North Cook News

City of Elgin Committee of the Whole met April 23

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 Martinez made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve the minutes of the April 9, 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

Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford stated her support for single-use bag regulations.

Joel Brumbaugh-Cayford stated his support for single-use bag regulations.

Nicole Fornell stated her concerns regarding the use of the Lexington Inn for former residents of Tent City.

Dave Fornell stated his concerns regarding the use of the Lexington Inn for former residents of Tent City.

Gary Swick thanked Councilmember Rauschenberger for her service and stated his reasons for supporting a single-use bag ban.

Paul Berland stated his support for a single-use bag ban.

Supplementary Building Inspection Services—Contract with B & F Construction Code Services, Inc.

A resolution was presented at the Council meeting for adoption by the City Council to approve a contract with B & F Construction Code Services, Inc., in the amount of $45,000 to provide third party building inspection services on an as-needed basis to ensure the provision of timely inspections during periods of unusually high demand or during prolonged staffing vacancies. 

Hotel-Based Housing Reimbursement—Sub-Agreement with Association for Individual Development (AID)

Councilmember Good made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to approve an agreement with the Association for Individual Development in the amount of $418,600 ensuring continued case management and service provision for expenses related to rehousing individuals from the encampment on city-owned property commonly referred to as “Tent City.” 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 (YEP)

The leaders and the students provided details on their experiences in the Youth Empowerment Program. There was discussion regarding the data that is tracked and how referrals are handled.

Councilmember Dixon made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Powell, to enter into an agreement with community liaisons in the amount of $45,600 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 through the Youth Empowerment Program. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Rauschenberger, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.

Uniform International Property Maintenance Code—Adoption by Reference

Councilmember Good made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to adopt updates to the uniform property maintenance codes published by the International Code Council to replace existing versions of those codes currently being enforced by the city. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Rauschenberger, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.

Fireworks Shows During Fourth of July Celebration and La Fiesta de Elgin—Agreement with Mad Bombers Fireworks Production

Councilmember Good made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to approve an agreement with Mad Bombers Fireworks Production for an amount not to exceed $77,000 to provide Elgin residents and visitors with fireworks displays during the Fourth of July Celebration and La Fiesta de Elgin. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Rauschenberger, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. 

Firefighting Protective Clothing Purchase—Contract with W.S Darley & Co.

Councilmember Steffen made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to approve the contract with W.S. Darley & Co. in the amount of $82,500 to provide city firefighters with technologically advanced protective clothing. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Rauschenberger, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.

Jurisdictional Boundary Agreement—Village of Lily Lake

Councilmember Ortiz made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to enter into a twenty-year intergovernmental agreement with the Village of Lily Lake governing its boundaries with Elgin to promote cooperation in land use development. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Rauschenberger, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.

Easement Agreement for 140 S. Lyle Avenue – Acceptance

Councilmember Good made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to approve the acceptance of the easement agreement at 140 S. Lyle Avenue to provide the property owner with an easement allowing the release of stormwater and treated aerobic septic sewer effluent to city wetland property. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Rauschenberger, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.

Combined Sewer Overflow National Pollution Discharge Elimination System Permit Compliance—Engineering Services Agreement with RK Johnson and Associates, Inc., Amendment No. 3

Councilmember Steffen made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Dixon, to approve Amendment No. 3 with RK Johnson and Associates, Inc., in the amount of $93,000 to assist the city with compliance with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit requirements. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Rauschenberger, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.

Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI)—Enterprise Agreement

Councilmember Good made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to approve a three-year enterprise agreement with the Environmental Systems Research Institute in the amount of $90,000 annually to enhance the city’s Geographic Information Systems (GIS) performance and offerings. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Rauschenberger, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Cloudpoint Geospatial Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) Upgrade Implementation Services

Councilmember Good made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve a contract with Cloudpoint Geospatial in the amount of $31,500 to complete the architecture upgrade to enhance the city’s Geographic Information Systems (GIS) performance and offerings.

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

Adjourn to City Council

Councilmember Martinez made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Good, 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

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, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Retail Single-Use Plastic Bag Regulation Discussion (Councilmembers Rauschenberger and Powell)

Tom Armstrong, Chair of the Sustainability Commission, presented details on the commission’s research and findings on this topic. The commission’s recommendation was a ban on plastic single-use bags and a fee for paper bags.

There was discussion of the various alternatives for regulating single-use bags used by retailers that can be achieved through different methods, including bans (partial or complete), fees and incentives. Also discussed was outreach to the businesses, education for consumers and Senate Bill 1872’s impact on any local decisions.

The consensus was to direct staff to draft an ordinance that would mirror the proposed Senate Bill 1872. It was noted that if the senate bill passes there would be no exemption for home rule communities. 

Announcements from Council

Councilmember Ortiz congratulated Police Chief Ana Lalley on receiving the Axon Visionary Leadership Award.

Councilmember Thoren announced the American Legion Post 57 officer of the year, Sgt. Rob Copland and firefighter of year, Brandon Schuh. He also noted that the Mayor’s Awards will be held on April 29th at the Hemmens Cultural Arts Center.

Councilmember Powell commented on the Task Force on Policing and the Cold Case Unit. She also announced the 50th annual Strawberry Festival being held on May 3rd at Bethlehem Church.

Announcements from Staff

Rick Kozal, City Manager, announced upcoming city events.

Adjournment

Councilmember Dixon made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Rauschenberger, 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.

Pending, Probable or Imminent Litigation Against, Affecting, or on Behalf of the Public Body Before a Court or Administrative Tribunal - Exempt Under Section 120/2(c)(11) of the Open Meetings Act

The meeting adjourned at 9:07 p.m.

https://il-elgin4.civicplus.com/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/9294