NEW ITEMS
Meeting of the Cook County Board of Commissioners
County Board Room, County Building
Tuesday, October 7, 2003, 10:00 A.M.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
PROPOSED RESOLUTION
ITEM #1
Submitting a Proposed Resolution sponsored by
CARL R. HANSEN and PRESIDENT JOHN H. STROGER, JR., County Commissioners
Co-Sponsored by
JERRY BUTLER, FORREST CLAYPOOL, EARLEAN COLLINS, JOHN P. DALEY,
ELIZABETH ANN DOODY GORMAN, GREGG GOSLIN, ROBERTO MALDONADO,
JOSEPH MARIO MORENO, JOAN PATRICIA MURPHY, ANTHONY J. PERAICA,
MIKE QUIGLEY, PETER N. SILVESTRI, DEBORAH SIMS, BOBBIE L. STEELE and
LARRY SUFFREDIN, County Commissioners
PROPOSED RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the current price of natural gas is double the five-year historic average, and
WHEREAS, natural gas is disproportionately used in the Midwest for residential service both for gas and electric heat, and
WHEREAS, the residents in the Midwest, defined as the five states that comprise the Seventh Federal Reserve Bank District: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan and Wisconsin, use natural gas heating systems at twice the national average, and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Secretary of Energy recently warned of a twenty percent increase in home heating bills in the upcoming heating season of November 2003 through March 2004, and
WHEREAS, the recent increase to the local unemployment rate and weak labor market in general, may cause difficulty for residents of Cook County in paying their home heating bills, now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners of Cook County urges the Illinois Congressional delegation to ensure that the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is adequately funded so that there will be sufficient resources available to assist those County residents who may need help in paying home heating bills during the upcoming winter.
_________________________
Commissioner Steele, seconded by Commissioner Silvestri, moved to suspend the rules so that this matter may be considered. The motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Hansen, seconded by Commissioner Maldonado, moved that the Resolution be approved and adopted.
Commissioner Suffredin, seconded by Commissioner Hansen, moved to amend the motion by adding the language “both for gas and electric heat” to the second whereas clause. The motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Hansen, seconded by Commissioner Maldonado, moved that the Resolution be approved and adopted, as amended. The motion carried unanimously.
TRANSFER OF FUNDS
ITEM #2
Transmitting a Communication, dated September 18, 2003 from
PETER N. SILVESTRI, County Commissioner
I am seeking Board approval in transferring $5000.00 from (018-110 Account) Salaries and Wages of Regular Employees to (018-390 Account) Supplies and Materials Not Otherwise Classified. A member of my staff will be employed on a part time basis beginning on September 22, 2003. This part time employment status will remain in effect for the remainder of the fiscal year 2003. Funds from (018-110) Salaries and Wages of Regular Employees will be utilized for 9th District constituent outreach services in the form of a newsletter.
TRANSFER OF FUNDS continued
ITEM #2 cont’d
_________________________
Commissioner Steele, seconded by Commissioner Silvestri, moved to suspend the rules so that this matter may be considered. The motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Daley, seconded by Commissioner Peraica, moved that the transfer of funds be approved. The motion carried unanimously.
PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS
ITEM #3
Submitting a Proposed Ordinance Amendment sponsored by
BOBBIE L. STEELE, County Commissioner
Co-Sponsored by
JOHN H. STROGER, JR., PRESIDENT, JOHN P. DALEY, EARLEAN COLLINS,
ROBERTO MALDONADO, JERRY BUTLER, FORREST CLAYPOOL,
ELIZABETH ANN DOODY GORMAN, GREGG GOSLIN, CARL R. HANSEN,
JOSEPH MARIO MORENO, JOAN PATRICIA MURPHY, ANTHONY J. PERAICA,
MIKE QUIGLEY, PETER N. SILVESTRI, DEBORAH SIMS and LARRY SUFFREDIN,
County Commissioners
PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDMENT
AMENDMENT TO COOK COUNTY CONTRACT AND PURCHASING ORDINANCE
WHEREAS, Cook County is a home rule unit of local government pursuant to Article 7, Section 6a of the Illinois Constitution of 1970 with power to regulate those matters which pertain to its governmental affairs; and
WHEREAS, Cook County would like to donate surplus, obsolete or unusable medical and computer equipment and other personal property to needy entities for humanitarian reasons, specifically the treatment and control of diseases that may be spread worldwide; and
WHEREAS, an inventory of obsolete or unusable medical and computer equipment and other personal property has been generated following the opening of the John H. Stroger Hospital; and
WHEREAS, several governmental and not-for-profit entities have expressed a need for such equipment and property:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED THAT,
Section 1. In order to allow charitable donations of surplus or obsolete equipment for humanitarian reasons, Chapter 10 of the Cook County Contract and Purchasing Ordinance shall be amended, as follows:
10-18. The purchases of and contracts for supplies, materials, equipment, and contractual services and all sales of personal property, equipment or other property which has become obsolete or unusable shall be based on competitive bids, except as provided for in 10-18a. If the amount involved is estimated to exceed $25,000.00, sealed bids shall be solicited by public notice inserted at least once in a newspaper of county-wide circulation and at least five calendar days before the final date of submitting bids. Such notices shall include a general description of the commodities or contractual services to be purchased or personal property, equipment or other property to be sold and shall state where all blanks and specifications may be obtained and the time and place for opening of bids. The County Purchasing Agent may also solicit sealed bids by sending requests by mail to prospective suppliers and by posting notices on a public bulletin board in his office. Purchases, excluding professional services, having a cost of $750.00 or less may be made with “petty cash” in the open market. All purchases greater than $750.00 and less than $25,000.00 may be made in the open market without publication in a newspaper as above provided,
PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS continued
ITEM #3 cont’d
but whenever practical shall be based on at least three competitive bids. No purchases, orders or contracts of $25,000.00 or more shall be made unless authorized by the Board of Commissioners. All sales of obsolete or unusable material, property, or equipment shall be made to the highest bidder, except as provided for in 10-18a. Whenever the Board of Standardization hereinafter provided for shall have prescribed standard specifications, bids on purchases of supplies, materials, and equipment shall be based on such standard specifications. All purchases, orders, or contracts shall be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder, taking into consideration the qualities of the articles supplied, their conformity with the specifications, their suitability to the requirements of the County and the delivery terms. In the determination of the award
to the lowest responsible bidder, nothing herein shall be interpreted to preclude an award to a bidder other than the lowest actual bidder if such an award is made in furtherance of affirmative action policies adopted by the County Purchasing Agent for the promotion of nondiscriminatory hiring practices and equal employment opportunity. Provided, however, that the award of all contracts shall be responsible and reasonable. Any bid may be rejected and new bids may be solicited if the public interest is served thereby. Each bid, with the name of the bidder, shall be entered on a record, which record with the successful bid indicated thereon shall, after the award of the purchase or order or contract, be open to public inspection. A copy of all contracts shall be filed with the County Comptroller and with the County Purchasing Agent.
10-18a. Notwithstanding the provisions of 10-18, the Board of Commissioners reserve the right to designate certain unusable, surplus and/or obsolete personal property, equipment or other property (hereinafter referred to collectively as ‘assets”) for distribution as charitable donations. Assets may be designated for distribution as charitable donations, if (1) a determination has been made that the assets are not needed by any department or division of the county, (2) the assets are of a type that would provide a beneficial service in either the medical or education fields to a another entity; and (3) the recipient of the assets is a legitimate nonprofit organization, local or foreign governmental entity. The assets shall be transferred by an appropriate instrument of transfer, which shall include (1) a provision that requires the recipient to use the property in a manner that primarily promotes the implementation or improvement of medical or educational services available to the public; and (2) a provision that indicates that ownership of the assets automatically reverts to the county if the entity at any time fails to use the property in that manner. The responsibility for determining the recipient of the donation, pursuant to the above guidelines shall reside in the Office of the President of the Board of Commissioners, with approval by the Board of Commissioners.
Section 2. This amendatory ordinance shall take effect and be in force immediately after its passage.
_________________________
Commissioner Steele, seconded by Commissioner Silvestri, moved to suspend the rules so that this matter may be considered. The motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Steele, seconded by Commissioner Murphy, moved that the Ordinance Amendment be approved and adopted. The motion carried unanimously.
* * * * *
ITEM #4
Submitting a Proposed Ordinance Amendment sponsored by
PETER N. SILVESTRI and GREG GOSLIN, County Commissioners
PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDMENT
WHEREAS, Cook County is a home rule unit of local government pursuant to Article 7, Section 6a of the Illinois Constitution of 1970 with power to regulate those matters which pertain to its government and affairs; and
PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS continued
ITEM #4 cont’d
WHEREAS, pursuant to home rule powers, Cook County adopted the Cook County Human Rights Ordinance (Cook County Ordinance No. 93-O-13) which provides, in part, provisions to prevent discrimination against any person renting a public accommodation in Cook County; and
WHEREAS, Article V of the Cook County Human Rights Ordinance includes provisions for Section 8 Housing assistance program which grants low-income individuals subsidies to afford rental of public accommodations; and
WHEREAS, Article VI of the Cook County Human Rights Ordinance includes provisions for Section 8 Housing assistance program which grants low-income individuals subsidies to afford rental housing.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED THAT:
Section 1. The Section (B) subsection (3) of Article V of the Cook County Human Rights Ordinance, shall be amended as follows:
(New Amendment to Article V Public Accommodations (B)(3))
V. PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS
(B) EXCEPTIONS
(3) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Ordinance, nothing contained in this Article V, Subsection (R), shall require any person who does not to accept or participate in the federal Section 8 housing assistance program (42 U.S.C. 1437f) to accept any subsidy, payment assistance, voucher, or contribution under or in connection with such program or to lease or rent to any tenant or prospective tenant who is relying on such a subsidy, payment assistance, contribution, or voucher for payment of part of the rent for such place of accommodation in residential structures of six units or less, or any residential structure in a municipality which maintains a local fair housing ordinance or agency to effect fair housing goals or objectives.
