City of Markham City Council met Dec. 15.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
Mayor, Roger Agpawa called the Regular Meeting of the Markham City Council to order at 7:10p.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 Breanna Hampton
ALSO PRESENT:
Attorney Steven Miller
Treasurer, Belinda Richardson
City Administrator, Derrick Champion
APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
December 1, 2021
Motion to approve minutes of December 1, 2021, by Ald. McDowell, seconded by Ald. Barron Roll Call: 4 Yes/0 No/0 Absent-Motion Carried
AUTHORIZATION OF CLAIMS
Motion by Ald. Hampton-Houser, seconded by Ald. Barron, to adopt Authorization of Claims and Accounts Bill list, totaling $617,805.66, with manual checks of $2,309.67 for a grand total of $620,115.33
Roll Call: 4 Yes/0 No/0 Absent-Motion Carried
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
None
CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT
Members of Council members of the public with respect to the city attorney's report, it appears under paragraph, eight. Starting off with eight a, we have a proposed resolution approving the extension and renewal of the RE proclamation and declaration of a continued local state of emergency, but then the city of Markham, and approving the mayor's determination regarding modifications to in person meetings in response to the COVID 19 pandemic. December 15, 2021.
ADOPT RESOLUTION
21-R-663
Motion by Ald. Barron, seconded by Ald. Hampton, to adopt Resolution 21-R-663 A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE EXTENSION AND RENEWAL OF THE RE-PROCLAMATION AND DECLARATION OF A CONTINUED LOCAL STATE OF EMERGENCY WITHIN THE CITY OF MARKHAM AND APPROVING THE MAYOR’S DETERMINATION REGARDING MODIFICATIONS TO IN-PERSON MEETINGS IN RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC (December 15, 2021)
Roll Call: 4 Yes/0 No/0 Absent-Motion Carried
ADOPT RESOLUTION
21-R-664
Motion by Ald. Jones, Seconded by Barron to adopt Resolution 21-R-664
RESOLUTION AUTHORISING EXECUTION OF A MASTER EQUITY LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF MARKHAM AND ENTERPRISE FLEET MANAGEMENT TRUST Roll Call: 4 Yes/0 No/0 Absent-Motion carried
WAIVE READING OF ORDINANCE
21-O-2321
Motion by Ald. Hampton-Houser, seconded by Barron to waive reading of Ordinance 21-0-2321 AN ORDINANCE FOR THE LEVY AND ASSESSMENT OF TAXES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING MAY 1, 2022, AND ENDING APRIL 30, 2023 OF THE CITY OF MARKHAM, ILLINOIS
Roll Call: 4 Yes/0 No/0 Absent-Motion Carried
ADOPT ORDINANCE
21-O-2321
Motion by Ald. McDowell, seconded by Barron, to adopt Ordinance 21-O-2321 AN ORDINANCE FOR THE LEVY AND ASSESSMENT OF TAXES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING MAY 1, 2022, AND ENDING APRIL 30, 2023 OF THE CITY OF MARKHAM, ILLINOIS
Roll Call: 4 Yes/0 No/0 Absent-Motion Carried
WAIVE READING OF ORDINANCE
21-O-2322
Motion by Ald. Hampton-Houser, seconded by McDowell to waive reading of Ordinance 21-0-2322 AN ORDINANCE ABATING THE REAL ESTATE TAX HERETOFORE LEVIED FOR THE TAX LEVY YEAR 2021 TO PAY THE DEBT SERVICE ON $5,550,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION REFUNDING (ALTERNATE REVENUE SOURCE), SERIES 2005A, OF THE CITY OF MARKHAM, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS
Roll Call: 4 Yes/0 No/0 Absent-Motion Carried
ADOPT ORDINANCE
21-O-2322
Motion by Ald. Hampton-Houser, seconded by Ald. Barron to adopt Ordinance 21-0-2322 Motion by Ald. Barron, seconded by McDowell to waive reading of Ordinance 21-0-2322 AN ORDINANCE ABATING THE REAL ESTATE TAX HERETOFORE LEVIED FOR THE TAX LEVY YEAR 2021 TO PAY THE DEBT SERVICE ON $5,550,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION REFUNDING (ALTERNATE REVENUE SOURCE), SERIES 2005A, OF THE CITY OF MARKHAM, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS
Roll Call: 4 Yes/0 No/0 Absent-Motion Carried
WAIVE READING OF ORDINANCE
21-O-2323
Motion by Ald. Hampton-Houser, seconded by Ald. McDowell to Waive Reading Ordinance 21-O-2323 AN ORDINANCE ABATING THE REAL ESTATE TAX HERETOFORE LEVIED FOR THE TAX LEVY YEAR 2021 TO PAY THE DEBT SERVICE ON $295,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS SERIES 2012, OF THE CITY OF MARKHAM, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS
Roll Call: 4 Yes/0 No/0 Absent-Motion Carried
ADOPT ORDINANCE
21-O-2323
Motion by Ald. Hampton-Houser, seconded by Ald. McDowell to Adopt Ordinance 21-O-2320 AN ORDINANCE ABATING THE REAL ESTATE TAX HERETOFORE LEVIED FOR THE TAX LEVY YEAR 2021 TO PAY THE DEBT SERVICE ON $295,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS SERIES 2012, OF THE CITY OF MARKHAM, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS
Roll Call: 4 Yes/0 No/0 Absent-Motion Carried
CLERK REPORT:
Business License
