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Kankakee Times

Thursday, March 28, 2024

City of Kankakee City Council met September 5.

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City of Kankakee City Council met September 5.

Here is the minutes provided by the Council:

Mayor Wells-Armstrong:

Good evening I'd like to call the meeting to order.

We have prayer from Reverend John Powers

Pastor Reverend John Powers:

Shall we bow our heads, God of all time, God of all ages, Your prophet said what does the Lord require of you but to do justice and love kindness, and walk humbly with your God. As we meet tonight and at all times. May our actions be much stronger than our beliefs. As we treat one another with kindness and justice, and we walk in humility. Knowing that every day is a gift of glory, a gift and an opportunity to be better, to be kinder, and to be humbled. Amen.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong:

Thank you, Reverend Powers. Next, we have,

Pledge Of Allegiance – City Council Members:

Next, on the agenda, Moving on to public comments.

Public Comments – Please give your name and direct your comments to the Mayor. Comments are limited to five minutes.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Our first speaker is Mark Smith

Mark Smith:

Thank you Mayor and Councilman and woman, I have been a resident of Kankakee for 68 years. I am a CPA and a wealth advisor and I have been on the blue ribbon committee for both the City and the Park District over the years to help in its management. My concern is when I read in the paper and the discussion with other citizens about the lack of cooperation and movement in the city. My words to the council and the administration is this, you have a fiduciary duty to the stakeholders of this great city in which you have been entrusted. Those stakeholders are your employees to provide them good work places, safety, good management, and adequate pay. To your citizens who voted and who did and cannot. To the children of our community, you are responsible for all whether they voted for you or not. You must provide them with sound government, sound financial strength, and proper management. To your taxpayers that does not only include your voters but those that create jobs for the employees that can live in this great city. Your loyalty and fiduciary responsibility is to no one else but to them. You must make decisions and put the stakeholders first. You are expected to be leaders, who put others first and their own interests last. As to hiring practices, there is a business philosophy that says you hire smarter than yourself and when you do you have great success. You are the winner you look to be the hero. When you do not you end up with problems that are greater than the cost. Time at the job is not enough today. Managers must have the proper skill sets whether it is as the middle level or top level they must be qualified to fill all positions. The city is at place of hiring the best and brightest for all positions. Not for the one you have in the paper today but for every position that you have. I encourage council and administration to continue that practice. It will pay multiple dividends. Whenever someone does not hire the most qualified person the cost is significant in both the learning curve and the mistakes that can be made. Everyone will make mistakes, but those that have the skills, and the education, and the experience they will make them but they will. In my own practice when I hire somebody they have to meet a competency test, but they also take a psychological test. To make sure that they are good managers and have the compatibility skills to work with everyone. This is costly upfront but significant less cost in the long run. I urge you all to be responsible. Not like those in Springfield or Washington because you are making decisions for your neighbor and everyone in this community. Thank you.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong:

Thank you, Mr. Smith, next we have Steven J. Hunter.

Steven J Hunter:

Mayor, Council Members, Department Heads, Steven J. Hunter, 1975 E. Locust Kankakee Il. 60901. Some of you have received a little flyer that I passed around. I previously passed along to the Mayor and the City Clerk’s office. I am on the Christmas Day Inc. committee and we are having a golf outing a fundraiser. We only have one fundraiser during the year. In which we raise funds for dinners that we provide for nine sites throughout the county. Two of which are located in the City of Kankakee, Civic Auditorium for the west side, and for the east side St. Theresa’s. Cliff Cross, Alderman Brown, Alderman Tall and Alderwoman Kennedy has participated in the event in the past. In terms of Volunteering on Christmas Day or actually came to the golf outing. You do not have to golf you can come there and eat or talk with all the different people that come from all throughout the County. Previously Mayor’s Green and Epstein participated and contributed. So we are asking you guys to make a contribution, you do not have to be on the high end, you can be on the low end, and provide some money for some door prizes. Anything you guys provide will be appreciated. Folks come from miles away to this particular event. You would be surprised by the number of people that do not have a support system on Christmas day, widowers, kids that will not have Christmas that day and it will probably be their only meal that day. I see Alderman Kennedy nodding her head and I think that she can attest to that. We also provide gift cards as well as bags of fruit, and off the record, we also provide food for them to take home. Take a look at your flyer and see what you can contribute. If you have any questions give me a call most of you have my number and I appreciate it. Thank you very much.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong:

