City of Elgin Committee of the Whole met March 11
Here is the agenda provided by the committee:
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 Alfaro, Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Absent: Councilmember Powell.
Approval of Minutes
Councilmember Martinez made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Good, to approve the minutes of the February 25, 2026, regular meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Public Comment
Mike Lago commented on the impact of a welcoming ordinance.
Hank Romero commented on the needs of the homeless population.
Elijah Stein commented on the proposed diversity and inclusion ordinance.
Electronic Citation Software Services Agreement with DACRA Tech, LLC ($429,318 Over a Five-Year Term
A resolution was presented at the Council meeting for adoption to continue improving the efficiency of the city’s electronic citation system with the cloud-based software solution created by DACRA Tech, LLC.
Purchase of Services Agreement with Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce ($355,000 Annually for Three-Year Term; Three Percent Increase in Out Years)
Member of the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce, Carol Gieske, President, Tony Lucenko, Economic Development Director, and Rolando Guerrro, Board Chair, presented the economic development services that the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce had provided and their plans for future. A copy of the presentation is on file in the city clerk’s office. The areas highlighted included their core services of business attraction, retention, expansion, transportation, and work force development, enhancing Elgin. They also highlight their work on a strategic plan that will drive long term economic growth.
There was discussion about the terms of the agreement, required reporting and the strategic plan.
Councilmember Dixon made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to approve an agreement with the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce in the amount of $355,000 annually for three years with three percent increases in the second and third years of the agreement to provide economic development services including small businesses assistance, business retention outreach and foreign trade initiatives and other similar programs. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Councilmember Alfaro abstained.
Adjourn to City Council
Councilmember Dixon made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Good, to adjourn to the City Council meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Steffen, Thoren and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Reconvene the Committee of the Whole Discussion
Councilmember Good made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to reconvene the Committee of the Whole meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Steffen, Thoren and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None Councilmember Good left the dais.
Pingree Grove Roundabout at Reinking and Damisch Roads—Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Elgin and the Village of Pingree Grove
Councilmember Ortiz made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve the intergovernmental agreement with the Village of Pingree Grove to promote collaboration between the Village and the City on the reconstruction of the village’s roundabout at Reinking and Damisch Roads. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Martinez, Ortiz, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Official Zoning Map for 2026—Adoption
Councilmember Steffen made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Ortiz, to move forward with adopting and publishing the official zoning map. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Martinez, Ortiz, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Councilmember Good returned to the dais after the vote.
Cultural Arts Commission 2026 Grant Award Recommendations
Councilmember Ortiz made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to approve the funding of the grant awards in the amount of $62,088 to support arts programming, in the community. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Cultural Arts and Special Events Department Outdoor Event Incentive Program— “Encore” Awards for 2026
Amanda Harris, Director of Cultural Arts and Special Events, reviewed the events from 2025 noting how they were received by the community and their economic impact.
There was a preview of events planned for 2026.including Hemmens programming, Movies and Concerts in the Park, 4th of July festivities, Elgin’s 250th, La Fiesta de Elgin and Nightmare on Chicago Street.
Ms. Harris reviewed the Outdoor Event Incentive Program which provides planning and financial assistance at various levels to event organizers. The program contains four categories, Active Elgin, Market Makers, Launch Program and Encore Program. Applications were reviewed and scored by program committee. Three Encore Program events, Love on the Lawn, Elgin Pride Parade and Elgin Micheleros Festival, are recommended to be awarded funding totaling $84,144.
There was discussion about different cultural events, equipment replacements, and the types of events that applied for the incentive program.
Councilmember Martinez made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Thoren, to approve funding for the three “Encore” event awards for the combined amount of $84,144 to support outdoor event programming within the community. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Urban SDK Traffic Monitoring Software—Purchase from Urban Holdings, Inc.
