Kankakee Times

Kankakee City Council met Tuesday, Jan. 17.

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 JANUARY 17, 2017 7:00 P.M.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Good evening. I’d like to welcome you to our City Council meeting. At this time I would like to ask Reverend Dave Robinson from the Genesis Community Ministries to come forward and lead us in prayer.

REVEREND ROBINSON: Good evening to all. Could I say something funny, Mayor, before I pray?

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Yes.

REVEREND ROBINSON: Ah, there’s a wedding ceremony going on and the priest said, Does anyone have any objections? At the same time, a young lady with a little child started walking up. And, the bride-to-be slapped the groom. And, then the mother-in-law fainted. And, then the best man started hitting the guy next to him and the priest said to her, Well, what do you have to say? She said, Well, I couldn’t hear what you were saying so I was just coming a little closer. So, we’ll start with that. So, Father, we thank You. Thank You today for Your grace and sometimes a little chuckle in our lives. Thank You for allowing us to be here this afternoon to address the business of the City. Thank You for our Mayor and all the City officials that are here this evening and those who are in the audience. And, we pray that as we face 2017, that You will bless this City. That we would have a financial, spiritual and social renewal. And, that the places that we live will be enhanced by the people who live among us. So, hear our prayer today and bless us dear God that we might be able to bless others. And, may Your hand be upon us and may you keep us away, God, from evil or from making wrong decisions. This is our prayer and may Your angels continue to encamp round about us and keep us safe. We ask all of this in Jesus’ name. Amen. Amen.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank you pastor. At this time I would like to ask Miss Blanchette’s 5th grade class from Kennedy Middle Grade School to come to the front and lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

MS. BLANCHETTE’S FIFTH-GRADE CLASS FROM KENNEDY MIDDLE GRADE SCHOOL AND ALL: Pledge of Allegiance

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank you very much. Okay, roll call.

CLERK DUMAS:

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

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Department Heads.

CLERK DUMAS:

PRESENT: Regnier; Perkins; Cross; Bertrand; Yohnka; Tyson; Simms; Kubal; Schmitz; Power; Bohlen (11)

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank you. Moving onto the approval of the minutes of the previous meeting,

I would entertain a motion to approve the January 3, 2017, minutes.

ALDERMAN OSENGA: So moved, Mayor Epstein.

ALDERMAN CRAWFORD: Second. MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion by Alderman Osenga, seconded by Alderman Crawford. Are there any additions or corrections to those minutes? Hearing none, all those in favor, aye. Opposed, same sign.

MOTION TO APPROVE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JANUARY 3, 2017

MAYOR EPSTEIN: The minutes are approved. On the agenda this evening was the Petition for the application by the Greenhouse Group requesting a Conditional Use permit to allow for the operation of a Medical Dispensary–Cannabis Dispensary–on South Schuyler. Due to the holiday, the Planning Board minutes are not available to the Aldermen. And, because this issue really generated a lot of discussion at that Planning Board, more than two hour’s worth, it’s inappropriate for us to really act upon this issue until the minutes are available to the Aldermen, so I am asking for a motion to Table.

ALDERMAN O’BRIEN: So moved.

ALDERWOMAN GALL: I’ll second.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion by Alderman O’Brien, seconded by Alderman Gall to Table this issue until the minutes are available for your approval. Roll call.

CLERK DUMAS:

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

MOTION TO TABLE PB16-12- AN APPLICATION BY GREENHOUSE GROUP, LLC REQUESTING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO ALLOW FOR THE OPERATION OF A “MEDICAL CANNABIS DISPENSARY” AT THE PROPERTY COMMONLY KNOWN AS 908 SOUTH SCHUYLER AVENUE

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion carries. We will bring this issue back to the Council, probably at the first meeting in February because I assume that the Planning Board minutes will be available far sooner than that for your perusal.

CLIFF CROSS: They’ll probably be on early next week.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Okay. Thank you.

ALDERMAN O’BRIEN: Mayor, before we move on.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Oh, I’m sorry. Alderman.

