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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSeptember 08, 1986 COW Committee of the Whole Meeting September 8, 1986 A Committee of the Whole Meeting was called to order on September 8, 1986, 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. Joint Meeting with the Parks and Reclamation Commission ( PARC ) In keeping with the Council' s desire to meet with the various boards and commissions for the purpose of Council information and discussion, Robert Hoffer, George Burger, Jack Hubbard and Jim Lindbloom, were present , representing the PARC. Bob Malm, who is also on this Commission reviewed with the Council projects which the Commission has been or will be working on in the coming months. Said projects were outlined as follows: The 1987 budget for Fund 340. Implementation of another phase of the overall master plan. Consideration of Road Materials Corporation' s second year gravel mining and reclamation program. Coordination of a donation of playground equipment by the Rotary Club. Continued discussion with a nursery of a possible lease agreement for the planting of an arboretum. Assist in coordinating the improvement to the entrance road as part of the widening of South McLean Boulevard. graphic and sign s Develop a coordinated stem for the g y park and ball field complex. Continue to receive donations from service clubs and other groups to aid in the development of the facility. Mr. Hubbard advised the Council there were some 3 ,000 baseball players using the new baseball diamonds, which are considered to be the best playing fields in the State. The Council expressed their appreciation to this Commission for all their time and continuing efforts . Committee of the Whole Meeting September 8, 1986 Page 2 Request for waiver on paving of parking lot for Biggers Chevrolet . Attorney William Ketcham, representing Biggers Chevrolet , stated his client was in the process of negotiating an additional automobile franchise. If that franchise is obtained it is the intention of Biggers Chevrolet to improve the subject parcel with a building. Mr. Ketcham stated his client would not want to expend thousands of dollars on blacktopping a surface only to have to turn around and tear it up with the erection of • new building. Mr. Ketcham stated they expect to have • decision on this franchise some time prior to November 1, 1986 . Councilwoman Moylan made a motion, seconded by Councilman Gilliam to grant an extension of time to Biggers Chevrolet to November 1, 1986 . If the franchise is not obtained by November 1, 1986 , the parking on this site must be abandoned until the site meets the City code. Yeas : Councilmen Andersen, Gilliam, Moylan, Shales, Van De Voorde, Waters and Mayor Verbic. Nays: None. Evaluation of bids on towing of impounded and abandoned vehicles. The City Manager advised the Council although bids were opened in June we did not get a bidder who could meet the code. The bidders were advised of their deficiencies and given a date of August 29th to correct said deficiences or by submitting an alternate location that would comply. Curley' s Towing has submitted the low bid, they also meet the requirements of Section 1 and Section 11 tows, but since they are in the process of a bankruptcy, the City would require some protection for the vehicles which may be impounded . Curley' s is now attempting to improve some deficiencies in his insurance coverage and secure a $5 , 000 performance bond, both of which are required before any contract can be awarded. The City Manager stated this matter must be concluded and he recommended setting September 22nd as a deadline to award this bid. If the low bidder does not have the required documentation, it could be passed to the second low bidder, providing they can qualify, or the services can be re- bid. Councilman Andersen made a motion, seconded by Councilman Waters to have this item on the September 22nd Council Agenda. Yeas: Councilmen Andersen, Gilliam, Moylan, Shales, Van De Voorde, Waters and Mayor Verbic. Nays: None. Committee of the Whole Meeting September 9, 1986 Page 3 Approval of a request of Commonwealth Edison for an installation across the Fox River north of the toll bridge. The City Manager stated that to date Commonwealth Edison has been able to meet the increased power demands on the west side of the Fox River from sources on the west side. The present retail development in the Fox Valley Business Center is served from Route 31. There is not sufficient surplus power available from that corridor to provide electrical energy to additional development in that area. Councilman Van De Voorde made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Moylan to approve this request . Yeas: Councilmen Andersen, Gilliam, Moylan, Shales, Van De Voorde, Waters and Mayor Verbic. Nays: None. Evaluation of insurance proposals . Steven A. Coombs of Corporate Policyholders Counsel, Inc. , reviewed with the Council the A. J. Gallagher Package policy which has been totally revised. The aggregate self- insured retention has been increased from $275, 000 to $300 , 000 . Police professional liability has been eliminated and is proposed as a separate coverage with reduced limits of $500,000 per occurrence. The comprehensive general liability coverage is subject to a $3 , 000 , 000 aggregate limit , which applies to general liability, police professional liability and employee benefits liability. The asbestos related exclusion has been broadened considerable. The personal injury coverage has been restricted. A broad form professional liability exclusion is imposed. Liquor liability coverage is no longer provided. Coverage will not be provided to any claim by any person while practicing for or participating in any contest or exhibition of any athletic or sports nature sponsored by the City. I The City Manager stated the City' s current umbrella liability carrier will not renew and there will be no coverage for any of its operations for the period October 1, 1986 until another coverage is found. Mr. Cook said he would be bringing back additional quotes and recommendations to the next meeting because a decision will have to be made. Adjournment to regular Council Meeting. Councilwoman Moylan made a motion, seconded by Councilman Waters to go into the regular Council Meeting. Yeas: Councilmen Andersen, Gilliam, Moylan, Shales, Van De Voorde, Waters and Mayor Verbic. Nays: None. Committee of the Whole Meeting September 9, 1986 Page 4 Committee of the Whole Meeting reconvened at 9: 50 p.m. Adoption of State Traffic Code The County Clerk has requested that the municipalities of Kane County adopt the provisions of the Illinois Motor Vehicle Code relating to moving violations so that the same categories of violations will be consistent throughout the County and imporve the ability of the County Clerk to compile and file necessary reports . The Corporation Counsel advises the revised Traffic Code is now ready for