CITY OF KANKAKEE
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
APRIL 5, 2010
7:00 P.M.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: I
would like to call the meeting of the City Council to order and ask Reverend
Hank Roso from Emmanuel Baptist Church to come forward and lead us in prayer.
REVEREND ROSO: Our
Heavenly Father, we come to You tonight with hearts full of thanksgiving for
the roles and offices that You’ve given to us, God. You have presented each one of us with a task
according to Your wisdom and Your insight, given each one gifts and wisdom and
talent to be used. And, I thank You for
each one here, God. From Mayor Epstein
and each Alderman here who gives sacrificially of their time in countless
hours, oftentimes thankless hours,
considering these items of government and policies and procedures as
they lead us as people. God, I ask You
bless them and their families. Give them
good health and repay them, God, with Your kindness and mercies for all their
service to us. Father, God, I also ask
that Your hand of blessing be on Chief Kinkade and Chief Young as leaders of
our Police and Fire Departments, that you keep them and each one that serve
under their command safe. Keep your hand
upon their families, Lord, protect them as they protect us. God, we’re mindful in this City tonight,
there are those who are hurting and those who are lost and empty. We pray that you’d meet each one’s need,
whether it be that of health or finances, whether it be relationships, God, we
also ask that in this worsening economy nationwide, that this will be a land of
blessing. That this City of Kankakee
would be obviously blessed by You, oh, God.
I pray for wisdom here tonight in all that takes place and insight,
God. We thank You for all these things. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank
you very much. We have no children here
this evening. Alderman Linneman, would
you like to lead us in the Pledge?
ALDERMAN LINNEMAN AND ALL: Pledge of Allegiance.
ALDERMAN LINNEMAN: I’m
the closest thing to a child here tonight.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: With
the Council’s indulgence, I would like to alter the agenda. After the roll call and the minutes, I’m
going to move the Appointments section of the meeting up and we will vote on
the appointment and then we will proceed with the rest of the meeting. Roll call, please.
CLERK DUMAS:
PRESENT:
Brown; Hunter; Baron; Ciaccio; Faford; Swanson; Osenga; Linneman; Jones;
Schwade; Davidson; Cox (12)
ABSENT: Browne, R. (1)
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Department
Heads, please.
CLERK DUMAS:
PRESENT:
Kinkade; Harmon; Dear; Spice; Bohlen; Power; Simms; Banasiak;
Cross; Gordon; Bertrand; Yohnka
(12)
ABSENT: Tyson (1)
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank
you. I would like a motion from the
Floor to approve the minutes of the March 15, 2010, meeting.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Mayor
Epstein, hearing no objections from my colleagues, I move they be approved as
recorded.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
made by Alderman Hunter, seconded by.....
ALDERMAN JONES: Second
it.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Alderman
Jones. All those in favor, aye. Opposed, same sign.
MOTION TO APPROVE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF
MARCH 15, 2010
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Minutes
are passed. Now I would like to move up
to the Appointments. As you are aware,
since Alderman Williams resigned his seat from the Council, that seat has been
vacant. Last week, Alderman Hunter and
Alderman Faford and I interviewed five candidates for the position. We were very impressed with that many people
that had expressed a desire to serve on the Council. After our interviews, we were unanimous in
our thoughts about our appointment which is Mr. Tyler Tall, Sr. I spoke with Mr. Tall privately and I think
he will be an excellent addition to the Council. And, I would like a motion to approve his
appointment.
ALDERMAN BROWN: So
moved.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Sam.
ALDERMAN CIACCIO: I
make a motion.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
made by Alderman Ciaccio, seconded by Alderman Carl Brown to appoint Mr. Tyler
Tall, Sr., as the next Alderman of the 5th Ward to fill the
unexpired term of Mr. Hank Williams.
Roll call.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown;
Hunter; Baron; Ciaccio; Faford; Swanson; Osenga; Linneman; Jones; Schwade;
Davidson; Cox (12)
ABSENT: Browne, R. (1)
MOTION TO APPOINT TYLER D. TALL, SR., AS 5TH
WARD ALDERMAN TO
FULFILL UNEXPIRED TERM OF HANK WILLIAMS
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
carries. Mr. Tall, would you and your
family like to come forward? Clerk Dumas
will swear you in.
