HomeMy WebLinkAboutc - February 13, 2019 COW COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING February 13, 2019
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 Dixon, Gavin, Martinez, Powell, Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Absent: None.
Approval of Minutes
Councilmember Shaw made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve the minutes of the January 23, 2019, regular meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers
Dixon, Gavin, Martinez, Powell, Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays:
None.
Consideration of Agreement with Industrial Organizational Solutions for Police Sergeant Promotional Testing Process
A resolution will be presented at tonight's Council meeting for adoption by the City Council for an agreement with Industrial Organizational Solutions to provide a fair, neutral testing process
for those police officers seeking to earn placement on the police sergeant eligibility list.
Consideration of Highway Authority Agreement and Supplemental Agreement with R & K Petroleum, Inc. Regarding 1725 Larkin Avenue and Public Right-of-Way Adjacent to Larkin Avenue and Lyle Avenue
Councilmember Gavin made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to approve a
highway authority agreement and supplemental agreement with R & K Petroleum, Inc. in connection with the environmental remediation of the R & K Petroleum, Inc. property at 1725 Larkin Avenue. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Gavin, Martinez,
Powell, Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Consideration of Design Engineering Services Agreement with Hampton, Lenzini and Renwick, Inc. for the 2019 Residential Resurfacing – SWAN Program
Councilmember Rauschenberger made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Powell, to enter
into an agreement with Hampton, Lenzini and Renwick, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $64,330 to analyze, design and prepare construction documents for the resurfacing of various residential streets for the 2019 Residential Resurfacing – SWAN area, which is generally located
between Gertrude Street and Commonwealth Avenue and Walnut Avenue and Adams Street.
Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Gavin, Martinez, Powell, Rauschenberger,
Shaw, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Committee of the Whole
February 13, 2019
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Consideration of Cultural Arts Commission 2019 Grant Award Recommendations
There was discussion regarding the budget for the grants, concern over the same applicants receiving money every year, and the projects being funded. Amanda Harris, Staff Liaison for the
Elgin Cultural Arts Commission provided further detail regarding some of the projects and
insight into how the grants were being awarded and dispersed. She noted that some of the
funded organizations had followings that brought people from surrounding communities into the
downtown Elgin area.
Councilmember Dixon made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to approve the
funding of the grant awards to support arts programming, in the community, in the amount of
$40,026. Distribute grant funds to local organizations to support arts programming in the
community. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Gavin, Martinez, Powell, Rauschenberger, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: Councilmember Shaw.
Consideration of Suburban Tree Consortium Membership and Purchase Commitment
Mayor and Council congratulated Greg Hulke, Public Works Superintendent for his innovative
approach and change in how the City would be dealing with replacement trees. Mr. Hulke
outlined the current process and how this program had the potential to free up man power within
the public works department and provide the City with a consistent supply of quality trees of the
species and varieties requested for the municipal parkways in an efficient and cost-effective manner. Mayor Kaptain asked that Mr. Hulke provide a report at a later date detailing how the
program faired, costs, and providing a comparison to how things were handled previously.
Councilmember Shaw made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Gavin, to approve a five-
year membership with the Suburban Tree Consortium for a fee of $575 annually and authorize the purchase and planting of replacement trees on the right-of-way areas and other City
properties. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Gavin, Martinez, Powell,
Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Consideration of Agreement with Benchmark Analytics for Purchase of Personnel Database Software
There was discussion regarding the data security of the system and if this software could be
utilized to benefit other city departments like fire or public works. Also discussed was the software’s ability to streamline the police department’s personnel data into a single cloud-based
source providing efficient and consistent reporting information for predictive models and
training within the department.
Committee of the Whole
February 13, 2019
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Councilmember Gavin made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve the
agreement with Benchmark Analytics in the amount of $25,100 to aggregate all police
department personnel data into a single cloud-based source location to provide efficient and consistent management of information. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon,
Gavin, Martinez, Powell, Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Consideration of Amend the City’s Board of Fire and Police Commissioners Ordinance to Change Police Officer Hiring Requirements
There was discussion regarding current hiring requirements, why the change was being
proposed, the potential benefits to the applicant pool, and how it makes the police department
more competitive. Police Chief Lalley emphasized the department’s commitment to encouraging career advancement and higher education. She stated this would allow qualified employees an
opportunity to take the test, and provide a bigger pool of quality applicants to the City. Council
asked that Human Resources and Elgin Police Department provide statistics on how the changes
in the ordinance effected the pool of candidates at a later date.
Councilmember Dixon made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to approve
moving forward with the City ordinance modifying the police officer hiring requirements which
would provide career opportunities for City of Elgin employees. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas:
Councilmembers Dixon, Gavin, Martinez, Powell, Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, and Mayor
Kaptain. Nays: None.
Consideration of Professional Services Agreement with Lobbyist Dan Shomon, Inc. for
2019
It was discussed that Mr. Shomon provide a report at a later date showing the effectiveness of his
lobbying efforts as well as allowing for prioritizing of certain initiatives from the council. City
Manager Kozal stated that would be possibility after a new State budget was passed.
Councilmember Powell made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Dixon, to approve the agreement with Dan Shomon, Inc. in the annual amount of $84,000 for lobbying services to
continue maximizing the City’s influence in proposed legislation and administrative regulations
affecting municipal operations. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Gavin,
Martinez, Powell, Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Committee of the Whole
February 13, 2019
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Discussion Concerning Private Lead Water Service Line Mandated Testing for Presence of
Lead (Councilman Shaw, Councilwoman Martinez)
Councilmembers Shaw and Martinez requested discussion with the City Council and staff
regarding the concerns raised during the Chicago Street Reconstruction Public Information
Meeting which was conducted last Wednesday evening. Homeowners voiced concerns with the
$1,000 cost for the mandatory lead testing required under Ordinance No. G69-18 that amended Chapter 14.04 of the Elgin Municipal Code, entitled “Water Regulations”.
Discussion regarding community safety if the testing was not required, if the testing was
necessary if the faucet mounted filters were being used appropriately, and the prohibitive cost of
the testing for residents. Council also discussed offering the testing as an option if the owner requested it, landlord responsibilities regarding notifying their tenants, and removing the
requirement for the mandatory testing from the ordinance altogether. Council requested that the
City’s Board of Health be consulted and directed staff to draft ordinance amendments to be
discussed at the next meeting.
Announcements from Council
Councilmember Martinez congratulated the Elgin Area Convention and Visitors Bureau for
winning an Illinois “excellence in tourism” award for its Explore Elgin branding campaign. She stated their work partnering with area businesses to create excitement over exploring the Elgin
community using the hashtag #ExploreElgin was a huge success.
Announcements from Staff
Aaron Neal, Public Works Superintendent, provided a Snow and Ice Removal Report, updating
the Council on the city’s salt supplies, overtime for public works personnel, and additional
efforts to keep the city streets safe after the recent winter weather events experienced by the city.
Molly Center, Management Analyst in the City Manager’s Office, announced upcoming city
events.
Committee of the Whole
February 13, 2019
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Adjournment
Councilmember Gavin made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to adjourn the meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Gavin, Martinez, Powell,
Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
The meeting adjourned at 7:08 p.m.
s/ Jennifer Quinton February 27, 2019
Jennifer Quinton, Deputy City Clerk Date Approved