North Cook News

City of Elgin Committee of the Whole met Nov. 20

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

The regular Committee of the Whole meeting was called to order by Mayor Kaptain at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Present: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Powell (5:03 p.m.), Rauschenberger, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Absent: Councilmember Ortiz.

Approval of Minutes

Councilmember Good made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to approve the minutes of the November 6, 2024, regular meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas:

Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Rauschenberger, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain.

Nays: None.

Public Comments

Sherry Liske thanked all those involved in the creation of the Civilian Review Board. She also asked that the city consider including a Department of Health and Human Services in the budget.

Proposed 2025 Budget and Three-Year Financial Plan

Staff continued presentations on the proposed 2025 Budget and Three-Year Financial Plan in advance of the budget’s planned adoption on December 18, 2024. Mr. Kozal noted that the Central Area TIF and the Utility Fund would be discussed during this meeting.

Central Area TIF

Debra Nawrocki, Chief Financial Officer and Budget Director, provided an overview of the Central Area TIF Fund including ongoing projects. The TIF is expected to end in 2025. The process to extend the TIF was explained as well as what happens to the remaining funds if the extension was not implemented.

Capital projects from the Central Area TIF included Downtown, street cleaning, streetscape maintenance and parking deck painting. Projects related to the Hemmens Cultural Arts Center included: roof replacement, revolving door replacement, interior updates, and marquee replacement. 

Utility Fund

Debra Nawrocki, Chief Financial Officer and Budget Director, provided an overview of the Utility Fund. She noted the status of the IEPA 0% loans which allowed for a decrease in the amount that needed to be borrowed to compete lead service line replacements. The fund was also impacted by the increase to water treatment chemicals costs rising.

The recent Water Rate Study recommended a rate increase to help with the ongoing infrastructure needs of lead service line and combined sewer separation. There was discussion about other options and the impact on an average household.

Capital projects

Nora Bertram, Water Department Director, outlined the capital projects request by the department. She outlined several projects related to lead service line replacement including engineering services for post replacement testing. Other items included road plates, televising truck software, valve and pump upgrades, and a bypass pump. Also being requested were repairs at the Leo Nelson Water Treatment plant, water tower repairs, well modifications, river intake modifications, as well as hydrant painting, water meter replacements and sewer lining.

The water department is seeking to add personnel by hiring two meter service positions and an assistant water director.

The Council recessed for a five (5) minute break.

Urban Forest Management Plan – RFP 24-0059

Councilmember Good made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to award a contract to Davey Resource Group in the amount of $31,700 to create an urban forest management plan to guide future forestry decisions. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Powell, Rauschenberger, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.

Mulberry Grove Park Renovation – Bid 23-065, Change Order No. 2

Councilmember Good made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve Change Order No. 2 to D & J Landscape Inc. in the amount of $12,127 to purchase additional gravel, and install and perform additional compaction work for the park’s pickle ball court. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Powell, Rauschenberger, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.

Jack Cook Park Final Construction Phase – Bid 23-037A, Change Order No. 4

Councilmember Steffen made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to approve Change Order No. 4 with Clauss Brother, Inc., in the amount of $49,409 to install essential support components for the waterless restroom, turf installation and reimbursement for additional surveying expenses for adjusting the bridge location and relocating pathways at Jack Cook Park.

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

Baffle Wall Replacement Project Inspection Services—Amendment to Engineering Services Agreement with KLM Engineering, Inc.

Councilmember Steffen made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Good, to award an amendment agreement to KLM Engineering, Inc., in the amount of $34,687 for inspection services for the baffle wall replacement project. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Powell, Rauschenberger, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.

Riverside Generator Coupling Repair—Purchase Agreement with Cummins Inc.

Councilmember Martinez made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Good, to award an agreement to Cummins Inc. in the amount of $41,324 to replace the second 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 Dixon, Good, Martinez, Powell, Rauschenberger, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.

Risk and Resilience Update—Engineering Services Agreement with Engineering Enterprises, Inc.

Councilmember Steffen made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Rauschenberger, to approve an agreement with Engineering Enterprises, Inc. in the amount of $64,104 to provide engineering services to complete an update to the risk and resilience assessment for our water utility. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Powell, Rauschenberger, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.

Sustained Traffic Enforcement Program Grant for Occupant Protection and Impaired Driving Enforcement with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)

Councilmember Martinez made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Good, to approve an agreement with Illinois Department of Transportation to accept a grant award in the amount of $166,944 to continue partnering with IDOT to provide safer roadways through occupant protection and impaired driving enforcement. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Powell, Rauschenberger, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.

Recommendations for Appointment to the Civilian Review Board

The council thanked the Task Force on Policing and the Selection Committee for the Civilian Review Board for their hard work. Several councilmembers expressed concerns regarding the make-up of applicants.

Councilmember Dixon made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Good, to approve moving forward with appointing persons to the Civilian Review Board recommended by the Civilian Review Board Selection Committee. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Powell, Rauschenberger, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. 

Refuse, Recyclables, Yard Waste and Organic Material Curbside Collection Services – Multi-Year Agreement with Lakeshore Recycling Systems, LLC

Jennifer Phillips, Director of Neighborhood Services, provided an overview of the transition from Waste Management Lakeshore Recycling Systems. She explained that the pickup days, the carts and how residents are billed will stay the same. The changes she noted included the addition of an optional organics cart and the end of yard waste stickers.

There was discussion about the number of new trucks, a recycling drop off center and the initial transition of services starting January 1, 2025.

Councilmember Dixon made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Good, to enter into a fiveyear agreement with Lakeshore Recycling Systems, LLC, to provide comprehensive refuse, recyclable, yard waste and organic material curbside collection services to Elgin residents. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Rauschenberger, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Councilmember Powell abstained.

Announcements from Council

Councilmember Thoren wished everyone a happy and safe Thanksgiving.

Councilmember Dixon congratulated the DNA on the awards received from Illinois Main Street. The awards included the Organization Award for the Strategic Plan, Promotions Award for the Downtown Elgin Logo and for Tom Brockner as the Volunteer Board Member Extraordinaire.

Councilmember Steffen invited residents to the NENA Winter Lights program at the Butterfly Garden on Ann Street on November 23, 2024 starting at 3:30 p.m. He also invited all to attend the Nitze & Howe Experience on November 24, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. at the Hemmens Cultural Arts Center.

Announcements from Staff

Rick Kozal, City Manager, announced upcoming city events.

Adjournment

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

The meeting adjourned at 7:36 p.m.

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