CITY OF KANKAKEE

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

JUNE 15, 2009 7:00 P.M.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: I’d like to call the meeting to order. First, we have had issues with feedback so if you have this type of microphone, please bend it down and then bring it forward when you would like to speak. That should help our feedback issues. Thank you. I would like to ask Pastor Scott Paisley from Calvary Baptist Church to come forward and lead us in prayer.

PASTOR PAISLEY: Let us pray. Our Heavenly Father, we are thankful for this time. Thank you, Lord, for these men and women who serve. Lord, we know that our indistinguishable are ordained by You if you set one up take down another. So, Lord, these folks are here for such a time as this. Grant them, not only this evening and the work for them, but in the year ahead, wisdom and discernment in the decisions they make. We just ask for Your help for them and just for Your blessing on our City. indistinguishable very grateful, we thank You in Jesus’ name. Amen.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank you. I would like now to call Sam Paisley and the youth from the Calvary Baptist Church to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

SAM PAISLEY AND YOUTH FROM

CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH AND ALL: Pledge of Allegiance.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank you. I’ll now ask the Clerk to call the roll.

CLERK DUMAS:

PRESENT: Brown, P.; Hunter; Browne, R.; Baron; Williams; Ciaccio; Faford; Osenga; Linneman; Jones; Schwade; Davidson; Cox (13)

ABSENT: Swanson (1)

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank you. Now the Department Heads, please.

CLERK DUMAS:

PRESENT: Gerard; Young; Dear; Spice; Bohlen; Power; Simms; Tyson; Shaw; Gordon; Bertrand (11)

ABSENT: Rodriguez (1)

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank you. I would now entertain a motion to approve the minutes of the June 1, 2009, meeting.

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

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion made by Alderman Hunter. Do I have a second?

ALDERMAN JONES: Second.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Second by Alderman Jones. All those in favor, aye. Opposed, same sign.

MOTION TO APPROVE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JUNE 1, 2009

MAYOR EPSTEIN: The minutes are approved. Are there any Petitions from the Floor? I have no Petitions this evening. We will move onto Communications. Our first Communication is from Carole Franke thanking us for the flowers on the passing of her mother. I’m glad to see you here tonight, Carole, and our deepest sympathy to you. I believe we can combine some of the.........

ALDERMAN HUNTER: B through H. There’s an H, I have in my possession, Mayor Epstein. There’s also an amendment by Alderman Davidson on item F on which the noise component of that request should be included. I had a Communication from Rosemary Andrade at 295 S. Gordon requesting closure of that street and also asking for a noise permit for July 18, 2009. Given that addition, I move that we approve items B through H.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: I have a motion to approve.........

ALDERMAN SCHWADE: I second.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: .......by Alderman Hunter, seconded by Alderman Schwade. Is there any discussion? Alderman Hunter, in your approval, did you, on item F, are you keeping the times as stated?

ALDERMAN HUNTER: Alderman Davidson?

ALDERMAN DAVIDSON: The times that she’s requesting is from 12:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. For the noise.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Oh, all right, ‘cause I have a different time. So, we will make that change.

ALDERMAN DAVIDSON: That’s only for the noise ordinance aspect of it.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Yes. Okay. Thank you. So, that’s from noon until........

ALDERMAN DAVIDSON: 7:00 P.M.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: 7:00 P.M.

ALDERMAN DAVIDSON: For the noise ordinance. It’s really until 9:00 P.M. for the rest of it.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: I understand. Thank you. Yes, Alderman Brown.

ALDERMAN BROWNE: Item D. With the You Can Make It Outreach. Is this organization out of Chicago?

MAYOR EPSTEIN: My understanding is that it is an out-of-town organization that is requesting permission to hold a tag day in the City of Kankakee. Ah, I would certainly entertain any discussion that any of you might have on that item.

ALDERMAN HUNTER: All they have to do is register to get a permit with you right, Madam Dumas?

