Lake County Gazette

Waukegan City Council met Tuesday, Jan. 17.

The Waukegan City Council meets at 7:30 p.m. on the first and third Monday of each month at City Hall, 100 N. Martin Luther King Junior Ave.

Here are the minutes as provided by Waukegan:

Wayne Motley, Mayor Maria M. LaCour, City Clerk Dr. John Schwab, Treasurer

CITY OF WAUKEGAN MINUTES JANUARY 17, 2017

The Council of the City of Waukegan met in regular session on Tuesday January 17, 2017, at 7:20 P.M. In the City Council Chambers, City Hall 100 North Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, Mayor Wayne Motley; City Clerk, Maria LaCour; Treasurer, John Schwab; and Corporation Counsel, Steve Martin were present. ROLL CALL: Aldermen Newsome, TenPas, May, Valko, Taylor, Cunningham, Seger, Moisio and Villalobos

ABSENT: None

INVOCATION:

Bishop Coburn led a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

APPROVE THE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF JANUARY 3, 2017

APPROVED

MINUTES: 

1. Motion by Alderman May, seconded by Alderman Moisio to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of January 3, 2017

MOTION PASSED

PRESENTATION BY WAUKEGAN MAIN STREET, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ARTHUR COBB

RESOLUTIONS/ PROCLAMATIONS/ APPOINTMENTS: 

2. Presentation by Waukegan Main Street He stated he was a firm believer in eloquent statements. If someone has said something he believes, why revise it? He shared something he recently read. Downtown revitalization is one of the complex challenges. There are many skeptics or even the people willing to help have unrealistic goals. However the great reward is worth the investment. In the upcoming weeks he will invest time on a membership drive. He will recruit members that want to be part of the solution. For more information please call the Waukegan Main Street Office at 847-623-6650 or email him at Arthur@waukeganmainstreet.org 

MAYOR’S COMMENTS:

3. Mayor Motley introduced Jan Gibson, General Manager of the Genesee Theatre. Jan reported that in the last few shows, 10% of the customers who bought tickets for the show were Waukegan residents. That is a huge number. Other customers come from Chicago and neighboring cities. The Waukegan residents should be proud of the theatre. There was also a 20% attendance growth this year. There are still tickets available for the upcoming ballet show.

MOTION AUTHORIZING THE WAIVER OF A PUBLIC BID AND THE SALE OF THE PROPERTY OWNED BY THE CITY OF WAUKEGAN, PIN # 08-29-224-003 FOR THE APPRAISED VALUE OF $1,500.

APPROVED

COMMITTEE REPORTS / MOTIONS:

FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT CHAIRMAN ALDERMAN VALKO: 

4. Motion by Alderman Moisio, seconded by Alderman Valko to authorize the waiver of a public bid and the sale of the property owned by the City of Waukegan, PIN # 08-29-224-003, located in between 1307 and 1325 Belvidere Road, to the adjacent property owner, Michael Mini, for the appraised value of $1,500.

ROLL CALL: AYES: Aldermen Newsome, TenPas, May, Valko, Taylor, Cunningham, Seger, Moisio and Villalobos

NAYS: None

ABSENT: None

MOTION PASSED

MOTION HELD BACK IN COMMITTEE

FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT Cont.:

5. Motion approving the amendment of the 2015 – 2019 Housing and Community Development Consolidated Plan and the 2015 Annual Action Plan as presented.

MOTION HELD BACK DURING COMMITTEE

APPROVAL OF PAYROLL DATED JANUARY 6, 2017

APPROVED

NEW BUSINESS:

6. Motion by Alderman Valko, seconded by Alderman Cunningham to approve regular Payroll dated January 6, 2017 in the amount of $1,482,293.84

ROLL CALL: AYES: Aldermen Newsome, TenPas, May, Valko, Taylor, Cunningham, Seger, Moisio and Villalobos

NAYS: None

ABSENT: None

MOTION PASSED

APPROVE BILLS DATED JANUARY 16, 2017

APPROVED

7. Motion by Alderman Valko, seconded by Alderman Cunningham to approve Bills dated January 16, 2017 in the amount of $1,156,800.06

Ald. May questioned a bill over $32,000 for 360 E. Sea Horse Drive. Tina explained that was a utility bill from the Water Plant, electric bill. The utility bill is exempt from Council approval.

ROLL CALL: AYES: Aldermen Newsome, TenPas, May, Valko, Taylor, Cunningham, Seger, Moisio and Villalobos

NAYS: None

ABSENT: None

MOTION PASSED

APPROVE RAFFLE SALE APPLICATIONS

APPROVED

8. Motion by Alderman Moisio, seconded by Alderman Newsome to approve raffle sale applications for Fat Cat Rescue Inc., the Rotary Club of Waukegan, David Miller and FHCC.

