City Council Minutes - August 8, 2007

MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE, ILLINOIS
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 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, Robert Pondelicek

ABSENT: John Von Drasek, Michael Smetana

ALSO PRESENT: City Clerk Sweeney, City Treasurer Jasinski,  City Attorney Erik Peck, and Asst. City Admin. Peterson, Police Chief Swanson,  Finance Director Paul, City Engineer Fitzgerald,  CDD Onderdonk, ESDA Coordinator Norman

OMNIBUS  AGENDA

2. Approval of Minutes of  July 25, 2007.

3. Statement of Bills for the period ending August 8, 2007: $339,369.83.

4. Application for a general business license from GABRIEL’S LANDSCAPING, INC., 7415 Willow Springs Road. Type:  Home office. Applicant: Gabriel Serrano.

5. Membership:  Municipal Clerk’s Assn. of South and West Suburbs of Cook County – Clerk and Deputy - $30.

6. Application for a block party from Chris Baehrend, to close off 6900 block of Parkside on August 12, 2007 from noon to 10 p.m.

7. Application for a block party from Ann Malec, to close off 53^rd Street between Ashland and Catherine on August 18, 2007 from 3-10 p.m.

8. Application for a general business license from ACTION THREADED PRODUCTS, 5422-30 Dansher Road. Type:  Hardware distribution. Applicant: Raul Torres (relocation from 5410 Dansher).

9. From the American Legion, Robert Coulter Post requesting permission to sell raffle tickets at the Jewel Food Store, 5555 Brainard Ave. from Aug. 9-Sept. 29, 2007.

10. Application for a general business license from FAJITAS MEXICAN RESTAURANT, 6510 Joliet Road. Type: Restaurant. Applicant: Walter Narsolis. (new owner).

11. Ald. Straza moved to approve the Omnibus Agenda as presented, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

ADDITIONS TO AND/OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA – none

QUESTIONS AND/OR COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE – none

MAYOR’S  REPORT

12. Mayor Conrad, on behalf of the City,  presented a token of appreciation to Michael Hartigan, Water Department worker, for his quick action in applying a tourniquet following a serious injury to a fellow Public Works employee.  The plaque reads  “ From the City of Countryside presented to Michael Hartigan, as a token of our appreciation for your quick action and unselfish efforts in administering aid to an injured fellow employee on July 6, 2007.” His quick action possibly saved Shawn’s life.  The City Council gratefully acknowledged his actions on that day.

13. Mayor Conrad  sought a motion to approve a Class I Liquor License for Fajitas Mexican Restaurant, 6510 Joliet Road, in conjunction with the new ownership of the restaurant. The Applicant is Walter Narsolis. Ald. Straza moved to approve transfer of the Class I Liquor License, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried unanimously.

14. Mayor Conrad sought a motion to approve attendance of elected officials and/or appointed officials and various department heads to the Illinois Assn. of Park Districts Awards Gala on September 14, 2007 at the Wheaton Park District facility. The cost is $75 pp or $550 per table of eight. Treasurer Jasinski advised the audience that Mayor Conrad will be honored for his ten years of service at that event.  Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve attendance, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously.

15. Mayor Conrad stated FYI – the City received an invitation from the Pleasantview Fire Protection District to attend the Fire Station #3 Dedication at 9096 Joliet Road, at Lenzi Ave. on Saturday, September 8, 2007.  That is the short extension of Joliet Road that is still open; all interested parties are welcome to attend.

16. Mayor Conrad sought approval for the City to join the Metropolitan Mayors’ Caucus re: Greenest Region Compact including nine Councils of Government dedicated to reduce energy consumption through a series of environmental actions. Free CFL bulbs will be made available in 2008 to every municipality signing the Compact.  Ald. Straza moved to approve joining the Compact, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried by unanimous Roll Call vote – 4/0/2.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as RESOLUTION 07-16-R.

17. Mayor Conrad sought Council approval to join the Clean Air Counts Membership Proposal. Ald. Straza moved to approve membership, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried by unanimous Roll Call vote- 4/0/2.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as RESOLUTION 07-17-R.

COMMITTEE  REPORTS

18. FINANCE COMMITTEE – TREASURER JASINSKI, CHAIRMAN, presented the recommendation to approve amending Ordinance 06-24-O and the City’s budget for FY 2007.  Kudos to Gail Paul, the new Finance Director, who has assisted in bringing the Finance Department up to speed on certain issues. They have prepared a draft ordinance to amend the fiscal year budget 2006-2007 in the amount of $19,000 - $7,000 from the emergency telephone system fund and $12,000 from the Hotel/Motel Fund to bring it back to the correct budget for the audit beginning next week.  Ald. Michalczyk moved to adopt the ordinance, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 07-27-O.

