Kankakee Times

City of Kankakee City Council met December 4.

Here is the minutes provided by the Council:

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: I would like to call the meeting to order. We will start with prayer from Major Nik Montgomery of the Salvation Army. We will defer to our standing Pastor Dave Robinson with Genesis Ministries. Thank you, Pastor Dave.

Pastor Dave Robinson: Let us pray tonight. Father you have instructed us in your word that we should pray for those in authority. Therefore, we pray for our Mayor tonight and all the city officials. I pray oh God that you will help us and grant us the wisdom to govern in the conflicting issues of our time, welfare and to understand the true needs of the people. I also pray God that we will have a keen thirst for justice and righteousness whether we be republicans, democrats or independents and that we will be just in anything we do. Grant us the confidence this evening to do what is good and fitting for our community. As we celebrate the season of Christmas, help us to understand and reflect and remember whose birthday it is. We thank you for the children who are here this evening. We pray your blessing on them and their parents as they present us with the pledge of allegiance. Help them to grow up in the fear of the Lord. We ask all these things in Jesus Name. Amen.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Pledge of Allegiance led by the Kankakee Eastside Bulldogs Pee-Wee Division. I have quite a few names to call: Jordan Brooks, Kennyan Chandler, Amari Davis, Jamarion Davis, Kenaz Jackson, Camren Johnson, Kentrell Johnson, Tyrone Kennedy, Jakari Lewis, Christofer Noble, Keith Reed, Taveon Seymore, Ky’arious Smith, James Stampley, Jermaine Stroud, Peyton Surpernant, Marqueese Terrell, Myair Thompson, Zyon Turner, Troy Walker, Kashawn Walls, Larenz Walters, Jeremiah Watson, Key’andre White And Lincoln Williams.

Everyone: “I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic, for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all”.

Clerk Dumas: Can you all stay right here one second while we take your picture?

Coach Theodis Pace: How many?

Pee Wee Team: This many?

Coach Theodis Pace: Who can beat us?

Pee Wee Team: No one!

Coach Theodis Pace: What wins championships?

Pee Wee Team Defense!

Public Comments

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Moving on to Public Comments. Please direct your comments directly to the Mayor. Comments are limited to five minutes. First, we have Karl Kern.

Karl Kern: Hi there. My name is Karl Kern and I am with.Gaming. I was at the meeting last week and I thought it would be nice to share with other committees. I noticed that you don’t have the ordinance on the agenda tonight. Video gaming is a very.establishment licensed here in Kankakee. Many of them have increased numbers of employees and they have been able to make improvements to their business generating revenue without this type.without this type.excuse me without tax we will continue to.and tax dollars. I believe that the city’s $1,000.00 per machine annual tax will put undue burden on some of our local establishments. We have several establishments that are just getting by today. More taxes may cause many establishments to close their doors. How many establishments need to close before the new tax becomes a negative outcome. My company will also discuss with establishments if there is a certain amount of trouble.10-15 percent reduction in cost with this ordinance going forward. Fewer terminals will definitely have an effect on your budget. I am going to close by saying. Thank you for allowing me to speak this evening.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Thank you Mr. Kern. Tom Fiedler.

Tom Fiedler: Good Evening Mayor Wells-Armstrong.

I too would like to speak mainly about the ordinance. I know it is not on the agenda but I would like to take this opportunity to share discussion with the committee. In 2009, the video gaming act was passed among small businesses; the video act was passed with regulation enforcement and compliance of all license holders. The games were also contracted by the state of Illinois to monitor and keep the integrity of all games as well as to determine the taxes as they were to be paid, commissions and locations. That breakdown is 25% to the state, 35% to the location, 35% to the operator. and 5% to the municipality such as Kankakee. This privilege tax. the municipal side averages slightly over 14% over what the locations receive at this time. The tax will have the biggest effect on small businesses. Some of the lower earning locations will have an additional 20% of this pretax dollar they will have to pay with this taxation levy. These businesses have faced many struggles over that past few years and through my discussion with many state legislators who passed this bill originally their intent was to help these small businesses. They had no idea that a lot of these cafes and business would take advantage of the way the law was written and operate, which again takes lots of revenue from these locations which they were passing this law to help. I do know if this tax pass many businesses including ourselves who have invested in this community; we have an office here we have four full time employees. There are businesses that if we are taxed we may have to take a look at our staffing also changing our hours of business.to cover the expense. Good Evening and Thank you for your time.

Mayor Wells Armstrong: Thank you Mr. Fiedler.

