Lake County Gazette

City of Zion City Council met Jan. 7.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor McKinney called the meeting to order.

On call of the roll the following answered present: Commissioners Holmes, McDowell, Frierson, Fischer, and Mayor McKinney. A quorum was present.

Also present: Police Chief Kirk Henderson, Fire Chief John Lewis, Public Works Director Ray Roberts, City Administrator David Knabel, Building & Zoning Director Richard Ianson and City Attorney James Vasselli.

Mr. Bremner led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

Mayor McKinney asked for a moment of silence for all First Responders, the people of Australia and Puerto Rico and all Military personnel.

AGENDA CHANGES

It was moved by Commissioner Fischer, seconded by Commissioner Frierson to accept the City Council meeting agenda with the following change:

1. Delete Item 11. CLOSED SESSION – (Pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2 “Open Meetings”) for the discussion of filed, pending and/or probable or imminent litigation

The vote on roll call was: Commissioners Holmes, aye; McDowell, aye; Frierson, aye; Fischer, aye; and Mayor McKinney, aye. Motion carried.

Commissioner Holmes asked about the consideration for the Commissioners to help the City financially regarding a “give back” of their salary. Mayor McKinney stated they will have the discussion during Departmental Commentary.

CITIZEN COMMENTS

Iola Jeffries, Zion, stated the road on 17th Street is in bad shape. Additionally, she stated she is concerned about her neighbor’s pit bull. She stated the dog gets out of its yard and comes to “do its business” in her yard. She put up a fence on her property to keep the dogs out. She has called the police but they do not come out. She has spoken with the neighbor but the dog keeps going in her yard. She is afraid of the pit bull as it has attacked her grandkids. Chief Henderson stated he already spoken with Ms. Jeffries on this issue and he will personally be looking into the issue.

Clyde McLemore, Zion, invited the Council to attend the Reparations Symposium on Thursday, January 9, 2020 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. The event is sponsored by Black Lives Matter Lake County and N’Cobra Chicago Chapter.

CONSENT AGENDA

It was moved by Commissioner Fischer seconded by Commissioner McDowell that the Minutes be approved as follows:

(a) APPROVAL OF MINUTES: of a Regular Meeting held on December 17, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. and approval but not release of Closed Session Minutes of a meeting held on December 17, 2019 at 8:12 p.m.

The vote on roll call was: Commissioners Holmes, abstain; McDowell, aye; Frierson, aye; Fischer, aye; and Mayor McKinney, aye. Motion carried.

It was moved by Commissioner Fischer seconded by Commissioner Holmes that the Bills be approved as follows:

(b) BILLS: V ouchers 134071 through 134168 drawn on Huntington National Bank, N.A. Total: $797,334.76.

The vote on roll call was: Commissioners Holmes, aye; McDowell, aye; Frierson, aye; Fischer, aye; and Mayor McKinney, aye. Motion carried.

ORDINANCE/SPECIAL USE PERMIT/2240 SHERIDAN ROAD

It was moved by Commissioner Holmes, seconded by Commissioner McDowell that an Ordinance (20-O-1) be passed granting a Special Use Permit for an Indoor Self-Storage Facility for property located at 2240 Sheridan Road. The vote on roll call was: Commissioners Holmes, aye; McDowell, aye; Frierson, aye; Fischer, aye; and Mayor McKinney, aye. Motion carried. Ordinance passed.

FIREFIGHTER//PARAMEDIC NEW HIRE/ FIRE/RESUCE DEPARTMENT

A memo (20-DOC-1) was received from Chief Lewis requesting approval to fill a Battalion Chief position and Lieutenant position and request to promote the next candidate from the current Battalion Chief eligibility list and the current Lieutenant eligibility list from the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners. These vacancies are the result of Battalion Chief Alan Eppers retirement on January 20, 2020. The tentative dates for the promotions would be January 21, 2020 pending action on the promotions by the Fire and Police Commission at the January 14, 2020 meeting.

It was moved by Commissioner Frierson, seconded by Commissioner McDowell to approve filling a Battalion Chief position and a Lieutenant position and requesting the name of the next candidate on the current Battalion Chief eligibility list and Lieutenant eligibility list from the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners. The vote on roll call was: Commissioners Holmes, aye; McDowell, aye; Frierson, aye Fischer, aye; and Mayor McKinney, aye. Motion carried.

TABULATION OF BIDS/CLEANING & MAINTENANCE SERVICES FOR CITY FACILITIES

A Tabulation of Bids (20-DOC-2) was received from Director Ianson for the combined cleaning and maintenance services for City Hall, the Police Administration Building and the Public Works facility. He stated that one responsive bid was received. He is recommending the responsible bidder, VMG Quality Services for $38,400.00 annually.

