CITY OF KANKAKEE

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

JULY 7, 2008         7:01 P.M.

 

MAYOR GREEN:       I’d like to call the meeting to order, please.  Larry Nolan, I’d like to ask you to come forward and open our meeting with a prayer.

 

LARRY NOLAN:        Shall we all bow our heads.  Father, we’d like to ask that You acknowledge this august body tonight and acknowledge the citizens that have gathered here to participate in our meeting.  And, the elected officials who have gathered here to deliberate the business of the City.  We would like to ask that You guide us all and provide us with a very positive collective mentality to continue to move our City forward and do great things in Your name.  Amen.

 

MAYOR GREEN:       Okay, now I’d like to ask Matthew Sharp and the Boy Scouts from Troop 361 Rainbow Council, to come up and lead us in the Pledge.  Why don’t you come on all the way up here?  That’s good.

 

MATTHEW SHARP AND BOY SCOUT TROOP 361 AND ALL:   Pledge of Allegiance.

 

MAYOR GREEN:       Thank you very much, gentlemen.  Now, before you sit down, we’ve got one other duty we’ve got to take care of tonight.  This lady to my right and your left–today’s her birthday.  So, we’ve got to sing Happy Birthday to her.  And, you don’t want me leading, that’s for sure. 

 

ALDERMAN HUNTER:         You can lip synch, though.

 

MAYOR GREEN:       Yeah, that’s for sure.  Chris has got a better voice.

 

ATTORNEY BOHLEN:          Okay, we’ll start.      Everyone sings Happy Birthday

 

MAYOR GREEN:       She’s in her early 30's.  That’s all I’ll say, all right?  I don’t want to get in trouble with my City Clerk, all right?  Roll call, please.

 

CLERK DUMAS: 

PRESENT: Brown; Hunter; Epstein; Williams; Ciaccio; Grant; Hearn; Linneman; Jones; Schwade; Cox (11)

            ABSENT: Baron; Diersen; Coleman (3)

 

MAYOR GREEN:       Department Heads

 

CLERK DUMAS: 

PRESENT:  Kinkade; Harmon; Dear; Bohlen; Power; Simms; Tyson; Shaw; Nolan; Gordon; Fuerst (11)

            ABSENT: Spice; Leshen (2)

 

MAYOR GREEN:       Thank you.  You have the minutes of the June 16, 2008, meeting.  I need a motion to approve.

 

ALDERMAN HUNTER:         Hearing no objections from my colleagues, I move they be approved as recorded.

 

ALDERMAN HEARN:           Second.

 

MAYOR GREEN:       Motion by Alderman Hunter, seconded by Alderman Hearn to approve the minutes of June 16, 2008.  All in favor, AYE.  Opposed, same sign. 

 

MOTION TO APPROVE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JUNE 16, 2008

 

MAYOR GREEN:       Motion carries.  Before we start, is there a motion from the Floor to amend the agenda for tonight?

 

ALDERMAN HUNTER:         I so move, Mayor Green, in order to consider the matter for the asbestos removal. 

 

ALDERMAN SCHWADE:     I second it. 

 

MAYOR GREEN:       Motion by Alderman Hunter, seconded by Alderman Schwade to amend the agenda under New Business to approve a bid for asbestos removal at the old City Hall.  Roll call. 

 

CLERK DUMAS:

AYE: Brown; Hunter; Epstein; Williams; Ciaccio; Grant; Hearn; Linneman; Jones; Schwade;  Cox  (11) 

            ABSENT: Baron; Diersen; Coleman  (3)

 

MOTION TO APPROVE BID FOR ASBESTOS REMOVAL AT OLD CITY HALL

 

MAYOR GREEN:       Motion carries.  If you don’t mind, before we start going through the agenda, Matthew Sharp is here and back under Resolutions, we have a Resolution honoring Matthew Sharp and I’d like the City Council to take action on that Resolution at this time.  Would you like to read it, Madam Clerk?

