CITY OF KANKAKEE
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MAY 17, 2010
7:02 P.M.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Good
evening. I’d like to call the meeting of
the City Council of Kankakee to order.
At this time, I would like to ask Reverend Kathy Sweet from St. Mark’s
United Methodist Church to come forward and lead us in prayer.
REVEREND SWEET: Let
us pray. Gracious and Almighty God. In
the midst of uncertainty, we are reminded that You are still the one in control
of all. We are reminded of how much You
love each and every one of us and we just ask that as our City Council goes
about their business this evening, that You would give them the wisdom that
they need as they make decisions that will impact our community for months and
years to come. Amen.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank
you. At this time I would like to ask
the speech therapy students from Kankakee School District 111, these are the
graduates of the speech therapy program, to come forward and lead us in the
Pledge.
KAREN SHAFLAND: On
behalf of Kankakee School District we would like to thank you and especially
recognize the speech language graduates, for May is Better Speech and Hearing
Month, who will be doing the Pledge.
MAX FOSTER, JAYLIN HAIRSTON,
NICKOLOS HALL, GANNER
HOEKSTRA,
JAIRA LEE, YARENI MARTINEZ,
GAVIN
MOSLEY, VERN TOMPKINS, AND
KABREA
WHITE, GRADUATES OF KANKAKEE
SCHOOL DISTRICT 111 SPEECH
THERAPY CLASS AND ALL: Pledge
of Allegiance
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank
you. I think they want to take your
picture. Thank you very much. Thank you
to the students of District 111. We appreciate
them being here tonight. Roll call,
please.
CLERK DUMAS:
PRESENT: Brown; Hunter; Browne, R.; Baron; Tall;
Ciaccio; Faford; Swanson; Osenga; Linneman; Jones; Schwade; Davidson; Cox (14)
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Department
Heads, please.
CLERK DUMAS:
PRESENT: Kinkade; Young; Spice; Bohlen; Power; Simms;
Tyson; Banasiak; Cross; Gordon; Beasley; Yohnka (12)
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank
you. We have the minutes of the May 3,
2010, meeting in front of you. It was in
your packet. Are there any questions or
corrections?
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Hearing
no objections from my colleagues I move they be approved as recorded.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
made by Alderman Hunter, seconded by.......
ALDERMAN OSENGA: Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: .......Alderman
Osenga to approve the minutes of the last meeting. All those in favor, aye. Opposed, same sign.
MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF MAY 3, 2010, CITY
COUNCIL MEETING
MAYOR EPSTEIN: The
minutes are approved. I have no
Petitions. Are there any Petitions from
the Floor? Moving onto
Communications. Item A is for
information only. Item B is
information. C. I would like to call your attention to Item
D. It is the annual Police Department
report on our crime statistics and at this time, I hope you’ve all taken a few
minutes to review the report. It’s
excellent. I think the Police Department
is to be commended for its efforts this past year. And, I would like to ask Chief Kinkade to
briefly review the contents of the report.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Could
we........let me ask you this Mayor Epstein.
I had a discussion with the Chief today.
I’m not sure we’re going to be able to do justice to this monumental
report by him just taking a few moments.
I’d like to see this particular matter referred back to Public Safety as
well, too.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Correct,
Alderman Hunter. It was ready and we
hated to wait ‘til the next Public Safety meeting to do it first. So, we will certainly refer it back to the
Public Safety Committee. Chief.
CHIEF KINKADE: What
the 2009 statistics show is a marked decrease in the total crime index from the
year before, 2008, of 8.3% which continues a downward spiral of the crime
statistics for the City of Kankakee since the late 1990s. There has also been a decrease in the total
crime index of 67% from 1993 to 2009.
And, there has also been a corresponding decrease–drop–in violent crime
of 81% from 1993 to 2009. During 2009,
the Police Department hired four new police officers to replace four officers
who left the Department. Three of them
had close to thirty years on the Police Department. Alderman Larry Osenga was one of the officers
who left in 2009, as did Lt. Kevin McGovern and Det. Jim Alrandi. In 2009, we also opened up this Donald E.
Green Public Safety Center and we moved back in here in April of last
year. In 2009, we also became the first
Police Department in the State of Illinois to receive the Illinois Law
Enforcement Accreditation Achievement Award and December of 2009, CALEA was
here for their onsite and they recommended that we be awarded the three-year
national accreditation through CALEA which was given to us in March of this
year. Most of this you can read and you
can take a look at yourself. We did hold
three Citizen Police Academies, including two Senior Police Academies. We purchased in-car printers for the squad
cars to go along with the in-car laptops that are there so that they can do
their reports and the accident reports in the squad cars and in the future they’ll
be able to print out citations, traffic tickets from the squad cars and give
the receipt to the person and forward that directly to the County. The Community Service Officers program is
also very important for the year–continues for the year. In 2009, there was 10,000–over 10,400 hours–of
work completed by the prisoners work detail.
