HomeMy WebLinkAbout17 - September 14, 2011 COW
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
September 14, 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 Moeller made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve the
minutes of the August 24, 2011, regular meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers
Dunne, Gilliam, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Presentation – Urban Forestry Master Plan
Jim Bell, Superintendent of Parks, introduced Brian Brokowicz of Davey Tree who gave a
presentation on the Urban Forestry Master Plan. A copy of the presentation is on file in the City
Clerk’s office.
Councilmember Steffen asked about ash tree treatments and status of elm trees. Mr. Brokowicz
indicated with treatments ash trees may survived the emerald ash borer. He also noted that there
are elm trees that are now resistant to the dutch elm disease and is a good option to replace ash
trees. Councilmember Steffen asked how much wood waste is generated. Mr. Bell indicated the
average was two truckloads a day and is offered to the residents and not for profit organizations.
Councilmember Moeller asked about the low ratings of the City’s tree stock and the status of
funds to replace. Mr. Bell indicated having the master plan in place allows City to apply for
grant funds and that this fall would be the last round of tree planting for the foreseeable future.
He noted that the removal of ash trees is costing roughly $2 million dollars.
Councilmember Dunne asked about the requirements to remove and replace trees by residential
and commercial property owners. Marc Mylott, Community Development Director, indicated
that there is not a landscaping plan in place there isn’t a requirement to replace the trees.
Consideration of Acceptance of Public Improvements within Madison Homes of Elgin
Subdivision
Councilmember Moeller 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 within Madison Homes of Elgin.
Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, Steffen,
and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Committee of the Whole
September 14, 2011
Page 2
Consideration of 2011 Commercial Retrofit Grant Program
Councilmember Moeller mentioned that staff was able to find additional savings in the
administrative costs of the program and were therefore able to fund additional projects.
Councilmember Steffen noted that this program restricted funds but suggested finding sources to
create a commercial retrofit revolving loan program.
Councilmember Moeller made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to support federal
initiatives to encourage the energy efficient redevelopment of downtown commercial buildings
consistent with the city’s sustainability master plan. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas:
Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays:
None.
Consideration of Illinois Green Infrastructure Grant Financial Assistance Agreement
Mayor Kaptain mentioned that this was a great project and would help the Southwest Area
Neighborhood with storm water problems.
Councilmember Steffen made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Prigge, to install a variety
of storm water best management practices in the Southwest Area Neighborhood using grant
funds. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Powell, Prigge, Steffen,
and Mayor Kaptain. Abstain: Councilmember Moeller. Nays: None.
Consideration of Proposed Agreement with B & F Technical Code Services, Inc. to
Administer and Enforce Chapter 16.42 “Vacant Residential Buildings,” of the Elgin
Municipal Code, 1976
Corporation Counsel Cogley gave an overview of Chapter 16.42 “Vacant Residential Buildings”
of the Municipal Code including a definition of a vacant structure, the requirements for
registration and who is considered the responsible party for registering the property as vacant.
The Council discussed what types of inspections would be conducted; how the registration and
inspections fees were to be handled; and what would be done if the property was not registered.
Kristen Jungles, government affairs director for the Realtor Association of the Fox Valley,
expressed concerns about how this registration would affect the real estate market and closing
process.
Wanda Piccolo and Kenneth Garret of B&F Technical Code Services, described the services they
would be providing to the City under this program.
Committee of the Whole
September 14, 2011
Page 3
Councilmember Moeller made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to move forward
with the agreement with B&F Technical Services to identify, register, inspect and monitor vacant
residential buildings to minimize the likelihood that such buildings become a burden to
proximate neighbors and the taxpayers of the city. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers
Dunne, Gilliam, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Consideration of Ordinance merging the Planning and Development Commission and the
Zoning and Subdivision Hearing Board
Councilmember Prigge asked if there were any issues that these entities would decide that would
not come before the Council.
Corporation Counsel Cogley noted that variations and certain appeals are decided at the Board or
Commission level. He explained that a text amendment to 19.10.500 could be made to reflect
changes to what needed to come before the Council from the Planning and Zoning Commission
for approval. He noted that the change would need to go through the public hearing process prior
to the amendment coming to the Council for their approval.
Councilmember Powell made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Moeller, to merge the two
commissions into a new Planning and Zoning Commission to provide for a more efficient
process. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Moeller, Powell,
Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Consideration of Engineering Services Agreement with Burns & McDonnell for the Airlite
Water Treatment Plant Improvement Project
Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to observe
construction and ensure the contractor’s compliance to the contract documents for the Airlite
Water Treatment Plant Improvement Project in the not-to-exceed amount of $599,534. Upon a
roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, Steffen, and
Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Consideration of a Second Amendment to Engineering Services Agreement with Baxter
and Woodman for Additional Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System
Councilmember Steffen made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Gilliam, to comply with
the terms of the city’s submitted Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Long Term Control
Plan. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Powell, Prigge, Steffen,
and Mayor Kaptain. Abstain: Councilmember Moeller. Nays: None.
Committee of the Whole
September 14, 2011
Page 4
Consideration of Amendment to the Ordinance Establishing a Pay Plan for Part Time and
Seasonal Employees of the Elgin Parks and Recreation Department
Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Powell, to approve
phasing out benefits to permanent part time employees of the Parks and Recreations Department.
Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Gilliam, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, Steffen, and
Mayor Kaptain. Abstain: Councilmember Dunne. Nays: None.
Announcements from Council
Councilmember Dunne and Mayor Kaptain expressed their thanks to everyone involved with the
9/11 memorial and concert.
Mayor Kaptain and Councilmember Steffen thanked the members of the Budget Advisory Task
Force for all of the work they have accomplished towards the Budget process.
Announcements from Staff
Aaron Cosentino, Management Analyst, announced upcoming city events.
Adjournment
Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, 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 7:30 p.m.
s/ Kimberly Dewis September 28, 2011
Kimberly Dewis, City Clerk Date Approved