 

CLERK DUMAS:        RESOLUTION NO. 2008 - 23 HONORING MATTHEW SHARP FOR HIS BOY SCOUT LIFESAVING MEDAL    WHEREAS, the Boy Scout slogan is “do a good turn daily,” an eleven-year-old boy from Kankakee took that to heart with a good deed that saved a life: his mother’s; and, WHEREAS,         Matthew Sharp, a sixth-grader at Kankakee’s Kennedy Middle Grade School, used his quick thinking and clear and calm presence of mind to save his mother, Barbara Sharp, on Labor Day, 2007, when she blacked out from an undiagnosed, rare heart condition and lost control of her vehicle; and  

WHEREAS, Matthew was able to reach over, guide the car into a ditch, and come to a stop, safely out of the way of oncoming traffic.  Kankakee County Sheriff Tim Bukowski arrived quickly on the scene and rendered assistance until the ambulance arrived and transported Mrs. Sharp to the hospital; and

WHEREAS, at Riverside, where his mother was taken, Matthew helped his mother once again as he summoned a nurse and doctor when he noticed that his mother was having difficulty breathing.  Dr. Stephen Decker and Al Ponton, a staff nurse, both agreed that Matthew’s composure and courage were crucial to saving his mother.  In his letter of commendation, Dr. Decker wrote that “Matthew remained very calm throughout the entire ordeal.  I firmly believe that Matthew’s ability to recognize that his mother was not doing well and calling me into the room quickly allowed me to begin the procedures that ultimately saved her life”; and WHEREAS, Raymond Fairfield, Patrol Commander for the Kankakee County Sheriff’s Office, stated that, “If it were not for the quick thinking of Matthew Sharp, the vehicle could have been involved in a crash, which would have resulted in serious injury or death,” and  WHEREAS, to honor Matthew, the Boys Scouts awarded him a Lifesaving Medal in a special ceremony on Monday, June 9, 2008, at The Cornerstone Church in Bourbonnais, where he is a member of  Troop 361, Rainbow Council.  On hand to help pay tribute to Matthew were family members and State Representative Lisa Dugan; and WHEREAS, in addition to being a heroic Boy Scout, Matthew played youth soccer for several years and also plays the cello.  He hopes to audition for the Kankakee Valley Youth Symphony and has won many Illinois Music Educators Association ribbons; and THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by Mayor Donald E. Green and the City Council of the City of Kankakee, Illinois, do recognize Matthew Sharp for his heroism, and congratulate him for his award of the Boy Scout Lifesaving Medal.  Adopted this 7th day of July, 2008.  Signed by Mayor Donald E. Green and City Clerk Anjanita Dumas.

 

MAYOR GREEN:       Is there a recommendation that we accept this?

 

ALDERMAN WILLIAMS:     So moved.

 

MAYOR GREEN:       Motion by Alderman Williams.  Is there a second?

 

ALDERMAN HUNTER:         Second.

 

MAYOR GREEN:       Second by Alderman Hunter.  All in favor, AYE.  Opposed, same sign. 

 

RESOLUTION HONORING MATTHEW SHARP FOR HIS BOY SCOUT

LIFESAVING MEDAL

 

MAYOR GREEN:       Motion carries.  Mrs. Sharp, you want to come up, too, please?  Come on.  You have to be very proud of your son.

 

MRS. SHARP: I am.  Very proud.  It brings tears to my eyes every time I think of it.

 

MAYOR GREEN:       Well, good, we’re glad.  Thank you, Matthew, you did a heck of a job.  And, we’re glad to honor you tonight. 

 

MATTHEW SHARP:  Thank you.

 

MAYOR GREEN:       As long as we’re doing Resolutions, would you mind doing the one honoring Reverend John Marvin on his retirement?

 

ALDERMAN HUNTER:         I so move.

 

ALDERMAN GRANT:           Second.

 

MAYOR GREEN:       Motion by Alderman Hunter, seconded by Alderman Grant.  All in favor, AYE.  Opposed, same sign.  

 

RESOLUTION HONORING REVEREND JOHN S. MARVIN ON HIS RETIREMENT

 

MAYOR GREEN:       Motion carries.  Next, Petitions.  We have no Petitions.  Communications.  We have one from St. Martin Church requesting permission to hold their annual October Prayer Walk and the Kankakee Library requesting permission to close East Merchant Street from the train depot to the Library parking lot on this Saturday.  And, the Illinois Chapter of Stunters Motorcycle Club is requesting permission to block Willow Street.

 

ALDERMAN HUNTER:         I so move on items A, B, C.

 

ALDERMAN BROWN:          Second.

 

MAYOR GREEN:       Motion by Alderman Hunter, seconded by Alderman Brown to honor those three requests.  All in favor, AYE.  Opposed, same sign. 

 

ST. MARTIN CHURCH IS REQUESTING PERMISSION TO HOLD THEIR ANNUAL OCTOBER PRAYER WALK ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2008 AT 6:00 P.M.

