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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02 - January 26, 2011 COW COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING January 26, 2011 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 Warren made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve the minutes of the January 12, 2011, regular meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Contract with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois for 2011-2012 Health Insurance Program A resolution will be presented at tonight’s Council meeting for adoption by the City Council. Community Garden Presentation Cherie Murphy, Assistant to the City Manager for Community Engagement, introduced Donna Askin of the Elgin Community Garden Network. Ms. Askin thanked various volunteer organizations and the community for the help and support over the past year. She showed a short video featuring the community gardens and highlighted the goals of the organization, including teaching sustainable skills and feeding the hungry. She also announced that a new garden will be established at the Centre, with Jan Monell acting as the site manager. Consideration of Agreement with Hampton Lenzini and Renwick to Provide a Traffic Study for US Route 20 Councilmember Dunne made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Kaptain, to table consideration of the agreement with Hampton Lenzini and Renwick to provide a traffic study for US Route 20. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Cultural Arts Commission 2011 Grant Award Recommendations Councilmember Warren made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve the funding of the following grant awards to support the arts programming in the community in the total of $30,255. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. ORGANIZATION PROJECT/OPT. SUPP AWARD 1. Art For All Winter Art Exhibit $839 Committee of the Whole January 26, 2011 Page 2 2. Ballet Folkloric Annual Dance Performance $4,536 3. Elgin Children’s Chorus Emerald Voices Concert $4,340 4. Elgin Choral Union Mozart Programs $3,366 5. Elgin Youth Symphony Only In Elgin Concert $5,152 6. Heartland Voices Partners in Song Concert $2,980 7. Fox Valley Men of Harmony Spring Music Concert $332 8. Independent Players Theatrical Productions fall/spring $3,172 9. Janus Theatre Elgin Theater Festival $5,538 Consideration of 2010 Energy Efficiency Residential Revolving Loan Fund Councilmember Kaptain made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve the following recipients of the 2010 Energy Efficiency Residential Revolving Loan Fund. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Table 1. Energy Efficiency Residential Revolving Loan Fund Program Applicants Recommended Recipients SCR Rank Owner Address Current $/Yr Savings $/Yr Total Project Cost Note SCR Loan Amount (based on 10-Year Payback Cap) Payback (Years) Nec. Applicant Contribution to Total Project Cost 1 Dave & Pat Segel 40 N Gifford $2,454 $436 $2,497 0.17 $2,497 5.7 $0 2 James Halik/Jim Armstrong 821 Douglas $8,973 $6,269 $38,626 0.16 $38,626 6.2 $0 3 Lynn Kozak/Jesse Martinez 503 N Spring $7,346 $3,204 $23,030 0.14 $23,030 7.2 $0 4 John Uteg 814 N Spring $5,757 $1,379 $10,828 0.13 $10,828 7.9 $0 5 Aaron & Dianna LaFrenz 738 Augusta $5,290 $1,691 $13,201 0.13 $13,201 7.8 $0 6 Brian Graham 13 Robey $5,068 $1,389 $14,561 2 0.10 $13,890 10.0 $671 7 Dorie Alpha 357 N Liberty $4,898 $2,009 $24,603 2 0.08 $20,090 10.0 $4,513 8 Fakede Zewde 664 Park $1,935 $486 $6,214 2 0.08 $4,860 10.0 $1,354 9 Stacey Reynolds 342 Perry $2,473 $502 $6,880 2 0.07 $5,020 10.0 $1,860 10 David Jurina/Kristin Webb 18 Warwick $3,989 $1,176 $18,755 2 0.06 $11,760 10.0 $6,995 11 Tony & Laurie Smith 1293 Evergreen $2,263 $300 $13,280 2 0.02 $3,000 10.0 $10,280 12 Anne Castro 1267 Pleasantview $1,691 $129 $5,774 2 0.02 $1,290 10.0 $4,484 13 Steven McCleary 1040 Fieldstone $4,043 $182 $9,540 2 0.02 $1,820 10.0 $7,720 Totals $56,180 $19,152 $188,932 $151,055 Committee of the Whole January 26, 2011 Page 3 Consideration of Reimbursement to Pingree, LLC for the Offsite Water Main Oversizing to Highland Woods and the Foy Property Councilmember Warren made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve payment to Pingree, LLC for the offsite water main oversizing to Highland Woods through the Foy Property in the amount of $278,124. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Reimbursement to The Relm Group for the Offsite Water Main Oversizing to the Galleria Development Councilmember Kaptain made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve payment to The Relm Group for the offsite water main oversizing to the Galleria retail development at Nesler and U.S. Route 20 in the amount of $44,332.90. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Extension to the Agreement with Meade Electric for Traffic Signal Maintenance Councilmember Warren made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Prigge, to approve a one year contract extension with Meade Electric for traffic signal maintenance at a cost of $84,936. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of 2011 Motor Fuel Tax Resolution Councilmember Warren made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve the motor fuel tax resolution and program estimates for the maintenance of streets and highways for an estimated amount of $2,710,000. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Renewal of Professional Services Agreement for Lobbyist Steven Nemerovski and Lawrence Suffredin, Jr. Councilmember Kaptain made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Warren, to approve a professional services agreement for lobbying services with Steven Nemerovski and Lawrence Suffredin, Jr. in the amount of $25,000. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Discussion Concerning Permit Fees for Food Stores and Food Service Establishments Mayor Schock explained that he and other council members had received a number of inquiries about the fee increases for food service establishment inspection. He explained that in 2008, an agreement with the Kane County Health Department for emergency health services also included Committee of the Whole January 26, 2011 Page 4 making the city fees equal to the county fees. In 2009 and again in 2010, the county raised its fees and the city was likewise forced to do so per the agreement. This has resulted in an almost three hundred percent increase over the last two years. The Mayor asked that 1) staff review the costs associated with the inspections and the associated fee structure, and 2) a rebate be provided to downtown establishments as they suffered the highest losses due to the downtown street construction projects. This rebate would take the fees back to the 2009 level. City Manager Stegall reminded council that a user fee study was previously approved and this is already underway. Ms. Lavery, Chief Financial Officer, reported that if the increases were rebated in the Central area, it would cost the city approximately $10,000. She noted that there are funds left in the 2010 budget that could cover this cost. Councilmember Dunne said the VFW is charged for both a liquor inspection and a health inspection. He feels the entire inspection program should be reviewed, that inspections be combined, and that fees be reviewed. Councilmember Kaptain stated that small business owners feel the pinch the most. There is a disparity between the fees for a larger business and a smaller one. He feels every business in town has suffered and that at the entire city should be rebated. He would like to revisit the business license program and adequately explain what they are getting for their money. Mayor said agreed with Councilmember Kaptain, but that access has been disrupted to the businesses in the downtown area and those businesses have been affected the most. Councilmember Kaptain replied that businesses on Highland and Edison have also had the same complaints. Councilmember Warren suggested streamlining all the license applications into one form. Councilmember Steffen agreed and suggested using technology to accomplish this. He would also like to have the inspectors cross-trained so only one inspection be performed for the various licenses. Councilmember Dunne wondered if inspections can be staggered or payment schedules established. Councilmember Prigge would like to reward good behavior and would like to see this incorporated into this program. He also agreed that businesses should know they are getting their money’s worth. Councilmember Warren mentioned that at a recent ribbon cutting for a new business, their staff praised city staff and the Chamber for all of their efforts and programs. Mr. Stegall clarified that the business license fees fund the Elgin Development Group. Councilmember Steffen made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Warren, to create a rebate program for the downtown food establishments. Councilmember Dunne asked about fee study and was assured that that would still go forward. Committee of the Whole January 26, 2011 Page 5 Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Announcements from Council Councilmember Kaptain announced 2011 events for the Neighbor Works program. Councilmember Dunne stated that he recently toured several homes involved in the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. He would like text added to the applicable real estate transfer stamp regarding the use of these homes as comparables as they could bring down the values of the surrounding properties. Councilmember Prigge praised the Police Department for their recent efforts last weekend with Clean Sweep. Councilmember Steffen remarked that the story in the recent issue of Mother Earth News was very good. Announcements from Staff Mr. Stegall noted two instances of Elgin being highlighted in national publications. In January, Governing Magazine mentioned Elgin in an article entitled "Firefighters Feel the Squeeze of Shrinking Budgets". Elgin was shown as an example of how a city and its firefighters can work together in harmony, without having to take drastic measures that would have negatively impacted the community and those who serve them. A special thanks goes to the Elgin firefighters and the management team for making this possible. The second recognition was in the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) PM Magazine that profiled us in an article entitled "5 Mega Issues Drive Local Changes". This article shows how Elgin has adapted to the new realities brought forward by the great recession and how we are looking to the future as an opportunity to distinguish ourselves. Chief Swoboda reported that the calls for service for the Larkin Center for the last quarter of 2010, decreased by four percent. He also noted that a number of changes have been made by the Larkin Center staff and that the Police Department meets with the Larkin Center Staff on a monthly basis. He is hope that there will be a further decrease in this number. Councilmember Prigge asked if Chief Swoboda would provide another report at the end of March and Chief Swoboda said he would. Cherie Murphy, Assistant to the City Manager for Community Engagement, announced upcoming city events. Committee of the Whole January 26, 2011 Page 6 Adjournment Councilmember Steffen made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Dunne, to adjourn the meeting to Executive Session for the purpose of: 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 Pending or Probable or Imminent Litigation Against, Affecting, or on Behalf of the Public Body Before a Court or Administrative Tribunal - Exempt Under Section 120/2(c)(11) 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 6:55 p.m. s/ Diane Robertson February 9, 2011 Diane Robertson, City Clerk Date Approved