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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSeptember 27, 1989 COW Committee of the Whole Meeting September 27 , 1989 Page 1 Mayor VanDeVoorde called the meeting to order at 6 : 30 p.m. Members present : Councilman Fox, Gilliam, Moylan, Popple, Shales , Walters and Mayor VanDeVoorde. Absent : None. Consideration of insurance for 1989-1990 . Councilman Walters made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Popple to remove this item from the table. Yeas : Councilmen Fox, Gilliam, Moylan, Popple, Shales , Walters and Mayor VanDeVoorde. Nays : None. The Council received the following recommendations from staff for the insurance period October 1, 1989 to September 30 , 1990 : 1. To accept the proposal from R.C. Hanchette & Associates for a total cost of $691, 043 ( $711, 043 for same program as last year less the $20 , 000 for Worker' s Compensation claims administration ) . i 2 . To accept the renwal quotation from Management Services Inc. for Worker' s Compensations claims administration for a total cost of $20 , 000 . 3 . To purchase the optional excess liability coverage, the total cost of R.C. Hanchette ' s contract would increase to $803 ,475 . Councilman Fox made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Popple to approve the staff' s recommendations . Yeas : Councilmen Fox, Gilliam, Moylan, Popple, Shales , Walters and Mayor VanDeVoorde. Nays : None. Consideration of a request for industrial development bonds and recommendation from the Economic Development Council. Councilwoman Moylan made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Shales to approve the recommendation of the Elgin Development Council for the application of P & K Products Co. , Inc. , for $3 , 500 ,000 of industrial development bonds . Yeas : Councilmen Fox, Gilliam, Moylan, Popple, Shales , Walters and Mayor VanDeVoorde. Nays : None. Consideration of Shedd' s Contract . The City Manager submitted a proposed development agreement for the Woodruff & Edwards Foundry site, and stated the staff had negotiated the following items as previously requested by Council: 1. The elimination of the fleet service facility at the north end of the Shedd' s proposed development plan. The company will continue to use the existing Willard Avenue Service Center. T Committee of the Whole Meeting September 27 , 1989 Page 2 2 . A land split of 46 percent ( 672 feet ) City and 54 percent ( 788 feet ) Van den Bergh Foods . 3 . The elimination of all trucks backing on State Street , including salt and grease trucks . 4 . The right of the City to repurchase the portion of the foundry site sold to Van den Bergh in the event that the company fails to commence its improvements or fails to substantially complete its proposed improvements . 5 . A right of first refusal for the City to purcahse the Van den Bergh property for a ten year period after the completion of the improvements . The total project costs for land acquisition, environmental mediation, demolition and fill to grade is estimated to be $900 , 000 . Assuming the proposed 54/46 split of land is agreed upon by the Council, the City' s share of the project would be $414 , 000 . Monies for this project are available from the cable television fund. The City Manager further stated that although this agreement is on the Council Agenda, he would ask the Council to table same until drawings are available to the Council and staff. Councilwoman Shales stated she would prefer to have No. 5 read "an indefinite period of time" instead of a 10 year period. Councilwoman Popple stated she agreed with Councilwoman Shales and preferred an indefinite period of time . The City Manager stated that the City will always have condemnation proceedings available. Councilwoman Shales stated that if the City offered a fair amount of money for the property, there could still be problems in purchasing the property. Councilman Walters stated it is not necessary to tie anyone down when condemnation is available. Councilwoman Popple stated she did not want future councils having to consider this issue, should Shedd decide to relocate. Mrs . Popple felt that should Shedd' s move the City should be able to make the decision as to what will occupy the property. Mrs . Popple stated she felt this issue was serious enough in her mind to determine her vote on the agreement . Councilman Fox stated the City must retain the right to buy the property back and this is essential to the agreement . The needs of the whole City must be balanced. Mr. Fox further stated he was willing to go along with the property division, but Committee of the Whole Meeting September 27 , 1989 Page 3 this issue is critical and needs to be settled. Councilman Gilliam stated he was always under the impression that the property division and fleet service facility were the big issues . Councilman Fox stated there are problems with this proposal and the Council should not vote on anything. The proposal does not