South Cook News

City of Markham City Council met March 16.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor, Roger Agpawa called the Regular Meeting of the Markham City Council to order at 7:09p.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-Houser

ALSO PRESENT: Attorney Steven Miller

Attorney Lauren M. DaValle

City Treasurer, Belinda Richardson

City Administrator, Derrick Champion

APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING March 2, 2022

Motion to approve minutes with corrections of March 2, 2022, by Ald. McDowell, seconded by Ald. Hampton-Houser

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 $789,522,97, with manual checks of $120,356.48 for a grand total of $909,879.45

Roll Call: 4 Yes/0 No/0 Absent-Motion Carried

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

Mayor Agpawa - Under special presentations tonight, I want to use this for a moment to the City Administrator for him to let us know about this quick presentation that we have tonight. We're going to do it under this under presentations if that's okay with the Council. We'll go ahead and you can tell us what the nature of the businesses is City Administrator.

Derrick Champion - I want to introduce you to the city of Markham to present a once in a lifetime type opportunity to talk about Miyawaki type trees, it's about tree planning and really trying to educate the city of Markham residents on the importance of having such a project in Markham as pretty much a pilot program.

Nordson Green Earth - My name is Christina Palmer, the founder of Nordson Green Earth. We are an Illinois based nonprofit organization, established in May of 2021, our mission is to improve tree equity by establishing tiny native forests in and around the Chicago metropolitan area, because all communities deserve trees and the healthy climate and social benefits that they provide. Our team is small but mighty, you will get to meet some of them soon. We all have different paths by which we arrived at Nordson Green Earth. Tonight, I will share my story, I'm Norton's Chief Health Officer. I saw patients as a primary care doctor for just over a decade, around the time I started practicing, I had just moved into my home. At the time my neighbors warned me this street gets water, but don't worry, it only happens with one of those 100-year floods. Well, so much for the 100-year floods, because in nine years, I lost my basement for flood damage three times. As I looked up and down my street for the third time, seeing sopping wet rolls of carpet and padding lining the curb, I knew something was very wrong. I started educating myself and learned that climate change had led to increased temperatures and subsequent increases in rainfall. I also learned that every concrete foundation and asphalt driveway or parking lot that replaced trees and grass, further limited the earth's ability to absorb that rainfall. We got our basement fixed up and upgraded our sump pumps, but it made me think we've been lucky to only lose our basement because people in other parts of the country had lost their entire homes to floods. That was when I began to see climate change as something that can really impact a person's mental and physical health. Fast forward to 2020 Christine Hernandez right behind me, our founder asked me to join her as she created Norton Green Earth Foundation, our mission was forged when several of the issues we cared about began to intersect during the pandemic. In March 2020 when major paths in the city were closed due to COVID. We noticed a clear discrepancy and access to trees based on zip code and felt its impact. This is tree equity, since that Nordson Green Earth Foundation has grown into a group of highly engaged deeply connected local friends who have watched both the pandemic and climate change, expose and exacerbate long standing inequities in our society while highlighting the importance of outdoor space. In addition, historic disinvestment in some Chicago community has left them with fewer trees and therefore more vulnerable than others to the effects of climate change. Our team compiled a cornucopia of evidence showing how trees improve mental and physical health. Many of you know these pieces of evidence, their leaves clean the air and deflect traffic noise, their roots purify water and prevent flooding. Trees in your homes lower utility costs by providing shade and insulation, trees reduce our levels of anxiety and aggression by lowering our stress hormone levels. All this data convinced us that trees are a matter of health equity, and that because trees contribute to a functioning and healthy society, trees are actually infrastructure.

