City Council Minutes 2012 10-27-12 special meeting MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF YORKVILLE, KENDALL CO., ILLINOIS
HELD IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM
800 GAME FARM RD. ON
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27,2012, 9:OOAM
Mayor Gary Golinski called the meeting to order at 9:OOam and said the meeting would
be conducted in an open forum. Administrator Olson will review past goals and all
attendees would help set future goals.
ROLL CALL
Ward I Koch Present
Colosimo Present
Ward II Milschewski Present
Kot Present
Ward III Munns Present
Funkhouser Present
Ward IV Spears Present
Teeling Present
Also present: City Administrator Bart Olson, Chief of Police Rich Hart, City Finance
Director Rob Fredrickson, Community Development Director Krysti Barksdale-Noble,
Public Works Director Eric Dhuse, Parks & Recreation Director Laura Schraw,
Administrative Intern Jeff Weckbach
A quorum was established.
CITIZEN COMMENTS None
BUSINESS–Goal Setting Session
Mayor Golinski commented overall that some goals were accomplished and that the
5-year budget has been a useful tool.
Administrator Olson wrote past goals on the board and pointed out some of the
accomplished goals and highlights since 2008:
1. Funding for KenCom
2. Aesthetics—passed various anti-monotony ordinances
3. Event Planning-privately run Oktoberfest in 2008, Harvest Moon Fest,
Summer Fest—expanded in last 2 years
4. Hoover agreement
5. Bridges to river islands, not built yet
6. Open Space Acquisition--acquired Clark Park
7. Passed resolution for green design buildings
8. Gray water re-use—used on flowers downtown
9. Strengthen City's role in economic development
10. Establish police staffing levels--not at full staff level,
34 officers needed to accomplish goal of 4-group patrol
11. Action plan for constituent communication—covered under Facebook, Twitter
and update of website. Communications at good level!
12. Bike trail plan approved, but not implemented
13. Increase Fund Balance—now at 13%
14. Budget Report given to each Alderman every month
15. Decreased amount of litigation
16. More conservative in budgeting
17. Tourism is ongoing
18. Grant Planning—done at staffing level, applying for all grants possible.
19. FOIA compliance—ongoing, no issues
20. Infrastructure Planning—ongoing
21. Trail Planning—discussed earlier
22. Economic Development-ongoing
23. REC Center—based on referendum results
The Minutes of the Special Meeting of the City Council–October 27,2012–Page 2 of 4
24. Downtown re-development—economic slowdown issues ongoing
25. ITP Implementation
The 2012 /2013 goals were then discussed and committee assignments made:
1. Build Fund Balance to 15% level—Administration
Development fees will be tracked. Mayor Golinski emphasized the importance of this
goal especially in relationship to capital improvement projects. The City will continue to
overestimate expenses and underestimate revenues.
2. Establish Police Staffing Levels—Public Safety
Two new officers per year allows for proper training etc., down 2 civilian positions.
3. Road Improvement Maintenance Program—Public Works
Must find revenue sources and consider maintenance long-term. Crack-sealing and road
mesh discussed. City-owned machine discussed, however, maintenance is complex and
not enough personnel. State mandated sign-changes have been delayed to 2018. As
roads are repaired, signs will be replaced.
4. Public Riverfront Improvement--EDC
Alderman Colosimo commented that the river is the biggest asset and it should be
developed to accommodate festivals, etc. Grants should be pursued and focus should be
on the property to the east. River area should also be cleaned up. Mayor Golinski noted
there is an upcoming presentation for a$400,000 Oslad grant.
5. Downtown Improvement/Property Cleanup--EDC
Alderman Munns suggested making a"square" downtown and building businesses
around it. Mayor Golinski noted the development of the downtown in Plainfield.
Alderman Milschewski said the City should be aggressive with the blighted downtown
areas and be stricter with the codes.
6. Stricter Code Enforcement on Property Maintenance—EDC
Ms. Barksdale-Noble said documentation is needed for enforcement, also takes staff
time—need a dedicated person. Liens can also be filed if City does any of the work.
Alderman Milschewski noted no action can be taken after the lien, until the property
changes hands. Code official Pete Ratos is certified for property maintenance. Weed
inspector position was also discussed.
