HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 11, 1988 COW Committee of the Whole Meeting
May 11, 1988
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 Fox, Gilliam, Moylan,
Popple, Shales, Walters and Mayor VanDeVoorde. Absent: None.
Acceptance of Easements for National Street Improvements Associated with Clock
Tower Plaza
The declaration of easement will permit the construction of a traffic signal at the
entrance to Clock Tower Plaza and the plat of dedication will permit the widening of
National Street by nine feet. The acceptance of these documents will permit the award
of a contract in a timely fashion. These items appear on the regular Council agenda.
Acceptance of a Proposal to Construct a Garaqe Addition to Fire Station 5 for,
Temporary Housing of Ambulance
The bid to construct a garage and paving at Fire Station 5 was rejected at the April 27,
1988 Council meeting. The construction of the garage and the paving were separated
which will reduce the cost of the entire project by including the paving with the east side
street improvement project. This item appears on the regular Council agenda.
Consideration of the 1988 Park Improvement Capital Proqram
The Council reviewed the list of capital projects recommended by the Parks and Recrea-
tion Board to be funded by the 1988 bond fund. The capital projects include: Wing Park
Pool bridge replacement; Trout Park restroom renovation; Wing Park tank wall repair;
Wing Park playground rehabilitation; Wing Park landscaping; Lords Park landscaping,
Wing Park maintenance building addition; Lords Park tennis court resurfacing; Wright
Park playground replacement and Grolich Park playground replacement.
The relocation of the playgrounds to school sites would better serve the children in the
area and the concept is supported by the school system.
The Lords Park pavilion was not included in the list of recommendations, as more study is
needed to determine its best use and it has not yet reached a level of priority such as
repair of the bridges.
Councilman Walters made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Popple, to approve the
1988 Park Capital Improvement Program. Yeas: Councilmen Fox, Gilliam, Moylan,
Popple, Shales, Walters and Mayor VanDeVoorde. Nays: None.
Consideration of Recommendation from the Hemmens Advisory Board Regarding Booking
Procedures
The Hemmens Advisory Board requested the booking procedures at the Hemmens be
changed from January I of each year to August I. The proposal would divide lessees into
two categories, primary users and secondary users. Primary users will be permitted to
book an equal number of dates as leased the previous year prior to all other lessees.
Committee of the Whole Meeting
May 11, 1988
Page 2
Councilwoman Moylan made a motion, seconded by Councilman Fox, to approve the
recommendations of the Hemmens Advisory Board. Yeas: Councilmen Fox, Gilliam,
Moylan, Popple, Shales, Walters and Mayor VanDeVoorde. Nays: None.
Consideration of Recommendation from the Hemmens Advisory Board Reqardinq Waiver
of Charqes to ECC and U-46
The Hemmens Advisory Board recommended that Elgin Community College and U-46
schools located within Elgin city limits be eligible for discount/waiver of rental fees.
Councilwoman Popple made a motion, seconded by Councilman Fox, to approve the
discount/waiver of rental fees policy.
Staff was directed to notify the Council of rent increases by U-46 to the City.
Yeas: Councilmen Fox, Moylan, Popple, Shales, Walters and Mayor VanDeVoorde.
Nays: None. Abstain: Councilman Gilliam.
Consideration of Recommendation from the Hemmens Advisory Board Reqardinq Booking
of the Play Brigadoon
The Hemmens Advisory Board requested approval of the proposed budget for the 1988
Elgin Summer Theatre production of Brigadoon.
Councilman Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Shales, to approve the
proposed budget for the production of Brigadoon. Yeas: Councilmen Fox, Gilliam,
Moylan, Popple, Shales, Walters and Mayor VanDeVoorde. Nays: None.
Consideration of Recommendation of the Hemmens Advisory Board Reqardinq Substitu-
tion of Sound System Improvements in the 1988 Capital Outlay
The current sound system at the Hemmens Building is inadequate and does not have
stereo capability. Lessees have complained about the system's inadequacy. Funding is
available for florescent lights lenses and the Hemmens Advisory Board has requested that
the capital budget be amended to permit the purchase of a sound system as opposed to
the light lenses.
Council recommended the acquisition of a new sound system and the light lenses.
Councilman Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilman Walters, to approve the
recommended sound system.
Council questioned if the budgeted amount of $7,500 was sufficient to attain a quality
sound system.
Hemmens Operations Manager Ed Spurr stated that an adequate system could be acquired
for the budgeted amount, but sound systems can always be upgraded depending upon
available financing.
Councilwoman Popple made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Moylan, to table this
matter and directed staff to bring back recommendations for a quality sound system and
to keep the lighting system in the budget. Yeas: Councilmen Fox, Gilliam, Moylan,
Popple, Shales, Walters and Mayor VanDeVoorde. Nays: None.
Committee of the Whole Meeting
May 11, 1988
Page 3
Consideration of 1988 Bond Issues
The Council considered the 1988 general obligation bond issue for the financing of capital
projects recommended during budget sessions. An increase of in water rates of $.04 per
100 cubic feet of water would provide adequate debt coverage for the portion of the bond
issue to be used for water improvements.
Councilwoman Popple made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Moylan, to support the
1988 bond issue. Yeas: Councilmen Fox, Gilliam, Moylan, Popple, Shales, Walters and
Mayor VanDeVoorde. Nays: None.
Councilwoman Popple made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Shales, to authorize
staff to prepare an ordinance to raise water rates $.04 per 100 cubic feet of water with
an effective date of July I, 1988. Yeas: Councilmen Fox, Gilliam, Moylan, Popple,
Shales, Walters and Mayor VanDeVoorde. Nays: None.
