City of Waukegan City Council met May 1.
Here is the minutes provided by the Council:
1. Opening Items
Procedural: A. Roll Call
Present: Ald Cunningham, Ald Seger, Ald Moisio, Ald Villalobos, Ald Newsome, Ald May, Ald Valko, Ald Taylor
Absent: Ald TenPas
Procedural: B. Invocation/Pledge of Allegiance
Information: C. Mayor's Comments
He announced the recent passing of Audrey Nixon. She was a long time Lake County Board member and a great inspiration to the community, she will be missed
2. Minutes
Action: A. Motion by Ald Moisio, second by Ald May to approve the Executive Session Meeting Minutes from April 6, 2017
Motion Approved
Action: B. Motion by Ald Seger, second by Ald Villalobos to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes from April 17, 2017
Motion Approve
3. Resolutions/Proclamations/Presentations/Appointments
Information: A. Waukegan Main Street
Tamika Jones, President of the Board of Director's, addressed the audience and council. She thanked Mayor Motley for his support and efforts to revitalize the lake front and the downtown area. She looks forward to working with the new administration.
4. Public Safety Committee
Action: A. Motion by Ald Newsome, second by Ald Moisio to authorize the proper city officials to pay the 2017/2018 Northeastern Illinois Regional Crime Lab membership assessment fee of $121,759. This payment will be made from line item 100 608524436.
Aye: Ald Cunningham, Ald Seger, Ald Moisio, Ald Villalobos, Ald Newsome, Ald May, Ald Valko, Ald Taylor
Nays: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Ald TenPas
Motion Approve
5. Old Business
Action: A. Motion to authorize the proper City Officials to reject all bids and rebid for the Custodial Contract for City Hall, Public Works, and the Police Department. Held Over by Ald Cunningham
Tabled by Ald Cunningham
Action: B. Motion to accept a Letter of Intent for the purchase of certain City-owned real estate, and to authorize proper City officials to execute the Letter of Intent and Listing Agreement. Held Over by Ald Seger
Tabled by Ald Moisio
Mayor Wayne Motley stated that City Clerk Maria LaCour had a few words to share.
City Clerk, Maria LaCour:
It has been an honor and privilege to serve the citizens of Waukegan for 27 yrs. I have enjoyed all of my experiences with the City, particularly my 17 yrs serving as Deputy City Clerk and the last three years as your City Clerk. I sincerely hope that I have many more opportunities to serve Waukegan's Citizens in the future. I'd like to congratulate Mayor Cunningham, Clerk Kilkelly and Treasurer Schwab, and wish you luck and success. I'd like to thank my staff, the best there is, for all of your hard work and striving for excellence every single day, without fail. I'd like thank Mayor Motley for your confidence in me. I'd like to thank the Aldermen for your partnership. I'd like to thank the residents of Waukegan for allowing me to serve you. Most of all, I'd like to thank my amazing family for your constant love and support.
Mayor Wayne Motley
He shared a few words: He shared that 42 yrs ago he was sworn in as a Police Officer. When he came in he had Steve Martin by his side and now that he is leaving they are still next to each other. He thanked the Aldermen, the staff, the administration and the community for all the support. It has been an honor and commitment to serve the City of Waukegan. He congratulated Sam Cunningham for being the next Mayor. He also shared that his daughter sent him a text that said "glad to have you back"
6. Recess - 10 minutes
7. Reports and Communication
Procedural: A. Judge George Bridges swears in City Clerk Janet E Kilkelly
8. Swearing in Ceremony
Procedural: A. City Clerk Kilkelly calls the meeting to order/Roll Call
Present: Ald Cunningham, Ald Seger, Ald Moisio, Ald Villalobos, Ald Newsome, Ald May, Ald Valko, Ald Taylor
Absent: Ald TenPas
Procedural: B. Clerk Kilkelly swears in Treasurer John Schwab
Procedural: C. Chief Judge Jorge Ortiz swears in Mayor Cunningham.
Chief Judge Ortiz expressed it was an honor to be present in this very historical day.
Mayor Cunningham
He asked Corporation Counsel Robert Long to join his right side. He announced the City Council would go down to the main floor to take a group photo and that would be the only photo.
He then announced he had a prayer and brief remarks.
His remarks after the prayer started by thanking the aldermen, Clerk Kilkelly, Treasurer Schwab and his friends and neighbors for being present. He recognized Mayor Wayne Motley for his years of service as Mayor, City Clerk and as Police Officer. He went on to state that he just took the oath to office to serve for the next four years as Waukegan's 40th Mayor. He recognized that the residents of Waukegan will not be short on the support and faith they have placed on him. Their trust has not been misplaced.