ALDERMAN O’BRIEN: I would like to note for the record that in the recommendation on Conditional Use Permit request in our materials, the report from the Planning Board, in the.about 2/3 of the way down, the paragraph that begins, Therefore, by a vote of four, there is a typo there. It says there is one no vote, but in parentheses it says zero. So, I would like the record to reflect that and have it be amended. for.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Okay, Alderman. Anything else?

ALDERMAN O’BRIEN: No.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: There are no Communications. Moving onto Standing Committees. Public Safety, Alderman Osenga.

ALDERMAN OSENGA: Yes, Mayor. The information’s in my report. 

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Okay. License and Franchise. Alderman Brown.

ALDERMAN BROWN: We had a quorum of members. Ah, the big discussion was that we are planning a big meeting with all of the utility managers in the month of February. And, ah, as well as most of the Aldermen will be invited also, along with the Mayor. And, we hope to have meet and greet and desserts. Ah, that’s what we plan on doin’. The letter will go out Friday and we hope to get a response so at the next City Council meeting I’ll have more details on it.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Do you plan to do it on your regular License and Franchise Committee?

ALDERMAN BROWN: Yes. Regular Committee. Yes.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Okay. Anything else, Alderman?

ALDERMAN BROWN: That’s it. Thank you.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Budget, Alderman Baron.

ALDERMAN BARON: Every, ah, every month the Budget Committee reviews expenses and revenues. We have a report on that and that’s given in the minutes. Tonight I’d like to just mention real briefly, ah, aside from the fact that the, ah, expenditures are pretty well aligned, and that’s something that we can control and, ah, during most of the meetings there’s not a lot of significant change from the budget. Ah, but one thing that we’ve noticed recently.and, which has just been confirmed by, ah, the IML, is that there’s been this erosion of some revenue in their taxes. In the minutes you–the last full paragraph there’s reference to Mayor Epstein encouraging everybody to read the Illinois Municipal League Bulletin for January. Once a year the Illinois Municipal League has an article on projections of municipal revenues. And, it’s very dry. And, it’s usually very accurate and it’s very stable. Well, not the case right now. We’ve noticed in several meetings that the, ah, that the replacement tax and the income tax from the State is gradually decreasing and as.and, so, I read the article and there.although economic indicators in this State are increasing over the relevant time period here, ah, the distributions to the municipalities and us, in particular, are decreasing. And, the.and it doesn’t seem to be any obvious reason as to why that’s happening. Let me just read you real briefly these very stable and, ah, dry analysts say, “We have decades of combined experience working within IDOR, which forms a solid basis for knowing and understanding the tax policies and procedures. This is what has made the current situation all the more frustrating and strangely challenging.” So, they’re saying that this is continuing this year and is going to continue into next year as far as their projections from the State for something as important as income tax. Not just the timing because they’re a month behind and that’s the way it’s been forever. But, the amount which is what we form budgets on. So, they recommend, “We highly recommend that the municipalities adopt conservative estimates when it comes to revenue streams that are comprised of business and income taxes.” So, that’s not an alarm that we’re sounding, but as we enter into the next.the whole budget cycle here, ah, there is a trend. Telecommunications taxes are decreasing, you know, for basic reasons. The EAV declines and real estate taxes, all that much more of a challenge. So, this is going to be a challenge in the year coming up. And, this is just.we’re hearing this from a number of sources.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: It was the IML. We’ve had some discussions and they were the ones that first started hearing from municipalities that there was something odd going on and then they met with the Department of Revenue over a period of months and came to the conclusion that no one could explain what was happening. Which is frightening on many levels. Ah, they had changed some processes at the Department of Revenue and they were trying to figure out if the way that they were processing information– somehow they upgraded systems–if that was causing some of the disparities that they were seeing. But, no one could quantify that. So, again, I don’t know what’s happening, but I think, again, that article in the IML Magazine this month is really, I think, an important read for everyone as we are challenged with, actually, a stab in the dark, quite frankly, at what revenues we should use as far as our projections for next year. So, but thank you for pointing that out Alderman. Anything else?

ALDERMAN BARON: Nothing else. Thank you.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Okay.

ALDERMAN BARON: Thank you.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Alright. Talking about money. I would like a motion to approve 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 $770,337.55.

