Dupage Policy Journal

City of Elmhurst Finance Council Affairs & Administrative Services Committee met Aug. 26

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

1. Call to Order

Chair Talluto called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.

2. Roll Call 

Committee Members Present: Talluto, Jensen (7:09), Nudera, Irby

Committee Members Absent:

Other Elected Officials Present: Curran, Levin (8:25)

City Staff and Others Present: Coyle, Bruns, Kravets, McLean, Grabowski, K. Johnson (8:25); Ray Lee, FGM Architects

3. Public Comment

● Fernando Valdes Nicholson – Spoke in regard to green space.

● Alec Wollensak – Spoke in regard to green space.

● Carole Williams – Spoke in regard to green space.

● Monica Lewis – Spoke in regard to affordable housing.

● Chris Henry – Spoke in regard to green space.

● Barbara Lonergan – Spoke in regard to green space.

● Christy Ainge – Spoke in regard to green space.

● Stephanie Anderson – Spoke in regard to green space.

4. Receipt of Written Communication – Five (5) written communications related to green space were posted on BoardDocs.

5. Business Before the Committee

A. Minutes of the August 12, 2024, meeting of the Finance, Council Affairs & Administrative Services Committee

A motion to approve the minutes of the August 12, 2024, FCA&AS Committee meeting was made by Alderman Nudera and seconded by Alderman Irby. Roll Call vote: 4 ayes, 0 nays. Motion duly carried.

B. Report – Zayo Franchise Agreement

The Committee reviewed a license agreement with fiber optic company Zayo Group LLC for use of the City’s right-of-way to install fiber optic lines. The Committee inquired about the agreement charges, and Director Coyle indicated the fee is consistent with other fiber franchise agreements that the City has in place. A motion to approve the report recommending the City Council approve the franchise agreement with Zayo was made by Alderman Jensen and seconded by Alderman Nudera. Roll Call vote: 4 ayes, 0 nays. Motion duly carried.

C. 2024 Estimated Property Tax Resolution

Director Coyle presented a resolution with the estimated property tax levy, which the City is required to pass prior to adoption of the 2024 Tax Levy Ordinance. The amount of the estimated property tax is determined in accordance with a City policy established in 2013, which dictates the estimate be determined by the prior year’s levy adjusted by the lesser of June CPI-U or 5%. Director Coyle explained that the actual levy would be determined with the Committee and City Council through the budget process. No action was required by the Committee. The resolution will be placed on the consent agenda at the next City Council Meeting.

D. Police Station Funding

Chair Talluto outlined the discussion to-date regarding the Police Station funding. Director Coyle presented a memo which provided additional information requested by the Committee at the June 24, 2024 meeting. Discussion focused on a Capital Improvement Fund projection, estimated cost for the new police station, and the revenue source analysis. The Committee thoroughly examined the list of revenue sources, which included existing and possible new sources, and eliminated several options that the Committee unanimously agreed were not viable or appropriate for consideration of funding the police station. The remaining sources will be analyzed more closely in future discussion. The Committee also touched on a memo regarding City-owned real estate asset valuations from the Development, Planning, and Zoning Committee in 2023 which explored the highest and best use of these properties. Sale of one or more of these properties is another avenue of funding which can be considered. The Committee requested additional detailed information to presented to the Committee at a future meeting.

6. Other Business

The Committee discussed electric aggregation renewal notices which were recently mailed to certain Elmhurst households. Director Coyle noted that there were approximately fewer letters mailed compared to the renewal in 2023. Most of the letters mailed informed the household that their current electric supplier is MC Squared and they will continue to be supplied by MC Squared. In addition, letters were mailed to those being moved from ComEd to MC Squared for their electric supply, and to those households that independently selected their own electricity provider with an option to opt in to MC Squared as the supplier. All households have the ability to opt out of the electric aggregation program at any time.

7. Adjournment

A motion to adjourn was made by Alderman Nudera and seconded by Alderman Irby.  Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:52 p.m.

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