Will County Gazette

City of Lockport Committee of the Whole met Jan. 17.

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, January 17, 2024 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 7:30 pm.

ROLL CALL

PRESENT: Mayor, Steve Streit

Alderman, Patrick Sheehan

Alderman, Jonathan Pugh

Alderman, Patrick McDonald

Alderman, JR Gillogly

Alderwoman, Christine Bergbower

Alderman, Darren Deskin

Alderwoman, Joann Bartelsen

Alderwoman, Renee Saban

ABSENT: NONE

ALSO PRESENT: City Administrator, Ben Benson

City Attorney, Sonni Choi Williams

City Clerk, Kathy Gentile

Director of Public Works, Brent Cann

Director of Community & Economic Development, Lance Thies

Finance Director, Lisa Heglund

Chief of Police, Richard Harang

PRESS: Cathy Wilker, LCTV

ITEMS RECOMMENDED TO BE PLACED ON THE AGENDA FOR CONSENT OR ACTION AT THE NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETING

CA-1. Approving a Valet Services Contract with VPA - Valet Parking Authority for Valet Services Throughout Downtown Lockport in 2024 for an Amount Not to Exceed $100,000.

City Administrator, Ben Benson, presented the Staff Report. Seeking approval for the new vendor, targeting to start as of March 1, 2024.

Discussion among Council ensued regarding special events. The contract will be focused on providing services on Friday and Saturday nights. After the first year, the City will evaluate whether or not to pursue a multi-year contract.

DIRECTION: Add to the Consent Agenda for the February 7 City Council Meeting

CA-2. Ordinance Approving the Purchase of Commercial Property in Downtown Lockport, 723 S. State Street, Lockport , IL, and Authorizing the City Administrator to Execute the Purchase

City Administrator, Ben Benson, presented the Staff Report. The City reached out to another Appraiser to assess the property, in terms of acquisition and demolition.

Discussion among the Council ensued, regarding the impact of the creek that runs underneath the property.

DIRECTION: FOR INFORMATION ONLY

AT-1. 6-Month Review of Closed Executive Session Meeting Minutes as Required by IL OMA

City Attorney, Sonni Choi Williams, presented the update on the 6 month review of Closed Executive Session Meeting Minutes. The last review was done in August, 2023. At this time, there are no meeting minutes to be released. After 18 months, any verbatim or audio recordings can be destroyed.

DIRECTION: Add to the Consent Agenda for the February 7 City Council Meeting

AT-2. Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Annexation Agreement for Redwood Development

City Attorney, Sonni Choi Williams, presented an update on the Annexation Agreement for Redwood Development. The Annexation Agreement identified a 3 year schedule for impact fees. This amendment will update the impact fees to be in effect for another 3 years. This extension has no adverse impact and will last thru the last phase of the Redwood Development.

DIRECTION: Add as a Public Hearing at the February 7 City Council Meeting

CD-1. Concept Plan for a New Lockport Square Master Plan that Includes a Proposed Mixed Use Development Including Approximately 18,000 SF of New Commercial, a 3,500 SF Restaurant, an 89-Room Hotel, 310 Luxury Apartments and 116 Townhomes

Director of Community & Economic Development, Lance Thies, presented an overview of the history of Lockport Square. This presentation provided details to answer the following topics and questions raised by residents:

1. How many parking spaces/cars will be included in the proposed Concept Plan: 783 spaces required, 1076 spaces proposed. The original 2007 master plan had defined a proposed 1684 parking spots. The current plan reflects a reduction of 608 parking spaces.

2. How many parking spots would be at the Springs Apartments? 388 proposed

3. How much open space/impervious surface? The 2024 master plan reduces impervious and creates more than 30% more open space.

4. Are there detention ponds? There is no impact to the existing storm water system

5. Why a hotel? The hotel’s inclusion in the project is based on a market analysis performed by the owner through a third party

6. What are the financial impacts via Building Permits and Impact Fees

7. What are the comparables for a Property Tax evaluation?

8. What are the financial impacts via Property Taxes?

9. What is the status of the Sales Tax Increment Financing (STIF) from the original agreement? We would project Janko will receive 15% of their original incentive.

