City of Markham City Council met Aug. 18.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
City Clerk, Leslie Trimuel called the Regular Meeting of the Markham City Council to order at 7:08 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. Prayer led by Ald. McDowell. Roll Call was taken by City Clerk, Leslie Trimuel.
ROLL CALL: ALDERMAN PRESENT
Alderman Rondal Jones
Alderman William Barron
Alderwoman Wanda McDowell
ALDERMAN ABSENT
Alderman Breanna Hampton
ALSO PRESENT:
Attorney Ross Secler
Attorney Steven Miller
Attorney Michelle Broughton-Fountain
Treasurer, Belinda Richardson
Finance Director, Christina Fischer
CITY CLERK
The Mayor is not present so the Council needs to vote to appoint a temporary Chair for this meeting. Motion by Ald. Barron, seconded by Ald. McDowell to appoint Alderman Jones as the Mayor Pro Temp for this meeting. Ald. Brianna Hampton-Hauser is absent tonight.
Roll Call: 2 Yes/0 No/1 Abstain/1 Absent/Motion Carried
ACTING CHAIRMAN
Now, I'd like to read have the legal department read the statement of findings of in-person Meeting unfeasibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
CITY ATTORNEY
Statement and findings of in person meeting unfeasibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On behalf of the Acting Chairman read aloud in its entirety the Re-Proclamation Declaration regarding the action taken in passage of Ordinance 20-O-2272 by the Council due to the unfeasibility of in person meetings due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
July 21, 2021
Motion to approve minutes of July 21, 2021 by Ald. Barron, seconded by Ald. McDowell Roll Call: 3Yes/0 No/0 Abstain/1Absent – Motion Carried
AUTHORIZATION OF CLAIMS
Motion by Ald. Barron, seconded by Ald. McDowell, to adopt Authorization of Claims and Accounts Bill list, totaling $474,159.91 Grand total with manual checks of $22,120.65 included for a total of $496,280.56
Roll Call: 3 Yes/0 No/1 Absent/Motion Carried
ACTING CHAIRMAN
SPECIAL PRESENTATION None
CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT
Mr. Chairman, members of the Council and members of the public with respect to the City Attorney's report it appears under with respect to 8a, I read it as follows there's a proposed resolution approving the extension and renewal of the Re proclamation and declaration of continued local state of emergency within the city of Markham and approving the mayor's determination regarding modifications to in person meetings in response and the COVID 19 pandemic August 18, 2021.
ADOPT RESOLUTION
21-R-649
Motion by Ald. Barron, seconded by Ald. McDowell, to adopt Resolution 21-R-649. RESOLUTION APPROVING THE EXTENSION AND RENEWAL OF THE RE PROCLAMATION AND DECLARATION OF CONTINUED LOCAL STATE OF EMERGENCY WITHIN THE CITY OFMARKHAM AND APPROVING THE MAYOR’S DETERMINATION REGARDING MODIFICATIONS TO IN-PERSON MEETINGS IN RESPONSE TO THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC dated August18, 2021.
Motion by Ald. Barron, seconded by Ald. McDowell
Roll Call: 3 Yes/0 No/1 Absent-Motion Carried
CITY ATTORNEY:
Resolution Number 21-0-650 for Whistleblower Protection and Prevention of Improper Governmental Action Policy in the City of Markham.
ADOPT RESOLUTION
21-R-650
Motion by Ald. McDowell, seconded by Ald. Barron to adopt resolution 21-R-650 RESOLUTION APPROVING A WHISTLEBLOWERR PROTECTION AND PREVENTION OF IMPROPER GOVERNMENTAL ACTION POLICY IN THE CITY OF MARKHAM Roll Call: 3 Yes/0 No/1 Absent-Motion Carried
ADOPT RESOLUTION
21-R-651
Motion by Ald. Jones, seconded by Ald. McDowell to adopt resolution 21-R-651 A RESOLUTION RENAMING THE SENIOR LIVING CENTER LOCATED AT 15520 KEDZIE AVENUE IN MARKHAM, ILLINOIS
Roll Call: 3 Yes/0 No/1 Absent-Motion Carried
CITY CLERK
I have a letter that I'd like to read:
“Dear, Honorable Mayor at power. It's come to my attention that several residents of the city feel my name should be removed from remove the David Webb, Jr. Senior Living Complex located at 15520 Kedzie Avenue, Markham, Illinois 60428. It was not my idea to put my name on the building from the beginning, but I was flattered and honored when the City Council approved to name the building with my name. I am very proud of the things I was able to do during my tenure as mayor, but I made a mistake and I violated our community trust. I deeply regret my actions and quickly admitted my guilt and cooperated with the Government. I'm very remorseful for my actions and the embarrassment to my family, friends, and mostly my community that I deeply love. I request to please remove my name from the Senior Living Complex. Moving forward I will dedicate my time to modern public trust and to family and friends. Best of luck with keeping our community moving forward. Respectfully, David Webb Jr.”
