City Council

GENEVA CITY COUNCIL MEETING SEPTEMBER 21, 2015 CALL TO ORDER The September 21, 2015 meeting of the Geneva City Council was called to order at 8:19 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall by Mayor Kevin Burns. Aldermen present: Mike Bruno, Tara Burghart, Don Cummings, Dean Kilburg, Craig Maladra, Richard Marks, Jim Radecki, Mary Seno, Tom Simonian, Ron Singer. Aldermen absent: None. Also attending: City Atty. Charles Radovich, City Administrator Mary McKittrick, Asst. City Administrator/Dir. of Administrative Services Stephanie Dawkins, Public Works Director Richard Babica, Economic Development Director Cathleen Tymoszenko. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE PUBLIC HEARINGS, SPECIAL ITEMS AND PRESENTATIONS Video and Mayor’s Comments Regarding LGDF Funds A video was shown featuring Tim Nuding, Dir. of The Governor’s Office of Management and Budget, stating that Illinois municipalities have large cash reserves and, therefore, could afford to have local government distributive funds (LGDF) curtailed. Mayor Burns then read a statement (Exhibit A) in which he said the State is failing the municipalities, residents and businesses of Illinois as it struggles with political gridlock and the development of a budget. He specifically called out Dir. Nuding for not understanding municipal operations and providing misinformation. He also criticized talk regarding freezing property taxes. He invited Dir. Nuding, Gov. Rauner and legislators to spend time with Geneva’s chief budget officer to learn how local governments operate. Economic Development Department Presentation Dir. Tymoszenko discussed how tax increment financing (TIF) can assist in the implementation of long-range planning and goals. She covered the purpose and function of a TIF District, how an area qualifies for tax increment financing, types of TIFs, and how the public benefits from a TIF Dist. over time. She then reviewed the history of TIF Districts within Geneva and provided details on each TIF District. She then answered questions from Council members. AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA None OMNIBUS AGENDA All items listed on the Omnibus Agenda are considered to be routine by the Council and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion on these items unless a Council member or citizen so requests in which event the item will be removed from the Omnibus (Consent) Agenda and considered in its normal sequence on the Agenda. Moved by Ald. Bruno, seconded by Ald. Marks to approve the Omnibus Agenda as presented. Roll call: AYES: 10 (Ald. Bruno, Burghart, Cummings, Kilburg, Maladra, Marks, Radecki, Seno, Simonian, Singer) NAYS: 0 MOTION CARRIED 1376 Geneva City Council Meeting September 21, 2015 APPROVE MINUTES OF THE LAST REGULAR MEETING HELD SEPTEMBER 8, 2015 Moved by Ald. Bruno, seconded by Ald. Marks to approve motion as presented. Approved by unanimous roll call vote. (Omnibus Agenda). MOTION CARRIED APPROVE REPORTS Moved by Ald. Bruno, seconded by Ald. Marks to approve motion as presented. Approved by unanimous roll call vote. (Omnibus Agenda). MOTION CARRIED COUNCIL COMMITTEES Committee of the Whole September 28, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. OTHER ITEMS AND CORRESPONDENCE None MUNICIPAL BILLS FOR PAYMENT The following bills were presented for payment: General Fund $73,839.15 Cultural Arts Fund 27,589.85 Beautification Fund 1,590.20 Tourism Fund 300.00 Restricted Police Fines 68.60 Tri‐Com Fund 24,132.65 Mental Health Fund 157.50 SSA #1 94.94 SSA #4 1,198.89 SSA #5 694.67 SSA #7 209.74 SSA #9 107.34 SSA #18 119.97 SSA #23 76.16 SSA #26 434.50 General Capital Projects 2,724.42 Infrastructure Capital Projects 16,129.00 Electric 3,107,021.13 Water/Wastewater 88,770.70 Refuse 8,426.97 Cemetery 6,013.12 Commuter Parking 259.56 Group Dental 3,766.00 Workers Compensation 900.00 Utility Refunds 203.34 ____________ Total Funds $3,364,828.40 Moved by Ald. Bruno, seconded by Ald. Marks that the bills be approved and vouchers prepared. Roll call: AYES: 10 (Ald. Bruno, Burghart, Cummings, Kilburg, Maladra, Marks, Radecki, Seno, Simonian, Singer) NAYS: 0 MOTION CARRIED 1377 Geneva City Council Meeting September 21, 2015 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE ITEMS OF BUSINESS Approve Renewal of Group Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance Policies Effective November 1, 2015 Moved by Ald. Marks, seconded by Ald. Seno to approve renewal of group health, dental, and vision insurance policies effective Nov. 1, 2015. Dan Walter, Lundstrom Insurance, was present to answer questions. On a question from Ald. Marks, he explained that the particular plan with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois was renewed based not just on cost, but also on past experience with the carrier and its knowledge of the City’s particular coverage experience. Citing the lack of time to study the City’s budget components prior