A. Wild 100’s Customs
B. Seasons Community Outreach Services
Mayor Agpawa – No one is here tonight for the Wild 100’s Custom, however this is one of the businesses that came into compliance.
GRANT LICENSE
Motion by Ald. McDowell, seconded by Ald. Barron, to grant license to Wild 100’s Custom Roll Call: 4 Yes/0 No/0 Absent-Motion Carried
OPEN FLOOR
Motion by Ald. Jones, seconded by Ald. Barron to open floor to Seasons Community Outreach Services Roll Call: 4 Yes/0 No/0 Absent-Motion Carried
SEASONS COMMUNITY OUTREACH SERVICES
Ms. Dodson – This business will provide in home care service administration which is all done on-line for senior and disabled clients, we are also providing services to process applications for LIHEAP services, which some will be done in person.
CLOSE FLOOR
Motion by Ald. Jones, seconded by Ald. Barron to open floor to Seasons Community Services Roll Call: 4 Yes/0 No/0 Absent-Motion Carried
GRANT LICENSE
Motion by Ald. Jones, seconded by Ald. Hampton-Houser to Seasons Community Outreach Services Roll Call: 4 Yes/0 No/0 Absent-Motion Carried
MAYOR’S REPORT
Good evening, one of the things we lead off in prayer tonight was what has happened in the Midwest and to some of the states to our south, in the devastation and some of the historical things that have happened in terms of weather and climate and what it affected in terms of what it did to communities and devastating them. So, let's keep them in prayer, you know, I think that we are really in some reasonably perilous times, I would say that, with the violence being what it's been and the pandemic being what it is and different variants that we have and certainly would we have a natural disaster. I think that this is a time to be more vigilant. We're in a season, I would say what we have here in a holiday season that reflects on religion in a lot of ways, and I think this is a time for many of us to be prayerful for a lot of things and obviously thankful, but I just wanted to say that it's on my mind as a leader of the city. I would imagine it's on all of our minds, that we all live together, but we have a lot to be thankful that we have not been affected and you know that there's been grace on us. One of the reasons why I do mention that is that I can say that the Police, and the Fire Department, try to make sure and even Public Works is mindful to be ready in a disaster. A lot of times people don't think about, I'm glad that we have fortified Public Works the way we have if we had a disaster. We need those public workers to go through rubble and go through different things to with back hoes and machines and that kind of thing. It's not always the ambulances, it’s not always the police cars, it’s definitely the Public Works people and those individuals that would come to try to service us. There is mutual aid, I know that we work closely with our neighbors, definitely with Hazel Crest, and Public Works over the Country Club Hills and Hazel Crest identity touch with them for quite some time Todd and Ed have been to meetings with them as well. We just have to stay vigilant about what we're doing and think obviously outside of the box That’s why I tell the men in blue how much I appreciate them. But it's not always them, they may be a first responder, but the people that have to come behind them have to be equally ready. I just wanted to put that out there for thought. We're going to continue as I mentioned is as best, I know there will be a lawn mower available all winter, if it's not snowing, we’re cutting grass and we're going to cut a tree if needed, so we're not putting them all away. I want to stay ahead of it, if you have properties that still need attention, let's talk about it. It's easier for them to get in there and trim a lot of the debris and all the things in the back now the leaves are off the trees, it's a lot easier to get back there. I know some of you know some of those properties right now in your head that we need to go back to and we can do that. If it's not rainy weather, it's not snowing, we're going to clean up properties until we get them cleaned up, boarded up fixed up and somebody takes them buys them or sells But they're going to look nice. We did what we could do with streets at this point, for the most part, but we'll be planning to go into next spring. If you have different things that are on your list, let me know about them so we can hit the ground running in the spring. One of the things when we started talking about the state of emergency for the city COVID numbers, and I always hear from Alderman Barron, I don't know I think he must have a direct connection to Cook County or the state because he always knows what numbers are, but we're going to continue to wear masks at City Hall. we've never stopped. That's why we were able to open