Nordson also understands that how we plant trees is as important as where we plant them. For this reason and others Nordson employs the Miyawaki method for tree planting devised by Japanese botany Professor Akira Miyawaki in the 1970s the method has been called the quote secret weapon against climate change because it results in a forest that is self-sustaining in three years and mature in just 20. Over a quarter conventional urban tree plantings lead to tree cuts in five to nine years. Often when cities plant trees they're thought of as ornaments, however, trees do best when we think about them as one part of a rich ecosystem in which their survival hinges on interrelationship with soil bacteria, fungi, pollinators and other nearby plants. The Miyawaki method involves planting young native plants and enrich soil climate change. has also affected our biodiversity. We're seeing losses of bumblebees, migrating birds and other species. Studies have shown Miyawaki forests to increase biodiversity by nearly 20 times over conventional treatment. Imagine seeing your kids or other neighborhood children having more opportunities to chase butterflies, listen to bird songs and dig their fingers into the healthy soil of a forest. Miyawaki forests are perfect because they can be planted anywhere even in areas as small as a one car park. Professor Miyawaki and his students successfully planted these forests all over Europe and Asia. Over the past three years, a few Miyawaki forests have been planted in the US but so far, the method hasn't been used in Illinois yet. We are proud to share that Norton will plant the Chicago region's first new Aqua Forest adjacent to the Markham Cook County Courthouse on May 20 of this year. The forest is small, just 2540 feet and it's a pilot project, we hope to work with Markham residents and the mayor’s office to gain feedback in our work and see how we can partner with all of you to increase tree canopy in the places that you would like to see it. So, we hope that you come and say hello and consider volunteering on May 20. We'd also love for a few Markham residents to be a part of our Southland committee. We're grateful to have one of the members of our committee here with us today. Ms. Howell is going to share her perspective shortly. But first, I want to turn it over to our founder Christine to introduce some of our other team members that have joined us today.

My name is Christine Hernandez., this is Michael Scott, this is my Ospreys from our junior board and Jane she was also at the vaccine clinic in Markham a few weeks ago.

Scott - I happen to be involved in the planting at Bridgeview courthouse, I met this wonderful group, and I asked the question, I'm a child of the Southland. My parents moved here early 50s believe me my biggest complaint has been that the Southland has been ignored for projects like this. I remember Markham when it was nothing I-57 wasn't even here. I look around now, I don't live in Markham, but it's still home to me.

I went to Canterbury junior high because that's what it was called back then. I am a Southland child. My concern is that we've been ignored, and I invited them to come out to the suburbs and provide us with some of these opportunities that other suburbs have gotten free of charge. So why should we not take advantage of the same thing? I just want to say that Milwaukee method has not that we know of been done in Illinois so we're very excited that this is the first Miyawaki forest in Illinois and hopefully you're all excited to and want to be part of it. We'll be around after to answer questions. And we also have some flyers. Mayor Agpawa - I know that I'll come down and volunteer. I would just say that with what you're talking about tonight, it is very important.to the environment, definitely to our ecosystem and that and I think that unfortunately, we on the Council I bet we could all tell stories about trees that are not as nice as the one you are telling us about tonight. But it is important just as we've have a better relationship with our prairie here in the community. Our current community is becoming more prevalent than it's ever been. The awareness is growing, I would definitely like to be a part of that. I believe in some things that people don't believe about the ozone and all those things. I do know that trees are very important, it's just too bad, we have so many cottonwoods that's probably the only thing any of us on this board would say is that we just didn't get the good ones. So, but in any event, I'm sure that if the Council’s has any questions and any comments, I know that I'll be there and I'm sure that some of us will come down and be supportive of what it can do for our community and help others to see it.