MAYOR EPSTEIN: That’s correct. I just.........we have no other information on this organization. If you would like us to find other.........find some other information on them, we’d be happy to do that.

ALDERMAN HUNTER: Well, I’ll tell you what then. That is........why don’t we do it this way. Let me pull that one and see if you can get more definitive information.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: We can defer it to the next meeting which still gives them plenty of time.

ALDERMAN HUNTER: I’ll withdraw D until we get more information.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Okay. So, we have–we’re approving items B, through H with a change on item F in the time for the noise ordinance from noon until 7:00 P.M. We have a motion and a second. All those in favor, aye. Opposed.

SOUTH CHICAGO WHEELMEN ARE REQUESTING PERMISSION TO BLOCK OFF COBB BOULEVARD AND PARK PLACE; COBB BOULEVARD AND WILDWOOD AVENUE; DUANE BOULEVARD AND WILDWOOD AVENUE; EMORY STREET AND WILDWOOD AVENUE; PARK PLACE AND CHICAGO AVENUE; PARK PLACE AND GREENWOOD AVENUE; FOR THEIR ON SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2009 FROM 9:30 A.M. TO 7:30 P.M.

ELLA ROWE IS REQUESTING A NOISE PERMIT AND A STREET BLOCKAGE

OF THE 700 BLOCK OF EAST CHESTNUT STREET ON SATURDAY,

JULY 4, 2009, FROM 7:00 A.M. UNTIL 11:00 P.M.

TERRANCE LINDSEY IS REQUESTING A STREET BLOCKAGE OF THE

200 BLOCK OF SOUTH ALBERT ON SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2009,

FROM NOON TO 7:00 P.M.

BONNIE AND FRANK CLARK ARE REQUESTING A STREET BLOCKAGE OF

THE 300 BLOCK OF NORTH GREENWOOD AVENUE ON SATURDAY,

JULY 4, 2009, FROM 8:00 A.M. UNTIL 9:00 P.M.

ERIKA DALTON IS REQUESTING A NOISE PERMIT FOR A LUAU ON

SUNDAY, JUNE 28, 2009, FROM 3:30 P.M. TO 9:00 P.M.

ROSEMARY ANDRADE IS REQUESTING GORDON TO THE ALLEYWAY ON

RISSER TO BE BLOCKED OFF ON JULY 18, FROM 10:00 A.M. TO 11:00 P.M.

FOR A BIG FAMILY BIRTHDAY PARTY

MAYOR EPSTEIN: They all pass. Thank you. We’ll move onto Standing Committees. Alderman Hunter, Public Safety.

ALDERMAN HUNTER: Yes, the minutes and contents are informational only.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank you. Alderman Carl Brown. License and Franchise.

ALDERMAN BROWN: Aldermen, just one–two points. Number one thing is I want you to pay attention to the percentage of recycling for the City of Kankakee and that of our neighbors to the north. On your desk you have a couple door hangers that’s been passed out in your packet and I just want to pay attention to those. Those thing that, when people go in your yard and the utility company mess it up, they should be sticking these things on your door so people are aware they will come back and correct those actions and how to take care of that. So, we just thought that would be good information and we brought to this Council. Everything else is in the package.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank you. So, we’ll ask the residents to be aware of what these mean and that Aqua would be back and do the corrections. Thank you very much. We have Report of Officers, Approval of Bills.

ALDERMAN WILLIAMS: I move to approve the Report of Officers, place the monies into their proper accounts and pay the bills in the amount of $415,471.75.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion made by Alderman Williams.

ALDERMAN CIACCIO: Second.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Seconded by Alderman Ciaccio to pay the bills in the amount of $415,471.75. May we have roll call, please?

CLERK DUMAS:

AYE: Brown; Hunter, Browne, R.; Baron; Williams; Ciaccio; Faford; Osenga; Linneman; Davidson; Cox (11)

ABSTAIN: Jones; Schwade (2)

ABSENT: Swanson (1)

REPORTS OF OFFICERS APPROVAL OF BILLS $415,471.75

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion carries. I have no Unfinished Business. We will move onto New Business. The first article of New Business is an Ordinance adopting the prevailing wage rate for 2009. Do I have a motion to Suspend the Rules?