Paul Jezrorski: Thank you. My name is Paul Jezrorski, I own Paul’s Place Restaurant and Bar right here in Kankakee. I am a member of the Kankakee Valley Beverage Association for the past 15 years and our association consists of restaurants and a lot of small bars. We try to help each other out with ideas and stuff to get by in this economy and the past economy we had. Video gaming has helped the bars tremendously. It’s keeping a lot of doors open but a lot of them are depending on their video gaming budget to do it. We had to hire additional people for video gaming; employees watching the areas and stuff like that. So I just want to tell you a $1000.00 fee on each machine would hurt us. It wouldn’t hurt the big guys out there but it will hurt us. Thank you very much.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Thank you. Moving on to Roll Call of Aldermen.

Clerk Dumas Present: Tetter, Brown, Curtis, Baron, Lewis, Tall, Faford, Swanson, Crawford, Osenga, O’Brien, Malone Marshall, Kennedy. Absent: Gall (13) Present (1) Absent.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Department Heads.

Clerk Dumas: Present: Dumas, Schuldt, Kubal, Power, Dear, Piggush, Nelson, Bertrand, Schmitz. Thank you.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Moving on to the minutes of November 20th, 2017. Do I have a motion to approve?

Ald Kennedy: So move.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Motioned by Alderwoman Kennedy.

Ald Malone Marshall: Second.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Second by Alderwoman Malone Marshall. Any discussion?

Ald Brown: There should be.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Alderman Brown.

Ald Brown: There should be corrections noted, I can’t find it right here. I think on page 19 I’m sorry on page 13 where I was talking about the meeting and it does not say anything about the EAV. That was left out and I want to make sure it is put in there. And then when Mr. Cross was talking about the grant put they put in there EAB which should be EAV.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: V like Victor?

Ald Brown: Yeah, it’s the Equalizer Assessed Value and I want to make sure that is put in the budget put in the minutes.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Thank you Alderman Brown. Any other discussion Alderwoman Marshall?

Ald Malone Marshall Umm and also in the minutes, the umm votes. I noticed that it doesn’t state umm who it is that abstains or is a nay and I think it is very important when we have that beside the name of the council person.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Thank you Alderwoman Malone Marshall.

Pat Power: If we could follow up on that. There’s several spots in here where needs to be an identity of the votes and how they who they apply to. Page 3 when the roll is called it shows, it calls every name shows 11 present 3 absent we need to identify which were present and which were absent. On page 5 reference to ITEC grant that should be ITEP grant. There are several references to that. Another one on page 8 ITEP, 9 twice two ITEP’s and TIF has one F instead of two. These are minor, but I think we want to. Then with regards voting on page 14 there is voting on a motion and because we have some present and some absent the way it reads calls all 14 members. Then at the end it calls 11 Ayes, 0 Nays, 3 Absent. The minutes have to reference whose voting aye is all, since there are 3 absent. We have to.the same situation on page 16 on a motion, the same thing on page 9 on a motion. I’m sorry, page 19 on a motion and the same on page 20 on a motion. Those are all minor, but I think important for the record. Umm, while I have the mic, I did review the minutes that passed last month and we are going to have to make a little minor modification there to reflect the actual roll call so we show a quorum. We didn’t show that. Apparently, it wasn’t recorded, it’s not anyone’s fault it just wasn’t a part of the recording, but we do have to reflect that so that the minutes show a quorum present. I will bring that up at the next meeting if that is okay with the board then it can be officially done.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Any other discussion? Okay, we have a motion and a second all in favor.

City Council: Aye.

Communications Acknowledgment Of New Hire, Patrolman

Samuel L. Bugajski Jr., Of The Kankakee Police Department

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Opposed same sign, motion carries. There are no petitions. Moving on to communications. We have an acknowledgement of a new hire in our police department. Patrolman Samuel L. Bugajski Jr. I will bring Chief Dumas forward to introduce Sam.

Chief Dumas Good Evening everyone, council. I would like to introduce our new hire Sam Bugajski. Sam was hired on August 7th, 2017 he started the Academy August 14th, 2017 and he graduated November 16th, 2017. Also a special note about Sam that was my first hire. Also he was elected by his peers and the staff at the Academy to be class spokesman for 3216. Come on up Sam. Also, Sam is married, his wife Sara is standing back there in the back.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Welcome Aboard.

Sam Bugajski: Thank You.

Standing Committees Building And Code Enforcement – November 16, 2017

Special Budget – November 27, 2017

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Moving on to our standing committee reports we have Building and Code Enforcement November 16th, 2017. Alderwoman Kennedy.

