CITY COUNCIL MEETING
APRIL 19, 2010
7:05 P.M.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: I’d
like to call the meeting to order please.
I’m sorry we’re late. We had a
Utility Board meeting that went over. In
the absence of Father Peeters, I would like to ask Alderman Tyler Tall to lead
us in prayer.
ALDERMAN TALL: Our
heavenly Father, we thank You for this opportunity to enter in our midst. We ask that You bless each and every one of
us that we might do the business of this City.
In Jesus Christ’s name we pray.
Amen.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank
you, Alderman. Now I would like to ask
the children from Mark Twain Primary School to come forward and lead us in the
Pledge of Allegiance.
CHRISTIAN BRYANT, NAJEE
COMER, JALEN
FINCH, NEHEMIAH HILL, MICAELA
LITTLE,
AALIYA MAGRUDER, ROLAND
MARTIN,
BRIANNA PARKER, DAVID PEREZ,
ESMERALDA SHOREQUE, ANGELINA
THOMPSON, AND CHEYANNE
THOMPSON
FROM MARK TWAIN PRIMARY
SCHOOL
AND ALL: Pledge
of Allegiance. As a student of Mark
Twain Primary School I pledge to do my best at work and play. I’ll work together with my school mates,
teachers, family and community. This
will help me be the best I can be.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank
you very much. Roll call, please.
CLERK DUMAS:
PRESENT: Brown; Hunter; Browne, R.; Baron; Tall;
Ciaccio; Faford; Swanson; Osenga; Linneman; Jones; Schwade; Davidson; Cox
(14)
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank
you. I would like a motion to approve
the minutes.....oh, I’m sorry, Department Heads.
CLERK DUMAS:
PRESENT: Regnier; Young; Doyle; Spice; Bohlen; Power;
Simms; Tyson; Banasiak; Cross; Gordon; Bertrand; Yohnka (13)
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank
you. I would now like a motion to
approve the minutes of the April 5, 2010, Council meeting.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Hearing
no objections from my colleagues, Mayor Epstein, I move they be approved as
recorded.
ALDERMAN BROWN: Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
made by Alderman Hunter, seconded by Alderman Carl Brown. Are there any additions or corrections to the
minutes. All those in favor aye. Opposed same sign.
MOTION TO APPROVE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF
APRIL 5, 2010
MAYOR EPSTEIN: The
minutes are approved. I have no
Petitions. Are there any Petitions from
the Floor? We will move onto
Communications. The first item on the
agenda–at the last Council meeting, the Aldermen requested that Mr. Blanchette
from Aqua come and present a small presentation as far as what the rate
increase and the capital improvements that were being planned by Aqua
Illinois. Craig, would you like to come
forward? And, Sherree.
CRAIG BLANCHETTE: As
we’re getting ready to prepare to get started, I left a packet with everyone,
it has the presentation in it; it has a few other documents in there. A history of rates is included in the
presentation as to what you had asked for last time. There’s some articles in there on the water
industry and then, of course, the press release and public notice that went out
to all the customers. So, I’ll
jump right into this. I see you have a big agenda and I don’t want to take a
lot of your time. As everyone’s aware,
Aqua Illinois put a petition with the Illinois Commerce Commission for a 23.5%
proposed rate increase. On an average
monthly residential bill, the bill would increase from $37.16 to $46.65. It’s about $9.50 a month or 31¢ a day
increase. The average customer’s usage
would cost them in total each day, about $1.53 for water. And, even at the full rate request, if
granted, you’d still pay less than a penny per gallon for Kankakee River water
treated, filtered, softened and delivered right to your tap. Some facts about the filing: it’s been four
years since we last filed for a rate increase here in Kankakee County. The rate request that we have here tonight
that we’re going to be discussing, covers the period from 2008 to 2011. We’re asking to recover the capital investment
and the operation and maintenance expenses we’ve already spent out of the
company’s pocket in 2008-2009 and up to this point in 2010 and our projected
expenses in 2011. Filing the cases three
to four years apart, of course, saves on rate case expense. It costs a lot of money to get a rate case
through the Illinois Commerce Commission.
This case will cost around half a million dollars to get run through the
Illinois Commerce Commission. So, if we
do it three or four years apart, that’s that much less of a burden on our rate
payers to actually produce the rate requests.
The issue with that, though, is that if you wait three or four years,
you end of with a 23% rate increase. The
process itself is 11 months in duration.
The Commerce Commission will make some order within 11 months. That will bring us to about the end of the
year because we filed in February. The
one thing I do want to make note of is that whatever rate order is given or
awarded to Aqua Illinois, it does not guarantee us any revenue increase or any
rate of return. It only affords us the
opportunity to earn a rate of return.
This is an historical rate comparison.
It’s in your packets. What I want
to point out about this is these are since 2001. The first two rate increases that were proposed were 19% and about 24%. We received about 85% of our filing on each
one of those. We didn’t get 100% of
course. The last one, for 2006, the last
rate increase, we asked for 24.5% and we got 19.83% which was right around
81%. To put things in perspective, just,
ah, if we got 81% of this filing at 23.5%, we’d be right about 19%. Over the four years, that equals about 4.75%
increase each year. So factors affecting
rates. What are the factors? Why is it that we have to come in for
rates? Well, one is capital
investment. I’ll talk in detail about
that. Increased operation and
maintenance costs, increased regulatory requirements. And, if you look in your packet, I included
an article in there about how the USEPA is going to continue to increase
regulatory requirements. And, while we’ve
got great water here in a second-to-none water quality, what happens other
places, sometimes does affect us. And,
whether it’s increased sampling expenses or testing expenses or whatever the
case might be, ah, it does sometimes affect us.
And, of course, better quality water, more stringent requirements is
always good for the consumer, but it does come at a cost. I think little or no growth. I think the municipalities and the City
certainly is, ah, knows as much about that as any entity, but when you don’t
have growth and operation and maintenance expenses increase, and you have to
put capital into the system, those increased costs are spread over the same
number of customers. Conservation is
also another key. Conservation’s a great
thing. We go places–next week we’ll be
at KCC for a sustainability expo.
