Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboute - March 9 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING March 9, 2005 The regular Committee of the Whole meeting was called to order by Mayor Schock at 6:05 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Present: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters and Mayor Schock. Absent: None. Approval of Minutes Councilmember Walters made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Figueroa, to approve the minutes of the February 23, 2005, regular meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of a Proposed Ordinance Prohibiting Water Wells within a Defined Area of the City-Phase 2 of PAR Townhome Development Site An ordinance will be presented at tonight’s Council meeting for adoption by the City Council. Consideration of a Health Reimbursement Account Adoption Agreement A resolution will be presented at tonight’s Council meeting for adoption by the City Council. Consideration of an Award of Contract to Shales McNutt Construction for the Fulton Street Parking Deck A resolution will be presented at tonight’s Council meeting for adoption by the City Council. Consideration of Proposed Amendments to the Liquor Code Concerning Class R License Classification and Young Adult Night Permit Councilmember Figueroa made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Sandor, to remove consideration of the proposed amendments to the liquor code from the table. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Councilmember Sandor expressed concern about having teenagers and adults at the same establishment and recommended changing the age restriction for the teen club from 21 to age 20. Mayor Schock stated that there are a number of situations where under-age people are with people who drink such as brewfest, bowling alleys, festivals, etc. Dave Shelton, owner/manager of The Mission responded to various questions including what measures are taken to insure that drinks are not served to minors, the type of entertainment, the layout of the establishment, requirements for membership, security measures and number of police officers at the establishment, etc. Councilmember Figueroa stated that he believes an opportunity should be given to young people to have entertainment provided for them in Elgin. An ordinance will be presented at tonight’s Council meeting for adoption by the City Council. Committee of the Whole March 9, 2005 Page 2 Consideration of the Cultural Arts Commission Grant Award Recommendations Councilmember Rodgers made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Walters, to grant funding support for the arts programming listed below recommended by the Cultural Arts Commission in the total amount of $62,857. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. ORGANIZATION PROJECT/OPT. SUPP. AWARD Art For All Operating Support $889 Ballet Folklorico Dance Performance $6,953 Elgin Children's Chorus Voices $6,320 Elgin Choral Union Brahms' A German Requiem $5,833 Elgin Community Theatre Pippin' $5,992 Elgin Youth Symphony Every Good Boy Deserves Favor $6,627 Heartland Voices Home is Where the Heart Is $6,640 Hispanic Heritage Coalition Fiesta Salsa Cultural Entertainment $6,080 Independent Players Operating Support $4,186 Janus Theatre Stage Traffic Theatre Fest III $3,680 OPERA Die Fledermaus $6,400 SPEBSQSA-Barbershop Qt Operating Support $3,257 The total of grant awards recommended is: $62,857 Consideration of a Request for Financial Assistance for E-Foods USA Councilmember Walters made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Figueroa, to authorize a development agreement for financial assistance with E-Foods USA in the amount of $8,521.74 to cover moving expenses from the City-owned property at 245 Fulton Street. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Proposed Guidelines for the Property Improvement Grant Program Councilmember Sandor questioned why the standards regarding siding removal/replacement are more restrictive in this program than what is allowed in the Far West Area. After discussion, staff was directed to change the proposed guidelines to include the provision that if more than 51% of siding is replaced, any product that is permitted in the Far West Area plan is acceptable for this program. Councilmember Figueroa made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Rodgers, to approve the proposed guidelines for the Property Improvement Grant Program including the change discussed above. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of the Removal of the Gate at the Eastern Boundary of Stockbridge Place Committee of the Whole March 9, 2005 Page 3 Councilmember Sandor made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Figueroa, to approve the removal of the gate at the eastern boundary of Stockbridge Place in the Cobbler’s Crossing Subdivision at an estimated cost of $100. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of a Neighborhood Business Improvement Grant Program Application for the Property at 455 Bluff City Blvd Councilmember Figueroa made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Walters, to approve the application for a Neighborhood Business Improvement Program Grant with Rajeh Assad for 455 Bluff City Blvd. (Stop and Go Food Mart) in the amount of $15,000. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of a Purchase of Service Agreement with Hamilton Wings Councilmember Rodgers made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Walters, to approve the Purchase of Service Agreement with Hamilton Wings in the amount of $19,000 to implement the SCORE! (Students Creating Opera to Reinforce Education!) Program. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of a Purchase of Service Agreement with Elgin Recreation Center Councilmember Rodgers made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Walters, to approve the 2005 Purchase of Service Agreement with The Elgin Recreation Center in the amount of $152,000 to provide funding for the youth gang intervention programs. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of a Purchase of Service Agreement with Downtown Neighborhood Association Councilmember Figueroa made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Rodgers, to approve the Purchase Service Agreement with the Downtown Neighborhood Association in the amount of $45,000 for operating expenses such as staff salary and benefits, rent, meeting expenses, and expenses associated with sponsorship of community events. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of a Purchase of Service Agreement with Elgin Symphony Orchestra Councilmember Walters made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Rodgers, to approve the Purchase of Service Agreement with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra (ESO) for youth Committee of the Whole March 9, 2005 Page 4 programming and general operational support in the amount of $135,680. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of an Honorary Street Name for Steve DiMeo Councilmember Rodgers made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Figueroa, to dedicate the private drive for the Bank of Elgin, 890 N. State Street, with the honorary street name of DiMeo Drive per Chapter 13.27 of the Elgin Municipal Code, Honorary Street Names. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of a Co-Sponsorship Agreement with the Greater Chicago Soap Box Derby Association Councilmember Rodgers made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Walters, to approve the agreement with the Greater Chicago Soup Box Derby Association to organize the Soup Box Derby on Memorial Day, Monday, May 30, 2005, for a not-to-exceed amount of $19,800 in financial and in-kind support. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of a Letter of Intent with IDOT for the U.S. Route 20/Nesler Road Intersection Improvements Councilmember Rodgers made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Sandor, to authorize the City Manager to sign a Letter of Intent with IDOT for the intersection improvements at U.S. Route 20 and Nesler Road. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of an Engineering Services Agreement with Bollinger, Lock & Associates for the U.S. Rte 20/Nesler Rd. Intersection Improvement Project Councilmember Rodgers made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Sandor, to authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Bollinger, Lach & Associates (BLA) for engineering services for the U.S. Route 20/Nesler Road Intersection Improvement Project. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Acceptance of Sanitary Sewer & Water Main Easements on the Otter Creek School Property Councilmember Rodgers made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Walters, to accept the sanitary sewer and water main easement agreements across the Otter Creek School site on Hopps Road, west of Randall Road. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Committee of the Whole March 9, 2005 Page 5 Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Dedication of Right-of-Way and Easement Agreement for Public Utilities with Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley along Owasco Avenue Councilmember Rodgers made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Walters, to accept the dedication of a right-of-way and an easement agreement with Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley for public utilities serving the proposed residential property located along the north side of Owasco Avenue in Elgin. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Change Order Number 1 and Final for the 2003 Motor Fuel Tax Kimball Street Bridge Maintenance Project Councilmember Figueroa made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Rodgers, to approve Change Order No. 1 and Final for the 2003 MFT Bridge Maintenance Project (Kimball Street Bridge Resurfacing). Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of a U.S. Department of Justice Local Law Enforcement Block Grant Funds for 2004 Councilmember Rodgers made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Figueroa, to accept the Elgin Gang & Drug Task Force’s recommendation for the expenditure of United States Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Block Grant funds for 2004 for the items listed below. Upgrade of the Video Bond system in cooperation with Carpentersville PD $5,933.71 Voice Stress Analyzer 13,010.00 Upgrade of transmitter in undercover body wire 1,100.00 Statistical Analysis computer software for Gang Crime Analyst 1,347.00 Partial funding (25% of total project) for upgrade of body microphones for the in-car video system installed in all marked cars 6,273.29 TOTAL $27,664 Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of an Appeal of a Decision of the Elgin Heritage Commission to Deny a Certificate of Appropriateness at 600-620 Villa Street Committee of the Whole March 9, 2005 Page 6 Councilmember Sandor made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Rodgers, to reverse the decision of the Elgin Heritage Commission and grant the issuance of a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) to demolish all structures on the property located at 600-620 Villa Street, commonly known as Lovelton Academy, with the condition that the Gifford Park Association be given the opportunity to salvage original architectural artifacts prior to demolition. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of a Third Amendment to a Professional Service Agreement with Hitchcock Design Group for Design and Construction Services for the Kimball Street/Library Riverwalk Councilmember Sandor made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Figueroa, to authorize a third amendment to the professional services agreement with Hitchcock Design Group for the design revision and construction services for the Kimball Street/Library Riverwalk in the amount of $40,134.62. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Councilmember Sandor stated that in the initial drawings for the Kimball Street/Library Riverwalk, a site was designated for a proposed veterans’ memorial. He requested that at the next meeting, staff present a memorandum for the creation of a Veterans Memorial Commission which would include representatives from the seven veterans organizations, one councilmember, one staff member, and one member at large. He believes that involving all the veterans groups will be beneficial in creating a design that will honor those in all branches of the service in all conflicts. Discussion Regarding Announcements Section on Committee of Whole Agenda Councilmembers engaged in a discussion regarding what type of matters are appropriate to be discussed under the “announcements” section of the agenda after Councilmember Figueroa noted that it was not on the agenda for this meeting. He stated that he believes this portion of the agenda gives Councilmembers an opportunity to discuss items brought to their attention by the community, and he hopes that “announcements” will be placed back on the agenda. Mayor Schock stated that he has had concerns about what has been construed as announcements and the topics that have recently been discussed during this portion of the meeting. Substantive items, including items when votes are being taken, should appear on the agenda so that the public has the benefit of knowing what items are going to be discussed. If those items are brought forward in the future under “announcements,” he stated that he is going to rule them out of order. Announcements should be informing the public in general of some community event and not discussion of substantive matters. The purpose of publishing an agenda in advance of meetings is so that the public is aware of what is going to be discussed and has an opportunity to be present at the meeting if there is an item of interest to them. Although there was agreement that votes should not be taken regarding matters brought up under “announcements,” Councilmembers Figueroa, Sandor, and Rodgers disagreed with Mayor Schock’s position and believe they should be able to discuss matters under “announcements” and Committee of the Whole March 9, 2005 Page 7 that restricting what can be discussed under this section limits a councilmember’s ability to serve the public. Mayor Schock emphasized that any Councilmember may ask the City Manager to have items placed on the agenda. He stated that it is difficult to be prepared for discussion when substantive matters are brought up under “announcements” without any advance notice. He also stated that these are official meetings with an agenda, and he believes it is his obligation as chairman to conduct the meetings under the rules. He also pointed out that a ruling of the chairman can be challenged by Councilmembers. Mayor Schock stated that the announcements” section will be reinstated, but he will rule out of order discussion of substantive issues that are not on the agenda. Adjournment Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Sandor, to adjourn and go into the Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the following matters. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Pending, or Probable or Imminent Litigation Against, Affecting, or on Behalf of the Public Body Before a Court or Administrative Tribunal - Exempt Under Section 120/2(c)(11) of the Open Meetings Act Setting of a Price for Sale or Lease of Property Owned by the Public Body - Exempt Under Section 120/2(c)(6) of the Open Meetings Act The meeting adjourned at s/Dolonna Mecum March 23, 2005 Dolonna Mecum, City Clerk Date Approved