HomeMy WebLinkAboutl - June 23, 2021 COWCOMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
June 23, 2021
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, Good, Martinez, Powell,
Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Absent: None. Councilmembers
Dixon, Powell, and Rauschenberger, attended via electronic means. This was allowed at this
time granted by Governor Pritzker's Executive Order 2020-07.
Approval of Minutes
Councilmember Martinez made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Shaw, to approve the
minutes of the June 9, 2021 regular meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers
Dixon, Good, Martinez, Powell, Shaw, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Councilmember Rauschenberger provided no response.
Renewal of a Property Insurance Program for the Period July 1, 2021 through June 30,
2022
City Manager Kozal provided an overview of the policy and the increase in the annual premium.
A resolution will be presented at the Council meeting for adoption by the City Council to accept
Alliant Property Insurance Program's proposal for renewal of property, inland marine and cyber
liability insurance for an annual premium of $474,294 in order to protect the City's financial
resources and provide business interruption insurance.
Sikich, LLC Audit Presentation
James Savio, Sikich, LLP partner, provided an overview of the City's 2020 Consolidated Annual
Financial Report (CAFR). There was discussion regarding the upcoming budget and the financial
impact of the pandemic as well as the funding requirements regarding the various pension fund
balances. The city council thanked Debra Nawrocki, Chief Financial Officer and Budget
Director, and her staff for all of their hard work with the audit.
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Annual Action Plan for Program Year
2024
There was discussion regarding street maintenance projects, funds available and being utilized
for affordable housing projects, and the non-profit organization's application processes and
requirements to receive CDBG funding. Also discussed was using a portion of the money
provided in the grant to conduct a study on attracting new development to the East Chicago
Street corridor.
Committee of the Whole
June 23, 2021
Page 2
Councilmember Shaw made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve the
recommendations from the CDBG Review Panel for Program Year 2021 CDBG and CDBG-CV
funding and release for public comment the activities and funding amounts. Upon a roll call
vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Powell, Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen,
Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Acceptance of Public Improvements within the Huron's McLean Boulevard Subdivision
Councilmember Shaw made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve the
acceptance of the public improvements for ownership and maintenance in the Huron's McLean
Boulevard Subdivision in order to fulfill the City's obligation to maintain reliable infrastructure
for serving businesses and residents. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good,
Martinez, Powell, Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Additional Information Regarding Amending the City's Board of Fire and Police
Commissioners Ordinance to Change Police Officer Hiring Requirements Committee of
the Whole Memorandum Dated June 9, 2021
There was discussion regarding the modifications suggested for the education requirements to
widen the police applicant pool for the City, what the processes involved were to determine the
eligibility of a candidate, and whether or not to leave the current standards in place. Also
discussed during the meeting was the possibility of waiting to change the ordinance until after
recommendations were made by the Police Task Force in 2022.
Chief Lalley answered questions regarding applicant eligibility, the interview process,
psychological testing of potential candidates, and diversity within the Elgin Police Department. It
was also stated that a decision was needed tonight so that the Police Department could move
forward with their testing process due to upcoming retirements and promotions that would
require new officers being added to the department.
Councilmember Powell made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to approve
moving forward with modifications to the City ordinance for the police officer hiring
requirements in order to provide career opportunities for those who wish to become an Elgin
Police Officer. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Good, Martinez, Rauschenberger,
Shaw, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: Councilmembers Dixon and Powell.
Adjourn to City Council
Councilmember Martinez made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Shaw, to adjourn and go
into the City Council meeting at 7:23 p.m. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon,
Good, Martinez, Powell, Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays:
None.
Committee of the Whole
June 23, 2021
Page 3
Reconvene
Councilmember Steffen made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Shaw, to reconvene the
Committee of the Whole meeting at 8:29 p.m. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers
Dixon, Good, Powell, Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) Presentation and Discussion
City Manager Kozal and staff presented information on the American Recovery Plan Act
(ARPA) funding regulations along with suggested initiatives for consideration. Mr. Kozal
provided an overview of the plan, requirements for spending money within the plan, as well as
eligible and ineligible uses for the money being provided through ARPA. There was discussion
on using the available funds for the Lead Service Line Replacement Project and continuing work
on the City's Combined Sewer Separation project. Utilizing the money on these two projects
would allow money already budgeted for those projects to be used to remodel the currently
closed Eastside Recreation Center (ERC) into affordable and supportive housing to assist
homeless individuals with social services.
However, it was noted that in order to use the money in this fashion would require that the city
invest $2 million into recreational areas elsewhere within the City due to a previous grant that
was used to remodel the ERC previously. It was suggested that the money could be used to
improve the Elgin Sports Complex, which would include new artificial turf fields that could be
used for sports tournaments, demolishing two vacant buildings, and adding a new parking lot and
entrance off of Route 31.
There was collective discussion of the initiatives provided by City Manager Kozal. Also
discussed by Council was the broadband availability within the City, staffing shortages, and
additional investment into small businesses.
Announcements from Council
Councilmember Powell thanked residents and various organizations for the success of the
Juneteenth festivities this year.
Mayor Kaptain mentioned the memorial groundbreaking taking place at Fire Station #5 and
encouraged residents to attend.
Announcements from Staff
City Manager Kozal announced upcoming city events.
Committee of the Whole
June 23, 2021
Page 4
Adiournment
Councilmember Martinez made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Thoren, to adjourn the
meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Powell,
Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
The meeting adjourned at 10:02 p.m.
s/ Jennifer Quinton July 14, 2021
Jennifer Quinton, Deputy City Clerk Date Approved