City of Chicago Heights City Council met Nov. 6.
Here is the agenda provided by the council:
Minutes of the Regular City Council Proceedings of the City of Chicago Heights, Cook County, Illinois held Wednesday, November 6, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. at 1601 Chicago Road, Chicago Heights, IL.
Deputy Clerk Rachel Vega was present to take the minutes of the meeting.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Gonzalez called the regular meeting of the Chicago Heights City Council to order at 6:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Mayor:
David Gonzalez
Present
Council:
1st Ward Renee Smith 2nd Ward Sonia Perez 3rd Ward Wanda Rodgers 4th Ward Christopher Baikauskas 5th Ward George Brassea 6th Ward Vincent Zaranti 7th Ward Kelli Merrick
Present Present Present Present Present Present Absent
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
COMMUNICATIONS
Alderman Smith announced that her next ward meeting would be held on December 2 at 6:00 p.m. at Barack Obama School.
Alderman Perez announced that her next ward meeting would be held on November 25 at 7:00 p.m. at Garfield School.
Alderman Rodgers had no announcements.
Alderman Baikauskas announced that his next ward meeting would be held on Monday, November 25 at 7:00 p.m, at Roosevelt School.
Alderman Brassea announced that his next ward meeting would be held on Wednesday, November 13 at 7:00 p.m. in the gym of Greenbriar School.
Alderman Zaranti announced that his next ward meeting would be held in coordination with Park District Commissioner Straczek on January 30, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. at Commissioners Park.
Alderman Merrick was absent.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Chuck Dieringer, a resident of the City, addressed the city council regarding time allotted in public participation, storm sewer projects, non-gas powered vehicles, and the library.
Michael Alexander, a resident of the City, addressed the city council regarding an occupancy permit.
Mayor Gonzalez responded to comments made by the public participants.
REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF STAFF - KAREN ZERANTE
Chief of Staff Zerante reported that the city was one of the first municipalities to apply for grant assistance with Homeland Security for the recent storm damage. COS Zerante also reported on the Veterans' Day Ceremony, the Light Up the Heights Contest, and the Holiday Tree Lighting on December 5th. She stated that the 50/50 Sidewalk Program repairs and the Serena Resurfacing Project were complete.
REPORT OF THE CORPORATION COUNSEL -- TJ. SOMER
None
1. MINUTES: MEETING OF OCTOBER 16, 2019.
Alderman Rodgers moved, and Alderman Brassea seconded, a motion to approve the minutes.
Ayes: Smith, Perez, Rodgers, Baikauskas, Brassea, Zaranti
Nays: none
Abstain: none
Absent: Merrick
Motion to approve carried
2. BILLS: APPROVAL OF SECOND RUN OF OCTOBER 2019,
Alderman Perez moved, and Alderman Rodgers seconded, a motion to approve the bills.
Ayes: Smith, Perez, Rodgers, Baikauskas, Brassea, Zaranti
Nays: none
Abstain: none
Absent: Merrick
Motion to approve carried
3. RESOLUTION #2019 - 77 : APPROVING THE PURCHASE OF A NEW VEHICLE FLEET (21) FOR THE POLICE AND CODE ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENTS.
Alderman Brassea moved, and Alderman Baikauskas seconded, a motion to approve the resolution.
Ayes: Smith, Perez, Rodgers, Baikauskas, Brassea, Zaranti
Nays: none
Abstain: none
Absent: Merrick
Motion to approve carried
Mayor Gonzalez spoke on the matter and said that the financing would be over a four year term.
4. RESOLUTION #2019 - 78 : APPROVING A LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH SOLARES METALS, INC. FOR THE TEMPORARY USE OF CITY OWNED SURPLUS LAND LOCATED AT 350 EAST 14TH STREET (a/k/a Arnold Street).
Alderman Rodgers moved, and Alderman Perez seconded, a motion to approve the resolution.
Ayes: Smith, Perez, Rodgers, Baikauskas, Brassea, Zaranti
Nays: none
Abstain: none
Absent: Merrick
Motion to approve carried
Corporation Counsel stated that Solares Metals was a current recycling business in the City and that $25,000 in escrow had been posted in conjunction with the agreement.
5. RESOLUTION #2019 - __79_: APPROVING MAYORAL APPOINTMENTS TO THE CITY LIBRARY BOARD.
Alderman Baikauskas moved, and Alderman Rodgers seconded, a motion to approve the resolution.
Ayes: Smith, Perez, Rodgers, Baikauskas, Brassea, Zaranti
Nays: none
Abstain: none
Absent: Merrick
Motion to approve carried
Mayor Gonzalez introduced the new appointees Jamie Paicely and Michele Baikauskas, noting their qualifications and experience.
6. RESOLUTION #2019 - 80 : APPROVING A GRANT AWARD FOR FIRE DEPARTMENT SAFETY EQUIPMENT FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY THROUGH FEMA,
Alderman Rodgers moved, and Alderman Perez seconded, a motion to approve the resolution.
