Lake County Gazette

City of North Chicago City Council met July 15

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

I. CALL TO ORDER

II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

III. INVOCATION

IV. ROLL CALL

Upon roll call being taken, the following members were present:

Present: Jackson, Coleman, Evans, Allen, Murphy

Absent: Smith, January

Alderman Coleman moved, seconded by Alderman Jackson to allow Alderman January to participate via Zoom.

ROLL CALL:

Ayes: Jackson, Coleman, Evans, Allen, Murphy, January

Nays: None

Absent: Smith

MOTION CARRIED

Mayor Rockingham announced that Alderman Smith was on vacation and would not be in attendance.

V. OMNIBUS VOTE AGENDA

5-1 Approval of Minutes for Regular Council Meeting, July 1, 2024

5-2 Approval of Standing Committee Meeting Minutes, July 1, 2024

5-3 Approval of Asphalt Paving Proposal Not to Exceed Amount of $109,935 for Patching and Overlaying Broadway Ave. from Sheridan Rd. to Glenn Dr.

5-4 Approval of Variation to Lot Area, Width and Total Side-Yard Setbacks – 2920 22nd Place (J&J Homes)

Alderman Allen moved, seconded by Alderman Evans to approve the Omnibus Vote Agenda presented.

ROLL CALL:

Ayes: Jackson, Coleman, Evans, Allen, Murphy

Nays: January (RP)

Absent: Smith

MOTION CARRIED

VI. PUBLIC COMMENTS

Edith Lopez

Said that she had been a resident for over 18 years. Sincerely thanked the paramedics for their professionalism and calm demeanor during her son’s medical emergency. They were great at assisting her in panic and keeping her son calm. Mayor Rockingham was grateful that everything was successful and that it was good to hear positive input of North Chicago. Emergency personnel is “running in when people are running out.”

Donte Brooks

He was excited that North Chicago beautified the beach; it gave a vision of what North Chicago can be again. He was born and raised in North Chicago. Mayor Rockingham thanked him and acknowledged that it was a Foss Park project of which the City Treasurer Vance Wyatt was a member of the Board. Alderman Coleman assured there were more projects of the City soon.

VII. REGULAR AGENDA

7-1 CONSIDERATION/APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION APPOINTING CHIEF OF STAFF GREGORY JACKSON AS PRIMARY AND POLICE CHIEF LAZARO PEREZ AS ALTERNATE MEMBERS OF THE LAKECOMM BOARD

Alderman Evans moved, seconded by Alderman Jackson to approve the Resolution appointing Chief of Staff Gregory Jackson as primary and Police Chief Lazaro Perez as alternate members of the LakeComm Board.

Alderman Coleman requested to vote on everyone separately; the Mayor said that they were together in the Resolution. Chief of Staff Greg Jackson explained that it was “housekeeping” based agreements the Council already approved. Alderman Coleman asked the attorney if he agreed with one and not the other; Attorney Megan Mack said that if the vote is no then it would be for both.

ROLL CALL:

Ayes: Jackson, Evans, Allen, Murphy, January (RP)

Nays: None

Recuse: Coleman

Absent: Smith

MOTION CARRIED

7-2 CONSIDERATION/APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION – ETSB OF LAKE COUNTY

Alderman Evans moved,seconded by Alderman Allen to approve the Resolution – ETSB of Lake County.

ROLL CALL:

Ayes: Jackson, Coleman, Evans, Allen, Murphy, January (RP)

Nays: None

Absent: Smith

MOTION CARRIED

7-3 CONSIDERATION/APPROVAL – LIBRARY BOARD REAPPOINTMENT OF ETTA ROBINSON; JUNE 3, 2024 UNTIL MAY 2027

Alderman Evans moved, seconded by Alderman Jackson to approve the Library Board reappointment of Etta Robinson; June 3, 2024 until May 2027.

ROLL CALL:

Ayes: Jackson, Evans, Allen, Murphy, January

Nays: None

Absent: Smith

MOTION CARRIED

7-4 CONSIDERATION/APPROVAL – LIBRARY BOARD REAPPOINTMENT OF GIOVANNI VERDIN; JUNE 3, 2024 UNTIL MAY 2027

Alderman Evans moved, seconded by Alderman Allen to approve the Library Board reappointment of Giovanni Verdin; June 3, 2024 until May 2027.

ROLL CALL:

Ayes: Jackson, Evans, Allen, Murphy, January (RP)

Nays: None

Absent: Smith

MOTION CARRIED

7-5 CONSIDERATION/APPROVAL – LIBRARY BOARD REAPPOINTMENT OF PETER VILLANUEVA; JUNE 3, 2024 UNTIL MAY 2027

Alderman Evans moved, seconded by Alderman Allen to approve the Library Board reappointment of Peter Villanueva; June 3, 2024 until May 2027.

