Kankakee Times

Kankakee City Council met Monday, Nov. 21.

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.

Here are the minutes as provided by Kankakee: 

CITY OF KANKAKEE CITY COUNCIL MEETING

NOVEMBER 21, 2016 7:00 P.M.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Good evening. I’d like to call the meeting to order. There will be no prayer this evening. Ah, at this time I would like to ask the children from Mark Twain Primary School to come forward and lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

MARK TWAIN PRIMARY SCHOOL CLASS AND ALL: Pledge of Allegiance

And, in Spanish: "Yo prometo lealtad a la bandera de los estados Unidos de America, y a la Republica que representa, una Nacion bajo Dios, entera, con libertad y justicia para todos."

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Okay, thank you again to the students. Roll call.

CLERK DUMAS: PRESENT: Tetter; Brown; Curtis; Baron; Wells-Armstrong; Tall; Faford; Swanson; Crawford; O’Brien; Gall; Kennedy; Davidson (13)

ABSENT: Osenga (1)

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Department Heads

CLERK DUMAS:

PRESENT: Regnier; Young; Kubal; Bohlen; Power; Simms; Tyson; Cross; Bertrand; Yohnka (10)

ABSENT: Schmitz (1)

MAYOR EPSTEIN: There are no Petitions this evening.oops, sorry. Minutes. I need a motion to approve the minutes of the November 7, meeting.

ALDERMAN TETTER: Mayor, I so move.

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

ALDERMAN CRAWFORD: Second.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Seconded by Alderman Crawford. Are there any additions or corrections to the minutes? Hearing none, all those in favor, aye. Opposed, same sign. MOTION TO APPROVE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 7, 2016

MAYOR EPSTEIN: The minutes are approved. There are no Petitions. Under Communications, you have an information only item from Comcast. Standing Committees. Budget, Alderman Baron. A

LDERMAN BARON: Mayor, just to review a couple of the major items of revenue. For income tax, the State is two months behind. The average, it’s averaging about what we budgeted. We budgeted $218,750.00 per month. The average for the two months that they’re behind on that’s been identified for, but they haven’t paid it yet, is $201,000.00, so a little below but not too bad. The other major state-related source of revenue is the sales tax. Sales tax, we budgeted $310,000.00 per month. The November amount that’s been identified, but not yet received formally as of our meeting was $330,000.00 so we’re trending a little bit above there. Ah, there were no major expenditure variations from the budget that were very noteworthy. And, finally, we discussed the tax levy. Didn’t take action on it. We’ll be taking action on that, ah, during the December Budget Committee meeting.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Anything else, Alderman? I’m just going to add one thing to it. I did pass out a handout that I received from the Illinois Municipal League, ah, that they have been in contact with the Department of Revenue because it seems as though several municipalities throughout the State including ours, ah, have noticed a decline in some of the revenues that we get from the State. The IML met with the Department of Revenue and there didn’t seem to be an explanation that was satisfactory to either side as to why we’re seeing a dip in these revenues. Ah, I think part of the issue is, we’re finally starting to see the effects of the out migration of people from the state because one of the items that has been underperforming has been income tax, but the IML and the Department of Revenue are working together to try to identify what are the sources or the reasons that everyone across the State is seeing a dip in the State-related revenues. So, I.I’m anxious to see what they come up with. Ah, approval of bills. Talking about money, I need a motion to pay 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 $508,281.42.

ALDERMAN TALL: Second the motion.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion by Alderman Faford, seconded by Alderman Tall to pay the bills in the amount of $508,281.42. Are there any questions on any of the bills? Okay, hearing none, roll call.

