CITY OF KANKAKEE
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MARCH 16, 2009
7:00 P.M.
MAYOR GREEN: I’d
like to call the meeting to order, please.
I’d like to ask Pastor Steve Goodin from Asbury United Methodist Church
to open our meeting with a prayer.
PASTOR GOODIN: We
have had a glorious day today. It’s been
beautiful. After rain and snow and ice
and the hard winter we’ve had, to have a day like today is one of the ways that
we can often say, there really is a God and this is proof. So, since we know that there is a God, let’s
pray to that God. Let us pray. We bow before the God of creation who
breathed life into us and gave each and every one of us a living soul. It is to You that we come when we have lost
our way. It is to You that we come when
our resources run out. It is to You that
we come when we are unable to solve our problems. Bless us today, oh Lord, with a heavenly
blessing. Open the windows of heaven and
give us our heart’s desire. May we learn
to love You and acknowledge you as our God.
May we learn to love each other and treat each other with Godly
respect. May we embrace justice and
mercy in our City. May we walk humbly
before our God. Be with those who are
leaders in our City and inspire them with the spirit of God so that we may be
led in such a way that when we leave here tonight, we’ll all know that the Lord
has truly been here, in and through our leaders. May the light of God shine brightly in this
meeting. In the name of God, we pray. Amen.
MAYOR GREEN: Now
I’d like to ask the youngsters from Lafayette Elementary School to come up and
lead us in the Pledge. He knows what he’s
gonna’ do.
ATTORNEY BOHLEN: He’s
a Mayoral candidate.
MAYOR GREEN: Yeah! The flag is right back here, guys. Go ahead.
STUDENTS FROM LAFAYETTE
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND
ALL: Pledge of Allegiance
STUDENTS FROM LAFAYETTE
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Lafayette
School is a family and I am a member of that family. As a member, I pledge to treat other people
kindly, to respect other people and their property, to make the school safe,
calm and peaceful, to learn self control and to help other people do the
same. One school, one family with
respect and dignity for all.
MAYOR GREEN: Great
job! Hey, guys, hey, wait a minute. Wait.
Wait. Come back up here. I think your parents want to take
pictures. Turn around and face the
audience, would you? Thank you. Now they can take pictures if you’d
like. Come on. Come on up and take ‘em so you can get up
here. You can’t do it from back
there. Thank you very much, guys, thank
you. I think they’re right into
this. Thank you, kids. Okay.
Thank you. That’s it. Roll call.
CLERK DUMAS:
PRESENT: Brown;
Epstein; Baron; Williams; Ciaccio; Swanson; Linneman;
Diersen;
Jones; Schwade; Coleman; Cox (12)
ABSENT: Hunter (1)
MAYOR GREEN: Department
Heads.
CLERK DUMAS:
PRESENT: Kinkade; Young; Dear; Spice; Bohlen; Power;
Leshen; Simms; Tyson; Shaw; Nolan; Gordon; Bertrand (13)
MAYOR GREEN: Thank
you. You have the minutes from the March
2, 2009, meeting. I need a motion to
approve.
ALDERMAN WILLIAMS: Mayor
Green, hearing no objections from my fellow colleagues, I move they be approved
as recorded.
ALDERMAN JONES:
Second.
MAYOR GREEN: Motion
by Alderman Williams, seconded by Alderman Jones to approve the minutes of the
March 2, meeting. All in favor,
AYE. Opposed, same sign.
MOTION TO APPROVE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF
MARCH 2, 2009
MAYOR GREEN: Motion
carries. Next, in front of you tonight
you have a Petition from the Planning Commission and it’s an Application by
Peotone Industrial Properties, LLC, Requesting Approval as an Annexation
Agreement to Annex Approximately 10.83 Acres into the City of Kankakee. We need to accept the Findings and
Recommendations of the Planning Board.
Is there a motion?
ALDERMAN SWANSON: I
so move.
MAYOR GREEN: Is
there a second?
ALDERMAN LINNEMAN: Second.
MAYOR GREEN: Motion
by Alderman Swanson, second by Alderman Linneman to accept the Findings and
Recommendations of the Planning Board.
