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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAugust 25, 1986 COW COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING August 25, 1986 The Committee of the Whole Meeting was called to order at 6 : 30 p.m. , in the Council Conference Room of City Hall. Members present: Councilmen Andersen, Gilliam, Moylan, Shales, Van De Voorde, Waters and Mayor Verbic. Absent : None. Final report by the Integrated Capital Budget Steering Committee. Terry Jones, Chairman of the Integrated Capital Budget Steering Committee, advised the Council a program to correct Elgin ' s problems has now been drawn by 105 citizens contributing 3 , 000 hours of time, working through seven committees in an effort to prioritize the projects ' significance in relationship to citizens and community needs, to make realistic assessment of their costs, and to provide a plan to fund them. Mr. Jones stated the Committee believes the program is in keeping with the character and preferences of the community. It seeks to avoid dependence on property taxes and, to the extent possible, bonded indebtedness and payment for debt services. The committees appointed to evaluate City of Elgin capital requirements have reviewed $139, 862 , 030 in projects. These projects were identified by City staff, citizens, committee members and other governmental bodies such as the Sanitary District of Elgin, Elgin Public Housing, etc. After careful consideration, the committees have reported to the Steering Committee and for the last two months, we have worked to shape and develop a program to 1) rebuild Elgin, and 2 )prepare for the growth which we face. This program is now proposed to total $71,474 , 120, as detailed by function and furnished to the Council. On August 13 , 1986 , the Elgin Planning Commission voted six yes, and zero no, in favor of the recommendations submitted by the Steering Committee. Bob Malm suggested the Council could discuss the projects at the next work session. Councilwoman Moylan stated she would like to have the staff and steering committee members present at this meeting. Elmer Hansen stated he was against the proposed utility tax and the Council should watch what they are doing to the businesses now located in Elgin as well as attracting new businesses . Mayor Verbic agreed this would be a very aggressive tax and he thought it would work against what the Elgin Economic Commission was trying to do in attracting business to Elgin. Committee of the Whole Meeting August 25, 1986 Page 2 Councilman Waters felt there was need to discuss what it is that is going to be financed. Councilman Van De Voorde felt the Council needed to know where they were going to go with the projects first . Councilwoman Moylan felt there should be more citizen imput . The Council agreed to meet on September 2 , 1986 , from 5 :00 p.m. , to 9:00 p.m. , to discuss each project in the proposed program. Mr. Malm stated he would have the staff and committee members present for said meeting. Consideration of a request to provide subsidized taxi cab service for the blind. Mr. Robert Denton, 850 Congdon, appeared before the Council and offered a proposal for subsidized taxi xervice for the blind. Mr. Denton stated that the City bus system does not provide the door to door service needed by the visually impaired. Plus, or Dial A Bus provides service only between the hours of 10 :00 a.m. , and 2 :00 p.m. , and must be requested at lease a day before transportation is needed. Often it is not available even then. In addition it does not operate on Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays, or evenings . The City Manager pointed out that on an annual basis, the cost to the City would be $1, 248 per regular service user. Mayor Verbic stated he would like this situation pursued with Plus. Councilwoman Shales stated that Plus does not have any flexibility and there is a need for a more flexible way of providing transportation. Erwin Schmidt stated that the Lions Club might be interested in taking this on as one of their projects for the blind. Mayor Verbic thanked Mr. Denton for coming down. The Council indicated they would address this request as part of the 1987 budget process. Consideration of a property to be rehabilitated by the City of Elgin and the Gifford Park Assocation. The City' s financial participation in this project is limited to $35 , 000, said amount is included in the budget . The property at 21 N. Porter was chosen by the GPA House Search Committee as the primary candidate for rehab and resale. Councilman Van De Voorde made a motion, seconded by Councilman Moylan to approve 21 N. Porter as the site for this project . Yeas: Councilmen Andersen, Gilliam, Moylan, Shales, Van De Voorde, Waters and Mayor Verbic. Nays: None. Committee of the Whole Meeting August 25 , 1986 Page 3 Consideration of authorizing remodeling of the Public Works administrative office. The City Manager recommended this project plan be sent out for bid. $15, 000 has been placed in the budget for this work. Councilman Andersen made a motion, seconded by Councilman Van De Voorde to approve the recommendation. Yeas: Councilmen Andersen, Gilliam, Moylan, Shales, Van De Voorde, Waters an Mayor Verbic. Nays: None. Consideration of installing stop signs at Oakley Avenue and North Commonwealth Avenue. The City Manager recommended that stop signs be posted on Oakley Avenue at North Commonwealth Avenue. The estimated cost is $225. 00. Councilman Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Shales to approve this recommendation. Yeas: Councilmen Andersen, Gilliam, Moylan, Shales, Van De Voorde, Waters and Mayor Verbic. Nays: None. A report on the impact of bus fare increases. The City Manager stated on October 1, 1986 a second fare increase of 15% for local route and 11% for non-local routes is scheduled to take effect . The City' s contractual agreement bind it to implementate the fare structure that PACE establishes. Mayor Verbic stated he would attend the PACE meeting and protest this increase because the ridership usually declines with an increase. There was no indication from the Council that they would be interested in subsidizing any increase. Consideration of reducing the maintenance bond for Williamsburg Homes, Inc. The staff recommended that Williamsburg be allowed to reduce this mortgage commitment (maintenance bond) to $5, 689. 72 . Several Council members pointed the poor condition of Lyle Avenue and stated they would like to have the work on this street completed before the commitment is reduced. Councilman Andersen made a motion, seconded by Councilman Gilliam to approve the staff recommendation, provided the work on Lyle Avenue has been completed y p eted first . Yeas: Councilmen Andersen, Gilliam, Moylan, Van De Voorde, Waters and Mayor Verbic. Nays: Councilwoman Shales. Committee of the Whole Meeting August 25, 1986 Page 4 Consideration of the purchase of a used tractor for Parks Maintenance. The Council reviewed a staff recommendation to purchase a used John Deere Model 400 Tractor from Wasco Blacksmith Shop for a total price of $3500.00. Councilman Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilman Andersen to approve this purchase. Yeas: Councilmen Andersen, Gilliam, Moylan, Shales, Van De Voorde, Waters and Mayor Verbic. Nays: None. Change proposed in Council Meeting Nights. Councilman Gilliam stated that it was becoming increasly difficult for him to attend meetings on Monday evening, since that is the same night the School Board meets . Councilman Gilliam requested that the meeting night be changed from Monday night . The Council discussed meeting on Wednesday nights, with the change to take place with the first Wednesday in November. Budget Director The City Manager introduced the new Budget Director, Brian Donovan. Adjournment Councilman Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilman Andersen to adjourn the Committee of the Whole Meeting to go into the regular Council Meeting. Yeas: Councilmen Andersen, Gilliam, Moylan, Shales, Van De Voorde, Waters and Mayor Verbic. Nays: None. The meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m. Marie Yearman, City Clerk