CLERK DUMAS: AYE: Tetter; Brown; Curtis; Baron; Wells-Armstrong; Tall; Faford; Swanson; Crawford; O’Brien (Although I abstain on three items; checks #71121, 71122 and 71092.); Gall; Kennedy; Davidson (13) ABSENT: Osenga (1)

REPORT OF OFFICERS APPROVAL OF BILLS - $508,281.42

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion carries. There are no items under Unfinished Business. Moving onto New Business, the first item on the agenda is an Ordinance amending Chapter 4 Section 4 of the City Liquor Code by issuing a license to a Class T license, and I’ll explain that in a second, to 259 S. Schuyler, locally known as the Feed Art Gallery. The T license is one that we had had in place for quite a few years when one of the theater groups had a production facility on West Court Street. This allows the, ah, Feed to have liquor–beer and wine–30 minutes prior to an exhibit or a performance and 30 minutes after. They’re.it’s not the same requirements as under a bar. They cannot stay open until 2:00 in the morning and it is a beer and wine license and it is tied to a performance or an opening at the gallery. Are there any questions before we proceed? Do I have a motion to Suspend the Rules?

ALDERMAN BROWN: Motion to Suspend the Rules that would interfere with this Ordinace.

ALDERMAN TETTER: Second.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion by Alderman Brown, seconded by Alderman Tetter. Ah, roll call. CLERK DUMAS:

AYE: Tetter; Brown; Curtis; Baron; Wells-Armstrong; Tall; Faford; Swanson; Crawford; O’Brien; Gall; Kennedy; Davidson (14)

ABSENT: Osenga (1)

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

ALDERMAN BROWN: So moved.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion by Alderman Brown.

ALDERMAN TETTER: Second.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Seconded by Alderman Tetter. Are there any questions? The requirements are exactly the same as far as insurance and any other responsibilities of the, ah, the facility. I just want to make sure that that’s clear. Roll call.

CLERK DUMAS:

AYE: Tetter; Brown; Curtis; Baron; Wells-Armstrong; Tall; Faford; Swanson; Crawford; O’Brien; Gall; Kennedy; Davidson (14)

ABSENT: Osenga (1)

ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 4 SECTION 4-13 OF THE CITY CODE OF THE CITY OF KANKAKEE BY ADDING LIQUOR LICENSE, CLASS T, AT THE LOCATION OF 259 SOUTH SCHUYLER AVENUE

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion carries. The next item on the agenda is an Ordinance establishing some no parking areas out at Prairie Walk Subdivision. There’s a lot of activity that goes on out there with the ball fields and soccer fields and I asked Bert and Dennis to go out there along with Dave Tyson and we are establishing just some no parking areas because of the sight line issues that are involved with people parking all the way up to the intersections. You can’t really see making turns in and out of that area. So, it’s a lot of writing, but it’s really just a no parking area for sight lines in the neighborhood of Prairie Walk and River Road. Do I have a motion to Suspend the Rules?

ALDERWOMAN SWANSON: I so move.

ALDERMAN FAFORD: Second.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion by Alderman Swanson, second by Alderman Faford to Suspend the Rules that would interfere with the passage of the Ordinance. Roll call.

CLERK DUMAS: AYE: Tetter; Brown; Curtis; Baron; Wells-Armstrong; Tall; Faford; Swanson; Crawford; O’Brien; Gall; Kennedy; Davidson (13)

ABSENT: Osenga (1)

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

ALDERWOMAN SWANSON: I so move.

ALDERMAN FAFORD: Second.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion by Alderman Swanson, seconded by Alderman Faford. Are there any questions? Roll call. CLERK DUMAS: AYE: Tetter; Brown; Curtis; Baron; Wells-Armstrong; Tall; Faford; Swanson; Crawford; O’Brien; Gall; Kennedy; Davidson (13) ABSENT: Osenga (1)

ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 32, SECTION 172 ENTITLED “NO PARKING” – NO PARKING ON THE EAST AND WEST SIDE OF 1500E ROAD EIGHTY (80) FEET NORTH OF THE SOUTH ENTRANCE TO TALLGRASS TO EIGHTY (80) FEET SOUTH OF THE SOUTH ENTRANCE TO TALLGRASS; NO PARKING ON THE EAST AND WEST SIDE OF 1500 E ROAD EIGHTY (80) FEET NORTH OF THE NORTH ENTRANCE TO TALLGRASS TO EIGHTY (80) FEET SOUTH OF THE NORTH ENTRANCE TO TALLGRASS; NO PARKING EIGHTY (80) FEET SOUTH OF RIVER ROAD ON THE EAST AND WEST SIDE OF 1500 E ROAD

