City of Warrenville Public Safety and Finance Committee of the Whole met March 27.
Here is the agenda provided by the committee:
A. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Goodman called to meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
B. ROLL CALL
Present: Chairman Leah Goodman, Mayor David Brummel, and Aldermen: Stuart Aschauer, Clare Barry, Kathy Davolos, Craig Kruckenberg, John Lockett, and Bill Weidner
Absent: Alderman Jeff Krischel
Also Present: City Administrator Cristina White, Assistant City Administrator Alma Morgan, Finance Director Kevin Dahlstrand, Deputy Chief Jeff Jacobson, Civil Engineer David Romero, Utility Maintenance Superintendent John Satter, and Executive Assistant and Deputy City Clerk Dawn Grivetti
Also Absent: Clerk Julie Clark
C. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Chairman Goodman led the Pledge of Allegiance.
D. PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no comments from the public.
E. OFFICIALS AND STAFF COMMENTS
Mayor Brummel recognized Chairman Goodman’ s leadership and service on the City Council as she chairs her last Committee of the Whole meeting prior to retiring from the City Council.
Chairman Goodman reminded the public to cast a ballot for the consolidated general election on April 4, 2023, and acknowledged and commended the Wheaton Warrenville South High School National Merit Finalists.
F. BUSINESS OF MEETING
1. Consideration of Two New Initiatives for the FY 2024 Environmental Advisory
Commission Work Plan
Civil Engineer ( CE) and Environmental Advisory Commission ( EAC) staff liaison Romero introduced EAC Chairman Jean-Marie Kauth to present two proposed new initiatives from the EAC.
EAC Chairperson Kauth stated that the EAC is requesting approval of a new work plan initiative to research and provide a recommendation for residents to choose a “ No Mow May” or “ No Mow ‘til Mother’s Day” program in an effort to reduce the decline of pollinators and provide opportunities for their survival. The second proposal presented by Chairman Kauth is a new work plan initiative to research and produce informative materials educating city residents on the benefits of solar energy and the availability of incentive programs.
Ald. Davolos commented on a recent article in the Daily Herald newspaper regarding other communities promoting “ No Mow May,” and commended the EAC for their consideration in researching and promoting the benefits of this program.
There was discussion regarding the proposed savings of not mowing through May by both the City and area residents as well as the ecological benefits to pollinators.
ALDERMAN WEIDNER MADE A MOTION, seconded by Ald. Davolos, to recommend the City Council approve the addition of the new initiatives to the FY 2024 Environmental Advisory Commission Work Plan.
MOTION CARRIED VIA VOICE VOTE
2. Consideration of FY 2024 non- union market adjustment Assistant City Administrator (ACA) Morgan presented the recommended annual cost of living wage increase for non- union employees based on the consumer price index, historical increases for contractual and non-contractual employees, and a survey of pay ranges in comparable communities.
Ald. Lockett commented on prior pay adjustments and recognized that during COVID19, no employees were laid off by the City. He also commented on the contractual increases afforded to the Public Works Department union staff.
ALDERMAN WEIDNER MADE A MOTION, seconded by Ald. Kruckenberg, to recommend the City Council approve a 5.2% FY 2024 market increase for nonrepresented employees as included in the proposed FY 2024 Budget.
MOTION CARRIED VIA VOICE VOTE
3. Consideration of an ordinance amending certain language of City Code Title 4, Chapter 1, Section 1, Department Created, to reflect current police hiring practices Deputy Chief ( DC) Jacobson stated that certain language of City Code Title 4, Chapter 1, Section 1, is not consistent with Board of Fire and Police Commissioners procedures or past City practices. He added that the proposed changes accurately reflect the current process. There was no further discussion.
ALDERMAN LOCKETT MADE A MOTION, seconded by Ald. Davolos, to recommend the City Council approve an ordinance amending Title 4, Chapter 1, Section 1, Department Created, as illustrated through language strikeouts and inserts.
MOTION CARRIED VIA VOICE VOTE
4. Consideration of changes to the FY 2024 Authorized Strength ordinance to include three part- time police officer positions, and to begin recruitment for one said position in advance of May 1, 2023
DC Jacobson stated that, due to the extent of time it takes to recruit full-time officer candidates, staff is seeking to begin advanced recruitment for one part-time police officer that is listed in the current Authorized Strength Ordinance. He further requested an increase in the number of part-time police officer positions from one to three to alleviate the increased workload on current staff and to provide resources in areas that have been identified as gaps in the Police Department.
Ald. Weidner recognized the importance of the proposed responsibilities of the additional part-time officers.
ALDERMAN WEIDNER MADE A MOTION, seconded by Ald. Lockett, to recommend the City Council direct staff to 1) proceed with early recruitment for one part- time police officer with an anticipated start date after May 1, 2023; and 2) to approve an ordinance increasing the part-time police officer authorized strength positions from one to three.
MOTION CARRIED VIA VOICE VOTE
5. Consideration of a request to dispose of surplus City property utilizing PropertyRoom.com
DC Jacobson presented the Police Department’ s routine request for disposal of surplus property using an online auction service. He noted that the City will receive 50% of the auctioned sale price for any item sold up to the first $1,000, and 75% of the auctioned sale price for items sold over the first $,1000, with the remaining balance provided to PropertyRoom. com as a service fee and various other fees.
ALDERMAN BARRY MADE A MOTION, seconded by Ald. Lockett, to recommend the City Council approve an ordinance authorizing the disposal of City owned property through an auction conducted by PropertyRoom.com.
