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1975-03-17 - Village Board Regular Meeting - Minutes 4157 3/17/75 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE OF BUFFALO GROVE , COOK AND LAKE COUNTIES, ILLINOIS, HELD MONDAY, MARCH 17, 1975, AT THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING, 50 RAUPP BOULEVARD, BUFFALO GROVE, ILLINOIS. President Armstrong called the meeting to order at approximately 7:45 P.M. Those present stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. The Clerk called the roll and found the following: PRESENT: President Armstrong; Trustees Shirley, Mahoney, Rech, Driscoll . Trustee Osmon arrived at 8:55 P.M. ABSENT: Trustee Rathjen Also present were Daniel Larson, Village Manager; Richard Raysa, Village Attorney; Arnold Seaberg, Village Engineer; Harry Walsh, Police Chief; Charles McCoy, Director of Public Works , Richard Glueckert, Finance Director; and William Balling, Administrative Assistant. 1 . Minutes of March 10, 1975 Trustee Driscoll moved to approve the minutes of the meeting held March 10, 1975, as submitted. Trustee Shirley seconded the motion , and a roll call vote found the following: AYES: Trustees Shirley, Mahoney, Rech, Driscoll NAYES: None ABSENT: Trustees Osmon, Rathjen The motion carried. 2. Warrant #308 Trustee Shirley presented Warrant #308, in the amount of $89,209.41 , and moved for its approval . Trustee Driscoll seconded the motion. Several items were questioned, but no changes were made. A roll call vote found the following: AYES: Trustees Shirley, Rech, Driscoll , President Armstrong NAYES: Trustee Mahoney ABSENT: Trustees Osmon, Rathjen The motion carried. Trustee Osmon arrived at this time. 3. Village Manager's Report Mr. Larson reviewed the Summary of Administrative Activities for the Month of February, 1975. 4158 3/17/75 4. Questions from the Audience Parkway Tree Pruning Thomas Smith, 575 Estate Drive, expressed concern about the quality of workman- ship used in the current parkway tree pruning program. Lengthy discussion followed and several procedures were suggested, as follows: 1 . Careful supervision `•/ 2. Information distributed to citizens prior to tree pruning 3. Special trees tagged 4. Careful review of the program 5. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE Environmental Control Commission/Appointment Upon the recommendation of the Environmental Control Commission , President Armstrong appointed Joan Douce to the Environmental Control Commission for a one year term. Trustee Rech moved to concur with the President 's appointment. Trustee Osmon seconded the motion, and a voice vote found the following: AYES: Trustees Shirley, Osmon , Mahoney, Rech, Driscoll NAYES: None ABSENT: Trustee Rathjen The motion carried. 1975-76 Pay Range Mr. Larson stated that , except for three positions, it is recommended that a 7.2% cost of living increase be provided for Village employees. He stated that the budget report has been prepared, using the recommended increase, and reviewing recurring and nonrecurring revenue and expenditures on a recurring and nonrecurring basis. He concluded that there are sufficient funds to meet the 7.2% increase and maintain an effective operating level of the Village. Fringe Benefits - Mr. Larson recommended the following fringe benefits: 1 . Police uniform allowance be increased from $200 to $300 per year due to increased cost of clothing and dry cleaning. 2. Floating holiday be set by Department Head in conjunction with operational needs. 3. Incentive program to compensate employees for not taking sick time during the year in accordance with a certain schedule. Holiday Schedule - In response to a question from President Armstrong, Mr. Larson stated that the additional holiday will not increase Village expense, but that the benefit to the employee will be $49. 