City Council Minutes -
January 25, 2006
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE, ILLINOIS
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2006
1. After the Pledge of Allegiance to
the Flag, Mayor LeGant called the meeting to order at 7:30 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, Michael
Smetana, Robert Pondelicek
ALSO PRESENT: City Clerk Herberts, City
Treasurer Stoffels, City Attorneys Robert & Erik Peck, City Admin.
Bailey, Police Chief Swanson, City Engineer Fitzgerald, Fin. Director
Filinovich, Deputy Chief Mallon, Deputy Clerk Bartelt, Police/Fire Bd.
Member Jasinski
OMNIBUS AGENDA
2. Approval of Minutes of January 11,
2006.
3. Statement of Bills for the period ending January
25, 2006.
4. Financial Statement for period ending December
2005.
5. Membership: International Institute of Municipal
Clerks – Clerk’s Office – $166.
6. Membership: Illinois Plumbing Inspectors Assn.
– Plumbing Inspector - $50.
7. Application for a general business license from
West Point Builders & Developers, Inc., 6475 Joliet Road. Type: Business
office. Applicant: Thomas Curran.
8. Application for a general business license from
Kuehn Builders, 6811 Sunset Avenue. Type: Home office. Applicant: Mark
Kuehn.
9. Ald. Pondelicek moved to approve the Omnibus
Agenda as presented, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried
unanimously.
ADDITIONS TO
AND/OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA
10. Additions to the Agenda were noted by Mayor
LeGant.
QUESTIONS AND/OR COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE - none
MAYOR’S REPORT
11. Mayor LeGant presented a Certificate of
Appreciation to Deputy Chief Paul Mallon for excellence in service. The
City Council applauded his efforts.
12. Mayor LeGant read a petition for Repeal of the
Rehabilitation Therapy caps for Seniors. As of 1-1-06 all Medicare
patients face a coverage limit of $1,750 per year for outpatient speech
therapy and physical therapy and $1,750 per year for occupational
therapy. The petition is available at the Clerk’s Office for
signatures.
13. Residents are invited to attend a seminar on
property tax review at Lyons Township, 6404 Joliet Road on February 8
and February 22, 2006. This will provide residents with an opportunity
to file an appeal from the 2005 assessment. The sessions will be held
from 10am-12pm and from 6-8pm in the Community Room – first floor.
14. Mayor LeGant read a request from Aging Well –
the organization is seeking a liaison to represent the City at their
meetings. Please advise the Clerk’s Office if a candidate is found.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
FINANCE COMMITTEE - TREASURER STOFFELS, CHAIRMAN
presented recommendations from the committee meeting held earlier this
evening.
15. Treasurer Stoffels presented the expenditure
for yearly membership fee for the City Attorney in the IMLA for $375.
Ald. Straza moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried
unanimously.
16. Treasurer Stoffels presented the proposal from
Information Technology which was tabled from 12-14-05. Ald. Straza
moved to approve the proposal; motion died for lack of a second; no
action taken.
17. Treasurer Stoffels sought Council approval of
the exempt employees list – this applies to regular full-time city
employees who are nonunion, to be eliminated from overtime. Mr. Bailey
stated this would be City Policy #18. Ald. Conrad moved to approve the
policy, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried unanimously.
18. Treasurer Stoffels sought Council approval for
a policy regarding accumulation and rollover of leave benefits for
non-represented employees. Mr. Bailey stated that this would be Policy
#19 which clarifies the assignment of benefits for nonunion employees.
Ald. Conrad moved to approve the policy, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and
carried unanimously.
19. Treasurer Stoffels stated that the Flagg Creek
Administrative Board recommends an increase to the 2005 contribution to
the Reserve Fund. The check has not been received to date. Mr.
Stoffels will investigate the matter and report to Council.
20. The Committee recommended a donation of $500 to
the Children’s Advocacy Center from the Police Fund. Ald. Conrad moved,
seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.
21. The Committee recommended purchase of a
half-page ad for $100 from Community Care Options with updated
information re: gocountryside.net. Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve the
expense, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.
22. The Committee recommended donation of $400 for
sponsorship of the Pleasantdale Little league. Ald. Von Drasek moved to
approve, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried unanimously.
23. The Committee recommended a donation of $325.80
for ten people to attend the Special Olympics. Ald. Michalczyk moved to
approve, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.
24. The Committee recommended a donation of $1,200
to the Pleasantdale Park District for their July 4th
Celebration. Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve, seconded by Ald.
Michalczyk and carried unanimously.
25. The Committee recommended a donation of $500 to
the American Cancer Society Relay for Life. Ald. Michalczyk moved to
approve, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.
26. LICENSE COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN MICHALCZYK,
CHAIRMAN, presented recommendations from the committee. Attorney Peck
will present a draft ordinance amending the Code and creating a
classification for non-conforming business license and registration for
Dr. Kessel, Suburban General, Luke Farm and Double J Riding Club.
Attorney Peck stated that the new ordinance will accommodate those
businesses that come into the City through annexation which do not meet
the requirements of the zoning district in which they are located. The
City has no specific provision for that type of use currently. These
businesses are special uses and are subject to all the limitations and
restrictions thereof. Ald. Michalczyk moved to adopt the Ordinance as
presented, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.
