City Council - Regular Meeting

Heat. Heat. Daddy. Hey. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. We'll call the regular meeting for the

Elgen City Council for the committee of the whole for May 13, 2026 to order. Please call the role. Council members Alfaro here. Dixon present. Good here. Martinez here. Ortiz Powell Stefan here. Thorne here. Mayor Captain here. Approval of minutes of the previous meeting of April 22nd, 2026. So moved. Second. Moved and second for approval. Any correction or additions? Hearing none. Court please call the role. Council member Zaro. Yes. Dixon. Yes. Good. Yes. Martinez. Yes. Stefan. Yes. Thorn.

Yes. Mayor Captain. Yes. The motion's approved 70. Uh we have uh no public comments this evening, so we'll move on to the initiatives. Mr. Manager.

Thank you, Mayor. The first item this evening is the historic architectural rehabilitation grant resolution approving recipients for the 2026 program and the historic paint grant resolution approving recipients for that 2026 program. The rehab grant program provides incentives to owners of residential properties to offset their costs for exterior rehabilitation work. The 5050 component of the program covers half the cost of the exterior work done to eligible properties up to $20,000. The 7525 component covers 75% of the costs for work up to $20,000 for low to moderate income households. The city received nine historic architectural rehab applications and three of those are under the 50/50 component of the program. Other five being under the 7525 component. Five of the eight are owner occupied homes. The historic uh paint grant program is in its second year and this provides grants of up to $15,000 to owner occupied low to moderate income property owners to paint their homes within the Elgen National Watch Historic District. The city this year received 14 grant applications. Council may recall that each one of these grant programs, the rehab grants and the paint programs, is allocated $150,000 in 2026. Staff is requesting the transfer of funds about $17,000 from the historic architectural rehab grant program to go to the historic paint program so that the city can fund 12 of the 14 eligible historic paint grant applications. Kristen Sunquist is here to answer any specific questions and as always, we're greatly appreciative of her work administering this program. Thanks, Kristen.

Move approval. Second. Move the second for approval. Any discussion? Any questions? Mr. Thorne.

Thank you, Mayor. Well, uh, I'd like to thank Kristen. I'm sure I'm assuming she is behind this uh transfer of funds from one sector to another to be able to help these welldeserving people and our city. So, my compliments to you. I think this is a great way that shows where the funds are offered, what they're for, and how they can be slightly redistributed for the benefit of everyone. Thank you. Okay. Anything else? Okay. So far,

I echo those sentiments of Council Member Thorne. Great job to you and everyone um in promoting the the program and getting a lot of people to apply for the program. Um quick question because I know we had two applications that were unfunded and they scored pretty high still, right, from the the minimum threshold. Have we ever gave partial grants? because I think there's about like a little less than 3,000 if we take the two totals together, right? So, have we ever done that in the past? Sure. I've always offered, but usually they um politely decline because they do want to use the full funding and there's an agreement that's that makes them do the entire project. So, usually they politely decline. Okay.

All right. Thank you for sharing that. Okay. Anything else? Okay. Clerk, please call the role. Council member Zaro, yes. Dixon, yes. Good. Yes. Martinez, yes. Stefan, yes. Thorne, yes. Mir Captain, yes. The motion is approved 70.

Item B is an agreement with Duff Entertainment Incorporated for operational services relating to the 2026 Nightmare on Chicago Street event. Uh we know that this event takes place in downtown Elgen each October. This year, the event will be spanning two days, October 16th through 17th. Planning is already underway and that includes securing a vendor facilitate gate ticketing and security operations. In this instance, Duff is just providing the gate and ticketing options and the uh not to exceed amount of just over $55,000 includes work for both evenings this year. Move for approval. Second. Moved and seconded for approval. Any discussion? Hearing none. Clerk, please call the role. Council member Zaro, yes. Yes. Dixon,

yes. Good. Yes. Martinez, yes. Stefan, yes. Thorne, yes. Captain, yes. Motion's approved. 70.

Item C is the purchase of a water tap trailer for free public drinking water at community events. This trailer is a mobile hydration station that will provide free portable drinking water at city sponsored events. As the title states, the unit supports waste reduction and public health goals by reducing reliance on single-use plastic bottles and also ensures access to drinking water during large outdoor events, particularly during times of extreme heat. The trailer also serves as a visible platform for sustainability education, reinforcing the city's climate action and resiliency plan, and also uh providing uh or also acting in response to community feedback from the 2023 community waste recycling and organic survey. The trailer is being purchased using revenue the city derives from Lakeshore Recycling Systems annual green initiatives ININD fund. That fund contributes $25,000 annually to the city is a component to the LRS refugees and recycling services contract. The current available balance is $50,000 reflecting the accumulation of unspent funds from the first year of the program.

Move for approval. Second. Moved and second for approval. Any discussion, Mr. Dixon? Yeah, I want to thank city staff and actually have Aaron here uh who actually worked on this deal to make sure that we had things in there that we previously didn't have with our previous waste and recycle hauler. And so um just shout out to to LRS and to Aaron and city staff for working on this deal. This is a um uh this is as a um a reaction of sorts to uh to years of trying to get things done. So thank you. Thank you. Anything else, Mr. Thorne?

Thank you, Mayor. Well, I'd like to echo Mr. Dixon words. Thank you, Aaron. And a big thanks to LRS and uh in noting that we went ahead had the 25,000 surplus, added them together. This is a $40,000 expense. We still have 10,000 in the hopper. Good job, Mr. Faro.

Thank you. Thank you to Steph. I think this is a wonderful idea. I do have a question. It says that it would also be available for city sponsor events. Uh, how are we going to let people know like once they get the contract? Are we telling them like we have this available for you? And are we going back to the ones that have been already been awarded to let them know that this is available for those that are doing fest over the summer?

So, I don't know the specific answers to each of those questions, but I imagine all of that will be occurring. So, once the trailer does come in place, we will have that known that that can be a potential option. I don't have specific information on how we might be able to retrofit for for retro apply that to already approved uh um events, but I don't expect that that would be any great issue to accommodate.

Perfect. Yeah. Like just sending them an email like FYI, we have this available. Um it'd also be nice to see at nightmare if we're able to. Um because I know sometimes when I've gone to Nightmare, it's I don't want to wait a really long line for water. So hopefully these lines are a little shorter. Um, so that might be something. But no, great job to staff. And I know this is a coalition of multiple offices. So, thank you to everyone that has worked on this.

Thank you for that as well, council member, because yes, this is work of the sustainability office, Jessica Van Dyke, Kristen Ifer, and then also cultural arts Selena Tapia has been working on that as well. Thanks. Yeah, I you know, I've been involved with this stuff for a long time. And one of the things that uh has always bothered me is the use of plastic bottles and uh I see them uh deposited around the trash barrels, not necessarily in them, but next to them. And that's always been bothersome to me. And I think this is really an innovative way to uh help alleviate that. It's kind of the backdoor way of doing it and uh doesn't require the city to uh come and outright ban something but it gives an option for people and we have great drinking water here and I think it's a good opportunity to uh uh advertise that as well

you know and I also miss too the water department's involved with this being stored at the Slate Avenue facility. So there you go. Without them we wouldn't be we'd have an empty trailer. That's true. Mr. Dicks very one aesthetic question. Um, are we going to brand this at all with LRS or with the city logos on it? How how is that going to look? I I see a mockup, but it's just I think it's just like a a basic Yeah, in the introduction where I was talking about this is a visible platform sustainability education. I know that there's plans to dress this up to to promote that as well. So, all right. Thank you. Okay. Cook, please call the role. Council members Alfaro. Yes. Dixon, yes. Good. Yes. Martinez. Yes. Powell. Yes.

Stefen. Yes. Thorne. Yes. Mayor Captain. Yes. Motion's approved. 8 Z.