Thank you, Mr. Hunter, next we have Don Palmer

Don Palmer:

Good evening Mrs. Mayor, Council Members, my name is Don Palmer, I have been a home owner in Kankakee for nearly two years. I am here tonight to speak about the selection of the Police Chief. I am professionally registered in Illinois as a CPA, and began my career as an auditor (Inaudible). I know a thing or two about leading large groups of individuals. At one time over 400 for worldwide (Inaudible) as their international division controller. I have performed in volunteer capacities, as a board member for the Naperville Public Library, (Inaudible) garden Association, the Terranova Association and as the President of the homeowner’s association. I was chosen by Naperville’s Mayor to participate in its community leadership training. I come here tonight with significant insight to what is required in community governance and when its performance is falling short. I have worked with some excellent board members and some that came with a vote and an opinion but with insufficient knowledge of what was required of them. Or they came with indifference with the lack of will to get their foundation of their organization on sound footing. Let me start and I am going to follow with Mark Smith’s words on Fiduciary. Semper pro-Populus in English that means fiduciary duties as it relates to public service What is a fiduciary it is derived from the Latin term Fiduccia which means trust and confidence. When the public chooses and elected official the public is putting its trust and confidence in them to act in the public’s best interest. A fiduciary is someone who acts for another. That is why trust and confidence are so important. Public officials must exercise the power of the active will. Essentially what an individual wants to do my yield to the concept of the greater good of the community. In regards to the police chief position, it is one of the most challenging assignments of the community. The identification of a new Chief must be a collaborative process involving the community, law enforcement, police department personnel, city administration and city council. An outside consulting firm can provide direction to this process to select a pool of viable candidates. To me, the qualifications include an established track record of proactive hands on participated management experience, possess both high and emotional intelligence, communication and financial management skills. He or she must be a highly visible leader with confidence bearing and respect. Honesty and integrity are paramount and the person must be a visionary. This is a City position that should not be squandered or rushed to a decision or poor selection process. In all respect to Chief Dumas, I encourage him to be placed into the pool of candidates. If he should emerge as the most desired candidate, then he and we all can celebrate because we have selected the best candidate. Let me remind this group that the tax payers of the lack of performance of the last Park District Director. The current Park District Director was selected by a professional search firm. This council needs to do the same for the Police Chief position. I wish to thank you Mayor Wells-Armstrong and all Alderman for their service to Kankakee. I remain hopeful everyone will have the will to execute their fiduciary responsibilities to the various highest of their abilities. Thank you.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong:

Thank you, Mr. Palmer. The last speaker we have is Mark Steffen.

Mark Steffen:

Good evening Mayor and Council. Mark Steffen Community 605 s. 5th avenue. I am here tonight as President of the Community Arts Council of Kankakee County. We have been around since 1972. We produce two free events in the City of Kankakee. That showcase Kankakee very much. You may be familiar with the Strawberry Jazz Fest that is at the Civic Auditorium. Brings in 1000’s of people who come and view and essentially purchase our local artists and crafters wares. Next Sunday the 10th is the Fall Art Stroll and it is a similar type of event in the downtown area at Merchant and Schuyler. It shows off our Depot. There are great things happening in Kankakee. The Community Arts Council has been a part of that. Kankakee has been a part of that already in certain parts, the public works help us out with barricades and things like that. We utilize the Police services so we have some security. I am basically here to remind all of you of this event that is going to happen Sunday the 10th. You really should be there to see the exciting things that are going on in Kankakee and realize the attraction that Kankakee has and the quality of crafters and artists that we have in this community. Can I leave literature? Thank you very much.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong:

Mr. Steffen, what time is the event?

Mark Steffen:

It is from 11:00-4:00 If you ride a bicycle, this year we will take care of your bicycle while you shop. This event gets bigger every year. And if you are there I will make sure you can speak. Otherwise, I have to speak!

