Kankakee Times

The Kankakee City Council met Oct. 17 to review a conditional use permit request.

Here are the meeting's minutes, as provided by the council:

The Kankakee City Council meets at 7 p.m. on the first and third Monday of each month in

Council Chambers at the Donald E. Green Public Safety Center, 385 E. Oak St.

CITY OF KANKAKEE

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

OCTOBER 17, 2016 7:01 P.M.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Good evening. I’d like to call the meeting to order. At this time I would like to ask Minister Jennifer Childs from The Prayer Room to come forward and lead us in prayer.

MINISTER CHILDS: Heavenly Father, Lord, we bring our petition before You because You are holy and righteous. God, we thank You for this opportunity to come together in genuine fellowship. Lord, we ask You to allow the work that goes forth from this committee meeting to be a blessing to the people from the City of Kankakee. Father God, You are able to do all things but fail. And, Lord, we trust You with our whole hearts. So, as we go forward with this meeting, Lord, we ask You to prevail in promoting brotherly love, to maintain fairness and to remind each and every one of us to stay committed to the work that lies ahead. And, we ask Father God that You would continue watching over each and every household blessed here and just thank You in Jesus’ name. Amen.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank you. Ah, the children aren’t here this evening so we’ll just do the Pledge.

CITY COUNCIL AND ALL: Pledge of Allegiance

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank you. Roll call.

CLERK DUMAS:

PRESENT: Tetter; Brown; Curtis; Baron; Wells-Armstrong; Tall; Faford; Swanson; Crawford; Osenga; Gall; Kennedy; Davidson (13)

ABSENT: O’Brien (1)

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Department Heads

CLERK DUMAS:

PRESENT: Regnier; Perkins; Kubal; Bohlen; Power; Simms; Cross; Bertrand; Yohnka; Schmitz (10)

ABSENT: Tyson (1)

MAYOR EPSTEIN: At this time, I will entertain a motion to approve the minutes of the October 3, meeting.

ALDERMAN OSENGA: Motion to approve, Mayor Epstein.

ALDERMAN CRAWFORD: Second.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion by Alderman Osenga, seconded by Alderman Crawford. Are there any additions or corrections to the minutes? Okay, hearing none, all those in favor. aye. All those opposed, same sign.

MOTION TO APPROVE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 3, 2016

MAYOR EPSTEIN: The minutes are approved. Moving onto the Petitions, ah, we have several to go over tonight and I think in order to help alleviate some of the questions, I’m going to ask Mr. Cross before we do a motion to approve the Findings and Recommendations if, Cliff, as you would do case by case, just give us a brief synopsis of the case that we’re doing. The first one is, ah, PB16-04

CLIFF CROSS: Yes. This was a Conditional Use Permit request to accommodate a, ah, family community residence, the property at 2121 E. Maple Street. I know all of you are familiar with this process that for these types of residences, a lot of people refer to them as CILA (Community Integrated Living Arrangements) homes. Now this is not an identified CILA home so to speak, but it’s the same concept. But, per our Zoning Ordinance, it does require a Conditional Use Permit to have that type of operation. A couple key points that came out during the meeting was, ah, the first was that, you know, the State requirement is that you cannot have one CILA home within 800 feet of another one. And, one of the questions came up, well there are CILA type of homes within 800 feet. One thing that came out of the Planning Board’s discussion was that the State of Illinois, that regulation only applies to agencies–agency-ran CILA homes. And, this is an individually-ran one. So, the next question was, well what about our Ordinance? Our Ordinance requires 1,000 foot separation which is true. Ah, so based upon those discussions, the key factors that they considered at the Planning Board was, the 800 foot did not apply for the State regulation, but the 1,000 foot did for our local Zoning Ordinance. So, in the recommendation, the Planning Board did recommend approval of this request and they further recommended the waiver of the 1,000 foot, uh, regulation per our Zoning Ordinance. Now those are, you know, based upon that, that was their waiver of that requirement and therefore they recommended it to the Council for approval.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Okay. We’re going to go through the process and when we get to the proper time, if there’s questions for Chris–Cliff–please ask them. So, at this time I need a motion to approve the Findings of the Planning Board. We’ve sort of gone through this before guys.

ALDERMAN CURTIS: Mayor.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Yes.

ALDERMAN CURTIS: I would make a recommendation that we reject the findings of the Planning Board.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Okay. We have a motion by Alderman Curtis to reject the Findings of the Planning Board. Do we have a second?

ALDERMAN BARON: Second.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Second by Alderman Baron. Roll call.