CITY ATTORNEY
Under eight D. Proposed Ordinance Amending “Imminent Danger” and Penalty Sections of Chapter 151 “Housing Regulations” of the Markham Code of Ordinances.
WAIVE READING OF ORDINANCE
21-O-2306
Motion by Ald. McDowell, seconded by Ald. Barron
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING “IMMINENT DANGER” AND PENALTY SECTION OF CHAPTER 151 “HOUSING REGULATIONS” OF THE MARKHAM CODE OF ORDINANCE. Roll Call: 3 Yes/0 No/1 Absent-Motion Carried
ADOPT ORDINANCE 21-0-2306
Motion by Ald. McDowell, seconded by Ald. Barron
Roll Call: 3 Yes/0 No/1 Absent-Motion Carried
WAIVE READING OF ORDINANCE
21-O-2307
Motion by Ald. Barron, seconded by Ald. McDowell
AN ORDINANCE REPEALING ORDINANCE 21-O-2297 ENTITLED “AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE XV, CHAPTER 151, SECTION 151.30 OF THE MARKHAM CODE OF ORDINANCES (INSPECTION AND REAL ESTATE TRANSFER STAMPS FOR THE TRANSFER OF REAL ESTATE).
Roll Call: 3 Yes/0 No/1 Absent-Motion Carried
ADOPT ORDINANCE 21-0-2307
Motion by Ald. Barron, seconded by Ald. McDowell
Roll Call: 3 Yes/0 No/1 Absent-Motion Carried
CITY ATTORNEY
Next we have a proposed ordinance providing for the termination of the Jevic Transportation Business Park Regional Project Area and the dissolution of the special tax allocation fund for the Jevic Transportation Business Park TIF on December 31, 2021.
You do have Mr. Durham here this evening. If there are any questions.
OPEN FLOOR
Motion to open floor by Ald. Jones, seconded by Ald. McDowell – to open the meeting to Mr. Durham
Roll Call: 3 Yes/0 No/1 Absent/Motion Carried
MR. DURHAM
I am Chuck Durham we are consultants supporting the City of Markham on the ordinance that we requested that the City Council pass with respect to the termination of TIF.
CLOSE FLOOR
Motion to open floor by Ald. Jones, seconded by Ald. McDowell – to open the meeting to Mr. Durham
Roll Call: 3 Yes/0 No/1 Absent/Motion Carried
WAIVE READING OF ORDINANCE
21-O-2308
Motion by Ald. Barron, seconded by Ald. McDowell
ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE TERMINATION OF THE JEVIC TRANSPOSTATION BUSINESS PARK REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT AREA AND THE DISSOLUTION OF THE SPECIAL TAX ALLOCATION FUND FOR THE JEVIC TRANSPORTATION BUSINESS PARK TIF ON DECEMBER 31, 2021.
Roll Call: 3 Yes/0 No/1 Absent-Motion Carried
ADOPT ORDINANCE 21-0-2308
Motion by Ald. Barron, seconded by Ald. McDowell
Roll Call: 3 Yes/0 No/1 Absent-Motion Carried
CITY ATTORNEY
Next we have a proposed ordinance for the conveyance of 1449 West 163rd Street here in Markham.
ALD. BARRON
Ald. Hampton is not here but it's my understanding that she's in full compliance with this.