Mayor Wells-Armstrong:

Thank you, Mr. Mark Steffen.

roll call

Clerk Dumas:

Tetter; Brown; Curtis; Baron; Lewis; Tall; Faford; Swanson (ABSENT); Crawford; Osenga; O’Brien; Gall; Malone-Marshall, Kennedy (13)

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Department heads

Clerk Dumas:

Dumas; Schuldt; Kubal; Power; Simms; Piggush; Cross; Bertrand; Nelson (Absent); Schmitz; Costanza

Thank you

Mayor Wells-Armstrong:

May I have a motion to approve the City Council meeting minutes of August 21, 2017.

Alderman Tetter: So moved

Alderwoman Kennedy: Second

Mayor Wells-Armstrong:

Motion made by Alderman Tetter Seconded by Alderwoman Kennedy

Does anyone have any corrections, comments or concerns?

Alderman Osenga:

On page 28, because I was reading the minutes here. We had a vote on Chief Dumas last time and the vote was 8 against and 6 for him. But if you read the minutes here it shows that all the alderman voted no. On page 28.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong:

Thank you Alderman Osenga, any other corrections? all in favor AYE. Opposed same sign.

Motion carries.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong:

Minutes are approved. There are no petitions we have none. Moving onto communications

Communications:

A) Draft Of The City Of Kankakee Logo For Review

1. Logo – Draft A

2. Logo – Draft B

I just wanted to remind all of you that I did include drafts of the City logo for review.

Michael Costanza our director of Media and Culture engagement has worked very hard so we have inserted two drafts. I have asked all of you to get back to me on your preference. We are not going to do anything with them we, we just wanted to get feedback. So that was information only.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong:

Next items on the agenda, if there are no objections I would like to make a motion to combine items B, C, D, E, and F

B) St. Patrick’s Parish Is Requesting An Alley And Street Closure Between Harrison Avenue And Indiana Avenue, Bordered By Station Street And Hickory Street And West Hickory Street Between Harrison Avenue And Indiana Avenue On Friday, September 15, 2017; Saturday, September 16, 2017; And Sunday, September 17, 2017, For Their Annual “Half Paddy Festival” From 6:00 a.m. Until 11:00 p.m.

C) Kankakee County Humane Foundation Is Requesting Street Closure Of South Eighth Avenue Between West Water Street To West Charles Street On Sunday, October 1, 2017, For Their Annual “Family Furry Fall Festival” From 9:00 a.m. Until 5:00 p.m.

D) Bishop Mcnamara Catholic School Is Requesting Permission To Host Their Annual “Bishop Mcnamara Homecoming Parade” On Friday, September 29, 2017, From 10:00 a.m. Until 10:45 a.m. (Please See Attachment For Parade Route)

E) Kankakee Fire Department Is Requesting Street Closure Of Schuyler Avenue To Merchant Street To The Library Parking Lot To Host The “Passport To Safety” On Saturday, September 16, 2017, From 6:00 a.m. Until 12:30 p.m.

F) Still I Rise Is Requesting Permission To Host “Still I Rise Presents: Developing A Neighborhood Master Plan” At The Martin Luther King Jr., Park On Saturday, September 23, 2017, From 12:00 p.m. Until 4:00 p.m.

Do I have a motion to approve?

Alderman Brown: So moved

Alderwoman Malone-Marshall: Second

Mayor Wells-Armstrong:

Motion by Alderman Brown, Seconded by Alderwoman Malone-Marshall. Any discussion?

All in favor; opposed; same sign Motion carries.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong:

Moving onto Standing Committee Reports.

Alderwoman Kennedy:

I have a communication from the floor.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong:

Alderwoman Kennedy, Clerk Dumas is telling me that due to the open meetings act we cannot add that.

Clerk Dumas:

(No mic Inaudible)

Alderwoman Kennedy:

We cannot add that? Ok.

Attorney Powers:

(No mic Inaudible)

Did you need action?

Alederwoman Kennedy:

Yes, we needed action because they wanted permission to hand something out. Thank you.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong:

Moving onto standing committee reports

A) Building And Code – August 17, 2017 and that will be Alderwoman Kennedy.

