City of Chicago Heights City Council met Aug. 21.
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 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Mayor: David Gonzalez Present
Council:
1st Ward Renee Smith Present
2nd Ward Sonia Perez Present
3rd Ward Wanda Rodgers Abssent
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 next ward meeting would be held on September 4 at 6 p.m. at Barack Obama School.
Alderman Perez announced that her next ward meeting would be held on Monday, August 26 at 7:00 p.m. at Garfield Elementary.
Alderman Rodgers was absent.
Alderman Baikauskas announced that his next ward meeting would be held on Monday, August 26 at 7 p.m. at Roosevelt School.
Alderman Brassea announced that his next ward meeting would be held on Wednesday, August 28 at Calvary Assembly Church.
Alderman Zaranti announced that his next ward meeting would be held in coordination with Park District Commissioner Straczek on August 29 at 7:00 p.m. at Commissioners Park.
Alderman Merrick announced that her next ward meeting would be held on September 12 at 7:00 p.m. at Chicago Heights Park District.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Charles Dieringer, a resident of the City, addressed the council on the use of drones and on emergency medical services within the City.
Lawrence Blackful, Pastor of Bethel Church, requested a meeting with the Mayor and the third ward alderman regarding the redevelopment of the City's East Side.
William Staten, Pastor of Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, stated his concerns and that he would be present at the meeting with Pastor Blackful to discuss his concerns regarding the City's East Side.
REPORT OF CHIEF OF STAFF - KAREN ZERANTE
Chief of Staff Zerante updated the council on the CDBG and Capital Improvements resurfacing projects currently taking place in Serena Hills and soon on Hickory Street and Euclid Avenue. COS Zerante stated that the application for Rebuilding Together, a program for free home repairs, was available on the City's website, and in the Mayor's office and Residential Services.
REPORT OF THE CORPORATION COUNSEL—TJ. SOMER
None
Mayor Gonzalez asked Fire Chief Jeffrey Springer to update the council on the recent fire at Gerresheimer Glass in the City. Fire Chief Jeffrey Springer reported on the situation and stated that the City would be meeting with company officials to discuss issues and concerns there. COS Zerante stated that the meeting was scheduled for the following Friday, and that a follow up report would be forthcoming.
1. MINUTES: MEETING OF AUGUST 7, 2019
Alderman Zaranti moved, and Alderman Merrick seconded, a motion to approve the minutes.
Ayes: Smith, Perez, Baikauskas, Brassea, Zaranti, Merrick
Nays: none
Abstain: none
Absent: Rodgers
Motion to approve carried.
2. BILLS: APPROVAL OF FIRST RUN OF AUGUST 2019.
Alderman Zaranti moved, and Alderman Perez seconded, a motion to approve the bills.
Ayes: Smith, Perez, Baikauskas, Brassea, Zaranti, Merrick
Nays: none
Abstain: none
Absent: Rodgers
Motion to approve carried.
3. RESOLUTION #2019 - 58 : APPROVING AN APPLICATION FOR A COOK COUNTY CLASS 8 TAX CLASSIFICATION FOR THE VACANT COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE AT 571 W. 14TH STREET. (former Ultra Foods).
Alderman Perez moved, and Alderman Zaranti seconded, a motion to approve the resolution.
Ayes: Smith, Perez, Baikauskas, Brassea, Zaranti, Merrick
Nays: none
Abstain: none
Absent: Rodgers
Motion to approve carried.
Jack Hynes, Economic Development Director, reported that PrimeSpace Capital proposed to rehab the building into a self-storage facility and to develop the front of the property for commercial retail. Patrick Hanlon, attorney for PrimeSpace Capital, addressed the council and took part in the discussion before the vote.
4. RESOLUTION #2019 - 59 : APPROVING A BID AWARD FOR THE CITY'S 2019 50/50 SIDEWALK REPLACEMENT PROGRAM.
Alderman Zaranti moved, and Alderman Merrick seconded, a motion to approve the resolution.
Ayes: Smith, Perez, Baikauskas, Brassea, Zaranti, Merrick
Nays: none
Abstain: none
Absent: Rodgers
Motion to approve carried.
COS Zerante stated that the engineer's recommendation was to award the bid to low bidder J. J. Newell Concrete with a low bid of $ 58,085.00. Work was expected to be completed this season. There were brief questions on the matter by the council.
5, RESOLUTION #2019 - 60 : APPROVING A PROPOSAL FOR THE RELOCATION AND INSTALLATION OF POLICE SECURITY CAMERAS TO 431 WEST 14TH STREET.
Alderman Zaranti moved, and Alderman Perez seconded, a motion to approve the resolution.
Ayes: Smith, Perez, Baikauskas, Brassea, Zaranti, Merrick
Nays: none
Abstain: none
Absent: Rodgers
Motion to approve carried.
COS Zerante explained that the City had to do an emergency relocation of the police security cameras, formerly located on the rooftop of St. James Hospital, in order to maintain 24 hour surveillance to the police station. Brief comments by the council on the matter.
6. RESOLUTION #2019 - 61 : APPROVING THE PURCHASE OF FIVE POLICE SECURITY CAMERAS PURSUANT TO A GRANT FROM THE COOK COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. (West Side Camera Project)
Alderman Zaranti moved, and Alderman Merrick seconded, a motion to approve the resolution.
Ayes: Smith, Perez, Baikauskas, Brassea, Zaranti, Merrick
Nays: none
Abstain: none
Absent: Rodgers
Motion to approve carried.
COS Zerante explained the purchase of the cameras and the installation of the power poles for the cameras; she stated that the full cost of the cameras would be paid for by a grant from Cook County. There was a brief question on the matter.
7. RESOLUTION #2019 - 62 : APPROVING A PROPOSAL FROM CONTRACTORS POWER & LIGHT, CO. FOR INSTALLATION OF FIVE POWERED POLES FOR THE CITY'S WEST SIDE CAMERA PROJECT.
Alderman Zaranti moved, and Alderman Merrick seconded, a motion to approve the resolution.
Ayes: Smith, Perez, Baikauskas, Brassea, Zaranti, Merrick
Nays: none
Abstain: none
Absent: Rodgers
Motion to approve carried.
COS Zerante spoke on this matter in the discussion of the previous agenda item.
8. RESOLUTION #2019 - 63 : APPROVING THE LEASE OF CITY OWNED VACANT LAND AT 1510-1526 OTTO BOULEVARD TO T-MOBILE CENTRAL, LLC.
Alderman Perez moved, and Alderman Zaranti seconded, a motion to approve the resolution.
Ayes: Smith, Perez, Baikauskas, Brassea, Zaranti, Merrick
Nays: none
Abstain: none
Absent: Rodgers
Motion to approve carried.
Corporation Counsel Somer stated that demolition of St. James hospital resulted in the need to relocate T-Mobile's cell towers currently on St. James' rooftop. The City would enter into a temporary, two-year lease with T-Mobile for relocation of its cell towers to the City's site, until a permanent tower was constructed there at the same site. There was a brief question on the matter.
ADJOURNMENT
At 6:55 p.m. Alderman Perez moved, and Alderman Merrick seconded, a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Ayes: Smith, Perez, Baikauskas, Brassea, Zaranti, Merrick
Nays: none
Abstain: none
Absent: Rodgers
Motion to approve carried by acclamation.
http://cityofchicagoheights.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_08212019-203
Alerts Sign-up