Ald. Hampton-Houser - My question is in reference to the particular type of trees; how big do they grow? How tall do they grow? How large are the roots, are they huge trees? Because that makes a difference, Christina - The way we plant the Miyawaki method is it's planted in layers, and we mimic what a local forest looks like. So, the tallest layer is called the emergent trees and those are over 30 feet can be up to 30 feet tall. We've got the understory which are like 10 to 20 years old. Then we've got the shrubs and then we've got the perennial, the ground cover. We tried to do that in the ratio that mimics what Illinois forest would look like. We know Markham is the current capital of the prairie state and you guys have this wonderful prairie here and Nature Conservancy is here, but what Milwaukee is it's a forestation which means you were putting a forest where there might not have been one before and we definitely take into account the species like if we're going plant under a power line or something, we're not going to plant something really tall that's going to get in the way of that. The other thing would is if we plant them very close together so that the roots can talk to each other and there's a little bit of a survival of the fittest so not every single thing we plant is going to survive but the ones that do are going to be the strongest ones. We definitely don't want to plant something that you already have too much of, we want to stick to the native stuff and the stuff that isn't invasive like Maples We have some background in that and we have an arborist on our team too. Now. We're so lucky to have him and he's a native plant specialist too. We definitely talk, you know, to experts before we decide whatever we're going to plant and your point that you raised about cottonwood trees. You know what we've seen across the United States and really across the world is, you know, a lot of communities picked trees for various reasons, right availability of trees, how beautiful the trees might have looked when they're at their peak. But what looks at is planting trees that we know are going to survive. The goal is to have trees that will survive that are native to this area. What we've learned in our course and what our arborist tells us also, as we know that there's an abundance of certain trees planted in certain areas, and so we want to increase the diversity of trees in your community, and in any community, quite frankly, so that we're not seeing just this one type of species. Because when one species gets decimated from disease and pests that becomes very difficult to replace. So those are things that the Miyawaki method really focuses on avoiding. That's our goal if we're to put a forest in any community, our goal is for that community to have that forest for not just decades to come but centuries to come and so that it's there for the community, but the beauty of the Milwaukee method is, instead of taking 200 years to get a mature forest, it takes 20 and there's a lot of science behind that. The other beautiful thing that people did share is that you don't need large swaths of land to do it. You know, the benefits of those trees can present itself in in a tiny area. Our goal is to just present this information to you, answer any questions here from the community. How does the Markham community feel about trees? Are there areas that you would like to see trees is when we've been in contact with the school district, we spoke to Dr. Patterson and District 144 about their projects, where they're focusing on increasing science and technology, engineering and math opportunities for students. Where do trees fit into that? We believe that Markham has a lot to offer its community and we just want to be there to see how we can enhance that. We see the Markham as a thriving and vibrant community. We're also recruiting community members to join our planning committee. Marinelle is one of our founding members and we just like to engage with people who live here in Markham for them just to understand what the community needs are.

Ald. Hampton Houser- Now you have an immediate partnership here with the Markham Sixth District Court is that correct?

Nordson - That's where this is going to begin., and then from there we can discuss different places in the future then. We'd love for all of you to come out and be a part of that project. We have information about it. We'll be talking about our digging day; we're going to be preparing the soil and then our planting day. We'd love for all of you to be there.

Mayor Agpawa - Alright, well, we'll definitely put the word out, Mr. Champions is the point of contact to Ald. Hampton-Houser -We have a date. Do we have a time?

Nordson - May 10, and 11th, there’s a lot of soil prep that goes into this, then the planting days and both are from nine to three.

CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT

Members of Council members of the public with respect to the city attorney's report, starting with a proposed 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,

(March 16, 2022)

ADOPT RESOLUTION

22-R-674

Motion by Ald. Barron, seconded by Ald. McDowell, to adopt Resolution 22-R-674 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 (March 16, 2022)

