City of Markham City Council met Sept. 20.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
Mayor, Roger Agpawa called the Regular Meeting of the Markham City Council to order at 7:04p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. Prayer led by Ms. Williams. Roll Call was taken by City Clerk, Leslie Trimuel.
ROLL CALL: ALDERMAN PRESENT
Alderman Brenna Hampton-Houser
Alderman Joseph Bertrand Jr.
ALDERMAN ABSENT (EXCUSED)
Alderwoman Wanda McDowell
Alderman William Barron
ALSO PRESENT:
Attorney Steven Miller
City Treasurer, Belinda Richardson
City Administrator, Derrick Champion
APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
September 6, 2023
Motion to approve minutes by Ald. Hampton-Houser, seconded by Ald. Bertrand Jr.
Roll Call: 3 Yes/0 No/2 Absent/0 Abstain-Motion Carried
AUTHORIZATION OF CLAIMS
Motion by Ald. Hampton-Houser, seconded by Ald. Bertrand Jr. to adopt Authorization of Claims and Accounts Bill list, totaling $615,081.40 with manual checks of $35,660.43, for a grand total of $650,741.83. Roll Call: 3 Yes/0 No/ 2 Absent/0 Abstain-Motion Carried
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
Girl Scouts Fall Product Program
Clerk, Leslie Trimuel read the information for The Girl Scout Fall product program which will run from September 22 Through October 15. The Door-to-Door portion of their sales cookie program will be December 15 through January 14, 2024. They will also follow up with booth sales from mid-February through May in Markham.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
WAIVE 48 HOUR READING OF ORDINANCE
23-0-2372
Motion by Ald. Bertrand Jr., seconded by Ald. Hampton-Houser, to waive 48 hour reading of Ordinance 23-0-2372
An Ordinance Vacating Certain Streets and Alleys and Approving A Plat Of Vacation in the City of Markham, Illinois - Mozart Street and California Avenue
Roll Call: 3 Yes/0 No/2 Absent/0 Abstain-Motion Carried
ADOPT ORDINANCE
23-0-2372
Motion by Ald. Bertrand Jr., seconded by Ald. Hampton-Houser to adopt Ordinance 23-0-2372
An Ordinance Vacating Certain Streets and Alleys and Approving a Plat Of Vacation in the City of Markham, Illinois - Mozart Street and California Avenue
Roll Call: 3 Yes/0 No/2 Absent/0 Abstain-Motion Carried
CLERKS REPORT
Business License - Comfort Travel Inc. (Home Based)
Business License - R5 Productions (Home Based)
Business License - D&K Thrift Store
OPEN FLOOR - COMFORT TRAVEL INC. (HOME BASED)
No motion made, the owner did not speak, business was vetted already.
Mayor Agpawa - This is an at home internet travel business following regulations of the city.
APPROVE LICENSE
Motion by Ald. Hampton-Houser, seconded by Ald. Bertrand Jr. to approve business license for Comfort Travel Inc.
Roll Call: 3 Yes/0 No/2 Absent/0 Abstain-Motion Carried
OPEN FLOOR – R5 PRODUCTIONS (HOME BASED)
Motion by Ald. Hampton-Houser, seconded by Ald. Bertrand Jr. to open floor to R5 Productions. Roll Call: 3 Yes/0 No/2 Absent/0 Abstain-Motion Carried
RODERICK STANBACK - This is a home-based business taking photos and videos for local TV stations and other clients, most of the business is out in the field, everything else is done on the computer from home and emailed to the client.
CLOSE FLOOR – R5 PRODUCTIONS (HOME BASED)
Motion by Ald. Hampton-Houser, seconded by Ald. Bertrand Jr. to close floor to R5 Productions. Roll Call: 3 Yes/0 No/2 Absent/0 Abstain-Motion Carried
APPROVE LICENSE
Motion by Ald. Hampton-Houser, seconded by Ald. Bertrand Jr. to approve business license for R5 Productions
Roll Call: 3 Yes/0 No/2 Absent/0 Abstain-Motion Carried
OPEN FLOOR - D&K THRIFT STORE
Motion by Ald. Hampton-Houser, seconded by Ald. Bertrand Jr. to open floor to D&K Thrift Store. Roll Call: 3 Yes/0 No/2 Absent/0 Abstain-Motion Carried
DIANE FREEMAN – D&K Thrift Store will sell a variety of products, including gently used apparel, shoes, accessories, furniture, small household appliances, baby clothing and furniture. Prices will vary. Our passion is to assist the less fortunate. The mission is to provide a friendly and affordable store where people from all walks of life can shop.