CLERK DUMAS:

AYE: Tetter; Brown; Curtis; Baron; Tall; Faford; Swanson; Crawford; Osenga; Gall; Kennedy; Davidson (12)

ABSTAIN: Wells-Armstrong (1)

ABSENT: O’Brien (1)

MOTIONS TO REJECT THE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

OF THE PLANNING BOARD

PB16-04 - AN APPLICATION BY COMMUNITY ALTERNATIVES ILLINOIS

REQUESTING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO ESTABLISH AND OPERATE

A COMMUNITY RESIDENCE-FAMILY AT THE PROPERTY COMMONLY KNOWN

AS 2121 EAST MAPLE STREET

MAYOR EPSTEIN: The motion carries, so we are not accepting the Findings of the Planning Board. All right, we’re moving onto the Ordinance that approves the Conditional Use Permit for the property. And, I believe, Mr. Cross, please correct me, have they also said that they would pay property taxes?

CLIFF CROSS: They.that is something that did come out of it. And, ah, as of the date of the Planning Board hearing it was verified that they had been payin’ the proper property taxes and I think the reason being is because this is actually owned by a for-profit agency and rented by a.by this group.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Okay.

CLIFF CROSS: So, they still.they’re not exempt.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Okay. We have a motion–I need a motion to Suspend the Rules that would interfere with the passage of the Ordinance.

ALDERMAN TETTER: So moved.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion by Alderman Tetter. Do I have a second?

ALDERMAN CRAWFORD: Second.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Second by Alderman Crawford to Suspend the Rules that would interfere with the passage of the Ordinance.

CLERK DUMAS:

AYE: Tetter (1)

NAY: Brown; Curtis; Baron; Tall; Faford; Swanson; Crawford; Osenga; Gall; Kennedy; Davidson (11)

ABSTAIN: Wells-Armstrong (1)

ABSENT: O’Brien (1)

SUSPEND THE RULES

AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO ESTABLISH AND OPERATE A “COMMUNITY RESIDENCE- FAMILY” AT A PROPERTY COMMONLY KNOWN AS 2121 EAST MAPLE STREET

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion to Suspend the Rules does not pass. So, we will make a motion to put the Ordinance on First Reading. Do I have a motion to do that?

ALDERMAN BROWN: Mayor, I motion that we Table ‘til further date for a discussion.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion by Alderman Brown. Do I have a second to Table? I didn’t.I’m sorry.

ALDERWOMAN KENNEDY: Second.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Second by Alderwoman Kennedy to Table the Ordinance.

ALDERMAN BROWN: Correct.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Roll call.

CLERK DUMAS:

AYE: Tetter; Brown; Curtis; Baron; Wells-Armstrong; Tall; Faford; Swanson; Crawford; Osenga; Gall; Kennedy; Davidson (13)

ABSENT: O’Brien (1)

MOTION TO TABLE

AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO ESTABLISH AND OPERATE A “COMMUNITY RESIDENCE- FAMILY” AT A PROPERTY COMMONLY KNOWN AS 2121 EAST MAPLE STREET

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion carries to Table the Ordinance. Thank you. Moving onto the next application for a Conditional Use Permit. It’s for a property at 154 ½ W. Water. Mr. Cross.

CLIFF CROSS: Yes, this was an application that also requested a Conditional Use Permit by the applicant, Rosa Sanchez and it’s an operation that’s very similar to, ah.I don’t know if you recall KB Cores out in.southside of town. Basically, what they were required to do is obtain a Conditional Use Permit to operate basically a wholesale motor vehicle parts/sales facility. In other words they have the vehicles there, they remove much of the parts from the vehicles and then they ship ‘em off and sell ‘em wholesale. The Planning Board did consider this over multiple meetings and they did recommend approval of this subject to a couple conditions. A, you don’t want it to become a wrecking salvage yard; you don’t want outdoor storage and outdoor operations. So, the vehicles that would be there could not be parted outside so to speak. And, they also would have to be, ah, they could not have.if they have any vehicles that are stored there, or that are there, they have to be licensed. In other words they have to be driven there by the individual and taken away. You can’t.you can’t have a junkyard there. So, they did recommend approval of the used motor parts sales facility with limited outdoor storage. It’s in your Ordinance. Ah, and they recommended it for approval.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Okay. Thank you. At this time, I would entertain a motion to accept the Findings and Recommendations of the Planning Board. 2nd Ward.

ALDERWOMAN GALL: Motion to approve.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion by Alderman Gall. Do I have a second?

ALDERMAN TALL: Second.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Second by Alderman Tall to accept the Findings and Recommendations of the Planning Board. Roll call.