ALDERMAN HUNTER: Mayor Green–oh, excuse me...

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Mayor Green?

ALDERMAN HUNTER: Mayor Epstein. All due respect. I move that we Suspend the Rules that would interfere with consideration of passage of this Ordinance at this time.

ALDERMAN BROWN: Second.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion made by Alderman Hunter, seconded by Alderman Carl Brown. Roll call, please.

CLERK DUMAS:

AYE: Brown; Hunter, Browne, R.; Baron; Williams; Ciaccio; Faford; Osenga; Linneman; Jones; Schwade; Davidson; Cox (13)

ABSENT: Swanson (1)

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion carries. Do I have a motion to place this Ordinance on its Final Passage and Pass?

ALDERMAN HUNTER: I’ve been doing this for 16 years.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: That’s okay.

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

ALDERMAN BROWN: Second.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion made by Alderman Hunter, seconded by Alderman Brown. Is there any discussion on the motion? Roll call, please.

CLERK DUMAS:

AYE: Brown; Hunter, Browne, R.; Baron; Williams; Ciaccio; Faford; Osenga; Linneman; Jones; Schwade; Davidson; Cox (13)

ABSENT: Swanson (1)

ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE PREVAILING WAGE RATE – 2009

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion carries. I believe if there’s no objection, we could combine items B, C and D. Do I have a motion to Suspend the Rules?

ALDERMAN HUNTER: Whose ward is that?

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Well, they’re different wards. Would you like to do them individually?

ALDERMAN JONES: So moved to Suspend the Rules.

ALDERMAN SCHWADE: And, I second it.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion by Alderman Jones to Suspend the Rules, seconded by Alderman Schwade. Roll call, please.

CLERK DUMAS:

AYE: Brown; Hunter, Browne, R.; Baron; Williams; Ciaccio; Faford; Osenga; Linneman; Jones; Schwade; Davidson; Cox (13)

ABSENT: Swanson (1)

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Do I have a motion to put these Ordinances on their Final Passage and Pass?

ALDERMAN JONES: So moved.

ALDERMAN SCHWADE: I second it.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Moved by Alderman Jones, seconded by Alderman Schwade. Any discussion? Hearing no discussion, roll call, please.

CLERK DUMAS:

AYE: Brown; Hunter, Browne, R.; Baron; Williams; Ciaccio; Faford; Osenga; Linneman; Jones; Schwade; Davidson; Cox (13)

ABSENT: Swanson (1)

ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 32, SECTION 231 ESTABLISHING A

HANDICAPPED PARKING SIGN AT 1278 SOUTH SEVENTH AVENUE

ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 32, SECTION 231 ESTABLISHING A

HANDICAPPED PARKING SIGN AT 517 SOUTH NELSON AVENUE

ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 32, SECTION 231 ESTABLISHING A

HANDICAPPED PARKING SIGN AT 355 SOUTH FRASER AVENUE

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion carries. Our next Ordinance is, we are declaring certain property surplus from the City of Kankakee Fire Department. It’s hoses and nozzles. Do I have a motion to Suspend the Rules?

ALDERMAN HUNTER: Move to Suspend the Rules.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Alderman Hunter, a motion to Suspend the Rules. Is there a second?

ALDERMAN BROWNE: Second.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: By Alderman Rich Browne. Roll call, please.

CLERK DUMAS:

AYE: Brown; Hunter, Browne, R.; Baron; Williams; Ciaccio; Faford; Osenga; Linneman; Jones; Schwade; Davidson; Cox (14)

ABSENT: Swanson (1)

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion carries. Do I have a motion to place this item on its Final Passage and Pass?

ALDERMAN HUNTER: Mayor Epstein, move this Ordinance be placed on its Final Passage and Pass.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion made by Alderman Hunter.

