Elgin water, sewer rates to rise December 9th, 2009
By Harry Hitzeman | Daily Herald Staff
Elgin’s water and sewer rates likely will increase every year from 2010 to 2014, but not as much as previously thought.
Two weeks ago, city leaders held their noses when the staff presented a plan to increase rates by 9 percent each year through 2014.
Wednesday night, council members returned to the budget table to see some increases of 5 percent and 7 percent for the water and sewer rates. Still, several years had a 9 percent hike, which is to pay for water treatment plant expansions and infrastructure improvements.
So if the increases hold true, the final rate in 2014 will be about 7 percent less than if the council went with the plan floated two weeks ago.
The water and sewer rate to start 2010 would be $4.53 per 100 cubic feet, or 748 gallons. Even if the total rate rises to $6.06 per 100 cubic feet by 2014, that is still less than a penny per gallon.
Finance Director Jim Nowicki said the department can save money on chemical treatment costs, by completing a replacement program of some 31,000 meters in four years instead of three, and by restructuring its debt.
Councilman David Kaptain said any savings from refinancing debt should be used to try to lower the water rate as a whole.
“We all use water no matter what our income is. The impact on lower income people is costly,” he said.
The next step is for the council to consider adopting the spending plan at its next meeting at 7 p.m. Dec. 16 at city hall, 150 Dexter Court.
Despite the progress in tweaking the water rates, the 800-pound gorilla still remains: finding a way to cut $1.4 million to $1.5 million from the fire department’s spending.
Since November 2008, the city has had three rounds of layoffs and offered early retirement to workers. City leaders have said they don’t want to raise taxes and that all departments have cut costs except the fire department.
The fire union has said it is willing to work with the city if it does not impact service. Earlier this week, Schock said both sides need to get something done soon.
“We’ve got about a month. It has to be a real savings, a solid $1.5 million,” he said. “The question is: Is that something we just end up doing or is it something the fire department works with us on?”
Elgin leaders hoping for repeat of last year’s snow removal success December 9th, 2009
By Harry Hitzeman | Daily Herald Staff
When it snowed in Elgin two years ago you could bet the city would get an earful of complaints over the telephone or in person at city council meetings.
But complaints tapered off last year as the city bought more salt in advance, upgraded trucks and plows and retooled routes that city plows travel.
As December arrives, city leaders are hoping for a repeat of last year, and have added two salt storage facilities to make operations more efficient.
Mayor Ed Schock is confident that with some luck the city can repeat its snow removal efforts despite the city’s recent budget cuts.
“The variable is what kind of winter we have,” he said. “If we have another winter like last winter, I am pretty confident we can equal our performance, which was generally regarded as pretty good.”
David Lawry, the city’s general services director, is scheduled to give city leaders a presentation Wednesday about snow removal. He did not return phone calls Monday.
One large change last year was creating three primary routes for heavily traveled roads and 19 for subdivisions. In past years, the city did not have plowing routes focusing exclusively on large roads.
Sue Olafson, the city’s public information officer, said the city has 25 drivers and plowing 22 routes covering 325 “center lane” miles, which includes stretches of road that take two or more plows to clear in a pass.
“That’s the equivalent of driving to Peoria and back, to put it in perspective,” she said.
Schock also noted the city will utilize two new salt storage facilities – one on the west side at Bowes Road and Longcommon Parkway, the other on the northeast side near Route 25 and Interstate 90.
“The ability to get salt on the streets – we really enhanced our ability to do that,” he said, adding that plow drivers spend some 20 percent of the time behind the wheel en route to refill on salt.
Agenda for November 16, 2009 November 16th, 2009
AGENDA
Zion Lutheran Church – 330 Griswold, Elgin 60123 @ 7:00pm until 8:30pm
1. Call to order
2. Introductions
3. Approval of minutes
Crysta Anderson, Secretary – crysta.anderson@gmail.com
4. Treasurer Report – no changes since last meeting
Gene Salzmann, Treasurer – gndsalzmann@sbcglobal.net
5. Elgin Police Department
6. Elgin Code Enforcement
7. Committee Reports
Code Enforcement: Judy Robnett, Chair – r2kiwi@aol.com
Community BBQ: Chair needed
Environmental: Tom Lesiewicz, Vice President & Chair – tmlesiewicz@yahoo.com
Fundraising: Chair needed
Garage Sale: Erin Curtin, Chair – erinecurtin@gmail.com
Grants: Mike Curtin, Chair – michaelcurtin31@sbcglobal.net
Historian: John Hartney, Chair
Membership: Flora Sweeney, Chair – flora@thesweeneys.us
Public Relations: Jody Stepnowski, Chair – fishstep@yahoo.com
Preservation: Pat Hill, Chair – hill_p@sbcglobal.net
Safety: Tina Fischer, Chair – fischerty@sbcglobal.net
8. President Report
Charlene Sligting – valor73@gmail.com
9. New Business
Creation of a SWAN sewer line separation steering committee
10.Old Business
11.Guest Speaker
Kyla Jacobsen, City of Elgin
12.Adjournment
PURPOSE: Shall be to promote community pride, civic involvement and serve as a positive example for the community as a whole. This organization shall encompass values and standards supportive of safe, clean neighborhoods and support all living in this, our neighborhood of choice.
Money for downtown Elgin work is from TIF district November 16th, 2009
By Harry Hitzeman | Daily Herald Columnist
As tough choices near for Elgin’s 2010 budget near, Elgin City Council members could find themselves fighting each other over who gets what in the $277 million spending plan.
Green development approved near Hampshire November 15th, 2009
A housing development planned near the border of Hampshire and Burlington in unincorporated Kane County will take the concept of green living beyond energy efficient light bulbs and rain barrels.
File of Life – FREE November 15th, 2009
The Elgin Fire Department and the Elgin Association of Firefighters Local 439 have magnetized pouches available for city residents at any of Elgin’s seven fire stations. You can put important medical information in the pouches that can then easily be accessed by paramedics or fire crews during an emergency. Community or neighborhood groups can learn more by scheduling a presentation with Elgin Fire Lt. Bob Bedard by calling (847) 931-6175. Pouches are available at: 550 Summit St.; 650 Big Timber Rd.; 2455 Royal Blvd.; 599 S. McLean Blvd.; 804 Villa St.; 707 W. Chicago St.; and 3270 Longcommon Parkway.
Could Elgin budget talks lead to ‘family’ feud? November 2nd, 2009
By Harry Hitzeman | Daily Herald Staff
If the Elgin City Council is like a “family,” as Councilman Robert Gilliam says, then perhaps it is having some growing pains.
Elgin laying off more than a dozen workers November 2nd, 2009
By Harry Hitzeman | Daily Herald Staff
In an effort to balance their 2010 budget, Elgin city leaders are laying off between 15 to 17 union workers, a move that will save about $1.2 million.
Schools under pressure October 30th, 2009
An autistic student. A student from Poland who can barely speak English. A dyslexic student. An academically advanced student.
What do they all have in common? Each has to take a standardized test under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.
Animal shelter to Elgin: Don’t ban pit bulls October 30th, 2009
ELGIN — Don’t ban pit bulls, but consider other options.
That was the message that Michelle Groeper, director of operations for Anderson Animal Shelter, delivered to the Elgin City Council Wednesday night during the public comment portion of the council’s meeting.