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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08 - April 29, 2009 COW COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING April 29, 2009 The regular Committee of the Whole meeting was called to order by Mayor Schock at 7:35 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Present: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Absent: None. Approval of Minutes Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Kaptain, to approve the minutes of the April 8, 2009, regular meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Councilmembers Dunne and Warren voted present. Presentation from Community Development Concerning Foreclosures in Elgin Jerry Deering, Director of Community Development, gave an update to the Council on foreclosures in Elgin. A copy of the presentation is included as an attachment. Mr. Deering reported that approximately three percent of the homes in Elgin are currently in foreclosure. He stated that a monitoring program has been established and that foreclosed properties will be inspected monthly to ensure that they are properly maintained. He also said that citizens should contact the Code Department if they notice that a property is in need of maintenance. Mayor Schock asked if a foreclosed property that is sold could be subject to inspection for neglect or illegal units before the transfer stamp is issued. Mr. Deering stated that staff would look into this and report back. Councilmember Steffen asked that a letter be sent to a new owner outlining the guidelines for rental units. Councilmember Prigge stated he felt this was a good idea as he has seen a variety of homes that have been gutted. Councilmember Dunne asked if a fee structure could be implemented to help offset the cost of inspection. Mr. Deering said that the proposal for the Neighborhood Stabilization Program would be funded with $2.1 million from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development. The program would buy, rehab, and sell eight to ten high profile properties in selected areas. Once a property has been sold, the funds would be reinvested in the program. Councilmember Kaptain asked if a home purchased by the city could be rehabbed and then rented. Mr. Deering said it could, but with conditions. Councilmember Kaptain asked if it could be kept and used as a R.O.P.E. house. Mr. Deering answered that it probably could not, but that staff was looking into this, because twenty-five percent of the funds must be available for low income, the program suggests partnering with Habitat for Humanity, Neighborhood Housing Services, and/or Elgin Christian Development Corporation to provide a pool of candidates. Mr. Deering said that it is the conclusion of staff that the city should try to partner with other organizations to bring in speakers and lenders to assist with foreclosure avoidance. Committee of the Whole April 29, 2009 Page 2 Councilmember Kaptain said that the Elgin Community Network would be happy to host such meetings and felt there were opportunities for volunteers to assist with these efforts. He said that overlapping of efforts should be avoided. Councilmember Prigge asked how these homes would be marketed. Mr. Deering said no decisions had been made yet, but the city would probably use a real estate agent. Councilmember Warren asked if other communities had been contacted as to what they were doing. Mr. Deering said that other communities were looking at Elgin to see what it was doing. Councilmember Dunne asked if the city could partner with the Elgin Housing Authority to rent these properties until the housing market stabilizes. Mr. Deering said that it is possible, but the money has to be encumbered within eighteen months. He said staff will look into this possibility. Mayor Schock thanked the staff for a well thought-out presentation. Consideration of Renewal of Contract with Elgin Community College for Police Services Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Kaptain, to approve an agreement with Elgin Community College in the amount of $215,076.48 for police services from July 1, 2009, through June 30, 2012. Councilmember Dunne requested a breakdown on the cost of maintaining the police vehicle. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Resolutions Agreeing to Indemnify State of Illinois and County of Kane for Photo Enforcement Equipment (Red Light Cameras) Attached to IDOT and KDOT Traffic Signals Councilmember Kaptain made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve the two resolutions agreeing to indemnify the State of Illinois and the County of Kane for photo enforcement equipment (red light cameras) the City will be attaching to Illinois Department of Transportation and Kane County Department of Transportation traffic signals located within the City. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Committee of the Whole April 29, 2009 Page 3 Consideration of Proposed Amendments to Ordinances Relating to Amplifiers and Noise Councilmember Steffen made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Kaptain, to approve the proposed amendments to the Elgin Municipal Code ordinances relating to amplifiers and noise. Mayor Schock said that he had been pleased to read Councilmember Steffens’ comments that recently appeared in the local newspaper. Councilmember Prigge said that he was hearing that the city’s noise amplification ordinance was getting around to other communities. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of License Agreement with Mad Maggie’s to Permit Outside Seating Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve an agreement with Mad Maggie’s Inc. at no cost to the City approving permission to place tables and chairs in the public right of way along Dupage Court. Councilmember Dunne expressed a concern about a fire exit out of the area. Councilmember Kaptain noted that there may be a conflict with FoxFireFest. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Amendment to Lease Agreement with CAFCo Leasing, LLC and the Maintenance and Advertising Agreements with Prolink Solutions, LLC for the Golf Cart Global Positioning System Councilmember Kaptain made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve an amendment to the lease agreement with CAFCo Leasing LLC as well as the maintenance and advertising agreements with Prolink Solutions, LLC in the amount of $139,000. Councilmember Steffen asked who would be marketing the equipment. Randy Reopelle, Parks and Recreation Director, stated that the company would be handling the marketing aspects. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Committee of the Whole April 29, 2009 Page 4 Consideration of Agreement with Copper Springs Duplex Homeowners Association for Stormwater Detention Basin Easement Councilmember Warren made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Prigge, to enter into an agreement with the Copper Springs Duplex Homeowners Association for a stormwater detention basin easement. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Marketing Agreement with Nitelite Promotions for Promotion and Marketing Services Councilmember Steffen made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Gilliam, to award a contract to Nitelite Promotions in the not-to-exceed amount of $40,000 for promotion and marketing services. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Amendment No. 1 to the Engineering Service Agreement with HNTB for 2008/2009 Bridge Inspection Program Councilmember Steffen made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Kaptain, to approve Amendment No. 1 in the amount of $35,429 to the agreement with HNTB to provide additional engineering services for underwater inspection of four bridges over the Fox River and updating the Illinois Department of Transportation scour evaluation form for the National Street bridge. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Amendment No. 2 to the Engineering Services Agreement with Rezek, Henry, Meisenheimer and Gende for the 2006 Combined Sewer Separation Project Councilmember Kaptain made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Warren, to approve Amendment No. 2 to the engineering agreement with Rezek, Henry, Meisenheimer, and Gende in the amount of $38,670 for construction related engineering services for the 2006 Combined Sewer Separation Project. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Proposed Amendments to Taxicab Licensing Ordinance Councilmember Steffen made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Kaptain, to approve the proposed amendments to Elgin Municipal Code regarding taxicab licensing. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Committee of the Whole April 29, 2009 Page 5 Announcements from Council Councilmember Steffen asked staff to issue a notification regarding the formation of the bicycle task force. Councilmember Steffen also noted that the Northeast Neighborhood Association and the Giffort Park Association will be featured in an upcoming Old House Journal as outstanding areas in which to purchase older homes. Councilmember Gilliam asked staff to prepare a response to Councilmember Dunne’s comments which appeared in the Courier News regarding unsafe buildings. Announcements from Staff Public Information Office, Sue Olafson, announced upcoming city events. Adjournment Councilmember Kaptain made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to adjourn the meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m. s/ Diane Robertson May 13, 2009 Diane Robertson, City Clerk Date Approved