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion carries. The next item on the agenda is the reappointment of Chief Larry Regnier to the ETS Board. That’s the 9-1-1 KanComm Board. Ah, he is our representative on that board and this is a three-year reappointment starting January 21, 2017, and going through January 21, 2020. Do I have a motion to approve?

ALDERWOMAN SWANSON: I so move.

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

ALDERMAN DAVIDSON: Second.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Seconded by Alderman Davidson. All those in favor, aye. Opposed, same sign.

LARRY REGNIER - EMERGENCY TELEPHONE SYSTEM BOARD - REAPPOINTMENT FOR THREE YEARS: JANUARY 21, 2017, THROUGH JANUARY 21, 2020

MAYOR EPSTEIN: The appointment is approved. Thank you. Motions and Resolutions. We have a Resolution recognizing Pastor Robinson celebrating many years in his ministry at the church. I believe that this was presented to him. Is that correct? CLERK DUMAS: Yes.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: And, so, at this time, I would like a motion to approve the Resolution that we’ve already given him.

ALDERWOMAN KENNEDY: So moved, Mayor.

ALDERMAN DAVIDSON: Second.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion by Alderwoman Kennedy, seconded by Alderman Davidson. All those in favor, aye. Opposed.

RESOLUTION OF RECOGNITION AND GRATITUDE TO PASTOR DAVE ROBINSON

MAYOR EPSTEIN: The Resolution is approved. The next item on the agenda is the acceptance of a grant, the Visitors–the Kankakee County Visitor’s and Convention Bureau had a grant program, ah, that allowed municipalities to apply and to.with a project that they would fund up to $10,000.00. And the City of Kankakee was a recipient and this is Staci Wilken. She is the Executive Director and if you’d like to speak to that a bit.

STACI WILKEN: Thank you, Mayor. The, ah, Community Tourism Action Plan was approved by our Board of Directors last fall and implemented–new this year and it’s alternating between five communities over the next two years as well as a County at large program. This initiative has actually been in force throughout the country in different Convention and Visitor’s Bureau districts and has really been a successful way to help promote the, ah, tourism indistinguishable that are within each community that it’s represented in. This past summer, ah, a group of your constituents and Bill Yohnka kind of spear headed that for us, but he kind of just.we put together a tourism plan to identify your strengths, weaknesses, some opportunities that we really want to, ah, help publicize for the City of Kankakee so you’ll see, I believe, probably in the spring when you can paint again, when it’s not so cold, but we’ll be using, ah, Frank Lloyd Wright walking tour murals throughout the downtown area. So, it should be a really neat, ah, asset for the City of Kankakee to help bring tourism to the area. So, we’re really excited to be able to partner with the City of Kankakee in this effort.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank you. Do you want to show them your big check again?

STACI WILKEN: We can. Cody, you want to hold it up for her real quick. Let me get my kid who’s sleeping in a vacuum.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: We did a photo op, but we’re very, very pleased.

STACI WILKEN: Thank you.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: We’re very pleased that you chose our project as one of the projects to fund and we’re excited about it. I do need a motion to accept the grant from the CVB.

ALDERMAN O’BRIEN: So moved.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion by Alderman O’Brien.

ALDERWOMAN GALL: I’ll second.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Second by Alderman Gall. All those in favor, aye. Opposed.