MOTION PASSED

ACCEPT AND PLACE ON FILE THE TREASURER’S MONTHLY REPORT FOR DECEMBER 2016.

APPROVED

9. Motion by Alderman Taylor, seconded by Alderman Seger to accept and place on file the Treasurer’s monthly report for December 2016.

MOTION PASSED

AGREEMENT WITH THREE BROTHERS THEATRE TO OCCUPY 221 N GENESEE ST.

APPROVED

10.Motion by Alderman May, seconded by Alderman TenPas to approve an agreement with Three Brothers Theatre to occupy 221 N Genesee St.

Ald. May stated she trusted the theatre but she wanted to check the contract for protection. David Motley, Public Relations, explained they wanted the council’s approval to start drafting an agreement. Ald. Newsome questioned how long the contract would be for. This is a one year contract; they will then review and consider expansion. Ald. Taylor asked if the City had insurance coverage on the location. Yes the City has insurance. Also, Three Brother’s Theatre has their insurance cover the location. ROLL CALL: AYES: Aldermen Newsome, TenPas, May, Valko, Taylor, Cunningham, Seger, Moisio and Villalobos NAYS: None

ABSENT: None

MOTION PASSED

JOSE ZURITA

AUDIENCE TIME: 

11. He reiterated his comment from the last council meeting. The State of IL is losing residents, especially the young and the entrepreneurs. There were good years for the state and for the City in the past. His own company in the past was able to build 5 homes in Waukegan. Times are tough, everyone is suffering. Waukegan is a close community. He does not want to see confrontation. He advised people to talk to each other before bringing issues to the city council. He does not want to lose more people from the City of Waukegan. 

CHRIS BLANKS 

12.One of the issues he wanted to bring up was the recent incident at Cooke Magnet Elementary

School. A kindergarten student was picked up by the Police Department after the Principal called them. He stated that if a crime has not been committed, the staff should not contact the police. He urged changes to be made to the protocols. This goes against the goal to build a better relationship between the community and the Waukegan Police Department.

His second point is bringing up Jonathan Garcia’s case. His nose was allegedly fractured during a police interrogation. He wants to make sure officers are held accountable for their actions.

KASIA KONDRACKI 

13.As a resident and mother she wanted to express her concerns. She came today because she saw a news report posted online that stated that a baby in the state of Oregon froze to death. Just last year Mayor Motley closed PADS and a mother with a new born baby was forced outside to the cold. Mayor Motley stated it was only for two hours. Kasia explained the baby was exposed to the cold for 6 hours in Oregon. She wants to stop tragedies from happening in her home town. She is asking the council to consider the homeless residents. She wants to hear the opinion of each of the Aldermen tonight. 

MARGARET CARRASCO 

14.She stated she had possession of a business card of the Park City Business Commissioner, Jorge Torres. The staff at the Park City office claimed he was out of the office during her visit, but that he is in every day. Jorge Torres was also named head of the Port Authority. She shared that residents are questioning the cause of drug, crimes, shootings and prostitution in the city. They are questioning if the narcos are protected in the city. They are also asking why the Mayor has deep eye circles and the cause for his nose bleeds.

She also has possession of a video recording of a federal deposition in which Mayor Motley states that the Lake County towing seizure was his idea. She noted she will share that video on YouTube.

She went on to state that the Mayor must have made someone upset because she got a pile of letters delivered to her door. There were many letters that she was going to post online. She referred the council to pg. 2 of the handout with one of the letters copied.

RALPH PETERSON 

15. He thanked everyone who was able to attend the various Martin Luther King events. He stated that for the last month residents continue to ask him about Mr. Brumfield’s case. He has told them that he did not know about the case. He looked into the matter and realized that Mayor Motley was not the Mayor at the time of the issue. Motley had no vote on the issue. He was misled by the current accusations in the recent council meetings. He pointed out that the only people that were City Officials during the demolition of the house were Ald. Moisio, TenPas and Cunningham. He clarified that this is not a recent issue. The house was demolished 10 years ago.

He dug into the News Sun newspaper archives from 2005. The city offered to buy Brumfield's house, but he demanded $150,000, which is significantly more than the market value. He read many quotes from that article.

ALDERMAN NEWSOME

ALDERMEN’S TIME: 

16.No comment.

ALDERMAN TENPAS 

17.He commented that he was a teacher along with Mr. Brumfield. He went out of his way to help. His house became an eye sore. There was nothing else to do.