To his daughters Syerra and Samantha, they are his inspiration. To his mother Mary Ross Cunningham, she is his rock. He loves them all and will make them all proud. He has been asked countless times, what will the next four years bring. He stated in front of them are many challenges and opportunities. He summarized his goals in two words: Progress and Unity. He expressed he has the goal to place efficiency and transparency in the City of Waukegan. His administration will work to be more accessible and will no longer do Band-Aid solutions. The City of Waukegan will be business friendly. He is the City's first African American Mayor, he understands, respects and appreciates the historical importance. However he likes to see himself as a resident of Waukegan. Diversity is what unites everyone in the city. All stakeholders, that means all voices, will be heard because they are all important. He acknowledged that his aunt was standing on her own on this important day.
Motion by Ald Villalobos, seconded by Ald Newsome to allow Ald TenPas to join the City Council meeting Time 7:54 pm
Motion Approved
9. New Business
Action: A. Motion by Ald TenPas, second by Ald Valko to approve Regular Payroll dated April 28, 2017 in the amount of $1,462,015.53.
Aye: Ald Seger, Ald Moisio, Ald Villalobos, Ald Newsome, Ald TenPas, Ald May, Ald Valko, Ald Taylor
Nays: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Motion Approved
Action: B. Motion by Ald Valko, second by Ald Seger to approve a final payout dated April 28, 2017 in the amount of $1,132.82
Aye: Ald Seger, Ald Moisio, Ald Villalobos, Ald Newsome, Ald TenPas, Ald May, Ald Valko, Ald Taylor
Nays: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Motion Approved
Action: C. Motion by Ald TenPas, second by Ald Taylor to approve the payment of bills dated April 28, 2017 in the amount of $1,309,575.46.
Aye: Ald Seger, Ald Moisio, Ald Villalobos, Ald Newsome, Ald TenPas, Ald May, Ald Valko, Ald Taylor
Nays: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Motion Approved
Action: D. Motion by Ald Taylor, second by Ald Seger to approve all Block Parties
Motion Approved
Action: E. Motion by Ald Moisio, second by Ald Villalobos to approve all raffle sale applications
Motion Approved
Action: F. Motion by Ald Villalobos, second by Ald Newsome to approve the use of Stiner Pavilion for Motown On The Lake, on Saturday, June 24, 2017 from 7:00 pm-11:30 pm. This event is sponsored by sponsored by Jen G, Inc; the sponsor has applied under the Directive for Non-City/ Government Use of City-Owned Buildings and Venues, and has paid all costs required by that Directive. The event has been approved by the Outdoor Special Event Board.
Ald Valko asked if this event would have alcohol. Jorge Torres, City Collector, shared the event would have alcohol. This is a non-profit organization that will be applying for a non-profit application that will be approved for three events. They will have beer and wine. Ald Seger questioned if the City would cover security for the event. The applicant will cover everything; the City would still provide normal scheduled patrol by the lake front.
Aye: Ald Seger, Ald Moisio, Ald Villalobos, Ald Newsome, Ald TenPas, Ald May, Ald Valko, Ald Taylor
Nays: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Motion Approved
Action: G. City Council Committee appointments. None
Action: H. Mayor's appointments. None
10. Ordinances/Resolutions
11. Closing Items
Information: A. Audience Time
Derrick Walker
He presented a gift to Mayor Cunningham on behalf of BAM. He took a picture with his family and the New Mayor.
Chris Blanks
He stated he respects Mayor Cunningham as Mayor and a resident of the City of Waukegan. He is a good example of what they need to teach the youth. Put self on the side. The 1st ward and his organization BAM is supporting Mayor Cunningham.
Randy Sobecki
He introduced himself as the PTO president of Little Fort Elementary. He shared that next Monday May 8th, 2017 there will be a fundraiser event. They are raising funds to buy new playground equipment that has not been changed since 1957. He extended an invitation to everyone present to see the Harlem Wizards play against many City leaders, including teachers and city officials. The presale price per ticket is $10/student and $12/general admission. At the door tickets are $12/student and $15/general admission. There is also a YouTube video promotion on the event: Harlem Wizards/Waukegan. He concluded by sharing a few of the Community leaders that are on the team including Mayor Cunningham and Ald May. The game is at 5:30 pm.
Margaret Carrasco
May 1st is the start to new administration and she sends them best wishes. She stated the citizens of Waukegan are united and ready to rebuild their town, here and now. This is their moment and their town. She recalled that many remember the factories that at one point left many Waukegan residents jobless. Those times are over; they will bring back the jobs and bring back the dreams.