Item D is a grant acceptance from the International Association of Chiefs of Police. And this is for the police department social services unit soft room enhancements. Uh this unit provides follow-up services to victims of crime including domestic violence, sexual abuse, child abuse, and other traumatic incidents. The unit offers crisis intervention, advocacy, resource coordination, and in many cases, counseling services to victims and their families. To conduct these sensitive interactions, the unit utilizes a designated soft interview room uh within the police department. The police department is seeking to use grant funds to purchase updated furniture, supportive items to create a more comfortable, welcoming, trauma-informed setting for the victims. The grant is just under $5,000.

Move for approval. Second. Moved and second for approval. Any discussion? So far, I just want to give a shout out to the police department and all the staff that worked on getting these grants. There's several grants on here that were approve, uh, pending approval from city council. And so, um, just want to give kudos to the police department and to all staff who had worked on getting and obtaining those grants. Okay. Anything else? Clerk, please call the role. Council members Alfaro, yes. Dixon, yes. Good. Yes. Martinez, yes. Powell, yes. Stefan, yes. Thorne, yes. Mayor Captain, yes. Motion's approved, 8 Z.

Items E and F are companion pieces of sort. The first is a purchase of services agreement or the juvenile violence intervention and prevention youth empowerment program commonly referred to as Yep. Police Department in 2020 initiated a comprehensive review and analysis of its operation homeront program. That program began in 2009 and conducted over 400 home visits with parents about possible gang related activity involving a child. Working with department personnel, community members, council member Corey Dixon and the consulting firm of CK1, the police department um um well morphed into a new program that would provide a more robust response to juvenile violence and prevention called the youth empowerment program. The police department goal, police department's goal when starting the program was to transition the program to the community, ultimately being facilitated by community liaison. In furtherance of that goal, CK1 in June 2022 transitioned away from the program and Yep. is currently led by community liaison Jeff Lian and Aaron Cobb and the police department's special investigations group, school resource officers, social services, adjudication, and community outreach specialist Daniel Flores. Police Department is seeking to enter into renewal of the purchase service agreement with the community liaison Jeff Lian and Aaron Cobbs uh to continue continue the successful facilitation of YET. It looks like Chief Anna Ali is here at the podium. How are you chief?

Good. How are you? Very good.

So um thank you mayor, city council members, city manager Kosal. So uh this is the third year that Jeff and Aaron have been here with the service agreement um to operate and run the YEP program. Um, as most of you remember, the program started in 2020, working closely with Councilman Dixon, um, and really forming the program, you know, adjusting when we needed pivot, making sure we're adding things. Uh, Jeff and Aaron have done an exceptional job, and I always like to publicly say how the program started because I think it's important to remember the history. Um, and it was Jeff walking with me uh during a protest during 2020 and talking about his life and some of the things with his children and from that meeting um you know walking around the station at a protest which I will never forget and just you know having that conversation coming together Councilman Dixon everything that he did to bring us together and just have a really really hard conversation about some stuff that needed to needed to be um talked about and evolving the program adding the right people. Um Danny Flores, who most of you know, uh phenomenal. I can't say it. It's amazing the things that he has been able to do in the past year and a half with his involvement in the program. So, I don't want to say anything further than that just to publicly say thank you to all of them for what they do. Thank you for your support, but also for them to come up here, talk about the program, talk about um we have some people who have been part of the program that want to share some stories here, and I think that's more meaningful and powerful than any of the technical stuff behind the scenes. So with that

anyone

with all the people there I guess I have to start. So uh um first I want to say thank you. There's a lot of people that I can sit up here and thank but first I always want to say thank you to Nancy Coleman and alignment. They have been um great. Nancy runs our our girls group over at Larkin and she's done great stuff. Um and Deja um is going to actually talk and kind of talk about her experience in there. Um, for me it's just it's been great to have the opportunity to continue to be consistent in these kids' lives. Um, because at the end of the day, that's what it really takes. I think we're always so quick um to to judge and tell them, hey, when you're doing something wrong, but how many times are we congratulating them and helping them through some of the toughest times of their life? Um, so for me, like I said, it's just it's been a privilege to continue to be able to do this. Um, two of the three of these kids I've known since they've been in seventh grade. Um, one will graduate high school this year. Um, and then Kaden who uh will come up. He actually went to middle school at Abbott. He joined the program last year and so I've been able to get to know them. But one I want to say like I'm proud of all you guys. Um, for them to continue to invest in this program because it's not just us. They have to show up. I'm not begging them to come. Uh, they get a slip every day that says, "Hey, um, the you the YEP group today is fifth period." They all show up. They already learned. They're listening. They're doing what they're supposed to do. Um, but you know that inspires me to continue. So, one, I want to say thank you to you three for uh everything that you do. Um, so with that, I'll let I don't know which one. Deja, you want to go first? There we go.

Yeah. All right. So, I will let Deja come up and talk.

Hi, my name is Deja Malone. Um, I attend Larkin. I'm a senior. This is a short speech that I wrote. Um, stepping into this youth empowerment group as a sophomore for like a big change. Honestly, I wasn't I wasn't sure what to expect, but the promise of help with jobs and college and maybe even making some friends was too good to pass up. This group has been more than just resources. It's been a big help. Miss Nancy didn't just give us advice on resumes and college applications. She helped us build them. We had presentations that felt less like lectures and more like collaborative sessions where we learned practical skills. Um I remember one sessions during winter when Miss Nancy bought us all Christmas gifts um me and other girls and she does a lot of activities with us during um certain holidays which I love and I just think that is so amazing. Um I enjoy this group along as along with the other girls who are in it. This group wasn't just about getting a job. It was more about understanding how to present ourselves and advocate for our future. But beyond all the support for our futures, the real deal has been the connections. I've met some um supportive people and generous people in the group and I've celebrated well we all celebrated with our big successes and small ones as well which is why I'm beyond grateful to have been chosen to be in this group. This group has truly empowered me not just in planning my next steps but in building my confidence I need to take in my life. Um thank you My name is Kayen. I'm a My name is Kayen. I'm a sophomore at Lark High School. For the past two years, I've been a part of the Yep group. And I want to speak about my impact. I want to speak about the impact it has had on my life. I am fully I did Oh my god. I did not fully understand what trauma

was or how it could affect people, especially people of my age. Being in this program, I have learned that trauma can shape the way we think, act, and respond the world the world around us. I have also learned that healing and growth are possible when people are giving you support and guidance to understand and learn from their mistakes. The YEP group has helped me grow as a young man. It has taught me the importance of accountability and commun communication and forgiveness. Mr. Cobbs has helped me realize that forgiveness is not weakness. is a part of growth and healing while becoming a better person. Those lessons those lessons have changed the way I look at myself and how I look at others. Programs like Yep. give young people a safe space to learn growth and mistakes and make positive choices. We all face challenges that are not always visible and have have mentors who truly care and truly care can make a life-changing difference. I know now I am capable that capable than I thought was that I thought it was. I am thankful for the opportunities and support I have received. Thank you for your time and for listening my experience.

Hello everybody. Uh good afternoon. Uh my name is uh Miguel Prito. I'm a freshman at Larkin and uh the Yelp program has impacted me in a positive way and this is because the things we talk about the things we talk about in there have made me realize a lot of stuff that I haven't on my own and this has made me have more gratitude to the things I have in my life and I'm thankful for having someone in my life like Mr. cops because he's always been there for me when I needed it. He's never has judged me and has always given me good advice just like Officer Ramirez. That's all. Thank you.

Thank you.