ALDERMAN MAY

ALDERMEN’S TIME 

Cont.: 

18.She addressed Mr. Peterson, stating that the several times Mr. Brumfield’s case was brought up. Mr. Blanks clarified that this happened over 10 years ago. She would like for everyone to come together for a solution. She then addressed Kasha and shared that homelessness also troubles her. She expressed that there was a wonderful celebration for Lake County United that helps people with disabilities. The new location they have is downtown Mundelein. They need to work together to find a solution for PADs. She gave a summary of the topics discussed during the Finance Committee. The results of a recent audit were given to the council. She stated the troubles were real. The revenues grew however the expenses also grew. The firefighters and first responders suffer with the current budget. This year the City was supposed to be at a surplus. She said the CDBG amendments were held over to be discussed further at the next meeting. She enjoyed the festivities for Martin Luther King Jr.

ALDERMAN VALKO 

19.No Comment

ALDERMAN TAYLOR 20.She wanted to clarify a topic that a resident had heard. The resident was concerned that American Outfitters in Waukegan was closing. It is actually American Eagle Outfitters Inc. a larger retail store that is closing. She thanked the Waukegan Police Dept. for their service in the recent armed robberies, and the assistance of the Gurnee Police Dept. She was able to attend the Waukegan Township’s Martin Luther King Jr Breakfast event. She addressed Ms. Carrasco, stating that Mayor Motley has been pro-active at addressing various important community issues. She does not want to continue to see City employees be put on the spot during council meeting. Perhaps the ethics committee can help with a proactive solution. 

ALDERMAN CUNNINGHAM 

21.He referred to Mr. Brumfield and Mr. Blanks. As they move forward with the South Sheridan revitalization plan they want to make sure that Mr. Brumfield will be well represented. He also clarified that Mr. Brumfield was the one that did not want his property rezoned to residential. However he can rest assure that his best interest will be respected. He had an opportunity to speak with business owners to listen to the smallest and largest issues. One topic is the 50% late fee assessed when licenses that are paid late. He pointed out that the late fee for water bills is 10%. There is no gradual fee increase in this case. The gaming machine license is $1,000 so the late fee would be $500, and that is per machine. The fee is about 2 weeks of a small business’s income. The staffs from the collector’s office are put on the spot and have to explain the 50% late fee policy. He hopes to see this topic at the next council meeting. On a personal note, he shared good news about his daughter Cierra Cunningham by reading an article from the University of IL. Cierra is an all-time leader in rebounding in the girls’ basketball program. He would like other parents in Waukegan to experience this success with their kids. He concluded by stating he is saddened by the incident in which the kindergartener was picked up by the cops. He knows that it must have been an awkward interaction. 

ALDERMAN SEGER 

22.No Comment.

ALDERMAN MOISIO 

23.He read a quote by former president Barack Obama. Because for all our outward differences, we all share the same proud title: Citizen. As a teacher in the WPS District for 26 years, he has learned to be a citizen and it is reinforced in the district. He learned everything about self-responsibility. Questioning authority is encouraged by providing audience time. He believes we have lost our way in American schooling. A small issue and all hell breaks loose. Schools need to focus less on testing and teach students how to learn. Learn to be proud citizens. He addressed Mr. Brumfield. They were told his house had to come down because it was unsafe. Mr. Brumfield needs to trust a council member and they will work on a solution. The greatest thing of America is property rights. The homeless issue is a passion for his family and anyone that knows his parents knows that.

ALDERMAN VILLALOBOS

ALDERMEN’S TIME Cont.: 

24.He did a review of 2016 as it came to an end. He wants to reinvest in the community so he has made commitments for 2017, such as:

-Focusing on the community’s youth by going to more sporting events. Today he partnered with Abbott Middle School where students helped with a clean up around the school. -Be part of the bigger picture- the Washington Corridor. He will help by being a voice for businesses. -Help improve Downtown Waukegan.

He noted that some projects start to overlap. He looks forward to doing more for the city. He also wants to help Clean Power Lake County more. Anyone interested in learning about CPLC can reach him at 217-766-9390. In regards to Homelessness, he is part of the Waukegan Township Staben House Board. He is ready to do more as an Alderman.

MAYOR’S COMMENTS 

25.He addressed and clarified the comment made during audience time about the letters. He was disappointed and offended that letters that are over 17 years old were shared at this point.

ADJOURNMENT

APPROVED

ADJOURNMENT:

26.Motion by Alderman Moisio, seconded by Alderman Valko to adjourn. Time: 8:20 p.m.

MOTION PASSED

MARIA M. LACOUR, CITY CLERK