North Cook News

City of Elgin Committee of the Whole met April 10

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 (6:02  p.m.), Rauschenberger, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Absent: None. 

Approval of Minutes 

Councilmember Good made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Thoren, to approve the minutes of the March 20, 2024 regular meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Rauschenberger, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.  

Public Comments 

Gary Swick spoke in support of Side Street Studios. 

Zack James stated his concerns about the vendor being selected for the drone show this year and asked to speak with staff regarding the bid. 

Tia Aageson stated her support for Side Street Studios. 

Hallie Morrison stated her support for Side Street Studios. 

Cultural Arts and Special Events Presentation 

Cultural Arts and Special Events (CASE) Director, Amanda Harris presented the Arts and Economic Prosperity study findings which are available on the city’s website. She highlighted  the economic activity generated as a result of arts and culture programming.  

Kate Scorza Ingram of Create Today presented the draft financial model and strategic plan for the cultural arts and special events department. This strategic plan is available on the city’s website and outlines plans for the next five years. She reviewed how the community was  engaged to draft the plan, noting what works well and areas for improvement. A recommendation was made to create a separate nonprofit foundation to work with the Cultural  Arts Commission in order to be eligible for grant funding.  

Ms. Harris highlighted the special events programming planned for 2024. Highlights included movies and concerts in the park, the 4th of July parade and fireworks, the End of Summer Bash and drone show, and Nightmare on Chicago Street. A copy of the presentation is on file in the City Clerk’s office.

There was discussion regarding the status of the Hemmens Cultural Arts Center renovations, how vendors can apply to participate in events, and details about 2024 programming.  

Adjourn to City Council 

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

Reconvene 

Councilmember Good made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, 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. 

Skyworx Drone Shows Agreement for End of Summer Bash Event 

Councilmember Good made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to enter into an agreement with Skyworx Drone Shows for an amount not to exceed $33,500 to provide Elgin residents and visitors with the return of a crowd-pleasing drone show. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Rauschenberger, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.  

Commissioned Work of Art Agreement with Eric Dowdle 

There was discussion regarding the city’s percentage of the puzzle sales, how the sculpture would be used, and the artist’s fee.  

Councilmember Thoren made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to enter into an agreement with Eric Dowdle for an amount not to exceed $120,000 to create original artwork, limited edition puzzles, and giclees of Elgin’s cityscape featuring local foods and customs and  the interesting people that work and live in these places. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: Councilmembers Powell and Rauschenberger.

Redevelopment Agreement with TriEss LLC and Side Street Studio Arts, NFP 

Councilmember Dixon made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Good, to approve the framework for a redevelopment agreement with TriEss LLC and Side Street Studio Arts, NFP in the amount of $500,000 to induce the first phase of the renovation and adaptive reuse of the three-story building at 62 South Grove Avenue for art programming, exhibitions, events and  classes. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Rauschenberger, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.  

Juvenile Violence Intervention and Prevention—Youth Empowerment Program 

The leaders of the program provided an update and provided information about the number of students that are involved. 

Councilmember Powell made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Good, to enter into an agreement with community liaisons to facilitate the juvenile violence intervention and prevention Youth Empowerment Program to provide administrative duties inclusive of home visits, school visits, and other programs while working in conjunction with the police department and community partners for the juvenile violence intervention and prevention Youth Empowerment  Program. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Rauschenberger, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.  

US Route 20 Longcommon Parkway to Coombs Road Phase I Design Engineering Services—Amendment Agreement No. 1 with HR Green, Inc. 

Councilmember Powell made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve Amendment Agreement No. 1 with HR Green, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $669,615 to continue the Phase I Study activities necessary to complete the evaluation of alternatives for a  commercially viable, multi-modal corridor and a future development needs analysis along US Route 20 from Longcommon Parkway to Coombs Road. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas:  Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Rauschenberger, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.  

