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2003
- December 16, 2003
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- March 11, 2003
- March 04, 2003
- February 25, 2003
- February 18, 2003
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- February 05, 2003
- February 04, 2003
- January 28, 2003
- January 21, 2003
- January 14, 2003
- January 07, 2003
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February 25, 2003
Mayor Krajewski called the Workshop meeting of the Village Council of the Village of Downers Grove to order at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Village Hall.
Present:Mayor Brian Krajewski; Commissioners Marilyn Schnell, Thomas Sisul, Michael Gilbert, Sue McConnell, Martin Tully, Mark Zabloudil; Village Manager Riccardo Ginex; Village Attorney Enza Petrarca; Deputy Village Clerk Linda Brown
Absent:Village Clerk April Holden
Visitors: Press: Kevin Stahr, Downers Grove Reporter Residents & Others in Attendance: George Johnson (atty.) 1303 Ogden; Tecya Anderson (IMRF); Christine Fregeau, 1918 Elmore; Steve Dimpfl, CAG , 5509 Lomond; William Waldack, 1809 Willard; Marilynn Gerloff, 4221 Highland; Ron Sandack, 4833 Linscott; Mike Kubes, 5538 Lyman Staff: Barbara Leiber, Director, Social & Health Services; Ann Priorello, VOC ; Bob Schiller, Assistant Director, Public Works; Jon Hall, Stormwater Administrator, Public Works; Kathy Desmarteau, Redevelopment; Kurt Bluder, Deputy Police Chief; Robert Porter, Police Chief; Pamela Church, Deputy Police Chief; Mike Millette, Assistant Director, Public Works; Dorin Fera, Traffic Manager; Jack Bajor, Director, Public Works; Ken Rathje, Director, Planning Services; Mary Scalzetti, Director, Tourism & Events
Mayor Krajewski explained that Council Workshop meetings are held the second and fourth Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. The meetings are video taped live and for later cable cast over cable channel 6.
The Workshop meeting is intended to provide Council and the public with an appropriate forum for informal discussion of any items intended for future Council consideration or just for general information. No formal action is taken at Workshop meetings.
The public is invited to attend and encouraged to comment or ask questions in an informal manner on any of the items being discussed or on any other subject. The agenda is created to provide a guideline for discussion.
Proclamation:
Mayor Krajewski endorsed the nomination of Toon Funeral Home as a candidate for the Business Ledger 2003 Annual Award for Business Excellence.
MANAGER
5+5 IMRF Initiative. Manager Ginex asked Dave Van Vooren to explain this retirement incentive program.
Dave Van Vooren , Deputy Village Manager for Administration, said that if the Village offers such a program it will also impact the Downers Grove Library. An employee must be at least age 50 to participate in the program, and have at least 20 years of service as a contributor to state-vested pension programs.
Tecya Anderson of IMRF said that the 5+5 program has been in existence since the mid-nineties, and is designed as an employer’s tool. She said that the Village has 32 potential employees, including Library, who would be eligible. She said that the Council has been provided with cost studies dependent upon how many employees would utilize this retirement plan. Employers have the opportunity to amortize their costs over a 5-10 year window.
Commissioner Tully asked why the employer would not want to amortize over the full amount of ten years. Ms. Anderson said it would be like the difference between a 15-year versus a 30-year mortgage.
Commissioner Tully asked, if they convert it and pay it off earlier once they have chosen to amortize over a certain period of time. Ms. Anderson said that they could. She said that the Statute is provided on a blanket basis with the qualification of being at least 50 years old with 20 years of service. There is a provision allowing veterans with up to 24 months of military service to participate.
Mr. Van Vooren said that the Village cannot offer the early retirement incentive program in the future as long as there’s an outstanding amortization schedule in place. This was last done in 1996.
Commissioner McConnell asked how this would impact the Village’s cash flow. Mr. Van Vooren said the first contribution would not be due until January 2006.
Commissioner Schnell asked if the maximum benefit to the Village from this would be from either not replacing the retiring employee or replacing them at a lower salary. Mr. Van Vooren said the maximum benefit would be if, through technology and workplace improvements, we could reduce the number of employees. The second benefit is to reduce the payroll due new employees being brought in at a lower salary than those retiring. He said that is not always possible due to market conditions and skill levels of new employees.
Commissioner Schnell said she has heard that this program works better for school districts than municipalities. Mr. Van Vooren said a lot has to do with the structure and organization implemented in the retirement program.
The Mayor said that the State and Counties have offered this and there has been a great response.
Mr. Van Vooren said that the employee pays 4.5% of their last year’s salary per year.
Commissioner McConnell asked about the approved but unused sick and vacation time. Mr. Van Vooren said that there is not a separate rate between the Village and Library employees. He said that the intent is to bring back a resolution to the Council, and to meet with the eligible employees on a one-on-one basis regarding the program.
Heritage Festival Contracts: Stage and Sound. The Manager said RJ Recording is the recommended sound vendor at a cost of $15,900 for the six stages.
Mayor Krajewski said the budget amount of $29,000.
Mary Scalzetti , Director, Tourism and Events, said that is the total amount for that account.
ZBA File #MC-1-03 Fairview Avenue Rezoning R-1 to R-3. The Manager said the Zoning Board recommended this rezoning at its February 22nd meeting.
Budget Amendment Ordinance. The Manager asked Trisha Steele to address this item.
Trisha Steele , Assistant Director, Financial Services, explained the budget amendment. She said there is a revenue increase of $1,125,108 and an increase of expenditures of $875,663. The real estate fund increase expenditures by $30,552, and fleet services by $16,315. The parking fund increased $46,215, and the waterfund increased $436,350. In addition, there were one-time grant funds to be transferred to the Risk Insurance Fund.
