HomeMy WebLinkAbout16 - August 24, 2011 COW
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
August 24, 2011
The regular Committee of the Whole meeting was called to order by Mayor Kaptain at 6:00 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 Moeller, to approve the
minutes of the August 10, 2011, regular meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers
Dunne, Gilliam, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Consideration of Amendment to Chapter 11 of the Elgin Municipal Code: Vehicles and
Traffic Regarding Intersection of Knollwood and Brookside Drive
Councilmember Steffen made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Dunne, to improve the
safety of one of Elgin’s intersections by installing a stop sign for southbound traffic at the
intersection of Knollwood and Brookside Drive at a cost of $200. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas:
Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays:
None.
Consideration of Amendment to Chapter 11 of the Elgin Municipal Code: Vehicles and
Traffic Regarding Vehicle Load Limits on Certain Residential Streets
Councilmember Steffen noted that this amendment was the result of cooperation between
citizens and our Neighborhood Services Group. He believes it also highlights the need for
citizen input and periodic review of codes and policies.
Councilmember Dunne commented on the importance of citizen feedback regarding how the
conditions are in the neighborhoods.
Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Dunne, to eliminate “cut
through” truck traffic on residential streets by enacting a vehicle load limit on certain residential
streets in two locations in the city, east of Liberty Street and east of McLean Boulevard at a cost
of $1,000. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Moeller, Powell,
Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Consideration of Amendment to Chapter 11 of the Elgin Municipal Code: Vehicles and
Traffic Regarding Parking Restrictions on Tennyson Court
Councilmember Powell noted that this was a good compromise to meet the neighbor’s needs and
allow for city services.
Committee of the Whole
August 24, 2011
Page 2
Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Moeller, to provide a clear
and usable street for more effective city and emergency services by restricting parking on
Tennyson Court during the daytime weekday hours, and switch its one-way direction for a six-
month trial basis at the cost of $500. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne,
Gilliam, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Consideration of Acceptance of Public Improvements within Providence Unit 3B
Subdivision
Councilmember Dunne made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to fulfill the city’s
obligation to maintain reliable infrastructure for serving businesses and residents by accepting
public improvements for ownership and maintenance in the Providence Unit 3B Subdivision.
Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, Steffen,
and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Consideration of Acceptance of Public Improvements within Providence Unit 3C
Subdivision
Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Powell, to fulfill the city’s
obligation to maintain reliable infrastructure for serving businesses and residents by accepting
public improvements for ownership and maintenance in the Providence Unit 3C Subdivision.
Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, Steffen,
and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Consideration of Engineering Services Agreement Amendment No. 1 for the North
Commonwealth Engineering Study
Councilmember Steffen made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Gilliam, to expand the
scope of work to include the portion of the sanitary and storm basin that is directly north of Wing
Street and east of Wing Park by approving Amendment No. 1 to an agreement with Engineering
Enterprises, Inc. in the not-to-exceed amount of $30,247. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas:
Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays:
None.
Consideration of Purchase of Electronic Speed Signs through the Illinois Department of
Transportation’s Safe Route to School Grant Award
Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Moeller, to facilitate
speed reduction and awareness in school zones by authorizing the purchase of five electronic
speed displays as provided for in the Safe Route to School grant agreement in the amount of
32,000. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Moeller, Powell, Prigge,
Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Committee of the Whole
August 24, 2011
Page 3
Consideration of Dundee/Summit Roundabout Project Status
Councilmember Prigge noted he was not in favor of this project and was pleased to see this
outcome for the neighborhood.
City Manager Stegall outlined three points regarding this project and its demise. First, he noted
that the project started prior to 2008 and was based on the growth projections at that time, and
that those numbers have changed which has prompted the review of the project and its status.
Second, that property acquisition and the use of eminent domain should be used for an
overwhelming public good and for the highest priorities of the community. Third, it should be
noted that this change is not a commentary on roundabouts in general rather it’s specific to this
intersection and this project.
Dave Lawry, Public Services, gave a brief presentation regarding the Dundee/Summit
roundabout project. (A copy of the presentation is on file in the City Clerk’s Office.)
Councilmember Powell made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Prigge, to approve
cancelling the roundabout intersection improvement located at Dundee Avenue and Summit
Street. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Moeller, Powell, Prigge,
Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Discussion Regarding the Business License
Councilmember Prigge asked to review the business license for home based businesses. There
are four factors to look at: enforcement; to what degree to ensure compliance; fairness; and the
value of economic development to a small business owner. He also wanted a definition of a
home based business.
Councilmember Steffen requested an overview on what the exemptions and the criteria were for
the business license, in particular the home based businesses.
Rick Kozal, Assistant City Manager and Chief Operating Officer, responded by stating there is a
specific zoning designation for the home based businesses before a business license would be
required. Residential occupations receiving regular deliveries and customers visiting on a regular
basis are the types that would need a business license.
There was discussion regarding how to handle the business license during the interim and how to
handle the enforcement and additional fines.
Councilmember Prigge made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Gilliam, to defer
discussions regarding the City’s business license until January of 2012. Upon a roll call vote:
Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain.
Nays: None.
Committee of the Whole
August 24, 2011
Page 4
Announcements from Council
Councilmember Dunne noted that the Fire Department has been participating in the MDA’s
(Muscular Dystrophy Association) Fill the Boot campaign. He stated that to date they have
raised $1,800 and would be out on August 26th at the Jewel Food Store on Larkin Avenue
continuing the campaign.
Councilmember Prigge noted that on August 18th Governor Quinn signed into law a measure that
started because of two Elgin Police officers, Officer Chris Jensen and Lt. Jeff Adam. The law
stated that anyone found guilty of delivery of a controlled substance could face additional fines
that would go to law enforcement agencies.
Announcements from Staff
Dave Lawry, Public Services Director, provided an update on the Lord Street Combined Sewer
Separation Project. He stated a portion of north bound Route 31 would be closed for four days
from U.S. 20 and Adams Street due to the project. He noted that the project would be on an
expedited day time closure timeline to minimize the impact on traffic.
Cherie Murphy, Assistant to the City Manager for Community Engagement, announced
upcoming city events.
Adjournment
Councilmember Steffen made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Dunne, 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 7:02 p.m.
s/ Kimberly Dewis September 14, 2011
Kimberly Dewis, City Clerk Date Approved