CLERK DUMAS:

AYE: Tetter; Brown; Curtis; Baron; Wells-Armstrong; Tall; Faford; Swanson; Crawford; Osenga; Gall; Kennedy; Davidson (13)

ABSENT: O’Brien (1)

FINDING & RECOMMENDATIONS

PB16-05 - AN APPLICATION BY ROSA SANCHEZ REQUESTING A CONDITIONAL

USE PERMIT TO ESTABLISH AND OPERATE A USED MOTOR PARTS SALES FACILITY AT THE PROPERTY COMMONLY KNOWN AS 154 ½ WEST WATER STREET

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion carries. Motion to Suspend the Rules that would interfere with the passage of the Ordinance.

ALDERWOMAN GALL: I so move.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion by Alderman Gall. Do I have a second?

ALDERMAN TALL: Second.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Seconded by Alderman Tall. Roll call.

CLERK DUMAS:

AYE: Tetter; Brown; Curtis; Baron; Wells-Armstrong; Tall; Faford; Swanson; Crawford; Osenga; Gall; Kennedy; Davidson (13)

ABSENT: O’Brien (1)

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion carries. Motion to place the Ordinance on Final Passage.

ALDERWOMAN GALL: So moved.

ALDERMAN TALL: Second.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion by Alderman Gall, seconded by Alderman Tall. Any questions? Alderman Faford.

ALDERMAN FAFORD: Ah, Cliff, do these people have the necessary State licenses?

CLIFF CROSS: Yes, we made it very clear that, ah, they would be required to have all the necessary EPA requirements–meet the necessary EPA requirements because, quite honestly, we don’t want to be the enforcement of the IEPA. But, yes, it was verified that they’ve met all their requirements.

ALDERMAN FAFORD: Okay.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Any other questions?

ALDERWOMAN KENNEDY: Yes, do we know what Ordinance this might interfere with? If any.

CLIFF CROSS: I’m sorry.

ALDERWOMAN KENNEDY: Do we know what Ordinance might interfere with this? The passing.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: What Ordinance did you say? I’m sorry.

CLIFF CROSS: Ah, well there’s not really an Ordinance that would interfere with it, but the Zoning Ordinance does dictate certain actions in underlying Zoning Districts that must happen for a particular use to be done. For example, some uses are permitted by right in this underlying Zoning District. But, for this particular use–if you look at Appendix A of our Zoning Ordinance, it does indicate that it’s required to have a Conditional Use Permit and an approval of that prior to this operation taking place. So, that’s what dictates the use here locally. Now, any IEPA requirements are what’s going to dictate any IEPA approvals. In addition, one of the things that came up here is the Illinois Secretary of State, they require what’s known as a Notice of Proper Zoning to have like for used vehicle sales, motor vehicle parts and things like that. They are required to have this as well to show that they got all the proper insurance bonding and licensing through the State.

ALDERWOMAN KENNEDY: Okay. Thank you.

ALDERWOMAN SWANSON: I have a question.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Alderman Swanson.

ALDERWOMAN SWANSON: It might be silly, but it says vehicles on the lot must be licensed and fully operational.

CLIFF CROSS: Yes.

ALDERWOMAN SWANSON: I mean, how can they be fully operational if they’re taking parts out of them?

CLIFF CROSS: Well, basically, what that is, is if they bring it in the night before and they’re going to ultimately take parts, a lot of times they’ll get, ah–and maybe we do want to amend it where it has to be a certain amount of time, but we just don’t want them to bring ‘em there to set there for months on end.

ALDERWOMAN SWANSON: Because there’s not a lot of space.

CLIFF CROSS: And, there’re a couple vehicles that are there that they use in their trucks for the business that are licensed so that covers that. For the outdoor storage of them.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Any other questions? Alderman Osenga.

ALDERMAN OSENGA: Mayor, I didn’t get a chance to drive by there. Where is 154? Is that by the Highway Department?

CLIFF CROSS: It’s, ah, the Summers.you know where the Summers Transportation Building is if you’re on, what is that, McMullen? If you, ah, are traveling south on McMullen and you got the open parking lot there, if you look directly east, you can see the fence and the building back there. They actually just put a new fence up to separate another property from them because the property next to it is one we’re addressing for some outdoor storage anyway and we wanted to make sure.they want to make sure that they do everything they’re supposed to do and they are not.they’re not grouped in with the property that is illegal outdoor operations.

ALDERMAN OSENGA: Okay. Thank you.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Any other questions? Okay, we have a roll call vote on the second vote. Correct?

CLERK DUMAS: We have a first and a second, yes.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion to pass.

