City of Lockport Committee of the Whole met June 7.
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, June 7, 2023 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 – Pastor Lou Wold
ROLL CALL FOR CITY COUNCIL:
PRESENT: Mayor, Steve Streit
Alderman, Jonathan Pugh
Alderman, Matt Kairis
Alderman, JR Gillogly
Alderwoman, Christine Bergbower
Alderman, Darren Deskin
Alderwoman, Joanne Bartelsen
Alderman, Patrick McDonald
ABSENT: Alderwoman, Renee Saban
ALSO PRESENT: City Administrator, Ben Benson
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
ROLL CALL FOR PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION:
PRESENT: Chairman, Dave Oxley
Commissioner, Janine Wheeler
Commissioner, Matt Garland
Commissioner, Bill Molony
Commissioner, Kyle Quinn
Commissioner, Scott Likins
Commissioner, Aaron Peters (not yet sworn into office)
ABSENT: NONE
LIAISON’S REPORT
1. Bartelsen
a. Beautification Recognition – for this year, there will be 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes, gift certificates to Lockport restaurants. The winners will be announced in July or August meeting, neighbor and council members can nominate candidates.
b. Old Canal Days – starts on Friday with a parade, there will be tours of the cemetery and schools on Saturday as well as the carnival at the old Chevron site, ends Sunday with fireworks at dusk.
2. JR Gillogly –
a. There is one week left to order rain barrels, Lockport is paying for 50% of the cost. b. 16th and Madison are finishing resurfacing.
c. Asphalt on resurfacing started on 2nd St. , Bruce Road will start on Friday, and then on 9th St.
3. Pugh –
a. Lockport Police took Click or Ticket It campaign as part of the Memorial Day enforcement campaign which ran from May 19th to May 29th consisting of 49 hrs. of seatbelt enforcement and 32 hrs. of impaired driving enforcement, with a total of 97 citations being issued.
b. On May 19th, the Lockport Police Dept. took part in the Special Olympics Cops on the Rooftop at the two Dunkin locations and raised $7,727.
c. On June 6th, Lockport officers took part in in the Torch Run to raise funds for the Special Olympics.
4. Mayor talked about meeting with a developer team on the possibility of a solar farm at the old Chevron site.
JOINT MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE AND PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING:
ROLL CALL FOR PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION:
PRESENT: Chairman, Dave Oxley
Commissioner, Janine Wheeler
Commissioner, Matt Garland
Commissioner, Bill Molony
Commissioner, Kyle Quinn
Commissioner, Scott Likins
Commissioner, Aaron Peters
ABSENT: NONE
M-1. Homes for a Changing Region Action Plan Presentation
CED Director Lance Thies presented the report. Homes for a Changing Region is a program supported by the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus and the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) and funded by the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA). Homes helps communities in the greater Chicago region analyze, diagnose, and develop market and evidence-based solutions for the housing challenges each place faces. Over the last six months, the Homes team has studied specific housing trends in the City of Lockport. The Homes team has identified a series of recommendations that will allow the Lockport to achieve a balanced and healthy housing stock.
It also noted four key factors that impact housing conditions in Lockport: Lockport’s population has been growing faster than the Chicago metropolitan region. Lockport’s housing stock is mainly comprised of single-family homes. Most housing units are owner-occupied, but the share of renter-occupied units has grown since 2010. A majority of Lockport renters pay more than 30% of their income on rent according to data from 2019. Overall, this burden has increased since 2010, though it does not include recent multifamily developments.
Lockport is a semi-built out community with limited options for families, especially millennials, to purchase homes.
There are demands for rental housing met by Redwood and future development of Continental rental homes. Residents want to stay in their homes longer and demand to move in the Lockport, so a tight housing market.
New development is high-price homes requiring high-income households.
Recommendations:
1) Preserve rental housing by adjust approach to advocacy; connecting landlord and residents; providing continuing education; and improve code enforcement.
2) Encourage balanced housing investment through low income housing tax credits.
3) Find pre-approved housing plans.
Question from McDonald about the market for senior housing where people who would sell their homes to non-maintenance neighborhood.
Director Lance Thies addressed this question about talking about Lago Vista serves this market and Gardens has tax credits. Redwood market to 53’sh average age group that is where the seniors are going to. What is missing is the memory care and specialized services. Senior market vast majority are lower end income-end such as Shorewood Horizon or Prairie Trail at the Landing.
Bartelsen asked about a 2-story house being hard on seniors than ranch one-storing housing. Deskin asked about rezoning issues on the multi-unit senior developments.
Mayor asked about Serenity Landing development off of Briggs Rd. and Oak St. In response, Director Lance Thies stated that City staff recently met with the developer of Serenity Landing. They hoped to break ground in 2025 and looking for single-family rentals.
Deskin mentioned about the changing society’s view of housing and housing stock. Pugh asked about pre-planned housing plans creating a range of housing models.
Oxley mentioned about size of lots issue in the zoning code and reducing design requirements and material restrictions. Molony mentioned availability of modular homes being one of the solutions. Modular homes reduce the wait time. Likins mentioned density issues and senior housing are going multi-level to make them more affordable.
Motion to adjourn by Likins and seconded by Molony. PZC adjourned at 7:47 p.m.
ITEMS RECOMMENDED TO BE PLACED ON THE AGENDA FOR CONSENT OR ACTION AT THE NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING
FN-1. 2024 Budget Calendar
DIRECTION: Information only.
FN-2. Presentation of 2022 Audited Financial Statements
Dave Gelonek from GW Associates presented the audit report. Clean unmodified opinion representing the fiscal year 2022. He lauded the accuracy of information that was provided and great cooperation with the staff.
General fund was spent within budget year and everything looking good.
DIRECTION: Information only.
AT-1. Amendment to Chapter 131 of the City of Lockport Code of Ordinances to Add the Offense of Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm
City Attorney, Sonni Choi Williams, presented the Staff Report. This is a cleanup and clarification needed to prohibit the discharge of a firearm in the city with exceptions such as acting in the performance of public duty or in defense of one's person or property or in areas specifically exempted by an Annexation Agreement or on a lawfully established outdoor recreational or training business. Police Chief made the request and supports the proposed amendment to Chapter 131.
Pugh mentioned removing BB guns and air guns from the prohibition. Bergbower mentioned concerns about removing BB gun and air guns. McDonald asked about enforcement issues if BB guns and air guns are to be removed from the prohibition list.
DIRECTION: Add to the Action Agenda for the June 21, 2023 City Council Meeting ADJOURNMENT
MOTION TO ADJOURN THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING, AT 8:05 p.m. MOTION BY BARTELSEN, SECONDED BY MCDONALD. MOTION PASSED BY VOICE VOTE.
https://lockport.granicus.com/DocumentViewer.php?file=lockport_7d12dd8e377c967d76999f594d3b2ec2.pdf&view=1
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