City of Harvey City Council met Aug. 14.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
Mayor Christopher J. Clark called the City of Harvey Regular Council Meeting to order Monday - August 14, 2023, at 7:02 p.m.
Mayor Clark asked City Clerk Rosa M. Arambula to call the roll of Council members. Present: Alderwoman Colby Chapman, Alderwoman Telanee Smith, Alderman Tracy Key, Alderman Dominque Randle-El, Alderman Tyrone Rogers, and Mayor Christopher J. Clark. Absent: Alderwoman Shirley Drewenski.
Alderman Key gave the Invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes Dated: July 24, 2023.
Alderman Rogers made the motion to approve the Minutes.
The motion was seconded by Alderman Randle-El.
Voting Aye: Aldermen Randel-El, Key, Rogers, Alderwomen Chapman, Smith.
Voting Nay: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Alderwoman Shirley Drewenski
MOTION CARRIED
Approval of Special Meeting Minutes Dated: August 7, 2023.
Alderwoman Smith made the motion to approve the Minutes. The motion was seconded by Alderman Rogers.
Voting Aye: Aldermen Randel-El, Key, Rogers, Alderwomen Chapman, Smith.
Voting Nay: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Alderwoman Shirley Drewenski
MOTION CARRIED
Approval of Bills for Payment: August 2, 2023
Alderman Rogers mentioned that they had a Finance Committee Meeting and that he was elected to be Chair and Alderwoman Chapman had been elected to be Co-Chair.
Alderman Rogers made the motion to approve the Minutes.
The motion was seconded by Alderwoman Smith.
Voting Aye: Alderman Key, Alderwoman Smith, Alderman Randel-El, Alderwoman Chapman, Alderman Rogers.
Voting Nay: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Alderwoman Shirley Drewenski
Approval of Bills for Payment: April 24, 2023.
MOTION CARRIED
Alderman Rogers made the motion to approve the Minutes.
The motion was seconded by Alderwoman Smith.
Voting Aye: Aldermen Randel-El, Key, Rogers, Alderwomen Chapman, Smith.
Voting Nay: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Alderwoman Shirley Drewenski
MOTION CARRIED
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS FOR THE CITY OF HARVEY
Old Business- None
New Business
Presentation by the City of Harvey Police Department and the Illinois State Police
Chief Biddings stated that the agreement with the Illinois State Police will dramatically improve the policing in the City for the Citizens of Harvey. It will also improve the capacity of the policy and procedures and bridge current gaps currently in the department. The Illinois State Police will begin with review of policy and procedures, staffing review, and supervision review in the departments.
Alderwoman Chapman asked if they would hold town hall meetings.
Chief Biddings stated that notices would be in the newsletters.
Alderman Rogers asked if the State Police would help with patrolling the streets.
Chief Biddings answered that they would not. They were here to give the HPD best practices.
He continued to say that the HPD has been making long strides and they did not need them in the streets with them.
Deputy Director Marcus of Illinois State Police thanked the Chief and was glad to collaborate with the HPD.
Mayor Clark thanked the Illinois State Police and stated that they were going to help the City in the areas of shortcomings.
Resolution # 3051 A Resolution Approving an Intergovernmental Agreement Between the City of Harvey and the Illinois State Police for Local Law Enforcement Agency Assistance.
Alderman Rogers made the motion to approve the Resolution.
The motion was seconded by Alderwoman Smith.
Voting Aye: Aldermen Randle-El, Key, Rogers, Alderwomen Chapman, Smith.
Voting Nay: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Alderwoman Drewenski.
MOTION CARRIED
An Ordinance Making Appropriations for Corporate Purposes for the City of Harvey Fiscal Year Beginning May 1, 2022, and Ending April 30, 2024. Withdrawn from agenda by Mayor.
Resolution # 3052 A Resolution Approving and Authorizing the Execution of a Memorandum of Understanding for Workforce Development Services By and Between the City of Harvey and Employment & Employer Services of South Suburban American job Center.
Alderman Rogers made the motion to approve the Resolution.
The motion was seconded by Alderwoman Smith.
Voting Aye: Alderwomen Chapman, Smith, Aldermen Randle-El, Key, Rogers,
Voting Nay: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Alderwoman Drewenski.
MOTION CARRIED
Resolution # 3053 - A Resolution Approving and Authorizing the Execution of a Memorandum of Understanding for Pre-Apprenticeship Training By and Between the City of Harvey and Bethel Family Resource Center.
Alderman Rogers made the motion to approve the Resolution.
The motion was seconded by Alderwoman Smith.
Voting Aye: Aldermen Randle-El, Key, Rogers, Alderwomen Chapman, Smith.
Voting Nay: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Alderwoman Drewenski.
