CITY OF KANKAKEE
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JUNE 2, 2008
7:00 P.M.
MAYOR GREEN: I’d
like to call the meeting to order, please.
I’d like to ask Pastor Scott Paisley from Calvary Baptist Church to come
up and open our meeting with a prayer.
PASTOR PAISLEY: Our
Heavenly Father, I thank You for these ladies and gentlemen and pray Your
blessing on them. We pray that You help them to serve willingly and faithfully and with
integrity and grant them wisdom in the jobs they perform daily, but especially
for this evening in this meeting. Discussions they’ll have, decisions that are
made. Pray that right decisions will be
made for the good of our City. We’re
careful to thank You for that. We ask
this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
MAYOR GREEN: Can
I ask you to observe a moment of silence now? And, actually, there’s three individuals I
want to mention tonight. The first one
is Sam’s sister, Sister Josephine Ciaccio.
And, today we were notified also that Tommy Gates who used to cover us
from WVLI passed away today. And, Chuck
Ruch who was a former member of the County Board. So, if we could just observe a moment of
silence. Pause Thank you. Now, I’d like to ask the youth from Calvary
Baptist Church to come forward and lead us in our Pledge.
YOUTH FROM CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH AND ALL: Pledge of Allegiance
MAYOR GREEN: Thank
you very much. Roll call.
CLERK DUMAS:
PRESENT:
Brown; Hunter; Epstein; Baron; Williams; Ciaccio; Grant; Hearn; Linneman;
Diersen; Jones; Schwade; Colemen; Cox (14)
MAYOR GREEN: Department
Heads.
CLERK DUMAS:
PRESENT: Kinkade; Young; Doyle; Spice; Bohlen; Leshen;
Simms; Tyson; Shaw; Nolan; Gordon; Fuerst (12)
ABSENT: Power (1)
MAYOR GREEN: Thank
you. You have the minutes of the May 19,
2008, meeting. I need a motion to
approve.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Mayor
Green, hearing no objections from my colleagues, I move they be approved as
recorded.
ALDERMAN HEARN: Second.
MAYOR GREEN: Motion
by Alderman Hunter, seconded by Alderman Hearn to approve the minutes of May
19, 2008. All in favor, AYE. Opposed, same sign.
MOTION TO APPROVE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF MAY
19, 2008
MAYOR GREEN: Motion
carries. The Chair has no
Petitions. Are there any Petitions from
the Floor. If not, I would like to move
to the back of the agenda if I could, please?
Under Motions and Resolutions, we’ve got a special guest here tonight
and we want to pass a Resolution in his honor.
Reverend Robert Rucker from the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, if you’d
please come forward, we would like to read a Resolution in your honor. And, your family is welcome to come up with
you, too, please. There isn’t..........let
me tell you ladies and gentlemen, there’s probably not a better cheerleader for
the City of Kankakee than Reverend Rucker.
I mean, he is..........he really is and he does a heck of a job in his
church and he does a wonderful job in his neighborhood. And, I’ve appreciated knowing him in the
fifteen years that, ah........that I’ve been here as the Mayor of
Kankakee. And, it’s been a real
privilege to know you, Reverend. I’d
like to ask Alderman Hunter if he would read the Resolution in honor of
Reverend Rucker.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Rev.
Rucker, you know, we’re pleased and honored–Alderman Brown, as well as the
balance of the Council–quite honored for you to be here this evening and for
the balance of the Council members, on May 23, we had a great affair out to the
Hilton Gardens in which there was probably a couple hundred people who were
there and there were all kinds of accolades bestowed on him.......for his
regarding his tireless for almost a half a century in the clergy. And, I’ll just read this Resolution as
follows. Usually, we do this stuff for
people who have gone on to the green pastures.
