CITY OF KANKAKEE

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

OCTOBER 20, 2008 7:01 P.M.

MAYOR GREEN: I’d like to call the meeting to order, please. I’d like to ask Pastor Carl Randle from the Fair Haven Church to come up and open our meeting with a prayer.

PASTOR RANDLE: Amen to everyone in the house. Eternal God, our Father, we thank you, Lord, for Your goodness and for Your kindness. We thank You, God, for this City that we dwell in and we thank You, God, for keepin’ our heads above water. Things could be worser. God, we thank You for helpin’ us and keepin’ our head above water. Now, God, we pray Your blessings upon this Council, Lord that You would give them counsel. Lord, that You would lead them and guide them for the best interest of our City, that the decisions they make, Lord, that we may all benefit from it. Now, we pray not only, Lord, just for the Council, but we pray for our City as a whole. That you bless this City. It’s a wonderful City, God, and we ask Your blessings to continually be upon it in Jesus’ name. Amen.

MAYOR GREEN: Now I’d like to ask the Fair Haven Sunshine Band, the young people from that Church, to come forward and lead us in the Pledge.

FAIRHAVEN SUNSHINE BAND AND ALL: Pledge of Allegiance

MAYOR GREEN: Very good. Thank you. Thanks, guys. Thank you. Roll call.

CLERK DUMAS:

PRESENT: Brown; Hunter; Epstein; Baron; Williams; Ciaccio; Swanson; Hearn; Linneman;

Diersen; Jones; Schwade; Cox (13)

ABSENT: Coleman (1)

MAYOR GREEN: Department Heads.

CLERK DUMAS:

PRESENT: Kinkade; Harmon; Dear; Spice; Bohlen; Power; Leshen; Simms; Tyson; Shaw; Nolan; Gordon (12)

ABSENT: Fuerst (1)

MAYOR GREEN: Thank you. You have the minutes of the October 6, 2008, meeting. I need a motion to approve.

ALDERMAN HUNTER: Any questions, changes, amendments? By anyone? Move they be approved as recorded.

ALDERMAN HEARN: Second.

MAYOR GREEN: Motion by Alderman Hunter, seconded by Alderman Hearn to approve the minutes of the October 6, 2008, meeting. All in favor, AYE. Opposed, same sign.

MOTION TO APPROVE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 6, 2008

MAYOR GREEN: Motion carries. Petitions. There’s only the minutes from the Planning Board meeting. It’s for information only. The other item which was a vacation of an alley has been removed from the agenda. Any other Petitions from the Floor? Hearing none, we’ll move onto Communications. Ah, we’ve got a letter of thanks from the Village of Hopkins Park. And, Riverside Colts are asking for permission to have a tag day this Saturday, October 25, and we want to establish the Halloween hours for the City of Kankakee from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. on Friday, October 31, 2008.

ALDERMAN BARON: On Halloween?

MAYOR GREEN: Pardon?

ALDERMAN BARON: On Halloween day?

MAYOR GREEN: No, there’s two items, you can deal with them separately or together.

ALDERMAN HUNTER: We always do it.

ALDERMAN BARON: Yeah, right. So the proposals have Halloween hours on Halloween day from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M.?

MAYOR GREEN: Right.

ALDERMAN BARON: I would so....

MAYOR GREEN: We’re never going to change that again. I learned my lesson once, okay?

ALDERMAN BARON: Not the closest Sunday, but.........okay. I would so move.

ALDERMAN HUNTER: Second it, Your Honor.

MAYOR GREEN: Motion and a second to approve the request from Riverside and establish the Halloween hours. All in favor, AYE. Opposed, same sign.

RIVERSIDE COLTS FOOTBALL LEAGUE IS REQUESTING PERMISSION TO

HOLD A TAG DAY ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2008

ESTABLISHING HALLOWEEN TRICK-OR-TREATING HOURS FROM 5:00 P.M.

UNTIL 7:00 P.M. ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2008

MAYOR GREEN: Standing Committees. Public Safety.

ALDERMAN HUNTER: Real briefly, ladies and gentlemen, there’s only one action item. Chief Kinkade and Mayor Green requested the overall man power be increased from 73 to 74 in order to increase the KAMEG unit by one. The Committee approved the request via motion by Alderman Williams and second by Alderman Schwade. That would actually increase the Patrol personnel from 48 to 49. And, as I’ve indicated, the manpower will go from 73 to 74. You have in your packets an Ordinance that speaks to that and I would move to Suspend the Rules that would interfere with the consideration and passage of this Ordinance at this time.

MAYOR GREEN: Is there a second?

ALDERMAN HEARN: Second.

MAYOR GREEN: Motion by Alderman Hunter, seconded by Alderman Hearn to Suspend the Rules that would interfere with the passage of this Ordinance. Roll call.

CLERK DUMAS:

AYE: Brown; Hunter; Epstein; Baron; Williams; Ciaccio; Swanson; Hearn; Linneman; Diersen; Jones; Schwade; Cox (13)

ABSENT: Coleman (1)

MAYOR GREEN: Motion carries. Is there a motion now to put this Ordinance on its Final Passage and Pass?

