Kankakee Times

City of Kankakee City Council met December 18.

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 and it will be offered by Deacon Andre Tucker from the Total Restoration Church of the Nazarene.

Deacon Andre Tucker: Let us pray. Gracious Father, we Thank You for this day, we Thank You for Your Grace and Your Mercy on this day God. We Thank You for this appointed time, for those You have chosen to come together for the various positions and titles to serve the community. Father I pray that You will just allow their hearts and minds to allow You to be the head of this meeting Lord that You will lead, and You will guide each decision in this meeting that will be made tonight. So, Father I Thank You for their hearts, cares, concerns, and desire to serve and to lead in this community. And Father we know that everything that is laid before us, everything that is a care or concern that you will meet every according to Your will. In Jesus Name we pray ask and receive it all. Amen.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: The City Council will lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

In Unison: “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”.

Public Comments

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: At this time, we will move to Public Comments. Please direct your comments directly to the Mayor. Comments are limited to five minutes. First up we have Steve McGruder.

Steve Mcgruder: Thank you Mayor and Alderman. My name is Steve McGruder. I am the President of Kankakee Building Construction Trade Council; have been for the last 27 years. I’m also a board member of the Economic Alliance of Kankakee and I have been on that just about as many years. I would like to at this time commend the Mayor and the Aldermen for their bravery on trying to bring new development to the city Kankakee with the Fountain Square Project. I think it will be a great asset to the city. I think it is in a good location to encourage more improvement, better things to come and uhh it will also create.I would be selfish or unselfish, I guess if I did not talk about the probably close to 100 union construction jobs this will create throughout its life time. So, we are looking forward to working with the Mayor and Aldermen. And Again, I commend you for staying persistent and staying with that developer. I have experience with Rock Island Economic Growth. They have been a good partner to the building trades in other communities around the state and uhh I look forward to maybe another to come after that. Thank you.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Thank you Mr. McGruder. Next, we have Lisa Wogan.

Lisa Wogan: Hello Lisa Wogan, representing the Economic Alliance of Kankakee County in support of the Fountain Square Apartment Project. We at the Economic Alliance access work force and what we are seeing is as industry grow in the area we have been right among metropolitan areas across the state for some of the highest rates of job growth, recognized as a small metro, large metro. As we see this growth it is important that the local employers are able to attract the talent that they need in order to sustain the growth within Kankakee and outside of Kankakee. One of the big drivers to attract the workforce is having the multifamily housing; the type of quality of life that this generation of workers are looking for. We in our office think that this area can use a lot of multifamily housing and this type that has been suggested here with the Fountain Square Project is kind of perfect for everyone in the general linework force is looking for a walkable community, looking for a community with local businesses and restaurants that they can support so it’s kind of a perfect fit and it is something that that no other community in the area already has. So, Kankakee is pretty-well positioned in moving forward with this project; to not only be able to provide an important asset to the whole community but also to provide support to local retailers and local restaurants too. So, we are in full support of the Fountain Square Apartment Project and we congratulate the city for moving forward with the project.

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

Clerk Dumas: Present: Tetter, Brown, Curtis, Baron, Lewis, Tall, Faford, Swanson, Crawford, Osenga, O’Brien, Gall, Malone Marshall, Kennedy. (14) Present (0) Absent.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Department Heads.

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

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: May I have a motion to approve the minutes of December 4h, 2017 meeting.

Ald Osenga: So move.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Motioned by Alderman Osenga.

Ald Kennedy: Second.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Second by Alderwoman Kennedy. Any discussion? All in favor.

City Council: Aye.

Communications Presentation By Rock Island Growth Regarding The Fountain Square Project:

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Opposed same sign, motion carries. There are no

petitions. Under Communications, we have a presentation by Rock Island Growth regarding the Fountain Square project. Amy Clark will be speaking with us tonight. First, of all I want to commend Alderman O’Brien for his persistence working on this project and the CDA committee. This is a project that started under the former Administration and I have been working with Alderman O’Brien and the Council in efforts to bridge these two Administrations to make this project work. We have had a couple things come up: the City had allocated 1.5 million from the downtown TIF fund. A TIF is defined within certain geographical boundaries and the monies can only be used for that area. There was 1.5 allocated from that TIF and the donation of that parking lot which is approximately $300,000.00. After Rock Island Growth did some work in the project, they found that they had underestimated the project and so what has been occurring over the past several months is to find ways to close the gap. Amy will speak in detail about that but again this is something that we have been working on. Our downtown business owners are very excited about having this project downtown of course it is going to give them a steady stream of people to support the businesses and as Lisa Wogan stated, our younger people are looking for walkable communities and that sort of thing and so Amy are you here?

Amy Clark: Yes.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Okay, so we will have you come up and give your presentation.

Amy Clark: Good evening everyone. Again, my name is Amy Clark, I Am the Multi-Family Development Director with Rock Island Growth Corporation. Thank you for having us here tonight. We know that it’s been a while since we have been back to talk to the City Council and community about this project. We have really spent the last few months, looking at our every rock trying to analyze every possibility to make this project financially feasible, so we could come back to a really good and solid plan. The last thing we wanted to do is come back with more problems and challenges so just to reiterate, we have been spending quite a bit of time to make that as you know, consistent with other projects we have been involved in any way and with projects upstate, we had some financial challenges with Fountain Square. You know when you start a project in predevelopment at some time a year or two years go by and you are staring at some cost increase; some hard cost and some soft cost increases and I will spare you the details until you decide to ask me specifics, but we ended up with 4.5 million dollar gap that we were trying to overcome. As we know this is a significant challenge. The project started out at about 11.7million dollar quote for the 34 units that we wanted to develop. So, we went back to our development team and we went back to our funders and said, what can we do collectively to make sure that this project happens because we know it is important to Kankakee? We know that there is a significant housing needs to be addressed, what can we do? So, to tell you how we were able or were able to close this 4.5 million dollar gap; Economic Growth Corporation as the developer, we are committed to an equity contribution of our fee structure in the amount of $565,000.00 so we are going to invest half a million dollars in this project to close the gap. When we went to our developer team, our Architect and our General Contractor are just as committed; in for a penny, in for a pound. They are in for this deal and they want to see it happen. So, between our Architect and our Construction Manager, they are also contributing their fee structure to the tune of about half a million dollars between the two. So that our total development team’s contribution to the project closes about a million dollars of that gap, which is a significant amount. So, then we were also looking at ways to decrease construction cost. So, while we were brain storming with our development team about the equity contributions, we also talked about ways to reduce the hard construction cost. We looked at a different type of design concept that would still provide the quality construction and a quality project exactly the same as we presented same structure; same building; more modular concept. So, parts of it will be panelized and brought in. By doing that, we were able to save in the area of 1.2 million dollars. Now we have brought the gap even more significantly closed. We went back to the Illinois Housing Development Authority who is also a funder in this deal because they had allocated us state donation tax credits and we asked them for help, what else can we do to close the gap, so we can make this project happen? They advised us to go ahead and submit another funding application for another 2.2 million dollars to really bring the gap to where it is fusible which only left the additional $500,000.00 that we are requesting as an increase today. Again, it is not our intent to come back to the city and request additional funds that we are not also going to put some skin in the game and show you that we are equally committed to this project because we believe in it as much as we do. We know that he need is fair. We talked a little bit about the need and highly demonstrated the need, so Growth went ahead a commissioned a market study from the Patrick Building Institute. So, a market study was just recently completed, and the market study completely support what we all knew deep inside that there is a significant housing need in Kankakee; you are growing. There is a need for downtown urban housing that support young professionals and people of retirement age. As a matter of fact, there is a need for about 800 units of additional housing units in the City of Kankakee within the next 5-10 years. We have been very open about the fact that we are willing to share the information from that market study because we believe that the information is the key to your policy makers and decision makers, so we will get that information to you as well. One thing I really want to touch upon when we talk about the additional financing application is that when we first addressed you, this is going to be a mixed income complex and it still is going to be a mixed income complex. So, the 9 units that we had here marked for the AMI, 60 percent of the area median and below that will stay and with the additional financing application there will be an additional 9 units that will be marked at 80 percent of the area median or below. Again, we commission this market study, so we could show you that there is a demonstrated need and that that income bracket would be the people who will be living there anyway. They are going to be your young professionals’ right out of college starting their careers that comes with a little bit of debt. They are going to be the entrepreneurs who want to live and work in downtown Kankakee. They want to live in an apartment perhaps walk to their business and retirees 55 and plus. So again, we have the research to support that this is needed in your community. I guess from a timeline perspective, we are really anxious to get this going. We know you are anxious for this to go, it’s been a while. We want to see progress; we want to see construction on site. It’s our goal to get through the next application process and get our funding lined up and get closing completed so we can optimistically begin construction probably late April or early May of next year.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Thank you Amy. Are there any questions from the Council? Alderman Tetter.

