Kankakee Times

City of Kankakee City Council met Jan. 7.

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 Father John Peeters, St. Patrick Catholic Church and go on to the pledge of allegiance by the College Corner Ministry of Second Baptist Church. Moving on to Public Comments we have: Beth Casey, Judy Conway, Calvin Works, Karleen Yohnka, Ben Rondak, Steven Harris, Diane Boone, Lynn Jaffe, Diane Whitte, Nolan Benard, Marsha Brant, Phillip Gardner, Leo Dundas, Jerry Rutherford, Marsha Placey, Mike Arseneau, Cindy, Hannay, Lance Marzac and Jillian Ball.

PUBLIC COMMENTS (3 Minutes Per Person)

BETH CASEY: I am here for Fortitude, I am a Community Member,

Nurse and family member of a homeless person. We are all just a step away. I hope and pray we pass this to have seven shelters.

JUDY CONWAY: I live on West Vanmeter and I am not in favor. This right in my back yard. I hope it goes to the Ordinance Committee so everyone is aware it.

CALVIN WORKS: I live in the 2nd Ward, there seems to be a lack of interest in moving forward with the shelter. The issue appears to be the location. Our local Officials should have taken care of this by now. There are over 41 vacant buildings available. I have not seen any leadership at all. This should have been strategized a long time ago. My plea is for something to happen for these people.

KARLEEN YONHKA: I live on West Vanmeter and my property is in back of the church. My main concern is people signing in and out in the middle of the night. No buses will be running; where will they go? Concerns about my property and my neighbor’s property. I am asking that you table it.

BEN RONDAK: I am a student at KCC and I help create Fortitude. We have never experienced anyone being threatened, danger, fights or any form of aggression. Some actually become friends that lecture the young people about good choices. At BBCHS, I have witnessed several acts of violence but not in this program. I feel completely safe with the Shelter in my church, in my neighborhood.

STEVEN HARRIS: I returned to Kankakee to live in Gracefield to care for my elderly mother. She is the oldest resident in the area. As an owner of real estate.how can City Council. lower the real estate taxes in Gracefield. The shelter could have homeless people that are perpetrators with children and schools in the area.

DIANE BOONE: Homelessness is very serious. I was homeless 25 years ago with eight children. Five of my own and three foster children. I was on Section 8 and I had 120 days to find some where to go. These people are not homeless because they want to be. Society failed them. Let them have this shelter.where are they supposed to go? It is not fair to put people down and step on them when they are down.

LYNN JAFFE: My father is Harold Jaffe and we have three tenants and one coming in. My father paid into the TIF for 23years. He is 84 years old and not on Facebook, we did not see anything, the idea was not ran passed him and he did not receive a phone call. We are all for change. We are not negative people. We don’t want our parking places taken away.

DIANE WHITTE: I live behind the Church and what they want to do is wonderful but I have reservations. If I knew more about it.how it will run. I am asking for it to be tabled so we can. I am a realtor and I have some concerns about the value to properties.

NOLAN BENARD: I am with Immanuel Baptist, Fortitude is a great program. Everyone hs talked about location. God is in control. He knows what He is doing. The program is set and they know what they are doing.

MARSHA BRANT: I am a member of Immanuel Baptist. I have read the Bible from Genesis –Revelations. There are reoccurring themes such as take care of people. Neighbors can speak with Dawn. No one spoke against it. Trust us. Do not fear, only believe. Live in faith.

PHILLIP GARDNER: As Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church, I understand

There are questions. There is a need in our community to help the homeless. If you have any questions stop by and ask. I will show you the facility. I would love to hear from you.

LEO DUNDAS: I am requesting that Council table this until it goes t to Ordinance.concerns.

JERRY RUTHERFORD: I am a 50 year resident of the 3rd Ward. I am 4 to 5 blocks of the Church on Budd Blvd. I have no reservations. The homeless are already a part of our community. Vast majority are due to circumstances beyond their control. If we begin judge the homeless.the irony of those convicted crimes.Vote yes in favor of this.

