South Cook News

City of Palos Heights Finance Committee met Sept. 10.

Here is the agenda provided by the committee:

CALL TO ORDER

Chairman McGrogan called the Finance Committee meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. at the Palos Heights City Hall, 7607 W. College Drive. In attendance were Aldermen McGrogan, Key, Bylut, and McGovern, Treasurer

Daemicke, City Administrator Dan Nisavic, and Recording Secretary Margaret Carey. Also in attendance were Library Board President, Susan Snow and Library Director, Jesse Blazek.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Chairman McGrogan made a motion to approve the minutes of the Finance Committee meeting held on July 9, 2019, seconded by Alderman Bylut. On a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.

PUBLIC COMMENT – none.

APPROVAL OF THOMAS BROWN BILLS

Chairman McGrogan presented invoices from Thomas A. Brown in the amount of $975.00 for professional services.

Alderman Bylut moved to approve the invoices from Thomas A. Brown in the amount of $975.00, seconded by Alderman McGovern. On a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously. VOUCHER LIST

APPROVAL OF MORRIS ENGINEERING BILLS

Chairman McGrogan presented invoices from Morris Engineering in the amount of $1,014.78 for professional services.

Alderman Bylut moved to approve the invoices from Morris Engineering in the amount of $1,014.75, seconded by Alderman McGovern. On a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously. VOUCHER LIST

LIBRARY LEVY REQUEST

Administrator Nisavic presented the history. This FY2020 Proposed Budget/Levy Request was prepared by Library Director Jesse Blazek. Director Blazek explained the library has not been able to contribute to their capital reserves in a few years and their budget has been falling short due to the fiscal belt tightening by the library and reductions to the library levy by the County. Without assistance from the City in the form of inclusion in the resolution to protect the Library fund along with the City’s traditionally protected Corporate and Police pension funds, the library may be forced to affect layoffs and cutbacks in service. President Snow added that the budget is very lean and transparent. Jesse worked very hard on this and met with Dan to review.

The levy request amount is $1,492,007.16. Administrator Nisavic explained that no vote from Council is needed at this time but it will be included in the City levy process. Dan said he recommends the City include the library in the resolution. He also explained that the library’s alternative could be to increase its levy rate which would be a less effective way to resolve the issue.

Alderman Bylut moved to approve the FY2020 Levy and resolution request in the amount of $1,492,007.16, seconded by Alderman McGovern. On a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously

COMCAST FRANCHISE AGREEMENT

Administrator Nisavic presented the Comcast Franchise agreement. This renewal includes all the previous terms. It has been reviewed by Nisavic and our City Attorney, Tom Brown, Ron Jankowski, and IRMA (the City’s insurance carrier).

Nisavic informed the committee about a recent FCC ruling that affects how the City is charged for its cable service. Currently, all cable that is supplied to City buildings is free of charge. The FCC now allows cable providers to charge for that service. The cost could be deducted from the 5% utility tax fee revenue. As stated, this is an FCC ruling; not a Comcast rule. We do not know at this time if Comcast will actually adopt the rule.

Alderman Bylut moved to approve the Comcast Franchise Agreement, seconded by Alderman Key. On a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously. AGENDA

CREATION OF FUND 03—PEG Capital Fund

Administrator Nisavic presented the history. We currently collect a PEG (Public, Educational, and Government) fee from Comcast. Now Comcast is requesting that we add a separate line in our budget specifically for the PEG Capital Fund.

Alderman McGovern moved to approve the addition of the PEG Capital Fund to our budget, seconded by Alderman Bylut. On a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.

REVIEW OF THE GBC REPORT

Chairman McGrogan presented the highlights of the report.

OLD BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

None.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, Alderman McGovern made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Bylut.

All in favor.

Meeting adjourned at 6:51 pm.

https://palosheights.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_09102019-253