Ald Tetter: I do your honor. 1.5 million.

Amy Clark: That is a cost savings. That is a hard construction cost savings by doing a more modular approach, by doing some panelization work and doing a modular concept design. The exact same design just facilitated fairly different.

Ald Tetter: Thank you.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Alderman O’brien.

Ald O’brien: Thank you Mayor. Amy, I want to clarify that this project will also pay property taxes is that correct?

Amy Clark: Yes, absolutely. As a mission based non-profit, that’s what we are here for. We want to drive economic activity and revenue within your community. So, the project will pay property taxes at a base line and we have included a four percent accelerator as an increase every year after.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Alderwoman Kennedy.

Ald Kennedy: When you are looking at reducing the cost for the construction for the project, how does that affect the quality?

Amy Clark: That’s a great question. It absolutely does not affect the quality. It is probably more of a quality product because it gets to go through that secondary process and I am really glad that you brought that up. When we went back to the Architect and Construction Manager those were our key questions. We do not want to come here and sacrifice the integrity of the project. We are not going to sacrifice what you wanted in the community for some cheaper option. That’s not what we are here to do. Both the Architect and the Construction Manager were very forth right, and they are actually excited over the possibility if doing this. The quality will be there of what you already approved.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Alderman Brown.

Ald Brown: Yes, thank you. The original building was 34 units and that was mixed income only. Now you have 34 units but will be through median income now. Is that correct?

Amy Clark: Yes, Sir. We are getting 60 percent AMI which was originally proposed that way and then we will have another 9 units that are ear marked for the 80 percent AMI. Again. I just want to reiterate that we will share the market study Data with you and you will see those units are going to support the exact same individuals who anticipate living there.

Ald Brown: Okay, the other question was that, you redesigned, the building has been redesigned somewhat or is it the same look?

Amy Clark: I guess to say redesign is a misnomer, it will be designed into a modular concept using the exact same custom design that has already been done. The architect we have used to date has done a phenomenal job getting the project to where it is now. He will be involved in the process by transitioning design from basically a. design to a more modular concept but it will be the exact same custom design. Then he will go through the review process and he’ll review all submittals are typical with how the construction project was originally set up.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: You still have questions?

Ald Brown: I would like, I just thought that maybe, if it’s a redesign anything modular.what the original design was. I would just like to see it in the module form the way that it is going to be now. I guess that’s my point.

Amy Clark: No, that’s a great concern and that’s what we really needed to take our time to investigate. The panelization of the project its come a long way. They do these types of projects everywhere from a very costly credit union to multifamily projects and we would be happy to share the design as it goes through the progress phase, so you can rest assure that the design that you approved and how we anticipate the project will look will be the product that you get at the end, which they have assured us it will be.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Any other discussion?

Ald Tetter: Your Honor.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Alderman Tetter?

Ald Tetter: So, this project, the workforce participating I understand the laborers professional trade but if it’s the tax payers will be involved in assisting, is there anyway that some of the workforce in the City of Kankakee can participate in this project?

Amy Clark: If there is an opportunity, absolutely. When we go into other communities again it’s typically by invitation. It’s our utmost goal to ensure that the workforce, we call these preferral positions, but the third party, the appliance supplier, the light supplier, all of the materials going into this project will be sourced locally. We will do our best to make sure that your businesses benefit from your investment and not only will your businesses labor force benefit from the investment when it comes time to hire a manager and the maintenance of the project form snow removal, trash removal everything will be locally sourced. It’s our goal to show revenue go back into your community.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Alderwoman Kennedy?

Ald Kennedy: Thank you. Amy, you said that the application that has to be turned in, how much will the funding be for that is approved, if granted?

Amy Clark: Approximately 2 million.

Ald Kennedy: Approximately 2 million?

Amy Clark: Umm hmm.

Ald Kennedy: Your company, the architect and contractor are willing to give money back to this project to help close the 4.5- million-dollar gap?

Amy Clark: Absolutely. We have been here a couple of years now working hand to hand with the City and it is our goal to see this project through. So, we are willing to make that contribution to make that happen.

Ald Kennedy: Thank you.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Okay, thank you Amy. Next on the agenda we have a presentation by the Kankakee Police Department regarding the Resident Officer Program Enforcement. There was a discussion about this program in the newspaper a couple of weeks ago and I just want to make sure that the public is properly educated about the program. It is not a mandate, it’s an incentivized program and Chief Dumas will share with us about the program.

Chief Dumas: Good evening everyone. As some of you may know and some you might not know, I am from Elgin, Illinois and that is when I first came across the program because. What the R.O.P.E. Program is. resident officers within the City and residence owned by the city. They don’t pay any taxes, they don’t pay any mortgage, they are just responsible for utilities, but their job is whichever ward they live in they have to be there for those ward people. If there are schools in those Wards they are responsible for that. They are responsible for the gang unit, the tactical unit, the detectives etc., city employees, Code Enforcement and the Department of Public Works. They are there for the residents of that particular Ward. It’s not what they can do for the Ward, it’s what the Ward wants the Police Department to do for them. One thing with the R.O.P.E. program is not and it will not be here in Kankakee, it is not a mandate for any officer to live in the city, its not a condition of employment for an officer to live in the city, it’s a choice. The city owns property if they want to rehab they have money for it, Cliff Cross can elaborate on that a little bit more. I been working with Alderman.Mayor and Alderman Curtis with this on rehab properties. So, we will offer it to the officers if they choose for this and they will get train on what this program is about, and I will have them to go to Elgin for that training. So, we are not going to break the contract or do anything against the contract. I know that you don’t have to live in the city because I was here that went to arbitration and all that stuff happened, but I was here for 13 years, I lived in the city for 13 years, I did not choose to move out. But if you want to live in the City of Kankakee you can, if you want to live in Bradley you can, if you want to live in Bourbonnais you can. That’s your choice. R.O.P.E. is not a mandate for anyone to live here or condition of employment. We would hope that the officer would live in the resident for 3-5 years, if they chose not to do that and they want to get out, the only thing they would have to do is write me a 90-day notice letting me know they do not wish to work R.O.P.E. anymore then hopefully we can replace them, that’s it. So, it’s not a mandate, it’s not a condition of employment and we are not requiring anybody to live here for the R.O.P.E. program.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Thank you Chief Dumas. Any questions? Okay, moving on to the next item on the agenda is a recommendation to accept the logo for the City of Kankakee. Part of our Kankakee forward agenda is to bring our city into the 21st century and the first step in doing that is doing the website. We have been working closely with our IT Department Pete Schiel and Link Point Media created some Logo drafts for us. I have sent several out to the City Council to get feedback, we seem to have a consensus on one and I am just asking you for a recommendation. I did send the four drafts on the website, so you can see what they would look like on the website the day I got them from Link Point. We are not changing the logo tomorrow. This will be an incremental project to start to rebrand the City. Once we run out of letter head then we will order letter head with the new logo because we have to have paper anyway. But this is something that will happen at a gradual process. My goal is to release the website by the end of the year and I need the logo to be able to do that. So, may I have a recommendation to accept the logo for the City?

