North Cook News

City of Elgin Committee of the Whole met Feb. 12

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 (6:03 p.m.), Rauschenberger (6:01 p.m.), Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Absent: None.

Approval of Minutes

Councilmember Good made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to approve the minutes of the January 22, 2025 regular meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.

Public Comment

Kathyrn Martinez, Executive Director for Elgin Math and Science Academy, stated their gratitude for the collaboration with the city regarding the academy’s concerns about the relocation of the tent city residents.

GrayKey Mobile Forensic Access Software—Purchase from Magnet Forensics, LLC

A resolution was presented at the Council meeting for adoption by the City Council to continue using mobile forensic access software to extract encrypted or inaccessible data from mobile devices.

Impact Fee Exemptions for Existing Housing

Councilmember Good made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to approve moving forward with the proposed ordinance amending Chapter 17, “Development Impact Fees,” to exempt the imposition of impact fees for additions or remodeling occurring in existing, owner-occupied single-family homes in established neighborhoods. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Rauschenberger, Steffen, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: Councilmember Thoren.

Redevelopment Agreement with Courtyard 40, LLC for “The Courtyard at 40” (40 DuPage Court)—Second Amendment

Councilmember Powell made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to amend the redevelopment agreement for the historic renovation and adaptive reuse of the five-story office building at 40 DuPage Court with a mix of 40 studio, one and two-bedroom, market-rate apartments and ground floor retail space. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Rauschenberger, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.

MP5000 Barrier System—Purchase Agreement with Delta Scientific Corporation

Councilmember Powell made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to authorize the purchase of Delta Scientific Corporation wedge barricades in the amount of $312,089 to provide a significantly higher level of pedestrian safety during community events. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Rauschenberger, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.

Cultural Arts Commission 2025 Grant Award Recommendations

Councilmember Powell made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve the funding of the grant awards in the amount of $61,580 to distribute grant funds to local organizations to support arts programming in the community. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Rauschenberger, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.

2025 Fleet Procurement Authorization Resolution

Councilmember Martinez made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Good, to authorize a not to exceed amount of $4,928,500 to provide purchase authorization towards 2025 fleet, equipment, and certain upfitting costs to maintain timely delivery of city services through annual replacement programming. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Rauschenberger, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.

Extrication Units—Purchase (Three) from Equipment Management Company

Councilmember Martinez made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to authorize a contract with Equipment Management Company in the amount of $141,862 to replace the fire department’s three, current extrication units with updated products to enhance operational effectiveness and ensure continuity and familiarization between all units on fire department vehicles. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Rauschenberger, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. 

Ordinance Prohibiting Sale or Delivery of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) Products Within the City (Councilmembers Ortiz and Good)

Councilmember Ortiz provided an overview of the previous discussion regarding banning Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) products. He noted that the council paused on taking any action to see if it would be addressed at the state level. There was discussion regarding the types of products that would be banned and enforcement.

Councilmember Rauschenberger, made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Powell, to amend the proposed ordinance to place the products behind the counter with sale upon proof of age provided. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Powell, Rauschenberger, and Steffen. Nays: Councilmembers Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Thoren, Mayor Kaptain. Motion failed.

Councilmember Good made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to move forward with the adoption of the proposed ordinance prohibiting the advertisement, display, sale, or delivery of THC products within the city by providing the police department with enforcement measures to curb the proliferation of synthetically derived psychoactive substances containing THC. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: Councilmembers Powell and Rauschenberger.

Management Pay Plan Ordinance Amendments

Councilmember Powell made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve updating and revising select positions on the management pay plan that need their placement on the pay plan adjusted, while also updating the benefits for select police management positions.

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

Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLR) Program Year 4 Improvements—Engineering Services Agreement with Engineering Enterprises, Inc.; Amendment Agreement No. 1 

Councilmember Powell made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve Amendment No. 1 to the agreement with Engineering Enterprises, Inc., in the amount of $2,090,433 for construction engineering services for year four of the lead service line replacement program. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Rauschenberger, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. 

Sludge Pumps—Purchase Agreement with Drydon Equipment, Inc.

Councilmember Good made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to award a contract to Drydon Equipment, Inc., in the amount of $51,800 to provide reliable and adequate water supply by replacing aging equipment. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Rauschenberger, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.

Citywide Camera System Purchase—Lexington Inn & Suites

Councilmember Martinez made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve integrating two cameras into the citywide camera system that will be positioned on the Lexington Inn & Suites monument sign to monitor activity occurring in the vicinity of Illinois Route 25 and along the Elgin Math and Science Academy’s eastern border. 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 wished his daughter a happy 10th birthday.

Announcements from Staff

None.

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 7:15 p.m.

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