ROLL CALL:

Ayes: Jackson, Coleman, Evans, Allen, January

Nays: Murphy

Absent: Smith

MOTION CARRIED

7-6 CONSIDERATION/APPROVAL OF AMENDING TITLE 8, CHAPTER 13, SECTION 8-A-20 REDUCING THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF CLASS GP LICENSE FROM 30 TO 29 AND AMENDING TITLE 8, CHAPTER 13, SECTION 8-A-15 INCREASING MAXIMUM NUMBER OF CLASS A SPECIAL LICENSES FROM 9 TO 10

Alderman Evans moved, seconded by Alderman Allen to approve amending Ordinance Title 8, Chapter 13, Section 8-A-20 reducing the maximum number of Class GP License from 30 to 29 and amending Title 8, Chapter 13, Section 8-A-1 increasing maximum number of Class A Special Licenses from 9 to 10.

Alderman Evans clarified the process; Mayor Rockingham acknowledged the numbers were to change.

ROLL CALL:

Ayes: Jackson, Coleman, Evans, Allen, Murphy

Nays: January

Absent: Smith

MOTION CARRIED

7-7 CONSIDERATION/APPROVAL OF CITY BILLS

General Corporate Fund $ 367,403.98

General Grants Fund $ 5,000.00

Motor Fuel Tax Fund $ 57,526.10

Federal Forfeiture Fund $ 700.00

Capital Projects Fund $ 362,265.89

Water, Sewer & Refuse $ 1,267,321.56

Defund Vision Fund $ 1,107.54

Retiree Premium Fund $ 15,415.00

Library Fund $ 6,481.23

TOTAL $ 2,083,221.30

8/14/2023

General Fund $ 21,606.45

General Grants Fund $ 7,330.25

Water, Sewer & Refuse Fund $ 882.08

TOTAL $ 29,818.78

GRAND TOTAL $ 2,113,040.18

MOTION:

Alderman Allen moved, seconded by Alderman Evans to pay the bills of Council Run and Special Bill Run in the amount of $2,113,040.18 when funds become available.

Alderman January asked if there were sufficient funds, when checks would be cut and sent, also amount in Water Fund. Comptroller Tawanda Joyner said there were sufficient funds available, checks to be processed and mailed the following day. The liquid amount in the Water Fund was $7,761,327.80 as of July 11th.

Alderman January asked Treasurer Vance Wyatt the nonliquid amount; he replied $1,522,450.36

Alderman Murphy explained her vote was her speculation that there was a misappropriation of funds in the Aldermanic expense reimbursement account in the Special Bill Run.

ROLL CALL:

Ayes: Jackson, Coleman, Evans, Allen

Nays: Murphy, January (RP)

Absent: Smith

MOTION CARRIED

VIII. MISCELLANEOUS

VARIOUS CONCERNS AND COMMENTS

*Alderman Evans announced a Picture and Prayer event July 27th, 2024, at 1:30 p.m., in front of City Hall and all was invited. The purpose was to “bring the community together.”

*Alderman Allen noted issue of event that blocked the street near the golf course which prohibited emergency vehicles from being able to pass.

*Mayor Rockingham noted it was the last meeting before Community Days. He announced the events: Friday – Movie in the park, Saturday – parade, music, entertainment, food and fireworks Sunday – gospel.

Alderman Coleman asked if there was going to be fees for the bouncy houses for kids; Mayor Rockingham assured there would be no fee.

IX. EXECUTIVE SESSION

9-1 EXECUTIVE SESSION 5 ILCS 120 2 (c)(12) – ESTABLISHMENT OF RESERVES OR SETTLEMENT OF CLAIMS

Alderman Allen moved, seconded by Alderman Evans to suspend the Regular Order of Business to Executive Session 5 ILCS 120 2 (c)(12) – establishment of Reserves or Settlement of Claims at 6:34 p.m.

ROLL CALL:

Ayes: Jackson, Coleman, Evans, Allen, Murphy, January (RP)

Nays: None

Absent: Smith

MOTION CARRIED

Alderman Allen moved,seconded by Alderman Evans to reconvene the Regular Order of Business at 7:11 p.m.

MOTION CARRIED BY VOICE VOTE

X. ACTIONS RELATED TO EXECUTIVE SESSION

10-1 ACTION RELATED TO THE PROPERTY

THERE WAS NO ACTION TAKEN

XI. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the Council; a motion was made by Alderman Allen, seconded by Alderman Evans that the meeting stand adjourned.

MOTION CARRIED BY VOICE VOTE

Alderman Smith and Murphy were absent.

The Council Meeting adjourned at 7:12 p.m.

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