City of Chicago Heights City Council met Sept. 4.
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 Absent
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 next ward meeting would be held on Monday, September 9 at 6:00 p.m. at Barack Obama School.
Alderman Perez - absent.
Alderman Rodgers announced that her next ward meeting would be held on Thursday, September 19 at 6:00 p.m. at the Chicago Heights Park District.
Alderman Baikauskas announced that his next ward meeting would be held on Monday, September 23 at 7:00 p.m. at Roosevelt School.
Alderman Brassea announced that his next ward meeting would be held on September 24 at 7:00 p.m. at Calvary Church.
Alderman Zaranti announced that his next ward meeting would be held in coordination with Park District Commissioner Straczek on Thursday, September 26, at 7:00 p.m. at Commissioners Park.
Alderman Merrick announced that her next ward meeting would be held on Thursday, September 12 at 7:00 p.m. at the Chicago Heights Park District.
Mayor Gonzalez thanked the aldermen for their recommendations of candidates for the library board. The resumes would be reviewed and final recommendation would come before the city council at a later council meeting,
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Tanisha Riley, a resident of the City, addressed the council on parking issues at her apartment complex, as well as on an issue involving her son and the police.
Wendy Riley, a resident of the City, addressed the council on parking issues at her apartment complex.
REPORT OF CHIEF OF STAFF - KAREN ZERANTE
COS Karen Zerante reported that the City's resurfacing projects were still underway and on schedule. Outreach to residents was ready to start for Rebuilding Together, a program in partnership with Cook County, that offered free home repairs to residents. Applications for the program were still available.
REPORT OF THE CORPORATION COUNSEL-T.J. SOMER
None
1. MINUTES: MEETING OF AUGUST 21, 2019
Alderman Zaranti moved, and Alderman Merrick seconded, a motion to approve the minutes.
Ayes: Smith, Baikauskas, Brassea, Zaranti, Merrick
Nays: none
Abstain: Rodgers
Absent: Perez
Motion to approve carried.
2. BILLS: APPROVAL OF SECOND RUN OF AUGUST 2019.
Alderman Zaranti moved, and Alderman Merrick 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. RESOLUTION #2019 -_64; AUTHORIZING A DEED IN LIEU OF FORECLOSURE AGREEMENT FOR ACQUISITION OF THE APPROXIMATE FOUR ACRE VACANT COMMERCIAL PARCEL OF LAND AT 19TH STREET & CHICAGO ROAD. (Former site of Leising Lumber).
Alderman Zaranti moved, and Alderman Brassea 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 stated the resolution was part of the City's economic development effort to eliminate tax delinquent properties and restore them to a marketable status. Acquisition of this property would eliminate almost a million dollars in back taxes, and enable the City to market the property to a tax paying entity.
4. RESOLUTION #2019 - _65 : AUTHORIZING A DEED IN LIEU OF FORECLOSURE AGREEMENT FOR ACQUISITION OF THE ABANDONED RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1527 WALLACE STREET.
Alderman Rodgers moved, and Alderman Brassea seconded, a motion to approve the resolution.
Ayes: Smith, Rodgers, Baikauskas, Brassea, Zaranti, Merrick
Nays: none
Abstain: none
Absent: Perez
Motion to approve carried.
Acquisition of this property was related to the Choice Neighborhoods Program grant and the residential redevelopment of the Lincoln School area under the grant. This home and several other homes would be demolished to make way for a large park adjoining Lincoln School.
5. RESOLUTION #2019 - 66 : AUTHORIZING A DEED IN LIEU OF FORECLOSURE AGREEMENT FOR ACQUISITION OF THE APPROXIMATE TWO ACRE VACANT COMMERCIAL PARCEL OF LAND AT 1715 WENTWORTH.
Alderman Zaranti moved, and Alderman Rodgers 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 the City would convey the property to Nufarm, a business operating in the City, for its planned expansion to nearby State Street. Brief discussion on the matter took place before the vote.
6. RESOLUTION #2019 - 67 : APPROVING THE PURCHASE OF A 2019 SMEAL 75' AERIAL FIRE TRUCK FROM "SMEAL HOLDINGS, LLC"
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.
Fire Chief Jeffrey Springer explained that the fire truck was equipped with both ladders and pumps, allowing it to do the job of an engine and a truck. Mayor Gonzalez noted that cost of the truck was $ 699,999, and that financing terms would be over ten or fifteen years, as determined by Treasurer Dee. There were several questions on the matter.
7. ORDINANCE #2019 - 14 : AMENDING THE CITY OF CHICAGO HEIGHTS CODE OF ORDINANCES AND ESTABLISHING A MUNICIPAL CANNABIS RETAILERS OCCUPATION TAX.
Alderman Zaranti moved, and Alderman Merrick seconded, a motion to approve the ordinance.
Ayes: Smith, Rodgers, Baikauskas, Brassea, Zaranti, Merrick
Nays: none
Abstain: none
Absent: Perez
Motion to approve carried.
Corporation Counsel Somer explained that the ordinance would put the City in a position to impose a tax when sales became legal on January 1, 2020, and thereafter. Discussion on the ordinance and other related matters took place.
ADJOURNMENT
At 6:42 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 by acclamation.
https://www.cityofchicagoheights.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_09042019-204
Alerts Sign-up