MARSHA PLACEY: I have lived in Kankakee 25 years. The Church is a few blocks away. The shelter will not impact the schools.

MIKE ARSENEAU: I am two blocks away from the Church. When someone knocked on my door, this was the first I heard about this homeless shelter going in my neighborhood. Why didn’t I get anything? I want to know what’s going on.

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: You have two Council Representatives they share A lot of this information.

CINDY HANNAY: I support Fortitude. I have lived here 28 years, worked at ONU, former elementary school teacher and raised my children here and served on boards. I am excited about Fortitude. Another definition of Church. is following the example of Jesus. The Church and Fortitude is living out their action; loving God by loving others. Please allow Immanuel Baptist help those in our community that are in need.

LANCE MARZAC: Reflect on this.Great leaders are Great Listeners. I hope you listen tonight. I was contacted by Jaffe’s daughter, this was the first they heard about. The outreach program was a complete failure. Alderman O’Brien mention that business owners are great leaders, Alderman Baron said, business owners are the salt of the community. The City is a broom, sweeping us under.

JILLIAN BALL: I live in Gracefield.surprised to hear no neighbors.I talked to.and I am only one person. I have a petition regarding zoning. Everyone want to see everyone has a warm bed. The committee need to paying attention to constituents. In 24 hours, I collected 75 signatures. We want standards and no property and back ground checks completed by the police department. The Fortitude website is very vague. We don’t have any data to back it up. It should not be in a residential neighborhood. It’s a problem we want to solve.

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

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: Hunt, Schuldt, Kubal, McGrath, Schiel, Piggush, Nelson, Bertrand, Schmitz, Hoffman, Ellexson. Thank you.

MINUTES

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Moving on to the minutes for December 17th, 2018.motion to approve.

ALD OSENGA: So move.

ALD CRAWFORD: Second.

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Motioned by Alderman Osenga and Seconded by Alderman Crawford. Any edits? Hearing none.all in favor?

COUNCIL: Aye.

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Minutes are approved. We will now skip to Item 8B under Communications.

ITEM 8B: Presentation by Dan McDonald of MSI to Address Municipal Collections. Specializing in collecting debt such as parking tickets. The customer base has grown in the last 8 years and the home base is in Illinois. Notices are created and we have been successful in collecting. Debt is submitted to us and each City their percentage value. A ordinance needs to be passed with the required verbage. A copy of the agreement will be forwarded and a copy will be given to the Chairman of the Ordinance Committee. For our collection services we ask that you add 30% to the cost. Stickers.

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Thank you. Moving onto Petitions.

ITEM 7A: PB2018-11-2 Ordinance Granting A Conditional Use Permit to Allow Love’s Travel tops and Country Stores to Install A Ground Mounted Solar System in the City of Kankakee, Illinois, Located at 3407 South State Route 45/52 on Parcel #13-17-20-100-033. The Solar System will be located behind the building for their electricity. We had a Public Hearing December 18th for review. They were required to submit plans, submit plan. and. so the panels can be removed and the land be available for another type of use (1st and 2nd Reading).

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

ALD SWANSON: So move.

ALD FAFORD: Second.

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

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

ALD SWANSON: So move.

ALD FAFORD: Second.

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Motioned by Alderwoman Swanson and Seconded by Alderman Faford. Any discussion? Roll Call.

CLERK DUMAS: AYES: Tetter, Brown, Baron, Curtis, Lewis, Tall, Faford,

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

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Motion carries. Item 7B

ITEM 7B: PB2018-12-1 Ordinance Granting a Conditional use permit to allow Immanuel Baptist Church to Operate a Temporary Emergency Shelter in the City of Kankakee, Illinois, Located at 1300 West Hawkins Street, on Parcel #16-17-06-303-052 from October to the end of April, one night a week on Saturday nights as proposed. Operated by Immanuel Baptist and Fortitude Community Outreach. This has been reviewed and there was public testimony. The notification process according to statue states the a notice had to go in the paper 10 days prior to the public hearing. A notice was placed on the property outlining a proposal for conditional use with a number to contact us with questions. Notification was provided to residences within 200 feet of this property. We can consider doing additional notifications in the future. The planning Board did recommend approval with the following conditions: Fortitude attach a manual, only to operate on Friday or Saturday night, required to comply with the recently adopted Emergency Shelters adopted by Kankakee including inspections by the Fire Department. Two things going on.when we adopted the ordinance last month we found another model ordinance that we did not have time to pass it at that time. We have it and it does need to be modified to fit Kankakee a little bit better and we anticipate coming back to you in the near future with additional modifications. I have an idea, we can come back and revisit and let’s see how this will run.