I mean, I don't want to add anything else, right? Uh I just want to say thank you for supporting the youth empowerment program over the past few years. If there's one word that comes to mind when um we help the kids is consistency, right? Uh when we have these meetings with them, it's not just the one time thing and then everything is fixed, right? There's some with some of them we've walked two plus years and and uh you know you start to see the change after the fact that you know you meet time after time and and and you coach them and you pour into them and you mentor them and Aaron and Jeff they've done a a phenomenal job a phenomenal job I think uh if you really hear these are only a few of the stories but if you were hear the stories in the schools in the middle schools now because there are some groups in middle schools now that are happening in the high schools we've seen a lot of kids dropped out of gangs and really just just kind of kids that were going down the wrong path uh now moving in a whole different direction. So, thank you for your support and um and the consistency. Thank you.

All right. How everybody doing today?

Um so, yeah, just to piggy back off of um what what Danny said, um yeah, we did we we have seen the um big change in a lot of the kids that we've been dealing with. Um, I want to say I don't know the the stat statistics, but I'm pretty sure gangs violence and gang banging is down in the high schools that we've been going to because um, even if we see it or they act like they doing it, we address it right away. Um, we teaching we we we've been teaching in some of these boys groups. We've been teaching some of these boys about um, their feelings. And so it's what's that word I taught y'all? intuition.

So they they never knew what that word was, right? And um once I explained it to them what it was, they realized that that thing that's in them that's telling them to do right or wrong, to do right when they know they about to do wrong, that's called the intuition. They need to listen to it. Right? So those type some of the type of things that, you know, we trying to teach some of these young kids that they don't really understand, but they catching on to it. And um I want to thank um Danny Chief and you know every the whole staff man they've been very supportive on everything that we've been doing. Um all the SRO's everybody. So um thank y'all again for you know um giving us this opportunity. Um we really appreciate it. Thank you.

I believe we need a motion. I'll move approval. Second. Moved and second for approval. Any discussion? so far.

Uh thank you to the youth for coming and speaking out. I know it's not the easiest. So, thank you for doing that. To all the staff, uh for everyone that's involved in this program, greatly appreciate your time. Um because it's easy to quantify numbers. It's not easy to show the quality of the impact they're actually doing. Right? To what Jeeoff was saying and others, like the impact that you're having on these lives is long lasting. So, thank you for all that work that you're doing. I do have one question. Uh, in reading the information, it had indicated about 71% are Latinos that are in the program. I just was curious like how many of the families are Spanish speaking and do we have enough um personnel to cover that?

Yeah. Well, that amount, right? Like uh a little bit over 70% are Spanish speaking. The youth are bilingual. Maybe you'll find two or three that um don't speak a lot of English. Um but for the most part they are bilingual most of them. Yeah. The parents are first generation the majority of them. Does the program feel like they have enough like personnel? Just thinking future wise right um like for assistance like do we have enough personnel or partners or etc that can assist with that bilingual component?

Can I answer this question? I would love to have more people um at this quality like Jeff and Aaron that that are bilingual because the program is growing and I'll be very honest. I mean um there's judges uh reaching out because they want to use our program. Uh unfortunately we can't right this is for the city of Elgen. Uh but there's other people looking at it and it's growing in the city and it just keep growing and growing. Um so maybe a couple of million would be good. I like how you just threw that at the end. Just a couple million. That's it. Period.

I would uh suggest that maybe as we're looking to look at budgets in in this over the summer that maybe we look into seeing if there's a way to increase personnel that has a Spanish speaking capacity. I don't know about millions, right? But maybe something. Um so, thank you. Okay. Anything else, Miss Powell?

Thank you. Thank you to the staff, um the police department, Aaron, um Jeff, the students, um I echo what, um Councilwoman Elaro said. I know it's not easy speaking in public. You guys did great. You did excellent. Really appreciate you coming out. I think it's some parents in the audience. I see you out there, Nancy. Thank you for all that you continue to do. Um I I've always been a fan of this program. I've loved seeing how it has grown over the years. Um I'm really excited to see where you are right now and continue to be excited about where it's going. So, thank you for everything that you've you've done. Um are we voting on E and F at or just

E? No, just E at this time.

Just Okay. So, I've got questions about F now. I'll save that for later. Um but just want to continue to, you know, show my support. Um, I'm I'm excited about where it's going and and this is so critical um with the work that we've been doing in this community over the past few years because we want to see these students succeed. We don't want to see these students go down the wrong path. And if you're having interactions with the police department, we want those interactions to be the type of interactions you're having with them through this program versus in another situation where the lights are on and you could potentially end up going to jail. We don't we don't want that. And obviously everyone here does not want that either. Your parents don't want that. Um because you all have very bright futures and I just really like seeing I could see I could see the light bulb come on when when you all were speaking about your experience and how you've changed your mindset and how you look at your life and what uh your future can look like and that's the whole point of the program. So thank you very much. Kudos to all of you who are participating. Um, and definitely am in support of the program and I I appreciate your comments as well in terms of making sure that we have the staffing um to, you know, be able to uh speak the language of the the students and the parents that are in the program. Thank you.

Anything else, Mr. Dixon?

Thank you. Um, thank you. Well, first and foremost, thank you, Chief, uh, and EPD. Uh, we had some some really tough conversations all those years ago. Um, and I'm glad that we did. Um, because we're now better for it. And maybe we don't have the exact statistics, but I would argue that us having um a low crime rate, lowest than we had in 50 plus years now, is directly correlated to the work that's being done inside of these junior highs and middle schools. So, if it wasn't for your willingness to sit down and have that conversation, um we wouldn't be here today. And so, thank you to you, to yourself, uh and to your staff, um Commander Lion back there. Thank you. Um, someone else is hiding behind the podium. There you go, Commander. Uh, thank you. Thank you for all of your work. Um, thank you to to Danny. I remember when Danny came on board, I said, "Chief, you got one that you got the right person."

So, thank you to Danny. We call him Pastor Danny. Uh, depend Coach Danny, depending on who you're talking to or when you're talking to him. So, thank you.

And, uh, and to my friends Keith and Aaron. Um, you know, just to be totally transparent, these are some of my best friends, uh, guys that I grew up with. Um, who grew up very similar to how I did. Um, and to the kids who are in this program, I was you. And if you knew me back then, I was worse. And so when I tell you the skies are the limit and you can be and do anything that you want, um, that's totally true. Uh and so in fighting for this program, this was um this was not easy. It took a lot of speaking up and speaking out that makes you uncomfortable. Um but I felt it in my spirit that in the long run this was going to be the right thing to do. Um and I'm glad that I pushed and I'm glad the community pushed and that this council pushed for the program as long as along with the uh the department because now we're here. Um, so thank you to to Aaron and Keith for continuing to lead this program. We appreciate you. I'm happy to hear and see that it's growing. I get a lot of information on the back end of it. I'm not I'm not involved with the day-to-day management of it in any way, shape, or form, but I definitely have conversations with with Aaron and Keith pretty much on a weekly basis about the program and so they fill me in. Um, and so I'm just, you know, I'm just over the moon ecstatic about how well things are going. So no questions for me because I know where to go to get my answers. So, thank you.

Okay. Anything else? Miss Martinez.

Thank you, Mayor. Thank you everybody for coming up. And it's true what everybody says, public speaking is very difficult. You guys did a great job. And this is just the beginning. And um I would like to say to Aaron and to Jeff, I remember the first time when you guys came up, uh you're very shy and you know, didn't really want to speak. And now you guys speak so fluently. I mean, it's great. and this is such a success for your dedication and your devotion because you believe in this. Uh Danny, you're a great addition. Uh I just want to say a few things. It's a shame that at this stage of your life, so young that you're going through obstacles and traumas, you know, but that's what makes us grow and that's what makes us stronger. And I want to thank you very much for coming to school every single day. That's a dedication that's going to determine that's going to determine what your job is, what your house, what kind of car, but more than anything, you know, you can lose those things, but you can never lose your education. And just education is the key. Now, to see how uh resilient and strong you are, this is just the beginning. And I just want you to know, you know, there's always two paths. The e easy path and the right path. Take the right path cuz you think nobody knows, but remember, you know. So, thank you everybody.