ALD. HAMPTON-HOUSER - Where will you be located?
DIANE FREEMAN – Canterbury Shopping Center.
MAYOR AGPAWA - During the week, Mr. Champion and I reviewed the Comprehensive Plan to see if it supports this type of business. Out of fairness to you we will try to work with you to see where it goes. A meeting is scheduled with Teska for an update on the plan, some thrift stores and day cares have been eliminated from the plan for the city, which we did not know. We will see where the Council wants to go tonight or if they want to take additional time to see where the plan is going.
APPROVE LICENSE
Motion by Ald. Bertrand Jr., seconded by Ald. Bertrand Jr. to approve business license for R5 Productions
Roll Call: 3 Yes/0 No/2 Absent/0 Abstain-Motion Carried
CLOSE FLOOR - D&K THRIFT STORE
Motion by Ald. Hampton-Houser, seconded by Ald. Bertrand Jr. to close floor to D&K Thrift Store. Roll Call: 3 Yes/0 No/2 Absent/0 Abstain-Motion Carried
APPROVE/DENY LICENSE
Motion by Ald. Bertrand Jr., no second to approve business license for D&K Thrift Store
Roll Call: 1 Yes/0 No/2 Absent/ Abstain
This will be revisited with the Council Member at a later date.
MAYORS REPORT
I want to thank everyone for all of their prayers, cards and support with the passing of my father, I think that many of you knew he was sick. I think many of you know my story of meeting my dad. You wind up being an open book to the public, when you're an official. As disheartening as it can be to lose a loved one, I can in my case, say at least I had a chance to know who he was, I didn't meet him for 60 years. At least I got to bury my dad, some people don't get that opportunity. I think officially for the first time I caught COVID during that time I ran myself down and got sick, never had it. But please be cautious, it's definitely real. I couldn't blame anybody; I ran my resistance down. Public Works is always a story of the day, they're getting the job done. I'm still fussing at them; we're doing what we need to do to get better around town. We have had to tighten up our fiscal reigns regarding spending because of the way tax money is coming in. That's nobody's fault but the county, the way that they send bills. We're watching and being fiscally responsible.
DERRICK CHAMPION – CITY ADMINISTRATOR
Good evening, Council, a real time update, one of the things that we're really focusing on is connectivity to the infrastructure, looking at what happened over in the context of flooding, just shows the importance of getting funding coming down from the government. I'm really excited about where the city is going. We've been able to secure some funding that will help with the infrastructure, so we don't have to deal with those kinds of problems. From green infrastructure to replacing water main lines and sewer systems. Working with the lobbyist who is doing a tremendous job sending us information on a regular basis and identifying resources that can help continue to move the city forward and working with the city attorney on some of the grants we received. We have to have intergovernmental agreements in place, our general counsel, Steven Miller is reviewing some of the language in those agreements so that we can move ahead to start implementing some of these changes. There's a nature festival that's coming up, a lot of folks don't realize that Markham is the Prairie capital in the state there are more prairies in this city than any other municipality in the state. We're trying to connect people to nature and looking forward to the event that's going to take place at Midlothian Meadows on October 7. One of the things I forgot to mention, we're in the final stages of drafting a housing redevelopment plan, we have a rough draft in place. We have to continue to review but I think we're ready to move forward with the housing redevelopment plan. We want to start putting some of these houses back on the tax rolls.
MAYOR AGPAWA
We have some commercial properties that we need to deal with as well as some appraisals we need to get started because I know the Treasurer's Office wants to move on it. I just mentioned one thing about the rain and the flooding. It is being addressed as the administrator said the areas that got hit the hardest in the community are the ones where the grant money and funding is going, it's well past due. Those areas that were hit, were the ones that have been taking a beating for years, but help is still on the way, much closer than it's ever been since I've been a child. Those storm drains and sewers are combination on the East side, they were overwhelmed. If you would have gone by the reservoir near 167th, it was just right up to the top, the water had nowhere to go.
