Village of Bartlett Committee of the Whole met Oct. 1
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
1. CALL TO ORDER
President Wallace called the Committee of the Whole meeting of October 1, 2024, of the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Bartlett to order on the above date at 7:57 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Chairmen Deyne, Gandsey, Gunsteen, Hopkins, LaPorte, Suwanski, President Wallace
ABSENT: None
ALSO PRESENT: Village Administrator Paula Schumacher, Assistant Village Administrator Scott Skrycki, Assistant to the Village Administrator Sam Hughes, Human Resources Director Janelle Terrance, Finance Director Todd Dowden, Director of Public Works Dan Dinges, Assistant Public Works Director Tyler Isham, Public Works Engineer Nick Talarico, Planning & Development Director Kristy Stone, Head Golf Professional Phil Lenz, Chief Geoff Pretkelis, Deputy Chief Rob Sweeney, Deputy Chief Will Naydenoff, Village Attorney Kurt Asprooth, and Village Clerk Lorna Giless.
3. TOWN HALL: None
4. STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. FINANCE COMMITTEE, CHAIRMAN LAPORTE
1. Proposed 2024 Property Tax Levy
Trustee LaPorte stated that the proposed property tax levy for 2024 totals $12,870,519 and is $210,506 or 1.61% less than the prior year extended amount. The General corporate levy is 1.16% less than the 2023 extension and is the same as last year’s approved levy amount. The proposed Police Pension levy is 1.17% or $31,759 less than the prior year extension and would require the use of $786,538 of General Fund balance. The 2023 pension levy was supplemented by $319,175 of General Fund balance surplus, the same amount used to keep the 2022 police pension levy unchanged from 2021. The current year’s recommended contribution is $3,468,598, an increase of $467,363 from the prior year. Pension cost increases were related to one disability award, salary increases, and investment returns lower than the expected rate over the last three years. The Debt Service levy is lower than the prior year extended amount by $93,153 or 3.09%. Overall, the levy decrease compared to the 2023 extension is $210,506, or 1.61%. The total proposed levy is $4,282 less than the 2023 approved levy.
Finance Director Todd Dowden went over a presentation regarding the 2024 Property Tax Levy.
Trustee Gunsteen asked where we stand as far as the amount of money we fund to the pension versus what’s required.
Finance Director Todd Dowden stated the State’s statute requires we have it funded at 90% by 2040. We currently have it based on having it funded at 100% by 2040. He went on to say that if we go by the State’s requirements, it would be under 3 million.
President Wallace asked where we are at right now percentage vise. Finance Director Todd Dowden stated we are at about 77% funded.
President Wallace stated the consolidated group effort was disappointing because we would be a higher percentage if it wasn’t for that.
Trustee LaPorte stated that if there were no other questions, this would go to Public Hearing and be brought back to the Board at a future meeting.
B. PUBLIC WORKS AND GOLF COMMITTEE, CHAIRMAN DEYNE
1. Well House Demolition & Village Hall Parking Project
Trustee Deyne stated that at the September 3rd Board meeting there was much discussion on whether to include electric vehicle charging stations or not for the new parking that will be constructed where the well house was located (site plan attached). We have received requests from the public for electric vehicle charging stations and thought downtown would be a good location. We also applied for grants. Tyler mentioned that we may have a $76,310 grant through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant however, we haven’t received an official notification yet. The deadline for the application is 10/31 and we will submit the application provided the Board is interested in pursuing electric vehicles stations somewhere in town. Assuming we receive this grant along with the ComEd grant of $5,300/charging station the total grant potential is $97,510. Therefore, the total project cost would be $136,490.
There were also questions on design/build vs design/bid. Attached is a chart showing the estimates between the two options and whether electric charging stations are included or not. We believe the design/build option will provide the Village the lowest cost option.
Public Works Director Dan Dinges stated that they put together some information as well as representatives from Christopher B. Burke Engineering to answer any questions that the Board may have.
He went on to ask the board if we want to pursue installing electric charging stations at this location or not after which they can further discuss parking etc.
Trustee LaPorte stated that at this time he felt it best to hold off and put in into the strategic plan regarding what to do with the current pump station. He went on to say that he thinks they should do it as part of a larger project that encompasses the entire downtown area instead of peace meal.
Trustee Suwanski stated that at the last meeting, Trustee Hopkins had asked for the cost of just the demo and Trustee Gunsteen had asked for some research regarding leasing parcels to someone else. She went on to say that she didn’t see any of that information.