CLERK DUMAS AND TYLER TALL: I, Tyler Tall, Sr., having been elected to the office of Alderman
in the City of Kankakee, in the County of Kankakee and the State of Illinois,
do solemnly swear or affirm that I will support the Constitution of the United
States of America and the Constitution of the State of Illinois and I will
faithfully discharge the duties of the office of Alderman to the best of my
ability.
CLERK DUMAS: Congratulations.
7:05 P.M.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: We
will note in the minutes that Alderman Tall has been seated. Moving onto Petitions. I have no Petitions. Are there any from the Floor? Hearing none, we will move onto
Communications. The first item on the
agenda for Communications is the census update.
You have been provided at your seats with the latest tally for the City
of Kankakee divided into the different census tracts. I would especially like you to take note that
there are three census tracts that are lagging behind the rest of the City as
well as the average that is being presented for the rest of the State. I think it’s very important for us to work
very hard to encourage the people that live in those areas to complete their
census forms. As we have expressed many
times, a lot of dollars count depending on how many people fill out their forms
and it counts for the next ten years.
So, I would encourage the Aldermen, if your Ward is in the census tract
that is lagging behind, please try to make every effort to do whatever you can
to encourage people to get out and to fill out their forms and to mail them
in. I would appreciate that.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: What
is the City doing, generally, to encourage participation?
MAYOR EPSTEIN: The
City has participated in many of the different events. We are writing a letter to all of the
churches to encourage their parishioners to fill out the forms. Mr. Gordon is going to make personal contact
with the churches, especially those that are in the census tracts that are
lagging behind. We have sent out
postcards in English and in Spanish encouraging our residents to fill out the
forms. We’re working very hard at
it. It’s just.......we just need to get
past this mentality that it’s not important.
And, that’s why I wanted to bring it to your attention this
evening.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Thank
you.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: We
have a thank you note from Mr. Bohlen.
He’s back with us in fine shape.
The next item is for information only and then we have a request from
the Junior High for permission to hold a charity walk/run. Do I have a motion to approve?
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Motion
to approve.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
made by Alderman Hunter, seconded by........
ALDERMAN BROWN: Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: .......Alderman
Brown. Carl Brown. All those in favor? Opposed.
KANKAKEE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL GIFTED PROGRAM IS
REQUESTING
PERMISSION TO HOST A 5K CHARITY WALK/RUN ON SATURDAY,
MAY 29, 2010, BEGINNING AT 9:00 A.M.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
carries. Standing Committees. Alderman Carl Brown.
ALDERMAN BROWN: The
report (Public Works) contains all the information.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank
you. Planning and Code, Alderman
Swanson.
ALDERMAN SWANSON: The
information’s in the packet.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Report
of Officers. I’m sorry, Alderman
Schwade.
ALDERMAN SCHWADE: I
would........I forgot to mention, Alderman Swanson, I think in the–and I’m sure
wasn’t you–but, the meeting was adjourned at, I think maybe, 5:59 instead of
6:59?
MAYOR EPSTEIN: We
will make those corrections. Thank
you. Any other questions on the
Committees? Moving onto Report of
Officers. Do I have a motion to approve
the bills?
ALDERMAN FAFORD: Your
Honor, I move that we approve the Report of Officers, place the money in the
proper accounts and pay the bills in the amount of $1,752,254.99.
ALDERMAN CIACCIO: Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank
you. Made by Alderman Faford, seconded
by Alderman Ciaccio to approve the bills.
Are there any questions? Roll
call.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown;
Hunter; Baron; Tall; Ciaccio; Faford; Swanson; Osenga; Linneman; Schwade;
Davidson; Cox (12)
ABSTAIN: Jones (1)
ABSENT: Browne, R. (1)
REPORT OF OFFICERS,
APPROVAL OF BILLS - $1,752,254.99
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
carries. I have no Unfinished
Business. Moving onto New Business. The first item is a recommendation from Mr.
Dear, the head of our Department of Public Works to purchase a new body for a
1997 dump truck that the department has been refurbishing. He supplied us with two estimates and I would
like a motion to approve the low bid of $4,300.00.
ALDERMAN BROWN: Mayor. I think he provided you with two estimates of
two trucks. Is that correct? That’s for two trucks...
