CITY OF KANKAKEE

ALDERMAN BARON: This is RESOLUTION NO. 2008 - 07 HONORING THE 2007-2008 BISHOP MCNAMARA DANCE TEAM WHEREAS, on March 2, 2008, the Bishop McNamara Dance Team won first place in the Single A Hip Hop category of the Team Dance Illinois State Championship in Peoria, Illinois, where ninety-one schools were in attendance; and WHEREAS, the team scored higher than nineteen other schools which had more Hip Hop dancers. This sealed an undefeated season for the dance team, beating their own high score record at 88.15, regaining the State Title for Bishop McNamara, and making them five-time Dance State Champions: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, (those two years I was there) and 2008; and WHEREAS, the Dance Team’s season begins in April of the current year and ends in March of the following year. They practice four to six times a week, for a minimum of two hours each. This team has a long list of accomplishments. Throughout this past year they competed at a total of four competitions leading up to state and won first place at each of these regional matches, beating everyone in their class and several larger schools along the way; and WHEREAS, the Bishop McNamara Dance Team also supports the following teams of the high school by performing for all the football games, boys’ basketball games, and at some of the girls’ basketball games; and WHEREAS, the sixteen members of the 2007-2008 Dance Team are: Captain Nina Kick (senior); Captain Katie Jacobsen (senior); Captain Stephanie Tyson (Tyson, where have I heard that?) (junior); Captain Jordan Nugent (junior); Olivia Bauer (junior); Ashley Collins (junior); Cassie LaBeau (junior); Stefanie Rocknowski (junior); Annie Glazar (junior); Carly Gubbins (sophomore); Shamone Butler (sophomore); Angela Williams (sophomore); Heidi Kurzeka (freshman); Ellen Gilmore (freshman); Jill Glazar (freshman); and Abbey Giardina (freshman). The coaches are Kim Osenga, Julianne Post, and Lisa Tutt; and WHEREAS, the City of Kankakee congratulates the members and coaches of the 2007-2008 Bishop McNamara Dance Team for their extraordinary season and honors them for winning the State Championship, as well as winning all of their regional matches and placing first at the Northern Illinois University summer camp; and THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by Mayor Donald E. Green and the City Council of the City of Kankakee, Illinois, do hereby recognize the 2007-2008 Bishop McNamara Dance Team for their championship season and applaud their hard work and dedication.

MAYOR GREEN: Alderman Baron, are you making that in the form of a motion?

ALDERMAN BARON: I would make that in the form of a motion.

MAYOR GREEN: Is there a second?

UNANIMOUS: Second.

MAYOR GREEN: Unanimous second. All in favor, AYE. Opposed, same sign.

RESOLUTION HONORING THE 2007-2008 BISHOP MCNAMARA DANCE TEAM

MAYOR GREEN: Motion carries. Thank you, ladies. Congratulations. Thank you. We’ll move on. Under Petitions, you have the minutes of the February 12, Planning Board meeting. This is the application on JMR Management. The Ordinance is up for second reading. Is there a motion to put this Ordinance on its Final Passage and Pass? Alderman Williams.

ALDERMAN WILLIAMS: So moved.

MAYOR GREEN: Motion by Alderman Williams. Is there a second?

ALDERMAN COLEMAN: Second.

MAYOR GREEN: Second by Alderman Coleman. Any questions? Alderman Epstein.

ALDERMAN EPSTEIN: Mayor Green, when I was going over the, ah, minutes to the Planning Board, my concern about this particular case is the few people that voted on the application. There were four people who did not attend the meeting, there were two conflicts of interest and there was one abstention. And, I think this is a wonderful project. I thought there was a lot of very interesting discourse at the meeting. Ah, I thought there was great neighborhood input. But, I would feel more comfortable if more people would have been present for the discussion. And, I was wondering if anyone else shared those concerns?

MAYOR GREEN: Alderman Schwade.

ALDERMAN SCHWADE: Ah, I agree with Alderman Epstein. And, also, I was a little concerned with the lot size for the four units.

