City of Lockport Committee of the Whole met May 2.
Here is the minutes provided by the Committee:
Mayor Steve Streit called the Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
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, JR Gillogly
Alderman, Jason Vandermeer
Absent: Alderman, Jim Petrakos
Also Present: City Administrator, Ben Benson
Chief of Police, Terry Lemming
Finance Director, Lisa Heglund
Director of Community & Economic Development, Pamela Hirth
City Attorney, Sonni Choi Williams
Assistant to the City Administrator, Amanda Pazdan
Director of Public Works, Brent Cann
Press Present: Cathy Wilker, LCTV
Jessie Malloy, Lockport Legend
Mayor Steve Streit requested an adjustment to the order of the items on the agenda. The minutes that follow are in the order in which the topics were discussed.
Mayor’s Report:
Liaison’s Reports:
1. Alderwoman Perretta presented an update on the upcoming Lockport Love Bowling event which is sold out. This is the first year that the event is sold out.
2. Alderwoman Renee Saban presented an update on the Derby Dash, scheduled for next Thursday, May 10.
Public Hearing:
Amended And Restated Annexation Agreement Between The City Of Lockport And Highland Ridge Apartments, LLC
Motion To Open The Public Hearing Made By Vandermeer, Seconded By Bartelsen. Voice Vote On The Motion:
Ayes - Saban, Deskin, Perretta, Bergbower, Bartelsen, Vandermeer,
Gillogly
Nays - None
Absent – Petrakos
Abstain - None
7 Ayes, 0 Nay, 1 Absent, 0 Abstain – Motion Carried
City Administrator, Ben Benson, presented the report on the Highland Ridge Apartments. The property is a 34 acre property. Due to the lapse of time from the original annexation agreement, the Council needs to review and restate the annexation agreement for this new proposed use. The project includes an additional $75K budget to cover consulting fees and municipal costs and fees. The project will be completed in three phases, to be completed within 5 years. Staff is recommending this item to be added to the City Council meeting on May 16.
Petitioner, Tim Grogan, was present to answer questions.
All statutory requirements on the subject property for this hearing have been met. The final annexation agreement will include any typos or corrections. The additional annexation has already been completed and recorded.
Motion To Close The Public Hearing Made Saban, Seconded By Vandermeer. Voice Vote On The Motion:
Ayes - Saban, Deskin, Perretta, Bergbower, Bartelsen, Vandermeer,
Gillogly
Nays - None
Absent – Petrakos
Abstain - None
7 Ayes, 0 Nay, 1 Absent, 0 Abstain – Motion Carried
Staff Reports:
Preliminary/Final Development Plans and Preliminary/Final Subdivision Plat for a Mixed Use Development/Highland Ridge (formerly Highlands of Lockport)/West of I- 355, between Archer Avenue & 143rd Street.
Director of Community & Economic Development, Pamela Hirth, presented the Staff report on the Plans and Plat for the Highland Ridge property. The property is designed to include 240 apartments and commercial outlots. The original preliminary plan expired, which required a review and new Preliminary plan. The revised plan includes one minor adjustment, due to market conditions and financing, which results in an increase in the number of units. The plans were presented to Planning & Zoning on April 10; concerns were raised on the topics of fencing, construction quality and property conditions. The Commission did request information as to whether the Applicant has constructed any similar projects. As a result, Staff was able to visit and verify the quality of the Applicant’s development, after visiting their Algonquin project, which is similar to the design and materials of the Lockport Highland Ridge project. One concern was related to parking, which seemed limited; Applicant has agreed to accommodate additional parking. Staff recommended additional conditions; Applicant submitted responses and Staff will verify the responses prior to presenting to Council. Planning & Zoning approved the plans as presented. Staff is requesting to place this toic on the May 16 City Council agenda for final consideration. Rents will range from $1,400- 2,000, for 1-2 bedrooms.
Action: Add as an Action Item on the May 16 City Council Agenda.
Lease Agreement with Christopher Burke for office space in Central Square
Park District will be vacating the Central Square in May; Christopher Burke will be taking lease for projected length is 16 months at a rent of $500/month. The City will provide guest network for separate, network connectivity, at no extra cost.
Action: Add as a Consent Agenda on the May 16 City Council meeting.
Amended and Restated Annexation Agreement with Highland Ridge Apartments/Resolution No. 18-021
As a result of the Public Hearing earlier in this meeting, this topic will be added to the May 16 City Council Agenda.
Action: Add as an Action Item on the May 16 City Council Agenda.
Equipment Purchase
Chief Terry Lemming presented report on purchase of vehicle equipment including emergency lighting and prisoner transport system for 3 vehicles. Bids were obtained; lowest bid is under $27,000. Seeking approval to proceed with the lowest bid.
Action: Add as a Consent Agenda on the May 16 City Council meeting.
Special Use Permit for a Unique Use to allow a Cabinet Fabrication Business & Showroom within the O-2 General Office District and Final Development Plans for an Office Building/Merutz, LLC/Prime Business Campus Lot 12Dire
Public hearing was Planning & Zoning on April 10. The Commission discussed concerns related to general use and the aesthetics of the dust collector on the side of the building. The dust collector will be painted a neutral color. Other concerns included frequency of deliveries, Daily hours and type of deliveries. O-2 zoning limits volume of work outside of Commercial buildings; because this business will be performing work inside the building, the conditions are met. The property is a sizeable lot; the Owner will be maintaining the rear portion of the building as an open space. Planning & Zoning Commission Approved the request for the permit. Staff is seeking direction to place the item on the May 16 Agenda for final consideration.
