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HomeMy WebLinkAbout13 - July 8, 2009 COW COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING July 8, 2009 The regular Committee of the Whole meeting was called to order by Mayor Schock at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Present: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Absent: None. Approval of Minutes Councilmember Steffen made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Kaptain, to approve the minutes of the June 24, 2009, regular meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Councilmember Warren voted present. Consideration of Senior Citizen Property Tax Rebate Program Mayor Schock stated that he would like to see a local stimulus package added to this program. Councilmember Gilliam said that he would like staff to look into the idea. Councilmember Steffen stated he also liked the idea. Councilmember Prigge questioned what approximately $750,000 mean to the local economy. City Manager Stegall said that he did not have the exact figures, but that he would try to get them. Councilmember Kaptain stated he thought it was a good idea, but that he would like to have it tracked to see how it was spent. Councilmember Dunne agreed that it was a good idea since the city would get the sales tax, but the business base would have to be broad. Councilmember Warren suggested that the senior citizens should be notified regarding the delay. Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Warren, to table consideration of the Senior Citizen Property Tax Rebate Program. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Authorization to Proceed with Application for U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program 2 Funding Through a Consortium with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning A resolution will be presented at tonight’s Council meeting for adoption by the City Council. Community Development Director Deering reviewed the highlights of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program 2. Two proposals had been submitted, the Kane County/Mercy Housing Lakefront (Kane/Mercy Consortium) Proposal and the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) Proposal, and staff was recommending the CMAP proposal. Committee of the Whole July 8, 2009 Page 2 Councilmember Dunne asked if the Kane/Mercy Consortium Proposal would be responsible for the Route 20/Route 31 intersection improvements and for any improvements at Route 25/I-90 intersection. Mr. Deering confirmed that it would. Councilmember Warren asked about the timing of the application. Mr. Deering indicated the application itself was due by July 16, 2009, and the final plans by December. Councilmember Dunne asked if someone would be hired to administer this program. Mr. Deering replied that it would be allocated to existing staff. Mayor Schock said that he liked the CMAP proposal because it focused on foreclosed homes and the effect they have on existing neighborhoods. He said that 46% of the housing in Elgin is considered affordable and that there are approximately 1,500 foreclosed homes. He said he would not favor adding more affordable housing to what is already available. Councilmember Prigge asked if the Kane/Mercy Consortium proposal were selected, would this raise the percentage of affordable housing within the city. Mr. Deering said that it would. Councilmember Prigge said that the Sanfilippo location and the location near Route 25 and I-90 were prime business locations and that if there was going to be any development there, it should be for businesses. City Manager Stegall stated it was not typical for staff to recommend a proposal without thoroughly reviewing it. He said that because this is stimulus money, there has not been time for either the federal government or the local governments to put together fully prepared agreements. He noted that some of the applicants have not had time to fully understand the consequences of these agreements. Combined Sewer Presentation At the request of Council, General Services Director Lawry and Fiscal Services Director Nowicki, gave a presentation on the combined sewer project. This was as a result of recent flooding in the southwest neighborhood area. Mr. Lawry reported 12.5% of the surface area of Elgin or 6,000 properties are served by combined sewers. He indicated that it would take approximately twelve more years to complete the separation of the storm and sanitary sewers at an estimated cost of $48 million. Mr. Nowicki explained the Overhead Sewer Program and the proposed changes to the program. Councilmember Warren asked how many residents had taken advantage of the Overhead Sewer Program and Mr. Nowicki replied that thirteen residents had participated in the program since 2001. Councilmember Gilliam asked what effect installing overhead sewers in a residence would have on a neighboring residence. Mr. Lawry said there was no record of anything negative occurring to neighboring residences by installing the overhead sewer, but that it was possible. Committee of the Whole July 8, 2009 Page 3 Councilmember Dunne asked if the city funded check valves. Mr. Lawry stated that the city did not. Councilmember Dunne then asked what the date was to complete the separation project and Mr. Lawry said thirty years. Councilmember Dunne asked how much of this project was shovel-ready. Mr. Lawry said that the portions of Highland Avenue and Bent Street were ready to go. Councilmember Dunne asked how long it would take to complete the Lord Street area and Mr. Lawry replied approximately sixteen years. Councilmember Dunne asked if there was anything in the program that required the property owner to show that any facilities installed below grade were done so with the proper permits. Mr. Lawry replied no. Councilmember Prigge asked if it is a requirement that the EPA be notified if there is sewage in a basement. Corporation Counsel Cogley answered that there were no regulations about sewage in basements, but that the city will be filing reports in the future. Councilmember Prigge asked how many of the 6,000 properties were multi-unit. Mr. Lawry said he did not know because only platted properties were counted, not the types. Councilmember Prigge said that the city is dedicated to fixing the problem, but he acknowledged that the cost and the timeframe were horrific. Councilmember Warren wondered if accelerating maintenance on the catch basins would help. Councilmember Kaptain stated that the EPA requirements were unfunded mandates and that overhead sewers would not fix the problem of getting the sewer separated. Councilmember Gilliam said that if the city were to expand its Overheard Sewer Program, then those who have been affected most should be considered first. Councilmember Prigge suggested that it would have to be ascertained whether it was sewer backup or basement seepage. He also suggested being proactive on garbage pickup when there has been damage caused by flooding. Mayor Schock said the city experienced the worst flooding last year and that said that out of 6,000 homes, 80% did not experience any problems. He said it was important that this is a shared expenditure between the resident and the city and that it goes to those who need it the most. He said he believed the plan submitted by staff will help those who need it. Councilmember Dunne asked if the program had ever run out of funding and Mr. Nowicki said it had not. Ten residents spoke on the flooding problems they had experienced recently and in the past. Councilmember Dunne thought the city should be sensitive to the financial situation of an applicant and suggested adding a means test to the program application. Councilmember Prigge asked how long it would take to install an overhead sewer and Mr. Lawry thought it would be at least five days. By consensus, it was agreed to table consideration of any changes to the Overhead Sewer Program until the first meeting in August. Committee of the Whole July 8, 2009 Page 4 Consideration of Agreement with Hampton, Lenzini and Renwick Inc. for Traffic Signal Maintenance and Management Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Kaptain, to approve the attached agreement with Hampton, Lenzini, and Renwick Inc. to perform traffic signal maintenance and management for City owned street signals at a cost of $44,648 per year for two years. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Change Order No. 2 with Joel Kennedy Construction for Phase II of the Joint Disposal Force Main Project Councilmember Steffen made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Gilliam, to approve the execution of Change Order No. 2 with Joel Kennedy Construction for Phase II of the Joint Disposal Force Main project for a contract deduction in the amount of $49,362. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Community Development Block Grant Sub-Recipient Agreement for the Well Child Center for Exterior Renovation Project Councilmember Steffen made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Gilliam, to approve the sub- recipient agreement with the Well Child Center in the amount of $56,043 for an exterior renovation project. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Councilmember Warren abstained due to conflict. Announcements from Council Councilmember Steffen announced that Ride for a Reason would be held during the upcoming Elgin Classic Bike Race. Councilmember Dunne announced that he would be unable to attend the next Council meeting due to a military obligation. Announcements from Staff Public Information Officer, Sue Olafson, announced upcoming city events. Committee of the Whole July 8, 2009 Page 5 Adjournment Councilmember Dunne made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Warren, 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 8:18 p.m. s/ Diane Robertson July 22, 2009 Diane Robertson, City Clerk Date Approved