BERT DEAR: That’s
a body for two. We’re refurbishing two
trucks.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: So,
you need both?
BERT DEAR: Right.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: I’m
sorry, Mr. Dear
BERT DEAR: That
would be a total of about nine. I don’t
have the exact total. I gave it to you
about a month ago.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: I
have it.
BERT DEAR: indistinguishable
two trucks. For both of them.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: I
see one. I see the second one. $7,500.00 and $4,300.00.
BERT DEAR: That’s
right. The $4,300.00–that’s for the
State truck.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Correct.
BERT DEAR: We’re
askin’ for one for.......we’re asking for one of our trucks we’re rehabbing,
too, that was........
MAYOR EPSTEIN: I
have a motion........do I have a motion to approve?
ALDERMAN BROWN: You
have a motion to approve.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Alderman
Carl Brown made the motion and Alderman Hunter seconded the motion. Roll call.
ALDERMAN BARON: What
is this now? For.....
MAYOR EPSTEIN: We’re
refurbishing two separate trucks.
BERT DEAR: You
mighta’ saw a State truck....the yellow truck indistinguishable now we
do have to rehab the body.
ALDERMAN BARON: For
two. So, we’re indistinguishable
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Any
other questions? Roll call.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown;
Hunter; Baron; Tall; Ciaccio; Faford; Swanson; Osenga; Linneman; Jones;
Schwade; Davidson; Cox (13)
ABSENT: Browne, R.
(1)
RECOMMENDATION TO PURCHASE NEW BODIES FOR THE 1997
INTERNATIONAL DUMP TRUCK FOR DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC
WORKS
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
carries. Thank you. The next item is an Ordinance amending
Chapter 8 of the Building and Building Regulations. This item has been referred to us from the
Planning and Code Department. This is a
restructuring of the permit fees for the Code Department. Do I have a motion to approve?
ALDERMAN SWANSON: I
move to.........do I have to Suspend the Rules?
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Yes.
ALDERMAN SWANSON: I
would like to make a motion to Suspend the Rules that would interfere with the
passage of this Ordinance.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
made by Alderman Swanson to Suspend the Rules.
Do I have a second?
ALDERMAN FAFORD: I’ll
second it.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Seconded
by Alderman Faford. Roll call, please.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown;
Hunter; Baron; Tall; Ciaccio; Faford; Swanson; Osenga; Linneman; Jones;
Schwade; Davidson; Cox (13)
ABSENT: Browne, R. (1)
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
carries. Now I need a motion to place
this Ordinance on its Final Passage and Pass.
ALDERMAN SWANSON: I
so move.
ALDERMAN FAFORD: Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
made by Alderman Swanson, seconded by Alderman Faford. Any discussion? Hearing none, roll call.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown;
Hunter; Baron; Tall; Ciaccio; Faford; Swanson; Osenga; Linneman; Jones;
Schwade; Davidson; Cox (13)
ABSENT: Browne, R. (1)
ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 8 (BUILDING AND BUILDING
REGULATIONS), ARTICLE I, SECTIONS 108.2.1 AND 108.5.1
OF THE
MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF KANKAKEE
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
carries. Items C and D can be combined,
if I have the approval.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Motion
to approve.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: I
need a motion to Suspend the Rules on the Ordinance establishing two
handicapped parking spaces.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: I’ll
Suspend the Rules.
ALDERMAN SWANSON: Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
made by Alderman Hunter, seconded by Alderman Swanson to Suspend the
Rules. Roll call.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown;
Hunter; Baron; Tall; Ciaccio; Faford; Swanson; Osenga; Linneman; Jones;
Schwade; Davidson; Cox (13)
ABSENT: Browne, R. (1)
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Move
these Ordinances be placed on their Final Passage and Pass.
