The Committee of the Whole Meeting was held on Wednesday, March 16, 2016 in the Board Room, 3 rd Floor, of the Central Square Building.

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1 The Committee of the Whole Meeting was held on Wednesday, March 16, 2016 in the Board Room, 3 rd Floor, of the Central Square Building. Mayor Steven Streit called the Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and led the Council in the Pledge of Allegiance. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: ALSO PRESENT: PETRAKOS, CAPADONA, GILLOGLY, PERRETTA, BARTELSEN SMITH, DESKIN, VANDERMEER S. STREIT, MAYOR A. MATTEUCCI, CITY CLERK B. BENSON, CITY ADMINISTRATOR T. THANAS, INTERIM CITY ATTORNEY T. LEMMING, POLICE CHIEF J. FINDLAY, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS A. WAGNER, DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING L. HEGLUND, FINANCE DIRECTOR PRESS PRESENT Sarwat Ahmad, Free Lance Reporter for Joliet Herald News, Jon DePaolis, Reporter for Lockport Legend, and Cathy Wilker, Volunteer for LCTV were present to cover the Meeting. INTRODUCTION Mayor Streit recognized Austin O Connor, State Champion in Wrestling from Lockport Township High School, and he presented Austin with a Certificate of Achievement from the City of Lockport. Mayor Streit swore in Lockport Police Officer, Shaun Kelly, who was promoted to Sergeant of the Lockport Police Department. 1

2 MAYOR S REPORT Mayor Streit informed the Council that last week there was a TCC Meeting with the County, the Township of Homer, and Lockport, Homer Glen, and they discussed Caton Farm/Bruce Road Bridge Extension. One of the concerns they had was how it connects on the far east side. They are still working on that. The County is already widening Cedar Road to four lanes. There seems to be consensus on that. The middle alignment would be exchanged for Cedar Road. This is just an update. Alderwoman Bartelsen announced they tweaked a friendly letter that will be going out to all the Commercial Owners as well as Residential Owners letting them know what our position is going to be in reference to beautifying the City of Lockport. What we expect them as Residents to do in order to keep their property up and in case we have people coming through our City to think about possibly putting roots down here for businesses and even Residences. They do look at what we have to offer and how we look when they come into town. This letter has been revised slightly to include Residential. It will be going on with the water bills so this way everyone will get it. This is the most inexpensive way to get it out there. The Chief suggested that if we get Residents that are really in destitute that really don t have the funds to clean up their property or fix it up that perhaps that is where Lockport Love could come in. There are things that we can do for those who don t have the funds. Alderman Perretta gave an update on the Comedy/Improv Club starting on March 24 th at Iron Horse. It will begin at 8:00 p.m. instead of 7:00 p.m. Ten dollars and the first drink is part of that ten dollars. PZC CASE SU: LOCKPORT TOWNSHIP FIRE DISTRICT STATION #1 REDEVELOPMENT PLANS (828 E. 9 TH STREET) Administrative Benson explained the Fire District has determined that Station 1 (located at 828 E. 9 th Street) does not meet their current and future needs. After researching their options, the Fire District decided that demolition of the existing station then subsequent construction of a new Station on the same lot is how they would like to proceed. In order to begin reconstruction, the Fire District must obtain the necessary approvals from the City of Lockport. They are seeking approval for Final Site Plan, Final Building Elevations, Final Landscape Plan, Final Engineering, and Special Use Permit for a Planned Commercial Development. 2

3 The proposed building, being a combination of brick and stone exterior, is approximately 9,000 square feet. The building will be in the same general location as the current building and access to the property will continue to be off both 7 th Street and 9 th Street. The size of the parcel and irregular shape makes it difficult to develop. The lot would essentially be undevelopable if strict adherence to zoning regulations, such as building setbacks was required. In order to develop this property variances are being requested. This is the reason the property is being reviewed as a planned development. According to the Lockport s Zoning Ordinance, any project involving two or more variances requires a Special Use Permit for a planned development. Specific Code deviations requested as part of the planned commercial development include parking setback, building setback, parking stall access, and electronic message center. Fire Chief, Dave Skoryi was present and provided a power point presentation on the new redevelopment/reconstruction plans of the new Fire Station. Jason, the Architect on the project explained concerns that were directed to the Site Plan. For example, the concrete pad use, the location of the current tower, parking spaces, the existing drive, utility easements, setbacks, screening, dimensions of the building and the angle of the building, the apron and the garbage disposal area. Alderman Petrakos expressed concern about the garbage disposal being in the location it is currently in. He suggested working with Pam Hirth, the Director of Community and Economic Development to put the trash receptacle in a different location. He also questioned the size of the signage. Administrator Benson explained the reason for the larger signage. The sign is more of a public service sign rather than a sign for advertisement. The sign is orientated towards the intersection which is a better read. Discussion took place on the curb/sidewalk/carriage walk area. Possibly work with the bank to see if the curb/sidewalk could be pushed back away from 9th Street. IDOT is currently finalizing the permit application. IDOT asked the City to take responsibility for the old corner clip of the sidewalk itself and we agreed to do that in their application process. ACTION: MOTION TO APROVE THE LOCKPORT TOWNSHIP FIRE DEPARTMENT STATION #1, 828 E. 9 TH STREET REDEVELOPMENT/RECONSTRUCTION PLANS. 3

