City of Markham City Council met Aug. 21.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
Mayor Roger Agpawa called the Regular Meeting of the Markham City Council to order at 7:11 p.m. 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 McDowell
ALSO PRESENT:
Attorney, Steven Miller
Treasurer, Belinda Richardson
APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 6, 2019
Motion by Ald. Barron, seconded by Ald. Jones to approve Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting held August 6, 2019 with necessary corrections and/or deletions. Roll Call: 4 Ayes/0 Nays
AUTHORIZATION OF CLAIMS
Motion by Ald. Hampton, seconded by Ald. Jones, to adopt Authorization of Claims and Accounts Bill List $720,367.35 manual checks $98,226.94 totaling $818,594.29.
*Ald. Barron - correction - Asset Forfeiture amount should've been read under Zero Tolerance.* Roll Call: 4 Ayes/0 Nays
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
None 1 Resolution, 2 Litigation, 1 Personnel
CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT
WAIVE READING RESOLUTION 19-R-579
Motion by Ald. Jones, seconded by Ald. Barron to waive the reading of Resolution 19-R-579- A RESOLUTION DESIGNATING FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT OFFICERS.
Voice Vote: 4 Ayes/0 Nays
ADOPT RESOLUTION 19-R-579
Motion by Ald. Jones, seconded by Ald. Barron to adopt Resolution 19-R-579.
Roll Call: 4 Ayes/0 Nays
Ald. Jones – Is there a central location or specific person these go to make sure they aren't missed.
Mayor Agpawa – They all go through HR
PLUM CREEK OF MARKHAM
Ald. Jones - They are asking for the transfer of the deed for the property, wasn't it conveyed?
Mayor Agpawa - they haven't completed the steps through the Planning Board and things were done improperly. Currently at the Planning and Zoning Meeting and if they're done before our meeting ends, we can hear from Plum Creek.
Attorney Miller - Plum Creek has to finish the necessary steps with Planning and Zoning. They're a recommending body and then it'll come before the Council for a final vote.
Ald. Jones - we received an invite to see the other facility and do a tour.
RODEWAY INN & SUITES
Motion by Ald. Hampton, seconded by Ald. Jones to open the floor to Rodeway Inn & Suites.
Voice Vote: 4 Ayes/0 Nays
Adam Dotson and Mr. Patel – hope today the hotel has been brought up to standards that fit Markham. They are a national chain. Closed the hotel for 3 days to photograph it and deferred to the City to get it where it needed to be. Looking for a Class 8 tax : incentive. Since they are a Choice hotel they have the ability to use the reservation system to help keep them booked,
Mayor Agpawa - believe they got together early on. Glad they're there and appreciates them being there. Wants to encourage and give an incentive for them to do business here. Not pleased with what's been there in the past. We want to work with them and encourage business, but we don't want to accept anything.
Mr. Dotson – Would like to invite the Council to come to the building and go through and see what they do and don't like. .
Ald. Hampton – Would like to make sure we have a hotel in the City and would like to go look at it and ensure the authorities are satisfied.
Ald. Jones - Is the fire system up to code because there were lots of issues with the previous owners.
Mr, Patel - It is all up to code.
Motion by Ald. Hampton, seconded by Ald. Barron to close the floor to Rodeway Inn & Suites.
Voice Vote: 4 Ayes/0 Nays
CITY CLERK'S REPORT
3 Business Licenses
WALGREENS #21247
Motion by Ald. Jones, seconded by Ald. Barron to open the floor to Walgreens #21247.
Voice Vote: 4 Ayes/0 Nays
Representing the new location on Kedzie..
Ald. Jones - What will the hours be and any job opportunities, why is the old location closing?
Walgreens Rep - Weekdays will be 9am to 9pm and Weekends 9am to 5pm. The staff will be coming from the closing location. The last day will be 8/29 at 5pm at the old location. Reasons for closing is the 20 year lease was up. .
Mayor Agpawa - have you gotten with the Police Chief? Be sure to get with him,
Motion by Ald. Jones, seconded by Ald. Barron to close the floor to Walgreens #21247.
Voice Vote: 4 Ayes/0 Nays
GRANT LICENSE
Motion by Ald. Jones, seconded by Ald. Barron to grant a license to do business in the City of Markham to Walgreens #21247.
Roll Call: 4 Ayes/0 Nays
CONNECT FREIGHT INC
Motion by Ald. Hampton, seconded by Ald. McDowell to open the floor to Connect Freight INC.
Voice Vote: 4 Ayes/0 Nays
Ald. Jones – Will you be selling trucks and repairing them on the inside?
Mr. Dimitrijevic - Yes...
Ald. Barron – Why are there 2 companies?
Mr. Dimitrijevic - Connect is the brand but for different type of business. One is for repair and sales, the other is for warehousing.
Ald. Jones - Will they using 159th Street, see the gate there?