Action: Add as a Consent Agenda on the May 16 City Council meeting.
Lockport Crossings (Lot 3) - Final Development Plan for a Commercial Building (Christian Brothers Automotive)
Director of Community & Economic Development, Pamela Hirth, presented the staff report on the Final Development Plan. The proposal is for a 5,100 commercial building located in Lockport Crossing East of the Advocate multi-story building. The hours of operation will be M-F 7-7; closed Saturday and Sunday. Will be open first 190 days to get acclimated.
Christian Brothers specializes in diagnostics and warranty work. No tire repairs or transmission rebuilds. This is a unique business model.
Applicant is in compliance, and at times exceeded, requirements. Applicant did provide response on the zig-zag sidewalk, which is designed to be ADA compliant. One concern that was raised is related to the storage of vehicles outside the building. Staff has added a condition that any fully-repaired vehicle that is waiting pickup can be parked outside after hours. A few parking spaces will be allocated for that purpose. All other vehicles will be required to be parked inside the building during overnight hours. Planning & Zoning approved the development plan. Staff is seeking approval to place the item on City Council Agenda for final consideration.
Applicant’s Engineer was present to answer question.
Action: Add as a Consent Agenda on the May 16 City Council meeting.
Fire Sprinkler & Fire Alarm System Installation Assistance Program/201 E. 9th Street
Director of Community & Economic Development, Pamela Hirth, presented the request for the fire sprinkler and alarm grant, by Elizabeth Rajcan. The request is for the Canals & Trails building, where Elizabeth will be relocating her hair salon business, and for which she is seeking assistance to purchase fire sprinkler. Bids have been obtained and the Owner is submitting the winning bid for the grant. City Funds are available. The Lockport Fire Protection District has approved the plans. Tenant improvements are in-process. Reimbursement will be provided after work is complete and final inspection is approved. The Grant is conditional upon the owner not selling or transferring within 3 years. Staff is recommending and seeking approval to place on May 16 agenda for final consideration.
Action: Add as a Consent Agenda on the May 16 City Council meeting.
Farrell Road Multi Use Path Phase II and Phase III Engineering Contract
Director of Public Works, Brent Cann, presented Staff report on the bike path. Lockport had been awarded an ITEP Grant from which this project can be covered. The scope of the project has been reduced in scope to be Farrell, from 167th to 159th. Lockport would be responsible for 20% of the project, which is covered by the 80/20 grant. The scope was reduced because Will County has scheduled to perform some of the work; IDOT agreed, and allowed the scope to be adjusted accordingly.
The 20% grant is planned to cover services to design the bike path, pedestrian crossings and construction observation for June, 2019. The work must be completed by 2020.
Council discussed the future plans for the bike path, for which we can re-apply for grant funding. Initial design was to connect to other bike paths.
Action: Add as an Action Item on the May 16 City Council Agenda.
State Street Streetscape Project Survey, Concept Planning and Construction documents for 9th Street (State to Commerce)
Director of Public Works, Brent Cann, presented Staff report on the bids received for the Streetscape. The low bid, under the budgeted amount, was provided by DConstruction; this contract is surveying and construction. The plan is to add this work onto the existing project, so that the entry into the City will be complete. Requesting approval to proceed and add to consent agenda.
Action: Add as an Action Item on the May 16 City Council Agenda.
Downtown Streetscape Project - State Street (10th to 11th) & 9th Street (State to Hamilton) Design and Construction Document Preparation.
Director of Public Works, Brent Cann, presented additional information about the Streetscape design and construction document preparation. The goal is to get the streetscape designed and get the one section done; future blocks could be scheduled for the future, when we get funding. Currently requesting for a budget of $59K to design the streetscape. Typically, an engineering report is required in order for the City to submit for any grants. The $59K would be an initial step, towards the engineering, to allow us to create the engineering report and possible grant applications.
Action: Add as an Action Item on the May 16 City Council Agenda.
8th and Valley Lane Project Phase III Services
Director of Public Works, Brent Cann, presented Staff report for design work that would be scheduled for 2019. Seeking time and material not to exceed budgeted amount.
Action: Add as a Consent Agenda on the May 16 City Council meeting.
New Business:
1. Alderman Darren Deskin presented information on Warehouse Property Tax. One of the myths is that warehouses are not paying any property tax and are getting tax breaks. Will County Supervisor of Assessments (willcountysoa.com) provides tax breakdown information on the Lockport warehouse properties. Darren showed the changes/increase in tax revenue on several of the warehouses for the years of 2016 and 2017. Despite the increase in tax revenue, many of which have not yet been fully assessed, because they are newly, recently constructed. From the buildings discussed, total tax increased from $1.9M to $4.1M; net EAV increased from $20.8M to $44M. The warehouses are generating decent tax revenue for Lockport
Public Comments:
None
Adjournment:
Motion By Gillogly, Seconded By Saban, To Adjourn The Committee Of The Whole Meeting At 8:17 p.m. Voice Vote On The Motion:
Ayes - Saban, Deskin, Perretta, Bergbower, Bartelsen, Vandermeer, Gillogly
Nays - None
Absent – Petrakos
Abstain - None
7 Ayes, 0 Nay, 1 Absent, 0 Abstain – Motion Carried
http://lockport.granicus.com/DocumentViewer.php?file=lockport_8c6220b7faaf8ca5fe77962f8d5bd063.pdf&view=1
Alerts Sign-up