HomeMy WebLinkAbouti - April 23, 2014 COW COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING April 23, 2014
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, Gavin, Powell, Prigge,
Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Absent: None.
Approval of Minutes
Councilmember Dunne made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Shaw, to approve the
minutes of the April 9, 2014, regular meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers
Dunne, Gavin, Powell, Prigge, Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays:
None.
Elgin Chamber of Commerce Presentation
Carol Gieske, President of the Elgin Chamber of Commerce, and Terry Royer, President of
Winergy Drive Systems Corporation, provided highlights of projects, developments, and
accomplishments of the Chamber over the past year. A copy of the presentation is on file in the
City Clerk’s office.
There was discussion regarding the impact on developments due to Chamber involvement, as
well as questions about participating in the internship program and small business forums.
Downtown Neighborhood Association Presentation
Deirdre White, Executive Director, and Don Obenauf, Economic Development for the
Downtown Neighborhood Association, presented the DNA’s accomplishments for the past year
and the success of its incentive programs for projecting signs and grease traps. A copy of the
presentation is on file in the City Clerk’s office.
There was discussion regarding the progress of the proposed Special Service Area, a program
called First Fridays, the number of businesses opened in the last year, and addressing empty store
fronts.
Committee of the Whole
April 23, 2014
Page 2
Adjournment
Councilmember Gavin made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to adjourn the
meeting to and reconvene after the City Council meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas:
Councilmembers Dunne, Gavin, Powell, Prigge, Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, and Mayor
Kaptain. Nays: None.
The meeting adjourned at 7:28 p.m.
Reconvene
The meeting reconvened at 8:27 p.m.
Councilmember Gavin made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to reconvene the
April 23, 2014, regular meeting of the Committee of the Whole. 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 HR Green, Inc. for the 2014 – 2017
Bridge Inspection Program
Councilmember Dunne made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Gavin, to approve an
agreement with HR Green, Inc. in the amount of $84,893 to provide mandatory inspection and
insure quality infrastructure to maintain the city’s investment in the highway bridges. Upon a roll
call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gavin, Powell, Prigge, Rauschenberger, Shaw,
Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Consideration of Amendment to Ordinance 11.60.066, Limited Parking Areas, to Reflect
Changes to the Odd-Even Parking Penalty Structure
There was discussion regarding the effective date of the ordinance, how the neighborhoods
would be considered, and how enforcement would be implemented.
Councilmember Gavin made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve moving
forward with an amendment to the Elgin Municipal Code to align parking penalties with all other
city-wide fines pertaining to parking violations with the exception of fire and handicapped zones.
Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gavin, Powell, Prigge, Rauschenberger,
Shaw, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Committee of the Whole
April 23, 2014
Page 3
Consideration of Selection Process to Fill City Council Vacancy
Corporation Counsel Cogley explained the statute that pertains to a vacancy on the City Council
under these circumstances. He explained that the city council could choose to appoint a
replacement, meeting the qualifications as if they were elected, with a majority vote. Mr. Cogley
noted that there is no legal obligation to fill the vacant council seat in this situation.
There were discussions regarding the merits of filling the seat now or leaving the seat vacant
until the upcoming 2015 election. It was suggested that the procedures for filling a vacant
council seat be documented in case they are needed in the future.
Councilmember Steffen made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Powell, to hold a special
meeting in executive session on April 30, 2014, at 4:30 p.m. for the purpose of identifying those
applicants to be interviewed for the vacancy on the city council and to hold a special meeting in
executive session on May 7, 2014, at 7:00 p.m. for the purpose of conducting interviews with
finalists that are selected and also if warranted further discussion on a possible selection for the
council vacancy. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Powell, Rauschenberger,
Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: Councilmembers Gavin, Prigge, and Shaw.
Announcements from Council
Councilmember Dunne announced that at 5:30 p.m. on May 8, 2014, the Girl Scouts would be
holding a program at the Fox River Room at the Grand Victoria.
Councilmember Dunne noted there would be a forum held at the Hemmens Cultural Center at
7:00 p.m. on April 24, 2014, regarding the Com Ed Gateway Project.
Councilmember Prigge reminded residents of the Pet Health Event at the Hemmens Cultural
Center from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on April 26, 2014.
Councilmember Prigge announced the Waste Transfer Station on Gifford Road would hold a
drop off day for excess trash on April 26, 2014, from 8:00 a.m.to 2:00 p.m. for Elgin residents.
Councilmember Rauschenberger announced a Mortgage Relief Event to be held at Elgin
Community College from 9:00 a.m.to 1:00 p.m. on June 14, 2014.
Councilmember Shaw noted that Love Elgin Day would be April 26, 2014, and there were still
volunteer opportunities for people who were interested.
Mayor Kaptain noted the passing of Gordon Schnulle, a lifelong resident of Elgin and veteran,
who was an active member of the community.
Committee of the Whole
April 23, 2014
Page 4
Councilmember Gavin noted the passing of H. Evenelle “Becky” Demmin, an active member of
the community and of the American Legion Post #57.
Announcements from Staff
Laura Valdez-Wilson, Management Analyst in the City Manager’s Office, announced upcoming
city events.
Executive Session – Cancellation
Councilmember Steffen made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Gavin, to cancel the
scheduled executive session. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dunne, Gavin,
Powell, Prigge, Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Adjournment
Councilmember Powell made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Shaw, 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 8:56 p.m.
s/ Kimberly Dewis May 14, 2014
Kimberly Dewis, City Clerk Date Approved