Village of Roselle Committee of the Whole met November 13.
Here is the minutes provided by the Committee:
Present: Mayor Maglio, Trustees Berkshire, Devitt, Domke, Pileski, Pransky and Trejo.
Others Present: Jeff O’Dell, Jason Bielawski, Jim Knippen, Steve Herron, Roman Tarchala, Dan Anderson, Mark Bozik, Pat Watkins, Victor Ramirez, and Patty Burns.
2. Approve Prepared Agenda
Motion by Trustee Devitt, second by Trustee Trejo, to Approve the Agenda as Presented.
Upon voice vote: Motion Carried.
3. Citizen Comments/Questions – None
4. Public Safety Employee Benefits Act (Pseba) Administrative Procedures Ordinance
The Public Safety Employee Benefit Act (PSEBA) was enacted into state law in 1997 requiring public employers to provide health insurance benefits to any full-time law enforcement or firefighter who suffers a catastrophic injury or is killed in the line of duty. The employer is required to pay the entire premium of the employer’s health insurance plan for the employee, the employee’s spouse, and for each dependent child under the age of 25.
In order to be eligible for PSEBA benefits, the employee must have suffered the catastrophic injury or is killed in the line of duty as a result of the police officer’s response to fresh pursuit, the officer’s or firefighter’s response to what is reasonably believed to be an emergency, an unlawful act perpetrated by another, or during the investigation of a criminal act. Because the PSEBA statute doesn’t provide a procedure to determine benefit eligibility, municipalities have been adopting ordinances establishing an administrative process to determine eligibility. A recent Appellate Court decision upheld a non-home rule municipality’s ordinance establishing an orderly and uniform process for determining PSEBA eligibility.
An ordinance titled “Establishing an Administrative Procedure for Assessing and Determining Claims under the Public Safety Employee Benefits Act”, was drafted by the Village’s attorney and is consistent with ordinances that other municipalities are adopting following the Appellate Court decision. The intent of the ordinance is to conduct a process and hearing to consider applications for benefits under PSEBA. The process includes: a sworn application from the applicant detailing relevant information as to the eligibility for benefits such as, listing spouse, children/dependents, and other facts supporting the place and nature of the injury as well as a medical record release.
The Village Administrator will review the application to make a determination to: 1) Award PSEBA benefits; 2) Deny PSEBA benefits; or 3) Request a hearing to determine PSEBA eligibility. If a hearing is required, the Mayor with consent of the Village Board will appoint a licensed attorney to serve as the hearing officer to conduct an administrative hearing. If an applicant is denied PSEBA benefits he/she can appeal the decision to a hearing officer as well. The determination by the hearing officer will be deemed final and would only be subject to judicial review by appeal to the Circuit Court by the applicant or the Village. Finally, the ordinance requires from anyone who receives PSEBA benefits an annual affidavit attesting to their ongoing eligibility for the benefits they are receiving.
Staff directed to proceed as required.
5. FY 2018 Proposed Budget Presentation
Fire and Police Pension Funds – Fire Pension is 71.5% funded and Police Pension is 60.2% funded. Both funds must be fully funded by 2040. The Fire Pension Fund is being switched over to a professional investment group for management, the same group used for the Police Pension Fund.
Elected Officials Initiative –
Videotaping and Streaming of Village Board meetings $8,000.00 – Requested by Trustee David Pileski and Trustee Wayne Domke.
The Roselle Community survey suggested that 49% of those that responded would consider watching a Village Board meeting from their home. A survey of other communities shows that many communities videotape and live stream their meetings. This initiative would reduce paper use, be more efficient, provide opportunities for those residents that are unable to attend for any reason, increase transparency and provide a safeguard for the Board members.
Trustee Berkshire feels that this is a waste of taxpayer money. He does not see the value in this or the importance. No one attends the Village meetings, so why would they watch them on TV. He is not in favor of this.