WAIVE READING OF ORDINANCE
21-O-2309
Motion by Ald. Barron, seconded by Ald. McDowell
AN ORDINANCE FOR THE CONVEYANCE OF 1449 W. 163RD ST. IN THE CITY OF MARKHAM.
Roll Call: 3 Yes/0 No/1 Absent-Motion Carried
ADOPT ORDINANCE 21-0-2309
Motion by Ald. Barron, seconded by Ald. McDowell
Roll Call: 3 Yes/0 No/1 Absent-Motion Carried
CLERK REPORT:
I have one business licenses this evening to present for approval:
A. Business License – Furex, Inc.
OPEN FLOOR
Motion to open floor by Ald. Jones, seconded by Ald. McDowell – TO Furex, Inc.
Roll Call: 3 Yes/0 No/1 Absent/Motion Carried
FUREX, INC.
Yeah, my name is Serge Petukh, I represent Furex. We are a company located at 2130 West 163rd Place in Markham, we bought this property it’s is a warehouse property for a trucking company. We are in the business of transporting dry freight and we intend to use this property, housing, docking and loading trailers and also have office space to use for our employees. Also space to park our trucks and trailers. Our revenue is right now about $10 million gross revenue. We intend to add more pieces of equipment and grow the capacity is to have over 100 trucks we can use right, right now we have about 30.
ALD. MCDOWELL
I do have a question, I noticed on your application your business license, it does not have your Sales tax number or EIN number. Do you have one?
FUREX INC.
Yes, we have that, I can't present it right now because I'm at home, I didn't take my folder but I can stop by tomorrow and bring a copy to the Building Department if they don't have the paper work, we'll definitely have number we pay our taxes.
ALD. MCDOWELL
Okay, I just want to double check with the clerk's office to make sure that that information is actually listed on file so we're able to collect the taxes.
FUREX INC.
We've been in business 15 years already, we were previously in Markham. We rented office space and warehouse from the previous owners, they were there since 2005 I believe. We then moved to Summitt. We have moved back, we own the property we brought it.
ALD. MCDOWELL
There is no sales tax or EIN number on the application.
FUREX INC.
Because we don’t sell anything, there is no sales tax number, we are a trucking company.
CLOSE FLOOR
Motion by Ald. Barron, seconded by Ald. McDowell to Furex, Inc.
Roll Call: 3 Yes/0 No/1 Absent-Motion Carried
GRANT LICENSE
Motion to grant License
Motion Ald. McDowell, seconded by Ald. Barron
Roll Call: 3 Yes/0 No/1 Absent-Motion Carried
ACTING CHAIRMAN:
Alright at this point we are moving to the Mayors Report with Derrick Champion.
MAYOR’S REPORT
(City Administrator, Derrick Champion)
Good evening everyone, I would like to start off with the Mayor's report. As you can see this evening the city is passing necessary legislation with various ordinances tonight, this is to ensure the city makes and follow laws for bettering Markham. Thank you City Council and the Law Department for all they do. A couple highlights from the Mayor, repair on streets will be limited for the remainder of the year due to slow movement of tax collection from the county and limits of the motor fuel tax funds. We will however be working on grant funding for other streets next year will be even more robust on repairs and resurfacing citywide. Just to repeat that want to make sure that individuals know that we are working on additional grant dollars, working closely with our lobbyists as well to identify extra funding or additional funding opportunities for the City of Markham. Also, trees and sidewalks will be affected as we move slowly to work on various matters that are on our list, but it will take time due to funding issues. All City services such as Police and Fire Departments are progressing and there will be hiring soon for more Police Officers. We are in the process, we've had a round of interviews this week, interviewing lateral police officers so stay tuned as we continue to get through that process. Also, we want to thank our residents as well as all our employees for making us successful Jazzing in the Park last Friday and also the Back to School event. That was really great, especially thanks to the Park District Board, also for their contribution and involvement. Want to ask residents to continue to be patient with the rebuilding of our Building Department and Code Department. We will work with residents in getting proper paperwork and getting permits, but all documents and documentation is what must be done. As always, we are enhancing Public Works and in time we will have better inner city schedules for our vacant properties and easements as well. This is our third year and we will get most get more of a routine in the future I had a meeting with Hazel Crest Officials about the management of the Concert Park on167th Street. There’s going to now be stricter rules for operations and a 10pm shut down on Friday and Saturdays and 9pm on weekdays and Sunday. Finally want to be prayerful for the Murdoch family on 164th and Hermitage, Miss Murdock passed away over the weekend, she is one of our oldest one residents at 100 years old, that's the end of the Mayor's report.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
