HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary 14, 1987 COW Committee of the Whole Meeting
January 14 , 1987
A Committee of the Whole Meeting was called to order at 6 :00
p.m. , in the Council Conference Room of City Hall. Members present :
Councilmen Andersen, Gilliam, Moylan, Shales and Van De Voorde.
(Councilman Waters arrived at 6 : 30 p.m. ) Absent : Mayor Verbic.
Appointment of Mayor Pro Tem
Councilwoman Shales made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Moylan
to appoint George Van De Voorde Mayor Pro Tem. Yeas : Councilmen
Andersen, Gilliam, Moylan, Shales and Mayor Pro Tem Van De Voorde.
Nays : None.
Meeting with Hemmens Advisory Board re discussion of rates for
1987-88-89 . Discussion of a report on tax admissions .
Harvey Eisner, Chairman of the Hemmens Advisory Board introduced
the following members who were present : Dean Chipman, Marcie
Kaltenbach, Henry Siefken, Diane Ramsay, Wayne McWhorter, Clayton
Woods , Liz Leibert , Betty Brown and Marianne Nelson.
Mr. Eisner stated the recommended fees and equipment rental rates
had been discussed by the Board and the Visitor/Convention Bureau,
and it is more or less up to the City to decide whether they
want the Hemmens facility to break even, make money, or continue
to operate in the deficit . A majority of the Board felt it should
be a tax supported cultural facility.
Councilwoman Moylan stated she questioned the discount given
to U46, they being the larger user, and, especially since they
have just increased their rates for the city' s use of their facilities.
Councilman Gilliam and Marcie Kaltenbach stated some of the schools
using the Hemmens are operating on small budgets , they are located
in neighborhoods where the incomes are low, and they cannot charge
but minimum amounts for these programs.
Councilman Andersen suggested that U46 set a blanket amount to
be used for programs, instead of a budget for each school.
Mayor Pro Tem Van De Voorde suggested that the discounts be given
only to Elgin groups.
Mr. Eisner pointed out that there are U46 schools which are outside
Elgin, and there are also groups such as the Miss Elgin Pageant
which brings in a lot of additional revenue to the city.
Councilman Andersen made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Moylan
to increased the Hemmens rates 5 . 2% for 1987 , 4 . 5% for 1988,
and 5% for 1989 . Yeas : Councilmen Andersen, Gilliam, Moylan,
Shales and Mayor Pro Tem Van De Voorde.
Committee of the Whole Meeting
January 14 , 1987
Page 2
Councilwoman Moylan made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Shales
to approve the proposed charges for equipment , services and special
building features for the Hemmens Building. Yeas : Councilmen
Andersen, Gilliam, Moylan, Shales and Mayor Pro Tem Van De Voorde.
Nays: None.
Councilwoman Shales made a motion, seconded by Councilman Andersen
to exclude the rent waiver for other taxing bodies , requiring
them to pay 65% of the rental fee. Yeas : Councilmen Andersen,
Moylan, and Shales . Nays: Mayor Pro Tem Van De Voorde. Abstained:
Councilmen Gilliam and Waters.
Councilwoman Moylan made a motion, seconded by Councilman Andersen
that other tax supported bodies located outside of Elgin, except
U46, will pay the full rental rate. Yeas : Councilmen Andersen,
Gilliam, Moylan, Shales, Waters and Mayor Pro Tem Van De Voorde.
Nays: None.
Mr. Eisner stated the Board had not reviewed the subject of admission
tax on Hemmens ' ticket sales . They will do this and bring back
their recommendation to the Council.
Request for funding from Golden Corridor Steering Committee.
Councilman Waters stated he had met with DCCA representatives
today and received word that Elgin' s proposal has been approved.
The funding will not be released until they have a letter of
intent from Elgin indicating participation in the project and
a commitment of $1, 000.
Councilman Waters made a motion, seconded by Councilman Gilliam
for this item to be added to tonight ' s regular Council agenda.
Yeas: Councilmen Andersen, Gilliam, Moylan, Shales , Waters and
Mayor Pro Tem Van De Voorde. Nays: None.
Consideration of a recommended golf pro contract .
The City Manager advised Council the cost of the basic first
year provisions of the contract , which is about $29 , 000 , is incorporated
into the proposed 1987 budget . If the first level of the incentive
clause is reached an additional $2 , 300 would be paid to the Golf
Pro, however, the City will have realized $7 , 700 in additional
revenue .
Councilman Andersen made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Moylan
to approve the proposed contract . Yeas: Councilmen Andersen,
Gilliam, Moylan, Shales , Waters and Mayor Pro Tem Van De Voorde.
Nays: None.
Committee of the Whole Meeting
January 14 , 1987
Page 3
Consideration of a request for an extension on the Elgin Community
College lease on the downtown campus .
The City Manager recommended the staff be authorized to meet
with the college and negotiate any modifications to the language
in the lease to accomplish the adjustments required to provide
full state acceptance of the lease and to consider the acceptance
of the one year extension although it does not meet the full
five year provision. After negotiation, these matter would be
brought back to the Council for consideration and ratification.
Councilman Andersen made a motion, seconded by Councilman Gilliam
to authorize staff to negotiate the lease with ECC officials.
Yeas: Councilmen Andersen, Gilliam, Moylan, Shales, and Mayor
Pro Tem Van De Voorde. Nays : None. Abstained: Councilman Waters.
Consideration of alternative methods of handling the Woolworth
Building.
The City Manager advised the Council the opportunity to either
retain this building for public use or to market the building
for sale is available to the Council. If the Council decides
to market the building, several options are available: The building
could be listed with a realtor; Staff could prepare a request
for proposal and solicit proposals; the building could be auctioned,
or a commission could act on behalf of the Council in marketing
the structure.
