South Cook News

City of Markham City Council met Aug. 7

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 Alderman Brenna Hampton-Houser

Alderman Joseph Bertrand Jr.

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 July 17, 2024 

Motion to approve minutes by Ald. Barron, seconded by Ald. McDowell, with corrections as needed. Roll Call: 4 Yes/0 No/0 Absent/0 Abstain-Motion Carried 

AUTHORIZATION OF CLAIMS 

Motion by Ald. Hampton-Houser, seconded by Ald. Bertrand Jr. to adopt the Authorization of Claims and Accounts Bill list, totaling $1,270,196.68 with manual checks of $42,108.63 for a grand total of $1,312,305.31 

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

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS 

Prairie Hills School District 144 

OPEN FLOOR – PRAIRIE HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT 144 

Motion by Ald. McDowell, seconded by Ald. Bertrand Jr. to open the floor to Prairie Hills School District Roll Call: 4 Yes/0 No/ 0 Absent/0 Abstain-Motion Carried 

KINASHA BROWN - SUPERINTENDENT 

The presentation was given by Superintendent Kinasha Brown and Assistant Superintendent Jamie Crosen, The conversation centered around community engagement and support initiatives, including the Family Engagement Community Center, academic support programs, and updates on community events. Speakers also discussed the importance of collaboration between schools, government, and community to enhance education and quality of life. Additionally, they addressed compliance and licensing issues related to businesses in a specific area, as well as various community improvement projects such as park renovation and flooding issue resolution. Overall, the speakers emphasized the importance of collaboration and community involvement in improving education and quality of life. 

CLOSE FLOOR - PRAIRIE HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT 144 

Motion by Ald. McDowell, seconded by Ald. Barron to close the floor to Prairie Hills School District Roll Call: 4 Yes/0 No/0 Absent/0 Abstain-Motion Carried 

CITY ATTORNEYS REPORT 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS 24-0-2384 

Motion by Ald. McDowell, seconded by Ald. Barron, to acknowledgement of amended Ordinance 24-0- 2384 

An Ordinance of the City of Markham, Cook County, Illinois authorizing acquisition for the Interstate Crossing TIF Redevelopment Project Area, As Amended 

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

MOTION TO TABLE ORDINANCE 

Motion by Ald. Bertrand Jr., seconded by Hampton-Houser, to table Ordinance 

An Ordinance Amending Chapter 51 for the City of Markham 

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

ADOPT RESOLUTION 24-R-723 

Motion by Ald. Barron., seconded by Ald. McDowell to adopt Resolution 24-R-723 

A Resolution authorizing execution of an Intergovernmental Agreement between the County of Cook and the City of Markham for preliminary and design engineering funds for sidewalk improvements along the 167th Street corridor between Pulaski Road and California Avenue Roll Call: 4 Yes/0 No/0 Absent/0 Abstain-Motion Carried 

APPROVAL OF BARRY ROOFING CONTRACT FOR MARKHAM ROLLER RINK 

Motion by Ald. Hampton-Houser., seconded by Ald. McDowell FOR approval of Barry Roofing contract for Markham Roller Rink 

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

CLERKS REPORT 

BUSINESS LICENSE – CANDY TIME INC. 

OPEN FLOOR - WESAM BARAKAT - CANDY TIME INC. 

Motion by Ald. Barron, seconded by McDowell to open floor to Candy Time Inc. 

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

WESAM BARAKAT - CANDY TIME INC. 

Just purchased the store and would like to sell candy, milk, cereal, cookies chips and cigars, no tobacco products. 

Ald. Bertrand Jr. -No tobacco products? 

Wesam Barakat - Just cigars. 

Mayor Agpawa - Are you changing your signage 

Wesam Barakat - Changing the whole business 

Ald. Hampton-Houser - What is the purpose of the cigars? 

Wesam Barakat - Swishers and Black and Mild's 

Ald. Bertrand Jr. - I am not in agreement with single cigarettes Wesam Barakat - I promise no cigarettes 

Ald. Bertrand Jr. - If so I will be over there to close you down. 

Mayor Agpawa - To be clear one strike and you're done, not three. I think that there was a rumor or something in reference to single cigarettes being sold from the location. So, you need to do something to get rid of that aura. 

Ald. Hampton-Houser - Are you willing to hire individuals to work in your location? 

Wesam Barakat - My son is working now we need to grow to hire others. 

CLOSE FLOOR - WESAM BARAKAT - CANDY TIME INC. 

Motion by Ald. Barron, seconded by Ald. Bertrand Jr. to close floor to Candy Time Inc. 

APPROVE LICENSE - WESAM BARAKAT - CANDY TIME INC. 

