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Home My WebLink About1978 Committee of the Whole Minutes COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING January 18, 1978 The Committee of the Whole Meeting was called of order by City Manager Leo Nelson on Wednesday, January 18, 1978 at 7:05 p.m. , in the Council Conference Room of City Hall. Members Present: Councilman Barnes, Gilliam, Hill, Nelson, Strattan and West. Absent: Mayor Verbic. Also present were: City Clerk, Marie Yearman and members of staff. Proposed Relocation of Milwaukee Coach Yards to the Big Timber Site. Leo Nelson stated that representatives from the RTA Staff were here this evening to discuss the proposed sites and they are aware of the fact that the City wanted the coach yards to remain downtown as opposed to moving it to the Big Timber site. Mrs. Lois Geister, Executive Director of the Northwest Suburban Mass Transit District, stated that they orignally had looked at a site in Hampshire but because of a recent election there the present Village Board would allow this project. Mrs. Geister stated they had looked at many sites and spent a great deal of time. Mr. Bernie Ford, of the RTA Staff, stated they had looked for some location where the yard could be built and operated but found that available sites were few because of the geographical lay of the land. Mr. Ford stated that Hampshire was not a favorable site because of excessive operating costs due to the dis- tance. Mr. Ford felt the yard is necessary at this time because the Milwaukee does not have sufficient storage and must deadhead cars which is costly and that the Almora/Big Timber was still the best site. Mr. Ford exhibited to the Council a model if the proposed yard which proposed screening and landscaping of the yard. Mr. Ford stated that with the new engines being purchased it would eliminate any warming up noises. Mr. Ford stated that the RTA had already approved the Almora Commuter Station and that economically this site was still more preferable for the yard. Mr. Ford further stated that if the present downtown yards were expanded for this project there would be a loss of parking spaces which would be appropriated by the railroad administration staff. Councilman Barnes asked how many spaces would be lost. Mr. Ford replied about 87 parking spaces. Mr. Nelson stated that the commuter station would relieve some of the down- town parking. Mr. Ford pointed out that the net cost of operating a new yard and new station at Almora would be $343,232, while a new yard at Elgin and new station at Almora would cost $595,400 to operate. Mr. Nelson stated that by expanding the present yards this would overcome the objections by residents in the Almora area and the disadvantage would be that the downtown improvements would be restricted. r January 18, 1978 Councilmen'Barnes, Gilliam, Hill, Nelson and West voted to keep the yard down- town. Councilwoman Strattan voted for the Almora site. Jerry Boose of the RTA Board stated that this project could take two years to finish but the National Street parking lot would be first and should be started this Spring because the grant for this project has been granted. Old Main Project. Don Sleeman stated that his Committee had been charged with finding a plan and budget to put the building into operable condition. Mr. Sleeman further stated that his Committee was asking the Council to approve the program as submitted and allow the available money to be expended for repair to the exterior of the building. The balance of the restoration could wait until further funding is available, but this must be approved by the Council before any money can be spent. Robert Hoffer stated that this is a valuable historic landmark and it was re- presented to the supporters that is what the money would be used for. The exterior of the building does need repair and we should move ahead and let the interest of the Community dictate how much more to do. Mr. Hoffer further stated that if the Community is interested, and he believed they were, they will contribute to support further needs. Councilman Hill asked if the money we had would be sufficient to cover the exterior work. Mr. Charles Burnidge stated the $153,000 is less than the amount we say is needed for the exterior work but it is close and some adjustments could be made to the costs. Councilman Barnes asked if the building could be opened as a museum if we had $300,000. Mr. Burnidge replied yes. Councilman Barnes asked how the Historical Society felt about this. Mr. Clarence Reber, representing the Elgin Historical Society, stated that Elgin is the only sizeable town in the area that does not have a museum and there are more and more visitors attending museums now. Mr. Reber further stated that the Elgin Historical Society has historical items stored in 12 different places in the Community at the present time. Councilman West stated he had reservations about putting valuables in that building because of the security and traffic. Dan Withers stated that their program set forth in detail complete protection guidelines and provided for a fuiltime caretaker. Mr. Nelson stated that we are only talking about the restoration of the exterior which will do three things: I. Preserve a historical site. 2. Enhance the neighborhood. 3. Leave open an opportunity to obtain further funds for a museum. January 18, 1978 Dan Withers stated he had talked with the State Conservation Department and they are sending an application for a grant which has upper limits of $100,000. In addition they are sending an application for a museum grant. Councilman Gilliam stated he thought it was a bad investment because of the additional need of $500,000. He agreed that we need a museum but did not think it could be done. Mr. Hoffer felt that if the exterior work was done and the Community shown the need for a museum that they could arouse interest and get more money. Councilwoman Nelson thought they should go ahead as long as the taxpayer is not paying and she would like to have a museum. Councilman Barnes stated he was not against a museum but was against using City money for it. Mr. Barnes thought they should go ahead with the exterior and look into some grants. Councilman Hill stated he was in favor of going ahead but wanted it made clear that when the exterior work was completed the question of who is going to do the rest should not come to the City. Councilman Hill also asked if this committee would stay together . Don Sleeman stated this committee was appointed by the Council to be respon- sible for bringing in a plan and budget and that the Council could reappoint a committee and charge them with responsibilities . Councilman Barnes suggested that a committee be appointed to be in charge of financing. Councilmen Barnes, Hill, Nelson, Strattan and West voted to proceed to use the $160,000 for exterior repairs and the appointment of a committee. Councilman Gilliam voted no. Councilman West wanted it understood that beyond maintenance expense there would not be any further tax money spent. Proposed Acceptance of Poplar Creek/Lovell Road Sanitary Sewer. Leo Nelson stated this matter goes back several years when a recommendation was made that a reimbursement ordinance be passed so Jerry Biggers Chevrolet might recover a portion of the cost of the sewer. Gary Miller stated it would be necessary to adopt a resolution accepting a grant of easement from School District U-46 and the owners of the 22 acres adjoining Bigger's property. The Council agreed to have this ordinance and resolution placed on the Council Agenda. Request from North End Businessmen's Association to Regulate Carnivals. Mr. Nelson stated this association had requested that our present ordinance be amended to provide that there shall be a 28 day period separating the closing of one carnival and the opening of another. January 18, 1978 Councilman West suggested that permits be issued one at a time. Councilwoman Nelson stated this was interferring with free enterprise. Councilmen Barnes, Gilliam and Nelson voted no. Councilwoman Strattan voted yes. Councilman Hill stated he would be in favor of 49 days and Councilman West was in favor of no overlapping. Miscellaneous Discussion. Mr. Nelson stated the Dundee Jaycees had requested that they be allowed to make a presentation to the Council relative to the use of the Hemmen's Building for their State convention and the use of alcohol therein. A majority of the Council agreed to have them come in at the next meeting. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Committee of the Whole, the meeting was adjourned at 9:30 P.M. t la 9r-4AA. CL/V�. Marie YearCity Clerk C COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING January, 25, 1978 The Committee of the Whole Meeting was called to order by City Manager, Leo Nelson on Wednesday, January 25, 1978 at 7:00 p.m. , in the Council Conference Room of City Hall. Members Present: Councilman Barnes, Gilliam, Hill, Nelson, Strattan, West and Mayor Verbic. Absent: None. Also present were: City Clerk, Marie Yearman and members of staff. Jaycee Request for the Use of Alcohol at the Hemmens Building. Marvin Schneider, representing the Jaycees stated most of their State meetings have previously been held at the Arlington Park Towers or a Chicagoland site and this was becoming a problem because of the rising costs in these areas. Elgin and Dundee have been prevented from bidding because of no large facility. Mr. Schneider pointed out that the Hemmens would be ideal together with the motel facilities . Mr. Schneider stated that they would be bidding against two other cities who permit alcoholic beverages on the premises. Mr. Schneider explained that Friday night is set aside for a social mixer and Strough Brewing would be furnishing the beer. Mayor Verbic stated that he had heard that other groups were going out to the suburbs because of rising costs. Councilman Barnes asked how many people would be attending. Mr. Schneider said they anticipated between 1500 to 2000. Councilman Barnes asked who would cater the food and bar. Mr. Schneider said the food would be catered by the Ramada Inn and there was presently no provision for the bar but they were open to guidelines as to how to handle this. Counsel Jentsch stated that the State Statutes prohibits the sale of alcohol in public buildings but under home rule the city could proceed as they did with the golf course. Mr. Jentsch said he would research this matter transmit his findings to the Council. Councilman Gilliam stated that he would be willing to look at this if the Chamber of Commerce would come in with a study that reflected no competition with other licensed operators . Mr. Gilliam stated he would not want this available to any Rock Groups . Mr. Gilliam said he could see there would be no other facility that could handle between 1500-2000 people and this would generate business in Elgin. Mayor Verbic stated that we should think in terms of other groups who might want to come to Elgin and we should get this study as soon as possible. Councilwoman Strattan stated she would be primarily interested in how the general public felt and wanted this included in the study. January 25, 1978 Councilman West stated he had not changed his mind and he would hate to think that the success of that building will rise or fall on liquor. Councilwoman Nelson stated she had an open mind on the issue but thought it should be handled by the City because we have a legal department which could bring back suggestions. Councilman Hill stated he would like to see a flexible policy with guidelines and suggested that the Chamber of Commerce look at this in detail. Recommendation from Planning Committee re Proposed use of HCD Funds. The Council reviewed the following proposed program: PROJECT BUDGET Bent St. Bridge - $ 40,000 Chicago St.-Willard Ave. Detention Area - 165,000 Willis St. Watermain - 36,000 Acquisition, Clearance and Park Development at the Lincoln School Site - 175,000 Lincoln Ave . Watermain - 62,000 Residential Rehabilitation Program *1 45,000 Acquisition and Clearance of Unspecified Dilapidated Residential Structures in Target Area - 120,000 Relocation Payments - 24,000 Comprehensive Planning - 40,000 r Administration - *2 55,000 Contingency - 62,750 Total - $824,750 Total 4th Year H.C.D. Funds - 785,000 Total unobligated funds - prior years - 39,750 $824,750 *1 Includes expansion of Target Area *2 Includes additional staff position Roger Dahlstrom advised the Council that HCD was concerned about our lack of ability to spend funds and felt that Staff should be increased. Councilman Gilliam asked if we could use the funds to staff people working with HCD funds. Mr. Dahlstrom stated yes. Councilman Barnes asked if we acquire the three pieces of property in the Target Area what would be done with these properties. Mr. Dahlstrom stated it would take a year to clear title, relocation, etc. , and they would bring this back for suggestions next year . Mayor Verbic questioned if $45,000 was a suffieient amount for the Residential Rehabilitation Program. — January 25, 1978 Mr. Dahlstrom stated he felt this amount was realistic. Mr. Nelson asked if the Staff should go ahead and prepare this recommendation. Councilman West stated that it should be understood that anyone employed for the program would be advised that if the funds cease the City would not be obligated to keep the program. Proposed Unemployment Compensation Option. Jim Aydt reviewed with the Council the option of a reimbursement or contribution program for unemployment compensation. The Council approved the contribution program which is to be re-evaluated in two years. Miscellaneous Discussion. Leo Nelson advised the Council that IDOT had requested a summary of all State/ City projects with dates of completion. This report is being prepared for next week and will include the City's share of costs involved. Water Treatment Plan. The Council reviewed two design plans for the location of the water treatment plant building. Black and Veatch recommended the east location because there would be more land space and there would be an advantage in both construction and operating costs . The Council approved this plan and also approved the above ground tanks . The above ground tank would cost $240,000, while the below ground would cost $300,000. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Committee of the Whole, the meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m. Vt\ o.,7vA-51"." Marie Yearman ,ity Clerk r COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING February 1, 1978 The Committee of the Whole Meeting was called to order by City Manager, Leo Nelson on Wednesday, February 1, 1978 at 7:10 p.m. , in the Council Conference Room of City Hall. Members Present: Councilman Barnes, Gilliam, Hill, Nelson, Strattan, West and Mayor Verbic. Absent: None. Also present were: City Clerk, Marie Yearman and members of staff. Elgin Beautification Slide/Sound Program. Liz Leibert and Stu Ryder presented a slide/sound program to the Council. This program displayed the beautiful areas throughout the City, as well as the areas that are in need of being upgraded. Mayor Verbic and the Council expressed their appreciation to the Commission for time spent in putting this program together and showing it to interested groups. Request to Conduct Bike-a-thon. The Council approved the request of the American Diabetes Association to conduct a Bike-a-thon on May 7, 1978. Proposed Traffic Signal at Larkin and Lyle. Leo Nelson stated that this intersection warrants this signal at this time especially in view of the anticipated increase in traffic from Market Street and when Lyle is opened up to the North. The City would be responsible for the engineering plus the city's share of construction costs which would be $15,000. The Council approved this project. Proposed Restricted Parking on the East Side of Jackson between Highland and Locust. Mr. Nelson stated the Traffic Committee made this recommendation because a change in the City bus route was necessary and the bus drivers experience difficulty in maneuvering the buses in this area. Councilman Barnes asked if this would present a problem for Grace Methodist Church who have no off-street parking facilities. Mr. Nelson stated that letters would be sent to all affected homeowners and he would check with the Church before putting this on the Council agenda. Memorandum Relative to Sale of A loc oho l at Hemmen's . Mr. Nelson passed out a memorandum prepared by Counsel Jentsch for informa- tional purposes. A copy of said memorandum will also be given to the Task Force. February 1, 1978 Proposed Amendment to Ordinance which Established Fountain Square Plaza Com- mission. Mr. Nelson stated that Jim Knowles had telephoned him today to request that this item be put over until February 15th. Proposed Ordinance Regulating the use of Air Rifles . Assistant Corporation Counsel Jim Binninger stated that this request came from the Elgin Police Department because officers have observed people with guns that are hunting but unless the officer stops and watches the actual discharge of gun there is no violation of the code. This amendment would prohibit per- sons from hunting within the corporate limits of the City. Because of increased vandalism the Police Chief requested that all air guns be enclosed in a case so there is no visible showing of a gun. The third item is an agreement with the Village of South Elgin for Elgin to provide them with computer criminal history information. The agreement is for one year and the service will be provided for $1,200.00. The Council approved the proposed amendments and agreement with South Elgin. Miscellaneous Discussion. Don Smith, Manager of the Hemmens Building advised the Council he was attempting to engage a musical show starring B.B. King and Stu Allen. The contract states that B.B. King will be paid $6,260.00 and Stu Allen $350.00. Mr. King would receive a bonus of $750.00 for each show that is sold out. There would be two performances on February 28th and the tickets would sell for $5.50. Mr. Nelson stated that $10,000 had been put in the Hemmens budget to promote shows and in this instance it would be necessary to draw on this money inorder to pay the advance payments for this show. Mr. Smith stated Mr. King is tops in his field and he had done extensive marketing. The Council approved this program. Kimball Street Bridge . Mr. Nelson advised the Council that Shappert Engineering had requested that the bridge be closed on February 13th so that they may make preparation for demolitions. The Council approved this request. Old Main. Mr. Nelson stated that the Committee met last night and have worked out an agreement with Charles Burnidge for the exterior work not to exceed $13,973, and if this met with the Council's approval this would be put on a Council agenda. February 1, 1978 Councilman Barnes thought that one of the principal fund raisers should be appointed to this Committee, namely Bob Hoffer. Mayor Verbic stated that Bill Brady and D. Ray Wilson should also be contacted. Mr. Nelson stated he would contact these individuals. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Committee of the Whole, the meeting was adjourned at 8: 10 p.m. Marie Yearma , City Clerk r COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING February 15, 1978 The Committee of the Whole Meeting was called to order by City Manager Leo Nelson on Wednesday, February 15, 1978 at 7:08 p.m. , in the Council Conference Room of City Hall. Members Present: Councilmen Barnes, Gilliam, Hill, Nelson, Strattan and West. Absent: Mayor Verbic. Also present were: Acting City Clerk, Nancy L. Caspersen, and members of staff. Proposal of Serving Alcoholic Beverages at Hemmens Ed Bove of the Task Force stated he is not prepared to give a recommendation for alcoholic beverages at Hemmens at this time. He needs time to look into Dram Shop, licensing and insurance. He should be prepared to give his recommenda- tion late in the spring. It was the concensus of the Council to table the matter until the Task Force completed its study. Councilwoman Strattan asked if there was a survey being distributed to citizens. The Council was informed that the Task Force will be preparing a survey, but one is not available at this time. Councilman Hill suggested giving the Jaycees tentative approval to serve alcoholic beverages, since the convention is a year away. If the Council decides prior to the convention date not to serve alcoholic beverages at Hemmers, then the Jaycees would not be able to serve alcohol at their convention. Councilman West did not think the Jaycees would refuse to bring the state conven- tion to the Hemmens because no alcohol was permitted. The Council reiterated the fact that they would table the matter until the Task Force had completed their study. Liz Leibert stated that the Chamber of Commerce is not taking the position of endorsing alcoholic beverages at the Hemmen. The Chamber is merely coordinating the study, not promoting it, as it is too complex of a problem. Proposed Amendment to the Ordinance Establishing the Fountain Square Plaza Mall Commission Shirley Rauschenberger of the Fountain Square Plaza Mall Commission stated that because the mall has been so successful they would like to extend themselves to cover more of the downtown area. She stated there would be three groups con- cerned with the downtown area, ie. , Don Smith of the Hemmen, Jenny Benz of IDEA and the new executive mall director. The other proposed change was in the name of the Commission, from the Fountain Square Plaza Mall Commission to the Greater Downtown Elgin Commission. Proposed Agreement to Pay W. A. Rakow and Associates, Ltd. for Engineering Services for the Area 1 Special Assessment project It was the concensus of the Council to pay W. A. Rakow and Associates, Ltd. the sum of $89,706.37 for engineering services. The agreement would require W. A. Rakow to assign any special assessment vouchers to the City if the project were to go ahead at some later date. February 15, 1978 Proposed Funding for the North End Bridge Project Money is available for the first phases of engineering for the North End Bridge and also for the acquisition of the right of way. If the project receives approval, the funding will continue as long as the local communities keep up with the match funding. There is some problem regarding two of the homes on Douglas and Summit Streets. The state has determined that these two homes may have some historical signifi- cance, which could cause a delay if they have to be preserved. Local historians do not believe the homes have any historical significance. Authorization of Payment for a Sanitary Sewer Repair at 915 Cedar Avenue Mel Dahl stated that the sewer at 915 Cedar Avenue has apparently fallen away from the lateral. Because of the depth of the sewer (20 feet) the City is unable to determine if it is the responsibility of the owner or the City. The Council agreed to pay $3,220.37 for the sewer repair. Councilman Barnes suggested the City set some kind of a policy requiring the City to pay for sewer repairs when the depth of the sewer is over 10 feet, providing the City is unsure who is responsible for the repair. Proposed Repair of the Hough End Loader Mr. Nelson wanted the Council to be aware that the cost of repair to the City's 4' Hough End Loader would be $5,000 in order to put it back on the street. A new Hough End Loader costs approximately $35,000 to $40,000. By repairing the Loader, it will have a resale value of approximately $8,000. The Council recommended repairing the Hough End Loader at a cost of approximately $5,000. Proposal for Engineering Assistance to Develop a 911 Plan The City was hopeful that there would be federal funds available, but now it is unlikely that the City will get funding. The cost for engineering assistance would be $10,935. Chief Baird estimated the final cost for the public safety communications center to be approximately $400,000. Mr. Nelson stated that one method of funding the plan would be to impose a utility tax on telephones. Chief Baird stated that in November the Federal Excise Tax of one percent will no longer be on telephones, therefore the Police Chiefs of Illinois have suggested leaving the tax on the telephones and using the monies to fund the 911 plan. Chief VanDeVoorde asked that the fire department objectives be considered along with the police department objectives in the 911 program. Chief Baird stated that at the last meeting on the 911 program, no opposition was expressed to the plan; but several days later he received a letter from the Village of South Elgin stating they were against the 911 program. The Council agreed to find out what the other jurisdictions will do as far as helping with the funding of the 911 program. February 15, 1978 Status Report on the Proposed Revisions to the Commercial Section of the Zoning Ordinance Mr. Nelson stated that the text of the zoning ordinance will be changed so as to extract office uses from the commercial section of the zoning ordinance. The Council will have a copy of this change for its February 22 meeting. In view of the proposed change, which would allow an office classification, the Council agreed to take Petition 36-77 off the table and consider it at its February 22 meeting. The petitioners, if granted the B-1 classification, will be required to accept the office use restriction upon its passage in May of 1978. Miscellaneous Business The resolution authorizing an agreement for professional architectural services with Burnidge and Cassell for the "Old Main" project will be reconsidered at the Council's February 22 meeting. Mr. Nelson stated the the estimated cost of the project is $13,973 and the $35 per hour, which was of some concern to the Council, is only for extraordinary services or the services of a resident engineer if the City desired a resident engineer. By a vote of 5 to 1 the Council, with Councilman Barnes dissenting, agreed to appeal the decision of Judge Leifeit and seek a stay of execution of the writ of ouster, which would allow the current members of the Board of Local Improve- ments to act in an administrative capacity until the appeal has been decided. r Councilman Barnes argued that he did not want to appeal the decision, but would rather start with a new Board of Local Improvements made up of members other than the Council. Councilman West replied that he thought the issue of whether or not Council members can sit on the Board of Local Improvements should be appealed so that the final decision as to its validity can be determined. Mr. Nelson gave the members of the Council two proposals for the management study stating that the third proposal would be arriving in about a week. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Committee of the Whole, the meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m. cT eyC�ti� ykvIti ,-1 Nancy L. , 9spersen, Acting City Clerk COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING February 22, 1978 The Committee of the Whole Meeting was called to order by City Manager Leo Nelson on Wednesday , February 22, 1978 at 7 : 05 P.M. , in the Council Conference Room of City Hall . Members Present : Councilmen Barnes , Gilliam, Hill , Nelson, Strattan , West and Mayor Verbic. Also present were: City Clerk, Marie Yearman and members of staff . Request from Elgin National Little League that the City of Elgin pay for the Little League' s Electric Bill for Approximately $2, 000 per year. Mr. Nelson pointed out that the City presently pays for the electricity for the Classic Little League at Wing Park and will be paying for the Teener League at Trout Park. Mike Bailey , President of the Elgin National Little League, stated that if the City would pay for the electric they would contribute $ 1 ,000 towards the blacktopping of the parking lot at this site. Councilman Barnes asked who owned this property. Mr. Nelson stated that the City owned the property and it was used primarily for little leagues or open play. Mr. Bailey stated it was also used for pee-wee football . Mayor Verbic asked how much had been contributed by the League. Mr. Bailey stated they had paid for the cost of the present lighting system and other improvements which amounted to $25 ,000. Mayor Verbic felt the City should contribute and pointed out the need for blacktopping. Mr. Nelson stated he thought the blacktopping could be done in house but before a commitment was made he wanted to check this out to establish the total cost and report this back to the Council . The Council agreed to pay for the electricity at this time and to look at the blacktopping project when some costs are available. Proposal to eliminate parking on the West Side of Elm Street between Walnut and Locust. Committee of the Whole Meeting February 22, 1978 Page 2 Mr. Nelson stated that 75% of the residents in this area had signed a petition requesting this parking restriction. Mr. Al Graff, of 215 Elm Street , stated that people are unable to back out of their driveways and there was a real safety problem involved. Mr . Graff further stated that this conjestion was present at night also because of the various functions held at St. Edward' s High School . Councilman Barnes felt that this parking restriction would just mean they would park on the other streets creating the same situtation. Councilman Barnes suggested that St . Edward be contacted to see if they could provide some off-street parking facilities . Mr. Nelson stated that he would have someone from Staff contact St. Edward and would have the residents in this area notified that this matter would be on the next Council Agenda. Request from IDEA to prohibit parking at certain parking lots prior to 9: 30 A.M. Mr. Nelson stated that this organization had again requested that parking be prohibited before 9: 30 A.M. Mr . Nelson felt that this would be easy to do with the parking spaces under the parking deck, but it would create problems in some of the other lots . The Chicago and Spring Street lot is used by a lot of people going to the Labor Temple and the Y .W.C .A early in the morning. Mr. Nelson suggested that it would be better to have the Civic Center lot attended as opposed to metered. Councilman Hill said he had been getting calls relative to people who work in offices parking their cars all day. Councilman Barnes stated these callers could be people who work in the stores that are asking us to close the lot . Councilman West felt the merchants should police their employees . Councilwomen Nelson and Strattan did not favor closing the lots and thought this should be worked out by the business managements . Mr. Nelson stated he did not expect a decision from the Council on this tonight and he would bring the matter back after giving the Council more time to study same. Request from the Chamber of Commerce to provide free parking at certain locations on Tuesday, April 11th and Wednesday, April 14th in recognition of the Feeling Fine Health Fair. The Council approved this request. C Committee of the Whole Meeting February 22, 1978 Page 3 Proeosed revision to the Commercial Section of the Zoning Ordinance. Don Wagner, Community Development Director , stated that the prupose of this revision was to allow for a Limited Office District. This would permit the development of a small scale office areas or complexes which would be compatible with a residential setting and which would tend to locate near or adjacent to commercial areas . The intent of the district is to allow the introduction of a restricted number of uses in thos areas of the City undergoing development pressure for change. There would be a further intent to control the scale of development so that these office areas are compatible with the scale and height of residential areas . The 0 district , permitted uses would be as follows : Offices - business , professional , and public - including but not limited to lawyer, physician , dentist , architect , professional engineer, accountant and real estate. Medical laboratoroes and pharmacies, limited to the sale of prescription drugs , only when operated in conjunction with a medical office complex. Public facilities, fire stations , police stations , and pumping stations . Accessory uses to the above permitted uses, including but not limited to off-street parking and off-street loading. Councilman Barnes stated that the Staff should be careful to try and select as many areas as we can so that we can point out to someone wanting this district use that we already have some available. Rob Roll stated that he was concerned that some of the good housing stock areas may become office districts . Mr. Wagner said that the City would start with four or five small areas as office zones . Councilman West asked how long it would be before this matter came back to the Council . Mr. Nelson said that it should be heard by the Land Use Commission on March 13th . Miscellaneous Business Plaza Parking Signs Bob Hogue exhibited a sample of the signs to be used and received the Council ' s approval for same. Committee of the Whole Meeting February 22, 1978 Page 4 ( RTA Feeder Bus Service for Hanover Park and Streamwood to be operated by the City of Elgin. Mr . Nelson advised the Council that before any agreement with the RTA for this service was entered into there were several things that needed clarification. Mr . Nelson was not confident about the condition of the buses that would be furnished for this service and the fact that they would fund this 100%. If the costs turn out to be greater we would want clarification that they would cut the service or fund it . Councilman Barnes thought it would be a good idea to try to use the service to being shoppers to Elgin. Ray Moller, Transportation Director , state that they are actively working on this . Mr . Nelson stated he would bring this matter back to the Council after clarification of the above-mentioned items . Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Committee Cli of the Whole, the meeting was adjourned at 9: 45 P.M. Marie Year an, City Clerk C Committee of the Whole Meeting March 1 , 1978 The Committee of the Whole Meeting was called to order by City Manager Leo Nelson on Wednesday, March 1 , 1978, at 7 : 05 P.M. , in the Council Conference Room of City Hall . Members present : Councilmen Barnes , Gilliam, Hill , Nelson, Strattan, West and Mayor Verbic. Also present : Corporation Counsel Jentsch, City Clerk Marie Yearman and members of Staff. Proposal to prohibit parking on the East side of Jackson Street from Chicago to Highland. Leo Nelson stated that a prior request from the City Trans- portation Department was to eliminate parking on one side of Jackson between Highland and Locust . However, the bus routes were revised so that the buses do not travel on Jackson between South and Locust , and the Traffic Committee is now recommending that parking be prohibited from 6 : 00 A.M. , to 6 : 00 P.M. , Monday through Saturday, on the east side of Jackson from Chicago Street to Highland Avenue. Mr . Nelson also pointed out that this proposal would not interfere with the present parking for the Grace United Methodist Church located at Jackson and South Streets . The Council approved this proposal and directed that it be placed on the Council Agenda. Proposal to install parking meters on the east side of Spring Street between Fulton and DuPage Streets . Mr . Nelson stated that at a recent meeting the IDEA requested that the parking meters be put back on the east side of Spring Street between Fulton and DuPage Streets . Mr. Nelson further stated that since the traffic in this area is not as heavy as was anticipated, since the buses do not use this location and because there is a loading zone on the west side of the street , it is recommended that the one-hour meters be installed. The Council approved this proposal and directed that it be placed on the Council Agenda. Request to negotiate with Bruce Municipal Equipment for the purchase of two Elgin-Leach Packer Units . Mr. Nelson stated that in the past we have always negotiated with the equipment dealer , Bruce Municipal Equipment Company, for the purchase of these packer units . The price we pay has always been lower than any municipality which has purchased • March 1 , 1978 these units under a bid. The City will be going out for bids in a couple of weeks for the purchase of two truck chassis and these packer units will fit on the chassis we purchase regardless of manufacture. Mr. Nelson further stated that the City would obtain a negotiated price and then check with other cities to see if this is the right price for said units . Based on the above information the Council approved the purchase of the two packer units . Proeosed changes in the City ' s Industrial Revenue Bond Ordinance. Mr. Nelson stated that since this matter was last discussed there were certain things still floating about . Mr. Nelson asked the Council to re-affirm the following provisions : ( 1 ) The C•i.ty would want to continue to use outside financial consultants ; and ( 2) The City would want to recover all direct costs , but no more than that . Mr. Nelson pointed out that the existing agreement with Paul D. Speer & Associates , which sets forth the services to be performed by them, (a) Preparatory to tentative approval of the project by the City and (b) upon adoption by the City of the "Comfort resolution" , remained the same and reflected no fee increase. Ed Kelly of the Elgin Chamber of Commerce stated that Rockford and Aurora do part (b) of the Speer agreement in house. Mr. Kelly thought it might be helpful to have some of the prospective applicants come in and discuss this with the Council . Mr . Kelly was interested in keeping the costs down and still have the City act prudently. Councilman Barnes thought we should recover total costs , Speer ' s fees and our costs. Mr. Nelson stated that a representative of Paul Speer would be coming out and maybe if Mr . Kelly sat down with them they could give him an idea of what they do. Councilman Hill stated he thought they want some prospective clients to have an ordinance reflecting that the City wants it here as opposed to locating elsewhere. Mayor Verbic agreed that our costs should be recovered but that we should try to stimulate business growth . March 1 , 1978 Mr . Nelson proposed that the City reduce the non- refundable deopsit to $2500. 00 to recover the expenses in investigating the desirability and feasibility of such financing . Upon adoption of a resolution indicating the City ' s preliminary agreement to issue a specific amount of bonds for the proposed project an additional deposit in the amount of $2500.00, if the proposed issue is not more than $ 1 , 000, 000; for an issue in excess of $ 1 ,000,000 and not more than $5 ,000,000 and less than $25 ,000 ,000, an additional $ 10 ,000 shall be paid , and if the proposed issue is more than $25 ,000, 000 an additional deposit of $ 12, 500 shall be paid. The Council agreed to have the ordinance amended to reflect the foregoing changes . Proeosed Intergovernmental Agreement between the City and the Sanitary District which would permit the Sanitary District to take advantage of the City ' s lower electrical utility rates. Mr. Nelson stated that under our franchise agreement with Commonwealth Edison the City ' s rate is 24 while the Sanitary District ' s rate is 22. Janice Rudolph of Commonwealth Edison advises us that if the City would pay the District ' s bill they could be given the lower rate. Al Pagorski of the Sanitary District pointed out that with the rate of 24 the savings would be between 25% and 33%. They would be willing to work out some agreement whereby they would reimburse the City by billing or the amount owed could be deducted from the sewer use charge. Mr. Pagorski stated that we are looking at a savings of between $40,000 and $50,000. Counsel Jentsch stated that Commonwealth Edison may feel this is an invasion of fee structure. Mr . Nelson stated that Janice Rudolph had assured them that there would be no problem. Councilman Barnes said he thought the idea was good if we can save people some money and it is not a detriment to the City . The Council agreed to go ahead and see what could be done. Proposal to meet with the reeresentatives of Henningson, Durham and Richardson to review the Solid Waste and Resource Study. Mr. Nelson passed out available copies of the solid waste energy and materials recovery study, prepared by Henningson, rDurham and Richardson. March 1 , 1978 The Council agreed to have this firm come in for a presentation on March 15th . Mr. Nelson requested that Mel Dahl secure additional copies of this study inorder that each member of the Council could have a copy. Proposal to proceed with soil investigations at the new water treatment plant site. Mr. Nelson stated that there were several areas on the water treatment site which required soil and subsurface investigation. Bob Hogue, Engineering Director , submitted bids for said testing which were as follows : Hurley, $ 13, 205; Testing Service Corporation, $ 18,957 and Novak, Dempsey & Associates , $ 11 , 500. Mr. Hogue recommended Novak, Dempsey & Associates and the Council approved same. Discussion re Elgin Area ' s 911 Plan. Mr. Nelson stated that as a result of a meeting with Chief Van De Voorde and Chief Baird they agreed it might be premature at this time to go ahead with the study for a 911 system. Mr . Nelson said this recommendation had nothing to do with r South Elgin ' s decision not to participate in a joint system with Elgin. Mr. Nelson stated that there were rumors that a bill was in the Assembly to extend the deadline for initiation of the local systems and at this point he felt the City should hold off. Councilman West stated he did not think the Bill to extend the time would pass because of other tack-ons. Councilman West further stated that there was a possibility that the system could be financed with the 1% federal telephone excise tax which will expire this year . If the State instituted this tax it would not increase the telephone bills and it would raise $ 14,000,000 to build the 911 system, but at the present time there is no plan as to where it will be. The Council agreed to hold off on the study and to file a letter of intent for selective 911 service for Elgin. Miscellaneous Discussion Mayor Verbic advised the Council that he and Leo Nelson had meet with the Chief Engineer of the Tollway System in an effort to obtain a reduction in tollway fees while the Kimball Street bridge is under construction . Mayor Verbic stated he was told that due to an enabling legislature they could not reduce the fees but if an acute emergency occurred and there was a pile up of cars , they would let them go through. . March 1 , 1978 Mayor Verbic was also advised that the Tollway is going to resurface and traffic will be cut to one lane when this is done. Agreements with the State relative to the imerovement of the intersection of Dundee, Summit and Gifford; improvement of Business U. S . Route 20 from DuPage to the Kane-Cook County line and improvement of Business U. S . 20 from Clifton Avenue to State Street. Mayor Verbic stated that he was sure that the proposed improvements in front of Stettner ' s would bring a protest from the businesses located there. Mel Dahl stated that although the parking spaces would be reduced the improvement would provide more parking on the street. Mayor Verbic felt that every effort should be made to alert these people as to what is going to take place. Mr. Dahl said he had asked the State to contact Stettners and the other businesses in that area. The Council directed that these agreements be placed on the Council agenda. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Committee of the Whole, the meeting was adjourned at 8: 30 P.M. LLc,�xA_ALJ Marie Yearmah, City Clerk e y - r Committee of the Whole Meeting March 8, 1978 The Committee of the Whole Meeting was called to order by City Manager Leo Nelson on Wednesday , March 8 , 197$, at 7 : 05 P.M. , in the Council Conference Room of City Hall . Members present : Councilmen Barnes , Gilliam, Hill , Nelson, West and Mayor Verbic. Absent : Councilwoman Strattan. Also present : City Manager Leo Nelson , City Clerk Marie Yearman and members of staff. Proposed Abandoment of the City ' s Telephone Call -Box System Mr. Nelson stated that this equipment is outdated because of the two-way radios , and the fact that people don ' t even realize they are there. The cost of operating this equipment is currently $4, 586 per year. Mr. Nelson further stated that both the Fire Department and Police Department have indicated the system could be eliminated without affecting emergency calls . Chief Van De Voorde stated that 95% of the fire calls are made by telephone today . The Council agreed to eliminate this system. Proposals submitted to conduct a productivity improvement program The Council reviewed a summary of proposals for a productivity improvement program submitted by Roy Jorgensen, Booz, Allen & Hamilton , and Arthur Young. Mr. Nelson asked the Council if they would like to talk with any of the representatives from these companies . The Council was more impressed with the proposal submitted by Roy Jorgensen and indicated they would like to have their representative come in. Mr. Nelson indicated that this representative would be available next week and the Council agreed to have him come in on March 15th. Miscellaneous Discussion Fox Valley Kiwanis Club request for 4th of July Carnival Mr. Nelson advised the Council that this organization was C requesting permission to hold a carnival in connection with the 4th of July celebration at Wing Park. It seems the carnival operator they have contracted with this year would only consider Wing Park for this operation. This Organization has indicated that if this request were approved for this year, they would not plan to have it at Wing Park next year because they also agree this is not a suitable location . Mr. Nelso further stated that plans were being made to hold fireworks displays at Elgin Community College. The Council agreed to approve this request this year and have them advised that this is the last year a canival will be permitted at Wing Park. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Committee of the Whole, the meeting was adjourned at 7 : 30 P.M. Marie Yearmn, City Clerk e r Committee of the Whole Meeting March 15 , 1978 The Committee of the Whole Meeting was called to order by City Manager Leo Nelson on Wednesday , March 15 , 1978, at 7 : 00 P.M. , in the Council Conference Room of City Hall . Members present : Councilmen Barnes , Gilliam, Hill , Nelson, Strattan and West . Absent : Mayor Verbic. Also present : Corporation Counsel Jentsch, City Clerk Marie Yearman and members of Staff. Presentation by Roy Jorgensen Associates for a Productivity Improvement Program. Mr. Bill Rose , Vice President and Director of Roy Jorgensen Associates advised the Council that this firm consisted of 80 employees , over one-half of them being engineers and the balance personnel and accounting managers. Their work is restricted to public agencies and it would be their job to develop a work program and budget . They would implement the system, train and develop. Mr. Rose exhibited a sample Maintenance Management System and Maintenance Program and Budget as it would relate to the Public Works Department. Mr. Rose stated that their computer workup would match ours but the program would need modification so the systems would match. A fulltime employee would be in residence about eight months during the design stage. Implementation would follow and the entire project would take about 14 months . Councilwoman Nelson asked how the in-house unions would accept this proposal . Mr. Rose stated that they had not experienced any problems and they were just merely modifying the work scheduling and they would be open with the employees as to procedures . Councilwoman Nelson thought it was important to have the confidence of all the employees , not just the top men. Mr. Rose stated that they will be working with the people who will be doing the work and they have work methods that have been used in other cities similar to Elgin . These systems will let you look at the productivity at various times and we would expect better productivity by using the systems . Page 2 - March 15 , 1978 Councilman Hill stated that he had agreed to spend the money for the study and wondered if this method would show if there were the right number of people in the departments because of the departments ' request for additional help in this budget this year. Mr. Rose stated it would show the type of job, amount of men used, equipment used and total man hours projected for each activity . It would also get the information as to the work being done to the management level . Leo Nelson pointed out that this would give a better tool at budget time. Mr. Nelson further stated that if the Council approved having this agreement on the next Council agenda, this firm could start the study on April 1st. The Council directed that this agreement be placed on the Council agenda for March 22nd. Proposal for body repairs to Fire Engine #4. Proposals were submitted from Hendrickson Manufacturing Company for $3680. 00 and Chicago Street Auto Body for $4000.00. Fire Chief Van De Voorde stated that this work would add 8 to 10 years to the useful life of this vehicle. It was recommended by the staff that this contract be awarded to the low bidder Hendrickson Manufacturing for $3680.00. The Council approved the Staff ' s recommendation. Proposed Agreement with RTA for Bus Stop Passenger Shelters . Mr . Nelson advised the Council that the original agreement from the RTA had been modified to exclude the "hold harmless clause" , and that the Corporation Counsel had reviewed this revised agreement and approved same. The Council directed that this agreement be placed on the Council agenda. Financial Report Relative to the B. B. King Concert. The Council reviewed a financial summary which indicated a deficit of $519. 21 . The total attendance at both shows was 1075 and Mr. Nelson stated that although the concert lost money this was a good showing for a week night. Proposal from Clarke Outdoor Spraying for 1978. Mike Sarro advised the Council that this proposal was basically the same as last year and the Company representative could be present next week if there were any questions. Page 3 - March 15 , 1978 rThe Council directed that this matter be place on the Council agenda. Recommendation to remove parking on the East Side of North Spring between Cooper and River Bluff. Mr. Nelson advised the Council that a questionaire had been set to 13 residents in the 1000 block of north Spring Street . 9 questionaires were returned. Seven preferred no parking on the east side. One preferred no parking on the west side and one thought the parking should remain the same. Many of the Sherman Hospital employees are parking their cars here and have conjested this block so much that residents can not get in or out of their driveways . The Traffic Committee recommended that no parking signs be installed on the East Side of North Spring Street between Cooper and River Bluff. The Council approved this recommendation and asked that this matter be placed on a Council agenda. Proposal to Finance Street and Intersection Improvements . rMr. Nelson stated that the State ' s participation in the projected street and traffic signal improvements would come to $ 1 , 341 ,415. Kane County would contribution $300, 000 and the City ' s share would be $ 1 , 150, 000. Since there will be no special assessments made in 1978 or 1979 this will effect the improvements that the City had scheduled for 1978 assessments . Mr. Nelson suggested taking the property tax assessment escrow allocated for Area I and use this money for these State/City improvements . The balance of the City ' s share would require financing by a G .O. Bond issue. If the $ 1 , 150, 000 bond issue were sold now and the public benefits were reduced by the amount set aside for Area 1 , the tax rate would only be increased by lc per $ 100 assessed valuation over that projected in the 1978 budget. The projected tax rate would be $ 1 . 794 instead of $ 1 . 784 . Mr. Nelson felt it was important to go ahead with these State projects because the benefits would be much greater to the entire community than Area I would have. The Council approved the requested bond issue. r Page 4 - March 15 , 1978 r"` Presentation of Solid Waste and Resource Recovery Report. The Council viewed a slide presentation conducted by Bill Johnson and Stuart Russell , representing the firm of Henningson, Richardson and Durham. Mr. Russell stated that the recommendation was to use refuse to produce steam power, which could be sold. He also thought that the Caterpillar Tractor Company of Montgomery and Armour Dial in Naperville could be potential buyers . It was also established that Elgin would have the longest hauling distance to the disposal facility. The Council expressed concern about the allocation costs to each community in view of the fact that Elgin would have the longest hauling service. Mr. Johnson stated that Elgin was the first community to have this presentation and at this point he did not know how the other communities would feel about the allocated costs . The Council suggested that they be further advised after all the other involved communities have had the opportunity to see this proposal . Proposed release of easement in Elgin Oaks Industrial Park Rob Rob advised the Council that back in 1973 when this subdivision was plated there was some discussion to extend this sit some 70 acres north of Elgin Oaks . This is not feasible now because of the gas lines . The owners of this lot have requested this vacation so they may have full use of the property. Mr. Roll did not feel there would be any problem by granting the easement . The Council approved this request . Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Committee of the Whole, the meeting was adjourned at 9: 45 P.M. � LTJ Marie Year an , City Clerk r .l COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING March 22, 1978 The Committee of the Whole Meeting was called to order by City Manager Leo Nelson on Wednesday, March 22, 1978 at 7:05 p.m., in the Council Conference Room of City Hall. Members Present: Councilmen Barnes, Gilliam, Hill, Nelson, Strattan, West and Mayor Verbic. Absent: None. Also present were: Acting City Clerk, Nancy L. Caspersen, and members of staff. Pr•.osal to Vacate Kirk Avenue Between Bluff Cit Boulevard and : -Pass 20 Mr. Nelson advised the Council of a proposal to vacate Kirk Avenue. The City Traffic Committee previously reviewed the proposal and determined that there was no present or future need for retaining the right of way. The Council approved vacation. Proposed Authorization to Repair Pumps and Motors for the Water Department Mr. Nelson advised the Council of the estimated cost for the repair of a pump and motor at the Slade Avenue Water Plant. The Council approved the expenditure of $20,813 for the repairs. Proposal to Extend a 12 Inch Watermain on South McLean Boulevard Mr. Nelson outlined the proposal to extend a 12 inch watermain from the vicinity of Dieterle's Restaurant on South McLean Boulevard to the south edge of the Moose Club property. Mr. Nelson stated that the Easter Seal Association, Bueche Mobile Home Park and the Loyal Order of Moose have expressed an interest in acquiring water service from the City of Elgin. The Council authorized Mr. Nelson to send agreements to the three interested parties for their approval of the construction of the watermains for a total cost of $13,699.00 to the property owners. Request for Additional Staff for the Public Property and Recreation Department Phil Bennett presented a slide show of the various recreation programs offered by the parks department, thereby demonstrating a need for an additional employee to organize and run these activities. Presently two part time employees working a total of approximately 45 per week are promoting these programs. Councilwoman Nelson made a motion to hire the additional employee. Councilman Gilliam disagreed stating that the programs were apparently being run by qualified part time people who need little supervision. Mr. Bennett stated that a full time person is needed in order to keep the programs going at their present level and to insure their expansion. Mayor Verbic questioned whether a CETA employee could be hired to help defer the expense. Mr. Bennett stated that he talked with Jim Aydt regarding this and was told that with the low unemployment level in Kane County it would be difficult to get a qualified person for the position. Councilwoman Strattan expressed her disapproval of the administrative decision to hire two part time people to run the programs after the Council had disapproved the hiring of one full time person last fall. Councilman Barnes stated he was in favor of the additional employee. Mayor Verbic favored going ahead with the hiring of an additional employee as it appeared to be a good investment to help get children off the streets and into organized programs. Councilmen Barnes, Hill, Nelson, West and Mayor Verbic March 22, 1978 favored the hiring of an additional employee with Councilmen Gilliam and Strattan expressing disapproval. Discussion of the Housing Rehabilitation Program Don Wagner presented suggested changes to the Residential Rehabilitation Program, which include boundary changes, eligibility requirements and pay- ment procedure changes. The boundary change would include an additional tract of land east of the Fox River. The change in the eligibility require- ments would include absentee owners of residential dwellings, allowing them a 15% rebate with a maximum $5,000 limit per unit. At present, only owner occupied dwellings qualify for the rebate program. Due to the fact that many of the applicants cannot afford all the major repairs at one time, a change was suggested in the payment procedure to allow applicants to com- plete one major repair and receive a rebate before the start of another major repair. Mr. Wagner will have an ordinance prepared setting out the three areas of change and will bring it before the Council at another work session. The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m. for the regular City Council Meeting. The Committee Meeting of the Whole reconvened at 9:40 p.m. Discussion Regarding the RTA's Request for Bus Service in Crystal Lake and Carpentersville Mr. Nelson stated he received a letter from the Regional Transportation Authority requesting the City of Elgin to provide bus service within Crystal Lake and Carpentersville. The RTA offered a maximum $200,000 for the expansion of service. Mayor Verbic asked if Crystal Lake had considered establishing their own transportation center. Mr. Nelson stated that the RTA would prefer working with just one community rather than working with many small communities in establishing service. Councilman Barnes expressed his concern of the RTA eventually taking over the City's bus service altogether. Councilman Gilliam stated he was against the RTA operating within Crystal Lake and Carpentersville from the City of Elgin. It was the concensus of the Council to request the RTA's preparation of their long and short range operational plans and if those plans appeared favorable, they should appear before the Council for further discussion. Proposal to Expand Frontenec West Subdivision Rob Roll presented a final plat for the expansion of Frontenec West Subdivision. The Land Use Committee recommended approval of the subdivision. There were no objections to this proposed expansion from the members of the Council. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Committee of the Whole, the meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m. Nancy L. Ca. ersen, Acting City Clerk Committee of the Whole Meeting April 5 , 1978 The Committee of the Whole Meeting was called to order by City Manager Leo Nelson, on Wednesday , April 5, 1978, at 8 : 25 P.M. , in the Council Conference Room of City Hall . Members present : Councilmen Barnes , Gilliam, Nelson, Strattan, West and Mayor Verbic. Absent : Councilman Hill . Also present : Marie Yearman, City Clerk, Corporation Counsel Jentsch and members of Staff. Discussion re Parking Problem on Elm Between Locust and Walnut. Leo Nelson stated that Father O ' Neil of St. Edward ' s High School , had met with the neighbors and parents of students attending the school and the school suggested restricting parking on the west side of Elm Street between the hours of 8: 00 A.M. , to 5 : 00 P.M. , Monday through Friday. The petitioners/neighbors were opposed to this suggestion because they contended their driveways were blocked during special events on weekends and evenings . The petitioners stated that only a twenty-four hour restriction, seven days a week would solve the problem. Councilman West stated that he and City Engineer Robert Hogue had measured Elm Street and the measurements ranged from 29.6 feet to 30. 3 feet. The area around the curve, immediately south of the Crosby Street intersection, is especially narrow. Councilman West cited the following Ordinances : Ordinance 11 . 36. 160A, states "The City Engineer or Chief of Police in his absence, is authorized to erect signs indicating no parking upon any street when the width of the roadway does not exceed twenty feet, or upon one side of a street as indicated by such signs when the width of the roadway does not exceed thirty feet. " Ordinance 11 .36 .050G , states , "At any time, it is unlawful to permit any vehicle to park or stand in any of the following places except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the direction of a policeman or traffic signal G At any place where the standing of a vehicle will reduce the usable width of the roadway for moving traffic to less than 18 feet. Councilman West further pointed out that when a small car is parked opposite each other, the usable roadway is reduced to less than 18 feet, and portions of this street were reduced to 16 .6 feet. Committee of the Whole Meeting April 5 , 1978 Councilman West felt the appropriate remedy was to exercise the authority given in Ordinance 11 .36 . 160, A, and remove parking from one side of Elm Street. Leo Nelson stated that this ordinance is to be used only as a discretionary tool and could not be used throughout the entire City. Father O ' Neil stated that after several meetings with the petitioners they were unable to come up with a solution. The School ' s suggested recommendations were not acceptable to the petitioners . Father O ' Neil stated he felt the decision should be left up to the wisdom of the Council and he wanted to thank the Council for their consideration of the matter. Leo Nelson stated he had received a call from a lady living on Perry Street who was quite disturbed because she did not want the existing condition on her street changed. Councilman Barnes stated he would be in favor of the removal of parking because there was no good solution to the problem, but he thought this might be the best one. Councilman Gilliam stated he would vote no because of the domino factor whereby other residents would want the same thing for their streets and where would it stop. Councilman Gilliam further stated he would rather see prohibitive parking . Mr. and Mrs . Frank Cumpata, Mr. David Stikes and Mrs . Corcoran spoke against any type of restriction other than removal of parking on the West side of Elm Street. Attorney Schnell and Mr. Sanders , as parents of students attending St. Edward stated the school would suffer a financial loss by reason of the restricted parking for special events which provided revenue for the school . Corporation Counsel Jentsch stated that the removal of parking in this area should be put into ordinance form inorder to conform with past procedures . Councilmen Barnes , Nelson , Strattan and West voted to place said ordinance on the next Council Agenda. Councilman Gilliam and Mayor Verbic voted against this proposal . Request from Elgin American Little League for Assistance with the Preparation of their 4 Little League Diamonds . Leo Nelson pointed out to the Council that the assistance requested consisted of the 'following : 1 . Seeding of 4 Little League Diamonds 2. Weed killing on 4 Little League Diamonds and the surrounding green area. 3 . Fertilize 4 Little League Diamonds . 4. Black dirt dirt and sand to put 4 Diamonds into playing shape. Committee of the Whole Meeting April 5, 1978 elk Mr. Nelson stated that this work could be done in house and the total estimated cost for materials and labor would amount to $ 1 , 522.00. Mr. Nelson further stated that this is the only League who do not have lights and they are in the process of providing a new girls softball diamond. The Council approved this request. IDOT ' s Proposed Agreement for Traffic Signal Improvements along McLean Blvd. at Lilliam, Fleetwood and the Ramps from U.S . 20 . Leo Nelson stated that as a part of the agreement with IDOT for street and traffic improvements it would be necessary for the City to pass an ordinance restricting parking as follows : McLean Blvd. - No parking from 200 feet north of Lillian Street to 200 feet south of Fleetwood Drive. Lillian St. - No parking for a distance of 150 feet from the intersection with McLean Blvd. Fleetwood Drive - No parking for a distance of 150 feet from the intersection with McLean Blvd. Mr. Nelson also advised the Council that the City ' s share of the subject improvements had increased from the estimated $ 110,000 to $ 133 , 200. The Council agreed to have this ordinance placed on the next Council agenda. Recommendation from the Traffic Committee to restrict parking at certain intersections which are scheduled for improvements by IDOT. Mr. Nelson pointed out that parking restrictions will be necessary at the following intersections : 1 . Both sides of Lovell Road from the intersection of the center- lines of U.S . 20 and Bluff City Boulevard northerly and north- westerly for a distance of 150 feet. 2. Both sides of Bluff City Boulevard from the centerline of U.S . 20 southerly for a distance of 150 feet. 3 . Both sides of U .S . 20 starting 250 feet west of the centerline of Bluff City Boulevard and proceeding easterly to 250 feet east ""'' of the centerline of Bluff City Blvd. Committee of the Whole Meeting April 5, 1978 4. Both sides of Chicago Street starting at the centerline of Liberty Street and proceeding easterly for a distance of 150 feet. 5. South side of Chicago Street starting at the centerline of Liberty Street and proceeding westerly for a distance of 150 feet . 6 . Both sides of Summit Street starting at the centerline of Gifford Street and proceeding easterly for a distance of 300 feet. 7 . West side of Gifford Street starting at the centerline of Summit and proceeding southerly for a distance of 300 feet . The Council agreed to have this ordinance on the next Council agenda. Proposed Amendment to the Planning Grant Agreement for the Airport Study. Leo Nelson stated that since we did not proceed with the environmental study this would eliminate the City' s obligation to pay $ 1 ,875 , which would reduce the total payment for the study by the City from $21 ,060 to $ 19, 185 .33 . Mayor Verbic inquired if anyone on the Council might be interested in further discussion regarding the airport. Councilman Barnes stated he was not interested because he did not feel this was an essential item. Councilwoman Nelson stated she felt the same way. Councilwoman Strattan was not interested. Proposal to purchase Radio Equipment from Motorola The Council approved the negotiated amounts for radio equipment with Motorola to be purchased for the Police, Fire and Public Works Departments . Proposal to Upgrade Data Processing Equipment. The Council reviewed a proposed change from IBM to Decision Data for key punch machines and adding an additional disk drive from BST. By entering into a three year agreement with Decision Data, the City would realize a $600.00 savings in 1978 and $ 1896 .00 over the three year period. The Council approved this proposal . r Committee of the Whole Meeting April 5, 1978 Proposal to purchase used Parking Meters . The Council reviewed a proposal to purchase 200 used parking meters at a cost of $26. 