MINUTES

PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 26, 2008 MEETING


#1 CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Steve Nichols called the Public Services Committee meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

Roll Call was answered by Chairman Steve Nichols, Aldermen Jerry Askren, Dale Brandenburg, Ron Candido, Nancy O’Kane, and DeMarko Wright. Absent was Vice Chairman Lois Cooper. A quorum was present.

Others Present were Mayor Scott Eisenhauer, Aldermen Bill Gilbert, Mike Puhr and Tommie Reed, City Attorney Dave Wesner, City Clerk Janet Myers, City Comptroller Gayle Brandon, City Engineer David Schnelle, Corporation Counsel John P. Wolgamot, Human Relations Manager Sandra Houston, Human Resources Manager Sherri Johnson, Humane Society Director JoAnn Adams, Information Technology Administrator Teresa Winn, Public Development Director John Heckler, Public Safety Director Larry Thomason, Public Works Director Doug Ahrens, 75 audience members, and 4 news media.

#2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairman Nichols presented the Minutes of the regular meeting of January 23, 2008. Alderman Candido moved for approval as presented, seconded by Alderman O’Kane. On the voice vote, all ayes, no nays; the motion so ordered.

#3 APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Chairman Nichols presented the agenda. There being no corrections, Alderman Candido moved for approval as presented, seconded by Alderman Brandenburg. On the voice vote, all ayes, no nays; the motion so ordered.

#4 AUDIENCE COMMENTS
• Former Alderman Sharon McMahon, Retired Firefighter Randy Elliott, President of Local 429 Aaron Marcott, Firefighter Pam Hawker’s husband Jerry Hawker, Rosemarie Darby and Steve Green spoke in support of the Fire Department and in opposition to closing a fire station or laying off nine firefighters. They cited reasons as concern for public safety with slower response times and higher insurance rates, as well as the safety of the firefighters. Suggestions for alternatives included: borrow money to balance the budget, conduct an in-depth study of where cuts need to be made, make Aqua Illinois pay what they owe the City, cut expenses equally across the board, cut non-essential services, eliminate the golf course, cut out funding for Bresee Tower, eliminate Carver Park Project, reassess all homes in Danville, and hold off on all projects until money available. Aaron Marcott requested a special meeting to discuss issues and to allow the Fire Department to make recommendations.
• Ed Strahl spoke support of cuts for a balanced budget even if it means eliminating firefighters and voiced opposition to any new or increased taxes.

#5 CHAIRMAN’S COMMENTS – There were none.

#6 HUMANE SOCIETY – JoAnn Adams, Director
• The Monthly Court Report was handed out showing 72 cases handled in Night Court from January through February 21, 2008, $7,200.00 in fines levied and $3,245.00 in court costs levied, with $2,603.46 in court fines collected in 2008.
• The Humane Society has experienced issues with people moving and not forwarding their new address; therefore, a card is being created to give people a way to inform the Humane Society of address changes. They will be available at all veterinary offices and at the Humane Society Office and a newspaper article will be published soon.
• Alderman Candido questioned the status of the committee to discuss changes in the ordinance regarding dangerous dogs. Mayor Eisenhauer advised the committee will be announced soon and will include one or two representatives from the State.

#7 CLOSED SESSION was not needed.

#8 CITY CLERK – Janet Myers, City Clerk
A) Chairman Nichols presented an ordinance amending Chapter 30.69 Access to Public Records to amend the Fee Schedule for copies of public documents to reflect the current cost of reproduction, as required by the Freedom of Information Act, by removing separate fees for Fire Department and Housing Inspection Reports, including various map sizes now available, and reducing regular photo copies from 25 cents to 10 cents and color copies from 50 cents to 20 cents. Alderman Candido moved for approval, seconded by Alderman O’Kane. There being no discussion, the roll call vote being:
Ayes: Aldermen O’Kane, Wright, Askren, Brandenburg, Candido, Nichols
Nays: None
Absent: Alderman L.Cooper
Motion carried 6 to 0 with 1 absent.

#9 PUBLIC DEVELOPMENT – John Heckler, Director
• Rental Registration continues with deadline this Friday, February 29. Chairman Nichols questioned the level of compliance so far and Director Heckler stated it is only about 60% but expects most to come in before the end of the week. Staff will then review those not registered and take appropriate action for complete compliance.
• A copy of the final Community Development Block Grant Annual Action Plan was distributed that included the Executive Summary.
• The Year End Report for 2007 Service Commitments was distributed a few weeks back. A new Report for 2008 will be forthcoming.
• The City will have a booth at the Home Show on March 7 – 9, 2008, with a theme of “Healthy House”.

#10 FINANCE – Gayle A. Brandon, City Comptroller
Chairman Nichols presented Items A & B for a single vote. There being no objections, Alderman Askren moved for approval of both, seconded by Alderman Brandenburg. Those items being:
A) Payroll for February 22, 2008, of $55,272.01; and
B) Schedule of Vouchers Payable, having been published, posted and distributed, for February 26, 2008, of $164,469.11;
There being no questions, the roll call vote being:
Ayes: Aldermen O’Kane, Wright, Askren, Brandenburg, Candido, Nichols
Nays: None
Absent: Alderman L.Cooper
Motion carried 6 to 0 with 1 absent.