Clerk Herberts declared that this will be known as
ORDINANCE 06-03.O.
27. RECREATION COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN CONRAD,
CHAIRMAN, presented recommendations from the committee meeting of
January 24, 2006. The committee met with Marcy Glink and her staff
regarding Countryfest 2006. More information to come. At that meeting
Mr. Bailey, Ms. Wilson and Mr. Muenzer were directed to review other
city parks in the near future with an eye to re-development if funds
become available.
38. POLICE COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN CONRAD, CHAIRMAN,
presented recommendations from the committee meeting of January 24,
2006. The committee discussed consideration for a separate server at a
cost of $9,049.55. No action was taken on this matter; further research
is needed.
39. The Police Department is requesting two CF-29
laptop computers at a cost of $3,708 a piece. Chief Swanson stated that
a grant has been awarded to the City to cover those costs. Ald. Smetana
moved to approve the request, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried
unanimously.
40. Ald. Conrad stated that the committee discussed
the 2006 Net Near West Board fees at an annual cost of $2,120. Ald.
Smetana moved to approve the expense, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and
carried unanimously.
41. INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN SMETANA,
CHAIRMAN, presented an invoice for Council consideration of payment for
resident Judy Stolte, regarding a sewer line repair at 6002 Longview for
$6,030. The committee recommends that the City not participate in
payment; it is the resident’s responsibility. Ald. Smetana moved to
deny the request, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried unanimously.
LEGAL REPORT
42. City Attorney Peck presented the draft
ordinance revising City water rates and establishing a service
availability charge effective January 1, 2006 for residential users at
$4.10/1000 gallons plus a $5/month service charge. Residents are being
advised of the increase by letter. Ald. Straza moved to adopt the
Ordinance as presented, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried
unanimously.
Clerk Herberts declared that this will be known as
ORDINANCE 06-04-O.
43. Attorney Peck presented the recommendation of
the PC/ZBA to deny the application of Ankica Pervan, who requested a
number of zoning variations on property commonly known as 40 E.
Plainfield Road. The Board found that the applicant did not present
sufficient evidence to support her request. Ald. Michalczyk moved to
concur with the recommendation of the PC/ZBA, seconded by Ald. Straza
and carried unanimously.
44. Attorney Peck requested an Executive Session
immediately following this meeting to discuss litigation and the
possible acquisition of real estate.
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
45. City Administrator Bailey presented the request
of IRMA (Intergovernmental Risk Management Agency) for the 2006 Annual
Contribution for the liability insurance pool of which the City is a
member. Mr. Bailey recommends payment of the yearly premium –$164,266.
Ald. Smetana moved to approve the expenditure, seconded by Ald. Conrad
and carried unanimously. Mr. Bailey noted that the premium decrease
reflects a better insurance market and is substantially lower than last
year.
46. Mr. Bailey presented a proposal to approve the
FOP Dispatchers Labor Agreement. The Council has had correspondence
regarding this matter. Ald. Conrad moved to approve the proposal,
seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously. Ald. Conrad
congratulated all parties involved in the negotiations.
Clerk Herberts declared that this will be known as
RESOLUTION 06-01-R.
47. Mr. Bailey sought consideration to approve an
engagement with FGM, Inc., Architects & Engineers, on an ongoing basis
for miscellaneous architecture related projects. A panel including
Aldermen Von Drasek, Pondelicek, CDD Muenzer and Admin. Bailey
interviewed three architectural firms and recommended FGM, Inc., subject
to attorney review and approval. This would be an umbrella or general
master agreement under which individual projects would be approved
separately. Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve the engagement with FGM,
Inc., seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously. Mr. Bailey
thanked the three gentlemen involved in the interview process. Aldermen
Smetana and Conrad echoed Mr. Bailey’s sentiments.
48. Mr. Bailey sought Council approval for the
space needs analysis proposal for City Hall from FGM Architects and
Engineers in the amount of $18,000. Ald. Smetana moved to approve the
proposal, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.
STAFF REPORTS
49. City Engineer Fitzgerald reported on the status
of the street rehabilitation project. They are awaiting IDOT approval
and the project can go out for bids.
OLD AND NEW BUSINESS
50. Mayor LeGant read a letter from the Chicago
White Sox organization advising that the World Series Championship
Trophy will be traveling to municipalities and for a donation of $10 to
the White Sox Charities, photos may be taken with the trophy.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, Ald.
Von Drasek moved to convene into Executive Session under Sections 2Ah
and 2Ac of the Open Meetings Act to discuss litigation and possible land
acquisition, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried by unanimous Roll
Call vote.
Mayor LeGant declared the meeting recessed at 8:10
p.m.
The City Council returned to Open Session at 8:40
p.m. with the same members present.
Ald. Smetana moved to refer to the PC/ZBA the
matter of re-zoning the Bresnahan property from M-1 to B-3
classification with a special use for automotive purposes and to
consider requiring that all damaged vehicles be kept under roof,
seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, Ald.
Smetana moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and
carried unanimously.
Mayor LeGant declared the meeting adjourned at 8:41
p.m.
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