Roll Call: 4 Yes/0 No/0 Absent-Motion Carried

CLERK REPORT

No report

MAYOR’S REPORT

One of the things I wanted to mention tonight, it's about right out the gate I was wanting to still encourage people to continue to consider to be volunteers about different things that we can do in this community or being on a board. Contact the Mayor's office if you have interest to volunteer for different things in the community with the seniors and things like that, just let us know if you have interest for that. I do want to mention one thing about COVID, as things are starting to let up a little bit, I still keep my mask, I know that it's a preference for some people, but state and federal laws are changing about that, I just feel I would tell people to be cautious. I know that we still have that when you come in the building here for now, that could change but just wanted to mention that to people to be careful. I want to make a mention of Public Works, we're working on some thing’s city wide as the weather breaks. Obviously once the snow melted and we had some good weather we could see just how much stuff was underneath that snow, they're getting out there. Some places look very good when you go through town but we have some inner city, things that we need to address, we will ask them to get into the inner city a little bit more to help out but we definitely want to encourage our neighbors in our wards to participant and volunteer to go out and in their neighborhood, we're doing that as well, go and help out, but it's really incumbent upon them as well, to be a good neighbor. I think the snow might be gone, I'm hoping, we didn't take the plows off yet, but we'll see. Lastly, I'll just mention be prayerful as Ald. McDowell. mentioned for Ukraine and whenever we have trouble in the world or even locally, obviously we need to really be prayerful for where we're heading this summer hopefully with violence that we have some control about it. I know that I've met with other leaders and have met with the Governor's office. We've met with mayors in the region, about different things that we're trying to do. We just met with Kim Fox here at City Hall, a group of mayors here in the Southland about what happens with what we're going to do with prosecuting people. That's always a hot subject, but it's a variety of things that happen when it comes to crime and how it's dealt with. I'm going to go on the record to say I support this State's Attorney, I understand what the State's Attorney deals with because we've asked her to come and explain herself to myself and a group of mayors right in this room, but it wasn't the first time. So, we understand what's involved with dealing with prosecutions. A lot of people think that here's something that everybody can have an education about tonight, a lot of people think that the State's Attorney's office is responsible for electronic monitoring. Well, they don't have anything to do with that when someone gets out on electronic monitoring, that's up to a judge. A lot of people think that when it comes down to bail, it has something to do with the state's attorney, well, it doesn't, that's the judge's decision. So, we also are going to be meeting with the chief judge here in Chicago in the South County area, to talk with them about how they're dealing with bail and how they're dealing with monitoring and that type of thing. Because we have to have some answers about dealing with these things. Another thing we discovered with juveniles, so you have all these juveniles doing all this carjacking and all this crime, well, it isn't up to Kim Foxe’s office and for the judges sometimes on how you deal with detaining a minor in a juvenile system. They have their own policies for dealing with them so who would have known that? When you finally know what is involved, not to mention, that it’s incumbent upon this, myself and the other law makers sitting here, we have to make good policies and enforce policies from the police department to make sure that they are thorough in their jobs, so they have a case that they can prosecute. Anyway, as we head into hot months, it's important that everybody's aware of what leaders are doing. It's not just here in Markham, it's everywhere in the communities that we let them know that we need laws because the next step we were talking with the jail, some of the jails had gotten overcrowded doing COVID, they were letting people out on early release. They had the right for some of the lesser offenses that got them out. But that still you have someone who committed a crime, and they're back on the street pretty quick. We have to take it further from all of these people that we're talking about is talk to legislators about changing some of the laws. It is as hard as harsh it could be as it could be for some of the young people to have to go to jail might be better now for a little while than for them to lose their whole life. there's a balance that has to come out of it. Nobody wants to take the step to talk about what needs to happen, but we have to get ready for what's going to happen in society now with all the violence and things that we we've dealt with, civil unrest and things like that. So, it's prevalent on my mind and a lot of leaders about dealing with that actually, it's become prevalent in the Governor's race. Where that got one person running for Governor’s, I’m tough on crime. Well, that's good, but we need answers for sure, we need action, because we have an innocent or a loved one can be harmed by this violence that's out here. I just wanted to mention that and that'll be the end of my report.

DERRICK CHAMPION – CITY ADMINISTRATOR

First of all, I want to thank the Nordson Green Earth Foundation for coming up. I think Markham residents would be greatly appreciative of the efforts that you guys are doing. I'm a big fan. I know that we talked about green infrastructure in conversations that help mitigate flooding and those kinds of issues but we're a huge fan or Greenspaces. So, Markham is definitely on the move like the Ald. Hampton has always talked about all the time, but we really excited and really see the direction the city is going in. I think that we have the right leadership period as well to support our initiative. So just wanted to acknowledge you we are really thankful. With that being said, I want to take a few minutes just to talk the things that we're working on, I know that we are currently working on a construction budget, there's a lot of funding that's coming down from the federal government that is going to trickle down to Illinois for infrastructure projects. We have to be prepared for that, so we have to create a construction budget we are working with our civil engineers so that when those fundings are headed our way, that's going to be a huge component of the application process. We want to make sure that we are on the front end of that and not the back. We want to continue to work with Amazon on our Quality-of-Life Plan, we’re still focusing on our parks and schools and just making sure that Markham has great community partners. Looking forward to some of the projects that we have slated this year, to see that they come to fruition. One last thing I want to mention that we, myself, the mayor and some of the council members we will be heading out to be ICSC (International Council of Shopping Center) conference in Vegas, we are definitely starting our recruiting pitch to make sure that we're bringing in viable businesses here to Markham it is one of the things that we are really focused on, bringing healthy option restaurants. The ICSC is one of the largest conventions out in Vegas and in the country, Markham definitely wants to continue to be on the front of everything. I know that there's several Southland municipalities that will be out there as well. We want to make sure that Markham is well represented, and that we’re selling Markham. We have a 404 million square feet facility, Amazon it's the largest robotic fulfillment center in this country. There are companies that actually will follow companies like that, but we want to make sure that Markham is prepared and having the right businesses here. Markham needs healthier options for people to sit down and eat, we're tired of going outside of Markham. We're really want to start taking the initiative to be a part of conferences like the one in Vegas that we're going to attend this year.

