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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJuly 08, 1987 COW I COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING July 8 , 1987 Mayor Van De Voorde called the meeting to order at 6 :30 p.m. , in the Council Conference Room. Members present : Councilmen Fox, Gilliam, Moylan, Popple, Shales, Walters and Mayor Van De Voorde. Absent : None. Request from the Heritage Commission for deferral of Preservation Ordinance to August 12th. The Council reviewed the:_ sub.ject_ request , and Councilwoman Shales made a motion, seconded by Councilman Walters to defer the Preservation Ordinance to the August 12th meeting. Yeas : Councilmen Fox, Gilliam, Moylan, Popple, Shales, Walters and Mayor Van De Voorde. Nays: None. Heritage Commission recommendation for book charge. The Council reviewed a request from the Heritage Commission to establish a purchase price for a copy of Elgin ' s Heritage : Architecture. This book described twelve styles of residential architecture poplar in Elgin between 1850 and 1950. Each style is placed in a historical context with local, national and world events. Councilman Walters stated he wished to compliment all of the people who were involved in the preparation of this book, which can be an excellent teaching item for the entire community. Councilman Walters made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Moylan to distribute approximately 100 complimentary copies of the book, and to sell the book at a cost of $3 . 00 per copy. Yeas : Councilmen Fox, Gilliam, Moylan, Popple, Shales , Walters and Mayor Van De Voorde. Nays : None. Consideration of a recommendation for insurance requirements in City code. The Council was furnished with a report from Corporate Policy- holders Counsel, Inc. , which deals with certificates of insurance required from persons doing work for the City, license and permit holders and users of public property. Councilwoman Moylan made a motion, seconded by Councilman Walters to approve the subject report and direct the legal department to prepare the necessary code revisions. Yeas: Councilmen Fox, Gilliam, Moylan, Popple, Shales, Walters and Mayor Van De Voorde. Nays: None. Committee of the Whole Meeting July 8, 1987 Page 2 Consideration of recommended amendment to solicitation ordinance. The Council reviewed a staff recommendation that the solicitation ordinance be amended to permit solicitation until 9:00 p.m. The recommended amendment will not effect the right of residents to prohibit solicitation by a sign posted in accordnance with the ordinance. Councilman Fox made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Popple to approve staff recommendation. Yeas: Councilmen Fox, Gilliam, Moylan, Popple, Shales , Walters and Mayor Van De Voorde. Nays: None. Consideration of an agreement with Charles Schrader, The Council reviewed a proposed agreement with Charles H. Schrader and Associates for grant writing and research services . The City Manager stated this firm will be working with staff concentrating on the release of Build Illinois funds relating to sanitary district grants, the grant purchase of shoreline of the Elgin Salvage Company, the next phase of the bike trail and other related projects. I Mr. Schrader is proposing $9, 000 for these services for the period of one year. Councilman Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilman Walters to approve the proposed agreement . Yeas: Councilmen Fox, Gilliam, Moylan, Popple, Shales , Walter and Mayor Van De Voorde. Nays: None. Consideration of bicycle trail connection in Elgin at Raymond Street . The City Manager stated over the past two years the Kane County Forest Preserve Commission has been reviewing options for extending the Elgin River Trail past the rail lines west of Raymond Street near the City' s southerly corporate limits . There are two options for the Council' s consideration: 1. Constructing an at grade crossing on the westerly right- ' of-way of Raymond Street . 2 . Reopening an underpass that would allow the trail to be extended under the Milwaukee rail line. (An existing underpass would allow the trail to go under the Northwestern rail line southwest of the closed Milwaukee rail line underpass. The Forest Preserve would prefer to accomplish the trail connection via the underpass. The underpass would provide the safest means to extend the trail by separating pedestrians from vehicular traffic on Raymond Street , and by separating petestrians from rapidly moving rail traffic. However, a concern has been the cost of reopening the underpass, the estimated cost is $250, 000. Committee of the Whole Meeting July 8, 1987 Page 3 At this time, discussions and negotiations are underway with the State and Metra regarding funding. The costs of the underpass could be funded in the following manner: i State of Illinois $150,000 ( 60% ) Kane County Forest Preserve 50 ,000 ( 200 ) Metra 35 ,000 ( 14% ) City of Elgin 15 ,000 ( 60 ) Total $250,000 Councilman Walters stated he would like to see the grade crossing portion of the project investigated further because of the cost for same. Mayor Van De Voorde asked if someone with the proper expertise could be brought in to give a presentation, because he too felt this was a lot of money, and he would like to see some plans and specifications. Councilman Fox state that if the Council votes no on the commitment of $15,000 to the construction of an underpass tonight , it may well appear we are not willing to help find a solution. Councilman Fox made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Popple to table this matter and to direct staff to arrange a presentation on the subject matter. Yeas: Councilmen Fox, Gilliam, Moylan, Popple, Shales, Walters and Mayor Van De Voorde. Nays: None. Consideration of PIMS systems fee payment . Staff requested authorization to pay a total of $11,855 .00 to the Treasurer, State of Illinois , through the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority for user fees and maintenance charges for the PIMS program. Councilwoman Popple made a motion, seconded by Councilman Walters to approve the payment of $11,855 .00 for PIMS fees for the six-month period of July 1, 1987 to December 31, 1987 . Yeas : Councilmen Fox, Gilliam, Moylan, Popple, Shales , Walters and Mayor Van De Voorde. Nays: None. Consideration of Police accreditation fee, second installment . Councilwoman Shales made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Popple to authorize payment of the second half of the $3 , 750. 00 fee for the national accreditation process for the Police Department . Yeas: Councilmen Fox, Gilliam, Moylan, Popple, Shales, Walters and Mayor Van De Voorde. Nays : None. Committee of the Whole Meeting July 8, 1987 Page 4 Consideration of acceleration of Big Timber engineering. The City of Elgin entered into an agreement with the County of Kane for the improvement of Big Timber Road from State Street ( Illinois Route 31) to Randall Road. This agreement provides that the City and the County shall share equally in paying for the cost of the improvement not paid for from FAU funds . The City and the County entered into an agreement with the firm of Hampton, Lenzini and Renwick, Inc. , for the purpose of providing Phase I, II and III engineering services; pre- liminary final design and construction engineering, respectively. Each phase is to begin when so directed by the City and the County. The Phase I portion of the agreement is essentially complete. The revised preliminary report is in Springfield and should be approved shortly. The City Manager reviewed with the Council the possibility of beginning the preparation of the final plans and specifications now instead of waiting until next year as programmed in the Integrated Capital Budget . It would essentially involve the widening of Big Timber Road from State Street to Randall Road, including the bridge over Tyler Creek. The improvement would be designed so that it could be constructed in three stages. Stage I would be the widening of the bridge, State 2 would be the improvements between State Street and McLean Boulevard and Stage 3 would include the improvements to Randall Road. However, the implementation of Stages 1 and 2 would be carried out at essentially the same time because of not wanting to disrupt traffic twice, provided funding is available. Councilman Walters made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Popple to direct staff to meet with personnel from IDOT, Kane County and Hampton, Lenzini and Renwick and prepare the necessary documents to advance this project . Yeas : Council- men Fox, Gilliam, Moylan, Popple, Shales, Walters and Mayor Van De Voorde. Nays: None. Consideration of emergency purchases for pool operation. Councilman Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilman Walters to approve the emergency expenditures for pool repairs at Lord' s Park and Wing Park. Yeas: Councilmen Fox, Gilliam, Moylan, Popple, Shales , Walters and Mayor Van De Voorde. Nays: None. Consideration of purchase of air conditioner for the cemetery. Councilman Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Moylan to approve the purchase of a window air conditioner from Sears at a cost of $469 . 