Alderman Spears said a code enforcement program was going to be initiated
about 8 years ago. Ken Koch suggested using interns to check areas for violations,
however, Ms. Barksdale-Noble said the interns must attend adjudications and detailed
reports must be presented.
7. Sidewalk Improvement/Maintenance—Public Works
Replacement costs for sidewalks were discussed. Mr. Dhuse said a decision should be
made if the City will do the replacement or if the residents will replace with the 50-50
program. Some repair options were also discussed. Eric suggested grouping repairs for
sidewalks/sewer etc. on a given street and noted that Ward 2 needs the most attention.
Alderman Kot suggested using money from the "Safe Route to School" for sidewalk
repair.
8. Tourism—EDC
Discussions to join AACVB are ongoing and Alderman Munns suggested drafting an
ordinance for a 3-year agreement. Yorkville and Aurora are the only cities that have not
signed on with AACVB. It was noted that Aurora hotels asked the Mayor to not join the
organization.
Alderman Colosimo said the City should work with YEDC and bundle packages. Ms.
Teeling said the waterpark and Hampton Inn work together already.
The Minutes of the Special Meeting of the City Council–October 27,2012–Page 3 of 4
9. Website Improvement--Administration
It was suggested the website should be improved to make it mobile-friendly and tying it
to tourism.
10. Capital Improvement Projects—Public Works
This is an ongoing project assessed each year. The road study will be a very important
part of this project so that infrastructure repairs can be done at the same time streets are
being improved. Funding is the big issue.
11. Economic Development—Economic Development Committee
Goal #10 ties into this goal. Economic development and expanded tourism to attract
people will bring more money into the City. Alderman Milschewski asked what
tools/outside resources are used by YEDC. YEDC uses demographic information and
surveys. Mr. Colosimo suggested developing a DVD to promote Yorkville.
Ms. Barksdale-Noble noted that there are inexpensive studies available that show where
money is being spent.
12. Metra Station—Economic Development
Ms. Barksdale-Noble said there will be a meeting with Metra in the next 2 weeks to
reveal their long-term plans. The Mayor met with them recently and Yorkville has a
good chance to be included in their long-range goals. Alderman Kot noted that 10 years
ago Metra had a plan to extend to Plano and that Kendall County is not part of Metra.
13. Community Outreach—Administration
Communication will continue regarding the Rt. 47 improvement project and the River
Road bridge replacement.
14. Elected Officials Referendum Plan—Administration
Alderman Milschewski brought forward the issue of elected Treasurer and City Clerk
positions.
15. Home Rule Referendum—Administration
Mayor Golinski said he is a proponent of home rule. Alderman Funkhouser said the
public must be educated as to the purpose and advantage of it and how it will be used.
Chief Hart detailed some of the police department advantages, while Mayor Golinski
advised to not proceed until there is credibility with the citizens. It was suggested by Ms.
Milschewski to place this type of information on the blog.
16. Update Technology in Chambers—
Updated sound equipment was suggested since citizens have complained about not
hearing what is said during the public meetings. An aesthetic refreshing of the Council
Chamber was also suggested, including new furniture, paint and other changes.
The Council members then individually ranked the top 5 goals in importance. Mayor
Golinski asked that committee updates be given for these goals. The top five are:
1. Building Fund Balance
2. Road Improvement
3. Police Staffing &Economic Development
4. Downtown Improvement
5. Stricter Code Enforcement
Conclusion:
Alderman Kot noted that funding is the big issue. He would like to have informal
dialogue with businesses just outside the City limits encouraging them to be in the City
limits. Tax money is being lost and it was suggested to offer them tax incentives.
Mayor Golinski suggested possible free water hook-ups. Mr. Kot stated that Ace
Hardware did not join up with the Jewel parking lot when Jewel was built.
Ms. Barksdale-Noble said each business outside the City limits would require an
individual incentive.
The Minutes of the Special Meetine of the City Council—October 27,2012—Nee 4 of 4
Alderman Teeling suggested including businesses more in City activities and also
promote Christmas celebrations. As part of the City tourism, Ms. Milschewski
suggested Boombah be added as a"place to go".
ADJOURNMENT
Ms. Spears moved and Mr. Koch seconded a motion to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at
10:54am.
Minutes respectfully submitted by
Marlys Young, Minute Taker