HomeMy WebLinkAbouth - April 9, 2014 COW COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING April 9, 2014
The regular Committee of the Whole meeting was called to order by Mayor Kaptain at 6:08 p.m.
in the Council Chambers. Present: Councilmembers Dunne, Gavin, Powell, Prigge,
Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Absent: None.
Approval of Minutes
Councilmember Gavin made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve the
minutes of the March 1, 2014, special meeting and the March 19, 2014, regular meeting. Upon a
roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gavin, Powell, Prigge, Rauschenberger, Shaw,
Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Odd / Even Parking Presentation
City Manager Stegall presented information regarding the odd/even parking program. He made
recommendations on possible locations for expansion of the program. Also, based on the pilot
program he suggested a reduction of the fine from $50 to $25 and to allow for written warnings
prior to the fine. A copy of the presentation is on file in the City Clerk’s office.
There was discussion regarding the proposed changes in enforcement, and if other areas of the
city are interested in participating in the program.
Councilmember Dunne made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Shaw, to move forward
with the expansion of odd/even parking and the changes to enforcement. Upon a roll call vote:
Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gavin, Powell, Prigge, Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, and
Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Lords Park Zoo Update
Aaron Cosentino, Management Analyst provided an update on the Lords Park Zoo. He noted
that the zoo would be open over the summer. It would act as an educational area and not as a
petting zoo. A copy of the presentation is on file in the City Clerk’s office.
There was discussion regarding the volunteer efforts of the Friends of the Lord Park Zoo. Also
discussed was the amount of staffing that would be required, the planned hours of operation, and
the amount budgeted for the maintenance of the zoo area.
Committee of the Whole
April 9, 2014
Page 2
Consideration of Amendments to the 2013 Budget Consistent with the Illinois Municipal
Budget Law
Councilmember Dunne made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to move forward
with the proposed amendments to the 2013 Budget. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas:
Councilmembers Dunne, Gavin, Powell, Prigge, Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, and Mayor
Kaptain. Nays: None.
Consideration of Acceptance of Public Improvements within the Sam’s Club Site at 1000
South Randall Road
Councilmember Gavin made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve the
acceptance of the public improvements for ownership and maintenance within the Sam’s Club
site at 1000 South Randall Road. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gavin,
Powell, Prigge, Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Consideration of Agreement with Emergency Communications Network, LLC for
CodeRed Emergency Notification System
There was discussion regarding when and how the system is used, emergency vs. non-emergency
situations and the costs involved for the calls and text message options.
Councilmember Dunne made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve a
contract with Emergency Communications Network, LLC in the amount of $65,000 for a four
year contract in order to maintain a mechanism to alert Elgin residents to important community
information and emergency situations. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne,
Gavin, Powell, Prigge, Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Consideration of Engineering Services Agreement with Tank Industry Consultants for the
Rehabilitation of the Airlite Elevated Water Tank
Councilmember Gavin made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve an
agreement with Tank Industry Consultants for an amount not to exceed $59,255 to provide
professional engineering design and construction observation services for the rehabilitation of the
Airlite Street Water Tower. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gavin,
Powell, Prigge, Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Committee of the Whole
April 9, 2014
Page 3
Consideration of Amendment to the Elgin Municipal Code Providing for Electronic
Attendance at Meetings
There was a discussion regarding the reasons outlined in the state statute that allowed for
electronic attendance. There were concerns about how many meetings could be attended
electronically, the cost of equipment necessary to allow electronic attendance, and if this option
should be considered as an option for the council.
Councilmember Dunne made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Powell, to permit members
of the city council to attend meetings through electronic means as provided in the Illinois Open
Meetings Act. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Powell, Rauschenberger,
Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: Councilmembers Gavin, Prigge, and Shaw.
Consideration of Issuance of 501(c)(3) Refunding Bonds – Judson University
Councilmember Dunne made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve the
issuance of $7,600,000 Revenue Refunding Bonds, Judson University, Series 2014. Upon a roll
call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gavin, Powell, Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, and
Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Councilmember Prigge abstained.
Consideration of 2014 Riverboat Grant Award Program Recommendations
Councilmember Dunne made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Gavin, to remove the 2014
Riverboat Grant Award Program from the table for consideration. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas:
Councilmembers Dunne, Gavin, Powell, Prigge, Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, and Mayor
Kaptain. Nays: None.
There was discussion regarding the staff, Councilmember Steffen’s and Councilmember Gavin’s
suggestions regarding the allocation of the grant awards. There were concerns regarding the
guidelines that were used for the staff recommendations and if they should be changed in the
future.
Councilmember Dunne made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Powell, to approve the
2014 Riverboat Grant Award Program as amended by Councilmember Steffen in order to assist
and support local not-for-profit agencies in providing social services to the community. Upon a
roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gavin, Powell, Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen,
and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: Councilmember Prigge.
Committee of the Whole
April 9, 2014
Page 4
City Indebtedness/Business License
Councilmember Prigge made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Shaw, to remove the item
from the table for discussion. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gavin,
Powell, Prigge, Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Councilmember Prigge asked if there should be a policy regarding the denial of a business
license based on unpaid fees and or fines. There was discussion on how other licenses, such as
the liquor licenses, are currently handled. There were concerns about how to track the
information, the impact on staff time, and if there would need to be an ordinance amendment.
Staff was directed to look into the options of capturing these funds through an occupancy permit
or business license.
Announcements from Council
Councilmember Powell commented on her recent participation in the Principal for a Day
program at Larkin High School and noted the visual and performing arts academy’s upcoming
performance of Legally Blonde the musical.
Councilmember Powell also congratulated former City Councilwoman Anna Moeller on her
recent appointment to State Representative.
Councilmember Gavin reported on the recent unemployment number he received during a Work
Force Development meeting.
Councilmember Prigge announced a Pet Health event being held on Saturday April 26th from
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Hemmens Cultural Arts Center. He noted that this would be for
Elgin residents only and cash would be the only way to pay for the services.
Councilmember Dunne thanked those that came out to the recent STEM (science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics) Fair where he was a judge for the competition.
Announcements from Staff
Laura Valdez-Wilson, Management Analyst in the City Manager’s Office, announced upcoming
city events.
Committee of the Whole
April 9, 2014
Page 5
Adjournment
Councilmember Dunne made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Powell, to adjourn the
meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gavin, Powell, Prigge,
Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
s/ Kimberly Dewis April 23, 2014
Kimberly Dewis, City Clerk Date Approved