Okay. Anything else, Mr. Steph?

Yeah, I just uh wanted to make a few comments. First, thank you everybody. Um I had a lot of questions for the chief because that's the email I have and she was more than happy to give me all the info and I appreciate that. Um to summarize what she responded to my questions, it sounds like this program is finally hitting full stride and it's and I think it's s it's success is evident in the memo. Nobody mentioned the new family program raising highly capable kids. That sounds like that's a a hit. um or the community le liaison and and I wanted to call those out because I I see this program similar to some others that we support like the chamber and other groups that rely on a large volunteer base to get a lot of work done. Um and it we put some money out and we get a lot back in return because of that volunteer base and I see that here with the liaison that you guys have developed. So congratulations That's it. All right. Clerk, please call the role.

Council member Zaro? Yes. Dixon? Yes. Good. Yes. Martinez, yes. Powell, yes. Stefan, yes. Thorne, yes. Mayor Captain, yes. Motion's approved. 8 Z. Wait a minute. Nobody go away. Okay. Don't go too.

From the All right. Uh, item F is an acceptance of a township grant for soccer programming with the youth empowerment. Yep. Program. Uh the police department is seeking to provide a structured soccer program to augment YEP and provide a safe and supportive environment where atrisisk youth can develop teamwork, discipline, and leadership skills. This is the second year in which the city is receiving the 10,000 grant from the township. Council member Powell, the tournament is available to middle school and high school students along with current and past members. So unless you meet that criteria, you're not going to be able to get on a team. I know that you have questions. I don't move for approval. Second. Second.

Moved and second for approval. Any discussion? Miss Paul, you had a question. Well, since uh maybe city manager blew my opportunity to play soccer, but that's okay. No, I'm just kidding. Um my question, well, first of all, congratulations. You again, you know, this is a great addition to Yep. Um, I was curious how we came up with soccer versus basketball or football or anything else that you know, let me guess. You Let me guess. You You play soccer? Yes. Okay. All right. And I'm uh currently licensed with the US Soccer Federation. I coach varsity for high school as well.

Okay. Play soccer all my life. Um. Yes. because the majority of the kids uh that we started this with um were very interested in some type of extracurricular activities. So, we started it we did 120 um kids this uh spring uh for two months and a half and we're planning to do something in the fall as well. So, yes, it started there, but we're also looking into doing something with football and basketball in the future. It's just the space and funds and and all of that good stuff.

Okay. Yeah, that's I was just curious how we kind of landed on soccer and if we're looking to expand it into some other sports because not all the kids are may be interested in soccer. Um, so I was just interested in in hearing like if there are plans for broadening it to some other some other sports. Yes, there's some conversations football and basketball. Okay. Yep. Great. Less than a million dollars. Less less than a million dollars. Less than a million. Now there's three million. Yes. And and thanks to Elgen. Yeah. Just thanks to Elgen Township for for the grant to um get this started. So thank you.

And it takes just just so you know, it takes more than $10,000 to be able to do this. There was a lot of people involved. We have 30 plus community partners. It takes a lot of time, a lot of people. So yes, and Elgen Township definitely. Great. Mr. Park, thank you. Uh yeah. So, thank you to the township for the grant and all the community partners that you mentioned. Um, I do have a question. It was in the kids united um that it's at no cost. Is it is there a cost for the youth to participate in this one? No. Okay, perfect. No, that's awesome.

Thank you all for doing something like this. It's encouraging. And which soccer, you know, it's team building. There's all these other skills that are being learned, not just playing the game. And so, I do appreciate that this is also another activity that's being offered. Yep. Thank you. Okay, Mr. Stephen,

I just wanted to chime in, too. We uh Councilwoman Pal asked about other sports for a couple years. We had a rugby team going and we were doing this uh Kids United program for middle school kids uh along the same lines. Uh along uh coached head coached by uh Sergeant Copeland at the police department who's retiring I think in about a week and a half. So, uh, we we were trying to do the same thing and running into the same issues, not least of which is nobody wants to play rugby anymore, so we no longer have a team. But, yeah, we do have golf coming up in the summer, golf with the C. So, we do four weeks.

All right. Anything else, Mr. Dixon? Yeah, I just want to say thank you again to Danny and EPD and Yep and you know all the um all the folks associated with it to see the program grow and and you know grow another arm essentially um is really encouraging and to to merge what is happening in these children's life with sports is I think that's a perfect marriage u because we know how sports encourage uh we know how sports teaches people how to be overcome difficult times and so I just think that doing this with soccer which is you know thinking about the demographic of our city and who's playing soccer. I think it's just a it's perfect marriage. So, so thank you and um keep up the good work, man. So proud. So proud, bro. Thank you. Yeah. Okay, Miss Martinez.

Thank you, Mayor. I just want to say also thank you to everybody involved, you know, and I get uh soccer as um as a sport, not because I play it or anything, right? But I feel like football, it's kind of like expensive uh to to go ahead and equip. And then you look at basketball and there's only so many people playing at the time, but soccer is uh pretty easy to pick up, pretty easy to to play. And um I appreciate everything. You know, I I kind of like the fact that they're doing an individual thing. Golf. Um it you know it's not for everybody but I think the more of a variety we have the better it is and thanks to you and everybody who's involved.

Thank you. Okay clerk, please call the role. Council member Zarro, yes. Dixon, yes. Good. Yes. Martinez, yes. Powell, Stefen, yes. Mayor Captain, yes. Motion to approve 70.

Item G, more generosity from Elgen Township. This is for the kids united summer program. Police department's primary summer youth program is kids united. Uh police department has been conducting this program since 2007. It provides a safe, fun, and educational environment for Elgen youth. It's staffed by Elgen police school resource officers, rope officers, police explorers, police social workers, and social service interns along with community volunteers. Um, and as I mentioned before, funding has been provided since its inception by Elgen Township in the amount of $20,000. Move for approval. Second. Moved and second for approval. Any discussion? Hearing none. Clerk, please call a role. Council member Zaro, yes. Dixon, yes.

Good. Yes. Martinez, yes. Powell, yes. Stefen, yes. Mayor Captain, yes. Motion's approved 70. Uh, mayor, item H is an amendment to the land use agreement with Elgen BMX Riders Association for their operations at the Elgen Sports Complex. Uh, staff is asking that this item be tabled at this time. Item H will be tabled to a future meeting.

Thank you. Item I is an amendment to the existing agreement with engineering enterprises for the mccclur 2026 resurfacing project design engineering services. Uh, this amendment authorizes EEI to provide supplemental design engineering services allowing for the inclusion of Walnut Avenue in the city's 2026 McLaren resurfacing project. Resurfacing of Walnut Avenue has been postponed for several years in anticipation of pending sanitary sewer separation project and along with lead service line removal work. The lead service line replacements are going to be completed prior to the planned resurfacing and the recently updated sewer master plan has moved sewer separation to 2030. Given the deteriorating roadway condition and the multiple postponements, staff is recommending the inclusion of the Walnut Avenue resurfacing project into the city's 2026 resurfacing projects. Upon completing design engineering services, the city will advertise and award a construction contract to perform the street reservicing during the 2026 construction season. This amendment to the engineering services agreement is just short of $60,000. And public services director Mike Bubins um is estimating in a ballpark figure that the reservicing will be about $1.34 million at the end of the day.