ALDERMAN SWANSON: Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
carried. Motion made by Alderman Hunter,
seconded by Alderman Swanson to put these Ordinances on their Final
Passage. Roll call.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown;
Hunter; Baron; Tall; Ciaccio; Faford; Swanson; Osenga; Linneman; Jones;
Schwade; Davidson; Cox (13)
ABSENT:
Browne, R. (1)
ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 32, SECTION 231
ESTABLISHING A
HANDICAPPED PARKING SIGN AT 1242 SOUTH FOURTH AVENUE
ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 32, SECTION 231
ESTABLISHING A
HANDICAPPED PARKING SIGN AT 2226 WEST BOURBONNAIS
STREET
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
carries. The next two items are separate
contracts. Mr. Tyson could not be here,
but these are contracts that are being awarded to control drainage and flooding
problems in both areas. The first one is
to award a contract of $181,252.41 to Oakwood for improvements on the 1900
block of East Locust.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Motion
to approve, Mayor Epstein.
ALDERMAN BROWN: Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
made by Alderman Hunter, seconded by Alderman Brown. Are there any questions?
ALDERMAN SCHWADE: This
is this extensive because it’s...........with the drainage?
MAYOR EPSTEIN: This
is an extensive problem that’s been identified for quite a while and this will
be paid for out of our infrastructure.
Roll call.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown;
Hunter; Baron; Tall; Ciaccio; Faford; Swanson; Osenga; Linneman; Jones; Schwade;
Davidson; Cox (13)
ABSENT: Browne, R.
(1)
RECOMMENDATION TO AWARD THE CONTRACT IN THE AMOUNT OF
$181,252.41 TO OAKWOOD ENTERPRISES, INC., FOR THE
PROPOSED
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE 1900 BLOCK OF EAST LOCUST STREET,
TEI JOB NO. E08049
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
carries. The next item is a contract
awarded in the amount of $11,597.00 to Einfeldt Construction. This is also for drainage improvements on
East Avenue by the Tousignant property.
Do I have a motion to approve?
ALDERMAN JONES: So
moved.
ALDERMAN DAVIDSON: Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
made by Alderman Jones, seconded by Alderman Davidson. Any questions? Roll call.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown;
Hunter; Browne, R.; Baron; Tall; Ciaccio; Faford; Swanson; Osenga; Linneman;
Jones; Schwade; Davidson; Cox (13)
ABSENT:
Browne, R. (1)
RECOMMENDATION TO AWARD THE CONTRACT IN THE AMOUNT OF
$11,597.00 TO EINFELDT CONSTRUCTION, INC. FOR THE
PROPOSED
DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS ON EAST AVENUE AT THE
INTERSECTION
OF OAK STREET, TEI JOB NO. E09098
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
carries. The next item is an Ordinance
establishing a two-way stop sign at the intersection of Locust and Hammes
Avenue.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Mayor
Epstein, I’d like to call the Council’s attention to this particular
Ordinance. It was drafted
incorrectly. The Ordinance should read,
ah, on Section One further down where it says a two-way stop sign. Actually, ah, Locust Street will stop for
Hammes Avenue traffic. So, it’s not a
two-way stop sign. There’s only one stop
sign in which the traffic going east on Locust Street will stop at Hammes
Avenue. So, anywhere where you see in
the Ordinance here, where it says two-way stop sign, it’s only one stop sign to
be erected. Therefore, I move to Suspend
the Rules that would interfere with consideration and pass of this Ordinance at
this time.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank
you, Alderman Hunter. We will make the
motion and clarify the Ordinance. Motion
made by Alderman Hunter, seconded by Alderman Brown to Suspend the Rules. Roll call.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown;
Hunter; Baron; Tall; Ciaccio; Faford; Swanson; Osenga; Linneman; Jones;
Schwade; Davidson; Cox (13)
ABSENT: Browne, R. (1)
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
carries. Motion to place this Ordinance
on its Final Passage and Pass.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Move
this Ordinance be placed on its Final Passage and Pass.
ALDERMAN BROWN: Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
made by Alderman Hunter, seconded by Alderman Brown. Questions?
Roll call.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown;
Hunter; Baron; Tall; Ciaccio; Faford; Swanson; Osenga; Linneman; Jones;
Schwade; Davidson; Cox (13)
ABSENT: Browne, R. (1)
ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 32, SECTION 238
ESTABLISHING A STOP
SIGN AT THE INTERSECTION OF LOCUST STREET AND HAMMES
AVENUE
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
carries. We’ve done the
Appointment. Moving onto Motions and
Resolutions. We will probably do each of
these independently because they are totally separate. The first is a Resolution to object to the
proposed water rate hike by Aqua Illinois.
Do I have a motion to approve?