00. Yeas : Councilmen Fox, Gilliam, Moylan, Popple, Shales, Walters and Mayor Van De Voorde. Nays: None. Committee of the Whole Meeting July 8, 1987 Page 5 i Consideration of a report on the 1987 Integrated Capital Budget and preliminary 1988 Capital Budget Expenditures. The City Manager gave the Council a midyear Integrated Capital Budget report . The City Manager stated the staff is in need for further instructions in order to proceed with the 1988 budget . Councilwoman Moylan made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Popple to set a special Committee of the Whole Meeting on July 15 , 1987 , at 6 :30 p.m. , to address the 1988 Capital Budget Expenditures. Yeas : Councilmen Fox, Gilliam, Moylan, Popple, Shales , Walters and Mayor Van De Voorde. Nays: None. Consideration of a report amending a 4 : 00 a.m. license. The Council reviewed a memorandum from the Legal Staff wherein it was stated the City Council could amend the alcoholic liquor dealers ordinance to delete the extended hours permit effective at the end of the current license year, April 30, 1988. The City Manager stated a public hearing could be held for citizen imput . Councilwoman Popple made a motion, seconded by Councilman Fox to set a public hearing on the first Wednesday in September. Councilman Gilliam asked why the City was doing this because he had not heard any human cry for the type of license to be amended. Councilman Gilliam stated that usually you wait for something to break before you attempt to fix it, which is not true in this situation. If we are going to be so in- consistent how can we expect these businessmen to operate. Councilman Gilliam further stated that since the only license holders were the Blue Moon and Thomas ' Blvd. Tap, he believed this was a witch hunt against the Boulevard Tap. Councilman Fox denied there was any one issue or one license involved, but there were some things which needed to be discussed publicy. Councilman Walters stated the DUI law is getting stronger, and he would like to have a public hearing to see how some of the people feel. Councilwoman Moylan stated the complaints she has received are regarding the noise in the neighborhoods. Committee of the Whole Meeting July 8, 1987 Page 6 Councilman Gilliam stated if the Council was going to look into these type of complaints they should also look at the liquor stores, maybe some of the purchases are made there and as a result there are disturbances in the neighborhood. Councilwoman Popple complained that she did not have knowledge of who had what kind of a license and where they were located. The City Manager asked the City Clerk to furnish the Council with the names, location and types of all liquors licenses. A majority of the Council indicated they wished to discuss this matter in greater depth, after members of the Council had their vacations and a full Council would be present . Councilwoman Popple withdrew her motion to have a meeting in September and Councilman Fox withdrew his second to said motion. Consideration of a fire protection agreement with DeSoto. Councilwoman Shales made a motion, seconded by Councilman Gilliam to approve the proposed agreement with DeSoto, Inc. Yeas: Councilmen Fox, Gilliam, Moylan, Popple, Shales , Walters and Mayor Van De Voorde. Nays: None. Consideration of authorization for actuarial studies for Fire and Police pension funds . Councilman Walters made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Moylan to authorize acceptance of the Mercer-Meidinger-Hansen, Inc. proposals at a cost of $3 ,200 each or $6 ,400 total. Yeas: Councilmen Fox, Gilliam, Moylan, Popple, Shales, Walters and Mayor Van De Voorde. Nays: None. Consideration of authorization to advertise for water distribution survey. Councilwoman Popple made a motion, seconded by Councilman Walters to authorize staff to seek proposals from qualified consultants to prepare the water distribution system needs and alternatives for meeting present and future water distribution needs . Yeas: Councilmen Fox, Gilliam, Moylan, Popple, Shales, Walters and Mayor Van De Voorde. Nays: None. Consideration of proposed use of available Revenue Sharing funds . The City Manager reviewed the following revised revenue sharing project list with the Council: Committee of the Whole Meeting July 8, 1987 Page 7 Funds on Hand 6/1/87 $468, 279 Projects Amount 1. 1986 Street Resurfacing 20 ,112 2 . C i ty Hall Remodeling 103 ,169 3. Lord' s Park Dam Repairs 28,263 4 . 12 Breathing Apparatus 11, 528 5. Extrication Tool 9 , 596 6 . Computer Plotter 8, 700 7 . Police Pistol Range 5 ,000 8. Lord' s Park Lagoon Dredging 100,000 9 . East Chicago St . Sidewalk 76, 591 $362 , 959 $362 ,959 $105 , 320 Anticipated investment income for remainder of the year. 9 , 934 Available for possible reallocation $115 ,254 Councilman Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilman Walters to approved the proposed changes and that $115 , 254 be reallocated to fund a special census . Yeas : Councilmen Fox, Gilliam, Moylan, Popple, Shales , Walters and Mayor Van De Voorde. Nays: None. Consideration of Property Report No. 4 . The Council reviewed the following public properties: Grove Avenue Parking Lot This parking lot is currently included in an assessment of all city owned downtown parking