MAYOR GREEN: Alderman Baron.

ALDERMAN BARON: I agree with the two Aldermen that have just spoken and wonder, ah, I have nothing but the highest regard for the developer, the petitioner, in this case. But, it seems as though, I don’t recall sitting in City Council since I’ve been here and rezoning a property to make it more dense rather than less dense. We’ve........that seems to have been a goal to keep away from that. I..........if we’re.......if we want to go about redesignating certain areas of the City for multi-family, maybe the way to do that is with a lengthier process than this. Maybe it’s with a, you know, revisiting the Comprehensive Plan or the zoning map. But, otherwise, this is spot zoning. And, as spot zoning, more dense rather than less dense. I don’t know. I mean, I guess I would like to........and I feel better saying that realizing that only three members of the Planning Board actually voted positive for this for various reasons.

MAYOR GREEN: Again, this won’t be the first time we have rezoned property on this basis. I mean, we have done that in the past. Alderman Hunter.

ALDERMAN HUNTER: Yeah, just a.........Mr. Tamblyn, I was telling Alderman Williams that I know he had........Mr. Tamblyn called me today and he was remarking about the planning meeting, I guess, we had last Friday and he was really pleased about the turnout. The people who came here last Friday regarding the downtown, eastern, southern quadrants of the City. Additionally, he made reference to his half million-dollar investment in this project. Ah, and, I understand the concerns of my fellow Aldermen. Alderman Williams indicated that it passed at the Planning Board and I tend to concur. I would support his motion. Ah, and, I’m not saying that we should vote for things just because there’s substantial investment of a half a million dollars. But, I think, ah, we have to take a look at the developer. As Alderman Baron indicated, they’re making a difference in the City of Kankakee in all quadrants of the area. They’re going to be working with the Police Department, ah, participating in buying cameras, dealing with the crime prevention. They just most recently acquired the........they’re going to be closing on the bowling alley on the eastern part of the City. Additionally, they’re going to be buying some additional property, turning that property around. Ah, I think, as the Mayor has indicated, we have to be very cautious when we do things such as this and I would encourage my fellow Aldermen to vote for this based upon the track record of the developer.

MAYOR GREEN: Any other comments? Roll call.

CLERK DUMAS:

AYE: Brown; Hunter; Williams; Grant; Hearn; Jones; Schwade; Coleman; Cox (8)

NAY: Epstein; Baron; Ciaccio; Diersen; Schwade (5)

PASS: Schwade (Can I pass for now?

MAYOR GREEN: Yes, we’ll come back.

ALDERMAN SCHWADE: Does it need ten?

MAYOR GREEN: No.)

MAYOR GREEN: Motion carries.

ALDERMAN CIACCIO: I want to change my vote to Aye.

MAYOR GREEN: Just a minute, I understand.

CLERK DUMAS: Eight ayes, five nays.

MAYOR GREEN: And, actually Alderman Ciaccio is asking to change his to a yes, so it would be nine to four.

FINAL COUNT CLARIFIED

AYE: Brown; Hunter; Williams; Ciaccio (Originally Nay); Grant; Hearn; Jones; Coleman; Cox (9)

NAY: Epstein; Baron; Diersen; Schwade (Originally Passed) (4)

SECOND READING

PB08-01: AN APPLICATION BY JMR MANAGEMENT REQUESTING A MAP AMENDMENT TO REZONE THE PROPERTY COMMONLY KNOWN AS

330 SOUTH THIRD AVENUE FROM R-1 SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL TO

R-3 MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL TO ACCOMMODATE A FOUR-UNIT

APARTMENT COMPLEX

MAYOR GREEN: The vote is nine to four. The motion carries. Ah, any Petition from the Floor? Alderman?

ALDERMAN HUNTER: Don’t we have an Ordinance on this?

