North Cook News

City of Elgin Committee of the Whole met Oct. 8

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.

Approval of Minutes

Councilmember Good made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Alfaro, to approve the minutes of the September 24, 2025 regular meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.

Public Comment

Carroll Bailey asked for volunteers to assist in the various events being held to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. in January of 2026.

Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)—Acceptance

A resolution was presented at the Council meeting for adoption to accept the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant award in the amount of $3,028,501 which will provide funding assistance for the hiring of nine, new firefighter/paramedics necessary for staffing a sixth, full-time ambulance.

There was discussion regarding the increase of call volume and the legacy costs of the additional staff.

Health Insurance 2026 Program Agreement with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois

Councilmember Dixon made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Ortiz, to enter into a twelve-month, fully insured contract with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois in the amount of $16,716,415 ($14,132,880 for Active Employees; $2,583,535 for Retired Employees) to provide health insurance for employees, retirees and their dependents that includes a 1.25 percent discount for renewing BCBS dental, accident and critical illness policies. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. 

Management Pay Plan and Benefits Ordinance—Implementation of Recommendations from Classification, Compensation and Benefits Study Conducted by The HR Group

Tim Bennett, Human Resources Director, outlined how the new software would help with performance reviews and how often this new pay scale would be reviewed. There was discussion regarding comparables used in the study, how redlined employees would be addressed, and how often the pay scale would be reviewed against the market.

Councilmember Dixon made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Ortiz, to approve moving forward with the proposed management pay plan and benefits ordinance incorporating the recommendations from the classification, compensation and benefits study conducted during 2024 and 2025. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Wing Park Golf Course Food Truck Design and Build - Contract with Delivery Concepts, Inc.

Councilmember Thoren made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Ortiz, to enter into a contract with Delivery Concepts, Inc., in the amount of $191,315 to design and build a food truck consistent with the hospitality environment and menu curated by the city in conjunction with its third-party restaurant vendor creating a distinctive hospitality experience for golfers, neighborhood residents and Wing Park patrons. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.

Fuel Card Services Agreement for City Vehicle Fleet - Contract Renewal with State of Illinois

Councilmember Powell made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Good, to renew the city’s contract with the State of Illinois in the amount of $1,200,000 enabling the city to purchase vehicle fuel under the terms of a joint purchase master contract managed by the State of Illinois Department of Central Management Services. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.

Announcements from Council

Councilmember Ortiz thanked Officer Ken Jones for his work and training of new officer, Melanie Granados. 

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

The meeting adjourned at 6:48 p.m.

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