Ald Gall: I will make the recommendation.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Motion made by Alderwoman Gall.

Ald Kennedy: Second.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Second by Alderwoman Kennedy. Roll Call

Clerk Dumas: Ayes: Tetter, Brown, Curtis, Baron, Lewis, Swanson, Osenga, O’brien, Gall, Malone Marshall, Kennedy.

Nays: Tall, Faford, Crawford, (11) Ayes (3) Nays.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Motion carries. I will follow up with you all again. Alderwoman Gall has kind of taken the lead. She is our creative person on the Council. Thank you for your input. Alderwoman Malone Marshall has also helped, and Alderman Curtis has given me quite a bit of feedback. I will follow up with the entire Council. Just to let you know there were four that was sent out. Once we make a final decision on which one we pretty much have our base, but we need to tweak a few things. Thank you. Moving on to Standing Committee reports. Public Safety Alderman Brown

Standing Committees Public Safety – Tuesday, December 5th, 2017 License And Franchise – Thursday, December 7th, 2017 Budget Committee – Monday, December 11th, 2017:

Ald Brown: Thank you. Public Safety December the 5th, 2017 is really a combination of meetings; November 15th because I did not have one. The only thing there notice in the report we have two set of bills for the Fire Department and one of the bills totaled $39,109.46 and you can see how they get that. The other bills totaling $23,098.60 and you can see I the report the highlights. The reason I am not quoting them is because I think it is important that you read the highlights. You can see that the tuition reimbursement has always been a problem. The Fire Department is the only department that has that. I just want to make sure that it is highlighted. On the Police side, oh I want to make sure Chief Schuldt, I want to make sure the ambulance calls is notated, going to get to 6000 this year. I think that is going to be a new record, they want to make sure that is notated. The Fire Department has always established the Explorer Program with young people. I think you saw that in the paper, I think I read it. It’s in the paper this weekend. That’s a real good idea for young people to get involved and know how to become Firemen. I think the Police Department is going to follow suit. With that being said, the Police Department also has 2 sets of bills and one totals $42,008.22. Overtime is still under control and the other bill was $159,381.22 of which $141,498.00 was for the KANCOM system out at the Communications Center. That highlighted those bills and they had a total of overtime 516 hours for the month of November and that is because they had shortage of help and they had some people off so that is the report on that. I just want to make sure you know that they have accumulated fines of $150,000.00 that was not budgeted and that should go to the general fund account; that helps too. I was just want to let you know because of the holidays, next month we will have a meeting January 3rd, 2018. Thank you.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Thank you Alderman Brown. Moving onto License & Franchise. Alderwoman Gall.

Ald Gall: Thank you. We had Republic services at our meeting. The main topic was recycling. The have a new method of picking up recycling and basically, they are checking the cans by hand. Before they were dropping the recycling into the truck and looking at the camera to see what was going into the truck and by point it was too late when they realized the can was contaminated. So now somebody will track it by hand before they dump it into the truck and if it is contaminated, they will give you a yellow sticker, ticket or tag on your can, they will not pick up that day. You need to give them a call to come back and pick it up and discuss how to recycle and if you are going to continue to recycle or if you want that can to become regular garbage. And they will put a sticker on your can that says regular garbage; garbage only. Let’s see.basically educating residents is the best way that we can help. I put some information on everyone’s desk tonight with a little cheat sheet on the back with recycling and the information will be on our website as well. Thank you.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Thank you Alderwoman Gall. Moving on to the Budget Committee we have Alderman Baron

Ald Baron: Mayor on December 11th, regular meeting, we had a full agenda and robust discussion. The first item involved the Brookmont Boulevard Project. The historians on the Council realize at one time we had applied for a significant grant from the federal government for the very expensive and very pricey redo of the underpass on Brookmont Boulevard, at the national railroad tracks. At the time, we did a Phase 1 Environmental Engineering Study. The cost of that and this was nearly a decade ago was $417,187.00. In order to qualify for any sort of Federal Grant and let me stop there for a second and just mention, that there will be no chance are we going to be able to afford with our own general fund the tens of millions of dollars to redo this. We are going to have to have competitive and compelling applications to the Federal Government. We have to be able to present them Phase 2 Engineering. To do that we have to represent to the Federal Government that we are serious about this and that we are going to go to the second step or our original application; our original request for funds will go by the wayside and we would have to pay back.pay back the 417 thousand dollars from round one. Faced with that.so, Piggush Engineering faced with this interesting dilemma went out and obtained a quote for round 2; Phase 2 Engineering from Lochner Engineering. So, do we drop the project and pay back the 417 thousand dollars now or do we continue in with the project and say let’s try to identify the source of funds for Phase 2? The consensus was that we identify funds and continue on with the application. Because as you know Brookmont Boulevard, that particular underpass is to the untrained eye is very dangerous and to the trained eye its worse. We are going to need some sort of repair. The Budget Committee directed Neil Piggush to communicate to the Federal Government our desire to continue with this and we are going to try to identify the funds for Phase 2 Engineering within the next three years. Given the gravity of the situation, I think it is something that may take a little time to do. That’s a report; that is not a request for now. We also talked about the gambling ordinance, the gambling machine ordinance. In a substantive discussion about this, we recognized the Ordinance Committee is meeting this Wednesday night at 5:30 pm to discuss it and to come up with a vote and pass the results along to the City Council hopefully at the next meeting. We also, as we always do, went through the traditional revenues for the month and I am not going to go through that you can read that although it is not a bad report. And finally, we discussed the Levy Ordinance. The Levy Ordinance won’t take long, and I think later we will vote on it later in the meeting, but I want to give you a little background on our discussion. Basically, the choice that we had to deal with was whether to abate the Levy Ordinance by taking money from our reserved; from our unrestricted reserve. A suggestion to take a million dollars out of the 3.3 million that we have that would lower the Levy.I’m sorry that would lower the tax rate.499 percent or to not abate, to not take the million dollars out of savings because that’s what that is but to have a corresponding increase in the tax rate on our general levy that we requesting to extend. As you may guess, that wasn’t an easy discussion and it is not an easy decision. The decision at the Council.at the Committee level was to vote to 3-2 not to take money from the savings but to go with the consequent increase in tax rate. As an aside, there was a discussion going on about ways to deal with that but there is no action item tonight about that but there is on the Levy Ordinance. The unfortunate.the problem taking a million dollars out of the savings that you might guess is that the next time you go out for bonding, the bonding rating services will watch that very closely. We have been able to deal in a very tough economic situation and result in a good bond rating by building up our savings, building up our unrestricted reserve. To go back on that at this point could be really damaging and increase any interest rate.our rating and that will increase the percentage on our loan. That was very tough decision it was a 3-2 vote and that wasn’t easy, but the recommendation was as I said, not to take the money from unrestricted savings. We are going to be voting on that ordinance. That ordinance $16,577,208.00 total of which $5,281,000.00 is for,,, that’s coming up.

