City of Elgin Committee of the Whole met Nov. 5
Here are the minutes 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, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Absent: None.
Approval of Minutes
Councilmember good made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to approve the minutes of the October 22, 2025 of the regular meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Public Comment
Carrol Bailey commented on Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) activity in the area.
She also commented on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding and options for those in need.
Ebenezer Amairat noted the impact that Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) activity in the area is having on local businesses.
Mary Holat commented on Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) activity in the area.
Dan Tully commented on Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) activity in the area. He encouraged the council to pass ICE free zones.
Cristo Espinosa commented on Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) activity in the area.
Althea Norton commented on Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) activity in the area.
Lewis Wilkins commented on Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) activity in the area.
Lisa Wenhoff commented on Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) activity in the area.
Stephen Esh commented on the city’s water supply and the impact of dam removal.
Hotel-Based Housing Reimbursement—Sub-Agreement with Association for Individual Development
Councilmember Ortiz made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Dixon, to approve the agreement with the Association for Individual Development (AID) allowing the city to seek reimbursement of up to $700,000 in hotel expenses incurred by the city under the State-funded Unsheltered Pilot Program FY25-26. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Voice Telephone Services—Access One Agreement Renewal
Councilmember Dixon made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to enter into an agreement with Access One in the amount of $2,752 (monthly for 18 months); $49,531 (contract term) for the city’s voice telephone service for consistent and reduced monthly charges. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Lead Service Line 2024 Replacement Program – Contract A, Change Order No. 1 and Final for Bid 24-016
Councilmember Dixon made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Good, to award Change Order No. 1 and Final for Bid 24-016, 2024 Lead Service Line Replacement Program – Contract A to Trine Construction Corp. as a balancing change order to document an increase in the final construction value of $91,009 to improve the water distribution system by replacing lead water service lines. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Lead Service Line 2024 Replacement Program – Contract B, Change Order No. 2 and Final for Bid 24-017
Councilmember Powell made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Good, to award Change Order No. 2 and Final for Bid 24-017, 2024 Lead Service Line Replacement Program – Contract B to Five Star Energy Services, LLC as a balancing change order to document a decrease in the final construction value of $124,002 to improve the water distribution system by replacing lead water service lines. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.Â
Lead Service Line 2024 Replacement Program – Contract C, Change Order No. 2 and Final for Bid 24-018
Councilmember Good made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to award Change Order No. 2 (Final) for Bid 24-018, 2024 Lead Service Line Replacement Program – Contract C to Inliner Solutions, LLC, as a balancing change order to document an increase in the final construction value of $22,823 to improve the water distribution system by replacing lead water service lines. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Filter Valves and Control Stations Purchases—Agreement with Harold Beck & Sons, Inc.
Councilmember Good made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to award a contract to Harold Beck & Sons, Inc., for the procurement of the replacement of four critical valve actuators and the purchase of eight control stations in the amount of $59,762 ensuring a reliable and adequate water supply by replacing aging equipment. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Regulating Use of City-Owned Properties for Civil Immigration Enforcement Activities
There were discussions regarding the differences between an ordinance and a resolution, and if passed how enforcement would be handled. Also discussed was the roll-out for signs to be posted and what temporary sign options could be used. There was a review of the Trust Act and the impact on enforcement.
Councilmember Alfaro made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Dixon, to amend the motion approving the resolution to add: a report to the city council every six months, add under Section 3B wording regarding additional immigration activities, the resolution is valid until city council takes further action, the city makes a public statement educating the public about this resolution, that the document be translated into Spanish. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Councilmember Ortiz made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to approve the proposed amended resolution that will prohibit city-owned properties from being used as a staging area, processing location, operations base, or other support for civil immigration enforcement. It will establish guidelines prohibiting the use of city-owned properties for civil immigration enforcement activities and protocol for city staff reporting any such violations. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Proposed 2026 Budget and Three-Year Financial Plan
City Manager Kozal introduced the proposed 2026 Budget and Three-Year Financial Plan and noted that over the next several weeks budget deliberations would be held starting November 12th. Mr. Kozal highlighted additional personnel requests, a general property tax levy increase and a high level over of the River Boat Fund, Utility Fund, Capital Improvement Fund, Golf Fund, and Central Area TIF.
Announcements from Council
Councilmember Powell thanked all those involved in making Nightmare on Chicago Street a success.
Councilmember Dixon also thanked those involved in making Nightmare on Chicago Street a success. He also expressed condolences to the family of Sergeant Free.
Councilmember Alfaro wished everyone a happy Native American Heritage Month. She expressed condolences to the family of Sergeant Free. She also commented on the Elgin Symphony Orchestra Day of the Dead performance. She thanked those that attended the council meetings. She congratulated all of those honored at the Fire Department awards ceremony.
Councilmember Ortiz thanked Marc Thayer of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra for the expansion of the programming and their positive impact.
Councilmember Powell commented on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding and resources for those in need.
Mayor Kaptain commented on a recent meeting with Senator Durbin. He shared the recent Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) initiative regarding hiring in the fire department. Senator Durbin brought that news back to the Senate floor.
Announcements from Staff
None.
Adjournment
Councilmember Martinez made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to adjourn the meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
The meeting adjourned at 9:08 p.m.
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