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HomeMy WebLinkAboutb - January 25, 2012 COW COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING January 25, 2012 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, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Absent: Councilmember Gilliam. Approval of Minutes Councilmember Steffen made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Dunne, to approve the minutes of the January 11, 2011, regular meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Sensible Salting Presentation Dan Rich, Public Services Superintendent, provided a presentation regarding the salting practices in the city. Councilmember Powell noted the products being used were good for the environment and asked Mr. Rich to review the process and priorities of snow removal. He noted that during the storm the objective is to make the streets safe and passable and outlined the post storm snow removal process. Councilmember Powell asked if changes in odd/even parking regulations had helped with snow removal. Mr. Rich stated it was helping, but the policy is being reviewed as a matter of procedure. Councilmember Prigge asked if there are ways residents can help the snow removal process. Mr. Rich noted they can not park in the street if possible, stay off the roads and do not shovel or blow snow back into the streets. Mayor Kaptain commented on recent snow events and the positive results of the snow removal plan. Discussion Concerning the 2011 Senior Citizen Property Tax Rebate Program ($825,000) Members of the Council noted they were glad to be able to honor the agreement this year. There was discussion about what would be done with the $400,000 overage and it was the consensus to place it into a savings program. Committee of the Whole January 25, 2012 Page 2 Councilmember Powell made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Moeller, to approve the 2011 Senior Citizen Property Tax Rebate Program in the amount of $825,000. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Discussion of Fire Alarm Systems Councilmember Prigge expressed his concerns regarding imposing a fire alarm system requirement on the business community. He suggested that an opt-in program would be appropriate. Councilmember Moeller noted that there should be more information presented regarding the topic before a decision could be made. Councilmember Powell made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Moeller, to table the discussion of Fire Alarm Systems. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Discussion of Business License Assistant City Manager, Rick Kozal provided an overview of the history of the business license ordinance. He reviewed who is and is not required to obtain a business license. He noted that as of January 11, 2012 – 2,051 out of the 2,356 potential businesses had applied for their business license which resulted in 87% compliance. He stated that the funds collect from the business license fees go into the general fund and are used for economic development. The City Council discussed the equity of the business license fee and the scope of the user fee study. Mayor Kaptain suggested discussing at the upcoming strategic planning meeting instituting an Economic Development Task Force. The task force could be charged with: recommending how funds are to be used, creating a purchasing incentive program, creating an ombudsman to help guide new businesses through the permit and licensing processes. Councilmember Dunne made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Moeller, to continue the business license for 2012 and to make modifications, as necessary, to the business license in 2013. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Committee of the Whole January 25, 2012 Page 3 Consideration of Grand Victoria Casino Market Demand Study for Multi-Purpose Facility and Entertainment Complex Councilmember Moeller made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Dunne, to hire a consultant to perform a market demand study to determine the feasibility of expanding the Grand Victoria Casino with a multi-purpose facility and entertainment complex. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Consideration of Agreement with Wills Burke Kelsey and Associates for Program Management Services Councilmember Dunne expressed concerns regarding the amount of the agreement and asked if there were items staff could perform. Public Services Director Dave Lawry noted that with the agreement the City has the support of the entire firm. He also noted that the agreement included the neighborhood resurfacing program. Councilmember Moeller was provided confirmation that the consulting fees were funded by the motor fuel tax (MFT) funds. Councilmember Moeller made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Powell, to approve an agreement with Wills Burke Kelsey and Associates in the amount of $344,650 to effectively manage maintenance programs for the City. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Consideration of Renewal of Sole Source Motorola Infrastructure Maintenance Agreement Councilmember Moeller made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to renew a sole source agreement with Motorola in the amount of $284,650 to maintain the operational readiness of the Emergency Radio Communications System telephony infrastructure, as well as the command and control systems of Elgin’s weather warning siren network. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Consideration of Cultural Arts Commission 2012 Grant Award Recommendations Councilmember Dunne made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Moeller, to distribute grant funds in the amount of $35,320 to local arts organizations to support arts programming in the community. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Moeller, Powell, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: Councilmember Prigge. Committee of the Whole January 25, 2012 Page 4 Consideration of Service Agreements with Independent Fitness Contractors Councilmember Moeller made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve an agreement with various independent fitness contractors in the amount of $94,000 to provide quality fitness instruction, personal training and massage therapy for patrons of The Centre. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Consideration of Agreement with Stern Consulting, Inc. for Phase IV 311 Project Assistance Councilmember Prigge made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve an agreement with Stern Consulting, Inc. in the amount of $59,710 to continue with Phase IV of the 311 call center to transform city services and engage the public. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Consideration of Amendment to Vehicle Seizure and Impoundment Ordinance Councilmember Dunne made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to amend the City’s Vehicle Seizure and Impoundment Ordinance to conform to a newly passed state statute. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Consideration of Proposed Changes to Policy and Programming of the 2012 Special Events Season The Council discussed how the change in date for the Fox Trot would affect the event itself and the other events being held that weekend. Councilmember Moeller made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to amend the City’s Policy and Programming of the 2012 Special Events Season to enhance City sponsored and community based special event activities for the quality of life of its citizens. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Committee of the Whole January 25, 2012 Page 5 Consideration of Business Retention and Jobs Creation Agreement with A&R Logistics Councilmember Prigge was pleased to see the business utilized the E-Verify system and that Centre memberships were being offered in the agreement. He expressed his concerns about offering incentives to a company to move from one location to another in the City. Assistant City Manager Rick Kozal noted that this agreement keeps the business from leaving the City and generates revenue for other Elgin businesses. The downtown location also provides the unique urban setting that the owners were looking for to attract young people as employees. Councilmember Moeller noted that this agreement was put together based on economic impact studies and that the Council is not bound by this agreement to say yes to future requests for incentive agreements. Mayor Kaptain suggested that economic incentives be another area that the proposed Economic Development Task Force could review. Councilmember Moeller made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to enter into a business retention and job creation incentive agreement with A&R Logistics in the amount of $21,000 to expand and create up to 29 jobs in Elgin’s downtown area. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Announcements from Council Councilmember Moeller donations for the children of Ana Ordonez, a single mother who was hit and killed crossing Summit Street on January 22nd are being accepted by the Channing Elementary School’s PTO. Councilmember Prigge noted at a future meeting the brokers for of the NSP Properties would provide a status on the properties. He also thanked the Police Department for recent apprehension of bank robbery suspects and assisting Federal authorities in breaking up an identity theft ring. Additionally, he noted the reduction (45% in two years) in police calls at the Larkin Center. Councilmember Dunne reminded everyone to attend the Winter Market being held Saturdays 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 166 Symphony Way. Councilmember Powell commented that the PADS Dances with the Stars Fundraiser would be held that weekend. Committee of the Whole January 25, 2012 Page 6 Announcements from Staff Cherie Murphy, Assistant to the City Manager for Community Engagement, announced upcoming city events. Adjournment Councilmember Dunne made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to adjourn. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m. s/ Kimberly Dewis February 8, 2012 Kimberly Dewis, City Clerk Date Approved