Trustee Devitt agrees with Trustee Berkshire. Only 3% of the Roselle residents took the Community Survey, and half of that group said they might be interested in having the meetings videotaped. If the population is not interested in taking the survey, they are unlikely to watch the taped meetings.
Trustee Domke is in favor of this initiative, and stated that this will provide another tool for transparency.
Trustee Trejo feels this initiative is unnecessary because we are transparent already with the Clerk’s minutes, special Village meetings such as ComEd updates, E-news/Facebook and the Roselle Reporter.
Trustee Pransky is not in favor of this initiative.
This item will not be included in the budget.
Wireless Access Points Metra Train Station $4920.00 – Requested by Trustee Wayne Domke.
This request will purchase wireless access points inside the Metra Train Station to provide free wifi to commuters.
Trustee Domke suggested that this request be looked at as a marketing approach for Roselle. He has spoken to many commuters who have mentioned their frustration at not being able to have wifi while waiting for their train.
Trustee Devitt stated that he has concerns about young people loitering in the train station area once they realize there is free wifi. He also feels that for the short time that commuters wait for their trains, the Village should not be incurring this type of ongoing expense.
Trustee Domke suggested that Board decisions should not be made based on fear of what might happen.
Trustee Trejo agrees with Trustee Devitt. He sees a better potential for this type of service on Main Street, for shoppers.
Trustee Pileski stated that the next generation, as well as millennials, expect wifi wherever they travel. Whole Villages will be covered by wifi in the future.
Trustee Berkshire added that for the many years that he commuted, he never used his computer. He feels this expense has no value and he does not support this. Additionally, this discussion is not about Main Street or the whole Village, and it is not the Village’s responsibility to provide wifi to these locations.
Trustee Pransky does not support this recommendation.
This item will not be included in the budget.
Revised Programs and Services –
Marketing and Banners $5,000.00 – funding for Economic Development Initiatives and marketing efforts including Business retention and recruitment efforts, as well as replacing existing banners with the downtown area. Approved.
Expand Roselle EMA Program $10,000.00 – Cover increased EMA operations costs, EOC updates and supplies. By Statute, Roselle EMA is responsible for the emergency management functions of the Village in the event of a major incident or disaster. By Village ordinance, the Fire Chief serves as the EMA coordinator. Roselle EMA currently has 1-2 active volunteers that assist the fire department and police department such as events as July 3rd fireworks, Taste of Roselle, Rose Fest etc. This request is to ensure that all statutory requirements are met or exceeded and increase the number of EMA volunteers and to utilize them in more roles that in the end would provide better services to our citizens. Approved.
Various Software $40,150.00 – Staff has identified several opportunities to leverage technology to improve Village services and work processes across departments. This includes an Emergency Notification System, Parking Ticket Software and GIS Integration. Approved.
Realigning Staffing Resources $125,875.00 – Three personnel requests justifying the need to adjust the authorized strength of employees in the organization. These requests are proposed to better meet the provision of municipal services to the community. Approved.
Strategic Plan Consulting and Facilitator Services $7,500.00 – Requested by Trustee Berkshire and Trustee Devitt.
The last year of the Village Board’s current Strategic Plan is 2018. With two new Trustees and a new Mayor, it is recommended to utilize a professional consultant to facilitate meetings and assist the Board and staff with the strategic planning process. This would start in the Spring of 2018. Approved.
Chamber of Commerce request – presented by Trustee Devitt.
The Chamber is requesting an additional $2,500 for parade expenses. The Chamber currently received $10,000 towards the Parade from the Village. Trustee Devitt as asked to find out what specifically the money will be used for – the Board would like an itemized list of what the $10,000.00 is used for and what the $2,500.00 will be used for. More information requested.
6. Citizen Comments/Questions - None
7. Other Business - None
8. Executive Session - None
9. Motion To Adjourn Committee Of The Whole Meeting.
Motion by Trustee Devitt second by Trustee Trejo to Adjourn Committee of the Whole at 9:10 p.m.
Upon Voice Vote: Motion Carried.
http://www.roselle.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_11132017-24
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