CITY OF KANKAKEE
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JUNE 1, 2009
7:00 P.M.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Will
the Clerk call the roll, please? Oh, I’m
sorry, we would like to ask Pastor Deborah Harris from First Presbyterian
Church of Kankakee to come up and lead us in prayer. Thank you.
PASTOR HARRIS: Good
evening. Let us pray. Almighty and gracious God, we come here this
evening to do the work of the government in hopes that we continue to do Your
work as well. We pray for everybody that
is here, our new Councilmen and women and our new Mayor as well as those who
have been around for a while. We give
You thanks. God, may You guide them and
lead them and help them to understand their communities where they’re from and
just help them to understand Kankakee and the area around it. Thank You, God that you have called them as
leaders and may You guide, lead and bless them as well. In Your holy name, we pray. Amen.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank
you. Now we would like the children from
the youth from First Presbyterian Church and their sister church John 3:16 to
lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
YOUTH FROM FIRST PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH
AND JOHN 3:16 CHURCH AND ALL: Pledge of Allegiance
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank
you. And, now we will have the Clerk
call the roll, please.
CLERK DUMAS:
PRESENT: Brown, P.; Hunter; Browne, R.; Baron;
Williams; Ciaccio; Faford; Swanson; Osenga; Linneman; Jones; Davidson; Cox (13)
ABSENT: Schwade
(1)
MAYOR EPSTEIN: And,
now the Department Heads, please.
CLERK DUMAS:
PRESENT: Kinkade; Young; Doyle; Spice; Bohlen; Power;
Simms; Tyson; Shaw; Rodriguez; Gordon; Bertrand (12)
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank
you. I would now like a motion to
approve the minutes of the past meeting.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Mayor
Epstein, hearing no objections from my colleagues, I move they be approved as
recorded.
ALDERMAN BROWNE: Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Is
there a second to the motion? Please
call the roll. Oh, I’m sorry, motion by
Alderman Hunter, second by Alderman Rich Browne. All in favor, AYE. Opposed.
MOTION TO APPROVE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF MAY
18, 2009
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank
you. Motion carries. Are there any Petitions from the Floor? Hearing no Petitions from the Floor, we will
move onto Communications. The first one
is an information item only from Comcast that there are some price changes–
actually some price reductions, so that’s a good thing. Ah, the next four Communications, we can
probably consolidate if you so desire.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Mayor
Epstein, I move we approve items 7B, C, D and E.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
made by Alderman Hunter. Is there a
second?
ALDERMAN WILLIAMS: Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Second
by Alderman Williams. All in favor,
AYE. Opposed.
SHAWNTAIE R. BOYD OF 529 NORTH DEARBORN AVENUE IS
REQUESTING A
NOISE PERMIT
AND A STREET BLOCKAGE OF THE 500 BLOCK OF NORTH
DEARBORN AVENUE ON THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2009 FROM 8:00
A.M. UNTIL 4:00 P.M.
MARYCREST ASSOCIATION OF RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS ARE
REQUESTING PERMISSION TO HAVE A COMMUNITY WIDE GARAGE SALE ON FRIDAY,
JUNE 12 AND SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 2009
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 SATURDAY, JULY 4, 2009
FROM
9:30 A.M. TO 10:30 A.M.
ST. MARTIN CHURCH IS REQUESTING PERMISSION TO HOLD
THEIR ANNUAL OCTOBER PRAYER WALK ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2009 AT 6:00 P.M.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank
you. Motion carries. We will now move to Standing Committees. Public Works.
Alderman Brown.
ALDERMAN BROWN: Ah,
just a few things. If you notice that
your packet this time is a little thicker than the normal meetings and the
reason for that is you’ve got two sets of minutes. One is the minutes for May 19, ‘09 and the
other is April 20, 2009, which kind of ends the old Council and begins the new
Council. And, the reason for that is if
you go further it kind of gives you a breakdown how Public Works is set up and
what the departmental kind of responsibilities are. Although you don’t see an organizational
chart, it’s kind of like charts out the responsibilities and duties of
everybody involved in Public Works. And,
as well, if you go a little further to try to breakdown and what we call our annual cleanup and what
that cost is per year. And, so it’s kind
of got a lot of information,
and ah, that’s pretty much it.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank
you. Next, we’ll move onto Planning and
Code. Alderman Swanson.
ALDERMAN SWANSON: Information’s
in the packet.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank
you. Ordinance. Alderman Swanson.
ALDERMAN SWANSON: Information’s
in the packet, also.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank
you. Ah, we will move onto the Report of
Officers.