Consideration of a Recommendation Regarding Motorola Purchases
of 1988
Negotiations between the City and Motorola for the City's 1988 equipment needs have
been completed. The recommendation is to award a contract to Motorola for the
negotiated amount of $36,165.50.
Councilm an Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilman Fox, to approve the
recommendation. Yeas: Councilmen Fox, Gilliam, Moylan, Popple, Shales, Walters and
Mayor VanDeVoorde. Nays: None.
Consideration of a Resolution for MFT Crack Sealing Program for 1988
The Council reviewed a proposed Motor Fuel Tax Resolution appropriating $50,000 of tax
funds for street maintenance crack sealing.
Councilman Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilman Walters, to approve the
resolution. Yeas: Councilmen Fox, Gilliam, Moylan, Popple, Shales, Walters and Mayor
VanDeVoorde. Nays: None.
Consideration of Stop Sign at Illinois and Laurel
I -
The Traffic Committee recommended a stop sign be posted on Illinois Avenue at Laurel
Street to alleviate the hazard created by fueling of buses on the southwest corner and
creating a blind spot.
Councilwoman Shales made a motion, seconded by Councilman Gilliam, to approve the
r ecommendation. Yeas: Councilmen Fox, Gilliam, Moylan, Popple, Shales, Walters and
Mayor VanDeVoorde. Nays: None.
Consideration of Amendment to the Housing Assistance Pro rg am
Alan Saunders, representing the Bensenville Home Society, requested the support of the
f a 60
application to the Department of Housing and Urban Development or
City in its li p 9 P
Y Pp
unit apartment complex for the elderly and handicapped. The development would be
located on the southeast corner of Willard Avenue and Terrace Avenue and consist of
approximately six acres. The Bensenville Home Society, a not-for-profit organization,
Committee of the Whole Meeting
May 11, 1988
Page 4
organizes, develops and finances housing projects. This project would be for low income
elderly and handicapped. The site was chosen because it is available and within the
Society's service area.
The program is for independent living, offering full apartments for seniors 62 years and
over who are ambulatory. Priority is given to local residents.
Councilwoman Popple expressed concern that the proposed location was very near other
low income properties.
Mayor VanDeVoorde stated that he cannot support a proposal that did not go through the
proper public hearing bodies.
Mr. Saunders stated that this evening's request is for a statement of need for this type of
housing.
Councilwoman Shales stated that Elgin already has a lot of low income housing and not
enough upper stock housing.
Councilman Gilliam is tired of these type projects always being proposed in Elgin.
Councilman Walters stated that he could not support the project at its proposed location.
Councilman Fox stated that Elgin has enough social services.
Councilwoman Moylan would not vote in favor of a project that had not gone through the
regular channel of the Land Use Commission.
Consideration of a Recommendation from the Hemmens Advisory Board of Establishment
of a Children's Theater Program and Production of Snow White
Councilman Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilman Walters, to approve the
request for the children's theatre program under the direction of the Hemmens staff.
Yeas: Councilmen Fox, Gilliam, Moylan, Popple, Shales, Walters and Mayor
VanDeVoorde. Nays: None.
Consideration of Mid-Block Street Lighting Policy
The Council considered a proposed mid-block street lighting policy. The proposal set
forth criteria to be used in determining where street lights are warranted and a
methodology for selecting locations. The 1988 budget authorized $35,000 for mid-block
street lighting. It is recommended that this sum be divided into two categories with
$10,000 to be used to address specific complaints and $25,000 to be used as part of an
area by area program.
Councilwoman Shales made a motion, seconded by Councilman Fox, to approve the mid-
block street lighting policy. Yeas: Councilmen Fox, Gilliam, Moylan, Popple, Shales,
Walters and Mayor VanDeVoorde. Nays: None.
Consideration of Correspondence Regarding Martin Luther King's Birthday
The Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday Corporation requested Holiday Commission
members to contribute $200 to the Federal Commission to provide literature and
information on the 1939 observance.
Committee of the Whole Meeting
May 11, 1988
Page 5
Councilman Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilman Walters, to approve the
contribution. Yeas: Councilmen Fox, Gilliam, Moylan, Popple, Shales, Walters and
Mayor VanDeVoorde. Nays: None.
Consideration of Correspondence Regarding Peace Day
Sally Brown of the Elgin Interfaith Peacemakers requested support by the passage of a
resolution declaring October 1988 as Peace Awareness Month.
Councilwoman Moylan made a motion, seconded by Councilman Walters, to support the
resolution. Yeas: Councilmen Fox, Gilliam, Moylan, Popple, Shales, Walters and Mayor
VanDeVoorde. Nays: None.
Consideration of the Policy Regarding Trips for Board and Commission Members
The Council reviewed the current policy concerning travel and conference expenses of
members of boards and commissions. It was suggested that board and commission
'n within a certain radius of Elgin as opposed to
members be permitted to attend meetings g pp
the current policy of limiting members to meetings within the State of Illinois. Board
and commission members have the option of requesting permission to attend meetings
outside of Illinois. The Council concurred in keeping the current policy and considering
individual requests as they may occur.
Consideration of a Report on the Preliminary Results of the Special Census
The Council received the preliminary results of the Special Census of 1988. The report
showed that the population of Elgin increased to 69,620, or 5,952 over the 1980 figure.
Report on the Capital Improvement Projects for_the Month of April
The Council accepted the status report of the various City capital projects.
Consideration of a Report on Increase in Landfill Fees
The Council was provided with information relative to the City's disposal fees at the
Woodland Landfill.
Adjournment
Councilwoman Shales made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Popple, to adjourn the
Committee of the Whole Meeting to go into the Council Meeting. Yeas: Councilmen
Fox, Gilliam, Moylan, Popple, Shales, Walters and Mayor VanDeVoorde. Nays: None.
Nonc�`R eputy Clerk