Kankakee Times

Westmont Village Administration and Finance Committee met Dec. 19.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Call To Order - Trustee Liddle Called The Meeting To Order At 4:30 P.M.

Roll Call - Mayor Gunter, Clerk Szymski, Trustee Nero, Trustee Barry, Trustee Liddle, Trustee Guzzo, Manager May And Staff; Guest - Henry from Baxter & Woodman.

Pledge Of Allegiance -

Public Comments - None

Minutes - Approval of the October 3, 2024 minutes of the Administration & Finance Committee - Motion made by Trustee Nero & seconded by Trustee Guzzo, all ayes with no adjustments.

New Business -

Mayor Gunter and Trustee Guzzo performed a swearing in for Stephanie Grimm of the Fire Department to the rank of Captain.

IT Director Liljeberg and Asst. Network Administrator Brian Johanpeter gave a presentation on GIS along with the Baxter & Woodman contractor that has been working on the Village system. Director Liljeberg reviewed the details of GIS, in 2019 our online mapping was a group of PDFs. He showed the statistics of usage for the online public system.Administrator Johanpeter presented using the Village Website GIS links to show the progress from 2019 when the project began. Administrator Johanpeter used the website to move through all the maps that are available and used by both the public and all departments. Henry from Baxter & Woodman discussed training the Public Works staff and CDD staff to allow for ease with online permitting. The sanitary districts have both been easy to work. The variety of options to review with the GIS include fire hydrants, sewers, lots, and buildings.

Manager May reviewed his idea to create a Technical Review Committee. This will allow the Economic Development Committee to focus solely on Economic Development with this review committee will be a place to review things not of a more far reaching level. A scope and mission statement will be written and brought back to the board for approval.

Personnel Policy changes in 2024 and the changes required by the newly enacted laws taking affect 1/1/2025 were reviewed at Committee, with an ordinance on tonight’s Board agenda. Discussed that the fact that our personnel policies are codified and take time to move forward between staff, the attorney, and municode to have them available. Optimally we would remove them from the code and have a new personnel handbook for staff. We are the only village out of the 17 comparable villages from our compensation study that use this process. Asked that this be considered at a future time. Eight policies were updated and reviewed. Then the Legislative policies were reviewed. These will be on tonight’s agenda.

REPORTS

Village Manager reviewed the Fire Department headquarters discussion from last meeting and stated that the Finance Department was working on reviewing the options to pay for updating/rebuilding. Mayor Gunter commented on the grocery sales tax and the 0.5% increase that will also be legal for a non-home rule tax. This would be a comfortable revenue stream for debt service repayment. Finance Director Altic spoke on his conversations with debt service companies, a building at $18 million would be 1.3 million on debt service every year for 20 years. Mayor Gunter stated that we looked into this because the opportunity is there with this tax ability for non-home rule. Director Altic reviewed the legislation and the deadlines. Mayor Gunter said that if we don’t do it we lose it with the grocery tax.

MISCELLANEOUS

Trustee Barry asked questions about the leases at Westmont Centre. Manager May reviewed the leases and the restrictions for the next two years. Discussion ensued.

Mayor Gunter announced that all local businesses passed the tobacco checks! No one failed.

Manager May attended the Village of Downers Grove review of the old radio station development proposal.

ADJOURN (next meeting is scheduled for January 9, 2025)

https://westmontil.portal.civicclerk.com/