Kankakee Times

City of Kankakee City Council met Dec. 17.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: I would like to call the meeting to order. We will start with a prayer by Reverend Jess Gathing, JR., Eastside Bull Dog President and go on to the pledge of allegiance by the Eastside Bull Dog Cheerleading Team. Moving on to Public Comments we have: Lance Marczak, RL Cross, Nichelle Smith, George Katalik, and Dave Baron.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

LANCE MARCZAK: I am a resident and the business owner of 139 South Schuyler. Loosing parking due to bike lanes is a concern. In 2006, I approached the City Council regarding a compromise with parking. Now more parking will be removed. Keep in mind the Executive Center Building parking is used for the Library and other businesses in that building. Why can’t we have both? On the Eastside do a shared lane. Let’s work together for a win/win. I see three choices: Use the money for a greater good and reestablish daytime and nighttime parking and create a bike lane on the Eastside by cutting into the 8ft wide sidewalk and making it a 6ft wide sidewalk, a streetscape that eliminates the bike lane or scrap the whole thing.

RL CROSS: I am the owner of 249 South Schuyler. I was asked to come because of the bike part. I have been here over 40 years the City helped me stay when everyone else was leaving. We have tried to help the City with Catholic Charities. Parking is critical. The Farmers Market already cause the streets to be shut down and I lose business.

NICHELLE SMITH: My name is Nichelle Smith. I am the Executive Assistant to Mayor Wells-Armstrong and I wanted to formally introduce myself to the Community and the City Council. Thank you.

GEORGE KATALIK: I am the owner of Johnny’s Pizza 265 and 271 South Schuyler. When they close the street it affects business. We cant do business. We don’t need to close the street anymore all you are doing is closing people out.

DAVE BARON: I live in the 2nd Ward in Kankakee. I was a member of the Committee that worked with Iteska & Associates and I worked with the Administration to talk with business owners in the community to try to put together a reasonably powerful plan downtown Kankakee. It will build on the success.increased accessibility and I am supportive of the bike path and how it will impact the community. We have plenty of parking downtown Kankakee. We are literally talking a difference of walking 25 feet to walking 35 feet. I support this vision.

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Thank you. Roll Call of City Council.

CLERK DUMAS: PRESENT: Tetter, Brown, Baron, Curtis, Lewis, Tall, Faford, Crawford, Osenga, O’Brien, Gall, Malone Marshall 

ABSENT: Swanson, Kennedy (12) Present (2) Absent

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Department Heads.

CLERK DUMAS: PRESENT: Hunt, Skelly, Schuldt, Kubal, McGrath, Schiel, Piggush, Nelson, Bertrand, Schmitz, Hoffman, Elexson. Thank you.

MINUTES

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Thank you. Moving on to the minutes for December 3rd, 2018.motion to approve.

ALD MALONE MARSHALL: So move.

ALD LEWIS: Second.

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Motioned by Alderwoman Malone Marshall and Seconded by Alderwoman Lewis. Any edits or corrections? Hearing none.all in favor?

COUNCIL: Aye.

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Minutes are approved. We will now skip to Item 13A under Motions and Resolutions. Resolution honoring the Kankakee Eastside Bulldogs Jr. League Cheerleaders, 1st & 2nd Grader Widgets, 3rd & 4th Grader PeeWees, 5th & 6th Grader Junior Varsity on their Successful Competitions. Resolution No. 2018-49 is presented by the Mayor. A copy will be given to Cheer Director Verlon Jordan and the City Clerk will provide copies for the team at a later date.

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Motion to approve the Resolution.

ALD BROWN: So move.

ALD LEWIS: Second.

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Motioned by Alderman Brown and Seconded by Alderwoman Lewis. Opposed same sign.motion carries

PETITIONS

ITEM 7A: PB2018-11-3 Ordinance Granting Conditional Use

Approval for STNL Development, LLC for Outside Display and Sales and an Outdoor Advertising Sign for a Tractor Supply Retail Store on Riverstone Parkway, Parcels #16-17-17-307-003 & 16-17-17-307-004. Reviewed by Planning Board and recommended unanimously. Meets all conditions (1st & 2nd Reading).

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Motion to suspend the rules that interfere with the passing of the ordinance.

ALD FAFORD: So move.

ALD TALL: Second.

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Motioned by Alderman Faford and Seconded by Alderman Tall.