Ayes: Smith, Perez, Rodgers, Baikauskas, Brassea, Zaranti Nays: none
Abstain: none
Absent: Merrick
Motion to approve carried
COS Zerante announced that that the grant for $ 173,154 would be used for the purchase of 62 sets of turnout gear valued at $ 190,754.00.
7. RESOLUTION #2019 - 81 : APPROVING THE PURCHASE OF THREE VACANT PARCELS OF REAL ESTATE FROM THE CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO TO IMPLEMENT THE CITY'S WEST SIDE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
Alderman Baikauskas moved, and Alderman Rodgers seconded, a motion to approve the resolution. .
Ayes: Smith, Perez, Rodgers, Baikauskas, Brassea, Zaranti
Nays: none
Abstain: none
Absent: Merrick
Motion to approve carried
Corporation Counsel Somer made note that the City previously had received a grant in excess of five million dollars for the West Side Drainage Improvement Project. Plans were to develop the vacant parcels into storm water retention areas.
8. RESOLUTION #2019 - 82 : APPROVING A PROPOSAL FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF A COLLAPSED CITY SANITARY SEWER.
Alderman Perez moved, and Alderman Rodgers seconded, a motion to approve the resolution.
Ayes: Smith, Perez, Rodgers, Baikauskas, Brassea, Zaranti
Nays: none
Abstain: none
Absent: Merrick
Motion to approve carried
COS Zerante explained that the repairs, located in the backyard of a resident, were of an emergency nature.
9. RESOLUTION #2019 - 83 : APPROVING A REDVELOPMENT AGREEMENT TO PROMOTE THE REHABILITATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF ENZO'S RESTAURANT THROUGH THE CITY'S DOWNTOWN TIF AREA FUND.
Alderman Rodgers moved, and Alderman Baikauskas seconded, a motion to approve the resolution.
Ayes: Smith, Perez, Rodgers, Baikauskas, Brassea, Zaranti
Nays: none
Abstain: none
Absent: Merrick
Motion to approve carried
Corporation Council Somer reported that the proposed improvements would cost $ 175,000, with re-imbursement of eligible expenditures set at a maximum of $ 25,000. Kyle Halbert, President of Enzo's Corporation, addressed the city council.
10. RESOLUTION #2019 - _84_: APPROVING AN OPTION AGREEMENT FOR THE SALE OF VACANT CITY SURPLUS LAND TO THE RAIL EXCHANGE LOCATED AT 1200 STATE STREET, CHICAGO HEIGHTS.
Alderman Rodgers moved, and Alderman Smith seconded, a motion to approve the resolution.
Ayes: Smith, Perez, Rodgers, Baikauskas, Brassea, Zaranti
Nays: none
Abstain: none
Absent: Merrick
Motion to approve carried
Corporation Counsel Somer reported that Rail Exchange, a business in the City, would develop the property adjacent to its facility for additional employee parking.
11. RESOLUTION #2019 - 85 : APPROVING A GRANT AWARD AND SUBRECIPIENT AGREEMENT WITH COOK COUNTY AND THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY FOR FUNDING OF THE CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT'S WEST SIDE CAMERA PROJECT.
Alderman Baikauskas moved, and Alderman Rodgers seconded, a motion to approve the resolution.
Ayes: Smith, Perez, Rodgers, Baikauskas, Brassea, Zaranti
Nays: none
Abstain: none
Absent: Merrick
Motion to approve carried
COS Zerante reported that the grant for $ 57,000 would be used for funding of the police department's security camera monitoring system on the West Side of the City.
12. RESOLUTION #2019 - 86 : APPROVING AND RATIFYING AN EMERGENCY WATER MAIN REPAIR PERFORMED BY AIRY'S INC. AT APX. 1100 STATE STREET. DIEET
Alderman Rodgers moved, and Alderman Smith seconded, a motion to approve the resolution.
Ayes: Smith, Perez, Rodgers, Baikauskas, Brassea, Zaranti
Nays: none
Abstain: none
Absent: Merrick
Motion to approve carried
COS Zerante explained that emergency repair of the main break was complete with final cost at $ 233,561.00.
MOTION TO ENTER EXECUTIVE (CLOSED) SESSION TO DISCUSS PENDING LITIGATION, USE/SALE OF CITY OWNED LAND, OR PERSONNEL ISSUES (IF NECESSARY),
Corporation Counsel Somer stated that he polled the aldermen, and that it was the unanimous decision of the aldermen that they could take action on Agenda Item # 13 without going into Executive Session.
13. RESOLUTION #2019 - 87 : APPROVING THE SETTLEMENT OF CERTAIN CIVIL LITIGATION (18WC0666).
Alderman Rodgers moved, and Alderman Perez seconded, a motion to approve the resolution.
Ayes: Smith, Perez, Rodgers, Baikauskas, Brassea, Zaranti
Nays: none
Abstain: none
Absent: Merrick
Motion to approve carried
ADJOURNMENT
Alderman Perez moved, and Alderman Smith seconded, a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Ayes: Smith, Perez, Rodgers, Baikauskas, Brassea, Zaranti
Nays: none
Abstain: none
Absent: Merrick
Motion to approve carried by acclamation.
http://cityofchicagoheights.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_11062019-210
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