deal with the parking spaces and there is a need to reconsider the number of years allowed to repurchase. Councilman Fox pointed out the City bought the property and we should have the right to buy it back. Councilman Walters stated the City could have it back by eminent domain. Councilwoman Moylan stated the City could start eminent domain proceedings in nine years if there was a need for the property. John Langum presented the Council with information relative to the past record and future challenges of the Fox River in Elgin. Mr. Langum stated the Council should look to the future citizen of Elgin needs and not locate a business on the Fox River. Mayor VanDeVoorde: Stated he would vote for the proposal because eminent domain means were available, the traffic problem will be relieved, the City is providing a park, this is a good business , which is expanding jobs and paying taxes to the City. Councilman Walters made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Moylan to accept the proposal in theory. Yeas : Councilmen Gilliam, Moylan, Shales , Walters and Mayor VanDeVoorde. Nays : Councilmen Fox and Popple. Consideration of approval of transfer of Cable Television Franchise i Provider. The Council was advised Centel Cable Television of Illinois ( Centel) is requesting the City' s approval to transfer their authority to provide cable service in Elgin to Jones Intercable. Jones Intercable agrees to expand and modernize the system within 36 months of its acquisition. Such a system upgrade will not only enhance picture quality but will also provide for greater program selection, including "pay per view" services to cable television subscribers . The staff recommends approving transfer of the cable television franchise to Jones Intercable. Committee of the Whole Meeting September 27 , 1989 Page 4 Councilman Fox asked if the upgraded system would be completed in 36 months , and if the rates for the service would remain the same. James O'Brien, representing Jones Intercable stated the project would be completed within 36 months , and the rates would remain the same until the modernization is in place. Mayor VanDeVoorde stated there have been and are public criticism regarding the rising cable costs , with no increased services , and he would urge the company to hold the costs down. Mr. O'Brien stated the company is spending a large amount of money for expansion of the system and programming and he would hope the rates would reflect what the company has to offer. Councilman Fox asked if there were any plans to open the Weld Road office. Mr. O'Brien stated there has been no decision made at this time. Councilwoman Popple made a motion, seconded by Councilman Fox to approve the proposed cable transfer. Yeas : Councilmen Fox, Gilliam, Moylan, Popple , Shales , Walters and Mayor VanDeVoorde. Nays : None . Consideration of application by Illinois Proud and Beautiful to the State of Illinois . Councilman Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilman Walters to approve the submission of an application for grant funding in the amount of $12 , 000 , and authorizing execution, on behalf of the City, of the agreement with Elgin Proud and Beautiful, Inc. Yeas : Councilmen Fox, Gilliam, Moylan, Popple, Shales , Walters and Mayor VanDeVoorde. Nays : None. Consideration of Highland Avenue drainage. Councilwoman Popple made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Moylan to remove this item from the table. Yeas : Councilmen Fox, Gilliam, Moylan, Popple, Shales , Walters and Mayor VanDeVoorde. Nays : None . Staff proposed the following alternatives to the Council for the culvert on Sandy Creek at Highland Avenue: 1. Do nothing and leave the culvert as it is , which would allow the creek to overtop Highland Avenue during a 100 year flood event . This option would impact Williamsburg Commons , Williamsburg Terrace and the Besinger property, west of Williamsburg Terrace and Williamburg Commons . Committee of the Whole Meeting September 27 , 1989 Page 5 The cost to lengthen the existing culvert is $20 , 000 . 2 . Install a culvert under Highland Avenue that would pass the storm water from a 50 year storm, but for a 100 year storm would overtop Highland Avenue. Williamsburg Terrace would still be limited development and the Besinger property would still have a substantial amount of property covered by the 100 year flood plain. The cost to install twin 72 " culverts is $50 ,000 . 3 . Install a culvert under Highland Avenue that would accommodate a 100 year storm without overtopping Highland Avenue. Williamsburg Commons and the Besinger Property would still be limited to development . The cost to install twin 72" box culverts $180 ,000 . 