ALDERMAN WILLIAMS: Mayor,
I move to approve the Report of
Officers, place the money into the proper accounts, pay the bills in the
amount of $1,683,267.92.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank
you. Motion made by Alderman
Williams. Is there a second?
ALDERMAN CIACCIO: Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Second
by Alderman Ciaccio. May I have the roll
call please?
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown; Hunter, Browne, R.; Baron; Williams;
Ciaccio; Faford; Swanson; Osenga; Linneman; Jones; Davidson; Cox (13)
ABSENT: Schwade (1)
REPORTS OF OFFICERS APPROVAL OF BILLS - $1,683,267.92
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
passes. I have no Unfinished
Business. We will move onto New
Business. The first is an Ordinance
amending Chapter 32, Handicapped Parking signs at 285 N. Schuyler Avenue. Is there a motion to approve–or a motion to
Suspend the Rules?
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Mayor
Epstein, could I possibly approve those en masse and Suspend the Rules
for items 11A, B and C? With the Council’s
indulgence?
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Are
we able to add those together?
ATTORNEY BOHLEN: You
could do A and B. C is sort of a
different issue altogether.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Okay. Ah, move to Suspend–this is for A and B
everybody. Move to Suspend the Rules
that would interfere with consideration of passage of these Ordinances at this
time.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Do
I have a second to the motion?
ALDERMAN DAVIDSON: Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Second
by Alderman Davidson to Suspend the Rules that would interfere with the
passage. Roll call, please.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown; Hunter, Browne, R.; Baron; Williams;
Ciaccio; Faford; Swanson; Osenga; Linneman; Jones; Davidson; Cox (13)
ABSENT: Schwade
(1)
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
passes. May I have a motion to put these
Ordinances on their Final Passage and Pass?
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Move
these Ordinances be placed on their Final Passage and Pass.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
made by Alderman Hunter. Second?
ALDERMAN DAVIDSON: Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: By
Alderman Davidson. Roll call, please.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown; Hunter, Browne, R.; Baron; Williams;
Ciaccio; Faford; Swanson; Osenga; Linneman; Jones; Davidson; Cox (13)
ABSENT: Schwade
(1)
ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 32, SECTION 231
ESTABLISHING A
HANDICAPPED PARKING SIGN AT 285 NORTH SCHUYLER AVENUE –
THREE (3) PARKING SPACES
ORDINANCE DECLARING CERTAIN PROPERTY SURPLUS OF THE
CITY OF
KANKAKEE – KANKAKEE POLICE DEPARTMENT - AND
AUTHORIZING
THE SALE THEREOF
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
carries. The next Ordinance, we are
amending Chapter 33, Section 34 of the City Code of the City of Kankakee Taxi
Cab License. The only change that we are
doing tonight, the Ordinance calls for the signature on a taxi cab license to
be the Clerk and the Police Chief. We’re
changing that to the Clerk and the Mayor only for convenience. And, we are able to do that. If there’s any discussion, please. I’ll entertain a motion first, to Suspend the
Rules.
ALDERMAN SWANSON: I’ll
make a motion.
ALDERMAN JONES:
Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Alderman
Swanson and seconded by Alderman Jones.
Now, any discussion? Oh, I’m
sorry. Roll call.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown; Hunter, Browne, R.; Baron; Williams;
Ciaccio; Faford; Swanson; Osenga; Linneman; Jones; Davidson; Cox (13)
ABSENT: Schwade (1)
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
carries. Now, shall we put this
Ordinance on its Final Passage and Pass?
Do I have a motion to do that?
ALDERMAN JONES:
So moved.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
by Alderman Jones. Do I have a second?
ALDERMAN BARON: Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: By
Alderman Baron. Any discussion? Alderman Brown.
ALDERMAN BROWN: I
was just asking a question, ah, since I just took over the License and
Franchise should I not have been advised of this change at the last meeting
because I–this is the first I’ve heard of that.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Alderman
Power–Attorney Power–I elevated him.
ATTORNEY POWER: Well,
this is a very minor change, Alderman, and what this........just so there’s no
misunderstanding here, this is not, you’re not talking about the issuance of a
license to operate a taxi. You’re
talking about the license for a driver who’s employed by someone who has a
license. And, it calls for the, ah,
presently it calls for the signature, I think, of the Police Chief and the
Clerk and just for convenience, the request was to change it to the Mayor and
the Clerk. But, I understand what you’re
saying.