Actually, it’s this week. And, we’re
going to be plugging conservation ‘cause that’s good for us, too. But, the reality is, that you increase
expenses and it’s over less gallons, ultimately it reflects in a higher cost
for gallon. Every month this year, we’ve
pumped less than we have the previous year.
Last year we pumped 254,000,000 gallons less in 2009 than we had in
2008. So, every month last year was less
pumpage than the month of the year before that.
So, ah, people are conserving water–our industrial customers, our
residential customers, commercial customers.
They’re all conserving and that’s good.
But, the costs of the fixed costs and the variable costs on the up and
running water system do get spread out amongt the smaller number of
gallons. And, the last item on this page
is full cost pricing. I was at a CMAP presentation
a few weeks ago–Chicago Metropolitan Agency on Planning. And, one of the things they talked about was
how to promote conservation. One of
their efforts was going to be to get out in the local communities and try to
promote full cost pricing–actually have the bills reflect what it costs to
produce water and bring it to your tap.
Because in many municipalities, they supplement it with general fund
revenues, they supplement it with other sources of revenue to keep the water
prices down. CMAP’s promoting full cost
pricing, you pay the cost that it takes to get the water produced and brought
to your home. And, that effects and
helps with conservation. So, the rate
case here, the blue side is the capital investment. It equals about 55% of our filings–capital
investment. Recovery of capital we’ve
already put in the system that Aqua’s paid money for out of the company to put
in this system. And, the capital we’ll
put in in 2010 and 2011. The operation
and maintenance expenses are the other 45%.
The increases that are associated with daily operation of the system. On the capital side of things, in 2008 and
2009, Aqua invested over $16 million of our own money into the Kankakee water
system. Money that we’re now asking for
recovery from from the Illinois Commerce Commission. Between 2008 and 2011, over $23.5 million
will be put into investment within the Kankakee water system in some form or
another. That investment equals out to
$850 per customer. Since 2000, over $58
million has been put into the Kankakee water system to improve it. And, that’s a little under $6 million a
year. At $6 million a year, if we
continue at that pace each and every year, remember, $6 million a year
investment equals 23.5% over the course of the three or four years, we would
only replace 1% of our system infrastructure and, obviously, 1% of our
infrastructure doesn’t last 100 years.
So, that is just something to keep in mind, even at that amount of money–an
investment–it’s still only a very small percentage of what we’re actually
replacing each and every year. Again,
Aqua fronts the capital dollars and we ask for recovery in rates which we’re
doing now. On the operation and
maintenance up front, over the past five years, our operation and maintenance
expenses increased on average 6.7%. So,
the main contributors are power, chemicals and, of course, bad debts and
write-offs. On the operation and
maintenance our expenses are recovered dollar for dollar. If the Commission allows us full recovery of
all our operation and maintenance expenses, we simply get back what we put
in. The last thing on this page here is
cost plus pricing. Basically, all that
is is the Commission allows us a reasonable rate of return on the money we put
in the capital infrastructure into the system.
Everything else, we just get back dollar for dollar. If we don’t get the full filing, then we have
to look closer and see, what is it they didn’t think was a prudent
investment? What operation of biggest expenses did they not believe, ah, were
reasonable? And, that’s what we need to
trim. So, I’ll tell you very quickly
about our investment. I think everybody’s
interested in capital, want to know what we’ve done. Well, starting off here, we’ll talk about
water tower painting and refurbishing.
We’re going to do seven water storage facilities throughout Kankakee
County in 2010. Paint them, upgrade
them, capital work, increased safety and bringing the towers and the tanks up
to standards. And, of course, in
Kankakee the Wildwood tower is the primary beneficiary of that. Also, we have our plant on Cobb Boulevard and
though you can’t see it, there’s a big one million gallon storage tank under
ground there that stores all the finished water before it goes out to the
system. That will be drained and cleaned
and painted as well. In 2010, we’ll
spend more than a million dollars on just refurbishing water storage
tanks. At the plant, the big item that
we always talk about is the intake.
Raising this deep water intake out in the river up above the sand
level. That was our big project, that
was a couple hundred thousand dollar project.
All in all, throughout the course of this rate period, we’ll have spent
$650,000 in improvements to the plant.
Improvements not to add capacity, but rather to provide redundancy
and reliability. Water system grid
reinforcements, that’s water mains we put in the system to add pressure and
volume for fire protection and so forth.
Elevated storage tank. We’re
building an elevated storage tank out in Limestone. That will add an additional million gallons
of capacity to our water system which increases it by 7%. It’s important that we have additional
storage in the system because right now we have about 14.5 million gallons
worth of storage. It doesn’t meet a peak
day’s demand. In the summertime we can
pump upwards of 16-17 million gallons a day and if something would happen at
the plant we want to have the ability to provide a day’s worth of storage for
our customers to have water in the event an issue comes up that we need to be
able to fix. And, again, that’s a $2.3
million project. Customer service
lines. People have old galvanized water
lines running up to their property and so forth. We’ve replaced, or put in, 1,200 service
lines over the course of the last 2 ½ years to the tune of $3.4 million worth
of improvements. We’ve added a couple of
booster stations. While these booster
stations are not within the City, they’re very important to the City because it
gives us the ability, if something would happen in the City, to be able to
boost water from another location back to here to keep customers with
water. And, of course, water
meters. We’ve replaced over 8,500 water
meters, put in 8,500 water meters over the past couple years for right around
$3 million. Highway relocations are
another big ticket item. $750,000. When
I think of a highway relocation, we’ve had them in Aroma Park, Bourbonnais,
Bradley and within the City itself. I
think of the Wall Street improvements when Wall Street was redone. We did some relocations over there for
that. Water main replacements. We had over 22,000 feet of water main
replacements in 2008 alone, for nearly $4 million for work. Here’s a picture here of on Illinois Street
on the east side. We did Illinois,
Cedar, Chestnut, Pine, Linden, South Sixth, South Seventh. A lot of water main went into the City of
Kankakee. And, along with that, a lot of
new fire hydrants. We put in 60 new fire
hydrants in the entire Kankakee system for a total of about $750,000. And, we also replaced 90 valves which most
all of those were within the City of Kankakee.