Moved and second for approval. Any discussion, Mr. Stepp? Well, I in seeing the memo and reading it, as our manager just explained, it it was exciting to see that we're finally getting to Walnut given the condition, but then it was kind of a downer to see that it's going to have sewer separation in four years. But I I hope that we can address the subsurface that seems to be failing pretty much at every intersection along Walnut. And maybe that can be the best thing. And I don't know, maybe Aaron's over there.

No, it's not going to be we're not addressing the subsurface. This is resurfacing and it's with the recognition that we're tearing it all apart or most of it in 2030.

This is the temporary thing and the real work is going to be in four years. Okay. And and normally be because of what you identified, normally the city won't even do a resurfacing if we know that we're going to be tearing it up in 5 years. But because of the Swan neighborhood, Walnut in that area suffering as first we plan for combined sewer separation and then that was leapfrogged by lead service line replacement. So you probably understand too, we don't want to do combined sewer separation, resurface the whole street, and then come back years later and do the lead service line removal. So we'll make the exception in this instance. We're going to make some immediate repairs for those areas that are that are deteriorating, but it's just going to be a straight up resurfacing. Got it. To get us through to 2030. Okay.

We've had that discussion in the past. I had the discussion Tuesday at a meeting uh talking about this same issue. Uh the unintended consequences of the lead service line is uh tearing up streets that we may not have had on our schedule. And that's going to be just a um going to see them more and more uh as time goes on. and we have another 8,000 lead service lines to do. So, it's going to throw us off schedule and cost uh un unended consequence and more money. Okay, Miss Alar,

um I I I see what council member um Stefan is saying, but um it's two and a half years that they'll have hopefully a good road. Um and although we have the sanitary sewer plan for 2030 that depending on the climate and the environment and the funding that could be pushed back, right? That's always conceivable. Yeah. So like I think this, you know, Oh, I see what you're saying. So yes, there might be additional time. You are correct forward because of the how bad the road is over there. Um and although we're planning on 2030 and there's like two and a half years where it'll be a good road, that 2030 could potentially be further pushed back. So, thank you for pointing that out.

Okay. Clerk, please call the role. Council members Alaro, yes. Dixon, yes. Good. Yes. Martinez, yes. Powell, yes. Steen, yes. Thorne, yes. Mayor Captain, yes. Motion's approved. 8 Z.

Item J is a design and construction engineering services agreement with Hampton, Lensini, and Renwick for the MLAN Boulevard at Royal Boulevard traffic signal modernization project. City staff, Mr. Neil in consultation with Hampton Lensini and Renwick have developed a multi-year program identifying pri priority intersections requiring maintenance and modernization beyond the scope of routine signal maintenance efforts. The city identified the need to replace the aging traffic signal components at the intersection of MLAN Boulevard and Royal Boulevards to improve reliability, safety, and overall operational performance. The proposed engineering services agreement includes design and construction engineering services for the removal and replacement of the aging signal equipment. Um, we're going to be replacing it with modern components that are consistent with current traffic signal standards. Construction contract award is expected during the third quarter of this year.

Move for approval. Moved and second for approval. Any discussion? Hearing none. Clerk, please call the role. Council member Zero. Yes. Dixon. Yes. Good. Yes. Martinez. Yes. Powell. Yes. Stefan. Yes. Thorne. Yes. Mayor Captain. Yes. Motion's approved. 8 Z.

Item K is an intergovernmental agreement with the Elgen Township Road District for street resurfacing cost reimbursement to the city. Discussions with the Elgen Township Highway Commissioner by city staff recognized an opportunity for intergovernmental cooperation, cost savings, and reduced inconvenience to both city and township residents by including a township roadway segment in the city's upcoming resurfacing project. Under this agreement, a township roadway segment adjacent to the city's planned resurfacing routes will be included in the design, construction, and construction engineering phases of this project. Both parties will pay completely for all phases of the work done on their respective roadways. The roads included into this agreement include a segment of Maple Street south of Erie Street.

Move for approval. Second. Moved and seconded for approval. Any discussion, Mr. Ste? Just quickly, thank you, mayor. I just wanted to point out this is another example of us working with other neighbors and other units of government. I think we already do this with the township with snow removal on some of these similar roads and it just makes sense rather than checkerboard it. We just kind of trade off different areas and make things work. So I think that's good. So I just wanted to pointed that point that out. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. Clerk, please call the role. Council member Zaro, yes. Dixon, yes. Good. Yes. Martinez, yes. Powell, yes. Stefen, yes. Thorne. Yes.

Mayor Captain, yes. Motion's approved. 8 Z.

Item L, membership renewal with the Metro West Council of Government. Metro West is a not for-p profofit organization representing 37 municipalities across Kain, Kendall, and Dalb counties, collectively serving over 750,000 residents. As one of its founding members, Elgen benefits from Metro West's ability to convene regional partners, advocate for shared legislative priorities, and enhance municipal effectiveness. Renewing membership ensures Elgen remains a part of a coordinated regional effort to influence legislation that directly impacts municipal revenue, infrastructure funding, and local decision-making authority. Through Metro West, the city can advocate more effectively while leveraging a unified regional voice as opposed to acting independently. Uh the city's annual renewal for uh with Metro West has been at $30,000 since we joined the organization in 2004.

Move for approval. Second. Move the second for approval. Any discussion? Mr. Steph,

I just want to uh point out that yeah, the price has remained the same I think since 2004 2005. Um and so I think on that level it's a great deal and um in response to some uh requests from the dis either last year or the year before to Metro West, they have been providing us the weekly updates and I appreciate that. It's good to see that. That's where I found out about the LRS recycling center tour uh that I went on this spring uh to see what's going on there and um experience some of the work that they're doing. So, I appreciate it. Thanks. Okay. Anything else, Mr. Dixon?

Yeah, I'm I'm going to be supporting this too as well. Well, I I think there were questions in the past as to the value um that Metro West provides us and and from everything that I've seen and have experienced, they provide great value to us as a community. Um there are several subjects that we're dealing with right now that they are really pushing the ball on in Springfield. and I had a chance recently to go on a trip with them to Springfield to do some um lobbying on a behalf of initiatives that not just will affect us as a community, but all the surrounding communities that they also um uh that they they also represent. So, um so again, you know, $30,000 um is great value for we actually get in the long run, I believe. So,

Miss Martinez, thank you, Mayor. I also echo everything everybody's been saying. and I have always supported this. $30,000 is nothing compared to what we have gotten back as a community. Thank you. Okay, please call the role. Council member Zaro, yes. Dixon, yes. Good. Yes. Martinez, yes. Powell, yes. Stefen, yes. Thorne, yes. Mayor Captain, yes. Motion's approved. 8 zero. Announcements from the council. Mr. Thorne.

Thank you, Mayor. I'd like to uh extend kudos to Kristen Sunquist and the Heritage Commission for the wonderful mayor's award program that they put on this past last week. Um, numerous individuals and uh homeowners, building owners received due uh compliments and accreditation for all the work they've done in enhancing and making Elgen a better place. Great job by all of them. Anything else? Miss Powell.

Thank you, Mayor. um a few announcements about some um events that are happening in our community. I want to share um a clean underwear drive that is uh going it's called Drop Your Drawers Underwear Drive. How cute. Um it's going uh taking place now through May 20th. It is sponsored by an organization called Go With the Flow in um in conjunction with Open Door Clinic here in Elgen. Um and it is the the organization is collecting clean underwear uh for uh folks facing homelessness and financial challenges in our community. Um clean underwear is the least donated but the highest demand item of clothing for those facing homelessness and struggling with financial limitations. Without clean underwear, an individual's physical health, confidence, and dignity suffer, impacting their ability to attend school and work. And this um organization will distribute the underwear collected directly to individuals um in need uh through partner organizations throughout Kain County. If you would like to donate um to to this um this effort, uh the local donation site is Open Door Clinic located at 1665 Larkin Avenue here in Elgen. Thank you.