Ald Kennedy: I have no report, we didn’t have anything new very short meeting.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Moving on we did have a special budget meeting on November 27th, Alderman Baron.

Ald Baron: Umm, Thank you Mayor. The two major topics we covered under.the major reason for the special meeting was to address the tax levy the annual tax levy. Three topics within the tax levy I would like to mention. The first has to do with; the levy is the amount of money we are asking the County Clerk to put on the real estate tax bills which are next year. It’s a levy for this year. Tax bills sent out next year and is payable the year after that. So, this is a.well.you have to understand the whole tax process and to understand what we do with a levy but it’s the amount of money we are asking people to pay by way of real estate taxes to pay for the city. The first item is the pension. This is a separate line item for police and a separate line item for Fire Pension. The levy we are asking for, for Police is an increase in 8.1% and the amount we are asking for the Fire Pension is 9.8%. Those amounts are dictated by the actuarial assessment of how much money its going to take to fund the pension. We are under we are told to do that we have to do it to be in compliance with the law. Interestingly enough we have come to terms with the investments terms from last year. The police invested in terms of the amount of money that they have increased 7.98% and the fire pension fund increased 7.66% so these are good years, but we still have to levy the amount of money we have been told by the actuary. Of course, that is the main source of increase in real estate taxes; pension. The second item in the levy is that bears our attention that requires our attention is the bonding, the general obligation bond. We are actually having to increase that this year it looks like $136, 061.00 there is a certain amount of money that we are able to bait, paid through another source. These are our bonds our promissory notes. We borrow and have to pay back. The full faith and credit of the city is used to pay that back. Umm, not a huge increase this year but it is an increase and I believe that is 2.6%.we have obligations. The third item that requires our attention is the corporate tax, general corporate levy. A zero percent increase that’s what we need and we are not increasing taxes in relation to that. The two items that do require increase are set, required by law by prior obligation. So that’s that. The other thing we talked about was the uh, the gaming ordinance and we heard discussion about that tonight in Public Comments and the next night it will be discussed in detail. The Budget committee did not take action in that but we will be monitoring that because it is an essential part of our budget. When we passed that budget, we assumed that there is going to be a $1,000.00 levy.umm.for each, each, each gaming machine and we were able to balance the budget on that income. So now we are revising that, taking a look at it. That is why the budget meeting was called to balance the budget. That’s it, we had no action items but we have to pass the levy by the middle of next week, I mean two weeks from now. Thank you

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Thank you Alderman Baron. Alderman O’Brien.

Ald O’Brien: Thank you I have an item. Alderman Baron mentioned the Ordinance Committee Meeting we had last Tuesday on the 28th, the minutes are not ready yet, but I did want to mention that for our December meeting we changed the date. It was scheduled to be December 26th. So, we changed it to Wednesday, December 20th. That will be the December Ordinance Committee meeting Wednesday, December 20th.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Thank you Alderman O’Brien. Alderman Brown.

Ald Brown: There will be a Public Safety Meeting tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. in the meeting room of the Public Safety Building.

Reports of officers approval of bills - $522,991.77

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Thank you Alderman Brown. Moving on to the report of officers. May I have a motion to approve the payment of the bills?

Ald Faford: I say we move to approve the report of officers, place the money in the proper accounts and pay the bills in the amount of $522,991.77.

Ald Tall: Second.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Motion made by Alderman Faford and second by Alderman Tall. Any discussion? Hearing none roll call.

Clerk Dumas: Ayes: Tetter, Brown, Curtis, Baron (abstain #72750), Lewis, Tall, Faford, Swanson, Crawford, Osenga, O’Brien (abstain #72750), Malone Marshall, Kennedy. (13) Ayes (0) Nays

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Motion carries. Moving on to unfinished business. We have no unfinished business. Under new business.

Ald Crawford: I have one Mayor that I would like to bring up.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Alderman Crawford.

Ald Crawford: I would like to make a motion under unfinished business to bring back the vote on the Police Chief’s position on the meeting on December 18th. We have gone now for a little over 60 days and we have not had an appointment or brought that back up for vote. Umm, I went around and asked majority of the people if they were going be here for the December 18th meeting and I would like to see that on the agenda for December 18th.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Okay, I’m denying that motion. I have welcomed you all to come and talk with me about the Police appointment so that we can move forward together as a united body. And umm.the motion is out of order.

Ald Crawford: The motion is what?

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Out of order. Calling for an item to be placed in the agenda violates the Open Meeting Act. You need to have 48 hours. I’m ruling against that motion.