lots. Staff recommendation is to reinstitute the use of the four hour meters. Hawthorne Hills - This property is currently used as passive open space. Maintenance is performed on an as needed basis. Staff is attempting to determine if there is a suitable recreational or educational use for the property. East Highland Avenue Parking Lot - Staff recommendation is to include this lot in the study of downtown parking needs. Committee of the Whole Meeting July 8, 1987 Page 8 Highland Avenue Triangle - This property is currently used as a passive recreational space. The staff recommendation is to pursue the sale of the lot for a two family residential development . The owner of the rental property behind the subject property, offered to buy this property with the intention of leaving it as open space. Karen Crosby, the subject owner, was advised to contact Ross Ricks, Director of Parks and Recreation. Hunter Drive Detention Area - The church located east of and adjacent to this property has expressed an interest in maintaining this property. Staff recommendation to continue discussions with the church to arrange a maintenance agreement . Kirk and Kramer Park- This property is used as passive open space. The staff recommendation is to see if the surrounding property owners would be interested in a maintenance agreement . i Kiwanis Park - Staff recommendation is to continue discussions with the neighboring property owner to secure a maintenance agreement , and to explore the option of selling the four lots which are located east of Ramona Avenue for development with single family residences. 765 Laurel Street - The entire property is located within the floodplain and cannot be developed. There is no specific recommendation for this propeerty. Vavoie Avenue Well Site - This well site is not used by the Water Department and could be capped in preparation for sale of the property. The staff recommendation is to proceed with capping the site and demolishing the structure for sale of the property. Leeward' s Bus Storage Lot - This property will not be needed when the new bus garage is completed. The staff recommendation is to review the documents deeding the property to the City to determine if this property can be offered for sale to the owners of the adjacent property. Longford and Olympia - This property was deed to the City as part of Parkwood East Subdivision' s park site contribution. Mrs. Carol Singular of 364 Olympia Ct . , an adjacent property owner has expressed interest in maintaining this property, which backs up to her home. The staff recommendation is to pursue the viability of resubdividing the property for sale as single family residential lots . Committee of the Whole Meeting July 8, 1987 Page 9 Lord' s Park - There is no specific recommendation for this property. Lord' s Park Manor Detention Area - This property functions as a detention area for the Lord' s Park Manor subdivision. Several adjacent property owners have expresses an interest in maintaining either the entire area, or portions of the area, under a contractual agreement with the City. Staff recommendation is to pursue the maintenance contracts. Maple Avenue Park - The staff recommendation is to explore the possibility of including this property in the Redevelopment Area K plan as the open space portion of the redevelopment of this area. There is no action required of the Council at this time. Traffic Signal Installation at Randall and Bowes Roads. The vehicular traffic volume has been steadily increasing on both Randall Road and on Bowes Road. The intersection of Randall Road and Bowes Road, as a result , is now a dangerous one. Kane County recognized this and they hired an engineering firm to prepare the plans and specifications for the installation of traffic signals at that intersection, including left turn lanes on Randall Road. Consideration of a report on railroad repairs and street crossings - The City Manager advised the Council the Soo Line is planning to work on the westerly and easterly tracks at the Kimball Street crossing. It will take three days each to adjust the tracks working between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 3 :00 p.m. each day. It will require closing the entire street to vehicular traffic during those hours in order to make repairs. The traffic will be detoured to the other bridges to cross the Fox River. The repairs will cause some inconvenience to the motorists , but they are needed. Adjournment Councilman Walters made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Moylan to adjourn the Committee of the Whole Meeting to go into Executive Session to discuss Personnel, litigation and property acquisition. Yeas : Councilmen Fox, Gilliam, Moylan, Popple, Shales, Walters and Mayor Van De Voorde. Nays: None. The meeting arrdjourned at 10 :40 p.m. Marie Yearman�it Clerk Y