City of Chicago Heights City Council met July 17.
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 6:27 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 Smith announced that her ward meeting would be held on Monday, August 5 at 6:00 p.m. at the Barack Obama School.
Alderman Perez - absent
Alderman Rodgers announced that the Chicago Heights Park District's annual Back-To-School event would be held on Sunday, August 4 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Park District.
Alderman Baikauskas announced that his next ward meeting would be held on Monday, July 22 at 7:00 p.m. at Roosevelt School.
Alderman Brassea announced that his next meeting would be held on Wednesday, July 24 at 7:00. p.m. at Calvary Assembly Church.
Alderman Zaranti announced his next ward meeting would be held in coordination with Park District Commissioner Straczek on Thursday, July 25 at 7:00 p.m. at Commissioners Park.
Alderman Merrick announced her next ward meeting would be held on Friday, August 9 at 7:00 p.m. at the Chicago Heights Park District.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
None
REPORT OF THE CITY TREASURER-JIM DEE
Treasurer Dee was absent from the meeting.
REPORT OF CHIEF OF STAFF-KAREN ZERANTE
COS Zerante reminded residents to register with the Code Red Alert System to receive news and alerts from the City. She announced the location of cooling centers throughout the City, and said that the locations were posted on the City's website. Further, the Bloom Township Center and the Police Station would be open this weekend for the extreme weather temperatures expected. She said that another Code Red Alert would be sent on Friday,
REPORT OF THE CORPORATION COUNSEL-TJ. SOMER
None
1. MINUTES: MEETING OF JULY 3, 2019
Alderman Zaranti moved, and Alderman Merrick seconded, a motion to approve the minutes.
Ayes: Smith, Rodgers, Baikauskas, Brassea, Zaranti, Merrick
Nays: none
Abstain: none
Absent: Perez
Motion to approve carried.
2. BILLS: APPROVAL OF FIRST RUN OF JULY 2019.
Alderman Zaranti moved, and Alderman Baikauskas seconded, a motion to approve the bills.
Ayes: Smith, Rodgers, Baikauskas, Brassea, Zaranti, Merrick
Nays: none
Abstain: none
Absent: Perez
Motion to approve carried.
3. ORDINANCE #2019 - 13 : APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR CORPORATE AND SPECIAL PURPOSES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING MAY 1, 2019 AND ENDING APRIL 30, 2020.
Alderman Zaranti moved, and Alderman Rodgers seconded, a motion to approve the ordinance.
Ayes: Smith, Rodgers, Baikauskas, Brassea, Zaranti, Merrick
Nays: none
Abstain: none
Absent: Perez
Motion to approve carried.
Mayor Gonzalez stated that the budget had been reviewed at the public hearing immediately preceding the city council meeting. The budget had been on display in the Treasurer's office and would be available on the City's website after approval.
4. RESOLUTION # 2019- 50 : AUTHORIZING THE CITY TREASURER TO TRANSFER MONEY BETWEEN THE VARIOUS CITY FUNDS.
Alderman Rodgers moved, and Alderman Merrick seconded, a motion to approve the resolution.
Ayes: Smith, Rodgers, Baikauskas, Brassea, Zaranti, Merrick.
Nays: none
Abstain: none
Absent: Perez
Motion to approve carried.
Mayor Gonzalez explained that the resolution allowed monies to be transferred between funds to pay City bills, such as when the City was waiting on the receipt of real estate tax revenues. Funds were transferred back before the end of the fiscal year as required by the resolution.
5. RESOLUTION #2019 - 51 : APPROVING A COOK COUNTY CLASS 8 TAX CLASSIFICATION APPLICATION FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 844 HALSTED STREET. (former Citgo Gas station. Applicant: Atlas Khan).
Alderman Rodgers moved, and Alderman Baikauskas seconded, a motion to approve the resolution.
Ayes: Smith, Rodgers, Baikauskas, Brassea, Zaranti, Merrick
Nays: none
Abstain: none
Absent: Perez
Motion to approve carried,
Jack Hynes, Economic Development Director, reported that the Class 8 status would reduce the real estate back taxes on the property. The new owner would pay the remaining taxes to current status, and re-invest $30,000 into the property for improvements.
RESOLUTION #2019 - 52: APPROVING AN AGREEMENT WITH ZIRON ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC., TO INDUCE THE SALE AND REDEVELOPMENT OF THE CITY OWNED SURPLUS VACANT LAND AT 302 EAST 25TH STREET.
Alderman Rodgers moved, and Alderman Zaranti seconded, a motion to approve the resolution.
Ayes: Smith, Rodgers, Baikauskas, Brassea, Zaranti, Merrick
Nays: none
Abstain: none
Absent: Perez
Motion to approve carried,
Corporation Counsel Somer explained that having entered into an Option to Purchase Agreement with the City, Ziron was now ready to proceed with the purchase of the land. Ziron would invest $ 280,000 in clean-up of the land, with the intention of constructing its operational headquarters there. Brief question on the matter.
MOTION TO ENTER EXECUTIVE (closed) SESSION TO DISCUSS PENDING LITIGATION, PERSONNEL ISSUES, COLLECTIVE BARGAINING MATTERS OR THE USE/DISPOSITION OF CITY OWNED LAND. (IF NECESSARY)
Corporation Counsel reported that he had polled the aldermen and the consensus was that an executive session would not be necessary in order for the city council to take action on item #7 of the agenda.
RESOLUTION #2019 - _ 53 : APPROVING THE SETTLEMENT OF CERTAIN CIVIL LITIGATION AS PRESENTED FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION OF THIS DATE. (18W0010614).
Alderman Rodgers moved, and Alderman Smith seconded, a motion to approve the resolution.
Ayes: Smith, Rodgers, Baikauskas, Brassea, Zaranti, Merrick
Nays: none
Abstain: none
Absent: Perez
Motion to approve carried.
ADJOURNMENT
At 7:00 p.m. Alderman Rodgers moved, and Alderman Smith seconded, a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Ayes: Smith, Rodgers, Baikauskas, Brassea, Zaranti, Merrick
Nays: none
Abstain: none
Absent: Perez
Motion to adjourn carried
http://cityofchicagoheights.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_07172019-201
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