The vast majority were in the City of Kankakee. And, I think it’s so important, people don’t
really think about valves and what the importance is of that. But, in the east side with the number of
water main breaks and without the valves, the whole system would drain. So, it’s important to have them. So, let me talk very briefly about the local
benefits. Reliability and redundancy
goes without saying. And we need to be
able to have a reliable system without the capital investment, quite frankly,
we would not have it. We’ve improved
fire protection. I know we’ve worked
with Chief Young on trying to improve fire protection. We did some added fire hydrants over in
Crestview Village. We’ve upsized water
mains. Some fire hydrants that used to
pump maybe 100 gallons a minute at the most are now pumping 2,000 gallons a
minute. We’re getting a lot better flows
out of them. And, places where people
had no fire protection in the line of fire hydrants before now have fire
hydrants. We’ve got fewer estimated
bills. We’ve lowered estimation rates in
Kankakee County by 80% between 2008-2009.
We just came off our lowest estimation rate, right around 1%
estimation rate in the whole Kankakee County this past month. It’s the lowest since I’ve been there. We’ve improved water quality by replacing
service lines, mains, old deteriorated mains.
We’ve improved water quality and, of course, when we do water main
projects and the like, there’s always some municipal improvements there. We’ve done some nice work, reasphalting some
streets in the City and, ah, doing some associated work that really needed to
be done. And, when we tore it up we do
have to fix it. But, I think the
municipality really does get a benefit from that. Now, it’s money you don’t have to spend out
of motor fuel tax or some other general fund.
One of the last benefits is the economy of scale. One of the things I talked about was we’re
allowed to earn a reasonable amount of return on our investment. But, one of the things that doesn’t get talked
about a lot is the fact that because we’re so large and we’re a national
company we can buy things much cheaper.
For instance, fire hydrants, pipes, things of that nature, we can buy at
nearly a third of the cost of what a normal person going in off the street
would be able to buy them at. Fire
hydrant’s around $2,000. We buy it for
around $800. Some of the other
local benefits, we were awarded over $8 million in local construction related
work in 2008-2009. A lot of local people
that would not have been working, were working.
Your Kankakee Valley Constructions, your Bisaillon Excavating, your
Oakwood Constructions. All of these
companies worked for us at some point throughout 2008-2009. Kept a lot of local people working. We generate $165,000 a year in real estate
taxes to Kankakee County taxing bodies, the bulk of which is in the City of
Kankakee and our plant on Cobb Boulevard and our Schuyler Avenue office complex
which is 2/3 of that amount, over $100,000 in real estate tax generated. We’re a local employer. We employ over 70 Kankakee County residents,
40% of which are right here within the City of Kankakee. So, our future plans, we’re going to invest
$20 million over the next five years.
Again, the rate case covers just until the end of ‘11. Our plan is to move forward and continue to
invest because you really have to invest.
And you have to invest and continue to replace this aged infrastructure. I looked the other day ‘cause I wanted to
meet with some fire chiefs. I want to
know, what is it that we have in infrastructure out there right now? We have 410 miles of pipe. 38% of it is smaller than the minimum size we
put in right now. Right now we put in
8-inch water mains,the smallest we ever put in.
Nearly 40% of the system is smaller than the minimum size we put in
today. And, so, the infrastructure
investment is needed there. But we have
to be careful how we spend it. We have
to spend it in a prudent manner. And,
the last is the treatment plant upgrades to increase the liability and
redundancy. We’ve got a lot of industry
here. A lot of very, very important
businesses that we really need to make sure have water on a consistent
basis. Good quality water and being able
to produce it is critical. So, very
quickly, I’ll go through goals and objectives.
Through infrastructure investment, provide quality product and
service. A by-product of that is provide
quality jobs for the local labor forces.
Like I said, we promote public education on the river watershed, we
support economic development, not only bringing in new customers, but taking
care of the ones we have here. We have a
very important industrial customer right here within in the City. I remember last summer we had a water main
break in front of their business that jeopardized their production. We sat out there all weekend making sure they
had water for their production. Now that
does come at a cost, but what’s the alternative? The alternative is much, much worse. And, last is continuous investment in
Kankakee County. If there’s one thing I
want you to take away, today, is that we’re talking about a 31¢ a day
increase. Just 31¢ a day to provide
improved fire protection for the residents of Kankakee. Just 31¢ a day to provide safe drinking water
to all the customers in the Kankakee division.
And, it’s 31¢ a day to indistinguishable more than $8 million in
stimulus to the local economy. So,
rather than talk more about that, what I’ll do is, I’ll take questions. And, I assure you that if I don’t really have
the answer for you tonight, I will get it to you right away. Anyone have any questions?
ATTORNEY POWER: What’s
your gross revenue?
CRAIG BLANCHETTE: Gross
revenues. Well, $18,000,000 in revenue
is what we bring in right now. $18,000,000.
Our rate of return on that right now is right around 6%. We get a 6%........right now we’re getting
about a 6% rate of return, but that’s on a $17,000,000 investment. Right now, that’s what the company has out
that we haven’t recovered in rates. $17,000,000.
ATTORNEY POWER: When
you say indistinguishable you’re indistinguishable 6%, is that indistinguishable
CRAIG BLANCHETTE: Yeah,
that’s an annual increase in bad debt that we have to write off and we don’t
get to collect. We have certain
requirements of us by the Commerce Commission.
Certain accommodations we have to make and, in many cases, those work
out just fine and people get back on track.
In other cases, they don’t and that ends up being a bad debt or write
off. Unfortunately, they’ll often impact
the paying customer.
ALDERMAN SCHWADE: Like
he said, you’re not able to indistinguishable do you have any idea of
the percentage of the capital indistinguishable
CRAIG BLANCHETTE: It’s
hard to break it down that way, because if things like individual service lines
and things that nature aren’t tracked.
Water main projects I can so all day long ‘cause they’re so big that we keep them in separate funding
projects and we watch them very closely.
But, when you’re talking about meters and service lines and things of
that nature, it’s very, very difficult to break it down and be able to tell you
with any credibility that exactly, you know, $7 million of the $16 was spent in
the City. It’s just difficult to
say. The other aspect of that is, is
that even though we might spend money outside the City of Kankakee, it has a
direct benefit. For instance, the water
tower we’re building will help boost the pressure and volume for the City of
Kankakee as well as it will for Limestone.
