Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout06 - March 23, 2011 COW 1 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING March 23, 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, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Absent: None. Approval of Minutes Councilmember Steffen made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Gilliam, to approve the minutes of the March 9, 2011, regular meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce Presentation Leo Nelson, Director of the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce, presented the 2010 Summary Report of the Economic Development Group (EDG). The EDG is a partnership between the City of Elgin, the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Downtown Neighborhood Association. Mr. Nelson stated that the goals of the EDG are to: Provide a solid tax base to support quality municipal and education goals; Improve the quality of life and standard of living for Elgin residents; Create a diverse and vibrant local economy; and Generate desirable employment opportunities. Key initiatives include business retention, business expansion, business recruitment, enhancing Elgin, transportation and development, and workforce development. Bob Malm, Carol Gieske, and Michael Kelly, of the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce, spoke about each of these. Mr. Nelson stated that the partnership with the city has been working very well and Mayor Schock thanked the members of the Elgin Chamber for their report. Consideration of Agreement with Islamic Mission and Mosque, Inc. for the Sale of up to 1,000 Grave Spaces in Bluff City Cemetery Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve the sale of five hundred graves to Islamic Mission and Mosque, Inc. for $225,000 payable in annual installments of $56,250, with an option to purchase an additional 500 graves under the same terms by 2014. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Committee of the Whole Meeting March 23, 2011 2 Consideration of Adoption of a Resolution to Establish a Revolving List of Approved Energy Auditors for the Residential Energy Assessment Grant Program Councilmember Kaptain made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Warren, to approve a revolving list of three energy auditors to provide energy assessments for the Residential Assessment Grant Program. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of a 2010-2011 Community Development Block Grant Sub-Recipient Agreement with Community Crisis Center Councilmember Warren made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve the execution of a Program Year 2010-2011 Community Development Block Grant Sub-Recipient Agreement with Community Crisis Center in the amount of $36,850. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Consideration of Agreement with Senior Services Associates, Inc. Councilmember Warren made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Gilliam, to approve the purchase of service agreement with Senior Services Associates, Inc. to provide financial assistance in 2011 in the amount of $24,479. Councilmember Prigge stated that he would like to clarify the purpose of this item as stated on the agenda. He said that existing programs will continue no matter what is decided regarding this proposal. Councilmember Prigge asked what involvement Randy Reopelle and Maria Cumpata had in bringing this item forward to the council. Mr. Stegall said Senior Services has traditionally received funding from the city through the riverboat funds via a purchase of services agreement. This program has been overseen by a staff member and currently that staff member is Ms. Cumpata. Councilmember Prigge expressed concerns that the lease for the adjoining building is contingent upon involvement by Elgin Township and they are not meeting until April. He wondered what will happen if they do not approve support for this. Corporation Counsel William Cogley answered that the City’s contribution is fixed. It will not increase if Elgin Township does not approve a contribution for this expansion. Senior Services would have to find another source to cover the additional funds needed. He also noted that if Senior Services does not sign the lease to expand its space, the amount of the purchase for services agreement would revert to the original amount of $10,710. Committee of the Whole Meeting March 23, 2011 3 Councilmember Prigge then asked why the proposed lease was not going to be in the city’s name. Mr. Cogley replied that he would not recommend that due to the liabilities that could go along with that. He said that was one of the purposes of a purchase of services agreement. Councilmember Prigge stated he was not comfortable with this proposal because there was a possibility there could be up to three new members on the council after the upcoming election and he did not think they should be tied to a three year agreement. He would like staff to explore other possibilities for funding. He felt the matter was moving too quickly. Councilmember Prigge then made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Dunne, to table consideration of a Purchase of Services agreement with Senior Services Associates, Inc., to provide financial assistance in 2011 in the amount of $24,479 until the May 11, 2011, Committee of the Whole meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Kaptain, and Prigge. Nays: Councilmembers Gilliam, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. The motion to table the item failed. Councilmember Steffen said that he and Councilmember Kaptain have looked at other alternatives such as the lower level of The Hemmens Cultural Center and the Boys and Girls Club facility, but these were not as attractive to Senior Services as this would be. He stated this vote was conditional as it will come back for council approval after the township meeting. Councilmember Warren disagreed that the item was moving too quickly. He said it had been brought to the attention of the council approximately a month ago and there was a need to move forward so the landlord does not find another tenant. He felt this was a rare opportunity for Senior Services to secure more space in order to provide more services to seniors. Councilmember Prigge feels the city has not done its due diligence in looking for other funding sources or for other space. He is not against the proposal, but he wants it done right the first time. Mayor Schock said he and Councilmember Warren were made aware of this situation when they visited Senior Services. The Mayor then spoke with the owner of the adjoining building about the matter. Mayor Schock said this proposal will add a tremendous amount of space to Senior Services at a low rental rate that includes utilities. However, this is predicated on the