City of Waukegan City Council met April 3.
Here is the minutes provided by the Council:
1. Opening Items
Procedural: A. Roll Call
Present: Ald Seger, Ald Moisio, Ald Villalobos, Ald Newsome, Ald TenPas, Ald May, Ald Valko, Ald Taylor
Absent: Ald Cunningham
Procedural: B. Invocation/Pledge of Allegiance
Information: C. Mayor's Comments: He advised residents to go out to vote. His father participated in WWII and fought for everyone to have the right to vote. He has already voted.
2. Minutes
Action: A. Motion by Ald May, seconded by Ald Seger to approve the regular meeting minutes from March 20, 2017
Motion Approved
3. Resolutions/Proclamations/Presentations/Appointments
Information: A. Waukegan Main Street
He announced the 1st event for the Young Professionals will be held at 17 North on April 15, 2017. The event will be from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm and registration is $15. He also shared that they are seeking volunteers for Downtown Waukegan Projects such as helping maintain 43 planters and flower areas and help pick up trash. Those interested in participating can call the Waukegan Main Street Office at (847)623-6650. He concluded by inviting people to visit the art gallery Urban Edge to see the Human Condition exhibit. The gallery is open Thursday, Friday and Saturdays through June 1st. There will be guest speakers on April 20th.
Action: B. Motion by Ald May, seconded by Ald Newsome to adopt a Resolution recognizing Pastor Walstone Elisha Francis on his 25 year anniversary as pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church.
Mayor Motley stated that he read and presented the Resolution on Sunday at Shiloh Baptist Church
Motion Approved 17-R-19
Motion by Ald Moisio, second by Ald Valko to seat Ald Cunningham at 7:05 p.m
Motion Approved
Information: C. Recognition of National Poetry Month- B.A.M.M (Black Abolition Movement for the Mind)
Chris Blanks thanked Mayor Motley and the city council for allowing him to address National Poetry Month. He expressed that Arts have helped him personally, especially raising two daughters as a single father. He also shared that he recently visited Cook County Jail located on California St, Chicago IL to share some poems as well. He stated he has been drug free for 27 years and the arts have been an instrumental part of his success.
He went on to read a poem called Them Rocks and that blow. He shared that he is a writer, his articles are published in the Lake County News Sun, and he also published a book. He also stated that his organization, B.A.M.M, is funded by donations only and has open doors to the community regardless of their race. His goal is to help children with his computer area so they keep up with their school work. With the name of the organization he wants to inspire young African American men to grow and achieve more as leaders to be able to give back to their community. He concluded by reading a second short poem about election time.
4. Labor Relations Committee
Action: A. Motion by Ald TenPas, seconded by Ald Valko to authorize the proper City Officials to accept the Arbitration Award dated March 24, 2017, FMCS Case # 16-57971-1, in the Matter of the Interest Arbitration between The City of Waukegan and the Metropolitan Alliance of Police Waukegan Sergeants Chapter #285.
Mayor Motley stated that the arbitrator ruled in favor of MAP, and he believes it is their obligation to comply with the decision. The committee voted 4-1 to support the award. Steve Martin, Corporation Counsel, stated the arbitration was awarded March 24, 2017. The City needs to approve or reject. They cannot pick and choose certain points. It is all or nothing. He listed the costs that would need to be covered by the City if they reject the arbitration award.
Ald Taylor, May and Cunningham questioned the missing arbitration documents that would show them a comparison of the effect on accepting or denying the arbitration award. Also since there would be a Special Council Meeting on Thursday they requested that the motion should be held over until Thursday. They wanted to know the gains and the items they gave up in order to get to this final arbitration. It was also pointed out that such arbitrations are never voted on so close to an election day. The new administration is not set to deal with the decision. Mayor Motley, Steve Martin and Ald Valko explained that there was no negotiation available at this point, the arbitrator sets the final answer and the City either accepts or rejects. The case was just settled recently, there was no way to control the timing to avoid election time. The arbitration offers a set time frame for the City to make changes. Ald Moisio and Taylor clarified that they could meet on Thursday with the arbitrator, however no negotiations are permitted.
Ald Cunningham stated he believed they could reject the arbitration and present what they did not approve about the agreement. He was concerned that if they accepted the Me too clause, other unions would start other negotiations. Mayor Motley stated that the arbitrator stated within his response that the Me too clause in other unions should not be applied because the Sergeant's union was only playing catch up to what the other unions already have. Ald Cunningham stated that Mayor Motley and the arbitrator cannot speak on behalf of the other unions so the other unions may still ask for a raise. Mayor Motley reiterated that a denial would open a new arbitration process with all the costs covered by the City of Waukegan. Ald Cunningham asked Ald Valko, as a previous member of a police union, if the other unions will try to use the Me too clause.
In his opinion, Ald Valko stated the arbitration should be approved to avoid higher costs in the future. He also noted that the aldermen had a week to review this information. They were all able to come in to pick up their information packet and ask questions on the information provided. That is what he took the time to do. Therefore the aldermen should not hold over the motion today to have more time to review something that was available to them in time. He stated that employees that are part of a union know that when an arbitrator makes a decision there is no negotiating the decision. It's all or nothing. It did not matter if there was a new Mayor, Governor, Senator or representative; there is a deadline for a decision.