Mr. Dimitrijevic – The gate is there, but they'll be using gate on Dixie Highway. Don't want to cause a traffic problem.
Ald. Jones – What about lights and security?
Mr. Dimitrijevic - will have cameras up in next 2 to 3 weeks, has security over the weekends, hard to secure during the week.
Ald. Hampton – Will trucks be stored? Can independent drivers rent a spot? Is there a chasis?
Mr. Dimitrijevic – Will be for their customers and contractors for warehousing. Will be moving container for railroad, won't be stacked. Has to return containers to railroad within 24 hours. No chasis. There will be employment opportunities. Atty Miller - will be selling trucks under Connect Truck Center but there isn't a FEIN or Sales Tax ID.
Mr. Dimitrijevic - has FEIN, but will get Sales Tax ID in 2 weeks,
Motion by Ald. Hampton, seconded by Ald. Barron to close the floor to Connect Freight INC.
Voice Vote: 4 Ayes/0 Nays
GRANT LICENSE
Motion by Ald. McDowell, seconded by Ald. Barron to grant a license to do business in the City of Markham to Connect Freight INC.
Roll Call: 4 Ayes/0 Nays
GRANT LICENSE
Motion by Ald. McDowell, seconded by Ald. Barron to grant a license to do business in the City of Markham to Connect Truck Center INC with provision FEIN and Sales Tax ID be provided.
Roll Call: 4 Ayes/0 Nays.
Will be putting up privacy fence or nice landscaping on 159th St, what do they prefer?
Mayor Agpawa – They can discuss it. He and Ald. McDowell discussed and can meet next week.
Mr. Dimitrijevic will be out of the country but will contact when he returns.
MAYOR'S REPORT
Motion by Ald. Jones, seconded by Ald. Hampton to open the floor to the Markham Park District.
The Park District presented certificates and giftcards to the winners of the Beautification Contest. There was an overall winner per ward that was also provided a yard sign.
Ward 1 Winner - 16231 Hermitage
Ward 2 Winner – 16507 Winchester
Ward 3 Winner – 16200 Sussex
Ward 4 Winner -- 3348 W. 162nd St.
Motion by Ald. Hampton, seconded by Ald. Barron to close the floor to the Markham Park District,
Would like to make a comment about some things in the news, Try to have good and positive but we'll do what we can. Speaking to the matters in the police department. We're going to let things take their : course. There's going to be discrepancies and disagreements. Things need to be looked into so comments will be limited as much as we can especially if it's a legal matter, Another matter in the news regarding a place not having necessary permits, got an injunction and we're dealing with the rodeo. Same for businesses, we have to give due process. Bremen School District built new facilities. Was able to make 2, Hillcrest and Bremen, not Tinley Park. Wanted to make all 4 facilities but couldn't. All the facilities are very nice and puts us in line with other suburbs. Good time for our district, schools and other mayors. There will be different artwork from the students in the district displayed at City Hall and in the Council Chambers. Kudos to Park District and City Leaders for a successful Jazz in the Park. Was a nice evening with fireworks. The next day was the back to school event and was very nice in the City Hall parking lot. Had lots of participation in the community, making it good for the kids going back to school. Continuing with public works, police and building departments as the focus every day. It's getting better and better. Let Midlothian Mayor know about our work on the border. Same for Hazel Crest, Posen, Country Club Hills. Helping Harvey out as well. Resident said he was traveling cast on 167th Street and looked to the right and Hazel Crest needs some work. Will make a phone call. There's a couple of undone projects out there but working on vacant properties. Taking care of front first, then back and then alleyways. Reminding the Planning Board of the Comprehensive Plan, even though it needs to be updated, it gives something for them to revert to when businesses are coming to them so we can be on the same page.
NEW BUSINESS
ALD JONES
Great job with Back to School and Jazz in the Park events. Exceeded expectations and got a lot of good exposure being on Kedzie. Christ Temple on 8/24 will be at Roesner Park for their event and parade on California at 9ami and the event at Roesner is 11am to 4pm. Sunday, 9/8, is having a Block Party at 149th & Albany from noon to 4pm. Kedzie beautiful work widening but what's the plan for inside streets, especially Sussex.
Mayor Agpawa - Once they close out the last grant, they can proceed. Going to get with the Treasurer.
ALD. BARRON
Back to School event was over the top and well done and the weather cooperated. The southwest corner of Crawford and 159th St, he's tired of it, sick of looking at it. Wants it back on the tax roll and ticket it. School has started back, would like to entertain putting a 4 way stop sign at 163rd and Homan due to speeding.
Ald. Jones – put some police out there.
Mayor Agpawa - the police can't be everywhere but will see where we can increase.
Ald. Barron - pleased with grass cutting and general clean up of the City.
