HomeMy WebLinkAbouth - April 23, 2008 - special meeting
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
SPECIAL MEETING
April 23, 2008
The special Committee of the Whole meeting was called to order by Mayor Schock at 2:05 p.m.
in the Heritage Ballroom of The Centre. Present: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain,
Powers, Steffen, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Absent: None.
Presentation on Public Works Services
City Manager Folarin gave a brief introduction in which he stated that the processes for leaf and
snow removal had not worked well this past year. He said that during the last several months,
the entire program had been reviewed from top to bottom and that this would be a continuous
process.
General Services Director Lawry reported that the bids for the streets resurfacing project have
come in under what was anticipated.
Prior to the start of the presentation, Assistant City Manager Stegall stated that there is no other
community quite like the City Of Elgin. The City has new and old neighborhoods that are both
suburban and urban in character. Because of this, Elgin is truly a diverse community. Mr.
Stegall also mentioned that predictability is the goal. Residents should know when to expect
City services. He stated that $2.8 million is being spent on new equipment. He mentioned that
during the presentation, a break would be taken so that the Council and other attendees could
view the new equipment already received and models that are on order.
The following was the presentation given to Council:
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Committee of the Whole - Special Meeting
April 23, 2008
Page 2
Councilmember Powers asked how the new standards had been established and Mr. Stegall
replied that it had been done mainly from the citizen surveys.
Councilmember Walters said that he liked receiving the weekly report from Public Works.
Mayor Schock asked how the “alley of snow” could be removed from the downtown area and
Mr. Loete replied that it was an on-going process after a storm. He said they no longer use the
large equipment in the downtown area.
Councilmember Figueroa said that he was surprised that, in the Top Ten Employee Issues,
equipment was near the top of the list and staffing was toward the bottom. Councilmember
Powers said that if the proper equipment is available, it isn’t always necessary to add personnel.
Sometimes the existing personnel just have to be trained on how to use it. Councilmember
Figueroa gave credit to Mr. Lawry for taking time to survey the Public Works Staff on their
ideas.
Leaf Removal
During this part of the presentation, Mr. Lawry reviewed the leaf collection program and the
need to manage the program better. He stated that new equipment is being added and that there
will be an additional week to bag for those who are required to rake to the street.
Councilmember Kaptain asked when the compost site closes and Ms. Powell stated that
arrangement can be made with them.
Councilmember Steffen asked what will happen as the “bagging” neighborhoods mature. It was
stated that there are no plans to change the program.
Snow and Ice Removal
Mr. Loete and Mr. Lawry reported that currently there are seventeen snow routes that include
approximately fifty-five lane miles. The policy is that all streets are plowed within twenty-four
hours once it stops snowing, with main routes being priority. The proposed program will be for
twenty-two routes (nineteen residential routes and three main routes) that cover approximately
thirty lane miles each. All streets will be plowed within twelve hours once it stops snowing with
the main and residential routes getting equal attention.
Councilmember Kaptain questioned the use of sub contractors for the cul-de-sacs. Mr. Loete
said using the sub contractors would free staff to cover the routes.
Salt
Mayor Schock asked if Public Works was looking at any of the alternatives to using salt on the
roads. Mr. Loete said that a number of alternatives had been considered, including “sticky salt”.
The City can indicate this on the state contract and has done so.
Committee of the Whole - Special Meeting
April 23, 2008
Page 3
Councilmember Walters asked if there was anything better to use on the bridges. Mr. Loete said
that the City is currently using the best product available that also minimizes the corrosion effect.
Councilmember Kaptain stated he had recently read an article in one of the local papers that
compared salt usage for several municipalities and wondered why the City’s was so low. Mr.
Loete and Mr. Lawry both stated they were not sure the numbers were correct.
Traffic Division
It was the recommendation of the staff committee to have odd/even parking in four trial areas for
a specific period of time, evaluate the results, and then make a final recommendation to the
Council in April, 2009.
Councilmember Figueroa asked why not just have parking bans on the day of garbage collection.
Sgt. Theriault said this would not always be feasible and it would not be consistent for
enforcement.
Councilmember Steffen asked about the effect this would have on existing regulations. Ms. Hall
said they would have to be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Councilmember Kaptain asked about the status of the box truck restrictions and Mr. Deering
replied that it had left the Planning Commission and was on its way to the Council.
Councilmember Powers asked what would happen if the results were good, but that the residents
were unhappy. He stated he would not want to abandon a good process for a few people.
Mayor Schock wondered what would be learned from Randall Ridge and Cobblers Crossing
since these neighborhoods already are using bagging. Sgt. Theriault stated that the committee
wanted these areas to be representative of the City. He said that even if there is no street leaf
pickup in those areas, at least the other services would be predictable.
Councilmember Gilliam stated he was pleased there would be a trial period.
Summary
Mayor Schock asked where the money would come from to fund these changes. Mr. Stegall
answered that the equipment had already been budgeted and that the rest of it would be
manageable. He did mention that future staffing, if necessary, could be a problem.
City Manager Folarin concluded by noting the only change at this time is that there will be a trial
period.
Councilmember Powers thanked everyone for all of their work.
Councilmember Kaptain said that he would like the “status quo” removed from the list of
Committee of the Whole - Special Meeting
April 23, 2008
Page 4
options.
Adjournment
Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Powers, to adjourn the
meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Powers,
Steffen, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None.
The meeting adjourned at 5:10 p.m.
s/ Diane Robertson May 14, 2008
Diane Robertson, City Clerk Date Approved