MAYOR GREEN: That was the Ordinance. That was the second reading. At the last City Council meeting, we put the Ordinance on first reading until we received the minutes and I think that’s why Alderman Epstein was raising the issue after reading the minutes. Next, then, under Communications. Ah, we’ve got a request on Item B for........that’s for the bicycle races for this summer. Is there a motion to approve that?

ALDERMAN SCHWADE: I so move.

ALDERMAN JONES: Second it.

MAYOR GREEN: Motion by Alderman Schwade, seconded by Alderman Jones to approve the request of the Chicago Wheelmen to have the bicycle races on June 21, 2008. Roll call.

CLERK DUMAS:

AYE: Brown; Hunter; Epstein; Baron; Williams; Ciaccio; Grant; Hearn; Diersen; Jones; Schwade; Coleman; Cox (13)

SOUTH CHICAGO WHEELMEN ARE REQUESTING PERMISSION RACE IN

COBB PARK ON SATURDAY, JUNE 21, 2008, FROM 10:30 A.M. UNTIL 8:00 P.M.

MAYOR GREEN: Motion carries. Ah, next is Standing Committees. Public Safety.

ALDERMAN HUNTER: I call your attention to the Public Safety Meeting minutes. Ah, two newly-hired firefighters started on February 16 and 17, respectively. Only one bid was received for the motor boat and trailer in the amount of $29,650.00. That includes the accessories. Your minutes don’t reflect the total amount. This is the Illinois Public Risk Fund Grant that will pay for these items. I would move that we approve the amount....... in the amount of $29,650.00 for the boat and accessories.

MAYOR GREEN: Is there a second?

ALDERMAN HEARN: Second.

MAYOR GREEN: Motion by Alderman Hunter, seconded by Alderman Hearn to approve the bid for the boat. Chief Young, if I’m not mistaken, is that off the State bid?

CHIEF RONALD YOUNG: No.

MAYOR GREEN: No? Okay.

CHIEF RONALD YOUNG: On that one.

MAYOR GREEN: All right, thank you. Roll call.

CLERK DUMAS:

AYE: Brown; Hunter; Epstein; Baron; Williams; Ciaccio; Grant; Hearn; Diersen; Jones; Schwade; Coleman; Cox (13)

RECOMMENDATION TO AWARD THE BID OF $22,487.00 TO EQUIPMENT

MANAGEMENT COMPANY FOR THE PURCHASE OF A RESCUE BOAT FOR

THE KANKAKEE FIRE DEPARTMENT

MAYOR GREEN: Motion carries.

ALDERMAN HUNTER: Mayor Green, work has begun to create an updated eligibility list for the department, an orientation meeting was, I guess, was scheduled for March 11, 2008. And, moving onto the Police Department, there were 1,302 hours logged by the inmates and 80 community service hours performed. Additionally, Standard and Associates has been chosen by both the Police and Fire Departments to conduct their testing for eligibility lists. That kind of removes us out of the game plan. The committee made several inquiries about the traffic enforcement vehicle unit and their work, especially, with potential for increased traffic near the WalMart. Thanks a lot for listening to the report.

MAYOR GREEN: Next, is License and Franchise.

ALDERMAN GRANT: Information’s in the packet.

MAYOR GREEN: Budget.

ALDERMAN BARON: The first item is our 1985 stump grinder has broken down and would cost $11,000.00 to repair. So, rather than spend that money, the recommendation presented at the Budget Committee meeting on March 10, was to accept bids for a new one. And, because it’s significant enough in terms of price, it would require letting for bids. It would require bids in order to purchase one. So, I would recommend........I would move that we authorize Public Works to go to bid for the replacement of the stump grinder.

ALDERMAN BROWN: Second.

MAYOR GREEN: Motion by Alderman Baron, seconded by Alderman Brown to go out for bid for the purchase of a new stump grinder for the City of Kankakee. Any questions? Roll call.

CLERK DUMAS:

AYE: Brown; Hunter; Epstein; Baron; Williams; Ciaccio; Grant; Hearn; Diersen; Jones; Schwade; Coleman; Cox (13)

MOTION TO AUTHORIZE PUBLIC WORKS TO GO TO BID FOR

THE REPLACEMENT OF THE STUMP GRINDER

MAYOR GREEN: Motion carries.

