North Cook News

City of Elgin Committee of the Whole met June 11

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 Alfaro, Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Absent: None.

Councilmember Dixon made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to permit Councilmember Steffen to participate electronically at this meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Abstain: Councilmember Steffen

Approval of Minutes

Councilmember Ortiz made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Good, to approve the minutes of the May 28, 2025, regular meeting, as amended. The amendment was to the motion for the BMX Hill usage fee increase for resident and non- resident annual passes. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Good, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Councilmember Martinez abstained.

Public Comment

Sherry Liske stated her support of the migrant community.

Marcia Rodriguez stated concerns regarding the Lexington Inn and its proximity to the Elgin Math and Science Academy.

Unsheltered Pilot Project Update

Assistant City Manager, Karina Nava, announced that the city was honored at the state’s 2025 Home Illinois Summit. Christine Haley, Chief Homelessness Officer for the state, presented the Recognition of Service for Local Government award that recognized the city’s leadership, and compassionate response to homelessness.

Homelessness Response Coordinator Jena Hencin and Deidra Trout, Director of Behavioral Health Services for the Association for Individual Development (AID), provided an update on the unsheltered pilot project at the Lexington Inn & Suites. The presentation highlighted Elgin’s partnership with AID, shared key outcomes and provided insights into ongoing efforts to support participants. The program’s successes were highlighted including several individuals that have been relocated into permanent supportive housing and improvements to physical and mental health.

There was discussion regarding the funding sources for the project, food delivery concerns, transportation options, and employment for those that are currently at Lexington Inn.

Highland Woods 2025 Resurfacing Project—Resolutions for Improvement Under the Illinois Highway Code Mike Pubentz, Public Services Director, provided information regarding how road projects are prioritized and other roadways that would be resurfaced this year.

Councilmember Ortiz made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Good, to approve two Resolutions for Improvement Under the Illinois Highway Code authorizing the expenditure of funds for the 2025 Highland Woods Resurfacing Project in the combined amount of $3,434,000 of which $402,271 is from Motor Fuel Tax funds, and $3,031,729 is from Rebuild Illinois funds.

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

Maintenance of Certain State-Owned Roadways within the City—Intergovernmental Agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation

Councilmember Thoren made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Good, to approve the tenyear intergovernmental agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation for routine maintenance of certain state-owned roadways within Elgin that will have an estimated revenue of $1,362,870 in compensation. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.

Elgin Township Grant Acceptance—Youth Empowerment Program (YEP) Soccer Programming

Councilmember Ortiz made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to approve the agreement with Elgin Township to accept the grant award in the amount of $6,412 to continue offering programming to support initiatives that provide prevention and engagement opportunities for the city’s youth. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.

Wing Park Clubhouse Design—Agreement with FGM Architects, Inc.

Councilmember Thoren made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to approve Amendment No. 3 with FGM Architects, Inc. in the amount of $95,364 to complete the architectural design plans and provide construction administration services for the new Wing Park Golf Course clubhouse. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. 

Wing Park Clubhouse Construction Manager—Agreement with Lamp, Inc.

Councilmember Thoren made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to approve Amendment No. 1 to the agreement with Lamp, Inc in the amount of $54,973 for construction management of the Wing Park Golf Course Clubhouse. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.

Adjourn to City Council

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

Reconvene the Committee of the Whole Discussion

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

Hemmens Cultural Center - Revolving Door Removal

Councilmember Good made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to approve a contract with Clarion Construction, Inc. in the amount of $33,120 for the removal and replacement of the revolving doors at the building’s east side with glass panels matching the façade at Hemmens Cultural Center. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.

Elgin Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (EACVB) - Purchase of Services Agreement Liz Marston, Chair of the Explore Elgin Area Board of Directors, introduced the Elgin Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (EACVB) team: Krisilee Murphy, President, Ryan Cortez, Sales Manager and Lydia Kaldani, Director of Sales for the Holiday Inn & Suites Northwest Chicago (Elgin).

The EACVB team provided details of their work with outreach, marketing, communication and advertising. They noted that there has been an increase in the sports tournaments in the area including the NCCAA Men’s Volleyball Championship and the upcoming BMX Illinois State Final. The team continues to search for grant opportunities to expand their programming. An area they are working towards expanding is the group tour promotion. 

There was discussion regarding the board make up, the competitiveness to obtain grants, if there was a need for more area hotels, the increase of sporting events, and the data showing the economic impact of events.

Councilmember Good made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Ortiz, to approve the threeyear agreement with the Elgin Area Convention and Visitors Bureau in the amount of $265,225 annually with three-percent out-year increases for marketing and tourism-related services. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Councilmember Alfaro abstained.

Announcements from Council

Councilmember Ortiz thanked Kevin Vazquez, City Hall security, for keeping us safe.

Councilmember Alfaro thanked all that participated in the Elgin Pride celebration. She also commented on the Elgin History Museum event “Erasing Borders” an art exhibition in support of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Councilmember Powell also thanked all those that participated and organizers of the Elgin Pride Celebration. She also noted the importance of the upcoming Juneteenth holiday.

Councilmember Martinez noted the recently opened venue, The Lodge, at the former Elks Lodge and the investment put into the property.

Announcements from Staff

None.

Adjournment

Councilmember Good made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Alfaro, to adjourn and go into the Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the following matters. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.

Purchase or Lease of Real Property for the Use of the Public Body, Including Meetings Held for the Purpose of Discussing Whether a Particular Parcel Should be Acquired - Exempt Under Section 120/2(c)(5) of the Open Meetings Act

The meeting adjourned at 8:54 p.m.

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