Dupage Policy Journal

City of Warrenville Public Safety and Finance Committee of the Whole met May 28

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

A. CALL TO ORDER

Chairman Aschauer called to meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

B. ROLL CALL

Present: Chairman Stuart Aschauer, Mayor David Brummel, and Aldermen: John Paul Augustynowicz, Clare Barry, Kathy Davolos, Craig Kruckenberg, Bill Weidner, and Judy Wilkie

Absent: Alderman John Lockett

Also Present: City Treasurer Maury Goodman, City Administrator Cristina White, Assistant City Administrator Alma Morgan, Finance Director Kevin Dahlstrand, Police Chief Sam Bonilla, and Executive Assistant and Deputy City Clerk Dawn Grivetti

Also Absent: City Clerk Julie Clark

C. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Chairman Aschauer led the Pledge of Allegiance.

D. PUBLIC COMMENTS

There were no comments from persons present.

E. OFFICIALS AND STAFF COMMENTS

Ald. Wilkie thanked the Public Works staff for hosting the open house event last week.

She also wished her husband, Colin Wilkie, a happy birthday.

F. BUSINESS OF MEETING

1. Consideration of Street Closures for the Annual Independence Day Celebration Executive Assistant and Deputy Clerk Grivetti presented the Warrenville Friends of the 4th Committee’s annual request for street closures for the 2024 Independence Day Celebration.

ALDERMAN KRUCKENBERG MADE A MOTION, seconded by Ald. Wilkie, to recommend the City Council authorize the closure of certain local streets for the annual Independence Day Parade, parade staging, and Cerny Park festival as stated in Warrenville Friends of the 4th Committee Chairman Colin Wilkie’s letter dated May 6, 2024.

MOTION CARRIED VIA VOICE VOTE

2. Consideration of AV Room equipment and camera upgrades

Assistant City Administrator (ACA) Morgan stated that the audio-visual equipment used to record and transmit City public meetings are at the end of service life and are no longer eligible for factory support. She presented staff’s recommended replacement and upgrade option for the equipment in the amount of $53,360. This option includes replacement of the same number of cameras that are currently used in Council Chambers. She noted that with these upgrades, the live streaming of Council and Committee of the Whole meetings using GoTo Meetings will no longer be needed unless remote attendance by a member is necessary.

ACA Morgan stated that the quote for equipment and services was provided by the City’s current information technology (IT) service provider, Orbis Solutions, Inc., and added that, due to the technical nature of the project, staff is requesting City Council waive bidding requirements for the project.

There was discussion regarding the number of cameras and type of equipment included in the project and any warranties associated with the equipment. Orbis President Brad Miller indicated that the project includes replacement of four cameras and a video switching device among other equipment. He added that warranty and service commitments are part of Orbis’ existing contract as well as standard equipment manufacturer warranties.

There was discussion regarding the use of current wireless microphones and some members’ inability to hear staff who use such microphones. Mr. Miller indicated some adjustments could be made to the microphones to improve the sound quality. ACA Morgan added that staff could reevaluate the wireless microphones for better performance options. She also suggested the possibility of adding speakers behind the dais to amplify the sound.

There was discussion regarding the use of additional technical features included with the new equipment. ACA Morgan stated that staff would begin with basic training of the equipment due to the limited expertise of technical staff operating current equipment. Other features or production choices could be made in the future at Council’s request.

ALDERMAN BARRY MADE A MOTION, seconded by Ald. Wilkie, to recommend the City Council waive the competitive bidding requirement and approve proposal option #1 with Orbis Solutions, Inc. for the upgrade and replacement of Audio-Visual recording equipment and cameras in the amount of $53,360.

MOTION CARRIED VIA VOICE VOTE

3. Consideration of Contract Renewal for City Prosecutor Services

Police Chief Bonilla stated this item is the annual renewal of the contract for City Prosecutor services. He noted that her services are utilized at least monthly.

ALDERMAN BARRY MADE A MOTION, seconded by Ald. Wilkie, to recommend the City Council approve the contract renewal for City Prosecutor services with Attorney Christine Charkewycz for the period of June 1, 2024, through May 31, 2025.

MOTION CARRIED VIA VOICE VOTE

4. Consideration of Recommendation Regarding Water and Sewer Billing Penalties

Finance Director Dahlstrand stated that when City Council authorized the new FY 2025 water and sewer rates, staff was directed to evaluate the current late fee structure for water and sewer bill payments made after the due date. Referencing data from a DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference survey of municipal tax rates and revenues, he indicated that the City’s penalty rate of 10% is comparable to the average rate charged by responding municipalities.

FD Dahlstrand stated that, at this time, staff is recommending the Council make no changes to the current structure and that staff be given time to re-evaluate the penalty process after sufficient time has elapsed to analyze the new monthly billing process.

He noted that the City only applies a penalty to the most current outstanding balance and that the penalty is not compounded from month to month.

FD Dahlstrand was asked to restate the new billing process and service shutoff policy for reference. He provided details regarding the time customers have to pay monthly bills from first billing to shut-off, adding that staff’s goal is always to collect payment rather than to shut service off.

ALDERMAN BARRY MADE A MOTION, seconded by Ald. Wilkie, to recommend the City Council to make no change to the current penalty on water and sewer late payments of 10% of the current bill only, and further direct staff to re-evaluate this recommendation during the FY 2026 budget process.

MOTION CARRIED VIA VOICE VOTE

5. Informational updates on Administration, Finance, and Police Department FY 2025 Work Plans and Decision Packages

Updates were provided for the various departmental work plans and decision packages for FY 2025. Referencing the Administration Plan, Ald. Davolos asked if staff would be presenting the Council with options for agenda-reading devices at the dais. ACA Morgan confirmed that staff will present a choice of options for the Council to consider.

G. MISCELLANEOUS

1. Commendations

PC Bonilla stated the City received a commendation letter from the Village of Woodridge for police assistance received in the investigation of a homicide that occurred in Woodridge.

H. CLOSED SESSION

There was not a need for a closed session.

I. ADJOURN

ALDERMAN KRUCKENBERG MADE A MOTION, seconded by Ald. Wilkie, to adjourn.

MOTION ADOPTED VIA VOICE VOTE

The meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m. 

https://www.warrenville.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_05282024-1388