City of Lockport Proceedings of the Committee of the Whole met March 21.
Here is the minutes provided by the Committee:
Pledge To The Flag – Mayor, Steven Streit
Invocation – Pastor Lou Wold, Cross Point Church
Roll Call
Present: City Clerk, Kathleen Gentile
Alderwoman, Renee Saban
Alderwoman, Christina Bergbower
Alderman, Darren Deskin
Alderwoman, Joanne Bartelsen
Alderwoman, Catherine Perretta
Alderman, Jim Petrakos
Absent: Alderman, JR Gillogly
Alderman, Jason Vandermeer
Also Present: City Administrator, Ben Benson
Chief of Police, Terry Lemming
Finance Director, Lisa Heglund
Director of Public Works, Brent Cann
City Attorney, Sonni Choi Williams
LTHS Intern, Andrew Smigelski
Press Present: Cathy Wilker, LCTV
Proclamation:
Mayor Steve Streit recognized the recent awards and accomplishments of the Lockport Township High School Wrestlers: Coach Josh Oster, Anthony Molton - State Champion 120 lbs., Matt Ramos - 3rd Place 113 lbs., Zachary Reese - 4th Place 152 lbs.
Mayor’s Report:
Liaison’s Reports:
1. Alderman Deskin presented a report of his experience at this week’s election, where he served as an Election Judge. He shared the story of an elderly Hispanic woman, who recently became a Citizen and was voting for the first time. With so many apathetic citizens that choose not to vote, it was a great story to see a new citizen exercising their voting rights.
2. Alderwoman Saban presented an updated on Lockport Live.
a. They recently distributed a folder with State Street updates, and a schedule, and have received great feedback from business owners.
b. Kentucky Derby Dash event scheduled for Thursday, 5/5, 6-9 pm
3. Mayor Streit presented an update on Old Canal Days. Parade will take place thru neighborhood roads, on the West side. The Antique Assessor will be participating again. The event will take place Father’s Day weekend, in June.
4. Alderwoman Bartelsen presented an update on the Beautification committee. Forms will be going out for residents to pick the holiday for which they would like to participate for Spring, Summer, Fall holidays. A letter will be sent with water bills, displayed on the website, and on Local TV Channel 6.
Staff Reports:
Ordinance authorizing the sale of Home Baked Food Products/Ordinance No. 18-01
City Administrator, Ben Benson, presented proposal to sync with Illinois law regarding food safety and what is commonly known as Cupcake Law. State defined conditions can be supported by ordinance within local municipalities. The ordinance would allow sale of baked goods from home-based kitchen. This does not grant permission for home-based business. Limit to monthly gross-based income, requires annual registration with the City. Currently no fee to comply, but the Council can consider a fee.
Discussion among the Council ensued; City Attorney provided details about statutory laws and requirements. The statute does not require liability insurance. This ordinance provides an opportunity for small-based operations and complies with Will County Health Department, which has to approve the business. The ordinance provides the City with contact information about the home-based business, and information about the Will County Health and State requirements. At some point in the future, the City may create a larger registry of all home-based businesses within the City of Lockport.
Action: Add as an Action Item to the April 4 City Council Meeting agenda.
Repealing and Replacing Resolution No. 09-015 regarding changes to the charges to the Lockport Township for Water & Sewer Rates by the City of Lockport /Resolution No. 18-014-
City Administrator, Ben Benson, presented the details on the repeal and replace of the Lockport Township Water & Sewer Rate Resolution. Staff discovered $12,000 cost savings, annually, by adopting the updated resolution. Lockport Township is aware, and will be provided a 60 day notice; resolution to take effect as of June 1, 2018.
Discussion among the Council related to the timing of implementing this resolution change. Recommendation among the Council to implement in 6 months for October, with 60 days prior notice.
Action: Add as an Action Item to the April 4 City Council Meeting agenda.
Final Development Plans for expansion of Administrative Office - Dellwood Park Community Center/1811 S. Lawrence Avenue-
Director of Community & Economic Development, Pamela Hirth, presented a summary of the details of the Final Development Plan. Discussion of additional parking, which would be presented to the Council at a future date. Landscaping to be completed in two phases. Applicant appeared before the Plan & Zoning on March 13, and presented changes; commission raised questions about ADA, and approved the plan, with the agreement to install sod in the parkway in lieu of seed. Staff is seeking direction to place on April 4 City Council Agenda for final consideration.
Discussion among the Council related to the merits of the project, partnership with the Park District and intergovernmental cooperation on nearby road improvements. The timing of the project was raised as a concern, considering other site improvements that may impact the project.
Bill Riordan, Executive Director of the Lockport Township Park District, was present to answer questions. The Park District is contributing funds to facilitate improvements to the City road. The Park District is scheduled to have a Board Meeting on Monday in which this road improvement will be an agenda item. The road project is currently slated for the year 2020.