And, there was over 6,400 hours of work that was completed by Community
Service Workers that are assigned to us from the court house. The rest of the total crime index, graphs and
the, ah, all the uniform crime reports are attached.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Are
there any questions for Chief Kinkade? I
would like to just make a comment. I
think by anyone’s standard, this report for any municipality is
outstanding. I think our Police
Department under Chief Kinkade’s leadership and all of the officers that are
part of the City of Kankakee Police Department have done an outstanding job
this year as they have in the years past.
I think our crime statistics are excellent. We have a department that has won ILEAP
awards as well as having national accreditation. I think that’s an incredible accomplishment
in the same year. I think we should be
proud of the Police Department that we have, what they do for the citizens of
the City of Kankakee and I think they have our respect and our admiration for everything
that they do. And, I want to thank you
for them.
CHIEF KINKADE: Thank
you.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Moving
on in the agenda. Item E is
information. Item F is Tyjuan Hagler
Foundation is seeking sponsorship.
ALDERMAN BROWN: Mayor,
I would ask that we fund that at the same level as we funded last year. At least.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: And,
I believe that was $300.00. Is that
correct, Alderman?
ALDERMAN BROWN: Yes.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Ah,
there’s a motion to fund the Tyjuan Hagler Foundation in the amount of
$300.00. Is there a second?
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
made by Alderman Carl Brown, seconded by Alderman Steve Hunter. Any discussion? Roll call, please.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown; Hunter; Browne, R.; Baron; Tall;
Ciaccio; Faford; Swanson; Osenga; Linneman; Jones; Schwade; Davidson; Cox
(14)
TYJUAN HAGLER FOUNDATION IS SEEKING SPONSORSHIP FOR
THE 4TH
ANNUAL KIDZ-KAN-DO SUMMER FOOTBALL CAMP ON SATURDAY,
JUNE 19, 2010, AT BISHOP MCNAMARA HIGH SCHOOL
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
carries. If the Aldermen approve, we
could combine items G, H, I and J.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: So
moved.
ALDERMAN BROWNE: Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
made by Alderman Hunter, seconded by Alderman Rich Browne. Are there any questions? Roll call.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown; Hunter; Browne, R.; Baron; Tall;
Ciaccio; Faford; Swanson; Osenga; Linneman; Jones; Schwade; Davidson; Cox
(14)
MARY WILLIAMS OF 770 NORTH WILDWOOD AVENUE IS
REQUESTING
STREET BLOCKAGE OF THE 700 BLOCK OF NORTH WILDWOOD
AVENUE
AND THE ALLEY BETWEEN WILDWOOD AVENUE AND EVERGREEN
AVENUE AND A NOISE PERMIT FROM 7:00 A.M. UNTIL 12:00
A.M. ON
SATURDAY, JULY 3, 2010 FOR A FAMILY REUNION
ON THE ROX AT 670 WEST STATION STREET IS REQUESTING A
NOISE
PERMIT FOR AN OUTDOOR BAND ON FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 2010,
FROM
9:00 P.M. UNTIL 12:00 A.M.
STEVIE HARRIS IS REQUESTING A NOISE PERMIT FOR THE
SECOND
ANNUAL BIKE, CAR, AND SAFETY SHOW TO BE HELD AT
395 NORTH SCHUYLER AVENUE ON SATURDAY, JULY 31, 2010,
FROM 12:00 P.M. UNTIL 6:00 P.M.
IMMANUEL BAPTIST CHURCH AT 1300 WEST HAWKINS STREET IS
REQUESTING STREET BLOCKAGE OF WEST VAN METER STREET
FROM
CURTIS AVENUE TO WILSON AVENUE FOR A 50TH
ANNIVERSARY
NEIGHBORHOOD PICNIC ON SATURDAY, JUNE 12, 2010, FROM
11:00 A.M. UNTIL 3:00 P.M.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
carries. The next item on the agenda is
the Kankakee Track Club is seeking sponsorship for the Championship Track and
Field meet that will be held here in the City of Kankakee at Kankakee High
School in June. Is there a motion
to........
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Motion
to approve the amount of $250.00 and in making that motion, it is my
understanding from talking with the Chair of the Police and Fire Commission,
Mr. Gathing, that all the hotels and motels between here and including Matteson
have been leased–not leased–spoken for.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Reserved.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Yeah,
reserved, for this particular, ah, track extravaganza, so I think it’s fitting
and proper that we assist in this particular regard. We’re only investing $250.00 and we’ll reap
hundreds of dollars from the 5% fee that goes with the rental of the motel and
hotel rooms.
