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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11 - June 8, 2011 COW COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING June 8, 2011 The regular Committee of the Whole meeting was called to order by Mayor Kaptain at 6:04 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Present: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Absent: None. Approval of Minutes Councilmember Steffen made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Dunne, to approve the minutes of the May 25, 2011, regular meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Councilmember Gilliam voted Present Consideration of Amendment to Chapter 11 of the Elgin Municipal Code Councilwoman Moeller asked if residents had been notified of the changes and if they supported the amendment. Aaron Cosentino, Management Analyst, stated that residents had been notified by letter and that no complaints or objections had been received regarding the amendment. Councilmember Dunne asked Mr. Cosentino to explain the process for initiating public street amendments. Mr. Cosentino stated that the requests for street amendments are generated either by Staff or residents themselves. The request is then discussed by the Community Engagement Committee as to the validity of the request and the next step involves instituting a trial of the amendment, recommending approval, or rejecting the request. If the request is approved the recommendation then comes before the City Council for final consideration. Councilmember Dunne noted that changes in emergency equipment and practices can trigger the street amendments. Councilmember Dunne made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Powell, to consider a proposed amendment to the Elgin Municipal Code to improve service delivery on three public streets. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Consideration of Resolution Establishing Prevailing Wage Rates on Public Works Contracts Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to establish prevailing wage rates on public works projects in accordance with the Illinois Department of Labor’s rate schedule. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Committee of the Whole June 8, 2011 Page 2 Consideration of Amendment to Purchase of Service Agreement with Elgin Community Network Councilmember Steffen clarified that this amendment was a onetime increase to the funds budgeted for the Elgin Community Network and is subject to budget discussions in upcoming months. City Manager Stegall stated that he hopes that the Council continues to support and increases funding for events like this. He stated that this is the type of model for the future that he hopes the Council continues to encourage. He believes the value of these events goes beyond the money spent by the City and promotes volunteerism within the community. Councilwoman Moeller attested to the value of the program, stating that it leverages volunteerism, increases property values within the neighborhoods, and engages the community in a positive manner. Mayor Kaptain stated that these funds were a budget item from last year. Councilmember Dunne clarified that this was not an allocation of new funds, but the utilization of funds from last year’s budget that carried over. Councilwoman Powell asked that a cost benefit analysis of the program be presented to Council at a later date. Mayor Kaptain stated that the Elgin Community Network was already working on a presentation to submit to Council. Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to fund an additional $20,000 to the Elgin Community Network through an existing Purchase of Service Agreement for the express purpose of conducting spring and fall neighborhood improvement events. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, and Steffen. Nays: None. Mayor Kaptain abstained due to a conflict of interest. Consideration of the Creation of an Automatic External Defibrillator Grant Program Councilmember Dunne explained the details of the grant program. He endorses the program and believes that this will provide for immediate, consistent, and quality care in cases of cardiac emergencies. Councilmember Steffen questioned if the CPR/AED training of the four members of the non- profit groups counted toward the 50 volunteer service hours that the non-profit must complete that is required by the grant program. Councilmember Dunne stated that only the instructor’s time will be counted as volunteer hours as these individuals will be donating their time to train the other members. Committee of the Whole June 8, 2011 Page 3 Councilmember Prigge stated that this was a good idea that has been made better with the additional provision of the City requiring the 50 volunteer service hours. He hopes this becomes a prototype for future programs. Councilwoman Powell asked if the training for this program was conducted on an annual basis. Councilmember Dunne stated that the training is required biannually and they can seek training through the hospital, the Fire Department, or through qualified instructors within the non-profit clubs. He noted that the non-profit clubs do not charge each other for the training, whereas they would have to pay to go for the other training programs. Councilmember Dunne made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Gilliam, to approve the creation of an automatic external defibrillator grant program for local organizations in the amount of $10,500 to reduce the percentage of sudden cardiac arrests resulting in death in Elgin. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Consideration of 2007 Motor Fuel Tax Municipal Maintenance Expenditure Statement and Supplemental Resolution Councilmember Dunne made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Gilliam, to approve the 2007 motor fuel tax municipal maintenance expenditure statement and supplemental resolution. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Consideration of Proposed Agreement with Mesirow Insurance Services for Insurance Broker Services for the Period 2011 – 2015 Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve an agreement with Mesirow Insurance Services for insurance broker services for the period 2011 – 2015 in the amount of $29,500 per year. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Presentation of Code Enforcement and Quality of Life Issues Police Chief Swoboda and Community Development Director Mylott made a joint presentation regarding the collaborative efforts made by the Police and the Code department regarding quality of life and code enforcement issues within the City. Chief Swoboda stated that the typical quality of life issues that occur during spring for the Police Department are: graffiti increases, mischief from kids out of school, and noise from car stereos and house/neighborhood parties increases. Mr. Mylott stated that the typical code enforcement issues seen during the spring season that increase the code enforcement officers’ case loads include: debris in the tree bank, unlawful construction, mosquitoes, and overgrown weeds. Collaborative efforts have been utilized during the following situations: Committee of the Whole June 8, 2011 Page 4 drug raids elderly well-being checks animal cases rental inspections towing operations scrap haulers abandoned vehicles dangerous or unresponsive owner/tenant issues The homes located on 259 Ann Street, 420 Franklin Street, as well as the Bowes Retirement Center and safety concerns along Nesler Road, were used as examples of the collaborative efforts of the Police and Code Enforcement departments to resolve multiple issues that had been identified on each of the properties. Chief Swoboda and Mr. Mylott also detailed the procedures that are currently in place for vacant and uninhabitable homes, rental property training and licensing, as well as the administrative adjudication. Mr. Mylott stated that they hope to expand the administrative adjudication program to include all code enforcement violations by this summer or early fall. Mr. Mylott and Chief Swoboda both agreed that each department has realized increased efficiencies by working cooperatively together. Councilwoman Powell questioned how a property would be declared a nuisance or red tagged for code issues. Police Chief Swoboda stated that the Elgin Municipal Code details a list of crimes that qualify as nuisance calls within a four month time period. In order for a property to be noted as a nuisance property, a series of crimes has to occur on the property itself that meet the criteria detailed in the Elgin Municipal Code. He stated that once a certain number of crimes have been committed on the property that is when the nuisance abatement process is triggered. Mr. Mylott stated there were several circumstances in which the Code Department can immediately red tag the property for unsanitary conditions or compromised systems that threaten health, life, or safety of the residents. Mayor Kaptain noted that he had met with Corporation Counsel Cogley regarding reviewing the nuisance property ordinance and tightening the provisions. Councilmember Dunne questioned if property abatements have been included in our nuisance ordinance. Corporation Counsel Cogley stated that the abatements are incorporated in our chronic nuisance ordinance and he stated that a comprehensive review of the ordinance is pending to add provisions that would allow for disturbance calls, as well as criminal offenses. Councilmember Steffen questioned what efforts are being made to make Code Enforcement more comprehensive of implementing and enforcing code violations. Mr. Mylott stated that discussions are currently ongoing to develop a system that will be more comprehensive in the future and will work alongside the 311 System. City Manager Stegall stated that Mr. Mylott was hired for his expertise in the field of code enforcement. He believes that the code enforcement issues are some of the most difficult to manage in these tough economic times, as it requires a delicate balance of working with homeowners to resolve issues versus no tolerance. Committee of the Whole June 8, 2011 Page 5 Councilwoman Moeller questioned what procedures were in place for dealing with abandoned homes and how much it costs the City to deal with these properties on an ongoing basis. Mr. Mylott stated that he plans to bring forward recommendations regarding vacant properties at a later date. Councilmember Dunne questioned the time frame regarding the vacant home ordinance. Mr. Mylott stated that the ordinance has already passed Council and the Code Enforcement department is working to bring recommendations forward in July regarding its implementation. Councilmember Dunne commended Police, Fire, Health, and Code Departments for their efforts and working together to ensure resident safety. Councilmember Prigge voiced his concerns regarding code enforcement along the arterial streets of the City and the negative visual aspects of code issues. He stated that these properties should be more strictly enforced because they are viewed by thousands of people traveling into and out of the City. He questioned if there are code issues that are not currently being handled through adjudication system that will be added in the near future. Mr. Mylott stated that he anticipates being able to handle all no-notice code enforcement issues through the administrative adjudication process within the next six months. Corporation Counsel Cogley stated that there may be some cases that would require an injunction that would enable the City to get the court to order a property owner to take action. Councilwoman Powell would like to see an analysis of the lien collection rates for administrative charges regarding code enforcement liens. Mr. Mylott stated he would be happy to provide that at a later date. Discussion of Downtown Special Events Policies and Guidelines Councilmember Prigge initiated a discussion regarding his concerns with downtown special events and carnivals. He stated he sympathizes with the business owners who are opposed to the events. He does not believe that it showcases the downtown and that there is no benefit for the businesses. He believes that the downtown area is a poor location to hold carnivals due to busy intersections. He also noted that in the past there have been criminal problems. He asked that the Council and Staff think about taking a proactive and positive approach by helping the agencies that would like to hold fundraising carnivals find a location outside of the downtown area. Councilmember Gilliam asked for time to consider the merits of Councilmember Prigge’s suggestions. He questioned if there were any problems at the last carnival that was held downtown. Councilmember Prigge stated that there was no police activity at the last carnival, but that the attendance was low due to inclement weather. City Manager Stegall stated that the downtown area has stricter guidelines that Councilmember Prigge helped to develop regarding fencing and ticketing for safety reasons. Committee of the Whole June 8, 2011 Page 6 Councilwoman Moeller asked if Festival Park could be used as a venue for the carnivals. Councilmember Dunne stated that Festival Park could not be used as a location for the carnivals because of the utility and electric lines running beneath the field. Announcements from Council Councilmember Prigge made an announcement regarding the demolition of the Simpson Electric building and thanked the owners of the building for hiring an Elgin based demolition company. He also encouraged the community to support a new restaurant called Joe’s BBQ and Fish that recently opened for business and has a ten person staff that are all Elgin residents. Councilmember Dunne announced that the Elks Club would be holding an event on Walton Island on June 14, 2011, to honor Flag Day. Mayor Kaptain thanked all of the volunteers who attended and the sponsors who donated to the NeighborWorks event. He stated that the Elgin Community Network will be doing a presentation outlining the success of the program. Announcements from Staff Cherie Murphy, Assistant to the City Manager for Community Engagement, announced upcoming city events. Adjournment Councilmember Dunne made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Gilliam, to adjourn the meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. The meeting adjourned at 7:06 p.m. s/ Jennifer Quinton June 22, 2011 Jennifer Quinton, Acting City Clerk Date Approved