So, there’s a........it’s one big system and when you do benefit one
place, it really helps in other places, too.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Any
other questions?
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Craig,
ah, I know that you have done some joint ventures with the City and worked with
Dave Tyson. One that comes to mind,
right off the top of my head is, ah, the water tower project over on
Wildwood. And you did some things and
some improvements along Chestnut and Hobbie, etc. and in other areas as well,
too. And, I appreciate your due
diligence in working with us as far as that’s concerned. Ah, do you anticipate working with us again
on joint ventures in the future?
CRAIG BLANCHETTE: Absolutely.
Yeah, we, ah, it works good that way because, you know what, we keep in contact
with the City and we could use resources much more effectively. I know we’ve worked together on even some
aspects of this Public Safety Building with the infrastructure outside with
Dave and, I think the architect at the time, that we were able to provide resources
that were–that helped the City accomplish their objectives much more
economically than on their own. And, it
works both ways. We’ve had the same
thing. The City’s been very helpful with
us and very good to the water company.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Thank
you.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Are
there any other questions? Craig, thank
you so much for a very informative presentation.
CRAIG BLANCHETTE: Thank
you. And, thank you for the opportunity.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Moving
on. The next item under Communications,
I want to bring to your attention that Mr. Spice, our Comptroller, has again
received a certificate of achievement in excellence in financial
reporting. As soon as he gets his
certificate, we will do a formal presentation, but he is to be commended with
all the hard work that he provides to all of us on our financial position, so
congratulations. Items C and D are
information. Do I have a motion to
combine E, F, G, H and I?
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Motion
to approve.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Do
I have a second?
ALDERMAN OSENGA: Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: All
those in favor of granting items E, F, G, H and I signify by aye. Opposed same sign.
KANKAKEE JAYCEE LITTLE LEAGUE IS REQUESTING PERMISSION
TO
HOST A TAG DAY ON SATURDAY, MAY 15, 2010, WITH A RAIN
DATE
OF SATURDAY, MAY 22, 2010
CITY TAVERN AT 367 SOUTH WEST AVENUE IS REQUESTING A
NOISE
PERMIT FOR SATURDAY, JULY 17, 2010, FROM 5:00 P.M.
UNTIL 12:00 A.M.
FOR JAM FEST 2010
EXPRESS FISH AND CHICKEN AT 925 EAST COURT STREET IS
REQUESTING
A NOISE PERMIT FOR SATURDAY, MAY 1, 2010, FROM 2:00
P.M. UNTIL
5:00 P.M. FOR THEIR GRAND OPENING
TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH AT 936 SOUTH THIRD
AVENUE IS
REQUESTING A NOISE PERMIT FOR SATURDAY, MAY 1, 2010,
FROM 4:30 P.M.
UNTIL 6:30 P.M. FOR A CINCO DE MAYO FIESTA
RESIDENTS OF GRACEFIELD NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION ARE
REQUESTING PERMISSION TO HAVE A NEIGHBORHOOD-WIDE
GARAGE
SALE ON FRIDAY, MAY 28, 2010 AND SATURDAY, MAY 29,
2010
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
carries. Standing Committees. Public Safety. Alderman Hunter.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: That’s,
ah, the minutes are self-explanatory.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank
you. License and Franchise. Alderman Brown.
ALDERMAN BROWN: First
of all, I want to thank all the people that attended the License and Franchise
meeting. We had, in attached in these
minutes, the summary of the Video Gaming Act as well as what the municipalities
can do and can’t do about this. And, I’ve
asked my Vice-Chair on this committee, Alderman Rich Browne, to continue
discussion so we gonna’ know what to do with this. Also, we have asked Alderman Grant and her
Ordinance Committee to take one issue because we want to vote on what’s
left. How that going to change fees or
anything like that. We’re going to talk
about that at the Ordinance meeting on April 27. So, that will be talked about. And, we did attend the.....I asked the
Alderman to attend the indistinguishable that Sunday and I was grateful
that Alderman Hunter, Alderman Tall, Alderman Linneman and Alderman Jones all
attended and we heard the presentation.
So, I think it was very good information. Alderman Davidson, were you there? I’m sorry?
ALDERMAN DAVIDSON: No.
ALDERMAN BROWN: Okay. I just wanted to make sure I recognize
everybody. But, it was very lengthy and
I think if you read the minutes–and I’m hoping you did–that it was some good
information and as well as I’ve asked Alderman Davidson to get with me and we’re
going to work on this Business Ordinance.
Thank you.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank
you very much. Budget Committee,
Alderman Baron.
ALDERMAN BARON: Just
a brief review. We’ve heard numbers, we’ve
heard a lot of numbers within the last
month and the last few months. Just
review where we’re at as of the last Budget Committee meeting. Sales tax revenue–let’s start with the good
news–maybe nothing but good. Sales tax
revenues for the first month in many months, in over a year, actually had a
slight increase of 1% over a year ago.
So, maybe we’re finally there as far as indistinguishable
goes. And, we all know how important
sales tax sharing is to our City. The
other revenue sources, ah, continue to be down except for the gas utility tax
which is–the increase that we’re seeing as a result of our new Ordinance
including everyone, including those that
have been contracted with third parties for natural gas into the fold. Into the paying their fair share of the
taxes. So, that’s up. Everything else is down. Ah, all the other utility taxes listed in the
second paragraph are down. Ah, revenue,
the Comptroller’s projection is that revenues will be down approximately
$1,000,000 for reasons that we’ve all heard for this year. Expenses are about on budget. So, that means that we are in red for an
approximate amount of $1,000,000–projected for this year. We’ve seen that number and there appears to
be where we’re at. Not because of........because of the decrease in revenues
The second to last paragraph of
our....of the Budget Committee minutes describes the major categories that we’ve
heard and I don’t want to dwell on it, but under an $800,000 increase for
insurance–medical insurance premiums–the State reducing the percentage of
income tax.....the possibility to the cities from 10% to 7% might very well
result in a reduction of $660,000. That’s
over the fact that we’re not.........that income taxes are down anyway. That’s the second category and third, we’re
not gettin’ them on time as it is. So,
the whole income tax from the State category is very damaging to the City’s
budget. And, finally the property tax appeals from some of our larger
users may very well result in a decrease in the real estate taxes of
$600,000. That’s a result of the
economy, too. These are all direct
results of the economy having gone south.