10. Will there be a traffic study?

11. What is the police staffing impact? There is no need to increase the number of officers at this time. The City will re-evaluate the need as population and calls for service increase.

12. What is the Sanitary Treatment plant impact? The proposed addition of 420 households is proposed to be 0.16 MGD (2.6% of capacity; 3.7% increase in flow)

13. What would be the timeline if approved? If the master plan is approved, the Janko Group would need to submit rezoning plans, subdivision plans and have their Special Use Permit and Development Agreement updated to reflect the Master Plan. This would be an approximately 3 month process. Both PZC and City Council reviews would be required. Any subsequent developer (whether Janko or another) would need to follow the City’s Standard Final Development process which takes approximately 4 months from when the plans are submitted.

Discussion among the Council ensued. The City would need to review the proposed plan to review current zoning, and determine the need for any rezoning or special use permits. Public Works and the Police Department are aligned with the details provided in Lance’s presentation.

Alderman Pugh raised questions about the plan for residential to be built overlooking and adjacent to manufacturing.

Alderman Deskin raised questions about the location of the proposed future hotel. For the proposed residential, which is a combination of apartments and townhomes, can there be an option to purchase an apartment (condo option). Question about whether or not the City can enforce vetting process for rental properties, or setting market price for the residences.

Alderwoman Bartelsen raised questions about the decision to add rentals into the master plan and the estimated rental costs. At the concept phase, it is too early to articulate the eventual rental costs. Raised question and concern about whether the Lockport Square concept plan would detract from our historic downtown. Raised concern about the lack of affordable senior living.

Certain restrictions exist on Lockport Square. Medical Express’ contract prevents any other medical facilities. Panera restricts bakery/café and sandwich shops. Panera limits the locations of where any other coffee shop could be built within Lockport Square. Popeye’s prevents location of other businesses that sell a percentage of chicken.

Discussion about the pros/cons of retaining the STIF. Janko leverages the STIF to incent retailers.

Discussion about the revenue from Sales Tax and Property Tax, and how each are used. Property Tax supports the local schools. Sales Tax is revenue for the City.

Alderman Sheehan is not in support of the design of the proposed concept plan.

Alderwoman Bergbower raised the concern about affordable senior living, and if the plan can include some type of senior living.

Alderman McDonald raised concern about the value of the revenues from sales taxes and property taxes.

Alderman Gillogly is in support of the concept plan and the residential buildings. Alderman Deskin is in support of the concept plan.

Alderwoman Saban is in support of the concept plan.

Mayor Streit address the Council and stated the need for Council to consider the options because once we develop Lockport Square, it has long-term impact. The design of this property requires thinking about the potential services that will be provided, and not about the revenue from the property. There is no rush for the Council to decide to develop this property.

DIRECTION: Add as an Action Item to the Agenda for the February 7 City Council Meeting

PW-1. Declare Items as Surplus

Director of Public Works, Brent Cann, presented a Staff Report on the City’s surplus items. DIRECTION: Add to the Consent Agenda for the February 7 City Council Meeting

PUBLIC COMMENTS

1. Nora Gruenberg, Government Affairs Director for Illinois Realtors – addressed the Council thanking them for taking such a thoughtful approach to deciding how to proceed on the Lockport Square

MOTION BY MCDONALD, SECONDED BY PUGH TO ADJOURN THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING at 9:22 PM. VOICE VOTE ON THE MOTION.

AYES – SHEEHAN, PUGH, MCDONALD, GILLOGLY, BERGBOWER, DESKIN, BARTELSEN, SABAN

NAY - NONE

ABSENT – NONE

ABSTAIN – NONE

8 AYES, 0 NAY, 0 ABSENT, 0 ABSTAIN – MOTION CARRIED

https://lockport.granicus.com/DocumentViewer.php?file=lockport_7c1faf21b988f0803e6dbe19355043c2.pdf&view=1