The Council reviewed a letter from Del Johnston, Chairman of
the Elgin Metropolitan Exposition Auditorium and Office Building
Authority, in which they offer their services to act as an agent
for the City in the marketing of the building.
Councilwoman Shales made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Moylan
to accept the Authority' s proposal, through a lease arrangement ,
with the express condition that the Authority market the use
of said building for something other than a non-for-profit agency,
in order that said property may remain on the tax rolls. Yeas :
Councilmen Andersen, Gilliam, Moylan, Shales, Waters and Mayor
Pro Tem Van De Voorde. Nays: None.
Consideration of a sidewalk vault program for Chicago and Highland
The City Manager advised Council with IDOT proposing to make
roadway improvements to Route 58 in Elgin with the City participating
in those improvements, the City has the opportunity to improve
the appearance of several more block in the CBD area. It is recommended
that the removal and replacement of deteriorated sidewalk and
sidewalk valults be a part of this project .
Committee of the Whole Meeting
January 14 , 1987
Page 4
Councilwoman Moylan made a motion, seconded by Councilman Andersen
for staff to contact the affected property owners , determine
whether they want to eliminate or reconstruct the sidewalk vaults ,
and provide them with their costs vs. City costs. Yeas: Councilmen
Andersen, Gilliam, Moylan, Shales, Waters and Mayor Pro Tem Van
De Voorde. Nays: None .
Consideration of recommended parking restrictions on Ash.
The Council reviewed a recommendation from staff to prohibit
parking on the south and east sides of Ash Drive.
Councilman Waters made a motion, seconded by Councilman Gilliam
to approve this recommendation. Yeas : Councilmen Andersen, Gilliam,
Moylan, Shales , Waters and Mayor Pro Tem Van De Voorde. Nays :
None.
Final acceptance of public improvements in Bent Tree Subdivision.
Councilwoman Moylan made a motion, seconded by Councilman Gilliam
to approve staff' s recommendation to accept the streets in Bent
Tree Subdivision. Yeas : Councilmen Andersen, Gilliam, Moylan,
Shales, Waters and Mayor Pro Tem Van De Voorde. Nays: None.
Consideration of a resolution to annex the water plant to the
Elgin Sanitary District .
The Riverside Water Treatment Plant has been receiving sanitary
sewer service from the Sanitary District of Elgin without being
annexed to the district . The annexation of this property will
close up a gap in the Sanitary District boundaries , as well as
officially including the Riverside Plant within the Sanitary
District boundaries.
Councilman Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilman Andersen
to have staff prepare the necessary resolution for the January
28th Council meeting. Yeas : Councilmen Andersen, Gilliam, Moylan,
Shales, Waters and Mayor Pro Tem Van De Voorde. Nays : None.
Consideration of purchase of a leased vehicle.
Councilman Andersen made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Moylan
to purchase a 1983 Dodge Aries station wagon from General Electric
Credit Auto Lease Inc. , for an estimated cost of $4 , 600. Said
vehicle to be used as an administrative vehicle for the Engineering
Division. Yeas : Councilmen Andersen, Gilliam, Moylan, Shales
Waters and Mayor Pro Tem Van De Voorde. Nays: None.
Committee of the Whole Meeting
January 14 , 1987
Page 5
Consideration of participation in the Kane County purchase of
an air boat .
Councilwoman Shales made a motion, seconded by Councilman Waters
for the City to participate in the County of Kane ' s purchase
of one air boat to the amount of $500 . 00. Yeas : Councilmen Andersen,
Moylan, Shales, Waters and Mayor Pro Tem Van De Voorde. Nays :
Councilman Gilliam.
Receipt of a response from the Economic Development Council.
The City Manager furnished the Council with a report from the
Economic Development Council concerning data on actual numbers
of unemployed persons . This was in response to a request by Councilman
Andersen for this information.
Consideration of a report on downtown development activities .
The City Manager furnished the Council with information on recent
developments in the downtown area. The City Manager stated that
if positive trends in the real estate market continue, property
values in the downtown area may begin to stabilize. The stabilization
of property values is the first step toward reversing the decline
of value experienced over the last several years.
Consideration of a report on 1986 tree planting.
The City Manager furnished the Council with a final report on
the 1986 tree planting program, which indicated the total amount
spent for the thoroughfare tree planting program was $29 , 988. 00
which included a 6-inch locust in front of the Civic Center for
$1, 200 to replace the one that died. Total number of trees planted
was 102 . The budgeted amount of $30 , 000 .
Total number of trees planted in the residential participatory
program was 31 trees at a cost of $8, 769 , the City' s share being
500 of this amount , or $4 , 384 . 50. There was $10 , 000 in the 1986
budget .
Consideration of a report on 1986 capital projects status .
The City Manager furnished the Council with a status report on
the various capital projects included in the 1986 program.
Consideration of a report on the status of the Conrad annexation.
The City Manager furnished the Council with copy of letter from
Attorney Lyle C. Brown, indicating he is preparing the petition
for annexation and would hope to have it in the City' s hands
on or before January 11, 1987 .
Committee of the Whole Meeting
January 14 , 1987
Page 6
Adjournment
Councilman Waters made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Moylan
to adjourn the Committee of the Whole to go into Executive Session
to discuss approval of prior minutes, personnel, litigation and
property acquisition. Yeas: Councilmen Andersen, Gilliam, Moylan,
Shales, Waters and Mayor Pro Tem Van De Voorde. Nays: None.
The meeting adjourned at 7 :40 p.m.
U�
Marie Yearma City Clerk