CLERK DUMAS:

AYE: Tetter; Brown; Curtis; Baron; Wells-Armstrong; Tall; Faford; Swanson; Crawford; Osenga; Gall; Kennedy; Davidson (13)

ABSENT: O’Brien (1)

AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO ESTABLISH AND OPERATE A “USED MOTOR PARTS SALES FACILITY” AT A PROPERTY COMMONLY KNOWN AS 154 ½ WEST WATER STREET

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion carries. Moving onto Item D PB16-10, my understanding is the Council wishes to Table this item. Do I have a motion to Table?

ALDERMAN TALL: I make the motion.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion by Alderman Tall. Do I have a second?

ALDERMAN DAVIDSON: Second.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Seconded by Alderman Davidson. Roll call.

CLERK DUMAS:

AYE: Tetter; Brown; Curtis; Baron; Wells-Armstrong; Tall; Faford; Swanson; Osenga; Gall; Kennedy; Davidson (12)

ABSTAIN: Crawford (1)

ABSENT: O’Brien (1)

MOTION TO TABLE

PB16-10 – AN APPLICATION BY SIGN’S OF THE TIMES REQUESTING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO ALLOW FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN OUTDOOR ADVERTISING SIGN AT THE PROPERTY COMMONLY KNOWN AS 108 SOUTH ALMA AVENUE

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion carries. Moving onto the last item, PB16-11. Mr. Cross would you like to speak to this Conditional Use Permit?

CLIFF CROSS: Yes. This is another Conditional Use Permit. The applicant, Sign’s of the Times, they would be required to apply for and obtain a Conditional Use Permit which will allow for the construction and the operation of an outdoor advertising sign at the property at 2131 S. Schuyler Avenue. The Planning Board did consider this request, ah, and they did recommend approval of the request with a variance attached to it. The primary purpose of the variance is that it’s within the Ordinance because it’s gonna’ be built on what’s known as a non buildable lot so to speak. It doesn’t meet the minimum lot size requirements. But, the variance was granted and the primary purpose of that variance is to protect the investor that they can basically get a rebuild letter if they needed to to insure their investment. But, the Planning Board did make a recommendation to the, ah, Mayor and Council, ah, for approval of the Conditional Use Permit for the off-premise outdoor advertising sign at the property of 2131 S. Schuyler, which is on a lot just directly a little bit in front of the motel there.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Okay. At this time I would like a motion to accept the Findings and Recommendations of the Planning Board.

ALDERWOMAN SWANSON: I so move.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion by Alderman Swanson. Do I have a second?

ALDERMAN FAFORD: Second.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Second by Alderman Faford. Roll call.

CLERK DUMAS:

AYE: Tetter; Brown; Curtis; Baron; Wells-Armstrong; Tall; Faford; Swanson; Osenga; Gall; Kennedy; Davidson (12)

ABSTAIN: Crawford (1)

ABSENT: O’Brien (1)

FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

PB16-11 - AN APPLICATION BY SIGN’S OF THE TIMES REQUESTING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO ALLOW FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN OUTDOOR ADVERTISING SIGN AT THE PROPERTY COMMONLY KNOWN AS 2131 SOUTH SCHUYLER AVENUE

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion carries. At this time I would like a motion to Suspend the Rules that would interfere with the passage of the Ordinance.

ALDERWOMAN SWANSON: I so move.

ALDERWOMAN KENNEDY: Can I ask a question?

MAYOR EPSTEIN: As soon as we do this, one second.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion by Alderman Swanson.

ALDERMAN FAFORD: Second.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Seconded by Alderman Faford. Alderwoman Kennedy.

ALDERWOMAN KENNEDY: Clifford, what size is the sign? Do you have the measurements?

CLIFF CROSS: I don’t have it in front of me. I’m thinking it was 12 foot by 30 foot.

ALDERWOMAN KENNEDY: Is it LED, one of those?

ALDERMAN CRAWFORD: indistinguishable It’s been passed by IDOT in Springfield. indistinguishable recommendations from IDOT have passed.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Okay, we have a motion and a second to Suspend the Rules that would interfere with the passage of the Ordinance. Let’s do a roll call and we’ll ask other questions as we get to the second part of the passage.

UNKNOWN: indistinguishable

MAYOR EPSTEIN: No, this is the motion to Suspend.