4 EXTENSION OF LEASE AGREEMENT FOR METRA STATION COMMUTER S CUP/RESOLUTION NO City Administrator presented his Memo dated March 10, The City of Lockport has been in a Lease Agreement for a Coffee Shop tenant at the train station since November 2008, the current tenant, Commuter s Cup has been occupying the space since January The current lease will be expiring o n J u l y 31, The current Owner of the business, Emily Pelech of Plainfield, has shown an interest in renewing the lease. Staff has reviewed the situation and agrees that the current tenant is appropriate to continuing the lease, we have no need to make other changes, and administration recommends approval of the extension of the existing lease with options to renew until July Owner of Commuter s Cup was present and requested the bathrooms and doors be repaired. Mayor and Administrator Benson both agreed that these issues will be repaired. ACTION: MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION NO /A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN EXTENSION OF A LEASE FOR THE COFFEE SHOP IN A PORTION OF THE CITY OF LOCKPORT TRAIN STATION. RENEWAL AND AMENDMENT NO. 1 OF AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH WILL COUNTY FOR OPERATING A RECYCLING CENTER AT PRIME BOULEVARD FACILITY Administrator Benson presented Interim City Attorney, Tom Thanas, Director of Public Works, Joe Findlay s Memo dated March 11, In 2013 the City of Lockport entered into an Agreement with Will County Land Use to have an Electronic Recycling Container placed at Lockport Public Works Facility on Prime Boulevard. 4

5 The Self-Serve Container was available to Will County Residents during our regular business hours. On occasion the Residents would request assistance removing the item from their vehicle and placing it in the container, yet this program has not created a n y overtime, nor has it pulled any o f our Employees from their regularly assigned work duties for a n y length of time. Due to funding changes with the County, the Container we have will o n l y b e open 2 days a week for limited hours going forward, Tuesday and Friday from 6am to 11am. The County will also now provide an Employee during these hours to check ID s, as the service is only valid for Will County Residents and they will confirm they are o n l y dropping off the limited number of items for the new program and provide assistance if needed. The City of Lockport has been in an Agreement with Will County for operating a Drop Center as part of a larger County wide initiative for the recycling program. The new Agreement allows for a continuance of this program, but reduces the amount of items and centers participating. To help offset the potential for larger amounts being dumped in Lockport and more participants utilizing the Lockport Center is o n l y one of two centers participating County wide, the County has offered a $15,000 program stipend and Part Time Staffers t o assist operations. CONSENT AGENDA: MOTION TO RECOMMEND EXTENSION OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT AND AMENDMENT NUMBER 1 FOR FINAL APPROVAL AND EXTENSION OF THE WILL COUNTY RECYCLING PROGRAM IN LOCKPORT. VEHICLE PURCHASE/RESOLUTION NO Chief of Police, Terry Lemming presented Deputy Chief, Ron Huff s Memo dated March 3, This is a request to purchase one John Deere Gator 825iXUV. The funds for this purchase will be disbursed from previously budgeted Federal Asset Forefeiture Funds. This is previously unbudgeted Capital item. This vehicle would be used to eventually replace a 2006 Arctic Cat ATV and John Deere Mower/Snow Plow. 5

6 The ATV is currently used to patrol areas where a conventional squad car cannot travel. This includes the I&M Canal path, and wooded areas throughout town. This vehicle has been used in the past to transport Personnel to recover stolen and abandoned property as well as to enforce trespass agreements specifically targeting individuals who are operating ATV s on private property without permission. The ATV is also used for Special Events, but its use is limited in these types of operations because it is only capable of transporting one person at a time. The purchase of the Gator will allow Department Personnel to fulfill all of the above roles but with the additional capability of transporting two Officers, which is an inherently safer way to respond. This additional capability will also result in the ability to reduce the golf cart rentals for the Canal Days Festival. If the purchase is approved, the ATV and its trailer would be submitted for surplus approval and auction. The John Deere Mower/Snow Plow is currently used to plow all of the sidewalks around the Police Department, making it safe for the Public and Employees during inclement weather. Because the Department uses a lawn service, the mower attachment for this piece of equipment has not been used for many years and would likely require refurbishment before it could be used to mow grass. The tractor unit was produced in 1997, and it s beginning to show its age, including rust and mechanical problems. The Gator can be converted for use as a snowplow with the addition of a cab, heater, and plow. If the purchase is approved, the Department will either purchase the equipment later in the year if funding allows, or budget to purchase the equipment in FY2017. Once the Gator has been converted to allow for snow plowing, the John Deere tractor, plow, and mowing deck will be submitted for surplus approval and auction. By using a single vehicle to fill the roles currently accomplished by two pieces of equipment, the Department will be able to more efficiently use the space in the detached garage building located at the Police Department. The building currently has six bays for the storage of vehicles and equipment. Two of those bays are being converted to a gym in support of the City s ongoing effort to improve overall Employee wellness. This will leave us four bays to store six pieces of equipment. The purchase of the Gator will eliminate three of those pieces of equipment (ATV, trailer, and tractor) so that all the equipment could be stored in an immediately accessible manner. Currently, the tractor is stored in the Department s car wash bay, which significantly limits the use of the facility. 6

7 While researching this vehicle, the Department learned that there is a Cooperative Purchase Contract out of Rock Island County which the City is eligible to participate in. This Contract (Contract # ) which was competitively bid, expires on April 20, 2016, and allows for a 17% discount off of current MSRP for all Crossover Utility Vehicles and Equipment from John Deere. This Contract provides for a purchase price that is lower than purchasing the vehicle on a Commercial Contract with a Government discount. Because the Contract discount is based on MSRP, the price is controlled by the Manufacturer and will not vary from Dealer to Dealer. CONSENT AGENDA: MOTION TO PASS RESOLUTION NO /A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF ONE (1) JOHN DEERE GATOR 825i XUV AT A COST NOT-TO-EXCEED $12, ADJOURNMENT MOTION BY GILLOGLY, SECOND BY PERRETTA TO ADJOURN THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING AT 8:21 P.M. ALL VOTED AYE MOTION CARRIED 7

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