ALDERMAN TALL: I’ll second the motion.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion by Alderman Faford, seconded by Alderman Tall to pay the bills totaling $770,337.55. Are there any questions on any of the bills? I did not.there wasn’t anything here that I felt was necessary to point out if there were no questions. Ah, there was a large check to Kankakee Valley Construction that was for.paid out of Motor Fuel Tax for street maintenance. But, other than that you noticed, ah, Stantec Consulting Services. That’s our Brownfield assessment grant. So that was some of the Brownfield assessments that they did that will be paid out of the grant. So, we have a motion and a second. Roll call.

CLERK DUMAS:

AYE: Tetter; Brown; Curtis; Baron; Wells-Armstrong; Tall; Faford; Swanson; Crawford; Osenga; O’Brien (Although I abstain from #71376.); Gall; Kennedy; Davidson (14)

REPORT OF OFFICERS APPROVAL OF BILLS - $770,337.55

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion carries. The next item under New Business is we are declaring a piece of property surplus from the Fire Department. So, at this time, I would like a motion to Suspend the Rules that would interfere with the passage of this Ordinance.

ALDERMAN OSENGA: So moved, Mayor.

ALDERMAN DAVIDSON: Second.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion by Alderman Osenga, seconded by Alderman Davidson, ah, to Suspend the Rules. Roll call.

CLERK DUMAS:

AYE: Tetter; Brown; Curtis; Baron; Wells-Armstrong; Tall; Faford; Swanson; Crawford; Osenga; O’Brien; Gall; Kennedy; Davidson (14) MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion carries. Motion to place the Ordinance on Final Passage.

ALDERMAN OSENGA: So moved.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion by Alderman Osenga.

ALDERMAN DAVIDSON: Second.MAYOR EPSTEIN: Seconded by Alderman Davidson to put the Ordinance on Final Passage for the surplus of this equipment. Any questions? Alderman Curtis.

ALDERMAN CURTIS: Mayor, is this something that has to go out for bid or can this be donated to like one of the school districts or something or?

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Usually, we have to sell it. We have, in certain instances, donated property to some of our other municipalities that have more financial need than we do. Ah, and, I don’t know what condition this equipment is. Usually it has to be in pretty bad shape to be surplussed. Chief Perkins.

CHIEF PERKINS: Yes, the computer was removed and it’s just the housing for the smart board.

ALDERMAN CURTIS: Okay.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Okay. Alderman Tetter.

ALDERMAN TETTER: Yes, Mayor, but that.I would imagine that there’s no sensitive equipment stored or information stored on that device.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: No.

ALDERMAN TETTER: All of that’s scrubbed before it moves forward.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Yes.

ALDERMAN TETTER: Thank you.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: I think we have a motion and a second. Roll call.

CLERK DUMAS:

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

ORDINANCE DECLARING CERTAIN PROPERTY SURPLUS OF THE CITY OF KANKAKEE – KANKAKEE FIRE DEPARTMENT – AND AUTHORIZING THE SALE THEREOF

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion carries. There are no Motions or Resolutions. We do not need an Executive Session. Ah, we do have a Public Comment. Melissa Kahoun from Aqua.

MELISSA KAHOUN: Hi, Mayor and Aldermen. I just wanted to give you guys a quick update from Aqua. So, this month we’re going to be sending out notifications in the bill regarding Water Smart Alerts. It’s actually a service that Aqua’s had for several years now. We just want to remind people to make sure that you do register for this service. So, basically what Water Smart Alerts does for you, if you go online and register for the service, if there is an outage in your area, if there’s a main break or there’s repairs going on and we’re going to interrupt service to your home, we’ll call you, we can email you or we can send you a text message or we can do all three depending upon how you want to register for. It’s also going to be used for flushing. So, if we’re flushing out in the area, we’re going to make those phone calls to the residents and let them know that when we flush, discoloration does occur when we are doing that type of maintenance on the system. So, just a friendly reminder. Please register for it and I do have some flyers if you guys want those.MAYOR EPSTEIN: Okay. Great. Thank you. Ah, there are no other Public Comments. Are there any comments from the Aldermen?