up with meetings, we keep to social distancing, and we've have sanitizer throughout the building and we still periodically do sweeps in sanitizing in the building. That will continue, and we'll be able to keep the meetings open so people can come, but if the numbers do climb we're going to have to reconsider. One of the things I wanted to mention, we have been in contract negotiation with Public Works probably for a year there's been some issues with some of the business agents and now we finally talked with their leadership and their attorneys. We were making more sense about what needs to be done with their contract. been pretty simple to deal with. It just what got complicated by the individuals that were involved. It wasn't our guys it was just really on the other side with their business agent, we're pretty much summing that up. Negotiations have started with police. There were some places where it didn't make any sense at all, I think it's going to get revisited. We were able to try and make some sense with the police contract we'll see where it goes. If not, I simply told him because of some of the tone and attitude of the Union itself, maybe not all the members but the attitude was they were going to ask for things that just didn't make sense, I said well, then if that be the case, and we'll have to get somebody else to help them decide. Let an arbitrator look at it and let the chips fall where they may. We're going to be fair with them. we have been fair with all of the unions in the past and will continue. We want to take care of them, we're going to pay them because we're going to ask them to work. We're going to give them a fair wage for fair work. For the Fire Contract, were able to sit with them twice, and we were able to settle their contract. I wanted to let you all know those things will be coming to you. They're not quite the approval yet, but you will have those things coming in front just wanted to give you an update and the public as well. I'm still looking and have received volunteers to interview for some of the different boards and things I that have had people to come into the office and fill applications out, after the first of the year I'll be making some appointment to different boards throughout the city. I've yet to make any appointments since the time was I was sworn in. I'll be doing that after the first of the year to renew some and put new ones on as well, so if you have constituents in your ward that have interest, please send them to me. I'm wide open, I will sit with them and vet them and talk to them, we need people that have a volunteer spirit for their community to make it stronger and better. So please, please encourage them and send them my way. One of the things I wanted to mention, I know that in 2023 that the alderman will be up for election, so I'm trying to make sure that I use my airtime reasonable, but I do have a newsletter. I'm going to try and wait until some of you put yours out. I want to be courteous to you, but I do want to make sure that we're all out there together, trying to get the message that we're taking care of people. That really, we're trying to make life better for them. Please invite me so I can come tag along with you and we can say hi together. Last couple of items, you know we have a lot of different events. we've had a ton of events this year, I guess maybe because of COVID everybody was inside. we have a food drive giveaway tomorrow at 11 o'clock. Our Senior luncheon is Friday. One of the things that I want to do, I may do it later, butat some point, I would like to do a year in review. Maybe even a two-year review. I've never done it, it is really a state of the state, I know I've been asked to do that. But I know that we all give good reports about the community when we are called on, everybody speaks, and we all do that. But I think that I'm going to do something formal. I may collect some things from you all as well, that you may want me to include, but I would like to do that for our city to let people know where we're heading what we're doing come next year. And with that, I will say happy holidays and I will say Merry Christmas. Happy New Year.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR – DERRICK CHAMPION