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Alderman Tall do you have anything to add?

ALD TALL: A six month period is too long, The Ordinance Committee meets next week. We want to pass it so they will be able to operate but we want to do it in a timely and orderly fashion.

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Do I have a motion to suspend the rule that interferes with the passing of the Ordinance?

ALD SWANSON: Mayor, Is the appropriate time to table this so it can go before the Ordinance Committee? I would like to make that motion please.

ALD FAFORD: Second.

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Motion to table by Alderwoman Swanson. Seconded by Alderman Faford. Discussion? Roll Call.

CLERK DUMAS: AYES: Curtis, Tall, Faford, Swanson, Crawford, Osenga,

NAYS: Tetter, Brown, Lewis, O’Brien, Gall, Malone Marshall, Kennedy, ABSTAIN: Baron (6) Ayes (7) Nays (1) Abstention

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Motion voted down to table. May I have a motion to suspend the rules that will interfere with the passage of the ordinance?

ALD TETTER: So move.

ALD KENNEDY: Second.

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Motioned by Alderman Tetter. Seconded by Alderwoman Kennedy. Roll Call.

CLERK DUMAS: AYES: Tetter, Brown, Curtis, Lewis, O’Brien, Gall, Malone Marshall, Kennedy

ALD TALL: May I ask a question before I vote? Do we have the conditional use placed in this ordinance that Mike just mentions?

MIKE MCGRATH: Whoever.yes

CLERK DUMAS: NAYS: Tall, Faford, Swanson, Crawford, Osenga,

ABSTAIN: Baron (8) Ayes (5) Nays (1) Abstention

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

ALD TETTER: So move.

ALD KENNEDY: Second.

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Motioned by Alderman Tetter. Seconded by Alderwoman Kennedy.

ALD TETTER: Amend the motion to add modification to come back in a

period of 6 months for review.

ALD KENNEDY: Second the amended motion.

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Motioned amended by Alderman Tetter to add modifications to come back and review in 6 months. Amended motion seconded by Alderwoman Kennedy. Discussion? Alderman Tall.

DISCUSSION: Looking at Fortitudes policies and procedures are similar to the ordinance that we are suggesting. There are two changes to be vetted. We are looking at having some things added such as: You can’t have this overnight shelter.single family home, multifamily home in a single family district or hotel or motel or any other type of setting that will not come before this council for review. Those were some of the conditions. When we met on December 5th, with the Planning Board, members of Fortitude, and members of the Ordinance Committee. I thought we left there with a consensus that we would work together to get this done as soon as possible; not six months or a year from now. We still think it should go to the Ordinance Committee as soon as possible. I agree it should go to the ordinance committee but I cannot sleep knowing that people are out in the street and have nowhere to go. When the ordinance is amended all future changes (inaudible). Every year we have talked about the faith based community and asked them to step up for years. We need this now.its one night a week. We have an opportunity to do it now. We are doing due diligence, there are homeless people walking 17 blocks from our nation’s capital. If we leave our dogs in the cold there are laws, but there are people in the street. I struggle with this decision. Fortitude is making efforts to be complaint. I encourage residents to let us know what they learn good or bad. The way it is set up thee is a code of silence. Confidentiality is built in but nothing will be hidden form the public. This did go to the Ordinance Committee. I have concerns that people are not getting notified. These issues are addressed in the policy and procedures manual. Reports will be filed.

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: We have a motion on the floor to approve the conditional use permit to be reviewed in 6 months and a second. Roll Call.