MAYOR GREEN: But,
we’re glad you’re here.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: But,
I figured you’d like to smell your roses right now. Resolution reads as follows: RESOLUTION NO. 2008 - 18 HONORING REVEREND ROBERT RUCKER WHEREAS, Reverend Robert Rucker has
displayed tireless and unselfish concern for not only the spiritual well-being of
mankind, but also for the social and racial conditions which people face
daily. He has contributed to the
enhancement of our community by founding both the Mount Calvary Missionary
Baptist Church and the Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church; and WHEREAS,
Reverend Rucker was born on June 18, 1934, in Leland, Mississippi, to Jack and
Francis Rucker. Although he spent his
childhood in Mississippi, Reverend Rucker moved to Michigan City and then to
Chicago Heights where he met his lovely wife, Nancy Sneed. They were blessed with six children: Lillie,
Earnest, Cynthia, Robert Jr., and Linda Pierce (Goffery). They also raised Wilford Harrison as their
own son, and WHEREAS, he was called to the ministry in 1958. By 1963, Reverend Rucker founded the Mount
Calvary Missionary Baptist Church where he served for eleven years. In 1974, he became the founder and pastor of
Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church, which was located at 533 East Cypress
Street. Since the creation of the
church, it has moved twice, first to 574 North Cottage Avenue, then to its
current location of 487 North Fairmont Avenue.
The entire congregation walked from the old church on North Cottage to
the new church on North Fairmont on June 15, 1975; and WHEREAS, Reverend Rucker
has volunteered his time throughout the community by serving as a member of the
Kankakee County Board, Chaplain of Riverside Hospital, participant of the City
of Kankakee’s City Council Chaplains’ Program, a member of the NAACP, the
Rainbow Push Coalition, and the Kankakee County Baptist Association, and
WHEREAS, on Sunday, June 1, 2008, Reverend Rucker will be retiring after
forty-five years of offering compassion and support for the Kankakee area, and
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by Mayor Donald E. Green and the City Council of the
City of Kankakee, Illinois, do recognize and honor Reverend Robert Rucker, for
his many years of selfless labor by an honorary designation of the 400 block of
North Fairmont Avenue as “Reverend Robert Rucker Avenue.” ADOPTED this 23rd day of May,
2008. Donald E. Green, Mayor ATTEST:
Anjanita Dumas, City Clerk
MAYOR GREEN: Is
there a second to that?
ALDERMAN BROWN: Second.
MAYOR GREEN: Second
by Alderman Brown. All in favor,
AYE. Opposed, same sign.
RESOLUTION HONORING REVEREND ROBERT RUCKER
MAYOR GREEN: Congratulations. Thank you.
Now, we’re going to take a chance and let a Baptist preacher to the
microphone.
REVEREND RUCKER: Well,
we first have to honor God and to our honorable Mayor and to our distinguished
Aldermen, City Council men and all it takes for this gathering here
tonight. I am indeed happy to be here in
the flesh, glad that I’m here in the flesh.
Usually, I’m thinkin’ when Alderman Hunter presented this on Saturday
night, it didn’t register. Because I
know usually this only happen when you’re too cool to move. So, after I got into the house, my daughter
says, but, Daddy, it’s true. I had to
think for a moment and...before it kind of soaked in. What I say is that I want to thank all of you
and it’s going to take me another.......another 50 years to try to live up to
all that has happened. And, I don’t know
if that’ll happen ‘cause the 18th of this month, I’ll be makin’ my
74th birthday. So, I want to
thank all of you. I said I want to thank
all of you for your hard work and for the honor that you have placed upon
me. I said I would do my very best to
help the Lord, to live up to it. And,
like I said, it’s goin’ to take a lot of livin’ ahead. Thank you again and may God bless you. And, like I say it’s hard, you don’t put a
microphone before a Baptist preacher.
MAYOR GREEN: I
had all the trust in the world in you.
REVEREND RUCKER: You
know that’s not a good sign. Thank all
of you for everything.
MAYOR GREEN: Thank
you, Reverend. We also have two other
Resolutions. Can I get a motion on both
of those?
ALDERMAN HUNTER: I
so move.
ALDERMAN SCHWADE: Second.
MAYOR GREEN: Motion
by Alderman Hunter, seconded by Alderman Schwade. All in favor, AYE. Opposed, same sign.