ALDERMAN BROWN: I
just..........the reason I bring it up is that I think that was a good
informational stuff for the Committee members of License and Franchise. Being new, that’s all.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: I
understand and I appreciate your comment about that.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: I
think the women ought to control it.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: It’s
really just a matter of convenience since we’re both in the same building, ah,
but I appreciate the comments and we certainly will advise you the next time
there might be any change to a License and Franchise item.
ALDERMAN BROWN: Thank
you.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: You’re
welcome. Do we need.........we need a
roll call now? Any other discussion
first? Okay, roll call.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown; Hunter, Browne, R.; Baron; Williams;
Ciaccio; Faford; Swanson; Osenga; Linneman; Jones; Davidson; Cox (13)
ABSENT: Schwade
(1)
ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 33, SECTION 34 OF THE CITY
CODE OF
THE CITY OF KANKAKEE – TAXI CAB LICENSE
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
carries. Moving onto the next item, ah,
we are asking for a motion to Suspend the Rules to donate surplus radio
equipment to the Kankakee County Emergency Telephone System Board.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Have
they been declared surplus already or not?
ATTORNEY BOHLEN: We’re
declaring it surplus now.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Right
now. Okay, good. Can we do D and E?
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Yes,
we can.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Move
to Suspend the Rules.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Do
I have a second?
ALDERMAN WILLIAMS: Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Seconded
by Alderman Williams. Roll call, please.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown; Hunter, Browne, R.; Baron; Williams;
Ciaccio; Faford; Swanson; Osenga; Linneman; Jones; Davidson; Cox (13)
ABSENT: Schwade (1)
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
carries. Do I have a motion to put this
on its Final Passage and Pass?
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Move
these Ordinances be placed on their Final Passages and Pass?
ALDERMAN WILLIAMS: Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
by Alderman Hunter, seconded by Alderman Williams. Roll call, please. Sorry, discussion? No discussion. Roll call.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown; Hunter, Browne, R.; Baron; Williams;
Ciaccio; Faford; Swanson; Osenga; Linneman; Jones; Davidson; Cox (13)
ABSENT: Schwade
(1)
RECOMMENDATION TO DONATE SURPLUSED RADIO EQUIPMENT TO
THE KANKAKEE COUNTY EMERGENCY TELEPHONE SYSTEM BOARD
RECOMMENDATION TO DONATE SURPLUSED LIVE SCAN
FINGERPRINT
MACHINE TO THE VILLAGE OF GRANT PARK POLICE DEPARTMENT
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
carries. The next item, we will need an
Executive Session, so we will discuss that when we go into Executive
Session. And, if there’s action taken,
it will be done after the Executive Session in open Council. I have no Appointments. We will move onto Motions and
Resolutions. The first–actually we can
combine A and B.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Motion
to approve.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: We
are authorizing the acceptance and execution of a grant agreement from the
Illinois Housing Development Authority for the Home Buyer Program and for the
Small Rental Properties Program.
ALDERMAN SWANSON: Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
by Alderman Hunter, seconded by Alderman Swanson. Is there any discussion?
ALDERMAN DAVIDSON: Mayor.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Yes.
ALDERMAN DAVIDSON: On
the second part of the Resolution, on the back page.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: On
B or A?
ALDERMAN DAVIDSON: B.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: On
B.
ALDERMAN DAVIDSON: On
the first, well actually on A, your signature is required and on B, Donald
Green’s is required. Is that a typo
or.....
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Yes,
it is a typo. I have not signed those
yet, but Ms. Rodriguez, we will change those.
JENNY RODRIGUEZ: I’ll
correct it.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: We
will correct it. Thank you. Any other discussion? Roll call, please.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown; Hunter, Browne, R.; Baron; Williams;
Ciaccio; Faford; Swanson; Osenga; Linneman; Jones; Davidson; Cox (13)
ABSENT:
Schwade (1)
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE AND EXECUTION OF
A
GRANT AGREEMENT FROM THE ILLINOIS HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY FOR THE HOMEBUYER PROGRAM
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE AND EXECUTION OF
A
GRANT AGREEMENT FROM THE ILLINOIS HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY FOR THE SMALL RENTAL PROPERTIES PROGRAM
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
carries. At this time in the agenda we
have Aldermen’s comments or questions prior to going into Executive
Session. Seeing no questions, ah, we
need to clear the Chambers for an Executive Session.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Motion
to go into Executive Session to discuss personnel.
ATTORNEY BOHLEN: Actually,
it’s only purchase of real estate.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Oh,
okay.