Roll Call

CLERK DUMAS: AYES: Tetter, Brown, Baron, Lewis, Tall, Faford, Crawford, Osenga, O’Brien, Gall, Malone Marshall 

ABSTAIN: Curtis (11) Ayes (0) 

Nays (1) Abstentions

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Motion Carries. Motion to place the Ordinance of final passage.

ALD FAFORD: So move.

ALD TALL: Second.

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Motioned by Alderman Faford and Seconded by Alderman Tall. Any discussion? 

Roll Call please.

CLERK DUMAS: AYES: Tetter, Brown, Baron, Lewis, Tall, Faford, Crawford, Osenga, O’Brien, Gall, Malone Marshall

ABSTAIN: Curtis (11) Ayes (0) 

Nays (1) Abstentions

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Motion carries. No communications. Moving on to Item 9A.

ITEM 9A: Alderman O’Brien: Community Development met Monday, November 5th, 2018 and discuss status of grants including the Lead Grant. All other information is listed in the packet.

Alderman Tetter: Economic Development met Thursday, November 29, 2018. Mr. Alexander was present regarding Solar Panel usage and the committee recommended we accept. We also had a presentation by Mr. Jeff Benet regarding conditional use for UHaul to occupy the former Ultra Foods building.

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Thank you. Moving on to Item 10A

REPORT OF OFFICERS

ALD FAFORD: I move that we approve the report of officers, place the money in the in the proper accounts and pay the bills in the amount of $357,830.93.

ALD TALL: I will second the motion.

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Motion made by Alderman Faford and Seconded by Alderman Tall. Any discussion? 

Roll Call.

CLERK DUMAS: AYES: Tetter, Brown, Curtis, Baron (abstain on check#74305), Lewis, Tall, Faford, Crawford, Osenga, O’Brien, Gall (abstain on check#74305), Malone Marshall (12) Ayes (0) Nays

NEW BUSINESS

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Motion Carries. No Unfinished Business. Moving on to New Business Item 12. If there are no objections, I would like to combine Items A&B.

ITEM 12 A&B: Ordinance Amending Chapter 32, Section 231 Entitled Handicapped Parking Established at 306 West Williams Avenue and ordinance Amending Chapter 32, Section 231 Entitled Handicapped Parking Established at 1351 Cobb Boulevard (1st & 2nd Reading).

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: If no objections, motion to suspend the rules.

ALD TALL: Motion to suspend the rules. Also Mayor, it’s a rescinding of 306.

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Thank you Alderman Tall.

ALD CURTIS: Second.

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Motioned by Alderman Tall and Seconded by Alderman Curtis. 

Roll Call.

CLERK DUMAS: AYES: Tetter, Brown, Curtis, Baron, Lewis, Tall, Faford, Crawford, Osenga, O’Brien, Gall, Malone Marshall (12) Ayes (0) Nays

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: May I have a motion to place the Ordinances on final passage?

ALD TALL: So moved.

ALD CURTIS: Second.

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Motioned by Alderman Tall and Seconded by Alderman Curtis. 

Roll Call.

CLERK DUMAS: AYES: Tetter, Brown, Curtis, Baron, Lewis, Tall, Faford, Crawford, Osenga, O’Brien, Gall, Malone Marshall (12) Ayes (0) Nays

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Motion carries. Next we have Items C&D.

ITEMS 12C&D: Ordinance Amending Chapter 32, Section 251 Entitled Certain Turns Prohibited. Right Turn Only At Orchard Avenue and Court Street and Ordinance Amending Chapter 32, Section 251 Entitled Certain Turns Prohibited. Right Turn Only At Taylor Avenue and Court Street. This is in line with the Safe Routes to School Grant. Crash Data shows 26 accidents in front of King School over 3years. (1st & 2nd Reading).

City of Kankakee City Council Meeting December 17th, 2018 Page 5

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: If no objections, motion to suspend the rules that interfere with the passing of the Ordinances.

ALD MALONE MARSHALL: So move Mayor.

ALD TETTER: Second.

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Motion made by Alderwoman Malone Marshall and Seconded by Alderman Tetter. 

Roll Call.

CLERK DUMAS: AYES: Tetter, Brown, Curtis, Baron, Lewis, Tall, Faford, Crawford, Osenga, O’Brien, Gall, Malone Marshall (12) Ayes (0) Nays

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: May I have a motion to place the Ordinances on final passage?

