City of Lockport Committee of the Whole met Sept. 18.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
PLEDGE TO THE FLAG – Mayor, Steve Streit
INVOCATION – Pastor Brian Carroll
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Mayor, Steven Streit
Alderwoman, Renee Saban
Alderman, Larry Schreiber
Alderwoman, Christina Bergbower
Alderman, JR Gillogly
Alderman, Mark R. Lobes
Alderman, Darren Deskin
Alderwoman, Joanne Bartelsen
Alderwoman, Catherine Perretta
ALSO PRESENT: City Administrator, Ben Benson
City Attorney, Sonni Choi Williams
City Clerk, Kathy Gentile
Finance Director, Lisa Heglund
Chief of Police, Terry Lemming
PRESS PRESENT: Cathy Wilker, LCTV
Brian Bierovic, LCTV
Sarwat Ahman, Free Lance Reporter, Joliet Herald News
Jessie Malloy, Lockport Legend
LIAISON REPORTS:
1. Alderwoman Bartelsen
a. Seeking nominations for Halloween and Fall Decoration
2. Alderwoman Perretta
a. Lockport Live – families in need – nominations accepted thru mid-October
b. Lockport Live – sponsoring It’s a Wonderful Life at the Roxy, Dec 8, two shares, $5 each
c. Lockport Live – distribution of gifts weekend of Dec 15
3. Alderwoman Saban
a. Police Golf Outing – Ben did well!
ITEMS RECOMMENDED TO BE PLACED ON THE AGENDA FOR CONSENT OR ACTION AT THE NEXT
REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CA-1. Interstate 355 Bridge Enhancement Concepts
City Administrator, Ben Benson, presented a brief summary of the proposed 355 bridge enhancements at the 159th interchange. Budget had been allocated for the design work. The design work is necessary for Lockport to submit for ITEP grant funding. Presentation by Lance Thies of Hitchcock Design Group, for possible options to add branding and Lockport-specific visible signage. Planning to pursue a $520,000 grant. A discussion among the Council ensued, regarding the proposed design. If an ITEP grant is awarded, Lockport has 5 years to use the grant funds. ITEP will award the grants in 2020, funds to be provided in 2020/2021.
DIRECTION: INFORMATION ONLY.
CA-2 2019 Update to the 2003 Lockport Bicycle/Pedestrian Master Plan
City Administrator, Ben Benson, provided an update on the Lockport Bicycle Master Plan. Presentation to Council by JSD Professional Services, Lori Vierow, Project Manager and Sarah Dreier, Landscape Architect. Review of the approach to the master plan which includes (1) original 2003 planning efforts, existing conditions, daily traffic statistics, topography considerations, (2) planning process, (3) community feedback, (4) vision and goals. The ultimate vision of the project is to “Enhance the quality of life for people in Lockport, and make it a pedestrian-friendly city by creating safe and enjoyable paths where people have the opportunity to bike or walk to a variety of locations for work and leisure.” Six goals were identified to achieve the vision. Presentation of the overview of the master plan design, lane markings, location of bike paths, proposed future phase enhancements.
DIRECTION: Item to be placed on the 10/16 City Council agenda as an Action Item.
AT-1 Amendment to Chapter 111 Regarding Revision to Class H-1 Liquor License for Specialty or Pharmacy Store
City Attorney, Sonni Choi Williams, presented the summary of the request for a Class H-1 Liquor License for Mama Onesta’s. The existing business has presented a plan to setup an Italian specialty gift shop next to the restaurant. The amendment to H-1 would rename the class of the liquor license and decrease the minimum of the floor space requirement. This would not affect the number of H-1 licenses that the City currently has allocated.
DIRECTION: Item to be placed on the 10/4 City Council agenda as a Consent Agenda Item.
AT-2 Proposed Draft 3 of the Amendment to Chapter 110 of the City Code Creating Video Gaming Terminal Licensing and Regulations
City Attorney, Sonni Choi Williams, presented an update on the Proposed Amendment to Chapter 110. Two specific modifications have been added to the amendment, related to the language for special event permits, and that the video gaming establish must hold a Class C-2 (restaurant with entertainment) or truckstop license. A possible change related to a financial grant to existing establishments was not added due to lack of consensus. Compliance period for current VG (video gaming) establishments requires 6 moths to submit a screening plan before the end of 2020 for C-1 and C-2. There will be a one-year to meet the requirement that 40% or more of the gross revenue cannot come from VG activities. A discussion among the Council ensued. Discussion among the Council regarding C1 and C2 class licenses.
DIRECTION: Item to be placed on the 10/4 City Council agenda as an Action Item. NEW BUSINESS:
1. Mayor Steve Streit introduced a discussion around the topic of food trucks within the City limits. Sharing with the Council a proposed plan related to food trucks. Many Lockport restaurants are closed on Mondays; a food truck on Monday would provide a service to residence yet would not compete with businesses that are closed. Possibility of creating a Monday food truck evening, with multiple food truck options, and introducing a 6 month trial. Current ordinance requires a physical brick-and-mortar location in order to have a truck and get some feedback. Specific ordinance or regulations can be put in place, to create specific rules or parameters around food trucks. Government regulations covers aspects of the preparation, cooking, the truck and equipment. Recommendation to temporarily suspend the current ordinance, for one year, to evaluate the possibility of food trucks. Mayor Steve and Florian will have a discussion related to possible location options and present at the Committee of the Whole on 10/4/2019.
a. MRS Mobile Rotisserie Systems dba Country Grill, Florian Porsch, provides rotisserie chicken and pork, once a week in Lockport
OPEN FLOOR COMMENTS
Diane Bazan, 16821 Enerdale, Joliet – resident for 1.5 years.
o Sidewalk on Farrell – sidewalk work is good, but getting to Butler from her house she cannot walk or ride her bike to get to Butler
o Wayne Horne has been writing articles on the availability of water in Joliet. What is the impact to Lockport water source. Is Lockport on aquifer? What is the long- range plan for water in Lockport?
UPDATE from Mayor – watching what Joliet is doing; the decision of Joliet could impact the alternatives for Lockport. We have one shared deep well. Lockport does not have the same predicament as Joliet. Ben Benson is a member of the Water Reclamation Group in an attempt to monitor and manage the water sources with a blend of shallow and deep wells. As of today, Lockport’s future water source is secure. Joliet will be making their decision by December, 2019.
Susan Schnittger, Bonnie Brae Subdivision, unincorporated Lockport.
o Thanks to the water department for the recent well and sewer repair.
o Need to review the procedure related to restoration after sewer work is completed.
Many times the restoration is under the responsibility of Lockport Township. The expectation is there is a procedure in place to monitor that all the work is complete. Formally requesting a review of completion of project work and follow-up.
UPDATE – Intergovernmental Agreement, the Township hires contractors for unincorporated areas. Both parties should work together to complete the project. Ben will have Brent Cann, Director of Public Works, contact Susan to follow-up.
Roy Adcock
o Excited tosee the bike path plan.
o Concerns about a particular area on the proposed concept plan, the width of the bike-path, and the location of the bike-path.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION BY SABAN, SECONDED BY PERRETTA, TO ADJOURN THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING, AT 8:49 PM. VOICE VOTE ON THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED.
http://lockport.granicus.com/DocumentViewer.php?file=lockport_b19b9f0173f093fb0506e3343216cd75.pdf&view=1
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