Good evening, everyone. That development is just going to start off with Amazon just want to make sure if anyone looking for any type of employment, please text the words on Chicagonow9 to 77088. That information is on our social platforms as well. I just want to give a big thanks to Amazon who donated toys to the city of Markham I’m really grateful about that. Also, the bench that Amazon donated for Veterans Park came in will be installed since we have spring like weather right now. We didn't get it yet. So really the best thing to do addition to that Veteran’s Park. Also want to thank HUB International for the donation for the Senior luncheon, also Bill Martin Branding for their donation as well. We are definitely intentional with identifying the right businesses and going into 2022, we want to make sure that we bring not just any type of business to the city of Markham, but we’re bringing the businesses that really fit Markham, we are definitely looking to recruit restaurants, we are listening to residents and what they are looking for in the city as well. We are also looking to diversify the tax base. I want to thank Cristina, the Mayor and the Council for approving the Enterprise Fleet Management Program. I think it's going to be a great opportunity for the city of Markham, long term to see sort of real cost savings. I know that I've had opportunity to speak with some of my peers and other municipalities that are using the program and is working. I just feel like we don't have to reinvent the wheel, there's a way that we can save resources here. I think that’s a big deal, so kudos to the Council for pushing that along. We are focusing on upgrades in 2022 to one on the police side, I know that it's overdue. It looks like we are going to be speaking with a developer in the first quarter of next year, and really get the city some much needed upgrades. I think one of the things that we're going to continue to focus on is your quality of life, planning for the city of Markham and making sure that our parks, get spruced up in Country Aire. I'm working on some grants and improving on community partnerships as well. Looking forward to 2022 It's going to be a lot of great things happening.
MAYOR AGPAWA
One other thing to mention to the Council, this Saturday is the Christmas party for the employees that we do every year. It'll be at Centennial Lanes from 6 to 10, I invite all the council members to please come out and give all these so-called Professional Bowlers from like Public Works and those guys, give them a hard time you know and come out and share some festive time with the employees. I think they would be very encouraged to see any of you if you just stop by and say hello it means a lot to them for you all to say something to them. I was with a couple of other mayors today, and they're doing just what we're doing. They're doing things for the employees to try to show the appreciation and encourage them and I think that we have a group of worker bees I really do I think that we have a city that's really working hard so it's a good time to let them play hard.
ALD JONES
Mr. Champion you've read my mind about the quality of life, because are in great times even though we struggle with COVID. Markham is incredible with the things we are doing and the South suburbs. Kudos to East Hazel Crest for the Casino it’s 15 minutes away, so we can take advantage of this. The mayor did a great job so far, but we definitely want to focus on hotels, restaurants, etc., We can see what we have an abundance of we have now we can move to the next level. We can actually figure out how we can make this work for us because it's going to bring in all kinds of revenue that will benefit us, I appreciate it.
MAYOR AGPAWA
If I can mention we (Mr. Champion) had a meeting today with the Hazel Crest and Country Club Hills Mayors today, we will circle back with Harvey, it was impromptu we're moving along there will be be a market analysis because one of the things that that we talked about earlier was what types of businesses follow the casino so a lot of great things will be happening.
ALD. JONES
The Winter Wonderland and the Park District was just fabulous. I have to give kudos to Ms. Brown, Ms. Rodriguez and the Board of Trustees, all the sponsors, the volunteers it was a fabulous event, I loved helping to give toys. Also let's not forget LDB Enterprises has an event coming up December the 19th, for more information you can call me 708-339-1973, they giving out toys.
We can find the joy and that's what it's about., it's about gift of giving. If you know people have water bills, utility bills, please go to the township, that's what we're here for to give to people and to the public. Also, my heart and prayers go out to the Young family, Cynthia Young, passed away. Also, kudos once again, a problem that I’ve for the past 15 years, the same water break like every other year in the same location, we would patch it and it would break again. Well, last week, thank you Mayor and Public Works, they actually came out there and laid 30 feet of new pipe. So, no more patchwork So I was so excited to see you know that being done. So you’ll never have problem again. And last but not least, I want to say happy holidays and Merry Christmas. And just remember like always, Jesus is the reason for the season.
