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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSeptember 13, 1989 COW Committee of the Whole Meeting September 13 , 1989 Page 1 Consideration of a request from Citizens Against the Balefill for a contribution to help defray the costs of legal fees . Dan Karis appeared before the Council to request the City of Elgin ' s contribution to legal fees for representation against the Balefill proposal. Mr. Karis stated that Attorney Michael F. Kukla would coordinate legal proceedings for Bartlett , South Elgin and Elgin for a fee of approximately $12 ,000 . Mr. Karis stated that Bartlett had approved payment of one- third, but not more than $4 ,000 for said legal representation, and Mr. Karis was requesting a similar approval from Elgin. Mayor VanDeVoorde stated that Elgin is very committed to this project not being located in the proposed site and thus far Elgin has spent between $11,000 and $12 ,000 in legal staff time. The Mayor further stated that Elgin expected to expend further sums for expert witness fees . The Mayor felt that Elgin is paying more than its share right now and that we have an excellent staff handling this matter. Councilman Fox stated he was not prepared to make a decision on this and the Council should discuss this matter. Councilman Walters stated Elgin will continue to fight this project because we don' t want it here, but he too felt we have an excellent staff doing a good job. Mr. Karis thanked the Council for allowing him the time to address this matter. Consideration of a presentation and report by Hampton, Lenzini , & Renwick concerning a hydrological analysis of a tributary, to Tyler Creek. Bob Lenzini presented a graphic display which reflected the existing Tyler Creek tributary at Highland Avenue, Mr. Lenzini pointed out that the initial computation of the flood area was in error. Mr. Lenzini offered the following alternatives : 1. Replacing culvert with a larger pipe designed for a fifty year flood at an estimated cost of $50 , 000 to $75 , 000 . 2 . Replace cluvert with a pipe which would accommodate a 100 year floodway at an estimated cost of $100 ,000 . The downstream channal would remain the same. Committee of the Whole Meeting September 13 , 1989 Page 2 3 . Construct a bridge sixty feet long at an estimated cost of $240 ,000 . Mr. Cook stated the situtation should be corrected because the City allowed the development of homes in the floodplain. Mr. Cook suggested the Council look at alternative 2 . , which would provide some additional land for development . Mr.Cook further stated the County has agreed to split the costs of restoring the 100 year floodplain. The Mayor and Council indicated they would like more time to study this matter. Mr.Cook stated he would get additional material out to the Council and put this matter on the September 27th Committee of the Whole Meeting. Councilman Walters made a motion, seconded by Councilman Gilliam to table this matter for two weeks . Yeas : Councilmen Fox, Gilliam, Moylan, Popple, Shales , Walters and Mayor VanDeVoorde. Nays : None. Consideration of a report from the Transportation Committee regarding the selection of an engineering firm. The Transportation Committee, consisting of Roy Bell, Andrew Martin ( U-46 ) , Ed Kelly, Ralph Ridley, Ray Moller, Roger Dahlstrom and Mel Dahl, met with representatives from six engineering firms who make presentations regarding their qualifications , experience and ability to perform this study. An evaluation system was used in the selection process , a copy of which was furnished to the Council. There is $100 ,000 in the 1989 budget for this study. The firm of Consoer, Townsend & Associates submitted a fee of $98 , 000 and Donohue & Associated submitted a fee of $94 , 500 . The cost for staff time and temporation part-time personnel to assist in the study is estimated to be $10 , 000 . The Transportation Committee recommended the engineering services for this study be awarded to Donohue & Associates in the amount of $94 , 500 . Councilman Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilman Walters for staff to negotiate a contract with Donohue & Associates for the subject study. Yeas : Councilmen Fox, Gilliam, Moylan, Popple, Shales , Walters and Mayor VanDeVoorde. Nays : None. Committee of the Whole Meeting September 13 , 1989 Page 3 Consideration of obtaining requests for proposals for a curbside recycling program and for the collection and disposal of refuse. In June the Council directed staff to prepare an RFP for bids for curbside recycling and recycling along with garbage collection. Council has now been furnished with an RFP and staff is recommending that the RFP' s for curbside recycling collection program and collection and disposal of garbage and refuse be approved and that the bid process be initiated. Mayor VanDeVoorde asked if the bid process would include a bid from the City' s Public Works Department . Mr. Cook stated that staff could prepare a report using the cost figures from last year, and and estimated costs for the future. Councilman Fox stated he had concerns about a one man crew and how they could provide the same service we now have with a two-man crew. The dollar numbers may be less , but the service could be lower. Mike Poole, representing the Service Employees International Union Local 111, stated this is one of the concerns involved in the the current negotiations for the City' s Service Employee Group. Mr. Poole pointed out the loss of employment if an outside firm is contracted to collect and dispose of refuse. Mr. Poople stated the present service would not remain the same because the City' s employees and equipment are also used in areas of snow removal, flooding, and helping the elderly and handicapped with removal of large items for disposal. Councilman Fox stated the Council has not made any commitment , the RFP was