VILLAGE OF NORTH AURORA
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING MINUTES
APRIL 1, 2013
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Berman called the meeting to order.
ROLL CALL
In attendance: Mayor Dale Berman, Trustee Chris Faber, Trustee Ryan Lambert, Trustee Mark Guethle, Trustee Mark Gaffino, Trustee Laura Curtis, Trustee Vince Mancini, Village Clerk Lori Murray.
Staff in attendance: Interim Village Administrator/Police Chief Dave Summer, Water Superintendent Paul Young, Public Works Superintendent Mike Glock, Finance Director Bill Hannah, Community and Economic Development Director Mike Toth, Village Attorney Kevin Drendel, Village Engineer Jim Bibby (Rempe-Sharpe).
AUDIENCE COMMENTS – None
TRUSTEE COMMENTS – None
DISCUSSION
1. Discussion of FY 2013-14 Draft Budget
Finance Director Bill Hannah presented a powerpoint overview of the FY 2013-14 Draft Budget. The draft budget can be viewed in its entirety on the Village Website.
Village Board comments/questions:
The Board questioned the $30,000 cost to begin the update the tree inventory. Public Works Superintendent Mike Glock said this program was started 5 years ago and allows the Village to know the inventory of the trees in the Village. Trustee Curtis said that the Village is 7 square miles and asked if the inventory can be done on a spot by spot basis over time. Glock said that Tree America wants all municipalities to have the tree inventory system in place. Faber asked if there is grant money to help the Village replace the ash trees. Glock said that there were 158 villages that applied for the same grant and 33 received grant funds.
Trustee Gaffino noted that trees will increase in price by 60% this year.
Trustee Mancini asked if a new well is expected in the long-term waterworks projections that were presented. Hannah said that the projected numbers did not include projected debt service or loan repayments for a new well at this time but projected water main replacements were included.
Hannah said that further questions and discussions can take place at the next Committee of the Whole meeting on April 15th. The official public hearing for the budget will be held on May 6th with the scheduled approval of the budget on May 20th.
Paul Young addressed the Board regarding budgeting for an additional person in the Water Department. Young said he had gathered some comparables form neighboring communities.
Paul said this request was made in preparation of the 2013-14 budget and came to the Finance Committee a month ago. Young noted that Dave Summer’s initial look at the draft budget was not favorable in terms of hiring additional personnel, but encouraged him to go to the Finance Committee. Since then, and with the recommendation of the Finance Committee, have put together some comparables. Young said that the Water Department is more technical now than it was 6 years ago. The main purpose in hiring an additional person would be to get them 80% as familiar as the senior operator regarding the treatment plants.
Young said the Village has 92 miles of water main, 2 treatment plants, a well located in each treatment plant, 3 remote wells and 5800 meter connections.
Trustee Faber asked about the software systems that were budgeted and how much more efficient this will make the Village. Hannah said the new version for the Finance software will be more efficient and allow for better reporting. The Village has been on the current version of Springbrook for six years and the costs of going with the new version of Springbrook are caps on implementation and training. Faber also asked about the proposed Police EOC software. Summer indicated that no software currently exists and a paper system is in effect.
Trustee Gaffino questioned the uniform allowance budgeted in the amount of $4000. Mike Glock said that the employee has to come in with paid receipts before the Village will reimburse. Hannah said the budgeted amount is allowed for an employee at $150/twice a year. The buffer in the budget would cover any safety related item that may need to be purchased.
The Board was hesitant regarding the budgeting of an IT person and questioned if there would be enough work to keep that person busy for 40 hours a week. The Board asked for more information regarding this position and would discuss it further at the next Committee of the Whole meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn made by Trustee Mancini and seconded by Trustee Lambert. All in favor. Motion approved.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lori J. Murray
Village Clerk
