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HomeMy WebLinkAbouth - April 25, 2007 COW COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING April 25, 2007 The regular Committee of the Whole meeting was called to order by Mayor Schock at 6:06 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 Figueroa, to approve the minutes of the April 11, 2007, regular meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Presentation of the 2007-2008 Hemmens Season Butch Wilhelmi, Hemmens Cultural Center Supervisor, and Bill Folk, Hemmens Program Coordinator, gave a presentation regarding the 2007-2008 performance season. Presentation on the Streetscape Communication Plan Public Works Director Loete and Public Information Officer Olafson gave a presentation regarding the communication plan which has been developed to enhance communication with the citizens and downtown businesses regarding the status of construction projects to prevent the problems which occurred last year when there were four major construction projects in downtown Elgin. They met with citizens and downtown business owners who identified four major concerns, which are maintaining access to their business, parking, traffic and perception. In response to these concerns, a public information and outreach campaign called “Gettin Around in Downtown” has been initiated. Ms. Olafson stated that several methods of communication will be used, including establishment of a hotline and web site regarding the streetscape project and construction updates regarding the Central Business District. The quarterly issues of “The Spirit” will also contain information regarding construction projects. Personal contacts will be made with the businesses regarding construction updates and alternative parking. Renderings depicting the completed streetscape will be displayed in the downtown area. Consideration of a Purchase of Services Agreement with Elgin Community Network (ECN) Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Figueroa, to approve a purchase of service agreement with the Elgin Community Network (ECN) in the amount of $28,950 stipulating that ECN will provide community organizing and leadership development training services to the Elgin community. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Councilmember Kaptain abstained due to a conflict of interest. Consideration of a Purchase of Services Agreement with Public Action to Deliver Shelter Committee of the Whole April 25, 2007 Page 2 Councilmember Figueroa made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Rodgers, to approve the purchase of service agreement with Public Action to Deliver Shelter (PADS) in the amount of $30,400 to be used solely for operating expenses, including site coordinator salary expenses. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of 2007 Neighborhood Improvement Grant Program – Large Project Applications Councilmember Walters made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Rodgers, to approve the 2007 Neighborhood Improvement Grant Program recipient eligibility list as submitted and to direct staff to execute the grant agreements for a total amount of $112,517.50. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of the Purchase of Software from The Active Network for the Parks and Recreation Department Councilmember Walters made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Figueroa, to authorize an agreement with The Active Network for the not to exceed amount of $124,954 for the purchase of software, hardware, consulting, and training for the Parks and Recreation Department. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Amendments to the City’s Liquor Code Councilmember Kaptain made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Gilliam, to approve the proposed ordinance which includes amending the City’s liquor code by establishing a Class U license classification and continuing the operation of the Young Adult Night Permit. 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 Prairie Rock Brewing Company for Brew Fest Councilmember Rodgers made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Walters, to approve the agreement with Prairie Rock Brewing Company to co-sponsor the twelfth annual Brew Fest on June 15 and 16, 2007, for a not to exceed amount of $3,496.50 in operational support. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of 2006 Budget Amendments Committee of the Whole April 25, 2007 Page 3 Councilmember Walters made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Figueroa, to approve the proposed amendments to the 2006 Budget as outlined in the memo provided to Council. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Rodgers, Sandor, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Announcements from Council Councilmember Rodgers read the following statement: “I want to thank everyone that supported me in my reelection. Going into this reelection I knew it would be a battle, but I placed everything in my heavenly father’s hands. Almost since day one I was alone on Council without the support of any of my colleagues Just as the article that was written about me in 2003, I was told by one of my colleagues that this body would not support any of my ideas that would be brought forth to them. So after reading the Bible passage where God told Moses to go and tell Pharaoh to let my people go he sent Moses a helper, so I did this quietly with the help of some of our residents without many people knowing that I was behind it. But as I have always said, this position is not about me. It has always been about the residents and doing what my heavenly father’s will is. I pray that as new members are sworn in that they will not be treated with the venom that I have experienced as they disagree or as they voice their opinion that may be different from the majority of Council. This is a fine city, and I am honored and humbled to have served the residents of the community. I feel that I am leaving it better off than when I took office. We have two more organizations to serve our residents and jobs that were brought here through my efforts. But it can be a great city if the body that represents it takes out the “I” in it when servicing our residents. God will not bless a city that mistreats people and to those that will take office and to those that remain in office I pray that when someone from our courts, whether it’s Watch Court or Clifford Court that when they call you they get the same treatment as someone that lives in a $400,000 or $700,000 home. I have always kept in my mind the words that if you did it to the least of them you did it to me. God has blessed America and Elgin. It is time that the body that resides and will reside over this community bless God. Thank you to all of our residents for allowing me to serve you.” Committee of the Whole April 25, 2007 Page 4 Councilmember Sandor made the following statement: “As this is the last meeting at which I will be participating in a voting capacity, I would like to thank the citizens of Elgin for allowing me for the last four years the privilege of sitting on the Elgin City Council. Many people have tried to sit on that dais over the years. I have been one of the lucky ones that have had that opportunity. One of the things that you come away with, win or lose, is a number of very good people and gaining great friendships. I would like to thank the City Manager, Femi Folarin, and Sean Stegall, Jim Nowicki, Jerry Deering, our Police and Fire Chiefs, Dave Lawry, and all the City staff, and the hard people who come to work here every day to make this City function as a place that the people call home and people want to bring their business. A special thanks to two individuals. My good friend, Councilman Juan Figueroa. Juan, I ran against you once, and I lost. It was probably the best thing that ever happened for Elgin that I did lose, because Elgin gained a great councilman, and I gained a great friend. I wish you continued success. To my other colleague, more of a brother than a colleague, Councilman Bob Gilliam, who I also ran against and lost to. He beat me up terribly on the campaign trail, but who became my closest friend on the City Council. He is a gentleman I admire and kept me in line when sometimes I needed to be kept in line, and who imparted to me the wisdom that he has gained over the years. He is a tremendous asset to the City of Elgin. It’s kind of bittersweet to leave. I certainly would have liked the opportunity to have stayed another four years. But we’re leaving it to others. Maybe I’ve left it a little bit better than I found it. That’s for other people to decide. I’d like to thank the City of Elgin for the opportunity and wish everyone a great four years.” Councilmember Kaptain stated that the City of Elgin and the Elgin Community Network will be unveiling the bikeway plan for the City tomorrow night at the Heritage Ballroom in the Centre at 7 p.m. On Sunday, April 29, the Fox River Valley Land Foundation and Friends of the Fox River will be hosting a cleanup at Trout Park. The cleanup will run from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Councilmember Figueroa stated that since today was Secretary’s Day, he congratulated the City Clerk and thanked her for taking so many notes. 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. Setting of a Price for Sale or Lease of Property Owned by the Public Body – Exempt Under Section 120/2/c(5) Committee of the Whole April 25, 2007 Page 5 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 The meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m. s/Dolonna Mecum May 9, 2007 Dolonna Mecum, City Clerk Date Approved