City of Lockport Committee of the Whole met Oct. 2.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
REGULAR MEETING of the Committee of the Whole of the City of Lockport, Illinois was held on Wednesday, October 2, 2019 in the Board Room, 3rd Floor, of the Central Square Building, 222 E. Ninth Street, Lockport, Illinois. Mayor Steve Streit called the Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
PLEDGE TO THE FLAG – Mayor, Steve Streit
INVOCATION – Steve Bednarcik, Police Chaplain
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
City Clerk, Kathy Gentile
ALSO PRESENT: City Administrator, Ben Benson
City Attorney, Sonni Choi Williams
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:
Mayer introduced Audrey Manley – 2nd Annual College Safety Fair, Saturday, 10/7, 10 am – 2 pm at the Lockport Township Offices, 1463 Farrell Road in Lockport. Sponsored by Will County NOW LEF (National Organization for Women). More details at StaySafeNOW.org.
Alderman Deskin – local projects:
o Creek at 11th and Adams. City installed a gabion wall at the creek that seems to be working well. Looks good, is protected. This past week we encountered a storm that delivered 7 inches of rain within 12 hours and was able to show how the wall significantly helped the area.
o Storm Sewer at Connor and Division – the location has been flooding over the past 40 or so years. The new storm sewer seems to have solved the flooding and corrected water flow issues.
o Brent Cann proposed to the Council a few additional, smaller sewer projects that could have additional benefit for a few areas. Brent will present proposals at a future Council meeting.
Alderwoman Perretta:
o In the month of October, Lockport Police are wearing pink badges in support of Breast Cancer Awareness month.
o Seeking approval for the Police Department to participate in No-Shave November
Alderman Gillogly:
o Tom Pearson, Stephenson Photography, passed away last week. He was a great asset to the City, and will be missed. Condolences to the family
o St. Joe’s Octoberfest, October 4-6. Live music Friday
o Main Street Lockport’s Lobsterfest this weekend, on Saturday, October 5
o Rocked and Rolled exhibit at the ISM closes October 6
o The Best of the Midwest Waterways Film Fest is Saturday, October 5 at the Roxy o Hell’s Gate opens Thursday, October 3
ITEMS RECOMMENDED TO BE PLACED ON THE AGENDA FOR CONSENT OR ACTION AT THE NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING
PW-1. Release of Letter of Credit for Styleline Cabinets in Prime Business Park
Director of Public Works, Brent Cann, presented the staff report. Seeking acceptance of the improvements, release of the letter of credit, and the one-year document and maintenance bond.
DIRECTION: Add to the Consent Agenda for the October 16 City Council Meeting
PW-2. IL-7 Channelization Phase II Design Engineering Services
Director of Public Works, Brent Cann, presented the staff report. Proposing a change to the channelization to provide free-flowing and safe access to Lockport businesses. For Phase 1, the City is seeking full concurrence with IDOT by November 1. Phase 2 design is the true design from which construction would begin. Seeking for Christopher Burke Engineering for the design engineering services in the budgeted amount not to exceed $357,582.82. This was a line-item budgeted project. By proceeding, this would provide the maximum allowable points for Phase 1 and Phase 2 design for STP funding, and qualification for an 80/20 grant.
DIRECTION: Add to the Consent Agenda for the October 16 City Council Meeting
AT-1. Temporary Food Truck Pilot Program
City Attorney, Sonni Choi Williams, presented the staff report on the temporary food truck program. The current Lockport Ordinance, Sec. 110.80, does not allow a food truck unless the business also operates a brick and mortar location within the City limits. The proposed pilot program includes the following parameters: (a) 6 month temporary pilot, (b) locations, day of week and time must be approved by city, (c) proof of sufficient insurance coverage and licensing, (d) any businesses would require a truck that is in good repair, (e) application fee of $25, (f) specific location(s) for the truck. A discussion among the Council ensued. Additional suggestions for the program include specific requirements for garbage collection and site clean- up.
DIRECTION: Add as an Action Item to the Agenda for the October 16 City Council Meeting
AT-2. Report on Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act
City Attorney, Sonni Choi Williams, presented the staff report. In June 2019, the State of Illinois passed a law for adult-use of marijuana. The new law is nearly 600 pages and introduces issues. There are 2 deadlines related to the act; the October 1, 2019 date does not apply to the City. January 1, 2020, is the next date, wherein initial licenses for recreational cannabis businesses will be issued. The State is strictly limiting the number of available licenses. A discussion among the Council ensued.
The City cannot prohibit legal use of cannabis by residents in their home. The City can, however, choose whether to pass an ordinance to define specific zones for cannabis businesses or opt-out by passing an ordinance to prohibit adult recreational cannabis businesses. If no action is taken prior to January 1, 2020, the businesses could then operate without any restrictions in any location.
Recommendation from Alderman Deskin to create an advisory referendum to obtain input from local residents on the topic, in March. In terms of timing, the City needs to make a decision before the end of 2019.
The City needs to make a decision to create zoning or opt-out. A poll of Council showed that the majority of the Council prefers to opt-out.
Public Comments:
Nicholas Frenzel – attended tonight’s meeting on behalf of his client that is considering Lockport as a location for a dispensary business. Presented information about the impact of tax revenue, safety, and other topics related to opting in or opting out of the sales of cannabis.
Aaron Weiner – Director of Addiction Services at Linden Oaks Behavioral Health, presented statistics and details related to marijuana and addition. Recommends waiting, opt-out and see the experiences of other municipalities.
Chief Terry Lemming – provided history of his experience as an expert witness related to cannabis use and legalization. Recommends opting out.
DIRECTION: City Attorney Sonni Williams will draft of a proposed Ordinance to opt-out. The Ordinance will be added as an Action Item to the Agenda for the October 16 City Council Meeting
OPEN FLOOR COMMENTS
Nicholas Frenzil – attended tonight’s meeting on behalf of his client that is considering Lockport as a location for a dispensary business. Presented information about the impact of tax revenue, safety, and other topics related to opting in or opting out of the sales of cannabis.
Aaron Weiner – Director of Addiction Services at Linden Oaks Behavioral Health, presented statistics and details related to marijuana and addition.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION BY LOBES, SECONDED BY PERRETTA, TO ADJOURN THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING, AT 8:22 PM. VOICE VOTE ON THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED.
http://lockport.granicus.com/DocumentViewer.php?file=lockport_f773d7ec6d32c977c98b267020fd9f9a.pdf&view=1
Alerts Sign-up