ALDERMAN LINNEMAN: Mayor,
I passed out some material that I think.....I think we need to consider this a
little bit before we lock step with other communities objecting to this rate
increase. It might be a very good thing
to object to it, but, ah, I would almost.........I think I would like, if
possible, to have Mr. Blanchette maybe give a presentation at the next meeting
explaining the need for this. Ah, what
the money’s going to be used for. And,
the history of previous rate increases
and that and then maybe being better informed we could vote on it.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: So,
you would like to postpone this Resolution until the next meeting? Do I have a second on Mr......Alderman
Linneman’s proposal?
ALDERMAN BARON: Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Seconded
by Alderman Baron.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Yeah. Question on the motion. Chris, where is this matter before the ICC?
ATTORNEY BOHLEN: My
understanding is it’s pending. At this
point, there are hearings that are being set–public hearings–that’s the extent
of my knowledge. Craig can probably
answer that better than I can.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Craig,
can you?
ATTORNEY BOHLEN: I
think the question, Craig, is what’s the status on the rate request at this
point?
CRAIG BLANCHETTE: They
had a hearing last week and the schedule’s
been set. I haven’t seen the schedule,
but I will have that for the License and Franchise Committee meeting on
Thursday night. The schedule has been
set in which different things could happen.
Deliberation will take place, evidentiary hearings and that nature and a
public hearing will be happening in Kankakee is what I understand. So, at this point we’ve submitted testimony,
ah, we are working with the ICC now to answer data requests and we’ve answered
some 200 data requests already, we filed
on February 1. So, the process is moving
along and, ah, then the next step will be for them to file their testimony.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Alderman
Linneman, and Craig, this probably is more importantly addressed to you, I
assume that you want him to provide more specificity in justifying the rate
increase?
ALDERMAN LINNEMAN: Yes.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Will
that be done before the License and Franchise Committee or will it be done in a
different venue?
ALDERMAN LINNEMAN: Well,
he already did present to the License and Franchise Committee, but again, I’m
not aware that it went any farther than that and got to the whole Council to
consider this issue.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: So,
do you want him on the agenda for the next Council meeting whereby he provides
a.....
ALDERMAN LINNEMAN: I
would like that.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Okay.
CRAIG BLANCHETTE: I
would be happy to do that.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: I
was just going to ask you.
CRAIG BLANCHETTE: Sure. That’d be fine.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: We
have a motion on the Floor to postpone action on this Resolution until the next
meeting when Mr. Blanchette can be here with additional information. Roll call.
Thank you, Craig.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown;
Hunter; Baron; Tall; Ciaccio; Faford; Swanson; Osenga; Linneman; Jones;
Schwade; Davidson; Cox (13)
ABSENT:
Browne, R. (1)
MOTION TO POSTPONE VOTE ON RESOLUTION TO OBJECT TO THE
PROPOSED WATER RATE BY AQUA ILLINOIS, INC., AND TO
ENTER
INTO AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT FOR JOINT
INTERVENTION
IN ANY APPLICABLE RATE INCREASE PROCEEDING(S) UNTIL
NEXT CITY
COUNCIL MEETING
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
carries. We will make sure that we have
time for Mr. Blanchette at the next meeting.
In the meantime, Alderman Linneman has provided you with some additional
information and we will revisit this item at the next Council meeting. Moving onto Item B, a Resolution authorizing
the intervention and the pending assessment appeal of Armstrong World
Industries. If there are any questions,
Mr. Bohlen could certainly speak to this.
Several of our industries, sadly, have been appealing their property
taxes. Armstrong is one of them and we
are certainly going to intervene in that action.
ALDERMAN DAVIDSON: I’ll
make that motion.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
by Alderman Davidson.
ALDERMAN COX: Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Seconded
by Alderman Cox. Are there any
questions?
ALDERMAN HUNTER: What’s
at stake here in terms of the assessment?
ATTORNEY BOHLEN: Ah,
well, in a generic sense, what’s at stake is the payment on the TIF bonds that
we issued for Armstrong. In a more
specific sense, they are attempting to–there are, right now, four tax appeals
pending. They all happen to be
industrial tax appeals. All happen to be
TIF–or entities for which we’ve issued TIF bonds. We’ll talk a bit more about it when we talk
about some issues dealing with personnel.