ALD MALONE MARSHALL: So move Mayor.

ALD LEWIS: Second.

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Motion made by Alderwoman Malone Marshall and Seconded by Alderwoman Lewis. Any discussion?

DISCUSSION: Right turns only for these two streets is a is part of the plan we showed

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: 

Roll Call.

CLERK DUMAS: AYES: Tetter, Brown, Curtis, Baron, Lewis, Tall, Faford, Crawford, Osenga, O’Brien, Gall, Malone Marshall (12) Ayes (0) Nays

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Motion carries. The next Ordinance pertains to the Levy.

ELIZABETH KUBAL: The request is the same, we always ask for more. In the case of new development we ask for more. Good news, this year represents a 23.3 percent decrease from the Levy last year. In 2017, the City requested $16,574,208.00 and this year’s total request is $12,715,187.00 a 3.9 million dollar decrease. An actuary presentation will be provided in upcoming months. Homestead exemption will be a $700.00 difference.

ITEM 12E: 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, 2018 ending April 30, 2019 (1st & 2nd Reading).

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: May I have a motion to suspend the rules that would interfere with the passing of the Ordinance.

ALD LEWIS: So move.

ALD BARON: Second.

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Motion made by Alderwoman Lewis and Seconded by Alderman Baron. 

Roll Call

CLERK DUMAS: AYES: Tetter, Brown, Baron, Lewis, Tall, Faford, Crawford, Osenga, O’Brien, Gall, Malone Marshall 

ABSTAIN: Curtis (11) Ayes (0) Nays (1) Abstention

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Motion carries. May I have a motion to place the Ordinance on final passage?

ALD LEWIS: So move.

ALD TETTER: Second.

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Motion made by Alderwoman Lewis and Seconded by Alderman Tetter. Any discussion? 

Roll Call

CLERK DUMAS: AYES: Tetter, Brown, Baron, Lewis, Tall, Faford, Crawford, Osenga, O’Brien, Gall, Malone Marshall 

ABSTAIN: Curtis (11) Ayes (0) Nays (1) Abstention

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Motion carries. Moving on to Item F.

ITEM 12F: 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, 2018 ending April 30, 2019 (1st & 2nd Reading).

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: May I have a motion to suspend the rules that would interfere with the passing of the Ordinance.

ALD LEWIS: So move.

ALD MALONE MARSHALL: Second.

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Motion made by Alderwoman Lewis and Seconded by Alderwoman Malone Marshall. 

Roll Call

CLERK DUMAS: AYES: Tetter, Brown, Curtis, Baron, Lewis, Tall, Faford, Crawford, Osenga, O’Brien, Gall, Malone Marshall (12) Ayes (0) Nays

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Motion carries. May I have a motion to place the Ordinance on final passage?

ALD LEWIS: So move.

ALD MALONE MARSHALL: Second.

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Motion made by Alderwoman Lewis and Seconded by Alderwoman Malone Marshall. Any discussion? 

Roll Call

CLERK DUMAS: AYES: Tetter, Brown, Curtis, Baron, Lewis, Tall, Faford, Crawford, Osenga, O’Brien, Gall, Malone Marshall (12) Ayes (0) Nays

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Motion carries. Moving on to Item G.

ITEM 12G: 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 May 1, 2018 ending April 30, 2019 (1st & 2nd Reading).

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: May I have a motion to suspend the rules that would interfere with the passing of the Ordinance.

ALD GALL: So move.

ALD O’BRIEN: Second.

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Motion made by Alderwoman Gall and Seconded by Alderman O’Brien. 

Roll Call

CLERK DUMAS: AYES: Tetter, Brown, Curtis, Baron, Lewis, Tall, Faford, Crawford, Osenga, O’Brien, Gall, Malone Marshall (12) Ayes (0) Nays

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Motion carries. May I have a motion to place the Ordinance on final passage?

ALD GALL: So move.

ALD O’BRIEN: Second.

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Motion made by Alderwoman Gall and Seconded by Alderman O’Brien. Discussion? 

Roll Call

CLERK DUMAS: AYES: Tetter, Brown, Curtis, Baron, Lewis, Tall, Faford, Crawford, Osenga, O’Brien, Gall, Malone Marshall (12) Ayes (0) Nays

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Motion carries.

