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HomeMy WebLinkAboutm - July 13 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING July 13, 2005 The regular Committee of the Whole meeting was called to order by Mayor Schock at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Present: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters and Mayor Schock. Absent: None. Approval of Minutes Councilmember Walters made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Rodgers, to approve the minutes of the June 22, 2005, regular meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Presentation by Hamilton Wings Rise Jones, Executive Director of Hamilton Wings, thanked the Council for their funding support. Hamilton Wings was organized in 1995 and works to promote leadership development and academic readiness of socially and/or economically challenged children through the use of and access to the arts. Ms. Jones described the organization’s history, purpose, number of youths served, and the many benefits to the youth participants. The programs are designed to provide and reinforce cognitive and social skills necessary for academic and life achievement; communicate that learning is a continuous life pursuit and may assume multiple forms; provide participants with opportunities for personal expression and social responsibility; enable and support children and their families to broaden their resource networks; and provide a learning environment that is respectful of education, families, and individual ideas. Hamilton Wings is very grateful and proud that SCORE! (Students Creating Opera to Reinforce Education) was selected to be one of the three community projects included in the City’s application for which it was designated an “All American City” in 2002. She thanked the City Council for the invitation to make this presentation to describe the purpose of the organization and the means used to provide an opportunity for the community’s youth to meet people who can provide direction for their lives. Consideration/Presentation of the Entry Corridor Improvement Design Concept by Smith Group JJR, LLC Assistant City Manager Stegall stated that the City has been working on the concept of improving its entry corridors for about five years. Staff met with Smith Group JJR, LLC a number of times, and two public meeting workshops were held to solicit ideas and suggestions from citizens. Representatives from Smith Group JJR, LLC made a presentation regarding design concepts for the Dundee Avenue and State Street corridors from I-90 to the Center City. A number of ideas presented at the public input workshops have been incorporated into the recommended plan which incorporates three design concepts consisting of curb and landscape, pre-cast planter walls and landscape, and paver splash curb and landscape. Committee of the Whole July 13, 2005 Page 2 The next step in the process is preparing plans, specifications, bid documents, and costs estimates. It will be necessary to obtain permission and permits from the State of Illinois to work on the right-of-way because State Street and a portion of Dundee Avenue are state-owned routes. Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Figueroa, to authorize staff to continue to implement the recommended Entry Corridor Improvement Plan. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of an Amendment to the City of Elgin Neighborhood Business Improvement Grant Program Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Walters, to approve amendments to the City of Elgin Neighborhood Business Improvement Grant for a cost of $50,000. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of a Development Agreement for Capital Drive Extension Councilmember Figueroa made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Walters, to authorize the preparation of a development agreement with the four principal property owners in the area in order to allow for the extension of Capital Drive from Alft Lane to Westfield Drive and connect to undeveloped land west of Randall Road and the area south of Interstate 90. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of an Honorary Street Name for Dr. Richard Fiedler on Fletcher Drive between Royal Boulevard and Randall Road Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Sandor, to dedicate Fletcher Drive between Royal Boulevard and Randall Road with the honorary street name Fiedler Drive pursuant to Chapter 13.27 of the Elgin Municipal Code, Honorary Street Names. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None Alice Miller and Janet Borodzink, staff members at Elgin Internal Medical Associates, S.C., were present and thanked the City Council for granting their request to honor Dr. Richard Fiedler in this manner. When he retired on June 30, 2005, he had provided outstanding service to the Elgin community for 40 years. His dedication and compassion for his patients are unmatched, and until the day he retired, he continued to make house calls. Committee of the Whole July 13, 2005 Page 3 Consideration of a Revenue Sharing Agreement with Prolink Solutions LLC for Global Positioning Assembly Systems Councilmember Walters made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Sandor, to approve entering into an 80/20 percentage revenue sharing agreement with Prolink Solutions LLC for 65 Global Positioning Assembly Systems to be installed on rental golf cars at the Highlands of Elgin. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of an Ordinance Prohibiting the Drilling of New Groundwater Wells Councilmember Figueroa made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Gilliam, to approve an ordinance prohibiting the use of groundwater as a potable water supply through the installation or use of potable water supply wells. Municipal groundwater wells are excluded. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of a Request for Proposals for a Feasibility and Financing Study for a New Performing Arts Center Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Walters, to request proposals for a feasibility and financing study for a new performing arts center. In response to an inquiry as to whether the community will have an opportunity for input, Assistant City Manager Stegall stated that if a consultant is hired, a large component in the process will be to meet with community groups to gather input from them regarding their interest in a new performing arts center; how this facility would be used, and what types of groups would use it. Elgin Symphony Orchestra is taking a leadership role in getting other art groups interested, so the center would not be solely limited to the ESO. Councilmembers emphasized the importance of the report focusing on financing for construction, operating costs, long-term maintenance, and whether the center can be self- sustaining. Councilmembers who visited other communities which have relatively new performing art centers responded to questions regarding the cost of those performing art centers, size of the communities, size of the buildings, and whether those centers are self-sustaining. Dayton has a population of approximately 160,000; Sioux Falls has approximately 125,000, and Raleigh was the largest city visited with a population of approximately 275,000. Dayton has received financial support from the federal government and from the county. Raleigh