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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12 - June 22, 2011 COW COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING June 22, 2011 The regular Committee of the Whole meeting was called to order by Mayor Kaptain at 6:05 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Present: Councilmembers Gilliam, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Absent: Councilmember Dunne. Approval of Minutes Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Moeller, to approve the minutes of the, June 8, 2011, regular meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Gilliam, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Consideration of Pipeline Encroachment Agreement with Union Pacific Railroad for the Lord Street Sewer Separation Project A resolution will be presented at tonight’s Council meeting for adoption by the City Council. Councilmember Steffen made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Prigge, to approve an agreement with Union Pacific Railroad for the Lord Street Sewer Separation Project in the amount of $16,300 to construct a section of the new storm sewer in Phase I Lord Street Sewer Separation Project within the Union Pacific Railroad right-of-way in order to discharge storm water runoff to the Fox River. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Gilliam, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Bike & Pedestrian Advisory Committee Presentation Steve Wasilowski, Chairman of the Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, and Paul Bednar, Staff Liaison for the Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, gave a presentation regarding the accomplishments and goals of the committee. Mr. Wasilowski and Mr. Bednar detailed the committee’s ongoing objectives which include the following: Encouragement Education / Awareness Enforcement / Legislation Evaluation / Study Engineering / Infrastructure The presentation is on file in the City Clerk’s Office. Councilmember Steffen thanked the Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Committee for all of their hard work. He stated he is happy that Elgin is becoming a more bike friendly community and he would like to see it taken to the next level. Councilmember Steffen questioned if a student Committee of the Whole June 22, 2011 Page 2 member had been appointed to the Committee, and also asked if the sidewalk and bus shelter studies had been conveyed to City Staff for review. Mr. Bednar stated that the study results had been given to City Staff for review. Mr. Wasilowski stated that recruiting a student member had not been a priority for the board, but that he would look into it for the future. Mayor Kaptain stated that he had spoken with representatives for the new Wal-Mart development and from the Grove Subdivision who had expressed interest in creating pedestrian and bike access to those two locations. He encouraged the Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Committee and Staff to look into including these developments in the bike pathway system. Consideration of Amendments to Chapter 11 of the Elgin Municipal Code Regarding Downtown Parking Regulations A presentation regarding the current downtown parking regulations and the suggested amendments was given by Aaron Cosentino, Management Analyst, and Tonya Hudson, from the Downtown Neighborhood Association. They stated the objectives of the amendments are to make downtown parking simpler and more convenient for downtown businesses, visitors, and patrons and detailed the changes suggested. Councilmember Prigge questioned who typically parks overnight in the downtown area. Mr. Cosentino stated that normally overnight parking is utilized by people who are visiting residents in the downtown area. Councilwoman Powell congratulated Mr. Cosentino and Ms. Hudson on their efforts regarding compiling information for the parking study. She questioned why the City should remove the overnight parking ban in the downtown area. Lt. Glenn Theriault, Administrative Adjudication Officer, stated that all of the downtown restaurants discourage driving under the influence, and removing the overnight ban on parking will allow the businesses to further discourage this practice. Councilwoman Powell asked if Public Works Department planned to continue cleaning the streets overnight despite the fact that cars would be present. Mr. Cosentino stated that the program would continue. City Manager Stegall stressed that this plan was experimental and that it is in the development stages. He stated that the plan is meant to be flexible, and if something is not working changes can be made as necessary. Councilwoman Powell asked how the parking permit revenue of approximately $18,000 would be recouped if the permits were eliminated as suggested by the amendments being proposed. She also questioned which accounts would be funding the costs of the new signage and suggested street markings. Mr. Cosentino replied that he believes that the efficiencies gained by the amendments will offset the costs of the lost permit revenue by reducing maintenance costs and Staff time. He stated that TIF funds were being used for the new signage and that Public Works operating funds would cover the suggested pavement markings. Councilwoman Moeller stated that this was a primary issue of the downtown businesses and she would be supporting this measure. Committee of the Whole June 22, 2011 Page 3 Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Moeller, to approve the amendments regarding downtown parking restrictions. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Gilliam, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Consideration of Revisions to the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program Mayor Kaptain stated that he would like this program to be open to all businesses within the TIF districts. He would also like to see the proposed revisions amended to require applicants to fund a small portion of the program. Councilwoman Moeller stated that due to the previously low interest by residents in the program, she is afraid that requiring a fee would drive down the interest even further. After further discussion between Council and Corporation Counsel Cogley it was decided to amend the revisions proposed. Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Moeller, to approve revisions to the activities and allocations for activities within the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program, as well as include an amendment to the program that requires applicants to pay $100 fee for the energy audit, which will be refunded once the applicant takes part in the revolving loan fund. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Gilliam, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Consideration of Change Order No. 1 and Final Payment with Robert E. Hummel Construction Company for Detention Basin Retrofit at Holmes Road and McLean Boulevard Councilmember Powell made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve Change Order No. 1 and issue final payment with Robert E. Hummel Construction Company in the amount of $15,632 to retrofit the detention basin due to unforeseen conditions. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Gilliam, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Consideration of Agreements with Realty World Fox Valley, Inc. and Vintage Home Realty for Realtor Services for the Neighborhood Stabilization Program Councilmember Prigge asked what procedure was followed to secure bids for the properties in this program. RuthAnne Hall, Budget and Purchasing Officer, detailed the steps during the bidding process as well as posting of the bid on the City of Elgin’s website. Councilmember Prigge stated he was concerned that the City had only received six bids for this program and he would like to see a bigger net cast out. Committee of the Whole June 22, 2011 Page 4 Councilwoman Powell questioned how the City determined which realtor gets which property. Ms. Hall stated that Staff evaluated and determined which properties were assigned to each realtor. Councilwoman Powell asked if all of the historic properties had been plaques to reflect their status. Ms. Hall stated three of the four properties currently had plaques and the last property was in the process of receiving a plaque. Mayor Kaptain asked if delaying the program would jeopardize any deadlines that need to be met with the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. Ms. Hall stated that the sale of the properties was crucial to the program and delaying the process for re-bidding could potentially affect it. She stated that the City could re-bid the program, but that it would delay the process by months. City Manager Stegall stated that he could see no tangible benefit to delaying the program. He believes that the proper procedures were followed for this program and the bidding process was effectively communicated to all interested parties. Councilmember Prigge made a motion, to table the agreements and re-bid the program. The motion died due to lack of a second. Councilmember Moeller made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Gilliam, to select the licensed realtors shown above to list, market and sell four properties renovated by the City of Elgin. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Gilliam, Moeller, Powell, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: Councilmember Prigge. Consideration of Amendments to the 2010 Budget Consistent with the Illinois Municipal Budget Act Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve the budget amendments provided in order to reflect the actual financial activity undertaken within the 2010 Budget. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Gilliam, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Consideration of Agreement with Motorola Solutions, Inc. for the Purchase, Installation and Service of Six Additional Weather Warning Siren Systems Councilwoman Powell stated she felt that this was money well-spent to protect the City’s residents due to the recent inclement weather the area has been receiving. Councilmember Powell made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Prigge, to approve an agreement with Motorola Solutions, Inc. in the amount of $252,527 for the purchase, installation, and service of six additional weather warning siren systems to better service the far west and southwest areas of Elgin. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Gilliam, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Committee of the Whole June 22, 2011 Page 5 Consideration of Proposed Amendments to City Council Rules of Procedure Mayor Kaptain commended Councilmember Gilliam for suggesting the amendment to the current procedures of the Council. Councilmember Moeller made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Prigge, to review and approve for adoption an amendment to City Council rule regarding persons wishing to address the City Council at City Council meetings as required by city ordinance. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Gilliam, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Announcements from Council Councilwoman Powell stated she was excited to see the Fox River utilized as a resource during the boat race events held during the Thunder on the Fox event. Councilmember Steffen urged everyone to attend the 57th Annual Kiwanis barbeque featuring Fay’s Barbeque. Announcements from Staff Cherie Murphy, Assistant to the City Manager for Community Engagement, announced upcoming city events. Adjournment Councilmember Steffen made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Moeller, to adjourn the meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Gilliam, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. The meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m. s/ Jennifer Quinton July 13, 2011 Jennifer Quinton, Acting City Clerk Date Approved