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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 23, 1987 COW COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING March 23 , 1987 A Special Committee of the Whole Meeting was called to order at 7 :00 p.m. , in the lower level of the Hemmens Building. Members present : Councilmen Andersen, Moylan, Van De Voorde and Waters. Absent : Councilmen Gilliam, Shales and Mayor Verbic. Appointment of Mayor Pro Tem. Councilwoman Moylan made a motion, seconded by Councilman Waters to appoint Councilman Van De Voorde Mayor Pro Tem for tonight ' s meeting. Yeas: Councilmen Andersen, Moylan, Van De Voorde and Waters. Nays : None . Community Development Block Grant Hearing. Jim Cook, City Manager: We hold this meeting for two purposes : ( 1) To receive any comments on the past performance of the program, and ( 2 ) To hear proposals for funding. In the past your policy has been that if a proposal is not submitted at the time of this Public Hearing, it cannot be submitted later. However, if it is submitted, and the Council members or staff have questions , the people can submit additional data and material prior to your worksession, which you have scheduled for the 9th of April, at 7 :00 p.m. , at which time you will receive from the staff a number of documents , including a full analysis of available funds, anaysis and copies of each of the proposals in writing and staff recommendations . For the purpose of tonight , we have done a number of things: ( 1) We have advertised, notified interested parties of this Hearing, and of their opportunity, and worked with anyone interested, so they knew what the requirements were in order to submit a proposal, so that it met the guidelines of the Federal Grant . We are required by law to identify that we know at this point that the next year' s allocation will be $598 , 000 . It may be as much additional as 14% or $682 , 000, that will be governed by action of the Congress . Since the President has made a move to rescind a portion of the funds which would have been allocated oy formula, and if Congress doesn 't take action to uphold that recession, then it will be withdrawn. By the time we get to a final budget approval we should know, but staff ' s recommendation will be that we establish the programs in priority up to the available $598, 000 , plus any reallocation of prior funds that become available, and in an established priority for the remaining use up to $682 , 000, so that if those funds come we will not be required to hold a subsequent hearing. i Committee of the Whole Meeting March 23 , 1987 Page 2 We know at this time that approximately $40, 000 will be available in program income from our operations this year, so that we do know there will be from $638, 000 to $721,000 available for the coming year. Without the consideration of rebudgeting, which of course we will do again this year as we did last year, which is to take all of the years except the current year, 1986-87 , which is still underway, and analyze all of the outstanding projects sums and contingency amounts , and provide that information to you so you can determine which projects should continue for next year, and which should be terminated and reprogramed. We have given you some information and on you desk tonight and Agenda that indicates those proposals which were filed in our office prior to tonight and in the order in which they were filed. Those who have not filed with us prior to this time will then have an opportunity at this end of this list to make presentations tonight . You will recall that a number of projects in the Integrated Capital Budget and the 1987 City Budget were programmed to come from Block Grant this year. Those programs will be presented to you along with all of the rest of the projects so that you can, in fact , prioritize the entire program as a result of this program. Without further ado, I think we are ready to move to the proposals. Greater Downtown Elgin Commission Mayor Pro Tem: Is the Chairman,Howard Miller here. ( The Council were advised that Mr. Miller was in court in Chicago, and he might be late for this meeting. ) Mayor Pro Tem requested a motion to move this proposal to the end of the presentations. Councilman Waters : So moved. Councilwoman Moylan: Second Yeas : Councilmen Andersen, Moylan, Waters and Mayor Pro Tem Van De Voorde. Nays : None. Gifford Park Association Barbara Evans : As we have done in the past the Gifford Park Association is asking for block grant money to help us revitalize Elgin ' s Historic District . We have listed some of the things that the relatively minimal fundings we have had in the past has allowed us to do. What I would like to emphasize is what these accomplishments have done for the Historic District . If you just drive around the Historic District , you can see that we are definitely Committee of the Whole Meeting March 23 , 1987 Page 3 a neighborhood on our way up, and if you look in the Courier News to the ad section you will see any number of properties being advertised, in bold print , Historic District . There is even a demand for Historic District homes . We have middle class families coming from the east , looking around, buying and starting to rehab. All of this has brought us more involvement . Last year our membership of the Gifford Park Association doubled. With this