Dupage Policy Journal

City of Elmhurst Finance Council Affairs & Administrative Services Committee met Nov. 25

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

1. Call to Order

Chair Talluto called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

2. Roll Call 

Committee Members Present: Talluto, Jensen, Nudera, Irby

Committee Members Absent:

Other Elected Officials Present: Curran, Levin

City Staff and Others Present: Coyle, Bruns, Kravets, Grabowski, McLean; Dan Virgil, Christie Ainge, Shelly Nicholson, Paula Wolfe

3. Public Comment

Residents in attendance made comments regarding the Third and Shiller green space, and the impact of tax increases on senior residents within the community.

4. Receipt of Written Communication

The committee received two written submissions in relation to the Third and Schiller green space. 

5. Business Before the Committee

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

A motion to approve the minutes of the November 12, 2024, FCA&AS Committee meeting was made by Alderman Jensen and seconded by Alderman Nudera. A voice vote was taken, and the minutes were approved unanimously.

B. Police Station Funding

Director Coyle presented a revised memo which provided new information requested by the Committee at the September 23, 2024 meeting. Based on the Committee’s prior feedback, staff provided three scenarios for structuring the debt service associated with funding the Police Station project, as well as an analysis of potential interest rate savings and construction cost increases if the project was to be delayed.

The Committee discussed the three debt service options: level debt service, capitalized interest which would delay repayment of the principal until the project was completed, and a third option where the principal payments would increase over time aligned with current debt service being paid off. They also reviewed the estimated impact of one-year and two-year delays to the project. The Committee reached a consensus on the third debt service scenario being the most desirable option but requested further information on the cost of issuing a $3.5M general obligation bond in 2025 to pay for engineering of the project, as opposed to issuing a full $10M bond for engineering and the initial construction cost. The Committee also asked for a fourth debt service scenario which accounts for additional revenue to be provided by a proposed 1% increase to the Hotel/Motel Tax and considers the sale of city-owned property at 180 W Park after the police department moves into the new police station. The Committee also emphasized the importance of educating the public on why the new police station is a necessity and how it will benefit the community as a whole.

The Committee will continue the discussion, with additional information to be provided by staff, at a future meeting.

C. Pending Referrals

The pending referrals list was reviewed. No further action was taken by the Committee at this time.

6. Other Business

The Committee conferred on attendance for the next meeting scheduled for December 9th. It is anticipated that there will be a quorum.

7. Adjournment

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

The meeting was adjourned at 8:36 p.m.

https://go.boarddocs.com/il/coe/Board.nsf/Public