ALDERMAN BROWN: Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
made by Alderman Hunter to provide the sponsorship in the amount of $250.00. Seconded by Alderman Carl Brown. Any questions or concerns? Roll call, please.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown;
Hunter; Browne, R.; Baron; Tall; Ciaccio; Faford; Swanson; Osenga; Linneman;
Jones; Schwade; Davidson; Cox (14)
KANKAKEE TRACK CLUB IS SEEKING SPONSORSHIP FOR THE
2010 USA
TRACK AND FIELD ILLINOIS STATE ASSOCIATION
CHAMPIONSHIP MEET
ON JUNE 18, THROUGH JUNE 20, 2010, AT KANKAKEE HIGH
SCHOOL
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
carries. Moving onto Standing
Committees. Public Safety. Alderman Hunter.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Public
Safety is self-explanatory.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank
you. License and Franchise. Alderman Carl Brown.
ALDERMAN BROWN: Minutes
are listed in the packages.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank
you. Report of Officers. Do I have a motion to approve the payment of
bills? Alderman Faford.
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 $659,533.51.
ALDERMAN CIACCIO: Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
made by Alderman Faford, seconded by Alderman Ciaccio to pay the bills. Any questions? Alderman Jones.
ALDERMAN JONES: There’s
one for Peoples Bank for $15,500, check #59601 dated May 13. What was that for?
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Mr.
Spice, do you recall?
JAMES SPICE: That
was to fund the initial deposit for the employees that had chosen the Health
Savings Account.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: For
the HSA Account that employees selected for the enrollment in the insurance.
ALDERMAN JONES: 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)
REPORTS OF OFFICERS, APPROVAL OF BILLS $659,533.51
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
carries. I included in the information
on the agenda tonight under Unfinished Business, the recommendation again to
repair the water fountain. It was the
Aldermen’s pleasure last time for us to get information from the construction
person if there would be a warranty. You’ll
notice on the proposal that there is a three-year warranty on material and workmanship. Is there a motion to Untable this item?
ALDERMAN HUNTER: The
motion was to hold this over ‘til next Council meeting.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: That’s
correct.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: We’ve
done.........I’ll make that motion.
ALDERMAN SWANSON: I’ll
second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
made by........is this to Untable, Alderman Hunter?
ALDERMAN HUNTER:
To remove from the Table.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
by Alderman Hunter, seconded by Alderman Grant to Untable this item from last
time’s agenda. Roll call, please.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown;
Hunter; Browne, R.; Baron; Tall; Ciaccio; Faford; Swanson; Osenga; Linneman;
Jones; Schwade; Davidson; Cox (14)
MOTION TO REMOVE FROM TABLE THE PROPOSAL FROM PJs POOLS
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
carries. Is there a motion to award the
recommendation to PJs Pools in the amount of $19,617.00?
ALDERMAN JONES: Motion
to award the payment to PJs Pools for $19,617.00.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
made by Alderman Jones to make the recommendation to award. Is there a second?
ALDERMAN SCHWADE: I’ll
second it.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Seconded
by Alderman Schwade.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Question
on the motion, Mayor Epstein. For those
of you not aware, Tholen’s did the initial construction on this project. Ah, and, based upon all of the discussions
that we had at last Council meeting, I was wondering if somebody could respond
to the question that I proposed. If
indeed, when we found out that there was some disrepair to the fountain, if we
asked Tholen’s to see if they would rectify their shoddy workmanship. Can anybody address that?
ATTORNEY BOHLEN: I
can address that. I think the issue was
not, quite frankly, what I have been informed that there’s a question of design
as much as anything. Because the design
that was used included pavers as a sealant on top and pavers are too
porous. So, it’s less a question of
shoddy workmanship probably than a question of design. So, based upon that fact, we didn’t approach
Tholen’s on the question of shoddy workmanship.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Well,
let me ask you this then Counselor.
Inasmuch as you’re gonna’.........the motion was made that we pay
$19,000 to rectify this situation, so it’s not shoddy workmanship, why in the
hell are we voting on $19,000 so we can rectify the problem?
ATTORNEY BOHLEN: Because
the design.........the concept of the design was the problem.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Well,
let me say this to you. I construe that
as shoddy workmanship in terms of them not having the insight to address this
problem.
ATTORNEY BOHLEN: They
were handed a design to build. It’s like
an architect gives you a set of plans and the contractor builds it. If..........
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Did
the Terry Johnston say.........or anybody, I guess, who was our person on this
job, right?
ATTORNEY BOHLEN: Honestly,
I don’t know who specifically designed it, but I’ll find out and that’s
something we will pursue.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Okay,
who was the architect on this Dave?
DAVID TYSON: I
don’t know who it was.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: We
will pursue that, Alderman Hunter.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: But,
understand what I’m saying. It’s not a
matter of semantics here ladies and gentlemen.
We’re asked to spend $19,000 because of a situation this construction
was not done appropriately, so I still maintain, evidently, there’s some kind
of shoddy workmanship. You may perceive
it as a matter of semantics, but anyway the taxpayers are spending $19,000 in
order to rectify this situation.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Alderman
Browne.
