City Council Minutes - May 9, 2007

MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE, ILLINOIS
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 9, 2007

1. After the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, Mayor Pro Tem Conrad called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.  Mayor Pro Tem Conrad introduced the Honorable Peter Felice, Cook County Circuit Court Judge, who will administer the Oath of Office to all the newly elected officials.

SWEARING IN NEWLY ELECTED OFFICIALS

Mayor, Clerk, Treasurer, Ward 1, Ward 2 and Ward 3 Aldermen

2. Judge Felice administered the Oath of Office as Alderman for the City of Countryside to Alderman Michael Smetana, Alderman Karen Michalczyk, and Alderman Wayne Straza simultaneously. City Council and audience present congratulated the Aldermen on their re-election to the office of Alderman.

3. Judge Felice administered the Oath of Office to Steven Jasinski as Treasurer for the City of Countryside.  City Council and audience members congratulated City Treasurer Jasinski on his election as City Treasurer.

4. Judge Felice administered the Oath of Office to Sharon Sweeney as City Clerk for the City of Countryside.  City Council and audience members congratulated City Clerk Sweeney on her election as City Clerk.

5. Judge Felice administered the Oath of Office to Robert Conrad as Mayor of the City of Countryside.  City Council and audience members present congratulated Mayor Conrad on his election as Mayor of Countryside.

6. Mayor Conrad thanked Treasurer Stoffels for his many years of dedicated public service to the City of Countryside. Treasurer Stoffels acknowledged the audience and the applause.

7. New Council Members took their seats. City Clerk Sweeney called the Roll of those physically present as follows:

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

ALSO PRESENT: City Clerk Sweeney, City Treasurer Jasinski, City Attorney Erik Peck, City Admin. Bailey, Police Chief Swanson, City Engineer Fitzgerald, CDD Onderdonk, Deputy Clerk Bartelt

OMNIBUS AGENDA

8. Approval of Minutes of April 25, 2007.

9. Statement of Bills for the period ending May 9, 2007:  $250,997.69.

10. Application for a special use from VFW Western Springs Memorial Post 10778 to conduct a poppy tag day on May 22-24, 2007 at Fuller’s Car Wash, 5550 Brainard Ave.

11. Application for a general business license from Mr. D’s Vending. Type:  Ice Cream Truck.  Applicant:  Brian Durocher.

12. Application for a special use from Windy City Postcard Club to hold a postcard show at Local 150, June 1-2, 2007.

13. Application for a general business license from Reynolds Advanced Materials, Inc., 5346 East Avenue.  Type:  General Manufacturing. Applicant:  Sal Bianco.

14. Treasurer’s Report for the period ending March 31, 2007.

15. Application for a special use from the Robert Coulter Post #1941 to conduct a poppy day on May 24-25, 2007 at various locations. 

16. Membership:  Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau – Administration -$950.

17. 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

18. Two additions to the Agenda were noted by City Administrator Bailey.

QUESTIONS AND/OR COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE – none

COMMITTEE REPORTS

17. FINANCE COMMITTEE - ALDERMAN MICHALCZYK presented recommendations from the Committee meeting – the committee recommended approval of the 2007-2008 Appropriation Budget.  Von Drasek moved to adopt the Ordinance as presented, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried unanimously.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 07-12-O.

18. RECREATION COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN SMETANA presented recommendation from the Committee meeting – the committee recommended approval of FGM’s proposal to design, bid and oversee construction of Brancatto & Woodland Ridge Park improvements in the amount of $29,600.  Ald. Smetana moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.  Ald. Smetana advised that these two parks are just the beginning of renovation on all the parks.

19.       INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN SMETANA, CHAIRMAN, presented the recommendation to hire three seasonal summer workers for the DPW. The three were interviewed by Supt. Fullar and recommended for hiring.  Ald. Smetana moved to approve hiring the three, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously.

20. HUMAN RESOURCE COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN PONDELICEK, CHAIRMAN, moved to authorize hiring of a crossing guard for 58^th St. & 9^th and Francis Avenues in Countryside, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried unanimously.

21. LICENSE COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN VON DRASEK, CHAIRMAN, recommended continuation of the 50/50 Senior Cab Program; this will be reviewed on an annual basis.  Ald. Von Drasek moved to continue the program, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried unanimously.

LEGAL REPORT

22. Attorney Peck stated that the draft ordinance adopting the Appropriation has been addressed during the Finance Report.

23. Mr. Peck presented a draft resolution for new signatories for MB Financial Bank.  With the new administration updating of responsible individuals is necessary.  The Resolution authorizes the Mayor, Treasurer, City Administrator and Finance Director to access accounts and sign checks.  Ald. Smetana moved to adopt the Resolution as presented, seconded by  Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.

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

24. Mr. Peck presented the draft resolution for new signatories for Western Springs Bank.  The Resolution authorized the Mayor, Treasurer, City Administrator and Finance Director to access accounts and sign checks.  Ald. Smetana moved to  adopt the Resolution as presented, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as RESOLUTION 07-08-R.

CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S  REPORT

25. City Administrator Bailey sought Council approval for payment of $18,308.85 for injuries resulting from an attempted escape of an arrestee.  Ald. Straza moved to authorize payment, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

26. Mr. Bailey recommends approval for the Finance Director to attend the GFOA Conference (Government Finance Officers Association); estimated expenses are $1,351.  Ald. Straza moved to approve the expense, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

27. Mr. Bailey presented engineer’s pay estimate for the 2006 Water Main Replacement – Phase 2 to Swallow Construction Co in the amount of $389,485.96. The recommendation is to approve payment.  Ald. Straza moved to approve payment, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried unanimously.

28. Mr. Bailey presented the Addendum to the Agenda to recommend approval for the 2007 Street & Alley Rehabilitation; bids were received for this project.  The low bid was from Central Blacktop in the amount of $470,410.75.  Modifications to the MFT tax Resolution must be made if Council awards the bid tonight.  Ald. Smetana moved to table this matter, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried unanimously.

29. Mr. Bailey presented a proposal to hire up to two part-time seasonal employees to patrol for building code violations primarily on weekends.  Ald. Smetana moved to approve the expense, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

STAFF  REPORTS

30. Police Chief Swanson sought to clarify the city’s liability for the $18,000 hospital bill; he advised that the individual jumped from a second story window while eluding arrest and required surgery.  Since that time the state law has changed and municipalities are no longer responsible when taking people into custody.  Chief Swanson lent congratulations to all the elected officials and looks forward to working with the new City Council.

31. Mayor Conrad took the occasion to thank Mayor Carl LeGant and Clerk Shirley Herberts on behalf of the City Council and City Staff for their many, many years of dedicated service to the City; their hard work is appreciated and their due diligence has helped make Countryside the great city that it is.  Mayor Conrad and Ald. Smetana spoke to Mayor LeGant over the weekend; he wished everyone well. Mayor Conrad invited all attendees to join Council members for a celebration on the second floor.

ADJOURNMENT

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

Mayor Conrad declared the meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.

CITY CLERK, SHARON SWEENEY

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