Okay. Anything else from the council? Mr. Mr. Dixon. Thank you. Yeah, I would like to say happy birthday um from the DAS for Miss Helen uh who is a a senior here in our community that uh we had a chance to celebrate her birthday this past what Tuesday. I believe the mayor was there too as well as well as uh uh Sandy and uh just wanted to wish her a happy birthday 105 years old. Remarkable teaches us all to watch what we do if you want to live to be 105. Okay. Anything from the staff?

Just one, mayor. The Elgen Fire Department is hosting the 34th annual Elgen Area Firefighter Memorial Service this coming Saturday at 10 a.m. in the Illinois Firefighter Memorial Plaza at the George Vandervood Firefighter Memorial Park, 533 St. Charles Street in Elgen. I know many on the DAS have been there before, but for those members of the public who have never attended, it is a very moving, solemn, and impressive event. Okay, Mr. Thorne.

Yes. Thank you, mayor. Excuse me, out of turn. Uh, one that I forgot. Washington School, which will be closing at the end of this school year, is having an open house this Saturday from 1 to 4 with tour guides. Anyone can attend. If you know someone, if you want if you went to Washington like I did a long time ago, uh, it's uh, open and you can see what it is now. But a lot of the rooms still look the same. They still have the old original fireplaces. So, here's your last chance. Okay. All right. We'll entertain a motion to adjourn. Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Same note.

Okay. Uh look like Sue Webb reach out for Oh, I'm sorry. That's something else. There's another open house at Lori School on May 30th from 1 to 3 p.m. She just sent it right now. Also, I'm looking at my email, so I think it's similar to well, not the same thing, but Okay. Anyways. All right. Entertain a motion to adjurnn. So moved. Second. Moved in a second. A clerk, please call a role. Council members Alfaro, yes. Dixon, yes. Good. Yes. Martinez, yes. Powell, yes. Stefan, yes. Thorne, yes. Mayor Captain,

yes. We are are joured. We'll reconvene at the regular council meeting at 7:05. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat.

Grand Heat. Heat.

Heat up here. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat.

Heat. Doo doo doo doo doo doo. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. N. Heat. Heat.

May 13, 2026 to order. Please join me in the pledge of allegiance. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Clerk, please call the role. Council member Zelf Faro, here. Dixon, present. Good here. Martinez here. Ortiz Powell here. Stefen here. Mayor Cap Thorne here. Mayor Captain here. Approval of the minutes of the previous meeting of April 22nd. Move for approval. Moved and second for approval. Any corrections or additions hearing? None. Clerk, please call the RO. Council member Zaro, yes. Dixon, yes. Good. Yes. Martinez, yes. Powell, yes. Stefen, yes. Thorne, yes. Mayor Captain.

Yes. Motion's approved. 8 Z. Uh we have a couple of communications this evening. Would Chief Lai at the podium bring Is anybody left at the police station? Whereas May 15th has been designated as National Peace Officers Memorial Day. And whereas the members of the Elgen Police Department play an essential role in safeguarding the rights and freedoms of Elgen. And whereas it is important that all citizens know and understand the duties of their law enforcement agency and those members of our law enforcement agency recognize their duty to serve the people. And whereas the men and women of the Elgen Police Department unceasingly provide a vital public service. Now therefore, I, David Captain, mayor of the city of Elgen, declare Friday, May 15, 2026 as Elgen Peace Officers Memorial Day as a day to remember these officers who have gone before us. And I hereby order the lowering of the flags flying in front of this facility to half mast. It's a important time to say something. You know, uh we always talk about the the fact that uh police officers have passed away and we memorialize them, but I think it's important for us to recognize that every day these men and women go out to something that most of us never

experience. They don't know if they're going to come home. And at the end of the day, what do we wish? We wish that you all get home with your families. And God bless you all. So, good evening, council. Thank you, mayor, for the proclamation. Um, I just want to take a few minutes. Um, I am joined with members of the Elgen Police Department. Uh, truly Elgen's finest. Um, here on behalf of the police union is Detective Dan Raymond. Um, who represents the police union. He is the vice president. So, just a few things. First, thank you to the community. Thank you for your support, for your care, and for your kindness. uh we try very hard to make sure that we live up to the expectations of the community and that is something that we believe in every single day. I appreciate all the care, all the support and all the love that you do give us. Second, thank you to the council and to city manager Kosal and to the mayor with there's no doubt without your support and your care um you know great conversations pushing us to do really great things. I truly appreciate each and every one of you and thank you for everything that you do for the police department. And most importantly, thank you to the members of the Elgen Police Department. It is an honor and a privilege to be the police chief and to be able to lead um exceptional people. Proud is not the word. Um I couldn't even think of a word. Every day when I walk into the department and you see very young officers, some they are old enough to be police officers, some of them. So I get asked that a lot. they are uh bright, smart, articulate, just, you know, ready to take the world on. And it's an honor and what a privilege. So, thank you all for what you do. And um this week, you know, it's a it's a week just to say thank you and to also honor those that came before us and then also to, you know, pay our respect to people who have put their life on the line and have lost their lives. So, please join us at our memorial ceremony

next Tuesday, 2:30 in front of the police department. We will also be taking a moment to honor Sergeant Rich Free who passed away last year in November. So, thank you again on behalf of the entire police department. We truly appreciate all of you. Thank you. Hey, Mr. Neil. They don't trust me with that one, you know. Whereas public works professionals focus on infrastructure, facilities, emergency management, and services that are of vital importance to sustainable and resilient communities and the public health, high quality of life, and well-being of the people of the city of Elgen. And whereas these infrastructures, facilities, and services could not be provided without the dedicated efforts of public works professionals who are engineers, managers, and employees at all levels of government, and the private sector who are responsible for rebuilding, improving, and protecting our nation's transportation, water supply, water treatment, and solid waste treatment systems, public buildings, fleet, and equipment resources, and other structures and facilities. ities essential for our citizens. And whereas it is in the public interest of the citizens, civic leaders, and children of the city of Elgen to gain knowledge and maintain ongoing interest and

understanding of the importance of public works and public works programs in their respective communities. And whereas the year 2026 marks the 66th annual National Public Works Week sponsored by the American Public Works Association. And now therefore, David Captain, mayor of the city of Elgen, Illinois to hereby designate the week May 17th to 23rd, 2026 as National Public Works Week. I urge all citizens to join with the representatives of the public works association and government agencies in activities, events, ceremonies designated designed, excuse me, to pay tribute to our public works professionals, engineers, managers, and employees, and to recognize the substantial contribution they make to protecting our national health, safety, and advancing the quality of life for all of us. Congratulations, Mr. Mayor, members of council, city manager, thank you. Um, real quick, I do have on my steeltoe Crocs this evening. In case anyone's seen, when I left the house this morning at 7:00, I put my Crocs on knowing I was going to put a suit on later this evening. I had my dress shoes with me. When I got to city hall, I realized I had two right-footed black dress shoes. So, here I am. But I make them look

drive a snowplow. We're okay.

