South Cook News

City of Markham City Council met March 20

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor, Roger Agpawa called the Regular Meeting of the Markham City Council to order at 7:06p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. Prayer led by Ald. McDowell. Roll Call was taken by City Clerk, Leslie Trimuel. 

ROLL CALL: ALDERMAN PRESENT 

Alderwoman Wanda McDowell 

Alderman Breana Hampton-Houser Alderman William Barron 

ALSO PRESENT: 

Alderman Joseph Bertrand Jr. 

Attorney Steven Miller 

City Treasurer, Belinda Richardson 

City Administrator, Derrick Champion 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR 

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING 

March 6, 2024 

Motion to approve minutes with any corrections by Ald. Barron, seconded by Ald. McDowell Roll Call: 4 Yes/ No/0 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 $1,144,052.64 with manual checks of $ -0-, for a grand total of $1,144,052.64. Roll Call: 4 Yes/0 No/ 0 Absent/0 Abstain-Motion Carried 

SPECIAL PRESENTATION 

Prairie Hills 8th Grade Basketball Team 

The team was acknowledged by the Mayor and the City Council for winning the State Championship for the second year in a row. A plaque will be given to the school at a later date. 

TREASURER'S REPORT 

A. Approval of Blue Cross Blue Shield Health Insurance effective May 1, 2024. 

OPEN FLOOR – HUB INTERNATIONAL 

Motion by Treasurer Belinda Richardson, seconded by Ald. McDowell, to open floor to HUB International Roll Call: 4 Yes/0 No/ 0 Absent/0 Abstain-Motion Carried 

HUB INTERNATIONAL - DOMINQUE DEAN 

A full marking study was done of United Healthcare Plan. Blue Cross Blue Shield was the most competitive, offering better rates as well as benefits across the board for PPO and HMO plans. Preexisting conditions will be covered by Blue Cross Blue Shield. 

CLOSE FLOOR – HUB INTERNATIONAL 

Motion by Treasurer Belinda Richardson, seconded by Ald. McDowell, to close floor to HUB International Roll Call: 4 Yes/0 No/ 0 Absent/0 Abstain-Motion Carried 

APPROVE BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD HEALTH INSURANCE 

Motion by Ald. McDowell, seconded by Ald. Barron to approve Blue Cross Shield Health Insurance effective May 1, 2024. 

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

CITY ATTORNEY REPORT 

No report 

CLERKS REPORT 

Business License Home Based- B Exact Business Service LLC 

OPEN FLOOR - B EXACT BUSINESS SERVICE LLC 

Motion by Ald. McDowell, seconded by Ald. Barron, to open floor to B Exact Business Service LLC Roll Call: 4 Yes/0 No/0 Absent/0 Abstain-Motion Carried 

B EXACT BUSINESS SERVICE LLC 

I offer online notary services as a convenience to people. I went through a certification in order to offer this service. 

CLOSE FLOOR - B EXACT BUSINESS SERVICE LLC 

Motion by Ald. McDowell, seconded by Ald. Barron, to close floor to B Exact Business Service 

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

APPROVE LICENSE-B EXACT BUSINESS SERVICE LLC 

Motion by Ald. McDowell, seconded by Ald. Barron, to approve business license to B Exact Business Service 

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

MAYORS REPORT 

I have mentioned over the past couple of meetings, I and some other mayors have traveled to Springfield and met with several departments. We were able to get the listing of group homes and day cares to try to regulate them. We want to regulate and keep up with what people are doing in the community. As far as rentals are concerned, I will get with each of you (Alderpesons) to address your concerns. I met with an IDOT Representative in Springfield regarding continued improvements in the Southland. If you have any residents interested in a bus trip to Springfield we have a date in April, let my office know. I am coordinating with our Lobbyist to schedule meetings. We will keep pressing to talk with them about things that are pressing such as housing and thing regarding demolition, they have money for that. We must keep tapping into that. Lobby day is a good day to go, it's good for a social network day. If you want to get something done, arrange a different day to make sure you're heard. It means that much more to them that you took the time to some to Springfield. Call your Representatives, it's important to do that. Mr. Champion and I have talked about managing some departments and getting things done in a better manner. We started with Public Works to get things in order and went on to other departments. The Police Department is in good order, the Fire Department feels penalized, however they are methodical in their duties. We are recycling back to Public Works, there are some places that need attention. We are going toward the budget; we should be in pretty good shape with the budget this year. Most contracts are settled, we need to try and keep pushing to make it better. 

ALD. BARRON 

We need to get a contract signed for the informational signage to be placed throughout the city. 

MAYOR AGPAWA 

We received some gift money from Amazon we are trying to put informational signage in several locations. The signage will all talk to each other and have the same message at the same time. This is affordable and will be located at all entryways into the city, also on Kedzie and Pulaski. 

DERRICK CHAMPION - CITY ADMINISTRATOR 

Good evening, Mayor, Council, and Attorney Miller, RJN Group, our engineers created the Resolution which is falling under my report this evening. 

