City Council News

by Jude Coyle

1. Agent Jim Roache from the Orland Park FBI office presented plaques to Sgt. Ismael Haro, Cpl. Frank Podbielniak, Det. John McSweeney, Offi - cer Michael Elton, Officer Jerry Colone and Det. Dennis Seppessy. A bank in Joliet was robbed on April 30th of a large amount of money. The FBI provided Sgt. Haro with a list of addresses. Because of the BIPD’s investigation, one man was indicted and two others will be. Cpl. Bernadine Rzab and Offi - cer Tomas Padron were also recognized by the FBI although neither were able to attend the meeting.

Jason Stamps of Northwestern University presented certificates to Deputy Chief Michael Cornell and Sgt. Thomas Morey for completing the Executive Management Program, which is a 3 week seminar for Command Offi cers. Cpl. Bernadine Rzab was recognized for completing the Staff and Command program. This a 10 week program to provide training to front line supervisors. All of Blue Island’s supervisory staff has completed this program. The Executive Management program is the next level.

Chief Hoglund explained that new offi cers are required to have 60 hours of college credits. They are encouraged not only to complete their Bachelor’s degrees, but their Master’s as well. Sgt. Kevin Sisk earned his Bachelor’s from Eastern University and his Master’s degree at Governors State University. Offi cer Timonty Sisk earned both degrees from Governors State.

Next Chief Hoglund presented a Combat Cross/Gallantry Star to Officer Timothy Sisk. On April 28th, the Subway at 12121 S. Western was robbed. Upon hearing the report, Officer Sisk located the escape vehicle at 119th and Ashland. When he activated the emergency light at the intersection, the suspect used evasive maneuvers. Officer Sisk pursued. The suspect crashed into a utility pole and two men tried to escape on foot. Again, Officer Sisk pursued. When Welton Wiley turned and raised his arm, Offi cer Sisk, believing he had a weapon, shot Wiley twice. Officer Sisk stayed with the wounded man while maintaining a visual on the other, Angelo Strickland, who was apprehended a shot time later.

A Combat Cross/Gallantry Star was awarded to Officer Tomas Padron. On January 1st, Officer Padron responded to a report of shots fired on the 2200 block of 119th Street. The Officer approached a man who was seen recklessly firing a weapon. He tried to talk to Patrick Williams, who first seemed to be ready to cooperate by lowering his gun. Williams then raised it again. Offi ce Padron shot Williams twice, injuring him and disarming him.

Life Saving Awards were presented to Officers Padron, Moller and Brandenberger. On December 23, Officers responded to a report of a residential fire at 12127 S. Greenwood. Upon arrival, officers learned that John S. Fedeanis was still inside the burning house and needed assistance as he had recently had bypass surgery. The Officers entered the house, saving Mr. Fedeanis’ life.

2. Mayor Donald E. Peloquin reported that as soon as he receives the proper instructions, the Chatham and Division Street bridges will be closed. The City does not have the money to conduct the necessary inspections and complete necessary repairs. General inspections to the undercarriage will continue regularly to be sure that nothing impedes barge traffic. The City will continue to look for funding, but until then, all traffic will be routed to Western and Ashland.

3. A conflict has arisen on the Western Avenue project as the contractor had based his bid on using fly ash in the concrete. IDOT doesn’t allow it as it causes spider cracks. The City is returning the bid to the contractor for another quote. Work from 119th Street to 127th will begin in 2 weeks, and there will be turning lanes at 123rd Street.

4. Curfew for the summer months is 10:30 on Sunday through Thursday, and 11:30 on Friday and Saturday. There are sirens to indicate curfew, although the City is soliciting funding to improve them.

5. Attorney Jim Brosnahan asked the Council to consider an ordinance providing an Appropriation for Corporate Purposes for the Fiscal Year beginning May 1, 2010 and ending April 30, 2011. An appropriation is not a budget, but a wish list for the next fiscal year, and as such, the beginning of a budget. Actual spending during the corporate year ending on April 30, 2010 came to $21,506,448.00. Last year’s Appropriation came to $41,820,162.00. For the year ending on April 31, 2011, the Appropriation came to $41,138,754.00.

6. An Ordinance was presented to the Council that would restrict parking to ‘resident only’, at 2845 Minnesota Avenue. An Ordinance allowing for ‘handicap’ parking only at 2212 123rd Place was presented.