receives support from the federal government, and it has a one percent food service tax. Sioux Falls implemented an entertainment tax as a way for the performing arts center to be self-sustaining. Dayton’s building was a multi-purpose building which also contained condominiums, was quite Committee of the Whole July 13, 2005 Page 4 large, and highly appointed. The cost for that project was more than $100 million. The Sioux Falls center was a renovated school and was acoustically magnificent. A discovery museum with an IMAX theater was part of the project, which had a cost of approximately $50-60 million. Although each of the communities faced many challenges, including financing, property acquisition, and community acceptance, all three said they would do this again because the benefit to the community was so great. Each community tried to make the performing arts center a focal point and an anchor for the downtown area. They were all very successful in raising private dollars, making it a public-private partnership. Concerns were expressed regarding the financial impact another performing arts center would have on the Hemmens Cultural Center, whether a new center would draw business away from the Hemmens, and whether sufficient funds would be available to continue maintaining and upgrading the Hemmens. Councilmembers agreed that a new performing arts center would be a good addition to the cultural amenities of the community. However, it is very important to determine whether the City is able to build, staff, maintain, and operate it for many years to come without other programs suffering. Mr. Stegall stated that one of the reasons the study has a significant cost to it is because there are so many questions that need to be answered, including whether the community can support two performing art centers. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of a Co-Sponsorship Agreement with the Downtown Neighborhood Association (DNA) to Host a Carnival on City Property Councilmember Figueroa made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Walters, to approve the proposed agreement with DNA to organize a three and a half day carnival in Elgin’s Center City scheduled for July 28-31, 2005 for a not to exceed amount of $1,485 for in-kind support. Discussion was held regarding whether it is appropriate for the City to provide support for fundraisers. The Downtown Neighborhood Association hosted a fundraising carnival earlier this summer which made a profit. Councilmember Sandor made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Figueroa, to amend the proposed agreement to provide that if profits exceed expenses, the City should be reimbursed for the cost of the in-kind support furnished. After discussion regarding the fact that this stipulation has not been part of previous agreements made this year with other organizations holding fundraisers, it was determined that it would be more appropriate to change the policy in 2006 rather than starting in the middle of the year. Mayor Schock stated that part of DNA’s mission is to bring activities to the downtown area. City Manager Folarin advised the Council that it is his Committee of the Whole July 13, 2005 Page 5 recommendation that the Council review whether the City should continue to give funds to organizations for fundraisers. The motion and second were withdrawn. Upon a roll call vote on the original motion: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: Councilmember Sandor. Consideration of Amendment No. 1 to an Agreement with Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd. for the 2005 Annual Street Light Program, 2005 Mid-Block Street Light Program, and the Condon Avenue/Shoe Factory Road Lighting Improvements Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Figueroa, to approve Amendment No. 1 to an agreement with Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd. (CBBEL) for additional engineering services for the Congdon Avenue/Shoe Factory Road Lighting Improvements in the amount of $3,006.13 and authorize staff to execute the necessary documents. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of an Engineering Services Agreement with Crawford, Murphy and Tilly, Inc. for the Highland Avenue Widening and Reconstruction Councilmember Figueroa made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Kaptain, to execute the agreement with Crawford, Murphy and Tilly, Inc. (CMT) for Phase I (preliminary) design engineering services for the Highland Avenue Widening and Reconstruction Project in the not- to-exceed amount of $226,581.68. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of an Engineering Services Agreement with Civil Engineering Services, Inc. for Construction Observation of the Longford/Borden Neighborhood Resurfacing Project and the Prairie Street Sewer Separation Project Councilmember Walters made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Figueroa, to authorize an agreement with Civil Engineering Services, Inc. (CES) for construction engineering services for the Longford/Borden Neighborhood Resurfacing Project and the Prairie Street Sewer Separation Project in the not-to-exceed amount of $95,000. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Change Order No. 1 to the Contract with Shales McNutt Construction for the Design and Construction of the Fulton Street Parking Deck Councilmember Sandor made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Figueroa, to authorize execution of Change Order No. 1 to the contract with Shales McNutt Construction (SMC) for the design and construction of the Fulton Street Parking Deck in the amount of $673,279.55. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Committee of the Whole July 13, 2005 Page 6 Consideration of Acceptance of a Portion of the Street (Point Boulevard) and of the Water Main in the Randall Point Executive Center Subdivision Councilmember Rodgers made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Sandor, to authorize acceptance of the water main in the Randall Point Executive Center and Point Boulevard with associated appurtenances between Randall Road and a point of 1,650 lineal feet east of Randall Road and direct staff to prepare the necessary resolution. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Announcements from Council Councilmember Gilliam stated that he had received comments from citizens regarding the number of persons issued citations as a result of roadblock checkpoints over the 4th of July weekend. They inquired whether it is possible to do this on a more frequent basis considering the number of citations issued. 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, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Purchase or Lease of Real Property for the Use of the Public Body - Exempt Under Section 120/2(c) (5) of the Open Meetings Act Selection of a Person to Fill a Vacant Office, Including a Vacancy in a Public Office, When the Public Body is Given Power to Appoint Under Law or Ordinance, or the Discipline, Performance or Removal of the Occupant of a Public Office, When the Public Body is Given Power to Remove the Occupant Under Law or Ordinance - Exempt Under Section 120/2(c) (3) of the Open Meetings Act 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 The meeting adjourned at 7:01 p.m. s/Dolonna Mecum July 27, 2005 Dolonna Mecum, City Clerk Date Approved