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HomeMy WebLinkAbouto - August 10 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING AUGUST 10, 2005 The regular Committee of the Whole meeting was called to order by Mayor Schock at 6:04 p.m. in the Heritage Ballroom of The Centre. Present: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters and Mayor Schock. Absent: None. Approval of Minutes Councilmember Sandor made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Figueroa, to approve the minutes of the July 27, 2005, regular meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Presentation by Public Works Regarding the Tyler Creek Detention Area Cleanup Public Works Director Loete gave a slide presentation and report regarding the recent cleanup which took place in the Tyler Creek Detention area. Friends of Tyler Creek and residents in the Highland Glen, North Country Knolls and Eagle Heights neighbors participated in the massive cleanup effort. Public Works employees assisted with the removal of approximately 12,000 pounds of debris which included among many other items, six junk cars, water heaters, and household waste. Mr. Loete stated that the biggest problem is gaining accessibility to the area with large equipment. Although there is still some material to be remove, including five more abandoned cars on the other side of the creek, a big dent was made in the cleanup up the area. He stated that a number of additional signs have been posted prohibiting the property from being used for dumping debris and riding ATVs, which has assisted the Police Department in their efforts to keep Councilmember Sandor commended the Friends of Tyler Creek, Mr. Misselle, and Councilmember Kaptain for taking on this project, for their excellent work, and for being willing to get themselves dirty doing it! Councilmember Kaptain stated that Elgin Community Network received a $500 grant from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. ECN thought the grant could be used toward a community effort with the neighbors of Highland Glen, North Country Knolls, and Eagle Heights to help with the Tyler Creek cleanup to show their appreciation to the City Council for it’s efforts in resolving the All Terrain Vehicle issue. This was a very successful program which stopped the ATVs from going onto the property within 30 days and allowed us to go in and do this clean up. Councilmember Kaptain stated that if in the next few months, the five remaining cars on the other side of the creek could be pulled out and a plan devised to prevent a reoccurrence of the dumping and trespassing of ATVs, then the project would be completed Mayor also thanked the Public Works Department and Police Department in their efforts to assisting with the Tyler Creek clean up. Committee of the Whole August 10, 2005 Page 2 Councilmember Kaptain made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Gilliam, to complete the cleanup that has been started at Tyler Creek, and ask Staff to bring back a plan to outline how to prevent recurrence of the illegal dumping and other illegal activities that have taken place in the Tyler Creek area for a number of years. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Centre Advisory Board Presentation Regarding The Centre Parks and Recreation Director Reopelle stated that The Centre Advisory Board has been in existence for one year, and one of the charges of the Board is to provide the Council with an annual report and update of its findings and activities. This report will be presented by Scott Palmer, Chairman of the Centre Advisory Board. Mr. Palmer reported that the first four months the Board met were unproductive. When Randy started in October, he provided the Board with leadership and direction. Teena Mackey, Centre Facility Manager, started in January, and the Board received direction in marketing, maintenance, and security. Having Publicity Officer Meredith Marth assist with marketing has made positive changes. The Board is recommending fees increases which will be in line with fees charged by competitors. Changes regarding the congestion on the walking track will be made in the fall to address the complaints received from members. The Board believes maintenance would be improved if the maintenance staff was in-house and under the supervision of the Parks and Recreation staff. Consideration of a New Fee Schedule for the Centre Teena Mackey, Centre Manager, presented an overview of the proposed changes to the Fitness Center’s Operations, Membership Packages, and Fees. A major shift is to move membership sales from the main courtesy counter to the fitness area where an applicant’s questions can be answered and receive a tour of the facility. Ms. Mackey stated that discussions have been held regarding how to reward members for referrals, encouraging member retention, packaging some of the memberships more comprehensively so that members who purchase a membership are getting more value rather than the current “ala carte” approach of having to pay additional fees for specific amenities and programs, encouraging annual memberships over a three-month membership, replacing a cancellation fee with an initiation fee. Ms. Mackey stated that there has not been a price increase in the fees and charges at the Centre since opening nearly three years ago. Although there are increased costs for membership packages, there are more amenities included. There is a proposed fee for non-member non- resident use of the walking track, which is very heavily use. The categories for memberships are: bronze membership which includes the use of the track and aquatic center; silver membership which includes the inner fitness center and centercise, indoor track, participation in Committee of the Whole August 10, 2005 Page 3 open gym, racquetball and rock climbing; gold membership which includes fitness center, track, gymnasium, racket ball, rock climbing and use of pool; platinum membership (brand new membership) addresses the needs of members, individuals and families who would like to use everything, but the ala carte pricing has priced them out of the market. Councilmembers commented on the improvements, concern about maintenance, additional marketing to large corporations, whether surveys have been conducted to determine why members failed to renew, and dispelling the myth that the Centre will be self-sustaining, even with the fee increases. Councilmember Rodgers stated that she will be voting against the fee increase because people continue to tell her they can’t afford the membership. Ms. Mackey responded that The Centre needs to do a better job of informing people they can use the Centre in many ways and use many programs without becoming members. Discussion was held regarding changing the recommended nonresident fee to use the walking track from the proposed $20 a quarter to $20 a month if they are not members of the Centre. Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Figueroa, to adopt the proposed fee changes with the exception of changing the nonresident fee for use of the walking track to $20 per month. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: Councilmember Rodgers. Consideration of a Purchase of Service Agreement with Children’s Theatre of Elgin/Fox Valley Youth Theatre Company Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Figueroa, to approve the purchase of service agreement with the Children’s Theatre of Elgin by providing financial support in the amount of $15,200 ($7,600 for each of two productions). Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of a Contract with Motorola for the MESH Trial Project Councilmember Walters made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Sandor, to approve the purchase of a trial install of the MotoMesh product for installation in downtown Elgin in the amount of $48,248.50 and a pilot project at the Highlands Golf Course for $24,705.25. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of an Amendment to Chapter 11.60 or the Elgin Municipal Code, Entitled “Stopping, Standing and Parking” Councilmember Walters made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Figueroa, to approve the recommendation from the Neighborhood Services Committee to amend Chapter 11.60, “Stopping, Standing and Parking” at an estimated cost of $600. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Committee of the Whole August 10, 2005 Page 4 Consideration of an Agreement with Christopher B. Burke Engineering, LTD to Perform a Street Lighting Inventory Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Sandor, to authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Christopher B. Burke Engineering, LTD., in the amount of $79,363.01 for the street lighting inventory project. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of the Purchase of Mobile Radios from Motorola for Fire Engine #6 Councilmember Sandor made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Walters, to approve an exception to the procurement ordinance for the purchase of mobile radios for Fire Engine 6 from Motorola in the amount of $16,370. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of a Contract with Larson-Kramer and Associates LTD for Architectural Services for The Highlands Clubhouse Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Figueroa, to approve the contract with Larson-Kramer and Associates Ltd., for completion of their architectural services for The Highlands clubhouse at a not-to-exceed amount of $221,000. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Center City Project Management Team Discussion was held regarding the purpose of reinstating the Project Management Team, suggestions regarding the composition, and the importance of the entire Council being kept informed regarding proposed developments. Councilmember Rodgers made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Walters, to restructure the Center City Project Management Team to include the following: Mayor, City Council Member, City Manager, and representatives from the Kane County Forest Preserve, Chamber of Commerce, Metra, Grand Victoria Casino, Downtown Neighborhood Association (2), Downtown Developer (2), Legislative Interests (3), and Planning Commission. Councilmember Sandor made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Figueroa, to amend the original motion to substitute having two downtown business people instead of two downtown developers, eliminate having a member of the Planning Commission on the PMT, and to establish a sunset date of December 31, 2006. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Committee of the Whole August 10, 2005 Page 5 The vote was then taken on the main motion as amended. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Change Order No. 1 with Tecnica Environmental Inc. for Environmental Remediation at 464 McBride Street In response to Councilmembers’ inquiry regarding whether there was any way the contamination could have been detected in advance, a Terracon representation responded that the reason for the change order is that the sub-surface contamination, most of which was under a building where very heavy equipment was stored, would have made it extremely difficult to do additional borings to determine contamination under the buildings. The savage yard business was still operating, and for safety reasons, prospective bidders were not able to go to all parts of the property. Councilmember Figueroa made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Walters, to authorize Change Order No. 1 with Tecnica Environmental Inc. in the amount of $582,027.57. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Amendment No. 4 to the Environmental Testing Services Contract with Terracon Inc. at 464 McBride Street Councilmember Walters made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Rodgers, to authorize a fourth amendment to the current contract with Terracon Inc. for environmental testing services at 464 McBride Street for an amount not-to-exceed $37,740. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of a Contract with Seyfarth Shaw for Harassment Training Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Walters, to approve a contract for harassment training with Seyfarth Shaw in an amount not-to-exceed $17,220. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of a Contract with Richard L. Johnson Associates for Renovations and Interior Design Services for the Hemmens Lobby Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Walters, to execute agreements with Richard L. Johnson in the amount of $115,000 for the south lobby and restroom addition and also in the amount of $32,000 for he interior design services for the lobby of The Hemmens Cultural Center. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Committee of the Whole August 10, 2005 Page 6 Announcements from Council Councilmember Kaptain stated that the Fox River Study Group, which is studying the waterfall in the Fox Valley from the Chain O’Lakes to Yorkville, is having a media event and outdoor open house August 24, 2005, at the Prisco Center in Aurora from 10-11:30 a.m. The Council and public are invited. The Fox River Study Group will outline its progress and goals. The cost of the project to determine the water quality and the best way to approach water quality improvement in the Fox River is in excess of a $2 million. Councilmember Rodgers requested that a letter be sent to all Councilmembers when a date has been scheduled for doing the remaining Tyler Creek cleanup, so that any Councilmembers who wish to participate may do so. Adjournment Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Figueroa, 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. Establishment of Reserves or Settlement of Claims as Provided in the Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act - Exempt Under Section 120/2(c) (12) 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 Collective Bargaining Issues or Deliberations Concerning Salary Schedules for One or More Classes of Employees - Exempt Under Section 120/2(c)(2) of the Open Meetings Act The meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m. s/Dolonna Mecum August 24, 2005 Dolonna Mecum, City Clerk Date Approved