Roll call.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown; Epstein; Baron; Williams; Ciaccio;
Swanson; Linneman; Diersen; Jones; Schwade; Coleman; Cox (12)
ABSENT: Hunter (1)
FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
PB09-02: AN APPLICATION BY PEOTONE INDUSTRIAL
PROPERTIES, LLC,
REQUESTING APPROVAL OF AN ANNEXATION AGREEMENT TO
ANNEX
APPROXIMATELY 10.83 ACRES INTO THE CITY OF KANKAKEE
MAYOR GREEN: Motion
carries. Next, is an Ordinance Approving
the Annexation Agreement between Peotone Industrial Properties, LLC, and the
City of Kankakee. Is there a motion to
Suspend the Rules?
ALDERMAN SWANSON: I’d
like to make a motion to Suspend the Rules that would interfere with the
passage of this Ordinance.
MAYOR GREEN: Is
there a second?
ALDERMAN LINNEMAN: Second.
MAYOR GREEN: Motion
by Alderman Swanson, seconded by Alderman Linneman to Suspend the Rules that
would interfere with the passage of this Ordinance. Roll call.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown; Epstein; Baron; Williams; Ciaccio;
Swanson; Linneman; Diersen; Jones; Schwade; Coleman; Cox (12)
ABSENT: Hunter (1)
MAYOR GREEN: Motion
carries. Is there a motion to put this
Ordinance on its Final Passage and Pass?
ALDERMAN SWANSON:
I so move.
ALDERMAN LINNEMAN: Second.
MAYOR GREEN: Motion
by Alderman Swanson, seconded by Alderman Linneman to put this Ordinance on its
Final Passage and Pass. Any
questions? Roll call.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown; Epstein; Baron; Williams; Ciaccio;
Swanson; Linneman; Diersen; Jones; Schwade; Coleman; Cox (12)
ABSENT: Hunter (1)
ORDINANCE
PB09-02: AN APPLICATION BY PEOTONE INDUSTRIAL
PROPERTIES, LLC,
REQUESTING APPROVAL OF AN ANNEXATION AGREEMENT TO
ANNEX
APPROXIMATELY 10.83 ACRES INTO THE CITY OF KANKAKEE
MAYOR GREEN: Motion
carries. Next is PB09-02A: An
Application by Peotone Industrial Properties, LLC, Requesting Approval for the
Annexation of Approximately 10.83 Acres into the City of Kankakee. First, we need to accept the Findings and
Recommendations of the Planning Board.
ALDERMAN SWANSON: I
so move.
ALDERMAN LINNEMAN: Second.
MAYOR GREEN: Motion
by Alderman Swanson, seconded by Alderman Linneman to accept the Findings and
Recommendations of the Planning Board.
Roll call.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown; Epstein; Baron; Williams; Ciaccio;
Swanson; Linneman; Diersen; Jones; Schwade; Coleman; Cox (12)
ABSENT: Hunter (1)
FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
PB09-02A: AN APPLICATION BY PEOTONE INDUSTRIAL
PROPERTIES, LLC,
REQUESTING APPROVAL FOR THE ANNEXATION OF APPROXIMATELY
10.83 ACRES INTO THE CITY OF KANKAKEE
MAYOR GREEN: Motion
carries. Next, is an Ordinance Approving
the Annexation of Approximately 10.83 Acres into the City of Kankakee. Is there a motion to Suspend the Rules that
would interfere with the passage of this Ordinance?
ALDERMAN
SWANSON: I’d like to make a motion to
Suspend the Rules that would interfere with the passage of this Ordinance.
ALDERMAN LINNEMAN: Second.
MAYOR GREEN: Motion
by Alderman Swanson, seconded by Alderman Linneman to Suspend the Rules that
would interfere with the passage of this Ordinance. Roll call.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown; Epstein; Baron; Williams; Ciaccio;
Swanson; Linneman; Diersen; Jones; Schwade; Coleman; Cox (12)
ABSENT: Hunter (1)
MAYOR GREEN: Motion
carries. Is there a motion to put this
Ordinance on its Final Passage and Pass?
ALDERMAN SWANSON: I
so move.
ALDERMAN LINNEMAN: Second.
MAYOR GREEN: Motion
by Alderman Swanson, seconded by Alderman Linneman to put this Ordinance on its
Final Passage and Pass. Questions? Roll call.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown; Epstein; Baron; Williams; Ciaccio;
Swanson; Linneman; Diersen; Jones; Schwade; Coleman; Cox (12)
ABSENT: Hunter (1)
ORDINANCE
PB09-02A: AN APPLICATION BY PEOTONE INDUSTRIAL
PROPERTIES, LLC,
REQUESTING APPROVAL FOR THE ANNEXATION OF
APPROXIMATELY
10.83 ACRES INTO THE CITY OF KANKAKEE
MAYOR GREEN: Motion
carries. Next, is Communications. There are two items from Comcast that take no
action. We have a third item which is a
request by Minnie Springer of 144 S. May requesting a noise permit for a
graduation ceremony on May 23, from noon until 8:00 P.M. Is there a motion to grant this request?
