City Council

SPECIAL MEETING City of North Chicago 1850 Lewis Avenue, North Chicago, IL 60064 HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE MEETING MONDAY, MAY 8, 2023 6:05 PM Alderman Murphy called the meeting to order. ROLL CALL: Present: Jackson, Evans, Allen, Murphy Absent: Coleman, Smith, January I. DISCUSSION OF CSO: (CITY SALARY AMENDMENTS) Human Resources Director, Liz Black explained the City Salary Amendments: Mrs. Black explained there were small changes to the CSO; removal of language to Deputy Clerk and Management Analyst position. Alderman Jackson question clarification no change to the numbers; Mrs. Black acknowledged. She continued would be a 3.25% step for employees of the City Salary Ordinance. This will be placed on the next Council Agenda, May 15, 2023. II. EXECUTIVE SESSION 5 ILCS 120 2 (c)(2) – COLLECTIVE NEGOTIATING MATTERS BETWEEN THE CITY AND A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING UNIT: Alderman Murphy proposed to be sent to Public Safety Committee Meeting because it was Fire Department related. Alderman Coleman and January entered the Council Chambers at 6:07 p.m. Alderman Jackson moved, seconded by Alderman Allen that the Human Resources Committee Meeting stand adjourned. ROLL CALL: Ayes: Jackson, Coleman, Evans, Allen, Murphy, January Nays: None Absent: Smith The meeting adjourned at 6:09 p.m. 1 5/8/23  ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT/PLANNING/ZONING COMMITTEE MEETING MONDAY, MAY 8, 2023 6:09 PM Vice Chairman Alderman Jackson called the meeting to order. ROLL CALL: Present: Jackson, Coleman Evans, Allen, Murphy, January Absent: Smith I. DISCUSSION OF CDBG JOINT AGREEMENT RENEWAL: City Planner Nimrod Warda explained the CDBG Joint Agreement Renewal. Every (3) years it was required updates with Lake County. There was previously a full-time CDBG Administrator and Assistant Director with HUD, handling the Grant funds received; with the loss of the individuals there was a lack of staffing or knowledge to upkeep the program. It was elected for a joint agreement; resulting in cost savings with properly handling of expenditures. There was only a certain amount that could be allocated for administration and not enough to cover for the salary and city benefits. He was asking that the process continued for another 3-year term. It would be reviewed by the City Attorneys and sent to HUD (Housing of Urban Development). It shouldn’t impact the funding received and would have control of expenditures within the community. This will be placed on the next Council Agenda, May 15, 2023. Alderman Allen moved, seconded by Alderman January that Economic Development/Planning/Zoning Committee Meeting stand adjourned. ROLL CALL: Ayes: Jackson, Coleman, Evans, Allen, Murphy, January Nays: None Absent: Smith The meeting adjourned at 6:11 p.m. 2 5/8/23  PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING MONDAY, MAY 8, 2023 6:11 PM Alderman Evans called the meeting to order. ROLL CALL: Present: Jackson, Coleman, Evans, Allen, Murphy, January Absent: Smith I. EXECUTIVE SESSION 5 ILCS 120 2 (c)(2) – COLLECTIVE NEGOTIATING MATTERS BETWEEN THE CITY AND A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING UNIT: Alderman Murphy moved, seconded by Alderman Coleman to suspend at 6:13 p.m. to Executive Session 5 ILCS 120 2 (c)(2) – Collective Negotiating Matters between the City and a Collective Bargaining Unit. ROLL CALL: Ayes: Jackson, Coleman, Evans, Allen, Murphy, January Nays: None Absent: Smith Alderman Allen moved, seconded by Alderman Jackson to resume Executive Session Meeting at 6:58 p.m. ROLL CALL: Ayes: Jackson, Coleman, Evans, Allen, Murphy, January Nays: None Absent: Smith II. DISCUSSION OF ADMINISTRATIVE CIVILIAN POSITION – POLICE DEPARTMENT: NO DISCUSSION Alderman January moved, seconded by Alderman Jackson that Public Safety Committee Meeting stand adjourned. ROLL CALL: Ayes: Jackson, Coleman, Evans, Allen, Murphy, January Nays: None Absent: Smith The meeting adjourned at 6:58 p.m. 3 5/8/23  PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MEETING MONDAY, MAY 8, 2023 6:58 PM Alderman Allen called the meeting to order. ROLL CALL: Present: Jackson, Coleman, Evans, Allen, Murphy, January Absent: Smith I. PRESENTATION/DISCUSSION OF THE FY 2024 MFT MAINTENANCE RESOLUTION IN AMOUNT OF $1,720,000 AND ESTIMATE OF MAINTENANCE COSTS Steve Cieslica gave a brief summary of the 2024 MFT Maintenance Resolution annual required procedures. II. PRESENTATION/DISCUSSION OF THE TAI (TROTTER & ASSOCIATES) MAINTENANCE ENGINEERING AGREEMENT IN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $173,750 