Section 2. The Section (C) subsection (5) of Article VI of the Cook County Human Rights Ordinance, shall be amended as follows:
(Substitute Amendment to Article VI Housing Exceptions (C)(5) Residential units, six or fewer units)
VI. HOUSING
(C) EXCEPTIONS
(5) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Ordinance, nothing contained in this Article VI, except for (B)(2), shall require any person who does not participate in the federal Section 8 housing assistance program (42 U.S.C. 1437f) to accept any subsidy, payment assistance, voucher, or contribution under or in connection with such program or to lease or rent to any tenant apply to a multifamily residential real property consisting of six or fewer units in the rental of a unit to an existing or prospective tenant who is relying on such a subsidy, payment assistance, or contribution, or voucher under or in connection with the federal Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Assistance program (42 U.S.C. 1437f) for payment of any part of the rent for such housing accommodation unit.
Section 3. This amendatory ordinance shall take effect and be in force immediately after its passage.
_________________________
Commissioner Steele, seconded by Commissioner Silvestri, moved to suspend the rules so that this matter may be considered. The motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Silvestri, seconded by Commissioner Goslin, moved that the Proposed Ordinance Amendment be referred to the Committee on Human Relations. (Comm. No. 261808). The motion carried unanimously.
PROPOSED RESOLUTION
ITEM #5
Submitting a Proposed Resolution sponsored by
JOHN H. STROGER, JR., President, Cook County Board of Commissioners
PROPOSED RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, in the ice skating arena, champion athlete Rory Flack Burghart is viewed as supremely gifted often referred to as the Serena Williams of the sport; and
WHEREAS, as one of the few African-Americans in the sport of figure skating, Rory decided to form her own company, EBONYONICE, to highlight the rich history of African-Americans and to give much needed exposure to the legacies of blacks in the sport, people such as Mabel Fairbanks, considered by many to be the first prominent African-American figure skater; and
WHEREAS, even in the new millennium, we often find that figure skaters of color are often relegated to roles where their ethnicity is hidden under makeup or a full-body costume; and
WHEREAS, this historically-significant spectacle for the eyes and ears is tightly choreographed by Rory Flack Burghart and her husband Ralph Burghart who, as a team, have garnered worldwide recognition and are viewed as international authorities on the art of figure skating. Their production features a wide range of music from gospel, to jazz to even hip-hop; and
WHEREAS, a former athlete, Tony L. Shaw met Rory Flack Burghart and quickly embraced her unique concept; they then forged ahead with their mission to present this engaging show to the African-American community and to other communities throughout the world; and
WHEREAS, never one to shy away from a challenge Tony L. Shaw persevered in the face of adversity. Even when confronted with a lack of initial financial support, they have succeeded against the odds and managed to produce a consciousness-expanding program featuring extraordinary athletes who get a unique opportunity to demonstrate their discipline and skills within an extraordinarily entertaining and educational venue.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the President and Cook County Board of Commissioners do hereby recognize and applaud the multi-faceted talents of Rory Flack Burghart and Tony L. Shaw and commend them for highlighting the often overlooked achievements and talents of African-Americans in the ice skating arena; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this Resolution be presented to Rory Flack Burghart and Tony L. Shaw in honor of their efforts to expand the appeal and provide additional exposure to the sport of ice skating.
_________________________
Commissioner Steele, seconded by Commissioner Silvestri, moved to suspend the rules so that this matter may be considered. The motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Daley, seconded by Commissioner Steele, moved that the Resolution be approved and adopted. The motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY
ITEM #6
Pursuant to Rule 4-30, George Blakemore, addressed the President and Members of the Cook County Board of Commissioners. Mr. Blakemore expressed his concerns regarding Communication No. 256565, an Amendment to the Matricula Consular Ordinance which was approved at the Finance Committee meeting of September 30, 2003.