City of Lockport Committee of the Whole met Oct. 3.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
PLEDGE TO THE FLAG – Mayor, Steven Streit
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: City Clerk, Kathleen Gentile
Alderwoman, Renee Saban
Alderwoman, Joanne Bartelsen
Alderman, JR Gillogly
Alderman, Mark R. Lobes
Alderwoman, Christina Bergbower
Alderwoman, Catherine Perretta
Alderman, Darren Deskin
Alderman, Jim Petrakos
ABSENT: None
ALSO PRESENT: City Administrator, Ben Benson
Chief of Police, Terry Lemming
Director of Community & Economic Development, Pamela Hirth
City Attorney, Sonni Choi Williams
Assistant to the City Administrator, Amanda Pazdan
PRESS PRESENT: Cathy Wilker, LCTV
Jessie Malloy, Lockport Legend
INVOCATION – Pastor Lou Wold, Cross Point Church LIAISON REPORT
1. Chief Terry Lemming
a. October Breast Cancer awareness; pink badges
b. No-Shave November/December to raise money in support of Cancer research
2. Alderwoman Catherine Perretta
a. Lockport Love – submissions for families accepted thru October 15; 10 families selected.
December 15, 9 am meeting at police station to prepare and deliver the gifts/meals.
The event includes Holiday carols
3. Alderwoman Christina Bergbower
a. Discount/Gift card for businesses to use during the holiday timeframe.
b. Using social media, Lockport Live has been updating downtown businesses and residents.
c. Offering videos to any businesses; will be shown prior to the Monster House movie October 17, and can be used for the business Facebook pages. Tag downtown Lockport
d. October 5 Gallery 7 on Lincoln Landing with a show by School of Rock Mokena
e. October 20 Coffin Races
f. Hauntings at Hell’s Gate
g. Goals of Sweet and Savory met! Great turnout, including more attendees from outside the City of Lockport.
h. Mayor Steve recommended that Lockport Live create flyers or goody bags, to hand out to visitors that ride the shuttle to Hell’s Gate
4. Joanne Bartelsen
a. Beautification awards – nominations can be made for Halloween, Fall, and Christmas decorations, for recognition at Council in January
b. Economic Development meeting – City of Lockport is on-track with improvements, and pursuing the right projects to attract businesses
5. Darren Deskin and Brent Cann
a. Introduction of Bob Schmude from Chamlin & Associates; he serves on the City of Lockport Plan & Zoning Commission.
ITEMS RECOMMENDED TO BE PLACED ON THE AGENDA FOR CONSENT OR ACTION AT THE NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CA Resolution No. 18-046 Approving the Intergovernmental Agreement Between the Forest Preserve District of Will County and the City of Lockport for the Construction and Operation of the Veterans Memorial Trail Bike Path – Phase 1 – Sprint Creek to 159th Street and Approve Any and All Necessary Easements for the Trail Project
City Administrator, Ben Benson, shared details about the Veteran’s Memorial Trail Bike Path. On the plan, there will be 2 underground tunnels, on Bruce Road and 167th Street. This is a Will County Forest Preserve project in which the City of Lockport is participating. Parking is not included, but could be addressed at a future time. Nearby parking is available, to gain access to the bike path. Some grading enhancements are needed; easements on nearby properties will be in-place. The majority of the work should start in 2019 and be completed prior to 2021. Seeking feedback from the Council related to the Intergovernmental Agreement.
Discussion with the council ensued, related to the security and safety requirements of the underground tunnel locations. One of the tunnels is run by the County, the second is managed by the City of Lockport for which the City will have jurisdiction.
The bike path was designed to be both pedestrian friendly and bike friendly.
Action: Add as an Action Item on the 10/17 Council Meeting.
CA ComEd Request for Change Streetlights to LED
City Administrator, Ben Benson presented details about the request by Comed, who received a legislative mandate to update all streetlights with LED lights. Sign off on a release to replace the streetlights; the signoff facilitates a grant that Comed is obtaining to pursue the project. The replacement of the nearly 700 lights is estimated to save over $30,000. The City has investigated the ability for the existing fixtures to support the new LED lights. Based on the research to-date, the City has no concerns about proceeding with the request. The mandate must be completed by 2022; Comed has completed the upgrade in Orland Park. One light in Lockport has been changed, with no significant or obvious difference.
Discussion among the Council ensued regarding how the new lights will look, in terms of color and brightness. The LED lights will be warmer, at approximately 3,000 kelvins.
