Revenue to the City increased 95% and sales went down only 37%. Alderman Jean -Baptiste announced that Joe Martin, who recently retired as Assistant Superintendent at District 65 and husband of Denise Martin, passed away last week. The visitation will be held at First Church of God on Ashland and Simpson from 5:30-7:00 p.m. on Monday. Mr. Martin was George Dotson's brother-in-law. There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Morton asked for a motion to adjourn and the Council so moved at 12:28 p.m. Mary P. Morris, City Clerk A videotape recordin¢ of this meetine has been made hart of the permanent record and is available in the Citv Clerk's office.