ALDERMAN BROWNE: Second.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Seconded by Alderman Rich Browne. Is there any discussion? Alderman Jones.

ALDERMAN JONES: Is this anything that the Pembroke Fire Department might be able to use at any time? Or any other community that might be able to use this equipment?

ALDERMAN HUNTER: We have an ongoing relationship with those various departments and we, from time to time, do provide various equipment to those departments.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Alderman–or Chief Young, is there any?

CHIEF RONALD YOUNG: What did he say?

MAYOR EPSTEIN: We notify them. If they’re interested Alderman Jones, they’re more than welcome.

ALDERMAN JONES: Okay. Thank you.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Is there any other discussion? Hearing none, we’ll call the roll, please.

CLERK DUMAS:

AYE: Brown; Hunter, Browne, R.; Baron; Williams; Ciaccio; Faford; Osenga; Linneman; Jones; Schwade; Davidson; Cox (13)

ABSENT: Swanson (1)

ORDINANCE DECLARING CERTAIN PROPERTY SURPLUS OF THE

CITY OF KANKAKEE – KANKAKEE FIRE DEPARTMENT -

AND AUTHORIZING THE SALE THEREOF

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion carries. Our next Ordinance is authorizing the transfer of a house at 370 S. Fifth Avenue from the Neighborhood Partners organization to JMR Management. Is there any discussion? Well, first of all, a motion to Suspend the Rules.

ALDERMAN WILLIAMS: Mayor, I make a motion to Suspend the Rules that would interfere with the passage of this Ordinance.

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

ALDERMAN CIACCIO: Second.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Second by Alderman Ciaccio. Let’s vote on the suspension, please.

CLERK DUMAS:

AYE: Brown; Hunter, Browne, R.; Baron; Williams; Ciaccio; Faford; Osenga; Linneman; Jones; Schwade; Davidson; Cox (13)

ABSENT: Swanson (1)

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion carries. Do I have a motion to place this item on its Final Passage and Pass?

ALDERMAN WILLIAMS: I so move.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Moved by Alderman Williams and seconded by.........

ALDERMAN CIACCIO: Second.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: .........Alderman Ciaccio. Is there any discussion?

ALDERMAN HUNTER: Brief overview, Counselor.

ATTORNEY BOHLEN: This is a house that we purchased..........a dollar house that was purchased from HUD. In the course of the last two years we have assumed some of the responsibilities of Neighborhood Housing. Neighborhood Housing had retained JMR Management for the purpose of managing apartment buildings, incurred debt. JMR was willing to forego the debt in return for the transfer of this house which eliminates.......I.......don’t hold me to the figure, but about $20,000.00 in debt of Neighborhood Partners and at no cost to the City. JMR has made a commitment then to rehab the house on a scheduled basis.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Is there any other discussion on this item? Thank you. Hearing none, call the roll, please.

CLERK DUMAS:

AYE: Brown; Hunter, Browne, R.; Baron; Williams; Ciaccio; Faford; Osenga; Linneman; Jones; Schwade; Davidson; Cox (13)

ABSENT: Swanson (1)

ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING TRANSFER OF PREMISES 370 SOUTH

FIFTH AVENUE, KANKAKEE, ILLINOIS TO JMR MANAGEMENT

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion carries. Item G. This is an Ordinance adopting a municipal gas use tax. In order for some clarification, many residents in the City purchase their gas from Nicor. But, there are others who purchase gas from other vendors. Those people are not paying our utility tax and this was caught at an audit. So, what we are trying to do tonight is adopt this Ordinance that would also include people who purchase their gas from other purveyors other than Nicor. So, they are equally paying the same utility tax as the rest of our residents. This does not apply to people who are currently paying the utility tax or who purchase their gas from Nicor.

ATTORNEY BOHLEN: G and H are together.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: G and H are together. I would entertain a motion to Suspend the Rules.

ALDERMAN BARON: I would so move.