ALDERMAN BROWN: Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
by Alderman Hunter to go into Executive Session, seconded by Alderman Carl
Brown. All those in favor. Opposed.
MOTION TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Please
clear the Chambers for Executive Session.
We will be going back out into open Council.
7:19 P.M.
7:26 P.M.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: All
right, I will entertain a motion to accept the contract for the purchase of
real estate.
ALDERMAN JONES:
So moved.
ALDERMAN FAFORD:
Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Moved
by Alderman Jones, seconded by Alderman Faford.
ATTORNEY BOHLEN: That’s
for the purchase of a 15-foot lot in the 300 block of South Indiana, correct?
ALDERMAN JONES:
Yes.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Roll
call, please.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown;
Hunter, Browne, R.; Baron; Williams; Ciaccio; Faford; Swanson; Osenga;
Linneman; Jones; Davidson; Cox (13)
ABSENT: Schwade (1)
RECOMMENDATION TO ACCEPT THE CONTRACT TO PURCHASE REAL
ESTATE
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
passes. Now, before we adjourn, I would
like to remind all of you about the orientation program and tour that we have
planned on June 25. If you have not
responded to Nancy, please do so and then we will put together the program and
send you a letter outlining the events of that evening. My plan is to start here with a tour of the
City, come back, have a light dinner and then have different departments go
into some detail about what they do.
Really more so, not an explanation of the department function, but how
Aldermen can interact with the department.
I think that’s a much more appropriate use of our time as well as having
Corporation Counsel and our Clerk discuss with you procedures that you can see
I’m still learning and why we do things and how we put the agenda together. And, just really sort of an overview of how
things function in the City and all of the roles of the different departments
as well as the Aldermen in that function.
So, if you are able to make it, we would appreciate it. If you would like to bring a spouse or a
guest, sometimes it’s helpful for your families to understand what you do and
how the City functions as well. You’re
certainly welcome to do so, but please let us know so we can plan the size of
the bus that we will need as well as dinner arrangements.
ALDERMAN SWANSON: What
time will this start?
MAYOR EPSTEIN: I
think, tentatively, I’d scheduled it for 5:15 or 5:30 P.M. so people would be
able to finish work and then come. And,
I hope to be done by 7:30–8:00. I’m not
looking at an extensive evening, but I thought the tour will probably take us
about 45 minutes. You know, we try to
hit all of the different wards so we’ll plan out a map of a route for us to
take that evening.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: And,
are you accepting feedbacks as to where we go?
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Yes,
if you have a specific area or neighborhood in your ward that you would like
the tour to encompass, just let.........email me or let Nancy know and we’ll
make sure that we include that in the route.
And, try to.............if you do have suggestions, please let us see
areas of concern in your wards as well as areas of rehabilitation or things
that have happened for the positive. I
think it’s good for us to see a mixture of both. I will entertain a motion to adjourn. Oh, Alderman..................Chief Young.
CHIEF RONALD YOUNG: Just
minor. The new Aldermen need IDs. Or the existing Aldermen want an ID with your
signature on it.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: If
you do, the Fire Department is in charge of IDs and I have provided them with
my signature, so they are able to now issue new IDs. If you have one with Mayor Green’s and you
would like one with Mayor Epstein, that’s your decision. If you’re fine with your old ID, that’s fine,
too.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Some
of them have probably expired.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: They’re
probably.......
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Mine
is expired, so.......
MAYOR EPSTEIN: They’re
all expired?
ATTORNEY BOHLEN: They’re
historic.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: They’re
antiques now.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Mine
indistinguishable Johnson.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Well,
you might stay long enough to have a collection, Steve. But, please, Chief Young, would you like them
to call and make appointments? How would
you like them to do that?
CHIEF RONALD YOUNG: If
they have an ID with Mayor Green’s name on it........signature on it, if they
want us to use the same picture, we can just make them a new ID. If they want a new and updated picture, they
can come in and we’ll have to take a photo.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Do
you do touch ups by any chance?
ATTORNEY BOHLEN: Photo
shot.
UNKNOWN: How
about an Afro?
MAYOR EPSTEIN: They
probably would like the old picture.
Please let Chief Young know what your pleasure is as far as new picture
or old picture with new signature. Thank
you for responding to Chief Young. Now,
I will entertain a motion to adjourn.
ALDERMAN SWANSON: So
moved.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: From
Alderman Swanson. A second?
ALDERMAN BROWNE: Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: From
Alderman Rich Browne. All those in
favor? Opposed?
MOTION TO ADJOURN CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
carries. We are adjourned.
7:36 P.M.