City Council Minutes - May
23, 2007
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE, ILLINOIS
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 23, 2007
1. After
the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, Mayor Conrad called the meeting to
order at 7:30 p.m. City Clerk Sweeney called the Roll of those
physically present as follows:
PRESENT:
Mayor Robert Conrad, Aldermen Wayne Straza, Karen Michalczyk, John Von
Drasek, Robert Pondelicek.
ABSENT:
Michael Smetana
ALSO
PRESET: City Clerk Sweeney, City Treasurer Jasinski, City Attorney Erik
Peck, City Admin. Bailey, Police Chief Swanson , City Engineer
Fitzgerald, CDD Onderdonk
OMNIBUS
AGENDA
2. Approval
of Minutes of May 9, 2007.
3.
Statement of Bills for the period ending May 23, 2007: $650,041.66.
4.
Application for a general business license from EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS, 90
Countryside Plaza Type: Retail store. Applicant: Yakia Cox-Williams.
5.
Application for a general business license from PAINT SOLUTIONS, INC.,
5300 East Avenue. Type: Auto body repairs & paint. Applicant: Jeffrey
Beck.
6.
Application for a general business license from COUNTRYSIDE ELECTRIC,
5807 Rose Court. Type: Home office. Applicant: Thomas Peck.
7.
Application for a registration from CARMEN PINTO INSURANCE AGENCY, 1415
W. 55th St. #203. Type: Insurance office. Applicant: Carmen
Pinto.
8.
Application for a general business license from AMPEST EXTERMINATING,
LLC., 6475 Joliet Road. Type: Pest control service. Applicant: Jane
Peller.
9.
Membership: Illinois City/County Management Assn. – Administrator
-$248.
10.
Application for a general business license from RABBEH Ice Cream – Type:
Ice cream truck. Applicant: Molkey Rabbeh.
11. Ald.
Von Drasek moved to approve the Omnibus Agenda as presented, seconded by
Ald. Straza and carried unanimously.
ADDITIONS
TO AND/OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA
12.
One addition to the Agenda was noted by Ald. Von Drasek
QUESTIONS
AND/OR COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE
13.
Resident Jerry Gorak, 9920 W. 57 St. asked whether the letter he sent to
Council regarding the fence between the Mazda dealership and his home
was considered by the Board at the PC/ZBA Hearing. Al. Zuffrom, 9900 W.
57th St. also asked the same question regarding the petition
he presented to the PC/ZBA. Attorney Peck stated that the letter and the
petition with eight items are included in the Board packet along with
Staff remarks regarding this matter. Mr. Gorak is seeking a step-down
fence, from 8 to 6 to 4 feet between his residence and Mazda for
appearance sake. He also requests that the fence have steel posts and be
a vinyl material which needs no maintenance. Mayor Conrad stated that
Mr. Fisher is present; he has promised to be a good neighbor; these
matters will be addressed later tonight. CDD Onderdonk, stated that the
agenda packet included a copy of Mr. Gorak’s request along with a
diagram; this was distributed to the PC/ZBA, however they decided not to
act on that matter. The City Council may include that request along with
the recommendation of the PC/ZBA.
MAYOR’S
REPORT
14. Mayor
Conrad sought confirmation of the appointments of City personnel for the
terms of 2007 to 2011 for the following individuals: Ed Bailey, City
Administrator; Gail Bartelt, Deputy City Clerk; Dudley Onderdonk,
Community Development Director; Gail Paul, Finance Director; Sharon
Peterson, Asst. City Manager; Bill Pyle, Code Enforcement Officer;
William Hayes, Code Enforcement Officer 1; Paul De Maertelaere, Plumbing
Inspector; Marty Sweeney, Electrical Inspector; Timothy Swanson, Police
Chief; Scott Novak, Deputy Police Chief; Erik Peck, City Attorney;
Steve Norman, ESDA Coordinator. Ald. Straza moved to approve the
Confirmation of Appointments for the above individuals for the terms of
2007 – 2011 as presented, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried
unanimously. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
15. Mayor
Conrad stated that other City Council Committee appointments will be
discussed and finalized at a future date. The Mayor appointed Treasurer
Jasinski to the Hotel/Motel Committee in place of Treasurer Stoffels;
Gail Paul as Finance Director for the Hotel/Motel Committee; Dudley
Onderdonk is appointed CDD to the Hotel/Motel Comm. If he is
unavailable, Mr. Bryan Swanson will sit in his place. Ald. Pondelicek
moved to approve the above appointments, seconded by Ald. Straza and
carried unanimously.