I just wanted to start off start off with Canterbury, I don't know if anyone got the word there is new ownership. There's three new owners of Canterbury, so we think that there's some positive change and will take place some, upgrades. I'm sure we're looking forward to working with the new ownership group of Canterbury. Some of the things that we are definitely focused on the city as well is making sure that the landscaping, sealcoating the parking lot over there and lights as well. Kind of stay tuned for those upgrades. I know that some of you probably have noticed that. Some of the parks Rosner Markham, as well as Country Aire, in the coming weeks have been going under renovations. Once again Ryan Companies and Schnell Properties, They are installing new playground equipment. So if you had the opportunity to drive past Roesner Park today you see that they are putting up the fencing. Tomorrow I think they are actually going to be sealcoating the basketball court, September 25th there will be a media event Ryan Companies and Schnell will be out rededicating some of the parks with the upgrade. So, save the date. We'll let you know the particular time as we get closer to that date, but September 25th is the date that has been identified. For a media event for Park dedications also and just some business development news, as you know, that DD’s over in Canterbury will be opening next month. We are in continuous conversations with Buddy Bear and Thornton's on 159th Street. Thornton’s is going where current Walgreens location is on the corner. Thornton’s looks like they're picking up another partner that is really looking at various locations in that business district, on 159th Street. So we're looking forward to adding restaurants and some of the things that the residents have been asking for. Especially more eating establishment and just viable businesses to help keep the area very vibrant. Also, the Roller Rink, I know people have been asking about the roller rink, I want to thank Ald. McDowell and Qunitina Brown, they have been working on and trying to get that roller rink established and open. So we look like we're looking at sometime next month for the roller rink to be up and operational again. Ald. McDowell may have a few comments in regards to the roller rink. Also, there is a hiring event that will be taking place for Amazon jobs. I will be sending out a communication tomorrow regarding a hiring event and some of the Amazon jobs that are available. So stay tuned that will be posted on our social media sites and our website as well internally. Therefore, anybody that's interested in any employment with Amazon, please stay tuned. It will be information on our social platforms as well as our city website as well. I think that is it for my report this evening.
ACTING CHAIRMAN: Thank you so much, now to new business.
ACTING CHAIRMAN:
Thank you so much. All right, Ald. Woman Wanda McDowell.
ALD. MCDOWELL
Good evening Council, Markham residents, I just want to thank our City Officials, our Director of the Park District, and her team that worked with her very closely, the Jazz Fest was absolutely wonderful. Our Back to School Fest was excellent, it's a blessing to be able to see the kids go back to school. So we pray that all of our kids will be covered and be able to make it through this school system with this virus that we have going on. So we were very well blessed. We had over 300 kids that came out and received backpacks from all departments in the City of Markham. Thanks, Mayor for this event. It was a great success. We have been having numerous meetings and regarding to reopening up our skating rink myself along with Director Brown have some really good new things that are going to be coming about the third weekend September when we launch the new opening of our skating rink. So look forward to that information coming out. Also on September 4th, The 2nd Ward we'll be having our Labor Day Weekend Festival. This is our second one. For the second Ward everyone is invited to come out for live music, good food, lots of entertainment, something very good for our family and our community. So please mark Ambrose this come out September 4th, from 12 to 7 at 163rd Damen we're right across the street from our fire department. We will be having a live festival. Our committee has worked very hard to put this festival together for you all in your community. Lots of things for the kids, lots of things for the adults. So please come out. This is for you. We're bringing things to the community, so we can have unity in our community. And that's the end of my report.
ACTING CHAIRMAN:
Thank you so much. All right, Ald. Barron.
