Village of Lombard Legistar System

Upon Roll Call by Village Clerk, Suzan L. Kramer, the following were Present: President

Mueller, Trustees DeStephano, Tross, Koenig, Sebby, Florey and Soderstrom.

Quorum Present

Appointed Officials Present:

Village Manager William T. Lichter

Assistant to the Village Manager Ellen Balsamo

Village Attorney Tom Bayer

Assistant Village Attorney George Wagner

Finance Director Leonard Flood

Management Analyst Melissa Mundt

Director of Community Development David Hulseberg

Police Chief Ray Byrne

Fire Chief George Seagraves

Director of Public Works Stan Rickard

Assistant Director of Public Works John Burg

Village Engineer David Dratnol

Deputy Village Clerk Barbara Johnson

President Mueller introduced the Public Hearing and turned the hearing over to Attorney

Bayer who explained the purpose of the hearing, the process of notification and the

budget process. Village Manager William Lichter gave a power point presentation

outlining the budget process. He said that the budget meets the strategic directions

identified by the Village Board including business development, the proposed

Conference Center and Hotel, fiscal responsibility, the Capital Improvements Plan,

planning, growth and social services to seniors, youth and the homeless. He said that

ten meetings had been held to discuss each aspect of the budget. (See attached

presentation) He stated that the economy and State have caused us to make cuts. He

said that the Budget had been cut by $2,744,000. He said that Lombard had lost money

because of State and Federal mandates, for example $91,960 in photo processing taxes

which were taken away by the State and $43,000 in local use cable TV taxes. He said

that the FY 2003-2004 Budget is approximately 62.7 million dollars and has been cut

6.2%.

Mr. Lichter highlighted revenue projections based on some increases including

increases in permit fees projected to gain an increase of $222,000 in revenue, a 1%

food and beverage tax expected to increase revenue by $450,000, a change in movie

theater licenses to $350 per screen expected to increase revenue by $6,300. He said

that the budget estimates a decrease of $255,990 in income tax revenue because of the

State's budget crisis. Mr. Lichter also reported that water and sewer and permit fees are

being raised. Mr. Lichter explained that the Village's food and beverage tax will be on

products at eat in restaurants and fast food restaurants, but will not effect products

bought at grocery stores. Manager Lichter said that they have done a study and found

that 10 of the 23 communities surveyed were levying a food and beverage tax.

Mr. Lichter explained that the budget calls for 45% of MFT money to be spent for

general operations in Public Works. He said that General Fund expenditures have

increased by $29.6 million or 9.5% over this year. The increases include pensions,

Social Security, increased costs in health insurance and to fill 7 vacant positions. He

said the plan included $70,000 for the Legistar upgrade and $250,000 for a new phone

system but we can expect around $50,000 in savings per year for line charges with the

new phone system. He said that we still will maintain several vacant positions. He

outlined the water service charge and changes in the commodity rate, which will be a

total increase of 1% or $7.48 per month on the average residential bill. He stated that

there will be an estimated $60,000 expenditure in Health Insurance and pension costs

from the Water and Sewer Fund and an approximate $50,000 in supplies.

Mr. Lichter then highlighted the costs in the CIP for next year and touched on various

other proposed improvements, projects, maintenance and beautification. He also

mentioned that the overhead sewer, clear water disconnect and backyard flooding

programs will continue. He thanked the Board, the Committees and Staff for their help in

the budget process. Attorney Bayer then asked that any members of the public wishing

to speak come to the microphone at his left. There being none to speak, Attorney Bayer

closed the hearing at 7:51 p.m.

Enactment No: Proposed FY 2003-200

Kathryn Grunion, a new reporter for the Daily Herald was introduced by President

Mueller.

President Mueller announced a presentation by DuPage County Board members, the

Honorable Pat O'Shea and the Honorable Brian Sheehan. The County Board members

presented a check for $173,000 to President Mueller, Lombard's portion of the proceeds

from the sale of the intermediate processing center. Pat O'Shea explained that the

rebate came from tipping fees and the amounts of the rebates were determined by the

population of each municipality. President Mueller thanked the County Board for the

rebate.

President Mueller said that a letter had been received from Lorraine Gerhardt, past

Village Clerk, commenting on concerns she had regarding the objection process. He

said that the Board policy is not to read letters at the meetings but residents will be able

to read it in the local papers.

