City Council Minutes - February 14, 2007

MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE, ILLINOIS
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2007

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 of those physically present 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 Attorney Erik Peck, City Admin. Bailey, Police Chief Swanson, City Engineer Fitzgerald, CDD Onderdonk, MBA Hudson, ESDA Coordinator Norman, Police/Fire Board Member Welch, PC/ZBA Member Jasinski

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM – SECOND HEARING

Community Development Director Mr. Onderdonk stated that this is the second hearing regarding the CDBG program; these are federal funds that the City is eligible to pursue.  The goals are to promote viable communities and to provide suitable living environments.  The focus of the City’s application is removal of architectural barriers –.  Mr. Onderdonk is presenting the development plan and reviewing the application. He will respond to City / citizen questions, ask City Council to vote on the application and finally file the application.  If the application is approved and grant monies received, the City must follow federal / county regulations, provide a local match of about $35,000, implement the program and keep accurate records.

The City proposes to remove architectural barriers by installing ADA-approved ramps at intersections and commercial curb cuts in the public right-of-way. Handicap ramps are proposed for 525 locations on existing sidewalks in the City.  This will be a four-year program installing 125 ramps per year.  The proposal is to move from north to south in the City; it is less expensive to cluster sites in the bidding process.    Benefits to the community include greater handicap mobility, provide safe grade transition, and reduce city liability for tripping / falling hazards.  Mr. Onderdonk provided an example of a typical ramp with contrasting color.  He completed the presentation and sought public comment. One question related to street issues; Mr. Onderdonk stated that the ramp is 100% on the sidewalk and does not affect streets.

OMNIBUS AGENDA

2. Approval of Minutes of January 24, 2007.

3. Statement of Bills for the period ending February 14, 2007:  $674,764.55.

4. Application for a general business license from STEVEN’S COLLECTIBLES, 6526-28 Joliet Road. Type:  Retail.  Applicant:  Steven Kroll. (formerly 1419A 55^th St.)

5. Application for a special use to conduct collectible shows by Kevin Wasmer of West Suburban Coin & Collectibles Expo at Park Place for ten shows throughout 2007.

6. SUBSCRIPTION:  HOMELAND PROTECTION PROFESSIONAL – ESDA – Cost:  $49.

7. Application for a charitable game license from Ideal PTO to hold a raffle on March 16 at Ideal School Fun Fair (request waiving fee).

8. Application for a general business license for ALL INFORMATION SERVICES, INC., 6325 Joliet Road, #100.  Type:  Computer sales and service. Applicant: Jeff Pieta. (formerly 475 W. 55^th St.)

9. Ald. Smetana moved to approve the Omnibus Agenda as presented, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.

ADDITIONS TO AND/OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA – none

QUESTIONS AND/OR COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE – none

MAYOR’S REPORT

10. Mayor LeGant presented Building Manager William Hudson with the official certification as MASTER CODE PROFESSIONAL -- honorary designation from the International Code Council dated January 23, 2007.  City Council congratulated Mr. Hudson on his accomplishment.  Mr. Black of the ICC elaborated on the honor and the time devoted to accomplishing this goal.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

11. WATER COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN STRAZA, CHAIRMAN, presented recommendations from the committee meeting held earlier this evening.  Ald. Straza recommended authorization to replace pumphouse #2 outgoing water meter at a cost of $6,600. Ald. Smetana moved to approve the recommendation, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.

12. Ald. Straza recommended replacing the LaGrange Estates Mobile Home Park water meter at a cost of $3,560.  The low bidder was Cerniglia Company. Ald. Smetana moved to approve the expenditure, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously. The cost of replacing the second meter is covered by the City.

13. BUSINESS LICENSE COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN VON DRASEK, CHAIRMAN, stated that residents in Ward 2 seek attorney guidance regarding redistricting issues re: students from Ideal School attending Pleasantdale School.  Ideal School has a space problem.  Pleasantdale School has just completed additions to the elementary school and middle school.  Students from 5^th Avenue Cutoff are bused to Ideal School; this would also alleviate traffic congestion.  Children should attend school within their neighborhood.  Council members discussed the proposition. Ald. Von Drasek moved to direct the attorney to prepare a petition for signatures to redistrict and vote upon in the general election, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried unanimously.

14. Ald. Von Drasek stated that DPW has done an excellent job with snow removal.  Residents should be made aware of their hard work and efforts via the Newsletter. Residents should shovel plow-driven snow to either side of their driveways, not shift it back onto the street.

15. HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN PONDELICEK, CHAIRMAN, presented the approval of contractual services agreement with Greg Peters, associate employee of RGP Diversified Services, Inc., to serve as Interim Finance Director. Ald. Smetana moved to approve the contract, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously.

LEGAL REPORT

16. City Attorney Erik Peck presented the draft resolution regarding the Community Development Block Grant Program for 2007 described earlier this evening by Mr. Onderdonk for Handicapped Sidewalk Ramps – $35,000.  The Resolution authorizes the City to make application for the program; authorizes the Mayor and the Clerk to sign all necessary documents relative to that application; and certifies that matching funds are available for that program. Ald. Smetana moved to approve the Resolution as presented, seconded by Ald.  Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

Clerk Herberts declared that this will be known as RESOLUTION 07-04-R.

17. Attorney Peck presented the draft resolution regarding Construction on State Highways within the municipality; it is a two-year Resolution. Ald. Smetana moved to adopt the Resolution as presented, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

Clerk Herberts declared that this will be known as RESOLUTION 07-05-R.

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

18. City Administrator Bailey presented the invoice for demolition of the structure at 9540 W. 56 St. from American Demolition Corp in the amount of $28,470.  Ald. Smetana moved to approve payment, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

19. Administrator Bailey presented the authorization for contribution in support of the pharmaceutical distribution exercise in the amount of $650. Most municipalities have committed to the requested contribution.  Ald. Smetana moved to approve the contribution, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

ADJOURNMENT

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

Mayor LeGant declared the meeting adjourned at 7:52 p.m.

SHIRLEY C. HERBERTS, CITY CLERK

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