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HomeMy WebLinkAbouth - April 25, 2012 COW (Special) SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING April 25, 2012 The regular Committee of the Whole meeting was called to order by Mayor Kaptain at 2:00 p.m. in the Heritage Ballroom at The Centre of Elgin. Present: Councilmembers Dunne, Moeller, Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Absent: Councilmembers Gilliam and Powell City Manager Stegall provided opening comments regarding the format of the meeting. He noted that the majority of the items did not require immediate action and were looking to update the Council and look for their guidance and input. Initiatives and Other Items Review and approval of the City Council’s Strategic Planning Report Councilmember Dunne motioned, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to table the review and approval of the Strategic Planning report. Upon roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Moeller, Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Discussion concerning electronic message boards Community Development Director Marc Mylott presented information regarding the use and current regulations of electronic message boards. (Presentation is on file in the City Clerk’s office). There was discussion about the rate of change for the signs, the color of the text, the content of the message, and the design of the signs. Corporation Counsel Cogley noted that the signs can cause driver distraction and IDOT is proposing a standard of ten (10) seconds for the rate of change. Other recommendations are based on the speed limit on the road the sign is located. He stated he would draft an ordinance based on the discussions. Discussion concerning residential sprinklers Fire Chief John Fahy and Community Development Director Marc Mylott presented the code review process and the Building Commission’s recommendations regarding residential sprinklers. (Presentation is on file in the City Clerk’s office). They described the proposed recommendation as a two tiered approach based on the stage of the development. Existing developments would require basement sprinklers while newly annexed territory would require full compliance. Committee of the Whole April 25, 2012 Page 2 There was discussion regarding the technology currently available to help prevent system leaks. And if there could be potential cost savings by utilizing preventative measures. Discussion concerning the life safety code and its application toward high-rise structures Corporation Counsel Cogley provided background information and gave a report on compliance. Fire Chief John Fahy noted these codes were important to ensure that people got out of building safely, not just when there was a fire. Discussion concerning the city’s special event policy for 2012 Cherie Murphy, Assistant to the City Manager for Community Engagement, provided a year to date progress report on the changes that have been implemented regard the special event policy. She noted that there would be five (5) weekends throughout the year that the city would have special events. The events are: Fox Trot, International Fest, 4th of July, Art & Soul, and Nightmare on Chicago Street. There was discussion regarding how these costs are tracked and what would be the anticipated savings. It was noted that a volunteer database has been established and staff was trying to match groups with these resources. Discussion concerning a tree preservation ordinance Corporation Counsel Cogley provided an overview of what other communities have done and what results they have had regarding tree preservation ordinances. He noted there were several issues to consider including, the species of tree, the size, trimming, removal, and staffing requirements to implement a program. There was a discussion regarding the current policies about dangerous trees, trees on foreclosed property and the current regulations governing natural resources. Discussion concerning next steps toward the creation of a storm water utility for the continued purpose of diversification away from property tax revenue City Manager Stegall provided an update regarding the next steps if the city were to move forward with storm water utility. There would need to be a request for proposal (RFP) to have an engineering firm do an analysis. Committee of the Whole April 25, 2012 Page 3 Corporation Counsel Cogley provided information on other communities that were investigating the storm water utility. The more impervious surface would result in a higher cost. Decisions regarding credits for commercial entities and incentives for residential areas would need to be made. Discussion concerning next steps related to the Kimball Dam Hydropower Project City Manager Stegall conveyed that the next step would be to issue a RFP to seek a consultant for the project and utilize available grant programs. It was noted that the return on investment for the construction of the dam could be seen in the long term through electrical savings. Mayor Kaptain noted that there is support from Springfield for the city to move forward with the project. Economic Development Update and discussion concerning retail corridors Assistant City Manager Rick Kozal provided an overview regarding the city’s current standing in the economic development arena. He highlighted recent incentive agreements with NTN Bearing and Mueller & Co. LLC. and the economic impact they would have on the city. Discussion concerning railroad quiet zones Assistant City Manager Rick Kozal gave a history of the railroad quiet zones and how the rules and regulations have changed throughout the years. He noted the alternative safety measures that could be allowed and the costs associated with each measure. Discussion concerning fire alarm monitoring Councilmember Prigge motioned, seconded by Councilmember Moeller, remove from the table the discussion regarding fire alarm monitoring. Upon roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Moeller, Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Councilmember Prigge provided an overview of the discussions regarding fire alarm monitoring. He wanted to bring the topic forward to discuss and to make a final decision. City Manager Stegall noted that one issue was false alarms and how they should be handled. There was discussion regarding how to handle the false fire alarms and if there should be a program similar to the police false alarms put into place. Also discussed was how involved the city should be in the process of requiring fire alarm monitoring. It was the consensus of the Council that more information was needed before a decision could be made. Committee of the Whole April 25, 2012 Page 4 Adjournment Councilmember Dunne moved, seconded by Councilmember Moeller, to adjourn. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Moeller, Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. The meeting adjourned at 4:50 p.m. s/ Kimberly Dewis May 9, 2012 Kimberly Dewis, City Clerk Date Approved