Public Works Director Dan Dinges stated that on the chart, there is a line item that includes demolition where the design build is estimated at $18,000 just to remove the well house. That range would go up to $23,000 to restore that space to either put parking or grass etc. He went on to say that they don’t have to demo/remove the well house, it was in the plans and capital budget to remove it.
Trustee Gandsey asked if parking was needed right now. Public Works Director Dan Dinges stated no, there’s no emergency to put parking in or EV Charging stations.
Mayor Wallace stated that some of the residents along some of those streets who voiced concerns over street parking would disagree with that. He went on to say that area back there does need to be cleaned up.
Trustee Gunsteen stated that we all agree that the pump house does need to go at some point. He went on to say that he was looking at it from a larger scale. There’s the pump house, a well house and a above ground storage, a parking lot across the street, and a house between the parking lots on Oaks. He stated that he feels we have other options and looking at this strategically, we might have the opportunity to take the site across the street and sell it to a retail developer which would generate tax revenue. He went on to say that with the other site, they could use it to increase employee parking. Trustee Gunsteen also referenced the Fire Barn and AT&T building. He reiterated that he would like to sit down and strategically discuss a plan for parking necessary for Village staff and the Police Department. He went on to say that if at that time the demand for EV Charging is there, whether we lease the property at the train station parking lot or across the street by Banbury Fair; we should assess it at that time when we have a budget in place for putting the strategic plan in motion.
Trustee Hopkins referenced the Fire Barn and asked when that last came up in conversation with the Board. Trustee Gunsteen stated that he knows that the Township will vacate that space eventually.
Village Administrator Paula Schumacher wanted to clarify that the Fire Barn isn’t vacated, the storage of the Emergency vehicles have been moved. She went on to say that the Volunteer Fire Department still operates the Fire Barn.
Mayor Wallace asked Assistant Public Works Director Tyler Isham if we are able to use the Grant just for the demolition. He stated that in short, the answer is no. Public Works Director Dan Dinges stated that it’s strictly for the installation of the EV charging stations. He went on to say that if the Board does not want to move forward with EV charging stations, they’re looking into other avenues of what they could still try to receive that grant. For example, using them for LED lights or an electric vehicle for staff.
Trustee Gunsteen asked what the expiration date was on receiving that funding. Public Works Director Dan Dinges stated that they have to come up with an application by the end of the month to come up with what they would like to do with the grant money. Assistant Public Works Director Tyler Isham went on to say that they would have to submit a pre-award sheet and then put in a final application regarding the allocation of costs. He is not certain about making changes to that application.
Mayor Wallace and Trustee Gunsteen both thanked staff for moving forward with this grant. However, Mayor Wallace stated that he would have to agree with Trustee Gunsteen and Trustee LaPorte regarding looking at the big picture of the project.
Trustee Gunsteen stated that he suggests having a strategic plan ahead of time so that we can have something out before the 2025 budget comes out.
Trustee Gandsey stated that she recalls discussing meeting twice a year to discuss strategic planning.
Trustee LaPorte stated that they were talking about redoing the fountain and the alley on the other side. He once again thanked Assistant Public Works Director Tyler Isham for his efforts in chasing the grant. He went on to say that he just doesn’t think that this is the right application at this moment in time.
Mayor Wallace stated that he was in agreement and asked if the rest of the Board was as well.
Trustee Deyne stated that he wasn’t. He stated that we have to start somewhere and that this would be the initial step in getting that going. He went on to say that they still have to address charging stations at a later date, and right now they have a chance to pick up a grant to get that process started.
Trustee Gunsteen stated that Trustee Deyne is assuming that everyone is on board with the electric charging stations. Trustee Deyne stated that he understands and disagrees with their decision. He went on to say that the this is a start, and the pump station has to come down anyways. He stated that he’s had members of the public ask for the charging stations.
Trustee Suwanski stated that she’s had members of the public state that they disapprove of the charging stations.
Trustee LaPorte stated that it’s not fair to fund an electric vehicle project that doesn’t accommodate everybody. He went on to say that they have to think about everybody and what’s best for Bartlett.
Mayor Wallace asked that they put the brakes on this project for now and go into strategic planning to try to figure out what everyone would agree on.
5. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Wallace moved to adjourn the Committee of the Whole meeting. Trustee Deyne moved to approve; the motion was seconded by Trustee LaPorte.
ROLL CALL VOTE TO ADJOURN
AYES: Chairmen Deyne, Gandsey, Gunsteen, Hopkins, LaPorte, Suwanski
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
MOTION CARRIED
The Committee of the Whole meeting was adjourned at 8:31 p.m.
https://www.bartlettil.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/14993/638646801111170000
Alerts Sign-up