She then shared that her father, former teacher of Mayor Cunningham, and the rest of her Padilla Family worked in various fields until they got hired by Abbott Laboratories. The family invested their entire checks on stocks from the company. Now the value of the stocks is ready to be invested, they had been waiting for the right leader to be able to invest on the economy of their town. They have now started to plan on investing $10,000,000 on a movie production company to be based in Waukegan IL. She concluded saying her father said P.S. happy birthday Ald TenPas.
Esther Herran
She introduced herself as a Venezuelan architect with 20 years of experience. She is also the founder of the Foreign Professionals Coalition. She shared that she received a letter from President Barrack Obama. She shared some charts that stated that each year there are billions of tax dollars unused and wasted. Although Waukegan is 72% immigrants, they are often not acknowledged by City Officials. The diversity of Waukegan is underrepresented in political positions. She would like to see an open hiring procedures based on merits and qualifications. She congratulated Mayor Cunningham and stated the community demands and expects changes.
Information: B. Aldermen's Time
Ald Seger
He expressed he lost a dear friend Audrey Nixon. His condolences to her family.
Ald Moisio
He congratulated Mayor Cunningham, he shared they went to High School together. He liked that the Mayor wants progress and Unity and he advised that they should add communication.
Ald Villalobos
He stated this is a historical day and he is proud to be part of the administration making changes. He went on to share and thank that 25 volunteers that helped the past Saturday to clean the Amstutz. He also helped with a lake front clean-up. He joined a group of fellow members of Clean Power Lake County and attended the march in Chicago. There were two ribbon cutting this past weekend for an art gallery and a Cuban Experience.
He listed upcoming events such as the Cinco de Mayo hosted by GWDC and The Harbor's Edge, it will be a three day event. There will be a recycling event at Waukegan Public Library, they will be taking electronics and will also have shredding services. On a personal note he shared that he will continue to pick up garbage on Washington St from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm. He also reminded the community that a young local teenager Austin Cantu also has a personal commitment to continue his clean-ups in a downtown area. He needs more volunteers for this Sunday. He congratulated the new City Officials.
Ald Newsome
She stated that a recent honorary street sign was just approved for Ms. Edith Smith. She read a summary of a biography that was included in the application. She shared that on Saturday May 13th at 1:00 pm at Glen Flora Ave there will be a ceremony to unveil the Honorary sign. She congratulated the new administration and is proud to look forward to changes. She was also happy the Mayor Cunningham started with a prayer because he is asking for guidance.
Ald TenPas
He recalled Mayor Cunningham as his student and athlete. He knows that the new Mayor does not give up; he ran for Mayor before and didn't stop until he was elected. He then stated that the new administration will bring the City together.
Ald May
She congratulated Mayor Cunningham and although they were competitors in the recent past months they will now work together. She looks forward to meeting and mending with the competition. She congratulated the new administration.
Ald Valko
He stated this is a long journey for the new administration. He hopes Mayor Cunningham brings forth the same passion he had to help the 1st ward. Unity to work together. He also shared that it has only been once or twice that he has witnessed all the seats in City hall be filled during the council meetings. Several speakers rotate and then there are some consistent speakers that come more regularly. He stated it would be great to have more speakers come and speak their minds.
Ald Taylor
She shared that on April 22nd the Waukegan and Gurnee firefighters participated in a charity hockey game to benefit Habitat for Humanity. Gurnee Firefighters won but they all did a good deed. She went on to welcome the new administration. She then stated that she considers Mayor Cunningham her brother from another mother. They were able to become so close through communication. She believes this is the right time in his life to lead and the best time for Waukegan as well. She thanked his daughters for the future time they will have to sacrifice away from their father because of all his commitments. She then asked his mother to stand because this must be the most important and proudest moment for her, especially as a single mother.
Mayor Cunningham
He stated that many did not believe this day would be here. He expects the City to continue to challenge him; he does not want to sit idle. While working with the aldermen, he asked someone to make an organizational chart. Typically the Mayor is at the top. However he wanted to place the citizens at the top, they are the shareholders. The board members are the aldermen. The Mayor is the CEO, to be clear he takes orders from the shareholders. The elected officials have a common shareholder, the tax payer. If Waukegan fails, they fail. If Waukegan succeeds, they succeed. That was what he learned from former Ald Bobby Evans. He also recognized Bob Sabonjian. He then addressed Ald May; they were both historical candidates as the potential 1st woman Mayor and the 1st African American Mayor. That is the same passion that Robert Evans and Robert Sabonjian brought to politics. He proudly expressed that he is ready. He concluded by stating that he would take more pictures after the council meeting to include Ald TenPas.
Action: C. Adjournment Motion by Ald Seger, second by Ald Villalobos to adjourn. Time 8:45 pm
Motion Approved
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