to approval, Ald. Simonian called for a minimum review lead time of 30 days prior to voting on them. He also reiterated his concern that the time is nearing when the City will be seriously hampered by lack of State distributive funds and loss of revenue. This, he said, will necessitate cuts in spending, including the City’s health care insurance program. He called for the consideration of various scenarios to lower insurance costs. Ald. Radecki suggested looking into a high-deductible single insurance plan. If it significantly reduced the premium, he proposed using some of the savings to create a City-funded employee Health Savings Account (HSA) program, which he felt would discourage unnecessary doctor visits and encourage better personal health practices. Asst. Admin. Dawkins warned that this would create issues with union contracts, which address the premium contribution rate, not the plan. She advised against trying to alter the plan in the short time before it goes into effect on Nov. 1. Mr. Walter warned that moving from a choice of plans to a single plan could put a strain on some employees because of the different financial situations involved. Generally, agreement was to investigate various plans for consideration next year based on ideas put forward by Council and Staff. After brief discussion, roll call: AYES: 9 (Ald. Bruno, Burghart, Cummings, Kilburg, Maladra, Marks, Radecki, Seno, Singer) NAYS: 1 (Ald. Simonian) MOTION CARRIED Approve Resolution 2015-101 Authorizing the Execution of a Budget Amendment for Tri-Com CAD System for FY2015-16 as Presented Moved by Ald. Bruno, seconded by Ald. Marks to approve motion as presented. Approved by unanimous roll call vote. (Omnibus Agenda). MOTION CARRIED Approve Certificate of Completion for Park Place Development at Route 31/Stevens Street Moved by Ald. Bruno, seconded by Ald. Marks to approve motion as presented. Approved by unanimous roll call vote. (Omnibus Agenda). MOTION CARRIED Approve Certificate of Completion for Avondale Homes at 5th and Campbell Streets Moved by Ald. Bruno, seconded by Ald. Marks to approve motion as presented. Approved by unanimous roll call vote. (Omnibus Agenda). MOTION CARRIED 1378 Geneva City Council Meeting September 21, 2015 Approve Resolution 2015-100 Authorizing Purchase of Pretreated Bulk Salt from ClearLane in an Amount Not to Exceed $234,633.60 Moved by Ald. Bruno, seconded by Ald. Marks to approve motion as presented. Approved by unanimous roll call vote. (Omnibus Agenda). MOTION CARRIED Approve Resolution 2015-99 Authorizing Execution of Purchase of Reverse Osmosis Membranes from Dow Water & Process Solutions in an Amount Not to Exceed $138,225.00 Moved by Ald. Bruno, seconded by Ald. Marks to approve motion as presented. Approved by unanimous roll call vote. (Omnibus Agenda). MOTION CARRIED Approve Resolution 2015-98 Authorizing Execution of IDOT Form BLR 14230 and BLR 14231 Related to 2015-16 Expenditure of MFT Funds for Roadway Maintenance Moved by Ald. Bruno, seconded by Ald. Marks to approve motion as presented. Approved by unanimous roll call vote. (Omnibus Agenda). MOTION CARRIED Approve Ordinance 2015-30 Amending Title 4, Ch. 2 (Liquor Control), Sections 4-2- 1, 4-2-11, and 4-2-12 Related to Outdoor Seating Regulations Moved by Ald. Bruno, seconded by Ald. Marks to approve motion as presented. Approved by unanimous roll call vote. (Omnibus Agenda). MOTION CARRIED Approve Resolution 2015-97 Amending the Design Guidelines for Historic Properties – Window Policy Moved by Ald. Bruno, seconded by Ald. Marks to approve motion as presented. Approved by unanimous roll call vote. (Omnibus Agenda). MOTION CARRIED PRESENTATION OF ORDINANCES, PETITIONS, RESOLUTIONS, AND BID AWARDS None NEW BUSINESS None CLOSED SESSION ON ON THE PURCHASE, SALE OR LEASE OF REAL PROPERTY FOR THE USE OF THE PUBLIC BODY Moved by Ald. Marks, seconded by Ald. Bruno that the Council adjourn to Closed Session. Roll call: AYES: 10 (Ald. Bruno, Burghart, Cummings, Kilburg, Maladra, Marks, Radecki, Seno, Simonian, Singer) NAYS: 0 MOTION CARRIED The Council adjourned to Closed Session at 9:30 p.m. Moved by Ald. Marks, seconded by Ald. Singer that the Council return to Open Session. Carried unanimously by voice vote. MOTION CARRIED The Council returned to Open Session at 10:18 p.m. 1379 Geneva City Council Meeting September 21, 2015 ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, moved by Ald. Simonian, seconded by Ald. Singer to adjourn the Geneva City Council meeting. Carried by voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 10:19 p.m. ________________________ Lynn P. Landberg, City Clerk 1380 Remarks by Mayor Kevin R. Burns 9/21/15 City Council Meeting (entered as part of the official minutes) Tonight we begin our meeting with a little show and tell - I'm going to show a video then tell you what I think the underlying message is: The state legislature is utterly failing us - cities, towns and villages and the