RESOLUTION OF ACCEPTANCE OF GRANT FOR THE COMMUNITY TOURISM ACTION PLAN

MAYOR EPSTEIN: The motion carries. Okay, thank you, Staci. Ah, the next item on the agenda is a Resolution authorizing the Economic Growth Corporation, that’s our partner that is building the Fountain Square project. They are seeking a State HUD 108 Grant. We are not responsible for this funding, but we need to pass the Resolution in order for them to proceed with their application for some of this money that they are borrowing on behalf of the project. Do I have a motion to accept the Resolution?

ALDERMAN O’BRIEN: So moved.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion by Alderman O’Brien. Do I have a second?

ALDERWOMAN GALL: Second.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Second by Alderman Gall. Are there any questions?

ALDERMAN O’BRIEN: You say, I want to make sure, that this is not City 108 funds that we’ve done before.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: This is a totally different, ah, access. It’s a State 108. This is not encumbering any of our CDBG money, nor are we responsible for it. It’s simply they need the municipality’s Resolution saying that we approve them going after this money. Any other questions? A motion to accept.

ALDERWOMAN KENNEDY: I motion to accept, Mayor.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion by Alderwoman Kennedy. Do I have a second?

ALDERMAN TETTER: Second.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Second by Alderman Tetter. All those in favor, aye. Opposed.

RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KANKAKEE AUTHORIZING ECONOMIC GROWTH CORPORATION TO MAKE A STATE HUD 108 APPLICATION REQUESTING FUNDS TO ASSIST IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE FOUNTAIN SQUARE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

MAYOR EPSTEIN: The Resolution is approved. Thank you. Ah, we have a couple of.

CLERK DUMAS: When you had them make the motion the first time, you had O’Brien and Gall and then we went back in and.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Oh. So, I have O’Brien and Gall. CLERK DUMAS: You had O’Brien and Gall, and then you went back and got Kennedy and Tetter.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Okay. Let’s do the first two. Okay. CLERK DUMAS: It was already on there. And, we’re okay with the exceptions? CLERK DUMAS: They made the motions so are they okay with it? MAYOR EPSTEIN: O’Brien and Gall, you’re okay? All right. All those in favor, aye. Opposed, same sign. Motion carries.

CLERK DUMAS: You didn’t say anything. You just sat there.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Well, we do so many of the Suspending of the Rules. We have too much goin’ on. Ah, we will need an Executive Session this evening to talk about the acquisition of property. Prior to going into Executive Session and Public Comments and, ah, Alderman Comments, I’d like to make an announcement. It’s with deep regret that I’m announcing the retirement of Chief Ron Young this evening. He has had 33 years of service to the City of Kankakee. This is a loss, ah, but at this time I think 33 years is as much as we can ask of any human being to be in these positions. He will be retiring effective November 30. I have contacted the Illinois Fire Chief’s Association and we will be conducting a search for a new Fire Chief. We expect that process to begin after the first of the year because of the holidays. In addition, I have asked them, they have a program that they can assist us with personnel and I’ve also asked them to assist us in finding an assistant fire chief until we’re able to hire a new chief. In his place, Assistant Chief Perkins will be acting as Chief until we are able to complete the search and hire someone to replace someone who is irreplaceable. So, ah, that’s my announcement this evening. Okay, ah, let’s go to Public Comments. Rhonda Gilreath.

RHONDA GILREATH: Good evening.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Good evening.

RHONDA GILREATH: Ah, I tried to make an appointment with you and was denied. I was wondering if I could either make an appointment or we could discuss the issues that I’ve been having for the past ten months since my husband passed.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Ah, Miss Gilreath, my understanding is that there’s an issue with the Police Department.

RHONDA GILREATH: Not only the Police, but the way everything’s been handled. I have already spoke to the City Inspector.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: And, that is the proper course of action for you to take.

RHONDA GILREATH: I understand, but everything gets pushed under the rug. After I speak to the City Inspector, this is the second time I’ve spoke to him. I don’t understand why a man who served ten years in prison for attempted murder is allowed to threaten me and my children. And, I can’t get an Order of Protection served. I don’t understand.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Ah, I would be happy to speak with you after the meeting.