50 each. Mr. Nelson stated that although this was not in the budget there would be a savings by not having to buy replacement parts for meters that are obsolete. Mr. Nelson referred to the discussion re making the Civic lot an attended lot and stated that these meters would still be needed to replace obsolete meters elsewhere. Mr. Nelson further stated that we should be able to recover the cost of these used meters by selling the obsolete meters. Mr. Bolerjack pointed out the successful sale of obsolete meters last year. The Council approved the purchase of 200 used meters. Miscellaneous Discussion The Council reviewed a letter from the Labor Temple in which Howard Floyd requested an opportunity to meet with the Council . The Council suggested that Leo Nelson act as their qualified representative and set up a meeting with them. However, if this presented a problem, they would be welcome to come to a Council meeting. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Committee of the Whole, the meeting was adjourned at 9 : 10 P.M. Marie Yearm n, City Clerk r Committee of the Whole Meeting April 12, 1978 The Committee of the Whole Meeting was called to order by City Manager Leo Nelson, on Wednesday, April 12, 1978, at 7 : 05 P.M. , in the Council Conference Room of City Hall . Members present : Councilmen Barnes , Gilliam, Hill , Nelson, Strattan, West and Mayor Verbic. Also present : Marie Yearman , City Clerk, Erwin Jentsch, Corporation Counsel and members of Staff. Discussion re Fireworks Display Celebration at Elgin Community College. The Council reviewed two fireworks display agreements from Chicago Fireworks Company of Chicago, Illinois , and Galaxy Fireworks Mfg. Company of Elmwood Park, Illinois . Both companies submitted a bid price of $4500 .00. Leo Nelson stated that the City had used Chicago Fireworks Company last year and were satisfied that they did a good job, so he did not see any reason to change this year. The Council approved awarding this contract to Chicago Fireworks Company. Councilman Barnes suggested that the area to the northwest of the campus be policed. Last year he saw people shooting off fireworks in the field across from the campus and there were no police in the area. Mr. Nelson stated he would check into this matter . Proposed Agreement with the City of Geneva for the Services of a Bomb Technician. The Council reviewed a proposed agreement for the subject services on an as-needed basis . Councilman West felt that paragraph 5 of said agreement, which relates to a hold harmless clause, should be expanded to include the officer. Chief Baird stated that this individual is a reserve officer for the City of Geneva, with the rank of captain. His services have been used in the past and Chief Baird said he was confortable with it. Chief Baird pointed out that we need the support of a bomb technician. Counsel Jentsch will look into Councilman West ' s suggestion and make any necessary revisions to the agreement . The Council approved going ahead with this proposal . Committee of the Whole Meeting April 12, 1978 r Proposed Expanded Bus Service between Crystal Lake, Carpentersville, and Elgin. Mr. Nelson advised the Council that the RTA had requested a final determination as to the possibility of expanding the City bus service and they hope to have this service available during the month of May. The City ' s present bus storage and maintenance facility would have to be expanded and this would probably take until at least next fall . There would also be a question of violating the off-street parking ordinance. Mr. Nelson stated a letter had been sent to the RTA setting forth the above and a request for a meeting with the RTA and Mr. Nelson. To date the City has not received a reply to this letter. Proposed Ordinance Providing Business Licenses for Food Service Establishments . Mr. Nelson introduced the City' s Public Health Officer, Fred Carlson, to the Council . Mr. Carlson reviewed the proposed ordinance stating it was basically a comprehensive set of standards for food service establishments. The present ordinance is not geared to meet the new Health Code. The City under the new ordinance will have emergency suspensions and a Board of Health to pass judgment on violations . Councilman Barnes asked if there was any provision for licensing food handlers or health examination requirement. Mr. Carlson stated that the State of Illinois did away with the health examination requirements and it is up to the municipality to set the rules . Mr. Carolson further stated that as of July 1st, all restaurants must have one certified person who has completed the course given by the State. Mr. Nelson stated that there would be a vending machine ordinance that would follow this one. Councilman Barnes asked if each food establishment would get a copy of the proposed ordinance. Mr. Nelson stated that we could send a copy of the ordinance out in advance of the Council meeting. The Council agreed to have this ordinance on the next Council agenda. Committee of the Whole Meeting April 12, 1978 Proposed Engineering Agreement for the Design of Parking Structure. Mr. Nelson stated that if we were serious about the parking structure it would be necessary to proceed to a design of same. The Council reviewed an agreement with Carl Walker & Associates for the design of the Chicago and Spring Street Parking Structure. Mayor Verbic stated that the longer we wait the more it will cost. Mr. Nelson stated he had met with the Labor Temple people and was advised they were not coming to the Council meeting tonight. Mr. Nelson stated that they gave him the impression that it would take months before they decide anything. Councilman Gilliam asked if there was any given time when the objectors could appeal . Counsel Jentsch stated that the Statute does not provide a time limit and he had not heard anything further from the objectors or their attorney since December. Councilman Barnes stated that this could be put on the Council Agenda but he would vote no. A majority of the Council agreed to have this agreement on the next Council agenda. Equipment for Fire Department Mr. Nelson stated that the Fire Department was requesting permission to purchase six pair of anti -shock trousers , 3 adult sizes and 3 children sizes. The cost of this purchase is $ 1650.00 and this amount is available in an account which is made up from donations to the Fire Department. The Council approved this request. Meeting adjourned for Council meeting at 7 :45P.M. Meeting reconvened at 9: 30 P.M. Kimball Street Bridge. Mr. Nelson advised the Council that in order to install the batter piles on the west bank, in accordance with the present specifications, there will be no way to do this and avoid the Milwaukee Railroad Signal and Communication wires . The Railroad was contacted and a request made that they splice the wires and cover them until the piles were installed. The Railroad is on the right of way and they are asking $22, 000 just to drop the wires from the poles . The Railroad will not move off this position. Committee of the Whole Meeting April 12, 1978 Mr. Nelson further stated that after talking with the Railroad, Mel Dahl met with the contractor, who has come up with an alternate design. Four additional pilling could be installed at different angles to avoid the wires . The cost for this design change would be $5, 000 or $6 , 000. The Council approved this design change. Mr. Nelson remided the Council that the Land Use Commission would be considering the Valley Creek petition on Monday evening. Adj ournment There being no further business to come before the Committee of the Whole, the meeting was adjourned at 9: 50 P.M. Marie Year an, City Clerk C r Y COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING April 17, 1978 The Committee of the Whole Meeting was called to order by City Manager, Leo '. Nelson on Wednesday, April 17, 1978 at 7:05 p.m. , in the Council Conference Room of City Hall . Members Present: Councilman Barnes, Gilliam, Hill , Nelson, Strattan, West and Mayor Verbic. Absent: None. Also present were: City Clerk, Marie Yearman and members of staff. Proposed Seal Coat Program for 1978. The Council reviewed a request from the City Engineering Department for $25,000 for the M.F.T. Seal Coating program for 1978. A list of streets in- cluded in this program was also furnished. This amount is in the 1978 budget and the engineer's estimate is $23,939.75. The Council approved this item and requested that this be placed on a Council agenda. Proposal Extension of an Agreement with IDOT for State Maintenance within the Corporate Limits. Mr. Nelson stated there is a provision in the agreement that upon mutual con- sent the agreement may be extended for another year. Under the terms of this agreement IDOT pays the City $25,347.34 annually for the maintenance of certain state highways in the City. The Council approved the extension of this agreement. Proposed Change Order to Contract with Giertz-Melahan for resurfacing roads in Century Oaks. Mel Dahl advised the Council that each location where the base failure has occurred this spring is a location where the pavement has failed before. Mr. Dahl proposed that two things be done before resurfacing to eliminate this problem. First, the water must be taken away from the pavement. Secondley, the contaminated base material should be removed from failure locations and replaced with a new gradular material . In addition lime-fly ash would be mixed with the new granular material to form a regid base. Mr. Dahl stated the Highway Department had been successful in using the lime- fly ash to stabilize the base. The Council approved adding the base repair work to the contract for resur- facing. Authorization to pay W.A. Rakow & Associates for the Design, Plans and Speci- fications for Bode Road Improvement. Mr. Nelson advised the Council that the City had received $118,000 from U.S. Shelter for their share of the cost for this improvement. These funds have been deposited in a separate account. April 17, 1978 The design work has been done and Rakow should be paid. Mr. Nelson asked for permission to pay Rakow the sum of $36,340, out of this special account for the aforementioned services. The Council approved this payment. Proposed Agreement with William Zeigler & Son for payment of $21 ,134.99 in lieu of voucher for sanitary sewer work in Century Oaks. Mr. Nelson advised the Council that this payment had been held up because we do not have a Board of Local Improvements. The contractor has been patient and should be paid. The City could make payment to the contractor and the contractor would assign voucher No. 13 of Special Assessments for $21 ,134.99 to the City. Mayor Verbic asked if there were any other outstanding bills inconnection with this project. Mr. Nelson stated there was a $60,000 unresolved dispute with W.A. Rakow. The Council approved the payment to William Ziegler & Son. Proposed Events at Hemmens. The Council reviewed the following proposed events: 1 . "Free Wheelin" (a youth concert) July 14th Cost $750.00 2. "The Amazing Kreskin" November 3rd - Cost $2,500 3. "The Kingston Trio" December 16th - Cost $3,500 Councilwoman Strattan commented on the first and second event, stating the amounts were higher than what E.C.C. paid and they were not that good. Councilman Barnes asked if there attendance had been good. Councilwoman Strattan stated the attendance was not as good as it had been at other events. Councilman Hill asked what price would you feel is right? Councilwoman Strattan replied, about half what they are asking. Councilman Gilliam asked what the cost of the tickets would be. Phil Bennett set forth the following rates: Advance tickets $ 5.00 Purchased at door 6.00 Senior Citizens and Children 4.00 April 17, 1978 Councilman Gilliam thought it would be difficult to get the money back. Councilman Hill suggested that maybe some of the costs could be negotiated to some lower figure. Councilwoman Nelson thought they should be allowed to do the best job they can. Phil Bennett stated he would telephone the booking agents to see what could be arranged. Proposal to replace 4500 Xerox copier with a Kodak Ektaprint 150. Mr. Nelson stated that we have had many problems with the Xerox copier and the service on same had not been adequate. The Finance Department recommended replacing our present Xerox copier with a Kodak Ektaprint 150. A lenghtly memorandum to the Council set forth the reasons for this recommendation. The Council approved this proposal . Proposed conversion of the Civic Center lot from a metered lot to an attendant lot. Mr. Nelson stated that the proposed plan, as furnished by Carl Walker & Associates, provides for 287 controlled spaces and 34 metered spaces. The estimated project cost is $93,650 and Mr. Nelson stated that a local finan- 474 cial institution had indicated they would loan the money to the city for 7 years with an interest rate of 5% to 6%. Councilman Barnes asked what there would be to gain by this conversion. Mr. Nelson stated that the merchants felt that: (1 ) setting attended parking fees and inflating the cost of 5th and 6th hour fees would tend to drive away all day parkers; it would give the merchants the opportunity to validate park- ing such as is done on the Spiess deck; and it would eliminate the issuance of parking tickets which the merchants feel annoy the shoppers. David White stated that as a result of a recent survey, 51 responses indi- cated they want one more lot where parking can be validated. Mayor Verbic asked if there was any history of other towns using this system. Frank Transue, representing Carl Walker & Associates, stated that in Kalamzaoo, Michigan, all the lots except one is controlled and it is now a very poplar concept. Councilman Hill asked how many attendants would be necessary. Mr. Nelson stated, one full time and one part time during peak hours. It would be possible to cross train the meter maids for additional help. 0 Mr. Nelson asked the Council if they approved the concept and were willing to go ahead with the design details. a � April 17, 1978 The Council unanimously approved going ahead with this project. Proposed low income housing program funded by HUD. Phyllis Griffith, Executive Director of the Elgin Housing Authority, appeared before the Council to review a housing plan to construct units with 3 to 5 bedrooms contained in 25 duplexes on scattered sites throughout Elgin. Ms. Griffith said the need for housing is a reality and Elgin has 450 families who are eligible for said housing. Seventeen of these units would have to be reserved for Chicagoans but Ms. Griffith stated this did not mean we would have to accept anybody from Chicago. The Elgin Housing Authority would look for people who could maintain a duplex and could meet the criteria established by the Elgin Housing Authority. Mayor Verbic stated that getting the money from HUD rather than the Chicago Housing Authority is just eliminating the middleman. Where are all the other cities in the area who should share this responsibility. I would like to see if any type of study was made and a criteria established for housing needs. Can the City question the origin of the people living in these fa- cilities? Councilwoman Nelson stated the HUD officials are strongly calling for re- gional planning and we want to do the planning here. You are going to get it anyhow. I like the plan she has presented. Councilman West stated that the point is not where the people are from but Elgin should not be penalized, others should take their share. Ms. Griffith stated, we have 450 families that need housing in Elgin. Councilman West stated, then we should not have to take one-third from Chicago. Ms. Griffith stated, they are not forcing us to take anyone, we would ten- tatively reserve space for 17 people and if they did not qualify the unit can be used for Elginites. Councilman West stated this should be spread out evenly not just to the cities where they have a Housing Authority. Councilman Gilliam stated, a lot of people live here and don't make their living here. If we are committed to 28 people it should satisfy the people here. Would you be for it if it did not involve Chicago. We have 450 people now in Elgin who need housing, what should we do. Councilman Hill stated, is the objection because of the 28% from Chicago or because we feel we are being forced into this because St. Charles or Geneva have no housing authority. The proposal is not for 450 from Chicago, its only one-third. Councilman West stated he would agree that the agreement being proposed now had been watered down from the last one and that he was not against the agree- ment he just wanted to call upon the other communities to share this. r • R April 17, 1978 Councilman Gilliam stated he was not worried about St. Charles or Geneva but he was worried about what is needed here. Councilwoman Strattan stated there was a need to deal with this issue and we can do something now. Councilmen, Barnes, Gilliam, Hill , Nelson, Strattan and West approved the con- struction of the 50 public housing units on scattered sites in Elgin. Mayor Verbic stated he was not in favor of the plan because he felt it would be better to spend the money rehabilitating dwellings in deteriorating neigh- borhoods instead of building new public housing units. Miscellaneous Discussion. Petition re Carnival behind Zayre's Department Store. The Council was furnished with a copy of a petition containing the names of 18 residents who reside adjacent to the shopping center, asking that future carnivals at this site be denied. Leo Nelson stated that under the present ordinance it is not spelled out just where a carnival can be set up. Mr. Robert Sites of 302 Lilac, this type of operation should fall under special use and should not be forced on residential neighborhoods. Councilman Barnes suggested that an amended ordinance be prepared for their consideration. Councilman Gilliam thought it should first be determined if we want carnivals. Councilman Barnes thought that eliminating them would bring on a real hassel . The staff is to bring back a revised ordinance for the Council 's review. Board of Local Improvements. The Council reviewed a memo from Counsel Jentsch advising them that the Appellate Court had denied the motion to stay the ouster of the members of the Board of Local Improvements. Counsel Jentsch suggested that the Director of Public Works, the City Clerk and the Finance Director be appointed as members of an interim Board. The Council approved this recommendation and requested an appropriate Ordinance be drawn. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Committee of the Whole, the meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m. Marie Yearman, City Clerk COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING April 26, 1978 The Committee of the Whole Meeting was called to order by City Manager Leo Nelson on Wednesday, April 26, 1978 at 7:05 p.m. , in the Council Conference Room of City Hall . Members Present: Councilman Barnes, Gilliam, Hill , Nelson, Strattan, West and Mayor Verbic. Absent: None. Also present were: City Clerk, Marie Yearman and members of staff. NIPC's Proposed Regional Water Supply Plan. Mr. Nelson advised the Council that N.I .P.C. was holding a public hearing tomorrow night at the Kane County Government Center. Mr. Nelson stated that he did not want to accept the proposal at this time because of the many de- ficiencis. Mr. Nelson pointed out that this Water Supply Plan provided that Chicago would not be required to have metered water and he did not feel this would encourage conservation of the water. Ron Zegers stated he thought they had a good preliminary report but this study should not be accepted as a final plan until it had further investiga- tion. Fox Valley municipalities do not consider this plan acceptable because no indept investigations have been made on shallow aquifers and the plan al- locates water from shallow aquifers without a compete geo-hydrologic investi- gations. Mr. Nelson stated that in his opinion they were drawing conclusions and giving ' suggestions based on insufficient information. Mr. Nelson suggested that he and Mr. Zegers attend this meeting and say this is a preliminary plan and not a final plan and then pass a resolution at the next Council Meeting setting forth that this plan needs more comprehensive study. The Council approved Mr. Nelson's suggestion. Proposed Revision of Parking Meters in Kimball Street Parking Lot. The Council reviewed a recommendation from the Traffic Committee which pro- vided that 54 meters should be removed from the northern three rows, keeping the 57 meters at south half of the lot. The time limit should be changed to 2 hours for the benefit of short term users since the non-metered stalls would be used for people who park for longer periods. Mrs. Edna Holland of Gail Borden Public Library approved this plan but said she would like to have two meters near the library entrance reserved for handicapped people. Mr. Nelson stated this may encourage people to use this lot as apposed to feeding meters. The Council approved this recommendation. Proposed Ordinance Amending Title 13 of the Municipal Code. 474 The Council reviewed the proposed amendment to Title 13, entitled Streets and Sidewalks. . w April 26, 1978 Mr. Nelson pointed out that this amendment would make clearer practices that have been accepted as policy and would make enforcement easier. Bob Hogue stated that some sidewalk specifications had been added to provide ramps for the handicapped. Single family residential property shall be limited to one curb opening per lot, except for circular drives. New drive- way approaches adjacent to improved streets and within the public right-of-way, shall be constructed of Portland Cement Concrete. If the street is improved, a two inch thick bituminous concrete surface on a stone base six inches thick shall be permitted. Mr. Nelson stated that this is more consistent with the Subdivision Ordinance. Councilman Barnes asked why we require concrete. Mr. Hogue stated this gives longer life and a better dollar value. Councilwoman Nelson thought the people should know about the changes that are being made and it should be put in the Press. Mr. Nelson stated this information was put in the paper, community newsletters and through pamphlets available in the City Hall . Councilman West asked what was the cost of a $300,000 surety bond. Mr. Nelson stated that we should not worry about the cost because this was needed to protect the city from any law suits. 4'" Councilman West stated that if this was too expensive it might force him to go to a contractor, and he still would like to know the cost of such bond. Councilman Gilliam suggested that the Staff find out the cost and report back to the Council . Proposed Intersection Improvements at Larkin & Lyle. Mr. Nelson stated that this improvement had been discussed at a previous meeting. The Council agreed to have a resolution prepared for the May 10th meeting ap- propriating $7,447, to pay the City's share for installation of traffic signals at Lyle and Larkin. Miscellaneous Discussion. Mr. Nelson stated that today they had received a call from a resident on Highland and Hoxie whose well had failed. This property is outside the city but the watermain is there. The resident stated that to repair the well would cost a couple of thousand and he would be willing to be annexed because he needed to have the water in a hurry. Mr. Nelson stated we do have an agreement and they are willing to sign same. . April 26, 1978 Mel Dahl stated he could provide some immediate emergency service. The Council approved annexing this property. RTA Expansion Proposal . Mr. Nelson advised the Council that he and Ray Moller had met with R.T.A. officials and reviewed a study prepared by Dalton & Little for suburban bus coordinating study. Copies of this study are not available and can only be reviewed in their office. R.T.A. officials are asking that Elgin become the bus center for northern Kane County, western Cook County and possibly parts of McHenry County. The plans for 30 additional buses does not mean we would have them next year. Mr. Nelson stated that senior citizens had been asking for Sunday service, especially during church service hours, and the city could ask the R.T.A. to provide the funds for limited night and Sunday bus service. Mr. Nelson stated that right now we are out of space and we could not build a facility that fast. If the Council agreed the R.T.A. would pay for any leased premises and services would be paid 100%. Ray Moller reported that the present feeder service is doing very well and he has been asked to expand the service. Mr. Nelson asked the Council if they saw any value in the Staff looking for a site to submit to the R.T.A. Mr. Nelson felt the money would be spent anyhow 4' and we could expect some advantages. The Council agreed that the Staff should proceed and the Council kept posted. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Committee of the Whole, the meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m. Marie Yearman, City Clerk COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING May 3, 1978 The Committee of the Whole Meeting was called to order by City Manager, Leo Nelson on Wednesday, May 3, 1978 at 7:15 p.m. , in the Council Confernece Room of City Hall . Members Present: Councilman Barnes, Gilliam, Hill , Nelson, West and Mayor Verbic. Absent: Councilwoman Strattan. Also present were: City Clerk, Marie Yearman and members of staff. Visitor Convention Program. The Council viewed a slide presentation given by Liz Leibert and Aubrey Neville. Mr. Neville advised the Council that as a result of our entry into the visitor convention market, the following events were scheduled: Fox Valley Women's Bowling Tournment Chartered Life Underwriters Seminar State Assessor-Meeting and School Disabled American Veterans Convention The Voyageur Rendezvous The Abyssinian Cat Show Hiawatha Pageant Valley Fox Trot Educational Plastics National Convention Fox Valley Rose Society The total economic impact for these events is $1 ,251 ,450. The Council and Mayor Verbic thanked Ms. Leibert and Mr. Neville for a job well done. Proposal to review telephone communication system. Bob Malm stated that with our present communication system it is difficult to reconcile the monthy billings with the equipment we have. The monthly billings are running $3,000 franchise. The Council reviewed a proposal from Albert A. Jacobs, of Jacobs & Associates, for a communication study, which would provide the city with all cost information and system operational diagrams. Mr. Malm stated they would make an inventory of our physical equipment, match this with our billing and provide technical assistance to train someone for per- manent monitoring. Mayor Verbic asked if this firm had any record with other cities. Mr. Malm stated they had an excellent reputation. Councilman West stated they guarantee the flow will be the same but the cost will be cut. May 3, 1978 Mr. Malm stated they would determine if our equipment is being utilized to the fullest. They approved this proposed study. Proposed Ordinance regulating food vending machines and food establishments. Fred Carlson advised the Council that these ordinances were proposed inorder to incorporate State Standards and provide enforcement. Councilman West asked how many purveyors had been notified. Mr. Nelson stated this could be done prior to the ordinance being placed on a Council agenda. Mr. Carlson stated he was concerned about machine distributors serving hazardous foods and soft drinks in paper cups. Councilman Barnes asked if we have the work force to enforce this and what will our revenue be to offset the costs. Mr. Barnes also asked what this would mean to people like Ace Coffee Bar. Mr. Carlson stated there were from 50 to 150 sites needing such inspections and this should have been done and a fee paid. Most other towns have these ordinances. Mayor Verbic asked if there was any past record of negligence. Mr. Carlson stated that just viewing some of the sites indicate a need for in- spection. Councilman Barnes suggested putting the ordinance on the May 24th agenda and advise the affected parties. The Council and Mayor approved this direction. Proposed request for address change for industries located in Elgin Oaks Industrial Park. Mr. Nelson stated that although this Park is in the Elgin City limits, the mailing address for any firms located there is West Dundee. This situation has upset some of the firms because one of the reasons they located there was to have an Elgin address. Mr. Nelson stated that Don Wagner had checked with John Comerer, the new Elgin Postmaster and he advised the district boundaries could be changed but it is rather difficult and time consuming to accomplish. Mr. Nelson suggested that city should try to do something now before the Park builds up. The Council approved going ahead. Miscellaneous Discussion. Elgin Historical Society. Mr. Nelson advised the Council that Mr. Clarence Reber had requested that this group meet with the Council on May 10th. They are going to have a general mem- bership meeting on May 6th to determine if they concur with the decision of the Executive Committee. May 3, 1978 Spring Street Parking Deck. Mr. Nelson advised the Council that a group opposing the deck met last night and they have asked to meet with Dick and I . Mr. Nelson stated he was willing to sit down and go over it with them again but he did want to know if the Council was still in favor of going ahead with the project. Councilmen Gilliam, Hill , West and Mayor Verbic stated they were in favor of the project. Councilman Barnes stated he had not changed his mind. Low Income Housing. Roger Dahlstrom passed out to the Council a memorandum setting forth a brief sum- mary of the alternatives available to the city for assisted housing. This list of options was prepared by the City staff and was reviewed by Ms. Griffith and Mr. Ralph Miller of the Elgin Housing Authority. Mr. Dahlstrom stated that Ms. Griffith can submit a preliminary application which would not bind you to take any action tonight. Councilman Barnes stated that he did not see anything in the memo in answer to the requirements for people who come to Elgin for these housing units. Mr. Nelson stated that you would have that problem with any of the programs you take. Mr. Dahlstrom stated that the Chicago Leadership Council indicated that only 25% would have to be Chicago Housing Authority tenants. Ms. Griffith could deny an applicant administratively but we don't know what the deniable grounds would be. Councilman Barnes stated he could remember a meeting when the Chicago Housing Authority was willing to disburse funds without any occupancy from Chicago. Councilman West stated that was there last offer and it was not their authority to make such an offer. Councilman Hill stated if you take the money you have to follow the agreement. Don Wagner stated if this is not done voluntarily it may become mandatory. Mayor Verbic stated he thought we could do more good for more people if we apply for funds to rehabilitate. Councilman Gilliam asked that the Council be given time to read over the alter- natives and to find out what the guidelines are for denial . The Council agreed to discuss this matter further on May 10th. • Attended Parking Lot. Mr. Nelson asked the Council if they want the Carl Walker Agreement on the May 10th agenda. ' May 3, 1978 The Council approved this request. Adjournment There being no furthter business to come before the Committee of the Whole the meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m. Marie Yearman, City Clerk r e COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING May 10, 1978 The Committee of the Whole Meeting was called to order by City Manager, Leo Nelson on Wednesday, May 10, 1978 at 7:05 p.m. , in the Council Conference Room of City Hall . Members Present: Councilman Barnes, Gilliam, Hill , Nelson, Strattan, West and Mayor Verbic. Absent: None. Also present were: City Clerk, Marie Yearman and members of staff. Discussion relative to City's Housing Assistance Plan. Leo Nelson stated that after reviewing the alternatives presently available for assisted housing, the Council should decide whether they wish to proceed with conventional public housing or remain with the Section 8 plan. Councilman Gilliam stated he felt it was not feasible to put this into scat- tered areas and they should look toward a small clustered, 4 or 5 units, not particularly in one local area. Councilman Barnes stated he thought it would be better to go with a concept similar to Burnham Mill , with maybe 2 or 3 sites and not all together. Councilman Gilliam stated that if there is no money available under the Section 8 program we must look to other alternatives. Councilman West felt the conventional housing plan would not give the spread of income level that Section 8 does. Ms. Griffith stated that she had applied for the most expensive plan so there would be ample money available when the Council decided upon what they want. Ms. Griffith also pointed out that if application were made now housing could be available this year. Mayor Verbic pointed out the difficulty experienced in the past with this type of housing, problems of law enforcement, the fact that 30% must come out of Chicago and that it would be difficult to get a good rental mixture. Councilman Gilliam felt that if only 15 people come from Chicago it would not hurt the City and it would help some of the people here. Councilman West stated that the problem we have is we have more applicants in Elgin than housing now. Councilman Barnes stated that with 50 units, thirty-five of the applicants would be from Elgin and thirty-five families would be off the waiting list which would help them. Councilman Hill stated he would only vote for the 50 units under the Section 8 plan. Mayor Verbic stated that this had worked well in Chicago and Burnham Mill was a perfect example. • 11� May 10, 1978 Councilwoman Strattan stated she thought conventional public housing was the best because of the housing need and the fact there were funds available for rthis plan. Councilmen Barnes, Gilliam, Nelson and Strattan voted for the conventional housing plan. Councilmen Hill , West and Mayor Verbic voted for the Section 8 housing plan. Discussion relative to Scavenger Licenses. Jim Binninger stated that the present code is limited to 12 licenses per year. At this time all 12 licenses have been issued and there are two scavengers, who had a license last year, that have just applied and unless the Council increases the number of licenses they will not be able to operate. The Council did not understand why these licenses were limited and agreed that there should be no limit. R.T.A. Suburban Bus Coordination Study and the R.T.A. proposed 5-year transit program. The Council reviewed a summary of a study prepared by the firm of Dalton, Dalton, Little and Newport for the R.T.A. covering the following: Suburban bus system ownership and operations. Location of service areas and maintenance facilities. Organization of the R.T.A. central office and serivce area staff. The proposed five year transit program in Kane County would cost $450,000 to fund the following proposed new services: 1 . Batavia-Geneva feeder routes 2. Fox Valley Route-along Route 25 3. Improvements to existing service in Aurora and Elgin a. Route expansion b. Increase frequency of service c. Improve weekend and evening service Mayor Verbic stated that according to recent news releases the R.T.A. is going to have a deficit in 1980, and if all these bus routes are established now how would they handle the deficit. Would it mean increasing the gas tax or in- creasing the fares. Mr. Nelson stated he was going to meet with representatives of Aurora, Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles and Carpentersville to discuss these proposed improvements and after said meeting he would further advise the Council . ,R May 10, 1978 Discussion relative to "Old Main". Mike Alft advised the Council that the letter sent by the Elgin Historical Society was not meant to put pressure on the Council . Mr. Alft stated they were worried about how long it would take to have the facility available for use as a museum because they were experiencing difficulty in finding places to store museum pieces now. Mr. Alft further stated that he could not imagine how the necessary funds could be raised and that there is no other museum in the State that came close to costing $700,000. Mr. Alft stated that what we are really saying is we would like the City to re- lease us from our share of this gift horse so they can see if they can obtain a place similar to the one in Dundee which only cost them 30,000. Mr. Nelson stated that the City could not apply for funds until the restoration was completed and that the City and Historical Society need each other if there is going to be a museum. Councilman Barnes stated that we are just going to pump 150,000 into this and we may end up having the most expensive museum anybody ever had. Councilman Barnes asked if the Corporation Counsel would look into the agreements entered into by the City to see if there was any way to get out of them. Clarence Reber stated the Society had voted 10-4 to send the letter to the Council and had done so thinking it would speed up the project. He asked for the opportunity to go back to the full Board at their June meeting to take another vote. Mr. Nelson stated he would bring the matter back to the Council , after the Society's June meeting. Counsel Jentsch is to further advise the Council on this project. