City Council Minutes - September 26, 2007

MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE, ILLINOIS
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 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, Michael Smetana, Robert Pondelicek, Sean McDermott

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

OMNIBUS  AGENDA

2. Approval of Minutes of  September 12, 2007.

3. Statement of Bills for the period ending September 22, 2207: $312,990.49.

4. Membership:  Government Finance Officers Assn. – Finance Officer - $160.

5. From the Countryside Lions Club requesting permission to solicit at various locations within the City on October 12-13, 2007.

6. Application for a general business license from Simply Self Storage, 9801 W. 55^th St. Type:  Self storage. Applicant: Kurt O’Brien.

7. Financial Statement for period ending August 31, 2007.

8. Ald. Von Drasek removed the Self Storage item from the Agenda pending approval of the Tax ID number, occupancy permit and storage sharing agreement. Also, Al’s Hardware is changing owners; they missed the application deadline.  He would like to approve that application contingent upon receiving the Certificate of Occupancy. Admin. Bailey also sought to remove the bill of McGrath Consulting Group from the Statement of Bills in the amount of $2,830.  With those deletions, Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve the Omnibus Agenda as amended, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously.

ADDITIONS TO AND/OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA

9. One addition was noted by Ald. Smetana; Mayor Conrad has some FYI items.

QUESTIONS AND/OR COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE – none

MAYOR’S  REPORT

10. Mayor Conrad reminded the audience that the Rendezvous is this weekend, located along the river in Willow Springs; it is a very interesting historical experience.

11. Mayor Conrad also reminded the audience that on Saturday, 6:00 p.m. at the Brookfield Bowl, there will be a fundraiser, bowling night for Shawn Ligeikis, our injured PW employee. City residents are welcome to attend.

12. Mayor Conrad read the Notice of Appointment of Sean McDermott  to fill the vacancy for Alderman in Ward 3  expiring in 2009, pursuant to Illinois Statute.  Ald. Straza moved to confirm the appointment of Sean McDermott to fill the Aldermanic vacancy of Ward 3 to expire in 2009, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried by unanimous Roll Call vote – 5/0.

13. Mayor Conrad administered the Oath of Office to Sean McDermott as the appointed Alderman of Ward 3 with the accompanying paperwork.  Mayor Conrad and Council members welcomed the new Alderman and congratulated him on the appointment. Ald. McDermott thanked the City for the honor.

14. Mayor Conrad presented the request from the Countryside Lions Club that October 12, 2007 be declared Countryside Lions Candy Day.  Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve the request, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.

15. Mayor Conrad sought Council consideration to participate in the Southwest Suburban Center on Aging Annual Luncheon on October 18, at 11:30 a.m. at the LaGrange Country Club.  This was discussed at the Finance Committee meeting; any elected officials, administrator or department heads wishing to attend should advise the Clerk’s Office; the cost is $25 per person. Ald. Straza moved to approve, seconded by Ald. McDermott and carried unanimously.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

16. FINANCE COMMITTEE - TREASURER JASINSKI, CHAIRMAN, presented recommendations from the committee meeting of 9-25-07.  He presented the motion to approve a draft resolution to allow service credit for Military Service with IMRF.  Ald. Straza moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as RESOLUTION 07-21-R.

17. Treasurer Jasinski presented the motion to approve payment to Allied Appraisal Co. for services rendered in the amount of $5,000. Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve payment, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.

18. Admin. Bailey stated that the Finance Committee recommended approval of revisions to the City’s purchasing policies and procedures. The City Council may wish to direct the attorney to draft an ordinance regarding that policy. Mr. Peck has received notice from the Finance Director and will have a draft  for the first meeting in October.

19. POLICE COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN SMETANA, CHAIRMAN, FYI - stated that Chief Swanson has found a new administrative assistant, Margaret Carey; she will start employment on October 1 at Step 1.

20. E.S.D.A. LIAISON, ALDERMAN SMETANA,  CHAIRMAN, presented the recommendation to accept the proposal of Braniff Communications, Inc.  for a new Warning Siren in the amount of $17,782. Ald. Smetana moved to accept the proposal, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

21. Ald. Smetana noted the Finance Committee recommended considering a Preventive Maintenance Agreement submitted by Braniff Communications, Inc., for the siren at 67^th & Willow Springs Road in the amount of $1,400.  Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

22. Ald. Michalczyk recounted her auto trip down Route 66 that took 51/2 days from Countryside to Santa Monica. Most of the towns along the route are ghost towns; the museum in Oklahoma is spectacular. She will discuss the trip with Dudley. The communities along the way that brought developers in are thriving; the others are dead.