ALDERMAN HUNTER: I’ll second it.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion by Alderman Baron, seconded by Alderman Hunter to Suspend the Rules. Roll call, please.

CLERK DUMAS:

AYE: Brown; Hunter, Browne, R.; Baron; Williams; Ciaccio; Faford; Osenga; Linneman; Jones; Schwade; Davidson; Cox (13)

ABSENT: Swanson (1)

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion carries. A motion to put this Ordinance.........Ordinances on their Final Passage and Pass.

ALDERMAN BARON: I would so move.

ALDERMAN HUNTER: Second.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion made by Alderman Baron, seconded by Alderman Hunter. Roll call, please. Oh, I’m sorry. Discussion on these items? Yes.

ALDERMAN BARON: This Ordinance imposing the tax implements the recommendation of our consultants as to the 4.5¢ per therm. That’s what they recommended at being the closest to our current utility tax–is that correct? .

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Yes, that is correct.

ALDERMAN HUNTER: As you may recall which, I think, Alderman Baron thoroughly explained during one of the Budget Committee meetings as well as those individuals who we contracted with who attended that budget meeting, provided ample explanation in terms of making sure that those people who are not paying utility tax will have to pay that and it does provide as Alderman Baron.............the amount.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Is there any other discussion? Hearing none, we will call the roll.

CLERK DUMAS:

AYE: Brown; Hunter, Browne, R.; Baron; Williams; Ciaccio; Faford; Osenga; Linneman; Jones; Schwade; Davidson; Cox (13)

ABSENT: Swanson (1)

ORDINANCE REVISING THE MUNICIPAL GAS USE TAX

MUNICIPAL GAS TAX COLLECTION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF

KANKAKEE AND NORTHERN ILLINOIS GAS COMPANY,

D/B/A NICOR GAS COMPANY

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion carries. The next item on the agenda is the award of the bid for $888,495.60 to Kankakee Valley Construction Company for the 2009 Motor Fuel Tax Street Maintenance Program. Do I have a motion to Suspend the Rules?

ALDERMAN HUNTER: With great honor, Mayor Epstein, I move that we accept the local–I stress local–bidder of Kankakee Valley Construction in the amount of $888,495.60 for the MFT project.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion by Alderman Hunter, seconded by..........

ALDERMAN OSENGA: Second.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: .......Alderman Osenga. Ah, roll call, please.

CLERK DUMAS:

AYE: Brown; Hunter, Browne, R.; Baron; Williams; Ciaccio; Faford; Osenga; Linneman; Jones; Schwade; Davidson; Cox (13)

ABSENT: Swanson (1)

RECOMMENDATION TO AWARD THE BID OF $888,495.60 TO KANKAKEE VALLEY CONSTRUCTION COMPANY INC. FOR THE 2009 MFT STREET MAINTENANCE PROGRAM SECTION 09-00000-00-GM GROUP 5 STREET OVERLAY

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion carries. Do I have a motion to place this item on its Final Passage? No?

ALDERMAN HUNTER: No. Just one.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Oh, just one. Sorry. Then I was going to ask for discussion, but obviously we don’t need it. Ah, let’s move onto the item J–recommendation to award the bid of $9,522.00 to Miner Electronics for the City of Kankakee Police and Fire radio maintenance contract.

ALDERMAN HUNTER: Motion to approve.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion by Alderman Hunter, seconded by.........

ALDERMAN FAFORD: Second.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Ah, Faford. Alderman Rich. We’ll do Faford.

ALDERMAN BROWNE: Yeah, Brown’s are gettin’ all the credit.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: You have to speak up here. It’s like dinner, you know. If you don’t get your indistinguishable right away, ah, is there any discussion on this item? Any discussion on the contract? If not, we’ll call the roll.

