City Council Minutes - January 11, 2006

MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE, ILLINOIS
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2006

1. After the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, Mayor LeGant called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m.  City Clerk Herberts called the Roll which was as follows:

PRESENT: Mayor Carl LeGant, Aldermen Robert Conrad, Wayne Straza, Karen Michalczyk, John Von Drasek, Robert Pondelicek

ABSENT: Michael Smetana

ALSO PRESENT: City Clerk Herberts, City Treasurer Stoffels,  City Attorney Robert Peck, City Admin. Bailey, Police Chief Swanson,  City Engineer Ainsworth, Fin. Director Filinovich, Police/Fire Bd. Member Curtin

OMNIBUS AGENDA

2. Approval of Minutes of  December 14, 2005.

3. Statement of Bills for the period ending December 28, 2005 and January 11, 2006.

4. Financial Statement for the period ending November 2005.

5. Application for a special use to hold a Coin Show at Local #150, 6200 Joliet Road for the West Suburban Coin Show on January 8, Feb. 12, Mar. 12, Apr. 9, May 14, June 11, July 9, Aug. 13, Oct. 8, Nov. 12, and Dec. 10, 2006.

6. Application for a general business license from Midas Auto Service Experts, 5815 LaGrange Road. Type:  Automotive service and repair. Applicant: Jeremiah Creamer (new owner).

7. Application for a general business license from Video 66, 6566B Joliet Road. Type:  Rental and sales. Applicant: Vimala Gupta (new owner).

8. Membership:  Illinois Park & Recreation Assn. – Recreation Director - $180.

9. Membership:  Illinois Assn. of Park Districts – Recreation Director - $369.44.

10. Membership:  Illinois Municipal League – Administration - $514.

11. Ald. Conrad moved to approve the Omnibus Agenda as presented, seconded  by Ald. Michalczyk and carried unanimously.

ADDITIONS TO AND/OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA

12. Additions to the Agenda were noted by Mayor LeGant, Administrator Bailey, Treasurer Stoffels and Ald. Conrad.

QUESTIONS AND/OR COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE – none

MAYOR’S  REPORT

13. Mayor LeGant introduced Patrol Officer Francisco Valdes to City Council members. He welcomed Officer Valdez on board and wished him many years of safe conduct in City service.

14. Ald. Conrad presented a plaque to Officer Karl Rodey on behalf of the Special Olympics.  Officer Rodey spearheaded the drive by the Countryside Police Department to raise $6,000 for Special Olympics. Ald. Conrad congratulated him on a job well done.

15. Mayor LeGant displayed the American Red Cross brochure  - Hero Breakfast Nominating Form  -- and urged Council members to Nominate Your Hero Today. Forms should be in by February 28, 2006.

16. Mayor LeGant displayed copies of the two new billboards that have been installed on I-55 in both directions.  One reads “Motor Here – gocountryside.net – One stop, l7 car brands.”  The other billboard reads  “Stay Here – gocountryside.net – Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn, LaGrange Motel.”  The City hopes advertising will attract more visitors to the area.

CITY CLERK’S  REPORT

17. City Clerk Herberts invited elected officials and Administrator Bailey to attend the South and West Suburban Clerks Meeting/luncheon at Flagg Creek Golf Course Clubhouse on Thursday, February 2, 2006 at 11:30 a.m. The cost is $18 per person. The speaker is CDD Mark Muenzer who will provide an overview of the City.  Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve the request, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried unanimously.

COMMITTEE  REPORTS

FINANCE COMMITTEE – TREASURER STOFFELS, CHAIRMAN, presented recommendations from the committee meeting of January 11, 2006.

18. Recommendation from the Flagg Creek Administrative Board to purchase a tractor with cage, not to exceed $17,000. Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve the expense, seconded by Ald. Conrad and carried unanimously.

19. Treasurer Stoffels presented a request from  the Southwest Suburban Center on Aging for a donation of $3,500, the same as last year.   Ald. Straza moved to approve the expense, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried unanimously.