ALD. JONES

Good evening., just to piggyback off of Mr. Champion, I definitely want to volunteer for Nordson on your program on May 20. So please give me a call, I definitely believe in green recycling. We only have one Earth far as I know we can say. So, I definitely support you on that. Also, I'd like to give kudos to this Council for the community breakfast, we had this past Friday, it was well attended people came out. I was wondering though, if possible, if we can put the flyer maybe in the water bills to get the word out, because some people are saying they didn't know.

Mayor Agpawa - I think we have to improve that, you're totally right. We'll make a note of that, Mr. Champion. We'll make sure we get it out that way.

ALD. JONES

Also, you know, we've been really impressive with cleaning, we haven't got exactly when cleanup week is.

Mayor Agpawa - In May usually, when I'm not sure what week it is. I think it might be the second week or so. But we extended it, I think before we ran it even longer so we can run as long as we want right now, I never mind the clean it up.

ALD. JONES

Also, actively pushing right now in Bremen Township area, Tax Appeals when exemptions please take advantage of that, at least sign up, call the township and just appeal. I appeal every year and I believe that definitely my taxes but stayed down a little. So please take that advantage and appeal your property taxes and see if you have all your exemptions that you have coming to you. Last but not least I want to say Happy St. Patrick’s Day the Irish. Thank you.

ALD. BARRON

First thing I'd like to mention is that there will be a memorial service at the Markham VFW tomorrow for a former city employee and firefighter Buddy Cara from 2 to 6. Also, I wanted mentioned this is National Women's Month, and I was thinking about as I was watching the news, we were the first fire department in the area to have two female lieutenants. We've got we have Ms. Bond down at the Senior Citizen Center, we have quite a few women in leadership roles within the city of Markham, supervisors in the police department. I think we're well represented; I think Markham has quite a diversity and I think we're probably ahead of the trend. I received an interesting letter today, they wanted to call my attention to a sink hole that was in a ditch on Trumbull between them. But for us, it was understanding I can feel bad and all somebody had to do was call me, I drove by twice couldn't find it I got out of my truck and physically look in the ditch, there was only just like an inch sticking out Public Works did pick it up and cleaned up. There was so much drain damage, Public Works took care that today, I thank them for that. Anyway, you know, I'm very accessible either between my home phone or cell either way, all someone has to do is call if you see something that needs to be addressed. But they want to remain anonymous, I guess it doesn't bother me it just, you know, I really think that feeling of being trapped, that kind of stuff. We're just happy to know if there's a problem so we can fix that. The other thing that I noticed today I thought we had repaired most of the signs, but I found one or two down, those will be repaired the while I’m making a list of potential street repairs going into the summer months. Hopefully we'll be able to do something. We do support appealing your taxes Bremen Township is starting the 18th. I'm not quite sure when Bremen Township is. If you give them your email, they'll send you a notice and you can file your claim. Well, I think everybody knows gas is to the ceiling. It just happens to be the situation that we're in, but it does bother me going, with the senior citizens I want them to be especially alert, this has resulted in some kind of increase in crime. You can call 911 and report something suspicious you do not have to give your name it's better if you do because they would get back to you, but you don't have to give your name. I have some seniors that call me before they call the police, I tried to stop them from doing that, they don't feel comfortable. The way weather's getting warmer, so with the weather getting warmer, people should be aware and when they're gassing up your vehicle you should lock it, don’t walk off and leave you mail, crime has no boundaries. I don't care where you live, crime has no boundaries. Watch the morning and evening news, so just be alert and conscious of your environment. Make sure that you protect yourself and I'm going to say this for the fifth time, you don't have anything for getting yourself hurt over. Okay, if somebody pulls a gun on you, there's nothing we can do, but give them whatever they are looking for. There'll be another day so please do due diligence with them. For the next four weeks the fish fry on Fridays, is at the Markham VFW, from 3:30 to 7:00 pm for anybody that wants to come out, it's terrific fish so with that, that’s the end of my report.