But, its impact and the more we can avoid the impact of this, the better
off we are.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Any
other questions? Roll call.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown;
Hunter; Baron; Tall; Ciaccio; Faford; Swanson; Osenga; Linneman; Jones;
Schwade; Davidson; Cox (13)
ABSENT:
Browne, R. (1)
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING INTERVENTION IN THE PENDING
ASSESSMENT
APPEAL OF ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIES
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
carries. The next item is a Resolution
authorizing the execution of an agreement for a gift and acceptance of real
estate.
ATTORNEY BOHLEN: If
I can........Your Honor, if I could address a couple of issues related to
this. This we talked about previously,
is the property between South West Avenue, Washington Avenue, Court Street and
Merchant Street. Not every parcel, but
it’s the Shoup Manufacturing property and one of the issues that I told you I
would come back before we decided whether to accept this, is to get a ball park
estimate and I actually got better than that.
I got an actual proposal, but it will have to be bid for the cost of
demolition. The cost of demolition
without.......that would take everything of the buildings out including the
surface, meaning asphalt, the parking lots and essentially all the work with
few exceptions, but not include the refill of clay back to grade. The cost is
approximately $335,000.00 for that demolition. So, a gift is never without some issues with
it. However, this gift will mean that
the City would have ownership and control over that entire area with the
exception of, I believe, four parcels in that block. And, it would be a parcel that would be
subject to a substantial potential for development and some interest has been
expressed already for that possibility.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Are
there any questions?
ALDERMAN BROWN: I....I.....I
don’t know if it’s a question or a concern.
I don’t know....... over the last couple of years we have discussed in
Public Works, the amount of demolition that Public Works for the City of
Kankakee has done. And, I can tell you
the cost is enormous. I think Attorney
Power can attest to that ‘cause we had some discussions on that. At this point in time, for the City to take
up that much demolition, I think.......
ATTORNEY BOHLEN: This
is not Public Works. This would have to
be done privately. We would have to bid
this out. And, that’s who I got the
estimate from was a private contractor.
ALDERMAN BROWN: But,
I’m talking about who’s paying.
ATTORNEY BOHLEN: It
would come out of the Capital Fund.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Alderman
Brown. There’s nothing that says we need
to do the demolition right away. But, we
would have control over an entire block except for the few parcels that Mr.
Bohlen spoke about and we already have extreme interest in this for a redevelopment
project.
ALDERMAN BROWN: Okay.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: And,
how soon would you be presenting the Council with those plans? I know there was some discussion formerly,
about some initial plans, but how soon can you.....
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Well,
we haven’t even accepted the property at this point.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: I
understand. I understand.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: I
think.......
ATTORNEY BOHLEN: I
would say in six months.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Yeah,
‘cause I know there’s some interest.
ATTORNEY BOHLEN: I
would say six months and prior to that, we’ll probably be back with demolition
bids, realistically.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Any
other questions? Alderman Schwade.
ALDERMAN SCHWADE: You’ve
had it appraised, right, ‘cause I saw the appraisal?
ATTORNEY BOHLEN: The
appraisal was done as part of the divorce proceedings from the person that
currently owns it.
ALDERMAN SCHWADE: Okay. Thank you.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Any
other questions? Roll call, please.
ATTORNEY BOHLEN: Alderman
Jones.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: I’m
sorry. Alderman Jones.
ALDERMAN JONES: Could
you leave the building as it is for right now and, I mean, across the street
from where this Shoup’s building is, was the fire in a building and they have
taken it down and that whole block is empty.
And, I don’t know of any development.
Maybe you know of some development that wanted to buy that block, but I’d
hate to see empty blocks in the City of Kankakee. And, the buildings are not that bad if they
have to stay up for a little longer. It’s
not like they’re falling down.
ATTORNEY BOHLEN: Yeah,
although two of the buildings are in pretty bad shape. The service station and the Budget Rent-A-Car
building are in worse shape when you get in than they appear to be from the
outside. So, those two.......the other
building is not in such bad shape other than being from an appearance
standpoint.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Any
other questions? Roll call, please.