Ald Cunningham asked what would happen if the City rejects the arbitration. Steve stated there were only 20 days to approve the arbitration, the time started running March 24, 2017 so they had until April 13, 2017 to approve or reject. If the City rejects, the arbitration would take place all over again with the same arbitrator at the expense of the City of Waukegan.
Ald Cunningham, Taylor and May questioned if the Me Too clause would apply to other unions that would seek a raise in the future. They also asked what the financial impact would be if they approved or denied the arbitration. Tina Smigielski, Finance Director, explained she was not part of the arbitration and she had also not prepared any numbers to share to the city council. The aldermen questioned who represented the City in the arbitration. Tameika Jones, HR Director and Tom Draths, labor attorney, were present at the arbitration.
Held over by Ald Taylor
Motion by Ald Valko to override the hold over
Aye: Ald Valko
Nay: Ald Cunningham, Ald Seger, Ald Villalobos, Ald Newsome, Ald TenPas, Ald May and Ald Taylor
Abstain: Ald Moisio
Motion Failed
5. Judiciary Committee
Action: A. Motion by Ald Moisio, seconded by Ald Valko to adopt an Ordinance approving Zoning Calendar (V-2-17), Vacation of 240’ of Vermont Avenue, west of Bayonne Avenue, Petitioner: Jose & Iris Arreola.
Aye: Ald Cunningham, Ald Seger, Ald Moisio, Ald Villalobos, Ald Newsome, Ald TenPas, Ald May, Ald Valko, Ald Taylor
Nay: None
Abstain: None
Motion Approved 17-O-20
6. Public Safety Committee
Action: A. Motion by Ald TenPas, seconded by Ald Newsome to authorize the proper city officials to draft an ordinance restricting parking on Wetzel Ct.
Motion Approved
Action: B. Motion by Ald TenPas, seconded by Ald Newsome to authorize the proper city officials to purchase two (2) Ford Expedition Command vehicles, via the March 14, 2017 awarded bid acquisition from Rockton Fire Protection District. Evaluated vehicles were awarded to the Waukegan Fire Department with winning bid amounts totaling $23,200.00. Payment for this purchase will be made from line item 100 301926493.
Aye: Ald Cunningham, Ald Seger, Ald Moisio, Ald Villalobos, Ald Newsome, Ald TenPas, Ald May, Ald Valko, Ald Taylor
Nay: None
Abstain: None
Motion Approved
7. Insurance Committee
Action: A. Motion authorizing the proper City officials to settle Case No. 16L914, Claim #C645-16-10189-01 for an amount not to exceed $42,500.00
Ald Moisio wanted the record to show that the City had a similar lawsuit in the past and they also let the time run on the decision. That ended costing the City of Waukegan a million dollars.
Item remains tabled.
Action: B. Motion by Ald Taylor, seconded by Ald May to authorize the proper City officials to settle Police Department Workers Compensation Claim # C645-15-10103-01 for an amount not to exceed $11,464.57.
Aye: Ald Cunningham, Ald Seger, Ald Moisio, Ald Villalobos, Ald Newsome, Ald TenPas, Ald May, Ald Valko, Ald Taylor
Nay: None
Abstain: None
Motion Approved
Action: C. Motion by Ald Taylor, seconded by Ald May to authorize the proper City officials to settle Police Department Workers Compensation Claim # C645-16-10187-01 for an amount not to exceed $32,474.46.
Aye: Ald Cunningham, Ald Seger, Ald Moisio, Ald Villalobos, Ald Newsome, Ald TenPas, Ald May, Ald Valko, Ald Taylor
Nay: None
Abstain: None
Motion Approved
Action: D. Motion by Ald Taylor, seconded by Ald May to authorize the proper City officials to settle Police Department Workers Compensation Claim # C645-13-00830-01 for an amount not to exceed $100,722.70
Aye: Ald Cunningham, Ald Seger, Ald Moisio, Ald Villalobos, Ald Newsome, Ald TenPas, Ald May, Ald Valko, Ald Taylor
Nay: None
Abstain: None
Motion Approved
Action: E. Motion by Ald Taylor, seconded by Ald May to authorize the proper City officials to settle Police Department Workers Compensation Claim # C645-15-10144-01 for an amount not to exceed $32,474.46
Aye: Ald Cunningham, Ald Seger, Ald Moisio, Ald Villalobos, Ald Newsome, Ald TenPas, Ald May, Ald Valko, Ald Taylor
Nay: None
Abstain: None
Motion Approved
Action: F. Motion by Ald Taylor, seconded by Ald May to authorize the proper City officials to settle Fire Department Workers Compensation Claim # C645-10-00541-01 for an amount not to exceed $50,077.71
Aye: Ald Cunningham, Ald Seger, Ald Moisio, Ald Villalobos, Ald Newsome, Ald TenPas, Ald May, Ald Valko, Ald Taylor
Nay: None
Abstain: None
Motion Approved
8. Old Business
9. Reports and Communication
10. New Business
Action: A. Motion by Ald Valko, seconded by Ald Cunningham to approve of Regular Payroll dated March 31, 2017 in the amount of $1,486,456.98.
