City of Zion City Council met Sept. 19.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
Mayor Pro-Tem Fischer called the meeting to order.
On call of the roll the following answered present: Commissioners McDowell, Holmes, Frierson and Mayor Pro Tem Fischer. A quorum was present. Mayor McKinney was absent.
Also present: Fire/Rescue Chief Justin Stried, Police Chief Eric Barden, Building & Zoning Director Richard Ianson, and City Attorney James Vasselli. Accounts & Finance Director Kris Conway, City Administrator David Knabel and Public Works Director Ray Roberts were absent.
Mr. William Bremner led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
AGENDA CHANGES
It was moved by Commissioner Frierson, seconded by Commissioner McDowell to approve the Agenda with the following changes:
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, sale or purchase of real estate, collective bargaining, legal counsel and personnel
The vote on roll call was: Commissioners McDowell, aye; Holmes, aye; Frierson, aye; and Mayor Pro-Tem Fischer, aye. Motion carried.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
Mayor Pro-Tem Fischer read the rules for Citizen Comments.
Jason Williams, Beach Park, commented that he is having drainage issues at his property located at 2628 Horeb Ave. He previously sent emails to Commissioner Holmes and the Mayor regarding issues with flooding and eroding his driveway. It has been an ongoing problem for a while. The problem comes from the storm drain plugging up. His road is next to the storm drain and gets all the water. A few storms ago he cleaned the storm drain and no one from the City stopped to clean the drain. It will cost him money to fix his driveway. He has had several conversations with the Public Works Director but nothing has transpired. He was told it is private property and there is nothing they can do. The storm drain plugs up and backs up onto his driveway. He asked the City to add more storm drains.
Ada Hamlet, Zion, stated she has been having issues with her neighbor. All of the neighbor’s bushes are on her property. She has called the City about it but nothing has been done. She ended up paying someone to cut the bushes away. The roots are tearing up her driveway. She is not able to fiscally do it anymore. Additionally, she asked why fireworks are being allowed to be set off at 2:00 and 3:00 am.
CONSENT AGENDA
It was moved by Commissioner McDowell, seconded by Commissioner Holmes that the Minutes be approved as follows:
(a) APPROVAL OF MINUTES: a Regular Meeting held September 5, 2023 at 7:00 p.m.
The vote on roll call was: Commissioners McDowell, aye; Holmes, aye; Frierson, aye; and Mayor Pro-Tem Fischer, aye. Motion carried.
It was moved by Commissioner Holmes, seconded by Commissioner McDowell that the Bills be approved as follows:
(b) BILLS: Vouchers 144127 through 144201 drawn on Huntington National Bank, N.A. Total: $299,382.85.
The vote on roll call was: Commissioners McDowell, aye; Holmes, aye; Frierson, aye; and Mayor Pro-Tem Fischer, aye. Motion carried.
ORDINANCE/EQUIPMENT PURCHASE/POWER LOAD AMUBULANCE COT SYSTEM
A memo (23-DOC-84) was received from Chief Stried requesting to purchase a Power Load Ambulance Cot System. Chief Stried stated a quote and purchase order was received for a Stryker PowerSystem2 and cot in the amount of $57,749.60. This is equipment that is necessary for the new ambulance scheduled to be delivered in mid/late 2024. The ambulance vendor was not able to include the cot and power system due to the extended period of time it is taking to build vehicles. The cot and power system were budgeted as part of this years’ Capital Budget and will be shipped and stored until the ambulance vendor is ready for it. Stryker has announced that price increases on all equipment will take effect in October of this year, making it financially responsible to place the order now and lock in current pricing. Additionally, he is requesting waiving of the bid process and recognize Stryker EMS as the single-source vendor of the specialized equipment that matches the equipment in all City ambulances.
It was moved by Commissioner McDowell, seconded by Commissioner Frierson, that an Ordinance (23-O-56) be passed to authorizing and approving the purchase of essential equipment (Power Load Ambulance Cot System) in the Fire Department, waive the bid process and accept the quote from Stryker EMS in the amount of $57,749.60. The vote on roll call was: Commissioners McDowell, aye; Holmes, aye; Frierson, aye; and Mayor Pro-Tem Fischer, aye. Motion carried Ordinance passed.
VARIANCE/ZION MUNICIPAL CODE/SECTION 102-61/2343 SHERIDAN ROAD
A memo (23-DOC-85) was received from Director Ianson requesting approval of a Variance from Section 102- 61(a)(1) of the Zion Municipal Code to allow the sale of used vehicles at the property located at 2343 Sheridan Road as petitioned by Checkpoint Motorsports, Inc., Zoning Docket 23-Z-19. This is not a typical used car lot. They will not be selling to the public, nor have the use of any signage or advertising. They are going to be purchasing vehicles, repairing them and reselling them to dealers. They currently have approximately 30 parking stalls. They are required to have 4 for the business and 2 for the employees, leaving the remaining for stored vehicles. At the September 7, 2023 Planning & Zoning Meeting, they recommended to approve the Variance request.
