City of Lockport Committee of the Whole Met Feb. 17.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
PLEDGE TO THE FLAG – Mayor, Steve Streit
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Mayor, Steve Streit
Alderwoman, Renee Saban
Alderman, Larry Schreiber (via remote)
Alderwoman, Christine Bergbower
Alderman, Darren Deskin
Alderman, JR Gillogly
Alderwoman, Joanne Bartelsen
Alderwoman, Catherine Perretta
Alderman, Mark R. Lobes
ABSENT: NONE
ALSO PRESENT: City Clerk, Kathy Gentile
City Attorney, Sonni Choi Williams
City Administrator, Ben Benson
Chief of Police, Terry Lemming
Finance Director, Lisa Heglund (via remote)
Director of Public Works, Brent Cann
Director of Community & Economic Development, Lance Thies
Zoom Support, Jeff Prah
PRESS PRESENT: Cathy Wilker, LCTV
INVOCATION – Pastor Lou Wold, Cross Point Church
LIAISON REPORT
1. Ben Benson - utilize gaming funds for VIP parking assistance during a pilot period; looking to bring back to Council for consideration; Frank DeGrassi attended remotely, thanked Council for the opportunity to pilot the VIP parking.
2. Ben Benson - Governor Pritzker declared a Disaster in Illinois due to the snow storm. Shout out to the Public works for their support who contributed nearly 50 hours of overtime. 3. JR Gillogly - requesting all residents to dig out the fire hydrants to help out our fire department
MAYOR’S REPORT
1. MA-1. Retirement of Police Canine Citgo - Chief of Police Terry Lemming presented a Resolution to tender ownership of Citgo to his handler, Officer Ganger
a. Citgo (Santo) joined the force in August, 2014
b. Citgo was recently diagnosed with a degenerative condition that will prevent his ability to continue as a working canine
c. The Resolution will be on the Agenda tonight
d. Retirement Party will be held at the Police Department on February 25 at 10 am
ITEMS RECOMMENDED TO BE PLACED ON THE AGENDA FOR CONSENT OR ACTION AT THE NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MA-1. Reappointment of Joe Piper to the Lockport Police Pension Board for a Two-Year Term to 2023
City Administrator, Ben Benson, shared the details that his term expires in May, 2021, renewal would then extend to May, 2023.
DIRECTION: Add to the Consent Agenda on the March 3 City Council Meeting
CA-1. Approving a Purchase Sale Agreement for the Purchase of 181 Acres from the Chevron Environmental Management Company Located at 301 West 2nd Street, Lockport, Illinois, also known as the Chevron Business Park for the Purchase Price of $2 Million and Additional Conditions.
City Administrator, Ben Benson, presented the Staff Report on the 181 acres that the City is seeking to purchase. IEPA was pleased with the results of their investigation of the property. Seeking to close by March 31, 2021. The property is a business park that could be developed. With the City in control of the property, the Council can have greater control over the property and ensure that development is more consistent with the City’s historic downtown.
Mayor Streit shared that a logistics company had recently expressed interest in the property. Due to the location of the property, a logistics company would not be in the best interest of the City. Mayor Streit recommends continuing with the Citizens Advisory Panel to continue evaluating options for the property.
City Attorney, Sonni Choi Williams, presented an executive summary and details for the Council to consider regarding a possible purchase. The details include the indemnification of on-site contamination; Chevron had cleaned the property and EPA has confirmed that it is clean for use. Additional topics still in discussion regarding Chevron’s TIF agreement, terms of an existing easement agreement, BNSF railroad access, and the off-site bridge. An NDA is in-place regarding the specific terms.
The actual Purchase Sale Agreement will be included on the Agenda for the March 3 City Council Meeting.
Reserve funds of $2M would be used to invest in this property, and the TIF agreement would essentially payback the investment.
The purchase price, sales agreement and outside consulting fees are TIF eligible expenses and subject to reimbursement. The EAV can be used to reimburse the City.
Discussion among the Council ensued. Alderwoman Perretta raised a question about whether or not the City could sell the property or if the City is locked-in to the property for 20 years. City Attorney, Sonni Choi Williams, informed Council that if the City purchases the property, the City can choose to sell all or a portion of the property at any time; liability insurance or other premiums would be paid by any future owner, as appropriate.