C) Review of Preliminary 2008-2009 Budget
Mayor Eisenhauer stated the proposed General Fund Budget of $22,885,449.00 has not changed since presented at last week’s Council meeting and handed out budget notes that included questions and comments regarding the budget, a copy of 65 ILCS 5/11-7 Fire Protection Tax, and the 2007 Fire Incident Reports. He then addressed questions and comments made by audience comments being:
• The City never borrows money to balance a budget, only for cash flow during certain periods.
• In 2004, 31 layoffs did occur with no Police or Fire personnel involved except the combination of Police Chief and Fire Chief into one position.
• Harrison Park Golf Course is an Enterprise Fund with no General Fund dollars used for operations.
• The City has no non-essential services to cut.
• The current and future owner of Bresee Tower will be responsible for future repairs and the only City’s involvement, if any, will be through the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District or a bond specific to that project, with no General Fund dollars being used.
• All capital projects, such as Carver Park Redevelopment Project, will be funded through the Capital Improvement Fund that is funded through the Telecommunications Tax, with no General Fund dollars being used.
• The City’s match for Carver Park Redevelopment Project will be provided through time and labor of City staff.
• Reassessment of property would be beneficial; however, the City levies by dollar amount and no dollars realized through property taxes would go toward the General Fund.
Alderman O’Kane voiced support of the Fire Department and clarified her son is a firefighter who would not be affected by the layoff of nine personnel. She gave the following information:
• The Fire Department is currently under manned at 57 with 2 probationary firefighters; whereas, there were 72 in the 1980’s.
• Response times are critical especially with the impact of the closings of the Fairchild Street Subway, the Voorhees Street Bridge, and the Winter Avenue Project, as well as the number of trains traveling through the City.
• The Veteran’s Administration pays for fire service.
• Firefighters pay around 9% of their salary into the Pension Fund, they pay for insurance coverage, and they took a 0% pay increase in 2004.
Alderman O’Kane also shared her experience of spending a day with the firefighters at Station 3, including a ride-along on a call in which they were delayed due to a train. She commended the firefighters for their work and challenged everyone to spend time at a Station to see what they do. She voiced opposition to eliminating any fire station and laying off any firefighter as it would be a compromise of the City’s role to serve and protect. There were no other comments or discussion on the budget.

D) Items of Information
• Finance Staff has been answering calls regarding errors made on recent billings by Aqua Illinois. Information continues to be gathered regarding the best solution for taking over the garbage and sewer billing and collection.
• Finance Staff is assisting with the Rental Registration Program by taking payments.
• Alderman Candido voiced deep concern with Aqua Illinois’ inability to provide good service.

#11 FIRE – Larry Thomason, Public Safety Director
The Monthly Incident Report was presented showing 287 incidents reported during period January 16, 2008, through February 20, 2008, with a total estimated loss of $440,740.00. The Overtime Report was handed out previously.

#12 HUMAN RELATIONS – Sandra Houston, Manager
• The Status Report of Complaints filed January 15, 2008, through February 18, 2008, was filed showing 5 new complaints as well as the status of 28 previously filed complaints.
• The 2008 MLK Celebration is in the close out phase. Manager Houston continues to be involved with Contract Compliance, Hispanic/Latino Citizens Advisory Committee, and the Vermilion Area Partnership for Unmet Needs Committee and is the Labor Standard Officer for both the Lynch Road Project and the Bowman Avenue/Winter Avenue Road Project.

#13 HUMAN RESOURCES – Sherri Johnson, Manager
• The Personnel Report was presented with statistics for the last two months showing 5 new full-time employees and 4 new seasonal employees with 3 separations for a total of 269 full-time employees, 4 part-time employees and 11 seasonal/auxiliary/intern employees.
• Staff is in the process of updating several documents given to new personnel that were affected by the revisions to the Personnel Policy.
• Annual evaluations of personnel are in process, with evaluations due by March 28.

#14 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY – Teresa Winn, Administrator
A new version of our computer virus protection is currently being installed, and hopes are that it will cut down the amount of spam being received.

#15 LEGAL – Dave Wesner, City Attorney
Attorney Wesner stated he is excited about Bill Donahue, the new Assistant Attorney, starting on Monday to take some of the burden off. He will be introduced at an upcoming meeting.

#16 POLICE – Larry Thomason, Public Safety Director
• The Overtime Payroll Status Report was handed out previously.
• The Calls for Service Reports for February 2008 were presented showing 3,037 calls by Grid.
• Three new Police Officers are currently at Academy.
• Alderman Candido suggested the intersection of Vermilion Street and Lake Shore be looked at due to several accidents recently to see if there is any correlation to the opening of Starbucks.
• Alderman Candido commented about an Illinois Municipal League Review article about a 311 Information System and asked if this area would be implementing such a system to cut down on the calls to 911. Director Thomason stated the system would generate an additional cost and that the 911 system is not overloaded. Non emergency calls that come in on 911 are transferred to other lines for assistance.

#17 COMMITTEE MEMBERS’ COMMENTS
• Chairman Nichols voiced appreciation of the firefighters and their families attending and welcomed them to all upcoming meetings for further discussion on the budget. He stated the issue has never been the capability of personnel or the importance of what they do; but rather the need to balance the needs of the community.
• Alderman Candido also stated he has never questioned the ability or professionalism of firefighters and appreciates the work they do. However, with the reduction in population and loss of business, he questioned at what point does the City decrease services to meet current needs.

#18 ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 7:17 p.m. after a motion by Alderman Askren and a second by Alderman Brandenburg.

Approved: 03/25/08 _____________________________
Posted Publicly: 03/28/08 Janet K. Myers, City Clerk