MOTION CARRIED
A Resolution Approving and Authorizing the Execution of a Professional Services Agreement for the Collection of Debts Owed to the City of Harvey By and Between the City of Harvey and Municipal Collection Services, LLC
Withdrawn from agenda by Mayor.
Resolution # 3054 - A Resolution Authorizing and Executing of a Letter of Understanding By and Between the City of Harvey and the State of Illinois Department of Transportation.
Alderman Randle-El made the motion to approve the Resolution.
The motion was seconded by Alderwoman Smith.
Voting Aye: Alderwomen Chapman, Smith, Aldermen Randle-El, Key, Rogers.
Voting Nay: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Alderwoman Drewenski.
MOTION CARRIED
Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Settlement Agreement for Lampley vs COH.
Alderman Randle-El made the motion to approve the Agreement.
The motion was seconded by Alderwoman Smith.
Voting Aye: Alderwomen Chapman, Smith, Aldermen Randle-El, Key, Rogers.
Voting Nay: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Alderwoman Drewenski.
MOTION CARRIED
Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Settlement Agreement for Taylor vs COH.
Alderman Randle-El made the motion to approve the Agreement.
The motion was seconded by Alderwoman Smith.
Voting Aye: Alderwomen Chapman, Smith, Aldermen Randle-El, Key, Rogers.
Voting Nay: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Alderwoman Drewenski.
MOTION CARRIED
Public Comment:
1. Ruby Donahue - Ms. Donahue requested that the Alderpersons not have a committee meeting on the same day as the City Council meetings. She said she would take any questions from the Alderpersons after the meeting.
2. Ryan Sinwelski- Ryan shared a voicemail on his phone from an interested investor in the City's buildings. Ryan said that this investor was interested in the building across the street from City Hall.
3. Aretha Bolton - Ms. Bolton mentioned a back-to-school parade that school district 152 will have on September 23, 2023.
4. Kayla Johnson-Ms. Johnson stated that they were going to be displaced on July 15, 2023, from 153rd and Myrtle. She mentioned that the Poole family had been one of the first black families to live on 153rd and Myrtle. She did not understand why MWRD needed to put the retention pond on her block. She asked the mayor if he could meet with the residents from this block to further discuss this problem.
5. Carlita Poole-Tingle- Ms. Poole-Tingle mentioned that MWRD had met 29 days ago with the residents of 153rd and Myrtle. MWRD stated that the residents were going to be displaced because of a project that they needed to complete. Ms. Poole was very upset because she believes that the city does have something to do with the project. She stated that the residents look forward to speaking with the mayor.
6. Lanora Poole -Ms. Poole mentioned that she was raised on the block of 153rd and Myrtle. She did not understand how her home that was passed down to her could be taken away from her.
7. Dorothy M. Taylor-Ms. Taylor mentioned that she was one of the senior residents that were going to be displaced. She states that she is very devasted that after being in Harvey for all these years she was going to be displaced. She continued to say that she worked hard all these years for her home on 153rd and Myrtle. She feels that she is homeless because she needs to be out of her home within 18 months. She wants to know how the City of Harvey is going to help.
8. Lisa Washington, Cynthia Townsend, and Clifford Washington- They mentioned the noise that was very annoying at night that was coming from a home that was being used as an Airbnb in the 6th Ward. She asked if the City of Harvey could create an Ordinance that would address Airbnb's in the city. Mayor Clark said that he had already met with them in May and that they were working on it.
Alderman Key mentioned that he will have a ward meeting on September 2nd from 12:00-2:00 p.m. at City Hall in the council chambers and that everyone was invited.
Alderwoman Chapman thanked everyone who went to her back-to-school event. She also mentioned that there would be an Economic committee meeting on Tuesday, August 15, 2023, at 6:00 p.m.
Alderman Rogers stated that there would be a back-to-school jamboree event in the 6th ward on August 16, 2023, from 3:00-5:00 p.m.at Byrant School for the 6th ward residents.
Alderman Randle-El noted that he was going to have a 5th ward meeting in council chambers on Saturday, August 26, 2023, at 10:00 am.
Mayor Clark pointed out that the Alderpersons would be able to announce their events in the 2nd meeting of the month. He also mentioned that there would be a treasurer report the 2nd meeting of the month. Mayor Clark stated that the City Council meetings are not town hall meetings. He said that these meetings were business meetings to conduct business for the City. He continued to say that if anyone wanted to meet with him, they could see him on Fridays from 12:00-3:00 p.m. or make an appointment with him by calling the mayor's office. He thanks everyone for attending the meeting.
ADJOURNMENT: 7:48 p.m.
Alderman Rogers made the motion to adjourn meeting.
The motion was seconded by Alderwoman Smith,
Voting Aye: Alderwomen Chapman, Smith, Aldermen Key, Randle-El, Rogers.
Voting Nay: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Alderwomen Drewenski.
MOTION CARRIED
https://www.cityofharveyil.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Minutes-08.14.2023.pdf
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