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HomeMy WebLinkAbout17 - September 9, 2009 COW COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING September 9, 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, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Absent: Councilmember Gilliam. Approval of Minutes Councilmember Steffen made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Kaptain, to approve the minutes of the August 26, 2009, regular meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Presentation and Acceptance of Engineering Study Prepared by Carroll Engineering & Associates, Inc. Relative to Flooding Issues in the Preston, Cooper, Bellevue Avenue Area Councilmember Steffen made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Kaptain, to remove the item from the table. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. General Services Director, David Lawry, gave a review of the study. He explained that the reasons for the study were to determine what was causing the problem and what potential solutions were available. It was found that both the storm and sanitary sewers run at full capacity, even in dry weather, and that portions of the sewers run flat or even “belly” in spots. He identified a possible solution to be trying to remove flow from the system, to plug one possible sewer line, to divert storm water further north, and to possibly lower a detention pond. He indicated that staff would like to try a few of these possible solutions to see how they would affect the flow. Councilmember Dunne stated that this problem was due to the in-fill of residences in the area and wondered if the developer would be responsible for any of the corrections. Mr. Lawry stated he could not answer the question without knowing what developer was involved. City Manager Stegall asked how long the conditions had existed and Mr. Lawry stated they had existed for decades. Councilmember Dunne disagreed, stating that he had talked with many of the residents, although not all. Councilmember Dunne then asked when the detention pond had been converted for park use and Mr. Lawry thought it was in the early 1970’s. Councilmember Dunne asked if the city would be responsible for restoring the detention pond to its original depth and Mr. Lawry replied yes, that was his understanding. Councilmember Dunne asked that if the sewer lines were running at 100%, then somewhere along the line should a developer have picked up the cost of increasing capacity and did this problem exist anywhere else in the city. Mr. Lawry said he was not sure what developer Councilmember Dunne was referring to and he stated there had been very little development to that area. Councilmember Dunne asked about adding a three or Committee of the Whole September 9, 2009 Page 2 four story building to the line or adding a new subdivision. Mr. Stegall stated that he did not feel there was enough information available to draw any conclusions about the effects any recent development would have had on the flow in the lines. Councilmember Dunne said that an engineer had been hired and that he wanted to know what the report stated and did any other problems exist anywhere in the city. Mr. Stegall stated again that there was not enough information available to provide an answer. Councilmember Dunne stated he wanted Mr. Lawry to answer the questions and Mr. Stegall stated that he himself had already answered it. Councilmember Dunne asked if the city approved developments without knowing what the impact would be on the city. Mr. Stegall said he was not saying that. Mayor Schock remarked that the report referred to the bowl effect at Cooper and Preston that was inadvertently created when Lords Park Manor was built. He stated that the report notes that the sewer system was installed in 1907. He also mentioned that the building referenced by Councilmember Dunne is not a new building, but one that has been there for decades. Councilmember Dunne stated that he believed more waste was being discharged into the system now than before the back fill projects were constructed. Councilmember Kaptain noted that a considerable amount of waste was discharged into the system when the building was utilized as a dairy. He stated that the sewers were constructed in the early 1900’s and that society has changed its uses through the years. He felt the report was a classic example of an aging infrastructure. He stated that sewers are full during dry weather because of infiltration; i.e. water leaking in through cracks and gaps in the pipes. Councilmember Prigge asked what the latest developments were in that area and Lords Park Manor and Blackhawk were mentioned. Councilmember Dunne mentioned that the former shoe factory had been converted to condos. Councilmember Kaptain acknowledged that sewer systems are designed differently today, and said that it is an aging system that exists in that part of town. Mr. Stegall said that staff will monitor what effect the proposed changes have and the system, and will report back to the Council by early winter. He also noted that Fox River Water Reclamation District and the city will be working together regarding the entire system. Councilmember Steffen asked if staff will be trying to stop the leaking into the system. Mr. Lawry said no, that the diversion of flow will be explored first. Councilmember Dunne asked if monitoring will also take place to ensure that the diverted flow does not flood other areas and Mr. Lawry assured him this would be done. Councilmember Warren asked if the residents in this area would be eligible for the overhead sewer program and he was told they would be. Consideration of Renewing a Purchase of Services Agreement with Kane County Child Advocacy Center Councilmember Kaptain made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Prigge, to approve an agreement with Kane County Child Advocacy Center in the amount of $35,000. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Committee of the Whole September 9, 2009 Page 3 Consideration of an Agreement with Illinois Water and Wastewater Response Network to Provide and Receive Intrastate Mutual Aid Councilmember Kaptain made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve an agreement with the Illinois Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (ILWARN) to receive and provide services via an intrastate mutual aid agreement. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Amendment No. 1 with Wills Burke Kelsey Associates for Phase 1 Design Engineering and Construction Engineering Services for Spartan Drive Reconstruction Project Councilmember Steffen made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Warren, to approve Amendment No. 1 with Wills Burke Kelsey Associates in the amount of $228,185.28 for additional Phase 1 design engineering services and construction services for the Spartan Drive Reconstruction Project. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Kaptain, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Councilmember Prigge abstained due to conflict. Consideration of Amendment No. 2 with Crawford, Murphy & Tilly for Highland Avenue Widening and Reconstruction Project Councilmember Kaptain made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to consider Amendment No. 2 to an agreement with Crawford, Murphy & Tilly in the amount of $38,691 for additional Phase 1 design engineering services for the Highland Avenue Widening and Reconstruction Project. Councilmember Warren asked if these funds were to be used only to complete the engineering study. Mr. Stegall confirmed that statement and said that this was not to be seen as a go ahead for the project itself. The completed study will assist in applying for other funds, if available. He said that any potential widening of Highland Avenue would involve much more conversation with both the Council and the public. Councilmember Dunne asked if the township had been asked for matching funds and Mr. Stegall stated he was not aware of any conversation with them. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: Councilmember Dunne. Consideration of the Sale of Multiple Spaces at Bluff City Cemetery Councilmember Kaptain made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Warren, to approve the purchase by the Institute of Islamic Education in the amount of $630,000 in revenue for a new section of burial spaces at Bluff City Cemetery. Committee of the Whole September 9, 2009 Page 4 Councilmember Prigge asked what qualifications are needed to be able to purchase multiple spaces. Mr. Stegall said it was the ability to pay. Councilmember Prigge questioned if anyone could make a purchase such as this and Mr. Stegall answered yes. Councilmember Dunne asked what discount had been offered in the past. Mr. Stegall answered stating it was thirty percent. Councilmember Dunne asked if the same rate had been offered to the local synagogue and Mr. Nowicki replied that it had. Mr. Dunne then asked what interest rate was being charged. Mr. Nowicki replied that they were being allowed to pay over time at zero interest. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of an Amendment to Chapter 11 of the Elgin Municipal Code, Entitled “Vehicles and Traffic” Councilmember Steffen made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Kaptain, to remove the item from the table. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Councilmember Steffen stated that although he understood the need of the odd/even parking ban, he did not see the need for it during the summer months. He would like to see it in effect from November 1 until May 1. He said that he would be voting against the proposal as it currently is presented. Councilmember Kaptain said that he agreed with Councilmember Steffen, but that he saw a problem with re-educating the public each fall. Councilmember Dunne said that Chicago heavily advertises its parking restrictions and that if the city were to do this, it would assist with the education issue. Mr. Stegall said that there were pros and cons to every proposal. He felt this area should have a year-round ban due to the dense neighborhoods, narrow streets, and safety issues that have been presented to Council in previous meetings. Councilmember Dunne asked why waivers regarding street widths were issued to new developments. Mr. Stegall stated no waivers had been issued since he had been city manager. Councilmember Dunne responded that since Mr. Stegall had only been city manager since July and since that there had been no annexation agreements during that time, then he would be correct. Councilmember Prigge mentioned that he had talked with several police officers and had been told that it is easier for them to maneuver on wider streets. Mayor Schock brought up the fact that wider streets may promote higher speeds. An example would be on Randall Road. He said he had received several comments about how much traffic has slowed down on Wing Park Boulevard since the installation of the median. Mayor Schock said that he would like to see other alternatives brought forward. He stated he was not in favor of the odd/even parking, but that he wants to see this issue resolved. Committee of the Whole September 9, 2009 Page 5 Councilmember Kaptain made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Prigge, to approve an amendment to Chapter 11 “Vehicles and Traffic” of the Elgin Municipal Code. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Kaptain, Prigge, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: Councilmember Steffen. Consideration of a Contract with Casey Equipment for the Rental of Wheel Loaders for City’s Salt Storage Facilities Councilmember Warren made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve a contract for the rental of two wheel loaders for the 2009/2010 winter season at a cost of $39,000 with Casey Equipment. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Announcements from Council Councilmember Kaptain asked staff to research the video gaming law and its possible effect on the Grand Victoria Casino. He feels this is also a moral issue. Councilmember Dunne asked to include any negative impact to the city. Mayor Schock said there is no urgency to make a decision as the Gaming Board has been charged with the responsibility of formulating the rules and regulations and they currently have no staff or funds to do so. Mr. Stegall said that several communities have already voted against it as they are opposed gambling. Announcements from Staff Public Information Officer, Sue Olafson, announced upcoming events. Councilmember Dunne announced he would be leaving the 911 ceremony early due to another commitment. Adjournment Councilmember Steffen made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Kaptain, to adjourn to Executive Session for the purpose of Appointment to Boards and Commissions (Exempt Under Section 120/2(c) (3) of the Open Meetings Act). Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. The meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m. s/ Diane Robertson September 23, 2009 Diane Robertson, City Clerk Date Approved