Administration & Finance Committee

APPROVED MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE COMMITTEE VILLAGE OF NORTHBROOK COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS JUNE 27, 2017 CALL TO ORDER Trustee Ciesla, Committee Chair, called the meeting to order at 6:40 p.m. On roll call, present were Trustee Ciesla, Karagianis and Israel. A quorum was present. Also attending was Trustee Collison, Deputy Village Manager Jeff Rowitz; Village Clerk Debbie Ford; Director of Counseling Services Nancy Vaccaro; representative for the Josselyn Center; President, and Dr. Renee Dominguez, Family Service Center; Brent Peterson and Sue Shimon, Executive Director of Thresholds; Lona Louis, Northbrook Historical Society; Vera Mayer, Northbrook Symphony Orchestra; Amy O’Leary, Youth Services of Glenview and Northbrook; Jill Gelb, Glenbrook North High School Grad Night Corporate Fundraising Chair; and Karla Irving, Northbrook Woman’s Club . HEAR FROM THE AUDIENCE None. DISCUSSION OF CONTRIBUTIONS FOR FY 2017/18 BUDGET Trustee Ciesla reviewed the following organizations who requested funds for grants: Northbrook Historical Society:  Last year’s grant: $12,000.  This year’s request: $11,000  Lona Louis took questions from the Committee.  Committee recommended $11,000 The Josselyn Center:  Last year’s grant: $20,000  This year’s request: $20,000  Trustee Ciesla asked Director of Counseling Services Nancy Vaccaro for information about what the Josselyn Center does for the community.  Committee recommended $20,000 Grad Night:  Last year’s grant: $500  This year’s request: $500  Committee recommended $500 Northbrook Symphony  Last year’s grant: $10,000  This year’s request: $10,000   Trustee Karagianis recused himself and left the room.  Committee recommended $10,000  Trustee Karagianis came back into the room Youth Services:  Last year’s grant: $102,000  This year’s request: $112,000  Amy O’Leary addressed the Committees questions.  Nancy Vaccaro stated in her experience with the Youth Services, they are doing more clinical work and focusing on critical crisis especially with group and parental assistance.  Trustee Israel asked if Ms. Leary could explain the amount of money being spent on professional fees. In response Ms. Leary explained that a portion of the professional fees are based on a grant they received and had to be earmarked professional services. Trustee Karagianis questioned the reasoning for hiring the Development Director. In response, Ms. Leary explained they believed this would increase revenues. He then questioned if there were funds required to merge with Angles and Ms. Leary stated no. She explained Angles’ programs compliment Youth Services’ current services. Trustee Karagianis then questioned why the organization is asking for an additional $10,000 this year. Ms. Leary stated the organization is working more with LGBTQ, which they are seeing an increased need for in Northbrook. She noted they provided services to Glenbrook North High School, Winkelman School and Field School.  Trustee Karagianis discussed their net operating loss. Ms. Leary explained they hired a development director that started in May to streamline their services, which was part of the merger with Angles. She then stated several organizations are raising money for the organization.  Trustee Collision asked Ms. Leary if Youth Services requested a grant from Glenview yet this year and Ms. Leary stated no. She explained Glenview has a different fiscal year; however Glenview did give them $20,000 more last time. Ms. Leary stated Youth Services will be requesting additional funds from Glenview because they do work with more Glenview students.  Trustee Ciesla stated based on what she has heard; she is willing to go up to $112,000. Trustee Karagianis stated he would like to wait and see what we do with the other organizations first before they decide a grant amount. Trustee Israel agreed.  After completing discussion of the other organizations, the Committee recommended $112,000 Woman’s Club:  Last year’s grant: $ 750 with $750 matching funds from the Trustees   This year’s request: $1,500  Karla Irving addressed the Committee.  Trustee Israel reminded the Committee of how they funded the Woman’s Club last year and he suggested doing the same this year. The Committee agreed.  Trustee Ciesla explained how she finds it difficult to donate to an organization that takes the money and gives it to others. She noted that one of the other organizations here today has also requested money from the Woman’s Club. Ms. Irving stated $55,000 goes to scholarships, but also informed the committee that the Women’s Club donates many hours of service to the community. She discussed the club’s influence on women in the community that no longer have children in the schools.  The Committee recommended $750, and the trustees stated they would make personal donations for the difference. Thresholds (Previously New Foundation Center):  Last year’s grant: $3,000  This year’s request: $5,000  Trustee Ciesla asked Nancy Vaccaro to discuss her knowledge of Thresholds. Ms. Vaccaro explained they work with the chronically, mentally ill. Thresholds has some housing, but they are usually used for case management. They help to prep individuals for jobs to maintain employment in the community. She explained the primary case management service this organization provides is critical. It helps to take the stress and burden off of the family.  