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Tuesday, January 7, 2025

City of Waukegan City Council met Dec. 2

City of Waukegan City Council met Dec. 2

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor; Ann B. Taylor, City Clerk; Janet E. Kilkelly, & Corporation Counsel; Stewart J. Weiss were present.

City Treasurer; Dr. John R. Schwab was absent.

1. Opening Items

Procedural: A. Roll Call

PRESENT: Ald Turner, Ald Donnenwirth, Ald Florian, Ald Hayes, Ald Bolton, Ald Guzman, Ald Martinez, Ald Felix, Ald Newsome.

ABSENT:  None.

Procedural: B. Invocation by Prophetess Patricia Hymon (Power Prayer Partners Ministries, Waukegan IL.) / Pledge of Allegiance

Procedural: C. Mayor's Comments - At this time, Mayor Taylor shared her comments. In addition, City of Waukegan staff provided updates as requested by Mayor Taylor. 

2. Resolutions/Proclamations/Presentations/Appointments

3. Audience Time

Thom Kapheim: Discussed art grant and shared concerns about how the money is being spent. Shared that the City of Waukegan needs an Art advisory to help make decisions.

Jack Dye: Discussed what Bill Powers said about him and his wife at the last Council Meeting. Stated they do not know who he is and what he said is not true.  Shared his wife and him are in favor of the short-term rental ordinance. Shared comments about short-term rentals.

Ludwin Barreno: Stated he is a Waukegan resident and lives in the 1st Ward. Shared he emailed Ald Bolton, Mayor Ann B. Taylor, and Chief of Staff George Bridges Jr regarding some concerns. Stated he never got a response back. Shared he has a few citations and runs a business. Stated he would like the City of Waukegan to help.

Rayon Edwards: Directed comments to Alderman Bolton regarding unanswered resident complaints. Stated Aldermen need to ride around Waukegan and think about the future of this city.  Discussed the hit and runs that have been happening in the city. Stated the Aldermen were elected to be the voices of the residents of Waukegan.

Calvin Mathis: Congratulated City Clerk Janet E. Kilkelly on dismissal of case. Shared comments regarding Police report from last Council meeting.  Stated Aldermen have been unprofessional and unprepared for Council meetings.

Brotha Blanks: Shared concerns regarding McAlister Ave.  Stated he had been trying to get the specs from Engineering since June. Shared he even did a FOIA request to get specs for McAlister Ave. Stated he didn’t receive anything until he spoke out about the issue in a Council Meeting.

Margaret Carrasco: Directed comments to Alderman Hayes regarding demolition of the Water tower. Discussed many Waukegan residents have been calling and get no response back. Stated if the Aldermen don’t have the time for their residents, then they should not be Aldermen. Stated she will be filing an ARDC complaint.

4. Consent Agenda (Items under the Consent Agenda are considered routine and/or non-controversial and will be approved by one motion. If any one board member wishes to have a separate vote on any item, it will be pulled from the Consent Agenda and voted on separately) Motion by Ald Newsome, second by Ald Turner to approve Consent Agenda items 4. B - D, excluding item 4. A.

Action: A. Motion by Ald Florian, second by Ald Martinez to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes from Monday, November 18, 2024.

Ald Bolton asked for this to be reconsidered to another Committee of the Whole Date. Corporation Counsel Weiss provided clarification, stating these are for minutes for the Regular City Council Meeting. Mayor Taylor stated this is for Regular City Council Meeting Minutes, not for Committee of the Whole. Ald Guzman stated he wanted this put on hold, for her [Ald Bolton]. Ald Bolton stated she needs to move to reconsider this item to be brought back at Committee of the Whole. Corporation Counsel Weiss again asked for Ald Bolton to clarify if she wants the minutes pulled. Ald Bolton stated no, and that she would like item 'A' removed for reconsideration. Corporation Counsel Weiss asked if there is a change requested for the minutes. Ald Bolton again stated she wants it reconsidered. Corporation Counsel Weiss stated the minutes haven't been voted on, so there is nothing to reconsider. Mayor Taylor directed comment to Ald Bolton, stating that she believes she is speaking regarding an item that was on Committee of the Whole, not the Regular City Council Meeting Minutes. Ald Bolton stated 'OK'. Mayor Taylor asked Ald Guzman if he had a question. Ald Guzman stated he was asked to put it up for motion, and he thought it would be a later discussion but they want it now.  Mayor Taylor stated this is just for the Regular Meeting Minutes. Ald Turner called for the question. 

AYE: Ald Turner, Ald Donnenwirth, Ald Florian, Ald Hayes, Ald Bolton, Ald Guzman, Ald Martinez, Ald Felix, Ald Newsome.

NAY: None.

ABSENT: None.

ABSTAIN: None.

MOTION APPROVED

Action (Consent): B. Motion to approve vendor payments dated December 2, 2024 totaling in the amount of $2,096,093.99.

Action (Consent): C. Motion to approve and ratify Regular Payroll dated November 29, 2024, in the total amount of $1,992,036.92.

Action (Consent): D. Motion to approve and ratify Misc. Payroll (PD HBB & CT Cashout and Final Payouts) dated November 29, 2024, in the total amount of $35,559.81.

