Sandack Responds To Colleagues’ Criticism

Last night’s Village Council meeting began on a positive note, with Public Works Director Naneil Newlon providing a Capital Projects update that included the good news of cost savings, completed projects, and the installation of environmentally friendly street lights at Prentiss Creek. She would later talk to the Council about the approved purchase of four homes in the St. Joe’s Creek Watershed, the land of which will be converted into a stormwater basin to alleviate flooding issues in the area.

Greg Bedalov, President of the Economic Development Corporation, shared the good news that Highland Landmark #5 was recently given an award for being the suburban development of the year and, with the relocation of Dover and DeVry to Downers Grove, the building will be at 90% capacity. He thanked the Council for its assistance in creating a climate that encourages businesses to come to Downers Grove.

Village Manager David Fieldman presented the estimated tax levy to the Council, noting that changes had been made since the last meeting which would result in a $69,000 reduction in expenses. Additional cuts to the budget include the elimination of the annual bike race, further reduction of some Heritage Fest expenses, and the elimination of paying for performers for the fourth of July parade.

The discussion on the tax levy quickly turned into a discussion about Heritage Fest and the unhappiness of several Commissioners with the budget and budgeting process. Commissioner Bruce Beckman wondered what was left for Community Events if Heritage Fest was cut, and Commissioner Geoff Neustadt said he looked forward to working this year on the Fest to make it better than ever. Beckman replied, “If the same people are doing the same work they’ll make the same decisions.” Beckman told the Council he agreed with keeping the Fest in 2010, following staff direction to phase it out for 2011, and wanted to keep Counseling and Social Services in the budget.

Fieldman told the Council that Heritage Fest expenses will be reduced by $90,000 this year, but admitted that the “Fest doesn’t pay for itself.” Commissioner Marilyn Schnell noted that the village shuts down for the three days of the Fest and that almost every staff member is involved. “We’re throwing a party for $300,000 and using a lot of staff time,” she said, adding, “Is a party worth a couple of police officers?” Schnell then took aim at her fellow Commissioners, complaining that during this budget process there had been a lack of give and take among the Council, and worried that the Council was simply accepting staff proposals.

Commissioner William Waldack agreed with Schnell, but said that Heritage Fest “is more than a party”, and he agreed with Neustadt that the direction and emphasis of the Fest could be changed. Any savings realized, he said, should go to keeping the social service programs. Commissioner Sean Durkin said it was “too late” to do anything about this year’s Fest, but wanted Fest expenses to be further reduced.

Commissioner Bob Barnett said he could support the staff recommendation to keep the Fest for 2010 with a planned ‘out’ for 2011, and reminded his fellow Commissioners that they were still working on a deficit budget. Mayor Ron Sandack, the last to speak, said he would like to eliminate Heritage Fest or at least suspend it for 2010, but he recognized he didn’t have enough Council support for his proposal.  He said Heritage Fest should be “subdued. It should celebrate our heritage and not a lot of a heck more.”

It was at that point in the meeting that the schism in the Council became apparent. Waldack, Beckman and Schnell all pointed fingers at fellow Commissioners for being uncooperative and close-minded. Waldack wanted the levy amount increased by $500,000, saying it was “the only chance we have to keep the conversation going.” Beckman admonished them, saying, “Good governance is built on compromise.” Schnell accused the staff and Council of not “following up on alternative proposals [for revenues].” She told them she adamantly could not support the property tax increase.

Barnett disagreed. “There has been enormous debate,” he said. “The concept that our community is defined by anyone of these pieces is wrong.”  Sandack blasted the dissenting Commissioners. “It’s not a lack of compromise, it’s a lack of consensus. Saying otherwise is a platitude….[and] I take umbrage [at that].”

Commissioners Barnett, Durkin, Neustadt and Mayor Sandack voted in favor of the estimated tax levy. Commissioners Beckman, Schnell and Waldack voted nay.

When contacted by the Chronicle for a comment on last night’s meeting, Mayor Sandack provided the following statement:

“The 2010 budget process has thus far been the most inclusive and detailed in recent memory; maybe the most open and transparent in Downers Grove’s entire history. It is instructive to recall this detailed and meticulous process to date because it objectively answers a hollow complaint proffered by some of my well-meaning colleagues. For the budget process began, in earnest, back in May of 2009, and included eight Long-Range Financial Planning meetings as a run up and introduction to the 2010 budget meetings. In total we have had 13 or so meetings where anyone in attendance was permitted an opportunity to raise issues and express themselves; including Council members. While persons of good will can and often do disagree– and I’d suggest this happens more often when times are economically tough — that does not mean there was no “compromise” or that an unfair process ensued. Anyone interested in the facts as to the Council’s process need only visit http://www.downers.us and read the minutes of all of the meetings or listen to the podcasts of them. Complaints about unfair process are objectively disproved there.

Admittedly, what has not occurred thus far has been the faintest hint of the past practice of horse-trading of programs or taxes or a return to some of the same old patch-work budget practices. If that is what is meant by some when they say “compromise,” then it is true that did not occur. This economy is a game-changer and it was agreed during our laborious meeting process that the Council needed to focus on the delivery and payment of core Village services and this Council methodically defined such core services. No, not everyone agreed fully but there was undeniable consensus, strong agreement in fact, that the Village could no longer provide all of the services it had in the past and must necessarily stay true to core…police, fire and public works. Because given the rising personnel expenses including pension obligations the Village, we could not continue under the “old way”; that was deemed by almost all to be entirely unsustainable. The record on this is replete that Council direction, clear and unmistakable, was achieved. Now when it is time to make the specific decisions and follow through with that Council direction, difficult no doubt, to stay core-focused, some pine for “compromise”–ill-defined and without price tags. Some even complain that there was a “process problem” or that there was no “compromise.” I humbly suggest that these are mere fall back positions, emotional reactions really, to the tough decisions that make many naturally uncomfortable. However this is when true leadership and follow through is required.”

The next Village Council meeting will be a workshop, held on November 24 at 7pm in Council Chambers.

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