ALDERMAN BROWNE: I’d
just like to add to that I did go.......I had the opportunity to go out and
look at the fountain myself at lunch and, ah, there were some folks from the
City and PJ was out there himself and the wall was leaning and I was asking him
about it and they came to the same conclusion that it was a design flaw rather
than a workmanship issue. But, at that
same time, my concern was, do we really need to fix it this year and the answer
was that they did not believe it would make it through another several
freeze/thaw cycles next winter and the wall would come down. Even though it’s not in any emergency state
at this point, they don’t feel it would make it through another winter.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: And,
my understanding is that they will be taking the wall down partially to where
it is solid, rebuilding and then capping.
If it should become worse then obviously the cost would become more
expensive and as you put off things, it only becomes more costly. I think we need to follow Alderman Hunter’s
lead and pursue if there are issues that we can possibly be re compensated for,
but I think at this time again, it’s a landmark downtown, it’s something that
our residents use and I think it’s........it needs to be repaired. We have a motion and a second on the
Floor. Any other questions? Roll call.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown;
Hunter; Browne, R.; Baron; Tall; Ciaccio; Faford; Swanson; Osenga; Linneman;
Jones; Schwade; Davidson; Cox (14)
RECOMMENDATION TO ACCEPT THE PROPOSAL FROM PJs POOLS
IN THE AMOUNT OF $19,617.00 FOR THE REPAIR OF THE
FOUNTAIN IN
FRONT OF THE DEPOT
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
carries. Moving onto New Business, our
auditors have presented us a proposal for a three-year cost to audit our
accounts. I would like you to look at
page two of the proposal. The actual
billings for 2009 amounted to $127,825.
Their proposal moving forward for 2010 would be $87,800 with small
increases moving on for the next three years after that. There is a disclaimer that if there should be
extraordinary work that needs to be done due to errors or omissions, that those
would be billed at their hourly rate.
But, the proposal for 2010 stands at $87,800. Do I have a motion to approve the proposal?
ALDERMAN BARON: I
so move.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
made by Alderman Baron, seconded by Alderman Hunter to approve the proposal
from Groskreutz, Schmidt, Abraham, Eshleman and Gerretse. Any other questions? Alderman Schwade.
ALDERMAN SCHWADE: So,
Mayor, if in fact, it goes in with the least amount of work that they have to
do, so that if it’s as tight as possible and there’s the fewest questions, is
that.......
MAYOR EPSTEIN: There’s
some extra work built into the cost. It
would just be extraordinary circumstances that would make it go above that.
ALDERMAN SCHWADE: Okay. Thank you.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Roll
call.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown;
Hunter; Browne, R.; Baron; Tall; Ciaccio; Faford; Swanson; Osenga; Linneman;
Jones; Schwade; Davidson; Cox (14)
RECOMMENDATION TO ACCEPT THE PROPOSAL FROM THE FIRM OF
GROSKREUTZ, SCHMIDT, ABRAHAM, ESHLEMAN AND GERRETSE FOR
THE AUDIT OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE CITY OF
KANKAKEE FOR THE COMING YEAR
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
carries. The next item on the agenda is
establishing a handicapped parking sign at 790 W. Park Drive. Is there a motion to Suspend the Rules?
ALDERMAN TALL: Yes.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Alderman
Tall makes a motion to Suspend the Rules that would interfere with the Passage
of this Ordinance. Is there a second?
ALDERMAN CIACCIO: Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Seconded
by Alderman Ciaccio. 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. Is there a motion to put this
Ordinance on its Final Passage and Pass?
ALDERMAN TALL: So
moved.
ALDERMAN CIACCIO: Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
made by Alderman Tall, seconded by Alderman Ciaccio. 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 231
ESTABLISHING A HANDICAPPED PARKING SIGN AT 790 WEST PARK DRIVE
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
carries. Thank you. The next item on the agenda is an Ordinance
amending Chapter 27, Section 54 modifying the number of Lieutenants as members
of the City of Kankakee Police Department from six to five. Is there a motion?
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Before
I......the motion to be made, Mayor Epstein, I arise to speak against this
particular matter. This particular
Ordinance speaks to a situation that’s
being requested for us to cut down on the number of Lieutenants. We presently have six and, hopefully, this is
not the will of the Administration to cut this down to five. With respect to the actions that could be
taken, it would have an adverse impact on the only minority individual who is
on the Lieutenant’s list. Is that a fair
statement, Chief Kinkade?
CHIEF KINKADE: He
is on the list.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: And,
he is of minority persuasion, is that correct?
CHIEF KINKADE: That’s
correct.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Ah,
Mr. Gordon, I’d like you to respond to this.
Looking at the Police Department, do we have any Deputy Chiefs who are
of minority persuasion?
JAMES GORDON: No.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Do
we have any Lieutenants who are of minority persuasion?