Reports Of Officers Approval Of Bills - $551,685.80:

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Thank you Alderman Baron. As we move to pay the bills I want to bring to your attention for check number 72818 for Link Point Media, this invoice was submitted twice and when through all the checks I caught it and brought this to Elizabeth’s attention. So, Link Point Media provided the services to create the logo and the branding boards. The fee was $1700.00 to do that. There is a $50.00 fee that we paid a standard monthly cost related to the KVC and the Economic Development and so, when we approve the bills tonight just know that it will be $1700.00 less because there was a duplicate bill there for the logo and the branding boards. With that being said, may I have a motion to approve the bills?

Ald Faford: Your Honor, I move that we approve the report of officers, place the money in the proper accounts and pay the bills in the amount of $551,685.80 -$1700.00.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Thank you Alderman Faford. Motion made by Alderman Faford

Ald Kennedy: Second.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: I have a second by Alderwoman Kennedy. Any discussion?

Ald Tetter: Your Honor.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Alderman Tetter.

Ald Tetter: Thank you. Check number 72771, what is that for?

Mayor Wells-Armstrong:72781?

Ald Tetter: 72771.Wade LaBeau?

Elizabeth Kubal: Mayor would you like for me to answer that?

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Yes. Wade LaBeau is our contractor that handles our IT services website development.

Elizabeth Kubal: Absolutely and it is actually for two months. It’s October and November that’s why it’s more than usual.

Ald Tetter: Thank you.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Any other questions? Roll Call.

Clerk Dumas: Ayes: Tetter, Brown, Curtis, Baron (abstain #72769), Lewis, Tall (No on check #72818 and 72768), Faford, Swanson, Crawford, Osenga, O’Brien, Gall (abstain #72769), Malone Marshall, Kennedy (14) Ayes (0) Nays

New Business Recommendation To Accept The 2018 Calendar Dates For The Regular Meetings Of The Planning Board Of The City Of Kankakee, Illinois:

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Motion carries. There are no items under unfinished business. Moving on to new business, we have a recommendation to accept the 2018 Calendar Dates for regular meetings of the Planning Board of the City of Kankakee. Alderwoman Malone Marshall had a question. Cliff can you address her question about the dates. I believe they are held on a certain day of the week and there are a couple dates Alderwoman Malone Marshall that are different?

Ald Malone Marshall: Yes. January and February they are on the 2nd Tuesday Instead Of The 3rd.

Cliff Cross: Yes, initially we have them on the 3rd Tuesday of the month but January and February are always challenging. Reason being is typically on the 3rd Tuesday of January follows a holiday and City Council meets on that night. So, for the meeting in January, we would have to either do it on the 2nd or the 4th Tuesday of the month to accommodate that. The same thing happens in February as well. So, what I try to do, I try to line it up where they can follow the state statue with a 20 notice so they won’t overlap. So, I have to schedule the one in January a little earlier than the February one is a little further out than that.

Ald Malone Marshall: Thank you.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: May I have a motion to accept the 2018 Calendar Dates for the Regular meetings for the Planning Board?

Ald Tetter: So move.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: May I have a second?

Ald Malone Marshall: Second.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Motioned by Alderman Tetter and seconded by Alderwoman Malone Marshall. All in favor, Aye.

Council: Aye.

First Reading Ordinance For The Levy And Assessment Of Property Taxes In And For The City Of Kankakee Special Service Area Number One A For The Fiscal Year Commencing On May 1, 2017 And Ending April 30, 2018:

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Opposed same sign. Motion carries. Next, we have and Ordinance for the Levy and Assessment of Property Taxes In and for the City of Kankakee Special Service Areas. We have 1, 2, 3, and 5 under items B, C, D, and E. We will go through them individually, but I would like to give an explanation. Special service areas are defined by geographical boundaries and for example: for special service area 1, that’s our down town district or (KDC) Kankakee Development Corporation. The business owners in that area have agreed to assess themselves an extra tax of 2 percent and those taxes that they assess on themselves are used to make improvements in their areas; their downtown businesses. So, these levy’s for these four Ordinances B, C, D, and E are identical to the past levy year. So, we will start with number one for the fiscal year commencing on May 1st, 2017 and ending April 30th, 2018 will start with a motion to suspend the rules.

Ald Kennedy: So move Mayor.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Motioned made by Alderwoman Kennedy. May I have a second?

Ald Crawford: Second

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Second by Alderman Crawford. Roll Call.

Clerk Dumas: Ayes: Tetter, Brown, Curtis, Baron, Lewis, Tall, Faford, Swanson, Crawford, Osenga, O’Brien, Gall, Malone Marshall, Kennedy (14) Ayes (0) Nays

Second Reading Ordinance For The Levy And Assessment Of Property Taxes In And For The City Of Kankakee Special Service Area Number One A For The Fiscal Year Commencing On May 1, 2017 And Ending April 30, 2018:

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Motion carries. May I have a motion to place the ordinance on final passage?

Ald Kennedy: So move Mayor.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Motioned made by Alderwoman Kennedy. May I have a second?

Ald Crawford: Second

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Second by Alderman Crawford. Any discussion? Roll Call.

Clerk Dumas: Ayes: Tetter, Brown, Curtis, Baron, Lewis, Tall, Faford, Swanson, Crawford, Osenga, O’Brien, Gall, Malone Marshall, Kennedy. (14) Ayes (0) Nays

First Reading Ordinance For The Levy And Assessment Of Property Taxes In And For The City Of Kankakee Special Service Area Number Two For The Fiscal Year Commencing On May 1, 2017 And Ending April 30, 2018:

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Motion carries. The next item is the Ordinance for the Levy and Assessment of Property Taxes in and for the City of Kankakee Special Service Are Number Two for the fiscal year commencing on May 1st, 2017 and ending April 30th, 2018 and Elizabeth, this is the deep Riverview area?

Elizabeth Kubal: Correct. That’s correct Mayor.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Okay. If you go to deep Riverview you will notice Some things like their light poles are different so those are some of the things they have chosen to use their funds for and I will take a motion to suspend the rules at this time.

Ald Gall: So move.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Motioned made by Alderwoman Gall.

Ald O’brien: Second

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Second by Alderman O’Brien. Roll Call.

Clerk Dumas: Ayes: Tetter, Brown, Curtis, Baron, Lewis, Tall, Faford, Swanson, Crawford, Osenga, O’Brien, Gall, Malone Marshall, Kennedy (14) Ayes (0) Nays

Second Reading Ordinance For The Levy And Assessment Of Property Taxes In And For The City Of Kankakee Special Service Area Number Two For The Fiscal Year Commencing On May 1, 2017 And Ending April 30, 2018:

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Motion carries. May I have a motion to place the ordinance on final passage?

Ald Gall: So move.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Motioned made by Alderwoman Gall.

Ald O’brien: Second

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Second by Alderman O’Brien. Any discussion? Roll Call please.

