City Council Minutes - August 22, 2007

MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE, ILLINOIS
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 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 PRESENT: City Clerk Sweeney, City Treasurer Jasinski, City Attorney Erik Peck, City Admin. Bailey, Police Chief Swanson, City Engineer Fitzgerald, CDD Onderdonk, ESDA Coord. Norman

OMNIBUS  AGENDA

2. Approval of Minutes of  August 8, 2007.

3. Statement of Bills for the period ending August 22, 2207: $527,841.49.

4. Application for a general business license from D’AMICO AUCTIONS & APPRAISALS, Sarasota, Florida to hold an auction on August 21, 2007 at Dodge City of Countryside, 5949 LaGrange Road. Type:  Auctioneer. Applicant: David D’Amico.

5. MEMBERSHIP:  Municipal Clerks’ of Illinois – Clerk & Deputy - $67.

6. MEMBERSHIP: SAM’S CLUB – Chief, Deputy Clerk, ESDA Director - $105.

7. Application for a general business license from HALLOWEEN EXPRESS, 6001 LaGrange Road. Type:  Retail sales. Applicant: Nina Mikevich.

8. From the LaGrange Knights of Columbus requesting permission to solicit funds at various locations within the city on September 21-22, 2007.

9. FINANCIAL STATEMENT -- period ending July 31, 2007.

10. From Andrea Williams, 7115 Pleasantdale Drive requesting permission to hold a block party on Pleasantdale Court on August 25 from noon to 11 p.m.

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

ADDITIONS TO AND/OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA

12. One addition to the Agenda was noted by Mayor Conrad.

QUESTIONS AND/OR COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE – none

MAYOR’S  REPORT

13. Mayor Conrad presented a plaque to EDWARD ZIEMBA for his service on the Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals for fourteen years.  Mayor Conrad read a portion of the proclamation -- “in recognition of the public service of Edward T. Ziemba to the City of Countryside. He was appointed to the PC/ZBA in 1993; for 14 yeas he has unselfishly served on this Board with distinction and insight.  The City of Countryside is indeed fortunate to have had such a dedicated man serve our community and improve the quality of life for all our residents.”  The City extends its appreciation and best wishes and is greatly indebted to Ed for his many years of service to the City.  Mr. Ziemba thanked the Council for the plaque; it has been a pleasure to serve the City.

14. Mayor Conrad made appointments to the Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals as follows:   JAMES JASINSKI, CHRIS GONZALEZ AND CHARLES STOUB.  Mayor Conrad administered the Oath of Office to all three individuals simultaneously.  Afterwards Mayor Conrad welcomed all three men to their positions and congratulated them on their appointments.

15. Mayor Conrad sought Council approval to support expansion of gaming in Illinois as a new source of revenue and to support education, infrastructure and mass transit improvements. The City has not participated in this program set up by the WCMC in the past but is interested in doing so at present. Ald. Straza moved to approve participation in Suburban Cook County Gaming revenue sharing plan, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.

16. Mayor Conrad gave a State of the City address – a summation of changes occurring in the past few weeks as well as plans for the future. The City is approaching its 50^th Anniversary in 2010.  A robust sales tax base principally built on the Countryside Auto Mall has been the mainstay of the City.  Ground will be broken soon on the new Mazda Flagship Dealership located on LaGrange Road.  Along these lines the opportunity for Continental to expand continues.  With the high concentration of auto dealers in Countryside, continued change is anticipated. Manufacturers are urging dealerships to create larger facilities and consolidate brands. As a result we may see fewer but larger dealerships, as we note with the unfortunate closing of Dodge City of Countryside. The City is wholly committed to working with the dealerships, but will not keep “all its eggs in one basket.”  New marketable land for redevelopment is opening up in Countryside providing new opportunities to revitalize and expand our commercial corridor. A new vision for the City will include development and growth of the retail and  hotel sectors, with robust sales tax revenues to carry the City through the next 50 years.  Countryside is Chicago’s Western Gateway and “the place to get it done.”  With the help of Council, we will get it done.

COMMITTEE  REPORTS

17. FINANCE COMMITTEE - TREASURER JASINSKI, CHAIRMAN, presented recommendations from the committee meeting of 8-21-07.

18. Treasurer Jasinski sought a motion to approve the independent contractor agreement with Fran Prokop, Recording Secretary.  Ald. Straza moved to approve the contract, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously. Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve the dollar amount from $180 to $200, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.

19. Treasurer Jasinski sought a motion to approve the auditor’s FY06 Management Letter, to address any issues that did not come up in the audit.  Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve the letter, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.

20. RECREATION COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN VON DRASEK, CHAIRMAN, moved to approve Amendment #10 to the FGM Architects’ Master Agreement for professional services re: the OSLAD Grant for Hollands Park in the amount of $20,450. Motion seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried by unanimous voice vote.

21. Ald. Von Drasek requested authorization to advertise for bids for the Brancatto Park Improvements. Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

22. Ald. Von Drasek requested authorization to advertise for bids for Woodland Ridge Park Improvements.  Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously.

23. Ald. Von Drasek sought a motion to approve removal of bollards from Srejma-Michalek Park and replace with upgraded safety barriers.  Bollards are the wooden posts surrounding the park; a new decorative fence was installed. Ald. Michalczyk moved to remove the bollards, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously.