RESOLUTION HONORING THE KANKAKEE VALLEY PERFORMANCE
CHOIR
RESOLUTION HONORING THE “SOMETHING SPECIAL SINGERS”
MAYOR GREEN: Motion
carries. Now, we’ll move back to the
regular agenda, to Communications. And,
we have several items. Do you want to
deal with them all at once?
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Motion
to approve those on the agenda and those that were placed on your desks.
ALDERMAN SCHWADE: Second.
MAYOR GREEN: Motion
by Alderman Hunter, seconded by Alderman Schwade. Any questions on any of them?
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Got
another one, too.
MAYOR GREEN: Alderman
Brown.
ALDERMAN BROWN: Yes,
ah, this is a Communication from Tyjuan Hagler who is a member of the
Indiana........
MAYOR GREEN: Let’s
deal with it.........let’s take that as a separate item, can we do that?
ALDERMAN BROWN: Okay.
MAYOR GREEN: Let’s
vote on these right now that we have a motion and a second. All in favor, AYE. Opposed, same sign.
RIVERVIEW HISTORIC DISTRICT IS REQUESTING PERMISSION
TO BLOCK
OFF EMORY STREET AND GREENWOOD AVENUE; PARK PLACE AND
GREENWOOD AVENUE; COBB BOULEVARD AND PARK PLACE; EMORY
STREET AND COBB BOULEVARD FOR THEIR ANNUAL JULY 4TH BLOCK
PARTY AND ICE CREAM SOCIAL ON FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2008
FROM 9:30 A.M.
TO 10:30 A.M.
BRENDA LILLARD OF 905 SOUTH ELM AVENUE IS REQUESTING
STREET
BLOCKAGE OF THE 900 BLOCK OF SOUTH ELM AVENUE AND
DUANE
BOULEVARD TO THE EAST FOR A BLOCK PARTY ON SATURDAY,
JUNE 7, 2008 FROM 1:00 P.M. UNTIL 10:00 P.M.
GARDEN OF PRAYER YOUTH CENTER IS REQUESTING PERMISSION
TO HOST
A TAG DAY ON SATURDAY, JULY 26, 2008, FROM 10:00 A.M.
UNTIL 4:00 P.M.
THE RAILROAD MUSEUM IS REQUESTING STREET BLOCKAGE OF
THE
ALLEY EAST OF THE CLOCK TOWER CENTER FOR RAILFEST ON
SATURDAY,
JUNE 7, 2008, FROM 10:00 A.M. UNTIL 5:00 P.M.
DEENA RABIDEAU IS REQUESTING PERMISSION TO HOST
COUNTRY ACT
“CROSSIN DIXON” ON JULY 5, 2008, UNTIL 11:00 P.M. AT R
BAR
MAYOR GREEN: Motion
carries. Alderman Brown.
ALDERMAN BROWN: I
got a Communication from Tyjuan Hagler who is a member of the Indianapolis
Colts and, again, he’s holding a football camp locally at Bishop McNamara High
School and he’s asking for some kind of sponsorship from the City of Kankakee. And, what I’m askin’ for here
tonight.........I’m askin’ for the City Council to take $350.00 out of the
Community Promotion Fund and donate it for underprivileged kids in the City of
Kankakee.
MAYOR GREEN: Is
there a second?
ALDERMAN EPSTEIN: I’ll
second.
MAYOR GREEN: Motion
by Alderman Brown, seconded by Alderman Epstein. Any questions? Motion is to take $350.00 out
of our Community Promotions Fund towards this event that Mr. Hagler’s putting
on at Bishop McNamara High School this summer.
Roll call. We’re spending money.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE:
Brown; Hunter; Epstein; Baron; Williams; Ciaccio; Grant; Hearn; Linneman;
Diersen; Jones; Schwade; Coleman; Cox
(14)
MOTION TO SPONSOR TYJUAN HAGLER’S SUMMER FOOTBALL CAMP
AT BISHOP MCNAMARA HIGH SCHOOL AT THE ALL-STAR LEVEL
($350.00)
TO BE TAKEN FROM COMMUNITY PROMOTIONS
MAYOR GREEN: Motion
carries. Any other Communications from
the Floor? Hearing none, we’ll move to
Standing Committees. Planning and
Code. Alderman Epstein.