JAMES GORDON: No.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: It’s
my understanding that it has almost been 30 years–30 years–since we’ve had a
black or minority Lieutenant on the Police Department. And, that dates back to probably, the 1980s
or possibly the 70s. I can’t recall
other than Henry Duval being the only black Lieutenant we’ve had on the Police
Department. In 1985, he rose to the rank
of Deputy Chief when Russell Johnson was the Mayor. Since that time, we’ve had no.....no
minorities in terms of rising to the position of Lieutenant. And, I’ve indicated before, ah, this would
have an adverse impact on Mr. Hunt.
There are three black Sergeants, I think. We have Austin, Miller and Hunt who
potentially at some future date would be eligible to be promoted to Lieutenant. My concern is that Mr. Willie Hunt who is the
only individual on the Lieutenants’ list would be adversely affected by virtue
of the fact that, if indeed, we cut the list down from six to five, he would
not be afforded the opportunity to be promoted.
And, that would adversely affect him and, who knows, it may end up in
litigation again with respect to litigation in civil rights in terms of the
City of Kankakee not working towards promoting and providing equal access of
opportunity for people of minority persuasion.
Let me say, further, that Mr. Willie Hunt came to this particular
department via lateral entry some years ago.
When he came to this department, he had a Bachelor’s Degree. Since that time, Mr. Hunt has achieved a
Master’s Degree. It’s my understanding,
also, when conversing with Mr. Hunt, he has ten courses towards his PhD. Now, I would say that’s a qualified
individual. He has provided........or
has been out in the field dealing with criminals. He has put his life on the line as had Lt.
Osenga did and he’s now an Alderman now.
You know, Lt. Osenga put his life on the line. He was shot and almost killed in the course
of carrying out his responsibilities.
And, I would dare say the same thing was done by, ah, Sgt. Hunt. And, I would hope that this particular matter
would not be voted upon for consideration.
As I’ve maintained, I want to make sure that we have an opportunity to
promote a minority to the rank of Lieutenant at some future date. I don’t want to wait for another 30 years or
35 years until we have a minority who would have a rank of Lieutenant and
potentially one of the Deputy Chiefs.
So, I move to Table.
ALDERMAN JONES: Second
it.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: There’s
a motion by Alderman Hunter, seconded by Alderman Jones to Table this
matter. Roll call.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown;
Hunter; Browne, R.;Tall; Ciaccio; Faford; Swanson; Osenga; Linneman; Jones;
Davidson (I may be out of order, but I also echo the sentiments of Alderman
Hunter. Ah, in my short time being here
as an Alderman while living here in the City of Kankakee, I just find it very
difficult to believe that, you know, we’ve waited so long and we can’t find it
in our power, you know, to promote more minorities. And, in the command staff situation, you
know, we have no command staff of minority, you know, in the Police
Department. I just have difficulty
understanding that and understanding or even thinking that, you know, we as a
body as a City, you know, don’t see a problem with that. And, by voting this in, if we do so, then we’re
saying that it doesn’t matter. And, I
hope that as Alderman Hunter so eloquently stated two weeks ago, when we all
pitched in and said we would be willing to give our 12% to support the citizens
and the other employees, you know, in the City of Kankakee, and all these
Aldermen sitting here agreed. And, at
that point, as Alderman Hunter stated, I was proud to be a part of this group,
you know, and I’m hoping that that same group of individuals are here today,
you know, and that stand up and say, you know, it’s been too long. And, that this will be something that we
want. So, I agree.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank you for your comments,
Alderman. Continue the roll call,
please.) Cox (I concur with
Alderman Hunter and Alderman Davidson’s statement. I have known Sgt. Hunt for years and
think he’s well qualified.) (12)
NAY:
Baron; Schwade (2)
ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 27, SECTION 54 MODIFYING
THE NUMBER OF LIEUTENANTS AS MEMBERS OF THE CITY OF
KANKAKEE POLICE DEPARTMENT
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
carries.
ATTORNEY BOHLEN: I’ve
asked the Mayor if I could address this issue just briefly. I want to.........I don’t consider that the
administration really has a dog in this fight in terms of whether we are for it
or against it. I do want to explain
where this came from. This came from the
Sergeants and the Patrolmen who made a proposal to us in the course
of negotiations for a number of cutting
costs. And, one of their proposals was
that we would not fill the next Lieutenant opening and reduce the number of
Lieutenants by one because we’ve already reduced the number of Sergeants by one
and there would be one more patrolman who would have attrition. So, that’s where the idea came from. It didn’t come from the Police Chief or
us. It was proposed by them. I think you’ve answered it, so we can move
on.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank
you. Moving onto the next item. If you’ll recall a couple of weeks ago, we
passed an Ordinance for sidewalk sales.
We’re coming back to you with an amendment because we wanted to be able
to provide more opportunity for some of the merchants– that was the request of
the Aldermen–to have sidewalk sales.
