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HomeMy WebLinkAbouti - May 14, 2008 COW COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING May 14, 2008 The regular Committee of the Whole meeting was called to order by Mayor Schock at 6:08 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Present: Councilmembers Figueroa, Kaptain, Powers, Steffen, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Absent: Councilmember Gilliam. Approval of Minutes Councilmember Walters made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Figueroa, to approve the minutes of the April 23, 2008, regular meeting and the minutes of the April 23, 2008, special meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Kaptain, Powers, Steffen, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Development Agreement between the City of Elgin, the Chicago Bandits and Judson University for the Purpose of Providing Women’s Professional Softball Councilmember Kaptain questioned how success of this venture would be measured. Assistant City Manager Stegall stated that the intention was for staff to provide information to Council who would then make that determination. He said that a feasibility study should be conducted after the conclusion of the first season, and that attendance, economic impact on hotels and restaurants, community pride, and an additional entertainment venue are just some of the variables to be considered. Councilmember Kaptain stated he was concerned about the success of the league itself. Councilmember Powers said this would create a relationship with the American Softball Association and it would bring in hotel and restaurant business creating a ripple effect in the community. He feels if the City hosted just one tournament per week for sixteen weeks, it could generate several million dollars for the community. He sees Elgin becoming the softball capital of the United States. He believes the Bandits are already good corporate citizens as they are already using local businesses. Mr. Stegall said staff would provide to the Council, after the first season, as much information as possible so they could make the determination whether this was a worthwhile venture. Councilmember Walters asked how does the City evaluate the Elgin Symphony Orchestra and what is it worth when the Symphony is featured on WFMT? He said this is a way of buying good advertising. A resolution will be presented at tonight’s Council meeting for adoption by the City Council. Consideration of Acceptance of Grant from Elgin Township for the 2008 Youth at Risk Summer Program Councilmember Walters made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Kaptain, to accept a grant from the Elgin Township in the amount of $20,000 for the operation of the 2008 Youth at Risk Summer Program. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Kaptain, Powers, Steffen, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Committee of the Whole May 14, 2008 Page 2 Consideration of Senior Citizen Property Tax and Senior Citizen Mobile Home Rebate Programs Councilmember Figueroa made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Powers, to approve the Senior Citizen Tax Rebate and Senior Citizen Mobile Home Rebate Programs for 2008. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Kaptain, Powers, Steffen, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Landmark Designation of Wing Park Golf Course Councilmember Kaptain made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Powers, to approve the designation of Wing Park Golf Course at 1000 Wing Street as an individual Elgin landmark. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Kaptain, Powers, Steffen, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Councilmember Walters abstained due to conflict. Consideration of Engineering Services Agreement with Civil Engineering Services for Construction Engineering for the 2008 Neighborhood Resurfacing Project Councilmember Walters made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Figueroa, to authorize the agreement with Civil Engineering Services in the not to exceed amount of $209,484 for the 2008 Neighborhood Resurfacing project. Councilmember Walters asked if the price had come in lower than expected, and if so, would it be possible to do additional streets. City Manager Folarin said the price is below what was expected and more streets had been already added to the list. Councilmember Figueroa asked if a street is not included in this plan, what the alternative is. Mr. Folarin said it would be included in the next plan, but that potholes would be taken care of now. Mayor Schock mentioned that some of the streets are too far gone for resurfacing and that they will have to be totally rebuilt. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Kaptain, Powers, Steffen, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Co-Sponsorship Agreement with Prairie Rock Brewing Company for 13th Annual Brewfest Councilmember Powers made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve the co- sponsorship agreement with Prairie Rock Brewing Company for a not to exceed amount of $5,216.50 for operational support for the 13th Annual Brewfest to be held on June 13 and 14, 2008. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Kaptain, Powers, Steffen, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Committee of the Whole May 14, 2008 Page 3 Consideration of Co-Sponsorship Agreement with The Grove Property Owners Association, Inc. for 1st Annual Grove Fest Councilmember Walters made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Powers, to approve the co-sponsorship agreement with The Grove Property Owners Association, Inc. for the not to exceed amount of $3,963 for the 1st Annual Grove Fest. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Kaptain, Powers, Steffen, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Engineering Services Agreement with Engineering Enterprises, Inc. for Design and Construction Inspection Services for the East Zone Booster Pump Station Councilmember Walters made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Kaptain, to approve an agreement with Engineering Enterprises, Inc. in the not to exceed amount of $165,532 for design and construction inspection engineering services for the East Pressure Zone Booster Pump Station. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Kaptain, Powers, Steffen, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of 2008 Neighborhood Improvement Grant Program Councilmember Kaptain made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve the grant recipient eligibility list as submitted and execute the grant agreements for a total of $48,550 for the 2008 Neighborhood Improvement Grant Program. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Kaptain, Powers, Steffen, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Renewal of Legislative Representation Agreement with Larry Suffredin and Steven Nemerovski Councilmember Walters made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Figueroa, to approve a two year agreement with Larry Suffredin and Steven Nemerovski at an associated cost of $37,000 for 2008 and $39,000 for 2009 for continued legislative representation. Mr. Suffredin presented a report on what has been happening in Springfield and how it might affect Elgin. He reported this was the second year of a General Assembly and there should be a limited type of interaction. Because the State did not finish the current budget it is in, let alone get ready for the budget that should begin in July, the lobbyists are watching what is happening closely. He said that the next budget needs to be passed by May 31 or an extraordinary majority will be needed to pass it after that date. At this point, it appears there is no consensus on a budget. He also reported this was the ninth year of having no state capital plan. There is a proposal to use revenue generated by the leasing of the lottery plus an increase in auto license fees to try to have the beginning of a capital plan. Right now, though, there is no plan to lease the lottery. There is distrust on the part of the leaders of the House and the Senate of each other and of the governor and because of this, nothing is happening. Committee of the Whole May 14, 2008 Page 4 They have been watching the TIF bills because they want to make sure there is no limitation put on the City’s ability to use the funds. Gaming bills are also being closely watched. Gaming revenue is down by approximately 17% compared to past years and down about 12% more than the surrounding states. The reasons why have not been determined. There was a bill to exempt casinos from the new no-smoking law, but there was no interest in this and it died. The tenth license application should be coming up for review. Interest has been shown by Des Plaines, Waukegan, south Cook County, and Rockford. At this time, it is expected it will only generate approximately $200 million due to the current economic conditions. Home rule and open meeting bills have been presented, but they should have no impact on how the City Of Elgin operates. He said people are asking if things are better or worse, but he feels that the City Of Elgin is better off, as everyone at the state knows what the City’s needs are. He also feels the recall bill created more animosity than before. He said the legislators know this is an election year and he hopes this gives them the ability to finish this year’s budget before May 31 and put together an operational budget prior to July 1. The bigger projects and those with matching federal funds will probably not happen before the November elections. Mayor Schock thanked Mr. Suffredin for all of his efforts on behalf of the City. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Kaptain, Powers, Steffen, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Announcements from Council Councilmember Kaptain announced that Elgin Alive will be presenting “Buying and Preserving Your Home” on Tuesday, May 20, at the Gail Borden Library. Announcements from Staff Sue Olafson announced upcoming City and Memorial Day events. Adjournment Councilmember Kaptain 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, Kaptain, Powers, Steffen, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Purchase or Lease of Real Property for the Use of the Public Body - Exempt Under Section 120/2(c)(5) of the Open Meetings Act Committee of the Whole May 14, 2008 Page 5 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 6:35 p.m. s/ Diane Robertson May 28, 2008 Diane Robertson, City Clerk Date Approved