Alderwoman Kennedy:

Actually, we do not have a report we will let the minutes stand for the record.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong:

Thank you, Next, we have:

B) Economic Development – August 24, 2017

Alderman Tetter.

Alderman Tetter:

Yes, your honor, we did meet on August 24, 2017, there were several things that we did discuss. There was some interest expressed by some of the attendees. Mr. Hunter expressed concerns about various projects such as Ricky Rockets, Fountain Square to name a few. We are working in some form or fashion to address all of the concerns. It is a work in progress. Also, Mr. Darrell Williams talked about his concerns regarding procedures to rent the Train Depot and attached parking lots associated with that property for events. The Mayor was present actually to hear that. We did have a discussion about Hoekstra Transportation LLC incentives offered by the city were discussed in detail and explained by the CDA Director Cliff Cross. I believe we have reached conclusion and we will bring forward nest City Council meeting.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong updated the committee regarding several projects that are being worked by her administration. These included; Ricky Rockets Fuel Center development progress (which an additional development in the amount of 1 million dollars are in the works in that same area), The Status of Ultra Foods, an energy summit for solar panels located in Kankakee. The Administration is working on a new City Logo, economic development on the river, street scaping along Court and Schuyler, Kankakee City Website update, and a River Valley Metro improvement project. Adjourned at 6:30 p.m.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong.

Thank you, Alderwoman Tetter. At this time, I would like a motion to approve payment of the bills.

Alderman Faford:

I would move that we approve the report of officers; place the money in the proper accounts and pay the bills in the amount of $455,692.21

Alderman Faford: So moved

Alderman Tall: Second

Mayor Wells-Armstrong:

Motion made by Alderman Faford, Seconded by Alderman Tall.

Any questions, comments or discussion?

Alderman Tetter:

Check number 72409 Terraco

Elizabeth Kubal

(No Mic Inaudible)

TIF A Meadowview

Mayor Wells-Armstrong:

Any other questions? Discussion? Roll Call

Clerk Dumas:

Tetter; Brown; Curtis; Baron Lewis; Tall; Faford; Swanson (Absent); Crawford; Osenga; O'Brien; Gall Malone-Marshall, Kennedy (13)

Mayor Wells-Armstrong:

Motion carries. We have no unfinished business. Moving onto new business.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong:

Under new business,

A) Ordinance Amending Chapter 32, Section 231 Entitled "Handicapped Parking" Of The Municipal Code Of The City Of Kankakee Rescinding Ordinance No. 17-23: Handicapped Parking At 1143 South Third Avenuemayor Wells-Armstrong:

May I have a motion to suspend the rules that would interfere with the passage of the ordinance?

Alderman Faford: So moved

Alderwoman Tall: Second

Mayor Wells-Armstrong:

Motion made by Alderman Faford, Seconded by Alderman Tall.

Roll Call

Clerk Dumas:

Tetter; Brown; Curtis; Baron; Lewis; Tall; Faford; Swanson (Absent); Crawford; Osenga; O'Brien; Gall; Malone-Marshall, Kennedy (13)

Mayor Wells-Armstrong:

Motion Carries.

May I have motion for final passage

Alderman Faford: So moved

Alderman Tall: Second

Mayor Wells-Armstrong:

Motion made by Alderman Faford, Seconded by Alderman Tall. Is there any discussion, questions, or concerns?

Roll Call

Clerk Dumas:

Tetter; Brown; Curtis; Baron; Lewis; Tall; Faford; Swanson (ABSENT); Crawford; Osenga; O'Brien; Gall; Malone-Marshall, Kennedy (13)

Mayor Wells-Armstrong:

Motion carries.

B) Ordinance Amending Chapter 32, Section 231 Entitled “Handicapped Parking” Of The Municipal Code Of The City Of Kankakee Handicapped Parking Space Established At 965 South Fourth Avenue

Mayor Wells-Armstrong:

May I have a motion to suspend the rules that would interfere with the passage of the ordinance?

Alderman Faford: So moved

Alderwoman Tall: Second

Mayor Wells-Armstrong:

Motion made by Alderman Faford, Seconded by Alderman Tall.