What we’ve done is amended the Ordinance to read that on Saturdays from
May 1, through October 31, which is really sort of the downtown season, that if
you have a business, you are certainly able to have a sidewalk sale during your
regular business hours on Saturdays without the need of tapping into the permit
situation which you can only get two permits a year to do sidewalk sales. We thought
this would open up the availability to merchants who would want to do
something of that nature. Saturdays are
certainly a busy day and it’s something that seems to be catching on. So, we have brought this amendment to you for
your consideration.
ALDERMAN BROWN: I
want to make sure I understand this.
This is pretty much saying it’s okay for them to have a type sale on
Saturday and they won’t have to come back and get a permit every week or
whatever.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Correct.
Correct. On Saturdays only, May 1,
through October 31.
ALDERMAN BROWN: Okay.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Is
there a motion to approve? Or to Suspend
the Rules?
ALDERMAN COX: I
so move.
ALDERMAN SWANSON: Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
made by Alderman Cox, seconded by Alderman Swanson to Suspend the Rules. Roll call.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown;
Hunter; Browne, R.; Baron; Ciaccio; Faford; Swanson; Osenga; Linneman; Jones;
Schwade; Davidson; Cox (13)
PRESENT: Tall (1)
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
carries. Is there a motion to put this
Ordinance on its Final Passage?
ALDERMAN COX: I
so move.
ALDERMAN SWANSON: Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
made by Alderman Cox, seconded by Alderman Swanson. Questions?
Roll call.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Mayor
Epstein.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Yes.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Just....just
wondering.......I know when you called after the initial brouhaha, you know, I
said I didn’t have any strong concerns with the proposed amendment or change,
is there any particular reason why you have Saturdays for a sidewalk sale? What if they want to do it on a Friday and
Saturday?
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Then
you may avail yourself of the permit that’s, you know, that’s available for all
of the retailers in the City.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Okay.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: This
would give you a free pass on Saturdays, you did not have to follow those
procedures. Roll call.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown;
Hunter; Browne, R.; Baron; Tall; Ciaccio; Faford; Swanson; Osenga; Linneman;
Jones; Schwade; Davidson; Cox (14)
ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 30, SECTION 09 ENTITLED “STREETS,
SIDEWALKS AND OTHER PUBLIC PROPERTY” OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE
OF THE CITY OF KANKAKEE, ILLINOIS, REGARDING “OBSTRUCTIONS
BY MERCHANDISE DISPLAY ON SIDEWALKS”
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
carries. Moving onto Appointments. One of our Library Board Trustees is going on
a sabbatical in conjunction with her position at Olivet Nazarene University. I would like to appoint Rhonda Love to
fulfill that sabbatical portion of Beth Trippel’s appointment from July 1, to
December 31. Her résumé is
attached. This would be only for the
time period specified. When Mrs. Trippel
comes back from her sabbatical, she will regain her seat on the Library Board. Is there a motion to approve?
ALDERMAN BARON: I
move to approve that we appoint Rhonda Love.
ALDERMAN BROWNE: Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
made by Alderman Baron, seconded by Alderman Rich Browne. All those in favor, aye. Opposed.
RHONDA LOVE – KANKAKEE PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF
TRUSTEES AS TEMPORARY REPLACEMENT FOR BETH TRIPPEL
MAY 17, 2010 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2010
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
carries. Moving onto the next
Appointment, again, last time...... last Council meeting I brought to you
another Planning Board member. This is
another one that we are proposing.
Marsha Lloyd. I am proposing
Marsha Lloyd to fulfil the vacancy created by the expiration of Barbara Wells’
term. Marsha, if you’ll see her résumé
that is attached, she is a lifelong resident of the City of Kankakee,
Vice-President of Grant Park National Bank.
I think she would be a welcome addition to the Planning Board and bring
a lot of expertise. Do I have a motion
to approve?
ALDERMAN BARON: I
worked with Marsha Lloyd on Neighborhood Partners Board. She is a very helpful and sharp person. She would be a benefit to the Planning Board
and I would move that we approve her appointment.
ALDERMAN BROWN: Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
made by Alderman Baron, seconded by Alderman Brown. All those in favor, aye. Opposed.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: I
would like a voice roll call on this.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: You
want a roll call vote?
ALDERMAN HUNTER: Yes,
it’s an Appointment. And, I want to say
also that she got her start in Hillcrest, I think, if I’m not mistaken
and.......and honed her expertise and credentials while she hailed from the 7th
Ward.
ATTORNEY BOHLEN: The
fighting 7th.
ALDERMAN HUNTER: And,
then moved over to that ward to help those individuals.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Would
the 7th and the 6th like to jointly propose this
appointment? Roll call, please.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown; (Which
one we voting on–both?
MAYOR
EPSTEIN: No. Just Marsha.)