Clerk Dumas: Ayes: Tetter, Brown, Curtis, Baron, Lewis, Tall, Faford, Swanson, Crawford, Osenga, O’Brien, Gall, Malone Marshall, Kennedy (14) Ayes (0) Nays

First Reading Ordinance For The Levy And Assessment Of Property Taxes In And For The City Of Kankakee Special Service Area Number Three “Coach Light Square District” For The Fiscal Year Commencing On May 1, 2017 And Ending April 30, 2018:

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Motion carries. The next Ordinance for the Levy and Assessment of Property Taxes in and for the City of Kankakee Special Service Are Number Three “Coach Light District”. Boundaries I believe are River Street South; Wildwood East; Station North; and Indiana West. This is for the fiscal year commencing on May 1st, 2017 and ending April 30th, 2018. May I have a motion to suspend the rules.

Ald O’brien: So move.

Ald Gall: Second

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Motioned made by Alderman O’Brien second by Alderwoman Gall. Roll Call please.

Clerk Dumas: Ayes: Tetter, Brown, Curtis, Baron, Lewis, Tall, Faford, Swanson, Crawford, Osenga, O’Brien, Gall, Malone Marshall, Kennedy (14) Ayes (0) Nays

Second Reading Ordinance For The Levy And Assessment Of Property Taxes In And For The City Of Kankakee Special Service Area Number Three “Coach Light Square District” For The Fiscal Year Commencing On May 1, 2017 And Ending April 30, 2018:

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Motion carries. May I have a motion to place the ordinance on final passage?

Ald O’brien: So move.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Motioned made by Alderman O’Brien.

Ald Gall: Second

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Second by Alderwoman Gall. Any discussion? Roll Call please.

Clerk Dumas: Ayes: Tetter, Brown, Curtis, Baron, Lewis, Tall, Faford, Swanson, Crawford, Osenga, O’Brien, Gall, Malone Marshall, Kennedy (14) Ayes (0) Nays

First Reading Ordinance For The Levy And Assessment Of Property Taxes In And For The City Of Kankakee Special Service Area Number Five “East Side Business District” For The Fiscal Year Commencing On May 1, 2017 And Ending April 30, 2018:

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Motion carries. The last one for Special Service Area entails “East Side Business District”. This is for the fiscal year commencing on May 1st, 2017 and ending April 30th, 2018. May I have a motion to suspend the rules?

Ald Tetter: So move.

Ald Brown: Second

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Motioned made by Alderman Tetter second by Alderman Brown. Roll Call.

Clerk Dumas: Ayes: Tetter, Brown, Curtis, Baron, Lewis, Tall, Faford, Swanson, Crawford, Osenga, O’Brien, Gall, Malone Marshall, Kennedy (14) Ayes (0) Nays

Second Reading Ordinance For The Levy And Assessment Of Property Taxes In And For The City Of Kankakee Special Service Area Number Five “East Side Business District” For The Fiscal Year Commencing On May 1, 2017 And Ending April 30, 2018:

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Motion carries. May I have a motion to place the ordinance on final passage?

Ald Tetter: So move.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Motioned made by Alderman Tetter.

Ald Brown: Second

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Second by Alderman Brown. Any discussion? Roll Call please.

Clerk Dumas: Ayes: Tetter, Brown, Curtis, Baron, Lewis, Tall, Faford, Swanson, Crawford, Osenga, O’Brien, Gall, Malone Marshall, Kennedy (14) Ayes (0) Nays

First Reading Ordinance For The Levying Property Taxes For All Corporate Purposes For The City Of Kankakee Kankakee County, Illinois For The Fiscal Year Commencing On May 1, 2017 And Ending April 30, 2018:

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Motion carries. The next item (F) is the Ordinance Levying Property Taxes for all Corporate Purposes for the City of Kankakee, Kankakee County, Illinois for the fiscal year commencing on May 1st, 2017 and ending April 30th, 2018. Alderman Baron gave a very detailed explanation of the position we are in. Under the previous administration we off-set our levy. I believe for two consecutive years. The last year that was done, it was pretty clear that we were not going to be able to do that. Again, with that being said, our pensions for both Police and Fire have increased they do every year to the tune of about $503,000.00 we did consider off-setting the levy with a million dollars but as Alderman Baron stated that would require us to pull money out of our reserve account and some of the criteria that they look at entails what you have in reserves. So, if we pull out that money and go back to bond again that is going to affect us in a negative way. They are expecting us to maintain or increase our reserves. Even applying a million dollars to off-set the levy it will still increase what is it about.5?

Elizabeth Kubal: I think it was about.1

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Okay so it will still increase. The good news is that since

2009 we are starting to see an increase in our EAV’s and we are having very detailed discussions about economic development in the City and how to raise revenue in the City, but we have to levy and get this money to the County by December 26th, I believe. There is no way we were going to be in a position to have implemented anything from our revenue generations discussions. Elizabeth, is there anything else I missed?

Elizabeth Kubal: I can’t think of anything other than in the past the self- imposed abatement as you all recall usually came off our debt. There you will see that that number is higher than it was this time last year. As Mayor and Alderman Baron said, there is no abatement whatsoever that is what we owe as a city with our debt in that section

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Okay at this time, may I have a motion to pass the ordinance?

Ald Baron: I move that we suspend the rules and be clear of passing this ordinance.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Thank you Alderman Baron. Second?

Ald Osenga: Second

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Second by Alderman Osenga. Roll Call.

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

Second Reading Ordinance For The Levying Property Taxes For All Corporate Purposes For The City Of Kankakee Kankakee County, Illinois For The Fiscal Year Commencing On May 1, 2017 And Ending April 30, 2018:

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Motion carries. May I have a motion to place the ordinance on final passage?

Ald Baron: I so move.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Motioned made by Alderman Baron.

Ald Osenga: Second

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Second by Alderman Osenga. Any discussion? Roll Call please.

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

First Reading Ordinance Amending Chapter 32, Section 231 Establishing A Handicapped Parking Sign At 829 South Poplar Ordinance Amending Chapter 32, Section 231 Rescinding Ordinance 2014-30 Establishing A Handicapped Parking 482 West Williams Street:

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: The two items G and H pertain to establishing a handicapped parking sign at 829 South Poplar and rescinding an ordinance establishing a handicapped parking at 482 West Williams Street. If you don’t have an objection, I would like to combine these. May I have a motion to suspend the rule?

Ald Kennedy: So move Mayor.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Motion made by Alderwoman Kennedy.

Ald Curtis: Second

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Second by Alderman Curtis. Roll Call please.

Clerk Dumas: Ayes: Tetter, Brown, Curtis, Baron, Lewis, Tall, Faford, Swanson, Crawford, Osenga, O’Brien, Gall, Malone Marshall, Kennedy (14) Ayes (0) Nays

Second Reading Ordinance Amending Chapter 32, Section 231 Establishing A Handicapped Parking Sign At 829 South Poplar Ordinance Amending Chapter 32, Section 231 Rescinding Ordinance 2014-30 Establishing A Handicapped Parking 482 West Williams Street:

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Motion carries. May I have a motion to place the ordinance on final passage?

Ald Kennedy: So move Mayor.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Motioned made by Alderwoman Kennedy.

Ald Malone Marshall: Second

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

Clerk Dumas: Ayes: Tetter, Brown, Curtis, Baron, Lewis, Tall, Faford, Swanson, Crawford, Osenga, O’Brien, Gall, Malone Marshall Kennedy (14) Ayes (0) Nays

First Reading Ordinance Amending Chapter 2, Section Xxii, Ordinance 2017-30 Changing The Job Title And Description For The Director Of Media And Cultural Engagement To Director Of Communications And Community Relations:

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Under item I we have ordinance amending Chapter 2, Section XXII 2017-30 changing the job title and description for the Director of Media and Cultural Engagement to Director of Communications and Community Relations. This was a position that we created at the beginning of the year. It was filled for about a month and the salary range is about $10,000.00 less than our previous Economic Development Director who worked in the previous Administration. I did send out a job description to all of you, so you can see what adjustments were made. This position would be in charge of working without press and getting the message out of the City, in addition maintain the website and keeping it updated working with the department heads getting information out. I did negotiate the salary to have half of it come out of the Community Promotions Budget under our general revenue fund and half of it out of the Utility because this person will be performing the function of the technical piece. At this time, if I could have a motion to suspend the rules for the passage of this ordinance? We are changing the job description we are not hiring anyone at this time we have just tweaked the job description.