FOR THE 2023 ROAD PROGRAM: Steve Cieslica, Trotter Engineer, presented/discussed the Maintenance Engineering Agreement in Amount Not to Exceed $173,750 for the 2023 Road Program. Alderman Jackson questioned clarification with the amount if it was included in the 2023 Road program amount discussed previously; Mr. Cieslica said yes. III. REVIEW/DISCUSS IDOT JOINT FUNDING AGREEMENT IN AMOUNT OF $1,085,627 FOR THE PHASE II ENGINEERING COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH ARGONNE DRIVE RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT: Mr. Cieslica explained the IDOT Joint Funding Agreement in Amount of $1,085,627 for Phase II Engineering cost associated with Argonne Drive Reconstruction Project. The City of North Chicago received $1.34 million in funding from Lake County Council of Mayors through Civiltech for the Phase II Argonne Drive Reconstruction Project, the Engineering cost was $1,085,627. This would include entirety of Argonne Dr. to Sheridan Rd. Mr. Cieslica added the cost would be reimbursed with expenditures through IDOT. Alderman January questioned clarification of the grant process; the city initially paid and following would be the reimbursement; Mr. Cieslica acknowledged it was. IV. REVIEW/DISCUSS CIVILTECH ENGINEERING PHASE II ENGINEERING AGREEMENT IN AMOUNT OF $1,085,627 FOR THE ARGONNE DRIVE RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT Mr. Cieslica discussed the Civiltech Engineering Phase II Engineering Agreement in the amount of $1,085,627 for the Argonne Drive Reconstruction Project. Mr. Cieslica explained the contract with Civiltech included the design of Argonne Drive for Phase II Engineering Services; it was detailed with the plans and documents, also a land acquisition. The Civiltech President John Van was present for any questions addressed. Alderman Coleman commented that he liked the preliminary plan including the bike trail. Mr. Cieslica mentioned was a $20 million project. 4 5/8/23  The Mayor added there were (3) major projects in the community within a 20-year time period as an accomplishment; total construction of MLK Dr., Audrey Nixon Blvd. and currently Argonne Dr. Also, Senator Jackson stated that $1.2 million in the budget provided was approved by the Governor. He commended Trotter & Associates (TAI) and if they could ensure funding for future project(s) beforehand. Mr. Cieslica added the projects were 75-80% government funded; Civiltech was the designer of Audrey Nixon Blvd.; Lake County was seeking reconstruction on Lewis Ave. Alderman Coleman asked if Civiltech could be utilized for the city inner streets; Mr. Van explained their company focused on the larger main routes for the specific grants. V. REVIEW/DISCUSS ABBVIE DONATION AGREEMENT FOR THE FOSS PARK RETAINING WALL: Mr. Cieslica stated was asked by Abbvie previous year if the Public Works Department could replace the Foss Park retaining wall; the underpass on Foss Park Blvd. was material of brick and mortar; Abbvie asked for an agreement with the project; it was a donation to the City for repairing the retaining wall. The Mayor questioned if the location was at the railroad tracks; Mr. Cieslica acknowledged it was. The agreement is currently being reviewed by the City Attorney. Alderman January moved, seconded by Alderman Jackson that Public Works Committee Meeting stand adjourned. ROLL CALL: Ayes: Jackson, Coleman, Evans, Allen, Murphy, January Nays: None Absent: Smith The meeting adjourned at 7:22 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Carmecia Hawthorne Ms. Hawthorne explained there were gunshots fired at a school bus April 4, 2023; she added that she was a bus driver and her plea was for help. North Chicago had a stigma and needed to change the mindset, needed to send a message. She suggested police presence at all schools. The Mayor expressed his disappointment and shame of the senseless incident pertaining to school students. She was appreciative of the Mayor. Alderman Coleman mentioned his child was one of number who ran into the school and his wife saw the gunman. He strongly suggested ensuring the safety as leaders of the community. Rayon Edwards Mr. Edwards clarified the necessity of elected officials to speak up publicly concerning the gunfire; there were grant funds needed for the seniors and their housing. Opioid overdoses of the homeless needed to change. He was currently a resident and had family in the community. The Mayor offered Mr. Edwards to assist direction for more involvement; Mr. Edwards clarified he was knocking on the door of residents daily. 5 5/8/23