North Cook News

City of Elgin Committee of the Whole met Feb. 28.

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 Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Absent: Councilmembers Dixon and Rauschenberger.

Approval of Minutes

Councilmember Good made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Ortiz, to approve the minutes of the February 14, 2024, regular meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Good, Ortiz, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Councilmembers Martinez and Powell abstained.

Public Comments

Walter Moist stated his concerns about the Affordable Connectivity Act, stated his support of the Act and asked for the city’s support of the Act.

Urban and Community Forestry Grant for Government Entities Application Submission

A resolution was presented at the Council meeting for adoption by the City Council to obtain grant funding for the planting of one hundred oak trees to rejuvenate the tree canopy in Lords Park.

Citibot Generative AI Web- and Text-based Chatbot Services Agreement

Bratton Riley, CEO of Citibot, commented on his company’s history, philosophy of service to residents and the plans to implement their product.

There was discussion regarding integration with the city’s website, data analytics, and how the product will be launched.

Councilmember Ortiz made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Good, to enter into a three year agreement with Citibot.io in the amount of $29,800 in order to create an enhanced customer service experience for Elgin residents using web- and text-based artificial intelligence chatbot. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, nd Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.

Seven Hills Technology for Portal and App Development and Support Agreement

Councilmember Good made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Ortiz, to enter into a one year support agreement with Seven Hills Technology in the amount of $52,200 to maintain and enhance the city’s online customer portal and mobile app through regular web development cycles to improve customer experience when interacting with the city online. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.

2024 Property Tax Abatement

Councilmember Thoren made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve the abatement ordinances and resulting tax levy to realize the property tax dollar amount consistent with the adopted 2024 budget. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.

Illinois Department of Natural Resources Grant Acceptance and Agreement for Spanish Translation of the “Elgin Design Guideline Manual for Landmarks and Historic Districts”

Councilmember Good made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to execute the grant agreement with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources in the amount of $4,648 ($3,243 to be reimbursed to the city) to fund the translation of the “Elgin Design Guideline Manual for Landmarks and Historic Districts.” to enhance the effectiveness of historic preservation efforts by providing it in Spanish. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.

Lords Park Pavilion Exterior Repairs—Change Order No. 1 and Final for Job Order Contract

Councilmember Thoren made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to approve change order no. 1 and final to the contract with F. H. Paschen in the amount of $101,696 to make the necessary repairs to the porch at the Lords Park pavilion. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.

Athletic Field LED Relighting Design and Engineering Services Agreement with Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd.

Councilmember Martinez made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to enter into an agreement with Christopher B. Burke Engineering Ltd. in the amount of $137,740 to provide engineering design elements, construction documents, bid assistance and construction management for LED relighting of city athletic fields. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.

Wing Park Clubhouse Design Amendment Agreement No. 1 with FGM Architects Inc. for RFP 21-058

Councilmember Thoren made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve Amendment No.1 with FMG Architects Inc. in the amount of $120,000 to complete the design phase and construction documents for a new Wing Park Clubhouse to meet ADA requirements and support future business growth. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.

Contract with Berna Architects & Design for Architectural Services

Councilmember Steffen made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to approve a contract with Berna Architects & Design in the amount of $160,000 for architectural services for the Edward Schock Centre of Elgin remodeling. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.

Independent Fitness Contractors Service Agreements

Councilmember Martinez made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve the service agreements of two independent fitness contractors for services at The Edward Schock Centre of Elgin in the amount of $56,000 to provide patrons with quality fitness instruction and personal training. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.

Adjourn to City Council

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

Reconvene

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

Police Facility Fire Alarm Replacement— Change Order No. 1 and Final for Bid 23-010

Councilmember Powell made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Good, to approve change order no. 1 and final to the contract with iWire Technologies, LLC in the amount of $19,610 to replace the outdated fire alarm system at the police facility. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.

United Shield International Ballistic Shields Purchase

Councilmember Good made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to authorize the purchase of United Shield International Ballistic Shields in the amount of $35,171 to equip the police department with rifle rated ballistic shields to respond to potential threats. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.

Public Safety Vehicle Replacement Purchase and Outfitting

Councilmember Martinez made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to award contracts to The Armored Group, LLC, Currie Motors, Mavron, Inc., and Ultrastrobe Communications in the total amount of $483,918 to purchase one armored vehicle and two transport vehicles to replace existing fleet inventory remaining in service beyond acceptable replacement intervals. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.

Digital Intelligence Forensic Recovery of Evidence Data Center Workgroup Server Purchase

Councilmember Good made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to authorize the purchase of the Digital Intelligence Forensic Recovery of Evidence Data Center Workgroup in the amount of $53,050 to increase the capability of the police department’s Digital Forensics Unit to securely store and transfer large data files obtained in criminal investigations. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.

Elgin Municipal Code Amendments Relating to Curfew and Truancy

Councilmember Powell made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to amend Chapter 10.41 of the Elgin Municipal Code entitled Curfew and create a new Chapter 10.43 of the Elgin Municipal Code entitled Truancy regulating truancy that eliminates monetary fines and establishes a diversionary program. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.

Elgin Municipal Code Amendments Reducing Penalties Associates with Certain Offenses

Councilmember Good made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Powell, to amend the following chapters of the Elgin Municipal Code: Chapters 10.37.070, Motor Vehicle Impoundment; Chapter 11.10.020, Driving with No Valid License; Chapter 11.18.020, Transporting Alcoholic Liquor; Chapter 11.40.093, Sound Amplification Devices; Chapter 11.40.095, Vehicle Seizure and Impoundment; and Chapter 11.60.090, Snow Emergency Routes, to implement recommendations from the Community Task Force on Policing to reduce negative impacts from stops resulting in fines or other costs for motor vehicle impoundment; driving without a valid license; transporting alcoholic liquor; sound amplification devices; vehicle seizure and impoundment; and snow emergency route violations. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.

Engineering Enterprises, Inc. (EEI) Engineering Services Agreement for the Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLR) Program Year 3 Improvements—Amendment Agreement No. 1

Councilmember Steffen made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Powell, to award an Amendment No. 1 to the agreement with Engineering Enterprises, Inc., in the amount of $84,320 for design engineering services for Year 3 of the Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLR) Program. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.

Riverside Generator Coupling Repair Purchase Agreement with Cummins, Inc.

Councilmember Steffen made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to award an agreement to Cummins, Inc. in the amount of $43,693 to replace the cracked generator coupling at the Leo Nelson Riverside Water Treatment Plant to ensure reliability of backup power generators for the treatment and pumping of the city’s water supply. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.

Removal and Disposal of Water Treatment Lime Residuals for 2024 with Stewart Spreading, Inc.—Amendment Agreement No. 2

Councilmember Martinez made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Powell, to award the Amendment Agreement No. 2 to Stewart Spreading, Inc. in the amount of $2,886,000 to continue treatment of the city’s drinking water by responsibly handling the lime softening waste residual from the city’s water treatment process. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.

Announcements from Council

Councilmember Oritz noted that the City of Elgin was chartered with the State of Illinois 170 years ago on February 28, 2024.

Councilmember Thoren commented on the recent Senior Services program that celebrated Black History Month.

Councilmember Martinez expressed condolences to the Fricke family on the passing of Mildred “Milly” Fricke.

Mayor Kaptain congratulated Amy Hitchinson of the Ivy Academy of Early Learning on receiving their fifth consecutive Governor’s Gold Circle of Quality Award for early education.

Announcements from Staff

None.

Adjournment

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

The meeting adjourned at 8:04 p.m.

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