Ald Tetter: So move.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Motion made by Alderman Tetter.

Ald Kennedy: Second

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Second by Alderwoman Kennedy. Roll Call please.

Clerk Dumas: Ayes: Tetter, Brown, Curtis, Baron, Lewis, Tall, Faford, Swanson, Crawford, Osenga, O’Brien, Gall, Malone Marshall, Kennedy (14) Ayes (0) Nays

Second Reading Ordinance Amending Chapter 2, Section Xxii, Ordinance 2017-30 Changing The Job Title And Description For The Director Of Media And Cultural Engagement To Director Of Communications And Community Relations:

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Motion carries. May I have a motion to place the ordinance on final passage?

Ald Tetter: So move.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Motioned made by Alderman Tetter.

Ald Kennedy: Second

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

Ald Kennedy: Quick question. Is it a full-time position?

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Yes, it is full-time.

Ald Crawford: Have we set a salary for that position?

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: It is between.$50,000.00 - $60,000.00 and that is still $10,000.00 lower than what we were paying the Economic Developer.

Ald Curtis: Do we anticipate filling that position this fiscal year or what?

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: I would love to so if you have any recommendation please send them. I think Alderwoman Kennedy sent me one, sent me a name. I don’t have a resume yet but she did send me a name. So please, if you know if anyone send them over. Any other questions? Roll Call.

Clerk Dumas: Ayes: Tetter, Brown, Curtis, Baron, Lewis, Tall, Faford, Swanson, Crawford, Osenga, O’Brien, Gall, Malone Marshall Kennedy (14) Ayes (0) Nays

First Reading Ordinance Adopting A Policy Prohibiting Sexual Harassment For The City Of Kankakee, Illinois:

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: The next item on the agenda is item J. An ordinance Policy Prohibiting Sexual Harassment for the City of Kankakee, Illinois.I just want you all to be assured that we do have Sexual Harassment Policy in our current handbook however, given the many circumstances that we have seen in the media, Illinois Municipal League our IML contacted all municipalities, drafted some language consistent with legislation that has been passed regarding this issue and we have to pass it is not an option. Pat is there anything you would like to add?

Pat Power: The draft here is basically a draft from the Attorney General Office not through the Municipal League although that had a draft. The reason they chose the.although there is really no difference in the two but the reason the Attorney General draft is that they were directed in the statue to draft it. This must be passed within 60 days after the effective date which is November the 15th. So, the drop dead date is January the 15th or the middle of January sometime. This is mandatory.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Okay and we want to be in compliance.

With that being said, may I have a motion to suspend the rules for the passage of this ordinance?

Ald Kennedy: So move Mayor.

Ald O’brien: Second

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Motioned by Alderwoman Kennedy Second by Alderman O’Brien. Roll Call please.

Clerk Dumas: Ayes: Tetter, Brown, Curtis, Baron, Lewis, Tall, Faford,

Swanson, Crawford, Osenga, O’Brien, Gall, Malone Marshall, Kennedy (14) Ayes (0) Nays

Second Reading Ordinance Adopting A Policy Prohibiting Sexual Harassment For The City Of Kankakee, Illinois:

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Motion carries. May I have a motion to place the ordinance on final passage?

Ald Kennedy: So move.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Motioned made by Alderwoman Kennedy.

Ald O’brien: Second

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Second by Alderman O’Brien. Any discussion? Roll Call.

Clerk Dumas: Ayes: Tetter, Brown, Curtis, Baron, Lewis, Tall, Faford, Swanson, Crawford, Osenga, O’Brien, Gall, Malone Marshall Kennedy (14) Ayes (0) Nays

Community Benefits Agreement Between The City Of Kankakee And Rock Island Economic Growth

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Item K pertains to a Community Benefits Agreement between the City if Kankakee and Rock Island Economic Growth there is no action, but I will have Pat give us an update on the agreement.

Pat Power: This actually goes hand in hand with the item you are going to be acting on under Motions and Resolutions Related to the Amendment in the Contract with Rock Island. The amendments in that contract are very simple. We have amended the completion dates and we have amended the amount in which the city will participate, as I say this goes hand in hand with the benefits agreement but there is no change in this agreement. So, we don’t need to act on it.

Appointments Kent Wade – Kankakee Public Library:

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Thank you Pat. Moving on to Appointments. We have the Kankakee Public Library. Patricia Cyntoia Maran resides in the 2nd Ward and she served on the Library Board but since has taken a position in Chicago which requires her to commute therefore she submitted her resignation about a month ago. Steve Bertrand our Executive Director and I and Allison Beasley our Deputy Director had discussions about filling that position. They recommended Kent Wade who resides in the 2nd Ward and that’s important because we wanted to make sure we have diversity on the board in terms of geographics in the city. Kent, if you all don’t know him he’s a library kid he loves the library, he’s a Spoken Word Artist, he loves our youth and he is very passionate about them and he was very excited about steeping up to serve in this capacity. So, at this time, may a motion to approve his appointment to the Library Board?

Ald O’brien: So move.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Motioned made by Alderman O’Brien.

Ald Gall: I’ll second.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Second by Alderwoman Gall. All in favor?

Committee: Aye.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Oppose same sign. Motion carries. Kent, can you wave your hand? Welcome to the Library Board.

Motions And Resolutions

Resolution In Remembrance Of Kourtney Vaulx

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: We have several resolutions, so I am going to step down at this time and call up the family of Kourtney Vaulx. There are a lot people in the room tonight for Kourtney. We lost Kourtney about a month ago. Actually, today is her birthday and she would have been 43 years old. She is a member of Morning Star Baptist Church and a Community Advocate. Well loved by so many people in the community. When she passed unexpectedly, her mom asked if I could have a resolution drafted for her. I want to thank our City Clerk for helping me get that done as well. Resolution No. 2017 – 33 Resolution In Remembrance Of Kourtney Vaulx Whereas, the City of Kankakee wishes to pay tribute to Kourtney Vaulx, who passed away on Wednesday, November 15, 2017. Kourtney Vaulx was born on December 18, 1974, in Kankakee, IL, the daughter of Kathleen and Marshall Vaulx Jr.; and Whereas, Kourtney was a 1992 graduate of Kankakee High School, and continued her secondary education at Olivet Nazarene University, Bourbonnais, IL, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. Kourtney furthered her education by completing her Masters of Arts in adult and higher education, with an emphasis in student affairs, from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, IL; and Whereas, Kourtney was committed to serving wherever she saw there was a need. Kourtney was an active member at Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church where she served on various boards. She was a member of the Mission Ministry; the Women’s Group, a volunteer in the youth department, and a member of the choir. She served for a period of four years as a promoter of the Panera Bread donations; Kourtney was passionate and dedicated to serving others; and Whereas, Ms. Vaulx professional experience consisted of, but was not limited to: an advocate for the State’s Attorney’s office, graduate counselor of Northern Illinois University and class instructor and a guidance counselor, substitute teacher at Grace Baptist Academy. She was also a member of Sigma Gamma RHO Sorority; and Whereas, Kourtney leaves to cherish her memory, her loving parents Kathleen and Marshall Vaulx of Kankakee, IL; two sisters, Kristney and Marsha Vaulx; one nephew, Rueben; two nieces, Dominique and Aria Dae; three aunts, Mary Wynn of Orlando, Fla; and Robbie Willet and Annette Minor, both of Memphis, Tenn. Therefore, Be It Resolved, by Mayor Chasity Wells-Armstrong and the City Council of the City of Kankakee, Illinois, do join in remembrance of Kourtney Vaulx. Adopted this 18th day of December, 2017. May I have a motion to approve?