ALD, HAMPTON
Kudos to Park District for Back to School event, it was very nice. On 9/14, Ward 1 will have a get together at MLK Park. Would like some residents from Ward 1 to sit on the committee. Hoping weather should still be pretty nice. More info to come. Congratulations to all the Beautification Winners. All were well deserved and don't forget to put the signs out. There's been more clean up in the wards, made a big dent. Appreciate everyone's patience. Saw another solicitor in Ward 1, so be careful with those coming to our homes, there are businesses preying on people and not just seniors. We have an ordinance that doesn't allow solicitors.
ALD. MCDOWELL
Thanks to Director Brown and staff for Jazz in the Park and Back to School events. Mayor and Police Chief, the dumping in Ward 2 is horrible. We need
to get out in Ward 2 to catch these people. Someone : dumped groceries, cases of milk, canned goods.
People could've used that. All residents in Ward 2 are invited to Labor Day Weekend Festival on Saturday 8/31 from 10am to 5pm at 163rd and Dixie Highway across from the Fire Station. Family outing with live music. Worked hard to get this set up.
OPEN FLOOR TO PUBLIC
Motion by. Ald. Barron, seconded by Ald. Hampton, to open floor to public.
Voice Vote: 4 Ayes/0 Nays
SPEAKING OF VARIOUS
Kathryn Griffin - Has question about Plum Creek. Got a letter about the development from Turner to Sawyer. Lives at 155t & Turner, how does this development affect her? All the traffic and will it be in front of her?
Mayor Agpawa - shouldn't interfere with anything that far back to Turner. The traffic will be about the same as it is with current center, no need to go interfere with the residential area. ...
Kathryn Griffin – Where will the wildlife go when they start clearing?
Mayor Agpawa - May have some disbursement but momentarily but not a major issue. Residents are first priority
Shanda Jones-Blair/Jennifer Blair - New to Markham on 149th & Sacramento? Received a citation a couple weeks ago about weeds. Couldn't cut the grass due to treatment that was on lawn. Has been calling the Building Department and receives no call back nor answer. Doesn't know who Alderman is. Appalled that she'd receive a citation when there's a forest next door, Had an issue with property owner behind her driving a truck and trailer through her backyard ripping up the grass.
Mayor Agpawa - Ald. Jones is the Alderman. The area discussed he's going to grade that down because the developer left it but will deal with that later.
Ald. Jones - Come out to Block Party and meet your neighbors.
Resident - Lives on Sussex. There are 2 big holes : in the street. With plans to have a parade, think those should get fixed first. Big trucks that come down California off 167th Street and cars speeding. Issue with loose dogs. Was walking at 6:30am and dog was out, had to turn around and go in the house.
Mayor Agpawa - Slow process for subdivisions and streets that are on the last grant needing to be closed out. Trying to get it to move quicker to get to those streets. Will get police over there with trucks and speeding. Call the police regarding the dog, it doesn't matter the time of day, they work 24 hours per day, that's what they get paid to do.
CLOSE FLOOR TO PUBLIC
Motion by Ald. Barron, seconded by Ald. MçDowell, to close floor to public.
Voice Vote: 4 Ayes/ Nays
OPEN FLOOR TO PUBLIC
Motion by Ald. Jones, seconded by Ald. Hampton, to close floor to public.
Voice Vote: 4 Ayes/0 Nays
Resident - 4th Ward – 2 houses that need to be dealt with on 161st Street. How long will they sit? .
Ald, Barron, There a procedure to be able to demo a property and is typically lengthy. Ald. Barron-Got clearance recently for one on Sawyer and one on Central Park.
CLOSE FLOOR TO PUBLIC
Motion by Ald. Barron, seconded by Ald. McDowell, to close floor to public.
Voice Vote: 4 Ayes/0 Nays
Motion by Ald. Jones, seconded by Ald. McDowell, to open the floor to Plum Creek.
Voice Vote: 4 Ayes/0 Nays
Tom Leontios - was just at Planning Commission meeting. They would like him to combine the 61 lots to make a subdivision, vacation of setbacks. Return to that board on 9/17 to present a redone plat. Just received approval from Cook County for bonds to proceed but can't take advantage without the property being deeded to Plum Creek. Invite the board to come visit existing facility,
Mayor Agpawa - All projects need to go to the Planning Board.
Ald. Barron - Doesn't understand what's going on and why the process when they voted on this years ago. Has done a ground breaking they attended and so on.
Ald. Hampton - knows nothing about it, has seen no documentation. (Mr. Leontios showed her copies of documents)
Motion by Ald. Hampton, seconded by Ald. Jones, to close the floor to Plum Creek.
Voice Vote: 4 Ayes/0 Nays
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Ald. Barron, seconded by Ald. Jones, to adjourn at 9:13 p.m.
Voice Vote: 4 Ayes/0 Nays
https://cityofmarkham.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_08212019-83
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