South Cook News

City of Calumet City Council met Sept. 8

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

CALL TO ORDER The Special meeting was called to order at 6:08 p.m. by Mayor Jones.

ROLL CALL

PRESENT 7 ALDERMEN: Harvey, Wilson, Tillman, Williams, Gardner (6:09 p.m.) Nelson, Phillips.

ABSENT: 0 ALDERMEN: NONE

Also present were: City Clerk Dr. Figgs, City Treasurer Tarka, Deputy Clerk I Jessica Coffee, Deputy Clerk II Quentin Dailey, Attorney Sterk, Police Chief Kolosh, and Fire Chief Bachert.

PUBLIC COMMENT: None

Mayor Jones Report On Redevelopment For the 3rd Ward

Mayor Jones reported to the council that funds have been allocated from the 2023 Bond for a redevelopment of 3 homes with Solomon Estates.

Mayor Jones stated the payment to the developer would decrease from $150,000.00 to $120,000.00. The cost of the redevelopment would decrease from $480,000.00 to $380,000.00 which would total an amount of $500,000.00.

Director Tillman Presentation on the 3rd Ward Redevelopment

Department of Building and Zoning Director Sheryl Tillman reported that Solomon Estates has presented engineering plans to Farnsworth Group and the Department of Inspectional Services. Solomon Estates has received legal approval for this project from the City Attorney.

Director Tillman announced that the permit process was complete and that the permits have been granted for the project.

Alderman Tillman Comments Regarding Solomon Estates

Alderman Tillman reported that the land on Harding at 2277, 2279, and 2281, has been owned by Solomon Estates since 2008.

Alderman Tillman stated he is on board as long as the redevelopment Tillman stated he is on board as long as the redevelopment agreement states the city will receive the funds back. Alderman Tillman also stated the previous discussion was for the city to assist with the infrastructure costs not to fund the building of the homes. Alderman Tillman requested an explanation regarding the redevelopment agreement and how the city will get the money back.

Attorney Sterk reported it won't be an issue for the city to get its money back from the development once the homes are sold. Attorney Sterk stated he would record the redevelopment agreement against the property so the city receives its funds as soon as the property is sold.

City Treasurer Tarka highlighted that the motions for payment are to specific vendors not to Solomon Estates so it will be difficult to request funds from Solomon Estates on funds that were not received by Solomon Estates.

Alderman Tillman reported that in previous discussions the council did not want to issue the entire payment to Solomon Estates; they preferred to issue payment to the vendors.

Mayor Jones commented on the redevelopment agreement which would need to be amended to have Solomon Estates be responsible for the vendors that are being issued payment on the project's behalf.

Alderwoman Wilson commented regarding her research with developers on a large and small scale, she stated her findings were that the developers put up the funds to develop because they stand to make the money from the sell of the property. Alderwoman Wilson stated she is concerned about using tax payer dollars for a developer to recuperate all of the funds.

Alderwoman Wilson also stated because there is no redevelopment agreement in front of the council to read over today she does not feel comfortable voting on the matter.

Alderman Gardner inquired if the project needs to go through the bidding requirements since the project is such a large amount.

Alderwoman Wilson commented regarding her concern about setting a precedent to have future developers request that the city pay for infrastructure on future projects.

Alderwoman Wilson requested that Alderman Tillman look into putting together a resolution addressing developers requesting assistance from the city to develop.

Mayor Jones stated he will have the redevelopment agreement sent to the council tonight and place this matter on the September 11, 2025, agenda.

Interfund Borrowing Ordinance 

City Treasurer Tarka gave a brief overview of the ordinance authorizing  interfund borrowing between the City of Calumet City Corporate Fund and the City of Calumet City 2023 Capital Project Fund. City Treasurer Tarka reported that he will only be requesting $5,500,000.00 because that can be paid back comfortably once the real estate taxes start to be received.

Recess The city council took a recess at 6:32 p.m.

Return to the Regular Order of Business

The city council returned to the regular order of business at 6:38 p.m.

Interfund Borrowing Ordinancе

Alderman Tillman moved, seconded by Alderwoman Wilson to approve an ordinance authorizing interfund borrowing between the City of Calumet City Corporate Fund and the City of Calumet City 2023 Capital Project Fund.