Roll Call

Clerk Dumas:

Tetter; Brown; Curtis; Baron; Lewis; Tall; Faford; Swanson; Crawford; Osenga; O'Brien; Gall; Malone-Marshall, Kennedy (13)

Mayor Wells-Armstrong:

Motion Carries.

May I have motion for final passage

Alderman Faford: So moved

Alderman Tall: Second

Mayor Wells-Armstrong:

Motion made by Alderman Faford, Seconded by Alderman Tall. Is there any discussion, questions, or concerns?

Roll Call

Clerk Dumas:

Tetter; Brown; Curtis; Baron; Lewis; Tall; Faford; Swanson (ABSENT); Crawford; Osenga; O'Brien; Gall; Malone-Marshall, Kennedy (13)

Mayor Wells-Armstrong:

Motion Carries

C) Ordinance Amending Chapter 32 Section 238 (Traffic And Vehicles) Regulating The Size, Weight, And Loads Of Commercial Vehicle Traffic Within The City Of Kankakee.

This has been in discussion for months and if Neil you could speak to this that would be helpful.

Neil Piggush:

Thank you, Cliff, Chief Dumas and I have been looking at this ordinance for a while. It wasn’t really being enforced the ordinance was kind of out dated. So we took another look at the oversize and overweight ordinance within the City of Kankakee. This is for the oversized and overweight vehicles on city streets. We have come up with a new permit form and fee schedule too. Because the fees that were adopted were outdated as well as the load limits and the size limits so we kind of updated the ordinance. We have looked at a few corresponding ordinances in similar municipalities to update accordingly. Now we will actually be collecting fees for oversized and overweight loads too. So I think that was another revenue stream that was not being collected.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong:

Thank you, Neil. Cliff, did you have anything you wanted to add?

Alderman Osenga:

(No Mic Inaudible)

I know we have a traffic unit and we have scales and we have done that, and I do not know how often we do that anymore. But is there a serious issue here?

Cliff Cross:

(No Mic Inaudible)

For example, there has been a couple of times on exit 312 that trucks have literally got stuck under the under pass. We should have the ability to regulate that. And say hey you are not going to fit under there so you are going to have to take a different route. I do not know the exact number of times that the permits will be issued. I would think time will tell. When we get this out and see how many we issue. I just know in my time there has been a few times that we have had problems at Brookmont and 312. The other things are we want to make sure they stay off local streets. That does create significant damage to those streets. Those streets are not designed to accommodate them, in addition, alleys. Sometimes you will see them load off alleys and it can cause problems. So, the numbers I honestly don’t know. We will see how it works.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong:

Do I have a motion on the floor to suspend the rules?

Alderman O'brien: So moved

Alderwoman Gall: Second

Mayor Wells-Armstrong:

Motion made by Alderman O’Brien, Seconded by Alderwoman Gall.

Roll Call

Clerk Dumas:

Tetter; Brown; Curtis; Baron; Lewis; Tall; Faford; Swanson (Absent); Crawford; Osenga; O'Brien; Gall; Malone-Marshall, Kennedy (13)

Mayor Wells-Armstrong:

Motion Carries

Mayor Wells-Armstrong:

Motion Carries.

May I have motion for final passage

Alderman O'Brien: So moved

Alderwoman Gall: Second

Mayor Wells-Armstrong:

Motion made by Alderman O’Brien, Seconded by Alderwoman Gall. Is there any discussion, questions, or concerns?

Alderman Crawford:

Is this something we will be sending out some kind of email or letter to all of the businesses letting them know that we are adopting and ordinance?

Neil Piggush:

We kind of discussed the procedure on how we want to handle this. Since there is going to be a fee we have discussed letting Code handling the final issuance of the permit with Police and Engineering sign off. One of the other issues we have kind of found is that trucking companies will use an automatic route generator. It will take them through residential instead of primary arterioles we would prefer to have them on. That is one thing I have found since I have been getting these requests sent to me. The other thing is we want proof of liability insurance, as well as adding the City as additionally insured in case, God forbid they hit something on private property, and the City has authorized them to use that route we do not want the City to be liable. So those are all things we have kind of flushed out through this process. As well as requesting a copy of their IDOT permit for their transport on the interstate to the city streets. Just reviewing the route, making sure it is what they are going to be doing as well as requiring the proper documentation and collecting fees now.