ALDERWOMAN WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Can you speak to us about the renovation of Ultra Foods?

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Oh, I was at the Grand Opening of Ultra Foods this past week. They have undergone a $3,000,0000.00 renovation of the grocery store and it is extraordinary so I urge you, if you are not a regular customer of Ultra, to please go in the store and, ah, spend your money because it really looks nice. They have totally taken out carpeting, they’ve done the glass freezer compartments, lighting, they have old historic pictures of the City of Kankakee as part of the decor that’s part of the upgrade. The people from Ultra Corporate were here as well as many of their vendors. The high school choir sang at the event and, ah, so again, significant investment in the City of Kankakee. Ultra is one of the main anchors for the Shoppes at Meadowview. They’ve signed a multi-multi year lease with the owners of Meadowview and they are a substantial sales tax contributor to the City. So, ah, we’re very thankful that they have the confidence in this location to spend that type of money. So, thank you, Alderwoman.

ALDERWOMAN WELLS-ARMSTRONG: In the future, if you could let us know, ah, the respective Aldermen in the ward, when somethin’ like that’s goin’ on, I would appreciate it.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Okay. Be happy to. Any other comments?

ALDERMAN TETTER: Mayor.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Alderman Tetter.

ALDERMAN TETTER: Three quick things. One is, I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge to the concerned citizens from our ward that’s present. Over this extended weekend there’s been a number of issues that’s taken place. And, one, Alderman Brown and I are workin’ on and that is tagging. It seems that there’s been a resurgence of people tagging signs with gang graffiti so we’re workin’ on gettin’ that information to Public Works to get that taken care of.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Um huh (affirmative).

ALDERMAN TETTER: So, I just wanted to let the constituents know that we are aware of that and we are actually working on a remedy for that. Secondly, Mayor I want to thank you for allowing the conversation to take place regarding the serious incidents and I know this is not unique to just the 7th Ward, whereby there’s been shooting activities and other–what I consider–serious violent acts. And, I’ve spoken with the Mayor and I think that.I would hope that all my colleagues here would agree that when things of this nature happens, I think it is imperative that we are informed without, ah, jeopardizing the ongoing investigation or claims, but I just think that it is a responsibility for us to at least know what’s going on in the area in which we are voted in to represent. And, ah, lastly Mayor, we just wrapped up the, or brought in the 100th legislative body down in Springfield and a few of us attended. And, ah, I did run into our designated lobbyist and I, of course, introduced myself, but I told her that there were many Aldermen that are not even aware as to who she is or what she does. And, I asked her to please contact us so that she may come forth and give us an update as to what’s going on so we are better equipped to know what’s going on in the City moving forward. And, Mayor, I would respectfully ask that, ah, if you could make that happen, I would appreciate it.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: I spoke to her. She told me that she ran into you. Ah, and I knew you were going to be there and I knew she was going to be there so when she said I ran into one of your Aldermen, I said Alderman Tetter. Just guessing. And, she said yes. Ah, yeah, she’s working on several projects for the City. Ah, one that’s the most important is the funding for the new, you know, Exit 312. In fact, Mr. Tyson and I are going to Ottawa next month to meet with the Chief Engineer for IDOT in order to discuss with him, the funding opportunities for that interchange and, ah, Miss Curry made that happen. So, there are several projects we’ve identified for her. Again, different landscape down there now with a new legislative body. Ah, but, I’d be happy to have her come when we have a meeting like tonight where there’s not a whole lot going on and I’d be happy to have her provide you with some of the things that she’s been able to do for us as well as the projects that she is currently working on for us.

ALDERMAN TETTER: Thank you, Mayor.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: You’re welcome. Any other comments? Motion to adjourn.

ALDERWOMAN SWANSON: So moved.

ALDERWOMAN WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Second.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion by Alderman Swanson, seconded by Alderwoman Wells-Armstrong.

All those in favor, aye. Opposed.

MOTION TO ADJOURN CITY COUNCIL MEETING

MAYOR EPSTEIN: We are adjourned.

7:24 P.M.