City Council Minutes - April 25, 2007

 MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE, ILLINOIS
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 2007

1. After the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, Mayor Pro Tem Conrad called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.  Acting City Clerk Bartelt called the Roll of those physically present as follows:

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

ABSENT: Mayor LeGant, Clerk Herberts                   

ALSO PRESENT:   Acting City Clerk Bartelt, City Treasurer Stoffels,  City Attorney Erik Peck, City Admin. Bailey, Police Chief Swanson ,  City Engineer Fitzgerald,  CDD Onderdonk, Finance Director Paul, City Clerk-Elect Sharon Sweeney, City Treasurer-Elect Steven Jasinski

OMNIBUS  AGENDA

2. Approval of Minutes of  April 11, 2007.

3. Statement of Bills for the period ending April 25, 2007: $361,501.28.

4. Application for a special use from Greater Chicago Productions to hold an Antique Postcard Show at  Local 150, May 4-5, and November 9-10, 2007.

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

ADDITIONS TO AND/OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA

6. One addition to the Agenda was noted by Alderman Michalczyk.

QUESTIONS AND/OR COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE  - none

MAYOR’S  REPORT

7. Mayor Pro Tem Conrad stated that all elected officials are invited to participate in the LaGrange Pet Parade on June 2, 2007. The police and fire units are invited to the lead section of the parade. They asked elected officials to provide their own transportation. Mr. Onderdonk stated that Continental Motors will provide the City with either a Toyota Tundra or a convertible, customarily two vehicles per municipality.  Council members prefer the convertibles. Mr. Onderdonk will so advise the dealership.

CITY CLERK’S REPORT

8. Acting Clerk Bartelt stated that executive session minutes are reviewed every six months.  She requested a motion to acknowledge that executive session minutes have been reviewed and recommends that no change for the release of executive session minutes occur for this six-month period.  Ald. Straza moved to retain the confidentiality of the remaining minutes, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

9. FINANCE COMMITTEE – TREASURER STOFFELS, CHAIRMAN, stated that the Appropriation Budget will be listed on the May 9, 2007 Agenda for approval.

10. WATER COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN STRAZA, CHAIRMAN, sought approval of engineer’s invoice for the water rate analysis in the sum of $19,014. Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve payment, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried unanimously.

11. HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN PONDELICEK, CHAIRMAN, presented the recommendation to hire William Hayes to fill a new position as Code Enforcement Officer 1. Ald. Smetana moved to concur with the recommendation, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried unanimously.

12. POLICE COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN CONRAD, CHAIRMAN, presented the recommendation to replace the DEA officer’s vehicle with a 2007 Ford Explorer from Westfield Ford. After trade in the cost is $20,185 paid from the Federal Narcotics Fund. Ald.  Conrad moved to approve the expenditure, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

13. HOTEL/MOTEL COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN MICHALCZYK, CHAIRMAN, presented the recommendation for financial support of $1,000 for the I & M Canal Rendezvous event which will take place September 29-30 from 10-4 p.m. It is being called A River Thru History.  Ald. Smetana moved to approve the donation, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

14. Ald. Michalczyk sought Council consideration to sponsor an ad for the WCMC Annual Dinner May 4, 2007 for a table of ten which costs $675. Ald. Straza moved to approve the expense, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.

15. Ald. Michalczyk presented the recommendation for sponsoring a one-third page ad and attending the WSCC 2007 Community Awards Dinner on May 23 at William Tell for a total of $1,050.  Ald. Pondelicek moved to approve the expense, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously.

16. Ald. Michalczyk presented the recommendation to participate in the WSCC 2007 Community Guide ad book for $1,500.  Ald. Pondelicek moved to approve the expense, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.

17. Ald. Michalczyk presented the request for membership in the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau at a cost of $2,450.25.  Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve the expenditure, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously.

18. RECREATION COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN CONRAD, CHAIRMAN, sought consideration of acceptance of the Park Condition Study and Analysis by FGM Architects and recommendation for implementation.  Ald. Straza moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried unanimously.  Ald. Von Drasek commented that they did a thorough study and analysis of park needs. Ald. Straza stated that he and Ald. Smetana will get the information re: down time required for reconfiguration.

LEGAL  REPORT

19. City Attorney Peck presented the recommendation to consider a special use by CitiFinancial.  They appeared before the PC/ZBA on February 6; difficulties arose and the matter was continued several times.  They  sent a letter which appeared to withdraw their application.  The PC/ZBA moved to withdraw the application. For purposes of finalization Attorney Peck asked Council for a motion to not approve a special use so the matter is not pending anywhere.  Ald. Smetana moved to deny the special use of CitiFinancial to allow a financial institution at 90 Countryside Plaza, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously.

CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S  REPORT

20. City Administrator Bailey presented the recommendation to appoint Gail Paul, finance director,  as the IMRF authorized agent for the City of Countryside.  Ald. Smetana moved to concur with the recommendation, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously.

Acting Clerk Bartelt declared that this will be known as RESOLUTION 07-06-R.

21. Mr. Bailey recommended approval of the reconciliation payment of $12,989 to retiree Paul Mallon relating to the health retirement account.  Ald. Pondelicek moved to approve the payment, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried unanimously.

22. Mr. Bailey recommended approval of the reconciliation payment of $8,605 to retiree Gary Schwab relating to the health retirement account.  Ald. Smetana moved to approve the payment, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

STAFF  REPORTS

23. Police Chief Swanson stated that a law enforcement safety video was made for using police canine patrols in light of what happened to the City’s dog.  They put together a safety and use video which will be sent out to all departments in the area including the Cook County Sheriff’s Office and the National Police Work Dog Association. It should be ready in a week or so; it will be given to Serafin and may help eliminate the kind of problem we had with Dago.  Ald. Von Drasek thanked all the officers that were out in the neighborhoods meeting residents; it was great public relations work. It was a positive experience for residents.

OLD AND NEW BUSINESS

24. Ald. Pondelicek discussed the need for a full-time crossing guard at 58^th St. and Francis, and 9^th Avenue.  Funds should be added to the Police Budget for salary. Chief Swanson stated that there will be an opening; Council can recommend a candidate. Ald. Straza  asked whether crossing guards collect unemployment benefits during the summer when they are not working. Mr. Peck will research the matter. Ald. Pondelicek stated he believes crossing guards are paid a flat rate of $26-27 per day for two hours  during the school year term for 177-days.

25. Ald. Von Drasek attended the Aging Well meeting on Monday; they discussed the Countryside clean-up.  Saturday, May 19 will be a Senior Chore Day, where kids can  volunteer to help seniors get their junk to the curb. There are seniors in serious need of assistance. He asked everyone to help get the word out. There is a phone number and flyers will be available here at City Hall.

26. Mayor Pro Tem Conrad took this opportunity to speak for the entire City Council in thanking Treasurer Stoffels in appreciation for his many years of service to the City. Treasurer Stoffels stated that it has been a pleasure to spend his time with the City.

ADJOURNMENT

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

Mayor Pro Tem Conrad declared the meeting recessed at 7:51 p.m.

*   *   *   *   *

The Regular City Council Meeting returned to Open Session with the same members present at 8:08 p.m.

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

Mayor Pro Tem Conrad declared the meeting adjourned at 8:09 p.m.

SHIRLEY C. HERBERTS, CITY CLERK

By:       GAIL BARTELT, ACTING CITY CLERK