US Route 20 and Reinking Road Roundabout Project— Intergovernmental Agreement Between the City of Elgin and the Illinois Department of Transportation for Associated Maintenance 

Councilmember Powell made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation to establish future maintenance and cost responsibilities for lighting and landscaping improvements within the US Route 20 and Reinking Road roundabout project. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Rauschenberger, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.  

Acceptance of Public Improvements and Easement at 1151 North State Street (Judson  University Athletic Field) 

Councilmember Steffen made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Good, to approve the acceptance of the public improvements and related easement for ownership and maintenance  within the site located at 1151 North State Street. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers  Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Rauschenberger, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.  

Councilmember Good stepped away from the dais at this time. 

Public Improvements and Easement Acceptance for 1700 Madeline Lane 

Councilmember Rauschenberger 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 1700 Madeline Lane. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas:  Councilmembers Dixon, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Rauschenberger, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.  

Acceptance of Public Improvements for 1705 Madeline Lane 

Councilmember Powell made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to approve the acceptance of the public improvements for ownership and maintenance within the site located at 1705 Madeline Lane. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Martinez, Ortiz,  Powell, Rauschenberger, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.  

Right-of-Way Encroachment License Agreement for 70 Airport Road, West Dundee, IL 

Councilmember Ortiz made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve the right of way encroachment license agreement for the property at 70 Airport Road, West Dundee, Illinois. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell,  Rauschenberger, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.  

Councilmember Good returned to the dais at this time.

Acceptance of Public Improvements for Watermain and Sidewalk and Plat of Easement for Watermain and Stormwater Management for 711 E. Chicago Street 

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 711 E. Chicago Street. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers  Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Rauschenberger, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.  

Amendments to the 2023 Budget Consistent with the Illinois Municipal Budget Law 

Councilmember Good made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to adopt the proposed amendments to the 2023 budget that reflects the actual financial activity undertaken  within the 2023 budget. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Rauschenberger, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.  

Sale of General Obligation Corporate Purpose Bonds to Finance Utility Fund Projects 

Councilmember Steffen made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Good, to authorize the sale of General Obligation Corporate Purpose Bonds, Series 2024 in an amount not to exceed $16,000,000. Provide funding to finance the improvement of underground utilities. Upon a roll  call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Rauschenberger, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.  

National Pollution Discharge Elimination System Permit Phase 2 Storm Water Permit Compliance Project—Amendment No. 3 to Engineering Services Agreement with Baxter & Woodman, Inc. 

Councilmember Powell made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve  Amendment No. 3 with Baxter & Woodman, Inc. for the second year of a multi-year agreement  to assist the city with compliance of National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit requirements in the amount of $119,660 for 2024. Provide engineering required to maintain  compliance with the federally mandated National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit  program. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Rauschenberger, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.  

Festival Park Splash Pad Rehabilitation Contract—Bid 23-038, Change Order No. 1  

Councilmember Martinez made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Good, to approve Change Order No. 1 to increase the Festival Park Splash Pad Rehabilitation contract awarded to Schaefges Brothers, Inc. of $18,303 to seal the surge pit to prevent leakage into the pit from the surrounding area. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Rauschenberger, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.  

Jack Cook Park Final Construction Phase—Bid 23-037A, Change Order No. 2 

Councilmember Steffen made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Good, to approve Change  Order No. 2 to increase the Jack Cook Park Final Construction Phase contract awarded to Clauss Brother, Inc., by $14,055. Create a safe and inviting environment for visitors at Jack Cook Park.  

Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: Councilmember Rauschenberger.  

Announcements from Council 

Councilmember Thoren announced the Elgin History Museum’s Gala being held on April 20th at the Holiday Inn on Airport Road. 

Councilmember Rauschenberger invited all to participate in the Elgin Earth Summit being held on April 20th at the Centre of Elgin, 100 Symphony Way. 

Announcements from Staff 

None. 

Adjournment 

Councilmember Good made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Dixon, to adjourn and go into the Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the following matters. Upon a roll call  vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Rauschenberger, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. 

Purchase or Lease of Real Property for the Use of the Public Body - Exempt Under Section 120/2(c)(5) of the Open Meetings Act 

The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m. 

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