Aye: Ald Cunningham, Ald Seger, Ald Moisio, Ald Villalobos, Ald Newsome, Ald TenPas, Ald May, Ald Valko, Ald Taylor
Nay: None
Abstain: None
Motion Approved
Action: B. Motion by Ald Valko, seconded by Ald Cunningham to approve of Local 150 Tool & Safety Allowance dated March 31, 2017 in the amount of $23,605.00.
Aye: Ald Cunningham, Ald Seger, Ald Moisio, Ald Villalobos, Ald Newsome, Ald TenPas, Ald May, Ald Valko, Ald Taylor
Nay: None
Abstain: None
Motion Approved
Action: C. Motion by Ald Valko, seconded by Ald Cunningham to approve of Comp Time Cash-Out dated March 31, 2017 in the amount of $410.67.
Aye: Ald Cunningham, Ald Seger, Ald Moisio, Ald Villalobos, Ald Newsome, Ald TenPas, Ald May, Ald Valko, Ald Taylor
Nay: None
Abstain: None
Motion Approved
Action: D. Motion by Ald Valko, seconded by Ald Cunningham to approve of Bills dated April 3, 2017 in the amount of $1,020,794.32.
Aye: Ald Cunningham, Ald Seger, Ald Moisio, Ald Villalobos, Ald Newsome, Ald TenPas, Ald May, Ald Valko, Ald Taylor
Nay: None
Abstain: None
Motion Approved
Action: E. Motion by Ald Newsome, seconded by Ald TenPas to approve Honorary Street sign for Mrs. Edith Smith (Intersection of Jackson Ave and Glen Flora Ave & Lewis Ave and Glen Flora Ave).
Mayor Motley shared Edith Smith worked at Waukegan High School and had many capacities. She passed away last year.
Motion Approved
11. Ordinances/Resolutions
12. Closing Items
Information: A. Audience Time
Claudia Miller:
She explained she is a lifelong democrat and is truly disappointed that there were so many personal attacks towards candidate Lisa May from the democrats. She stated that candidate Sam Cunningham could have divorced himself from such rhetoric actions. She attended the January Council Meeting in which both candidates voiced support to Clean Power Lake County, however with the recent yellow mailer Sam Cunningham has changed course by accusing Lisa May of having a personal agenda for that plant. That soured her feeling towards local democrats.
Calvin Mathis
He commended Mayor Motley for his work. He had with him a flyer with Mayor Motley's promises and he agrees that Mayor Motley kept those promises. He also noted that last time he complemented the Mayor on his accomplishments he was called a sellout. Going forward with the new mayor he suggested residents should get to know their alderman and ask all the questions they have. The community needs to work together.
Ralph Petersen Jr.
He gave credit to candidate Lisa May for running a clean race. There was no negativity from her campaign. He also stated he would miss Mayor Motley. They both joked they were getting sentimental and they both agreed on topics at the end of Mayor Motley's term. He is glad he got to know the Mayor.
Information: B. Aldermen's Time
Ald. Cunningham:
None
Ald. Seger:
He urged everyone to go vote.
Ald. Moisio:
He asked everyone to try to work together with the new administration. He said not everyone gets what they want. Their job is to find the best solution to move forward all together as Mayor and Aldermen. Regardless of the winner, he will continue to support and represent the needs of the 3rd ward residents.
Ald. Villalobos:
He asked residents to go out and vote. If they do not know where to vote for they can visit the County or City website to see the voting locations. It is a historical election to be voting for either the first African American Mayor or the first woman Mayor. He stated that a negative campaign is not the way to go. He asked residents to be informed.
Ald. Newsome:
None
Ald. TenPas:
He stated they will work as a team with the new Mayor. He thanked Mayor Motley for his work. He hopes to keep the open door policy at the Mayor's Office.
Ald. May:
She wanted to add some comments about the Insurance Committee to bring the topic up full circle. The chairman's intent is to wait one more meeting, in order to have the new administration in office, and then act on the matter as soon as possible. As far as the arbitration award, the elephant in the room is the annual budget. Usually by this time they have voted on it, but they are waiting for the new administration to bring it up for a vote. She has asked for a preliminary budget because there will be a new Mayor soon and either candidate needs that financial information. The argument is a global position on the budget to not have a bigger deficit.
Ald. Valko:
He wished good luck to both candidates. On a good note, he met with the President of one of the Midlane subdivisions and notified the aldermen that Midlane Golf course will host the US Open Qualifying Rounds. In July they will also host the US Amateur Qualifying Rounds. That should be a boom for the local economy.
Ald. Taylor:
She thanked both candidates and asked for a prayer for them. She commented that they both worked hard and many do not know the struggles they both faced. For example, Ald May survived a car crash.
13. Executive Session None
14. Adjournment
Action: A. Motion by Ald Newsome, seconded by Ald Seger to adjourn. Time 8:10 pm
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