North Cook News

City of Elgin Committee of the Whole met Aug. 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 Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Rauschenberger, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Absent: None.

Approval of Minutes

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

Public Comments

Tim Cleavenger commented on his positive experiences with Waste Management.

Tom Armstrong commented on the Sustainability Commission’s discussions with staff regarding the waste and recycling contract.

Karin Jones stated her concerns regarding the ongoing waste and recycling contract discussions.

Fire Station 2 Air Conditioning Replacement – Job Order Contract

A resolution was presented at the Council meeting for adoption by the City Council to approve a contract with Hartwig Mechanical, Inc. in the amount of $28,803 to replace the air conditioning system for the living quarters portion of Fire Station 2 located at 650 Big Timber Road.

Thorntons, LLC Economic Development Incentive Agreement

Councilmember Good made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to approve an economic incentive agreement with Thorntons, LLC in the amount of $547,274 for the cost of safety improvements to the U.S. Route 20 and Lambert Lane intersection from local motor vehicle fuel tax generated by the development. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Rauschenberger, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. 

Summit Street and Dundee Avenue Intersection Improvements Project—Construction Engineering Services Amendment Agreement No. 4 with Baxter and Woodman, Inc.

Councilmember Good made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to enter into the amendment agreement No. 4 with Baxter and Woodman, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $66,169 to provide field inspection, design interpretation, contract administration, documentation, and general coordination and control of the day-to-day construction activities for the Summit Street and Dundee Avenue Intersection Improvements project. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Rauschenberger, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.

Fire Department Administrative Vehicle Purchase

Councilmember Thoren made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to authorize the fire department to purchase a Ford Explorer administrative vehicle for an amount not to exceed $50,000 to ensure a reliable emergency response for a chief officer position. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Rauschenberger, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.

Mulberry Grove Park Renovation – Bid 23-065, Change Order No. 1

Councilmember Powell made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Good, to approve Change Order No. 1 to increase the Mulberry Grove Park Renovation contract awarded to D & J Landscape Inc. by $12,127 to install a necessary catch basin for the pickle ball court drainage and perform necessary curb cut for the artificial turf installation. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: Councilmember Rauschenberger.

Jack Cook Park Final Construction Phase – Bid 23-037A, Change Order No. 3

Councilmember Powell made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve Change Order No. 3 to increase the Jack Cook Park Final Construction Phase contract awarded to Clauss Brother, Inc., by $43,800 to install necessary support components related to the clubhouse feature of the playground at Jack Cook Park. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas:

Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Rauschenberger, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. 

Engineering Services Agreement for Water Distribution System Engineering with Fehr Graham

Councilmember Dixon made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Good, to approve an agreement with Fehr Graham in the amount of $150,000 to provide the city with engineering services to evaluate, design and provide design and construction services related to water distribution system improvements at various locations throughout the community. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Rauschenberger, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.

Fox River Study Group Funding

Councilmember Rauschenberger made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to approve the grant agreement for the Fox River Study Group in the amount of $28,703 to continue Elgin’s support of the Fox River Study Group to improve water quality and ensure a sustainable water supply and recreational resource for residents of Elgin and the Fox River Valley. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Rauschenberger, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.

Waste, Recycling and Organics Collection Services—Request for Proposals Update

Those members of the public that signed up to speak regarding the waste, recycling, and organics collection services were heard at this time: 

Joy Rifkin, spoke on behalf of Lake Shore Recycling and their sustainability projects.

Jason Kropp, a driver for Waste Management, spoke about the partnership and dedication that Waste Management has with the city.

Josh Connell, Lake Shore Recycling, spoke about what a partnership would look like, initiatives and educational efforts with School District U-46.

Vaughn Kuerschner, Waste Management, commented on the long term partnership with the city, the organics and educational programs.

Brad Pollok, Waste Management, commented on the company’s future goals, capital investments and their alignment with the city’s sustainability goals.

Scott Howlett, Waste Management, stated his concerns about Lake Shore Recycling and their use of diesel fueled trucks. 

Jennifer Phillips, Neighborhood Services Director, and Aaron Neal, Public Works Director, provided an update regarding the proposals based on questions asked at the last city council meeting. Staff maintained its recommendation to move forward with Lake Shore Recycling (LRS) with the proposed flat rate program.

Adjourn to City Council at 7:00 p.m.

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

Reconvene the Committee of the Whole Discussion at 7:40 p.m.

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

Waste, Recycling and Organics Collection Services—Request for Proposals Update - Continued

There was discussion regarding the fuel used by the fleets, employment of the drivers, distances to the landfills, tote sizes, and educational programs.

Councilmember Powell made a motion, seconded by Mayor Kaptain, to negotiate a contract with Waste Management (WM) based on the flat rate proposal. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Powell and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Rauschenberger, Steffen, and Thoren.

Motion failed.

Councilmember Steffen made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Ortiz, to concur with the staff recommendation to negotiate a contract with Lake Shore Recycling (LRS) based on the flat rate proposal. 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 announced the start of the high school football season.

Announcements from Staff

Rick Kozal, City Manager, announced upcoming city events.

Adjournment

Councilmember Good made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, 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 8:41 p.m.

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