7. A resolution for approval of a Class 8 Real Estate Tax Incentive Abatement for construction by Aetna Development Corporation, for property located at 12960 S. Ashland was presented. Aetna plans to build a 10,000 square foot commercial building. It qualifies for the abatement because this plot has been vacant for the past 24 months and is in need of substantial revitalization.

8. The final matter was a resolution authorizing the City Clerk and Mayor to sign an Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Chicago, Village of Bellwood, City of Burbank, City of Calumet City, City of Chicago Heights, Village of Dolton, City of Evanston, City of Harvey, Village of Hazel Crest, Village of Mount Prospect, Village of Oak Park, Village of Riverdale, Village of Schaumburg and Village of Skokie. The Office of Justice Programs of the U.S. Department of Justice provides federal leadership in creating agreements, such as this, for the distribution of funds, and the creation of programs to help fight crime. Blue Island receives Justice Assistance Grants (or J.A.G.) which are used to provide bike, all terrain vehicles, foot and extra tactical patrols.

9. All items were agreed to.

10. Alderman Jan Ostling reported on behalf of the Public Health and Safety Committee. The Fire Department received 312 total fire and emergency services calls. Call to patient contact averaged 4.94 minutes. In May the Police Department answered 2,754 calls. Seventy cases were assigned to 5 detectives, which included 1 death investigation, 4 sex offenses, 1 weapon offense, 1 home invasion, 10 robberies, 1 attempted child abduction, 3 aggravated batteries, 3 burglaries including auto, 2 larcenies and 8 missing persons. Forty seven cases were resolved, including 4 sex offenses, 1 child abduction, 4 aggravated batteries, 5 robberies, 17 residential burglaries, 3 burglaries including auto, 2 larcenies, 8 missing persons. Search warrants were executed on May 6th and 8th. A firearm was recovered during the first search, and drugs and paraphernalia during both. On May 10th and 13th, Sgt. Haro assisted the Lansing Police Department with a homicide investigation, while on the 24th and 25th Cpl. Rzab assisted the Dolton Police with a homicide investigation. Both are members of and were acting with the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force.

11. Ron Young had spoke at the Public Health and Safety Committee about fire protection, and wanted to clarify his remarks. He held up a graph showing how synthetic fabrics can burn at a temperature of 800 degrees within three minutes. Baby clothes that are treated with fire retardants will lose their effectiveness within ten washes. He held up maps showing how Blue Island is dissected by trains and by the Canal, and how fire vehicles are hampered because of it. In answer to most calls, the Fire Department will send out a three man immediate response crew even though the National Fire Protection Agency recommends 4 man crews. Two men should immediately attack fires at the source while two men wait in reserve. He cited a situation in Texas where a church caught fire. The area was using a mutual response system much like the system used here, wherein several departments respond when a fire call goes out. He said four departments responded, including one manned by volunteers. Because of the mix of training, of fire station cultures (meaning that the responders did not come from the same firehouse) and communication procedures, a wooden truss roof collapsed, killing four firefighters. He advocated for better services. Mayor Peloquin responded that even if it meant bringing one more man on at each location for every shift, it meant hiring at least 1.2 extra men per position because of Kelly days, vacations, ambulance duty, etc. Mr. Young said, “I understand vehicles aren’t cheap and man power isn’t cheap.” Mayor Peloquin then suggested that Mr. Young work with him in implementing a fire protection district. They could work together to form a commission. Mr. Young agreed.

12. Carlos Salgado asked when the bridges would be closed. Mayor Peloquin said it would be within the next two weeks. Mr. Salgado asked if work was planned on Vermont Street between Western and Division. Mayor Peloquin said, yes.

13. Carol di Pace Greene reported that the graffiti on the wall at 2741 Orchard was finally removed. She had called Tim Duggan of Tom Dart’s office.

14. The meeting ended at 8:05. The next meeting is July 13th, at 7PM at the East Annex.

Committee Meeting Schedule:

Finance Committee: July 6th 6PM, East Annex

Judiciary Committee: July 6th 5PM, East Annex

Community Development Committee: July 6th, 7:30 PM, East Annex

Recreation Committee: July 7th, 6:30 PM

Public Health and Safety Committee: July 20th, 6:30PM lower level of Police Department