It was moved by Commissioner Fischer, seconded by Commissioner McDowell that the bid for the combined cleaning and maintenance services for City Hall, the Police Administration Building and the Public Works facility be awarded to VMG Quality Services in the bid amount of $38,400.00 annually. The vote on roll call was: Commissioners Holmes, aye; McDowell, aye; Frierson, aye; Fischer, aye; and Mayor McKinney, aye. Motion carried.

APPLICATION/CDBG COMMERICAL SIGN & FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM/ TOWNSEND & VLASIS OD PC

A memo (20-DOC-3) was received from the Economic Development Department requesting approval of an application to participate in the CDBG Commercial Sign & Façade and Improvement Program. On March 21, 2017, the Council approved Ordinance Number 17-O-15 establishing a Commercial Sign & Façade Improvement Program to provide financial assistance to property and business owners to substantially improve the City’s retail and business district environment. The Program provides available grant funds to property and business owners to be matched by their equal and greater investment of private funds. It is for the purpose of restoring or renovating commercial facades which can be viewed from the public right-of-way and/or replacing deteriorated, poor quality signs and awnings that conform to the City’s current sign ordinance. Townsend & Vlasis OD PC, also known as Lake County Vision Care located at 2625 Elisha Avenue, has submitted an application to participate in the program to replace front & side mansard roof, replace shingled eave, soffit and lighting along the south & west side of the building and fix or replace the cap between the roof and eave. The total cost of the project is not to exceed $8,075.00. The maximum reimbursement amount from CDBG grant funds for the project is not to exceed $4,037.50.

It was moved by Commissioner McDowell, seconded by Commissioner Fischer, to approve the CDBG Commercial Sign & Façade Improvement Program application of Townsend & Vlasis OD PC, 2625 Elisha Avenue, to replace front & side mansard roof, replace shingled eave, soffit and lighting along the south & west side of the building and fix or replace the cap between the roof and eave. The total cost of the project is not to exceed $8,075.00. The maximum reimbursement amount from CDBG grant funds for the project is not to exceed $4,037.50, pending Building Department review and permitting. The vote on roll call was: Commissioners Holmes, aye; McDowell, aye; Frierson, aye; Fischer, aye; and Mayor McKinney, aye. Motion carried.

DEPARTMENTAL COMMENTARY

Karin Graves encouraged citizens to look at the City’s website for available positions within the City.

Director Ianson reminded residents they cannot discharge their sump pumps onto sidewalks, public streets or a neighbor’s property.

Director Roberts stated IDOT will be re-surfacing Route 173 from Lewis Avenue to Sheridan Road sometime in 2020.

Administrator Knabel stated his monthly “Dollars and Sense” meeting will take place on January 14th at 6:00 p.m. at It’s All Good. The topic for the January 14th meeting will be “Fire and Rescue Operations”.

Chief Lewis stated at the conclusion of 2019 the Fire/Rescue Department saw an increase in call volume with 4449 calls. This is an increase of 150 over last year.

Chief Henderson stated the police department completed their last hiring on December 20, 2019. A newly sworn officer will be attending the Police Academy on January 12. Upon his return from the Academy, he will be training with an officer until August 2020 upon which time he will be on his own.

Mayor McKinney asked Chief Henderson to give a brief overview of the marijuana laws now that it is legal. Chief Henderson referred citizens to the Zion Police Facebook page for the details on the Cannabis Regulations and Tax Act. Mayor McKinney stated homeowners can smoke in their homes, but asked about renters. Chief Henderson advised tenants to check with their landlords. He stated tenants do have property rights. Commissioner Frierson stated asked residents to keep in mind that the first cannabis related offense will be a misdemeanor but the second offense will be a felony.

Commissioner Fischer stated as part of cleaning up old business in establishing the budget, in May the Commissioners voluntarily agreed to donate back 10% of their salary. Although Commissioner Holmes and Frierson were not on the Council when it was agreed upon, they have graciously agreed to participate.

Commissioner McDowell thanked Mayor McKinney for attending the 6th Annual Elf Network Dinner sponsored by the Zion Township.

Mari Lou Hiltibran stated while she was at the Zion McDonalds a gentleman walked out in front of her in the turn lane. He was dressed in all dark clothing. She stated he was hard to see and someone could have killed him. She advised people to wear light or reflective clothing to be seen when walking at night.

ADJOURN

There being no further business to come before the Council at this time, it was moved by Commissioner Frierson, seconded by Commissioner McDowell, and unanimously approved the meeting be adjourned at 7:28 p.m. Motion carried.

https://www.cityofzion.com/meetings/citycouncil/minutes/2020/010720.pdf