So, that’s a recap of the financial picture from last month as presented
by Mr. Spice.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank
you, Alderman Baron. Moving onto Report
of Officers. Do I have a motion to
approve the bills?
ALDERMAN FAFORD: Your
Honor, I move we approve the Report of Officers, place the money in the proper
accounts and pay the bills in the amount of $117,305.00.
ALDERMAN CIACCIO: Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
made by Alderman Faford, seconded by Alderman Ciaccio. Are there any questions? Hearing none, roll call, please.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown; Hunter; Browne, R.; Baron; Tall;
Ciaccio; Faford; Swanson; Osenga; Linneman; Schwade; Davidson; Cox (13)
ABSTAIN: Jones
(1)
REPORTS OF OFFICERS, APPROVAL OF BILLS - $117,305.00
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
carries. Moving onto Unfinished Business. We have the Resolution to object to the
opposed water rate increase by Aqua Illinois.
There’s one change that has to be made to the Resolution. The date should be April 19, rather than
April 5. Do I have a motion to approve
this resolution?
ALDERMAN SCHWADE: I
will so move. I don’t know if anybody
else will second it.
ALDERMAN JONES: Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
by Alderman Schwade, seconded by Alderman Jones. Discussion.
Alderman Baron.
ALDERMAN BARON: It
strikes me that one of the competitive advantages of the City of Kankakee and
Kankakee County has is our infrastructure.
Ah, and I think we’re seeing the significance of that a lot right now
during the discussion. If there’s.........a
lot of jobs are leaving the midwest because of the economic trends and
globalization. One of the reasons– it
seems like we have been able to hold our own is that we have good solid
infrastructure. The obvious one is our
sewer plant, but that’s not going to work unless we have........unless we can
deliver water to the industrial users and to the people that live in our
wards. I don’t know, I mean, I think
that to scrimp and save in water company maintenance is gonna’ hurt us all in
the long run. I think that we’ve been
well-served by Aqua. I think we’ve been
well-served by other infrastructure providers and I understand that nobody can
afford anything now because there’s less money to go around altogether, but
there’s going to be even less money to go around if we’re not able to maintain
our aging water system. Alderman
Linneman passed around the article pointing out that this isn’t the only place
in the world where we’re concerned about things like this. It’s a somewhat of a national crisis. If we’re not able to keep with the water
system, everybody expects the water to be there, but it’s difficult to pay
for. I don’t know. I think that we’re working at cross purposes
to ourselves by opposing this. The Illinois Commerce Commission has the
opportunity.....they have the job to determine whether or not it’s justified or
not. I’d hate to see us spend our money
on fighting our water company when we’d be double paying because we’re paying
to staff the Illinois Commerce Commission to determine that. So, I don’t know. I don’t
see the purpose of opposing the rate increase.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Any
other discussion? Alderman Brown.
ALDERMAN BROWN: I
think there’s no one that has worked with Craig and seen the importance of what
Aqua Illinois has done and I communicated with Craig, he always shows up at
License and Franchise and gives informative reports. I don’t think that basically, right now, we
are opposing the increase–we are opposing the percentage. That’s what I see–you know–because.....if you
asked me whether they deserve it, yes.
One of the things we need to protect most is water. All those things yes. But, I........I.......I’m sayin’, I’m
opposing the rate of the percentage, not the increase because this
operation, you need a increase. I mean,
that’s a given, but the percentage I think is more than I was willing to say
yes to.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Any
other...........Alderman Jones.
ALDERMAN JONES: In
these trying times right now Mayor, when people are out of work, the employees
here at the City are asked to give back 12% of their wages, it’s hard to go
with a 20 some percent increase on a water rate. That’s what the Illinois Commerce
Commission will look at to see what the rate is. And, I think that we should go with looking
into that.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Okay. Any other comments? Okay, we have a motion by Alderman Schwade,
seconded by Alderman Jones to approve the Resolution to object to the proposed
water rate increase by Aqua. All those
in favor signify by aye. Opposed?
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)
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
carries. Thank you. Moving onto New Business. We have the recommendation to accept the
contract between the City of Kankakee and the Municipal Code Corporation for
the recodification of the Municipal Code book.
This is something that has been in the works for many, many years. The Code Book, I think Clerk Dumas could speak
very eloquently to this proposal. It’s
something that she brought to my attention when I first was elected. She has done the research. This company is eminently qualified to take
on this and it’s something that will be paid for out of our capital funds. Do I have a motion to accept this contract?
ALDERMAN HUNTER: I
so move.
ALDERMAN SWANSON: Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
made by Alderman Hunter, seconded by Alderman Swanson. Is there any discussion? Roll call.
Oops, sorry. Alderman Jones.
ALDERMAN JONES: Is
this something that is available for the whole City? Or, is this something that can be put on
line?
MAYOR EPSTEIN: It
will be put on line. We will receive
hard copies as well as an online version and then once the codes have been
recodified, then we will be able to maintain those internally.
ALDERMAN JONES:
Okay. Roll call, please.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Oh,
Steve did you have a question? Alderman
Linneman.
ALDERMAN LINNEMAN: Will
this be more easily searchable than what we have now?
CLERK DUMAS: Absolutely.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Yes.
ALDERMAN LINNEMAN: Thank
god in heaven.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: This
will bring us into the 21st century.
Any other questions? Roll call,
please.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown;
Hunter; Browne, R.; Baron; Tall; Ciaccio; Faford; Swanson; Osenga; Linneman;
Jones; Schwade; Davidson; Cox (14)
RECOMMENDATION TO ACCEPT THE CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY
OF
KANKAKEE AND MUNICIPAL CODE CORPORATION FOR
RECODIFICATION
OF THE CITY OF KANKAKEE MUNICIPAL CODE BOOK
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
carries. Clerk Dumas thanks you from the
bottom of her heart.
CLERK DUMAS: Deeply.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Ah,
the next item on the agenda is an Ordinance amending and replacing portions of
Chapter 16 and all of Chapter 34 of the Municipal Code. Actually, what we are doing here is creating
the Environmental Services Utility Board.
Do I have a motion to Suspend the Rules?