ALDERMAN EPSTEIN: The
information is provided in the packet.
MAYOR GREEN: Public
Works. Alderman Brown.
ALDERMAN BROWN: The
information is contained in the packet.
We just want to make sure to keep you abreast of any rate increase.
MAYOR GREEN: Pardon?
ALDERMAN BROWN: All
the information’s in the packet, but we just want to highlight anything that
has to do with rate increases.
MAYOR GREEN: Okay. Thank you.
Next, the Report of Officers.
ALDERMAN WILLIAMS: I
move to approve the Report of Officers, place the money into the proper
accounts and pay the bills in the amount of $2,020,852.39.
MAYOR GREEN: Motion
by Alderman Williams to accept the Report of Officers. Is there a second?
ALDERMAN CIACCIO: Second.
MAYOR GREEN: Second
by Alderman Ciaccio to accept the Report of Officers, place the money in the
proper accounts and pay the bills in the amount $2,020,852.39. Does anyone have a question on a specific
bill? Hearing none, roll call.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE:
Brown; Hunter; Epstein; Baron; Williams; Ciaccio; Grant; Hearn; Linneman;
Diersen; Schwade; Coleman; Cox (13)
ABSTAIN: Jones
(1)
REPORTS OF OFFICERS, APPROVAL OF BILLS $2,020,852.39
MAYOR GREEN: Motion
carries. Unfinished Business. There is none. We’ll move into New Business. We’ve got an Ordinance for Handicapped
Parking on 331 S. Fourth, 1422 E. Oak and there’s a.........
ALDERMAN WILLIAMS: Mayor
Green.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Can
we do those en masse, Mayor?
ALDERMAN BROWN: One
to rescind?
ALDERMAN WILLIAMS: indistinguishable
those because I’ve got one for 5th.........or 4th.
MAYOR GREEN: Well,
I’ll go through these and then we’ll pick up the one you have, okay? Ah, we’ve got Handicapped at 331 S. Fourth,
the next is 1422 S. East Avenue, the next is, we’re rescinding one at 231
Tedmark Court and you have one Alderman Williams.
ALDERMAN WILLIAMS: I
was seein’ if we could combine A and B because they’re the same.
MAYOR GREEN: We
can. We can also do C if you want.
ALDERMAN WILLIAMS: Okay.
MAYOR GREEN: You
want to Suspend the Rules then?
ALDERMAN WILLIAMS: Yeah,
I’ll Suspend the Rules that would interfere with the passage.
ALDERMAN CIACCIO: Second.
MAYOR GREEN: Motion
by Alderman Williams, seconded by Alderman Ciaccio to Suspend the Rules that
would interfere with the passage of Ordinances A, B and C.
UNKNOWN: And, F.
MAYOR GREEN: And,
F. Excuse me. Can we include F? The maker and seconder?
ALDERMAN WILLIAMS: Yes.
MAYOR GREEN: Including
F.
ALDERMAN CIACCIO: Yes.
MAYOR GREEN: Roll
call.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE:
Brown; Hunter; Epstein; Baron; Williams; Ciaccio; Grant; Hearn; Linneman;
Diersen; Jones; Schwade; Coleman; Cox
(14)
MAYOR GREEN: Is
there a motion to put these Ordinances on their Final Passage and Pass?
ALDERMAN WILLIAMS: I
so move.
ALDERMAN CIACCIO: Second.