TREASURER’S REPORT
16. City
Treasurer Jasinski discussed the request from the LaGrange Business
Association, via representative, Katrina Ladyga, to use the City’s
parking lot at 55th & East Avenue for carnival equipment and trucks for
a four-day period from Thursday to Sunday for the Pet Parade weekend.
They are making a donation of $150 to the City; it is an appropriate use
of the parking lot. Ald. Pondelicek moved to approve the request,
seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously. All necessary insurance
and release information has been secured.
COMMITTEE
REPORTS
17. RECREATION COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN MICHALCZYK,
presented the recommendation to hire seasonal summer help to hire four
instructors at a rate of $14.88 and eight aides/counselors at a rate of
$12.09. Fun in the Park program begins on June 18. Ald. Von Drasek
moved to approve hiring the individuals, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek
and carried unanimously.
18. Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve the lowest
quote from C.L.P. Promotions to furnish T-shirts for the 07-08
Recreation Season at a cost of $3,902.50. Ald. Straza moved to approve
the expense, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously. Mayor
Conrad stated that in honor of Sue Wilson, past Director of the
Recreation Department, the T-shirts will bear her initials on the
sleeves in her memory. Various dedications will also be made to her
throughout the season.
19. Ald. Michalczyk presented the recommendation to
approve the FGM Space Needs Analysis proposal for playschool site and
City property at 6050 Kensington in the amount of $9,500. Ald. Straza
moved to approve the expenditure, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and
carried unanimously.
20. Ald. Michalczyk presented the recommendation to
award the Srjema-Michalek Park fence project to J & M Fence of Chicago
in the amount of $20,356. Ald. Straza moved to approve the expenditure,
seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously. Ald. Von Drasek
asked whether the wooden posts will be removed; Mr. Bailey does not
believe that was ever part of the project.
21. INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN STRAZA
reported in place of Ald. Smetana. Ald. Straza sought a Resolution
authorizing the Mayor to execute the Local Agency Agreement for Federal
Participation with IDOT for ITEP landscape enhancement of the LaGrange
Road Grant project. Ald. Von Drasek moved to authorize the Resolution,
seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried unanimously.
Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as
RESOLUTION 07-09-R.
23. Ald. Straza sought Council approval authorizing
the Mayor to execute the Preliminary Engineering Services Agreement for
Federal Participation with Teng & Associates for IDOT / ITEP landscape
enhancement of the LaGrange Road Grant project. This is part of the
$842,000 grant monies received last year; the City will supply matching
funds. Ald. Von Drasek moved to authorize the above agreement, seconded
by Ald. Michalczyk and carried unanimously. Ald. Straza would like the
City to get professional assistance in reviewing TIF district
information as it applies to the City and the business community, not
only for landscape but also for economic development.
24. Ald. Straza sought Council consideration to
award the 2007 Street Rehabilitation bid and re-submittal of MFT
Resolution to IDOT. The City also needs a $100,000 supplemental
resolution because of the $100,000 override. Ald. Von Drasek moved to
authorize the Resolution, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried
unanimously.
Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as
RESOLUTION 07-10-R.
25. Ald. Straza presented the request to permit
parking on Stalford Road adjacent to 6502 Joliet Road. He asked that
this matter be tabled for further investigation by the City engineer.
26. Ald. Straza stated that the request to vacate
Southeast Court at 1415 W. 55th St. to facilitate ADA
accessibility requirements will be tabled at this time for further
consideration. He suggested that the engineer move forward to recoup
federal grant funding for rural Ward 2 projects. Ald. Von Drasek moved
to authorize the engineer to proceed with the rural Ward 2 projects,
seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried unanimously.
LEGAL REPORT
City Attorney Peck presented PC/ZBA
recommendations regarding the AutoBarn Mazda Group. As a result there
were four recommendations made at that time.
27. The first recommendation was to approve
preliminary and final approval for a Plat of Consolidation pursuant to
Section 9-2-3 for 5631 South LaGrange Road. At the hearing held on May
1,2007, the Board gave preliminary and final approval subject to review
by the City Attorney and City Engineer. Mr. Fitzgerald has reviewed and
approved the Plat of Consolidation. Ald. Von Drasek moved to concur
with the recommendation of the PC/ZBA to approve the Plat of
Consolidation for 5631 S. LaGrange Road, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and
carried unanimously.
Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as
ORDINANCE 07-13-O.
28. The second recommendation was to consider a
variance of Section 10-6A-2 B-1 to permit construction and operation of
an auto retail sales dealership of 2.87 acres instead of the required
three acres at 5631 S. LaGrange Road. At the hearing the PC/ZBA
considered all the testimony and evidence presented and found that the
petitioner has met the requirements for the variance. In the
recommendation the PC/ZBA included the following: that the construction
and operation be in substantial conformity with Petitioner’s Group
Exhibit B –(copy attached with the site plan); that the variance be
established within six months from the date of the ordinance. Ald.
Straza moved to concur with the recommendation, seconded by Ald. Von
Drasek and carried unanimously.
Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as
ORDINANCE 07-14-O.
29. The third recommendation of that hearing was on
the application for special uses to Section 10-6A-2 to build and operate
an auto retail sales dealership at 5631 S. LaGrange Road. At that
hearing the PC/ZBA considered all the testimony and evidence presented
and made the finding that petitioner had established the requirements
for a special use. The following recommendation was made which included
special conditions: That any egress onto 57th St. be for
emergency purposes only; that no employee parking be permitted on 57th
St.; that City Staff suggestions dated April 19, 2007, (copies attached)
be followed; all construction/operation permitted by the special use
shall be applicable to all City Codes.
30. In the recommendation there were numerous
objections to the special use, both written and oral, which were
received by the PC/ZBA, most notably was the Petition attached to the
recommendation, which sets out 11 areas of concern from the residents.
It was the recommendation of the PC/ZBA that a special use permitting
construction and operation of an auto retail dealership upon the real
estate commonly known as 5631 S. LaGrange Road, be granted. Ald. Straza
moved to concur with the recommendation, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and
carried unanimously.
31. Ald. Pondelicek brought up the possibility of
eliminating the exit on 57th St and seeking two exits on
LaGrange Road; was that investigated. Mr. Owen Stamm , project
architect, stated that an informal request was made and he was told “no”
over the phone. He will present a formal written request if so
desired. The 57th St. exit is required by the Fire
Department. Ald. Pondelicek stated that is subject to whether there are
other exits – one on 6th Ave. and two on LaGrange Road. Mr.
Fisher suggested asking that the existing egress /ingress on LaGrange be
made wider but not have two separate driveways; IDOT may look more
favorably upon that request. Al Zuffrom stated that residents measured
the frontages of existing businesses along LaGrange Road. The frontages
were all less than Mazda and they each had double driveways. Mr. Fisher
stated his preference is to eliminate any ingress/egress on 57th
St. Mazda will make a formal request to IDOT regarding increased
ingress/egress on LaGrange Road.
Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as
ORDINANCE 07-15-O.
32. The fourth and final recommendation from the
PC/ZBA was to consider a special use to Section 10-6B-2 to allow
construction of a car wash at 5631 S. LaGrange Road. At the hearing
held on May 1, 2007, it was found that the petitioner had met all the
requirements for a special use for the car wash upon that property.
There were numerous objections to the car wash; as a result the
recommendation included several conditions: That egress on 57th
St. be for emergency purposes as well as no parking; that the staff
suggestions of April 19, 2007 be followed – the main item being a cutoff
to the car wash blower that turns the blower off when the east-facing
door is open; both doors must be closed for the car wash to operate.
The recommendation of the PC/ZBA was to approve special use permitting
construction and operation of the car wash in conformity with their site
plan. Ald. Straza moved to concur with the recommendation, seconded by
Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.
Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as
ORDINANCE 07-16-O.
33. Mr. Gorak again asked for disposition of the
fence issue. Mr. Fisher has sent a letter to the City stating that he
will build the fence but prefers natural wood. Mr. Gorak would like a
vinyl fence with steel posts that requires no maintenance. Mayor Conrad
stated that Mr. Fisher has been very accommodating. Mark Valley,
attorney for Mr. Fisher and Autobarn Mazda, stated that Mr. Fisher has
agreed to the step-down design; is there any problem with the step-down
fence per City Codes. Mr. Bailey stated that the City Ordinance calls
for an 8-foot screening fence between commercial and residential
property; it does not provide for a step-down fence. The City Council
must take special action to authorize that. Ald. Von Drasek moved to
allow the step-down fence in this situation, seconded by Ald.