ALD. HAMPTON-HOUSER

Good evening, Council and audience. I want to start off by saying the Alderman is absolutely correct. the fish is delicious, and they give you plenty of it. They're very, very cordial, I solicit, and I support them 100% Every year, so please get an opportunity to support them on the fish fry, you won't regret it. A BMDS NBS Mayor the Markham community breakfast was awesome. I think we had a little snow that came in the night before and that might have held a few individuals up or whatever. But we had excellent turnout. The food was delicious, and I think everybody really enjoyed it. Also, I want to say that mayor I humbly applaud you and the mayors in the southwest area who have gotten together and said, listen we need cameras as well on Interstate 57, versus just in the city of Chicago because we do know just like there was that time has no barriers. We do know that we have had incidents on our expressway’s, murders on Interstate 57 as well, so why should we not be included with actually putting cameras up as well on Interstate 57. My hat goes off to the mayor and the mayors of the Southland area who are actually getting together say hey, listen, we need these cameras on Interstate 57. Thank you, Mayor, for doing that as well. Moving on in my report in Ward One, I want to let everyone know that we are in the process of our pumping station which is on 161st Hermitage we are in the processing of getting it repaired, and just bringing it a little bit more up to date as well, it needs some work, the fence needs some work, the lock needs to work because we have to make sure that it is well secured because that is our water source. I want to thank Mr. Champion for leading that up for me to make sure that we can get that pumping station painted and looking more modern is well. If you see standing water in anybody's yard, more than likely that standing water is this waste, if you see that please call Public Works and let them know. Public Works and I were out in Ward One, and we have identified six homes in Ward One alone that has waste that is actually sitting in their yard. In other words, the water and waste are not going through the system correctly. To verify that we knew it wasn't a city problem, it was something on that particular property we opened up the sewer on the streets to make sure that the sewer wasn’t flooded or anything from the storm every last one of them were not flooded. There's apparently a problem that's going on within that household and they might not know how to contact us and know exactly what to do. So, if you see standing waste or whatever, please call Public Works, so we can get on that right away because that is a health hazard. We were actually in my ward and we I noticed that there was water running down one particular street that was flooding the entire street, come to find out this particular home had water build up in the crawlspace so they weren't actually pumping the water out onto the street to try let it go down to the sewer, but you can’t just take it upon yourself to do that, you have to make sure you call the city and let them know what the issue is and then allow us to make the decision on exactly how you could actually rid of it. Again, please call Public Works on that. We are also in the process of starting with our cleanup on some odd vacant homes, cutting down trees, limbs and just cleaning up because you will be amazed how individuals actually take it upon themselves to dump on properties where there's no homeowner, so these vacant lots or these vacant homes you will be amazed if you see how much garbage furniture people throw out there all the time. We have already started in Ward one as far as cleaning up a lot of the vacant homes. Also, we have identified the trees that need to be cut down. At our last meeting I asked individuals who had a concern about a tree in their yard to give me the address and we can make the assessment on how we can move forward in reference to getting that tree cut down or trimmed. We have a identified those trees, so we're in the process next month that will be cutting down some trees in Ward one. I have also identified approximately 12 homes and in Ward one that need to be completely torn down. Mr. Champion and our attorney are in the process of identifying those homes and finding out exactly what steps and measures that we need to take in reference to getting these homes demo’ d. Kids, play in these homes. Some individuals are actually using it as a drug house. We know it's a hazard and those homes need to be demo so we're in the process of getting that done as well. Happy St. Patrick's Day Happy day.

Mayor Agpawa - Thank you. I was going to just add we're cutting down trees that are bad trees that's completely rotted out there.