Brent Peterson and Sue Shimon addressed the committee. Ms. Shimon stated Thresholds presently serves 11 families in Northbrook and she described how. She explained the individuals can stay for an undetermined length of time. The Agency served 220 last year on the North Shore. Trustee Ciesla asked how much each person costs and Ms. Shimon stated she would have to get back to the Committee with that answer.  Trustee Karagianis questioned the increase in costs, and the increase in wages. Mr. Peterson stated the organization has doubled in size in the last five years, from 6,500 to 15,000. He then provided other statistics on the organization.  Trustee Ciesla questioned the staff cost per person. Trustee Karagianis had a few questions on the budget and the loss. Mr. Peterson explained that the loss they are experiencing is due to the State. He noted they laid off 10 – 15 people this last year and they continue to worry about getting paid by the State.   Trustee Collison stated the requested funding for the number of Northbrook residents they serve seems to be a lot. The others agreed. The Committee decided to wait to the end to reconsider the amount of the grant.  After completing discussion of the other organizations, the Committee recommended $0 Family Service Center:  Last year’s grant: $25,000  This year’s request: $25,000  Dr. Renee Dominguez, Executive Director, addressed the Committee.  Trustee Ciesla questioned which other Local Village Governments make donations to the organization. According to the documentation the total is $35,000, which means Northbrook’s ask is 71% of that amount. Dr. Dominguez stated Glenview provided $15,000; Wilmette does not provide any funding nor does Kenilworth, but Kenilworth United does provide a grant. New Trier Township provided $60,000 in 2016/2017.  Trustee Collision asked for the ratio of Northbrook vs Glenview residents. In response Dr. Dominguez stated they are seeing as many Northbrook residents this year as last year. Glenview and Northbrook are similar.  Nancy Vaccaro explained the kinds of cases the Police Department refers to Family Service Center. She noted Family Service Center provides a sliding scale for families that struggle with insurance. Typically the types of cases are family therapy, seniors that need clinical services and crisis aid to the high school.  Trustee Ciesla asked if there has been an uptake in the way we use their services. Nancy Vaccaro stated it did not decrease – there are a lot of domestic cases.  Trustee Israel questioned if there is an overlap in services with the Youth Services. Dr. Dominguez explained there is overlap with the kid’s stuff, but they also provide a lot of services to adults and seniors.  The Committee decided to wait to the end to reconsider the amount of the grant.  After completing discussion of the other organizations, the Committee recommended $20,000 Total Link2  New Grant request  This year’s request: $10,000  Trustee Ciesla asked Janice Weinstein, Executive Director and Project Administrator for Total Link2 what her salary was and Ms. Weinstein stated $35,000, but noted it is donated back to the organization. Ms. Weinstein stated it is a small organization for which she wears a lot of hats.   Trustee Karagianis stated their initial financials show a loss, and he questioned if this was due to not being paid by the state. Ms. Weinstein stated she did not have the documents with her, but would be happy to provide new ones to the Committee.  Trustee Ciesla read the documents provided, stating she did not understand them. Ms. Weinstein explained her salary was split between budgetary categories. They questioned what is “Work and Play” and Ms. Weinstein explained. The Committee continued to ask a number of questions on the budget and on training. Ms. Weinstein addressed their questions and informed the committee that Total Link2 serves 20 Northbrook residents out of a total of 80. She noted they are actively asking for funds from townships and Villages, with Northfield Township giving $2,500.  Trustee Karagianis questioned if they are assuming they will receive all of the funds they are requesting from the municipalities and Ms. Weinstein stated yes. She discussed the upcoming fundraisers that they anticipated raising $60,000 from, along with other grants. Trustee Israel reiterated, the funds on their sheets are in anticipation they will receive all the money they request.  At the end the Committee recommended to grant $0 Trustee Karagianis moved, seconded by Trustee Israel, to recommend to the Village Board the contributions as stated. The motion passed on a voice vote. ADJOURN At 7:28 p.m., Trustee Israel moved, seconded Trustee Karagianis, to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed on a voice vote. Respectfully submitted, Debbie Ford Village Clerk