APPROVAL OF CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORITY FOR FY2024-2025 ROCK SALT PURCHASE Motion by Ald. Barron, seconded by Ald. McDowell, for approval of Certificate of Authority for FY2024-2025 Rock Salt Purchase 

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

ADOPT RESOLUTION 

24-R-714 

Motion by Ald. Barron, seconded by Ald. McDowell, to adopt Resolution 24-R-714 

A Resolution Authorizing the City of Markham's Participation in the 2024 Program Year, Cook County Community Development Block Grant Program for West Markham Neighborhood Water Valve Replacement Project 

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

DERRICK CHAMPION 

We are submitting the grant this week that partners with Pace for installation of sidewalks along 157th, California to Pulaski. Mayor, you mentioned the meeting with South Suburban Mayors and Managers, we participated with some municipal members, a project schedule was released for all projects in the area, they will also send the litter pickers schedules over soon. The clover-leaf's were talked about by many municipalities, to see if there is some type of reimbursement from the state. Kudos were given by the state. 

ALDERMANIC REPORTS 

ALD. BARRON 

Good evening, we won't meet before Easter, I want to wish everyone in Markham a happy Easter. If you're traveling be careful. The Park District has a Easter event Saturday. Be sure to visit our Library. I want to remind everyone this Friday and next Friday will be the last fish fry dinners at the VFW. The rain we've had has caused quite a bit of flooding, I had an idea a little late, hopefully we can get a photo log of the areas affected. 

MAYOR AGPAWA 

You make a good point, as you get to your reports and you have some flooding, it would be a good thing to do. When we get some rain let's go after doing logs. We have some engineering issues in Ald. Barron's ward that really need attention aside from the work that's planned. If you run across that, add it to your list. We will need a picture; the engineer needs something to work with. The one we did on Sunset was very successful. 

ALD. HAMPTON-HOUSER 

Good evening, everyone present. I don't have much to report, the conversation we had yesterday regarding the flooding, I stated I did go out the same evening after the heavy rainfall and visited some areas in my Ward that looked like a little river with ducks everywhere. I do have those pictures. I want to wish everyone a Happy Easter, please be safe. Enjoy, spring is here, flowers and weeds are coming up. I checked our easements; they are ready for cutting as soon as we can start. 

ALD. MCDOWELL 

Good evening, I want to thank all who came out in support of Yes to the Dress event, I am very thankful, especially to Jaylin and Christal, it was fantastic. 

ALD. BERTRAND JR. 

Good evening, I have a sad announcement Robert Morris passed on Saturday, services will be Saturday, March 30th at Vineyard House of Prayer International. If you know anything about Country Aire the family was a staple in that community. 

MAYOR AGPAWA 

I want to thank you; it makes me say to all of you I was keeping up a little on social media and was surprised. I say that because we're here collectively to mention what happens in different parts of town. 

MOTION TO OPEN FLOOR TO PUBLIC 

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

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

CHRISTAL BEYER 

A few things are happening at the library. We have a home school connect class that meets on the 3rd Thursday of every month, we do different activities. This is not limited to Markham; it is a good place for families to connect in the event you are doing home schooling. The library is now a member of the Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce who will bring free workshops to the library and different business benefits we can share. We will have a Google Optimization workshop which is great for online businesses. During Easter Spring break we have different things to occupy the children on Saturdays, games on Wednesdays and movie night on Thursday. Check the library website for more information and upcoming events. Jaylin does an outstanding job planning our newsletter, I just want to acknowledge her she works very hard and does an outstanding job. 

MARK JOHNSON 

I am a Board member of District 228, you may or may not know the term limits were rejected by the Hazel Crest residents. This leaves the mayor and that group of people to get voted out. One of the things that drive our taxes is schools, the revenue is one of the highest districts in the country. This is worked on through the administration and not the people who were elected to govern and make sure we get our money's worth. $500,000 for one teacher for the number of days they work. Two years ago, I was taken to arbitration because I said in a public meeting that they made $1,000 per day. They later took the administration to arbitration, they didn't want to help, they felt it was not a part of the contract. We are not able to do our job to make sure we get what we need. The Governor in 2021 filed the race based academic standards, a child can do 20% of the work to get a D, 80% is a A other races must do 60 and 90% of the work. What are we doing to help our children to enable them to be job ready, we're trying to do things to prepare them. 

MAYOR AGPAWA 

Mr. Johnson, I've had several conversations with you over the years, I do understand your concern with the school board. You and many others wind up standing up for different issues that affect our communities, I appreciate it. I will take what you said and pass it on to the Aldermen. I have become more active with the school board. There's a ton of money one of the things they were supposed to do was to start reducing their levy which they are not doing. Going down state teaches you, that's what schools should be doing. Instead of reducing the levy they're finding more things to spend money on. If the school is doing well many don't think about that, everyone comes here to complain, nobody attends the school board meetings, which is where people need to go. 

ALD. BERTRAND JR. 

I've done some work with the schools over the years dating back to 2005, I served as the President with the Township Trustees of schools. This is the financial board that controls the money that comes to the school district. 

MARK JOHNSON 

The annual budget is $125,000, that budget you're speaking of is like a slush fund, they had 60 million when I first went in it 2013 it was about 90 million, 30 to 35 million came up missing. 

ALD. BERTRAND JR. 

What I'm saying is some of us were trying to fight that battle. We need to be on the same team. I hope we can sit down and talk. 

MAYOR AGPAWA 

Over the years it has become more important, we do meet with the boards and leaders of different boards. We will continue to do that, 

MOTION TO CLOSE FLOOR TO PUBLIC 

Motion by Ald. Barron, 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. Bertrand Jr., to adjourn at 8:22p.m. 

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

https://www.cityofmarkham.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_03202024-257