involvement we have had many more ideas , everytime these ideas are completed, everytime they are realized, we get more involvement and it helps . We would thank you for the support you have given us in the past , for the things your funding has allowed us to do. Much remains to be done, we know you will give our proposals to further revitalize the District serious consideration, we thank you for that . Just to put you all in a generous frame of mind, if you would turn to the back of our proposal, there is a list of the goals that the Gifford Park Association set at its 1987 goal setting session in January, and if you look through that you will see that we are doing a lot of things that we are not asking money for. I think you all know that we are not an Association that just sits back and wait for the funding to come in. Our first proposal is for $7 ,500 to begin what we are calling Historic District Period Projects . We ourselves will raise an additional $2 , 500, and will contribute volunteer labor whenever feasible. What we want to accomplish by this funding is to bring back the ambience of an Historic neighborhood. If you drive through our District now, you will note there is really nothing, save old houses, an occasional sign and the little we have been able to accomplish in Gifford Park. There is really very little that singles us out and says we are something special, yet we are. What we want to do with this proposal and the funds we would get here is to add the Period touches that would visually remind the people of this . If you scan the list of things that we have singled out your reaction might be "cute" in sort of a sneering tone of voice. Yet , have any of you recently stood at the south end of Gifford Park at twlight , do. When you stand at the south end of Gifford Park in the twlight , with the old fashioned lights will have gone on and you will see the carriage walk along the curbing that we have started. What that is , is not "cute" , what it adds is a feel of an era gone by. You feel like you are transported back into history. These are the touches we need throughout the District to remind people that we are terribly significant . If we were allowed to finish the carriage walk, we ran out of brick pavers , that would further the touch, and believe Committee of the Whole Meeting March 23 , 1987 Page 4 it or not it is very practical today because if you are on the passenger side and step out you don't sink into the dirt , you are on a nice paved walk, a classy one . Also adding a feeling of time gone by would be blocking the electric power service in Gifford Park. We would use part of the funds from this proposal to do victorian plantings around it , such as lilac to screen it . If you were to install Period street signs throughout the District for example, replace worn out park benches equipment with Period pieces. Paint the fire hydrants with victorian colors , the bicentennial has long gone by. Paint the signal poles so they blend in rather than stick out . All of these would create visual reminders that we are a very special Historic area. The gazebo we would like to consider putting in either Gifford Park, or Davidson Park. Councilwoman Moylan: How can you do all that on $7 ,500. Ms . Evans : We are going to begin, we figure that once we begin and show people what it is we could perhaps go after other funding from corporations and so forth to try and add to this. Those are all examples of things that we would like to do. The priority item would be to finish the carriage walk. The big expensive item would be the gazebo, thats a long time dream and it may continue to be a dream, but a touch here and a touch there helps us begin. Our next proposal is a familiar one, this is the eighth year we are requesting funding for curb, gutter and sidewalk repairs in the Historic District . Past funding has given us these much needed repairs in certain areas of the Historic District . We have prepared a map to designate the areas in the District which remain to be done. About 15% of the District needs to be done, and this is what the map is showing. To have such basics as sidewalks in disrepair in an area that is a Historic District is really distracting. It just doesn 't work to remind people that ours is a district that is a significance to the Nation. Therefore we are asking that 20% of the money allocated for the sidewalk program be earmarked so that the Historic District may be completed. In our third proposal we are asking for $10 , 000 to fund a tree planting program. We are also urging that this be done in conjunction with finishing the sidewalk repairs . The reason is simple, to have the lawns in the District torn up over a period of years again distracts , and it makes the Historic District that is of National significance look rather dumpy. Mayor Pro Tem Van De Voorde: You are aware of our matching funds on sidewalks and trees , and I suppose you have taken advantage of that to some degree. Committee of the Whole Meeting March 23 , 1987 Page 5 Ms . Evans : We have. Councilman Waters : Is the tree planting program in addition to what the City has already budgeted for this year. Ms. Evans : Yes , in addition. Jim Cook: They are asking for total City Cost , no participation. Ms . Evans : Our fourth proposal is an apartment inspection program, and we are asking for $40 , 000 for this . We have