Committee of the Whole
Regular MeetingElgin, IL · November 5, 2025
Minutes
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
November 5, 2025
The regular Committee of the Whole meeting was called to order by Mayor Kaptain at 6:00 p.m.
in the Council Chambers. Present: Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz,
Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Absent: None.
Approval of Minutes
Councilmember good made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to approve the
minutes of the October 22, 2025 of the regular meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas:
Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor
Kaptain. Nays: None.
Public Comment
Carrol Bailey commented on Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) activity in the area.
She also commented on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding and
options for those in need.
Ebenezer Amairat noted the impact that Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) activity in
the area is having on local businesses.
Mary Holat commented on Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) activity in the area.
Dan Tully commented on Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) activity in the area. He
encouraged the council to pass ICE free zones.
Cristo Espinosa commented on Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) activity in the
area.
Althea Norton commented on Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) activity in the area.
Lewis Wilkins commented on Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) activity in the area.
Lisa Wenhoff commented on Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) activity in the area.
Stephen Esh commented on the city’s water supply and the impact of dam removal.
Committee of the Whole
November 5, 2025
Page 2
Hotel-Based Housing Reimbursement—Sub-Agreement with Association for Individual
Development
Councilmember Ortiz made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Dixon, to approve the
agreement with the Association for Individual Development (AID) allowing the city to seek
reimbursement of up to $700,000 in hotel expenses incurred by the city under the State-funded
Unsheltered Pilot Program FY25-26. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Alfaro,
Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Voice Telephone Services—Access One Agreement Renewal
Councilmember Dixon made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to enter into an
agreement with Access One in the amount of $2,752 (monthly for 18 months); $49,531 (contract
term) for the city’s voice telephone service for consistent and reduced monthly charges. Upon a
roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen,
Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Lead Service Line 2024 Replacement Program – Contract A, Change Order No. 1 and
Final for Bid 24-016
Councilmember Dixon made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Good, to award Change
Order No. 1 and Final for Bid 24-016, 2024 Lead Service Line Replacement Program – Contract
A to Trine Construction Corp. as a balancing change order to document an increase in the final
construction value of $91,009 to improve the water distribution system by replacing lead water
service lines. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Good, Martinez,
Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Lead Service Line 2024 Replacement Program – Contract B, Change Order No. 2 and
Final for Bid 24-017
Councilmember Powell made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Good, to award Change
Order No. 2 and Final for Bid 24-017, 2024 Lead Service Line Replacement Program – Contract
B to Five Star Energy Services, LLC as a balancing change order to document a decrease in the
final construction value of $124,002 to improve the water distribution system by replacing lead
water service lines. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Good,
Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Committee of the Whole
November 5, 2025
Page 3
Lead Service Line 2024 Replacement Program – Contract C, Change Order No. 2 and
Final for Bid 24-018
Councilmember Good made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to award Change
Order No. 2 (Final) for Bid 24-018, 2024 Lead Service Line Replacement Program – Contract C
to Inliner Solutions, LLC, as a balancing change order to document an increase in the final
construction value of $22,823 to improve the water distribution system by replacing lead water
service lines. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Good, Martinez,
Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Filter Valves and Control Stations Purchases—Agreement with Harold Beck & Sons, Inc.
Councilmember Good made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to award a contract
to Harold Beck & Sons, Inc., for the procurement of the replacement of four critical valve
actuators and the purchase of eight control stations in the amount of $59,762 ensuring a reliable
and adequate water supply by replacing aging equipment. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas:
Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor
Kaptain. Nays: None.
Regulating Use of City-Owned Properties for Civil Immigration Enforcement Activities
There were discussions regarding the differences between an ordinance and a resolution, and if
passed how enforcement would be handled. Also discussed was the roll-out for signs to be
posted and what temporary sign options could be used. There was a review of the Trust Act and
the impact on enforcement.
Councilmember Alfaro made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Dixon, to amend the
motion approving the resolution to add: a report to the city council every six months, add under
Section 3B wording regarding additional immigration activities, the resolution is valid until city
council takes further action, the city makes a public statement educating the public about this
resolution, that the document be translated into Spanish. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas:
Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor
Kaptain. Nays: None.
Councilmember Ortiz made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, to approve the
proposed amended resolution that will prohibit city-owned properties from being used as a
staging area, processing location, operations base, or other support for civil immigration
enforcement. It will establish guidelines prohibiting the use of city-owned properties for civil
immigration enforcement activities and protocol for city staff reporting any such violations.
Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell,
Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Committee of the Whole
November 5, 2025
Page 4
Proposed 2026 Budget and Three-Year Financial Plan
City Manager Kozal introduced the proposed 2026 Budget and Three-Year Financial Plan and
noted that over the next several weeks budget deliberations would be held starting November
12th. Mr. Kozal highlighted additional personnel requests, a general property tax levy increase
and a high level over of the River Boat Fund, Utility Fund, Capital Improvement Fund, Golf
Fund, and Central Area TIF.
Announcements from Council
Councilmember Powell thanked all those involved in making Nightmare on Chicago Street a
success.
Councilmember Dixon also thanked those involved in making Nightmare on Chicago Street a
success. He also expressed condolences to the family of Sergeant Free.
Councilmember Alfaro wished everyone a happy Native American Heritage Month. She
expressed condolences to the family of Sergeant Free. She also commented on the Elgin
Symphony Orchestra Day of the Dead performance. She thanked those that attended the council
meetings. She congratulated all of those honored at the Fire Department awards ceremony.
Councilmember Ortiz thanked Marc Thayer of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra for the expansion
of the programming and their positive impact.
Councilmember Powell commented on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
funding and resources for those in need.
Mayor Kaptain commented on a recent meeting with Senator Durbin. He shared the recent
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) initiative regarding hiring in the fire
department. Senator Durbin brought that news back to the Senate floor.
Announcements from Staff
None.
Adjournment
Councilmember Martinez made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to adjourn the
meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz,
Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None.
Committee of the Whole
November 5, 2025
Page 5
The meeting adjourned at 9:08 p.m.
s/ Kimberly Dewis November 19, 2025
Kimberly Dewis, City Clerk Date Approved