32 per person or $4, 143 total . After discussion, President Armstrong polled the Board, "yes" supporting the increase of the holiday schedule to a ninth day, that day to be a floating holiday to be determined at the discretion of the Department Head , and "no" indicating no support. The poll found the following: 4159 3/17/75 YES : Trustees Shirley, Osmon , Mahoney, Rech, Driscoll NO: None ABSENT: Trustee Rathjen President Armstrong polled the Board, a "yes" indicating the floating holiday may not be accrued from year to year, a "no" indicating that it may be accrued. The poll found the following : YES: Trustees Shirley, Osmon , Mahoney, Rech , Driscoll NO: None ABSENT: Trustee Rathjen Sick Time Compensation - Mr. Larson recommended the sick time allowance be increased from 10 to 12 days per year. After discussion , President Armstrong polled the Board, "yes" indicating support of the increase of sick days to 12 per year, "no" indicating support of sick days remaining at 10 per year. The poll found the following: YES: Trustees Rech, Driscoll NO: Trustees Shirley, Osmon , Mahoney ABSENT: Trustee Rathjen Mr. Larson recommended that an incentive program be adopted to compensate employees for not taking sick time during the year according to a schedule outlined on page 5 of his report , dated February 13, 1975. After discussion, the President polled the Board, "yes" indicates support of the revised option plan which is that after 40 days of sick leave has been accrued and up to 54 days of accrued time, the Village will pay the employee for 10% of the sick time earned in one year and not taken ; after 54 sick days have been accrued and up to 72 days of accrued time, the employee would be compensated for 25% of the sick leave earned and not taken; and after the employee has accrued the maximum 72 days sick time, he would be compensated at 50% for sick leave earned and not taken. A "no" vote would indicate support of leaving the policy as is. The poll found the following: YES: Trustee Shirley, Osmon, Mahoney, Driscoll NO: Trustee Rech ABSENT: Trustee Rathjen Police Uniform Expense - Mr. Larson recommended the Police uniform expense be increased from $200 to $300 per year. Police Chief Walsh estimated that the initial cost of a uniform is approximately $450, that yearly maintenance ranges in cost between $350 and $400, that the yearly dry cleaning costs $225, and that the fire arm costs a minimum of $150. Sgt. Gozdecki stated that an officer is required to wear an "off duty weapon" which costs approximately $100. Nick Tufano, Chairman of the Police and Fire Commission, suggested that the Village contract for fire arms for less cost than individual purchasing. A citizen in the audience, who works for a uniform supplier, stated that it would be possible to contract for uniforms through a uniform supply house. President Armstrong requested that he meet with Mr. Larson for particulars. 4160 3/17/75 Trustee Osmon moved to increase the police uniform expense to $400. Mr. Larson requested that the matter be deferred until he has met with a uniform service. Trustee Osmon withdrew his motion. After discussion, the President polled the Board, a "yes" indicating support that all new patrolmen receive their first set of uniforms at Village expense, that the policy of the Board is that those members of the Police Department, as of today, over the next two years will receive a replacement set of uniforms `./ at Village expense, and that the yearly maintenance will be $300. A "no" will indicate no support to the suggestion. The poll found the following : YES: Trustee Shirley, Osmon, Mahoney, Rech, Driscoll NO: None ABSENT: Trustee Rathjen It was noted that the final decision will be incorporated into the budget, but in the meantime, the possibility of using a uniform supply house will be investigated. President Armstrong requested the Police Department to make a suggestion on the implementation of the policy. Trustee Shirley moved to direct Chief Walsh and Mr. Larson, with the advice of Mr. Tufano, to investigate the possibility of a blanket purchasing procedure relative to guns and uniforms. Trustee Osmon seconded the motion. Trustee Mahoney asked that the Police Department inform the Board specifically about the useful life of a weapon. A voice vote found the following: AYES: Trustee Shirley, Osmon, Mahoney, Rech , Driscoll NAYES: None ABSENT: Trustee Rathjen The motion carried. 9:40 P.M. - The President delcared a recess. 