CLERK DUMAS:

AYE: Tetter; Brown; Curtis; Baron; Wells-Armstrong; Tall; Faford (Are we on First Reading?) CLERK DUMAS: Yes.); Swanson; Osenga; Gall; Kennedy; Davidson (12)

ABSTAIN: Crawford (1)

ABSENT: O’Brien (1)

AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO CONSTRUCT

AN OUTDOOR ADVERTISING SIGN AT A PROPERTY COMMONLY KNOWN

AS 2131 SOUTH SCHUYLER AVENUE

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion carries. Motion to place the Ordinance on Final Passage.

ALDERWOMAN SWANSON: Mayor, can we just Table this also? Please. Can I make a motion?

MAYOR EPSTEIN: If a motion is made. Are you making that motion, Alderman?

ALDERWOMAN SWANSON: I would like to make a motion to Table this.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion by Alderman Swanson. Do I have a second?

ALDERMAN FAFORD: Second.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Seconded by Alderman Faford to Table this Ordinance. Roll call.

CLERK DUMAS:

AYE: Tetter; Brown (Originally pass.); Curtis; Baron; Wells-Armstrong; Tall; Faford; Swanson; Osenga; Gall; Kennedy; Davidson (12)

ABSTAIN: Crawford (1)

ABSENT: O’Brien (1)

MOTION TO TABLE

AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO CONSTRUCT

AN OUTDOOR ADVERTISING SIGN AT A PROPERTY COMMONLY KNOWN

AS 2131 SOUTH SCHUYLER AVENUE

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion carries. We’ll bring these back to you at a later time. Under Communications, we have two requests for street closures. Ah, one for a block party–a Halloween block party and the other–actually they’re both for Halloween block parties. Do I have a motion to approve Communications?

ALDERMAN BROWN: Before we do that.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Um huh (affirmative).

ALDERMAN BROWN: Can we change one thing? It says 10:00. It should be 12:00.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: It should be midnight?

CLERK DUMAS: You want to put it to midnight?

ALDERMAN BROWN: On the application is says 12:00 A.M.

CLERK DUMAS: Our agenda says 10:00 (P.M.). We already modified it.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: We’ve already changed it.

ALDERMAN BROWN: Okay. Okay.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: ‘Cause we don’t do anything past 10:00.

ALDERMAN BROWN: Okay.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: So, do I have a motion to approve items A and B?

ALDERMAN BROWN: So moved.

ALDERMAN TALL: Mayor, actually, I’d like to amend this and add an item that I just got to close the streets around Cobb Park for a 5K on October 29th.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: I can’t do that Alderman. We cannot add to the agenda on anything that needs an action because it wasn’t posted properly.

ALDERMAN TALL: Right.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Okay? Sorry. Do we have a.

ALDERMAN BROWN: So moved.

ALDERMAN TETTER: Second.

MAYOR EPSTEIN:.a motion from Alderman Brown, seconded by Alderman Tetter to approve Items A and B under Communications. Roll call. Or, just, all in favor aye. Opposed, same sign.

MERITA SEGAR IS REQUESTING

A STREET CLOSURE OF THE 1800 BLOCK OF EAST SPRUCE STREET FOR A PRE-HALLOWEEN BLOCK PARTY ON SATURDAY,

OCTOBER 22, 2016, FROM 7:00 P.M. UNTIL 10:00 P.M.

MICHAEL O’BRIEN IS REQUESTING STREET CLOSURE OF COBB BOULEVARD BETWEEN THE INTERSECTIONS OF SHERIDAN STREET AND PARK PLACE FOR

A HALLOWEEN CELEBRATION TO BE HELD ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2016,

FROM 5:00 P.M. UNTIL 7:00 P.M.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Approved. Standing Committees. License and Franchise, Alderman Brown.

ALDERMAN BROWN: Thank you, Mayor. Ah, we met. We did not have a quorum. I want to make sure that’s clear. Ah, Melissa Kahoun reported that the Schuyler Avenue project is completed. They have to do a bacteria report on the lines and once that’s been completed, in about two or three weeks, they would put that line back in service and then they’ll start the reparations of paving that street, so everything’ll get done with it probably about the second week of November. So that’s the deadline on that. And, my question to her was about, ah, the lead process. We’ve been hearin’ so much about lead testin’ and I want to make sure that wouldn’t affect rates and that was verified that it would not affect any rates. And, as well as, we have Ernie Lopez from, ah, from Republic Waste and he reported that one of the biggest problem in the community that has the large contingency of renters is that the reeducation of the recycling process. And, we haven’t done that in years. So, I thought–he thought it would be a good idea if we go back and address that issue. And, the committee agreed that this is important because, whether you believe it or not, the recycling process does affect rates because the more you take to the landfill, the costlier it gets. So, we wanted to do that so, I gave you a list. There was a flyer passed out in your desk that says what’s recyclable. And, that’s kind of like a little overview. But, we decided to do a clinic and that clinic has been scheduled for November 3, 2016, from 6:00 – 7:00 P.M. and that’s going to be at the Public Library. And, I’m in the process now of doing a flyer and I hope to have that done within the next two days so everybody will get a copy of that. And, each Alderman, I will put that in your box. And, it will be from 6:00 to 7:00 and if you need some of these to pass out to your community group, let me know because you can take and make copies of these. I can get you copies because this is good information ‘cause we haven’t visited this in a while. So, I think it’s a good idea. So, with that being said, thank you.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank you, Alderman. And, actually, it’s a very critical issue because if the contamination continues in the recycling, then they will not provide recycling to the community as a whole. It will be on a case by case basis because, you’re correct, we pay them a set fee based on recycling costs and garbage tipping fees. And, if they have to tip all of the recycling into the landfill, then that really does impact everyone. So, I look forward to your meeting–public meeting.