LEGAL  REPORT

24. City Attorney Erik Peck presented a draft resolution authorizing commencement of the OSLAD Grant request for Hollands Park Redevelopment project. The resolution certifies that the City has 100% of the funds necessary to complete the pending project; and the City is certifying that it will comply with terms, conditions and regulations of the OSLAD Grant Program.  Ald. Von Drasek moved to adopt the Resolution as presented, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried by unanimous Roll Call vote – 4/0/1.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as RESOLUTION 07-19-R.

24. Attorney Peck  presented the PC/ZBA recommendation re: 6305 Brainard Ave.  The City has received a request seeking Council to postpone taking action on the PUD application scheduled for tonight’s Council meeting; they asked that it be tabled to a future date.  After discussion, Ald. Michalczyk moved to continue this matter to the next Council meeting, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

25. Attorney Peck presented the draft ordinance amending  the Itinerant Merchants, Section 3-2-1 of the Code.  The main thrust was expanding the definition of itinerant merchants to include individuals who go from house to house within the city, and those conducting business without having ownership or legal tenancy of a permanent structure – flowers or Christmas Tree sales in parking lots. Those actions will be prohibited in the City.  There will be a special temporary permit for seasonal sales which will govern those situations.  The draft has been reviewed by the Building Department; everyone must have the required permits if they wish to conduct business within the City.  Ald. Von Drasek moved to adopt the Ordinance as presented, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried by unanimous Roll Call vote – 4/0/1.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 07-30-O.

ADMINISTRATOR’S  REPORT

26. City Administrator Bailey presented  four separate invoices from FGM Architects and Planners for professional services on various projects within the City.

26A. City-owned property at 61^st & Kensington in the amount of $2,850. Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve payment, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.

26B. Countryside Park improvement project at Brancatto and Woodland Ridge Parks in the amount of $18,412 for design work.  Ald. Straza moved to approve payment, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

26C. City Hall Space Needs Analysis in the amount of $900 – that is the final amount for that project.  Ald. Straza moved to approve payment, seconded by Ald.  Von Drasek and carried unanimously.

26D. Invoice for Police Facility Development in the amount of $8,935.  After discussion, Ald. Straza moved to approve payment, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried unanimously.

27. Mr. Bailey sought Council consideration for his attendance at the Annual ICMA Conference, October 7-10, 2007 in Pittsburgh, PA; estimated expenses are $1,500.  Ald. Pondelicek moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously.

28. Mr. Bailey presented a draft agreement authorizing the Building Manager Mr. Hudson to participate with the ICC and the City of Chicago in the Chicago Energy Field Inspection Capacity Building project, to help improve energy conservation. This is a good opportunity for the City to get exposure with Chicago officials, plus there is reimbursement of expenses up to $3,000.  Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve the request, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously.

STAFF  REPORTS

29. Police Chief Swanson stated that on September 14 the Police Department will be holding a fundraiser at Ledo’s Pizza on behalf of the Special Olympics in our community. He asked residents to participate in the event.

30. City Engineer Fitzgerald stated that the Ward 2 sanitary sewer maintenance project is being finalized; they expect to open bids in mid September.  The Water Main project restoration is scheduled to begin after Labor Day. The flooding situation at Heat Engineering will be discussed after the meeting.

31. CDD Onderdonk reminded City Council that letters will be sent out next week to 32 residents who had problems with smoke testing the sanitary sewer connections. Ald. Michalczyk stated that all residents are in Ward 2; she asked for a list of names. Mr. Onderdonk will furnish that list.

32. Resident Frank Zickus, 7375 Prescott Lane, called Council’s attention to a letter received by some residents along Willow Springs Road between 75^th St. and 5^th Avenue Cutoff. The letter is from a realtor, Linda Cochran, to Joyce Dolehide.  The letter states that she (Linda Cochran) “represents COUNTRYSIDE LLC, who is working with the Village of Countryside in order to redevelop the property you own and the surrounding properties. Please call me to make an appointment to discuss this matter.”  She gives the impression that she is working with the City, which is a fraudulent representation. Mr. Zickus asked Attorney Peck to investigate the matter and request that they print a letter of retraction in the newspaper. He asked that the City take action to stop this inaccurate representation.

33. Mayor Conrad stated that he and Messrs. Bailey and Onderdonk drove to Springfield to meet with Secretary Meese of IDOT; it was a productive meeting. They know our concern about the Joliet Road and 55^th St. projects. The group was to meet with Cong. Lipinski, Mr. Meese and another group of City officials at Toyota Park. Due to the ongoing budget sessions, Mr. Meese was called directly back to the chambers by the Governor; that meeting has been rescheduled for a later date.

ADJOURNMENT

34. 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. Pondelicek and carried by unanimous Roll Call vote. – 4/0/1

Mayor Conrad declared the meeting recessed at  8:08 p.m.

*   *   *

The Regular City Council meeting returned to Open Session with the same members present at 9:27 p.m.

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

Mayor Conrad declared the meeting adjourned at 9:28 p.m.

SHARON SWEENEY, CITY CLERK

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