Hunter; Browne, R.; Baron; Tall; Ciaccio; Faford;
Swanson; Osenga; Linneman; Jones; Schwade; Davidson; Cox (14)
MARSHA LLOYD – PLANNING BOARD AS REPLACEMENT FOR
BARBARA
WELLS’ PREVIOUSLY VACATED TERM THROUGH OCTOBER 16,
2010
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
carries. Moving onto Proclamations and
Resolutions. There’s a Proclamation
before you recognizing May 3, through 9, as Municipal Clerks’ Week.
ALDERMAN BROWN: I
would be glad to make that motion ‘cause I don’t think the Clerks get enough
appreciation for everything they do, so I just want to say that you do a wonderful job.
CLERK DUMAS: Thank
you.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
made by Alderman Carl Brown, seconded by.......
ALDERMAN OSENGA: Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Alderman
Osenga recognizing May 3, through 9, as Municipal Clerks’ Week. All those in favor, aye. Opposed, same sign.
PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING MAY 3, 2009 THROUGH MAY 9,
2010 AS
MUNICIPAL CLERKS WEEK
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
carries. The next item on the agenda,
Alderman Brown had asked me to do a Resolution.
ALDERMAN BROWN: And,
may I add Mayor, I’m really pleased. I think
Chris and you guys did a wonderful job on this and I would ask, not
only.......not only that we do this, but I would ask you to ask your fellow
Mayors in the County also to go in with this and we need to send this in unison
down to the State of Illinois.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: We
have a Mayor’s Association meeting on Wednesday, and I will make sure that this
is on the agenda.
ALDERMAN BROWN: Motion
to approve it.
ALDERMAN TALL: Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
by Alderman Carl Brown, seconded by Alderman Tall to approve the Resolution
opposing the reduction of local government distribution of funds. All those in favor, aye. Opposed, same sign.
RESOLUTION OPPOSING REDUCTION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT
DISTRIBUTIVE FUND
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
carries. The next item is a
recommendation to accept the highway permit and resolution for the City of
Kankakee. This is for emergency repair
work on Court Street that’s being done in front of CVS. We approved the bids last time for the repair
of the sink hole and we need to do this for IDOT. Mr. Tyson is here if you have any
questions.
ALDERMAN TALL: I
so move.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Move
to approve, is there a second?
ALDERMAN CIACCIO: Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Move
to approve by Alderman Tall, seconded by Alderman Ciaccio. All those in favor, aye. Opposed, same sign.
RECOMMENDATION TO ACCEPT THE HIGHWAY PERMIT AND
RESOLUTION
FOR THE CITY OF KANKAKEE EMERGENCY REPAIR WORK ON
ILLINOIS
ROUTE 17, (WEST COURT STREET)–TEI JOB NO. E10039
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
carries. The last item on the agenda is
we are proposing a revised year for motor fuel tax. We would like to get motor fuel tax on the
same fiscal year as the City. And, so we
needed to prepare this, ah, resolution for your approval tonight in order to do
that. If there are any questions, again,
Mr. Tyson is here to answer those.
ALDERMAN BROWN: What
would this do?
DAVID TYSON: What
it does–right now our motor fuel tax year goes from January 1, through December
31. This puts us from May 1, through
April 30, which basically runs with the City’s year. The reason we have to pass these new
Resolutions is the one for the salt that we just approved was based on the
calendar year. So, now this will extend
it to match whatever year is going to be for motor fuel tax. And, it just makes.......it makes it easier
for us to do budgeting with the City.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Are
there any other questions? Motion to
approve.
ALDERMAN OSENGA: So
moved.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
made by Alderman Osenga, seconded by.........
ALDERMAN BROWN: Yes.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: By
Alderman Brown. All those in favor. Opposed, same sign.
REVISED RESOLUTION AND MUNICIPAL ESTIMATE FOR
MAINTENANCE
COSTS FOR CURRENT ROCK SALT APPROVED AS PART OF MFT
STREET MAINTENANCE PROGRAM FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR JANUARY 1,
THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2010
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
carries. We will adjourn with a motion
to Executive Session. We will need an
Executive Session tonight to discuss Personnel and Collective Bargaining.
ALDERMAN BROWNE: First
we do comments?
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Yes.
ALDERMAN BROWNE: I’m
sorry. I do have a couple items. And, I would just like to make mention
of. It’s in our packet tonight under
Communications that the Economic Alliance of Kankakee County of which we are part of has put together an RFQ
for an energy production facility that specifically mentions utilizing local available resources including the
Municipal Solid Waste. That would
suggest to me that they’re proposing a possible waste energy plant to help us
with our–not only Kankakee, but our surrounding communities with our garbage
issues. I’ve been working with a
company on finding a solution and I’m confident a viable solution will be
found. I would like to see this City
aggressively research these solutions and it is my hope that we can locate such
a facility in the City of Kankakee thus creating jobs and reducing the
materials we are currently sending to
landfills. Secondly, as a bit of
information, ah, I hope to have information to provide to this City Council by
next meeting on a structure that I’ve discussed with the Mayor called Committee
of the Whole. This would eliminate our
current Committee system and allow every Alderman a better opportunity to
attend two meetings per month allowing us to better be informed of the
decisions that we’re making. It will
also be less office work on the Clerk’s part and save time and money. I’ll provide that information to your
mailboxes as soon as I have it all put together. Thanks.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank
you. Any other comments or
questions? Oh, Bill, yes.
