City of Markham City Council met Aug. 6.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
Mayor Roger Agpawa called the Regular Meeting of the Markham City Council to order at 7:15 p.mn, with the Pledge of Allegiance. Prayer led by Ald. McDowell, Roll Call was taken by City Clerk, Jennifer Coles,
ROLL CALL: ALDERMEN PRESENT
Alderman Rondal Jones
Alderman William Barron
Alderwoman Brenna Hampton
Alderwoman Wanda MoDowell
ALSO PRESENT:
Attorney, Steven Miller
Treasurer, Belinda Richardson
APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING JULY 17, 2019
Motion by Ald. Barron, seconded by Ald. McDowell to approve Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting held July 17, 2019 with necessary corrections and/or deletions.
Roll Call: 4 Ayes/0 Nays
AUTHORIZATION OF CLAIMS
Motion by Ald. Hampton, seconded by Ald. Barron, to adopt Authorization of Claims and Accounts Bill List $605,530.44 manual checks $1,950.00 totaling $607,480,44.
Roll Call: 4 Ayes/0 Nays
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
Motion by Ald. Barron, seconded by Ald. Hampton, to open the meeting for a special presentation from Zeta Phi Beta Sorority.
Voice Vote: 4 Ayes/0 Nays
Thank you to the Mayor and Council for allowing their Xi Mu Zeta Chapter from Markham meet in City Hall. Their focus is scholarships and community service. Janet K. Bell Memorial Golf Outing was established in memory of Janet K. Bell serving as a scholarship. Janet had been a member of Zeta Phi Beta since 1977, was a resident of Markham, and worked for the City of Markham from 2006 until she passed in 2017 due to complications from lupus. The golf outing is on August 31st at the University Park Golf Course. Other initiatives over the years servicing the community are Finer Womanhood, Stork's Nest, Thanksgiving baskets, toy drives, etc. .
Mayor Agpawa - thank you all for what you do. Always sees them here when they're meeting. Grateful for what they do and it's his intention to be at the golf outing, but he can't golf. Ald. Barron - Thanked them for what they do.
Motion by Ald. Hampton, seconded by Ald. Jones, to close the floor to Zeta Phi Beta Sorority,
Voice Vote: 4 Ayes/0 Nays
Motion by Ald. Jones, seconded by Ald. Hampton, to open the meeting to Markham Child Development Center. Voice Vote: 4 Ayes/0 Nays
CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT
1 Ordinance, 2 Litigation, 1 Personnel
WAIVE READING ORDINANCE 19-0-2236
Motion by Ald. Jones, seconded by Ald. Hampton to waive the reading of Resolution 19-R-578 - AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 18-0 2211 CONCERNING COOK COUNTY CLASS 8 :PROPERTY TAX INCENTIVE FOR PERMANENT INDEX NUMBERS 28-23-207-012 0000, 28-23-207-013-0000 AND 28-23-207-014 0000 LOCATED AT 15910 S. KEDZIE AVENUE, MARKHAM, ILLINOIS 60428 OWNED AND BEING DEVELOPED BY 159 KEDZIE LLC.
Voice Vote: 4 Ayes/0 Nays
ADOPT ORDINANCE 19-0-2236
Motion by Ald. Jones, seconded by Ald. Hampton to adopt Ordinance 19-0-2236.
Roll Call: 4 Ayes/0 Nays
Attorney Miller - Note: The second number in the second PIN on the agenda is transposed and instead of 32 it should be 23 as read aloud and written on the ordinance.
CELL AT AUCTION
Water Tower Lease Agreement Ald, Jones - What's the amount and how long is it for?
Treasurer Richardson - $255,000 lump sum for 30 years or $19,000 per year for 15 years. Ald. Hampton - So we're deciding whether to take a lump sum or stretch it out? Mayor Agpawa - Treasurer's Office recommends lump sum. Money is received 30 days within receipt of contract.
Ald. Barron -- This is giving authorization for them to go out to bid for no less than the unpublished reserve of $255,000. It could be more. Ald. Jones - This is separate from the one already up there?
Mayor Agpawa - Yes.
Motion by Ald. Jones, seconded by Ald. Hampton, to grant the Mayor permission to sign the contract for Cell At Auction.
Roll Call: 4 Ayes/0 Nays
CITY CLERK'S REPORT
Announce the upcoming Back to School Event on August 17th, 10am to 2pm at City Hall.
MAYOR'S REPORT
City is still cleaning up. Let your friends and : neighbors know we're still out there and asking everyone to be involved. We're doing some things in the police department to increase visibility. Call police if you see something. Have an increase in speeding throughout the city and working to get that under control along with loud music. We're enforcing what happens in front yards, ordinance enforcement, basketball hoops in the street. Encouraging people to call it in to let them know.
NEW BUSINESS
ALD JONES
In regards to FOIA would attorneys to be more involved.
Mayor Agpawa – That hasn't stopped, they're involved.
Agrees with the speeding issue. Christ Temple is having an event on August 24th. It was exciting last year at Roesner Park,
ALD, BARRON
Some drainage problems fixed at 157th and Homan and 155th and Hamlin. There's more to do and a big task catching up.
