City of Lockport Committee of the Whole met July 18.

By Kristine Gonzales-Abella

Aug 24, 2018

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 – Steve Bednarcik, Police Chaplain

ROLL CALL

PRESENT: City Clerk, Kathleen Gentile

Alderwoman, Renee Saban

Alderman, Jim Petrakos (arrived 7:04 pm)

Alderman, Darren Deskin

Alderwoman, Joanne Bartelsen

Alderwoman, Catherine Perretta

Alderman, JR Gillogly

Alderman, Jim Petrakos

Alderman, Jason Vandermeer

ABSENT: Alderwoman, Christina Bergbower

Alderman, JR Gillogly

ALSO PRESENT: City Administrator, Ben Benson

Finance Director, Lisa Heglund

Chief of Police, Terry Lemming

Director of Community & Economic Development, Pamela Hirth

City Attorney, Sonni Choi Williams

Director of Public Works, Brent Cann

Intern, Alex Williams

Assistant to the City Administrator, Amanda Pazdan

PRESS PRESENT: Cathy Wilker, LCTV

Jessie Malloy, Lockport Legend

MAYOR’S REPORT

1. Jim Bilotta, who serves on the Planning & Zoning Commission, will be moving. Mayor Streit informed the Council that Janine Wheeler will be appointed to replace Jim Bilotta, and the appointment will be presented as an action item at the August 1 City Council meeting.

2. Jason Vandermeer, Council member of the City Council, will be moving out-of-state. This will be Jason’s last meeting. Mayor Streit is seeking applications for an interim appointment for the 3rd ward.

Liaison’s Reports:

1. Bartelsen and the Beautification Committee:

a. Sprint and Summer Awards: A total of 4 businesses and 10 homes. The following Spring and Summer 2018 award winners were presented their award and yard sign:

i. Wendy Kane, 1320 Tralee

ii. Sukhir Maggu, 407 Read

iii. Robert Otten, 411 E 14th

iv. Michael Pastwa, 1423 Peachtree

v. Keith and Cathy Rehr, 16353 Deer Run

vi. Stanley Szewczyk, 1246 Keywest

vii. Matthew Tompkins, 18032 S. McCabe Lane

viii. Kim Whisenhunt, 926 E 7th

ix. Nikky's Gyros, 983 E 9th

b. Fall and Winter contest nominations will be open from September 24 thru December 15.

Will County Electric Aggregation Group

City Administrator, Ben Benson presented details about extension of the IGA from 2014. This topic is on both tonight’s Committee of the Whole and City Council. This request is to continue with the process to proceed with the participation.

ACTION: Add as an Action Item to the August 1 City Council Meeting.

Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Lockport and the Village of Homer Glen for Wastewater Treatment Services.

City Administrator, Ben Benson presented the details of the Agreement between City of Lockport and Village of Homer. The City of Lockport is the designated agency for the FPA. The Sanitary district is within the FPA. The City entered into an agreement in 2004 with the Homer Glen. This proposed agreement would alter the Homer Glen boundary agreement, and the Bonnie Brae agreement which expire in 2030. The Agreement covers all expenses. Homer will be constructing the line, with the City of Lockport metering the flows. This is a 32-year term, with flows expected to start in 2019.

Discussion among the Council about how Staff tracks dates about different agreements, expirations, especially to span across terms of council members and staff. This is a topic that will be pursued separately from this Agenda item.

ACTION: Add as an Action Item to the August 1 City Council Meeting.

Proposed Building Code Update

Director of Community & Economic Development, Pamela Hirth introduced the details about the summary of changes to the Codes, specifically (1) new construction and (2) existing construction. Residential construction is a separate code document. Looking at three of the most critical codes, and seeking direction to move forward with these three codes and whether Staff returns to COTW. Also presenting and recommending changes to fee structure. These changes are being reviewed in comparison to neighboring municipalities and standards in the area, and when fees were last updated.

Keith Rooney was present and provided an update on the details of the Code updates that have been reviewed and recommended. The changes are intended to reduce issues that the City currently encounters, and to ensure adherence to updated safety requirements. An existing amendment related to Commercial building states that any sale of a building will require that the new owner get the building in compliance with all current codes. This amendment has caused issues and will be removed.

The biggest change is related to electrical code; the new code recommends that all homes would be required to install tamper-resistant receptacles and R12 sockets. This would be at an expense to builders, and may be a topic up for discussion and review.

Discussion of the sequencing or implementation of the new codes. Once the Code is approved, all builders would be required to present new blue prints, present them to City Staff for review and approval, and updates to permits. The City can provide a reasonable timeframe in which the builders need to comply. The City can also define if the updated Code should apply to new construction, or new phases of existing developments. There is a notification process for all builders. Staff recommends targeting October to finalize the details, provide notification and grace period to start as of January, 2019.

Discussion among the Council regarding the perceived impact and benefits of updating the code to the new requirements, how the historic or older downtown buildings will be updated, and options for how the City’s grants could affected and leveraged by property owners for building updates.

ACTION: Add as an Agenda Item to Committee of the Whole on August 15.

Heater replacement in north plant gravity bolt thickener room/Resolution No. 18-032

Director of Public Works, Brent Cann, presented an update on this item which was a budget item for the 2018 fiscal year. The plan is to replace the 30-year old equipment, and seeking to add as Consent Agenda item.