MAYOR GREEN: Motion
by Alderman Williams, seconded by Alderman Ciaccio. Any questions on any of the specific
Ordinances? Roll call.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE:
Brown; Hunter; Epstein; Baron; Williams; Ciaccio; Grant; Hearn; Linneman;
Diersen; Jones; Schwade; Coleman; Cox
(14)
ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 32, SECTION 231
ESTABLISHING A
HANDICAPPED PARKING SIGN AT 331 SOUTH FOURTH AVENUE
ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 32, SECTION 231
ESTABLISHING A
HANDICAPPED PARKING SIGN AT 1422 EAST OAK STREET
ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 32, SECTION 231 ENTITLED
“HANDICAPPED PARKING” OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE
CITY OF
KANKAKEE RESCINDING HANDICAPPED PARKING ORDINANCE NO.
02-34
AT 231 TEDMARK COURT
ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 32, SECTION 231 ENTITLED
“HANDICAPPED PARKING” OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE
CITY
OF KANKAKEE RESCINDING HANDICAPPED PARKING ORDINANCE
NO. 01-36 AT 345 S. POPLAR AVENUE
MAYOR GREEN: Motion
carries. Next, is an Ordinance for the–excuse
me–Alderman?
UNKNOWN: I’ll
wait.
MAYOR GREEN: There’s
an Ordinance for the extension of our franchise with Commonwealth Edison. As you know, we’ve been working with them to
try and work this out. This Ordinance
will give us one more year on the current franchise. And, so, we’re asking you to put this on its
First Reading only tonight. ‘Cause the
Ordinance–the current one–expires July 1.
ALDERMAN BARON: I
would move that we put the Ordinance amending the Commonwealth Edison Ordinance
on its First Reading to extend the Franchise Agreement for one year.
ALDERMAN GRANT: Second.
MAYOR GREEN: Motion
by Alderman Baron, seconded by Alderman Jones.
Any questions? Alderman
Grant.
ALDERMAN GRANT: I
seconded it. Did you? Okay I’m sorry. Two seconds, then. Okay.
Second by Alderman Grant. I’m
sorry. Roll call.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE:
Brown; Hunter; Epstein; Baron; Williams; Ciaccio; Grant; Hearn; Linneman;
Diersen; Jones; Schwade; Coleman; Cox
(14)
FIRST READING
ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING
COMMONWEALTH
EDISON COMPANY (PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY DIVISION), ITS
SUCCESSORS
AND ASSIGNS, TO CONSTRUCT, OPERATE AND MAINTAIN AN
ELECTRIC
LIGHT AND POWER SYSTEM IN AND THROUGH THE CITY OF
KANKAKEE,
KANKAKEE COUNTY, ILLINOIS
MAYOR GREEN: Motion
carries. Next, is the annual audit for
the receipt and disbursement of motor fuel tax.
That’s been on file in the Clerk’s office. We’re asking you for a motion to approve it
and put it on file.
ALDERMAN BARON: I’d
so move.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Second.
MAYOR GREEN: Motion
by Alderman Baron, seconded by Alderman Hunter to accept the audit and place it
on file. Roll call.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE:
Brown; Hunter; Epstein; Baron; Williams; Ciaccio; Grant; Hearn; Linneman;
Diersen; Jones; Schwade; Coleman; Cox
(14)
AUDIT REPORT NO. 72 COVERING THE RECEIPT OF
DISBURSEMENT OF
MOTOR FUEL TAX FUNDS BY THE CITY OF KANKAKEE FOR THE
PERIOD BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2007 AND ENDING DECEMBER
31, 2007
MAYOR GREEN: Motion
carries. Ah, we’ve already done Motions
and Resolutions. We do have an Executive
Session. Are there any comments from the
Aldermen before we go into Executive Session?
Alderman Ciaccio.
ALDERMAN CIACCIO: I........I.......I
see by the paper that, ah, they reversed the decision on the Volini dump and I’d
like to have it discussed at the next meeting– Alderman’s meeting. We have three states that have adopted it,
but they’ve.......they’ve taken and, ah, they got facilities for
a.........a..... takin’ care of, ah, they take the dump and they, ah, first
they take the stuff and.....that they can keep and keep it and then
they.......they do like–the rest of the stuff they make into energy. So, I’d like to see next meeting that we
discuss that. Can, you do that Alderman–ah,
Mayor?