ROLL CALL

YEAS: 7 ALDERMEN: Harvey, Tillman, Wilson, Williams, Gardner, Nelson, Phillips

NAYS: 0

ABSENT: 0

ALDERMEN: None

ALDERMEN: None

MOTION CARRIED

(Ord.#25-20) (See Attached 3A)

Drafting Of The Redevelopment Agreement Between Calumet City and Solomon Estates

Alderman Williams moved, seconded by Alderman Tillman to direct the city attorney to draft a redevelopment agreement between the City of Calumet City and Solomon Estates for the construction of three new homes for up to $500,000.00 dollars.

Alderwoman Regarding Voting On The Redevelopment Agreement

Nelson Alderwoman Nelson stated for the record she doesn't know enough about the matter to vote.

Alderwoman Wilson Alderwoman Wilson stated the amount is too high for the redevelopment.

ROLL CALL

YEAS: 5 ALDERMEN: Harvey, Tillman, Williams, Gardner, Phillips

NAYS: 1 ALDERMEN: Wilson

ABSENT: 0 ALDERMEN: None

ABSTAIN: 1 ALDERMEN: Nelson

MOTION CARRIED

Discussion and Review of the Regular Meeting Agenda

Mayor Jones led a lengthy discussion and review of the September 11, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting agenda.

Public Works Overtime Discussion

Alderwoman Wilson inquired about Public Works everyday workload that's stopping the department from maintaining the alleys during the work week without weekend overtime. Alderwoman Wilson stated the alleys look horrible and there are too many people on payroll for the alleys to look like they do. Alderwoman Wilson reported she has seen Public Works working on the expressway and cleaning out buildings which is not apart of their union paid duties.

Mayor Jones referred to the motion on the agenda draft and stated they could either move forward with the motion for overtime because these are union employees or the city can put out an RFQ to have the alleys done.

Alderwoman Nelson stated she agrees with Alderwoman Wilson and she will work with Commissioner Thomas and have a Public Works meeting.

Alderwoman Nelson stated that a plan and strategy needs to be put into place to keep the alleys maintained. Alderwoman Nelson stated the residents also need to be held accountable as well.

Alderman Gardner commented regarding the Mayor mentioning a possible RFQ and he stated there needs to be a plan in place because there was just a discussion regarding a shortage of resources. Alderman Gardner reported that he has also seen Public Works working on the expressway ramps. Alderman Gardner stated his concern is that the city is not in a financial position to take of the alleys citywide. Alderman Gardner stated for the record our residents should not be left out because we are taking on IDOT's responsibility.

Mayor Jones reported he directed Public Works to clean the ramps and reached out to IDOT to let them know they have to maintain the ramps moving forward.

Legal Line Items Discussion 

Alderwoman Wilson inquired about the legal work Ancel Glink P.C. Alderwoman Wilson stated the firm should not be compensated for work the council specifically told them not to do.

Conference and Travel Line Item Discussion

There was a lengthy discussion regarding Mayor Jones hotel bookings for the conference in Washington. Mayor Jones stated the agenda will reflect a capped amount of $3500.00. Mayor Jones stated the overages will be paid by sponsors and out of his pocket.

City Treasurer Tarka suggested that the motion be canceled since the hotel booked (The Noma Hotel) was the incorrect hotel.

Alderwoman Wilson stated she has one more question regarding Mayor Jones travel; Alderwoman Wilson inquired if Mayor Jones travels to Springfield in the vehicle the city pays for.

Mayor Jones stated no he does not.

Alderwoman Wilson reiterated that the Mayor stated no he does not drive his city vehicle to Springfield for the record.

Upcoming Meetings

Mayor Jones announced there will be a legal meeting held on September 16, 2025.

Alderman Gardner

Alderman Gardner stated the City Engineer mentioned in a previous meeting that Public Works will be handling the sidewalk repairs. Alderman Gardner stated we would like to continue to have the engineers handle the sidewalk repairs.

Adjournment

Alderman Gardner moved to adjourn, seconded by Alderwoman Nelson at 7:23 p.m.

MOTION CARRIED

https://mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/calumetil-pubu/MEET-Minutes-89faf4e1372e4ec19eafe08f83ba2dde.pdf