City Council Minutes - April 11, 2007

MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE, ILLINOIS
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11 , 2007

1. After the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, Mayor Pro Tem Conrad called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. in the absence of Mayor LeGant.  In the absence of City Clerk Herberts, Acting City Clerk Bartelt called the Roll of those physically present as follows:

PRESENT: Mayor Pro Tem Conrad, Aldermen Wayne Straza, Karen Michalczyk, John Von Drasek, Michael Smetana, Robert Pondelicek

ABSENT: Mayor LeGant, City Clerk Herberts

ALSO PRESENT: Deputy Clerk Bartelt, City Treasurer Stoffels,  City Attorney Erik Peck, City Admin. Bailey, Deputy Police Chief Novak,  City Engineer Fitzgerald

OMNIBUS  AGENDA

2. Approval of Minutes of March 28, 2007.

3. Statement of Bills for the period ending April 11, 2007 - $252,296.55.

4. MEMBERSHIP: AMERICAN WATER WORKS ASSN. – Water Operator Helmstetler - $165.

5. Application for a general business license for ADVANCED LEARNING HOME DAY CARE, 7127 Willow Springs Road. Type:  Home day care. Applicant: Alicia Todd.

6. Application for a general business license for JSK MERCHANDISING, INC., 5324 East Avenue. Type:  Warehouse.  Applicant: Jen Neng Lu.

7. Ald. Smetana moved to approve the Omnibus Agenda as presented. Ald. Von Drasek  requested removal of Advanced Learning Home Day Care from the Agenda.  With that removal, he seconded the motion; motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

ADDITIONS TO AND/OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA – none

QUESTIONS AND/OR COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE

8. Attorney Paul Keller, on behalf of Air Liquide, is here to respond to any questions concerning Air Liquide.

9. Alicia Todd, 2620 S. Kenilworth Ave., Berwyn, IL, asked why the day care item was removed from the Agenda. Mayor Pro Tem Conrad stated that further clarification is required.  City Staff will research the matter and when completed the item will be placed on the Agenda and  the applicant will be notified at that time.

10. Kathy Gorniak is concerned that Mayor LeGant has not been present for the past three meetings.  The election is next week; voters are questioning whether medical conditions are an issue.  The Mayor should be accessible. Administrator Bailey stated that the Mayor called today and indicated that he is not able to make tonight’s meeting due to medical issues; he was in good spirits.

11. Resident Mark Burdett, 9814 W. 57 St. registered the same concerns. The Mayor is listed as running in the election; he has not appeared for three City Council meetings. There has been no information in the newspaper; residents are concerned. Mayor Pro Tem Conrad has been in contact with all staff members and assured residents that the City is in good hands. We all wish the Mayor a speedy recovery.

12. Edward Krzeminski, 6929 Lorraine Ave., stated that he saw the Mayor today; he had a severe case of the flu and is still recovering from that illness.

MAYOR’S  REPORT

13. Mayor Pro Tem Conrad administered the Oath of Office to John Andree as a Police Sergeant in the City of Countryside.  City Council congratulated him on the promotion to Sergeant.

14. Proclamation – Building Safety Week, May 6-12, 2007.  Ald.  Smetana moved to adopt the Proclamation declaring May 6-12 as Building Safety Week in Countryside, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously. Mayor Pro Tem Conrad signed the Proclamation.

COMMITTEE  REPORTS

FINANCE COMMITTEE – TREASURER STOFFELS, CHAIRMAN, presented recommendations from the committee meeting held earlier this evening. 

15. Ideal School PTO’s request to support the Library Learning Center @ $15 per student for a cost of $3,600 to the City.  Ald. Smetana moved to approve the expenditure, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

16. No action taken on other agenda items -- Pet Parade, WSCC Community Award Dinner and WCMC annual dinner.

17. WATER COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN STRAZA, CHAIRMAN, presented the recommendation to award the 2007 Water Main Replacement project to Gerardi Sewer & Water in the amount of $1,164,645.  Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve the expenditure, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried unanimously.

18. Ald. Von Drasek stated that the Easter Egg Hunt was a huge success; thanks to the hard work of Ald. Conrad and the Recreation Committee. There was a good turnout despite the cold weather; the children had a great time.

19. Ald. Von Drasek extended best wishes to the candidates facing election next week; he has been a Council member for two years and supports the candidates.

ADMINISTRATOR’S  REPORT

20. City Administrator Bailey stated that the City has received an invitation to the West Central Municipal Conference Annual Dinner on May 4, 2007.  Approval is sought for elected officials, City Administrator and Department Heads to attend.  Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve the request, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously.

21. Administrator Bailey presented engineer’s payment estimate #2 for the 2006 Water Main Replacement, Phase II to Swallow Construction Co. in the amount of $261,257.40.  Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve payment, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried unanimously.

LEGAL  REPORT

22. City Attorney Erik Peck presented the PC/ZBA recommendation on final approval of plat of Resubdivision for Air Liquide, 5220-5230 East Avenue.  The PC/ZBA hearing was held on April 3, 2007; final approval was given subject to review by the City engineer and City attorney.  There are minor details that need to be addressed.  The matter can be continued or approved subject to review by the City engineer and City attorney.  Ald. Straza moved to approve the final plat of Resubdivision subject to review and approval by the City attorney and City engineer, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried unanimously. Attorney Peck advised Attorney Keller to deliver the final plat to the Building Department.  

Acting Clerk Bartelt declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 07-11-O.

Resident Mr. Zickus thanked the City Council for the fine job they have done in previous years for the residents and the City.  He wishes all candidates the best of luck.

STAFF REPORTS – none 

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to discuss, Ald. Von Drasek moved to convene into Executive Session under Section  2Ah of the Open Meetings Act for the purpose of discussing pending litigation, seconded by Ald.  Smetana and carried by unanimous Roll Call vote.

Mayor Pro Tem Conrad declared the meeting recessed at 7:47 p.m.

*   *   *   *   *

The Regular City Council Meeting returned to Open Session with the same members present at 8:14 p.m.

Ald. Straza moved to adjourn the Regular Meeting, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.

Mayor Pro Tem Conrad declared the meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

SHIRLEY C. HERBERTS, CITY CLERK

By:       GAIL BARTELT, ACTING CITY CLERK

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