ALD. BARRON
Thank you. I've got quite a few things. A project that is near and dear to my heart, that was picked up by Water Reclamation started by Dudeck and my wife, Ald. Baron, is finally materializing. They've been cutting trees, they are going to be working on stabilizing the banks. It is a humongous project. They expect to be done by November 1. Right now there's some partial street closures because they're going to change the current tubes that are in putting in bigger ones. This is going to benefit the entire community as far as flooding goes. So I'm really happy that this project has finally materialized. The second thing is I want on behalf of myself and my family I want to send out get well wishes to Ald. Bri Hampton. She was at the event for a while Saturday. I wish her a speedy recovery. The next thing I want to talk about is COVID-19. This Delta variant is frightening. And the numbers are even more frightening. I'm suggesting anybody, not just my ward, but anybody that lives within the City of Markham to take advantage of getting a shot. I mean, there's millions of us that have had that shot with no side effect. And this thing is getting out of hand again. And the last thing I want to see is a government shutdown, you know, slow down or shutdown, like we experienced last March. There's an event coming up in Ald. Jones's ward on Sunday, back to school haircuts. This thing kind of grew and I met with the young man who owns Barber Boulevard. They're going to actually have BlueCross BlueShield out giving out Pfizer shots. So anybody that you know, that has not been vaccinated, please send them up there. It'll be very simple, it's painless. It's just really important. Also, the City Council we've got Labor Day coming up. The Back to School last Saturday was fabulous, there was a lot of families there that came up and expressed their gratitude for the school supplies that were passed out for free because a lot of them are having problems buying the supplies. So it was it was very, very nice. A subject that is not so nice is going to be you're getting your tax bills in the next seven days. And as usual, the South end of Cook County, our taxes are going up. I believe Markham is going to be up 6.8%. If you read the article in the Sunday Times, you know they blame city government for the tax increases. And I get tired of trying to explain to people that your tax bill is one of 22 taxing bodies that are all put together in a tax bill. And since I've been on the City Council six years, actually a little longer seven, we have cut our budget every year. And we've worked really hard at it, we eliminated positions. We cut back everywhere we were able to cut trying to hold the line on our budget and that's something that has continued from each administration. People should look at their tax bill because it includes the school district, the high school, the elementary, college, even the Mosquito Abatement, is that Cook County government. Now we do get decent amount of that money. I won't deny that. But we're not the ones that are feeding this. It's one of the things that this Council has worked on very hard, is that we're trying to expand our tax base. And that's where I mean, we all welcome Amazon and some of the new developments that are going to be coming. But that's going to be three to five years before we really see effect in our tax bill. And so we are trying to do something to try and offset these taxes. And, you know, it's I think, I am not just speaking for myself, but all the members of the Council, we have worked very hard the hold the line on our city budget. Recently, in the pump-house area, I had Public Works, trimming back some of the brush and it has left a bunch of sticks sticking out of the ground. We had a problem with our brush hog, but I've been assured by the superintendent that they will be over there trimming down all these offshoots, because they almost look like bungee sticks sticking out of the ground, and I think it presents a danger to young children. So this is something for the people where we have done some cutting back some of the overgrowth and stuff in different places. The one machine we have only could go down so far. But we do have a brush hog. And we are going to come in there and make this look a lot nicer. And then we will pull out the excess amount and we will haul it away. And that'll be the end of my report.
DERRICK CHAMPION
I would like to jump back in I forgot to provide an update on too events. I know Ald. Barron mentioned, mentioned one, but Prairie Hills School District 144 they’re been back to school fair, this Saturday. And it's going to be from10am to 2pm. They're going to have vendors, school supplies, games. So that's going to be this Saturday the 21st in the parking lot, so stay tuned for that. And just to kind of talk a little bit more about the back to school Bonanza over in Canterbury, that Ald. Baron just mentioned, this is an event that is being put on by Barbara Boulevard one of our barber shops in town, they're giving away 150 free haircuts for children but also at hairstyles for young ladies as well. So just want to make sure the individuals know about that. And I know that Blue Cross and Blue Shield they are one of the sponsors of the event, Wintrust Markham Bank and Trust there is a beauty salon and Amazon will have a table there this weekend as well as sending two Amazon Goodwill Ambassadors they will be handing out fully stocked book bags about 200 book bags so just wanted to update everybody on that as well.