Ms. Steele said that the Police and Fire Departments were also awarded grants that were not anticipated in the regular budget.
Mayor Krajewski asked for clarification that the General Fund as amended would be $34,740,000. He said that reports received over the weekend indicate an estimated budget of $33,800,000, which is about $1 million under this amount. Deputy Village Manager Van Vooren said they have to be sure that all associated expenses included in the grants are accounted for.
The Mayor said he wanted to clarify that they are still looking at coming in at $33.8 million.
Stormwater Review Fees.
Jack Bajor , Public Works Director and Jon Hall , Stormwater Administrator, presented a review of the fee adjustments. Mr. Bajor said the Council has been provided with an extensive packet showing Village fees compared and contrasted with neighboring communities. He said a schedule was included to provide a matrix explanation of the fees.
Commissioner McConnell said it appeared there were some fees, such as residential additions or sump pump installations, that have not been increased to cover the Village costs. Mr. Hall responded that in the case of additions of under 500 square fee the Village cost would be $100-$200 per permit, but recommended keeping the fees at $50.00 to encourage people to obtain their permits.
Commissioner McConnell asked for the number of these permits and the extent to which the Village is subsidizing these.
Commissioner Tully said that wherever outside consultants are utilized in conjunction with stormwater permitting, the actual costs will be passed along. Mr. Hall said that was correct. The fees cover the inspection.
Commissioner Tully asked for an explanation of the runoff storage fee versus the stormwater utility fee. Mr. Hall responded that the runoff storage fee is assessed for construction projects where there is no detention basin to compensate for the runoff volume normally captured in a detention basin. This is done so that projects done in the future minimize the effect of increasing an impervious area which directly relates to the effects of construction and the increased stormwater runoff that the construction causes. The stormwater utility fee is broader in that it can deal with older issues that cannot be traced to certain construction. It deals with overall maintenance of the stormwater and drainage system as well as those things that have been around for decades.
Commissioner Schnell clarified that a disclaimer regarding consultant fees would be included in the e-permit. Mr. Hall said it would be.
Commissioner Tully asked about the fees being proposed for sump pump connections and flood plain determination and whether that will be dealt with administratively. Mr. Hall said they would be looked at separately.
Commissioner Zabloudil asked whether the sump pump fee is not included in the Ordinance. Mr. Hall said that those fall under sections 19 or 20 of the Code.
Attorney Petrarca said that Chapter 19 will be covered next month.
Stormwater IEPA NPDES PH II Notice of Intent and Associated Resolution. Mr. Bajor said that NPDES Phase II is a mandate of the Clean Water Act. The Village has been working on a joint Notice of Intent (NOI) in conjunction with the County’s stormwater engineers. It is an attempt to make the most use of the County’s work that has been done to date at looking at the six minimum control measures for the NPDES permit application. The first measure is public information. The Village will work collectively with the County, but also has its own program that is unique to the Village. He said the NOI must be filed with what is anticipated for the next five years. Staff is requesting that the Notice of Intent be approved so it may be filed by the March 10 deadline. He said there is also an associated resolution included in the Council’s packet, asking municipalities to support the combined efforts of the County and municipalities. It allows the Village to work collectively with the County.
Mr. Hall said that in working with the County, one of the advantages to the Village is to minimize the cost that could be incurred as part of this program.
Commissioner Tully thanked Mr. Bajor and Mr. Hall for working with the DuPage County Stormwater Commission as well as the Mayors and Manager’s Conference. He said he was concerned about compliance with the Phase II requirements, and is pleased at the wonderful cooperation that has been extended between the intergovernmental agencies. It has been a collaborative effort. It is also good that the County has allowed the communities to piggyback with them to meet the minimal control measures. Regarding the Notice of Intent, he asked if there has been any feedback of the Model Notice of Intent. He said there appears not to be much guidance from the federal government.
Mr. Hall responded that there has been a good amount of communication with Dave Olchawa at the County level. He said there is a gray area as to how to measure success.
Commissioner Tully said he wanted to know about the stencil and storm drainage and whether there as been any commitment by any community group. Mr. Hall said yes, and that is a successful example of public involvement.
Commissioner Tully said increasing public awareness and reducing abuses is an objective to be met. With respect to milestones to be met in the five-year period, he said there will obviously be costs associated with this both in terms of personnel and equipment, and he trusted that the staff would bring all of those costs to the Council’s attention early on. Mr. Hall responded that budget figures for next year have been prepared, and they will utilize the internal GIS system.
The Mayor asked about Wards Creek. Mr. Hall said it is on the southeast fringe of the Village.
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS
There were none.
ATTORNEY ’S REPORT
Attorney Petrarca presented five items: 1) A resolution adopting an early retirement incentive program for employees of the Village of Downers Grove in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund; 2) An ordinance amending the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance of the Village of Downers Grove, Illinois, codified as Chapter 28 of the Downers Grove Municipal Code, as amended to rezone the property on the south side of 66th street & approximately 432 feet west of Fairview Avenue (R-1 to R-3); 3) An ordinance providing for an amendment to Ordinance #4447 and the Village of Downers Grove budget for Fiscal Year 2002/03; 4) An ordinance amending stormwater provisions and fees; and 5) A resolution to collectively participate with the County of DuPage in the National Pollutant Discharge Elmination System Phase II Countywide Stormwater Permit Process.
There being no further discussion, the Workshop meeting was adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
April K. Holden Village Clerk tmh
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