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HomeMy WebLinkAbouts - August 23 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING August 23, 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 August 9, 2006, regular meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of a Request from Nelson Graphic Screenprinting, Inc. for a Portion of the City’s 2006 Industrial Revenue Bond Authority A resolution will be presented at tonight’s Council meeting for adoption by the City Council. Consideration of Renewal of the Maintenance Agreement with Motorola for the Computer Aided Dispatch System Councilmember Walters made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Gilliam, to authorize renewal of a contract with Motorola in the amount of $106,011 for maintenance and support for the City’s Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) System. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Renewal of the Purchase of Services Agreement with the Kane County Child Advocacy Center Councilmember Walters made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Rodgers, to approve renewal of the purchase of services agreement with the Kane County Child Advocacy Center in the amount of $35,000 to continue to investigate incidents of child abuse and sexual abuse of juveniles with a team of professionally trained and experienced members representing prosecution, police, and DCFS. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Renewal of an Agreement with the Larkin Center for a School Liaison Officer Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Figueroa, to approve renewal of an agreement with the Larkin Center in the amount of $70,000 to provide police services in the form of a School Liaison Officer. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Committee of the Whole August 23, 2006 Page 2 Consideration of a Sponsorship Agreement with the Daily Herald for the Capitol Steps and P.J. O’Rourke Performances at the Hemmens Cultural Center Councilmember Figueroa made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Rodgers, to approve the sponsorship agreement with the Daily Herald (Paddock Publication) for the Capitol Steps and P.J. O’Rourke performances at the Hemmens Cultural Center during the 2006-2007 Performing Arts Season. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Grant Requests for the 2006 Neighborhood Improvement Grant Program Councilmember Walters made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Rodgers, to approve the four applications for grant requests for the Neighborhood Improvement Grant Program in the amount of $67,000 to be utilized as listed below: • Woodbridge North Home Owners Association presented an application to complete an entryway enhancement at their entrance at College Green Drive and Randall Road. The proposal includes a new monument style sign, landscaping of the median, and landscaping and remediation of the existing pond and brick wall. The overall cost of the project, including volunteer labor, is estimated at $33,193, of which the Home Owners Association is requesting assistance of $15,000. Staff has reviewed the proposal in conjunction with the guidelines for the grant program and recommends approval. • Salvation Army and the Northeast Neighborhood Association partnered together to present an application to remove the existing chain link fence surrounding the Salvation Army playground on the northwest corner of Ann and Douglas. The chain link fence will be replaced by a four foot wrought iron fence with the entrance realigned to the corner of Ann and Douglas, with two brick pillars identifying the entryway. In addition, the two organizations have partnered with United Way of Elgin through the Day of Caring to gather volunteers to construct a new path from the entry to the play area, Neighborhood Housing Services to provide the tools for the volunteers, and School District U-46 to provide the mulch for the walking path and play area. The overall cost of the project, including volunteer labor and in-kind donations, is estimated at $30,000, of which $15,000 is being requested in grant funding. Staff has reviewed the proposal in conjunction with the guidelines for the grant program and recommends approval. • United Way of Elgin partnered with the Elgin Housing Authority to present an application to construct a new playground to replace the existing structure at Clifford and Owasco Park which will be removed as part of a proposed engineering project to provide comp storage. The Elgin Housing Authority Committee of the Whole August 23, 2006 Page 3 maintains 30 apartment units in the area with approximately 93 children who do not have adequate play equipment. To address this issue United Way of Elgin has received a grant from KaBoom to donate a play structure and assist with the planning of the volunteer-build of the new playground. The overall cost of the project, including volunteer labor and in-kind donations, is estimated at $50,000, of which $15,000 is being requested in grant funding. Staff has reviewed the proposal in conjunction with the guidelines for the grant program and recommends approval. • The final grant request is a partnership with the Elgin Area Historical Society and the City of Elgin to install an irrigation system on the front lawn of the historical society, construct a retaining wall along the sidewalk, and install new landscaping enhancements. The Elgin Area Historical Society is partnering with the Garden Club, Original East Side Neighbors, Gifford Park Association, and Neighborhood Housing Services to provide the volunteer labor and tools for the landscaping. The City will be responsible for the cost of the irrigation system, retaining wall, and landscape materials. The overall cost of the project, including volunteer labor, is estimated at $24,000, of which $22,000 is being requested in grant funding. The project is a departure from the established guidelines for the grant program in that it provides funding to complete a project on City-owned property. However, in lieu of having funds remain unused in the program, staff is recommending that the funding be utilized for this project contingent on the participation of the volunteer support from the partnering organizations. Councilmember Kaptain stated that with reference to the final grant recommendation that it is unfair to change the rules at the eleventh hour. He would prefer to remove that item and have it considered next year. Mayor Schock stated that because there weren’t sufficient applicants, it is being recommended that a one-time exception be made in this instance. The Historic Society and Elgin Academy feel a sense of urgency because of the erosion problems. Mayor Schock suggested that Councilmember Kaptain’s concern regarding making an exception be noted. However, since the money is available, he recommends approving the grant request regarding Elgin Area Historical Society and the City of Elgin. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Expansion of the Image Commission Mission to Include Local Programming and Public Access Development Councilmember Figueroa asked Assistant City Manager Stegall to give an update regarding programming on Channel 17. Mr. Stegall stated that the programming on Channel 17 has been Committee of the Whole August 23, 2006 Page 4 more successful than anticipated. However, they can’t take it any further until the City has a true studio, which is very expensive. The current studio doesn’t allow for high level programming or opening it up to local groups. Policies and procedures would have to be established to guide public access. A number of communities have decided to just have government access. The communities which currently have local access were contacted. They recommend only having government access because public access is fraught with litigation and lawsuits and is also very expensive. Councilmember Gilliam stated that the committee which has been studying this issue has decided to just use government access. Right now the government access channel isn’t being used to its fullest capacity. It is suggested that the Image Advisory Commission make suggestions regarding using the government access to a greater extent by adding additional programming. Councilmember Sandor agreed that Elgin should not get into public access since it would possibly open the City up to litigation. Councilmember Rodgers stated that residents would like to see the type of programming involving community events which used to be aired on the cable channel. Councilmember Figueroa also questioned why programming that used to be aired was no longer being produced. Mayor Schock stated that in the past, one of the cable companies paid for all the local programming. When their franchise agreement was renegotiated, they were no longer willing to do that and the City had to take over. Because of the high cost, the Council decided on the current level of programming. Councilmember Sandor clarified that what is being considered now is “local programming,” and not “local access.” Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Sandor, to approve the enhanced responsibilities for the Image Commission to include establishing local programming policies and procedures. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of a Business Improvement Grant for Speed Fasteners Plus, Inc. Councilmember Rodgers made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Kaptain, to approve a business improvement grant with Mr. Steven Kraft, d/b/a as Speed Fasteners Plus, Inc., for improvements to 1173 Dundee Avenue in the amount of $11,200. 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 Hispanic Heritage Coalition for a Festival and Parade Councilmember Rodgers made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Kaptain, to approve a co- sponsorship agreement with the Hispanic Heritage Coalition to co-sponsor the Fiesta Salsa and Committee of the Whole August 23, 2006 Page 5 Hispanic Heritage Month Parade on Saturday, September 16, 2006, for a not-to-exceed amount of $8,014.40 in financial and in-kind support. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Councilmember Figueroa abstained due to a conflict of interest. Consideration of Engineering Services Agreement for Construction and Bid Document Production for Four Neighborhood Park Development Projects Councilmember Figueroa made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Sandor, to authorize the execution of an agreement with Bonestroo &Associates for the not-to-exceed amount of $30,168 to provide construction and bid document production for four neighborhood park development projects. The projects and associated budgets are as follows: Summerhill Park $200,000 Channing School Park $325,000 Grant School Park $268,000 College Green Park $125,000 Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Announcements from Council Councilmember Figueroa expressed his gratitude for the work done by staff and Toll Brothers at the St. Joseph’s Church house. They did a wonderful job, and the house is ready to be used. Mayor Schock added that it is a remarkable transformation, and they went well beyond just doing the siding. Councilmember Rodgers stated that the banner on the table at the side of the room is from the mother of Elgin resident Aaron Richter, a Lance Corporal in the Marines. He is currently serving in Iraq and will be back in Elgin October 7. His mother is flying to meet him, and she would like for all the City Councilmembers and any members in the audience to sign the banner for him. Councilmember Kaptain announced that tomorrow night the Elgin Community Network will be sponsoring a program featuring James Capraro from the Greater Southwest Development Corporation, which is a large neighborhood group in the Marquette Park area. The program will feature a video that he produced on developing a neighborhood quality of life plan. This is a plan which is being showcased nationwide. Mr. Capraro has brought half a billion dollars of investment into a degraded neighborhood and built it into a thriving community. Mayor Schock stated that he received a call today from Allen Armstrong, who is the City of Elgin’s representative from ComEd. The City owns a couple houses on Spring Street – one of which it going to be demolished and one of which is going to be rehabilitated. ComEd is willing Committee of the Whole August 23, 2006 Page 6 to enter into partnership with the City by providing $15,000 in funds and access to their technical services division to make this home very energy efficient as we rehabilitate it and make it an asset for the neighborhood. The Council is invited to attend a short event at the home on August 29 at 9 a.m. Mayor Schock stated that he hopes this will be one of several partnerships to be formed with the City in rehabbing this home. Adjournment Councilmember Sandor 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 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 6:37 p.m. s/Dolonna Mecum September 13, 2006 Dolonna Mecum, City Clerk Date Approved