 

KANKAKEE PUBLIC LIBRARY IS REQUESTING PERMISSION TO CLOSE EAST MERCHANT STREET FROM THE TRAIN DEPOT TO THE LIBRARY PARKING LOT ON SATURDAY, JULY 12, 2008 FROM 8:00 A.M. UNTIL 12:00 P.M. TO ACCOMMODATE THE ANNUAL LIBRARY FAMILY FUN DAY AT THE FARMER’S MARKET

 

ILLINOIS CHAPTER OF #1 STUNTERS MOTORCYCLE CLUB IS REQUESTING PERMISSION TO BLOCK WILLOW STREET FROM HOBBIE AVENUE TO PARK AVENUE ON SUNDAY, JULY 27, 2008 FROM 9:00 A.M. UNTIL 4:00 P.M. FOR THE SECOND ANNUAL SUMMERFEST CAR SHOW AND PRESENTATION

 

MAYOR GREEN:       Motion carries.  Next, we’ll move into Standing Committees.  Department of Public Works.  Alderman Brown.

 

ALDERMAN BROWN:          Report submitted.

 

MAYOR GREEN:       Thank you.  Planning and Code Enforcement.  I think Alderman Hunter was Chair that night.  Anything you want to add to that one?

 

ALDERMAN HUNTER:         Just wanted to, for the Council’s consideration and vote on this particular matter.  As you see in the minutes, the Committee voted to approve KVEG as the contractor for property board ups.  A motion was made by Alderman Schwade to approve the KVEG and the motion was seconded by Alderman Hank Williams.  All members voted to approve the motion.  Motion passed.  I don’t have any specificities in terms of the numbers, but I wish that you would concur with the Committee’s opinion–decision–to approve KVEG as the contractor for the property board ups.  I would, therefore, move to approve KVEG as the contractor for the property board ups.

 

MAYOR GREEN:       Is there a second?

 

ALDERMAN HEARN:           Second.

 

MAYOR GREEN:       Motion by Alderman Hunter, seconded by Alderman Hearn to approve KVEG as our contractor for the board ups within the City.  Any questions of the Committee?  Alderman Schwade.

 

ALDERMAN SCHWADE:     I just wanted to...........the people that aren’t on the Committee that I hope you notice that with the black we think that it looks much better than the plain plywood.

 

MAYOR GREEN:       I agree with you.  Any other questions?  Roll call. 

 

CLERK DUMAS:

AYE: Brown; Hunter; Epstein; Williams; Ciaccio; Grant; Hearn; Linneman; Jones; Schwade;  Cox  (11) 

            ABSENT: Baron; Diersen; Coleman  (3)

 

MOTION TO APPROVE KVEG AS THE CONTRACTOR FOR PROPERTY BOARD UPS

 

MAYOR GREEN:       Motion carries.  Next, is the Report of Officers.  Is there a motion to approve the bills?

 

ALDERMAN WILLIAMS:     I move to approve the Report of Officers, place the money into the proper accounts and pay the bills in the amount of $2,159,938.44.

 

MAYOR GREEN:       Is there a second?

 

ALDERMAN CIACCIO:        Second.

 

MAYOR GREEN:       Motion by Alderman Williams, seconded by Alderman Ciaccio to approve the Report of Officers, place the money in the proper accounts and pay the bills in the amount of $2,159,938.44.  Any questions on any particular bill?  Roll call. 

 

CLERK DUMAS:

AYE: Brown; Hunter; Epstein; Williams; Ciaccio; Grant; Hearn; Linneman; Jones; Cox  (10) ABSTAIN:   Schwade (1) 

            ABSENT: Baron; Diersen; Coleman  (3)

 

REPORTS OF OFFICERS APPROVAL OF BILLS  $2,159,938.44

 

MAYOR GREEN:       Motion carries.  Next, there is no Unfinished Business.  We’ll move onto New Business.  We have two Ordinances for handicapped parking.  One at 289 S. Greenwood for two spaces and another one at 685 E. Broadview Drive for one.  We can do both of them together if the Council so desires.  Is there a motion to Suspend the Rules? 

 

ALDERMAN JONES:             Motion to Suspend the Rules.

 

MAYOR GREEN:       Motion by Alderman Jones to Suspend the Rules that would interfere with the passage of this Ordinance.  Is there a second?

 

ALDERMAN SCHWADE:     I second it. 

 

MAYOR GREEN:       Second by Alderman Schwade.  Roll call. 

