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HomeMy WebLinkAboutk - June 11, 2008 COW COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING June 11, 2008 The regular Committee of the Whole meeting was called to order by Mayor Schock at 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 May 28, 2008, regular meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Kaptain, Powers, Steffen, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Ordinance Regulating the Possession, Sale and Use of Fireworks An ordinance will be presented at tonight’s Council meeting for adoption by the City Council. Street Gang Prevention and Intervention Committee Presentation George Irizarry gave the following presentation on behalf of the Street Gang Prevention and Intervention Committee. At the conclusion of the report, Councilmember Figueroa thanked the members of the committee and indicated that he would like to see the committee become a permanent one. Mayor Schock also thanked the committee for their efforts. St r e e t  Ga n g  Pr e v e n t i o n  an d  In t e r v e n t i o n  Committee Re p o r t  to  th e  El g i n  Ci t y  Co u n c i l Ju n e  11 ,  20 0 8 Pr o c e s s  Ov e r v i e w • Th e  co m m i t t e e  co n v e n e d  it s  fi r s t  or g a n i z a t i o n a l  me e t i n g  on December 3,  20 0 7  an d  me t  se m i ‐mo n t h l y  be t w e e n  Ja n u a r y  an d  Ap r i l  2008.  All  me e t i n g s  we r e  op e n  to  th e  pu b l i c . • Be t w e e n  Ja n u a r y  an d  Ma r c h  va r i o u s  or g a n i z a t i o n s  an d  local experts made  pr e s e n t a t i o n s  to  th e  co m m i t t e e .    Th e y  in c l u d e : – El g i n  Po l i c e  De p a r t m e n t – Fo r m e r  ga n g  me m b e r s :    Ma r c u s  Ba n n e r ,  An t h o n y  Ce d i l l o ,  Salvador Vargas  an d  Jo e l  Pe r e z – Fa i t h ‐ba s e d  or g a n i z a t i o n s – El g i n  Re c r e a t i o n  Ce n t e r ( E R C ) / G o d ’ s  Gy m – Th e  Sa l v a t i o n  Ar m y – Ca r p e n t e r s v i l l e  Po l i c e  De p a r t m e n t ’ s  St r e n g t h e n i n g  Families Program – Bo y s  an d  Gi r l s  Cl u b  of  El g i n – Ci t y ’ s  Yo u t h  Sc h o l a r s h i p  Pr o g r a m – El g i n  Pa r k s  an d  Re c r e a t i o n  De p a r t m e n t – Sc h o o l  Di s t r i c t  U‐46  re p r e s e n t a t i v e s Is s u e s  an d  Re c o m m e n d a t i o n s • Is s u e  1:    Ne e d  fo r  Pu b l i c  In f o r m a t i o n  and Education – Pr o m o t e  a pu b l i c  ed u c a t i o n / a w a r e n e s s  ca m p a i g n  in a manner  th a t  al e r t s  pe o p l e  wi t h o u t  al a r m i n g  th e m . – In c r e a s e  co m m u n i c a t i o n s  am o n g  ne i g h b o r s . – Ap p o i n t  a pe r m a n e n t  Ga n g  Pr e v e n t i o n  Co m m i t t e e  to develop  fu r t h e r  pu b l i c  in f o r m a t i o n  an d  ed u c a t i o n  st r a t e g i e s . • Is s u e  2:    Sy s t e m a t i c  Ex p l o i t a t i o n  of  Yo u n g  Children – Of f e r  ed u c a t i o n a l  fo r u m s  fo r  st u d e n t s  an d  fa c u l t y  by former  ga n g  me m b e r s . – Ex p l o r e  th e  de v e l o p m e n t  of  a tr a i n i n g  & ce r t i f i c a t i o n  for former ga n g  me m b e r s  to  be  ab l e  to  wo r k  di r e c t l y  wi t h  children. – Ta r g e t  an t i ‐ga n g  pr o g r a m s  at  ch i l d r e n  in  el e m e n t a r y  school. Is s u e s  an d  Re c o m m e n d a t i o n s • Is s u e  3:    Pa r e n t a l  De n i a l – Pa r e n t s  ne e d  to  be  ed u c a t e d  ea r l y  an d  ag g r e s s i v e l y  about: • Th e  te m p t a t i o n  an d  ma n i p u l a t i o n  co n f r o n t i n g  their  ch i l d r e n • Th e i r  re s p o n s i b i l i t y  fo r  pr o v i d i n g  st r u c t u r e  and  ov e r s i g h t • Wa r n i n g  si g n s  of  ga n g  in v o l v e m e n t • Wh a t  to  do  wh e n  th e y  su s p e c t  th e i r  ch i l d  is involved  wi t h  a ga n g Is s u e s  an d  Re c o m m e n d a t i o n s • Is s u e  4:    La c k  of  In t e r v e n t i o n  Pr o g r a m s Th e  di s c o n t i n u a t i o n  of  in t e r v e n t i o n  pr o g r a m s  at what was  pr e v i o u s l y  ER C / G o d ’ s  Gy m  cr e a t e s  a pr o g r a m  resource void. – Ex p l o r e  th e  po s s i b i l i t y  of  a co l l a b o r a t i v e  mo d e l  involving School  Di s t r i c t  U‐46 ,  lo c a l  ag e n c i e s  an d  fo r m e r  ga n g  members to  de v e l o p  im p r o v e d  in t e r v e n t i o n  pr o g r a m s . • Is s u e  5:    Pr e v e n t i o n  Pr o g r a m s Th e r e  is  li t t l