ALDERMANIC REPORTS
ALD. HAMPTON-HOUSER
Mayor and Mr. Champion you definitely hit on a key point regarding the rain, we had an overwhelming amount of rain that took place Sunday, I received many calls from residents in my ward, the east side of Markham that must be addressed first and I think we truly saw that when the rain came down. I'm excited about us moving forward, when I received those phone calls, I informed the residents that we have the comprehensive plan to replace our sewer system. Please be patient, the water will recede, there's nothing that we can do about it. We had a lot of residents including myself, who were out there making sure that the sewers were open and water did get drain and it did over a matter of hours. We had major cleanup afterwards as well, all the residents that assisted me in Ward one, thank you so much for your help. I also want to say we're still doing a great job trying to get the easements done. But, Mayor I will have to say to you as we're cleaning these easements out we definitely have to get back to make sure that we can maintain them. because from the rain and over the summer the easements start building back up, the grass and everything has gotten a little taller. I'm pretty sure next year we can probably try to balance that a little bit more have public works come through there, and cut it back down,
MAYOR AGPAWA
We will still come in the cold months.
ALD. HAMPTON-HOUSER
Over at King Park, a few days ago, I received all kinds of photographs showing a little vandalism. The Markham Park District put out a really beautiful area, they put in beautiful mums out as well. Unfortunately, we have individuals who don't like to see beautification, they went over there and destroyed it. If you see anything please just call 911 and let them know, we can get a vehicle over there to see exactly what's going on.
ALD. BERTRAND JR.
I want to say we've spent a lot of time this summer in my ward, Country Aire and Bel Aire, I want you to know that it is much appreciated. I think the residents from the 3rd Ward in Country Aire see what it could be. I would ask the residents about the trees that we have trimmed and have been graded or grinded them out, please be patient with us because the ground needs to settle before we take it out. I've had a lot of phone calls, asking when are we coming back. Share with the neighbors that you know I always ask how long it took to take the tree down, it's been a long time. So, thank you for supporting that mayor, city residents, this is just the beginning with a lot more coming.
MOTION TO OPEN FLOOR TO PUBLIC
Motion by Ald. Bertrand Jr, seconded by Ald. Hampton-Houser, to Open Floor to the Public. Roll Call: 3 Yes/0 No/2 Absent-Motion Carried
MS. WILLIAMS (SUMMARY)
Ms. Williams addressed the City Council expressing gratitude to speak. Ms. Williams mentioned connecting people to nature and each other through free events, including a family-friendly event on October 7th. The Nature Conservatory has been partnering with Markham since 2018. She mentioned the Forest Preserve and one other organization that is committed to helping. Ms. Williams is the Community Engagement Specialist at Markham Prairies, which assists in the flooding situation. If we didn't have the prairies, you would have more water, the prairies soak up billions of gallons of water. There are free events to connect people to people because COVID kept people separate. Mayor Agpawa has supported this every year, including last year when he and his wife were there. It's a family event and encourage all of you to come to this event on October 7 at Midlothian Meadows, come and just have some fun and free food until it runs out. Connections are being made with those cities that are around. Commissioner Carrie Steele has already committed and is reaching out to others. Politics is something that touches all of us.
SHENELLE SMITH (SUMMARY)
Being fairly new concerns were expressed about Public Works lawn cutting services on Lawndale, including lack of communication and possible damage to the PVC fence. The mayor stated we would only cut what we would call the right of way over there and does not want to affect the fence also stated you would be responsible for cutting close to your fence. The city will get from there to the street. Also raised concerns of work across the street from their property with noise from construction at night. The mayor stated this was a temporary work site but will address the site manager and the mayors of Country Club Hills and Hazel Crest regarding the ongoing construction noise and the disrespectful driving by the site workers. A deer was hit and left there for a week. The mayor stated it was on Country Clubs Hills side of the street, but Markham Public Works took care of it.
ELMER CHACON/RUTH MORALES (SUMMARY)
Residents had a snow cone stand in front of their home and were unaware that they needed a permit to run it. The permit was applied for but is still pending approval, she is looking to continue her business. Mayor stated if it is against code for the city, the neighbors will become the new code for them to operate, he will speak with Ald. Barron about moving it along to see what his pleasure is. Ms. Smith stated she has no issues with it. Mayor Agpawa stated to get with the Building and Code Departments and if we are deviating from the code the neighbors would need to buy in, he stated the city would work with them and get it straightened out.
MARKHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY (SUMMARY)
The Assistant Director announced two events encouraging the community to come out, 1. STEAM DAY, September 30, 2023, 12pm to 2pm. There will be people coming to show how to use 3D printers, laser engraving and many other activities. 2). October 6th will be Digital Inclusion Week, there will be a chance to sign up to win either a Desktop or laptop computer. There will also be a setup if you have issues with your computer, phones or tablets someone will be available to assist you.
