Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout14 - July 27, 2011 COW COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING July 27, 2011 The regular Committee of the Whole meeting was called to order by Mayor Kaptain at 6:02 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Present: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, and Mayor Kaptain. Absent: Councilmember Steffen. Approval of Minutes Councilmember Moeller made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Gilliam, to approve the minutes of the July 13, 2011, regular meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Social Services / Not for Profit Community Conversation Update Danise Habun, Chair of the Human Relations Commission, presented a status report for the 2011-2012 Conversations with Social Services and Not-For-Profit communities. Consideration of Acceptance of Sidewalk Easement Agreement with Woodbridge North Homeowners’ Association Councilmember Dunne made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Powell, to accept a sidewalk easement agreement with Woodbridge North Homeowners’ Association for the purposes of constructing a pedestrian crosswalk to increase the “walkability” of an area currently dominated by automobile traffic. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Consideration of Senior Citizen Property Tax Rebate Program ($825,000) City Manager Stegall stated he anticipated this topic would be discussed at two meetings and did not anticipate a vote taking place at this meeting. He was looking for guidance from the Council regarding the program. Councilmember Dunne asked if the Council should wait to hear the recommendations from the Budget Advisory Task Force and what the timeline is for distributing these funds. Colleen Lavery, Chief Financial Officer, stated that typically Kane County residents’ checks would be sent out by the first week of July. She stated her staff has been receiving calls regarding the status and they have responded stating that the matter is before the Council for consideration. The Council discussed the following in regards to possible changes to the Senior Citizen Committee of the Whole July 27, 2011 Page 2 Property Tax Rebate Program: Changing the income requirements from $55,000 to $36,000 Possibly including renters in the program Costs involved in making changes in the income requirements How the program is communicated to recipients Asking the Budget Task Force to look at how to handle the program in the future Staff would provide information on the different options presented and continue discussion at the next Council meeting. Consideration of New Plan Document for Nationwide Retirement Systems Councilmember Moeller made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Dunne, to approve moving forward with the pro forma amendments to the Nationwide Retirement Systems 457 plan. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Consideration of Ordinance Merging the Centre Advisory Board into the Parks and Recreation Board Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Moeller, to move forward with merging the Centre Advisory Board into the Parks and Recreation Board to provide for more efficient board operations with respect to the city’s parks and recreational facilities. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Consideration of Ordinance Merging the Hemmens Advisory Board into the Cultural Arts Commission Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Prigge, to move forward with merging the Hemmens Advisory Board into the Cultural Arts Commission to provide for more efficient board operations with respect to cultural and entertainment matters. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Consideration of Purchase of Bison Pen Fencing Councilwoman Powell asked for clarification that at this stage the Council was approving getting bids and not committing to a specific dollar amount. City Manager Stegall stated that was correct. Mayor Kaptain asked if the fence was larger than the previous fence and what type of material Committee of the Whole July 27, 2011 Page 3 would be used. Tom Armstrong, designer of the fence, stated the fence would increase in height and stated there are different options on materials. Councilmember Prigge asked about where the City would be seeking the bids. City Manager Stegall stated that newspapers, websites, and those that have signed up for the purchasing system would be used. Councilmember Dunne asked Mr. Armstrong to see if the zoos had any recommendations of vendors to use for this type of fencing. Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Moeller, to start the bidding process in order to eventually replace the inadequate fencing for the bison pen consistent with the recommendations made by the Lord's Park Task Force. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Announcements from Council None. Announcements from Staff Cherie Murphy, Assistant to the City Manager for Community Engagement, announced upcoming city events. Aaron Cosentino, Management Analyst, announced that the City received a $634,000 grant from the Illinois Great Infrastructure program to reduce the amount of pollution that flows into Illinois waterways through the installation of green infrastructure. Adjournment Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Dunne, to adjourn the meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. The meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m. s/ Kimberly Dewis August 10, 2011 Kimberly Dewis, City Clerk Date Approved