Recommendation to let Comed proceed with the initiative. Council accepted Staff’s recommendation.
Action: No action required; information only.
AT Ordinance No. 18-042 Amending Chapter 111 of Lockport Code of Ordinances Adding new Classes of Liquor Licenses for Brew Pub, Craft Brewery and Craft Distillery and Allowing Sealing and Removal of Partially Consumed Bottle of Wine from a Restaurant
City Attorney, Sonni Choi Williams, presented report on recommendation to amend the Lockport Code of Ordinances to support brew pub, craft brewery and craft distillery. These changes are intended to align with the state statutes, based on the specific definitions and distinctions for each type of business.
Manufacturers are allowed to sell growlers; State statute prohibits grocery stores or retailers from selling growlers. The proposed change to allow sealing and removal of partially consumed bottle of wine is limited to wine only.
Proposal by the Council to provide specific details for each class of liquor license. The State statute does specify original packaging, sealed, and by the manufacturer as well as specific rules around each type of spirit. The City can adopt the State statute and tighten the verbiage around the rules and requirements.
Action: Add as an Action Item on the 10/17 Committee of the Whole Meeting.
CD PZC Case #2018-013: Final Development Plan for Renovation of an existing Commercial Bank Building and Special Use permit for a Drive-up facility (Arby’s Restaurant) for the property located at 16545 W 159th Street
Director of Community & Economic Development, Pamela Hirth, presented the Staff report on the final development plan for renovation of the business and special use permit. The project is to convert the existing bank building into a two-tenant building, with a drive-up. The drive-up ceased operation in 2016 which requires a new special use permit. Arby’s will occupy the larger of the two tenant spaces; the smaller, second tenant space does not yet have a potential occupant defined. The project was presented to Plan & Zoning, who voted 7-0 for the special use permit based on the findings of fact and approval of the final development plan based on 5 specific conditions. Staff recommends adding to consent agenda for final consideration.
Applicant, John Theodosakis, and Owner, Lockport Retail Investors, and Arby’s Owner, Faisal Merchant, were present to answer questions. They are actively canvassing the market for potential tenant; expecting to find a complementary retail outlot.
Action: Add to Consent Agenda for 10/17 Council Meeting.
PW Resolution No. 18-044 to Approve the purchase assorted parkway trees from The Fields in an amount not to exceed $80,000 for the Fall 2018 Parkway Planting Program
Director of Public Works, Brent Cann, presented report on the removal of Ash Trees due to the Emerald Ash Borer. The City removed over 2,000 trees. The City has a program for parkway tree replacement, if the trees were removed due to the Ash Borer. Replacement trees typically require 3-4 years to obtain. After going out to bid, 160 trees are available at Fields Nursery who provided the lowest bid for 2-inch trees. Staff is requesting approval to move forward with the $80,000 to obtain all the trees and replace other trees deemed necessary for replacement throughout the City. The trees are $275 per tree, based on the lowest bid. The expectation is that there may be a budget surplus if the City is unable to procure all the trees, the excess funds can roll into capital for next year.
Currently, only those residents that reach out to the City will receive a free tree. Discussion about the option of supporting a 50/50 program with residents that have had a parkway tree removed.
Action: Add to Consent Agenda for 10/17 Council Meeting.
PW Resolution No. 18-045 Approving the Purchase of a 2018 Ford F-150 XL 4x4 Pick-up Truck not to exceed the purchase price of $28,870
Director of Public Works, Brent Cann, presented report on the budgeted item, requesting the purchase of the vehicle to be added to the Consent agenda.
Action: Add to Consent Agenda for 10/17 Council Meeting. NEW BUSINESS
1. All Council members are leveraging a new iLegislate application for tonight’s meeting. In the new application, Council members can save notes on the agenda topics. From a FOIA perspective, notes are exempt from disclosure. If there are any FOIA request, however, all notes will be visible.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION BY GILLOGLY, SECONDED BY PERRETTA TO ADJOURN THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING, AT 8:08 PM. VOICE VOTE ON THE MOTION:
AYES - SABAN, PETRAKOS, BERGBOWER, GILLOGLY, DESKIN, LOBES, BARTELSEN, PERRETTA
NAYS - NONE
ABSENT – NONE
ABSTAIN - NONE
8 AYES, 0 NAY, 0 ABSENT, 0 ABSTAIN – MOTION CARRIED
http://lockport.granicus.com/DocumentViewer.php?file=lockport_f884c71d7e5194aa3db19a806c301e6d.pdf&view=1
Alerts Sign-up