e  in f o r m a t i o n  ab o u t  th e  na t u r e ,  number or efficacy  of  th e  pr e v e n t i o n  pr o g r a m s  av a i l a b l e  in  th e  community. – Co m p l e t e  th e  In v e n t o r y  of  Cu r r e n t  Se r v i c e s . – Fu r t h e r  ex p l o r e  an d  ev a l u a t e  th e  St r e n g t h e n i n g  Families  Pr o g r a m  im p l e m e n t e d  by  th e  Ca r p e n t e r s v i l l e  Police  De p a r t m e n t . Is s u e s  an d  Re c o m m e n d a t i o n s Pr e v e n t i o n  Pr o g r a m s  co n t i n u e d – Ad d  a ga n g  co m p o n e n t  to  th e  DA R E  pr o g r a m . – Pr e v e n t i o n  sh o u l d  in c l u d e  op p o r t u n i t i e s  fo r  in v o l v e m e n t  in  po s i t i v e ,  st r u c t u r e d  ac t i v i t i e s  in c l u d i n g  sp o r t s ,  the arts,  ac a d e m i c s  an d  co m p u t e r  li t e r a c y . – Al t e r n a t i v e s  mu s t  be  af f o r d a b l e  an d  ac c e s s i b l e  to at‐risk youth. – Ot h e r  pr e v e n t i o n  ac t i v i t i e s  re c o m m e n d e d  by  former gang  me m b e r s  in c l u d e : • Pr o g r a m s  to  re d u c e  th e  la n g u a g e  ba r r i e r • Ed u c a t i o n a l  pr o g r a m s  fo r  pr e ‐te e n s  an d  fa m i l i e s  about  “w h a t  lo v e  is . ” Is s u e s  an d  Re c o m m e n d a t i o n s • Is s u e  6:    Sh o r t a g e  of  Re c r e a t i o n a l  Op t i o n s  for  Lo w e r ‐In c o m e  Yo u t h – Wo r k  wi t h  ne i g h b o r h o o d  gr o u p s  to  co m e  up with creative  so l u t i o n s . • Is s u e  7:    Re m o v a l  of  Ga n g  Ta t t o o s – Of f e r  a ta t t o o  re m o v a l  pr o g r a m  fo r  fo r m e r  gang members  wh o  ha v e  de n o u n c e d  th e i r  ga n g  me m b e r s h i p  for a  sp e c i f i e d  pe r i o d  of  ti m e .    • Is s u e  8:    Co m m u n i c a t i o n – Ap p o i n t  a pe r m a n e n t  Ga n g  Pr e v e n t i o n  Co m m i t t e e  that  wi l l  he l p  op e n  li n e s  of  co m m u n i c a t i o n  be t w e e n  local  or g a n i z a t i o n s ,  th e  sc h o o l  di s t r i c t  an d  th e  City. Is s u e s  an d  Re c o m m e n d a t i o n s • Is s u e  9:    Co m p o s i t i o n  of  EP D  Ga n g  Un i t – As  va c a n c i e s  in  th i s  un i t  oc c u r ,  ma k e  ef f o r t s  to recruit  co m p e t e n t ,  qu a l i f i e d  of f i c e r s  wh o s e  et h n i c i t y  mirrors that  of  th e  ga n g  po p u l a t i o n . Qu e s t i o n s  & An s w e r s Committee of the Whole June 11, 2008 Page 2 Consideration of Acceptance of Public Utilities and Associated Easements Constructed to Serve Various Single Lot Developments Councilmember Walters made a motion, seconded by councilmember Powers, to accept the public improvements and associated easements constructed by developers of various single lot developments listed below for ownership and maintenance. 2700 Alft Lane 1135 Bowes Road 1355 Bowes Road 355 Dundee Avenue 745 Fletcher Drive 2701 Highland Woods Boulevard 1925 Holmes Road 120 Kimball Street 1360 Madeline Drive 500 North McLean Boulevard 2505 Millennium Drive 2155 Point Boulevard 617 South Randall Road 3290 Route 20 2780 Spectrum Drive 751 North State Street 491 Teal Avenue 2370 Vantage Drive 920 Villa Street Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Kaptain, Powers, Steffen, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of 2008 50/50 Historic Architectural Rehabilitation Grant Program at 226 Villa Street Councilmember Powers made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve the 2008 50/50 Historic Architectural Rehabilitation Grant program recipient at 226 Villa Street in the amount of $16,999. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Gilliam, Kaptain, Powers, Steffen, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Amendment to Chapter 11 of the Elgin Municipal Code, Entitled “Vehicles and Traffic” Councilmember Kaptain made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Figueroa, to approve the consideration of the amendment to Chapter 11 of the Elgin Municipal Code, entitled “Vehicles Committee of the Whole June 11, 2008 Page 3 and Traffic” as recommended by the Neighborhood Services Committee at a cost of $1,698. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Kaptain, Powers, Steffen, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Agreement for an Emergency Grant for Building Stabilization at 269-275 DuPage Street Councilmember Powers made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Walters, to approve the agreement for an emergency grant providing for a total amount of $50,500 for foundation repairs and to repair consequential settlement damages to the building located at 269-275 Dupage Street. Councilmember Kaptain stated that he felt this would be setting a bad precedent as there are no guidelines for doing something like this. He would feel more comfortable if there were guidelines in place. Mayor Schock said this was an emergency situation and that it would not be setting a precedent. The City has been involved with this property through past Neighborhood Housing Services problems. If the City does not assist in fixing the problem, then it will become an even worse situation. Councilmember Kaptain asked if the City had a legal obligation regarding this situation and said that he was not comfortable approving this. He would like to see some type of repayment provision. Councilmember Figueroa stated that he agreed with Councilmember Kaptain and that he was looking for more information regarding any legal obligation. Corporation Counsel Cogley stated that the City had no obligation in this matter. The City has tort immunity and thus no liability. Mayor Schock stated that the City has awarded money for other projects to bring the properties up to standards. He said that some properties are not economically feasible to rehabilitate, but there is a positive impact on the neighborhoods to do so. Councilmember Kaptain asked if this property had received other grants. City Manager Folarin stated that it had under the deconversion program to reduce the amount of units. Mayor Schock said this property was involved in the embezzlement issue with Neighborhood Housing Services. Councilmember Kaptain stated he understands the situation, but feels that the City is assisting a private developer. Councilmember Figueroa asked if a repayment provision could be added. Mayor Schock stated that the economics did not work to do so. He said the property was purchased in good faith because the City had been previously involved. He said a lawsuit could be filed against the inspectors and previous contractors. Councilmember Powers stated that there was already $200,000 invested in the project. He felt that it was an ethics versus legal issue. He wondered if someone from the City had ever inspected the building. Councilmember Figueroa stated that other people have had problems and that the City does not have all the answers for them. Councilmember Powers said he felt that City service to the residents includes this type of situation. Councilmember Kaptain said a City code inspector cannot see everything. He feels the City obligation to this building ended before tonight. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Powers, Steffen, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: Councilmembers Figueroa and Kaptain. Committee of the Whole June 11, 2008 Page 4 Consideration of Drug Paraphernalia Control Ordinance Councilmember Kaptain made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Figueroa, to approve the consideration of a proposed ordinance prohibiting the possession, sale, and advertising of certain drug paraphernalia with the City of Elgin. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Kaptain, Powers, Steffen, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Prevailing Wage Rates Councilmember Walters made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Figueroa, to consider passing a resolution establishing prevailing wages on Department of Public Works projects in accordance with the Illinois Department of Labor’s rate schedule. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Kaptain, Powers, Steffen, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Announcements from Council Councilmember Figueroa congratulated the organizers of the recent event celebrating diversity in the community. Councilmember Kaptain announced that the Elgin Community Network, the City of Elgin, the Grand Victoria Foundation, and Gail Borden Library would be sponsoring an Elgin Live series regarding water conservation, quality, and reuse. He also said that he had learned that the number one use of energy in the United States is the movement of water. Announcements from Staff - none Adjournment Councilmember Kaptain made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Figueroa, to adjourn the meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Figueroa, Kaptain, Powers, Steffen, Walters, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. The meeting adjourned at 6:56 p.m. s/ Diane Robertson June 25, 2008 Diane Robertson, City Clerk Date Approved