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Committee of the Whole, the meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m. 1040uyc —a-J V'-4--1144--elL- _____ Marie Yearman, City Clerk r COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING May 17, 1978 (74 The Committee of the Whole Meeting was called to order by City Manager Leo Nelson on Wednesday, May 17, 1978 at 7:15 p.m. , in the Council Conference Room of City Hall . Members Present: Councilman Barnes, Gilliam, Hill , Nelson, Strattan, West and Mayor Verbic. Absent: None. Also present were: City Clerk, Marie Yearman and members of staff. NIPC presentation relative to NIPC's proposed Regional Housing, Land Use, and water supply plan. Mr. Cliff Osborn, representing N. I.P.C. , stated that he was here in response to Elgin's recently adopted resolution apposing the proposed water supply plan. Mr. Osborn pointed out that although the fresh water supplied by Lake Michigan should be sufficient, it is not. Thirty two hundred cubic feet per second is the most we can get unless the legislation changed. Mr. Osborn stated the City should look to other sources of water supply such as deep aquifer systems created by the action of glaciers which moved into this area curing the ice age, creating caverns which held water and moved underground. This supply would be limited as whether more is taken than put back. We are presently drawing downtable and the time will come when it will not hold or transmit such water. Mr. Osborn also mentioned shallow aquifers, surface water and the Fox River as additional water sources. Mr. Osborn cited the study done by Keifer & Associates, which produced a volume of statistical information and alternatives for the distribution of water. Mr. Osborn stated that the major criticisms of the NIPC report is that communities in the Fox Valley are being shortchanged because they are expected to spend more and deal with uncertainties and this is not being done east of here. The study points out it is not feasible to bring Lake Michigan water to Elgin and suggests that a purification point be erected near Elgin with an intricate pipe system that would go south to Aurora and north into McHenry County. Councilman Barnes asked if Chicago was metered for water and used less could it make water available to others not using Lake Michigan. Mr. Osborn stated the Commission did not feel there was any substantial loss due to not metering. Mayor Verbic and Leo Nelson stated that they had trouble with that statement. Councilman Hill stated that Chicago is out of sight in terms of wasting water. This big huge pig wallowing in Lake Michigan is sacrosanct and nobody is sup- posed to touch him. If the Planning Commission can't do a better job that they should not tell us what to do. I think this study is worthless and whatever you paid for it, you got ripped off. May 17, 1978 Mr. Nelson stated that it is only through our metering department that we catch leaks. They cannot realize their losses without metering or know what they are selling to residential users. Councilman West stated that NIPC is not standing firm with Chicago and favortism is being shown, they should do exactly what we do. Mr. Osborn stated it was not practical for the Report to say that Chicago should be metered and that NIPC does not have the power to tell Chicago or Elgin what to do. The Commission must look at the report and imput from the communities and respond to the criticisms N.I .P.C. does not have judicial power. Councilman Barnes stated that if we plan to use Fox River water, can you lever anything against this as far as approval goes. Mr. Osborn stated if Elgin would want federal funding, we would review the pro- ject and say you did not conform to the study plans and the federal government would have to decide. Mr. Paul Kramen, representing NIPC, stated he would like to go over the Commis- sion's Land Use Report, pointing out that NIPC does not want zoning control . Mr. Kramen further stated that a plan should be developed to maintain the agri- culture use of the land west of the Fox River. The Tyler Creek areas should not be developed nor the main river banks. Urban development should take place in Elgin because of the municipal services that are available and the costs would be less than those starting a new town out in the Country. It is important that the downtown care must be maintained and that the mature areas of the city, where the improvements are in, be preserved over the con- tinued extension of urban development. The plan recommends improved housing conditions for those who cannot afford current market home costs. The City should not bear the. sole burden of pro- viding housing for low income housing, this should be shared by other com- munities. It should be the communities going to HUD, not HUD going to the communities. The study points out the concern for rational growth, however, elected officials will make this decision not N.I.P.C. Review of comparative crime statistics for the first four months of 1977 and 1978. Chief Baird was not present to make any comments. Valley Creek Project. Mr. Charles Burnidge gave a preliminary presentation of this project. The project will include a 41 acre park donation, to be divided into 4 neighbor- hood parks; a bike and walking site along Tyler Creek; 37 areas of commerical area adjacent to Randall Road; 15 acres for a cardiac rehabilitation center; a school site; and an interest in 2 sites for churchs. May 17, 1978 The total invisoned population is 6,476 from 900 single family units, 118 duplexes and 1100 multi-family. The total contribution to U46 School District is $330,000. The improvements from Highland to Big Timber will be paid by the State and County. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Committee of the Whole, the meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m. Marie Yearman, City Clerk r COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING May 24, 1978 C The Committee of the Whole Meeting was called to order by City Manager Leo Nelson on Wednesday, May 24, 1978 at 7:05 p.m. , in the Council Conference Room of City Hall . Members Present: Councilman Barnes, Hill , Nelson, Strattan, West and Mayor Verbic. Absent: Councilman Gilliam. Also present were: City Clerk, Marie Yearman and members of staff. Status Report on the Activities of the Elgin Economic Development Committee. Edward Kelly, Executive Vice-President of the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce, ad- vised the Council the goals of this committee included the creation of 180 addi- tional jobs annually through new industry; creation of 620 jobs annually through expansion of existing firms and obtaining the opinions of the industries in the Elgin area on issues in the Community in an effort to try and keep them here or expand them. Mr. Kelly cited the Elgin Oaks and Miller Davis Industrial Parks for good poten- tial industrial growth because of the availability of vacant land, industrial zoning and water and sewers. Mr. Kelly stated that Elgin has the following to offer: Degree of site readiness Land Cost - competitive Proximity to good roads - I-90 Degree of Community interest Presence of active developers Mr. Kelly further stated that we need to think from 5 to 10 years from now with the trend today showing industry going into complexes. Mr. Kelly advised the Council the Chicago Area Chamber is going to make a tour of Elgin, involving from 50 to 100 people, and they would be shown what Elgin is doing. Proposed Amendment to the Ordinance Requiring the Reporting of Traffic Accidents. Mr. Nelson stated that the proposed amendment is just to follow the State's increase and to conform with the State law. The ordinance will continue to provide that a report will be made by a police officer at the scene no matter what the amount of damage, if the driver requests that one be made, but it will no longer require that one be made if the damage is less than $250.00. The Council approved the proposed amendment. Request of Villa Olivia Country Club to Amend Ordinance G-18-74. The Council reviewed a request for an extension of time to April 24, 1984, for commencement of construction of a planned development adjacent to the Villa Olivia Golf Club. May 24, 1978 Mr. Philip Carrado, President of Villa Olivia Country Club, stated in his letter that they now find that because of economic conditions they may be unable to com- mence development by April 24, 1979. �l Mr. Carrado asked for the apportunity to address the Council concerning their re- quest. Mr. Nelson stated that Elgin is involved with only a small portion of this develop- ment and that most of it is in Bartlett. The Council approved having Mr. Carrado appear before them. Proposal to Reimburse Elgin Community Theater for producing and directing the sum- mer theater program. The Council reviewed the following proposal : 1 . Salaries to be paid by voucher to each individual (8) after the program is complete. This would be a total of $4,000.00. 2. The City give the Community Theater group a check for $1 ,850.00 to purchase whatever they need by way of programs, costumes, set, etc. 3. The City pay royalties for the performance ($1 ,100.00) . Mr. Nelson stated that in the past we have budgeted money for the music and theater but it would be easier to give a certain amount of that money to them to handle the programs. Phil Bennett stated that there are times when they need to purchase 50(t items and they have to go thru the hassle of writing requisitions. Mayor Verbic suggested that a program bank be instituted. The Council approved this proposal . Miscellaneous Discussion. Petition relative to expanding the womens softball program. The Council reviewed a petition requesting more playing diamonds and additional lighting. Mr. Bennett stated that this is just one of many requests that will come. Todate five teams have been turned away because of lack of space. Councilman West thought it might be time to think about expanding the lighting. Mr. Nelson stated that Mike Bailey was coming in to talk about the need for more lighting. Councilman Barnes suggested looking for more diamonds. Councilwoman Strattan felt Mr. Bennett should again contact U-46 for additional space. May 24, 1978 Mr. Nelson suggested that the Council might want to put some diamonds in on the State Hospital property adjacent to McLean. Report from CATS relative to the needs for a regional airport system. The Council reviewed the aforementioned report and Mr. Nelson stated there is a hearing scheduled on Thursday in West Chicago. This hearing will deal mainly with DuPage County. Mayor Verbic asked the Council to review the numerous letters he had received in favor of the airport. Mr. Nelson stated there was a campaign going to bring in petitions wanting en- largement of the present airport. Councilman West asked if there was going to be any survey and thought this might be a good way to get feeling on the issue. Councilman Barnes suggested the Council wait until we hear from them. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Committee of the Whole, the meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m. r Marie Yearmar City lerk r Committee of the Whole Meeting June 7 , 1978 The Committee of the Whole meeting was called to order by City Manager Leo Nelson, on Wednesday, June 7 , 1978, at 7 : 05 P.M. , in the Council Conference Room of City Hall . Members Present : Councilmen Barnes , Hill , Kirkland, Nelson, West and Mayor Verbic. Absent : Councilman Gilliam. Also present were: City Clerk Marie Yearman and members of staff. Hemmens Auditorium Advisory Task Force Report Relative to the Use of Alcoholic Beverages in the Hemmens Building . Sixteen facilities in the Midwest were surveyed by the Task Force and of the sixteen auditoriums , fourteen served alcoholic beverages in some manner; of the two remaining one anticipates serving alcoholic beverages in the future and the other does not have a catering license but felt alcoholic beverages were vital to success. The survey indicated that most facilities felt the availability of alcoholic beverages enhanced the useage of their building and only one reported problems of any kind. eh Councilman Barnes complimented the Task Force for the report , which he said was well done and self-explanatory. Councilman Barnes said he would be interested in the opinion of Corporation Counsel Jentsch relative to serving alcohol at Hemmens . Counsel Jentsch stated that having Home Rule could avoid the statutory requirement on selling liquor in public buildings . However, the Attorney General and State Liquor Commission may disagree. Pastor Gary Allen presented petitions containing approximately 250 signatures opposing the sale of alcohol . Pastor Allen stated he was here tonight representing himself as a citizen and a group of Elgin ministers , who are opposed to the sale of alcohol in the Hemmens Auditorium. Pastor Allen cited the following : " It is apparent that the economic standpoint has taken priority over the effects which might result . How far will this be carried? If alcohol beverages is vital to the success of Hemmens, then something else is the problem. Will alcoholic beverages be the key to the better utilization of the facility ? If the economic value is a major determining factor, then is there not the possibility that the door is being opened to more economically attractive items such as the sale and viewing of pornographic materials ?" Lloyd Peterson, representing the Elgin Bible Church, stated he Committee of the Whole Meeting June 7, 1978 would like to underscore one point made by Pastor Allen. The City by taking an affirmative position would be speaking on behalf of all the citizens. They would not be speaking for the members of his Church and this should be made clear to the community . Mayor Verbic pointed out that we do have beer at the golf course and there have not been any problems . Chief Baird stated that he was not looking at the economics but he was looking at society today. If the City wanted to bid for conventions he would have no objection if the alcohol serving was controlled. Councilman Barnes stated that if we went to this we would have to have strict controls and start with only closed conventions . He was not sure just what could be done legally and stated these things must be worked out. Councilwoman Nelson stated that it should be allowed just for conventions and it should be controlled by a Board from the City with representatives from Churchs , an attorney, an insurance agent, a retired U46 teacher, George Sotos , Reverend Conroe, Phil Bennett and Don Smith. Pastor Allen asked if there was a problem obtaining conventions because of liquor. Liz Liebert stated that a number of conventions will not bid if alcohol cannot be served. Councilman West stated that the use of beer at the golf course and the use of alcohol at the Hemmens is not comparable. He further pointed out that since the use of the building has almost doubled he did not think there was the need for alcohol and he would remain opposed to the serving of alcohol in the Hemmens . Councilman Barnes asked if Phil Bennett and Don Smith felt that the building was being used and it was not necessary to do something to increase the use. Phil Bennett stated that at this point he would seriously question it. Don Smith stated that would not be a weekend opening to schedule a convention until 1980 and it would also be difficult to find a period of 4 or 5 days during the week when a convention could be scheduled. Leo Nelson asked if the Council would be willing to look at a second report to be brought back by the Hemmens Advisory relative to implemention and policy . r 1 Committee of the Whole Meeting June 7 , 1978 Councilman Kirkland stated that we are really only one-half the way there and there is much more to be studied. He saw no reason not to go forth with the study. Mayor Verbic moved to have the Hemmens Advisory Board determine a method for service and controlling. Councilmen Barnes , Hill , Kirkland and Nelson voted yes . Councilman West voted no and said the first user should have the right to say no liquor. Need for Improved Lighting and Better Maintenance of Baseball Diamonds . Mr. Nelson reminded the Council that several weeks ago he had distributed to the Council a letter from Mike Bailey setting for the need for improved lighting and maintenance. Mr. Nelson stated thated that the pressure for these improvements and additional diamonds is growing. The City is out of space for any additional diamonds and he asked if the Council might want to do something about the lighting at budget time and possibly put some additional diamonds on the State Hospital property. Mike Bailey stated that the Wing Park diamonds have detoriated and he asked the City of they would consider just doing a little maintenance because there were some areas that could cause an accident. Mr. Bailey stated the original lights and poles were installed in 1948 and they are so dim you cannot see a ball , and 15 of these fixtures don' t even light up, so the left field is completely dark. Mr. Baileysaid that $2, 500 is spent each year by the American Legion and it is almost to the point where we cannot play at night. Mayor Verbic said he would like to see the field refurbished for hard ball and asked what the cost would be. Mr. Nelson stated that nothing could be done about the lights this year, but we could improve the maintenance of the diamonds . Councilman West asked why these had not been maintained and what would the cost be. Phil Bennett stated that previously the fields had not been used and they have become detoriated. Mr. Bennett stated he was developing a five year rehabilitation program to bring all the City diamonds up to date. Mr. Bennett did not have a cost figure but stated it would be between $2, 000 and $3, 000 for material and $600.00 to $700. 00 for labor. Councilman West and Mayor Verbic stated they were in favor of the five year rehabilitation program. Mr. Jack Cook stated that he was sponsoring a group and there was a definite need for more lights and diamonds . Committee of the Whole June 7 , 1978 The Council agreed to furnish materials and labor to give some immediate relief to the detoriated diamonds and they also agreed to go over this matter again at budget time. Mr. Bailey stated he would be happy to help furnish some of the labor. An Agreement with IDOT for Thermoplastic Pavement Marking The Council reviewed a memo and copy of agreement and agreed to have this item placed on the June 14th Council Agenda for formal action. A Proposal to Impose Certain Parking Restrictions and to Appropriate Funds for Traffic Signal Improvements at the Intersection of Larkin and Lyle The Council reviewed a memo and copy of restricted parking map and agreed to have this item placed on the June 14th Council Agenda for formal action. A Proposed Kane County Area Police Emergency Aid Plan The Council reviewed the proposed plan and agreed to have it on the Council Agenda for June 14th . Resolution Prepared by Councilman Steve West Calling Upon the City of Chicago to Join Other Municipalities in the NIPC Planning Area to Conserve Water by Requiring the Metering of all Residential Water Users. Councilman West stated that this is a good issue and the time has come for the suburbs to stand up. Mr. West asked that the resolution be passed and then submitted to other communities . Mr. Nelson stated that a copy should go to NIPC to be included in their report. The Council agreed to have this item placed on the Council Agenda. Request from Phil Bennett to engage the firm of McFadzean and Everly to Develop the Park Plan for the Proposed- Neighborhood Park at St. Charles and National Streets . Mr. Nelson advised the Council that this is part of the HCD program and although there will be no construction this year the City could go ahead and obtain a plan. The contractor has until September to get the building down and this is going along quite well . Mr. Nelson further stated that a meeting was held with the neighbors to see what kind of a park they wanted and only 20 people were there. The Council agree to proceed with this project. June 7 , 1978 Miscellaneous Discussion. CRepair of Chicago Northwestern Wing Street Crossing . The Railroad has again asked that the City provide the asphalt portion of the work. The material cost would be $450.00 and the labor $300.00. The City has done this in the past and always does a better job. The Council agreed to proceed with this project. Urban Renewal Notice The Council agreed to set this matter for public hearing on June 28, 1978. Proposed Ordinance Establishing Fares for the Fox Valley Bus Route. Mr. Nelson stated the proposed fares applied only to senior citizens, handicapped, students and children. The Council agreed to have this ordinance on the June 14th Agenda. Carl Walker & Associates - Design of Sleepy Hollow Road Improvements. (Pk Mr. Nelson recommended to the Council that this firm be paid out of the bond issue for the design work. This bill in the amount of $69, 193 .89 is now three years old and it should be paid. Although we are not going ahead with this project now the plans will be used in the future. The Council approved the payment of this bill . Review of City' s Housing Assistance Plan Mr. Roger Dahlstrom advised the Council that special requirements imposed by HUD this year prohibit us from including all the proposed 50 units in the large family category and that the plan now will call for 35 units of large family category and 15 units in the family category. Mayor Verbic stated there was a need for rehabilitation not new dwellings and he asked Don Webb who was at the meeting, representing the Elgin Housing Authority, why they had not applied for these funds. Mr. Webb stated this plan was not available to them and they did not have that kind of money to work with. The Council suggested that the Elgin Housing Authority Members come to a work session and explain their position. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Committee of the Whole,( he meeting was adjourned at 9: 20 P.M. -> `l......„.)._ Marie Yearman . City Clerk COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING June 21 , 1978 The Committee of the Whole meeting was called to order by City Manager Leo Nelson, on Wednesday, June 21 , 1978, at 7: 05 P.M. , in the Council Conference Room of City Hall . Members Present : Councilmen Barnes , Gilliam, Hill , Kirkland, Nelson and West. Absent : Mayor Verbic. Also present : Marie Yearman , City Clerk and Corporation Counsel Jentsch. Request to paint house numbers on curbs . The Council reviewed a request from two college students to paint house numbers on curbs. Mr. Ross Daniels , one of the students , advised the Council that they would try to do as many areas as time permitted and they fully understood that payment for such work was strictly volunteer on the part of the householder. The Council approved this request. Licensing and Regulating the use of pinball machines . Mr. Ross Hume, Principal of Kimball Jr. High School advised the Council that the school has a problem with students being late for classes due to the attractiveness of the machines in the 7- 11 store on McLean Boulevard and adjacent to the schools . Mr. Hume stated that parents were complaining because children were spending their lunch money on the machines and he also alleged that pot was being sold and smoked on the premises . Mr . Hume suggested the possibility of requiring the machines to be disconnected from 7 :00 A.M. to 9: 00 A.M. , and from 3 : 30 P.M. , to 4: 00 P.M. Chief Baird stated that his department has experienced numerous complaints from parents in regard to their children playing the pinball machines and that most of the relate to the 7- 11 stores. Chief Baird thought that limiting the hours of play and requiring a $50.00 license fee per machine might help to minimize the problems in the 711 stores and in the schools . The licensing would be valid because this would be used to cover the cost of inspecting the machines . Councilman West stated that he understood the problem but he wondered if we have the right to tell a business man when he could and could not use the machines . Counsel Jentsch stated that this should be looked into because the State has legitimized pinball machines . Councilman West suggested that the licensing fee be doubled. Councilman Kirkland stated that the Y .M.C .A. is very pro-active in this area and that he expected a spokeman to be at the meeting to speak on the subject. Committee of the Whole Meeting June 21 , 1978 Mr. Dennis Smith, Elgin Y.M.C .A. Youth Director , stated that these pinball machines provided entertainment for the youths and were a key part of the youth lobby. The machines are used by approximately 9, 000 boys and girls , and they help to keep the kids off the street and this gives the Staff a chance to talk to them. The 25 they pay to play two games is used to help to keep the cost of the youth membership down and they have not received any complaints from parents . Councilman Barnes suggested that we look into licensing the machines and seeking the voluntary cooperation of the store owners in prohibiting the use of the machines during certain school hours . The Council concurred with Councilman Barnes ' suggestion and Chief Baird stated he would seek voluntary compliance. Recommendation from Chief Baird to prohibit the presence of minors in certain liquor establishments . Chief Baird, by way of memorandum, recommended to the Council the passage of Ordinance No. G- 1610, prohibiting the presence of minors in certain alcoholic liquor establishments because this ordinance was accidently repealed when Chapter 24 was revised. Counsel Jentsch stated that this ordinance was repealed at the request of the Council . Councilman Barnes stated it was his recollection that this was to be applied to liquor stores only due to the fact that in many neighborhoods the only place to buy bread and milk was a liquor store and many times a parent would send their children to make such a purchase. The Council agreed to have the present ordinance amended to reflect the prohibiting of minors in alcoholic liquor establishments other than a Class B - Package Liquor Store. Proposal from Ray Moller to extend transit service between Elgin and the communities of Streamwood, Bartlett and Hanover Park. Lois Geister, Executive Director of Northwest Suburban Mass Transit District, advised the Council that as a result of a bus study the communities of Bartlett , Streamwood and Hanover Park have asked for bus service to and from Elgin for shopping purposes. This service would also provide transportation to Elgin Community and Judson Colleges . Leo Nelson stated the planning for this service is only preliminary but that it might be well to create some routes rather than just having the feeder buses deadheading. Mr. Nelson said if the ri Council approves the concept of providing the connecting service into Elgin, there is to be a meeting with the RTA on Friday morning and we could talk about this service. The Council approved taking this planned service to the RTA for their comment. Replacement of two new cash registers for the Finance Department . The Council approved this purchase. Final review of NIPC proposed 208 Quality Water Control . The Council reviewed a letter from the Kane County Local Steering Committee, together with a resolution adopted by them, which recited that they did not feel that NIPC has provided an adequate period of time for units of local government and public officials to review the lengthy document and develop alternative recommendations and revisions . Councilman Kirkland thought the plan should be rejected on the basis that we have not had the opportunity to evaulate the plan. Councilman Hill stated we should ask for a postponement until we have had the time to evaluate and make recommendations . Leo Nelson stated we would at least have the opportunity to get our objections on file. Councilman Barnes thought we should inform our elected representatives both in Springfield and Washington of our concete objections. Leo Nelson asked the Council if they would like to have most of the serious objections summarized and have a resolution prep for next Wednesday. The Council approved this recommendation. Miscellaneous Discussion Valley Fox Trot The Council approved having a resolution prepared expressing appreciation and commending the Elgin Area Life Underwriters Association for conducting the recent Valley Fox Trot . Elgin Oaks Industrial Park mailing address . The Council reviewed a letter from John I . Comerer, Elgin Postmaster, in which he stated it was not feasible to change the mailing addresses in the subject Park from Dundee to Elgin at this time. Don Wagner said he would continue to try and work out something with the Post Office. Public Hearing Creating Service District for the River Bluff Lighting The Council agreed to set a public hearing date on this project at the June 28th meeting. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Committee of the Whole, the meeting was adjourned at 8: 30 P.M. Marie Yarm n , City Clerk r r • COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING June 28, 1978 The Committee of the Whole meeting was called to order by Mayor Verbic on Wednesday, June 28, 1978, at 7 : 10 P.M. , in the Council Conference Room of City Hall . Members present : Councilmen Barnes , Hill , Kirkland, Nelson, West and Mayor Verbic. Absent : Councilman Gilliam. Also present: Leo Nelson, City Manager, Marie Yearman, City Clerk and Corporation Counsel Jentsch . Proposal to seal coat certain streets at the Bluff City Cemetery. Staff requested permission to seal coat 0.67 miles of streets within Bluff City Cemetery. Kaneland Construction Company was awarded the bid for the City street (M.F.T. ) seal coat project and it was requested that this award be extended to include the Cemetery streets . The estimated cost is approximately $2500.00 and there in $3000.00 in the 1978 budget . The Council approved this project . Letter from El9in Area Historical Society reinstatin? the Society' s position relative to occupancy of the Old Main Building. The Council reviewed a letter from the Elgin Area Historical Society which indicated the would be happy to cooperate with the City of Elgin in restoring "Old Main" and providing space for a museum. Councilman Barnes stated that a few weeks ago he had asked the Corporation Counsel to see if we could get out of some of these conditions . Counsel Jentsch stated that although there was no agreement with the former owner there are certain conditions in the deed which must be met, but there are provisions that the building could be used for some other purposes . Councilman Barnes said he would like to have Counsel Jentsch render an opinion in writing and have same put on a workshop agenda. Councilman Barnes said he was concerned about spending that amount of money. Councilmen Kirkland and Nelson concurred with Councilman Barnes . Mayor Verbic thought we should be fair to the Historical Society and see if there are any grants available, and if not, we would have to take a second look at it . Councilman Barnes and Mayor Verbic agreed that they did not want to use any tax money on this project. Proposed Cooperation Agreement between the City and the Elgin Housing Authority. Committee of the Whole Meeting June 28, 1978 - Page 2 The Council reviewed a memorandum from Counsel Jentsch relative to the Cooperation Agreement. Counsel Jentsch stated he was just trying to tell the Council what the statutes provide. In Counsel Jentsch ' s memorandum it was pointed out that a definite percentage of aggregate shelter rentals to be paid as a service charge should be recited and several other editorial changes should be changed. Phyllis Griffith stated that it was imparative that this agreement be executed because the money was available now for these housing units. Leo Nelson stated that he had only received a copy of this agreement on Monday and had tried to reach someone at HUD or the Elgin Housing Authority in an effort to clarify some of these questions, but he was unable to reach anybody. Roger Dahlstrom stated that HUD requires the Coopration Agreement along with two resolutions . One resolution for the 50 housing units and one resolution instructing them to apply for the 50 units. Councilman Hill stated that every time we meet on this there is always a pressure and feeling of animosity between the staff and the Elgin Housing Authority. The Council has been asked to act upon things that are hazey and I would move that we table this until we have a full explanation through the staff . elk Counsel Jentsch asked that the matter be deferred until he could represent to the Council the difference between the 5% and 10% shelter rentals. Councilman West stated that he agreed with Councilman Hill and resented the short time given to understand these things . He further stated he would like more time in order to make an intelligent decision. Councilman Barnes stated that the purpose of the work session was to go ahead with the 50 units and now there is the question of working out the language contained in the agreement . Mr . Barnes suggested that the resolution be put on the agenda for the 14th of July and see if in the meantime what could be worked out. The Council approved Councilman Barne' s suggestion. City ' s Current Per Diem Rates for Meal Costs . Mr. Nelson stated that these rates had not been reviewed for three or four years and that some of the Council had expressed frustration, indicating that we are on the low side. Mr . Nelson suggested that if the Council wanted to make some change there should be a limit put on it . Mayor Verbic felt that with the increase in food costs there should be some increase. Committee of the Whole Meeting Page 3 r Councilman West stated he had no problem with the $ 12. 00 limit. Councilman Barnes stated he had no problem with the $ 12. 00 limit. Councilman Hill stated that he thought the $ 12 .00 limit was not realistic and that since Councilman Gilliam was not present they should wait to make a decision. Mayor Verbic asked that Mr. Nelson bring in some recommendation. Request from Willow Lakes Homeowners ' Association to enact a Home Rule Ordinance. Counsel Jentsch stated that he and Bob Malm had met with a group of people from Willow Lake ' s and there seemed to be a movement by people in mobile parks to protest against alleged abuses . Just what these abuses are were not revealed in their letter or during the meeting. Councilman West stated he would like more time to go into this and asked that the staff check with this group to see what the problem is and determine if they fall within the Council ' s jurisdiction. #1 Deep Well Pump at Slade Avenue Mr. Nelson advised the Council that when the aforementioned pump was pulled because of a dead short in the wiring it was discovered that 227 ft . of pipe was defective . Cost of replacing the defective material and an additional 50 ft. of pipe to lower the pump would cost $ 16 ,438.80. The Council approved this expenditure. Adj ournment There being no further business to come before the Committee of the Whole, the meeting was adjourned at 8: 00 P.M. Vkot %.ii— VI�-J Marie Yea an , City Clerk Committee of the Whole Meeting July 5, 1978 The Committee of the Whole meeting was called to order by Mayor Verbic on Wednesday, July 5, 1978, at 7 :05 P.M. , in the Council Conference Room of City Hall . Members present : Councilmen Barnes , Hill , Kirkland, Nelson, West and Mayor Verbic. Absent : Councilman Gilliam. Also present: Leo Nelson , City Manager , Marie Yearman , City Clerk and Corporation Counsel Jentsch. Discussion of Valley Creek' s revised pre-annexation agreement . Jerry Hoover representing the developers of Valley Creek addressed the Council and stated that since the last Council meeting his group had met with Leo Nelson and representatives of Barton & Aschman. Mr. Hoover stated that Barton & Aschman had advised them that it was not uncommon for cities to participate in bridge costs because there is a public benefit tied in. Mr. Hoover felt that they were not asking for something that unreasonable. Mr . Hoover pointed out that sales tax on materials used in the project would amount to one-half million and an increase in federal revenue sharing funds of $ 170,000. Mr . Hoover suggested that perhaps representatives from Barton & Aschman could come and discuss this project with the Council . Mayor Verbic asked what the timetable was for the bridges . Mr . Hoover stated that they would need the one for Sandy Creek right away, the one for Royal in 2 or 3 years and after that the one for Lyle. Mr. Nelson stated that Mark Avenue is not a good road for through traffic, Royal has always been intended to be extended and we feel they will need this bridge for access out of their building area. Councilman Hill stated that if the bridge on Lyle is no necessary for three years why could' nt this item be held open until we know if we are going to have a grade crossing . Councilman West stated that he had not changed his thoughts that they should pick up the whole thing and that the people going in there should pay these costs not the city as a whole. Councilman Barnes asked if the city had ever paid for any bridges in a residential area. Mr . Nelson stated not to his knowledge. Chief Van De Voorde stated that it was his understanding that from day one there would be a northerly outlet. Either Airlite or Lyle which would shorten the approaches for their vehicles to have access to the north. Councilman Hill stated that the Royal Bridge is necessary to be built as is Sandy Creed but the only participation the City should think about would be the Lyle bridge. Committee of the Whole 'July 5, 1978 - Page 2 Councilman Hill suggested contributing one-half of the Lyle Bridge cost if we get the railroad crossing. Councilman West fet the city should protect itself by stating a not to exceed figure. Mr. Nelson stated the Council could commit theselves to a figure of $50, 000 towards the Lyle Bridge only if the grade crossing was obtained. Councilmen Barnes , Hill , Kirkland and West concurred with this suggestion. Councilwoman Nelson stated the developers should come up with a plan so that the money does not come from the taxpayers . Replacement of Bent Street Bridge. The Council reviewed a memorandum from the Engineering Department which indicated that through the Safer Off-Syster the cost of this bridge repair would be as follows : $45 ,636 will be paid by Federal Highway Administration and $23, 364 will be borne by the City. Mr. Nelson stated that this project was orginally in the annual HeD project but application was made to the SOS project and was approved. The Council approved this project . Request from Enrico' s to extend food and beverage service into the Mall area. Jim Knowles of the Greater Downtown Mall Commission stated that they were attempting to have a food purveyor on the Mall to enjoy the park atmosphere. Mr. Knowles suggested an area in front of Enrico' s be extended and enclosed with chains or fencing to permit tables with umbrellas for the service of food. Mr. Ed Branash, owner of Enric ' s stated he would like to serve his existing menu and beer and wine. Since the Mall is City property he wondered what the attitude might toward serving these beverages on the Mall . Counsel Jentsch stated that the liquor ordinance would have to be amended to sell alcoholic beverages on a public right of way for the Mall only. Mr. Jentsch stated that the Council should also think about the insurance requirements . Chief Van De Voorde stated that before anything is decided it should be investigated to see if this operation would block the fire lane in front of Enrico' s . Councilman Barnes stated he had no objections as long as this does not interfere with the fire lane. Mayor Verbic thought it would do a lot for that part of the Mall . Councilwoman Nelson said she would be for it as long as food is sold along with the beverage. Councilman Hill asked that someone look into this to see if it could be done. ,Committee of the Whole July 5, 1978 - Page 3 Councilman West did not approve of the sale of alcohol on the Mall . Chief Baird thought it was a good concept but asked that it be served only with food. The majority of the Council asked that the Corporation Counsel look into this and bring the matter back to them. Request from Police Chief to appoint Mr. Howard Gusler as the Curator for a Police Museum. Chief Baird stated that Mr . Gusler, who is a former employee of the City of Elgin, has collected artifacts and other items geared to the Elgin Police Department. These articles can be seen in his home. Mr. Gusler has stated that upon his death he would contribute these articles to the City of Elgin. The Council asked that a resolution be prepared for the aforementioned appointment. Report of Donald E . Webb, Chairman of the Elgin Housing Authority. Mr. Webb reported that the rebahilitation program of the City of Rockford is under the complete operation of their Community Development and at the present time they are using the "312 Program with Community Development Federal Finances. At the present time the Rockford Housing Authority has no part in this rehabilitation program. Mr. Webb further advised that the Elgin Housing Authority had expended $325 ,00 for the renovation and rehabilitation of their courts and they were in the process of looking for a site suitable for a repair and warehouse site. This is necessary in order to comply with the Fire Prevention Bureau which called for the immediate elimination of their present repair shop and storag area at 120 S . State Street. When this site and ownership is made available to the Housing Authority we will be in line to receive more than $ 150, 000 to provide proper life supporting equipment and other needed repairs to the High Rise at 120 S . State St. Proposed Cooperation Agreement between the Elgin Housing Authority and the City of Elgin. Counsel Jentsch stated that he had talked to HUD regarding the language in some of the sections of this agreement and he was told the City could clarify the terms of the agreement on a separate memorandum but the agreement form could not be changed. Counsel Jentsch still questioned that this agreement should be between the City and the EHA or the City and HUD and there was no.,one at HUD who could give this answer. Mr . Jentsch was to hear later from HUD on this question. Mr. Nelson stated that the Council needed to determine whether they wished to change the present 10 percent shelter rent payments in lieu of property taxes . Mr. Nelson pointed out that if the EHA paid these taxes it would amount to $ 1:27, 000 each year . The 10 percent of rental payments which they pay instead amounts to $9, 760 of which the City receives $2, 330. Committee of the Whole July 5, 1978 - Page 4 Mr. Webb stated that they were trying to increase the amount of rent which is taken in by the Authority. The higher their income , the higher their rent until it is in line with market value rent. Councilman Hill this would not effect the high difference in the tax subsidy. The Council agreed to postpone this matter until further clarification of the agreement could be obtained from HUD. Muscular Dystrophy Drive The Council received a request from the Elgin Fire Department to place the equipment and men at different shopping areas , on August 25 , 26 and 27 , for the purpose of collecting donations for Muscular Dystrophy. Deputy Chief Dennis Ahrens stated that all men would be in service at all times , in their respective still areas and would be able to respond to any alarms that may occur. Councilman Barnes did not feel this should be done on City time and stated that others could come in and ask for the same thing. Mayor Verbic concurred with Councilman Barne' s feeling . Councilmen Hill , Kirkland, Nelson and West approved the request and Councilman Barnes and Mayor Verbic denied the request. r Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Committee of the Whole, the meeting was adjourned at 9: 05 P.M. Marie Yea an, City Clerk Committee of the Whole Meeting July 12, 1978 The Committee of the Whole Meeting was called to order by City Manager Leo Nelson on Wednesday, July 12 , 1978, at 7 : 05 P.M. , in the Council Conference Room of City Hall . Members Present : Councilmen Barnes , Gilliam, Hill , Kirkland, Nelson, West and Mayor Verbic. Also present : Marie Yearman, City Clerk, Corporation Counsel Jentsch and members of staff . Status report on the Productivity Improvement Program. Mr. Bob Hanna, Mr. Don Sturgis and Mr . Brian Steerman , repre- sentatives from the Roy Jorgensen Associates presented for the Council ' s review a slide presentation depicting their progress on developing and implementing a work management system. Mr . Sturgis advised the Council that they had completed Stage One - System Development from General Orientation, Work Activities, Physical Feature Inventory, Interim Work Reporting, and Work Loan Practices Inventory. The following steps would be completed by September : Sanitation Collection Routing, Performance Standard, Activity Cost Analysis , Work Program and Budget, Work Load Distribution, Work Scheduling and Reporting, Management Manuals , Management Training and Data Processing. Stage Two - System Implementation should take place in October. Mr . Sturgis pointed out that the proposed method of crack sealing would reduce manpower and equipment required, while keeping the same production and the annual savings would be $5520.00. The proposed method for leaf raking would result in a cost savings of $24,618. Discussion re Elgin' s role in coordinating para-transit services for the elderly and handicapped. The Council reviewed a memorandum from Ray Moller, Transit Director , which outlined the local paratransit services which are now being provided by several social service agencies . Mr. Nelson advised the Council that the RTA has made funds available for a Service Development/Demonstration Grant Program in an effort to coordinate and combine local paratransit operations , and that only general purpose governments may apply for the funds . Mr. Moller stated that some of the social service agencies have contacted his department requesting that the City sponsor a grant application to the RTA. Mr. Nelson stated this service would be provided in Elgin and outside Elgin and he would want to see the application that they want sponsored. Councilman Barnes asked where this service would be heading the City. Mr. Moller stated that the City would be the operator of the vehicles Committee of the Whole Meeting July 12, 1978 Page 2 and would maintain the vehicles , but we would not have to do this , we could just provide a consultant role, it can go either way. Councilman West asked if the cost would be covered by the RTA. Mr. Moller stated there was a $ 150,000 fund limit or 75/25 split, and that a grant may be developed through the participating agencies . Councilman West stated he would only be interested if there was funding by the RTA. Mr. Nelson stated that we are the most logical to provide the service because we have the buses but once you start you can ' t always get out. Councilman Barnes suggested that the school district be contacted to see if they would become involved since they operate such a service. The Council directed Mr. Nelson to meet with the RTA to see just what the options are and bring the matter back to them. Elgin Housing Authority Agreement Mr. Nelson asked the Council to table the resolution authorizing /► a cooperation agreement with the Elgin Housing Authority, which was on the Council Agenda, because Corporation Counsel Jentsch had not received clarification from HUD on the terms of the agreement. Council Jentsch stated that HUD' s attorney, Mr. Howard Satin, had not established whether the City or County should enter into an agreement with the Housing Authority to establish the percentage payment. Phyllis Griffith, stated the the 1974 Community Development Act does not allow payments to exceed 10% of the adjusted rentals . Mr. Nelson stated that the statutes clearly state that the City should agree on what percentage of rent the Housing Authority should pay, and allows the collection of payments to go up to the amount which the Housing Authority would pay in property tax. Mrs. Griffith asked that the corporation counsel send a letter to Mr. Satin explaining the delay in signing the agreement and requesting immediate clarification. Counsel Jentsch stated he would correspond with Mr. Satin. Cost of Living Increases The Council reviewed the staff ' s memorandum reflecting the implementation of the cost of living increase contained in the collective bargaining agreements . Mr. Nelson stated that these increases are still within the budget. Committee of the Whole Meeting July 12, 1978 Page 3 NIPC Proposed 208 Water Plan. Mr. Nelson gave the Council copies of correspondence and proposed resolution prepared by NIPC for their review. Mr . Nelson stated that the staff is in the process of preparing a resolution and they would have this available at the next work session. 1977 Audit Councilman Gilliam stated he would like to have a date set to review the audit and indicated that it would not be necessary to have a representative from Lester Witte present . Mr. Bolerjack stated that auditor' s report letter had not been received as yet and as soon as it was this matter would be placed on a work session agenda. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Committee of the Whole, the meeting was adjourned at 10: 20 P.M. ).__ekit_A/IA Marie an, City Clerk r . • Committee of the Whole Meeting July 19, 1978 The Committee of the Whole Meeting was called to order by City Manager Leo Nelson on Wednesday, July 19, 1978, at 7 :05 P.M. , in the Council Conference Room of City Hall . Members present : Councilmen Barnes , Hill , Kirkland, Nelson, West and Mayor Verbic. Absent : Councilman Gilliam. Also present: Marie Yearman, City Clerk, Corporation Counsel Jentsch and members of staff. Discussion relative to proposed Elgin Airport. Mr. Tom Brown of the Chicago Area Transportation Study (CATS) advised the Council that after completing a study it was the recommendation of CATS and NIPC that an airport is needed in Elgin. Some of the reasons for this need was the fact that the Chicagoland airport located in Lake County is about to close, the Palwaukee airport is at capacity and the DuPage airport is at capacity. Mr. Brown stated that an airport is a valuable tool to the area and it can be run at a profit. Mr. Brown stated that the Council should decide if the airport should stay at the existing site or if a new site should be selected. There would be a problem with the environmental study at the present site because of the residential area. Mr. Roger Barkus of the Illinois Division of Aeronautics stated that the City could purchase and develop the present airport for ten cents on the dollar and this would not be a drain on the local taxpayer. Leo Nelson stated that the Planning Committee had requested that he remind the Council of their position in 1976 when they did not favor the present site and did endorse by a vote of 7-0 the site B in Plato Center. Councilman Barnes stated that at that time he was concerned about the City going into the airport business and he wondered by the private airports are going out of business . Mr. George Edgcumbe, operator of the Elgin airport stated that the federal government has an airport trust fund which only provides money for airport improvements to publicly owned facilities , even though all airports are requried to contribute taxes into the fund. Councilman Hill stated he did want the taxpayer ' s money to promote an airport but felt the City should proceed with a feasibility study . Councilman West stated the impact on the local taxpayers ' tax bill is the key point, the taxpayer does not perceive public benefit when he pays his tax bill . Councilman West further stated he was not opposed to going on with a study. Committee of the Whole Meeting July 19, 1978 - Page 2 Councilman Hill stated that the present site is completely inappropriate for an airport and the site would best be used for commercial development . Mr. Nelson suggested the possibility of purchasing the Elgin airport and maintaining it at its present site while a new airport is built . The funds from the sale of the old airport located on what is considered prime land for business development could be contributed to the construction of the new facility. Councilman Hill stated that if real estate went in the wrong direction we would not have that profit to take off the top. Councilman Kirkland asked if anyone had considered combining in with other municipalities in Northern Kane County for an airport. Mr. Brown stated that Kane County has an ordinance which would not permit this . Councilman Barnes asked if we have anything to back up the fact that this would bring business to Elgin. If it was moved to Rt . 47, why would the business come to Elgin when the land is cheaper out there. Mr. Nelson stated that they do not have the utilities out there. Rick Jakel pointed out the need for an airport here in order to keep the businesses here as well as attract new firms . Mr. Jakel stated he thought Mr. Nelson ' s suggestion was excellent, and an airport would be profitable for the community in years to come. Mr. Roger Barkus stated he would try to get back within a week with information on the question of federal funding for the study. Mayor Verbic stated that it was foolish not to have continued with the study last year and we should go ahead with it now. Councilmen Hill and West voted to go ahead with the study but stated they would not consider the present airport site. Councilmen Kirkland and Nelson voted to go ahead with the study. Councilman Barnes stated he was not ready to vote on the issue tonight . The Committee of the Whole Meeting recessed at 8 : 25 for a public hearing. The Committee of the Whole Meeting reconvened at 9: 20 P.M. Review of plans to convert the civic center parking lot from a metered lot to an attendant lot . Mr. Bolerjack stated that with this attended lot the revenue would be increased by $20, 000 and that was a conservative figure. Mr. Nelson pointed out the need for a ticket spinner between the main entrance on Douglas and the Division and Douglas entrance, the cost of which was estimated at $9, 500. Committee of the Whole Meeting July 19, 1978 - Page 3 The Council approved the plans for the attended lot and the installation of the ticket spinner. Proeosal to transfer ownership of lift stations from the Sanitary District of Elgin to the City of Elgin with a lease- back to the District for the maintenance of the lift stations. Mr. Nelson stated that recently he had met with the Sanitary District and Commonwealth Edison to discuss some manner of paying the district ' s utility bills with our rate. They will not permit the bills to be directed to the City and in order for the district the get this lower rate it will be necessary to accept ownershi2 of the lift stations with a lease back to the district for maintenance. The Council approved this proposal as long as the City would not be responsible for any maintenance. Proposal to transfer the maintenance responsibility of South Street between Randall and Weld Roads from the county to the city. Mr. Nelson advised the Council that this request had come from the county and they are willing to completely resurface the two driving lanes . The Council approved this proposal . Discussion of the City Council ' s policy relative to the processing of petitions which have been the subject of a public hearing before the Land Use Committee. Since this discussion was requested by Councilman Gilliam, who is absent tonight , the Council tabled this item. 1979 Vehicle Stickers Mr. Nelson stated that last year the Council approved using the entry way sign on the 1979 sticker and he wondered if anyone felt differently at this time. The Council approved this sticker. Councilman West asked if the half rate sticker cost could be changed so that it would be the same as the State. Mr. Nelson stated that this would foul up the cash flow but he would check with the state to see what changes they were going to make. Mosquitoe Control Mr . Nelson stated that Health & Housing had received about 50 calls requesting spraying and Mr. Nelson read a letter received Mrs. Charlene Johnston. Mr. Nelson stated he had not changed his feelings about spraying and added that the current policy is not to spray unless a health hazard is posed. Committee of the Whole Meeting July 19, 1978 - Page 4 Mr. Nelson stated he had been advised there is no encephalitis threat with this type of mosquitoe this summer. Mayor Verbic suggested that maybe the parks could be sprayed on the weekends . Councilman Barnes stated that he agrees with the present policy and if the City cannot be sprayed then the parks should not be sprayed. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Committee of the Whole, the meeting was adjourned at 10: 10 P.M. Marie Yearma , City Clerk r rib 0 Committee of the Whole Meeting July 26 , 1978 The Committee of the Whole meeting was called to order by Leo Nelson, City Manager, at 7 : 05 P.M. , in the Council Conference Room of City Hall . Members present : Councilmen Barnes , Gilliam, Hill , Kirkland , Nelson , West and Mayor Verbic. Also present : Leo Nelson, City Manager, Marie Yearman , City Clerk and Corporation Counsel Jentsch. Discussion re proposed pre-annexation agreement with Valley Creek. Leo Nelson stated that the purpose of this discussion was to determine the developer ' s liability for the construction of the Lyle Avenue bridge at the north end of the project. Mr. Nelson stated that the estimated cost of the bridge is $ 100, 000, and at a meeting held three weeks ago, the Council did say they would participate up to $50,000 of the bridge cost, if the developer would extend Lyle Avenue north across the Chicago and North Western and Milwaukee tracks to Big Timber Road. Mr. Nelson stated that since that meeting three weeks ago, the staff and developer have had several meetings to look at this problem and based upon the projected traffic there is no question that Royal Boulevard should have an 80 ' right-of-way, and that it may require four lanes of traffic. Mr. Nelson stated that the staff did feel that Lyle Avenue' s right-of-way could be reduced to a 66 ' width and a 40 ' pavement, the the exception of a couple hundred feet on each side of the proposed intersection with Royal Boulevard. Mr. Nelson stated that in view of the cost that Jerry Hoover had previously stated it would cost to make Lyle an 80 ' right- of-way and 44' pavement , the proposed 66 ' width and 40 ' pavement would grant the developer the relief they seek and the savings could be put toward this bridge. Charles Burnidge stated that he was quite suprised to find out through the news media that the Council had agreed if they did not put in the Lyle Avenue bridge, they would be denied access to Kevin and Mark Streets . Councilman Barnes stated this was discussed but he thought the matter was to worked out between the staff and developer. Mr. Burnidge stated that they were advised by Barton and Aschman the Lyle Avenue will have a public benefit but they did not know how much at this time. Barton and Aschman also advised the Committee of the Whole Meeting July 26 , 1978 Page 2 Randall Road could serve this area but they would still need access to Mark Avenue in order to make the development more marketable. Mr. Nelson stated that he did not see why they should use Mark just to enhance their property when this is a residential street. Mr. Nelson stated that five years ago residents on Mark complained when the City removed parking on the south side of the street to improve traffic flow and he did not think they would appreciate all the traffic from Valley Creek. The Council unanimously agreed that : the City would participate a total of $50,000 towards the Lyle Avenue bridge if Lyle was extended north over the railroad tracks to Big Timber ; the City would grant the developer relief by reducingthe size of the Lyle Avenue right-of-way to a 66 ' width and 0 ' pavement ; and in the event the developer did not construct the Lyle Avenue bridge, they would be denied access to Kevin and Mark. Meeting recessed at 8 : 00 P.M. , for Council meeting. Meeting reconvened at 8: 55 P.M. Discussion re Leaf Raking Mr. Nelson stated that after the saving evaluation for leaf raking that was pointed out by Jorgensen & Company, the staff has investigated the cost of mechanical leafing equipment. There are two engine driven models that are designed so the hopper may be dumped directly into a dump truck. Mr. Nelson further stated that this equipment could also be used at the cemetery and if the Council was going to consider this equipment, this would be the proper time to purchase same before the Fall season. The Council agreed to put this equipment out for bid. Discussion re street improvements for Villa (Cook/Kane Line) to Peck Place. Mr. Nelson stated the State was requesting the execution of a Letter of Understanding, and the passage of an ordinance relative to prohibiting parking within limits of the improvement. Mr. Nelson stated this ordinance would be identical to that passed for the Highland/Larkin and Villa Street improvements . The Council directed that the ordinance be drawn and the Letter of Understanding be executed. r ^ Committee of the Whole Meeting July 26, 1978 Page 3 Discussion re amendment to City' s ordinance regulating the types of building materials to be used in the Miller-Davis Industrial Park. Mr. Nelson stated that a letter received from Mr. Robert J . Morency, copies of which were forwarded to the Council , pointed out the problems being experienced in this Industrial Park. Mr. Nelson stated that some of the building owners are trying to form a homeowners association and they are requesting that the City revise the present ordinance to require more definitive and better materials. They are interested in keeping the quality of the Park up and the present ordinance just prohibits common brick and concrete block. They would like to ordinance to be amended to consider certain kinds of building materials . They have also asked that the City consider removing the parking on Davis and Holmes Road because of the narrowness of the street. Mr. Nelson stated that any changes that are made would have to apply to all industrial parks. The Council directed the staff to look into the problem and bring it back with their recommendations . Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Committee of the Whole, the meeting was adjourned at 9: 15 P.M. Marie Year an, City Clerk r Committee of the Whole Meeting August 2, 1978 The Committee of the Whole meeting was called to order by Leo Nelson, City Manager, at 7 : 05 P.M. , in the Council Conference Room of City Hall . Members present: Councilmen Gilliam, Hill , Kirkland, Nelson, West and Mayor Verbic. Absent : Councilman Barnes. Also present : Leo Nelson, City Manager, Marie Yearman, City Clerk, Corporation Counsel Jentsch and members of staff . Discussion re combined sewer overflow study with the Sanitary District of Elgin. Al Pagorski , General Manager of the Elgin Sanitary District, stated that the City of Elgin and the Sanitary District entered into an agreement with Warren and Van Praag for a combined sewer overflow study in 1975 . The cost of this study was $84, 000, which was to be shared by the City and the District, less a 75% federal grant. When the study was completed the federal government changed their guidelines and they would not approve the first study nor would they make reimbursement of the cost thereof . Mr. Pagorski went on to say that in order to get reimbursement on the first study the City and District will have to have another study to update the original overflow study . Once the engineering agreement is approved, the City will be eligible for reimbursement for the first study. Councilman Kirkland asked if there was a 75% reimbursement on the cost of the second study. Mr. Pagorski stated there was a 75% reimbursement for the second study and this could be reimbursed on a monthly basis as we are billed by the engineers . Mayor Verbic asked if there was any 100% funding. Mr. Pagorski replied no and stated that he had exhausted every possible route in seeking these funds . Mayor Verbic stated that this will bring about a raise in the sewer user charge, which the federal government mandates and then we get the blame for the raise from the local public. Councilman West stated that it was not our fault that they changed the standards , they owe the money and they should pay for the first study. C Committee of the Whole Meeting August 2, 1978 Page 2 Councilman Gilliam asked why the first study costs were $84,000 and this was increased to $ 111 , 000 for the second study. Mr. David Tulp, representing Warren and Van Praag, stated that this was due to having to change the basic data and technics in order to conform with the change in government standards . Also there were four inflationary years since the first study. Mr. Tom Rowlett, of Warren and Van Praag , stated that the first step was to file for a grant application, no work would be commenced until that is approved and filed with the EPA. This application would also include the 75% of the $84,000. The City ' s share of the second study will be between $55,000 and $56,000. The Council agreed to go ahead with the second study. Discussion re Mid-Year Budget Review. Mr. Nelson stated that he thought Mr. Bolerjack' s memorandum was self-explanatory and that many hours have been put into this, but it was a pleasant surprise to find that the unencumbered cash as of January 1 , 1978 was $840, 000 and as of this review it is $ 1 , 053,676. Mr. Nelson stated they would still go through the audit with the Council as soon as the Auditor' s Management Letter is received. Mr. Nelson asked the Council to be thinking about the upcoming budget and their imput. Mr. Nelson pointed out that various agencies may be asking for assistance out of general revenue funds, and will the Council be willing to cut City services inorder to keep the same tax rate. Discussion re data processing recommendations. Dave Jepson stated that this was Phase II of the recommended project presented to the Council in March, 1977 , to replace our IBM system 3/ 10 computer with an IBM 3/ 15 computer. At that time a recommendation was made to upgrade the 3/ 15 in September, 1978, so that on- line terminals could be added. This would provide terminals for water billing, payroll , purchasing and parking ticket billings , and this data could be processed on a more timely basis. Councilman Gilliam asked if we encourage other cities to give us their work. Mr . Jepson stated that they come to us and this is an important consideration because of the dollar return. The Council agreed to proceed with the terminal phase recommendation. Committee of the Whole Meeting August 2, 1978 Page 3 "". Discussion re application for funds to replace culvert under Bent Street over Willow Creek. The Council directed that the necessary resolution for the aforementioned permit be placed on the next Council agenda. Discussion re Illinois State Tollway request for Elgin Fire Department Service. Mr. Nelson stated that the Toll Road Authority had requested that the Elgin Fire Department provide fire rescue and ambulance services along the Northwest Tollway from Route 59 on the east to Tyrrell Road on the west. For this service they are willing to pay to the City $ 100. 00 for each ambulance call and $200. 00 for each fire call . Mayor Verbic asked if this could be done and still provide the same service to Elgin citizens. Chief Van De Voorde stated that he thought this could be done and that in some instances the people on the Tollway needing aid may well be Elgin citizens . The Chief further stated that Elgin would only respond if the men and equipment were available. Mr . Nelson stated that under the present policy the City has been responding to calls from law enforcement and fire protection departments in nearby communities . The Council approved this request. Discussion re eroposed cooperation agreement with the Elgin Housing Authority for an additional 50 low income housing units . Counsel Jentsch stated that he had prepared a new page two for the proposed agreement to provide for annual payments in lieu of taxes to be made at the end of each fiscal year in an amount equal to either 10% of the shelter rent paid, or the amount permitted by law on the date such payment is made. The Elgin Housing Authority shall file a statement of the aggregate shelter rents collected during the preceding year on or before April 1st of each year, with the proper assessing authority, with a copy to the Elgin Finance Director. The Elgin Housing Authority shall also give notice in writing of the municipality' s failure to furnish public services or facilities ten days prior to undertaking to furnish such facilities or services by the local authority. r p Committee of the Whole Meeting August 2, 1978 Page 4 Counsel Jentsch stated that Mr. Satan of the HUD office had approved these revisions and concurred that the agreement should be between the City and the Elgin Housing Authority. The Council directed that a resolution authorizing this agreement be prepared for the next Council meeting. Discussion re request from the Greater Downtown Elgin Commission. Mr. Nelson stated that this Commission has requested that the existing Fountain Square Mall ordinance be amended to allow a license for a vendor to sell mexican food. Councilman Hill asked, why not just open it up instead of amending the ordinance each time. Mr. Nelson stated he did not want to have it wide open because you could get an undesirable vendor. The Council approved the Commission' s reuqest. Discussion re residency limits . Jim Aydt, Assistant City Manager, reviewed with the Council a map showing the present residency boundaries . Mr. Aydt '` pointed out that in most cases the boundary line ran through a municipality. For example in St. Charles , the North side of Route 64 is within the residency limits and the South side is not. Mr. Aydt stated that when hiring an employee who lives outside the City of Elgin, it is often necessary to check with the post office to see if they are within the residency limits and this does create some confusion. Mr. Aydt suggested that where a boundary line runs through a municipality that the present boundary line be expanded to include that entire municipality. Councilman West stated he did not think it was fair for employees to come and ask for raises from this City and then move out of the City where the taxes are lower . Mr. West said that new employees should be required to live in the City . Mr. West further stated that he wanted it understood that this would not apply to the employees who are presently working for the City and living outside the City limits . Councilman Hill stated that public employees represent the largest part of the budget and they should participate in the City' s taxation as do other taxpayers . Mr . Hill stated that we should set up a policy that new employees must live within the City . Councilman Gilliam statedhe was not in favor of expanding the boundaries and would look more to bringing it in. Councilmen Hill , Nelson and West also voted against the expansion of the boundary line. Mayor Verbic and Councilman Kirkland thought the staff should come back with imput from the employees . Committee of the Whole Meeting August 2, 1978 Page 5 Discussion re acceptance of new evidence on zoning matters at Council meetings . Counsel Jentsch stated that a recent Attorney General ' s opinion set forth that it was improper to hear new eveidence at the Council meeting. If the petitioner does have new evidence they should be referred back to the Authority appointed to hear the petitions . The Council agreed that many petitioners would not be aware of this procedure and that an informational sheet should be made available to the petitioners at the time they pick up their applications . Said informational sheet should set forth the hearing procedure. Miscellaneous Discussion Mayor Verbic stated that he had received a request from Mary Lou Kearns , Kane County Coroner, that the City of Elgin pass an ordinance prohibiting fishing on the Fox River close to the dams . Mayor Verbic stated that this request was made because of the recent drowning of youngsters in these areas . Chief Baird thought the request was valid but it would be difficult to enforce. Mr. Nelson stated he would have the staff check this out and would get back to the Council with their recommendation. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Committee of the Whole, the meeting was adjourned at 8:45 P.M. o A__) Marie Yearm n, City Clerk C Committee of the Whole Meeting August 9, 1978 The Committee of the Whole Meeting was called to order by Leo Nelson, City Manager , at 7: 10 P.M. , in the Council Conference Room of City Hall . Members present : Councilmen Gilliam, Hill , Kirkland, Nelson, West and Mayor Verbic. Absent : Councilman Barnes . Also present : Leo Nelson, City Manager, Marie Yearman , City Clerk, Corporation Counsel Jentsch and members of staff . Discussion re making the circulation plan for east bound traffic on Highland, Crystal and Chicago Street permanent . Leo Nelson stated that the one-way traffic movement on Crystal between Highland and Chicago has been functioning very satisfactorily and had been well received by the public. Some of the comments received indicated it was better than before. Councilman West stated that he had doubts in the beginning but he now felt it was working out extremely well . Councilwoman Nelson pointed out a dangerous situation on Chicago Street opposite the Milwaukee Commuter Station when cars stop on Chicago Street in traffic to pick up commuters . Mr . Nelson stated that this would be looked into but would also be eliminated when the new lot is available. This will provide a turn around for picking up people and turning around off the street. Mr. Nelson stated that if the Council approved the traffic pattern, the staff would like to put in the permanent marking at this time. The Council approved installing the permanent marking . Discussion re request from School District U-46 to consider refuse collection service for schools located in Elgin. Mr. Nelson advised the Council that a survey had been made to see what the City ' s cost would be to render this service. The estimated cost is $30,000, which is less than what they are paying now. Councilmen Gilliam and Hill thought this would benefit the taxpayers . Councilman West asked if we could provide this service with our present help and equipment. Mr . Nelson felt this could be done but it would be necessary for them to change some of the school containers . Committee of the Whole Meeting August 9, 1978 Page 2 The Council agreed to let Mr. Nelson pursue this request with the School District and bring back a proposed agreement . Memorandum fron NIPC extending deadline for comments on the 208 Water Quality Management Plan . The Council reviewed the aforementioned memorandum. Proposed budget calendar for the fiscal year 1979. Mr. Nelson stated that this was simply informational and that he would still like to have some Council imput for the proposed budget. The Council did agree that they would like general revenue funds used only for capital improvements . Discussion re proposed purchase of Sterling Veriable Speed Drive for Water Department . The Council was advised that the recirculating drives on both clarifiers at the Airlite plant are in need of repair. Repairs will require two weeks or longer and would require one clarifier to be out of service, and there would be no spare unit available. The cost of the unit if $3294.00. Mr. Nelson stated that they need this backup unit and at the present time the Water Department budget reflects higher revenue and lower expenditures . The Council approved this expenditure. Miscellaneous Discussion Mr. Nelson advised the Council of a meeting he had with the ADT people regarding a new alarm system. They now have a new system that the Police and Fire Department are very excited about . They are just beginning to market this system and they would like to come in next Wednesday night to demonstrate this operation. Mr. Nelson stated that if the Council approved these people could give this demonstration for the Council at 7: 00 P.M. , and it could also be shown to the subscribers of this service at 8: 00 P.M. The Council approved this request. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Committee of the Whole, the meeting was adjourned at 7 : 40 P.M. Marie Yearm n , City Clerk COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING August 16, 1978 The Committee of the Whole Meeting was called to order by Leo Nelson, City Manager, at 7:05 p.m. , in the Council Conference Room of City Hall . Mem- bers present: Councilman Barnes, Gilliam, Hill , Kirkland, Nelson, West and Mayor Verbic. Absent: None. Also present: Virginia Schuring, Jim Binninger, Assistant Corporation Counsel and members of staff. Discussion re roposed Cooperation Agreement with the Elgin Housing Authority. Mr. Nelson reviewed with the Council previous discussions over the past several months regarding the Cooperation Agreement with the Elgin Housing Authority. Mr. Matt Fox, Developer of Burnham Mill , was present and discussed several possibilities of developing additional housing in Elgin. Councilman Hill asked if there was any money available under Section 8. Mr. Fox stated that there was money available. However, it was very hard to obtain. He went on to say that a great deal of Section 8 money was being used to rehabilitate housing previously funded under Section 8. Mr. Fox stated he felt there were at least two other alternatives other than Section 8. One alternative he discussed was funding under Section 312 for rehabilitation. He stated there was $1 ,000,000 available for any one project. Another alternative was to establish a Commission of professional people from the Community to take a serious look at relaxing the standards of our building codes which in turn lower the cost of building in Elgin. Councilman Hill asked if he could give an example of a building around town which would be good for rehabilitation. Mr. Fox replied yes. He felt the old Shoe Factory building would be feasible. In general he stated the factories were usually your best constructed buildings for rehabilitation. Councilman Barnes asked if he would consider converting and old school . Mr. Fox said this would be very viable. However, he felt for this to be realistic you would once again have to look at the building codes. Councilman Hill asked if you could have special codes for rehabilitation pro- jects. Mr. Binninger said yes this was very possible. Mr. Fox stated there was a very real demand for this type of housing. Burnham Mill has rented 100 units for the elderly and the ground has not yet been broken. The development also has a 3 year waiting list for elderly citizens. r Committee of the Whole Meeting August 16, 1978 Page 2 (714 Councilman Gilliam asked if there were any funds available from HUD for scattered housing available. Mr. Fox stated that HUD will give you any answer your looking for. He con tinued by saying that maintenance and the general cost of upkeep is extremely high. He felt in todays market it is impossible. Councilman Kirkland stated he felt that a mixture of tenants with good man- agement, such as the Burnham Mill development was one of the better types of developments. Councilman Kirkland asked about the possibility of changing large single family homes into apartments. Mr. Fox stated its a disaster, the costs are extremely high. Councilman Kirkland asked how Section 312 compared with Section 8. Mr. Fox stated a Section 312 loan would only have a 3% interest on the mortgage. Mayor Verbic asked if 100 units was a good size development to consider. Mr. Fox felt 150 to 250 units was a good rule of thumb. Less than 150 units the cost of carpenters and maintenance fees become extremely high. Mr. Fox stated as another suggestion it might be of value to look into the Farmers Home Loan Administration. Councilman Barnes asked him to explain Farmers Home Loan Administration. Mr. Fox stated this is a program which gives smaller communities loans to build small units (from 3 to 5) . Councilman Barnes asked if Section 8 funds were given to 222 Locust Street, would we still have a chance to receive additional Section 8 funds for new developments. Mr. Fox felt it was very unlikely. Mayor Verbic asked if a developer such as yourself would take a local factory and rehabilitate it into 150 to 200 units. Mr. Fox replied yes. We are doing it in other communities. The Council thanked Mr. Fox for his time and valuable information. The Council agreed to have the proposed Cooperation Agreement with the Elgin Housing Authority placed on next weeks Council Agenda. Discussion re Enrico 's proposal to develop an open-air cafe on the mall . Mr. Nelson reviewed with the Council the Fire Lane route, the amount of footage required for the Cafe and the possibility of removing a particular planter. Mr. Nelson also stated that there would be movable chains which could be moved in case of fire, surrounding the tables in front of the Cafe. Mr. Nelson asked what should be done about the open encroachment on the fire lane. Committee of the Whole Meeting August 16, 1978 Page 3 Mr. Gary Miller stated in his opinion removal of the planter and the laying of bricks in a circular pattern would cost in the area of $1,700.00. Councilman Hill asked if the layout of the Cafe could be rectangler instead of square. Mr. Nelson said he had discussed this with Mr. Ed Barnash and found out it would block Singers door. Fire Chief, George VandeVoorde stated he would like to see the planter re- moved and a open fire lane at all times. Mayor Verbic stated he felt the cost should be partially bore by the Merchant involved. Councilman West stated he was not in favor of the Cafe. He also stated he was against using public property for the use of any one Merchant. Mayor Verbic further stated people had told him that this end of the Mall needs more traffic. He felt this open-air cafe may help stimulate business. Councilman Gilliam stated he felt the cost of removing the planter should be shared by the Merchant and the City. He suggested Mr. Nelson negotiate with Mr. Barnash. Discussion re Agreement with U.S. Shelter to reconstruct and resurface Waverly Drive. Mr. Nelson asked the Council if the City could enter in to a Contract with U.S. Shelter to have Waverly Drive resurfaced since part of the Street is owned by the City and the other part by the Developer. Mayor Verbic asked how a private Developer can obtain a lower unit price than the City can. Mr. Dahl , Public Works Director, stated it was because of bonding costs and other regulations. Councilwoman Nelson felt U.S. Shelter should have the bid. The other Council members agreed. Resurfacing Sleepy Hollow Road from Big Timber Road to Fox Lane. Mr. Nelson reviewed with the Council the area of Sleepy Hollow Road to be resurfaced. The Committee agreed to proceed with the resurfacing. Financing Civic Center Parking Lot and Refinancing South Grove Property. Councilman Gilliam asked how many employees would pay the $20, $25 or $30 per month when they can park at the Library free. Councilman Barnes stated they have been trying for years to get the employees to park at the Library. He also stated that this fee was $.10 per hour. Committee of the Whole Meeting August 16, 1978 Page 4 The Committee agreed to refinance the South Grove Avenue Property and also to finance the Civic Center parking lot. Miscellaneous Discussion. Telephone System Mr. Nelson gave a brief report in regards to the savings that Al Jacobs & Associates telephone study has been for the City. Councilman Hill asked what type of system Mr. Jacobs recommended. Mr. Nelson stated that at this time Mr. Jacobs did not feel the Dimension 400 System which had been discussed early was needed. He felt our best possibility would be to upgrade our present system. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Committee of the Whole, the meeting was adjourned at 9:05 P.M. r ZJ Virginia churing r Committee of the Whole Meeting September 6 , 1978 The Committee of the Whole Meeting was called to order by Leo Nelson, City Manager, at 7 : 05 P.M. , in the Council Conference Room of City Hall . Members present : Councilmen Barnes , Hill , Kirkland, Nelson, West and Mayor Verbic. Absent: Councilman Gilliam. Also present: Marie Yearman, City Clerk, Jim Binninger, Assistant Corporation Counsel and members of staff. Discussion re dwelling units at 805-809 Sharon Court. The Council reviewed a recommendation from the Board of Health to condemn or demolish the rental units at 805-809 Sharon Court. Photographs taken by the Fire Department of these units were also reviewed. Leo Nelson advised the Council that these apartments had recently been sold to Edward R. Wanland & Sons of Chicago, Illinois . Mr. Richard Wanland indicated by letter to the City that he had begun rehabilitation of these apartments. Fred Carlson, Elgin Public Health Officer, stated that he felt despite Mr . Wanland ' s letter pressure should be continued. Mr. Carlson stated that it was Mr. Wanland ' s intention to refurbish these units and sell them as townhouses . Mayor Verbic stated that all the roofs leak and there is water in the basements and he did not think the units are structurally sound and to refurbish would not help this situation. Mr. Carlson stated that presently they are replacing the walls and the work is being done very slowly. Mr. Nelson stated that they were only upgrading the empty units to sell . Chief Van De Voorde stated that his department has fought for the past ten years to get the water out of the basements . The Chief felt that the buildings should be torn down because of their condition and the fact that they have not had any responsible people manage the place. They charge high rents , make money and then sell out. Councilman Hill asked if anyone on the staff felt the buildings could be rehabilitated. Mel Dahl stated that the basements could be filled in,which would help the water problems ,but then they would need additional storage space. Mr. Dahl stated that he agreed with the Chief that they should be torn down. Committee of the Whole Meeting September 6 , 1978 Page 2 Councilman Kirkland asked if we were talking about just the two buildings. Mr. Nelson stated yes , because these are the worst ones at this time. Councilman West stated that this project should never have been allowed because it is built on a flood plain, and he thought it was time to get rough and go ahead with the condemnation proceedings . Councilman West felt it was outrageous to have people pay rent to live like they were. Counsel Binninger was instructed to proceed with condemnation proceedings . Discussion re re9uest from Family Service Association that the City of Elgin waive its right for funds from the Illinois Law Enforcement Commission. Mr. Nelson stated that this was the same request that had been made for the last two years . Mr. Nelson further stated that the Police Department had no problem with granting this request again. The Council approved the aforementioned request. Discussion re proposed railroad signal improvements at Raymond Street. Mr. Nelson advised the Council that the installation of gates in addition to the flashing lights would give a great benefit to people driving automobiles over this crossing . The estimate for this improvement is $76, 200 and Mel Dahl estimates the City' s share to be $8,000. Councilman Barnes and West asked if anything could be done to improve the crossing which is full of holes . Councilman Hill and West also felt the Chicago and Highland crossings needed repair. Mr. Nelson stated that the City could pass a resolution, as has been done previously, directing that the railroad repair an unsafe railroad crossing. However, Mr. Nelson pointed out that nothing could be done with Chicago and Highland until next Spring when the Kimball Street bridge is open. Councilman West stated that the railroad should bear the entire cost of repairing the Chicago and Highland crossings because of the commuter service. ` The Council approved the agreement for the Raymond Street crossing gates and requested that Leo Nelson pursue the crossing improvements at the Raymond, Chicago and Highland crossings . Committee of the Whole Meeting September 6, 1978 Page 3 Discussion re proposed revision to the Special Tax District for the River Bluff Lighting . Mr. Nelson stated that at the public hearing two women property owners , one at 859 Grove and one at 50 Slade, objected to being included in this tax district because they did not need or want these lights . Mr. Nelson stated that these two properties could be removed from the district if no one in that district objects . The two lights could be removed and it would not affect the appearance of the area. The cost per light is $ 1 ,696 per house for the 28 homes in the district. Eliminating two lights and removing two homes would result in reducing the cost to each home to $ 1 ,653 . Councilman Hill stated that he had heard people at the public hearing state that they felt the cost was exorbitant and he did not feel we should make an open legal movement where an individual could kill the district and the whole thing would have to be done over again. Mr. Nelson suggested going ahead and bidding the lights both ways and then see if there are any objections . An ordinance could be prepared in 60 days to go either way. Councilman Barnes stated that the woman on Slade would not have any benefit from the light and the woman on Grove is a widow living on the fringe of a wealthy area. Councilman Barnes suggested offering the relief and consider taking them out of the district at the hearing . Mayor Verbic thought they were expendable and Councilman West suggested giving it a shot. Discussion re final decision to replace existing police and fire alarm receiving system with proposed ADT system. Mr . Nelson advised the Council that the ADT representative did have the proposed system running properly when the users of the system reviewed it . There were about 40 people there and the feeling is they would pay for the new system. Chief Baird stated that he had not heard one negative response. Chief Van De Voorde stated this system was a big improvement over what we now have. Councilman West stated that he understood there was another vendor who was interested in bidding. Leo Nelson stated that if the Council was interested he would pursue the other system. Mr. Nelson further stated that nothing is paid by the City and ADT would do their own billing and maintenance. Committee of the Whole Meeting September 6, 1978 Page 4 Mr. Nelson suggested that we go ahead and pursue the other vendor and the Council approved this. Recommendation to acquire a fuel dispensing system for the Public Works Garage from P.J . Hartmann Company. Leo Nelson stated that they had delayed bringing this item to the Council because of the possibility of moving the Transportation Department, which is not probable now. After reviewing three different fuel systems it is the staff ' s opinion that the Gasboy distributed by the P. J . Hartmann Company is far superior. Councilman West stated that Gasboy has another model that cost about half and had enough capacity for this town. Laverne Cleland, Garage Manager, stated that he did not think that model had a memory bank. Councilman West stated that this was not his understanding when he saw this model demonstrated at the National Cities League meeting. Councilman West stated he would like this double checked. Leo Nelson state he would look into the matter. Miscellaneous Discussion Fountain Square Plaza Leo Nelson advised the Council that the Chicago Chapter of the American Institute of Architects had selected Elgin' s Fountain Square Plaza to receive a distinguished planning award. Leo Nelson and Councilwoman Nelson will attend the presentation of said award. Halloween The Council agreed that Halloween should be celebrated on Tuesday, October 31st. Budget Mayor Verbic stated that some thought and direction should be given to reducing the City tax from 1 . 