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HomeMy WebLinkAbout18 - September 23, 2009 COW COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING September 23, 2009 The regular Committee of the Whole meeting was called to order by Mayor Schock at 6:05 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 Warren, to approve the minutes of the September 9, 2009, regular meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Councilmember Gilliam voted present. 2009 – 2010 Liability and Property Insurance Policies Human Resources Director, Gail Cohen, and a representative from the insurance company reviewed the various policies and the associated coverage. She noted that there had been a significant reduction in the premium and that the package met the needs of the city. Councilmember Dunne expressed concerns about the lack of time available to review the material. City Manager Stegall stated that the material is traditionally not received from the insurance broker until the last minute and in order to meet the expiration date, the only other option would be for Council to give the City Manager the authority to approve the insurance package. A resolution will be presented at tonight’s Council meeting for adoption by the City Council. Consideration of Neighborhood Stabilization Program Update Community Development Director Jerry Deering gave an overview of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program and then introduced Planning Manager Matt Fitzgibbons who presented an update on the program. It was noted by both, that the city had received $2.1 million from the federal government for the program and the goal is to purchase twelve foreclosed homes and rehabilitate them for resale to income-eligible families. Mr. Fitzgibbons stated that four of the homes would be delivered to Habitat for Humanity to rehab and to sell to low income families. The remaining eight will be rehabilitated by pre-qualified general contractors and sold to moderate or middle income families. The four targeted neighborhoods are NENA, SWAN, GPA, and NWNA. Other site selection criteria include: the property being deconversion eligible, that it is located in a high profile area, and the architecture of the structure. Councilmember Gilliam asked if the contractors would bid on all eight homes or on the homes individually. Mr. Fitzgibbons said they would bid on the individual homes. Councilmember Steffen asked if the concerns of the neighborhoods had been addressed and Mr. Fitzgibbons answered yes. Councilmember Steffen asked how the buyers would be qualified and was told that Neighborhood Committee of the Whole September 23, 2009 Page 2 Housing Services would be involved in the process. Mr. Fitzgibbons stated that the qualifications were not finalized yet, but that homebuyer financial counseling would be required. Councilmember Gilliam asked if financing would be a problem and Mr. Fitzgibbons replied that NHS and Habitat for Humanity were sure money would be available and that NHS would pre-qualify buyers. Councilmember Warren asked about the time frame and was told that four homes should be purchased in the fall/winter and that they should be occupied by next summer. Councilmember Gilliam wondered why it would take so long. Mr. Fitzgibbons replied that this was a practical plan. Mr. Stegall noted that the city was being cautious in its expectations. Councilmember Dunne asked if any profits go back in the financial pool and was told they did. Councilmember Dunne asked if there were any profit projections. Mr. Fitzgibbons said there were not and noted that this was not the goal of the program. Mayor Schock stated that he would like to see the properties restored to a higher standard or as near to original as possible. Councilmember Steffen asked if there was any word on Neighborhood Stabilization Program II, and was told there was not. Councilmember Prigge asked for a definition of “low income”. Mr. Deering said it was fifty percent of the median income or approximately $56,000. Councilmember Kaptain stated he would like to see the southeast area and the Watch District included in the next program. Councilmember Steffen said that he appreciates the efforts of staff in keeping down the number of complaints regarding vacant, foreclosed properties. Mr. Fitzgibbons also explained that property rehabilitation would be on an as-needed basis, but would include both an exterior and interior checklist and a sustainability package to achieve high efficiency. Councilmember Steffen asked if the historic standards would be applied to all the residences and Mr. Fitzgibbons said they would to the extent possible. Councilmember Steffen made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Dunne, to approve the revised Neighborhood Stabilization Program. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Councilmember Steffen abstained due to conflict. Consideration of Second Amendment to Engineering Services Agreement with Carroll Engineering for 2006-2010 Combined Sewer Overflow National Pollution Discharge Elimination System Permit Compliance Councilmember Kaptain made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve the subject agreement with Carroll Engineering and Associates in the not-to-exceed amount of $150,000. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Local Agency Agreement for Federal Participation with Illinois Department of Transportation for Big Timber Road Resurfacing Project Councilmember Warren made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Prigge, to approve the Local Agency Agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation at a cost of $369,250. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Committee of the Whole September 23, 2009 Page 3 Consideration of Design Engineering Services with Engineering Enterprises, Inc. for Resurfacing of Big Timber Road from McLean Boulevard to Illinois Route 31 (State Street) Councilmember Steffen made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Gilliam, to approve the Engineering Services Agreement with Engineering Enterprises, Inc. in the not-to-exceed amount of $65,000. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Change Order No. 1 and Final with Martam Construction for 2008 Central Business District Water Main Project Councilmember Kaptain made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Warren, to approve Change Order No. 1 and Final with Martam Construction, for the 2008 CBD Water Main Project in the amount of $88,101.50. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Easement Agreement with Union Pacific Railroad Company for Bent Street Combined Sewer Separation Councilmember Steffen made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Kaptain, to approve two railroad crossing agreements with Union Pacific Railroad Company for a total cost of $9,792. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Proposed Development Agreement with Funk Properties Limited for Right- of-Way for the Extension of South Street and Easements for Bowes Road Interceptor Sewer Trunk 20 Project Councilmember Warren made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve the proposed agreement with Funk Properties Limited to provide for the City’s acquisition of necessary right-of-way for the extension of South Street and easements for the Bowes Road Interceptor Sewer – Trunk 20 Project at a cost of $32,150. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Amendment to Section 11.40.095 of the Elgin Municipal Code, Entitled “Vehicle Seizure and Impoundment” Councilmember Steffen made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Warren, to approve the amended ordinance, section 11.40.095 of the Elgin Municipal Code, entitled “Vehicle Seizure and Impoundment.” Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Committee of the Whole September 23, 2009 Page 4 Announcements from Council Councilmember Prigge requested staff to look into the problems associated with the nine Larkin Center group homes and that a meeting be set-up between staff and the Larkin Center board of directors. Councilmember Gilliam concurred and stated he did not feel they were responding to complaints. Announcements from Staff Public Information Office, Sue Olafson, announced upcoming city events Adjournment Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to adjourn to Executive Session for the following reasons: 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 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 Establishment of Reserves or Settlement of Claims as Provided in the Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act - Exempt Under Section 120/2(c)(12) of the Open Meetings Act Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. The meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m. s/ Diane Robertson October 14, 2009 Diane Robertson, City Clerk Date Approved