South Cook News

City of Harvey City Council met Nov. 13.

Here is the agenda provided by the council:

Mayor Christopher J. Clark called the City of Harvey Regular Council Meeting to order Monday - November 13, 2023, at 7:03 p.m. 

Mayor Clark asked City Clerk Rosa M. Arambula to call the roll of Council members. Present: Alderwoman Shirley Drewenski, Alderwoman Colby Chapman, Alderwoman Telanee Smith, Alderman Tracy Key, Alderman Tyrone Rogers, and Mayor Christopher J. Clark. Absent: Alderman Dominique Randle-El. 

Alderman Randle-El came into the meeting at 7:18 p.m. 

Mayor Clark gave the Invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance. 

The Swearing-In Ceremony of the Harvey Police Department was cancelled for tonight until all family members will be able to attend. 

Approval of Minutes Dated: October 23, 2023. 

Alderman Rogers made the motion to approve the Minutes. 

The motion was seconded by Alderwoman Smith. 

Voting Aye: Alderwomen Drewenski, Chapman, Smith, Aldermen Key, Rogers. 

Voting Nay: None 

Abstain: None 

Absent: Alderman Randel-El. 

MOTION CARRIED 

Approval of Bills for Payment: September 4, 2023 

Alderman Rogers made the motion to approve the Bill list. 

The motion was seconded by Alderwoman Smith. 

Voting Aye: Alderman Key, Alderwomen Drewenski, Chapman, Smith, Alderman Rogers. 

Voting Nay: None 

Abstain: None 

Absent: Alderman Randel-El. 

MOTION CARRIED 

Alderwoman Chapman raised issues about Avidity's website not working for six weeks and the residents not being able to put in a concern. She said she saw a bill of 40,000 for Avidity. She asked if there was some type of corrective action for Avidity to ensure that we would not have this issue going forward. 

Mayor asked if the Alderpersons had any concerns about any issues to please put it writing for him. He mentioned that Report a Concern was a third party not Avidity's. 

For the record, Alderwoman Chapman asked City Administrator, Corean Davis, to confirm that she had raised this issue at the last council meeting with her. Alderwoman Chapman stated that Ms. Davis had replied that she had thought "Report a Concern" was working, but it wasn't and that she was taking care of it. 

Corean Davis confirms this issue was being taken care of. She said that it was for lack of payment and that there was also a glitch in the system. 

Alderman Key raises issue once again about Avidity. States that the Aldermen should have been made aware. 

Mayor reiterates that issues should be put in writing. He states that the issue was for lack of payment. 

Alderwoman Chapman once again raises issues regarding Avidity. She said it was beyond the bill being paid because the bill had not been paid and "Report a Concern" was working. Alderwoman Chapman continues to say that there should be transparency and clarity. She asks if there is a way for citizens to submit a concern by filling out a form and submitting it to the Mayor's office. 

Approval of Bills for Payment: September 20, 2023 

Alderman Rogers made the motion to approve the Bill list. 

The motion was seconded by Alderwoman Smith. 

Voting Aye: Alderman Randel-El, Alderwomen Drewenski, Smith, Alderman Rogers. 

Voting Nay: Alderman Key, Alderwoman Chapman. 

Abstain: None 

Absent: None 

MOTION CARRIED 

Approval of Bills for Payment: October 23, 2023 

Alderman Rogers made the motion to approve the Bill list. 

The motion was seconded by Alderwoman Smith. 

Voting Aye: Alderman Randel-El, Alderwomen Drewenski, Smith, Alderman Rogers. 

Voting Nay: Alderman Key, Alderwoman Chapman. 

Abstain: None 

Absent: None 

MOTION CARRIED 

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS FOR THE CITY OF HARVEY 

Old Business- None 

New Business 

Ordinance # 3479 – An Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Surplus Personal Owned Property by the City of Harvey. 

Alderman Randle-El made the motion to approve the Ordinance. 

The motion was seconded by Alderwoman Smith. 

Voting Aye: Aldermen Randle-El, Key, Rogers, Alderwomen Smith, Drewenski. 

Voting Nay: Alderwoman Chapman. 

Abstain: None 

Absent: None 

MOTION CARRIED 

Resolution # 3063 A Resolution Authorizing an Intergovernmental Agreement Participation in the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS MASTER AGREEMENT 2022). 

Alderman Rogers made the motion to approve the Resolution. 

The motion was seconded by Alderwoman Chapman. 

Voting Aye: Aldermen Randle-El, Key, Rogers, Alderwomen Drewenski, Chapman, Smith. 

Voting Nay: None 

Abstain: None 

Absent: None 

MOTION CARRIED 

Resolution # 3064 - A Resolution Authorizing an Intergovernmental Agreement Between the City of Harvey and Cook County for the 2023 Invest in Cook Project. 

Alderwoman Smith made the motion to approve the Resolution. 