Motion by Ald. Bertrand Jr., seconded by Ald. Hampton-Houser to approve Business License for Candy Time Inc. 

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

BUSINESS LICENSE - TIFFANY CONWAY - TIFFANY FOOD SERVICES 

OPEN FLOOR – TIFFANY CONWAY - TIFFANY FOOD SERVICES 

Motion by Ald. Hampton-Houser, seconded by Barron to open the floor to Tiffany Food Services. Roll Call: 4 Yes/0 No/0 Absent/0 Abstain-Motion Carried 

ALD. HAMPTON-HOUSER ON BEHALF OF TIFFANY FOOD SERVICES 

Ald. Hampton-Houser - Ms. Tiffany requested I speak on her behalf as she is unable to attend tonight. She has been in business since 2012. Her offerings are fast food items and also implement fresh fruits and vegetables on her food truck at the Amazon location. 

CLOSE FLOOR – TIFFANY FOOD SERVICES 

Motion by Ald. Hampton-Houser, seconded by Ald. Barron to close floor to Tiffny Food Services 

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

APPROVE LICENSE - TIFFANY FOOD SERVICES 

Motion by Ald. Hampton-Houser, seconded by Ald. Barron to approve Business License for Tiffany Food Services 

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

BUSINESS LICENSE-PIT STOP DEMOLITION & RENOVATION INC. 

OPEN FLOOR - CALVIN FOX - PIT STOP DEMOLITION & RENOVATION INC. 

Motion by Ald. McDowell, seconded by Barron, to open floor to Pit Stop Demolition & Renovation Inc. Roll Call: 4 Yes/0 No/0 Absent/0 Abstain-Motion Carried 

CALVIN FOX - PIT STOP DEMOLITION & RENOVATION INC. 

Has been in business for about 20 years doing Demolition and Renovations, looking to occupy a unit at 16711 Richmond as office space and later start a program for at risk youth, ages 17 to 21 to do apprenticeships learning a trade of electricity, carpentry or plumbing. Has already partnered with the YMCA for pool areas. 

Mayor Agpawa - As I may have indicated to you, I'm reasonably supportive of you both. We recently passed a law that all businesses must be in good standing in Markham. However, the business owner of that location is not up to the standards, which is our challenge tonight. We have sent the requirements to the owner of what is needed and have not had a response. We are willing to work with him, Mr. Champion and I are available. We need to have efforts and communication about what he is doing. We can't let anyone move in, the owner collects rent and not pay taxes. We must provide police, fire and other public services. It's nothing against you. 

Calvin Fox - We went to the owner and pitched our idea. 

Mayor Agpawa - We don't blame you all, is he corresponding with you in any regard before I turn this over to the Council? 

Calvin Fox - I spoke with him last week, he stated he would get back to the City. 

Mayor Agpawa - We know you're there which happens all too much, they move people in without telling them to stop by City Hall to get a license. We find out after the fact and sometimes their dream does not fit the vision of the city. 

Ald. McDowell – I am aware of the service provided by the Pit Stop, are you planning to have a training program? 

Calvin Fox - We intend to have that later, it could be six months to a year before we can develop that. We have an upcoming contract that will require more workforce. Projects are Argonne Labs, YMCA and a building in the south loop. If the landlord does not pay the taxes, we will move on. 

Ald. Hampton-Houser - I know you stated you want to train at risk children, but what about those not at risk, it is a demanding field and there are individuals that would like to go into that field. Calvin Fox - We're saying at risk because we want to save those who may teetering tottering. 

Mayor Agpawa-- There's not much we can do tonight because of what's going on, we need a clear answer and conversation quickly. If you want to push that I sent an email with open arms to talk with the owner.. Derrick Champion -- Wanted to make you aware the Dept. of Commerce has a workforce development program, which offers grant dollars. 

Mayor Agpawa - Council do you want to vote up, down or table? 

Ald. McDowell - The owner has not called back, there's definitely issues there, you need to move on with your business. 

Mr. Champion - We have been dealing with the issue for a while and they are not in compliance with what we have requested. 

CLOSE FLOOR - CALVIN FOX - PIT STOP DEMOLITION & RENOVATION INC. 

Motion by Ald. McDowell, seconded by Ald. Barron, to close floor to Pit Stop Demolition & Renovation Inc. 

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

DENY LICENSE – CALVIN FOX - PIT STOP DEMOLITION & RENOVATION INC. 

Motion by Ald. McDowell, seconded by Ald. Barron. to deny Business License for Pit Stop Demolition & Renovation Inc. 

