City Council Meetings

WHEATON CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS TUESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2016 WHEATON CITY HALL, COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 303 W. WESLEY ST., WHEATON, IL 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The regular Wheaton City Council Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Michael J. Gresk. Upon roll call, the following were: Physically Present: Mayor Michael J. Gresk Councilwoman Suzanne Fitch Councilman John Prendiville Councilman Thor Saline (arrived at 7:10 p.m.) Councilman Todd Scalzo Councilman Phil Suess Absent: Councilman John Rutledge City Staff Present: Donald B. Rose, City Manager Michael G. Dzugan, Assistant City Manager James Knippen, City Attorney James P. Kozik, Director of Planning & Economic Dev. Paul G. Redman, Director of Engineering Robert R. Lehnhardt, Director of Finance James Volpe, Police Chief Sharon Barrett-Hagen, City Clerk 2. PRESENTATIONS None. 3. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD None. 4. CONSENT AGENDA Councilman Suess moved and Councilman Scalzo seconded that the following action be taken on the Consent Agenda items: 1. Approve the Minutes of the January 4, 2016 regular Wheaton City Council Meeting, as submitted. 2. Adopt Resolution R-02-16, A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of a Certain Construction, Use, and Indemnification Agreement (1877 South Wiesbrook Road). 3. Approve Requests for Bond Waivers and Authorize Issuance of Raffle Licenses to Monroe Middle School PTA and Wheaton Warrenville South “The Classics” Show Choir. 4. Adopt Resolution R-03-16, A Resolution Authorizing the Disposal of Certain Surplus Property. 5. Receive the Procurement Officer’s Recommendation and Award Bid for Coop Purchase in Lieu of Standard Bidding Process to Landmark Ford through the Illinois State Contract for One Ford Taurus and One Ford Focus in the Amount of $34,063. Roll Call Vote on Consent Agenda: Ayes: Councilman Suess Councilwoman Fitch Councilman Prendiville Council Proceedings January 19, 2016 / Page 2 Mayor Gresk Councilman Scalzo Nays: None Absent: Councilman Rutledge Councilman Saline Motion Carried Unanimously 5. ADOPT RESOLUTION R-04-16, A RESOLUTION REGARDING PROPOSED REDUCTIONS IN THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT DISTRIBUTIVE FUND Councilman Prendiville moved and Councilman Scalzo seconded that Resolution R-04-16, A Resolution Regarding Proposed Reductions in the Local Government Distributive Fund, be adopted. City Manager Rose indicated the resolution before the Council would urge the City’s representatives to the Illinois General Assembly to vote against any proposed legislation which would reduce the City’s share of State income tax revenue. He recommended approval of the resolution as presented. Councilman Prendiville stated he requested the resolution because of the threat to the financial health of the City if a reduction in these funds were approved and also because he wanted the City of Wheaton to have a voice in the discussion. Senator Michael Connelly, 2641 Brunswick Ct., Lisle, stated that Wheaton is unique in that all of our representatives, as well as the Lt. Governor, have had municipal experience and they understand municipal government. Senator Connelly assured the Council that the Wheaton representatives are working hard on behalf of the City. He feels that if the State were able to achieve pension and worker’s compensation reform, the City would benefit from reduced costs. Councilman Prendiville thanked Senator Connelly for coming to the meeting. He indicated the resolution is not meant to suggest that Wheaton’s representatives are opposed to the City. However, statements have been made that proposed a 50% or 100% cut to LGDF and he asked how that would benefit the State and the taxpayers. Senator Connelly stated the Governor has said he will sign a revenue bill but needs the legislature to work with him on reform in order to lower costs for municipalities. Senator Connelly again assured the Council that municipalities are being heard. Councilman Suess stated that Representative Durkin and Senator Radogno’s statements that everything is on the table is concerning to the City. Councilman Suess feels the City is doing things right but is being punished for good fiscal management. He also questioned why the State is getting involved in property taxes, which are set by local governments. Senator Connelly replied that 95% of Illinois constituents are furious about their property tax bill, even though 80% of taxes go to schools. Councilman Suess stated that the result of comments about property taxes is that municipalities are raising their property tax levies in anticipation of a property tax freeze. Councilman Scalzo stated the 2014 election was partially fought on reducing the State income tax rate, which has had the effect of a significant loss of revenue to the State. He questioned if there has been any positive growth in State revenues that would offset that reduction. Senator Connelly responded that the State is still growing revenues and that the Governor will sign a revenue bill if he gets the reform he is requesting. Councilwoman Fitch believes that no municipality wants to see a reduction in LGDF monies. She is hopeful there will be a grand bargain. She hopes the State will get the structural reforms that will reduce costs to municipalities, but that may require putting everything on the table in order to reach a compromise. Council Proceedings January 19, 2016 / Page 3 Councilman Suess questioned a line in the proposed resolution that states the City has been able to maintain services at a high level while avoiding increases in its property tax levy. He feels this is not an accurate statement because the City did pass a tax levy increase in December and feels the language should be modified. Councilman Prendiville indicated this statement refers to past history. He stated the levy was increased with the understanding it can be abated if funding is not reduced by the State. Based on that, he is not in favor of amending the resolution. Councilman Scalzo feels the spirit of the language is generally accurate as it refers to actions taken since 2008 and the fact that the levy had not been raised for five years. Mayor Gresk also spoke in favor of the spirit of the resolution. He asked staff to explore sending letters to State representatives asking that the funding not be reduced. Councilman Suess expressed his support that letters be sent to Wheaton representatives, as well as leadership in the House and Senate. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Councilman Prendiville Mayor Gresk Councilman Saline Councilman Scalzo Councilwoman Fitch Nays: Councilman Suess Absent: Councilman Rutledge Motion Carried 6. ADOPT RESOLUTION R-05-16, A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AN AGREEMENT WITH MARQUETTE ASSOCIATES, INC. FOR INVESTMENT CONSULTANT SERVICES Councilman Saline moved and Councilwoman Fitch seconded that Resolution R-05-16, A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of an Agreement with Marquette Associates, Inc. for Investment Consultant Services, be adopted. City Manager Rose stated the Council reviewed a presentation by Marquette Associates, Inc. to provide investment consultant services for the City at their January 11, 2016 Planning Session. He stated it was the general consensus of the Council to proceed with an agreement with Marquette Associates. City Manager Rose recommended approval of the resolution and agreement as presented. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Councilman Saline Councilman Scalzo Councilman Suess Councilwoman Fitch Councilman Prendiville Mayor Gresk Nays: None Absent: Councilman Rutledge Motion Carried Unanimously 7. APPROVE ISSUANCE OF CLASS H LIQUOR LICENSE TO BASE PARTNERS, INC./FOX BOWL/1101 BUTTERFIELD ROAD Council Proceedings January 19, 2016 / Page 4 Councilman Scalzo moved and Councilman Saline seconded that Issuance of Class H Liquor License to BASE Partners, Inc./Fox Bowl/1101 Butterfield Road, be approved. City Manager Rose stated that the issuance of a new liquor license for Fox Bowl is due to a change of ownership of the business. He recommended approval of the issuance of a Class H license to BASE Partners, Inc. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Councilman Scalzo Councilman Suess Councilwoman Fitch Councilman Prendiville Mayor Gresk Councilman Saline Nays: None Absent: Councilman Rutledge Motion Carried Unanimously 8. PASS ORDINANCE NO. F-1918, AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AND GRANTING A FRANCHISE TO NORTHERN ILLINOIS GAS COMPANY (d/b/a NICOR GAS COMPANY) ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS, TO CONSTRUCT, OPERATE AND MAINTAIN A NATURAL GAS DISTRIBUTING SYSTEM IN AND THROUGH THE CITY OF WHEATON, ILLINOIS Councilwoman Fitch moved and Councilman Scalzo seconded that Ordinance No. F-1918, An Ordinance Authorizing and Granting a Franchise to Northern Illinois Gas Company (d/b/a Nicor Gas Company) Its Successors and Assigns, to Construct, Operate and Maintain a Natural Gas Distributing System in and through the City of Wheaton, Illinois City Manager Rose reported that since 2008 the City of Wheaton has been part of a municipal consortium working to develop a standard Natural Gas Franchise between municipalities and Nicor. He stated the ordinance before the Council is the result of those efforts. City Manager Rose stated the financial terms of the ordinance would provide the City a one-time bonus payment of $42,395 and an annual cash equivalent $56,527 a year for free therms. He recommended approval of the ordinance as presented. Councilman Suess questioned how this agreement compares to what the City is currently receiving. City Manager Rose responded that under the prior agreement the City received 85,755 free therms valued at $48,726, and under the proposed agreement the City would receive 99,472.80 free therms with a monetary value of $56,527. In response to Mayor Gresk, City Manager Rose stated the City’s usage is higher than the amount of free therms and the library is the largest user of therms in the City. In response to Councilman Suess, City Manager Rose stated this agreement does not significantly affect Nicor’s access to the City’s rights-of-way, but there are requirements for coordinating work the City is doing with Nicor’s schedule. Councilman Scalzo asked if other companies offered this service. City Manager Rose stated Nicor owns the pipes that are needed to provide services. If the City did not enter into this negotiated agreement, it would probably lose the one-time bonus payment and may also lose the free therms. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Councilwoman Fitch Council Proceedings January 19, 2016 / Page 5 Councilman Prendiville Mayor Gresk Councilman Saline Councilman Scalzo Councilman Suess Nays: None Absent: Councilman Rutledge Motion Carried Unanimously 9. COUNCIL COMMENT None. 10. APPROVAL OF WARRANT Councilman Suess moved and Councilman Saline seconded that Warrant No. 672 in the amount of $1,976,213.49 be approved. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Councilman Suess Councilwoman Fitch Councilman Prendiville Mayor Gresk Councilman Saline Councilman Scalzo Nays: None Absent: Councilman Rutledge Motion Carried Unanimously 10. ADJOURNMENT Councilman Scalzo moved and Councilman Saline seconded that the regular Wheaton City Council Meeting be adjourned at 7:35 p.m. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Councilman Scalzo Councilman Suess Councilwoman Fitch Councilman Prendiville Mayor Gresk Councilman Saline Nays: None Absent: Councilman Rutledge Motion Carried Unanimously Respectfully submitted, Sharon Barrett-Hagen City Clerk