MAYOR GREEN: We
can do that Alderman, but they didn’t reverse the decision. They upheld his decision.
ALDERMAN CIACCIO: It’s
gonna’ go to the Supreme Court and I was asked.....I was asked to discuss it.
MAYOR GREEN: We
don’t know that yet, but it may. Okay,
thank you. Any other comments? Alderman Cox.
ALDERMAN COX: 800-900-1000
block North Schuyler.
MAYOR GREEN: Um
huh (affirmative).
ALDERMAN COX: On
the west side. They got a ground hog
problem.
MAYOR GREEN: They
got what?
ALDERMAN COX: Ground
hog problem.
MAYOR GREEN: Ground
hogs.
ALDERMAN COX: They,
ah, they go diggin’ out folks’ foundations and, ah, I wonder could the animal
commissioner put some traps out?
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Doyle
and I will volunteer.
MAYOR GREEN: Pardon? Who will volunteer?
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Dennis
Doyle and myself, we’ll volunteer.
ATTORNEY BOHLEN: I
think he’s asking for traps.
MAYOR GREEN: Not
asking you to go shoot them, okay?
Dennis, ah, I.............that’s on their private property though?
ALDERMAN COX: Yeah,
it’s between they property and, ah, Canadian.........Northern Canadian
Railroad.
MAYOR GREEN: Yeah. Do we have any access, Dennis, to any traps
at all?
DENNIS DOYLE: You
know what, I’m not sure what licensing that takes, but I can certainly look
into it.
MAYOR GREEN: Okay. If you would, I’d appreciate it and then we
can get back to the Alderman.
ALDERMAN COX: Put
some bait in it.
MAYOR GREEN: Okay. Thank you.
ALDERMAN COX: It
cost me $60.00.
MAYOR GREEN: Yeah,
I had to do it in mine, too.
ALDERMAN COX: Three...three
of ‘em.
MAYOR GREEN: Not
very.......it’s expensive. Any other
comments? If not, I’d entertain a motion
to go into Executive Session to discuss Personnel and Litigation. And, Real Estate.
ALDERMAN SCHWADE: So
moved.
MAYOR GREEN: And,
there may be some action taken when we come out.
ATTORNEY BOHLEN: Did
you hear us, press? There may be some
action when we come out.
MAYOR GREEN: Who
made the motion?
NANCY SMITHBERG: Alderman
Schwade.
MAYOR GREEN: Alderman
Schwade. Who seconded?
ALDERMAN BROWN: Second.
MAYOR GREEN: Alderman
Brown. All in favor, AYE. Opposed, same sign.
MOTION TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION
7:21
P.M.
![]()
7:46
P.M.
MAYOR GREEN: Okay,
I’m looking...........if I could have your attention please. As we discussed and we’re back into Open
Session now. The Chair is looking for a
motion for the City to purchase the property commonly known as 311 S. Indiana
Avenue at a total cost not to exceed $105,000.00. And, that money will be paid out of the grant
money for the new administration building.
ALDERMAN SCHWADE: Okay. I move to accept that bid.....or that
purchase of the property at 311 S. Indiana.
ALDERMAN JONES:
Second.
MAYOR GREEN: Motion
by Alderman Schwade, seconded by Alderman Jones. Any questions? Roll call.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE:
Brown; Hunter; Epstein; Baron; Williams; Ciaccio; Grant; Hearn; Linneman;
Diersen; Jones; Schwade; Coleman; Cox
(14)
MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE OF PROPERTY AT 311 S.
INDIANA AVENUE
MAYOR GREEN: Motion
carries. I’ll entertain a motion to
adjourn.
ALDERMAN WILLIAMS: So
moved.
ALDERMAN GRANT: Second.
MAYOR GREEN: Motion
by Alderman Williams, seconded by Alderman Grant. All in favor, AYE. Opposed, same sign.
MOTION TO
ADJOURN
MAYOR GREEN: Motion carries. 7:47 P.M.