ALDERMAN BARON: The second item is with the discussion of refunding City bonds to gain advantage of the favorable rate on the bond market, if we do that, we may also consider issuing new bonds for additional public improvements. And, if that happens, ah, the administration has asked us to pass a Resolution saying that if we spend money now–between now and when we issue the new bonds on eligible public improvements like streets, sidewalks, curbs and gutters, anything of that nature–that when we issue the bonds, the bonds would refund what we spend the public improvements on now. Now that would take a Resolution to that. So, because we’re seriously looking at that because of the favorable market to some public funding right now, I would move that we adopt a reimbursement Resolution authorizing the reimbursement from future bonds to present capital improvement funding.

ALDERMAN HUNTER: Second.

MAYOR GREEN: Motion by Alderman Baron, seconded by Alderman Hunter. Questions? Again, if we decide not to do the bonds, the Resolution is null and void so all we’re doing is just covering ourselves in case we do it. Roll call.

CLERK DUMAS:

AYE: Brown; Hunter; Epstein; Baron; Williams; Ciaccio; Grant; Hearn; Diersen; Jones; Schwade; Coleman; Cox (13)

MOTION TO ADOPT A REIMBURSEMENT RESOLUTION

MAYOR GREEN: Motion carries.

ALDERMAN BARON: And while this doesn’t take any action on our part right now, the second page of the Budget Committee Meeting minutes talks about the Police and Fire Pension Funding crisis–and I think it’s a crisis level in the State of Illinois. And, I would recommend that you read this closely and do what you can do as members of the Council to be aware of any legislation coming up to make.........to create somewhat of an even or more level playing field. The one thing I’d just like to ask that you read closely here is in the third paragraph. It states that although the annual level for the two pension funds, Police and Fire, has increased almost four times over the last ten years, we’ve increased, as a City, our levy four times the amount it was ten years ago. The ratios are getting worse. We’re falling farther behind in funding the Police and Fire pensions. And, that has to do, more than anything, with the increased benefits that the legislators continue to pass. This, ah, initiative on the part of the Illinois Municipal League addresses that. So, anyway, we don’t.........we don’t require any action on that, but just read through it closely. And..........Jim?

JAMES SPICE: There is a Resolution.

MAYOR GREEN: There’s a Resolution.

ALDERMAN BARON: Oh. Where’s the Resolution?

JAMES SPICE: Look in the last section.

MAYOR GREEN: If you want to move back to Motions and Resolutions, there is a Resolution we’re asking you to adopt for the General Assembly which essentially is, we’re saying to the General Assembly, we want you to be more cognizant of what you’re doing and if you adopt these policies and/or benefits that they not be unfunded mandates, that you give us the money to pay for them.

ALDERMAN BARON: I would move that we adopt the Resolution urging the General Assembly to stop making the costly benefit improvements and to adopt reforms that would protect Police and Fire pensions.

MAYOR GREEN: Is there a second?

ALDERMAN HEARN: Second.

MAYOR GREEN: Motion by Alderman Baron, seconded by Alderman Hearn. Any questions or Comments? All in favor, AYE. Opposed, same sign.

RESOLUTION URGING THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO:

(1) STOP MAKING COSTLY BENEFIT IMPROVEMENTS; AND

(2) ADOPT REFORMS THAT PROTECT POLICE AND FIRE PENSIONS

MAYOR GREEN: Motion carries.

ALDERMAN DIERSEN: Mayor.

MAYOR GREEN: Yes, Alderman Diersen.

ALDERMAN DIERSEN: Because of my connection with the Police Pension Board, I would like the records to show that I abstained from that vote.

MAYOR GREEN: Okay. It will be so noted. Next, the Report of Officers and approval of bills.

ALDERMAN WILLIAMS: Move to approve the Report of Officers, place the money into the proper accounts and pay the bills in the amount of $1,105,439.68.