Michalczyk. Mayor Conrad suggested that this matter be brought to the
PC/ZBA for further discussion. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
34. Ald. Von Drasek received a request from a
resident who began building a garage in 2004 – at 10601 Stalford in Ward
2. Ald. Von Drasek moved to extend the bond so that he may continue
with the project as presented, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried
unanimously. The resident will be made aware of new requirements re:
time limits, etc.
35. Ald. Von Drasek stated that on Saturday May 19,
in conjunction with Aging Well Committee, per Countryside Cleanup, they
had three high school volunteers, including his daughter and himself, to
help seniors carry out junk to the curb. The kids were very helpful and
they got a lot done. Many thanks to Dino’s Pizza for providing lunch.
In the Fall there will be a Student Chore Day – for help with raking
leaves, etc., for seniors. Please spread the word and get some kids to
volunteer.
36. Ald. Pondelicek stated that this past Tuesday
he attended the D.A.R.E. Graduation at Ideal School. He would encourage
everyone to visit the school and see what the kids have learned in the
12-week program – regarding the ability to refuse drugs, writing essays,
etc. Officer Ernie Millsap is in charge and the Countryside Police
Department is instrumental in conducting that great program.
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
37. City Administrator Bailey seeks Council
approval for payment of the invoice of FGM for their Conceptual Police
Station & Community Center in the amount of $5,767.50. Ald. Michalczyk
moved to approve payment, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried
unanimously.
38. Mr. Bailey recommends the appointment of the
Sikich firm to perform the audit for FY 2007, not to exceed $22,260.
Ald. Straza moved to approve payment, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and
carried unanimously.
39. Mr. Bailey seeks Council approval to attend the
Illinois City/County Management Assn. Conference June 13-15, 2007 in
Galena, IL; estimated cost is $650. Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve
the expense, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.
40. Mr. Bailey presented an invoice from the
Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (part of NIPC and CATS) for
continued support in the amount of $1,911.
Ald. Straza moved to approve payment, seconded by
Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.
41. Mr. Bailey requests the City Council to approve
replacement of existing RPZ in the Police Department locker room with a
DCDA (double detector check valve) from the CBM Company in the amount of
$5,336. Ald. Straza moved to approve payment, seconded by Ald. Von
Drasek and carried unanimously.
42. Mr. Bailey is seeking City Council
authorization to contract with the William Tell for the Business
Reception on June 19, 2007 from 5:30-7:30 ; the total cost could exceed
$5,000. Ald. Straza moved to approve payment, seconded by Ald.
Pondelicek and carried unanimously. Mayor Conrad stated that the City
has decided to unite the business groups, Chamber of Commerce and
others, to introduce the newly-elected City officials, Aldermen and
Department Heads to the businesses in the City. The WSCC and staff will
be invited to attend. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
43. Mr. Bailey stated the City has been presented
with a Resolution from IMRF which would allow elected officials to
participate in the person plan; this would be a voluntary program. Ald.
Straza moved to approve the Resolution, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and
carried unanimously.
Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as
RESOLUTION 07-11-R.
STAFF REPORTS
44. Police Chief Swanson thanked the Mayor and City
Council for their total support of all the programs including the
D.A.R.E basketball and everything else. Drug enforcement efforts helps
finance these programs.
45. City Engineer Fitzgerald stated that the 2007
sidewalk replacement project is out for bids. Bids will be opened next
Tuesday at 2 p.m. in City Hall. He will have a recommendation for
Council at the following meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
46. There being no further business to discuss,
Ald. Straza moved to convene into Executive Session under Section 2Aa of
the Open Meetings Act for the purpose of discussing labor negotiations –
FOP, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried by unanimous Roll Call
vote.
Mayor Conrad declared the meeting recessed at 8:29
p.m.
* * * * *
The Regular City Council meeting returned to Open
Session with the same members present at 9:11 p.m.
Ald. Pondelicek moved to approve by resolution
07-12-R relating to the the labor agreement with the Sergeants for the
time period May 1, 2005 and expiring on April 30, 2007, in accordance
with the recommendation of the labor attorney, seconded by Ald. Von
Drasek and carried unanimously.
Ald. Von Drasek moved to adjourn the Regular
Meeting, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously.
Mayor Conrad declared the meeting adjourned at 9:12
p.m.
SHARON SWEENEY, CITY CLERK
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