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HomeMy WebLinkAbouta - January 9, 2013 COW COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING January 9, 2013 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 December 14, 2012, regular meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. First Public Hearing - Program Year 2013-2014 Community Development Block Grant Mayor Kaptain declared the public hearing open at 6:02 p.m. Marc Mylott, Community Development Director, provided an overview of the Community Development Block Grant (SDBG) Program, noting the City will receive approximately $695,000 for this program year. He further stated that to date nineteen (19) proposals had been received. Mayor Kaptain asked if there were other proposals or if there were any comments from the audience. Phil Wood, Wayside Center, confirmed that the application was received in a timely fashion. Dianne Korizon, Food Bank of Northern Illinois, outlined their programs and their network of partnerships. Mayor Kaptain noted that the two senior Councilmembers, Councilmember Gilliam and Councilmember Steffen would be reviewing the applications. Community Development Director Marc Mylott outlined next steps in the process: a review of each application to ensure requested funding conforms to all HUD and city requirements; present recommendations to City Council on February 13, 2013, 6:00 p.m.; commencement of a 30-day public review period of selected projects (February 15, 2013 through the end of March 18, 2013); present all public comments at the final public hearing on March 27, 2013; finalize selected projects at the final public hearing; prepare the fiscal year 2013 Annual Action Plan for submittal to HUD by April 15, 2013. Mayor Kaptain declared the public hearing closed at 6:08 p.m. Committee of the Whole January 9, 2013 Page 2 Consideration of 2013 Riverboat Grant Program Mayor Kaptain asked if any applicants for the riverboat grant program wanted to speak about their proposals. Denise Raleigh, a representative from the Gail Borden Library, discussed the recent success of the library’s summer reading program. Christie Clarke, representing the Boys and Girls Club, thanked the city for its support in the past. Bill Klaves, representing Habitat for Humanity, highlighted the renovation program, Brush with Kindness. Mayor Kaptain asked the remaining four Councilmembers, Councilmembers Dunne, Moeller, Powell, and Prigge to work in two teams to review the thirty-six applications. Consideration of Approval of two 2012 Neighborhood Improvement Grants for the Housing Authority of Elgin’s Pick-It-Up Anti-Litter Campaign and Judson University’s Living Building Challenge Educational Video This recommendation was forwarded to Council for consideration from the Sustainability Commission. This is an education campaign to teach children about litter prevention and clean up, recycling and beautification. The area being targeted for the program was surrounding Housing Authority properties. There was discussion regarding the project area, costs related to previous clean up days, and the amount of funding being requested. Councilmember Prigge felt the proposal was too focused and would not be supporting the program. Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Powell, to approve two Neighborhood Improvement Grants related to educating young people about littering and teaching sustainability principles in the amount of $7,500. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Moeller, Powell, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: Councilmember Prigge. Committee of the Whole January 9, 2013 Page 3 Consideration of Engineering Services Agreement with Homer Chastain and Associates, LLP for the 2013 Neighborhood Street Rehabilitation – Hammond Cookane Project Councilmember Moeller made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to execute an engineering services agreement with Homer Chastain and Associates, LLP for the engineering services necessary to prepare, design and bid documents for the 2013 Neighborhood Street Rehabilitation Hammond-Cookane project in the amount of $194,600. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Consideration of 2013 – 2014 Health Insurance Program There was a discussion about the historical cost increases and the amount of the general fund that is dedicated to health insurance programs. Also discussed was coverage for retirees and the changes for future retirees’ benefits. Councilmember Gilliam made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Prigge, to enter into a fully-insured contract with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois in the amount of $8,695,730 cost for active employees and $1,850,000 cost retired employees in order to provide health insurance for employees, retirees and their dependents. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gilliam, Moeller, Powell, Prigge, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Announcements from Council Councilmember Prigge commended Marc Mylott and his staff for their efforts in assisting St. Joseph’s Church in their demolition project. Councilmember Dunne noted that the Small Business Advocacy Council and the Chicago Health Care Council received a grant to assist in offering health care insurance for small business owners and asked that a link be made available on the city’s website. Councilmember Powell noted during early voting for the upcoming primary election Hanover Township would be a voting location. Mayor Kaptain noted two upcoming events. On April 19th an education summit would be held at the Centre and hosted by the city. On April 20th at the Gail Borden Public Library a session entitled Buy, Fix, and Keep Home would be run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Committee of the Whole January 9, 2013 Page 4 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 Gilliam, 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 6:42 p.m. s/ Kimberly Dewis January 23, 2013 Kimberly Dewis, City Clerk Date Approved