RHONDA GILREATH: Thank you. I appreciate it.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: You’re welcome. Thank you. That’s our only Public Comment. Ah, Alderman Comments before we go into Executive Session. ALDERWOMAN KENNEDY: I have one comment.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Alderwoman Kennedy.

ALDERWOMAN KENNEDY: Yes, I would like for the Council to consider maybe us going to Tablets or I-Pads instead of all this copying.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Guess what?

CLERK DUMAS: May I make that announcement, Mayor?

MAYOR EPSTEIN: You may make that announcement.

CLERK DUMAS: You’re ahead of schedule. Actually, January 1, 2017, our Council will be going paperless.

ALDERWOMAN KENNEDY: Yea!

CLERK DUMAS: Your Notebooks are on order and we’ll no longer have paper. You’re going to receive a letter the second meeting in your book in regards to everything.

ALDERWOMAN KENNEDY: Okay. Just ask and you’ll receive.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Isn’t it? It’s just like Christmas.

ALDERWOMAN KENNEDY: Yeah.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Ah, the Utility Board has already gone paperless, but when we spoke to Pete about the actual Tablets, we are ordering all new Tablets and they will be a larger screen for everyone. And, I have to say, the Clerk, this was her idea. I still want my paper, but ah, she really is trying to upgrade and modernize the Clerk’s office and I believe she’s working on an app.

CLERK DUMAS: We’re also going to have an app for the City of Kankakee, as well, the first of the year since we kind of waiting for the first of the year announcement, but that is one of our announcements as well. So.

ALDERWOMAN KENNEDY: Oh, I’m sorry. CLERK DUMAS: That’s okay.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Okay.

CLERK DUMAS: Early Christmas presents.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: That was easy. Any other comments?

ALDERMAN O’BRIEN: Mayor, I just want to express thanks to the Kankakee County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau Board and their Executive Director for that Tourism Grant. That’s really exciting. We all know the Frank Lloyd Wright House in the 2nd Ward is a tremendous asset to our City and in some ways it’s kind of hidden. This will be a way to really publicize and showcase that and lots of different parts of the City and, hopefully, attract more people to the house which is a good thing. So, thank you to them. M

AYOR EPSTEIN: You’re welcome. Once we’re ready with the actual roll out, we’ll bring to the Council exactly what we’re doing because I think it’s going to be really a great project.

ALDERMAN TALL: Mayor.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Alderman Tall.

ALDERMAN TALL: I’d like to thank, ah, Chief Young and the Fire Department for their quick action on averting a gas leak last week. We had a gas leak on North Fifth Avenue. The Fire Department showed up, found the leak, actually called Northern Gas and they came and repaired it so it averted some danger, so.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank you, Alderman.

ALDERWOMAN KENNEDY: Oh, I’m sorry. I have one more, too.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Alderwoman.

ALDERWOMAN KENNEDY: Chief Young, I would like to thank the Fire Department also, because the Fire Department coming out for a gas leak in the 1st Ward. They really set the residents at ease. So, them coming, although Nicor had been out, the Fire Department is what really set the residents at ease. They came in. They were calm, very courteous, they listened, so I want to say thank you and let the guys know it was very much appreciated. C

HIEF YOUNG: indistinguishable talk to Nicor about all these gas leaks.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Ah, motion to go into Executive Session.

ALDERMAN TALL: So moved.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion by Alderman Tall. ALDERWOMAN KENNEDY: Second.

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

MOTION TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION

MAYOR EPSTEIN: We are adjourned. 7:25 P.M 7:35 P.M.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: We are back in Open Session. Okay. Motion to adjourn.

ALDERWOMAN SWANSON: So moved.

ALDERWOMAN WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Second.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion by Alderman Swanson, seconded by Alderwoman Wells-Armstrong to adjourn. All those in favor, aye. Opposed.

MOTION TO ADJOURN CITY COUNCIL MEETING

MAYOR EPSTEIN: We are adjourned. 7:36 P.M.