MOTION CARRIED VIA VOICE VOTE
6. Consideration of water and sewer rate increases and a fee for the Naperville Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade City Administrator ( CA) White stated that as part of the FY 2024 budgeting process, and ongoing reviews of the Enterprise Maintenance and Replacement Plan (EMRP), staff determined it was necessary to propose both water and sewer rate increases for FY 2024, and implement a fee to support the costs associated with the Naperville Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade. She added that this is not a recommendation that staff took lightly, and these are necessary increases that will address ongoing operation and maintenance costs associated with the utilities.
Finance Director ( FD) Dahlstrand addressed the details of the proposed rate increases, which include a recommendation to: i) increase the water rate by 5% per 1,000 gallons of water used; ii) increase the bi-monthly water base charge from $14.02 to $14.72; iii) increase the sewer rate by 10% per 1,000 gallons; and iv) increase the sewer base charge from $36.69 to $40.36. Additionally, he stated that the EMRP Workgroup is proposing a Naperville Wastewater Treatment Plant Capital Improvement Fee, charged to sewer service customers that will support the cost of the City’ s portion of associated improvements.
FD Dahlstrand discussed how the City’s rates compare to other communities in DuPage County, both with and without the proposed Naperville Fee. He noted that last fall, the City was prepared to fund the Naperville improvements without an additional fee when improvements were estimated to be $ 5 million. Since then, the estimated improvements increased to an estimated $16.5 million, and the City was left with no option other than to implement additional increases and fees to fund the project over the course of the next 20 years. FD Dahlstrand added, that even with the increased rates and additional Naperville Fee, the City ranks among the lowest in DuPage County for combined water and sewer rates.
Utility Maintenance Superintendent John Satter stated staff determined rate increases based on consumption were more equitable than by meter size.
CA White stated that the Naperville Fee rate is not anticipated to be a permanent rate, indicating it may fluctuate from year to year as the project develops. She added that the workgroup will review the costs for the improvement project annually and adjust the fee as needed. The total cost and completion time of the project is unknown at this time, as the project has not been let for bids. Chairman Goodman added that users will have 20 years to pay down the debt, even if the project is completed sooner.
There was additional discussion regarding the accuracy of the water rate increases as they relate to only water service maintenance and operations, and the relative sewer rate increases as well. FD Dahlstrand confirmed that utility services are viewed individually so that costs and associated fees are related so that one utility does not subsidize the other.
Ald. Davolos recognized the need for the increases and fee, and expressed her gratitude to staff and the EMRP Workgroup for finding an equitable solution.
Ald. Aschauer pointed out that, because of some wise choices made by the City Council many years ago, the City has favorable water rates currently in place. He thanked current and past City Council members who made proper choices for the City’s water and sewer services in the past.
Chairman Goodman stated that the EMRP Workgroup considered many different plans for funding the utility service’ s operations, maintenance, and capital improvements. Their goal was to find a plan that would cover the costs incurred, be the most fair to users, and allow the Water and Sewer Fund to remain balanced. She stressed her concern for the ongoing cost of the inflow and infiltration removal program as a major factor in the increased sewer rates. She also added that the EMRP Workgroup recommends a three- year review of the water and sewer rate increases, and clarified that the current recommendation is for a 5% water rate increase and a 10% sewer rate increase for each of the next three years.
ALDERMAN LOCKETT MADE A MOTION, seconded by Ald. Barry, to recommend the City Council approve the proposed water and sewer rates and Naperville Treatment Plant Upgrade fee, and direct the City Attorney to prepare an Ordinance to reflect the changes to the City Code.
MOTION CARRIED VIA VOICE VOTE
7. Discussion of FY 2024 Budget
CA White offered this time to answer any questions from the Council regarding the proposed FY 2024 Budget. There were no questions offered. FD Dahlstrand presented additional information regarding the planned second payment on the Lexington Trace Developer Note from TIF #4. He stated that the FY 2023 payment amount was not known until now, and has not yet been budgeted for. He added that. considering the fact that the third and final payment planned for FY 2024 would be relatively low, and in an effort to save staff time, staff is recommending the City increase the proposed payment to Lexington Trace and pay off the note in FY 2023 rather than prolonging the final interest payment into FY 2024.
FD Dahlstrand noted that, regardless of the amount of the second payment, this action will require an amendment to the FY 2023 Budget, and the adjustment of FY 2023 Budget projections in the FY2024 Budget to include the additional TIF #4 expenditures and adjustment of the TIF loan paybacks to other funds.
ALDERMAN BARRY MADE A MOTION, seconded by Ald. Lockett, to recommend the City Council accept the staff recommendation according to the memo dated March 27, 2023, regarding the TIF #4 Developer Note, and direct staff to include $ 346,695. 13 in the FY 2023 Budget and remove $55,108 from the FY 2024 Budget.
MOTION CARRIED VIA VOICE VOTE
8. Informational updates on Administration, Finance, and Police Department FY 2023 Work Plans and Decision Packages ( FYI)
Updates to FY 2023 Departmental decision packages were presented. There were no comments presented.
NO COMMITTEE ACTION WAS TAKEN NOR REQUESTED
G. MISCELLANEOUS
1. Commendations
DC Jacobson presented a letter of commendation received from the Village of Carol Stream for assistance received from the Warrenville Police Department in locating a missing juvenile.
H. CLOSED SESSION
There was no closed session.
I. ADJOURN
ALDERMAN LOCKETT MADE A MOTION, seconded by Ald. Barry to adjourn.
MOTION ADOPTED VIA VOICE VOTE
The meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
https://www.warrenville.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_03272023-1225
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