ALD. MCDOWELL

Good evening. On 165th and Dixie Highway we have two vacant homes that have been vandalized. I did contact the police department; they were able to get both of these homes boarded up. I noticed as I was driving down the street on Saturday, one of the residents call me the boards were take it off. Again, on Monday, they went back into the home, so when the police came, they went in, and they found out someone had been back in the home, so the homes have been boarded up. I spoke with Chief, and Deputy Chief and they have placed the homes on watch, extra patrol has been going around checking those two homes and they have been secured. Also, I'm happy to say finally that the signs put up on 163rd Street going West with the no parking for the trucks, and it tells you about the actual terms for the truck. I'm really excited about also Mayor I received some phone calls from our business owners on163rd Place, they're asking if they can have some assistance with the streets over there by the Pace bus all the truck routes that come through there, 5k Bear street is so bad, I even have a hard time when I'm just doing my survey through the Ward, so they're asking for some assistance from us to see what we could possibly do to help repair that street.

Mayor Agpawa - Yes, it's on it's on the list this year to do some work over there.

ALD. MCDOWELL

My last report for this evening in the Second Ward if you have a vacant home next door to and they are still bringing mail to that vacant home, I really need you to call the police department. I actually have a vacant home next door to me; the home has now been vacant for more than two years. Well, someone drove up today looking for the mail and got out of the car to go in the mailbox. I went to the post office I have had the mail totally stopped at the house. A lot of my mail has been going over into the house. So, if you see that please contact the police department so they can come out and actually see what's going on in the property. We need to really look out because this time of the year more than once people are looking for shelter to go into homes but now, they're looking for mail in the mailbox and thank God I had the mail stopped at two homes on my street.

Mayor Agpawa - Thank you all lady McDowell. That is really important if we have vacant homes in wards. We know what that means somebody's picking up mail at a place like that now, would they be live in there but they could be using it for some other activities to have a place to get things to pick up packages or whatever.

CLERK

One person signed in - Mr. George Weathington.

MOTION TO OPEN FLOOR TO PUBLIC

Motion by Ald. Barron, seconded by Ald. McDowell to Open Floor to Public.

Roll Call: 4 Yes/0 No/0 Absent-Motion Carried

Mr. George Weathington - Good evening, you came down and spoke to me on my street, good job and appreciate it very much I'm concerned now with these trucks, these trucks as sign was put up the trucks cannot come down the street on these, these trucks back up so going down to Western going down to the end. They started turning right at 151st Kedzie which is a drainage ditch has been paved but what they doing to try to make that turn with that long trailer truck and they land on my lawn, I fixed it this spot this is the third year I've been fixing because they make that sharp turn, I talked to Ald. Jones. I also talked with the secretary for Derrick Champion, to see if you can try to put some guardrails up there. Because it's too sharp a turn to make because it’s right off of Kedzie.

Mayor Agpawa – We could do that; Alderman let’s team up down there. I know we didn't get chance to talk about it, but we can go down there and take care of okay. Well, you have it beautiful down there, it looks nice. So, we'll protect you down there, the guardrail that’s not problem, we can definitely do that. So, me and the Alderman will get together and we'll take care of you, that's really easy. Mr. George Weathington - Appreciate that.

Mayor Agpawa - We want to make sure the police are on notice about dealing with the truck. Now we know who owns the property in the back. We will remind them with police effort to not continue to drive down the street. We didn't fix it for them.

Mr. George Weathington -I guess probably because it's cheaper parking in the back of me you know this farmland in the back of houses. I had some green posts up there and they ran all over that. Mayor Agpawa - Well, we'll take care of it. So, we'll get the guardrail up and straighten that out and I'm sure they'll be glad to pitch in to fix it and be quiet back there.

MOTION TO CLOSE FLOOR TO PUBLIC

Motion by Ald. Hampton-Houser, seconded by Ald. McDowell to Close Floor to Public. Roll Call: 4 Yes/0 No/0 Absent-Motion Carried

ADJOURNMENT Motion by Ald. Hampton-Houser, seconded by Ald. McDowell to adjourn at 8:20p.m.

Roll Call: 4 Yes/0 No/ 0 Absent-Motion Carried