ALDERMAN CIACCIO: Second.

MAYOR GREEN: Motion by Alderman Williams, seconded by Alderman Ciaccio to approve the Report of Officers, place the money in the proper accounts, pay the bills in the amount of $1,105,439.68. Questions on any individual bill?

ALDERMAN COLEMAN: I have one.

MAYOR GREEN: Alderman Coleman.

ALDERMAN COLEMAN: Piggush, Simoneau. Am I pronouncing that right? It’s on page two.

MAYOR GREEN: $13,709.02?

ALDERMAN COLEMAN: Yes. Who is that?

MAYOR GREEN: Those would be board ups from houses around the City.

ALDERMAN COLEMAN: Can I check with Spice to see how much?

MAYOR GREEN: Mr. Shaw can tell you exactly who they are. I mean he doesn’t have it here with him, but he would be more than happy to furnish that to you. Or Mr. Spice. Either one. Alderman Jones.

ALDERMAN JONES: On the second page, second one from the bottom, Clifford Cross. Item number is 54035.

MAYOR GREEN: $2,300.00?

ALDERMAN JONES: Yes.

MAYOR GREEN: That’s the consulting fee we’re paying him. He is still doing our City Planning work. He does the Planning Commission, does the zoning issues until we can hire a City Planner.

ALDERMAN JONES: Okay. Doesn’t he still get paid through payroll on that?

MAYOR GREEN: No, he’s no longer on our payroll. That fee is the consulting fee to do that. He pays his own expenses ‘cause he has to fly back and forth. It all comes out of his own..........out of this money. Any other individual questions on bills? Alderman Coleman.

ALDERMAN COLEMAN: Mario’s Market.

MAYOR GREEN: Pardon?

ALDERMAN COLEMAN: Mario’s Market.

MAYOR GREEN: Ah, that’s a sales tax sharing arrangement with them. Any other questions? Roll call.

CLERK DUMAS:

AYE: Brown; Hunter; Epstein; Baron; Williams; Ciaccio; Grant; Hearn; Diersen; Jones; Schwade; Coleman; Cox (13)

REPORT OF OFFICERS APPROVAL OF BILLS - $1,105,439.68

MAYOR GREEN: Motion carries. There’s no Unfinished Business. New Business, we’ve got an Ordinance for the establishing of a handicapped parking place at 391 S. Poplar Avenue. 361, I’m sorry.

ALDERMAN JONES: So moved.

MAYOR GREEN: You want to Suspend the Rules?

ALDERMAN JONES: Yes.

ALDERMAN SCHWADE: I second it.

MAYOR GREEN: Motion by Alderman Jones, seconded by Alderman Schwade to Suspend the Rules that would interfere with the passage of this Ordinance. Roll call.

CLERK DUMAS:

AYE: Brown; Hunter; Epstein; Baron; Williams; Ciaccio; Grant; Hearn; Diersen; Jones; Schwade; Coleman; Cox (13)

MAYOR GREEN: Motion carries. Is there a motion to put this Ordinance on its Final Passage and Pass?

ALDERMAN JONES: So moved.

ALDERMAN SCHWADE: I second it.

MAYOR GREEN: Motion by Alderman Jones, seconded by Alderman Schwade to put this Ordinance on its Final Passage and Pass. Roll call.

CLERK DUMAS:

AYE: Brown; Hunter; Epstein; Baron; Williams; Ciaccio; Grant; Hearn; Diersen; Jones; Schwade; Coleman; Cox (13)

ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 32, SECTION 231 ESTABLISHING A

HANDICAPPED PARKING SIGN AT 361 SOUTH POPLAR AVENUE

MAYOR GREEN: Motion carries. Ah, next is–we’ve already done the, ah, the rescue boat–is the amended library lease. This if for the fourth floor of the library. Ah, Cindy, did you bring everybody a copy of the individual plans? There’s a little bit of a handout to show you what the.......give you a rough idea of what this floor will look like. We have.........this is the lease for that additional floor of the library. This will allow us to........this will allow Heritage to go forth with the construction of that facility. You’ve already approved the project, but we need to approve the addendum to the lease. Cindy, do you want to pass those things out? Anybody have any questions on it? Cindy’d be happy to answer them.