 

CLERK DUMAS:

AYE: Brown; Hunter; Epstein; Williams; Ciaccio; Grant; Hearn; Linneman; Jones; Schwade;  Cox  (11) 

            ABSENT: Baron; Diersen; Coleman  (3)

 

MAYOR GREEN:       Motion carries.  Is there a motion to put these Ordinances on their Final Passage and Pass?

 

ALDERMAN JONES:             So moved.

 

ALDERMAN SCHWADE:     I second it.

 

MAYOR GREEN:       Motion by Alderman Jones, seconded by Alderman Schwade.  Any questions?  Roll call. 

 

 

CLERK DUMAS:

AYE: Brown; Hunter; Epstein; Williams; Ciaccio; Grant; Hearn; Linneman; Jones; Schwade;  Cox  (11) 

            ABSENT: Baron; Diersen; Coleman  (3)

 

ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 32, SECTION 231 ESTABLISHING A HANDICAPPED PARKING SIGN AT 289 SOUTH GREENWOOD AVENUE – 2 SPACES

 

ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 32, SECTION 231 ESTABLISHING A HANDICAPPED PARKING SIGN AT 685 EAST BROADVIEW DRIVE

 

MAYOR GREEN:       Motion carries.  Next, is the item that we asked to have the agenda amended for.  That’s for the asbestos removal at the old City Hall.  Mr. Simms, you want to walk through that, please, with the Council?

 

RICHARD SIMMS:    Yes.  I’d like to explain why we’re asking for your special consideration on this matter.  The anticipation was–as you may know, we’re out for bid right now for the remodel of City Hall into the Public Safety Center.  One of the preliminary steps is to identify and remove asbestos or abate the asbestos risk.  The architects, in their initial assessment, felt that the proposals that came back would be under $20,000.00.  Consequently, we had informed them and suggested to them that they request proposals in accordance with the City’s policy.  As you can see, the results were above $20,000.00.  Consequently, we are now asking you to consider these proposals.  Since it’s over the $20,000.00 limit, it will require special consideration on your part.  Mr. Terry Johnston is here and I’m sure he would be happy to answer any questions about the specifics of the work or the prices. 

 

MAYOR GREEN:       Is there any questions? 

 

ALDERMAN HUNTER:         The recommendation is Atlantic/Insulco Environmental Services? 

 

TERRY JOHNSTON: That’s correct.

 

ALDERMAN HUNTER:         In the amount of $31,241.00.

 

TERRY JOHNSTON: That’s correct.

 

ALDERMAN HUNTER:         Is that the low bid?  And, they have special expertise in removing asbestos?

 

TERRY JOHNSTON: Very much so.  These are qualified people indistinguishable

 

MAYOR GREEN:       Is there a motion?

 

 

ALDERMAN HUNTER:         I so move, Mayor, that we, ah, concur with the low bid of $31,241.00 for Atlantic/Insulco Environmental Services.

 

MAYOR GREEN:       Is there a second?

 

ALDERMAN SCHWADE:     I second it.

 

MAYOR GREEN:       Motion by Alderman Hunter, seconded by Alderman Schwade to approve the bid from Atlantic Insulation Services in the amount of $31,241.00.  Alderman Williams.

 

ALDERMAN WILLIAMS:     I’ve got a question.  In the packet there’s a check from Wachovia Bank for $1,562.05.  What does that represent?

 

MAYOR GREEN:       That’s their 5% bid bond.

 

TERRY JOHNSTON: That’s a bid bond.  You need to give a bond or a certified check.

 

ALDERMAN WILLIAMS:     Oh, the bond.  Okay.  All right. 

 

MAYOR GREEN:       Any other questions?  Roll call. 

 

CLERK DUMAS:

AYE: Brown; Hunter; Epstein; Williams; Ciaccio; Grant; Hearn; Linneman; Jones; Schwade;  Cox  (11) 

            ABSENT: Baron; Diersen; Coleman  (3)

 

MOTION TO APPROVE BID FOR ASBESTOS REMOVAL AT OLD CITY HALL

 

MAYOR GREEN:       Motion carries.  Next, Executive Session.  We have no items to consider in Executive Session.  We move to item number 14, the Aldermen’s Comments or Questions.  Do you have any?  If not, I’ll entertain a motion to adjourn.

 

ALDERMAN HEARN:           Move to adjourn.

 

ALDERMAN SCHWADE:     Second.

 

MAYOR GREEN:       Motion by Alderman Hearn, seconded by Alderman Schwade.  All in favor, AYE.  Opposed, same sign. 

 

MOTION TO ADJOURN

                                                                                                                                                7:19 P.M.