CLERK DUMAS: AYES: Tetter, Brown, Curtis, Lewis, Tall, O’Brien, Gall, Malone Marshall, Kennedy NAYS: Faford, Swanson, Crawford, Osenga, ABSTAIN: Baron (9) Ayes (4) Nays (1) Abstention

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Motion carries. Chairman Tall send me information I will help move this along. Moving on to Item 8A.

ITEM 8A: Presentation by Kankakee County Treasurer Nick Africano to Introduce “Choices TPP” program for 2019 Real Estate Tax Payment Options. Property Owners can pay taxes in as many installments. Property Owners can pay taxes weekly online and get an email notification. Payments can be mailed in or can they can come in and pay. They can make the payments fit for them. We are getting the information out via, website, Ward meetings, flyers, financial institutions etc. This program is effective January 15th, 2019. There is a $1.00 fee for automatic payments. Final payment is due by the end of August – September 4th, 2019. Our obligation is to keep people in their homes.

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Thank you. Moving on to Item 9A.

STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS

ITEM 9A: Alderman Crawford: Building and Code discussed properties that are not in compliance. Alderman Osenga: I couldn’t make it to the meeting but I want to thank Code for having those washers and dryers removed off of Court Street.

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 $326,433.16.

ALD TALL: I will second the motion.

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

ALD TALL: What is check #74366 Signs and Graphics for $450.00?

ELIZABETH KUBAL: Reflective signs for the Police Department Traffic Unit.

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Roll Call.

CLERK DUMAS: AYES: Tetter, Brown, Curtis, Baron (abstain on check#74349 and #74363), Lewis, Tall, Faford, Swanson, Crawford, Osenga, O’Brien (abstain on #74349), Gall (abstain on check#74363), Malone Marshall, Kennedy (14) Ayes (0) Nays

NEW BUSINESS

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Motion Carries. No Unfinished Business. Moving on to New Business Item 12A.

ITEM 12A: Ordinance Amending Chapter 32, Section 32-152 Entitled

State Speed Laws-Application; Specific Alterations Designated” Establishing 20 Miles per Hour on School Days on Stone Street from Fifth Avenue to Seventh This pertains to an unsafe intersection in the 5th Ward.non-established School Zone on West and Stone (1st & 2nd Reading).

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: May I have a motion to suspend the rules that interfere with the passing of this ordinance?

ALD TALL: Motion to suspend the rules.

ALD LEWIS: Second.

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

Alderwoman Lewis. 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

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

ALD TALL: So move.

ALD LEWIS: Second.

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Motioned by Alderman Tall and Seconded by Alderwoman Lewis. Discussion? Alderman Tall.

DISCUSSION: Did you look at Seneca? The City Engineer will look at Seneca.

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: We will be forming a Traffic Committee please consider.

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

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: We have no appointments. We do need a motion to go into a brief 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: Informational Only.

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

ALD TETTER: So move.

ALD MALONE MARSHALL: Second.

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Motioned by Alderman Tetter and Seconded by Alderwoman Malone Marshall. All in favor

COUNCIL: Aye.

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

RETURN TO OPEN SESSION

City of Kankakee City Council Meeting January 7th, 2019 Page 11

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

ALD TETTER: So move.

ALD CRAWFORD: Second.

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

COUNCIL: Aye.

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

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: Thank you. Moving on to Alderman Comments.

ALDERMAN COMMENTS

ALDERMEN & ALDERWOMEN: Budget meeting is Tuesday January 15th.

Ordinance Committee meeting is January 22nd. Tyjuan Haglar workshop is.

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Welcome back Frank Koehler. On the Agenda for the 22nd Traffic Committee and City Parking Lots. Please enjoy the packages on your desk.

ADJOURNMENT

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: May I have a motion to adjourn?

ALD SWANSON: So move.

ALD LEWIS: Second.

MAYOR WELLS-ARMSTRONG: Motioned by Alderwoman Swanson. Seconded by Alderwoman Lewis. 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-january-7th-2019-meeting.pdf