ALDERMAN BROWN: Thank you.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: And, with the Aqua line on Schuyler, ah, we had determined Aqua will repave half of Schuyler because they will only repave and restore the portion that they have torn up. But, the City as part of our repaving program, will repave the other half because it’s only wise to do it at the time that they have–that they’re doing it. So, once the restoration is complete, all of Schuyler will be paved all the way from Court Street, you know, down to, ah, I think Station or Hickory is the concluding area. So, we look forward to having that done.

ALDERMAN BROWN: Thank you.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Okay.

ALDERWOMAN KENNEDY: Do we have a cost for that yet?

MAYOR EPSTEIN: The cost was in our, ah, overlay program. We added it to it. It was about $30,000.00 for us to pave the other half of Schuyler.

ALDERWOMAN KENNEDY: I’ll check with you indistinguishable.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Okay, thank you. Budget, Alderman Baron.

ALDERMAN BARON: Thank you, Mayor. I’d just like to review two of the larger sources of revenue and how they’re doing in terms of the budget and how they’re doing last month. Ah, in terms of, ah, the sales tax we had budgeted $310,000.00 per month. We–in September the sales tax revenue was/will be $328,611.00 so we’re a little above there. And, our actual average throughout the year has been $315,000.00. So, we’re.we’re right on target. We’ve.that’s a crucial figure and we budgeted accurately on that. In terms of income tax, we budgeted $218,750.00 per month. Our average was $224,000.00 per month so we’re on target there. The projected.what we’re going to be getting for September from the State though is $162,000.00 just for the one month. So, that trend is a little down, but sales.income tax seems to be choppy. But, those are two–those are big dollars and I think it’s good to keep an eye on that. Ah, the third item I’d like to mention is we had a discussion about the tax levy. The tax levy has to be passed by the 2nd meeting in December. We had initial discussions of that. A big ticket item is gonna’ be the EAV (Equalized Assessed Valuation) figures that we will receive by the next Budget Committee meeting. The EAV figures are gonna’ go a long way toward determining what our tax rates are gonna’ be for this coming tax year. Last year, you’ll recall we subsidized, ah, the payment by taking money from, ah, reserve–taking money from savings and that doesn’t seem to be wise this year. So, this.watch this spot. This is gonna’ be an important issue in the next month or so.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank you, Alderman. Part of the issue is not just the EAV, but we have heard from our actuary, ah, what the increased costs are to the pensions and they’re really extraordinary so we will be having to have some serious discussions on the levy this year. Okay. Thank you. Ah, moving onto Report of Officers. Motion to pay the bills.

ALDERMAN FAFORD: Your honor, I would move we approve the Report of Officers, place the money in the proper accounts and pay the bills in the amount of $376,029.46.

ALDERMAN TALL: Second the motion.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion by Alderman Faford, seconded by Alderman Tall. Do I have any questions on any of the bills? Hearing none, roll call.

CLERK DUMAS:

AYE: Tetter; Brown; Curtis; Baron; Wells-Armstrong; Tall; Faford; Swanson; Crawford; Osenga; Gall (Although I abstain on check #70985.); Kennedy; Davidson (13)

ABSENT: O’Brien (1)

REPORT OF OFFICERS APPROVAL OF BILLS - $ 376,029.46

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion carries. Ah, there’s no Unfinished Business. There is no New Business, Motions or Resolutions. Ah, we will move onto Public Comment. There is no Executive Session either this evening. Ah, first, I don’t know if they’re together. Kristi McBride and Yetha Maloney. Are you together? Okay.

