Committee of the Whole

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING October 22, 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 8, 2025 regular meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Public Comment Gary Swick commented on the Fox River Connectivity and Habitat Study. Leslie Porter commented on the items before the council relating to immigration. Sherry Liske commented on immigration enforcement tactics. Jenny Golden commented on immigration enforcement tactics, and the impact on health appointments. Cheryl Brumbaugh Cayford commented on the items before the council relating to immigration. Althea Norton commented on immigration enforcement tactics. Malachy Stanger commented on immigration enforcement tactics. Cristo Espinosa commented on the items before the council relating to immigration. Thea Kornelius commented on the items before the council relating to immigration. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Fox River Connectivity and Habitat Study—Consultation Agreement with Engineering Enterprises, Inc.; Amendment No. 2 A presentation provided details on the study including current model results, water intake impacts and next steps. The next steps would include a 2D model that would include a physical model, further analyzing of the water intake including the impact of the Carpentersville dam removal, and cost estimates. A copy of the presentation is on file at the City Clerk’s office. The Committee of the Whole October 22, 2025 Page 2 impacts of dam removals upstream, sediment, changes in bridge configuration, and the Tyler Creek discharge were discussed. Councilmember Ortiz made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve the second amendment to the agreement with Engineering Enterprises, Inc., in the amount of $338,028 for supplemental engineering services necessary to complete hydraulic modeling and developing a physical model of the Fox River to simulate the Kimball Street dam removal and the impacts on the city’s Fox River water intake. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Adjourn to City Council Councilmember Dixon made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Good, to adjourn to the City Council meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Reconvene the Committee of the Whole Discussion Councilmember Steffen made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Ortiz, to reconvene the Committee of the Whole meeting. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None inQUEST Consulting, LLC Professional Services Agreement A presentation from inQUEST Consulting was provided to highlight what has been accomplished, goals moving forward and the commitment needed from the council. A copy of the presentation is on file at the City Clerk's Office. There was discussion regarding internal and external goals. Councilmember Steffen made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Ortiz, to approve an agreement with inQUEST Consulting, LLC for an amount not to exceed $125,000 to sustain support and expert guidance in advancing the city’s organizational culture and engagement strategy. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Firefighter Hiring Eligibility (Councilmembers Ortiz and Good) There was background provided on the initiative noting that all other city departments have similar hiring eligibility in place. Committee of the Whole October 22, 2025 Page 3 Councilmember Ortiz made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to approve the proposed ordinance authorizing individuals with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status to be hired for the position of firefighter with the city, similar to police officer candidates’ ability to do so under state law. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Kimball Street Dam 2025-30 Annual Inspection Services—Engineering Services Agreement with Collins Engineers, Inc. Councilmember Ortiz made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Good, to approve an agreement with Collins Engineers, Inc., in the amount of $169,838 to perform state-mandated structural inspections; maintain infrastructure to protect the city’s investment in the Fox River and water treatment plant; and update the emergency action plan, and operations and maintenance plan over the next six years. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Lead Service Line 2025 Replacement Program—Contract D, Change Order No. 1 for Bid 25-009 Councilmember Powell made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Thoren, to approve Change Order No. 1 for the Bid 25-009, 2025 Lead Service Line Replacement Program – Contract D to Trine Construction Corp. in the amount of $342,564 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. Weather Warning System at Wing Park Golf Course, General Park Open Spaces, Pool and Ball Fields—Purchase Agreement with Perry Weather, Inc. Councilmember Steffen made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Dixon, to approve the government purchasing cooperative pricing agreement with Perry Weather, Inc. in the amount of $37,903 in equipment purchase and $4,200 for the annual software to ensure the safety of Wing Park patrons with an advanced inclement weather warning system. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Committee of the Whole October 22, 2025 Page 4 City Council 2026 Meeting Schedule Councilmember Ortiz made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Steffen, to authorize moving forward with the adoption of a resolution setting forth the schedule of city council meetings for 2026 in compliance with the Open Meetings Act. Upon a roll call vote: Yeas: Councilmembers Alfaro, Dixon, Good, Martinez, Ortiz, Powell, Steffen, Thoren, and Mayor Kaptain. Nays: None. Discussion – Ordinance Regulation Use of Certain City-Owned Properties for Civil Immigration Enforcement Activities (Councilmembers Powell and Steffen) Councilmember Powell and Councilmember Steffen provided information regarding what other communities are doing in regard to immigration enforcement. There was discussion regarding options to regulate the use of city-owned properties for civil immigration enforcement activities. The council and staff also discussed how any change would be communicated to the community, the limits of what property it would cover, and how it would be enforced. Councilmember Ortiz made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Good, to direct corporation counsel to conduct research on legislation options that provide a document that is meaningful, enforceable and protects the community. Announcements from Council Councilmember Alfaro noted the Gail Borden Public Library was hosting a program on immigration issues on October 23, 2025. Announcements from Staff Rick Kozal, City Manager, announced upcoming city events. Adjournment Councilmember Good 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. The meeting adjourned at 11:13 p.m. s/ Kimberly Dewis November 5, 2025 Kimberly Dewis, City Clerk Date Approved