ONNA FORD (SUMMARY)
Ms. Ford addressed concerns with the gas station on 159th and Pulaski, after purchasing a car wash, was told it wasn't working after purchasing, she was refused her money back, locked her in the station. The police were called and were able to work it out, the clerk apologized and gave my money back. Her sister also experienced the same type of issue at this station when she spilled tea and was locked in until she cleaned it up. Both were afraid and very scared. Ms. Ford wanted to file a report against this Clerk and was refused by a City Police Officer. She stated it was not fair for this to happen because no one is breaking the law and feels this clerk is a danger unlawfully restraining a customer in the business. Mayor Agpawa stated he was extremely disappointed to hear this and was sorry to hear of this experience. The mayor also stated it is unacceptable and will be addressed, Ald. Barron has also complained about them as well, not patronizing them is not the answer, their action will be dealt with. Ms. Ford wanted him locked up, however there was a chance he would state she was disorderly and due to her profession did not want to be locked up herself. Since this is not an isolated incident, he has become too comfortable doing this. The mayor stated this will be dealt with, so it does not continue.
MS. SPEARS (SUMMARY)
Ms. Spears reported a streetlight that has been out for over a week, that is dangerous for neighbors. She has contacted ComEd with the pole number, which is across the street from her. Those not familiar with the area on Oxford curbs right by her house. The neighbors have started turning on their outside light, she has ring floodlight that gives the most light. She stated with it being on this curve if they don't have their lights on, it's pitch black. She is requesting help from the city. Mayor Agpawa stated she shouldn't have to call; the city will call, and they move a lot faster. Ms. Spears also asked the recycle dumpster be moved one parking space over because when it's wet and raining, you have to go out in the grass to get to the other side, a lot of people were leaving stuff on the west side at the end of the dumpster, not knowing you could use the other side. Someone is parking their vehicles close to it, which means you either squeeze through with your bag or leave the bags on the end of the dumpster. Ms. Spears also wanted to know the procedure to get tree branches removed, when her grass is cut, they don't move and cut around them. Mayor Agpawa stated Public Works will pick them up, that's our job. We should do better; it will be taken care of. The mayor thanked her for the information.
DEMOND SMITH (SUMMARY)
Mr. Smith wanted to know if the city has decided on a consulting or engineering firm to address the flooding on how to grade it? Mayor Agpawa stated yes, it has been addressed city wide. Mr. Smith expressed concerns regarding the construction noise that goes on all morning and all night with the noise consistently keeping him up at night. He is requesting the mayor to speak with them about their hours. The mayor stated he heard it he was going to check that the proper permitting is in place. Mr. Smith concern was the constant truck traffic could affect his home value if he decided to sell.
Mayor Agpawa restated he would speak with both mayors and get answers back to Mr. Smith. Mr. Smith stated he has driven trucks for 26 years and the reason they are slamming the gate is to clear the box so it doesn't get stuck in the nose of it.
DIANE MOOR-HOWARD (SUMMARY)
Ms. Moor-Howard states she had gotten ill and got behind in her water bill, the water was turned off. She was then informed an inspection would need to be completed. The building inspector wrote three violations, she didn't finish the last violation. Last Thursday was coming to the end of her time. She asked the Building Department about the extension and was told she had to pay $50.00 for the permit. She was told she needed to file the extension, her son had their surgery on the 23rd of August and did not want the water turned off, she felt like it was a miscommunication. Her water got turned off she returned to the Building Department and was told they don't handle that, and she needed to return to the Water Department for the extension. She was told by the Water Department to fill out the extension and the water will be turned on. She was still waiting Wednesday for the turn on. She was then told it could not be turned on until after the inspection. Mayor Agpawa asked if the water was back on, to which she stated no, the mayor told her to see Mr. Champion to get it straightened out.
MOTION TO CLOSE FLOOR TO PUBLIC
Motion by Ald. Bertrand Jr, seconded by Ald. Hampton-Houser, to Close Floor to Public. Roll Call: 3 Yes/0 No/2 Absent-Motion Carried
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Ald. Hampton-Houser seconded by Ald. Bertrand Jr. to adjourn at 8:05p.m.
Roll Call: 3 Yes/0 No/ 2 Absent-Motion Carried
https://www.cityofmarkham.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_09202023-241
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