The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About19 - October 12, 2011 COW COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING October 12, 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 Dunne, Gilliam, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Absent: None. Approval of Minutes Councilmember Steffen made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Gilliam, to approve the minutes of the September 28, 2011, regular meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Firefighter Communications System Fire Chief Fahy gave a presentation regarding the Firefighter Communications Passport Accountability System. This presentation is on file for review in the City Clerk’s office. Councilmember Prigge stated he appreciated the report given by Chief Fahy and inquired if there were tools that would enhance the department’s ability to perform its duties. Fire Chief Fahy replied that the current radio system is old and will need to eventually be replaced. He also stated that the Vacant Building Ordinance that was recently passed by Council would greatly help the Fire department with their efforts. Councilmember Dunne pointed out that the vacant building ordinance only applied to residential property, not commercial. Fire Chief Fahy stated he was aware of the distinction, but previous to the ordinance there was no record for vacant residential buildings, and that residences do not have to go through the safety inspections that the commercial properties do. He believes that the vacant home registry is going to be a significant tool for the Fire Department to work with in evaluating risk factors for department. Consideration of Purchase of Service Agreement with Renz Addiction Counseling Center Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Moeller, to approve an agreement with Renz Addiction Counseling Center in the amount of $17,560 to provide a community based gambling addiction treatment and prevention program. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Committee of the Whole October 12, 2011 Page 2 Consideration of Providing the Human Relations Commission with Authority to Expend Budgeted Funds in Furtherance of its Mission (No Cost to the City) Councilmember Moeller stated her support of this decision to allow the Human Relations Commission to continue being very active within the Elgin community. She believes that this will improve the Commission’s ability to provide civic events and educational forums. Councilmember Moeller made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to allow the Human Relations Commission to expend budgeted funds in order to further its mission to provide the community with the opportunity to promote tolerance, goodwill, interfaith and interracial harmony between all people through participation in numerous civic events and educational forums. 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 Oak Ridge Subdivision Councilmember Moeller made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Gilliam, to fulfill the city’s obligation to maintain reliable infrastructure for serving businesses and residents by accepting the public improvements within the Oak Ridge Subdivision at an estimated five-year maintenance cost of $31,865. 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 Councilmember Prigge stated he believes that this is a positive step in addressing safety concerns near Elgin High School and he will be interested to see how this effects the number of arrests made for fighting, trespassing, and battery that have occurred over the past year. Councilmember Dunne made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Gilliam, to create a safer high school environment by limiting parking near Elgin High School. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Consideration of Amendment to Bid No. 10-035 with Ultrastrobe Communications of Crystal Lake, for Installation and Maintenance Services Councilmember Moeller made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve an amendment with Ultrastrobe Communications in the amount of $10,000 to secure funding for the conversion of existing equipment from old police vehicles to their replacements and to perform on-going fleet maintenance to ensure operational readiness. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Committee of the Whole October 12, 2011 Page 3 Announcements from Council Councilmember Steffen announced that on October 15th the Elgin River Rats rugby team will be having its first home rugby match which will be held at the Elgin Academy sports grounds by Lord’s Park. Councilmember Powell gave kudos to the Elgin Fire Department for a well run open house at Station #2. She also congratulated the Parks and Recreation Department on their successful fundraising event which was recently held at Bowes Creek for the Youth Scholarship Fund. She presented details of a fundraiser offered by the Elgin Parent Co-op Program regarding the holiday wreath program which is for the upcoming holidays. Councilmember Prigge gave an early announcement of the upcoming Pet Safety event to be held on November 12th in the lower level of The Hemmens Cultural Center, which will offer reduced prices on vaccinations and micro-chipping services. Mayor Kaptain congratulated the Budget Task Force for completing all of the tasks and duties assigned to them. He stated he had heard nothing but good feedback regarding the task force and that a schedule for City Council budgeting sessions is being tentatively outlined. Mayor Kaptain also announced a business session on October 21, 2011, that is being offered by the Elgin Community College, Elgin Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Neighborhood Association and Gail Borden Library to promote keys to business success and encouraged everyone to attend as a number of topics will be discussed. Announcements from Staff Police Chief Swoboda thanked the community and the Council for all of the leads regarding the tragedy that involved the shooting death of a five year old child over the past weekend. He stated the department is fully aware of how important this case is and that they have been working non- stop to bring the case to a close. Cherie Murphy, Assistant to the City Manager for Community Engagement, announced upcoming city events. 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, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Selection of a Person to Fill a Vacant Office, Including a Vacancy in a Public Office, When the Public Body is Given Power to Appoint Under Law or Ordinance, or the Discipline, Performance or Removal of the Occupant of a Committee of the Whole October 12, 2011 Page 4 Public Office, When the Public Body is Given Power to Remove the Occupant Under Law or Ordinance - Exempt Under Section 120/2(c) (3) of the Open Meetings Act Setting of a Price for Sale or Lease of Property Owned by the Public Body - Exempt Under Section 120/2(c)(6) of the Open Meetings Act The meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m. s/ Jennifer Quinton October 26, 2011 Jennifer Quinton, Deputy City Clerk Date Approved