ITEM 12H: Ordinance for the Levy and Assessment of Property Taxes in and for the City of Kankakee Special Service Area Number “Five” Eastside Business District For the Fiscal year Commencing On May 1, 2018 ending April 30, 2019 (1st & 2nd Reading)..

ALD TETTER: So move.

ALD BROWN: Second.

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Motion made by Alderman Tetter and Seconded by Alderman Brown. 

Roll Call

CLERK DUMAS: AYES: Tetter, Brown, Curtis, Baron, Lewis, Tall, Faford, Crawford, Osenga, O’Brien, Gall, Malone Marshall (12) Ayes (0) Nays

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Motion carries. May I have a motion to place the Ordinance on final passage?

ALD TETTER: So move.

ALD BROWN: Second.

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Motion made by Alderman Tetter and Seconded by Alderman Brown. Discussion? 

Roll Call

CLERK DUMAS: AYES: Tetter, Brown, Curtis Baron, Lewis, Tall, Faford, Crawford, Osenga, O’Brien, Gall, Malone Marshall (12) Ayes (0) Nays

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Motion carries.

ITEM 12I: 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, 2018 ending April 30, 2019 - will be distributed Monday (1st & 2nd Reading).

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: May I have a motion to suspend the rules that would interfere with the passing of the Ordinance.

ALD BARON: So move.

ALD BROWN: Second.

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Motion made by Alderman Baron and Seconded by Alderman Brown. 

Roll Call

CLERK DUMAS: AYES: Tetter, Brown, Curtis Baron, Lewis, Tall, Faford, Crawford, Osenga, O’Brien, Gall, Malone Marshall (12) Ayes (0) Nays

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Motion carries. May I have a motion to place the Ordinance on final passage?

ALD BARON: I so move.

ALD BROWN: Second.

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Motion made by Alderman Baron and Seconded by Alderman Brown. Any discussion?

DISCUSSION: Ald Curtis: Our goal when we brought the sales taxes was to take the pension line item down to zero. Unfortunately we did not meet our goal. We projected a higher number, we are still on pace as before with shopping in the district although we can’t control the other tax districts. Overall it is a positive thing. Ald O’Brien: We had hoped for a 100 percent reduction it’s significant progress. It’s good news but not good enough. We promised that we would remove the burden off of tax payers and ultimately we need to keep that promise.

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: I never used the word promise, I used the word abate. I am happy the tax payers will have relief. 

Roll Call.

CLERK DUMAS: AYES: Tetter, Brown, Curtis Baron, Lewis, Tall, Faford, Crawford, Osenga, O’Brien, Gall, Malone Marshall (12) Ayes (0) Nays

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Motion carries. Moving on to Item J.

ITEM 12J: Recommendation to Award the Bid in the amount of $1.870,404.74 which is for the Base Bid in Addition to a $50,000 Contingency to Kankakee Valley Construction Co., Inc, for Schuyler Avenue Street Scaping Project PEI Job No. 18037.0301. This is the TIF project downtown. Started in June 2018. It address the complaint from the Attorney General office regarding ADA and benefits the area (1st & 2nd Reading).

NIEL PIGGUSH: The downtown TIF project started June 2018. Council approved Iteska to do the public outreach portion of the project. There was also an online survey for the public to participate in. Notices were postage, signage, in the Journal, City Website and Social Media outlets to reach many.

ELIZABETH KUBAL: The amount listed is very similar to the amount on the TIF analysis we went over in budget along with the other projections while the bond payment can be extended.leaving a small reserve for TIF 1 at this time.

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: May I have a motion to award the bid in the amount of $1,870,404.74 with the addition of a $50,000.00 Contingency.

ALD MALONE MARSHALL: So move.

ALD GALL: Second.

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Motioned by Alderwoman Malone Marshall and Seconded by Alderwoman Gall. Discussion?

DISCUSSION: Business owners contacted me regarding the streetscape. I am for the bike lane but I have a hard time with the parking potentially crippling their businesses. We have business owners that were not contacted. Can we come up with a solution for the business owners and bike path.

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Teska was intentionally chosen because of their outreach.

Social Media, Surveys, multiple Outreach and analysis have been done and Council members met with us. We have to allocate the funds by the end of the year.