ALDERMAN LINNEMAN: I
move that we grant this request.
MAYOR GREEN: Motion
by Alderman Linneman. Is there a second?
ALDERMAN DIERSEN: Reluctantly.
MAYOR GREEN: Second
by Alderman Diersen. All in favor,
AYE. Opposed, same sign.
MINNIE SPRINGER OF 144 SOUTH MAY AVENUE IS REQUESTING
A NOISE
PERMIT FOR A GRADUATION CEREMONY ON MAY 23, 2009, FROM
NOON UNTIL 8:00 P.M.
MAYOR GREEN: Motion
carries. Next, Standing Committees. Public Safety. Alderman Williams.
ALDERMAN WILLIAMS: Mayor,
the minutes are in the packet for review.
MAYOR GREEN: Okay,
thank you. Ah, next is the Report of
Officers.
ALDERMAN WILLIAMS: Mayor,
I move to approve the Report of Officers, place the money into the respective
accounts and pay the bills in the amount of $910,448.65.
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, pay the bills in the amount
of $910,448.65. Any questions on any
specific bill? Roll call.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown; Epstein; Baron; Williams; Ciaccio;
Swanson; Linneman; Diersen; Schwade; Coleman; Cox (11)
ABSTAIN: Jones
(1)
ABSENT: Hunter (1)
REPORT OF OFFICERS APPROVAL OF BILLS - $910,448.65
MAYOR GREEN: Motion
carries. Under Unfinished Business, we
still are not ready to deal with that one.
We will carry it forward to the next meeting. Next, under New Business, you have a letter
from Mr. Greg Deck regarding an incentive agreement we have with Mr. Greg Yates
requesting that we assign that collateral.
I’m asking permission of the City Council to sign that document. Someone want to make the motion?
ALDERMAN SCHWADE: I
move that we sign that document.
ALDERMAN WILLIAMS: Second.
MAYOR GREEN: Motion
by Alderman Schwade, seconded by Alderman Williams to allow the Mayor to sign
the document. Any questions? Roll call.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown; Epstein; Williams; Ciaccio; Swanson;
Linneman; Diersen; Jones; Schwade; Coleman; Cox (11)
ABSTAIN: Baron (I
have a conflict of interest.) (1)
ABSENT: Hunter (1)
COLLATERAL ASSIGNMENT OF INCENTIVE AGREEMENT BETWEEN
THE CITY
OF KANKAKEE AND QUALITY CONCEPTS RELATING TO THE
DEVELOPMENT
OF REAL ESTATE AT COURT STREET AND SCHUYLER AVENUE
MAYOR GREEN: Motion
carries. Next, is an Ordinance Relating
to the Expansion of the Kankakee River Valley Enterprise Zone Boundaries and
Authorizing the Amendment to the Intergovernmental Agreement. This picks up the property that I know as
Amberg File and Index, or Esselte. And,
there are two other industrial properties in that same block. It includes all three of them. Ah, we’re asking that you go ahead and
approve this Ordinance–Suspend the Rules–so we can add this to the Enterprise
Zone.
ALDERMAN BARON: I’d
like.........I make a motion that we Suspend the Rules that would interfere
with the passage of the Ordinance expanding the Kankakee Valley Enterprise
Zone, Esselte and two other spots.
ALDERMAN BROWN: I
second.
MAYOR GREEN: Motion
by Alderman Baron, seconded by Alderman Brown to Suspend the Rules that would
interfere with the passage of this Ordinance.
Roll call.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown; Epstein; Baron; Williams; Ciaccio;
Swanson; Linneman; Diersen; Jones; Schwade; Coleman; Cox (12)
ABSENT: Hunter (1)
MAYOR GREEN: Motion
carries. Is there a motion to put this
Ordinance on its Final Passage and Pass?
ALDERMAN BARON: I
so move.
ALDERMAN BROWN: Second.
MAYOR GREEN: Motion
by Alderman Baron, seconded by Alderman Brown.