ALD. HAMPTON
Wants to share with the public a situation she and the mayor ran into. Solicitors came through the community, when asked what they were selling, the gentlemen were disrespectful. The mayor : encountered the same gentlemen and they were disrespectful to him as well. Be careful with these types of individuals. Some have been scams. There's no soliciting in Markham. We have so many events coming up this month, take advantage of the parades, and back to school events. Put us on your agenda, have some fun, don't mark it in pencil, put it in ink. Wants to reiterate we are truly working hard in the wards to get homes in tip top shape. It's overwhelming to see how many homes have been neglected in the community and we appreciate your patience.
ALD. MCDOWELL
Thanks to public works for all the hard work throughout the city. Don't forget about our new event, Jazz in the Park on August 16th from 6pm to 9pm at Roesner Park. Bring blankets and chairs. Sponsored by the Mayor and City Council. It's a free event,
Mayor Agpawa - Wants to add Nature Conservancy
Prairie Day on September 7th from 11am to 2pm at Drop Seed Prairie at 159th & Homan, Free event, do a prairie walk, We want to be supportive of the gem in the city.
OPEN FLOOR TO PUBLIC
Motion by Ald. Jones, seconded by Ald. Barron, to open floor to public..
Voice Vote: 4.Ayes/0 Nays
SPEAKING OF VARIOUS
Rosemary Calvert - What is the construction on
159th and Kedzie? Mayor Agpawa - improving intersection and putting in turning lanes. : Rosemary Calvert - Works at the township. Hears a number of concerns. One being people moving in homes that aren't being inspected. People are getting in these properties and finding things like water damage. Do we do inspections for Section 8?
Mayor Agpawa - Yes the properties are being inspected.
Rosemary Calvert - Ald. Hampton, Ward 1 residents say they don't know you. There's no phone number for them to contact you. They would like to see you and wants someone to tell what's going on in their ward. Has seen more police presence, was going to talk about speeders but that was already covered. August 23rd at South Suburban College there is the annual basketball tournament put on by Frank Zuccharelli. On August 24th Christ Temple will have its Family & Friends Event. Parade first and then to Roesner Park. The mayor will be the Grand Marshall and will be on a float. How did the Day in the Park flyers go out because there was a terrible showing from the people of Markham, We have to do better.
Mayor Agpawa - The Day in the Park flyers were mailed out.
Ald. Hampton - very visible but typically in the evenings so please don't get the impression she's not working. Makes notes and brings back to the mayor as she goes through the ward. Makes rounds 2 to 3 i times a night each week and is out every weekend.
Works a full time job so is usually back home around 6pm and that is the time she usually calls people back. Does have a new number because other number couldn't handle call volume. Cannot answer the phone during work but will call people after 6pm when she's off unless they want to talk to her at Sam. Will meet with the residents in the ward after the summer due to the number of festivities to let people know what's in the works. Feels they've done quite a bit in a short time since April.
Mayor Agpawa - Get the Alderwoman's new number. Talks to her either in the morning on her way to work or on her way back home or sometimes both. They're all working their wards. If something is getting missed is willing to step in.
Eugie Thompson – Want to understand the water increase and how much is it? Are the alleyways supposed to be maintained by the residents?
Mayor Agpawa - Yes.
Eugie Thompson – They dump and property is overgrown at the vacant house behind her.
Mayor Agpawa - Trying to get the front of some of
the properties looking nice and then going to the alleyways. Has done a couple alleyways. Alleyway ordinance has been in effect 30 years. Give information to Ald. McDowell, that's her ward and will make an attempt to get over there. The Treasurer can have a discussion with you about the utility bill.
Eugie Thompson – thinks others would like to hear the utility bill answer.
Sherry Bell – heard Walgreens is closing at the end of August. Is there anything in the pipeline to replace it? Been a resident for 13 years and there were lots of businesses and looked to be flourishing, now just highly disappointed in what she's not getting for her tax dollars. Big Lots, Charter Fitness, Payless, Foot Action are just a few that have left and all didn't go bankrupt. You can't reasonably go through here and say it looks good. Dunkin Donuts are always out of cups, McDonald's service is bad. Police are doing a good job. Why are stores coming and not staying? Nothing is here generating revenue. Can't walk to Canterbury because it's empty. What are we doing to keep the businesses? Should be able to go to a store where she pays taxes. Ald. Barron - Half the businesses listed went bankrupt which is out of our control. Example Unique has 5 stores but was trying to save 2. Fallas and Charter Fitness went bankrupt. Someone bought Charter Fitness but opted not to reopen the one in Markham. Amazon has affected every family in America. All his daughters bought gifts online for Christmas. There are so many people buying everything online. We've been offering incentives for businesses to come and stay.
Ald. Jones - Tried our best with businesses like Walgreens when they were in the Canterbury Shopping Center to move and we stepped in and some we were putting money in to help them.