city moving quickly. He also noted that they cannot expand their programs without expanding their space. He also noted that consideration should be given to the proximity of their existing building and to the parking deck. Councilmember Warren stated that the city is still looking for other partners to financially assist with this. City Manager Stegall explained that he brought this forward in a relatively short amount of time was because the existing purchase of services agreement was already in place and this proposal could be included with that. Councilmember Kaptain asked when the township would be voting on this and Councilmember Warren replied that it would be April 6, 2011. Committee of the Whole Meeting March 23, 2011 4 Councilmember Kaptain said that he did not like open-ended contracts and wondered when staff became involved in the negotiations. Mr. Stegall said that happened after the subject was brought up. Councilmember Kaptain said he felt this was a policy issue because staff did not get involved at the beginning. He feels arrangements were made before council consideration and that staff should have been involved from the beginning. He said he thought the project was a good one, but he was not happy with the way it has been handled. He wants a closed-end agreement before he votes on this. Mr. Stegall mentioned that staff has been involved with this project, but Councilmember Kaptain said he felt they should have been involved from the very beginning and especially with negotiations of rent. Councilmember Warren said he respectfully took offense to what was said about a deal being cut. He said he had met with Senior Services and listened to their concerns and then spoke with the landlord. He then brought all the information back to the Mayor and the City Manager. He repeated no deal had been cut and that the entire council was considering it tonight. Councilmember Kaptain said that rental arrangements had already been determined. Mayor Schock said no rental arrangements had been made. He said council members gather information and bring it back to the council for consideration all the time. He cited Senior Services recently using the basement of the Hemmens as an example. He repeated that no deal had been forged and that everything was contingent on council approval. He also mentioned that Councilmember Warren had brought the problem to the attention of the council just days after meeting with Senior Services. Councilmember Warren said again that this was not a done deal and that he felt badly because this was a unique opportunity to help the seniors and it has turned political. Councilmember Prigge referred to a fax or e-mail of February 18, 2011, indicting a breakdown of rent and it appears this was a done deal. Mayor Schock repeated this was not a done deal and these facts had been brought up to the council previously. Councilmember Prigge said he had a conversation with Councilmember Warren and it did appear that a deal had been arranged. He then said that the other reason he wanted to table this issue was to take the politics out of it due to the upcoming municipal election. He felt there were significant issues that could be called into question. He said that he wanted to see this tabled so that staff could try to come up with other alternatives. Mayor Schock stated that he had not received one complaint or inquiry from the public about this matter. Councilmember Prigge felt people will be asking why an organization that has $1.9 million budget is getting money from the city and if the city is finding an additional $3,000 a month for Senior Services, why can’t we find it for the residents that need the overhead sewer valve conversions that cost approximately $2,000 per residence. Mr. Stegall then said that he had conversations with several council members regarding the item being political, but that leaving it off the agenda would also have appeared political. He said the purchase of services agreement had already been scheduled to be on this agenda. He said no one asked to have it put on this agenda. Committee of the Whole Meeting March 23, 2011 5 Councilmember Dunne said he was going to ask if Hanover Township had been contacted, but knew now that they had been. He did say that he had previously requested a life safety report on the building, but has not received anything to date. He said this building owner has had problems in the past and he wants to make sure the building is safe. Mr. Stegall said he does have a conference call scheduled with Hanover Township next week. Councilmember Warren said that any code issues are part of the contingency. Councilmember Dunne said there was an agreement five years ago with the owner regarding another building and those items still are not in compliance. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Gilliam, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: Councilmember Dunne, Kaptain, and Prigge. Consideration of Amendment to Center City Special Business Loan Program Renaming Program and Clarifying Eligibility for U.S. Small Business Administration 504 Loans Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve an amendment to the Center City Special Business Loan Program renaming the program to the “Downtown Business Loan Interest Subsidy Program” and clarifying eligibility for U.S. Small Business Administration 504 loans. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Mayor Schock thanked Assistant City Manager Kozal and Tonya Hudson, Executive Director of Downtown Neighborhood Association, for their assistance with this item. Consideration of Application for Participation in the Downtown Business Loan Interest Subsidy Program Filed by Leath Partners, LLC for the Property at 164-66 E. Chicago Street Councilmember Steffen made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Gilliam, to approve an application filed by Leath Partners, LLC for participation in the Center City Business Loan Interest Subsidy Program for the property at 164-66 E. Chicago Street. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. Announcements from Council Councilmember Prigge announced the details of the upcoming Pet Health Fair. Councilmember Kaptain announced details of a fund-raiser for Friends of Lords Park Zoo. Announcements from Staff Aaron Cosentino, Management Analyst, announced upcoming city events. Committee of the Whole Meeting March 23, 2011 6 Adjournment Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to adjourn to Executive Session for the following purpose: 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 Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Kaptain, Prigge, Steffen, Warren, and Mayor Schock. Nays: None. The meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m. s/ Diane Robertson April 13, 2011 Diane Robertson, City Clerk Date Approved