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HomeMy WebLinkAboutr - August 9 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING August 9, 2006 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, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters and Mayor Schock. Absent: None. Approval of Minutes Councilmember Rodgers made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Figueroa, to approve the minutes of the July 26, 2006, regular meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Presentation of the Development Concept for a Mixed-Use Project on the Yenerich Farm Community Development Director Deering stated this proposed mixed-use development encompasses approximately 575 acres west of the intersection of US Route 20 and Coombs and Plank Roads. This type of development was considered by the City’s Comprehensive Plan and Kane County’s 2030 Plan. Chris Lannert, president of the Lannert Group, planners for the development, and other representatives, described the proposed plan featuring a commercial town center surrounded by 90 to 95 acres of dense residential development and a fringe of single family homes at the edges of the development. It will have ample park space, including a dog park, and trails will link all the areas. The plan is in its early stages, and the purpose of tonight’s presentation is to have a discussion with the Council to obtain feedback. Residential and commercial market studies have been completed, and traffic and wetland studies are underway. The proposal was described as an urban village and is estimated to take 10 years to build out. Councilmember Figueroa stated that this project realizes a vision a lot of people have for the west side of Elgin. He is concerned, however, about the density and potential traffic problems. He expressed some concern that this could seem like a separate city. Councilmember Sandor echoed Councilmember Figueroa’s concern about the possible creation of a separate city. In response to his question as to whether this type of development is being done anywhere else, the developers stated that it is being done all over the country, particularly on the east and west coasts. They also stated that although some have compared this to The Glen, a development in Glenview, this won’t be like The Glen. They will not be competing with retail on Randall Road, Algonquin Commons, or Geneva Commons. In response to Councilmember Rodgers’ question as to what type of retail will be included in the development. The applicants stated that it will not have major retail stores because the market, which they estimate to be approximately 50,000 to 75,000 people, won’t support major retail. Ms. Rodgers also asked how they will compete with the other builders in the west. Their response was that because this development is 575 acres, it will have more amenities than the other developments. Councilmember Walters stated that this is the type of development we have been wanting, where residents can walk to restaurants, stores, parks, etc. He sees this as an opportunity to grow in an orderly fashion. Committee of the Whole August 9, 2006 Page 2 Councilmembers Kaptain stated that he would like to see the development include a system of under or overpasses for pedestrian and bicycle access across the highways. He thinks it is an exciting project. Mayor Schock stated that he is very excited about the concept. He believes it is critical that surrounding development be considered. His suggestion to the staff and the developers is to engage in upfront discussions, so that there is an agreement as to what will be done. Mayor Schock stated that the size and complexity of this development make it unique in Elgin’s history, and it is critical that it be done right. The developer stated that they agree 100 percent with the approach suggested by the Mayor. Consideration of Amendment No. 1 to the Engineering Service Agreement with Stanley Consultants for the Street Sign Inventory and Upgrade Project Councilmember Figueroa made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Kaptain, to approve Amendment No. 1 to in the amount of $85,000 to the engineering services agreement with Stanley Consultants for the Street Sign Inventory and Upgrade Project. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of a License Agreement with Iowa, Chicago and Eastern Railroad Corporation for Crossing Railroad Tracks at Mile Post 43.49 and Mile Post 43.85 for the Construction of a Water Main and Access Road Councilmember Walters made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Rodgers, to approve two license agreements in the amount of $900 with Iowa, Chicago and Eastern Railroad Corporation for use of their right-of-way for the proposed installation of an underground 16-inch water main. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Amendments to the ARC Arterial Road Corridor Overlay District Guidelines Councilmember Rodgers made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Figueroa, to authorize staff to proceed with amendments to the ARC Arterial Road Corridor Overlay District Guidelines to clarify the exterior building materials that are acceptable for use on buildings within the Arterial Road Corridor Overlay Districts by an ordinance amending Chapter 19.15.500 of the Elgin Municipal Code. Acceptable materials are outlined below. • traditional natural building materials such as brick, stone, stucco/plaster, terra cotta, tile, architectural metal, glass, and wood siding for residential applications as appropriate; • composite building materials such as cultured stone, cast stone, cement board siding and smart siding which would be limited to residential applications; • artificial building materials such as Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS, Committee of the Whole August 9, 2006 Page 3 commonly referred to by its brand name “Dryvit”) and vinyl siding only in very limited instances in design accent features such as cornices, soffits and fascia. These materials are recommended to be applied in an amount not to exceed 5% of each building elevation. Councilmember Sandor stated that he wasn’t clear on what is meant by “preferred material”, “architectural metal”, and other terms which he felt were somewhat ambiguous. After discussion, it was the consensus of the Council that additional clarification is necessary. Councilmembers Rodgers and Figueroa withdrew the above motion and second and made a motion and second requesting staff to revise the Arterial Road Corridor Design Guidelines based on Council’s discussion and bring it back for Council’s consideration. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of the Purchase of an Automated Staffing and Scheduling Program from Principal Decision Systems International Councilmember Sandor made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Gilliam, to authorize the purchase of the Telestaff automated staffing and scheduling program from Principal Decision Systems International in the amount of $39,400. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of the Purchase of Radios from Motorola Councilmember Walters made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Rodgers, to authorize the purchase of one mobile and three portable radios from Motorola in the amount of $13,495. 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 Newsweb Radio Group for The Hemmens 2006-2007 Performing Arts Season Councilmember Kaptain made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Figueroa, to approve the co-sponsorship agreement with Newsweb Radio Group for The Hemmens 2006-2007 Performing Arts Season. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Announcements from Council Councilmember Figueroa congratulated the Elgin Police Department and the staff for working so hard to help with the National Night Out. He said it was interesting to hear input from residents, and particularly with reference to availability of up-to-date crime statistics. He stated that consideration should be given when working on the 2007 budget regarding any proposal for bringing crime statistics up-to-date. It is his understanding that the City is a year behind with reference to compiling crime statistics, and potential residents seek this information when considering where to locate. Committee of the Whole August 9, 2006 Page 4 Councilmember Rodgers asked the City Manager and Police Chief about the crime rate and activities in the Buena Vista housing complex since a ROPE officer is no longer there. Also, she would like a presentation made at a City Council meeting and also on Channel 17 regarding the City Council procedures. Residents ask her what the procedures are at the City Council meetings. Further, she would like signs posted regarding the City’s noise ordinance. People who have recently moved into the community and their visitors have been stopped, issued tickets, and had their car towed. One gentleman told her he had to pay $450 to get his brother- in-law’s car out of the impound lot. He talked to eight of his neighbors, and no one in his subdivision knew about the City’s noise ordinance. She would like signs posted notifying people of the noise ordinance and the possibility of having their cars towed. She also asked what the status is of police cameras, and specifically the status in the Blackhawk subdivision. Police Chief Womack addressed these issues as follows: The crime statistic situation is a computer issue and the department is not a year behind. Currently a mid-year report is being compiled to report on year-to-date crime statistics. Issues regarding their computer system have been reported several times to the City Manager. Chief Womack stated they have accurate information, and she suggested that the individual seeking this information should contact her. Regarding the camera situation, Chief Womack stated that legislation has recently become available regarding different uses of camera outside the City of Chicago. Several years ago, the only entity which could do that was the City of Chicago. Several presentations have been held, and they are looking at public/private partnership regarding the red light cameras, which is something that is available to us as a community. However, they are still gathering information and have not received all of the presentations from the different entities which could do that. Other types of camera are not legislatively available to us at this point. Mayor Schock announced that a public meeting will be held on August 30 to take public input on the question of a ban on smoking in various public places. Adjournment Councilmember Sandor made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Figueroa, to adjourn the meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. The meeting adjourned at 6:52 p.m. Dolonna Mecum, City Clerk Date Approved