KRISTI MCBRIDE: Hello I’m Kristi McBride from Garden of Prayer Youth Center. I’m the Executive Assistant there and I’m just coming with an update on our services. We just ended our summer camp. Ah, we served 43 participants across the Kankakee area for eight weeks. We, ah, provided them with physical education, with education two hours a day, field trips weekly and two meals per day. Ah, coming up on November 19, we have our 21st Anniversary Gala and we’ll be honoring eleven dynamic men that have helped us make our mission possible. And, that will be at our new location which is 101 S. Division Street in Aroma Park.

YETHA MALONEY: My name is Yetha Maloney and I am the Division Director for the Garden of Prayer Early Education Center. And, we actually have three locations now that we are very proud to have. But, I would like to say thank you to the Kankakee Police Department for their prompt responses to our daycare center at 381 S. Fourth Avenue, ah, and for their increased patrols in the area. We still have some concerns about a couple of homes in the neighborhood on Hickory and on Fourth. As a result, we have had, ah, like a.like some criminal activity in the area. We did have a shooting and but I do want to thank the Police Department for their immediate responses. Ah, also, if there’s anything that we can help with, we are available. I do have cards and I would like to give a great thank you to Alderman Chasity Wells-Armstrong for her consistent check in on us as well.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Okay, thank you very much.

YETHA MALONEY: Thank you.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Chasity Wells-Armstrong.

CHASITY WELLS-ARMSTRONG: I signed on Public Comment because I didn’t know if you would be able to pick it up on the mic. Ah, I don’t know how many of you are aware, but last week there was an incident at Bishop McNamara that was actually on the Channel 7 News and it entailed five cross country students, three which were white, one Latino and one African-American. It’s my understanding that they were joking around and it got out of hand. And, some racist, ah, comments were made and then eventually, ah, SnapChats were posted. Faces that were.had drawing over them saying calling one of the young men a nigger. The other one indicated that, ah, they wanted Trump to build a wall to send the Latino boy to Mexico. So, someone in our community contacted the Archdiocese of Joliet and, ah, the Channel 7 News which came down here to–they actually spoke with Travis Miller. Ah, several people contacted me. It was all over social media. People were very upset, lot of knee-jerk reactions to pull African-American kids out of Bishop Mac. And, although I understand this is a private school, it is in the City of Kankakee. And, we made national news last week for bein’ a racist community. So, I wanted to take some time to reflect on it and I did not respond publicly for 24 hours to allow myself time to do that. So, I’m going to share what I said and then I have a call to action for the City Council. Ah, I want to take time to respond to the incident that occurred this week at Bishop McNamara High School involving the cross country students and racial SnapChat photos. First of all, I am encouraging all of us to take a deep breath and be intentional with our responses, words and actions. Racism exists and it exists even at Bishop Mac. In my opinion, telling people to pull their kids out of the school is a simplistic and knee-jerk reaction to a very complex issue. For the most part, I believe that most experiences present positive and negative opportunities in addition to opportunities for awareness and growth. My children attended Bishop Mac and were well educated. I am not saying other schools lack the ability to educate well, but I’m giving credit to the curriculum and some of the teachers who made learning interesting, fueled the passion within my children and challenged them. With that being said, my children experienced racism as well. As an engaged parent, I spoke with my children and supported them during these incidents. Also, I met with school personnel and attended a board meeting at which time I provided the board with data regarding the impact of racism on all of us–not just minorities. I provided the board with background information for an expert in the field named Tim Wise and I invited the school to participate during the local Stand Against Racism event hosted by our Kankakee YWCA every year. Finally, I spoke with the board about restorative practice. The incident that prompted me to meet with the board occurred when my daughter heard a white male student say that she should be eating watermelon and picking cotton. The principal at that time had the young man write an anonymous letter to my daughter, never spoke and the principal gave it to her. The young man and my daughter never spoke about the incident. This was a teachable moment and a prime opportunity to incorporate restorative practice. In my opinion, the principal should have sat down with both students, allowed her to express how she was hurt by his comments, explained to the young man how the comment was racist and provided him some historical context. The young man should have been given the opportunity to speak about his experiences with the context of the comment and, hopefully, apologize once he saw the impact he had on my daughter. This would have restored their relationship and started a path of healing for the wound she endured as a result of his racist comment. And, it would have brought awareness to the issue of racism and the manner in which we are impacted. Unfortunately, Bishop Mac chose not to take action regarding my recommendations, nor did they participate in the Stand Against Racism Rally. They are guilty of this ‘we do not have those types of issues here’ attitude. Similar to some Catholic churches covering up crimes of priests who have molested children, they chose not to acknowledge the ugly that exists within the walls of the school and the larger community. Now, with that being said, I want to say that at some point all of us were not aware of the atrocities that have occurred in this country, the depth of racism and how it has permeated our policies, our institutions and our systems. But, today many people are what black people call woke, particularly people of color. Keep in mind that white people have believed these things as well. They have been taught inaccurate information and sometimes do not consciously know when they are being racist. I think most people know that calling someone a nigger is racist, but when there is a class discussion, and a 14-year-old white boy tells a teacher he does not care about public school funding because he does not attend public schools, does that 14-year-old really understand the implications of his position and comment? Restorative practice enforces accountability while also focusing on mending relationships. It allows people to connect and relate as human beings. It is easy to become outraged, but in the end what do we really want? We want people to listen, to acknowledge our experiences and to help in being the change most of us want to see. We must start this journey by having open and respectful conversations. We have to really listen to one another in an effort to understand the perspective of others. Instead, many people want to act like these problems don’t exist and we are further destroying our relationships with one another in the process. I encourage all of us to practice empathy for others. We need to stop shaming people because they do not respond to a situation in the same manner as someone else. We need to hold one another accountable from a place of love because pointing fingers, yelling and making rude comments does not exactly create an environment to get much accomplished. We need to heal and restore our relationships with one another. And, we need to be patient because sometimes people who are recently awakened will forget. Keep in mind, for white people, a lot of these issues are new to them because they have not had the same experiences as some nonwhites. An acquaintance of my daughter assumed that because my daughter is a dancer, that her favorite genre of dance is hip-hop when it’s actually ballet and jazz. But, my daughter did not lash out at her. She took a deep breath, educated this person and discussed the manner by which that comment is stereotypical and/or can be perceived as racist. I’m sayin’ that we can do this. We are human beings and are the most evolved species on the earth. Most times it takes a little work and some days more work. But, that is why we have one another to lift each other to be strong and be the best versions of ourself. I ended with a quote but what I want to say to the City Council is, we are the leadership of the City. And, a lot of times when things happen, it’s, you know, people will say well this really isn’t a City matter. This was on the Chicago media market, Channel 7 ABC News. My coworkers were talkin’ about it. A friend from South Holland called me when she saw it. People are watching Kankakee. We are investing millions of dollars in a housing complex, too. Do we want people to feel comfortable and welcomed here? So, I think we need to hold a forum with our community; invite teachers, parents, students. Mac definitely needs to be involved. The Archdiocese needs to be involved because this is not a one-time incident. This happens all the time. And, I spoke with a teacher from Kankakee High School as well. Those students are upset because when you Googled it this morning on ABC 7 News Chicago and you type in Kankakee, it looks like it’s Kankakee students unless you read the article then you realize it was Bishop Mac. And, Kankakee students get a bad rap. So, my call to action is to not politely listen, but it’s to do something about it. So, anybody that wants to work with me to put together a forum, I am willing to do that because it starts with open and honest conversation. And, then we go from there.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank you.