20. Treasurer Stoffels noted the Lobbying Workshop presented by WCMC on Friday, February 10, 2006, at a cost of $70 per person.  The committee recommended that Council members and department heads are authorized to attend that meeting.  Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve the expense, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

21. Treasurer Stoffels presented the invitation to Pillars Community Services Harlequin Ball – a mental health program. The committee wishes to donate $100 to that organization.  Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve the expense, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

22. Treasurer Stoffels presented a letter to the Mayor designating Finance Director Alice Filinovich as Plan Coordinator for the City Volunteer  -- International City Management Association – ICMARC – to replace the City Treasurer in that position. Ald. Straza moved to approve the request, seconded by Ald. Conrad and carried unanimously.

LICENSE COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN MICHALCZYK, CHAIRMAN, presented recommendations from the committee meeting of January 9, 2006.

23. The committee recommended approving the non-conforming uses of real estate as it relates to the following business license categories:  Dr. Kessel, Suburban General, Stanley Luke Farm and Double J Riding Club.  Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve the above, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.

24. Ald. Michalczyk stated that further investigation is necessary regarding  the Cervantes and Terry Robb applications.

25. Ald. Michalczyk presented the committee recommendation regarding changing City Officials compensation. City officials have not had a raise in ten years. The committee decided not to approve a raise at this time.

WATER COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN STRAZA, CHAIRMAN, presented recommendations from the committee meeting of January 9, 2006.

26. The committee recommended adjusting water utility rates at this time. Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve the rate adjustment, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.

27. Ald. Conrad stated that he intends to  hold a Police Committee and Recreation  meeting after the 16^th  with Great Events to discuss Countryfest.

28. INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN SMETANA, CHAIRMAN (absent). Ald. Pondelicek stated that the committee met on January 9, 2006 and recommended authorizing epoxy sealant in the sally port of the Police Department in the garage area of City Hall. The service will be performed by Garage Solutions at a cost of $3,444.  Ald. Straza moved to approve the expense, seconded by Ald. Conrad and carried unanimously.

LEGAL  REPORT

29. City Attorney Peck presented the draft ordinance abating the 2005  Bond and Interest Levy due on the $4 million General Obligation Bond issue of 2000, payable on December 1, 2006.  The ordinance will abate the principal and interest in the amount of $539,763.76. Ald. Pondelicek moved to adopt the Ordinance as presented, seconded by Ald. Conrad and carried unanimously.

Clerk Herberts declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 06-01-O.

30. Attorney Peck presented the draft ordinance approving the Snyder & Skrine final Plat of Subdivision. This matter was previously approved but later found to have errors with regard to setback lines; the plat has been redrawn, reviewed and approved by the PC/ZBA. It is before Council for final approval.  Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve the final plat of subdivision, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously.

Clerk Herberts declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 06-02.O.

ADMINISTRATOR’S  REPORT

31. City Administrator Bailey recommended approval of engineer’s estimate #4 and final for the 2005 Street Rehabilitation Project to Brothers Asphalt Paving, Inc., in the amount of $30,214.64.  Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve the payment, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously.

32. Mr. Bailey sought Council authorization to attend the Illinois City Management Assn. (ILCMA) 2006 Winter Conference, February 22-24, in Collinsville, IL.  Estimated expenses are $375.  Ald. Conrad moved to approve the expense, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously.

33. Mr. Bailey sought Council authorization to offer the Planner position to Brian Swanson as previously discussed. Ald. Conrad moved to authorize the hiring, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously.

STAFF  REPORTS

34. Police Chief Swanson stated that this is the first time the City has raised over $5,000 for Special Olympics in Illinois.  The total amount raised by the organization last year was $1.6 million. 

35. The D.A.R.E. basketball game will be coming up on  February 22; Chief Swanson apologized for having the date conflict with a City Council meeting but it was scheduled well in advance.

36. Claude Ainsworth, a representative for the  City Engineer,  stated that the MFT  project is in the final stages and will be sent to IDOT within the next week.

OLD AND NEW BUSINESS

37. Mayor LeGant discussed registration for the WCMC Annual Springfield Legislative Drive-Down on February 15, 2006.  Ald. Straza is interested in attending. The Mayor asked him to so advise the Clerk’s Office tonight.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to discuss, Ald. Conrad moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously. 

Mayor LeGant declared the meeting adjourned at 8:02 p.m.                                                                                                                                                                                                              

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