ALD BARRON
Good evening, everyone, the numbers are ramping up and just want everybody to be safe. They're just about done with all the construction on Route six. intersections. Crawford, Kedzie, and Central Park. Everything is just about same thing with the drainage ditch, that is just about done. They're still working on a little bit of a punch list. We lost a middle-aged man, who was born and raised here. Steve Precorse died last weekend. He's been a big contributor; he was a big supporter of the park district, mobile baseball teams, I know he was involved years ago with Markham football. He died in 57 years old on vacation. The last thing I have is I’m committed, I love all these projects that we're doing but I'm putting everybody on notice, we're going to have information signs in the city of Markham in 2022, or there's a lot of programs that are going to stop I've been talking about this since 2015, it's seven years. We need to get this done. We don't have a newspaper. You know, we shouldn't have to comment social media for people who know what we do. It's nice that we televise our Council meetings, but just the fact that we advertise that we have something that people could drive by and see when the Council meetings are, when the Planning Commission meetings are, and any special events. We're not talking about that much money.
MAYOR AGPAWA
You're absolutely right. I am promising you that. We're going to do something in 2022, we had actually earmarked money from Amazon, and I think that we went another direction with it so we can revisit that with no problem. It's something that is needed, I think I'd mentioned we needed to go in at least three different directions in the community, if not four, that's what we're talking about doing but we want to go here and a couple of other places in your ward.
ALD. BARRON
With the smart lights, it's going to make it easier on the Wi Fi. Anything that we can feed off of that is going to make really, really good power this side.
MAYOR AGPAWA
There's at least four points that we can do and at a low cost. We'll make sure it happens. I'm 100% with you. I can see doing it city wide. It's not going to just be one dimensional but city wide, so I'm 100% with you.
ALD. BARRON
I wish everybody have a safe and healthy holiday. I would like to give a special thanks. I know a lot of people contributed but, Ald. McDowell really did a wonderful job with everything she's been, from the coat drive to the toy drive.
MAYOR AGPAWA
I just want to make one mention about 159th and Crawford when it gets into Markham, but anywhere else is Pulaski. I guess I'll take the uniqueness, but it definitely is really nice down there, the way that they've done things. They're going to put some finishing touches on the corner lot to clean it up and it'll be all graded out and clean. We're talking about working on the median with the state to put our sign in the median as opposed to on the side of the road closer to the Oak Forest side or the west side coming in, so you'll have “Welcome to Markham” sign, so we're working with the state about that. Taking care of that meeting, we do the mediums now. We just want to collect the money. Todd and I talked about it, so we'll be working on that. We've already talked with one state official about it. Yes, we're on the case.
ALD. HAMPTON-HOUSER
Well, good evening, Mayor., good evening, Council, good evening listening audience. I have ditto back at you in reference to prayers going out to the families in the hurricane. Terrible seasons, terrible time for them to go through that but I know they've got to be okay. With the help of other individuals and the new Markham as well they reach out to definitely want to make sure that we are on point to lend our hand and assistance in any way possible. Number two, I had a coffee sip last Saturday, it was it was awesome, it was intimate. It was a serious conversation, a lot of questions were asked and answered, I'm looking forward to having another one which will be in February. I think for citizens to get a good bird's eye view of exactly what’s going on in Ward 1 and what was going on in our city. It I do feel that it is important that we make sure that we can communicate with them because everyone doesn't have the accessibility to watch it on Facebook or social media or have the correct internet service to actually see our product on TV. I think the personal coffee sips were great I will make sure I continue with that. This upcoming Saturday which will be our Santa’s breakfast it's going to be an awesome event, at this particular event, we will also be giving out new toys, clothes and also breakfast. We had to revise exactly how we want to actually do food service and because we know our COVID is actually increasing and not decreasing. It will be carry out but they will come in all children will get an opportunity to pick out their own toys, receive their meal, circulate through the facility and exit at the door. This is going to be Saturday December 18th and is open to anyone in the city of Markham doesn't matter what ward. Please get an opportunity to come out and receive some toys and gifts, and something good to drink and eat. It will be at 16200 Laflin, which is at Martin Luther King Park in the banquet hall from 10am to one or 2pm. So please get an opportunity to come out and look on our social pages as well, it should be there.
And last but not least, Merry Christmas to all, have a Happy New Year. Honestly please just remember what this season is about. Thank you so much.
https://www.cityofmarkham.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_12152021-184
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