It was moved by Commissioner Frierson, seconded by Commissioner Holmes that an Ordinance (23-O-57) be passed granting a Variance to Section 102-61(a)(1) of the Zion Municipal Code to allow the sale of used vehicles for property located at 2343 Sheridan Road. The vote on roll call was: Commissioners McDowell, aye; Holmes, aye; Frierson, aye; and Mayor Pro-Tem Fischer, aye. Motion carried Ordinance passed.
TABULATION OF BIDS/POLICE DEPARTMENT HVAC REPAIRS
A Tabulation of Bids (23-DOC-86) was received from Chief Barden for the 2023 Police Department HVAC Improvements. The only bidder was Norther Weathermakers HVAC Inc. from Northbrook, Inc., but the bid has been deemed unresponsive due to the omission of a Certificate of Insurance. Therefore, he is asking that the bid be rejected. Northern Weathermakers is currently the service and maintenance provider for the City of Zion. He is requesting waiving of the bid process and award the contract to Northern Weathermakers in the amount of $134,834.00 for the necessary repairs. Funding for the project is a budgeted item in the FY24 Capital Projects Fund. Copies of the bid tabulation will be posted on the City’s website. Commissioner Frierson noted that the HVAC repairs at the police department are quite extensive. Chief Barden stated that unfortunately it is only a patch. The main cost is in the control system and does not include the duct work repair. The repairs are necessary as the issues affect the jail cells. Commissioner McDowell asked if Northern Weathermakers has a Certificate Insurance on file with the City. Chief Barden stated they will not begin the work without it.
It was moved by Commissioner McDowell, seconded by Commissioner Holmes to reject the bid for the 2023 Police Department HVAC Repairs, waive the bid process, and award the contract to the City’s Service and Maintenance provider, Northern Weathermakers, Inc. in the amount of $134,834.00. The vote on roll call was: Commissioners McDowell, aye; Holmes, aye; Frierson, aye; and Mayor Pro-Tem Fischer, aye. Motion carried.
DEPARTMENTAL COMMENTARY
Director Ianson reminded residents that Waste Management has moved all service to the front. Residents need to comply with the change as they continue to try and get the information out. Mayor Pro-Tem Fischer asked if Waste Management will pick up garbage in a previous company’s container. Director Ianson stated he will look into it.
Chief Stried stated the Open House at the Fire Station 1 will be Saturday, October 7 around 12:00. Refreshments will be served. Flyers will be available soon.
Chief Barden stated they are close to hiring a new Administrative Assistant/Communications position. This person will be in charge of updating the website and doing other City communications. Commissioner Holmes asked the Chief to respond to the Fireworks concern from Ms. Hamlet. Chief Barden stated they currently have a gunshot detection system in that area. He stated many times by the time the officers get there, the offenders are gone. He stated it is hard to pinpoint the location and issue a citation. They will continue to patrol the area.
Commissioner Frierson shared some upcoming events in the community.
• Fourth Movie in the Park on Friday at dusk (7:00 p.m.-7:30p.m.) American Legion provides free popcorn.
• September 23rd at 1:00 p.m. is the Grand Re-opening of the ZB Library. Health surveys as part of the Community Wellness will also be going on. Residents are being paid $20 an hour per household for participating in the survey.
• September 30th at 10:30 a.m. at Mount Rest Cemetery in Wadsworth there will be a memorial for some fallen Veterans; Hewiitt P. Shelby (WWII), John Marko (WWII) and Delbert L. Damron (Korea).
• October 4, the Care Coach from Rosalind Franklin University will be setting up in front of the Library and will be providing free physicals and flu vaccines. City of Hope will also be partnering with them.
• October 21st at the Westin in Wheeling NAACP will be hosting their annual Gala
• November 10th begins a Hat & Coat Drive along with Grandparents and Kin Raising Children in Lake County also partnering with the Rotary. There will be boxes throughout the City for donations.
Mayor Pro-Tem Fischer noted that he attended the District Sergeants meet & greet with Sergeant Luff. Chief Barden stated they will be doing it on a regular basis at different venues throughout the Districts to try and connect with residents. Communication is a big part of connecting with the community and he is hopeful that the new hire will help them get the word out. Additionally, Mayor Pro-Tem Fischer encouraged residents that have questions on subjects such as garbage to go to the City website for information as opposed to listening to people on social media.
Commissioner Frierson stated that they have been going back and forth on the accessibility for disabled persons or seniors. The City worked hard on getting a form created to help with that. Residents can fill it out and get it validated by a doctor and Waste Management will come out for a site visit to determine what the accommodations could be. The forms can be picked up in person, emailed or mailed to residents.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
October 3 7:00 p.m. Zion City Council Meeting
October 17 6:00 p.m. Zion Township Board Meeting
7:00 p.m. Zion City Council Meeting
ADJOURN
There being no further business to come before the Council at this time, it was moved by Commissioner Holmes, seconded by Commissioner McDowell and unanimously approved the meeting be adjourned at 7:30 p.m. Motion carried.
https://www.cityofzion.com/meetings/citycouncil/minutes/2023/091923.pdf
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