CITY OF KANKAKEE

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

NOVEMBER 16, 2009 7:02 P.M.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: I’d like to call this meeting to order now that we have our microphone system working. I would like to ask Father Charles Wheeler from St. Rose Catholic Church to come forward and lead us in prayer.

FATHER WHEELER: Glad to be with you tonight to offer prayer for you and for those you’re called to serve. Let us pray. Lord God, You have always raised up leaders to serve your people. You’ve always given them wisdom and understanding so that they might be instruments of Your justice and be true servant leaders. Their authority and their call comes from You and You sustain them with Your word and Your truth. Tonight You gather these servant leaders of our City of Kankakee. Bless them with the same wisdom You have shared throughout the ages. May their deliberations this night and always bear fruit for the common good of all of the people of Kankakee whom they have been called to serve. May this special time of preparation for the celebration of Thanksgiving, bring them peace and joy in their service as we, in our turn, thank them for being faithful to their commitment to serve selflessly. And, let all say, amen.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: And, now I would like to ask the youth from St. Rose Catholic Church to come forward and lead us in the Pledge.

FATHER WHEELER: We’re an aging parish.

YOUTH FROM ST. ROSE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND ALL: Pledge of Allegiance.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank you very much. May we have the roll call, please?

CLERK DUMAS:

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

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Department Heads, please.

CLERK DUMAS:

PRESENT: Kinkade; Young; Dear; Spice; Bohlen; Power; Simms; Rodriguez; Gordon; Beasley (10)

ABSENT: Tyson (1)

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank you. Before you, you have the minutes of the November 2, 2009, meeting. Do I have a motion to approve the minutes?

ALDERMAN SWANSON: I so move.

ALDERMAN HUNTER: Mayor.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion by Alderman Swanson, seconded by Alderman Hunter. Are there any changes or corrections to the minutes? Hearing none, all those in favor of approval, aye. Opposed same sign.

MOTION TO APPROVE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 2, 2009

MAYOR EPSTEIN: The minutes are approved. You have on the agenda–we have two Petitions from the Planning Board. The first is PB09-15. Do I have a motion to accept the Findings and Recommendations of the Planning Board?

ALDERMAN SWANSON: Mayor, I so move.

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

ALDERMAN DAVIDSON: Second.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Alderman Davidson to approve the Findings and Recommendations. Roll call.

CLERK DUMAS:

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

FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF PLANNING BOARD

PB09-15 – AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT

TO ALLOW GARDEN OF PRAYER DELIVERANCE CENTER TO ESTABLISH

AND OPERATE A RELIGIOUS INSTITUTION AND RELATED USES/YOUTH

MENTORING CENTER AT THE PROPERTY COMMONLY KNOWN AS 1432

SOUTH FOURTH AVENUE

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion carries. We are now asked to approve an Ordinance Approving a Conditional Use Permit to Establish and Operate a Religious Institution and Related Youth Activities at 1432 S. Fourth Avenue. Do I have a motion to Suspend the Rules?

ALDERMAN SWANSON: I would so move.

ALDERMAN FAFORD: Second.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion made by Alderman Swanson, seconded by Alderman Faford to Suspend the Rules. Roll call.

CLERK DUMAS:

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

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

ALDERMAN SWANSON: So moved.

ALDERMAN FAFORD: Second.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion made by Alderman Swanson, seconded by Alderman Faford. Are there any questions?

ALDERMAN BROWN: One.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Alderman Brown.

ALDERMAN BROWN: Is there any good reason why we don’t receive the minutes of the Planning Board meeting any more?

MAYOR EPSTEIN: I believe it’s because of the time lag when the meetings were held. They aren’t transcribed quick enough, but I can certainly look into it for you to make sure we get them.

ALDERMAN BROWN: You don’t have to. I was just wondering was there anything.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Nancy has received a copy. If you would like her to send a copy to you, she’d be happy to do that.

ALDERMAN BROWN: Sometimes it would be nice to have them. I want to see what’s the approach, what’s the argument ‘cause I didn’t know everything until I talked to the indistinguishable. Sometimes I don’t receive them on the day of the indistinguishable.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: We’ll make sure they’re included in the packet, Alderman.

ALDERMAN BROWN: Thank you.

