City of Chicago Heights City Council met March 6.
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 6:03 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Mayor: David Gonzalez Present
Council: 1st Ward Walter Mosby Present
2nd Ward Sonia Perez Present
3rd Ward Wanda Rodgers Present
4th ward Joshua Deabel Present
5th Ward Richard Amadio Present
6th Ward Vincent Zaranti Present
7th Ward Sylvia Torres Present
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Gonzalez read a statement for the record regarding the natural gas power plant proposed to be located in Glenwood, Illinois. The statement expressed his opposition to the construction of the gas fire power plant and cited the serious environmental concerns for his position.
Alderman Mosby had no announcements.
Alderman Perez announced that her next ward meeting would be held on March 25th at 7:00 p.m. at Garfield School.
Alderman Rodgers announced that her ward meeting scheduled for March 14th was canceled and the new date was to be announced.
Alderman Deabel announced his next ward meeting would be held on Monday, March 25th at 7:00 p.m. at Roosevelt School. He said his next neighborhood watch meeting would be held on Wednesday, March 20th at 7:00 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church.
Alderman Amadio had no announcements.
Alderman Zaranti announced his next ward meeting would be held in coordination with Park District Commissioner Straczek on Thursday, March 28th at 7:00 p.m, at Commissioners Park.
Alderman Torres announced that Elizabeth Morales, of the Senior Nutrition Network, was asking for volunteers for the following Friday at 3140 Enterprise Park Avenue, South Chicago Heights (the Senior Citizen Center).
Mayor Gonzalez announced the Chicago Heights Police vs. Fire Charity Basketball Game on Friday, March 8th at the Chicago Heights Recreation Center.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Jim Lynch, CEO and President of My Jewelry Store, introduced himself and his new business in the City.
Gordon Mobert, a resident of the City, addressed the council on his water bill.
Joe Kleszczynski, a resident of the City, addressed the city council regarding the parking of a commercial truck in his neighborhood. He added that the problem had already been resolved by Gary Miller, Director of Code Enforcement.
Natalie Newman and Oscar Gonzalez addressed the council on the proposed power plant.
REPORT OF CHIEF OF STAFF - KAREN ZERANTE
COS Zerante updated the city council on the Rebuilding Together Metra Chicago Home Repair Program. She updated the council on the City's Choice Neighborhoods Plan, which would hold its second community meeting on March 14, 2019 at Lincoln-Gavin School. Cos Zerante announced the City would host its 3rd Annual Free Tree Give-A-Way event at City Hall on April 17th between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Lastly, the City would host its 4th Annual Community Resources Fair on April 10th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at City Hall.
REPORT OF THE CORPORATION COUNSEL.T.J. SOMER
No report.
1. MINUTES: MEETING OF FEBRUARY 20, 2019.
Alderman Mosby moved, and Alderman Amadio seconded, a motion to approve the minutes.
Ayes: Mosby, Perez, Rodgers, Deabel, Amadio, Zaranti,
Nays: none
Abstain: Torres
Absent: none
Motion to approve carried.
2. BILLS: APPROVAL OF SECOND RUN OF FEBRUARY 2019.
Alderman Rodgers moved, and Alderman Mosby 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. RESOLUTION #2019 - 15 : APPROVING MAYORAL APPOINTMENTS TO THE CITY PLAN COMMISSION AND ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS.
Alderman Amadio 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 highlighted the qualifications of his two appointees to the Zoning Board, City residents Michael Bonhart and Frank DiGiovanni.
4. RESOLUTION #2019 - __16 : APPROVING AN AGREEMENT WITH MIDSTATES RAIL, LLC FOR AN EXCLUSIVE OPTION TO PURCHASE THE CITY-OWNED VACANT SURPLUS INDUSTRIAL LAND AT 300 STATE STREET.
Alderman Rodgers 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.
Corporation Counsel Somer stated that Midstates Rail intended to explore the feasibility of establishing a 20,000 foot industrial warehouse facility on the property. Brief commentary on the matter before the vote.
5. RESOLUTION #2019 - 17 : APPROVING AN EXTENSION OF THE AGREEMENT WITH AMERESCO FOR THE EXCLUSIVE OPTION TO LEASE THE CITY-OWNED VACANT SURPLUS LAND AT 549 EAST 217TH STREET AND 2877 EAST END AVENUE, CHICAGO HEIGHTS, ILLINOIS, FOR DEVELOPMENT OF A SOLAR FARM.
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.
Corporation Counsel Somer explained that the current option agreement would be extended by one year to allow the company time to complete phase two of the proposed project, which was an application to ComEd for approval. There was discussion on the matter before the vote,
6. RESOLUTION #2019 - 18 : APPROVING AN AGREEMENT WITH ZIRON ENVIRONMENTAL, INC. FOR THE EXCLUSIVE OPTION TO PURCHASE CITY-OWNED VACANT SURPLUS LOTS AT 25TH STREET & PORTLAND AVENUE.
Alderman Rodgers 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
Corporation Counsel Somer informed the council that Ziron was interested in purchasing the 57 lots that were adjacent to its existing trucking firm, with the long-term plan of constructing a new building for its business. Brian Ziron was present and addressed the council on the matter. Discussion took place before the vote.
7. RESOLUTION #2019- 19 : APPROVING A DEED IN LIEU OF FORECLOSURE AGREEMENT FOR THE ACQUISITION OF THE COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE AT 1601 OTTO BOULEVARD.
Alderman Rodgers moved, and 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
Corporation Counsel explained that the City's ownership of the property would be advantageous in the City's Choice Neighborhoods Plan for the planning of the Eastside neighborhood. No discussion,
8. RESOLUTION #2019 -_20__: APPROVING THE SALE OF THE CITY OWNED SURPLUS RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY AT 1842 EUCLID AVENUE VIA THE CITY'S ABANDONED PROPERTY ACQUISITION PROGRAM. (APAP).
Alderman Amadio 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
Corporation Counsel reported that the City had acquired the property for one hundred twenty five dollars, and proposed to sell the property for five thousand dollars. The purchaser planned to rehab the property and put the property back on the tax rolls. Brief discussion.
9. RESOLUTION #2019- 21 : APPROVING THE PURCHASE OF A 2016 CHEVROLET AMBULANCE FOR THE CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Alderman Amadio 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
Treasurer Jim Dee stated that the cost of the ambulance was $ 110,000. The City would pay half at time of purchase, and finance the other half at about 3% interest rate.
MOTION TO ENTER EXECUTIVE (CLOSED) SESSION TO DISCUSS PENDING LITIGATION, USE OF CITY LAND AND / OR PERSONNEL ISSUES, IF NECESSARY.
Corporation Counsel reported that he polled the aldermen, and they felt they had enough information to address the next agenda item without needing to enter into executive session.
10. RESOLUTION #2019 - _ 22 : APPROVING THE SETTLEMENT OF CERTAIN CIVIL LITIGATION, AS PRESENTED FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THIS DATE.
Alderman Zaranti 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
ADJOURNMENT
At 7:07 p.m. Alderman Rodgers moved, and Alderman Perez seconded, a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Ayes: Mosby, Perez, Rodgers, Deabel, Amadio, Zaranti, Torres
Nays: none
Abstain: none
Absent: none
Motion to adjourn carried.
https://www.cityofchicagoheights.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_03062019-185
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