But I but I make them look good. Um like Chief Lai said, next week is a week for us to celebrate our public works professionals from uh the young men who started like me at 18 years old to the folks like Mike Pubans who have been in this uh profession for a little while. Um this year's theme rooted in service powered by community perfectly reflects the work public works professionals do every day. From maintaining roads, bridges, sidewalks, street lights, and traffic signals to operating the water and sewer infrastructure, working quietly behind the scenes, these essential services form the foundation of a strong, thriving community. Tonight, as public works director, I'm proud to stand alongside Mike Pubz, Elgen's public services director and city engineer, and Nora Bertram, utilities director. Together, our departments represent one of the city's largest operational groups, only second to the police department, delivering critical services that impact residents every single day. While the three of us have the privilege of leading these teams and advancing projects, innovation, and service efficiencies across Elgen, this recognition truly belongs to the dedicated employees on the front lines and behind the scenes who keep the city moving every day. Whether it's snow and ice removal, water and sewer repairs, maintaining city facilities, grounds in the municipal fleet, supporting development and capital engineering projects, our teams work tirelessly, often at all hours and in all conditions to provide these services our community depends on. On behalf of the employees serving across every corner of our city, thank you for this acknowledgement and thank you for your continued support uh to the people who help keep Elgen's public works systems strong every day. And finally, uh in 2026, the department's public works open house

will be held on Saturday, October 3rd. We have a busy early 2026, and we usually host this event during National Public Works Week. Uh but we hit the ground running. We have a lot of projects that we need to get done. So, our open house will be held in the fall where we will allow the community to come in and see uh up close and personal what we do. So, thank you all very much.

They didn't really tell me to prepare anything to say. So, um thank you for the recognition. Um, as you know, um, our employees are the most important part of public works and we take great pride in taking care of our city. So, thank you We have no public comments this evening. Okay. Quiet night brings us to bids. First item is bid number 26-00003 water main improvements for 2026. No wonder Norah is here. Going to get the big check. Uh,

mayor. Yeah. I'll move that we award this to Bluewater Construction of Wakanda in the amount of 5,22,655. Second. Been moved and seconded. Any discussion? So far, thank you. I had a quick question. I see that we're replacing 2.3 miles of the water main, but we're also replacing five hydrants, fire hydrants. Uh, do we know I know we approved not that long ago um funding to paint fire hydrants. So, have these fire hydrants been painted? I'm just curious. Wow. I don't know if even Nora knows the answer to that question. So, maybe she does, though.

They'll be painted as part of the replacement, I guess. Yeah. Um the fire hydrant painting contract hasn't kicked off yet. So we're still um working with the contractor to schedule where we're going to be doing it. So they won't be painted. Um if it's in the area, we'll make sure they're not wasting the paint on hydrants that are going to be replaced. So Okay. Because we're getting new fire hydrants, right? Yeah. Okay. So we'll save the money from the painting, but we'll use it probably for purchasing the fire hydrants, maybe. Um well, we'll just paint more hydrants in different areas. So they have they're going to do like 20 2500 hydrants this year. Okay. and we can kind of move that around as needed. So, we're focusing on different neighborhoods and we'll not do this neighborhood this year. It'll be a different neighborhood.

Okay. No, I appreciate that we're not being wasteful and we're keeping that in mind. No, thank you. Appreciate that. Okay. Anything else? Clerk, please call the role. Council member Zaro, yes. Dixon, yes. Good. Yes. Martinez, yes. Powell, yes. Stefan, yes. Thorne, yes. Mayor Captain. Yes. The motion's approved. 8 Z. Uh item two is bid number 26-004, lead service line replacement, a 5-year contract.

Yes. Mayor Captain, I move that we award a contract to Joel Kennedy Constructing Group uh Corporation of Chicago for five year five of our lead service line replacement program in the amount of 7,880,448. Second. Moved and seconded. Any discussion? Hearing none. Clerk, please call the role. Council member Zelf Farrello, yes. Dixon, yes. Good. Yes. Martinez, yes. Powell, yes. Stefan, yes. Thorne, yes. Mayor Captain,

yes. Motion's approved. 8 Z. Item three is a public works interior lighting up updating uh job order contract. Mr. Mayor, I recommend that we award the contract to Charlotte Electric Company in the amount of $265,68018. Second. Moved and seconded. Any discussion? M so far I just had a question for staff. Uh so there's two figure numbers being presented. Um I know it's requested that for $265,681 but all the quotes have 261,084.38. So I was just curious on the slight difference.

I'll have to look into that. Councilwoman, my apologies for that. No problem. I don't know if it's a typo, if there's some other It's such a small difference. It seems like it might be a typo. Oh, okay. Okay. But I can rectify that. Okay. Anything else? Okay. Please call the role. Council members Alvaro, yes. Dixon, yes. Good. Yes. Martinez, yes. Powell, yes. Stefan, yes. Thorne, yes. Mayor Captain,

yes. Motion's approved. 8 Z. Item four is uh Edward Shock Center of Elgen Remodeling job order contract. Mayor, I move that we approve the contract to FH Passion in the amount of $3,614,958 for the remodeling at the Edward Shock Center of Elgen. Second. It's been moved and seconded. Any discussion? Hearing none. Clerk, please call the role. Council member Alaro, yes. Dixon, yes. Good. Yes. Martinez, yes. Powell, yes. Stefen,

yes. Thorne, yes. Mir Captain, yes. Motion's approved. 8 Z. Bid number five is train building uh automation system service contract. Omnia joint purchasing agreement. Mr. Mayor, I recommend that we award the contract with Train Technologies the amount of $31,561. Second. It's been moved and second for approval. Any discussion? Hearing none. Clerk, please call the role. Council members Al Faro, yes. Dixon, yes. Good. Yes. Martinez, yes. Powell, yes. Stefan, yes. Thorne, yes. Mir Captain,

yes. Motions approved. Date zero. Brings us to other business. First item is consideration of petitions 46-25, 47-25, and 48-25 for 505 South Mlan Boulevard. Preliminary and final plat of subdivision plan development as a map amendment and conditional use to subdivide an 11.74 acre property for the construction of a gas station with a 24-hour convenience store and accessory package liquor sales. Mr. Malot.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. The subject property is located at the southeast corner of MLAN Boulevard and Fleetwood Drive, just south of US Route 20. Here is 20. This is MLAN and this is Fleetwood. This is Elgen Community Colleg's new manufacturing center. Marathon Gas Station, Shell Gas Station, Wendy's Restaurant, Burnham Manor Senior Apartments are here. This is Buenav Vista Apartments and Town Houses, north side of the city's Highlands Golf Course, and City Fire Station number four. Quick Trip Corporation requests approval of a new gas station and convenience store at the corner of Mlan and Fleetwood, which would be located on a new 3.4 4 acre lot carved out of the larger 11.74 acre property which is currently vacant. The 11.74 acres are currently owned by Buenav Vista Apartments and Townous. Part of this application, as the mayor suggested, is a subdivision that formally creates lot one for Quick Trip Here. Lot two would be a 2.6 acre front uh parcel fronting on South Mlan, which would be available for future development. And the 5.6 6 acre lot three would be located behind lots one and two and preserved as open space. This open space is nearly 50% of the original property. This quick trip would have eight double-sided fueling islands for traditional passenger vehicles as well as a convenience store. No diesel fueling stations are proposed. For comparison, the Quick Trip that just opened on Rand Road just south of the tollway has more fueling stations but a slightly smaller convenience store. Access to the property was determined based upon a traffic study provided by the applicant and reviewed by a city consulting engineer. The property would have a right in and right out driveway from South Mlan and a full access driveway on Fleetwood that aligns with the driveway to Wendy's and Jify Lube. Both driveways connect to the future developable lot 2. It's also intended that future development on lot two would

connect south to South Sportsway, further increasing traffic efficiency. Other site improvements include approximately 1,700 ft of public sidewalk along South Mlan and Fleetwood with multiple internal connections and extensive landscaping throughout the site. The 6,500T convenience store would be open 24 hours a day. In addition in addition to general merchandise and food, the applicant is proposing to offer accessory package liquor sales taking up just a bit more than 1% of the total building floor area. Accessory package liquor sales can request that such display of such products can co cover up to 10% of their building floor area. This is the area that they would have those products. The proposed building is welldesigned and entirely clad with brick and stone. The applicant and his attorney is available should you have any questions. Staff and the planning and zoning recommend approval sub to the conditions outlined within your packet.