ALDERMAN COX: So
moved.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
made by Alderman Cox to Suspend the Rules.
Do I have a second?
ALDERMAN DAVIDSON: Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Seconded
by Alderman Davidson. Roll call, please.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown;
Hunter; Browne, R.; Baron; Tall; Ciaccio; Faford; Swanson; Osenga; Linneman;
Jones; Schwade; Davidson; Cox (14)
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
carries. You will notice on your desk,
you have some amendments that are part of the proposed Ordinance. These are minor changes that were completed
today and passed out for your benefit.
Do I have a motion to place this Ordinance on its Final Passage and
Pass?
ALDERMAN COX: So
moved.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
made by Alderman Cox.
ALDERMAN DAVIDSON: Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Seconded
by Alderman Davidson. Any questions?
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Yeah,
looking at the table of organization you guys have–I know I got it somewhere–Alderman
Brown let me look at his. I see the
management team. Could you, ah, provide
us with the names and the titles of these individuals who consist of the
management team?
MAYOR EPSTEIN: The
Superintendent will be Mr. Simms. All
the other management teams will be Assistant Superintendents. That’s one of the amendments. There will be no–that will be the title of
all the other people on the management team.
They will all be Assistant Superintendents and will all be responsible
for all facets of the environmental services utility as organized–as
reorganized. Any other questions? Alderman Browne.
ALDERMAN BROWNE: Yes,
I see under Section 107 2.2 for the residential service fees and the recycling,
the disposal of no more than 90 gallons.
Are we considering a recycling program?
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Yes. Part of the program that will be brought to
you next month will be a 90-gallon receptacle for garbage as well as a recycling–single
stream–recycling for each resident in the City.
ALDERMAN BROWNE: Very
good.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: And
accompanying that will be the containers as well, too.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: That’s
correct. Any other questions?
ALDERMAN BROWNE: One
more. In Section 34 107.3, Landfill
Development and Siting. Ah, as this is written, did I miss that?
ALDERMAN HUNTER: I
looked at that, too. Same thing.
ALDERMAN BROWNE: Sorry. I didn’t get a chance to look at the changes.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: That’s
right. It was passed out.
ATTORNEY BOHLEN: It’s
still part of it.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: But
why, though? Wouldn’t that be moot? ‘Cause I..........same thing as Alderman
Browne looked at it. I think Alderman
Baron and other Alderman Brown had saw that as well, too. On page 40, ah, 40-41 of indistinguishable
ATTORNEY BOHLEN: There
needs to be a process in the event–and, there’s, you know, the speculation will
run rampant by my saying.....making this comment, and there is no basis of any
speculation. But, in the event that
somebody else some time in the future comes to the City and seeks to site a
landfill, we have to have a process in place.
And, that’s why that’s there.
But, let me assure, I know of nobody, have not talked to anybody, there
is nobody out there that has mentioned to me or to the Mayor–I think I can
speak for her, too–of the concept or prospect of another siting process. It’s simply something that’s included in the
Ordinance to deal with it in the event that it might happen and, again, I don’t
know of anyone at any time that it’s going to happen.
ALDERMAN BROWNE: May
I ask this question?
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Alderman
Browne.
ALDERMAN BROWNE: What
is the plan for our solid waste. Are we
gonna’.......
MAYOR EPSTEIN: We
will present that to you at the next City Council meeting.
ALDERMAN BROWNE:
Okay.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Any
other questions? Roll call, please.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown;
Hunter; Browne, R.; Baron; Tall; Ciaccio; Faford; Swanson; Osenga; Linneman;
Jones; Schwade; Davidson; Cox (14)
ORDINANCE AMENDING AND REPLACING PORTIONS OF CHAPTER
16
(GARBAGE AND RUBBISH) AND ALL OF CHAPTER 34 (KANKAKEE
MUNICIPAL UTILITY) OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF KANKAKEE AND
AMENDING THE KANKAKEE MUNICIPAL CODE TO COMBINE THE
DEPARTMENT OF
PUBLIC WORKS AND THE KANKAKEE MUNICIPAL
UTILITY AND CREATE THE ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES UTILITY
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
carries. Moving onto Ordinance amending
Chapter 27 which basically reduces the number of Sergeants on the City Police
Department force from 16 to 15. Do I
have a motion to Suspend the Rules?
ALDERMAN OSENGA: So
moved.
ALDERMAN SCHWADE: Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
by Alderman Osenga, seconded by Alderman Schwade. Roll call.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown;
Hunter; Browne, R.; Baron; Tall; Ciaccio; Faford; Swanson; Osenga; Linneman;
Jones; Schwade; Davidson; Cox (14)
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
carries. Do I have a motion to place
this Ordinance on its Final Passage and Pass?
ALDERMAN OSENGA: So
moved.
ALDERMAN SCHWADE: I
second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
by Alderman Osenga, seconded by Alderman Schwade. Are there any questions?
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Just
a comment. I saw this particular matter
on the agenda and I reviewed it over the weekend and I posed a question to
Chief Regnier about this and he said everything was okay. It’s fine.
So, althought that does limit the opportunities for Patrolmen moving to
Sergeant positions however I think they’re taking every step possible to assist
us in our fiscal issues.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: That’s
correct. Any other questions? Roll call, please.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown;
Hunter; Browne, R.; Baron; Tall; Ciaccio; Faford; Swanson; Osenga; Linneman;
Jones; Schwade; Davidson; Cox (14)
ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 27, ARTICLE IV, SECTION
27-54 OF
THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF KANKAKEE MODIFYING
THE NUMBER
OF SERGEANTS AS MEMBERS OF THE CITY OF KANKAKEE POLICE
DEPARTMENT
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
carries. The next Ordinance we need to deal
with is amending Chapter 30, Section 09.
This is a process in order to allow sidewalk sales. Do I have a motion to Suspend the Rules?
ALDERMAN HUNTER: You
know.........I know I’m out of order at this point, but I just can’t help but
think back in yesteryear when we had pervasive sidewalk days throughout the
downtown area. Bon Marche, Osco,
Montgomery Wards, Bonds, Plant-Kerger, etc.