Alderman Crawford:

Are fees comparable to other municipalities?

Neil Piggush:

Yes, that is what we kind of gauged them off of. We did base comparable municipalities.

Alderwoman Kennedy:

(No Mic Inaudible)

How are we letting these truckers know before they do these auto routes? Is there any way we can help to update these auto routes?

Neil Piggush:

Well, they are going to contact the City when they want to get a permit. The only real way to notify everybody is when they come into the city. We then notify them that they will need an oversized, overweight permit. Historically, they have been emailing the City engineer, requesting permission verbally. I started requiring proof of insurance and we generated a permit form. So that we can sort of have some load information, this is sort of the finalization of everything. Adopting the fees and actually adopting the ordinance with the different load fees. So the heavier the load, the wider and longer the load the higher the fee because the more damage it will due to the streets.

Alderman Curtis:

One of the important things that we do not want to lose is the garbage trucks. I see they are not exempt. Is that going to be an issue going forward as they get bigger and bigger? Is that something we need to talk about?

Neil Piggush:

(No Mic Inaudible)

That is something we have not discussed. That is probably a fee they are going to pass along to City residents. I do not know how we want to handle that going forward.

Alderman Curtis:

Just something to think about for the future.

Cliff Cross:

(No Mic Inaudible)

Chapter 32 really addresses commercial traffic and how they are regulated. It does exempt certain vehicles. So we are working on the proposal on that one as well. Planning on having that ready for the ordinance committee. So we can address that in that. We can exempt certain vehicles, fire trucks and garbage trucks and things like that.

Alderman Baron:

I thought at one time we had discussed the difference between traffic in general and local contractors, local truckers, whether located in the city of Kankakee or located within the County of Kankakee. That by their very nature they have to travel by City roads and routes every day. Or the County has given them the authority to locate where they are. Is that something we should be looking at in the future? It’s not in this ordinance, I don’t think.

Neil Piggush:

(No Mic Inaudible)

Strictly size of the load and weight of the load.

Cliff Cross:

(No Mic Inaudible)

Mayor Wells-Armstrong:

Thank you, Neil and Cliff. Chief Schuldt, did you have something you wanted to add? No. Okay.

Roll Call

Clerk Dumas:

Tetter; Brown; Curtis; Baron; Lewis; Tall; Faford; Swanson (Absent); Crawford; Osenga; O'Brien; Gall; Malone-Marshall, Kennedy (13)

D) Ordinance Amending Chapter 32, Section 238 Establishing A Two-Way Stop Sign At The North And South Intersection Of Greenwood And Willow Street.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong:

May I have a motion to suspend the rules.

Alderwoman Kennedy: So moved

Alderwoman Malone-Marshall: Second

Mayor Wells-Armstrong:

Motion made by Alderwoman Kennedy, Seconded by Alderwoman Malone-Marshall. Any discussion?

Mayor Wells-Armstrong:

Any other questions or discussion? Roll Call

Clerk Dumas:

Tetter; Brown; Curtis; Baron; Lewis; Tall; Faford; Swanson (ABSENT); Crawford; Osenga; O'Brien; Gall; Malone-Marshall, Kennedy (13)

Mayor Wells-Armstrong:

Motion Carries. May I have a motion to put to final passage?

Alderwoman Kennedy: So moved

Alderwoman Malone-Marshall: Second

Mayor Wells-Armstrong:

Motion made by Alderwoman Kennedy, Seconded by Alderwoman Malone-Marshall. Any discussion?

Roll Call

Clerk Dumas:

Tetter; Brown; Curtis; Baron; Lewis; Tall; Faford; Swanson (Absent); Crawford; Osenga; O'Brien; Gall; Malone-Marshall, Kennedy (13)

Mayor Wells-Armstrong:

Motion Carries

There are no appointments this evening. There are no motions and resolutions. I need a motion to go into executive session to discuss the potential land acquisition.