So moved. Second. Moved and second for approval. Any discussion? M so far I had a question on uh the lights. Um I know in the planning and zoning commission they had asked about the lights, but I don't think I saw the response about like where lights are going to make sure there's enough lighting in there. Uh we do have lighting standards in the zoning ordinance and they'll have to provide a photometric prior to building permit approval. Um so that will be that can be handled at the permit review. So Okay. But there's nothing they're going above and beyond to the light. Okay. It's just general. Okay. Yep. Anything else? Okay. Mr. Steph,

I I just want to comment. I was appreciative of seeing uh that they have an EV station proposed and possibly more as probably vehicle types will change over time. So, I appreciate that. Okay. Please call the RO. Council member Zelf Faro, yes. Dixon, yes. Good, no. Martinez, yes. Powell, yes. Stefan, yes. Thorne, yes. Mir Captain,

yes. The motions approved. Uh 8 uh 71. Item two is consideration of petition 06-226, a zoning ordinance text amendment to modify site design requirements for motor vehicle repair shops within the arterial road corridor overlay district. Mr. Malot,

thank you, Mr. Mayor. The application before you comes from Scots Customs LLC and the Pro's Cornelius Property Group State LLC to amend the text of the zoning ordinance to allow the restoration of classic and or antique vehicles within the Ark Arterial Road Corridor Overlay District under certain conditions. The owner of Reliance Tool and Manufacturing Company, formerly of 617 North State Street, restored classic cars at the back of his tool and die shop for many years. initially as a hobby. That hobby evolved into the business known as RTM Restorations, but the owner had never applied for an occupancy permit or business license. The owner of Reliance Tools sold the property with the building to Pro's Cornelius Property Group State LLC in December of 2025. He also wishes to sell the business of RTM Restorations to one of his employees, Scott Beaver of Scott's Customs LLC. And the hope and the intent of this amendment is to allow the restoration shop to remain at 617 North State. Scott's Customs LLC cannot receive an occupancy permit and business license to restore classic or antique vehicles at 617 Northstate because the property is within the ark. The underlying zoning is CI commercial industrial which allows motor vehicle repair shops, but motor vehicle repair shops are not allowed within the ark unless the property is 4 acres or larger or located along Chicago Street between Willard and Shales. The text amendment would provide circumstances when a motor vehicle repair shop could be allowed within the ark in so long as subject to these four points that the motor vehicle repair shop is exclusively for the restoration of classic and/or antique vehicles defined as those that are more than 25 years old which is the state of Illinois's definition of an antique vehicle. Vehicles undergoing restoration and any vehicles for sale are kept inside the building at all times. Repair work on vehicles is only allowed within a building and all garage bay doors must

generally be kept closed. The outdoor storage of inoperable wreck damage or partially disassembled vehicles and associated parts or equipment or machinery of any kind shall be prohibited. The zoning ordinance does not distinguish between general motor vehicle repair shops and those that cater exclusively to classic or antique vehicles. Shops focus focused exclusively on the restoration of classic antique vehicles tend to operate differently from shops that service vehicles regardless of the age or scope of the repair and as such will not negatively impact the city's commercial corridors. Restoration shops tend to serve fewer vehicles at one time because such restoration work is typically more comprehensive, generally takes more time, includes more specialized parts, and is thus more costly. Such shops tend not to try to keep every type of part on hand for every type of vehicle in an effort to decrease speed of such repairs. Also, because classic or antique vehicles tend to be more expensive in and of themselves, operators will not leave them outside awaiting service. Staff recommends approval of the amendment and offers for your consideration that the amendment advances certain purposes and intents of the zoning ordinance and goals and objectives of the comprehensive plan as provided in your packet. Be happy to try and answer any questions you may have. The applicant, Scott Beaver, is also here. Should you have any questions for him?

Move for approval. Second. It's been moved and second for approval. Any discussion? So far, thank you, mayor. I had a question. So, how is this found out? I know they're trying to sell it to an employee, which I think that's fabulous. Um, by the way, um, so how was it found out because of the sale? There was the the applicant came to us say suggesting that they needed a business occupancy and business license and we slowly started to peel away the details of this and found that we couldn't just do that and it wasn't caught the first time it was sold the first time the property was sold.

Yeah. Because well it was sold if I read it correctly it was sold once and then now the new owner is selling it to an employee. The the property the property was sold. Okay. And that wouldn't have triggered any sort of zoning review, but when the business was sold, I see what you're saying. It was just the the building itself. Okay. That's why it wasn't caught before. Okay, that makes total sense. Thank you. Okay. Anything else, Miss Martinez?

Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Mark, for updating us. you've been doing this with uh um ordinances and amendments and modifying them and because businesses have changed, you know, and I think it's important for us to update as well and so I thank you for uh looking at these things and updating them. Thank you. Anything else? It's important to keep an eye on the uh our entryway corridors. I just had a discussion with Miss Phillips this afternoon and a uh applicant. He's going to be applying for uh some modifications along Dundy Avenue and it's about uh always creates a discussion because we want to make sure that we maintain the standards.

Yes, sir. And uh create a good uh a good welcoming entrance into the city. Yes, sir. Always uh something to change and it's always about education. Okay. Clerk, please call the role. Council member Zaro, yes. Dixon, yes. Good. Yes, Martinez. Yes, Powell. Yes, Stefan. Yes, Thorne. Yes, Mir Captain. Yes. Motion's approved. 8 Z. Item three is authorization of uh for payment uh to the Mon County Law Enforcement Training Center for Police Academy tuition. Move approval. Second.

Moved and second for approval. Any discussion hearing? None. Clerk, please call the role. Council member Zaro, yes. Dixon, yes. Good. Yes. Martinez, yes. Powell, yes. Stefan, yes. Thorne, yes. Mayor Captain, yes. Motion's approved. 8 Z consent agenda. Move for approval. Second. Moved and seconded for approval. Any uh discussion? Hearing none. Clerk, please call the role. Council member Zaro, yes. Dixon, yes. Good. Yes. Martinez, yes. Powell, yes. Stefen, yes. Thorne, yes. Mir Captain,

yes. Motion's approved. 8 zero. The miscellaneous business. Move for approval. Second. Moved and second for approval. Discussion. Mr. Dixon.

I can go. Um, so updates on the inclusivity and diversity ordinance. Um, so let me get to my screen here if you don't mind. On the city's website uh for the inclusivity and diversity initiatives um you will see that there is a timeline um of what we have done and the direction in which we are moving. And currently we are in the phase of staff analysis. Um and that analysis is ongoing. It has been happening now for about a month and we plan to uh continue that analysis probably um through sometime through the summer. Um and just recently uh today actually we pro we we were provided with an update from s from assistant city manager Cassandra Hiller on this subject uh in which he provided an analysis that looked over currently what the city is doing as it relates to inclusivity and diversity. Um and so this actually hits on uh internal policies. Um and so from here we have not had a chance to review. We just received it slightly before city council meetings this afternoon. Um so once we've gone through that, we will then come back in two weeks to give another update um to to the public. So that's all we have right now.

Okay, we have a motion. Please call the role. Council member Zaro, yes. Dixon, yes. Good. Yes. Martinez, yes. Powell, yes. Stefan, yes. Thorne, yes. Mayor Captain, yes. The motion's approved. 800 announcements. The next committee of the whole meeting will be Wednesday, May 27th, 2026 at 6 p.m. in the council chambers. The next regular meeting of the Elgen City Council will be Wednesday, May 27th at 2026 at 7 p.m. in the council chambers. I entertain a motion to adjurnn. So moved. Second. Moved and second to adjurnn. Clerk, please call the role. Council member Zaro, yes. Dixon, yes. Good. Yes. Martinez, yes. Powell, yes. Stefan, yes. Thorne.

Yes. May your captain. Yes. We are adjourned. Have a good evening.