CHASITY WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Thank you.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Pastor Robinson.

PASTOR ROBINSON: All right. Good evening Mayor and all elected officials. Ah, I’m just here to make an apology and last City Council meeting I was supposed to open in prayer and I felt the need to say I’m sorry for forgetting. I had it down on my calendar and turning 60, getting up there, I was wondering if I’m going upstairs or coming down. Couldn’t remember. But, it was my intention to be here and I forgot. So, again, my apologies to you and I will try that it will never happen in this lifetime again. Thank you.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank you, Pastor. And, I’m sure Anjanita will make sure that you are invited back again. So, thank you. Motion to.oh, Alderman comments. I’m sorry. Alderman Brown.

ALDERMAN BROWN: Mayor I just want to make sure. There is a little flyer in your booklet. Please pay attention to it ‘cause we got people that really need help. KCRO is a good organization, ah, and I want to thank you guys. When a lot of you guys passed the corner and you put a dollar or two in the can and that dollar or two will help somebody get medication they really need because, as you know, when the State of Illinois cut the funding, they cut the people that need that medication to stay out of prison. That’s the first things that goes, so, this organization is designed to help those people. So, I want to thank you personally if you stop and put in the can. And, if you didn’t, it’s never too late.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank you, Alderman. Any other comments? Motion to adjourn.

ALDERWOMAN SWANSON: So moved.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion by Alderman Swanson.

ALDERWOMAN KENNEDY: Second.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Seconded by Alderwoman Kennedy. All those in favor, aye. Opposed.

MOTION TO ADJOURN CITY COUNCIL MEETING

MAYOR EPSTEIN: We are adjourned.

7:44 P.M.