It didn’t pose a problem when we had sidewalk days then. We have so few retail businesses in the City
of Kankakee. I’m just wondering if this is an over reach in
terms of us trying to, ah, monitor and control retail businesses. I don’t get it.
ATTORNEY BOHLEN: Alderman,
I think this is an attempt to allow it because quite frankly there’s nothing in
the code as it currently stands that will allow sidewalk sales.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Well.
ATTORNEY BOHLEN: But,
this is an attempt to do that in such a manner that it’s not a permanent
sidewalk sale, but certainly allow them on a basis that would be consistent
with progressive retailing.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: I
didn’t see it as that at all.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: It
really establishes some criteria as well as a process.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: I
saw the process, you know, in terms of what can be done and so forth. I didn’t know why.......why we even made it.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Alderman
Jones.
ALDERMAN JONES: Yes,
ah, over in Meadowview, the Seconds to Go and the Dollar Store has sidewalk
sales and this is going to be limiting them to a certain time frame to have
theirs for a number of days. And, I’m
like Mr. Hunter, it helps the businesses when they have their sidewalk sales
tremendously. And, would this affect any
restaurants that use the sidewalks for like little sidewalk cafes?
MAYOR EPSTEIN: No,
that’s an entirely different situation.
And, Meadowview is not a public sidewalk. That’s part of a.......
ALDERMAN HUNTER: That’s
private property.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Private
property. So, this would not affect
them.
ALDERMAN JONES: It
would affect the lady on River Street who has her..........
MAYOR EPSTEIN: That’s
correct.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Was
this presented to the–are you finished talking?
ALDERMAN JONES: Yes.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Has
this been presented to the Chamber at all?
MAYOR EPSTEIN: No.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Mr.
Yohnka, you’ve never seen this?
BILL YOHNKA: We
talked briefly about it, but it hasn’t been presented.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Motion
to Table.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Do
I have a second?
ALDERMAN JONES: Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
made by Alderman Hunter, seconded by Alderman Jones to Table this
Ordinance. Roll call.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE:
Hunter; Ciaccio; Jones (3)
NAY: Brown;
Baron; Tall; Faford; Swanson; Osenga; Linneman; Schwade; Davidson; Cox (10)
ABSTAIN: Browne, R.
(1)
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
to Table does not carry. We will go back
to........do I have a motion on the Floor and a second, to Suspend the Rules
for this Ordinance? I’m sorry. Do I have a motion to Suspend the Rules?
ALDERMAN SCHWADE: I
move to Suspend the Rules.
ALDERMAN SWANSON: Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
by Alderman Schwade, second by Alderman Swanson to Suspend the Rules. Roll call.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown;
Baron; Tall; Faford; Swanson; Osenga; Linneman; Schwade; Davidson; Cox
(10)
NAY: Hunter; Ciaccio; Jones (3)
ABSTAIN: Browne, R. (1)
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
carries. Do I have a motion to place
this Ordinance on its Final Passage and Pass?
ALDERMAN SCHWADE: So
moved.
ALDERMAN SWANSON: Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
by Alderman Schwade, seconded by Alderman Swanson. Discussion?
Roll call.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown;
Baron; Tall; Faford; Swanson; Osenga; Linneman; Schwade; Davidson; Cox (10)
NAY: Hunter; Ciaccio; Jones (3)
ABSTAIN: Browne, R. (1)
ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 30, SECTION 09 ENTITLED “STREET,
SIDEWALKS AND OTHER PUBLIC PROPERTY” OF THE MUNICIPAL
CODE OF
THE CITY OF KANKAKEE, REGARDING “OBSTRUCTIONS BY
MERCHANDISE;
DISPLAY ON SIDEWALKS”
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
carries. The next item on the agenda is
a recommendation to reject all bids for Brookmont Boulevard from Schuyler to
Illinois Route 50. Mr. Tyson would be happy to explain the reason for
this.
DAVID TYSON: What
this is is, before we did approve bids for the section on Brookmont Boulevard
is with the emergency road repair funds that we have from the State. There was $30,000 left over in the amount of
money that was granted to the City of Kankakee so what we wanted to do was
extend the contract through the intersection of Schuyler Avenue and Brookmont
Boulevard. The State, in their grand
wisdom, wanted us to go out and rebid a $30,000 job which came in at
$60,000. So, my recommendation is to
reject all the bids. After the Council
rejects them, I plan to go back to the State of Illinois and ask them if I can
now expand the existing contract I have and get the same job done for the same
amount of money.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Do
I have a motion to accept the recommendation?
ALDERMAN DAVIDSON: So
moved.
ALDERMAN BROWN: Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
made by Alderman Davidson, seconded by Alderman Brown. Alderman Faford? Question?
ALDERMAN FAFORD: No.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Okay. Roll call, please.
CLERK DUMAS: Which
Alderman?
MAYOR EPSTEIN: It
was Carl Brown.
CLERK DUMAS: Thank
you.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown;
Hunter; Browne, R.; Baron; Tall; Ciaccio; Faford; Swanson; Osenga; Linneman;
Jones; Schwade; Davidson; Cox (14)
RECOMMENDATION TO REJECT ALL BIDS FOR BROOKMONT
BOULEVARD
FROM SCHUYLER AVENUE TO ILLINOIS ROUTE 50 EMERGENCY
ROAD REPAIR PROGRAM, SECTION 10-00000-01-GM-SUPPLEMENTAL, TEI JOB NO. E09089
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
carries. The next item is a
recommendation to accept the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Fire Prevention
and Safety Grant in the amount of $11,176.00.
There is a 10% match that the City is required to spend which is about–close
to $1,200. We certainly have the money
to do that. I need a motion to accept
the grant.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Motion
to accept.
ALDERMAN SCHWADE: I
second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
made by Alderman Hunter, seconded by Alderman Schwade to accept the grant. Roll call, please.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown;
Hunter; Browne, R.; Baron; Tall; Ciaccio; Faford; Swanson; Osenga; Linneman; Jones;
Schwade; Davidson; Cox (14)
RECOMMENDATION TO ACCEPT THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT AGENCY’S FISCAL YEAR 2009 FIRE PREVENTION AND SAFETY GRANT IN THE
AMOUNT OF $11,176.00 FOR THE CITY OF KANKAKEE FIRE DEPARTMENT
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
carries. The next item is an Ordinance
Amending Chapter 32, Section 238 establishing a stop sign.