A proclamation by President Mueller for the Montini High School Broncettes was read by

Clerk Kramer for their victory in the State Championships. In the proclamation, it was

stated that the Broncettes have won two state championships each year in 2001, 2002

and 2003. President Mueller congratulated the team on behalf of the residents of

Lombard, the Village Board and the Village Staff.

President Mueller announced that Mrs. Florence Merrill is celebrating her 100 year

birthday. He wished her Happy Birthday on behalf of the residents of Lombard, the

Village Board and the Village Staff.

Mary Mae Meyer 414 W. Windsor, said she had reviewed the March 6th meeting and

found the discussion regarding carnivals appalling and frightening because of comments

made regarding pedophiles. She spoke at length about child abusers. She praised

Chief Byrne and Chief Seagraves for their comments which showed concern for

children's safety in those discussions. She wants Trustee Florey's suggestions put into

the carnival ordinance and all ordinances dealing with events where children are

involved. She urged the Board to adopt this valiant initiative that will make Lombard a

safe place for our most vulnerable citizens.

No other members of the public spoke.

President Mueller announced that Village Clerk Suzan Kramer had tendered her

resignation as of April 4, 2003 because her family is moving out of the Village. He said

he accepted her resignation regretfully. He thanked Suzan for her dedication as Plan

Commissioner and Village Clerk. He announced that there would be a reception in her

honor before the Village Board meeting on April 3, 2003 at 7:00 p.m. and an employee

coffee for her on Friday, April 4, 2003 at 3:00 p.m. Trustee Sebby commented that it is

a great loss and those comments were echoed by Trustee Koenig. Trustee Koenig

related a story about her daughter's Science Fair project which was to study the

relationship of the color of cars to how fast their drivers drive. Brown and White were

the slowest and Red was the 3rd fastest. She stated that the judge of the Fair thought

that the Police were too strict on speeding.

Trustee Sebby said he had given the wrong telephone number for the Lombard Baseball

League's Dinner Dance. The correct number 629-1365 for Bob Paus.

The Lilac Parade Committee announced that the Parade's Grand Marshal will be Jay

Wojcik.

Mr. Lichter introduced the discussion. Trustee Florey thanked staff for a thorough job in

difficult times. Trustee Sebby also thanked staff.

Trustee DeStephano agreed that staff did a good job but added that she could not

support the proposed budget in lean times. She said that she did not support a 1% food

and beverage tax. She stated that she did support the water cost increases and various

fee increases. She said that we need to live with less.

Trustee Tross said that staff did a good job and thanked them. He said that he supports

the water billing increases, the fee increases, the sticker increases and transfer of

money into the technical reserves, but he does not support the food and beverage tax.

Trustee Florey reminded them that they are not increasing the vehicle sticker prices this

year.

President Mueller said that each of them have concerns with various aspects of the

budget but that he thinks the Board has failed staff, with issues raised at this time and

withholding approval of the budget after discussing it for 10 meetings.

Trustee Koenig said that it is unrealistic to expect 100% satisfaction with all aspects of

the budget. She said that if we all withheld our votes due to dissatisfaction, we could

never pass a budget. She added that this is a process and the majority prevails.

Trustee DeStephano supported her position vehemently saying that it is consistent with

what she had said in prior meetings.

Trustee Soderstrom said that when the Board sits in the budget meetings they come to

a consensus, not a vote. When it reaches a majority decision, we move forward with it

and be unified.

Manager Lichter referred the item to Chief Seagraves for a report on this request. He

explained that there is a wide range of these types of safety equipment. He said that

they are using a selection committee. He explained that they do not want to go with the

lowest bidder as this is life saving equipment. He added that the equipment needs to be

judged on its own merit subject to a report on the process and reason.

Trustee DeStephano asked if they find a particular brand can they go to bid based on

retail versus wholesale or contact manufacturers reps. Chief Seagraves answered that

there is generally only one distributor for each particular item and brand, but they will be

available at the manufacturer's pricing.

Trustee DeStephano asked if it was single channel availability. Chief Seagraves

confirmed that it was. He said that they had used the technique she suggested for other

items but they are unable to do so with this type of equipment.