ALDERMAN HUNTER: Just to piggyback on the reference Alderman Brown has indicated, we’d like to be notified, too, when there’s an issue on the agenda that impacts our Ward.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Aldermen Swanson and Faford I think were aware of this item. Any other...

ALDERMAN SWANSON: Yes.

ALDERMAN HUNTER: Well, there’ve been other.........

MAYOR EPSTEIN: I understand. We’ll make sure that Mr. Cross notifies you if there’s anything that happens in your Ward that will be on the Planning Board.

ALDERMAN HUNTER: Thank you.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: You’re welcome. Any other questions or concerns? Roll call, please.

CLERK DUMAS:

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

AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO ESTABLISH

AND OPERATE A RELIGIOUS INSTITUTION AND RELATED USES/YOUTH

MENTORING CENTER (295) AT THE PROPERTY COMMONLY KNOWN AS

1432 SOUTH FOURTH AVENUE

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion carries. The next Petition, PB09-16. Do I have a motion to approve the Findings and Recommendations of the Planning Board?

ALDERMAN SCHWADE: I so move.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion made by Alderman Schwade, seconded by.........

ALDERMAN JONES: Second.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Alderman Jones to approve the Findings and Recommendations. Roll call.

CLERK DUMAS:

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

FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF PLANNING BOARD

PB09-16 – AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A MAP AMENDMENT TO REZONE

THE PROPERTY COMMONLY KNOWN AS 187 EAST WATER STREET FROM

C-2 SERVICE COMMERCIAL TO R-1 SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion carries. Do I have a motion to Suspend the Rules on the Ordinance that is Approving a Map Amendment to Rezone the Property Known as 187 E. Water Street from C-2, Service Commercial, to Single Family?

ALDERMAN SCHWADE: I move that we Suspend the Rules.

ALDERMAN JONES: Second.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion by Alderman Schwade, seconded by Alderman Jones. Are there any questions? Hearing none, roll call, please.

CLERK DUMAS:

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

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion carries. I have no Communications. Oh, I’m sorry. Let’s put this Ordinance on its Final Passage and Pass. Motion by Alderman Schwade, seconded by Alderman Jones. Any questions? Roll call.

CLERK DUMAS:

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

AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A MAP AMENDMENT TO REZONE THE

PROPERTY COMMONLY KNOWN AS 187 EAST WATER STREET FROM

C-2 SERVICE COMMERCIAL TO R-1 SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Now the motion carries. The Ordinance is passed. I have no Communications. We will move onto Standing Committees. Public Safety, Alderman Hunter.

ALDERMAN HUNTER: Madam Epstein, the Public Safety minutes are self-explanatory, however, I did want to indicate to the balance of the Council who had not attended the meeting of Public Safety Committee meeting, it was held at the 9-1-1 Center and we were hosted by........had a tour provided by Tami Peterson, Ed Jackson and Kevin McGovern. Quite informative in terms of how the 9-1-1 system operates and also the Police Department provided and the Fire Department provided, ah, refreshments to everyone’s satisfaction.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank you. I’m told that the people in the back cannot hear so speak clearly and into your microphone. License and Franchise. Alderman Brown.

ALDERMAN BROWN: Yes, Mayor. If I would, I would like to introduce Craig Blanchette from Aqua Illinois. He has a guest today and I would like for him to just introduce his guest today.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Absolutely. Craig.

CRAIG BLANCHETTE: Thank you Alderman Brown. Mayor and City Council. I have with me tonight a new Aqua Illinois employee. He’s new to the area, but not new to the company and his name is Tim Cahill and he is going to be our new Customer Service Manager here in Kankakee. Tim has worked for our Danville division for a number of years. He’s done some great things down there working with billing and service work, customer service issues. So, Tim comes to us to bring his expertise from Danville up here to help us to boost our customers’ satisfaction. And, Sherree is still with us, obviously. Sherree is going to be working with Tim and I also on some high level projects that certainly only Sherree can do with her knowledge. And, to help to improve customer satisfaction through some indistinguishable accounts and so forth. So, as a team, we hope to upgrade and improve service even better to the City of Kankakee and to your residents. So, I just wanted to bring him tonight and introduce him. We’ll hang around for a couple of minutes after the meeting so you’ll have the opportunity to meet him. I’m sure he’d be happy to meet with you. And, I provided numbers to Nancy–direct lines. Tim’s will be on there, so don’t hesitate to give him a call. And, you can certainly always call on me. Okay?

