North Cook News

City of Elgin Committee of the Whole met March 26

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 March 12, 2025, regular meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Rauschenberger, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.

Public Comment

Nicole Fornell, Elgin Math and Science Academy parent, stated their concerns regarding the Lexington Inn.

Rebecca Bauman, Elgin Math and Science Academy parent, stated their concerns regarding the Lexington Inn.

Dave Fornell, Elgin Math and Science Academy parent, stated their concerns regarding the Lexington Inn.

Brenda Rogers endorsed a candidate for city council.

Paul Patel stated their concerns regarding the impact of the Delta 8 ban on businesses.

Jeff Patel stated their concerns regarding the impact of the Delta 8 ban on businesses.

Rudhit Patel stated their concerns regarding the impact of the Delta 8 ban on businesses.

Julian Newsome stated their concerns regarding the impact of the Delta 8 ban on businesses.

Get the Lead Out (GLO): Lead Service Line Replacement and EPA Partnership Update

Nora Bertram, Water Director, provided an overview of the Lead Service Line Replacement program, outlining the number of lead service lines replaced, number of water filter kits distributed and the various funding sources. Tiffany Reed, representative of the GLO initiative, outlined the technical assistance offered including historical records review, visual inspection, community engagement planning and funding and replacement planning. A copy of the presentation is on file in the City Clerk’s office. 

Chicago Street Combined Sewer Separation Project—Engineering Services Agreement with HR Green, Inc.

Councilmember Thoren made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Rauschenberger, to approve an agreement with HR Green, Inc. in the amount of $820,453 for engineering services related to combined sewer separation. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Rauschenberger, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.

Dundee Avenue Reconstruction Phase III Construction Inspection Services—Engineering Services Agreement with Engineering Enterprises, Inc.

Councilmember Ortiz made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Good, to enter into an agreement with Engineering Enterprises, Inc. in the amount of $1,398,962 to provide for engineering inspection and contract administration of construction work performed on the pending Dundee Avenue reconstruction project. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Rauschenberger, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.

Compensation Study with The HR Group—Amendment to Contract

Councilmember Good made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to approve an amendment to the contract with The HR Group for an amount not to exceed $25,000 for development of a comprehensive classification and compensation plan for full-time non-union employees that provides internal equity and is competitive in the marketplace to attract and retain qualified employees. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Rauschenberger, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.

Amendment to Effective Date of Ordinance G7-25, Creating Chapter 10.27 of the Elgin Municipal Code, Entitled “Tetrahydrocannabinol Products” (Councilmembers Dixon and Powell)

Councilmembers Dixon and Powell requested discussion regarding amending the effective date of Ordinance G7-25. The ordinance created Chapter 10.27 of the Elgin Municipal Code, entitled “Tetrahydrocannabinol Products,” and became effective on February 26, 2025. There was discussion regarding how the ordinance is currently enforced, if the effective date should be delayed for six months, and current state regulations.

Councilmember Steffen made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Dixon, to create a new ordinance to amend Ordinance G7-25, section four, to change the effective date to August 26, 2025. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Powell, Rauschenberger, and Steffen. Nays: Councilmembers Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Motion failed. 

Announcements from Council

Councilmember Rauschenberger commented on the work of the cold case department and thanked the citizens police task force for this recommendation.

Councilmember Ortiz thanked staff for updating the Transparency page of the city’s website.

Councilmember Martinez expressed condolences to Schepers family. And thanked detectives Andrew Haughton and Matt Vartanian for their work with Chaos Divers.

Mayor Kaptain passed along a shout out from Senator DeWitte to the Elgin Police Department for the work of the Cold Case Unit.

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 7:01 p.m.

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