ALDERMAN HUNTER: Move this Ordinance be placed on its Final Passage and Pass?

ALDERMAN HEARN: Second.

MAYOR GREEN: Motion by Alderman Hunter, seconded by Alderman Hearn to place this Ordinance on its Final Passage and Pass. Any questions? Roll call.

CLERK DUMAS:

AYE: Brown; Hunter; Epstein; Baron; Williams; Ciaccio; Swanson; Hearn; Linneman; Diersen; Jones; Schwade; Cox (13)

ABSENT: Coleman (1)

ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 27, ARTICLE IV, SECTION 27-54

OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF KANKAKEE INCREASING

THE NUMBER OF PATROLMEN AS MEMBERS OF THE

CITY OF KANKAKEE POLICE DEPARTMENT

MAYOR GREEN: Motion carries. Next, is the License and Franchise meeting. Any comments?

ALDERMAN SWANSON: Information’s in the packet.

MAYOR GREEN: Thank you. Before we go on into the agenda and do the Report of Officers and New and Old Business, I’d like to skip to the bottom part of the agenda if I could. I’m going to ask Chief Kinkade to come up. We’ve got a Resolution that we want to honor some individuals here tonight. This is a request from some of the Aldermen. Alderman Jones had called me also and suggested that we do this so I would like Mike to ask the individuals to come up and we would like to duly honor those. And, Alderman Hunter, you’re the Chair of the Public Safety Committee. Would you please help the Chief?

ALDERMAN HUNTER: And, Alderman Brown has the Resolutions.

MAYOR GREEN: Okay.

CHIEF MICHAEL KINKADE: Brian Spears, Carlos Jordan, Michelle Smith, George Sanchez and Norma Weber.

MAYOR GREEN: Use the microphone will you please, Mike? Could I ask the recipients...... would you turn around and face the audience? Thank you.

CHIEF MICHAEL KINKADE: On September 26, 2008, a potentially tragic event was averted because of the alert, quick and effective action taken by five individuals employed by First Student Bus Services. On that date, a crying 7-year-old child reported to her school bus driver, Mr. Brian Spears, that an individual who was still in the area, had attempted to abduct her while she waited for the bus to take her to school. Mr. Spears called in the incident to the bus company dispatch so that they could call the police. Fellow bus drivers Carlos Jordan, Michelle Smith, George Sanchez, along with bus attendant Norma Weber heard the radio transmission and drove directly to the location. After arriving on the scene, these individuals quickly located the suspect and used their buses to box in the man until the arrival of police. Because of their quick and decisive action, a potentially tragic event was not only prevented from occurring, but the suspect was immediately identified and arrested. On behalf of the Kankakee Police Department, I wish to recognize these individuals for their actions and valuable service to the community in protecting the lives of our children. Congratulations.

ALDERMAN HUNTER: I’d just like to pass these out. Mr. Brian Spears. Thank you and congratulations. George Sanchez. Michelle Smith, she’s not here. Carlos Jordan. And Norma Weber.

MAYOR GREEN: Would any of you like to speak? You’re sure welcome to.

ALDERMAN HUNTER: Speech.

MAYOR GREEN: Come on. Don’t be that bashful.

BRIAN SPEARS: Well, I just want to thank the City for recognizing that good things do happen within our City, within our community. Thank you for recognizing us.

MAYOR GREEN: Well, we’re proud to have you in our community and what you did was absolutely outstanding. And, we’re very much in your debt and gratitude for what the five of you did for our community. And, did for this young person. So, thank you. Thank you.

GEORGE SANCHEZ: Mayor Green, if I could have a second?

MAYOR GREEN: Sure.

GEORGE SANCHEZ: Esteemed Council members, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you, but really, truthfully there were five of us that did a job, but the unseen situation is that every day First Student buses are out there on the streets. And, though we receive these awards, there are countless drivers and monitors that are watching the children day in, day out. And, honestly, they do deserve some sort of recognition and if nothing else, a little bit of applause. They’re the guardian angels that are out there watching Kankakee students.

MAYOR GREEN: Okay, as long as we’re on Motions and Resolutions, ah, let’s do B, C and D, all together. Could I have a motion please for that? Who made the motion?

ALDERMAN EPSTEIN: I so move.

ALDERMAN HUNTER: Second.

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

RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE SEVENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF

THE VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS POST 2857 OF KANKAKEE

RESOLUTION HONORING REVEREND SHOLE AND DORIS JORDAN

RESOLUTION HONORING FIRST STUDENT BUS DRIVERS

MAYOR GREEN: Motion carries. And, ah, as long as we’re on that section of the Agenda, I need a motion to accept the Highway Permit and Resolution for the Public Safety Center Entrance on the Illinois Route 50 at Oak Street.

ALDERMAN HUNTER: Could....I’ll do that. Can you clarify that for me Dave?