ALDERMAN EPSTEIN: I don’t remember the first one. Are there many changes?

CINDY FUERST: There are a very few changes and what you have is a little bit of a rough draft. We’re still..........I met with Pete Schiel, with Eric Shaw indistinguishable fire to make sure we’ll BE safe for codes. The biggest change you’ll probably see is that there is a door that has been removed by the elevators. And, the other thing that we’re discussing right now is, ah, between, on the west side of the building where there is a laptop lab and the fourth floor meeting room, we’re making that a removable wall so that would be a possibility to make that up another large area. But, most of it is pretty much what you saw in the first draft, but there’s probably going to be a few more changes as we go along and make sure we’re in compliance with all the codes.

ALDERMAN HUNTER: Regarding the auditorium. Now, I see here is 201 seats with extension, 231 seats without extension. So, is there room for additional chairs for seating, standing room for the standing room area or not?

CINDY FUERST: I think that’s going to depend on Code and what we’re........what the room is zoned safe for. You know, to me, just eyeballing it, there looks like there’s lot of space on the back there. But, I think that’s going to be.........they’ll tell us what our maximum capacity is. We are planning on–and this was Pete Schiel’s idea–in the gallery area and in some of the green room and the other space actually having whatever program is in there, video taped or recorded so that if we do have a really an unusually large program with program attendance, we could actually have some individuals in the lobby area or in.......on the first floor that it would be broadcast in the library so we’re indistinguishable some of the larger program capability.

MAYOR GREEN: Cindy, what did you have last Thursday night for the children’s author?

CINDY FUERST: We had just under 300.

ALDERMAN HUNTER: So they could do a simulcast on Channel 4.

CINDY FUERST: That’s a great idea.

MAYOR GREEN: Amazing. We need a motion to approve the lease addendum.

ALDERMAN EPSTEIN: I’ll so move.

ALDERMAN SCHWADE: I’ll second it.

MAYOR GREEN: Motion by Alderman Epstein, seconded by Alderman Schwade. Questions? Roll call.

CLERK DUMAS:

AYE: Brown; Hunter; Epstein; Baron; Williams; Ciaccio; Grant; Hearn; Diersen; Jones; Schwade; Coleman; Cox (13)

MOTION TO APPROVE THE AMENDED LIBRARY LEASE

MAYOR GREEN: Motion carries.

CINDY FUERST: Okay. Thank you.

MAYOR GREEN: Thank you, Cindy. Ah, the only item under Motions and Resolutions is we have an addendum to our EEOC Policy. And, I’m asking you to approve that amendment.

ALDERMAN HUNTER: Motion to approve.

ALDERMAN BROWN: Second.

MAYOR GREEN: Motion by Alderman Hunter, second by Alderman Brown. Any questions? Roll call.

CLERK DUMAS:

AYE: Brown; Hunter; Epstein; Baron; Williams; Ciaccio; Grant; Hearn; Diersen; Jones; Schwade; Coleman; Cox (13)

RESOLUTION APPROVING AMENDED EQUAL EMPLOYMENT

OPPORTUNITY POLICY FOR THE CITY OF KANKAKEE

MAYOR GREEN: Motion carries. I see, in error, we left off the Aldermen’s Comments. No Executive Session tonight. Are there any comments from the Aldermen? I don’t want to skip by that? If not, I’ll entertain a motion to adjourn.

ALDERMAN JONES: So moved.

ALDERMAN SCHWADE: I second it.

MAYOR GREEN: Motion by Alderman Jones, seconded by Alderman Schwade. And, Happy St. Patrick’s Day to everybody.

MOTION TO ADJOURN CITY COUNCIL MEETING

7:38 P.M.