ALDERMAN BROWNE: So
moved.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: At
Cobb Boulevard and Lincoln. Motion to
Suspend the Rules by Alderman Rich Browne.
ALDERMAN BARON: Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Seconded
by Alderman Baron. Roll call.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown;
Hunter; Browne, R.; Baron; Tall; Ciaccio; Faford; Swanson; Osenga; Linneman;
Jones; Schwade; Davidson; Cox (14)
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
carries. Do I have a motion to put this
Ordinance on its Final Passage?
ALDERMAN BROWNE: So
moved.
ALDERMAN BARON: Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: So
moved by Alderman Rich Browne, seconded by Alderman Baron. Any questions? Roll call.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown;
Hunter; Browne, R.; Baron; Tall; Ciaccio; Faford; Swanson; Osenga; Linneman;
Jones; Schwade; Davidson; Cox (14)
ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 32, SECTION 238 ENTITLED “SPECIFIC
STOP INTERSECTIONS ESTABLISHED” OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF KANKAKEE -
ONE-WAY STOP SIGN ESTABLISHED AT COBB BOULEVARD AND LINCOLN AVENUE
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
carries. The next..........appointment,
I have, are three members of the Kankakee Public Library Board. Anne Miller, Matt Olszewski and Robert DeOliveira
to three-year terms.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: With
the Council’s indulgence, I’d like to approve these en masse.
ALDERMAN SCHWADE: Except
that their terms expired April 31, 2013.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: A
type. Motion by Alderman Hunter,
seconded by Alderman Schwade, is that correct, to approve the
appointments. Roll call.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown;
Hunter; Browne, R.; Baron; Tall; Ciaccio; Faford; Swanson; Osenga; Linneman;
Jones; Schwade; Davidson; Cox (14)
PRESIDENT ANNE MILLER – KANKAKEE PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD
OF TRUSTEES THREE-YEAR TERM
MATT OLSZEWSKI - KANKAKEE PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF
TRUSTEES
THREE-YEAR TERM
ROBERT DEOLIVEIRA – KANKAKEE PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF
TRUSTEES
THREE-YEAR TERM
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
carries. The final items on the agenda
are three–four Proclamations. I would
like to thank Carole Franke. She has
provided us with blue ribbons as a symbol of Child Abuse Prevention Month. Thank you, Carole, for doing that. Do I have a motion to approve the four Proclamations?
ALDERMAN SWANSON: So
moved.
ALDERMAN SCHWADE: Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
by Alderman Swanson, seconded by Alderman Schwade. All those in favor, aye. Opposed same sign.
PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING THE MONTH OF APRIL 2010 AS
CHILD
ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH
PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING APRIL 30, 2010 AS ARBOR DAY
PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING MAY 22 THROUGH MAY 28, 2010
AS NATIONAL
SAFE BOATING WEEK
PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING APRIL 28, 2010 AS WORKERS
MEMORIAL DAY
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
carries. Prior to adjournment, I would
like to just take a moment and thank Bill Yohnka, Allison Beasley and Steve
Bertrand. When they heard that the City
was not going to do the Spring Cleanup this year, they sprung into action and
organized a Spring Cleanup at the gazebo this Saturday. I was there.
It was a wonderful show of spirit for Kankakee residents. More than 60 people showed up. They had the routes all mapped out. They had garbage bags, gloves. They sent people out to different parts of
the City and collected an entire DPW truck full of garbage from our City
streets. So, I want to thank the three
of them for taking the initiative and organizing that function. Thank you.
We will need a short Executive Session.
Are there any other Alderman’s questions or concerns. Alderman Brown.
ALDERMAN BROWN: First
of all, I have to say thank you Mayor for allowing me to say this.. Normally, I don’t do this, but I’m going
to do it mainly because I want to thank Chris Bohlen to get those City employees
to take themselves that 12% cut. I think
that was tremendous for them. I think
that shows spirit, too. I think those
employees ought to be applauded, also.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: I
agree.
ALDERMAN BROWN: But........but
I think that we’re not serving them well, if we don’t say or pass a Resolution
that says State of Illinois don’t take out 30% because it doesn’t make any
sense for us to sit down and not fight.........not say to the State of
Illinois, don’t balance your budget on our backs. And, take money from our employees. I think that is an injustice and I think we
should stand up and pass a Resolution that says, we will not tolerate you
taking 30% of our indistinguishable. I
think that’s ridiculous, so I have to say that.
ALDERMAN BROWNE: Second
it.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Alderman,
we will prepare that Resolution for the next Council meeting.
ALDERMAN BROWN: Thank
you.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: You’re
welcome. Any other questions? Alderman Jones.
ALDERMAN JONES: Mayor,
with the budget cuts and everything, I would.........after what happened yesterday, I don’t know if you saw the news
where a Senator’s son got into an accident driving a city vehicle. Could we make a Resolution that all City
vehicles are only driven in our City by City employees during City hours. And, not to be taken home if they’re
non-emergency City vehicles. I’m not
talking about the Fire and the Police Department. I’m talking about like CDA and so many other
departments. Code Enforcement. They shouldn’t be taking their vehicles out of
the City for lunch. They shouldn’t be
taking the vehicles out of the City at night.
And, they shouldn’t be driving around on the weekends with their family
in the car because the only ones insured on the vehicles are the City
employees.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: We
will certainly look into that, Alderman.
Thank you. Any other
questions? A motion to go into Executive
Session.
ALDERMAN BROWNE: So
moved.
ALDERMAN FAFORD: Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: A
motion by Alderman Browne, seconded by Alderman Faford. All those in favor aye. It’ll be a very short Executive Session.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: You
didn’t say the reason. What were the
reasons, Chris?
ATTORNEY BOHLEN: Pending
Litigation and Personnel.
MOTION TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
carries.
8:07 P.M.
8:17
P.M.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Do
I have a motion to adjourn?
ALDERMAN SWANSON: So
moved.
ALDERMAN FAFORD: Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
by Alderman Swanson, seconded by Alderman Faford. All those in favor, aye. Opposed.
MOTION TO ADJOURN CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MAYOR EPSTEIN: We
are adjourned.
8:17 P.M.