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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09 - May 12, 2010 COW COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING May 12, 2010 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 Warren made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Prigge, to approve the minutes of the April 28, 2010, regular meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Mayor Schock’s State of the City Address Mayor Schock spoke about the challenges that have faced the city during the past year. He cited changes in the management team due to the early retirement program and staff reductions, but was confident that the new team will do as well as the previous one. The recession has caused a decline in every source of city revenue. But taxes have not been increased nor has the city dipped into its reserves. Instead, budget cuts have been made and there has been a reduction of eighty positions. The unemployment rate is at or just above 15%. There are an estimated 57,000 jobs in Elgin, but only 25% of those workers are actually from Elgin. Also, the majority of the unemployed actually worked outside of the city. Of those unemployed, it is estimated that 50% of them were in jobs that paid less than $20,000 per year. The city is working with other partners to increase the skills of the workforce. Mayor Schock described the Work Keys program and how it is assisting employers, high school graduates, and individuals who have been in the work force for a number of years. He noted that the education skills rank lower than comparable communities and the city and its partners are striving to improve this. On the positive side, the Mayor noted that in Elgin itself, there has been an increase of 6.5 million square feet of industrial space since 2005 bringing 5,000 new jobs. The crime rate has been reduced by 60% over the last ten years. In serious gang crime there has been a two-thirds reduction. He stated that community involvement is critical and that prevention and suppression go hand-in-hand. Another positive area is the downtown. The construction/reconstruction is over half completed and six new businesses have been established in the area. The Mayor thanked those existing businesses who have suffered through the construction process. Committee of the Whole May 12, 2010 Page 2 Other successes for the past year include: Over four hundred units have been eliminated through the Deconversion Program since the program’s inception. Elgin ranked number one in single family housing starts in the Chicago area. In the area of recreation, the city added another skate board park, Bowes Creek Country Club opened, and the Centre had one million people visit its facility. Sustainability is making progress in the city as a $1.8 million grant was received for the city’s urban forest and a $1 million grant was received which will be passed on to homeowners and for rehabbing commercial buildings. Economic growth included the opening of the new Sherman Hospital and expansion at NTN Bearing, Mazak, Siemens, and several other companies. Elgin is now home to two state of the art hospitals and the city is becoming a major medical center. Elgin community College passed a major referendum which shows an investment in the future. Projects of note for 2010 include completion of the $13 million riverfront project which will include the removal of the parking deck and renovation of that area; Art Space; further progress on the street rehabilitation project; and continuation of the sewer separation project. Mayor Shock concluded that Elgin has survived many challenges and that it will continue to move forward. He said “the future doesn’t look good – it looks great.” Public Hearing on the Naming of a New City Park The public hearing was declared open. Director of Parks and Recreation, Randy Reopelle, described the process of naming a new park. He announced that the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board were recommending that the city park located at Illinois and Hammond Streets be named Unity Park. There being no comments from the public, the hearing was declared closed. Consideration of Senior Citizen Property Tax Rebate Program Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Warren, to approve the Senior Citizen Tax Rebate Program for 2010 at an estimated cost of $825,000. Councilmember Kaptain noted that the cost of the program had increased from 2008 to 2009 by 7½%. While he has no objections to this year’s payment, he felt this program may need to be reviewed because he does not feel it is sustainable. With the advent of the Des Plaines casino, the riverboat money will likely be even less next year. He would like staff to work with the senior community and look at other ways to meet the needs of seniors or possibly consider helping to fund expansion of the Senior Center. Committee of the Whole May 12, 2010 Page 3 Councilmember Steffen echoed those comments and said that he understood that the Senior Center was turning away people. Councilmember Warren said that senior should be involved in the review process. Councilmember Prigge said that it is the time to review all senior services and to look for partners to work with the city on this. City Manager Stegall asked if the recommendations should be made in preparation of the 2011 budget. The consensus was no, and that this is a project that should take place over the next year. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Sole Source Purchase from Motorola of Replacement TRAK GPS for Emergency Radio System Councilmember Warren made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve a sole source purchase of the TRAK GPS site standards from Motorola for the not-to-exceed amount of $160,076. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Acceptance of Public Improvements at Reserve Phase 2 Subdivision Councilmember Kaptain made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve acceptance of public improvements in the Reserve Phase 2 Subdivision. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Engineering Services Agreement with Collins Engineers Inc. for 2010-2011 Bridge Inspection and Maintenance Program Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Dunne, to approve an agreement with Collins Engineers Inc. to provide engineering services associated with the inspection and maintenance work of city bridges. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Committee of the Whole May 12, 2010 Page 4 Consideration of Amendment No. 1 with Christopher B. Burke Engineering Ltd. for Construction Engineering Services for 2010 Spring Street Neighborhood Street Rehabilitation Project Councilmember Dunne made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve Amendment No. 1 to an agreement with Christopher B. Burke Engineering Ltd. for construction engineering services for the 2010 Neighborhood Street Rehabilitation Project – Spring Street. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Amendment No. 1 with Burns and McDonnell for Construction Engineering Services for 2010 Park Street Neighborhood Street Rehabilitation Project Councilmember Warren made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve Amendment No. 1 to an agreement with Burns and McDonnell in the amount of $114,868.64 for construction engineering services for the 2010 Neighborhood Street Rehabilitation Project – Park Street. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Third 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 a third amendment to an agreement with Carroll Engineering and Associates in the not-to-exceed amount of $144,000 for 2006-2010 Combined Sewer Overflow National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit compliance. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Sole Source Contract with SunGard for a City-Wide NaviLine Suite Analyses Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Kaptain, to approve a sole source contract with SunGard Public Sector for the NaviLine Suite Analyses at a cost of $15,432.88. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of a Proposed Ordinance Establishing a Lords Park Advisory Task Force Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Prigge, to adopt an ordinance establishing a Lords Park Advisory Task Force. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Committee of the Whole May 12, 2010 Page 5 Consideration of Proposed Ordinance to Amend the City’s Liquor Code by Amending the Regulations for a Class V Winemakers License and to Provide for a Temporary Product Sampling and Tasting Event Permit Councilmember Dunne made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Gilliam, to adopt a proposed ordinance amending the City’s liquor code by amending the regulations for the Class V winemakers’ liquor license and to provide for a temporary product sampling and tasting event license. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Announcements from Council Councilmember Kaptain recognized Mike Curtain and his committee for planting approximately 1,500 oak trees on city property and for giving away approximately 1,200 oak trees to residents. He also announced an upcoming Neighbor Works event sponsored by the Neighborhood Housing Services and the Elgin Community Network. Councilmember Warren announced a community luncheon sponsored by the Elgin Rotary Club and In the Neighborhood Deli. Mayor Schock announced that the fourth annual Walk and Roll event, held the previous week, had over four hundred participants and raised over $57,000 in donations. Announcements from Staff Public Information Officer, Sue Olafson, announced upcoming city events. Adjournment Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to adjourn the meeting to Executive Session for the purpose of: 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 Committee of the Whole May 12, 2010 Page 6 Appointment, Employment, Compensation, Discipline, Performance or Dismissal of Specific Employees of the Public Body - Exempt Under Section 120/2(c)(1) 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 7:10 p.m. s/Diane Robertson May 26, 2010 Diane Robertson, City Clerk Date Approved