Any questions? Roll call.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown; Epstein; Baron; Williams; Ciaccio;
Swanson; Linneman; Diersen; Jones; Schwade; Coleman; Cox (12)
ABSENT: Hunter (1)
ORDINANCE RELATING TO EXPANSION OF THE KANKAKEE RIVER
VALLEY ENTERPRISE ZONE BOUNDARIES AND AUTHORIZING THE
AMENDMENT TO THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT
MAYOR GREEN: Motion
carries. Next, is an agreement between
the Illinois Department of Transportation Local Agency Agreement for Federal
participation in the Riverfront Trail Phase One project that runs from Hawkins
Street to the boat launch. And, it
begins on River Road, of course. Dave,
did you want to make any comments about this?
DAVID TYSON: I
can’t have........yeah, this is actually the final document that we need. We’ve gotten all the project development
reports are completed on it. They’ve all
been approved by the State. It’s down
there for the final review. This is to
allow us to go out for the June leading. It has to be the State leading on it. There’s an agreement between a lot of other
agencies. This isn’t all just the City,
but the City is the recipient of the money.
That’s why, the grant or the resolution........agreement.......are put
in the City of Kankakee....but we are set to go out for bids in June. Hope to be under construction by August on
this trail. And, that will go from the
boat ramp all the way through the Shapiro Developmental, Forest Preserve
property behind the college, through the water company and come out on
Hawkins. So, it’s Phase One of four
phases.
MAYOR GREEN: Is
there a motion to approve the agreement?
ALDERMAN SWANSON: I
so move.
ALDERMAN JONES:
Second.
MAYOR GREEN: Motion
by Alderman Swanson, seconded by Alderman Jones. Is there any questions? Alderman Diersen.
ALDERMAN DIERSEN: By
the boat launch. Is that about half way
through that park area?
DAVID TYSON: Yes.
ALDERMAN DIERSEN: So,
it’s not going to go further than that?
DAVID TYSON: It’s
going to then...........that’s as far as this grant goes. They have other money then, they’re going to
extend it on and go all the way down the roads, all the way, you know, the
gravel A3 road that comes from River Road up to where that parking area is and
they even hope to be able to put a bike trail adjacent to, and in front of,
Splash Valley, also. But, that’s going
to be done with different funds. The
extra funds we’re having is not tied with this particular project. It’ll be an extension of this project.
MAYOR GREEN: Steve,
did you have a question? Alderman
Linneman.
ALDERMAN LINNEMAN: No.
MAYOR GREEN: Any other questions? Roll call.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown; Epstein; Baron; Williams; Ciaccio;
Swanson; Linneman; Diersen; Jones; Schwade; Coleman; Cox (12)
ABSENT: Hunter (1)
ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION LOCAL AGENCY
AGREEMENT FOR FEDERAL PARTICIPATION–RIVERFRONT TRAIL
PHASE ONE, SECTION 06-00001-00-BT (HAWKINS STREET TO
BOAT
LAUNCH IN RIVER ROAD PARK)
MAYOR GREEN: Motion
carries. Next, is an Appointment. I’m asking for your reappointment of Bruce
Payne to be our representative on the Kankakee Valley Airport Authority
Board. As you’ll recall, he took the
position of George Hawker when he passed away.
His term runs out April 30, so I’m asking you to reappoint him. Is there a motion we reappoint Mr. Payne?
ALDERMAN BROWN: Motion
to approve.
MAYOR GREEN: Motion
by Alderman Brown. Is there a second?
ALDERMAN SWANSON: Second.
MAYOR GREEN: Second
by Alderman.........who did it, I’m sorry?
Alderman Swanson. All in favor,
AYE. Opposed, same sign.
BRUCE PAYNE – REAPPOINTMENT AS THE REPRESENTATIVE OF
THE CITY
OF KANKAKEE ON THE KANKAKEE VALLEY AIRPORT AUTHORITY
BOARD
MAYOR GREEN: Motion
carries. Next, under Motions and
Resolutions, ah, we have a Resolution Authorizing the Intervention in the
Pending Assessment Appeal of Cognis.
And, as you’ll recall, we do that in conjunction with the District 111
Board. But, we need the Resolution from
this Council in order to go forward with that.
So, I need a motion to approve that Resolution.
ALDERMAN SWANSON: I
so move.
ALDERMAN SCHWADE: I
second it.
