City of Elgin Committee of the Whole met February 14.
Here is 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 Dixon, Dunne, Gavin, Martinez, Powell, Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Absent: None.
Mayor Kaptain asked for a moment of silence for the passing of Jack Shales.
Approval of Minutes:
Councilmember Dixon made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to approve the minutes of the January 24, 2018, regular meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Dunne, Gavin, Martinez, Powell, Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Downtown Neighborhood Association Presentation:
Executive Director Jennifer Fukala provided a synopsis of the Downtown Neighborhood Association’s organizational progress in creating, supporting and sustaining revitalization efforts in downtown Elgin. Ms. Fukala outlined the association’s plans for economic development, promotion and perception, collaboration, and beautification for the downtown area. There was discussion regarding the membership programs, the sponsored events, residential sprinkler program, and diverse business recruitment.
Consideration of Purchase of Service Agreement with Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin:
There was discussion regarding the funding sources as well as the length and terms of the agreement.
Councilmember Gavin made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to approve the agreement with the Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin in the amount of $270,000 ($135,000 per year) to provide economic development services for two years, including assistance to small businesses. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Dunne, Gavin, Martinez, Powell, Rauschenberger, Shaw, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Councilmember Steffen abstained.
Adjourn to the City Council Meeting:
Councilmember Dunne made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Gavin, to adjourn and go into the City Council meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Dunne, Gavin, Martinez, Powell, Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Reconvene:
Councilmember Dixon made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to reconvene the Committee of the Whole meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Dunne, Gavin, Martinez, Powell, Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Consideration of Creation of a Sprinkler Assistance for Residential Conversions Grant Program:
There was discussion regarding the program costs, the research involved in creating the program and potential impact on development in the downtown.
Councilmember Dunne made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Gavin, to approve the creation of the Sprinkler Assistance for Residential Conversions Grant Program with a 2018 funding level in the amount of $500,000 in order to provide financial assistance to encourage downtown property owners to convert the upper stories of existing buildings to residential dwelling units. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Dunne, Gavin, Martinez, Powell, Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Consideration of 2018 Property Tax Abatement
Councilmember Shaw made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve the information to adopt the annual ordinances abating taxes for the property tax levy. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Dunne, Gavin, Martinez, Powell, Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Consideration of Laserfiche Enterprise Content Management System Upgrade:
Councilmember Gavin made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to approve the upgrade of Laserfiche purchased through TKB Associates Inc. in the amount of $79,435 in order to improve the processing efficiency and document security for City staff in the management, storage, and retrieval of documents, both paper and electronic. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Dunne, Gavin, Martinez, Powell, Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Consideration of Agreement with Elgin Men’s Baseball League Inc. to Utilize Elgin Shores Baseball Fields:
There was discussion regarding the maintenance and other potential uses for the fields.
Councilmember Powell made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Gavin, to approve the agreement with Elgin Men’s Baseball League Inc. at no cost to the city to provide sports programming by partnering with volunteer organizations. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Dunne, Gavin, Martinez, Powell, Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Public Hearing and Consideration of Naming of a City Park in the Bowes Creek Subdivision:
Mayor Kaptain opened the public hearing regarding the naming of the city park in Bowes Creek. The process of polling the neighborhood with various names and the required two thirds vote needed for approval was outlined. No residents offered comments and Mayor Kaptain closed the public hearing.
Councilmember Dunne made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to conduct the required public hearing and name the new City owned park located in Bowes Creek subdivision Fairway Park. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Dunne, Gavin, Martinez, Powell, Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Consideration of Athletic Facility Improvement Funding:
Councilmember Dunne made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to approve the 2018 Athletic Facility Improvement Funding as recommended by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board in the amount of $50,000 in order to provide financial assistance to Elgin-based youth sports organizations for making capital improvements to City-owned property. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Dunne, Gavin, Martinez, Powell, Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Consideration of Annual Motor Fuel Tax Resolution:
Councilmember Gavin made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to approve moving forward with the annual motor fuel tax resolution in the amount of $3,000,000 in order to provide funding for annual roadway maintenance programs utilizing proceeds from the Illinois Motor Fuel Tax Fund. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Dunne, Gavin, Martinez, Powell, Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Consideration of Engineering Services Agreement with Stanley Consultants Inc. for Well 5A Upgrades:
Eric Weiss, Water Director, provided information regarding the potential issues with surface water surrounding the Well 5A site.
Councilmember Powell made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to award a contract to Stanley Consultants Inc., in the amount of $91,934 for engineering services to improve Well 5A and the surrounding site to mitigate the apparent influx of surface water. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Dunne, Gavin, Martinez, Powell, Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Consideration of Agreement with Paymentus for Credit Card Processing Merchant Services:
Councilmember Steffen made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to approve the agreement with Paymentus for credit card processing merchant services with an estimated annual cost of $165,000 in order to improve the efficiency and security of online and over the counter credit card payment processing. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Dunne, Gavin, Martinez, Powell, Rauschenberger, Shaw, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Announcements from Council:
Councilmember Gavin thanked staff for the hard work to clear the streets during the recent snow events.
Councilmember Shaw invited the public to attend the FTC Robotic Challenge being held on February 24, 2018, at Elgin Community College.
Councilmember Rauschenberger wished a happy Valentine’s Day to her husband. She invited residents to attend the U-46 STEM Expo being held on February 24, 2018, at Bartlett High School. She also noted that a memorial service for Jack Shales would be held on February 24, 2018, at Judson College.
Councilmember Dixon wished his wife and daughters a happy Valentine’s Day. He also thanked staff for their hard work removing snow during the recent storms.
Announcements from Staff:
Aaron Neal and Greg Hulke, Public Works Superintendents, provided an overview on how the recent snow events were handled. There was discussion about the methods used to clear and salt the roadways and which locations are under other jurisdictions. Also discussed was snow removal in the downtown area.
Molly Center, Management Analyst in the City Manager’s Office, announced upcoming city events.
Adjournment:
Councilmember Gavin made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to adjourn and go into the Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the following matters. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Dunne, Gavin, 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
The meeting adjourned at 8:27 p.m.
http://www.cityofelgin.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/5886
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