Consent Agenda Vote:

AYE: Ald Turner, Ald Donnenwirth, Ald Florian, Ald Hayes, Ald Bolton, Ald Guzman, Ald Martinez, Ald Felix, Ald Newsome.

NAY: None.

ABSENT: None.

ABSTAIN: None.

MOTION APPROVED

5. Reports and Communication

6. Old Business

Action: A. Motion to approve an Ordinance Amending Section 2-100 of the Code of Ordinances Removing Requirement for Annual Adoption of a Salary Ordinance [This matters was considered by the Code Revisions, Appeals, and Negotiations Committee on July 1, 2024; Alderman Guzman requested it be presented at December 2, 2024 Council Meeting]

HELD OVER BY ALD GUZMAN UNTIL DECEMBER 16, 2024.

7. New Business

Action: A. Motion by Ald Turner, second by Ald Felix to approve an Ordinance approving a Conditional Use Permit and site plan for a laundromat in the B3 General Commercial District at 41 S. Green Bay Road (Zoning Calendar #2764) [This item was heard at the December 2, 2024 Community Development Committee]

AYE: Ald Turner, Ald Donnenwirth, Ald Florian, Ald Hayes, Ald Bolton, Ald Guzman, Ald Martinez, Ald Felix, Ald Newsome.

NAY: None.

ABSENT: None.

ABSTAIN: None.

MOTION APPROVED

Action: B. Motion by Ald Martinez, second by Ald Guzman to approve an Ordinance creating a Class A-1 Tavern with outside services liquor license for 219 Sports Bar DBA TRs Front Row on Greenwood located at 219 W Greenwood Ave [This item was heard at the December 2, 2024 Community Development Committee]

AYE: Ald Turner, Ald Donnenwirth, Ald Florian, Ald Hayes, Ald Bolton, Ald Guzman, Ald Martinez, Ald Felix

NAY: Ald Newsome.

ABSENT: None.

ABSTAIN: None.

MOTION APPROVED

Action: C. Motion by Ald Turner, second by Ald Guzman to approve an Ordinance creating a Class D Video Gaming Parlor liquor license for Lucky Jacks located at 410 S Green Bay Rd [This item was heard at the December 2, 2024 Community Development Committee]

AYE: Ald Turner, Ald Donnenwirth, Ald Florian, Ald Hayes, Ald Bolton, Ald Guzman, Ald Martinez, Ald Felix

NAY: Ald Newsome.

ABSENT: None.

ABSTAIN: None.

MOTION APPROVED

8. Ordinances

9. Closing Items

Alderperson Time

Ald Turner: Pass- No comment.

Ald Donnenwirth: Thanked the staff and employees of the City of Waukegan. Kindly reminded residents to keep their leaves out and make sure there is nothing blocking the leaves from being picked up.

Ald Florian:  Shared she attended the Waukegan tree lighting, and it was a beautiful event. Reminded residents that there will be one more leaf pick-up.  Kindly asked residents not to put anymore leaves out after this leaf pick up. Shared comments regarding certain mailing addresses for Alderpersons (e.g. 8th Ward - Wadsworth postal - 9th Ward Libertyville postal, etc).

Ald Hayes: Thanked everyone that attended and spoke at the committee development meeting. Complimented those who spoke out about the short-term rentals and how well-organized their presentations were. Directed comments to Mrs. Carrasco and kindly asked for the individual’s information who she allegedly spoke to regarding the water tower. Stated he is more than happy to clarify any misunderstanding.

Ald Bolton: Shared she has two phones, and she always returns residents calls. Stated Mr. Barreno and her have spoken four times and he needs to have a legal team to help him with his tickets. Shared that the Harvest Market had a very successful event and passed out over 300 turkeys. Stated she was helping give out turkeys to the homeless on Thanksgiving. Shared she attended the Waukegan tree lighting event, and it was beautiful.

Ald Guzman: Shared he attended the Waukegan tree lighting; it was a very nice event. Hoped everyone had a great Thanksgiving and has a great holiday.  Stated he donated turkeys to five families. Shared there will be another Ward meeting on December 14th. Reminded residents this week will be the last week for leaf pickups. Kindly asked residents to be careful when trying to go around school buses.

Ald Martinez:  Stated he asked for an extra leaf pickup day for his Ward for the leaves that were missed. Thanked Jesus Alquicia from the Engineering Department and Public Works for the two successful completed projects in the 3rd Ward. Invited constituents to the Honorary Street sign ceremony for Miguel Angel Albarran happening December 9th at 1:00PM at 2303 Hyde Park Ave. Kindly asked residents to please slow down as it is getting darker sooner. Stated to please be mindful, be safe and be a good neighbor.

Ald Felix: Stated he has a list of concerns from his Ward and meets with Chief of staff George Bridges Jr to see what they can get done. Shared he is working on getting the parking application online for residents. Discussed that they are working with Public Works on getting more streetlights. Shared residents have made some stop sign requests.  

Ald Newsome: Pass – No comment.

10. Adjournment

Action: A. Motion by Ald Newsome, second by Ald Bolton to ADJOURN at 8:41 PM.

 VOICE VOTE:  MOTION APPROVED

https://go.boarddocs.com/il/cowil/Board.nsf/Public

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