4 . Install a bridge on Highland Avenue that would pass the 100 year storm and cause a backwater profile south of Highland Avenue approximating the profile of the current Flood Insurance Study. Williamsburg would be able to complete development to the westerly boundary of their existing property. Williamsburg Terrace would have no further limitations on the development of Units 2 and 3 . The Besinger property' s flood plain encroachment would be reduced to the area depicted on the existing FEMA maps . I The cost to install the bridge $585 , 000 . Councilman Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Moylan to select Option 3 , and to approve the staff recommendations . i Councilwoman Popple stated the City has always been committed to open up Airlite Street , which would not be feasible with Option 3 . Councilman Fox asked if the City went with Option 4 and the developers share in the cost , would the country be willing to contribute towards the bridge . The City Manager stated the country would derive very little benefit , but they might be willing to contribute $90 ,000 to get rid of the hazard. Councilwoman Popple thought the Council should consider Option 4 and see what the developers and county are willing to do. Councilwoman Shales stated she also wanted to see Airlite go through. i Committee of the Whole Meeting September 27 , 1989 Page 6 Councilwoman Popple made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Shales to table this issue until it is determined what contributions would be made by the developers and the County under Option 4 . Yeas : Councilmen Fox, Gilliam, Moylan, Popple, Shales , Walters and Mayor VanDeVoorde. Nays : None. Consideration of a request from Jim and Robert Schroeder for extension of Special Use in Oakwood Hills . The legal staff advised the Council the existing special use expired on September 9 , 1989 , there is no action for the Council to take at this time . Specifically, the Council cannot extend a special use which has already expired. Consideration of a request for Class AA license waiver by Max & Marges . The Liquor Commission has issued a Class A license for the subject establishment , but denied a Class AA license due to the ordinance which established no new AA licenses after August 1, 1989 . Chapin Wood, owner of the subject premises requested a re- consideration because of the delay involved in annexing this property. Councilwoman Moylan made a motion, seconded by Councilman Fox to grandfather a Class AA license for this establishment because this was an involuntary annexation, and a long process in recording said annexation in Cook County. Yeas : Councilmen Fox,- Gilliam, Moylan, Popple, Shales , Walters and Mayor VanDeVoorde. Nays : None . Mr. Wood further requested that the Council waive payment of the liquor license fees for the first year because he had already paid Cook County over $2 , 000 for a license and there is no refund available. Councilwoman Shales made a motion, seconded by Councilman Fox to approve waiver of the license fee for the current year. Yeas : Councilmen Fox, Shales , Walters and Mayor VanDeVoorde. Nays : Councilmen Gilliam, Moylan and Popple. Consideration of a negotiated contract for engineering services for bridge maintenance. Councilwoman Popple made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Shales to approve an agreement with Midwest Consulting Engineers , Inc. for Phase II Engineering Services for the National Street Bridge over the Fox River and the 2 bridges over Tyler Creek -in Wing Park. Yeas : Councilmen Fox, Gilliam, Moylan, Popple, Shales , Walters and Mayor VanDeVoorde. Nays : None. Committee of the Whole Meeting September 27 , 1989 Page 7 Consideration of a request from Neighborhood Housing Service for a revision to the Home Improvement Loan Program. Councilwoman Popple made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Moylan to approve the proposed Home Improvement Loan Program Agreement . Yeas : Councilmen Fox, Gilliam, Moylan, Popple, Shales , Walters and Mayor VanDeVoorde. Nays : None. Consideration of a request from a Planning Committee member for attendance at a State conference. Councilman Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Popple to approve the request for Denise Harding-Hopkins to attend the American Plannin g Association Midwest Conference in Chicago, October 5 through October 7 , 1989 . Yeas : Councilmen Fox, Gilliam, Moylan, Popple, Shales , Walters and Mayor VanDeVoorde. Nays : None. Consideration of an Agreement with Elgin Community College for use of facilities at the Elgin Sports Complex. Elgin Community College is developing a campus master plan which includes a large new parking lot south of the vocational building. When completed this lot is intended to house Truck Driving Training classes . Until that time the College has requested the use of the Softball Complex parking lot for these classes . Councilman Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Shales to approve the proposed agreement with Elgin Community College. Yeas : Councilmen Fox, Gilliam, Moylan, Popple, Shales , Walters and Mayor VanDeVoorde. Nays : None. Consideration of the Integrated Capital Budget for 1990 . Councilwoman Moylan made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Shales to