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank you very much. Welcome to our community.

CRAIG BLANCHETTE: Thank you.

TIM CAHILL: Thank you very much.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank you.

ALDERMAN BROWN: One little bitty question. License and Franchise minutes contained in the packet.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank you. Budget. Alderman Baron.

ALDERMAN BARON: Ah, Mayor, we really didn’t have...........we don’t have any action items that resulted from our November 9, meeting. But, if you read through the minutes of the last meeting, you’ll have a good succinct summary of the entire budgeting process from levy to the budget itself to TIFs and this might be the thing to keep and those that attended the meeting hopefully got all their questions asked about the entire budgeting cycle. We have some action later as far as the sewer, but that’s not here yet. And, not included in the minutes is the fact that we did have dinner. Which is important.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: So, that concludes your report?

ALDERMAN BARON: That concludes the Budget Committee report.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank you very much. We will move onto Report of Officers. Do I have a motion to approve the bills?

ALDERMAN WILLIAMS: Mayor, I move to approve the Report of Officers, place the monies into the proper accounts and pay the bills in the amount of $68,670.83.

ALDERMAN CIACCIO: Second.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion made by Alderman Williams, seconded by Alderman Ciaccio to pay the bills. Are there any questions?

ALDERMAN BROWN: Yes, can we always have that amount every month?

MAYOR EPSTEIN: $68,000.00? I don’t think so. Wishful thinking. Ah, are there any other questions? Roll call, please.

CLERK DUMAS:

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

REPORTS OF OFFICERS APPROVAL OF BILLS - $68,670.83

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion carries. Ah, we have no Unfinished Business. We will move onto New Business. The first item is a recommendation to award the contract in the amount of $67,217.50 to Einfeldt Construction. This is for the Knights of Columbus sidewalks on Merchant and Indiana. Do I have a motion to approve the contract?

ALDERMAN SCHWADE: I so move.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion made by Alderman Schwade.

ALDERMAN JONES: Second.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Seconded by Alderman Jones. Are there any questions?

ALDERMAN HUNTER: I have a question. Ah, I hope I’m speaking loudly enough. There’s been a motion and properly a second to award this contract to Einfeldt Construction. Mr. Gordon, will you be monitoring the hiring practices of Einfeldt?

JAMES GORDON: I sure will.

ALDERMAN HUNTER: I just want to make sure that we don’t have anybody from Iroquois County doing the Kankakee work. I just want to make sure. But, you’ll be reviewing personnel that are working on that project? Okay.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank you. Any other questions? Roll call.

CLERK DUMAS:

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

RECOMMENDATION TO AWARD THE CONTRACT IN THE AMOUNT OF

$67,217.50 TO EINFELDT CONSTRUCTION, INC. FOR THE TYSON

ENGINEERING PROPOSED CURB AND SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENTS

TO MERCHANT STREET, TEI JOB NO. E08048

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion carries. The next two Ordinances deal with Lateral Entry for our Fire Department and our Police Department.

ALDERMAN BROWN: Motion to approve both.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank you. I was going to ask to combine them. So, we need a motion to Suspend the Rules.

ALDERMAN BROWN: I’ll make that motion to Suspend the Rules that would interfere with the passage of this Ordinance.

ALDERMAN WILLIAMS: Second.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion made by Alderman Brown, seconded by Alderman Hunter. Oh, I’m sorry. Hank, was it you? Alderman Williams, to Suspend the Rules that would interfere with the passage of both of these Ordinances. Roll call, please.

CLERK DUMAS:

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

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion carries. Do I have a motion to.......

ALDERMAN BROWN: Motion to put this Ordinance on Final Passage and Pass.

ALDERMAN WILLIAMS: Second.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion made by Alderman Brown, seconded by Alderman Williams to put both of these motions–Ordinances–on their Final Passage and Pass. Roll call, please.

CLERK DUMAS:

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

ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 14 ENTITLED “LATERAL ENTRY

FIREFIGHTERS FOR FIRE PREVENTION AND PROTECTION” OF THE

MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF KANKAKEE, ILLINOIS

ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 27 ENTITLED “LATERAL ENTRY POLICE

OFFICERS” OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF KANKAKEE, ILLINOIS

ALDERMAN BROWN: Mayor.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Yes.

