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Elgin OKs Metro West membership over objections

For the third consecutive year, three Elgin City Council members objected to the city renewing its membership with Metro West Council of Government.

Councilmen Terry Gavin, Toby Shaw and John Prigge cast the dissenting votes at the committee of the whole meeting Wednesday, as they have done since 2014. The move was approved 6-3.

Metro West is made up of 34 member municipalities in Kane, Kendall and DeKalb counties, which pay fees based on their size. The group fosters regional cooperation and monitors policymaking to advocate for its members' best interest.

Councilman John Steffen said Metro West works on important regional issues like water and transportation. “We can't solve traffic issues just within the city of Elgin, certainly not with larger feeder roads like Randall Road.”

Shaw said he doesn't see much benefit from the group, which he said spends a “good chunk” of its budget for food and entertainment for meetings. “From a results-based perspective, to their fault or our state's fault, we don't see a lot of action down in Springfield.”

Shaw asked about the organization's lack of quorum attendance at recent meetings; City Manager Sean Stegall said that's a very recent phenomenon.

Mayor David Kaptain, who currently serves as Metro West president, said the group considered lowering its quorum, but he is advocating allowing mayors and village presidents to delegate someone else attendance.

Metro West holds useful events, such as such as one on May 20 that will be attended by legislators and three county chairmen, Kaptain said. “It made me a better mayor just by talking to people from other communities,” he said.

Councilwoman Tish Powell said it's important to belong to a group that addresses issues specific to the region and to local government.

Gavin said the group is “certainly putting in the effort,” but results seem scarce in the light of inactivity in Springfield.

Elgin and Aurora are the only “heavy hitters” among Metro West's members and therefore give the group credibility, Prigge said. “I firmly believe we shouldn't pay a dime to be in this organization,” he said.

Other members include Algonquin, DeKalb, Geneva, St. Charles and South Elgin.

Elgin is also a member of the Illinois Municipal League at a cost of about $5,000 annually, the National League of Cities at about $8,700 annually, and the International City/County Management Association, whose cost is based on individual memberships, Assistant City Manager Rick Kozal said. Elgin's members amount to fewer than 10; the total wasn't immediately available, Kozal said.

Gavin and Prigge also objected to membership with Metro West in 2013, along with Councilman Rich Dunne.

Dunne said Wednesday he still has some concerns about Metro West, but praised its executive director Mary Randle for being responsive to its members.

“We are keeping an eye on what they do and the product, the results they produce — and it keeps them on their toes.”

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