Ald Brown: Motion to approve.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Motion made by Alderman Brown

Ald Lewis: Second.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Second by Alderwoman Lewis. All in favor.

City Council: Aye.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Motion approved.

Mrs. Kathleen Vaulx: I would like to thank all of you who came out support Kourtney tonight and being that tonight is Kourtney’s birthday we brought a few snacks to leave.some cupcakes and juice.

Resolution Recognizing Jones Funeral Home On Sixty Years Of Service:

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: At this time, I would like to call Thomas Jefferson Jones III and family. Alderwoman Kennedy, Malone Marshall, and Alderman Tetter.the rest of the family. If you all didn’t know, there was an event last week held by the Jones Funeral Home. They host every year in December to honor and support families who have lost loved ones within the year. It also happens to be his 60th Anniversary in business in the City of Kankakee. So, at this time, we are presenting Resolution No.2017 – 36 Whereas, in the late 1950’s, Mr. Thomas Jefferson Jones, Jr., along with his wife Annie Laura Jones, and their children moved from Chicago, Illinois, to the north side of Kankakee, Illinois to manage the Unity Funeral Parlor located at 793 North Rosewood Avenue, Kankakee, IL; and Whereas, in 1957, Mr. Thomas Jefferson Jones, Jr., a devout business man and owner of Economy Cleaners, purchased Unity Funeral Parlor and changed the name to Jones Funeral Home, and in 1973, Mr. Jones relocated the funeral home to its present location at 1055 North Schuyler Avenue; and Whereas, for the past 40 years their son; Thomas Jefferson Jones, III “Jeff” has been involved in the family business and operated the funeral home, working in various positions including: attendant, embalmer, director and manager, and owner of Jones Funeral Home, and previous owner of Economy Cleaners until he closed the business in 2008; and Whereas, Jeff attended District 111 and was a graduate of Kankakee Eastridge High School in 1966. Jeff attended Morehouse College and is a graduate of Kankakee Community College and of Worsham College of Mortuary Science in 1970; and Whereas, Jeff was a member of the County Board, and the Kankakee Housing Authority. Jeff is a member of Second Baptist Church of Kankakee, IL, and he has served in the capacity as a youth leader, a member of the male chorus, a Sunday school teacher, and as a certified wise counselor. Jeff has held on to his faith and kept his favorite passage of scripture of Psalm 51 near and dear to his heart; and Whereas, Jeff is married to his beautiful wife Mary Thaxton-Jones and he is the father of two daughters, Ericca and Lydia; and Whereas, Jeff has managed to continue the legacy of his father, the late Thomas Jefferson Jones, Jr., which he established sixty years ago. Jeff and his siblings can be proud of their heritage and the strong foundation their father laid before them. Therefore, Be It Resolved, by Mayor Chasity Wells-Armstrong and the City Council of the City of Kankakee, Illinois, recognize Jones Funeral Home as they celebrate sixty years of service throughout the Kankakee land. We would like to wish you many more years of continued success. Adopted this 18th day of December, 2017. May I have a motion to approve the resolution?

Ald Kennedy: So move.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Motioned by Alderwoman Kennedy

Ald Tetter: Second.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Second by Alderman Tetter. All those in favor, aye

City Council: Aye.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Oppose same sign, motion carries.

Mr. Jeff Jones: Thank you very much Mayor. On behalf of my family I would like to thank you for this honor. My dad had a vision of the business going on. I am just so fortunate that able to carry on with what he wanted to do. He loved this community; I love this community. I am very proud to be a Kankakean. I know that.being in this Council Chambers brought back a lot of memories from the old days but it’s great to be here and p behalf of my family, you can see I am not alone here. I have a big family that has been very supportive. I thank you all. This community has been very supportive. Thank you all. God Bless You.

Resolution And Presentation Recognizing Patrol Woman Marcella Gearhart As The First Woman To Serve Thirty-Years With The Kankakee Police Department:

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: I think this is our last resolution of the evening. I will call up out patrolwoman our very own Marcella Gearhart and any family that is with her tonight. We have a lot of our police force here tonight, good to see you guys and ladies. Resolution No. 2017 - 37 Resolution Of Gratitude For Marcella Gearhart’s Thirty Years Of Service As An Officer Of The Kankakee Police Department. Whereas, Marcella Gearhart has served this community faithfully as a Police Officer with the City of Kankakee, from August 15, 1987, and was promoted to 1st Class Patrolwoman on August 15, 1989; and Whereas, Patrolwoman Marcella Gearhart is fondly known as “Marci” by the community. She has served for the past thirty years as well, as the countless number of co-workers she has worked alongside; and Whereas, Officer Gearhart is highly respected as an excellent “community” officer who has resided in the city for which she has served, her entire career; and Whereas, Officer Gearhart was one of the first female officers in the Traffic Unit of the Kankakee Area Metropolitan Enforcement Group; an expert with animal calls and due to her love of children, she headed the Bicycle Registration Detail each summer; and Whereas, Officer Gearhart is a pioneer and a trailblazer for many to follow; and Therefore, Be It Resolved, by Mayor Chasity Wells-Armstrong and the City Council of the City of Kankakee, Illinois, do hereby recognize and accord official recognition and gratitude to Patrolwoman Marcella Gearhart for her thirty years of service with the Kankakee Police Department. Adopted this 18th day of December, 2017. Do I have a motion?

Ald Swanson: Motion to approve.

Ald Faford: Second.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Motion made by Alderwoman Swanson seconded by Alderman Faford. All in favor.

Council: Aye.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Motion approved.

Chief Dumas: I just want to say, Congratulations Marci for 30 years of service. I knew Marci when I was here back in 93-96. She is still the same Marci doing the same stuff. Also, we started something new where service badges for all officers. So, she got her 30 year service badge. Congratulations Marci for 30 years of service with the Kankakee Police Department.

Officer Marcella Gearhart: First and foremost, I want to thank my God for giving me the mentality, endurance and my health for being all these 30 years and I hope to make 30 more at least. I want to thank the Mayor. Thank you so much. Chief thank you. City Council Members, thank you, my fellow Officers and the citizens of Kankakee, whom I love so much. I want to thank everyone for giving me this opportunity and pleasure to serve all of you. Thank you, I really appreciate it. My next 30 years I’m gonna trade in the white snow for white sand and palm trees.

Resolution Relating To Participation By Elected Officials In The Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund:

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Thank you again city police for coming out to support Marci this evening. I know it means a lot to her. Next, a Resolution Relating to the Participation by Elected Officials in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund. We have had a couple of these this year. One was for our City Clerk and we just approved one for our Kankakee County Convention and Visitors Bureau. I will turn it over to Elizabeth at this time.