ATTORNEY BOHLEN: This
is on accepting the property.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown;
Hunter; Baron; Tall; Ciaccio; Faford; Swanson; Osenga; Linneman; Jones; Schwade;
Davidson; Cox (13)
ABSENT:
Browne, R. (1)
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AN AGREEMENT
FOR GIFT
AND ACCEPTANCE OF REAL ESTATE
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
carries. We will need an Executive
Session this evening. Oh, I’m sorry. We need to pass the final Resolution of the
evening which is our Continuing Spending Resolution. Do I have a motion to approve?
ALDERMAN BROWN: Motion
to approve.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
made by Alderman Brown, seconded by.........
ALDERMAN FAFORD: I’ll
second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Alderman
Faford.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Question
on the motion. No tax anticipation
warrants, right?
MAYOR EPSTEIN: No.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Good.
NANCY SMITHBERG: Mayor. Nobody made a motion and seconded it to
accept the agreement?
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Oh,
the Shoup?
NANCY SMITHBERG: Yeah.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Did
we not have a motion and a second on the Shoup property? We voted, but did we have a motion to
accept? I think we’ll need to redo
that. Nancy said we did not have a motion
and a second.
NANCY SMITHBERG: Anjanita
doesn’t have it either.
ALDERMAN OSENGA: I’ll
make that.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
made by Alderman Osenga.
ALDERMAN BROWN: I
think we had a discussion, but we didn’t have a motion.
UNKNOWN: We had
a vote and we didn’t have a motion.
ATTORNEY BOHLEN: We’re
going to do it over.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Alderman
Faford..........or Alderman Osenga has made the motion. Do I have a second?
ALDERMAN BARON: Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Seconded
by Alderman Baron.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: It’s
clear now.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Now
it’s clear. Roll call. Yeah, do roll call over.
CLERK DUMAS: Just one more time.
ATTORNEY BOHLEN: One
more shot at it.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Poor
Carl has to vote a second time.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown;
Hunter; Baron; Tall; Ciaccio; Faford;
Swanson; Osenga; Linneman; Jones; Schwade; Davidson; Cox (13)
ABSENT: Browne, R.
(1)
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AN AGREEMENT
FOR GIFT
AND ACCEPTANCE OF REAL ESTATE
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Same
result. Motion carries. Ah, we will need an Executive Session this
evening. Are there any Alderman’s
questions or concerns? There will be no
action items after the Executive Session.
NANCY SMITHBERG: Did
we do this?
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Yeah,
we did.
CLERK DUMAS: Yes.
NANCY SMITHBERG: Who.....who
made that? Who made it?
ALDERMAN HUNTER: We
have to do the Continuing Spending Resolution.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: We
did.
NANCY SMITHBERG: No.
ATTORNEY BOHLEN: No. All right we need to vote on that.
NANCY SMITHBERG: And,
we didn’t do a motion or anything.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Before...........Lee,
you will have to go sit down. We have one more vote to take. Department Heads, excuse me. I’m sorry everyone for the confusion. Department Heads, we are requesting you stay
for the Executive Session. We have a
motion and a second (Brown and Faford) for the Continuing Spending
Resolution. We did not have a vote. Roll call.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown;
Hunter; Baron; Tall; Ciaccio; Faford; Swanson; Osenga; Linneman; Jones;
Schwade; Davidson; Cox (13)
ABSENT: Browne, R. (1)
RESOLUTION
AUTHORIZING EXPENDITURE OF CITY FUNDS CONSISTENT
WITH FISCAL YEAR 2009/2010
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
carries. Thank you. The agenda is now complete and we will move
onto Executive Session.
ATTORNEY BOHLEN: We
need a motion to go into Executive Session.
ALDERMAN SCHWADE: So
moved.
ALDERMAN JONES: Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
to go into Executive Session by Alderman Schwade, seconded by Alderman
Jones. All those in favor, aye.
ATTORNEY BOHLEN: Wait
a minute. We need it for Personnel,
Probable and Pending Litigation and Collective Bargaining Agreements.
MOTION TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
carries.
7:35
P.M.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: We’ll
just need a motion to adjourn.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: I’ll
second Danita’s motion.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
by Alderman Swanson, seconded by Alderman Hunter to adjourn this meeting. All those in favor, aye.
MOTION TO ADJOURN CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
carries. We are adjourned at 8:20 P.M.
8:20 P.M.