ALDERMAN BROWN: I just want to make sure everyone knows that this is something that we do yearly. This is a yearly thing. So, this is something we have to do by statute every year.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: That’s correct.

ALDERMAN BROWN: I just wanted to make sure everybody understood that.

ALDERMAN HUNTER: And, it’s an avenue by which indistinguishable utilizing as far as expediting hiring indistinguishable from other indistinguishable.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: And, it also saves us an incredible amount of money.

ALDERMAN BROWN: That is correct.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: We will move onto Item D, an Ordinance authorizing the issuance of taxable sewer revenue bonds. Do I have a motion to Suspend the Rules?

ALDERMAN BARON: Mayor, I would move to Suspend the Rules that would interfere with the passage of the Ordinance which authorizes issuance by the City of Kankakee of sewer utility revenue bonds also known as sewer bonds in the amount of $4,000.000.00.

ALDERMAN HUNTER: Second that, Your Honor.

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

CLERK DUMAS:

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

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

ALDERMAN BARON: I would so move.

ALDERMAN HUNTER: I second it, Your Honor.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion made by Alderman Baron, seconded by Alderman Hunter. Are there any questions? There are representatives here from Bernardi Securities to answer any questions that you might have as would Mr. Spice or Mr. Simms.

ALDERMAN HUNTER: This matter’s been discussed at Budget and also been discussed at Utility. There shouldn’t be any other outstanding issues.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Okay. Roll call, please.

ALDERMAN BROWN: Is this indistinguishable schedule changes indistinguishable

MAYOR EPSTEIN: We’re going to vote on that now.

CLERK DUMAS:

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

ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AND PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF TAXABLE SEWER REVENUE BONDS, SERIES 2009, IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,000,000.00, FOR

THE CITY OF KANKAKEE, KANKAKEE COUNTY, ILLINOIS

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion carries. Mr. Bohlen has passed out the Bond Purchase Agreement that we must also vote on in order to complete this transaction. Do I have a motion to approve the Bond Purchase Agreement?

ALDERMAN BARON: I would so move.

ALDERMAN HUNTER: Second that, Your Honor.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion made by Alderman Baron, seconded by Alderman Hunter. Roll call.

CLERK DUMAS:

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

BOND PURCHASE AGREEMENT

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion carries. There are no Appointments this evening. We will move onto Motions and Resolutions. There is a Proclamation Recognizing National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month for the month of December. Do I have a motion to approve?

ALDERMAN BROWN: So moved.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion made by Alderman Brown.

ALDERMAN BROWNE: Second.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Seconded by Alderman Rich Browne. All those in favor. Opposed, same sign.

PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING NATIONAL DRUNK AND DRUGGED

DRIVING (3D) PREVENTION MONTH – DECEMBER 2009

MAYOR EPSTEIN: The Proclamation is approved. We do not have an Executive Session this evening. Do I have a motion to.........

UNKNOWN: So moved.

ALDERMAN SWANSON: I have.....

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Excuse me. Aldermen’s questions. Alderman Swanson.

ALDERMAN SWANSON: I just wanted to let everyone know that next Tuesday, October.....I mean November 24, there will not be an Ordinance meeting. We don’t have any business at this time.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: We will make sure that we advertise that, also.

ALDERMAN SWANSON: All right. Thank you.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank you.

ALDERMAN HUNTER: Mayor Epstein, just a........just want to remind the elected officials, last Council meeting I provided you with a questionnaire that Ed Piatt is utilizing towards his doctorate. If you could bring those to the next Council meeting, I’d appreciate it. Thank you. Everybody got them. I know you guys are busy being public servants, but remember to incorporate this in there, too.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Thank you for those comments. Any other questions? Motion to adjourn.

ALDERMAN BROWNE: So moved.

ALDERMAN SWANSON: Second.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion by Alderman Browne, seconded by Alderman Swanson. All those in favor aye.

MAYOR EPSTEIN: We are adjourned.

MOTION TO ADJOURN CITY COUNCIL MEETING

MAYOR EPSTEIN: Motion carries.

7:25 P.M.