North Cook News

City of Elgin Committee of the Whole met Sept. 27.

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 Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell (6:07 p.m.), Rauschenberger, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Absent: None.

Approval of Minutes 

Councilmember Good made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Dixon, to approve the minutes of the September 13, 2023 regular meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Rauschenberger, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Councilmember Steffen abstained.

Public Comments 

Steve Rapp commented on the concepts for the North Grove Development project. 

Gary Swick stated his concerns about the North Grove Development including river access. 

Betsy Couture commented on the concepts for the North Grove Development project. 

Mary Alice Masonick commented on the concepts for the North Grove Development project. 

Krissy Palermo commented on the standards for the city’s historic districts. 

Robin Migalla stated her concerns about the North Grove Development including sustainability. 

Christina Aagesen stated her concerns about the North Grove Development. 

Tom Armstrong commented on the concepts for the North Grove Development project.

Cheryl Strathmon stated her concerns about the North Grove Development including river access.

Carly Gorick commented on the standards for the city’s historic districts.

Kathy Stewrer commented on the standards for the city’s historic districts. Al Kolcu commented on the standards for the city’s historic districts.

Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford commented on the concepts for the North Grove Development project.

Dan Miller commented on the standards for the city’s historic districts.

Kerry Kelly commented on the concepts for the North Grove Development project. 

Brigid Trimble commented on the standards for the city’s historic districts. 

Jen Abbey commented on the concepts for the North Grove Development project. 

Manual Roja commented on the standards for the city’s historic districts.

Anne LoCasuo commented on the standards for the city’s historic districts. 

Josh Martin stated his concerns regarding a traffic stop and a request for records. 

Debra Vruble commented on the standards for the city’s historic districts.

Adjourn to City Council 

Councilmember Good made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to adjourn the Committee of the Whole meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Rauschenberger, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.

Reconvene 

Councilmember Steffen made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Good, to reconvene the Committee of the Whole meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Rauschenberger, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.

Renewal of Liability, Pollution and Workers’ Compensation Insurance Programs for the  Period October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024 

A resolution was presented at the Council meeting for adoption by the City Council to protect the City’s financial resources and provide liability, pollution, and workers’ compensation insurance.

North Grove Redevelopment Area Plan Progress Report 

Lesley Roth of the urban planning consulting firm Lamar Johnson Collaborative presented a high-level overview of the conceptual land plan for the three sites in the redevelopment area as well as representative images of the potential forms of development and programmatic elements on each. A copy of the presentation is on file in the City Clerk’s office. Ms. Roth noted that the images were not design documents rather concepts to bring life to the ideas of the community. She reviewed feedback from the various listening sessions, meetings with stakeholders, and surveys used to solicit the public opinions.

There was discussion regarding the use of each parcel and how they fit with the current surrounding land uses, the impact the potential dam removal could have on the project, and the next steps in the process.

Historic Property Preservation Overview (Councilmembers Good and Ortiz)  

Community Development Director Marc Mylott and Historic Preservation Planner Christen Sundquist presented ongoing historic property preservation initiatives. Neighborhood Services Director Jennifer Phillips provided information on historic property preservation regulations in relation to the city’s property maintenance code compliance actions. A copy of the presentation is on file in the City Clerk’s office.

Historic Preservation Planner Christen Sundquist provided background on the various historic districts in the city, noting where each are located and various landmarks.

Neighborhood Services Director Jennifer Phillips provided the most common property maintenance issues including exterior debris, peeling paint, roofs and drainage. She outlined the code department’s role to assist the homeowners with these issues and to bring the property into compliance.

Community Development Director Marc Mylott provided an overview of potential solutions including additional notification, considerations for relaxing certain design guidelines and financial assistance. Notification and customized outreach programs already in place were outlined. An additional notification measure could be to adopt a historic disclosure ordinance.

Staff was asked to provide details regarding the detailed plan for educational outreach, relaxing standards in historic districts and revitalizing the Neighborworks program.

Councilmember Ortiz made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Powell, to direct staff to draft a disclosure ordinance for all historic districts. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Rauschenberger, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.

Amendment Agreement No. 3 to Agreement with SmithGroup, Inc. for the Proposed Improvements for the Elgin Sports Complex – RFP 22-025 

Councilmember Good made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve the Amendment Agreement No. 3 with SmithGroup, Inc. in the amount of $831,500 to continue moving forward with proposed improvements for the Elgin Sports Complex. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: Councilmember Rauschenberger.

Construction Engineering Services Agreement with Hampton, Lenzini, and Renwick, Inc.  for the DuPage Court Revitalization Project 

Councilmember Ortiz made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Good, to approve an agreement with Hampton, Lenzini, and Renwick, Inc. in the amount of $216,205 to provide field inspection, design interpretation, contract administration and general coordination and control of the day-to-day construction activities for the reconstruction of DuPage Court. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Rauschenberger, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.

Announcements from Council 

Councilmember Ortiz thanked all those that made Canta con Orgulla a success. He also thanked the Fire Department for their recent fire safety demo at Lowrie Elementary.

Councilmember Steffen announced the Kiwanis Barbeque being held on October 28, 2023.

Councilmember Thoren provided information on the First Responders Fest being held on September 30, 2023 at Panton Mill Park.

Announcements from Staff 

None.

Adjournment 

Councilmember Good made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Ortiz, to adjourn the meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Rauschenberger, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.

The meeting adjourned at 10:52 p.m.

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