ALD. JONES
Okay, that's beautiful. Also, Ald. Barron I know you will have the brush hog from Public Works, we actually have a greater one where I where I work, so we definitely can work with you, so you can grade those sticks sticking off the ground that might help I've seen tile on the bush hog.
ALD BARRON
Then we'll be able to rake the remaining amount out to the street where we will haul it away. I was really happy when they trimmed back all this overgrowth, but it did leave a site that needs attention. Apparently the machine that they use for this, they were having problems with, but I understand it's been repaired.
ALD. JONES
I apologize for being late. .I support what Ald. Barron said about COVID sorry you were not able to come in the meeting tonight. My kudos to the Jazz Fest, it was awesome, excellent, also the Back to School event was awesome. I would like to thank Derrick Champion for the parks updates. Everything is going in a positive direction in the City of Markham, we just passed an Ordinance on Whistleblowers. Why would we keep a secret why did we pass an ordinance for whistle-blowers. You know, a couple of months ago, we passed the Ordinance on nepotism. So, why would we create laws to hurt ourselves? It kind of remind me of scripture in the Bible, where Jesus cast out a demon in the people's like, oh, he had his demon cast out of it. He was like, wait a minute, why would I cast a demon out of somebody I know? I want to help, you know, hook this guy up on the same side, I just cast them out. So it's strange to see Markham doing bad things, but we passed an ordinance for your benefit. This Mayor is doing an excellent job trying to clean up the city, we have a long, long history of failure, you know, where we came from, you know, so I think that Markham Council, I to commend you all for what you are doing, especially with the changing of the name of the City of Markham Senior Building, you'd know I have been pushing that for the past six months to a year. I'd like to thank you all for getting the name removed. I like to thank the services, you know, we can't be there every time, I thank the Police department, I thank the Building Department, we only have a finite amount of people. But we needed to create an ordinance for lateral transfers, so we are hiring, you know, but don’t come to me asking for your cousin “Bookie” to get a job you know, he can't pass a drug test. Come on now, you know, don't get mad at me. People screaming at me because they can't get a job and they don't know how to spell. So please, you know, people lets be reasonable, the Mayor, the Council all live here, Markham is beautiful as you chose in your heart to live here. You know, I have a love for Markham, you have a love for Markham, everyone here has a level of concern many of us were born and raised here. But we have left a legacy here. And we want to continue that legacy. That's why Miller's here, this is a labor of love for him. He we talk all the time. So you know, I applaud that. Please support the barbershop events coming up, unfortunately, I'll be out of town. I have another event on that day with my children. But I mean, I wish I could be there. But please support that event. And last but not least, have a great Labor Day that’s ends my report.
ACTING CHAIRMAN
Now I'm going to public session
Motion to open the floor to the Public by Ald. Barron, seconded by Ald. McDowell Roll Call: 3Yes/0 No 1 Absent/Motion Carried
ATTORNEY MILLER:
Pursuant to the city resolution 20-R-587 All persons desiring to make public comments may make them live in person or via email submission to the City Clerk's Office by 4pm on the day of the meeting, all public comments received via email in compliance with the City's previously that people we read during the public session portion of the City Council meeting, as at this time it would be appropriate to ask the City Clerk if there are any public comments that were received this evening via email or whether or not there are any members of the public attending in person at City Council Chambers.
CLERK:
I have a couple of emails here that I'd like to read. The first one is from William Leonard Public Library and this is hosting a COVID-19 vaccination event on Wednesday, August 25, 2021. From 2pm to 6pm. They'd like you can come out. No appointments are necessary. It's for ages 12 and up a contact number is 708-597-2760. This is in Robbins, IL, the address is 13820 Central Park Avenue. You can also register online at www www.instavaxxcom. However, walk-ins are accepted.
Another short statement. This is from Tom Jessup from the Illinois Illinois Realtors Organization, Government Affairs Director. We appreciate that the City has placed on the agenda item eight e ordinance to appeal 21-O-2297 repealing of the real estate transfer tax.
CITY CLERK
That was actually passed tonight.
Additional questions were received via email, Attorney Michelle will make a statement regarding them.
https://www.cityofmarkham.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_08182021-174
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