adoption. Councilman Waters made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Shales to have this matter placed on the Council Agenda. Yeas: Councilmen Andersen, Gilliam, Moylan, Shales, Van De Voorde, Waters and Mayor Verbic. Nays: None. Establishing a fee for vehicle stickers for 1987 . The City Manager reviewed with the Council a survey of comparative license rates in other nearby communities, together with proposed fees in 1987 for Elgin. Mr. Cook stated the present fees were established in 1975 , with no increases since that time. If a vehcile sticker fee increase is approved in order to show this new fee on the applications the City must inform the printer by September 10, 1986 for delivery by the end of October. Mr. Cook further stated the present fees and new fees that would be adequate to finance the North End Bridge with annual level debt payments of $538, 000 if desired. Otherwise these new fees or another fee schedule could be used to finance operations or the Integrated Capital Budget . Dan Fox stated he was opposed to any increase and also the fact that the money would be used for a new bridge which he felt was totally unnecessary. Mr. Fox stated it would make more sense to use the money to hire more police and firemen. Councilwoman Shales stated she did not want to increase the fee to $25. 00, but would consider an increase of $5. 00 for passenger cars, and she would not object to the other recommended vehicle increases. Councilwoman Shales stated she was opposed to the north end bridge and would not vote for any funds designated to that project . Councilwoman Moylan further stated that she was supporting the Intragrated Capital Budget recommendations. Committee of the Whole Meeting September 9, 1986 Page 5 Councilman Waters stated that everyone knew his position on the bridge, but he would support the intragrated capital budget and the additional revenues needed for this . Councilman Gilliam felt the Council should wait until after their meeting to further review the intragrated capital budget to see what is going to be approved and the cost thereof. Councilman Gilliam stated it appeared the Council was looking at the levy of too many or too much in taxes, and he would not vote on the vehicle fees until this was resolved. Mayor Verbic stated he felt the north end bridge was one of the highest priorities. Since 1975 the Councils have voted affirmatively for this bridge. Mayor Verbic agreed that he was not in favor of all these proposed taxes and perhaps the best way to obtain additional revenues was through general obligation bonds. Councilman Waters made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Shales to raise the passenger vehicle fees by $5 .00 to to increase all other vehicle fees as were proposed. Yeas: Councilmen Shales and Waters. Nays: Councilmen Andersen, Gilliam, Moylan, Van De Voorde and Mayor Verbic. The Council agreed to delay this matter until after their intragrated capital budget meeting on September 15th. Amendment to the City code for solicitations . Councilman Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Shales to place this matter on the next Council Agenda. Yeas: Councilmen Andersen, Gilliam, Moylan, Shales, Van De Voorde, Waters and Mayor Verbic. Nays: None. Report on inspection of taxis. Mr. Cook advised the Council that after a staff review of taxicab operations within the City of Elgin, it has been determined that all taxicabs are property licensed, insured per state statute and city ordinance, and possess valid safety test certificates . This review also revealed that the taxi companies are charging in excess of the legally allowable rate of fare as established by City of Elgin Resolution adopted January 22 , 1980. The Council requested that staff survey nearby communities to see what they are charging, place this on the next Committee of the Whole Meeting, and inform all taxis that this will be discussed. Committee of the Whole Meeting September 9, 1986 Page 6 Report on Spring Street parking enforcement between Fulton and Chicago. The City Manager reported to the Council that because of a complaint from Al' s Creamery that the half-hour limitation was having a negative effect on his business, it was decided to experiment with a relaxed enforcement program from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM. On August 25th, the police department received a complaint from the proprietor of the shoe store on the east side of Apring Street requesting more timely noon hour enforcment . As of August 25th, the department has returned to a full enforcement posture. Staff is reviewing the totality of parking time frames in the greater downtown are and upon completion of said report it will be brought to the Council. Report on the Larkin High School Homecoming Parade. The City Manager stated the purpose of this report was to transmit for Council information data concerning the proposed homecoming parade of Larkin High School on September 19th. No formal approval is required since no state route closures will be needed. Status report on Gang activity in the Bluff City Area and Raymond and May Streets. The City Manager furnished the Council with status reports covering the citizen complaints at the August 25th Council Meeting. Agreement with the State of Illinois on traffic signal installation at Park and Liberty. Mr. Reid Lewis of 616 Park Street appeared at the meeting protesting the subject installation and stating that a traffic light will route more cars at increased speeds down Park Street . Mr. Reid presented the Council with a petition opposing this project which contained some 35 signatures of residents. Mayor Verbic suggested that the staff bring back the traffic study conducted by the State for further review of this matter. Mr. Cook stated he would have this available for the September 22nd meeting. Committee of the Whole Meeting September 9, 1986 Page 7 Report regarding posting of hearing signs for zoning petitions. Pursuant to a request from Councilwoman Moylan, the Planning Department conducted an informal survey to obtain information on the posint of public hearing signs. The City Manager reviewed this data with the Council. Councilwoman Moylan stated she would be interested in having this requirement in the code, with the developers being responsible for the cost and installation of such a sign. Councilman Gilliam felt this was just adding more paper work and building a greater bureaucracy. Mayor Verbic stated he agreed with Councilman Gilliam. The City Manager, with the Council' s approval, will have a proposed ordinance covering this procedure for the next Council meeting. Adjournment Councilman Waters made a motion, seconded by Councilman Andersen to adjourn the Committee of the Whole Meeting and go into Executive Session to discuss Personnel and Litigation. Yeas: Councilmen Andersen, Gilliam, Moylan, Shales, Van De Voorde, Waters and Mayor Verbic. Nays: None. The meeting adjourned at 11: 10p.m. Marie Yearman it Y Clerk