MAYOR GREEN: Motion
by Alderman Swanson, seconded by Alderman Schwade. Roll call.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown;
Epstein; Baron; Williams; Ciaccio; Swanson; Linneman; Diersen; Jones; Schwade;
Coleman; Cox (12)
ABSENT:
Hunter (1)
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING INTERVENTION IN THE PENDING
ASSESSMENT APPEAL OF COGNIS CORPORATION
MAYOR GREEN: Motion
carries. Next, is a Resolution for us to
be able to spend funds that we may recover when we sell bonds. We haven’t done that yet. Ah, we have been discussing this at the
Budget Committee. We’ve had several
meetings. We’re going to come back to you
with a recommendation for infrastructure, capital bonds and a restructuring of
our debt at the lower interest rates that are available today. We have a special meeting of the Budget
Committee which is going to be held on the 30th of this month at the
Administration Building. All 14
aldermen, of course, are welcome to be there if they would like ‘cause we will
have a discussion and come back to this Council with a recommendation for the
first meeting in April. So, in
order........in case we spend any funds that, if we end up selling bonds, then
we can reimburse ourselves and that’s the reason for this Resolution. So, I need a motion to approve this
Resolution.
ALDERMAN EPSTEIN: I
make a motion to approve.
MAYOR GREEN: Motion
by Alderman Epstein. Is there a second?
ALDERMAN BARON:
Second.
MAYOR GREEN: Second
by Alderman Baron. Roll call.
CLERK DUMAS:
AYE: Brown;
Epstein; Baron; Williams; Ciaccio; Swanson; Linneman; Diersen; Jones; Schwade;
Coleman; Cox (12)
ABSENT:
Hunter (1)
DECLARATION OF OFFICIAL INTENT REGARDING CERTAIN
CAPITAL
EXPENDITURES TO BE REIMBURSED FROM PROCEEDS OF AN
OBLIGATION
MAYOR GREEN: Motion
carries. Are there any comments or
questions from the Aldermen? Alderman
Jones.
ALDERMAN JONES:
Mayor, I’ve gotten a few
phone calls and I have concerns myself and I brought it to the candidate about
her sign at Chicago and River to ask to be it removed being it’s a safety issue
blocking the view of traffic going up and down River Street. I’ve gone to Code to ask them to check it
out. They, in turn, I guess, went out
with Lt. McGovern, who is one of the people that put up the sign, so I don’t
see any resolution to this, other than putting a plea to the Council to please
have that sign removed off of River and Chicago.
MAYOR GREEN: I
think the issue of signs is something this City Council should have attended to
a long time ago.
ALDERMAN JONES:
Well, there is an
Ordinance.........
MAYOR GREEN: Excuse
me. There’s not an Ordinance in place
that deals with signage on private property.
I don’t believe there is.
ALDERMAN JONES:
I thought there was a
size.
MAYOR GREEN: This
is on private property. You know, I’ve
recommended time and time again that this City Council adopt a Sign Ordinance
in this City, so I have no problem in recommending that to committee to do
that. I don’t know about the issues of
whether it’s a traffic hazard or anything like that.
ALDERMAN JONES:
Well, there’s three foot
bushes up there. And, the sign is above
the bushes. And, it’s blocking the view.
MAYOR GREEN: Alderman,
I’m not sure what rights we have to go on private property and remove signs.
ALDERMAN JONES:
Well, I pleaded to the
candidate to please move the sign. She
can move it to the other side of the person’s property where it’s not on River
Street where it’s blocking the view.
MAYOR GREEN: Well,
there are lots of signs in this City I don’t agree with either and this is not
one of them. And, I’d like to start
listing them and I don’t think you want me to do that. So.
Thank you.
ALDERMAN JONES:
Well, it’s kind of sad,
Mayor, when the person is on the Committee for Public Safety and for, ah, ah,
Ordinances and stuff and she doesn’t even obey the Ordinances.
MAYOR GREEN: Thanks
for your comment. Any other
comments? Ah, one thing I do want to
remind you of. This is the last meeting
we will hold in this facility. We will
be back to the Public Safety Building the first Monday in April. Our meeting will be held there. They’ll be moving into that new building the
last week of March and the beginning of April, so we will then be holding our
Committee meetings and everything back at the.........I still call it the old
City Hall building at 385 E. Oak Street.
So. And, by the way, when you
come in, the one thing you will have to do is go through security to get into
the building. That’s something that will
be new to everybody including the public.
So, just letting you know ahead of time.
Okay. We do not need an Executive
Session. I’ll entertain a motion to
adjourn.
ALDERMAN SCHWADE: So
moved.
ALDERMAN WILLIAMS: Second.
MAYOR GREEN: Motion
by Alderman Schwade, seconded by Alderman Williams.
MOTION TO ADJOURN CITY COUNCIL MEETING