DISCUSSION: Ald Malone Marshall: As a member of Council/part of the steering committee for this project, public meetings were available and outreach. The goal is to bring business and encourage economic growth. When we passed the bike plan many came out and spoke. Ald Gall: I attended a convention that shared the positive impacts of how bike lanes can positively change a community. Taking people out of their cars, they see things in a different way and notice things they didn’t notice before they stop and causes people to slow down. Ald Osenga: Three business owners have complaints about the parking and I have concerns. We don’t want businesses moving out of our community. It’s a great project and I hope we can compromise to make people happy. Ald O’Brien: This is a good plan with kool elements but we fumbled on the outreach part. I wish that process could have been better. Hopefully it will in the future. Ald Baron: For the purpose of improving we should support the process. The most controversial aspect is the bike lane. In 41 years of working downtown, I have never seen a huge battle for parking on the Eastside. As a forward looking community, this is a small part of what we can do positively.

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: 

Roll Call

CLERK DUMAS: AYES: Tetter, Brown, Curtis, Baron, Lewis, Tall, Faford, O’Brien, Gall, Malone Marshall NAYS: Crawford, Osenga (10) Ayes (2) Nays

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Motion carries. Moving on to Item K

ITEM 12K: Preliminary Engineering Hobbie Avenue Summary (Information Only). This is related to the MP.Project. We haven’t had a project since the Brookmont Blvd 20 years ago. No action is required tonight

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: We have no appointments. We do need a motion to go into Executive Session

EXECUTIVE SESSION

ITEM 14A Personnel: The Appointment, Employment, Compensation, Discipline, Performance, or Dismissal of Specific Employees of the Public Body or Legal Counsel for the Public Body. Purpose of personnel

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Motion to go into Executive Session.

ALD CRAWFORD: So move.

ALD OSENGA: Second.

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Motioned by Alderman Crawford and Seconded by Alderman Osenga. All in favor

COUNCIL: Aye.

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: We are now in Executive Session. 

Roll Call

CLERK DUMAS: PRESENT: Tetter, Brown, Baron, Curtis, Lewis, Tall, Faford, Crawford, Osenga, O’Brien, Gall, Malone Marshall ABSENT: Swanson, Kennedy (12) Present (2) Absent

RETURN TO OPEN SESSION

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Motion to leave Executive Session and Return to Open Session.

ALD TETTER: So move.

ALD BROWN: Second.

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Motioned by Alderman Tetter and Seconded by Alderman Brown. All in favor

COUNCIL: Aye.

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: We are now back in Open Session. 

Roll Call

CLERK DUMAS: PRESENT: Tetter, Brown, Baron, Curtis, Lewis, Tall, Faford, Crawford, Osenga, O’Brien, Gall, Malone Marshall ABSENT: Swanson, Kennedy (12) Present (2) Absent

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Thank you. Item 15A action resulting from the Executive Session. We have a settlement of John Burke EEOC Charge #440-2016-05148 per the conditions pertaining the agreed settlement. May I have a motion to approve the settlement.

ALD BROWN: Motion to approve the settlement

ALD TETTER: Second

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Motion made by Alderman Brown and Seconded by Alderman Tetter. Discussion? 

Roll Call

CLERK DUMAS: PRESENT: Tetter, Brown, Baron, Curtis, Lewis, Tall, Faford, Crawford, Osenga, O’Brien, Gall, Malone Marshall ABSENT: Swanson, Kennedy (12) Present (2) Absent

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Motion carries. Moving on to Alderman Comments.

ALDERMAN COMMENTS

ALDERMEN & ALDERWOMEN: Expression of condolences to Alderwoman Swanson who lost a love one. The Code meeting.

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: It’s been a rough week for Council members that had death in their families. I want to extend condolences to Alderwoman Malone Marshall lost her niece. It was a hard week for our team. Shout out to Neil. He is a rock star for getting the Lead Grant and the Healthy Home Initiatives. Thank you to Jan and Gloria for helping with getting Neil the information.

ALD MALONE MARSHALL: Thank you for the phone calls and prayers.

ADJOURNMENT

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Thank you Officer Skelly for being here tonight. May I have a motion to adjourn?

ALD OSENGA: So move.

ALD MALONE MARSHALL: Second.

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Motioned by Alderwoman Malone Marshall. Seconded by Alderman Osenga. All in favor aye?

COUNCIL: Aye.

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Opposed same sign. We are adjourned.

https://citykankakee-il.gov/perch/resources/editor/city-council-mtg-minutes-december-17th-2018-meeting.pdf