evaluated just how well we have succeeded in upgrading the housing stock in the neighborhood, and it was evident that most of our improvements have been made by single families . Our success in encouraging investors , landlords, to maintain and upgrade their property was really minimal. we voted unanimously to take some measure to pressure negligent investors throughout the City, to either improve or move out of Elgin. We are proposing that the City develop a systematic code inspection program for all apartment buildings of three or more units. We would like this to be periodic, say every two to four years. In this way illegal conversions where you end up having ten people in a home that should only hold two, those can quickly be spotted. Unsafe and unsound sanitary conditions can hopefully be addressed and eliminated. Granted we do have a building code in place, however, it works only on an individual complaint basis, and I think that if you stop to consider this City has less than a 2% vacancy rate for apartments , you would understand why most tenants are reluctant to file a complaint against their landlord. The $40, 000 is requested to fund two inspectors that would be needed to carry out this program. Mayor Pro Tem Van De Voorde: I would like to say that in this year' s budget we have added additional inspectors . Jim Cook: On the code enforcement complaints more than 50% of them are generated by the inspectors . Ms. Evans : This is not just a proposal for additional inspectors, it is for a systematic code inspection, say every two to four years , in apartment buildings of three or more units. With a fee charged for the inspection. Jim Cook: Part of what you are proposing is not legally possible. To walk into someone ' s house without a complaint , or other cause, and without a warrant , or without invitation is impossible. You can have all the rules you want , but if you don 't have probable cause to get in with a court order, you cannot trespass on private property. Committee of the Whole Meeting March 23 , 1987 Page 6 Ms . Evans : We would like to voice our support of other proposals that will be presented tonight and those proposals are the Rebate Program, the Conceptal Drawing for the Michigan Avenue Armory Area, the Riverfront Acquisition on Lower Wellington. Lower Wellington is a blighted area in need of open space. Planning Department Roger Dahlstrom: I believe the first proposal that you have from us tonight is the one for the Residential Rehabilitation Program, which has already been mentioned by the Gifford Park Association. You have a detailed report on this particular item so I won 't bore you with statistics that you already have, I would remind you that the Program has been in existence for about ten years , and over that ten years we have averaged somewhere between 45 and 60 rehabilitations per year, about 500 dwelling units throughout the City. The program is available on a City-wide basis , on the basis of need, low and moderate income homeowners can participate. There is a specific target area in which the Rebate Program will assist all homeowners , owner occupants as well as absentee owners. Basically how it is structured is the lower the income, the higher the family size, the greater the benefits. The Residential Rehabilitation Program is an integral component of the Neighborhood Strategy Area program, additionally it was and continues to be an element of the City' s Enterprise Zone program. We believe that because of the increased demand in the Program that we should raise the amount budgeted from $100, 000 to $125 , 000. The funding level that we are suggesting, the $125 , 000 for 1987 , is consistent with the Integrated Capital Budget adopted by the City in 1986 , and the Program was highly recommended by both the Community Renewal and the Steering Committees . The second proposal that we are putting forth tonight is for Planning and Management funds. The City has budgeted Planning and Management funds out of the Block Grant Programs since 1978. It has been used for a variety of purposes. Some of the projects which have been undertaken, both in terms of design and implementation, include the Comprehensive Plan, the - Central Business District Plan, the South Grove Tax Increment Plan, Summit/Dundee Tax Increment Plan, Dundee Avenue Business District Plan, and the Integrated Capital Budget Process. All of these elements are charged by the City to Planning and Management ' s portion of Community Block Grant Program. We are proposing tonight that a continuation of this Program be funded at an $80, 000 level. That amount of Block Grant funding for this type of activity is consistent with the City' s Committee of the Whole Meeting March 23, 1987 Page 7 adopted Budget and is included as a component in the Planning Department Budget . The major thrust of this year' s Planning and Management effort , and particulary the Block Grant request portion of it , is the Comprehensive Amendment to the City' s Zoning Ordinance. I know most of you are familiar with it , we have outlined some of the information for that Program in your package tonight so I will not go into great detail about it , other than to point out that we are in this instance using outside consultants because of the magnitude and character of this particular project . I would remind you that we have a contract with the