City of Chicago Heights City Council met June 5.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Gonzalez called the regular meeting of the Chicago Heights City Council to order at 6:05 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Mayor: David Gonzalez Present
Council:
1st Ward Renee Smith Present
2nd Ward Sonia Perez Present
3rd Ward Wanda Rodgers Present
4th Ward Christopher Baikauskas Present
5th Ward George Brassea Present
6th Ward Vincent Zaranti Present
7th Ward Kelli Merrick Present
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
COMMUNICATIONS
Alderman Mosby said that it had been an honor to serve as Alderman of the 1st Ward, and he expressed his best wishes for the City.
Alderman Perez announced that her next ward meeting would be held on Monday, June 24 at 7:00 p.m. at Garfield School.
Alderman Rodgers announced that her next ward meeting would be held on Thursday, June 20 at 6:00 p.m. at the Chicago Heights Park District. She also announced that the event for a movie in the park was cancelled.
Alderman Deabel commemorated the 75th anniversary of D-Day and the ongoing fight for freedom.
Alderman Amadio said that it was a pleasure to serve the City for eight years, and he wished all the new aldermen the best of luck.
Alderman Zaranti announced his next ward meeting would be held in coordination with Park District Commissioner Straczek on Thursday, June 27 at 7:00 p.m. Commissioners Park.
Alderman Torres thanked everyone for all the support that she had received in her service the past eight years.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION None
REPORT OF CHIEF OF STAFF – KAREN ZERANTE
Chief of Staff Zerante reported on the Independence Day Fireworks Show that would take place on Wednesday, July 3rd with the show beginning at dusk.
REPORT OF THE CORPORATION COUNSEL-T.J. SOMER
None
1. MINUTES: MEETING OF MAY 15, 2019
Alderman Mosby moved, and Alderman Perez seconded, a motion to approve the minutes.
Ayes: Mosby, Perez, Rodgers, Amadio, Zaranti, Torres
Nays: none
Abstain: Deabel
Absent: none
Motion to approve carried.
2. BILLS: APPROVAL OF SECOND RUN OF MAY 2019.
Alderman Zaranti moved, and Alderman Rodgers seconded, a motion to approve the bills.
Ayes: Mosby, Perez, Rodgers, Deabel, Amadio, Zaranti, Torres
Nays: none
Abstain: none
Absent: none
Motion to approve carried.
3. ORDINANCE #2019 - 8 : AMENDING CHAPTER 3, SECTION 14 OF THE CITY ZONING
ORDINANCE REGULATING COMMUNICATION TOWERS.
Alderman Mosby moved, and Alderman Rodgers seconded, a motion to approve the ordinance.
Ayes: Mosby, Perez, Rodgers, Deabel, Amadio, Zaranti, Torres
Nays: none
Abstain: none
Absent: none
Motion to approve carried.
Corporation Counsel Somer explained that the ordinance required a solid fence to enclose cell towers in the City in order to improve the aesthetics. The Code Enforcement Director would have discretion as to whether the fence complied with the ordinance. Brief discussion on the matter took place.
4. ORDINANCE #2019 -_9_; AMENDING CHAPTER 26 OF THE CITY CODE OF ORDINANCES
REGULATING BUSINESS LICENSES.
Alderman Mosby moved, and Alderman Zaranti seconded, a motion to approve the ordinance.
Ayes: Mosby, Perez, Rodgers, Deabel, Amadio, Zaranti, Torres
Nays: none
Abstain: none
Absent: none
Motion to approve carried.
Corporation Counsel Somer explained that the ordinance created a hardship provision in the City Code that allowed a license applicant to sign a contract with the City, whereby one of the terms would require the applicant to pay to the City Clerk the portion of the property taxes due to the
City.
5. ORDINANCE #2019- 10 : AMENDING CHAPTER 11 OF THE CITY CODE OF ORDINANCES
REGULATING VACANT HOUSES.
Alderman Rodgers moved, and Alderman Perez seconded, a motion to approve the ordinance.
Ayes: Mosby, Perez, Rodgers, Deabel, Amadio, Zaranti, Torres
Nays: none
Abstain: none
Absent: none
Motion to approve carried.
Corporation Counsel Somer explained that the City, after having given due process to the last owner of record of a vacant property, would have right of access and inspection. The ordinance included a process whereby the City could declare a property a public nuisance, and have the right to place a lock on the building.
6. RESOLUTION #2019 - 42 : APPROVING A PROPOSAL FOR THE CITY'S 2019 PAVEMENT
RESTORATION PROJECT AND LANDSCAPE RESTORATION PROJECT.
Alderman Rodgers moved, and Alderman Mosby seconded, a motion to approve the resolution.
Ayes: Mosby, Perez, Rodgers, Deabel, Amadio, Zaranti, Torres
Nays: none
Abstain: none
Absent: none
Motion to approve carried.
Mayor Gonzalez stated that the engineer's recommendation was to accept the proposal from Iroquois Paving for $ 219,425.00. The Mayor explained that the restoration was to pavement and landscape areas that were damaged during the repair of water main breaks.