The motion was seconded by Alderman Randle-El. 

Voting Aye: Aldermen Randle-El, Key, Rogers, Alderwomen Drewenski, Chapman, Smith. 

Voting Nay: None 

Abstain: None 

Absent: None 

MOTION CARRIED 

Resolution # 3065 - _ A Resolution Authorizing an Intergovernmental Agreement Between the City of Harvey and Cook County for the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) 

Alderman Rogers made the motion to approve the Resolution. 

The motion was seconded by Alderwoman Smith. 

Voting Aye: Alderwomen Drewenski, Chapman, Smith, Aldermen Randle-El, Key, Rogers. 

Voting Nay: None 

Abstain: None 

Absent: None 

MOTION CARRIED 

Resolution # 3066 - A Resolution Authorizing an Intergovernmental Agreement Between the City of Harvey and TK Construction, Inc 

Alderman Randle-El made the motion to approve the Resolution. 

The motion was seconded by Alderwoman Smith. 

Voting Aye: Aldermen Randle-El, Rogers, Alderwomen Drewenski, Smith. 

Voting Nay: Alderwoman Chapman, Alderman Key. 

Abstain: None 

Absent: None 

MOTION CARRIED 

Motion to Approve and Ratify Settlement Agreement (Nesbitt vs City of Harvey). 

Alderwoman Smith made the motion to approve the Agreement. 

The motion was seconded by Alderman Randle-El. 

Voting Aye: Alderwomen Drewenski, Chapman, Smith, Aldermen Randle-El, Key, Rogers. 

Voting Nay: None 

Abstain: None 

Absent: None 

MOTION CARRIED 

Motion to Approve and Ratify Settlement Agreement (Dumas vs City of Harvey). 

Alderman Randle-El made the motion to approve the Agreement. 

The motion was seconded by Alderman Rogers. 

Voting Aye: Aldermen Randle-El, Key, Rogers, Alderwomen Drewenski, Chapman, Smith.

Voting Nay: None 

Abstain: None 

Absent: None. 

MOTION CARRIED 

Motion to Approve and Ratify Settlement Agreement (Edward Farmer vs City of Harvey). 

Alderman Randle-El made the motion to approve the Agreement. 

The motion was seconded by Alderwoman Smith. 

Voting Aye: Aldermen Randle-El, Key, Rogers, Alderwomen Drewenski, Chapman, Smith. 

Voting Nay: None 

Abstain: None 

Absent: None. 

MOTION CARRIED 

Public Comment: 

1. Chapell Hooks - Ms. Hooks inquired about Resolution 3066. She wanted to know why there was an agreement to pay TK construction if there were grants to pay for their work. She also asked why they had put a camera on her block if she was the only one on her block with other abandoned homes. 

2. Ryan Sinwelski- Ryan mentioned that he was from the Historical Society. He thanked everyone that had come out to the Memorial on Saturday to honor the veterans. He also said that he heard very interesting stories from the Veterans. He stated that he heard wonderful things about the Veterans Luncheon which the City Clerk had for the Veterans at City Hall. He asked if the minutes could be corrected to show that Mr. Miller was interested in buying the buildings on Broadway and fix them up. 

3. Glynis James-Watson -Ms. Watson stated that grass roots means ordinary people regarded as a main body of an organization's membership. She wanted to say that she was proud of the residents who stood up and voiced their opinions in front of this assembly concerning the retention pond and the Historical Society and to all residents who come to the meetings. She also mentioned that everyone needs to register to vote. She asked if the Alderpersons could have someone to register people to vote at each meeting. 

4. Melville King Jr. – Mr. King asked if speed bumps could be painted so that they could be seen and not cause damage to the residents' cars. He also commented on having an emergency plan for the winter. He mentioned that boarded-up houses and buildings need to be inspected so that no homeless person would be found deceased in these abandoned buildings. He asked if the Alderpersons could get smoke alarms for the residents in their wards. He also wanted a hand for City Clerk Rosa Arambula and for all others that honored the Veterans. 

5. Cheryl Jones- Ms. Jones asked when the Community Hubs were going to get finished. She said it was an eye sore. She congratulated Corean Davis for being the local director for the Southland community. 

6. Mauzkie Ervin-Mr. Ervin asked the Mayor if they could have a Treasures' report from the Treasurer. He mentioned that for the last 4 years there has not been one on the agenda. He said that if we could get all the reports that the state needs on time so that we do not get charged the late fees. 

ADJOURNMENT: 7:51 p.m. 

Alderman Randle-El made the motion to adjourn meeting. 

The motion was seconded by Alderwoman Drewenski. 

Voting Aye: Alderwomen Drewenski, Chapman, Smith, Aldermen Key, Randle-El, Rogers. 

Voting Nay: None 

Abstain: None 

Absent: None

https://www.cityofharveyil.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Minutes-11.13.2023.pdf