residents and business we strive to support. The incomprehensible inability and unwillingness to find consensus on a state budget threatens to harm our ability to construct a sound budget of our own in the upcoming fiscal year. This issue is more than just the legislative and executive branch recognizing the collateral damage being done on our most vulnerable neighbors – albeit that is bad enough – it’s rooted in an intractable and inexcusable "victory at all costs" mentality that places greater value on political gamesmanship then responsible governance. Heck, even Governor Rauner’s “superstar budget guru” Donna Arduin gave up as she resigned late last month. None of this should come as a surprise to anyone since the divide between the two parties in Illinois – and nationally – has never been greater. Compromise and common ground are the political equivalent of four letter words in policy discussions. But, when such a divide becomes a chasm that swallows communities like Geneva who practice fiscal responsibility at every level of municipal operations, then those in Springfield should be held accountable and called out. The comments you just heard from Governor Rauner’s State Budget Director, Mr. Tim Nuding, are steeped in misunderstanding at best and misinformation at worst. What began as a few misguided remarks by Governor Rauner and others, appears to have turned into a fusillade by the ill-informed. To Governor Rauner's credit, when asked to refrain from making such false statements when I and several of my colleagues met with him earlier this year, he obliged us. It appears, however, that his budget director, Mr. Nuding, didn't get the memo. Cities, towns and villages who have healthy reserves are governing responsibly - because such reserves are necessary to navigate unexpected emergencies - and too often unanticipated mandates from Springfield and myriad of agencies at the state and federal level. To say nothing of the fact that reserves in our water fund and electric fund are required by the contracts we have in place via bonding and state loan obligations. To assume, as Budget Director Nuding has in the clip just played, that communities are sitting on piles of cash discredits his own standing and, worse, feeds the uninformed the red meat they're craving to eviscerate a 4-decade plus partnership between the State of Illinois and local government regarding a shared income formula we know as LGDF - Local Government Distributive Funds. Furthermore, the constant attempt to enervate local control by freezing property tax rates simply adds insult to injury. Don't misunderstand my position as seeking approval to raise taxes willy-nilly...albeit some will because such limited thinking serves their own political philosophies no matter how sophomoric - it goes to the heart of communities' self-determination and responsiveness to their constituents needs and expectations. It’s as simple as this; property taxes are not levied, collected, or distributed by the state. Freezing property taxes does absolutely nothing to address the financial woes of the state budget. Nothing. Tonight I extend yet another invitation to our state budget director Mr. Nuding, Governor Rauner and any and all legislators who find cover in the statement we just heard that cities are sitting on piles of cash - to spend a couple hours with Geneva's Chief Budget Officer and learn firsthand how local governments operate and, by golly, perhaps take the best practices we employ back to Springfield. Lastly, a quick message to our Representatives and Senators who have the privilege of serving Geneva...don't be sucked in to the eddy of convenient yet dangerous thinking circling Springfield. We are counting on you to focus on our interests and avoid being distracted the hyperbole cast about in Springfield. Through Metro West Council of Government and voluminous personal communications, you know very well how we operate, how responsible we are with the resources entrusted to us and how committed we are to providing municipal services in a fair and equitable manner. For the Director to say that municipalities need to share the pain is misleading and insulting. Most municipalities, like the City of Geneva, have already decreased staffing, deferred capital projects and reduced operational budgets when, in fact, the State did not. By eliminating or severely gutting long time partnerships - LGDF being just one - and eviscerating our power to self-govern as we deem best, it seems to me that Springfield is interested in colonizing the more than 1,200 cities, towns and villages that dot the Land of Lincoln and…it’s worth noting….are leading the effort to help make Illinois a great place to live, learn, work, play and raise a family. The invitation is open-ended…come visit Geneva and benefit from our example of how to manage, motivate and move our community, and in turn, our state, forward. You can reach me directly at 630- 742-8916. # # #