consulting firm, the efforts we have contracted for are fundable from the Block Grant Program. The Open Door Clinic Hugh Epping, Executive Director: The proposal we are making is a proposal for services . We are going to be faced with a growing problem in our community, and that problem is the AIDS epidemic. Currently in Kane County we have 12 people, since 1980, that have been diagnosed with AIDS. It is a problem that will grow, and there is a growing concern for support services , these are services that range from funeral services and legal services to companionship. I realize that the past use of these funds has been for capital improvements , but this is something I think we will have to face as a community. What we are looking for is some seed money so that we can start formalize the service. We ask the Council to consider supporting this new program with a start up allocation of $20 ,000. The money would be used to hire a coordinator of services to do training of volunteers, to provide education, to be a liaison with health care providers, to assess needs of patients and family and to be an advocate for one who is now faced with the incapacity to act for themselves. Public Works Department Mel Dahl: Since 1981, the Block Grant Program has funded curb, gutter and sidewalk reconstruction in low and moderate income neighborhoods . This proposal recommends the continuation of the curb, gutter and sidewalk reconstruction with the work to be concentrated in the Neighborhood Strategy Area surrounding the southern portion of Dundee Avenue. A total cost of $174 , 735 is the estimate to accomplish the curb , gutter and sidewalk reconstruction in the NSA. This proposal recommends allocating approximately $52 , 000 for curb, gutter and sidewalk reconstruction in the NSA. A $52 , 000 allocation will accomplish about 30% of the total reconstruction work needed in this neighborhood. This item was included as part of the Integrated Capital Budget . Committee of the Whole Meeting March 23 , 1987 Page 8 This proposal requests that $300,000 be allocated from Block Grant Funds for street reconstruction in the Neighborhood Strategy Area. Approximately 16 miles of streets would be improved. Nine miles in the west area and seven miles in the NSA. The estimated cost for the street improvement program is almost 2 .235 million dollars. City Manager' s Office Pat Andrews : This proposal deals with funding a public incentive development fund for the downtown area. It is based upon the identification of potential need for larger redevelopment activities in the downtown area. It was proposed in the Integrated Capital Budget that this would probably be a land acquisition process, or assembly because land is non-depreciable, its and upfront cost for a developer. Acquisition is one of the few things that are done with Block Grant money where you can turn around and either sell the property, or write down the land cost value and not impact the rest of the project with other federal regulations . During some discussions last year with rebudgeting, one of the issues raised with the Borden Square Project , that was project specific elevation, and it was identified that the potential need for more flexible development funding for the downtown area may be desirable, and it was to that end that this project was proposed, and it is proposed for a funding level of $100, 000. Greater Downtown Elgin Commission Mark Herzog: The Greater Downtown Elgin Commission has in the past been sort of responsible for pushing the residential option on the South Grove project . I believe in 1984 they requested conceptual drawings be done for residential options to give a general idea of what could be done, which eventually sprung into the residential options that we are seeing now in talking to developers. In order to implement the downtown plan the Greater Downtown Elgin Commission is requesting that conceptual drawings be funded. Last time we requested $5 , 000 , and actually spent $2 , 500. Several architects drew conceptual concepts as to what could be done on South Grove. In that case they were dealing with vacant property, as the only viable option. In this case we see the Michigan Armory area as a range of options from clearing, demolition, and new construction, and options as to what that construction could be , anywhere from mid- rise structure down to townhouses that would be set into the Committee of the Whole Meeting March 23 , 1987 Page 9 hill and blend with the Historic District , to possibly commercial, or weeding out of substandard structures and rehab. There could be any number of ranges. In order to address this and begin discussions as to where that section of the South Grove project should go, we are requesting funding of $5 , 000 for conceptual drawings . It is important that the Commission stay on the leading edge of the impletation. The second proposal is to continue the redevelopment of the riverfront . This is specifically the Lower Wellington area. The hope is to combine this with the $30 , 000in the Integrated Capital Budget you would be able to leverage $180 , 000 and get some grant money from Kane County, the State, or the Federal government . Anti Gang Program Willie Spates: Just recently we have been hearing a lot about the gang problem that we have here, as a 20 year resident of Elgin, and as a member of the black community, I