Alderman Perretta asked additional questions regarding the cost of maintaining the property. There is no legal obligation for the City to develop the property. The current staff can support the property as needed. City Administrator, Ben Benson, expects to hire resources for landscape maintenance, and development of a land plan, at the cost of approximately $50K/year. TIF funds could be used, but that is not the preferred source of fund. The City currently receives approximately $240K years annually for TIF, which are expected to be available over the next 23 years. The City can allocate, or reserve to allocate TIF funds against this project, it is an eligible use of TIF funds. TIF management is handled thru an administrative process.
Alderman Perretta asked about the general funds. Finance Director, Lisa Heglund informed the Council that the City is required to have $5M of funds, the City currently has $8 in the general funds.
Alderman Deskin informed the Council that the purchase of this property would be a prudent investment for the City. Even if the property was kept as a prairie or open space, it ensures that the City has control over the use of the property. 180 acres for $2M. In comparison, Redwood recently purchased 30 acres for $2M, so the price of the Chevron property is a very fair price.
Alderman Bartelsen shared that the City could benefit by using the property a number of ways, and would be a value to the City.
As an owner of the property, the City has specific restrictions due to history of the property. The City can rezone and establish appropriate restrictions.
Alderman Gillogly recommends that this Council establish appropriate restrictions, zoning and property uses.
DIRECTION: Add as an Action Item on the March 3 City Council Meeting
CA-2. Professional Services Agreement with HR Green for Engineering Design Phase 1 on the Stabilization of I&M Canal Lock #1
City Administrator, Ben Benson, presented the Staff Report on the Phase 1 of I&M Lock #1, at Division Street and the Canal. This Lock is an historic structure. During storms the Creek turns into a river. The City has approached the IDNR that has informed that the lock is declining in stabilization. The IDNR requires Phase 1 engineering to investigate the condition and what repairs are needed. The goal is to maintain the historic feature and ensure that it does not fail and cause flooding conditions in the downtown.
DIRECTION: Add to the Consent Agenda on the March 3 City Council Meeting PW 1. Purchase of Two 2022 Peterbilt Model 348 Snow Plow Trucks
Director of Public Works, Brent Cann, proposing the purchase of two Peterbilt trucks. The trucks would be purchased as a State purchase.
DIRECTION: Add to the Consent Agenda on the March 3 City Council Meeting
PW-2. Authorize the Execution of Eleven BLR 09110 Form Documents as Part of a Routine IDOT Audit (Resolution for Improvements Under the Illinois Highway Code)
Director of Public Works, Brent Cann, presented routine IDOT forms. These forms propose the expense of specific funds for specific projects; IDOT would then verify the expense receipts and projects. This is a mixture of accounting, project management and engineering; it essentially ensures that the funds are spent appropriately. IDOT has verified that MFT dollars were spent appropriately. All the purchases have been approved. Seeking for each of these resolutions to be approved on consent, after which we would send them to IDOT.
Alderman Perretta, raised a question about the amount of motor fuel funds and if whether that should be spent on roads. She recommends that the City spend-down the motor fuel funds every year.
Director of Finance, Lisa Heglund informed the Council that just over $2M existed in motor fuel funds last year. It is not a goal to spend-down the motor fuel funds, because it is more appropriate to ensure that funds are available for larger-scale projects. The CIP plan, which has been reviewed and approved by Council, identifies what projects the City would be using MFT dollars for. The City tries to evaluate the projects that are planned for the year, and then be selective, and carefully select which projects are intended for MFT. MFT has specific requirements and there are additional costs to consider as well. The City CIP and Budget conversations is where the Council can review the projects and how to fund the projects; a spend-down could actually cost the City more to complete projects.
DIRECTION: Add to the Consent Agenda on the March 3 City Council Meeting
ADJOURNMENT
Motion To Adjourn The Committee Of The Whole Meeting, At 8:04 Pm. Motion By Schreiber, Seconded By Lobes.
Roll Vote On The Motion:
Ayes - Schreiber, Bergbower, Deskin, Lobes, Bartelsen, Perretta, Saban, Gillogly
Nays - None
Absent – None
Abstain – None
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