Ald Crawford: I am asking for it on December 18th.

Motions And Resolutions Resolution In Remembrance Of Kourtney Vaulx Resolution In Remembrance Of Mayor Ralph Bailey Of Sun River Terrace Resolution Recognizing Jones Funeral Home On Sixty Years Of Service Resolution Honoring Kankakee Eastside Bulldogs “Pee-Wee Division” On Their 2017 Super Bowl Championship

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: I am ruling against the motion. Thank you. There is no New business. Moving on to Motions and Resolutions Under item 13. We have a resolution in remembrance of Mayor Ralph Bailey of the Sun River Terrace. Is Mrs. Bailey here? You can come up with your family please. Resolution No. 2017 - 34 Resolution In Remembrance Of Mayor Ralph Ailey Whereas, the City of Kankakee wishes to pay tribute to Ralph Bailey, Mayor of Sun River Terrace, who passed away on Friday, November 17, 2017. Mr. Bailey was committed to serving the residents of the Village of Sun River Terrace. Ralph Bailey served as Trustee for eight years, prior to being elected as Mayor of Sun River Terrace, where he has served for three terms; and Whereas, Ralph Bailey was born on December 5, 1939, the son of Alberta and Andrew Bailey, in Chicago, IL, where he lived until he moved to Otto, IL; as a foster child to Mr. and Mrs. John Roseborough; and Whereas, Mr. Bailey was a 1959 graduate of Clifton Center High School. Upon graduation, Mr. Bailey joined the United States Army to serve his country and received an honorable discharge in 1962; and Whereas, Ralph Bailey earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology and Business from Governor’s State University, University Park, IL. Mr. Bailey started as a warehouse manager at General Foods, and became an operations manager at General Foods Promotion Center. Mr. Bailey retired from Gould National Battery, of Kankakee, IL, as manager of the charge and cycle department; and Whereas, Mr. Bailey was a faithful member of Pembroke Fellowship Church and served as a Sunday school teacher, maintenance superintendent, and as a member of the finance ministry. He also loved sports and was an avid golfer; and Whereas, Mayor Bailey leaves to cherish his memory his wife of forty-one years, Erion (Simington);, and three daughters; Tine Vieira of California, Shawn Love of Kankakee; and Ericca Jones of Laurel, MD; one son Angelo Bailey of Washington, D.C.; five sisters-in-law, Katherine Cook of Atlanta; Dora E. Simington and Mary E. Jones of Sun River Terrace; Margaret J. Stevenson of Kankakee; and Phyllis A. Simington of Pembroke Township; two brothers-in-law, Jimmie Stevenson of Kankakee, and Gerald Frazier of Crystal Lake; eight grandchildren; seventeen great grandchildren; along with many nieces and nephews, cousins, and the Pembroke Fellowship Church family, and the Sun River Terrace community and many, many friends. Therefore, Be It Resolved, by Mayor Chasity Wells-Armstrong and the City Council of the City of Kankakee, Illinois, do join in the remembrance of Mayor Ralph Bailey of Sun River Terrace. Adopted this 4th day of December. May I have a motion to approve this resolution?

Ald Brown: So move.

Ald O’brien: Second.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Motion made by Alderman Brown and second by Alderman O’Brien. All in favor.

City Council: Aye.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Motion approved. We have a resolution on the agenda tonight for Kourtney Vaulx but her family has asked that we delay it until December 18th. Also, the resolution recognizing Jones Funeral Home for 60 years of service will also be done at another time. Next, we have a resolution honoring the Eastside Bulldogs Pee Wee Division for their 2017 Championship. Can the Pee Wees and Coaches please come up. Resolution No.2017 – 35 Resolution Honoring The Kankakee Eastside Bulldogs “Pee-Wee

