Harvey Acting Mayor Shirley Drewenski presided over her first regular City Council meeting Monday, and faced the same criticisms as her predecessor about a lack of transparency regarding Harvey’s distressed finances.
Drewenski was elected unanimously last month by the City Council to fill the seat of the late Mayor Christopher Clark, who died Jan. 31.
Prior to his death, Clark was criticized by residents regarding financial transparency, with some demanding he step down. Many of those complaints were renewed Monday.
More Top Picks Best Garment Bags
“Look at your city, and look at the halfway jobs that are being done, and then think to yourself, OK, did we earn the paycheck for this?” asked resident Michael Cronin. “I don’t think so. I think a lot of us deserve better than what we get.”
One topic of contention was the Turlington Homes development approved prior to Clark’s death. A symbolic groundbreaking on the project was held Feb. 24. Residents have claimed the project was approved hastily with little debate or public notice.
Third Ward Ald. Telanee Smith said residents criticizing the project were being unfairly negative about something that would generate tax revenue for the city.
“You should be even grateful somebody wants to invest into our city,” Smith said, prompting loud disapproval from the audience.
Drewenski reiterated that Harvey is in a budget crisis. Harvey declared a state of financial emergency in October, appealing to the state for help. Drewenski said she would soon meet with Gov. JB Pritzker’s office to discuss the issue.
“We do know we’re in a deficit here, right?” Drewenski said. “We do not have everyone here paying taxes.”
In response to residents asking that the city open up its books, Drewenski said the demand wasn’t a reasonable one to make of a municipal government.
“I’m going to ask you, what government opens up the books to the residents?” Drewenski said.
In response, multiple people called back, “All of them.” One resident called out Evanston as an example. Evanston publishes easily accessible comprehensive financial information on its website, including bills lists, debt information and salaries.
Drewenski said Harvey’s audits are available on its website. Harvey is multiple years behind on its audits, and most recently had its audit for the 2021-2022 fiscal year presented at a meeting in January.
“The books are open,” Drewenski said, to audible discontent from the audience.
Second Ward Ald. Colby Chapman, who has pushed for greater transparency in city spending, reiterated a call for the city to halt all non-essential spending while in fiscal crisis.
“Stronger financial oversight and clear reporting are necessary moving forward,” Chapman said. “We urgently need a clear financial stabilization plan and consistent financial reporting to the council and to the residents of Harvey.”
There were two items of business approved unanimously: An application for a $500,000 Department of Housing and Urban Development grant to repair water main breaks, and a bulk purchase of rock salt for next winter.
One recent change since Clark’s death is regular comment from the city’s treasurer, Aisha Pickett, is on the agenda. Resident Melville King Jr. applauded that change.
“I thank you that you allowed that treasurer to speak and give a report. It’s about time,” King said.
Pickett said in December that despite being Harvey’s treasurer since 2019, she had never been given sufficient information to understand the city’s finances and do her job properly.
Pickett expressed concern Monday the city hadn’t passed a resolution to update its bank signatories since May 2019, despite multiple changes in the administration.
“Right now, according to the resolution, we don’t really have someone to sign those checks,” Pickett said.
More Top Picks Best Fat Tire Electric Bikes For Senior Comfort
Drewenski responded she didn’t believe the signatories needed to be updated with a resolution, but that she would check.