HomeMy WebLinkAboutf - March 21, 2007 COW
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
March 21, 2007
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.
Consideration of the 2006 Tax Abatement Ordinances
Ordinances will be presented at tonight’s Council meeting for passage by the City Council.
Consideration of the Authorization for the Sale of $5.665 Million in General Obligation
Bonds
Councilmember Figueroa made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Walters, to authorize
proceeding with the sale of $5.665,000 in General Obligation Corporate Purpose Bonds, Series
2007. 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 URS Corporation for the
Willard/Illinois/Van Nostrand/Erie Special Assessment Project
Councilmember Rodgers made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Sandor, to authorize an
engineering services agreement with URS Corporation in the not to exceed amount of $181,520
for the Williard/Illinois/Van Nostrand/Erie Special Assessment Project. Upon a roll call vote:
Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, and Mayor Schock. Nays:
None. Councilmember Walters abstained due to conflict.
Consideration of Amendments to the Elgin Design Guideline Manual for Landmarks and
Historic Districts
Councilmember Walters made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Sandor, to approve
amendments to the Elgin Design Guideline Manual for Landmarks and Historic Districts, and to
direct staff to amend Title 20 of the Elgin Municipal Code entitled “Elgin Historic Preservation”
to reflect the amendments outlined in the memo received by Council. Upon a roll call vote:
Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor
Schock. Nays: None.
Councilmember Sandor believes that the prohibition of vinyl windows should be reconsidered.
He believes that appearance is more important than what material is used.
Committee of the Whole
March 21, 2007
Page 2
Consideration of a Co-Sponsorship Agreement with the Downtown Neighborhood
Association for the Cinco de Mayo Parade, Carnival, and Festival
Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Figueroa, to approve the
co-sponsorship agreement with the Downtown Neighborhood Association (DNA) for the Cinco
de Mayo Parade for an amount not to exceed $3,308 and to also approve the DNA’s use of the
City-owned former Good Year Tire parking lot at the northeast corner of Symphony Way and
Douglas Avenue, as well as the City-owned parking lot across from the Ace Hardware store on
Spring Street south of Kimball for their Cinco de Mayo Carnival and Festival. Upon a roll call
vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor
Schock. Nays: None.
Consideration of the Annual Budget for the Northern Illinois Special Recreation
Association
Councilmember Rodgers made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Figueroa, to approve the
proposed fiscal year 2007/2008 budget for the Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association
in the amount of $2.248 in revenues and $2.020 million in expenditures for the purpose of
providing recreation programs and services to residents with disabilities. Upon a roll call vote:
Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor
Schock. Nays: None.
Consideration of the Fire Department Fee Schedule for Inspections and Permits
Councilmember Sandor made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Figueroa, to approve an
ordinance change for the Fire Department fee schedule for inspections and permits. Upon a roll
call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and
Mayor Schock. Nays: None.
Consideration of Consultant Services for the Completion of the Police Department
Employee Survey
Councilmember Rodgers made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Figueroa, to approve an
agreement with Dr. Troy Coleman and The Waters Consulting Group, Inc. for the completion of
the Police Department employee survey project for an amount not to exceed $16,215, including
expenses for travel and materials. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa,
Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None.
Announcements from Council
Councilmember Figueroa stated that customer service has been one of the city’s goals for quite
some time, and the City is trying to exceed people’s expectations. He reported that he contacted
several neighboring cities regarding their procedure for filing complaints at the police
department. The question he asked was “What is the process if I have a complaint against a
Committee of the Whole
March 21, 2007
Page 3
police officer or the department?” All of them said they’d refer him to a specific department
such as professional standards office, internal affairs, the chief commander, etc. Only Waukegan
stated that they would refer him to the chief commander or he could take a form to fill out to
submit the complaint. He asked Chief Womack what the answer would be if someone came to
the Elgin Police Department asking the same question.
Chief Womack responded that the police department has been in the process of examining the
complaint process for awhile. The first thing they will ask the Citizens Advisory Committee to
review, once it is formed within the next couple weeks, is to review the complaint process and
get feedback from the citizens so that the process can be improved. Verbal direction has been
given over the last several months that if someone wants to complain, give them a complaint
form, it will then be processed, and the appropriate information provided. Chief Womack stated
that there are a variety of reasons why the police department hasn’t just handed out a form, but it
definitely isn’t because they don’t want to take the person’s complaint. If someone doesn’t want
to speak to a supervisor and would just rather fill out a form and let a supervisor review it later,
they’re willing to do that.
As part of customer service, Councilmember Figueroa believes that there should be a process for
a citizen to immediately file a complaint without further questions being asked.
At City Manager Folarin’s request, Chief Womack informed the Council what has already been
done. She met with the Sergeant of their Office of Professional Standards who has been
designing a new pamphlet with additional information and a complaint form with more
instructions on how to complete the form, with or without speaking to a supervisor. In trying to
create a balance, they want to address community concerns and issues as well as employee rights
in terms of complaint processing.
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.
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 6:23 p.m.
s/Dolonna Mecum April 11, 2007
Dolonna Mecum, City Clerk Date Approved