Mayor Agpawa - Honestly would be unfair to say he doesn't feel her pain, been in the seat for 11 months of a 4 year term that's almost over. There was no Mayor and Council did what they could. . When there was no Mayor, he didn't have one either, but has to say the shopping center looks horrible to him. Disagrees that the community isn't improving We re trying to do the main thoroughfares but we have to stop and take care of some areas internally. Didn't have a problem with the thrift store leaving. We need to set the stage for something to come and stay. If it's not clean and safe people aren't coming back. He's trying to change the culture where dumping and throwing trash out the windows is the norm, Trying to recondition the police that littering is a crime just like a bank robbery. We demand you live right. Making businesses own up, if you don't want to be right, leave. It's the only way to get people to invest. We have to be honest, this was a mess. We're expecting results every day. Thanks for your comments. Had a meeting with Economic Development in Homewood with other municipalities and Robin Kelly and talked about what's going on in Southland and the need for 3rd airport. We're working for you,
DiAnn Stewart - talked about expectations on July 17th Mayor came out with Ald. McDowell. Glad to see you're dispersing the load, giving hope since concern was economic growth in the community and : building of our future and how we're getting revenue in our city. We see a lot of trucks coming in but there's so much more we can bring in. Empty spaces in our budget that's not filled, how is this handled. Wants to hear the plans that will be shared with Ms. Bell. As a city what do we go out and present to our perspective clients?
Mayor Agpawa. Will make sure we put it together to have you involved in that discussion of the plan. 159th St is a large project that will be developed. Will have a way to get hopeful and encouraging information to the people.
Dwight Welch -- Thanks to the Police Department. MiJack gives more sales tax than everything on 159th St. They've put in over $100 million on 167th St. just opened in the AAA building. Working with attorney to buy 8 parcels in Markham. Hire based on qualifications and a lot of people from this area. Thanks to the Police Chief for help with the 600 employees they had for an event. Came to give a donation. Will give it to the Janet K, Bell Golf Outing
Tom Leontious - Plum Creek Retirement Senior Living. Has the property behind the senior building. Interested in Markham because of the people. The building would be there for spportive services for people in physical and financial need. Seeking approval for the deed presented in 2015, Cook County is seeking to discuss this. The facility would pay around $200,000 in real estate taxes, $400,000 in permit fees while building the building, hire approximately 30 employees, 100 units, with total project cost at $26 million. Has to go to planning and zoning meeting on August 21st
Lawrence Patterson II - Commissioner representing the park district. Happy Belated Birthday to Ald. Hampton, Beautification competition August 19th & 20th in case you see :commissioners out taking pictures. Awards will be presented on August 21st at the next City Council Meeting. Thanks to all that came to movies in the park. Starting basketball program very soon and will be seeking donations. Encouraged by the dialogue as a 30 year old man regarding the economic growth of the community.
Ray Ashley - 60 year resident. City is 82% black and the businesses never say they have jobs for blacks. Thank you Mayor, hears him on the radio every week and doing an excellent job representing the city but not cutting grass and making the city look good. Wants a FOIA for a copy of what we pay people cutting grass. It looks worse when they finish than when they started.
Mayor Agpawa - Fired a group already. Not going to pay them if they aren't doing a good job. Ald. Hampton – team that cut the field did a sloppy job. Discussed with the mayor and wants it cut just like hers. We didn't get it right but we're trying to rectify
CLOSE FLOOR TO PUBLIC
Motion by Ald. Barron, seconded by Ald. McDowell, to close floor to public.
Voice Vote: 4 Ayes/0 Nays
EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 8:59 P.M.
Motion by Ald. Jones, seconded by Ald, McDowell, to request for Executive Session at 8:59 p.m. for personnel & litigation per the open meetings act section 5ILCS 120/2 2.c.i & 2.c.ii
Voice Vote: 4 Ayes/0 Nays
RETURN TO REG. SESSION AT 9:51 P.M.
Motion by Ald. Hampton, seconded by Ald. Barron, to return to regular session at 9:51 p.m.
Voice Vote: 4 Ayes/0 Nays
LITIGATION
Motion by Ald. Barron, seconded by Ald. Hampton, to settle case Maurice Brown 18 CV 01469 and 17 CH 12662.
Roll Call: 3 Ayes/0 Nays/1
Abstain (McDowell)
Motion by Ald. Hampton, seconded by Ald. Jones, to open floor to Counsel, Attorney Miller (Robbins & Schwartz).
Voice Vote: 4 Ayes/0 Nays
Attorney Stephen Miller - Mutual release and settlement agreement amount and terms are contained therein.
Motion by Ald. Hampton, seconded by Ald. Jones, to close floor to Counsel, Attorney Miller (Robbins & Schwartz).
Voice Vote: 4 Ayes/0 Nays
Motion by Ald. Barron, seconded by Ald. Hampton, to settle case Terrill Chambers 17 CV 07452.
Roll Call: 3 Ayes/0 Nays/1 Present (Jones)
PERSONNEL
Motion by Ald. Hampton, seconded by Ald. McDowell, to allow mayor to execute all personnel severance agreements.
Roll Call: 4 Ayes/0 Nays Ald.
Jones – requested a breakdown of all payouts.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Ald. Hampton, seconded by Ald. McDowell, to adjourn at 10:00 p.m.
Voice Vote: 4 Ayes/0 Nays
https://cityofmarkham.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_08062019-82
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