prepared and being sent out just to get numbers . Mayor VanDeVoorde stated he would like to see a bid across the board from the City. Councilwoman Moylan made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Shales for staff to proceed to send out the two RFP' s , and to have a sealed bid submitted by the City. Yeas : Councilmen Fox, Gilliam, Moylan, Popple, Shales , Walters and Mayor VanDeVoorde. Nays : None. Consideration of obtaining request for proposals for the removal of parkway trees . Councilman Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Popple for staff to proceed to send out the request for proposals for the removal of parkway trees . Yeas : Councilmen Fox, Gilliam, Moylan, Popple, Shales , Walters and Mayor VanDeVoorde. Nays : None . Committee of the Whole Meeting September 13 , 1989 Page 4 Consideration of renewing the City' s insurance program. Ron Pavlik and Bill Beckmann from R.C. Hanchette advised the Council they did not received the final renewal quotation from Penco/Hartford until this morning. Mr. Pavlik reviewed a premium comparison which summarizes the City' s conventional first-dollar insurance program costs for the past two years d first-dollar coverage with their proposed e for the new policy g P P year beginning October lst . The Council requested that this matter be placed on both the Committee of the Whole Meeting and Council Meeting on September 27th. Consideration of the Integrated Capital Budget Program for 1990 . Mr. Cook furnished the Council with a revised list of Integrated Capital Budget projects for 1990 . In accordance with the Council' s request , this list does not contain any Form B capital replacement items . These will be reviewed during the departmental budget meetings . The current Integrated Capital Budget list for 1990 shows $9 , 735 , 980 in unfunded capital requests . This figure does not include Form B capital replacement requests . The General Fund revenue and expenditure forecast for 1989 and 1990 shows that for 1989 expenditures will exceed revenues by $141, 330 , which will reduce the General Fund carry-over balance for 1990 to $2 , 722 , 650 . In 1990 , it is projected that revenues will exceed expenditures by $1, 456 , 310 . The revenue figures includes $2 , 100 , 000 from the income tax increase. The expenditures do not include any funding for the Integrated Capital Budget projects (new or replacement ) or any additional personnel or programs . Mr. Cook stated the staff needs direction for the upcoming budget and the Council would need to prioritize the 1990 projects and decide on a funding amount . The Mayor indicated he would like to see some reduction in the real estate taxes , other members of the Council indicated they would like to keep the tax rate at 4 .90 . The Council also requested that the City Manager to prioritize new equipment purchases . This matter will be given further consideration at the September 27th Commmittee of the Whole Meeting. Committee of the Whole Meeting September 13 , 1989 Page 5 Consideration of a letter to property owners regarding Area II improvements . Councilwoman Moylan suggested that an informational meeting be held with these residents . Mr.Cook stated this should not take place until the City has the engineering figures available. Councilwoman Shales stated the letter should let them know that such a meeting will take place when this information is available . Councilman Fox stated he would like to see the public benefit clarified in the letter. Consideration of Amendment Number Two to the Sponsorship Agreememt with the State of Illinois for the Tyler Creek detention reservir. Councilwoman Popple made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Moylan to approve the proposed Amendment and to accept the State ' s funding obligation to June 30 , 1991. Yeas : Councilmen Fox, Gilliam, Moylan, Popple, Shales , Walters and Mayor VanDeVoorde. Nays : None. Consideration of a report concerning the Route 58 improvements relative to sidewalk repair on bridges . Councilwoman Moylan made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Shales to approve the full and partial dept patching of the sidewalks on the Highland Avenue and Chicago Street bridges . Yeas : Councilmen Fox, Gilliam, Moylan, Popple, Shales , Walters and Mayor VanDeVoorde. Nays : None. Consideration of the capital projects report for the month of August , 1989 . Status report . Consideration of a request from Frank Halsey concerning the Woolworth Building. The Council reviewed Mr. Halsey' s request for an extension on the deadline for remodeling the Woolworth Building and a request for a special use permit to rent the premises to Two-Rivers Headstart . Staff presented the following options to the Council: 1. Grant the extension of the eighteen month deadline for a specified period of time in order to accomodate Mr. Halsey' s efforts to secure tenants . Committee of the Whole Meeting September 13 , 1989 Page 6 2 . Deny extension of deadline. If renovations are not made within the remaining time period, the City could cancel the purchase agreement and proceed with efforts to solicit a new developer. The Council did not feel this location was proper for the Headstart Program and was not in keeping with occupancy intent in the Mall area. Councilman Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Moylan to deny Mr. Halsey' s request for an extension to his agreement with the City. Yeas : Councilmen Fox, Gilliam, Moylan, Popple, Shales , Walters and Mayor VanDeVoorde. Nays : None. Adjournment Councilman Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilman Fox to adjourn the Committee of the Whole Meeting to go into Executive Session to discuss litigation, personnel and land acquisition. Yeas : Councilmen Fox, Gilliam, Moylan, Popple, Shales , Walters and Mayor VanDeVoorde. Nays : none. The meeting adjourned at 9 :40 p.m. Marie Yearm , City Clerk