HomeMy WebLinkAboutb - January 22, 2020 COWCOMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
January 22, 2020
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, Lopez, Martinez, Powell,
Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Absent: None.
Approval of Minutes
Councilmember Shaw made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Dixon, to approve the
minutes of the January 8, 2020, regular meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers
Dixon, Gavin, Lopez, Martinez, Powell, Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain.
Nays: None.
Nomination of the David C. Cook Publishing House Property at 850 N. Grove Avenue as a
Landmark
Christen Sundquist, Historic Preservation Planner, presented information regarding the criteria to
designate a property as a landmark. Ms. Sundquist reviewed the designation process including
notice to the property owner, a report from the Heritage Commission and final determination by
City Council.
Representatives from DC Cook Publishing, Mike Hastings, Christina Morrison and Scott Miller,
outlined the history of the property, the current status of the property and previous
redevelopment plans that fell through. They detailed their concerns regarding the property being
designated a landmark including the potential for economic hardship. They stated their strong
opposition to this application for landmark designation.
Mayor Kaptain invited those in the audience to comment on the nomination application for the
property at 850 N. Grove Avenue. He noted there would an opportunity for further public
comment during the City Council meeting.
Donna Griffin -Lego spoke in opposition of designating the property at 850 N. Grove as a
landmark.
Andrew Lego spoke in opposition of designating the property at 850 N. Grove as a landmark.
Tom Jacobs stated his support of designating the property at 850 N. Grove as a landmark.
Tom Armstrong stated his support of designating the property at 850 N. Grove as a landmark.
Eric Larson stated his support of designating the property at 850 N. Grove as a landmark.
Committee of the Whole
January 22, 2020
Page 2
Jeff Gill stated his support of designating the property at 850 N. Grove as a landmark.
Dick Shields stated his support of designating the property at 850 N. Grove as a landmark.
Kerry Kelly stated her support of designating the property at 850 N. Grove as a landmark.
Corporation Counsel Cogley reviewed the process of designation which included a public
hearing with the Heritage Commission. He noted that the process would allow final
consideration by the City Council at the earliest on April 22, 2020.
The City Council held discussions regarding the status of the property and potential code
violations. Also discussed were the potential for available tax credits to a redeveloper and other
potential financing options for redevelopment of the property. There was conversation
regarding the impact of a landmark designation on a property including the status of a pending
demolition permit. There were comments regarding the additional time the designation process
would allow for further conversations with the property owner and potential developers.
Adjourn to City Council
Councilmember Gavin made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Dixon, to adjourn and go
into the City Council meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Gavin,
Lopez, Powell, Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Reconvene
Councilmember Gavin made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Dixon, to reconvene the
Committee of the Whole meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Gavin,
Lopez, Powell, Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Auxiliary Police Officer Ordinance Amendments Changing Functions and Requirements
There was discussion regarding the proposed changes, the duties, training, uniforms, and
qualifications for the Auxiliary Police Officer position.
Councilmember Gavin made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Dixon, to approve the
proposed amendments to revise the ordinance to authorize new functions and requirements for
auxiliary police officers. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Gavin, Lopez,
Martinez, Powell, Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Committee of the Whole
January 22, 2020
Page 3
DACRA Tech LLC Agreement for e-Citation Services
Councilmember Dixon made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Gavin, to authorize the
agreement with DACRA Tech, LLC in the amount of $229,175 to be paid over a five-year period
in order to improve the efficiency of the e-citation system by migrating from departmental
servers to a cloud based hosted solution by DACRA Tech LLC. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas:
Councilmembers Dixon, Gavin, Lopez, Martinez, Powell, Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, and
Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Automated Fire Station Alerting Hardware Replacement from Digicom, Inc.
Councilmember Dixon made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to approve the
purchase of automated fire station alerting system hardware from Digicom, Inc. in the amount of
$33,440 for installation and replacement of outdated equipment that supports the operation of the
fire station alerting system. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Gavin, Lopez,
Martinez, Powell, Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Sustainability Commission Grant Funding Recommendation to First Congregational
United Church of Christ's Environmental Justice Outreach Proiect
Councilmember Martinez made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Shaw, to approve a
funding request for First Congregational United Church of Christ's Environmental Justice
Outreach Project in the amount of $10,000 to support the use of solar energy and to distribute
funds to local organizations and or individuals whose projects align with the goals and objectives
found within the Elgin Sustainability Action Plan. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers
Dixon, Gavin, Lopez, Martinez, Powell, Rauschenberger, Shaw, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays:
None. Councilmember Steffen abstained.
Discussion Establishing Dates, Topics and Format for 2020 Citv Council Work Sessions
(Councilpersons Powell and Dixon)
Councilmember Powell provided information regarding the request to discuss holding work
sessions. She stated that these sessions had been conducted in the past and there was interest
from councilmembers to hold the sessions again. She was asking for further feedback from the
entire council regarding moving forward with the sessions and potential topics for discussion.
Potential topics of discussion included: economic development strategic plan, a homeless
shelter; technology; purchase of service agreements; and contract management. Other
suggestions included updates on the diversity initiative, the Sports Complex and Hemmens
Cultural Arts Center. Another topic suggested was a budget update for 2021 with a focus on
addressing the Parks and Recreation Department budget deficit.
Committee of the Whole
January 22, 2020
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There was discussion regarding the level of staff involvement in the researching of the topics and
coordination with the sponsoring councilmember. The schedule would be worked on by staff to
determine dates of the sessions.
Announcements from Council
None.
Announcements from Staff
Molly Gillespie, Communications Manager, announced upcoming city events.
Adi ournment
Councilmember Gavin made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Dixon, to adjourn and go
into the Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the following matters. Upon a roll call
vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Gavin, Lopez, Martinez, Powell, Rauschenberger, Shaw,
Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Discussion of Minutes of Meetings Lawfully Closed Under This Act - Exempt
Under Section 120/2(c)(21) of the Open Meetings Act
Purchase or Lease of Real Property for the Use of the Public Body - Exempt
Under Section 120/2(c)(5) of the Open Meetings Act
The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or
dismissal of specific employees of the Public Body — Exempt Under Section
120/2(c)(1) of the Open Meetings Act
The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
s/ Kimberly Dewis February 12, 2020
Kimberly Dewis, City Clerk Date Approved