South Cook News

City of Markham City Council met Nov. 1.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor, Roger Agpawa called the Regular Meeting of the Markham City Council to order at 7:00p.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 

Alderwoman Wanda McDowell 

Alderman William Barron

ALDERMAN ABSENT: Joseph Bertrand Jr. (Excused)

ALSO PRESENT: Attorney Steven Miller

City Treasurer, Belinda Richardson 

City Administrator, Derrick Champion

APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR 

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING 

October 18, 2023 

Motion to approve minutes by Ald. Barron, seconded by Ald. McDowell, with corrections as needed. Roll Call: 3 Yes/0 No/1 Absent/0 Abstain-Motion Carried 

AUTHORIZATION OF CLAIMS 

Motion by Ald. Hampton-Houser, seconded by Ald. Barron, to adopt the Authorization of Claims and Accounts Bill list, totaling $565,757.62 with manual checks of $6,393.07 for a grand total of $572,150.69. Roll Call: 3 Yes/0 No/ 1 Absent/0 Abstain-Motion Carried 

SPECIAL PRESENTATION 

CITY ATTORNEY REPORT 

ADOPT RESOLUTION 

23-R-709 

Motion by Ald. Barron, seconded by Ald. Hampton-Houser, to adopt Resolution 23-R-709 authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to sign for execution of the Intergovernmental Agreement.

A Resolution Authorizing Execution of an Intergovernmental Agreement between The County of Cook and The City of Markham for Design Engineering, Construction, and Construction Engineering Cost for Roadway and ADA Improvements on Select Residential Streets in the City of Markham

Roll Call: 3 Yes/0 No/1 Absent/0 Abstain-Motion Carried 

ATTORNEY MILLER 

There was a title change from the agenda posting.

CLERKS REPORT 

Business License - Taco N Todo

OPEN FLOOR - TACON TODO 

Motion by Ald. Barron, seconded by Ald. McDowell, to open floor to Taco N Todo.

Roll Call: 3 Yes/0 No/1 Absent/0 Abstain-Motion Carried 

TACO N TODO 

This is a fast-food business, serving tacos and other Mexican foods with quality ingredients.

ALD. BARRON 

For the record Mayor, I spoke with Ald. Bertrand Jr., he has inspected the business and supports it.

ALD. HAMPTON-HOUSER 

Is this Monday through Friday or seven days a week.

TACO N TODO 

This is seven days a week.

MAYOR AGPAWA 

Mr. Champion, did you get a chance to review the plans.

DERRICK CHAMPION 

Yes, there are some things from a meeting with the shopping center owner and Mr. Abuzr to finalize things that need to be completed before finalizing the business license.

APPROVE LICENSE 

Motion by Ald. Barron, seconded by Ald. McDowell, to approve business license for Taco N Todo Roll Call: 4 Yes/0 No/0 Absent/0 Abstain-Motion Carried 

MAYORS REPORT 

I'm not going to give full disclosure tonight, Mr. Champion won't let me, however we have run into a windfall of money from the State. I disclosed to the Treasurer's Office, I will inform some of you privately, but to the public we are moving in the right direction. I did receive my tax bill today, sometimes getting your bill and doing appeals is good. In this case it is good, we need the taxes to run the city, so it's good they finally made it out. The delay has stymied governments everywhere to make ends meet. There are good things that we'll probably disclose during the next meeting that are substantial, I'm happy to put that news out.

You may have seen the little snow we had, we are ready, the guys did a little bit of salting in areas due to black ice, areas on Sussex Court will need extra attention, we have equipment to take care of it.

The Halloween event was successful on both days and well attended. The Park District always does a good job and was on channel 5. We have other events coming for the holidays, we'll have minimal things we're doing for Thanksgiving's food giveaway, some things will be shared from the township. Some things we get internally will be shared with the employees this year. We will do things for Christmas for the city. I believe we're going to have a good, prosperous year. The last item I wanted to mention to Ald. Barron, Attorney Millers office was contacted to begin working on the resolution for the street renaming for Eva Vaught. Commission cards and letters will be passed out. If you have volunteers in your wards interested in volunteering, the information will be posted on the website; volunteers are needed on the Library Board and Planning and Zoning.

CITY ADMINISTRATOR 

Good evening, Council, members of the public, I want to start by wishing the mayor a happy birthday. I know the mayor mentioned funding that's coming down the pipeline, we have a total of nine grant awards, awarded this year. We are pursuing four more which are in the pipeline currently. Markham is receiving fundings that we have not seen in years, this is how real change is created. I'm happy and enthusiastic about the vison of the mayor and council. The Build Cook Program is a big deal for us because not only is the County identifying grants we qualify for, if we fall short, they will fundraise to raise the additional capital where we won't have to come out of any money. Just know Markham is moving forward.

ALDERMANIC REPORTS 

ALD. HAMPTON-HOUSER 

Happy birthday Mayor. The Halloween giveaway had a pretty good turnout with the weather as it was. Mayor, I would like to implement a few things in the winter months for the spring at King Park.

ALD. MCDOWELL 

Good evening, Mayor, Council and City of Markham residents, no report this evening.

ALD. BARRON 

The Halloween event between the city and the Park District was phenomenal. I would like to remind everyone of the time change coming this weekend. We recently had our most senior patrol officer retire, Officer Kenneth Muldrow and another one coming this week., Seargent Dean. Hopefully we can keep filling vacancies, once we get a complete department, someone leaves, transfers, or retires. Now is the time to go to the Cook County website, under CEDA to apply for heating grants. It is also starting to get cool, seniors won't be out as much, look out for your neighbors.

MOTION TO OPEN FLOOR TO PUBLIC 

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

Roll Call: 3 Yes/0 No/1 Absent-Motion Carried 

MS. DEBORAH WILLIAMS 

I missed the last meeting; I hope someone said something about the great representation at the Awe of Nature Festival. I want to thank my colleagues who worked very hard for the festival. I also want to thank representatives from the city, Mayor and Mrs. Agpawa, the Alderpersons, Treasurer and Clerk, the Markham media, residents, police, firemen, Markham Public Library and the residents. Thank you very much and I am looking forward to the community Christmas Tree lighting.

MOTION TO CLOSE FLOOR TO PUBLIC 

Motion by Ald, Hampton-Houser, seconded by Ald. Barron, to Close Floor to Public. 

Roll Call: 3 Yes/0 No/1 Absent-Motion Carried 

Motion by Ald. Hampton-Houser seconded by Ald. Barron Jr. to adjourn at 7:27p.m.

Roll Call: 3 Yes/0 No/ 1 Absent-Motion Carried 

https://www.cityofmarkham.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_11012023-246