Elizabeth Kubal: As many of you on the Council know, when you participate in the IMRF you are a 600 hour or a 1000 hour employer. That means if you work 600 or 1000 hours then you have to have your employees enrolled in IMRF. We are a 1000 hour employer. It averages out to approximately 19 hours per week and it is a policy of IMRF that employees who work more than that are a member of the IMRF. When you are an elected official there is a different resolution and that one is what is presented here tonight. 1000 hours is the governance of that IMRF.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: May I have a resolution to approve.I’m sorry may I have a motion to accept Resolution Relating to the Participation by Elected Officials in the Illinois Municipal Retirement?

Ald Malone Marshall: So move.

Ald Kennedy: Second

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Motioned by Alderwoman Malone Marshall Second by Alderwoman Kennedy. Roll Call please.

Clerk Dumas: Ayes: Tetter, Brown, Curtis, Baron, Lewis, Faford, Swanson, Crawford, Osenga, O’brien, Gall, Malone Marshall, Kennedy Nays: Tall, (13) Ayes (1) Nays

Resolution Approving And Authorizing The Execution Of The Amended Development Agreement With Rock Island Economic Growth Corporation, Fountain Square Apartments Llc And The City Of Kankakee

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Motion carries. Next, on the agenda is a Resolution Approving and Authorizing the Execution of the Amended Development Agreement with Rock Island Economic Growth Corporation. Alderman O’Brien do you want to say anything?

Ald O’brien: I want to thank Rock Island Growth for being here and for presenting and she is still here even though she has a 3 hour drive home. Thank you, Mayor for your commitment to this project. As you know we have been working with Growth for about 2 years. We approve the original development agreement about 15 months ago and that called for 1.5 million from the downtown TIF fund into the project as Amy mentioned, things have changed. A number of times since then we were back looking for funds.2 million investment, from the downtown TIF for the project. AS the Mayor mention, the real estate on the corner of Station and East Avenue which is appraised at $260,000.00. So hopefully that is the request here tonight to amend the agreement and ultimately foresee the construction beginning sometime late Spring or early Summer for a 12 month construction period. It will be 34 units and mixed income and I don’t think that’s a bad thing.It’s a really good thing. I commend her for her commitment for that and what it does for the community. It is designed as Amy mentioned for people who work downtown, work at the hospitals maybe government offices, tellers at banks those kinds of things. So we can really do a lot and with the TIF money we are not just spending this money which would be easy to do but we are leveraging it. We are spending 2.6 million dollars of the city money attracting almost 9 million.I think it’s a great example how to maximize TIF funds. So that’s what we are here to consider tonight.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Thank you Alderman O’Brien. May I have a motion to accept the resolution?

Ald O’brien: So move.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Motioned by Alderman O’Brien

Ald Gall: Second.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Seconded by Alderwoman Gall. Any discussion? Roll Call please.

Clerk Dumas: Ayes: Tetter, Brown, Curtis, Baron, Lewis, TallFaford, Swanson, Crawford, Osenga, O’Brien, Gall, Malone Marshall, Kennedy (14) Ayes (0) Nays

Executive Session:

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Motion carries. We do have an Executive Session Brooks vs Kankakee. May I have a motion to go into Executive Session.

Ald Swanson: I make a motion to go into Executive Session

Ald Faford: Second.

Mayor Wells- Armstrong: Motion made by Alderwoman Swanson Seconded by Alderman Faford.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: All in favor, Aye.

Council: Aye.

Motion To Return To Open Session

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Motion to return to regular Council.

Ald Baron: I make a motion to return to Council

Ald Lewis: Second.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Motion made by Alderman Baron Seconded by Alderwoman Lewis. We are back in Open Session. I need a motion to obtain Mike O’Connell to represent the City in the case of Brooks vs Kankakee.

Ald Baron: I will make that motion.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Motion made by Alderman Baron.

Ald Crawford: Second

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Seconded by Alderman Crawford. Roll Call.

Clerk Dumas: Ayes: Tetter, Brown, Curtis, Baron, Lewis, Tall, Faford, Swanson, Crawford, Osenga, O’Brien, Gall,

Abstain: Malone Marshall

Nay: Kennedy

(11) Ayes (1) Abstention (1) Nay

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Motion carries. Moving on to Aldermen comments.

Clerk Dumas: I’m sorry, correction. (12) Ayes (1) Abstention (1) Nay

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Motion stands as corrected. Alderman O’Brien.

Ald O’brien: I want to remind everyone that the Ordinance Committee will meet Wednesday the 20th of December at 5:30 p.m. downstairs in the north training room. Where we met the last time and I will send email reminders. We have a lot of public members that participated at the last meeting and we got their emails and I will send an email reminder tomorrow and the hot topic of course is the Gaming Ordinance. That’s it.

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

ALD BROWN: I just wasn’t to say to Alderman Tyler Tall here. He lost his wife’s mother. I just want to say on behalf of my family you have our condolences. If there is anything I can do for you now.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Yes, Alderman Tall loss his mother-in-law about a week ago. So, we do extend our condolences to him and his family. Alderman Crawford.

Ald Crawford: Yes, I just want to make a comment on that we just passed an ordinance tonight regarding property tax for the whole City of Kankakee. Most for most of the Alderman there it was a real hard decision. It wasn’t easy. It’s a hard thing to put that burden on to the tax payers, so we need to work really hard working together getting some type of tax passed to help tax payers with property taxes to relieve some of the burden from them. So hopefully we can work all together and get that done herein 6 months or so to add some relief.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Absolutely, that is a priority for everybody on the Council and that was a very difficult meeting. I want to Thank you Alderman Crawford because you really stepped up and took leadership in that meeting in terms of the decision that was made. That is a commitment from this Administration and I am sure from the Council going forward. We will be continuing those discussions. With that being said, Elizabeth and I have made ourselves available for another discussion so if you were not able to come see us for whatever reason, I believe Carolyn sent an email out today and we are making ourselves available again just to make sure that we are getting ideas from everybody and everybody is coming together to bring some solutions to this issue.

Ald Osenga: I just want to thank Alderman O’Brien for all the work he did on the Fountain Square Project. I don’t know if the either Alderman,,,you guys or Chris if you were involved, I don’t know who all was involved but whoever did that, Thank you. That’s a big project for our community.Thank you Mike for all your hard work.

Ald O’brien: Well there are a lot of people involved. The Mayor, Chris

Curtis and I.we are not across the finish line we are getting close, but we are much closer tonight than we were before. Thank you to everyone for making this happen and for the Council’s support.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Thank you for your leadership Alderman O’Brien. Alderman Osenga, just want to encourage you to have hope. We will get there. Any other comments?

Ald Tetter: Your Honor.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Alderman Tetter

Ald Tetter: I think this is work noting this is for all the City Council Members. Our very own has been appointed to the National League of Cities. She sits on the board for policies at the national level and this can impact what happens here. I think that just speaks to her proficiency and professionalism. I just want all of you to know that out of all the Mayor’s in Illinois, there is only 1 Mayor on the board and she sits right there.

Mayor Wells-Armstrong: Thank you. Are there any other comments? With that being said, I want to wish everyone a Happy Holiday. I was coming to work Friday, but the Office is closed. So, if you are looking for city services on Friday the office is closed and it will be closed Monday as well on Christmas Day. I do encourage you all to get some rest and enjoy your families. Thank you for all your work. This was a really heavy meeting night. I do not recall our meetings being this big when was on Council. We had a lot on the agenda tonight, the last meeting of the year. Thank you for all you hard work, Happy Holidays. Thank you. May I have a motion to adjourn.

Ald Swanson: So move.

Ald Kennedy: Second.

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

City Council: Aye.

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

http://citykankakee-il.gov/perch/resources/city-council-mtg-minutes-december18th-2017.pdf