74 to 1 .65 or 1 .60. Councilman West stated the staff should prepare a memorandum showing suggested areas where we might be able to cut back. Leo Nelson stated they could come in with a basic budget but the Council should remember the City is locked into certain employee agreements for next year. Mayor Verbic stated that it should be explained to the staff that there will be some real belt tightening . Committee of the Whole Meeting September 6 , 1978 r Page 5 Councilman West stated he thought the results of the productivity study should help. Councilwoman Nelson thought some services in the recreation area could be cut. Councilman Barnes asked Mr . Nelson to bring in alternatives with the budget and set priorities . Leo Nelson asked the Council if they would be willing to look at increasing certain fees that would increase the revenue and lower the tax. Mr. Nelson further stated we should not have to apologize for our tax rate because we are not into other taxes that other cities are involved in. Councilman Kirkland stated it might be a good idea to find out what services would have to be cut and what the savings would be. Mr. Nelson stated he would come back to the Council with the requested information. � '` Adjournment ` There being no further business to come before the Committee of the Whole, the meeting was adjourned at 8: 10 P.M. Marie Year n, City Clerk C Committee of the Whole Meeting September 13 , 1978 The Committee of the Whole Meeting was called to order by Leo Nelson , City Manager, at 7 : 10 P.M. , in the Council Conference Room of City Hall . Members present : Councilmen Barnes , Gilliam, Hill , Kirkland, Nelson and Mayor Verbic. Absent: Councilman West. Also present: Marie Yearman, City Clerk, Corporation Counsel Jentsch and members of staff . Discussion re mortgage revenue bond financing. Leo Nelson stated that Mr . Coffman , President of the Elgin National Bank had requested the opportunity to speak to the Council about the possibility of revenue mortgage bonds for Elgin. Mr. Nelson said that he had also invited Mr . John Modaff, Senior Vice President of the First National Bank of Elgin and some Elgin realtors to be present for this meeting . Mr . Coffman stated that the proposal is a major program to provide mortgage funds at approximately 1% to l2% below the conventional mortgage market . Mr. Coffman stated $25 ,000, 00 could be made available to Elgin for mortgages and this would benefit the construction industry and the City ' s economy in general . Bob Thomas , representative of the L. F . Rothschiled, Unterberg, Towbin in Chicago, Illinois , stated that the City of Elgin could pass an enabling ordinance authorizing the issue of $25, 000, 00 for their citizens to be used for the acquisition of housing. The eligibility of borrowers to use the funds would be broad and the City of Chicago recently established an adjusted gross family income of $40,000 as an eligibility figure. Mr. Thomas stated that the funds could only be used in Elgin and this program would reduce the tight money situation and high interest cost. The program is not designed for low income but is for a moderate and middle income bracket. Councilman Kirkland asked who would make the decision on the amount of the loan made. Mr . Thomas stated that the bank would work with the Council and the Council would make the decision. Don Potuznik, an Elgin realtor, asked how many homes this $25 ,000,000 project would finance. Mr . Thomas estimated 500 homes . Committee of the Whole September 13 , 1978 Page 2 Mayor Verbic asked what banks would be handling this proposal . Mr. Coffman stated that it could be done in a number of ways but we should first decide if we want the project . It should be handled through some leading institution or it could be a joint effort. Mayor Verbic thought it might be unfair to some institutions who have money available and people would take their business where the interest is lower. Mayor Verbic stated that he would first like to check with Home Savings and Loan and the other lending institutions to see if they are interested in the proposal . Councilman Gilliam stated that he also would like the other lending institutions imput on the proposal . Mr. Potuznik stated that the people would be tickled to have such a project. Mr. Modaff stated that it would be good for the community and could put more people in the market for homes because there is not an overabundance of money for mortgages in Elgin. Mr. Modaff further stated that he would like to introduce Mr. Tom Brown who is an underwriter with Waterlick & Brown, one of the largest retail dealers in the midwest area, having the experience and expertise for such a project . The Council acknowledged Mr. Brown ' s introduction and asked that they be given time to study the project and seek input from the other lending institutions. Discussion re waiver of $500.00 golf fee to School District U-46 . Mr. Nelson stated that this request did not come from U-46 but was stated by Terry Carlson and Jim Hamrin. Mr. Nelson further stated that Mr. Carlson appeared before Park' s Board and made this request because U-46 School District have stopped funding Golf at Elgin and Larkin High Schools and although interested persons and parents have raised $2,400 they would like the fee waived for both schools . The Board recommended waiving the $500.00 fee. Mr. Nelson felt that if this fee was waived it would indicate special attention to those schools. Mayor Verbic stated he would like the kids to have the opportunity to use it . Councilman Kirkland stated it could open up a can of worms . Councilman Barnes did not think the City could subsidize all the school programs that go down the drain but he would have no objection if they bought season passes . Committee of the Whole September 13 , 1978 Page 3 r Councilmen Hill , Kirkland and Mayor Verbic voted to waive the fee. Councilwoman Nelson voted no and Councilmen Barnes and Gilliam abstained. Discussion re proposed vacation of a section of Bruce Drive in Highview Hills . Rob Roll stated that this request for vacation came from adjacent property owners. The Traffic Committee reviewed this request and found no objection. The Council approved the proposed vacation. Miscellaneous Mr. Nelson advised the Council that there would be a joint meeting of the Land Use Committee and Planning Committee on October 2nd to review the proposed Parkwood II development. Adjournment �r�► There being no further business to come before the Committee E. of the Whole, the meeting was adjourned at 9 :40 P.M. t Marie Year an, City Clerk r Committee of the Whole Meeting September 20, 1978 The Committee of the Whole Meeting was called to order by Leo Nelson, City Manager, at 7 :05 P.M. , in the Council Conference Room of City Hall . Members present : Councilmen Barnes , Gilliam, Hill , Kirkland, Nelson, West and Mayor Verbic. Also present : Marie Yearman, City Clerk, Corporation Counsel Jentsch and members of staff. Discussion re grant of easement along both sides of Tyler Creek between Illinois Parkway and Kaskaskia Avenue. Mr. Nelson stated that it has been the City ' s policy to acquire easements along all streams in Elgin as the adjacents properties are developed. This grant of easement was prepared by Russ Booth and was signed by the owners but the City never accepted the easement and it was not recorded. The staff recommended that the easement be accepted at this time and the Council approved this recommendation. Discussion re proposed agreement with the Chicago and Northwestern Transeortation Company for a grade crossing improvement with the widening of McLean Boulevard. The Council reviewed the proposed agreement and Mr. Nelson pointed out there had been some question relating to an additional track across McLean. The Railroad did agree to describe this in the agreement as main line track only and not a spur track. Mayor Verbic asked what the final cost breakdown involved. Mr. Nelson stated the estimated cost is $42, 265 and 100% is the City' s expense. The Council agreed to approve this agreement. Discussion re proposal from the Hemmens Advisory Committee to increase the rates at the Hemmens building. The Council reviewed the present and proposed changes for the Hemmens rates . Mr. Nelson advised the Council that the Hemmens Advisory Committee had recommended these increases to generate additional revenue. Mayor Verbic asked how the bookings were going and Don Smith stated they were fantastic. The Council approved the new rates . Committee of the Whole Meeting September 20, 1978 Page 2 Final decision relative to the fuel dispensing system. On September 6 , 1978, the Committee of the Whole discussed this fuel dispensingsystem. Councilman West asked that staff re-check with the vendor for a system that he had seen while attending the National Cities League meeting, which was half the cost of the proposed model , and was large enough for Elgin. The Vendor advised the City under date of September 7 , 1978, that they do not have a smaller or less expensive system nor is any contemplated. The Council approved the staff ' s recommendation to purchase the Gasboy system at a cost of $ 11 , 700. Discussion re designation of the Planning Committee as the HCD public hearing body. The Council agreed to have a resolution placed on the next Council agenda designating the Planning Committee as the HCD public hearing body. Miscellaneous Discussion Storm Sewer - Southwest side of McLean Mr. Nelson advised the Council that there was a problem with storm sewer water standing in the street and sidewalk in front of two newly constructed homes on the west side of McLean. The staff proposed the installation of a 10 inch concrete pipe to carry the water to the stor sewer at Van Street. Mr. Nelson stated that the staff was only asking permission to buy the storm sewer pipe, the labor would be provided by City crews and if the Council approved this project could be started on Monday. The Council approved this recommendation. Finance Department - Cash Registers Dave Jepson advised the Council that the two cash registers the Council had previously approved being purchased from the Data Terminal Systems had been misrepresented to both him and Mr. Bolerjack. Mr. Jepson stated that when the machines were received they were not the model ordered and would not give the validation the City required. Delivery of the machines was refused and Mr. Jepson was now asking for permission to cancel the order with Data Terminal System and to place the order with National Cash Register . The difference in cost is $431 . 00 more for the NCR machines. The Council approved this request. Committee of the Whole Meeting September 20, 1978 Page 3 Miscellaneous Discussion (Continued) Crime Commission Grant Mr. Nelson announced that the acceptance of this grant would take place on Saturday at 3 : 00 P.M. in the Hemmens Building. Mr. Nelson further stated that Elgin was one out of forty in the Country to receive such an award. Clara Howard Park Mr . Nelson announced that the formal dedication of this park would take place on October 14th. Adj ournment There being no further business to come before the Committee of the Whole, the meeting was adjourned at 7 :40 P.M. WVIl 1 D J Marie Year n, City C erk Committee of the Whole Meeting September 27 , 1978 The Committee of the Whole Meeting was called to order by Leo Nelson, City Manager , at 7 : 05 P.M. , in the Council Conference Room of City Hall . Members present : Councilmen Barnes , Gilliam, Hill , Kirkland , Nelson, West and Mayor Verbic. Also present: Marie Yearman, City Clerk, Erwin Jentsch, Corporation Counsel and members of staff . Discussion re proposed ordinance restricting parking on St . Charles , Arlington and May Streets . Mr. Nelson advised the Council that letters had been sent out to all the residents in this area and there was strong opposition from the people attending the Epworth United Methodist Church. Mr . Nelson stated that this situation could be compromised by amending the proposed ordinance to reducing the restriction on May Street from 135 feet to 70 feet and on Arlington from 190 feet to 80 feet. Mr . Nelson further stated that the parking must be restricted because of the new traffic signal function . The Council approved this amendment . Discussion re memorandum from Councilman Herb Hill relative to issuance of revenue bonds to provide funds for residential mortgages . Councilman Hill stated that he did not think the City of Elgin should consider the City of Chicago offering as a model for residential mortgages and Elgin should first look to its respective needs . Chicago' s plan is simply a carrot to help convince families in the upper middle and upper class to remain in the City. Councilman Hill proposed the issuance of $ 10, 000, 000 tax exempt mortgage and rehabilitation general obligation bonds , the proceeds of which could be used primarily to make mortgage loans available to families with annual incomes up to $20,000 or $25 ,000, and to provide rehabilitation loans . This would help people who are locked out of housing because of their financial incomes . Councilman Hill stated that unless this can be developed to serve a worthwhile public service, we should not go any further with it . Committee of the Whole Meeting September 27 , 1978 Page 2 The Council indicated that this plan had merit but requested that the Planning Department give some imput and that Paul Speer & Associates give their opinion. Mr. Nelson stated he would bring this proposal back to the Council with the requested information. In-Downtown Elgin Association New Outreach Program. The Council reviewed a letter and memorandum which explained the new outreach program which will be operating in the downtown area to assist merchants and the Police Department with people who have behavioral problems of a non-criminal nature. 0- District Zoning Mr. Nelson advised the Council that this matter had been through the Land Use Committee and asked if the Council would like to review it before it was placed on the Council Agenda. The Council requested that this matter be placed on the October 4th Committee of the Whole Meeting for review. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Committee of the Whole, the meeting was adjourned at 7 :40 P.M. Marie Year an, City Clerk C 't It Committee of the Whole Meeting October 4, 1978 The Committee of the Whole Meeting was called to order by Leo Nelson , City Manager , at 7 : 10 P.M. , in the Council Conference Room of City Hall . Members present: Councilmen Barnes , Gilliam, Hill , Kirkland, Nelson, West and Mayor Verbic. Also present : Marie Yearman, City Clerk, Erwin Jentsch, Corporation Counsel and members of staff . Discussion re proposal to rezone to 0-Limited Office District various areas in the City of Elgin. The Council reviewed a map showing the proposed areas recommended by the Community Development to be rezoned to 0-Limited Office District . Nine areas in the first proposal were withdrawn and the Lane Use Committee recommended denial of six additional areas . Councilman Hill asked what the present zoning in Area C was , and Rob Roll stated it was B- 1 . Councilman Hill asked if we change that from B- 1 to 0 what is the likelihood of the owner rgoing to court. Counsel Jentsch stated that is always the theory in any zoning case. Councilman West stated that we asked for transitional zoning to maintain residential character of the neighborhood and Area C would fall outside the scope of our intent . Attorney Wittenstrom stated the Anderson property at McLean and Wing has been zoned commercial for 50 years and this change would reduce its uses from 35 to 7. Mr . Wittenstrom also stated that presently this land is under option for a drive- inn bank site and if the property is rezoned it would terminate this option. Ron Roll stated that it was critical that this property come under special use. Councilman Kirkland stated he did not think it was right to downgrade property and he did not understand why the Bazos property would be zoned 0 while the law firm of Geister , Schnell , Richards & Brown across the street would not have the same zoning. Don Wagner stated that Mr. Bazos had represented to the Council that he was willing to have his property zoned 0 when he petitioned the City for a special use. Committee ober 4, f Whole Meeting Page 2 r Mr . Wagner further stated that the Land Use Committee voted against the staff ' s recommendations at any time an objection to changing the zoning was made. Mr. Wagner urged the Council to approve all of the staff ' s recommendations . Elmer Getz, a realtor , stated that by carrying out this extensive rezoning the city could destroy confidence in the zoning ordinance. Don Potuznik, a realtor, stated that a lot of people along Villa had held on to their property as an investment and they could lose a lot of money . Councilman West stated that he thought it restores confidence in the zoning procedures for people who want to buy a residence with some assurance that the neighborhood will retain its same character. Mayor Verbic and Councilman Gilliam felt the Council should review this area by area. Mr. Nelson stated that this should be decided when the matter comes before you at a Council meeting, however, this would not be another public hearing . The Council agreed to have this matter placed on the October 25th Council Agenda. Repair of pump and motor for Well #1 at the Slade Avenue Plant. The Council approved the repair of this motor at an estimated cost of $8,645 and the repair of the pump at an estimated cost of $2,839. Roof repairs to buildings in the Public Works area. The Council approved the staff ' s recommendation to repair the roof of the Electrical Garage and Vehicle Maintenance Garage at a cost of $3, 856 and to repair the flashing on the Engineering-Police Building at a cost of $ 1 , 736 . Adj ournment There being no further business to come before the Committee of the Whole, the meeting was adjourned at 8 : 20 P.M. Marie Yea man , City Clerk Committee of the Whole Meeting October 11 , 1978 The Committee of the Whole Meeting was called to order by Leo Nelson, City Manager, at 7 : 10 P.M. , in the Council Conference Room of City Hall . Members present : Councilmen Barnes , Gilliam, Hill , Kirkland, Nelson, West and Mayor Verbic. Also present : Marie Yearman , City Clerk, Erwin Jentsch, Corporation Counsel and members of staff . Discussion re restoration of the Old Main building. Leo Nelson stated that there were four options the Council could consider: ( 1 ) Restore the exterior of the building only and use it for a historical landmark. ( 2) Restore and remodel the interior for use as a museum, under the direction of the Historical Society and allocate space to the Elgin Academy. (3) Restore the building with the original intent and convert the building into a community center for senior citizens . (4) Drop the project and give the money and building back. Mr. Nelson further stated that federal money for use on museum projects is not available but if the building was converted to a senior citizen center, between $300,000 and $750,000 was available in HCD funds . Councilman West asked if it would be possible to use it for the senior citizens and a museum. Roger Dahlstrom stated the HCD funds could only allocated to that portion used by the senior citizens . Councilman Kirkland thought in light of the costs , the senior citizen center would be the better choice and of more practical use. Councilwoman Nelson stated that she was for a museum but not at that location. Mayor Verbic thought that some people would be unhappy about using HCD funds for this project and he wondered if the enthusiam of the people would be enough to finance a museum. . L. Committee of the Whole Meeting October 11 , 1978 Page 2 r Robert Hoffer stated that he believed that funds for any good purpose are available in the City of Elgin and could be raised by someone. Mr. Hoffer stated that because of other fund raising commitments he would not have the time to raise these additional funds . Councilman Barnes stated that he was reluctant to commit HCD funds for this purpose because there have been other organizations who have asked for these funds and have been turned down. Councilman Barnes further stated he was opposed to using public money and he was willing to drop the project and return the money. Councilman Hill stated he thought we were confusing the tenants with the project and it was never a project to build a museum or a community center, either you have a feeling and a sensitivity for a historic building or you don ' t . Councilman Gilliam stated that he did not think it was practical to continue with this because it will be a constant financial drag. Don Sleeman stated that this project came out of the Bicentennial Committee because they thought it would be something that could be restored and something of value that would stay with us . The rfirst and primary object was to save the Old Main building. Charles Burnidge stated that he had emotional and financial interests in the project, and that although we have many historic homes in Elgin, the Old Main is the only building which goes back to the 1856 classical architecture. Dan Withers stated that at a previous meeting a proposal was made to restore the roof of the building with the funds on hand and it was his understanding that the Council had approved this request. Mr. Withers asked if this could be done now so the building would not go through another winter with the present roof . Mr . Nelson stated that the City has enough money now to restore the exterior and repair the roof. Mr. Nelson suggested that this work be done now and the question of tenancy taken up at a later date. Councilman Barnes and Mayor Verbic stated the exterior work is as far as they want to go at this point . Councilman Gilliam voted against this suggestion. Councilmen Hill , Kirkland , Nelson and West voted to proceed with the exterior restoration. C , Committee of the Whole Meeting October 11 , 1978 Page 3 Discussion re promotion bythe IDEA for free bus rides beginning on Tuesday, October 31 , 178 and all subsequent Tuesdays through the end of 1978. Mr. Nelson stated that coupons for the free rides would be distributed by the merchants to their customers . Following a tabulation of the coupons used during a month , the Transportation Department would bill IDEA for the rides provided. Mr. Nelson further stated that the RTA has offered to print the coupons and have a member of the Chicago Bears available to help kickoff the promotion . • The Council approved this request . Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Committee of the Whole, the meeting was adjourned at 9 : 00 P. M. r Marie Yearman , City Clerk r Committee of the Whole Meeting October 25 , 1978 The Committee of the Whole Meeting was called to order by Leo Nelson, City Manager, at 7 : 10 P.M. , in the Council Conference Room of City Hall . Members present : Councilmen Barnes , Gilliam, Hill , Kirkland, Nelson, West and Mayor Verbic. Also present : Marie Yearman, City Clerk, Erwin Jentsch, Corporation Counsel and members of staff . Third Quarterly Report by Roy Jorgensen & Associates on the Productivity Improvement Program. Mr. Brian Steerman and Mr. Bob Hanna, representatives of the Roy Jorgensen and Associates presented a slide review for the Council . Mr. Hanna stated that the design portion of the program had been completed and the plan had been implemented in the Public Works and Parks Departments . Mr. Hanna further stated that a Supervisor ' s Field Operations Manual had been developed and these were passed out for the Council ' s review. rik Phil Bennett stated the program had been going very well in his department and was beginning to show ways of substantial savings . Everything we do is down in black and white and we now have performance levels that everybody understands . This has been a real morale booster and I am very pleased. Mel Dahl stated that his people were enthused because of their imput into the project. It is not only a cost savings , its a good management tool . Mr. Nelson stated that these work standards have been worked out jointly with the project developer, supervisors and crews , and they hope to have a work schedule for 1979 by January, 1979. Mr. Nelson further stated that three men had been deleted in Streets and we should realize substantial savings when we get into the 1979 budget. Discussion re proposed amendment to Title 13 of the Elgin Municipal Code relative to the repair of driveway approaches . Mr. Nelson stated there had been problems with people who treat their driveway approaches as an extension of their driveways and when repairing their driveways they asphalt over the concete approach. The Engineering Department has suggested that if the existing driveway approach will make a satisfactory base for resurfacing, the City could permit a minimum 12 asphalt overlay . The Council approved the proposed amendment . Committee of the Whole Meeting October 25 , 1978 Page 2 Discussion re designation of Council member as the voting delegate for the National League of Cities Meeting to be held in St . Louis . Mayor Verbic indicated the City was entitled to two votes at this meeting. Councilman West stated that this voting takes place after all the sessions have been completed and it is held on the last night of the convention. Councilman West thought it would be too expensive to have to stay another night in order to cast the two votes . The Council agreed they would make this designation among themselves . Discussion re easement for Bueche' s Mobile Home Park The Council approved a temporary easement for Bueche ' s Mobile Home Park in order to permit the extension of the park ' s septic until such time as a sanitary sewer is available to the park. Miscellaneous Discussion Water Department Mr. Nelson advised the Council that five Wells have gone down at various times and it was necessary to make an emergency purchase of one pump for $6600.00 . There is an estimated cost of $ 15 ,000 to repair one G .E . Motor which has proved to be insufficient . Mr . Nelson recommended the purchase of a Byrun Jackson pump at a cost of $22,600 as an alternative to repairing the G .E . pump. The Council approved the purchase of the Byrun Jackson pump. Dedication of Kimball Street Bridge The Council agreed to go ahead with with a dedication program for the opening of the Kimball Street Bridge on November 11th. Change in date of Council meeting. The Council agreed to hold the November 22nd Council meeting on Tuesday, November 21st , because of the Thanksgiving Holiday. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Committee of the Whole, the meeting was adjourned at 10: 30 P.M. C Marie Yearman, City Clerk Committee of the Whole Meeting November 1 , 1978 The Committee of the Whole Meeting was called to order by Leo Nelson, City Manager, at 7 : 05 P.M. , in the Council Conference Room of City Hall . Members present : Councilmen Barnes , Gilliam, Hill , Kirkland, Nelson, West and Mayor Verbic. Absent : None. Also present : Marie Yearman, City Clerk, Erwin Jentsch, Corporation Counsel and members of Staff. Discussion re development of Elgin State Hospital property. Mr. Nelson introduced Mr. Tony Bauer and Mr. Robert Klink of Design Enterprise Services and Mr. Joseph Pavoni of Ten Ech Environmental Consultants . Mr. Tony Bauer conducted a slide presentation outlining a two year planning process for starting and sustaining a mining or landfill operation. Mr. Bauer stated that once soil and other materials are dug up in the mining process , it could be distributed to shape the area according to specifications for a park. If a mining operation were possible, it would be necessary to develop ways to screen the structures from surrounding neighborhoods . Mr . Bauer further stated that a mining operation on 250 acres that lasted 22 years and dug down about 30 feet could raise about $ 1 ,960, 200. These figures are conservative and are only hypothetical since there has been no study. Mr. Pavoni pointed out the need for landfill sites but it would have to be determined whether or not the land is over a water source. Mr. Bauer stated that if the City proceeded with the project , a mining operation could be set up by 1981 . The Council stated they would like to re-read the proposal and discuss it further. Discussion re request for funds to restore a 1869 Silsby steam operated fire pump. Virgil Beard, Dean Smith and Harley Olson appeared before the Council and requested the sum of $ 1000.00 to restore the subject fire pump. Mr. Beard stated that a lot of volunteer money and time had been expended on this project. Mr. Beard said that once the pump was restored it could be used in parades and for public viewing at Station #4. The Council approved the request for $ 1000.00 Committee of the Whole Meeting November 1 , 1978 Page 2 Discussion of the proposed parking restrictions at the intersection of St. Charles and May Streets . Mr. Nelson stated that the Engineering Department had reviewed the proposed parking restrictions and had met with Mr. Ted Ackeman, who was representing the Epworth Methodist Church. The proposed alternative would eliminate 21 spaces instead of 39. Gary Miller did not feel these people would be pleased with any plan that might be suggested and he pointed out that the cost of placing a timer on the signal would be $250.00. The Council directed that the ordinance be rewritten to include alternate 2 and placed on the next Council agenda. Discussion re restricted parking in certain parking lots during the Christmas shopping season. Mr. Nelson stated that the In-Downtown Elgin Association was again asking for restricted parking during the Christmas shopping season. Mr. Nelson further stated that in the past the lots at Chicago and Spring and under the Spiess deck had been closed until 9:00 A.M. during this shopping season . The Council suggested the City handle this as they had done in the past. Request from League of Women Voters Mr. Nelson stated that this organization had requested the sum of $300.00 to help finance the publication of booklets listing all the government agencies in the Fox Valley area The Council approved this request . Water Treatment Plant Mr . Nelson advised the Council that the plans for the plant were completed, subject to the approval of the State. Mr. Nelson stated we will not bid all the facilities at one time and we did not intend to bid the intake structure to the river. Mr. Nelson said it would be better to do this when the plant is being built . Councilman Gilliam and Mayor Verbic thought it might be wise to see what the cost factor would be. Bridge Dedication Mr. Nelson advised the Council the Kimball Street Bridge Dedication would be held on Saturday, November 11th, at 11 : 30 A.M. Committee of the Whole Meeting November 1 , 1978 Page 3 C Review of Comprehensive Plan Don Wagnor advised the Council that because of a number of time consuming requests by the Council and the Planning and Land Use Committees his department has not been able to achieve the percentage of staff involvement he had indicated as a minimum to complete the study. Mr. Wagner stated he was reviewing and editing the final drafts of the Population and Housing Reports and he hoped to get copies to the City Council in November . Budget Review Meetings Mr. Nelson stated the staff had managed to reduce property taxes six or seven per cent in the proposed budget which is in keeping with the Council ' s request . The proposed reduction would be made possible by transferring $300, 00 of the City' s federal revenue sharing money to the corporate bond fund for use in retiring City debts from municipal bond issues . However, Mr. Nelson pointed out that using revenue sharing money to eliminate a portion of the real estate tax levy needed for paying off bonds may have to stop if Congress eliminates the revenue sharing program. Mr. Nelson further stated that he is comfortable with the budget for next year and feels as good about this budget as any in recent years . The Council agreed to meet on Monday, November 6th at 6 : 00 P.M. , and Thursday, November 9th at 7 : 30 P.M. , to review the budget . Adj ournment There being no further business to come before the Committee of the Whole, the meeting was adjourned at 9 : 50 P.M. cxyck.n 4 irA arae Yea1i-man, City Clerk C Committee of the Whole Meeting November 8, 1978 The Committee of the Whole Meeting was called to order by Leo Nelson , City Manager, at 7 : 10 P.M. , in the Council Conference Room of City Hall . Members present : Councilmen Barnes , Gilliam, Hill , Kirkland, Nelson, West and Mayor Verbic. Also present : Marie Yearman , City Clerk, Erwin Jentsch , Corporation Counsel and members of staff . Discussion re re9uest from the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce to continue funding of the Visitor Convention Program. Leo Nelson stated that the Chamber of Commerce was requesting funding of the Visitor Convention Program for 1979 and the budget had provided for a 50% funding. Mr. Nelson stated that Liz Leibert and Ed Kelly from the Association were present and would respond to any questions the Council might have. Councilman Gilliam asked if this was the same amount of funding they received last year. Mr . Nelson stated they were given $20, 500 last year. Liz Liebert pointed out that as of September, 1978, a total of $ 1 ,494, 200 was attributable to successful conventions and meetings, and that as a result of a survey ,our area attractions and local motels reflect an increase of $ 1 , 361 , 000 as of August 30, 1978. Chief Van De Voorde stated that the Fire Chiefs , State of Illinois, were holding their meeting here this year and it is hoped they will bring their 1979 meeting to Elgin. Mayor Verbic thought it was important to proceed with the funding because of the potential sales tax. Councilman Barnes thought it would be a good idea to try and schedule shows at the Hemmens when a convention is here. Liz Liebert stated she would work with Don Smith on this . The Council approved the funding for 1979. Discussion re recommendation from the Hemmens Advisory Board relative to serving alcoholic beverages at the Hemmens Building. Mr. Nelson stated that this was passed on to -Council as an informational item. Mr. Nelson stated the staff needed to do some legal research relative to dram shop coverage and when this information was available he would ask Mr. Skelly to be present. Committee of the Whole Meeting November 8, 1978 Page 2 Councilman Hill thought the Board' s report tends to limit the scope of alcoholic use, and he asked that the legal department research the matter and find a simple way to handle the dram shop coverage. Mr . Nelson stated he would bring this matter back to the Council . Discussion re proposed reimbursement ordinance for the Poplar Creek-Lovell Roadsanitarysewer extension. The Council reviewed a recommendation from Gary Miller for a reimbursement ordinance for the sanitary sewer which was constructed to serve the Jerry Biggers dealership on Route 19. Councilman Barnes asked what the average cost would be to the homeowner. Mr. Miller stated it would probably average $ 1500.00 for a single family residence plus they would have to pay to have the line extended up to the residence. The Council directed that this ordinance be placed on the next Council agenda. Discussion re proeosed repairs to Well #2 at Slade Avenue and Well #5A at Airlite Street . The Council approved a new cable at a cost of $ 10,880 for the Slade Avenue Well and the bailing of sand at the Airlite Well . Discussion re proposed change in the parking ticket collection procedures . Mr. Nelson stated that there had been many problems for the financial institutions and the City in the handling of parking ticket collections . The new tickets have no indication that they many be paid at any of the financial institutions and a letter would be directed to the financial institutions informing them that as of December 1 , 1978, the banks and savings and loan associations will no longer be authorized to receive these tickets . The Council approved the new collection procedure. Discussion re request for funds from the Kane County Development Department to support the Fox River Mayors Committee. Mayor Verbic stated that this may be just another duplicate of many studies being made and he wondered about the advisability of spending this money. The Council agreed not to contribute to this study. Committee of the Whole Meeting November 8, 1978 C Page 3 Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Committee of the Whole, the meeting was adjourned at 7 :45 P.M. 1 .3 Marie Yearm n, City Clerk r r COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING November 15, 1978 The Committee of the Whole Meeting was called to order by City Manager Leo Nelson on Wednesday, November 15, 1978 at 7:05 p.m., in the Council Conference Room of City Hall. Members Present: Councilmen Barnes, Gilliam, Hill, Kirkland, Nelson and Mayor Verbic. Absent: Councilman West. Also present were: City Manager Leo Nelson, Acting City Clerk Nancy Johnson, and members of staff. Progress Report from the Elgin Economic Development Committee Edward Kelly, Executive Vice-President of the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce, advised the Council of the progress of the Elgin Economic Development Committee, which included the creation of 180 additional jobs annually through new industry, and the creation of 620 jobs annually through expansion of existing firms. Mr. Kelly stated that 24 firms have shown an interest in Elgin, with most of the prospects desiring from 1,000 to 7,000 square feet. Elgin Oaks and Miller Davis Industrial Park will reflect the greatest growth with several new companies under construction. Proposed Parking Restriction at the Intersection of St. Charles, Arlington and May Streets An ordinance was again proposed to prohibit parking on St. Charles Street, west side, from May Street to 190 feet north of May Street; St. Charles Street, east side, from May Street to 30 feet south of May Street; May Street, north side, from St. Charles Street to 70 feet east of St. Charles Street; and Arlington Avenue, west side, from St. Charles Street to 70 feet north of St. Charles Street. The Reverend Lunsford of the Epworth Methodist Church expressed his apprecia- tion to members of the staff for working with him on the proposed ordinance to cause the loss of 14 spaces, as opposed to the original proposal of 39 spaces. The Council agreed to have this matter placed on the November 21 Council agenda. Review of Bids for Installation of Watermain along Lincoln Avenue Mr. Nelson stated the bid for the watermain came in at $89,000, which is $12,500 higher than the City's estimate. This additional cost is due to two 16 inch valves costing more than the City anticipated and the City's underestimate for trench backfill material. Mr. Nelson recommended the project be approved as the cost will rise substantially if the City waits until spring. The Council concurred. Proposed Parking Restriction on the East Side of North Spring Street The Council reviewed a proposal of the Traffic Committee to remove parking on the east side of North Spring Street between Kimball and Cherry Streets. Mr. Nelson suggested an alternative to the prohibiting of parking would be to paint stalls and a center line on North Spring Street, which may help by encouraging people to park closer to the curb, creating freer movement of traffic. November 15, 1978 Suggestions from council members included taking a survey of residents in the neighborhood and inviting the residents to a committee of the whole meeting prior to making a decision to get their input regarding the parking restriction. It was the concensus of the Council to conduct a survey of the area residents. Letter from the Elgin Area Historical Society The Elgin Area Historical Society directed a letter to Mr. Nelson expressing their desire to utilize the "Old Main" building as a museum. The Society asks that Charles Burnidge provide an estimate of the cost of renovating the building and providing the first floor as usable space for a museum. Further action is contingent upon the estimate provided to the Society. No action of the Council is necessary. Proposed Projects to be Funded by the 1979 Housing and Community Development Block Grant Funds Mr. Nelson presented the City Council with a memorandum outlining the activities eligible for funding under the H.C.D. grant. These activities included Compre- hensive Planning, Miscellaneous Sidewalk and Curb Repair, State Street Storm Sewer, Kimball Street Resurfacing, Kimball-Dundee Intersection and Opti-com System. George VanDeVoorde explained Opti-com as a system to provide overrides of traffic signals for emergency vehicles. These activities will be presented at the public hearing scheduled for December 9, 1978 before the Planning Committee. Proposed Burglar-Fire Alarm System The Council reviewed the proposals of ADT Security Systems and Sherman-Comstock Detection Systems for burglar-fire alarm systems. The Council agreed to have this matter placed on the November 21 Council agenda and to delay billing until next year. Final Budget Review, Including Replacement of Rescue Unit #4 Due to the fact that the Council is scheduled to meet to discuss the 1979 budget at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 18, this item was rescheduled to that date. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Committee of the Whole, the meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m. J Nancy Johns nA ting City Clerk r + Committee of the Whole Meeting November 21 , 1978 The Committee of the Whole Meeting was called to order by City Manager, Leo Nelson, on Tuesday, November 21 , 1978, at 7: 05 P.M. , in the Council Conference Room of City Hall . Members Present : Councilmen Barnes , Hill , Kirkland, Nelson, West and Mayor Verbic. Absent : Councilman Gilliam. Also present : Marie Yearman, City Clerk, Erwin Jentsch, Corporation Counsel and members of staff. Discussion re installation of storm sewer on Big Timber Road. Mr. Nelson advised the Council of the need for the installation of approximately 1350 feet of 36" storm sewer on the south side of Big Timber Road, east and west of Todd Farm Drive. Mr. Nelson stated that this installation would have been made a part of the intersection improvement at McLean and Big Timber. Funds for this project were included in the last bond issue and the County will contribute $3 ,000 towards the project. Mr. Nelson further stated that although there was not enough time to advertise bids , the staff did send requests to four contractors requesting they submit a proposal to install the sewer. The Council reviewed copies of three proposals from Gluth Bros . , $58,491 . 50; Illinois Hydraulic, $60, 570. 25 and E . M. Melahn, $66 ,621 . 00. Modern Sewer did not submit a proposal due to their work load. The Council requested that this bid be included on the Council Agenda for tonight ' s meeting. Participation of Elected Officials in I .M.R. F . Mr. Nelson stated that Councilman Gilliam had requested that we go through this section. The Council reviewed a staff memorandum which pointed out that if an elected official elected to participate in IMRF they would require performance of duty for 600 hours or more per year and be under the age of 60. The individual contribution rate would be 42% and the City ' s would be 7. 7%. Mr. Nelson stated that if the Council were interested the staff would go into this further. The Council asked that the matter be tabled at this time. Miscellaneous Discussion Kimball St. Bridge Councilman West asked if the five tone load limit on the Kimball Street Bridge should be repealed. Mr. Nelson stated that an ordinance to accomplish this would be prepared. Committee of the Whole Meeting November 21 , 1978 Page 2 Change in date for Committee of the Whole Meeting. The Council agreed to meet on December 7th instead of December 6th. The New Birth Agency has planned a Roast honoring Councilman Gilliam on December 6th, 6 : 30 P.M. , at the Elgin Ramada Inn. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Committee of the Whole, the meeting was adjourned at 7 : 25 P.M. 1n.1uA_J �,C�i Marie Yearma , City Clerk r r Committee of the Whole Meeting December 7 , 1978 The Committee of the Whole Meeting was called to order by City Manager , Leo Nelson, on Thursday, December 7, 1978, at 7 :05 P.M. , in the Council Conference Room of City Hall . Members present : Councilmen Barnes , Gilliam, Hill , Kirkland , Nelson, West and Mayor Verbic. Absent None. Also present : Marie Yearman, City Clerk, Erwin Jentsch, Corporation Counsel and members of staff. Discussion re proposal for development of the Elgin Mental Health Center property being purchased by the city. Mr. James R. Dunn, Chairman of the Dunn Geoscience Corporation, reviewed with the Council the four steps outlined in the written proposal from his company to the city, including : Task I - determination of location, quantity and quality ; determination of the types of land uses that might be most compatible with the underlying materials and with the final land shape. Mr. Dunn stated that his best estimate at this time is that 300 feet of drilling in the small area of the kames and 200 feet of additional drilling over the property should be enough to determine the subsurface conditions . Testing, Cross-Sections through the sand and gravel deposits will be drawl showing the topography, distribution of the sand and gravel and the configuration of the base of the deposit. Survey drill site locations will be surveyed and plotted on the topographic map. Estimated volumes, from the cross-sections , and using standard procedures , the volume of sand and gravel will be determined. Task II - to determine the type of reclamation plan which would be most reasonable considering the configuration of the deposit . A draft plan would be drawn so that general concepts of planning for the use of the land during and after the mining can be made. Task III - to obtain enough market data to determine what sort of royalty or other arrangement is most reasonable with a producer for this deposit . Task IV - based on the nature of the reserves , the reclamation plan and the market analysis we will determine the structure of an agreement with a producer. Mr. Dunn ' s proposal cited the following cost review: Task I $ 19, 709 Task II 5,649 Task III 5 , 358 Task IV 5 , 933 $36 ,649 Committee of the Whole Meeting December 7, 1978 "'' Page 2 Councilman Hill asked Mr. Dunn if this was not a suitable site would you know early so all this money would not be spent. Mr. Dunn stated this operation could be terminated after the first phase but that it looked like there was good quantity and quality out there. Mr. Nelson stated that three gravel companies had contacted the city and were very interested in talking with us . Councilman Barnes asked if it would be possible to use some of the land while this operation is going on. Mr. Dunn stated that this could be done , the land could be used for a park or other uses . Mayor Verbic asked if any part of the land planning was included in this operation. Mr . Dunn stated they could not make any plans until they knew what can be done with it and what plan the City has for it. The Council and City Manager thanked Mr. Dunn for his presentation. Discussion re City ' s role in an effort to coordinate para- transit services. The Council reviewed a staff recommendation that the City sponsor a Service Development Grant with the RTA to enable the Kane County Community Action Agency, Dial -A-Ride program to expand its service in the Elgin area. Councilman Barnes asked how many vehicles were being dicussed. Mr. Moller stated, two in operation and two for backup. Councilman Barnes asked if there would be any liability on the City' s part. Mr. Moller stated, only what we build into it . Mr. Jack McMahon of KCCAA, also known as Plus Inc. , stated that they are presently operating one vehicle now and two in the summer , but there is a definite need for more. The new bus will have a wheelchair lift with space for two wheelchairs . Mayor Verbic asked what kind of a budget the agency had and Mr. McMahon stated that $70,000 is a ball park figure. Mayor Verbic asked if they provide Sunday service. Mr. McMahon stated not as yet but that the RTA was making a survey and this may be provided at a later date. Mr. Nelson stated in order to be eligible for RTA funding a preliminary application must be filed with the RTA by December 15, 1978. The Council approved going ahead with the application. Committee of the Whole Meeting December 7, 1978 Page 3 Discussion re consideration of a policy to permit leaf burning. Mr. Nelson stated that some members of the Council had requested information on how the City might offset the cost of the method now being used to dispose of leaves . Mr. Nelson pointed out that some cities have authorized the burning of leaves on certain days and at certain times, giving those who do not want to burn the option of bagging the leaves . Councilwoman Nelson stated that she had received a telephone call from Shirley Simon who opposed the burning of leaves. Councilman Gilliam asked if the city would realize a savings of $50,000 by burning the leaves . Mr. Nelson stated he would not say we could save $50,00 but the city would realize some savings . Mr. Nelson stated that the real question is do we want it . Councilman Hill suggested that the staff draw up several ordinances for the Council ' s review. Mr. Nelson stated that the staff has obtained ordinances from several communities and had also requested material from the American Lung Association, which had not been received as yet. Councilman Barnes , West and Nelson stated they would be interested in seeing some additional information. Chief Van De Voorde stated that he had checked with the Fire Chief of Wheaton who advised they had a lot of smoke but no difficulties. Chief Van De Voorde said he would like to see the burnings supervised. The staff will bring this matter back to the Council with more detailed information. Discussion re the report submitted by the Elgin Housing Task Force. Mr. Nelson stated that Mr. Mike Kiser, Sara Daniel and Walter Blalark were present tonight if the Council had any questions on the report submitted by the Elgin Housing Task Force. Councilman Gilliam cited the following from the subject report : "The City of Elgin Rehabilitation Program suggers from lack of information and misinformation. " Mr. Kiser stated that the committee got imput that people eligible for the program did not understand the procedure. Councilman Barnes felt this was a lack of communication and not misinformation on the part of the City. Mr. Nelson stated that several hundred letters had been sent Committee of the Whole Meeting December 7, 1978 Page 4 out asking people to informative meetings but they had been poorly attended. Mr. Nelson stated that a survey is presently being made through the Eastside Neighbor Group to determine what some of the problems are. Councilman Kirkland cited the following from the subject report : "There are insufficient economic resources for public housing" . Mr. Kiser stated that this program pertains to code problems and the committee felt there were appearance problems . Don Wagner stated that the program is geared to code violations . Mr. Nelson advised the Council that they could change the program if they wanted to. Councilman Gilliam stated that he thought in some cases siding would be helpful to upgrading the neighborhood. Mr. Nelson asked if we should try to broaden the program. Councilman West suggested that the staff come back with suggestions that would broaden the program. Mr. Nelson asked if we could use HCD funds to rehabilitate public housing units . Mr. Wager stated that this could be done. Councilman Gilliam stated that if we have the money we should fix the public housing units up because they are a real eye sore. Councilman Barnes asked if we are moving away from the one census tract area. Mr. Wagner stated that next summer people outside the target area may apply for funds. Councilman Barnes stated that the Council owes a debt of gratitude to Mike and the people who have worked on this . Discussion re Traffic Committee recommendation to prohibit truck traffic on Lawrence Avenue between State Street and McLean and McClure Avenue between Highland Avenue and Wing Street. Mr. Nelson stated that truck drivers have started using Lawrence and McClure to avoid the construction at Larking and Highland. The Traffic Committee has recommended that Lawrence Avenue from McLean Blvd. to State Street and McClure Avenue between Highland Avenue and Wing Street be posted for a 5 ton load limit. The Council approved this recommendation. Committee of the Whole Meeting December 7, 1978 Page 5 Discussion re Traffic Committee recommendation to prohibit parking on Garden Crescent Drive from Wing Street from Pioneer Park Place to Cypress Square. Mr. Nelson stated that over the last several years some of the residents have asked for this restriction and it presently has become a majority decision with the people out there. The Council approve the committee ' s recommendation. Discussion re recommendation to erohibit parking on the north side of Highland Avenue from Hamilton Avenue to Vincent Place. Mr. Nelson stated that because of the newly constructed trianglular mountable median at Larkin and Highland it was necessary to eliminate parking at this location. The Council approved this recommendation. Consideration of exercising a local oetion to opt out of the exemption of sales tax on goods used in manufacturing authorized in Senate Bill 736 . Mr. Nelson stated that we do not have a great deal of information at this point and the staff recommends that we opt out until we have further information. It is possible to opt out now and change this later on. The Council agreed to opt out at the present time. Discussion re proeosed ordinance amending an ordinance providing for emergency towing and the towing of abandoned vehicles . Mr. Nelson stated this amendment just reduces the size of the vehicles and allows anyone towing for us to conform to the ordinance. The Council approved this amendment . Miscellaneous Discussion Sherman Hospital Petition for Special Use The Council reviewed a memorandum from Ery Jentsch relative to Sherman Hospital ' s petition for a special use. 1979 Budget changes Mr. Nelson advised the Council that the State Street Storm Sewer project has been taken out of the budget because it will qualify for HCD funds. Mr. Nelson stated that the $25,000 appropriated for the storm sewer could provide funding for the pedestrian bridge in Lord ' s Park ( $ 15 , 000) and the Poplar Creed levee ( $ 10,000) . Councilman Barnes and Mel Dahl thought the estimate of $ 15,000 for the pedestrian bridge was too high. Committee of the Whole Minutes December 7, 1978 Page 6 rMr. Nelson stated that Phil Bennett was not present but Mr . Bennett had informed him that he was given this figure by the Engineering Department . Mel Dahl stated he would check into this matter. Snow Plowing Mr. Nelson stated that because of the heavy snow fall it was impossible for the city crews to keep up with their present staff and equipment. Mr . Nelson suggested using local contractors to clean out the parking lots and downtown area which would give the city people more time to do the streets and problem areas . The Council approved this recommendation. Willow Lakes Estates Group Ery Jentsch informed the Council that Jim Binninger had been working with a group from William Lakes Estates who are interested in limiting the rights of the landlord with respect to eviction. This group has been informed by the legal department that this type of legislation does not fall within the jurisdiction of a municipality. rBab Malm stated this group still feels the Council should remedy their situation by an ordinance. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Committee of the Whole , the meeting was adjourned at 9 : 25 P.M. ‘iaJq14,-- 0.-a-4A._./ Marie Yearn , City Clerk i-e--eit--9E-4/r r Committee of the Whole Meeting December 13 , 1978 The Committee of the Whole Meeting was called to order by Leo Nelson, City Manager, on Wednesday, December 13 , 1978, at 7 : 10 P.M. , in the Council Conference Room of City Hall . Members present : Councilmen Barnes , Gilliam, Hill , Kirkland, Nelson, West and Mayor Verbic. Absent : None. Also present: Leo Nelson, City Manager, Marie Yearman, City Clerk, Erwin Jentsch, Corporation Counsel and members of staff . Review relative to final plans for the new water treatment plant . Bob Renfrow of Black and Veatch outlined three alternatives to the Council . One alternative estimated to cost approximately 14. 7 million dollars , would rely entirely on the Fox River as a water supply. A second alternative calling for the drilling of three deep wells would cost approximately 15 million, would rely only on the deep wells . The last alternative, which would cost approximately 16 million, would combine the two approaches . Councilman Barnes asked if Alternate 1 were chosen what point in time would it be operative. Mr. Renfrow stated in 1981 . Councilman Barnes asked at what point in time could river water be used. Mr. Nelson stated that the Environmental Protection Agency had approved the water quality a year ago and had recently reaffirmed that finding . A permit for this use would need to be secured before putting out the bids . Councilman Hill asked which one of the alternatives was the recommendation of Black & Veatch . Mr . Renfrow stated that their position is still the same as when they presented the original report in 1975 and that is the river water is an acceptable source and should be used. Mr . Renfrow suggested that alternate 1 be used or alternate 3 . Mr . Nelson stated that a decision must be reached soon about whether the construction should be bid including a pre-sedimentation basin. Councilman Hill thought it would be better to rely on the present wells and invest in the river intake under alternate 1 . Committee of the Whole Meeting Page 2 December 13 , 1978 Mayor Verbic agreed stated the intake should be inclued because we can not be sure the wells will provide an adequate supply of water . Councilman Barnes stated that we must prepare for use of the river water. The balance of the Council agreed to bid alternate 1 . Proposed electric service to the new water treatment plant . The staff advised the Council that a second feeder will be needed for the new water treatment plant . The cost of this feeder is $ 19, 300. The Council approved the staff ' s recommendation . Proposal to desi?n Phase II of the St . Charles Park on the Lincoln Schbol Site. The Council reviewed an agreement with McFadzean and Everly for the design of Phase II of the St . Charles Park. Mr. Nelson advised the Council that Phase I had been bid and awarded and the staff was anxious to bid this in the Spring. Mr . Nelson indicated there was some possibility that the same contractor would get the whole project. Mr. Nelson further advised that one neighborhood meeting was held and 14 or 15 people were present . Another meeting has been scheduled and from the telephone calls received it looks like more people will attend this meeting and give more imput . Mr . Nelson asked the Council if they would approve asking the neighbors about a name for the park. The Council approved the agreement with McFadzean and Everly and felt the neighbors imput was important . Proposal from Klaucens & Associates to design the baseball field lighting system at Wing Park. The Council approved this proposal which has a not to exceed cost of $4, 500. 00. Proposal to vacate a utility easement across property owned by the Elgin Sweeper Company. Mr. Nelson stated that the Elgin Sweeper Company had requested this easement . The staff advised the utility easement is not being used and they see no future need for it . The staff has recommended vacation of the easement . The Council approved the staff ' s recommendation. Committee of the Whole Meeting Page 3 December 13 , 1978 r A Memorandum from Ed Kelly of the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce requesting the city to exempt manufacturers from the local sales tax on the purchase of machinery and equipment . Mr. Nelson stated this was an informational item he was passing on to the Council . Park Master Plan Mr. Nelson stated that this Plan is being reviewed by the various City Boards and he wondered which Board the Council would expect to give a recommendation. The Parks Board, the Planning Committee or the Beautification Commission. Councilman West stated he thought this recommendation should come from the Parks Board. Councilman Barnes agreed stating that this is their responsibility and if this was taken away they would wonder why they are a Board. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Committee of the Whole, the meeting was adjourned at 9 : 00 P.M. arae an City Clerk r C" Committee of the Whole Meeting December 20, 1978 The Committee of the Whole Meeting was called to order by Leo Nelson, City Manager , on Wednesday, December 20, 1978, at 7 : 00 P.M. , in the Council Conference Room of City Hall . Members present : Councilmen Barnes, Gilliam, Hill , Kirkland, Nelson, West and Mayor Verbic . Absent : None. Also present : Marie Yearman, City Clerk, Jim Binninger, Assistant Corporation Counsel and members of staff . Discussion re additional contribution from the City for the development of Varsity Drive. Bob Schroeder, Bob Small , Joe Horace and Joe Whalen were present representing the developers of the property adjacent to the proposed extension of Varsity Drive. Leo Nelson stated that the Council had agreed to build the bridge for the project and had allocated $75 ,000 to the 1979 budget for this purpose. However, since that time soil problems have been discovered and the State is requiring the r widening of Route 19 for a deceleration lane, which is estimated to cost $50,000. The City has attempted to have the State reduce their requirements or participate in the cost , but the State is negative to both proposals . In view of the additional costs involved the developers are asking the City for additional participation. Mr. Horace pointed out that this would be the first major through street on the east side and it would have a significant public benefit for people between Route #19 and #20 , and it would also relieve traffic on Lovell and Willard. Mr. Horace further stated that there are automobile agencies still located on South Grove Avenue who are looking for relocation areas and this area could offer the finest concentrated automobile center . Mr. Nelson stated that because of the unsuitable soil conditions it would be necessary to redesign the bridge at an estimated cost of $53 , 200 in addition to the original figure of $75,000. Councilman Barnes did not feel that Rakow & Associates provided very good service when the City hired them to do the original design for the bridge and they failed to determine the unsuitable soil conditions at that time. Mr . Whalen stated that the $ 150,000 the developers are asking the City to spend is small potatoes compared to the sales tax that is being collected. Mr. Horace stated that unless this space is provided for more auto dealers and merchants dealing in related products they will be forced to go beyond Lovell Road to the east . Mr. Horace pointed out that he was sure there was more sales tax revenue Committee of the Whole Meeting December 20, 1978 Page 2 generated from the sale of automobiles than there was from the entire downtown business area. Councilman West stated that the City could not afford to lose this substantial amount of sales tax. Councilman Barnes thought the City should agree to pay the additional amount because it had been done before in terms of public benefit . Councilwoman Nelson stated she was in favor of paying the additional amount. Councilman Gilliam thought the City should wait until they had some firm cost figures from Rakow. Mayor Verbic stated that before making any decision he would like to have some firm figures on the estimate of the bridge cost. Mr . Nelson stated that he could bring the matter back to the Council in one week with a better estimate of the cost. Development of Willard Avenue Storm Water Detention Area. The Council reviewed an agreement with Everett Scheflow Engineers for the design of the Willard Avenue storm water detention area and agreed to have same put on the next Council agenda for formal action. Parks Master Plan developed by McFadzean and Everly . The Council requested that a review of the Parks Master Plan be scheduled for a meeting in January. The Committee of the Whole Meeting was adjourned at 8 :00 P.M. , for a public hearing on the 1979 Budget and the use of General Revenue Sharing funds . The Committee of the Whole Meeting was reconvened at 9 : 55 P.M. Discussion re two proposals received for the development of the Elgin Mental Health Center Property. Mr. Nelson asked the Council if they were ready to make a decision on the two proposals or if there were any comments . Mr. Nelson also pointed out that although Mr. Dunn is a geologist he would have to farm out the reclamation plan and the City should ask him for a list of any referrals he might suggest for this work. Committee of the Whole Meeting December 20, 1978 Page 3 Councilman Hill asked if there were any staff recommendations , and stated that he was more impressed with Dunn . Councilman Barnes stated that he had no problem with either one of the proposals but that he would like to have more information relative to the costs . Councilwoman Nelson suggested bringing Design Enterprise back for a meeting with the staff to determine why their costs are so much higher. Dennis Maher, owner of Valley Engineering, stated that this was good land for sand and gravel mining and he was personally interested in the mining operation. Mr. Nelson suggested that Mr. Maher submit a proposal for the staff ' s consideration . Mr. Nelson advised the Council he would bring this matter back to them after obtaining further imput . Miscellaneous Discussion Elgin Classic Little League The Council reviewed a letter from the Elgin Classic Little League requesting permission to develop additional property in Wing Park for the baseball diamonds and a Pee-Wee Football field and agreed that this correspondence should be referred to the Park' s Board. Water Treatment Plant Mr. Nelson stated that he had received figures today from Black & Veatch which reflected a reduction of $250,000 in costs if the City chose to reduce the size of the sedimentation basin,which was geared for 16MGPD, to an 8MGPD facility. Mr. Nelsonfurther pointed out that if the engineering were stopped now on the three additional wells the cost would be $40, 000 less . Mr . Nelson stated that in the future is there was a need for the 16MGPD facility this sedimentation basin could be expanded very easily. The Council agreed to stop the engineering on the three additional wells and to reduce the size of the sedimentation basin . Planning Commission Meeting Councilman West stated that he had heard the Planning Commission held a meeting over the weekend without any public notice . Mr. Nelson stated he thought it would appropriate for the Corporation Counsel to send a memorandum to this Commission reminding them of the necessity to provide a 24 hour notice. Committee of the Whole Meeting December 20, 1978 Page 4 Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Committee of the Whole, the meeting was adjourned at 10 : 20 P.M. . 1 Marie `earm.; , City C er r C Committee of the Whole Meeting December 27, 1978 The Committee of the Whole Meeting was called to order by Leo Nelson, City Manager , on Wednesday, December 27, 1978 at 7: 10 P.M. , in the Council Conference Room of City Hall . Members present: Councilmen Barnes , Gilliam, Kirkland, Nelson, West and Mayor Verbic. Absent : Councilman Hill . Also present : Marie Yearman , City Clerk, Erwin Jentsch , Corporation Counsel and members of staff. Sanitary Sewer easement to serve the Kennington Square PUD being developed by Ken Kresmery. The Council reviewed an agreement between the Stewart-Warner Corporation, the Sanitary District of Elgin and the City of Elgin for the construction and installation of a sewer line, with manholes, under and through a portion of vacant land owned by the Stewart-Warner Corporation. The Sanitary District would install the sewer line and upon completion of same would convey it to the City for future maintenance. (1.1k' The Council agreed to have this agreement placed on the Council agenda for formal approval . Appointment of the auditor for fiscal years 1978 and 1979. The Council reviewed the following proposed fees : 1978 1979 Elmer Fox, Westheimer and Co. 11 ,000 11 , 500 Peat, Marwick, Mitchell and Co. 13 , 500 15,000 Mueller, Sieracki , Kaun, Miller and Co. 15 ,000 16 , 000 Lester Witte and Co. 17,000 15 , 500 Coopers and Lybrand 24,000 24,000 Councilman Barnes thought the low bidder should be selected if they qualified. Mr . Bolerjack stated that Elmer Fox had done the City audit previously and had been satisfactory. The Council agreed to have a resolution placed on the Council agenda appointing Elmer Fox, Westheimer and Company to do the 1978- 1979 audit. Additional engineering fees for the Civic Center Parking Lot. The Council reviewed an addendum to the engineering agreement with Carl Walker & Associates for the conversion of the Civic Center Lot to an attendant lot . Committee of the Whole Meeting December 27 , 1978 Page 2 CMr. Nelson stated that Carl Walker had bid on a lump sum basis and they did not consider the entrance from Dexter Court, a one inch asphalt overlay to the total parking lot and manhole adjustments in the parking area. The additional construction cost is $ 25, 159. 00. Mr. Nelson pointed out that if this lot were built today we would have to tear drop the curbs and gutter in order to bring it to code. Councilman West suggested extending the curb with out the tear drop. Mayor Verbic thought this might bring about a maintenance problem and suggested that this be reviewed before being put out for bids . The additional construction costs were approved. Proposed sale of the old decorative street lights on River Bluff Road. Mr. Nelson advised the Council there were some old light poles included in the River Bluff Street Light district which are in fairly good condition. These poles are similiar to those in Wing Park and it was hoped that some of these poles could be salvaged for Wing Park. However, some of the residents in the River Bluff area have expressed a desire to purchase some of the poles from the City. The staff recommended that the poles be offered for sale to the residents in the River Bluff area and then to the general public. The Council approve the staff ' s recommendation. Resolution authorizing the lease of the old Lincoln-Mercury building to U-46 The Council approved this lease and asked that the resolution be added to the Council agenda. Resolution authorizing an agreement to lease the used car lot area on the east side of South Grove to Ken Wolf. The Council approved this lease and asked that the resolution be added to the Council agenda. Discussion of Varsity Drive Bridge Project. This item was tabled to the Committee of the Whole Meeting on January 3 , 1979. } 1. Committee of the Whole Meeting December 27, 1978 Or* Page 3 Miscellaneous The Council reviewed a memorandum from Ery Jentsch relative to the licensing and inspection of meat delivery vehicles . Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Committee of the Whole , the meeting was adjourned at 7 :40 P.M. a Marie Yearma , City Clerk