MAYOR GREEN: We’ve got a motion. Is there a second?

ALDERMAN SWANSON: Second.

MAYOR GREEN: Motion by Alderman Hunter, seconded by Alderman Swanson. Dave.

DAVID TYSON: Yeah, what that is, is the State requires a Resolution now for any highway permit that we get is for the entrance coming in over here at the old City Hall–the new Safety Building right now. And, in order for us to activate the permit, we needed to have a Resolution passed.

ALDERMAN HUNTER: Thank you.

MAYOR GREEN: Any questions? Roll call.

CLERK DUMAS:

AYE: Brown; Hunter; Epstein; Baron; Williams; Ciaccio; Swanson; Hearn; Linneman; Diersen; Jones; Schwade; Cox (13)

ABSENT: Coleman (1)

RECOMMENDATION TO ACCEPT THE HIGHWAY PERMIT AND RESOLUTION

FOR THE PUBLIC SAFETY CENTER ENTRANCE ON ILLINOIS ROUTE 50 AT

OAK STREET – TEI JOB NO. E08065

MAYOR GREEN: Motion carries. We will go back to our Agenda to item No. 9, the Report of Officers and Approval of Bills.

ALDERMAN WILLIAMS: I move to approve the Report of Officers, place the monies into the proper account and pay the bills in the amount of $452,377.01.

ALDERMAN CIACCIO: Second.

MAYOR GREEN: Motion by Alderman Williams, seconded by Alderman Ciaccio to accept the Report of Officers, place the money in the proper accounts and pay the bills in the amount of $452,377.01. Is there any question on any individual bill? Roll call.

CLERK DUMAS:

AYE: Brown; Hunter; Epstein; Baron; Williams; Ciaccio; Swanson; Hearn; Linneman; Diersen; Jones; Schwade; Cox (13)

ABSENT: Coleman (1)

REPORTS OF OFFICERS APPROVAL OF BILLS $452,377.01

MAYOR GREEN: Motion carries. Ah, Alderman Baron, I think you have an announcement. I’m just going to pick it up under Unfinished Business.

ALDERMAN BARON: The rescheduled Budget Committee meeting which had been rescheduled for Wednesday, at 5:15 P.M., is going to be cancelled. This is the October meeting. We will not have a meeting in October.

MAYOR GREEN: Thank you. And, we will.....and Mr. Spice, you’ll notify the press that that’s being done.

JAMES SPICE: Yes.

MAYOR GREEN: Thank you. Ah, New Business. The first item is a recommendation to award the bid of $7,771.00 to Berghouse Concrete for the work to be done at the North Fairmont Avenue Fire Station. That’s more or less of an emergency repair. The driveway is beginning to collapse ‘cause it’s washing out underneath. We received three different quotes. This was the lowest of the three. And, we need to do it on an emergency basis. It’ll come out of the capital account.

ALDERMAN BROWN: Motion to approve.

ALDERMAN HUNTER: Second.

MAYOR GREEN: Motion by Alderman Brown, seconded by Alderman Hunter. Any questions? Roll call.

CLERK DUMAS:

AYE: Brown; Hunter; Epstein; Baron; Williams; Ciaccio; Hearn; Linneman; Diersen; Jones; Schwade; Cox (12)

ABSTAIN: Swanson (1)

ABSENT: Coleman (1)

RECOMMENDATION TO AWARD THE BID OF $7,771.00 TO BERGHOUSE

CONCRETE, INC. FOR THE CONCRETE WORK AT THE NORTH FAIRMONT

AVENUE FIRE STATION

MAYOR GREEN: Motion carries. There are no Appointments tonight. We’ve done the Motions and Resolutions. Are there any comments or questions from the Aldermen?

ALDERMAN EPSTEIN: Oh.

MAYOR GREEN: Alderman Epstein.

ALDERMAN EPSTEIN: Do we have an estimated completion time for the parking lot at the new City Hall?

MAYOR GREEN: Mr. Simms.

RICHARD SIMMS: I’m sorry. I was asking Larry a question. Could you repeat it, please?

MAYOR GREEN: The question is, do we have an estimated time for the completion of the parking lot at the new Public Safety Building.

RICHARD SIMMS: The contract on the whole is to be finished April 12. However, since winter and springtime would not be the best time to do site work, the contractor has scheduled all site work to be completed by middle-to the end of November. So, if all goes as planned, both the north parking lot and the south parking lot, all the landscaping, sidewalks, curb and gutter will be done by the end of November.

ALDERMAN EPSTEIN: Thank you.

MAYOR GREEN: Any other questions? Comments? Ah, if there are none, we do not need an Executive Session tonight. I’ll entertain a motion to adjourn.

ALDERMAN BARON: So moved.

ALDERMAN SWANSON: Second.

MAYOR GREEN: Motion by Alderman Baron, seconded by Alderman Swanson. We stand adjourned.

MOTION TO ADJOURN CITY COUNCIL MEETING

7:19 P.M.