7. RESOLUTION #2019-43: APPROVING A GRANT AWARD FROM IHDA'S ABANDONED
RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY MUNICIPAL RELIEF PROGRAM - ROUND 4.
Alderman Mosby moved, and Alderman Perez seconded, a motion to approve the resolution.
Ayes: Mosby, Perez, Rodgers, Deabel, Amadio, Zaranti, Torres
Nays: none
Abstain: none
Absent: none
Motion to approve carried.
Mayor Gonzalez announced that an IHDA grant for $250,000 was awarded to the city. The funds would serve as reimbursement for some of the approximately four or five thousand dollars the City spent each year in the maintenance of abandoned properties throughout the City
8. RESOLUTION #2019 - 44: AUTHORIZING A DEED IN LIEU OF FORECLOSURE AGREEMENT FOR
ACQUISITION OF THE VACANT LAND AND REAL ESTATE AT 345 W. 202ND STREET.
Alderman Amadio moved, and Alderman Perez seconded, a motion to approve the resolution.
Ayes: Perez, Rodgers, Deabel, Amadio, Zaranti, Torres
Nays: none
Abstain: Mosby
Absent: none
Motion to approve carried.
Mayor Gonzalez stated that with the acquisition of a sufficient number of lots in that area, the City could begin to work with engineers to develop a recreational open space, and/or more importantly, a water retention area to alleviate flooding there.
9. RESOLUTION #2019 - _45 : ADOPTING THE OFFICIAL ELECTION RESULTS OF COOK COUNTY
CLERK KAREN YARBROUGH FOR THE APRIL 2, 2019 CONSOLIDATED GENERAL ELECTION FOR THE CORPORATE OFFICES OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO HEIGHTS AND DECLARING THE WINNERS OF THOSE CONTESTS ELECTED FOR THE FOUR-YEAR TERM COMMENCING JUNE 5, 2019,
Alderman Mosby moved, and Alderman Torres seconded, a motion to approve the resolution.
Ayes: Mosby, Perez, Rodgers, Amadio, Zaranti, Torres
Nays: Deabel
Abstain: none
Absent: none
Motion to approve carried.
Mayor Gonzalez read the names of the individuals recently elected to office.
Mayor Gonzalez thanked outgoing Alderman Mosby, Alderman Deabel, Alderman.Amadio, and Alderman Torres for the hard work and years of service they gave to the city. The Mayor presented each with a proclamation on behalf of the City of Chicago Heights. Each alderman made departing remarks.
10. ADJOURNMENT SINE DIE
At 6:45 p.m. Alderman Mosby moved, and Alderman Rodgers seconded, a motion to adjourn sine die.
Ayes: Mosby, Perez, Rodgers, Deabel, Amadio, Zaranti, Torres
Nays: none
Abstain: none
Absent: none
Motion to adjourn sine die carried.
11. ADMINISTRATION OF OATH OF OFFICE TO NEWLY ELECTED OFFICIALS OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO
HEIGHTS.
Mayor Gonzalez welcomed Judge Jessica Colon-Sayre, a Will County Associate Judge, and native of the City of Chicago Heights, who would administer the oaths.
Judge Colon-Sayre administered the oath of office to all of the aldermen, to City Clerk Lori Wilcox, and to Mayor David Gonzalez.
Mayor Gonzalez congratulated the elected officials, and said that he looked forward to working with them. The Mayor expressed gratitude for his opportunity to serve a third term. He reviewed accomplishments of his past terms, and his goals and vision for the City.
Alderman Renee Smith, Christopher Baikauskas, George Brassea, and Kelli Merrick, made their first comments as newly elected officials.
12. CALL TO ORDER OF THE NEW CITY COUNCIL
Mayor Gonzalez made the call to order for the new city council and asked the City Clerk to call the roll.
13. ROLL CALL
Mayor: David Gonzalez Present
Council:
1st Ward Renee Smith Present
2nd Ward Sonia Perez Present
3rd Ward Wanda Rodgers Present
4th Ward Christopher Baikauskas Present
5th Ward George Brassea Present
6th Ward Vincent Zaranti Present
7th Ward Kelli Merrick Present
14. COMMUNICATIONS.
Mayor Gonzalez welcomed Al Kindle, Office of Toni Preckwinkle, Cook County Board President. Mr. Kindle conveyed words of encouragement and commitment from the county board president.
Mayor Gonzalez expressed his appreciation for Toni Preckwinkle's Office and its interest in delivering millions in grant monies to the City and to the South Suburbs for various projects. Mayor Gonzalez acknowledged the presence of State Representative Anthony DeLuca and thanked him for his hard work on behalf of the City.
ADJOURNMENT
At 7:20 p.m. Alderman Rodgers moved, and Alderman Smith seconded, a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Ayes: Smith, Perez, Rodgers, Baikauskas, Brassea, Zaranti, Merrick
Nays: none
Abstain: none
Absent: none
Motion to adjourn carried by acclamation.
http://cityofchicagoheights.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_06052019-198
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