19. Treasurer Jasinski stated that these various donation requests were presented at the 7-31-07 Finance Committee meeting – a total of seven items.  At the current time the committee has decided to decline action on all seven items.  Instead of making donations to individual groups, notices and letters will be sent to each organization advising them that future donations will be more meaningful. If an organization needs a capital expense or new item, the City will make a donation.  The seven items are:

1. Betty Scheck Memorial Fundraiser - $120

2. Betty Scheck Shuffle Sponsorship

3. WCMC Solid Waste annual golf outing - $150

4. Amanda Butkovich Memorial golf outing

5. Hispanic Heritage Organization calendar of events ad book African American Contractors Assn.

6. LTHS ad in program book for Fall Sports - $590.

7. Center for Independence Golf fundraiser - $250.

20. HOTEL/MOTEL COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN MICHALCZYK, CHAIRMAN, presented recommendations from the committee meeting of 8-2-07. The committee recommended continuation of participation with the Civic Center Authority for $1,500.  Ald. Pondelicek moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously.

21. Ald. Michalczyk presented the recommendation to approve yearly membership in the Heritage Corridor Convention & Visitors Bureau in the amount of $1,500. Ald. Straza moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

LEGAL  REPORT

22. City Attorney Erik Peck presented reintroduction of the draft ordinance permitting electronic attendance at meetings. The draft ordinance and two sets of rules were presented at the last meeting; no questions were asked. Ald. Michalczyk believes that this issue should be addressed tonight.  Council members agreed  that members will  fill out the absentee notice to the City Council of the intended absence for a given reason, after requirements have been met, as a matter of right. Ald. Straza moved to adopt the ordinance with the above language, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried unanimously – 4/0/2.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 7-28-O.

23. Attorney Peck stated that he and Mr. Hudson are presently working on a draft ordinance for itinerant merchants, which will be forthcoming. Ald. Straza appreciates the research being done on that subject for the safety of our children.

24. Attorney Peck stated that the ordinance amending FY ‘07 budget has been presented by the Finance Committee.

25. Attorney Peck presented the draft ordinance requiring the posting of licenses and permits.  This ordinance includes the word “Permits” to the posting of licenses.  A permit must be posted at the location; requirements remain the same.  Ald. Straza moved to adopt the ordinance as presented, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 07-29-O.

26. Attorney Peck presented a draft resolution permitting the Mayor to enter into agreements with Redflex for the installation of traffic cameras at various intersections; automated traffic law enforcement systems and for administrative adjudication of automated traffic law violations. The first agreement is to take photos, send out notices to offenders, make photos available and send notices of fines.  They will collect and deposit the money with provisions for a hearing is so desired. The second agreement is for servicing of the cameras at the lights; in addition to the violation process, collect and distribute monies to the City.  Ald. Straza moved to approve the above language  as presented, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk   and carried by unanimous voice vote – 4/0/2.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as RESOLUTION 07-18-R.

ADMINISTRATOR’S  REPORT

27. Assistant Administrator Sharon Peterson seeks approval for herself to attend the National Recreation & Park Assn. Conference, September 25-28, 2007 in Indianapolis, IN; estimated expenses are $1,055.  Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

28. Ms. Peterson presented engineer’s pay estimate #2 for ’07 Street & Alley Rehabilitation to Central Blacktop Co. in the amount of  $100,660.50.  Ald. Pondelicek moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried unanimously.

29. Ms. Peterson presented engineer’s pay estimate #3 for the ’07 Water Main Replacement to Gerardi Sewer & Water Co. in the amount of $113,066.77. Ald. Straza moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried unanimously.

30. Ms. Peterson presented engineer’s pay estimate #4 and final for emergency generator replacement to Richmond Electric Co. in the amount of $89,311.70. Ald. Straza moved to approve, seconded by Ald.  Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

31. Ms. Peterson presented engineer’s recommendation for final payment on the Cummins/Onan Emergency Generator to Cummins NPower LLC in the amount of  $7,438.44. Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

STAFF  REPORTS

32. Community Development Director Onderdonk invited City Council members to join him on the trip to Springfield on Friday, August 10, with Mayor Conrad and Ed Bailey. They will meet with the State Director of Transportation to discuss various topics and hopefully receive commitments for needed improvements in the community. The plan is to meet at City Hall at 7 a.m. and car pool to Springfield.  Mayor Conrad made this trip last year along with Ald. Michalczyk and Ald. Straza and Mr. Bailey.

ADJOURNMENT

33. There being no further business to discuss,  Ald. Straza moved to adjourn into executive session under Section 2Ac of the Open Meetings Act for the purpose of discussing land acquisition, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried by unanimous Roll Call vote – 4/0/2.

Mayor Conrad declared the meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.

SHARON SWEENEY, CITY CLERK

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