City of Lockport Committee of the Whole met Nov. 2.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
REGULAR MEETING of the Committee of the Whole of the City of Lockport, Illinois was held on Wednesday, November 2, 2022 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 pm.
INVOCATION – Bill Carroll, Police Chaplain
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Mayor, Steve Streit
Alderwoman, Renee Saban
Alderwoman, Joanne Bartelsen
Alderwoman, Christine Bergbower
Alderman, Mark Lobes
Alderman, JR Gillogly
Alderman, Matt Kairis
Alderwoman, Karen Kostecki
ABSENT: NONE
ALSO PRESENT: City Clerk, Kathy Gentile
City Administrator, Ben Benson
Finance Director, Lisa Heglund
City Attorney, Sonni Choi Williams
Director of Public Works, Brent Cann
Director of Community & Economic Development, Lance Thies
Chief of Police, Richard Harang
PRESS: Cathy Wilker, LCTV
LIAISON’S REPORT
1. Lobes
a. Lockport Love Parade – 12/10. Christmas gift giveaway parade starts at Lockport American Legion, starting with a hot breakfast at 8 am. Parade starts a 9 am.
b. Shop with a Cop – 12/10, immediately after the Lockport Love Parade, at the Lockport Walmart, from 11:30 am until approximately 12:30. Lunch will be provided afterwards at Papa Joe’s on 9th street.
2. Bergbower
a. Lewis University partnered with Lockport Green for Pumpkin Catapulting, Sat. Nov 15.
b. Meeting today for new Committee called Lockport in Bloom. Met with a Master Gardner to build out a plan for the City of Lockport.
MAYORS REPORT
1. Summer Art Series Presentation – will be postponed to the City Council meeting on 11/16 2. CREW - Coalition of Municipalities along the Illinois River to manage the river crossing.
ITEMS RECOMMENDED TO BE PLACED ON THE AGENDA FOR CONSENT OR ACTION AT THE NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING
AT-1. Appointment Patrick L. McDonald for the Vacancy of the Late Alderman Larry Schreiber, Ward 2
Mayor Streit presented the bio and proposal to appoint Patrick McDonald to fulfill the vacancy of the Late Alderman Larry Schreiber.
DIRECTION: Add to the Consent Agenda for the November 16 City Council Meeting FN-1. 2023 Budget Presentation
Finance Director, Lisa Heglund, presented the Staff report. Seeking approval of both the Budget and Tax Levy at the December 7 meeting. The presentation included details about the Budget Report, CIP for 2023, New Hires and Budget Adjustments.
Alderman Lobes proposed closing the open position for the City Administrator’s Assistant Role. Discussion among the Council ensued, regarding the possibility of leveraging that role for a special events coordinator. For any staff role in the budget that is not filled, the budgeted amount rolls over to Capital. The City events are an important part of the City’s economic development. Request for Staff to create a flowchart of the City’s events, who supports and sponsors each event, and where there may be gaps. Recommendation to add this as a topic to a future Agenda for City Council to discuss, and identify the best path to ensure that the events can continue to be managed.
Discussion about using the Gaming fund as a funding source to support City events. A text amendment would be required of the City’s Code to do so.
DIRECTION: Information Only, in preparation for December 7 City Council Meeting
FN-2. Approval of Lease Auction through Cell at Auction-Information Only
Finance Director, Lisa Heglund, presented the Staff Report regarding an auction option to solicit bids for Cell tower leases. In years past, the annual cell tower leases were an additional revenue stream. Recently, Staff has received call to reduce the lease amount, for them to remain competitive. Representative from Cell At Auction was present to present details about a Lease Auction option, to support the City.
The auctions are intended to support the current easements. If the carriers wish to expand their footprint on the towers, the City would get additional revenue. The current leases with the City are the best vendors.
Discussion among the Council ensued, regarding the 3 possible bids for the 3 towers. If the City chose to reject the bids for all 3 towers, the City would be liable for $7,500.
Mayor had requested Executive Session to discuss the details of the costs. DIRECTION: Information Only.
CD-1. Façade Grant Request for 113 East 9th Street - Amazing Fantasy Comics in the Amount of $6,837.50
Director of Community & Economic Development, Lance Thies, presented the Staff Report. The applicant indicated they want to install a high-density urethane wall and projecting sign replacing the existing sign that is in a state of disrepair in addition to adjusting and relocating the existing gooseneck lights. The projecting sign will be located over the western portion of the storefront. The wall sign will be shifted to the eastern portion. The case was heard by the Heritage and Architecture Commission on October 18, 2022. After review, the Commission issued a Certificate of Appropriateness for the signs.
Because of the current backlog of projects, only two contractor bids for the signs and electrical were received.
DIRECTION: Add to the Consent Agenda for the November 16 City Council Meeting
CD-2. Providing a One Year Extension of the Approval for a Concept Plan of a 645 Unit Residential Development Located Northeast of Briggs St. and Oak Ave (Serenity Landing)
Director of Community & Economic Development, Lance Thies, presented the Staff Report for the extension of the approval for the Concept Plan. Subsequent to that approval, the applicant through pre-development activities, uncovered a significant amount of infrastructure that had been installed on the property during the Fox Hollow development. This infrastructure was not documented or known to the property owners, NxtGen Development or the City during the Concept Plan review phases.
DIRECTION: Add to the Consent Agenda for the November 16 City Council Meeting
PW-1. Release of the Development Financial Surety for GLQ, LLC
Director of Public Works, Brent Cann, seeking Council approval to accept all improvements, contingent on the City receiving the 12-month maintenance guarantee from the owner for 10% the original amount of the surety.
DIRECTION: Add to the Consent Agenda for the November 16 City Council Meeting
PW-2. Release of the Bond for US Tennis Court
Director of Public Works, Brent Cann, seeking Council approval to accept all improvements, contingent on the City receiving the 12-month maintenance guarantee from the owner for 10% the original amount of the bond.
DIRECTION: Add to the Consent Agenda for the November 16 City Council Meeting
PW-3. Release of the Letter of Credit for Styleline Custom Cabinetry
Director of Public Works, Brent Cann, seeking Council approval to accept all improvements. DIRECTION: Add to the Consent Agenda for the November 16 City Council Meeting
NEW BUSINESS
1. Director of Community and Economic Development, Lance Thies - Zoning Case ZC0220974 and S-22-043 regarding PIN #04-03-102-009, related to Hanson Aggregates Midwest, Inc. for outdoor storage of semi-trucks. This development is expected to increase traffic by 21%.
2. Alderman Gillogly – Concern about the location of the bus traffic for Hell’s Gate. Traffic was rerouted this year due to the State Street construction. It will be moved back to the former path next year.
OPEN COMMENTS
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION TO ADJOURN THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING, AT 8:06 pm. MOTION BY SABAN, SECONDED BY GILLOGLY. MOTION PASSED BY VOICE VOTE.
https://lockport.granicus.com/DocumentViewer.php?file=lockport_596f4a6fbe8bc5c90c2960fb98721a25.pdf&view=1
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