Division” On Their 2017 Super Bowl Championship. Whereas, Kankakee Eastside Bulldogs “Pee-Wee Division” football team completed their 2017 season with an impressive record of being undefeated and also unscored on; which lead them to win the 2017 Super Bowl Championship; and Whereas, a special recognition to coach Theodis Pace and his assistants rank Jones, LaRoy Ruffin and Jeff Davis for their excellent qualities in coaching and mentoring to the Eastside Bulldogs Pee-Wee Division and for leading the team through an exceptional season; and Whereas, the extraordinary performance accomplished by this team is a clear indication of their outstanding athletic capabilities, their hard work, teamwork and dedication and perseverance truly shined throughout this season; and Whereas, the Kankakee Eastside Bulldogs Pee-Wee Division team members have brought great pride upon the City of Kankakee by their contributions as athletes, and the parents and coaching staff for keeping them motivated and in the game at all time; and Whereas, we would like to acknowledge the 2017 Kankakee Eastside Bulldogs Pee-Wee” Division Roster: Jordan Brooks; Kennyan Chandler; Amari Davis; Jamarion Davis; Kenaz Jackson; Camren Johnson; Kentrell Johnson; Tyrone Kennedy; Jakari Lewis; Christofer Noble; Keith Reed; Taveon Seymore; Ky’arious Smith; James Stampley; Jermaine Stroud; Peyton Surprenant; Marqueese Terrell; Myair Thompson; Zyon Turner; Troy Walker; KaShawn Walls; Larenz Walters; Jeremiah Watson; Key’Andre White; and Lincoln Williams; and Therefore, Be It Resolved, by Mayor Chasity Wells-Armstrong and the City Council of the City of Kankakee, Illinois, do recognize and celebrate with the Kankakee Eastside Bulldogs Pee-Wee Division on their remarkable season. Their achievements this season and the superior ethic of all the players and coaches have brought great honor to the City of Kankakee. Adopted this 4th day of December, 2017. May I have a motion to approve?

Ald Brown: So Move.

Ald Tetter: Second.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Motioned by Alderman Brown and second by Alderman Tetter. All those in favor. Aye

City Council: Aye.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Motion approved.

Coach Theodis Pace: On behalf of the Eastside Board of Directors, our coaching staff, I want to recognize our team Moms. Miss Thompson, will you stand? Miss Seymore.I just want to say these 25 individuals are basically the football organization. It’s really not about football it’s about the person. You are not just looking at athletes You are looking at student athletes student athletes. You check these guys grades. Then they have this one guy they call the crazy coach that’s been around 40 years. And what does it take to win championships?

Pee Wee Team: Defense.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Thank you all for coming. We have no Executive session. Alderman comments.Alderman Osenga.

Ald Osenga: Mayor, Do you or any other Alderman have any updates on the Ricky Rockets project. I drove by there and everything is gone.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: I’ve sent a couple if emails on it. They decided to clean up the area. They had not put in any footings or any foundation or anything like that. They decided to wait until March until the ground thaws because they lost 75 days of construction time. The rule was being negotiated down in Springfield.

Ald Osenga: So it’s still moving forward?

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Yes. Any other Alderman comments?

Ald Crawford: Yes, I have another comment. It’s about the motion of course. Umm.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: I have already ruled on it.

Ald Crawford: No, I know but I still have a comment on it. We have gone 60 days without; we have gone a little more than 60 days without reappointment or going through the process.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: He was reappointed at the last meeting. Feel free to make an appointment to talk with me. I have invited you to do it several times.

Ald Crawford: We never voted on it at the last meeting.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: I have invited you to talk to me, make an appointment to talk with me, I have already ruled on it.

Ald Crawford: I do have one other question.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Yes Sir.

Ald Crawford: On the open act; on the 48 hour open act meeting, I never broke that rule.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Thank you Alderman Crawford. Alderman Tetter.

Ald Tetter: This is in regards to the last Economic Development meeting. We did not have enough to have a quorum so therefore we could not conduct a meeting. I just want to thank the Aldermen and Alderwomen that were in attendance. We did have a State Representative their and she was able to.outside that meeting go into general conversation and things she is trying to do as it relates to her constituents. I just thought that it was some pretty good information that has been put out and she has made it known that she would be willing to come back and talk with us. I think we all got something out of that and I am looking forward to putting her on the agenda and have her updated. Thank you.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Any other comments? Well, I have a couple things. Carolyn has reached out to all of you to schedule your year-end wrap of meetings so if you haven’t done that, please do so. And it’s helpful to me if you could send your agendas for your meetings. Send me a copy so I have that.

Just a reminder, when I email you all , usually the Friday before a meeting with a list of updates with some things that has been going on to keep communication open. So, be sure to check your email. Yes Alderman Curtis.

Ald Curtis: So does that mean meeting with revenue or is it other meetings?

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Meetings with me and Elizabeth.

Ald Curtis: Will be getting that?

Mayor Wells- Armstrong: Carolyn has already reached out to everyone. You responded.

Ald Curtis: That’s the.oh okay.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Motion to adjourn

Ald Swanson: So Move.

Ald Lewis: Second.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Motioned by Alderwoman Swanson and second by Alderwoman Lewis. All in favor, aye.

City Council: Aye.

Mayor Wells- Armstrong: Opposed same sign. Motion carries. We are adjourned.

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