10:05 P.M. - The meeting resumed. Mr. Larson reviewed the portions of the budget showing that the 7.2% salary increase could be paid with recurring income. Trustee Rech questioned the validity of the projected $290,000 income from sales tax and suggested $200,000 would be more realistic. Lengthy discussion took place regarding the amount of sales tax received this fiscal year and the amount projected to be realized from new commercial areas. After lengthy discussion , Trustee Shirley stated that budgeting is an estimating process and suggested that some counter-budget number should be offered for use and proceed with the discussion. President Armstrong polled the Board, "yes" indicating acceptance of the sales tax projection of the staff of $290,000, "no" indicating further discussion is needed. The poll found the following: II 4161 3/17/75 YES: None NO: Trustees Shirley, Osmon , Mahoney, Rech, Driscoll ABSENT : Trustee Rathjen Trustee Shirley felt the $290,000 was reasonable, but it leaves little room for construction problems and late openings of new commercial areas. He suggested the figure be reduced to $260,000. He stated that the total recurring revenue could fluctua t. $125,000. Lengthy discussion followed. President Armstrong polled the Board, a "yes" indicating acceptance of $290,000 sales tax revenue for budget discussion purposes, a "no" indicating further discussion is needed. The poll found the following: YES: Trustees Osmon , Mahoney, Driscoll NO: Trustees Shirley, Rech ABSENT: Trustee Rathjen Officer William Bennett, representing the Police Department, suggested that the Board consider an increase of 12% in salaries for the officers of the Police Department so that the salaries would be more competitive with surrounding communities , and referred to a chart listing 18 communities and their Police salaries. He suggested that funds to cover the increase might be realized by eliminating one of the following budgeted projects: 1 . Opticom on traffic signals, 2. Sidewalk on Arlington Heights Road between Twisted Oak and Route 83, and 3. Sodium vapor street lights on Arlington Heights Road. He suggested that 33% of the vehicle license fees could be used for police salaries. He stated that the difference in cost to the Village between the 7.2% and 12% increase would be $13,492. Mr. Larson stated that the opticom units will be paid for with M.F.T. funds which may be used for street functions only. Mr. Raysa stated that M. F.T. funds may not be used for law enforcement. Police Chief Walsh stated that he supports the recommendations because, if salaries are not made more competitive at this time, it will have to be done later at a greater cost. Lengthy discussion followed on the Village's ability to pay for the increase, what programs could be cut to provide for the increase, implication of the increase on other personnel , comparision of Buffalo Grove's and other communities' assessed valuation. President Armstrong suggested that the Board entertain the suggestion of the Police Department and its ramifications on the balance of the Village staff, continue with budget deliberations, and make a final determination on the night the budget is adopted. Trustee Mahoney felt a 7.2% increase was liberal and suggested that a more gradual increase be considered if money is available. Trustee Shirley noted that an increase in Police salaries will reflect in the Police Pension tax levy. 4162 3/17/75 Next Meeting Because there would be no time this evening to discuss alternatives for operating the food and bar area of the Golf Club, President Armstrong called a special meeting to be held on Thursday, March 20, 1975, at 7:30 P.M. at the Municipal Building to discuss the matter. Ordinance No. 75-5 President Armstrong read Ordinance No. 75-5, an ordinance providing for dealer Village license plates. Mr. Raysa stated that a penalty clause should be added, and provided the proper wording. Trustee Osmon moved Ordinance No. 75-5 be approved as read with the addition of a penalty clause. Trustee Mahoney seconded the motion, and a voice vote found the following: AYES: Trustees Shirley, Osmon, Mahoney, Rech, Driscoll NAPES: None ABSENT: Trustee Rathjen The motion carried. At Mr. Raysa's request , Trustee Mahoney moved to adjourn to executive session to discuss litigation. Trustee Osmon seconded the motion, and upon a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously. Time: 12:10 A.M. The Board returned to the Council Chamber. There being no further business to discuss , Trustee Mahoney moved the meeting adjourn. Trustee Osmon seconded the motion , and upon a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously. Time: 12: 35 A.M. Respectfully submitted, =gf Verna L. Clayton , Village lerk PASS 1 1 D "P" OVED th i day of �/ 2 ,_„/ , 1975. 11111111' -sident