Councilmember Thoren made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to authorize the purchase of Urban SDK Traffic Monitoring Software from Urban SDK Holdings, Inc. in the amount of $32,950 to utilize traffic analytical software to enhance traffic safety, strategic traffic enforcement and roadway management. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Kane County Child Advocacy Center Investigative Services for Sensitive Crimes Involving Children—Agreement
Councilmember Martinez made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve the contract with the Kane County Child Advocacy Center in the amount of $35,000 to provide investigative and victim services for cases involving children who have been victimized by sexual or serious physical abuse. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Good, Martinez, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Councilmember Ortiz abstained.
Stryker Power Load Ambulance Stretcher—Purchase Agreement with Stryker Corporation
Councilmember Martinez made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Thoren, to approve the purchase of one ambulance stretcher from Stryker Corporation in the amount of $45,057 to provide fire department personnel with emergency services equipment designed to prevent firefighter injuries during ambulance transport. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Parking Lot and Alley Maintenance 2026 Program—Amendment Agreement No. 1 with Thomas Engineering, LLC for Design and Construction Engineering Services
Councilmember Martinez made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Good, to approve the Amendment Agreement No. 1 with Thomas Engineering, LLC in the amount of $84,524 to provide supplemental engineering services to analyze, design, and prepare construction documents for the maintenance of various public parking lots and city-owned alleys along with field inspection, contract administration, general coordination and control of the day-to-day construction activities for the 2026 parking lot and alley maintenance program. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Councilmember Alfaro abstained.
Lime Residual Disposal Line Inspection Services—Agreement with RJN Group, Inc.
Councilmember Ortiz made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Good, to approve an agreement with RJN Group, Inc. in the amount of $98,200 to provide inspection services to perform a condition assessment of the city’s fourteen-inch lime residual disposal line serving the Leo Nelson Riverside Water Treatment Facility. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
1425-1435 Summit Street—Acceptance of Public Improvements and Easement ($1,804 Estimated Five-Year Maintenance Cost)
Councilmember Martinez made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve the acceptance of the public improvements and related easement for ownership and maintenance within the site located at 1425-1435 Summit Street to fulfill the city’s obligation to maintain reliable infrastructure for serving businesses and residents. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Sports Complex Expansion—Construction Materials Testing and Inspection Service, Amendment No. 1
Councilmember Martinez made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Good, to approve Amendment No. 1 to the contract for Rubino Engineering, Inc., in the amount of $49,944 to continue providing required construction materials testing and inspection services for the Sports Complex expansion. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Elgin Sports Complex Soccer Fields 7 and 8 Improvements—Design and Engineering Services Agreement with Upland Design, Ltd.
Councilmember Martinez made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Thoren, to approve an agreement with Upland Design, Ltd. in the amount of $36,228 to complete the final landscape architectural and engineering design elements and prepare construction documents for soccer field 8 and provide bid assistance and construction management for the renovation of both soccer fields 7 and 8 at the Elgin Sports Complex. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Wing Park Master Plan and Inclusive Playground Design—Amendment to Engineering Services Agreement with Upland Design, Ltd.
Councilmember Ortiz made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to amend the existing agreement with Upland Design, Ltd. in the amount of $675,184 to complete the final architectural and engineering design elements, prepare construction documents, submit permitting documents and provide bid assistance and construction management for all additional scope items included as part of the proposed improvements at Wing Park. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Wing Park Golf Course Clubhouse—Bid 25-034, Alternate 4 for Food Service Equipment
Councilmember Martinez made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Ortiz, to approve Bid No. 25-034, Alternate No. 4, in the amount of $156,000 to purchase and install the food service equipment for the new clubhouse. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Mowing Services for Property Maintenance Code Compliance—Renewal Agreement
Councilmember Ortiz made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Thoren, to renew the existing agreement with Alvarez Inc., in the amount of $33,000 for mowing services to cut grass and weeds on private property when owners fail to comply property maintenance code. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Announcements from Council
Councilmember Dixon thanked members of the public for attending the meeting and making public comments.
Councilmember Ortiz commented on the upcoming White Sox baseball season.
Announcements from Staff
None.
Adjournment
Councilmember Martinez, seconded by Councilmember Thoren, made a motion to adjourn meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Good, Martinez, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: Councilmember Ortiz.
The meeting adjourned at 10:10 p.m.
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