CLERK DUMAS:

AYE: Brown; Hunter, Browne, R.; Baron; Williams; Ciaccio; Faford; Osenga; Linneman; Jones; Schwade; Davidson; Cox (13)

ABSENT: Swanson

RECOMMENDATION TO AWARD THE BID OF $9,522.00 PER YEAR TO

MINER ELECTRONICS FOR THE CITY OF KANKAKEE POLICE AND FIRE

DEPARTMENTS RADIO MAINTENANCE

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion carries. The last item is a change order No. 5 from Heritage Development and Construction in the amount of $17,699.98 for the remodeling of the Public Safety Center.

ALDERMAN HUNTER: I’ll do a motion to approve, but I’ll probably ask questions if someone seconds.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Alderman Hunter, motion to approve. Second?

ALDERMAN BARON: I’ll second it, but I have a question on this also.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: All right. Well, let’s do a second by Alderman Baron and then questions or discussion.

ALDERMAN BARON: I see it’s a $17,699.98 change order including the early completion royalty and I just wanted to make sure that we’ve been billed for this, are we.........have all matters been, ah, resolved? All matters as far as our contract goes........have they been resolved?

MAYOR EPSTEIN: I spoke with Mr. Simms this afternoon and I’m sure he’d be able to speak to that.

RICHARD SIMMS: Right. Briefly, ah, this change order for the most part has to do with at the move in or after the move in identified problems. Either things we had decided that we thought we wanted and we didn’t. You’ll notice there were almost $10,000.00 worth of deducts associated, but there’s also changes. Ah, being specific to your question–the royalty–the contract provided for a $1,000.00 royalty for every day early that it finished and also a $1,000.00 penalty if it was late. We actually have not closed the contract. We still are holding approximately 5% or $350,000.00 worth of money on this contract. There are some outstanding issues that may impact our decision on early completion royalty. So, I really would have no objection if you would like to set that question aside and deal with the balance of the items which would amount to $7,699.98.

ALDERMAN BARON: So, you’re recommending that we approve the change order, but back out the $10,000.00. Approve the change order in the amount of $7,699.93.

RICHARD SIMMS: That’s correct, but I’m not recommending that you deny the royalty. Simply set it aside so it can be dealt with at the final change order when all issues are resolved.

ALDERMAN HUNTER: indistinguishable

MAYOR EPSTEIN: I will entertain that motion if the maker of that motion, Alderman Hunter, approves.

ALDERMAN HUNTER: Yes.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: And, Alderman Baron? Seconded. So we will approve the change order.....but we will set aside the $10,000.00 early completion amount until the final change order comes through. Oh, yes, Alderman Williams.

ALDERMAN WILLIAMS: Now I can see if, ah, this is what, change order No. 5, I could see it if there was an unforeseen thing in the bidding process where once they get into the job, they find out, here is something that we didn’t really foresee. But now, why with all these change orders coming, if you had.........if you comply with the bidding process, and you submit a bid, why they come back later to say they gotta’ change and add for more money when they could have put that in their bid from the beginning?

MAYOR EPSTEIN: My understanding, and I will defer to Mr. Simms if I’m incorrect, that these are items that we chose to add to the project. That they were not in the bid and that once we moved in, that these were some items that we chose to change, is that correct?

RICHARD SIMMS: You’re exactly right, Alderman. There’s what’s called unforeseen conditions which can develop. And, those we have to deal with. But, those have been dealt with already in the construction process. These are cleaning up some issues that have to do with the architects interviewed the Police and Fire Departments when they did what they called the schematic designs and said, okay what do we want, where do we want it? How do we want this to work? And, ah, we simply can’t be perfect on that. When they got into the building, or right before they got in, they began to see, well, that door can’t open that way. It has to open this way. And, for instance in the collection office, they didn’t want people coming into the records’ office. They wanted that door cut in half and have just a counter top so they could just lean over the counter. There were things that simply had.....nobody thought about at the time they were designed. So, and, one of them, even is mine, if you’ve ever been up in the penthouse, on the fold down ladder, ah, in the upper hallway there that used to be outside the Mayor’s office, ah, once you get to the top, there’s nothing to hold on to, and, we just felt that–I mean that was an oversight. It’s been like that for many years, but that still is unsafe so we asked them to build a little ladder structure to grab onto. So, things just develop, and, ah, I wouldn’t say they were oversights. We just couldn’t catch everything the first time around.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Do I have a motion? Oh, we have that. All right, roll call, please.