remove this item from the table. Yeas : Councilmen Fox, Gilliam, Moylan, Popple, Shales , Walters and Mayor VanDeV000rde . Nays : None . The City Manager advised the Council that $2 million will be available for the ICB from existing and anticipated revenues . The ICB totals $9 , 252 ,030 and staff has identified the following changes which could be made to reduce this deficit : Reduction Facade Improvement Program $ 60 , 000 Shedd' s Incentive Project ( PH 2 ) & ( PH 3 ) (Estimated participation by Shedd' s 324 , 000 Shedd' s Incentive Project ( PH 4 ) ( Increased MFT from State Gas Tax) 125 ,000 Committee of the Whole Meeting September 27 , 1989 Page 8 Reduction Recycling and composting $ 440 , 000 Over-estimated yard waste collections 200 , 000 Street Resurfacing 375 , 000 Willard Paving 770 , 000 Paving Replacement - Fire Station 2 40 , 000 New Fire Station - reduction in cost of land 200 , 000 Expansion of existing computer system 145 , 000 Wing and Lord' s Park Lighting - do only one park in 1990 70 , 000 $ 2 , 749 , 000 The ICB list needs to be cut further by $2 ,400 , 000 , or additional revenues generated to fund that portion which is not cut . If a refuse fee is not established or at a rate less than required to generate the $2 , 000 , 000 net income, the the unfunded projects could increase to $4 ,402 , 000 . The City Manager recommended that : 1. The Council review the recommended adjustments and indicate their approval, or disapproval; and 2 . The Council indicate other projects which they believe are of lower priority to guide the staff in budgetary allocations . Councilwoman Popple stated the staff should prioritize the equipment needs . Councilwoman Moylan stated the museum projects should be cut and prioritized. The Mayor stated that some of the Michigan Street projects could be delayed. The City Manager stated that if the present growth continues the staff will not be able to complete all the anticipated projects . The projected revenues donot envision a $100 million return. Permits could be high, but building permits low, and the sales tax figures are not that far above the budgeted amount . The City Manager further stated that the budget will give the Council the recommendations from the staff and the Council can decide which items should be cut . The Mayor stated the Council could consider short rate bonds without raising the tax rate. This issue will be discussed further when the budgets are presented to the Council on October 25th. Committee of the Whole Meeting September 27 , 1989 Page 9 Consideration of contract with Kane County regarding Grant for Woodruff & Edwards Site project . Councilman Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Popple to approve the grant application under the Kane County Community Development Assistance Program for the redevelopment of the Foundry site . Yeas : Councilmen Fox, Gilliam, Moylan, Popple, Shales , Walters and Mayor VanDeVoorde. Nays : None. Consideration of a report on emergency tree removal. Status report . Consideration of a report on emergency services expenses ( Public Works ) Status Report Consideration of negotiation of boundary agreement with South g Y g Elgin. The City Manager stated the Council was furnished with a memorandum outling the current negotiations with South Elgin, and staff would keep the Council advised of any further developments . Consideration of a report from the State Department of Transportion with regard to traffic controls at Edison and Larkin. The City Manager stated in order for this intersection to be considered for signalization in the fiscal year 1991, a formal request must be made to the IDOT District Engineer as soon as possible. It is estimated that the new signals would cost approximately $50 , 000 . The estimated cost to the City would be $10 , 000 . The remaining $40 ,000 would be paid by IDOT. Councilwoman Shales made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Popple to have staff make a request to IDOT for the subject signalization. Yeas : Councilmen Fox, Gilliam, Moylan, Popple, Shales , Walters and Mayor VanDeVoorde. Nays : None. Authroization of payment for roadway improvements , Riverside Water Treatment Plant . i Councilman Fox made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Moylan to approve the payment of $24 , 062 for road and drainage improvements at the Riverside Water Treatment Plant in conjunction with the construction of the Judson College Fitness Center. Yeas : Councilmen Fox, Gilliam, Moylan, Popple, Shales , Walters and Mayor VanDeVoorde. Nays : None. Committee of the Whole Meeting September 27 , 1989 Page 10 Adjournment Councilwoman Popple made a motion, seconded by Councilman Walters to adjourn the Committee of the Whole Meeting to go into Executive Session to discuss litigation, property acquisition and personnel. Yeas : Councilmen Gilliam, Moylan, Popple, Walters and Mayor VanDeVoorde. Nays : Councilmen Fox and Shales . The meeting adjourned at 9 : 05 p.m. Marie Yearman; City Clerk