BILL YOHNKA: I
just have a couple of quick notes of interest to the Council. First, you’ll be noticing in the near future
a program being rolled out in cooperation with our Kankakee Farmer’s Market and
KCCSI. KCCSI has administered a
state-run program providing coupons to low-income seniors to use at the Farmer’s
Market. It has been a very well received
and very popular program. Ah, this year
they’re in a situation where they have federal funding that needs to be spent
this summer. It was their idea to use
that model to provide those same idea of coupons for low-income families. And, they’re planning on using.......it’s
going to be over...a modest figure is
over $10,000 put toward that program.
And, this goes along with perhaps what you’ve read about a national
initiative that Michelle Obama and others are really pushing to fight childhood
obesity and, ah, as far as the state of Illinois goes, there’s a lot of farmers
and farmers markets that are doing similar programs, but nothing quite as
aggressive I’ve heard of as what we’re doing here in Kankakee. So, a real testament to the kind of visionary
people at KCCSI looking at that and looking at us as a partner.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Bill,
if someone wanted to avail themselves of that would they go through KCCSI?
BILL YOHNKA: KCCSI
would be the place to go. They’re going
to be the clearinghouse and be administering that at the Farmer’s Market. There’ll be billboards. There’ll be a lot of community information
about it.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Okay. So, the Aldermen should know that that would
be the proper procedure if they have families or people who would like to have
the coupons for the Farmer’s
Market.
BILL YOHNKA: And,
it’s not limited to the City of Kankakee, but of course we’d like to ensure
that.....
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Our
residents take advantage. Okay, thank
you.
BILL YOHNKA: Ah,
lastly, the Put Illinois to Work Program that the City is taking part in and
maybe you’ve read about that as well, ah, very well received and we’re working
now on putting together matches with the employers and potential
employees. We’re having another
information session next week, Tuesday, at the Kankakee Public Library from
10:00 A.M. until 4:00 P.M. for employers.
You may have seen in the newspaper, we had more.......we had a lot of
employees in need of work. We need to
find more employers to do the hiring.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank
you. Any other comments by the
Aldermen? Mr. Gordon.
JAMES GORDON: I
have a comment. I’d just like to
publicly thank the Mayor about the Put the Illinois. She and I had a meeting about summer help and
she got on the phone and called and made some things happen. So, I’d like to personally thank you in
public for your efforts to put this together for our summer youth program.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank
you. I think it’s necessary. We need to put as many of our children to work
as possible. Thank you. I will entertain a motion to adjourn to
Executive Session.
ALDERMAN SWANSON: I
so move.
ALDERMAN SCHWADE: Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Department
Heads, you need to stay. Motion
by.........who did the first one?
Alderman Swanson, seconded by Alderman Schwade to go into Executive
Session. All those in favor, aye. Opposed.
MOTION TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION
PERSONNEL
PENDING LITIGATION
7:48 P.M.
8:26
P.M.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Okay,
we are back in Open Session. We may not
be back in microphone, but we’re back in session. Alderman Baron.
ALDERMAN BARON: I
would move that we authorize the Mayor and City Council–Mayor and City Clerk to
enter into the modifications of the agreements as have been outlined with the
Teamsters Union, the Operating Engineers, Sewer Utility Union and the Operating
Engineers, Lab Technician Union and the Police–Fraternal Order of Police.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Patrolmen
and Lieutenants.
ALDERMAN BARON: Yes.
ALDERMAN BROWNE: Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
made by Alderman Baron to approve the modification of agreements with the
aforementioned labor groups, seconded by Alderman Rich Browne. Is there a question? Roll call, please.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown;
Hunter; Browne, R.; Baron; Tall; Ciaccio; Faford; Swanson; Osenga; Linneman;
Jones; Schwade; Davidson; Cox (14)
MOTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND CITY CLERK TO ENTER
INTO
THE MODIFICATIONS OF THE AGREEMENTS AS HAVE BEEN
OUTLINED
WITH THE TEAMSTERS UNION, THE OPERATING ENGINEERS,
SEWER UTILITY UNION, THE OPERATING ENGINEERS, LAB TECHNICIAN UNION AND THE
FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: It
must have been that this was the week that was for the Clerks. Motion carries. Any other business? If not, I’ll entertain a motion to
adjourn.
ALDERMAN JONES: Motion
to adjourn.
ALDERMAN CIACCIO: Second.
MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion
by Alderman Jones, seconded by Alderman Ciaccio. All those in favor, aye.
MOTION TO ADJOURN CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MAYOR EPSTEIN: We
are adjourned.
8:28
P.M.