Action: Add to the Consent Agenda, as presented, to the April 4 City Council Meeting agenda. A second topic will be added to the agenda for the April 4 Committee of the Whole, to cover a discussion on road improvements.
Lockport Plaza - Final Development Plan for a Commercial Building Renovation with added Parking and New Loading Dock / 954 E. 9th Street-
Director of Community & Economic Development, Pamela Hirth, presented the Staff Report on the Final Development Plan for the Post Office Facility and Napa Auto Parts. The building is being reduced in size, but a new loading dock and parking will be added. This item went to the Plan & Zoning Commission on two occasions; Applicant provided additional plans and details. Two issues worth noting were related to the landscaping; Applicant agreed to add island landscaping within 3 years of occupancy. An outstanding item related to a pole structure, will be resolved before permit. One final item is related to the elevation drop-off near the old Corwin’s drive-thru; Staff provided a recommendation for a protective guard rail. Staff has conveyed to the Applicant that the guard rail in the plan should be extended for a larger length of the property. Staff is seeking direction on the guard rail recommendation and engineering, and to place the item on the April 4 meeting for final consideration.
Discussion among the Council ensued, related to the grading, and the area that is proposed to have a guard rail, and changes to the parking lot.
The Applicant, Robert Hansen of Lockport Plaza Associates, was present, to answer questions.
Action: Add as an Action Item to the April 4 City Council Meeting.
Building Code Updates and proposed Amendments:
Director of Community & Economic Development, Pamela Hirth, and Building Inspector, Keith Rooney, presented the Staff report on the Building Code updates. Staff presented all of the books that comprise the complete building codes for Lockport. Staff provided updates on the current Lockport codes and how it compares to nearby communities. Neighboring communities adhere to codes that range from the year 2000 thru 2015. Staff provided a draft, not yet complete, for initial review.
Keith Rooney is a trained building code professional. Keith showed the totality of the 2015 code books, and the recommendation that the City adopt the 2015 codes. Lockport is using the 2000 version, which is the first set of “I-codes” created by the International Code Council. At some point in the past, Lockport adopted the 2003 Maintenance code and the 2006 Fire code. The ICC releases updates to the code every 3 years. The 2018 codes are in-process, and not yet in-use. Keith is seeking direction on whether to move forward evaluating and adopting the 2015 building codes.
Discussion among the Council related to the pros/cons of the changes and impact of adopting the 2015 building codes. The new codes would only affect new construction; existing subdivisions, or subdivisions that are being-built, may be grandfathered-in. Updating the building code to current standards provides value to new construction within Lockport. The updated codes also provide additional safety and protection for buildings within the City.
Mayor Streit requested the Staff to provide details on the top few topics that may require evaluation and assessment, like the topic of sprinkler systems. Reasonable timeframe to generate the top 10, or top 20, will be one month.
Action: Staff will create a list of the top concerns, and present at a future Committee of the Whole.
New Business:
1. Director of Public Works, Brent Cann, provided an update on the State Street Project:
a. Stage 1 will begin on March 26, one Southbound lane will be closed; both North lanes will remain open.
b. Map of public parking locations
c. Additional signage will be added for walkways for each of the downtown businesses
2. Director of Public Works, Brent Cann, presented an update on several projects that are currently out to bid.
Public Comments:
1. George Panicker, independent owner of the Lockport Citgo gas station, spoke regarding the recent gas tax. He presented details about the adverse impact of the gas tax to the survival of his business. The expenses of the business are high and will be deeply impacted by the 5 cents per gallon tax. The higher gas taxes in neighboring communities drove business to Lockport gas stations; the new, higher tax is expected to drive that business away. Requests repeal of the gas tax ordinance.
2. Abdul Basit, owner of Shell station on State Street. The recent gas tax imposed, is very high compared to neighboring communities. The State Street traffic flowing thru Lockport between 355 and I-80; the 5 cents to 7 cent tax exceeds nearby towns, and will cause loss of business. Requests reconsideration of gas tax.
3. Gillet Panicker, owner of Citgo gas station on South State Street, one of 4 owners of the business. Competition with Corporate gas stations like Speedway is very difficult. As an independent owner, it is very difficult to compete with corporate gas stations, especially related to the market fluctuation on gas prices. Request reconsideration of the gas tax ordinance.
Adjournment:
Motion By Petrakos, Seconded By Bergbower, To Adjourn The Committee Of The Whole Meeting At 9:29 P.M. Voice Vote On The Motion:
Ayes - Saban, Petrakos, Deskin, Perretta, Bergbower, Bartelsen
Nays - None
Absent - Vandermeer, Gillogly
Abstain - None
6 Ayes, 0 Nay, 2 Absent, 0 Abstain – Motion Carried
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