Alderman O'Brien: So moved

Alderman Brown: Second

Mayor Wells-Armstrong:

Motion by Alderman O’Brien, Seconded by Alderman Brown. All in favor Aye; opposed; same sign. We are in executive session.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong:

Thank you for your patience we have returned to open session. We will have no action resulting from the executive session. This item will be referred to the economic development committee regarding the Kankakee riverfront proposal.

Next item on the agenda is Alderman comments.

Alderwoman Malone-Marshall:

Mayor, I just wanted to announce that we will be having a clean up in the 1st ward a street clean up. On September the 23, 2017. This is a result of our neighborhood meetings. From 8:00 A.M. until 12:00 P.M. We do need some supplies so if anybody knows where we can get some latex gloves and garbage bags. We are also going to try and get the youth involved. So if you know anyone that wants to be involved just send them to me or Alderwoman Kennedy, please.

Alderwoman Kennedy:

5th Avenue. When will that bridge be back open?

Mayor Wells-Armstrong:

Well, I saw people out there working today actually I was excited.

Neil Piggush:

They started work today. I think it may be 2-3 weeks maybe before it is finished up.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong:

So definitely by the end of September, Alderwoman Kennedy.

Alderman Baron:

I just want to remind everyone of next Monday’s budget committee meeting on 9/11at 5:30 right here. We will be discussing quite a few topics. I think it is going to be worth everybody’s time.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong:

And you will have food?

Alderman Baron:

Well, I am committing to that. Yes.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong:

Thank you, Alderman Baron. Alderman Osenga

Alderman Osenga:

Mayor our west side group this Saturday, we have been kind of working with the Park District. The Park District they really do not have any employees anymore. They use to have 13 and now they are down to 4 to try and take care of the parks. So our west side group we are going to work in Butterfield this Saturday which is just west of Riverside. We are going to go there and clean up, paint and do what we can to try and clean that park up and see how it works out. I do not know if anyone is interested in showing up but we are going to be there from 9:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. this Saturday and do just basic clean up and paint. We have about 10 volunteers so far. The more the merrier.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong:

Thank you, Alderman Osenga. Alderwoman Kennedy, you had another comment.

Alderwoman Kennedy:

There are several groups in our community that are going to be pulling together to collect items for our family and friends in Houston Texas. I know Travis Miller who is here is working to organize one. The People’s Church in Bourbonnais is organizing one. Hoekstra Trucking is organizing one. So if you have not heard watch the paper and watch out for flyers. I’ll have an announcement by our next Council meeting of exact locations, times and things like that. But we do want everyone who would like to and able to do one or the other. The National Baptist Association is going to have a truck come through Kankakee also. They are contributing 3 hundred thousand from a national level. $2,000.00 per state and then a $1,000.00 per local to Houston. So we are going to have a location here in town and I will have more information at the next meeting.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong:

Thank you. Alderman Osenga

Alderman Osenga:

(No Mic Inaudible)

I do not know the times, but they are asking people to come to their open house to bring cases of water. They are going to try and get a semi load of water and drive it down to Houston. It is supposed to be quite an open house. I do not know exact times but it will be this next Sunday. So if anybody wants to go it will probably be pretty interesting stuff.

Alderwoman Gall:

We will not be having license and franchise this Thursday.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong:

So no license and franchise and no code committee meeting. Okay, any other comments?

Alderman Tetter:

(No Mic Inaudible)

We will be having a special meeting on the 12th at 5:30 in our usual location. I would hope that everyone could attend.

Alderman Curtis:

Quick question. Does that replace the meeting for the 28th?

Alderman Tetter:

No.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong:

Any other comments? Going once, going twice?

May I have a motion to adjourn

Alderman Brown: So moved

Alderwoman Kennedy: Second

Mayor Wells-Armstrong:

Motion by Alderman Brown, Seconded by Alderwoman Kennedy. All in favor Aye; opposed; same sign

We are adjourned. 8:30 p.m.

http://www.citykankakee-il.com/City%20Council%20Minutes/ccm2017/09-05-17MIN.pdf

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