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

Mayor Agpawa-Gentlemen thank you, that's your status, you will not be licensed. We must get that cleared up others may be put out by court order. 

BUSINESS LICENSE – BIR EXPRESS – NOT PRESENT 

Ald. Barron – I spoke with Robbie; they want to move where the car wash was proposed to go. Mayor Agpawa - Ald. Barron we can talk about what needs to happen with the property. 

BUSINESS LICENSE - MIDWEST LEASE LLC 

Motion by Ald. McDowell, seconded by Ald. Barron to open floor to Midwest Lease LLC 

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

Mayor Agpawa - From my understanding there was another company there before. 

*** 

Midwest Lease - We are buying the property but wanted to make sure we are able to obtain a business license before purchase. 

Ald. McDowell - It was the dog food company. 

Mayor Agpawa -- He sold it to someone else who did not pay taxes. 

Ald. McDowell - The building has been sold twice; he is the third owner. 

Mayor Agpawa - Did you buy it from someone? 

Midwest Lease - It is process of being purchased. 

Mayor Agpawa - I want to be clear about what you want to do. 

MIDWEST LEASE LLC 

This is a truck and trailer leasing company, there will be no repairs. 

Mayor Agpawa – We've had an issue with that type of business being there. It's not what we would like to see there, we were trying to get them under control they opened with no license. 

Midwest Lease – The previous owner is buying and selling properties. I'm the general manager of a truck transport company located in Markham, I have been in trucking and logistics since 2009 in Europe and the US. We planned to do business differently, I know the property was included in a mess with all types of repairs needed, garbage, etc. Our plan was to get an estimate, repair the property to make it clean and nice. That is if we get a business license. 

CLOSE FLOOR - MIDWEST LEASE LLC 

Motion by Ald. McDowell, seconded by Ald. Hampton-Houser to close floor to Midwest Lease LLC Roll Call: 4 Yes/0 No/0 Absent/0 Abstain-Motion Carried 

DENY LICENSE - MIDWEST LEASE LLC 

Motion by Ald. McDowell, seconded by Ald. Hampton-Houser to deny Business License for Midwest Lease LLC 

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

MAYORS REPORT 

The events we've had here recently, the Cultural Fest and Jazz Festival, were very nice. I've been like a kid in the candy store about fireworks. A special thanks to the treasurer for letting me call her up and ask can I make more boom(101). So even in my older age, I've been acting like a kid. So, thank you, I really feel good for the community. I think we made a lot of people happy we have cut back on all the things we used to do and just have a couple of things each year. We made a nice statement to Markham. I want to say thanks to the council because I got a hold of you all about the commitment to try to make it nice for everybody. The other thing I had here is just we've been talking about taxes, there's a lot of work going on short and long term about taxes, we're working on that I want to put that on the record. I do want to mention the East Side block club and the West Side block club are doing very well, we want to continue to encourage all our constituents to come out. I do want to ask the Council to find out if someone has interest to serve on the Planning and Zoning, or Library Board please get a hold of me if you have people that are interested, we don't want to sign them up and they get over there and they run interference. The other thing I want to mention is about city services, we are going into the fall and in the new year we'll have some different ways that Public Works will function. I'm saying this to the council. I spoke to you about how we're doing things managing, it will get better. The building down the street is coming along to store a lot of the equipment that we've been buying for Public Works. The last thing we're going to continue like we did with the lawn ordinance, type thing that we have with the ordinance to defend our city about how we survive with tax dollars. We're doing our part I told Mr. Fox's building owner we're doing our part. We're trying to make it clean, it's safe, it's inviting. So you need to pay your taxes, he wanted to make an issue. We passed a law to do it, then challenge us. We're not going to let you live for free and collect rent. We're going after everybody who doesn't have a license, if you don't have a license, you can't do business here. 

CITY ADMINISTRATOR - DERRICK CHAMPION 

Thank you, Mayor, good evening, Council. Let me start off by saying it is a great honor and pleasure to work with this administration. I have to say that I can really see some real changes taking place under the leadership, thank you to the council. Our design engineer and our researcher's construction costs for the project is funded by 2023 Invest in Cook Program with the County. The engineer has a target construction and completion of the project before Thanksgiving. The city was notified of award by Cook County of the for the sidewalk on 167th Street of $220,000, we will install pedestrian signal at 167th and Kedzie Avenue. The City of Markham was one of 80 applicants requesting funding through the program 35 projects were selected. The city is applying for the Tree Equity Grant Program, with assistance from Cook County. We will request $400,000 for a city-wide plan for the implementation and removal of old trees, we are asking also for one or two public works. personnel to obtain certifications. Also, we will be applying for the grant that is a open space land development grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. We are requesting $600,000 for renovation of Aire Park, if awarded, the state would pay 90% of the $600,000, the city would be responsible for 10%. Also, the service line inspection letters were mailed out to residents, our engineer has already performed some home inspections. Please encourage your constituents to book their appointments as the deadline is fast approaching. The 159th Street lighting project is ongoing; we're making a few changes because of IDOT permitting requirements. One final thing, the engineer will be here at the September 18th Council meeting to provide an infrastructure update. 