believe it is time that something is done about this . When we talk about juvenile delinquency, we are in effect talking about the condition of the home. A major stabilizing factor in many communities is the church. I believe the churches and its resources can make a beneficial impact upon the Elgin gang problem. Elgin alone has ten black churches, and may of these men, such as Reverend Andrew Johnson and Reverend Leonard Spates, are excellent role models . We are asking for funding for this program which will provide one on one role modeling, counseling and workshops. We will get the Elgin black ministers to talk with the young black men. Particularly those who are in gangs, we have to talk to them on a one on one level. A lot of these youths are unemployed and from poverity backgrounds , or they do not have a male figure in the home. What we will do is sit down with the ministers and let them talk out their problems , and see what they would like to accomplish. As an former State correction officer, trained at the State of Illinois academy, I believe that one think we can do is give the gang youth visits to the State correctional facilities , we hope to let them see the reality of their folly. As aforementioned the Church does have a responsibility to these youth to give them all of the support and guidance that it can. These programs will be administered with the strictest Committee of the Whole Meeting March 23 , 1987 Page 10 care and compassion. It will not be easy but in our city we possess the wisdom resource and experience to make more than just a marginal impact on this growing problem. In conclusion, lets not hire more police or build more jails, but lets utilize our own innate resources to alleviate a problem we can all do without . While salaries are being proposed we believe they are insignificant compared to the task that we are endeavoring to accomplish. We are seeking $37 , 250 seed money to start this agency. Two Rivers Head Start Jane Johnson, Director: We recently were reorganized, we were formerly called Plus, Inc. , now we are Two Rivers Headstart . Our Board of Directors would like to request retention of the 1986 Community Development Block Grant Funds of $100,000. The funds would be for rehabilitation and renovations instead of facility acquisition. I have had a meeting with Dr. Wigall and he has indicated to our agency that we will be losing our space where we are operating now, which is at the old elgin high school. At this point the only facility that even looks like it is feasible is Columbia School. We would need this money for handicap accessibility, update on fire coded, upgrade the parking lot to comply with city codes. We have until September lst , which is the beginning of our new program year to find a new facility, and right now it is a rush process . We are anxious to provide what we feel is a most vital community service for people of low income. Our clients and most of our staff are moderate to low income, and a number of our people are minority people too. Central Elgin Neighborhood Council Robert Johnson: One of the goals of the Elgin Central Neighborhood Council is to establish a neighborhood community center, and we have been discussing this for one year. The building is to function as an operations and referral center for various economic development programs , educational, social and cultural activities that will benefit the Neighborhood Strategy Area. It is the feeling of the membership that a localized, concentrated effort in the neighborhood promotes a positive attitude. With the help of the City of Elgin and the Neighborhood Housing Committee of the Whole Meeting March 23, 1987 Page 11 Services we can create a neighborhood which all central Elgin residents will be proud to live in. We respectfully request that the Elgin City Council fund the following projects and activities from the 1987 Community Development Block Grant Funds : Acquisition by purchase and rehab of a structure for Central Elgin Neighborhood Council as a neighborhood community center $135 , 000; One time only award for organization and development $12 , 500; Continuation of the residential rebate program $125 , 000. Continental Little League John Berner: We serve over 500 boys and girls on the Elgin westside, ages 7 to 18, serving baseball and softball. During the past four years we have been trying to move out of Grolich Park. We have a new location by the Illinois Driver' s License Department , in which we have built two fields and a refreshment stand. The purpose of the project is to enable Continental Little League to move from Grolich Park to the new park and to return Grolich Park to the City. We have been getting notices from the City . We had a program that was submitted last year of $125 , 000, we feel we could put in the four fields and move from Grolich Park for $25 , 000 , then we could build up from there with our programs . We would appreciate your help. Mayor Pro Tem Van De Voorde: I would just like to announce that the next meeting on this subject will April 9th at 7 :00 p.m. We will notify all applicants . Adjournment Councilwoman Moylan made a motion, seconded by Councilman Andersen to adjourn the meeting. Yeas: Councilmen Andersen, Moylan, Waters and Mayor Pro Tem Van De Voorde. Nays : None. The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m. Marie Yearman, City Clerk