CLERK DUMAS:

AYE: Brown; Hunter, Browne, R.; Baron; Williams; Ciaccio; Faford; Osenga; Linneman; Jones; Schwade; Davidson; Cox (13)

ABSENT: Swanson (1)

CHANGE ORDER NO. 5 FROM HERITAGE DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION,

INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $17,699.98 FOR ADMINISTRATION BUILDING

REMODELING OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY CENTER

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion carries. I have no Appointments this evening. I have no Motions and Resolutions. Are there any Aldermen’s questions and comments? We will need an Executive Session tonight to review Executive Session minutes. I have just a couple of announcements. For the Department Heads, ah, we are moving our Department Head meeting from July 2, to Wednesday, July 1, due to the holiday, so the Clerks’ office will have time to prepare the board packets for our Council meeting. And, also, if any of you plan to attend our orientation. Well, you’re attending the orientation, but if you would like to join us for dinner, please let Nancy know, or raise your hand so we can have an accurate count for dinner. We would appreciate, ah, you joining us, but we need to know how many. The Aldermen we already have, but it’s Department Heads we would like to know if you plan to be there. Dinner will be, probably, between 6:15 and 6:30. Okay. I would entertain a motion to go into...........oh, I’m sorry.

ALDERMAN BARON: I had a question.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Yeah.

ALDERMAN BARON: There’s been discussion, ah, lately about noise permits and parties and things of that nature. Ah, has anything...........is there anything pending or being sent.............is Ordinance Committee dealing with that?

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Yes.

ALDERMAN BARON: Okay.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Well, I shouldn’t say that. When I spoke with the Aldermen, I asked that they review that because it seems as though we are getting more requests and for much longer lengths of time. So, I do think we need to set some criteria. And, I also feel we need to set a time line of at least ten business days because it’s not fair when people call us the morning of the event or the night before. And, it doesn’t allow the Clerk’s office to notify Public Works if they have to block off streets. So, yes, they are working on a change to our Ordinance and they will bring that to the Council. Mr. Tyson.

DAVID TYSON: Yes, can I make a comment about bids we receive?

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Yes.

DAVID TYSON: Okay. Just so everybody’s aware, Friday down at State, they finally opened the bids for the Kankakee Valley Trail–River Trail that’s finally...........Phase One was finally let. The low bidder was a local contractor, Kankakee Valley Construction Company in the amount of $437,000 and some odd change. But, again, it was within what the estimate was and I had already told the State that the City, when it is sent to us, will concur with the recommendation, but it’s been an ongoing project for a long time and I just wanted to make you aware that we do finally have the bids and they did come in where they were supposed to.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Do you know when they will start work on that project?

DAVID TYSON: It’ll be around 30-35 days by the time the state awards. They have to give bonds back to the state and then they have to get notice to proceed and that normally takes about 30 days Mayor.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Good. That’s good news. Thank you. Any other questions, comments? A motion to go into Executive Session.

ALDERMAN BARON: I so move.

ALDERMAN WILLIAMS: Second.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: To review Executive Session minutes. Motion by Alderman Baron, seconded by Alderman Williams.

MOTION TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO REVIEW MINUTES

MAYOR EPSTEIN: All those in favor, aye. Please clear the Chambers.

7:34 P.M.

7:42 P.M.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: I’ll entertain a motion to adjourn.

ALDERMAN OSENGA: So moved.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: By Alderman Osenga. Second it?

ALDERMAN BROWNE: Second.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: By Alderman Rich Browne. All those in favor, aye. Opposed.

MOTION TO ADJOURN CITY COUNCIL MEETING

MAYOR EPSTEIN: We are adjourned.

7:42 P.M.