MAYOR AGPAWA 

We take care of both sides of the city to manicure the right of ways, we do the medians also. It's kind of my idea to try and get some uniformity of that. I would really like to engage your thoughts about how we take it over and we manage it, for consistency, because it's a frontage to us. The laundry mat takes care of theirs; we'll give them some room to do that, I think we just need to make them have some grass there. It's hit or miss; we need to get that under control. Tell me what you think, so we can go after this. I just want some input from all of you when you get time. Okay, thanks 

ALDERMANIC REPORTS 

ALD. BARRON 

Good evening. I'd like to thank our staff for Jazzing in The Park, it was a nice event, the fireworks show was superb. We didn't have a big turnout at National Night Out, hopefully next year, it'll be bigger and better. I'll tell you it was nice, well supported by the police and fire departments, as well as our city employees. I'm really appreciative of that. Public Works is still out working hauling brush and branches. I hope we get them all before the next storm hits. Markham has a lot of trees and in my ward and Ald. Bertrand's, we have a lot of mature trees and some of them aren't good. We're still exploring the possibility of getting this tree grant. The other thing is I've been looking I've been charting the branches that are creating potential damage to citizens and/or property. I hope to get together with the mayor, I showed him some of it. Trees are still falling from that storm 10 days ago. Yesterday was windy, I had another couple of places where big branches came down. We're cutting grass, and hauling branches, trying to catch up. But this has been a very, very strange summer and knock on wood, haven't had a lot of water and sewer breaks, like we've had in previous years. I just ask citizens to be patient, all of them are going to be picked up. When people call and complain, I tell them they are working, doing the best they can. Our Back-to-School Parade is on Saturday at 11:00am, I hope you can attend. 

ALD. HAMPTON-HOUSER 

Good evening, Mayor, and all present that evening, as well as everyone on the council. I send my condolences to Alice Parker. Ms. Parker is on 166th and Marshfield, a longtime resident of the city of Markham, passed away. Just asking that everybody keep the family in prayer, as they go through this trying time. We had some awesome activities that went on in our community, Jazzing in the Park and the Multicultural Festival, and National Night Out, we had a great time, I think the individuals that attended enjoyed it immensely. Just want to say thank you, Mayor, for the new vision for our city. Our city is moving in the right direction and of course I feel the residents of the city of Markham must be patient as well and allow us time to get everything done. We are working hard on the trees I'm still working on the easements, we've worked on sidewalks, worked on grass everything just takes time. You must have some patience with us. But we are getting it done. 

ALD. MCDOWELL 

Good evening. Mayor, city council members those present in the audience. I want to send a special thank you to our police department. Commander Jesse Jones and two other officers. I received a call over the weekend. A young lady 16-year-old was missing. She was missing our police found her here in Markham and was able to take her back home, they had her home within the 24-hour time frame. So, I'm thankful to our two police officers that were able to find this young lady. 

ALD. BERTRAND JR. 

Good evening, ditto on all the events. We also had the Westside Block Club meeting, which is gathering more steam, we're getting more people to show up to share information. We've been able to address Public Works for their diligent work with trees and they are still cleaning up. 

I've asked the residents to be patient with this process. 

MOTION TO OPEN FLOOR TO PUBLIC 

Motion by Ald. Hampton, seconded by Ald. Bertrand Jr., to Open Floor to the Public. 

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

RUFUS JONES 

Mr. Jones voiced concerns regarding tree limbs falling during storms on Sherwood. This address is on Ald. McDowell's list to be addressed. 

JANICE PALMER 

Ms. Palmer had pictures and addressed several areas in need of repair, in her area. Ald. McDowell has all of this information, which is being addressed. 

MOTION TO CLOSE FLOOR TO PUBLIC 

Motion by Ald. Hampton-Houser, seconded by Ald. McDowell to Close Floor to Public. Roll Call: 4 Yes/0 No/0 Absent-Motion Carried

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Ald, Hampton, seconded by Ald. Bertrand Jr., to adjourn at 8:54p.m. Roll Call: 4 Yes/0 No/ 0 Absent-Motion Carried

https://www.cityofmarkham.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_08072024-268