23. Ald. Straza stated that the water main project has turned out to be a great success; cleanup and maintenance has been good.  The alley way and resurfacing of 57^th St. have been successful. The City entered into a $5 million GO bond so no costs will be passed on to residents.  Mayor Conrad noted that a survey was taken showing that the City can account for 97% of the water purchased; kudos to the Water Department and the Water Committee.

24. Ald. McDermott looks forward to working with the members of the City Council and becoming part of the team atmosphere.  He thanked the Mayor for the appointment. Mayor Conrad stated that as Alderman he will do a great job for the Triangle Area.

LEGAL  REPORT

25. Attorney Peck presented PC/ZBA recommendations on the Plat of Consolidation for 9737 W. 57^th St.  At the hearing on 9-4-07, the PC/ZBA found that the applicant, Victor Caterino, had met all requirements pertaining thereto and their recommendation was to approve the Plat of Consolidation for Lots 2 and 3 at the property commonly known as 9737 W. 57^th St. Ald. Smetana moved to concur with the recommendation, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek  and carried unanimously.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 07-32-O.

26. Attorney Peck  presented the PC/ZBA recommendation on the variation to allow a front yard setback of 13 feet versus 25 feet upon real estate commonly known as  7061 Willow Springs Road. At the hearing held on 9-4-07, it was noted that the applicant, North Hampton Group, met all requirements pursuant to the Code to allow the variance. All construction must be in compliance with petitioner’s Exhibit A attached; all construction subject to the applicable Codes of the City of Countryside, and such use shall be established within six months; the construction will be of brick and limestone, as presented.  There were no objections to the variance; the PC/ZBA approved the variance permitting the front yard setback of 13 feet on the property commonly known as 7061 Willow Springs Road.  Ald. Michalczyk moved to concur with the recommendation, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 07-33-O.

27. Attorney Peck presented the PC/ZBA recommendation on the variance to permit a front yard setback of 0 feet v. 25 feet to allow construction of an elevator tower at the real estate commonly known as  6502-04 Joliet Road on the application of Dr. B. Sweis.  On 9-4-07 the hearing was held, testimony heard and evidence presented. It was noted that the applicant met all requirements for the variation. There were no objections, either oral or written to the proposed variation. It was the recommendation of the PC/ZBA to  permit construction of the elevator tower in the required setback subject to the construction being in substantial compliance with petitioner’s Exhibit A attached. Ald. Von Drasek moved to concur with the PC/ZBA recommendation, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried unanimously.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 07-34-O.

ADMINISTRATOR’S  REPORT

28. City Administrator Bailey recognized the contribution of City Engineer John Fitzgerald towards these water system achievements; he has played a significant role in the overall improvements in the system.

27. Mr. Bailey presented  the proposal of the low bidder for the Ward 2  Sanitary Sewer Maintenance project.  Bids were opened today at 11:00 a.m..  The engineer has reviewed the bids and recommends awarding the contract to National Power Rodding Corp. in the amount of $72,006. Ald. Smetana moved to approve the bid, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.

28. Mr. Bailey presented a memo  - FYI -  use of parking lot by Adventist LaGrange Memorial Hospital as a “back up lot” for any overflow at the hospital parking lot from October 1-15,2007. There is no conflict with City activities and no City staff would be involved.  An insurance certificate was received protecting the City. Mr. Bailey presented the final invoice dated 5-8-07 from FGM for professional services on the conceptual police station and community center in the amount  of $8,880. He recommends that the City approve payment. Ald. Straza moved to approve payment, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried unanimously.

STAFF  REPORTS

30. Police Chief Swanson stated that Officer Tony Boyd is scheduled to return from Iraq a couple of weeks; he had a desk job this time.

31. Engineer Fitzgerald advised Council that the rehabilitation of Pump Station 1 and 2 has gone out for bids.  Bid opening is scheduled for October 18.  He is preparing  data for the October 24^th meeting.

32. Ald. Straza asked if there was any further discussion concerning the proposed alternate plan on the Pumphouse Rehabilitation project.  If the bids came in below estimates perhaps both pumphouses could be rehabbed. Mr. Fitzgerald stated that they expect to have more information by the end of next week.

OLD & NEW BUSINESS

33. Ald. Von Drasek announced that at the Aging Well meeting last night he received green brochures showing businesses that give senior citizen discounts.  They are looking for youth group volunteers to assist seniors with leaf raking and fall clean-up.  They did a spring clean-up which was very successful.   The Car Fit program was a success; thanks to April for her participation; a second program will be held at another city location shortly; more information forthcoming.

34. There have been numerous coyote sightings in Ward 2; keep small pets under watchful eye; four coyotes were seen at Srejma-Michalek Park recently.

ADJOURNMENT

35. There being no further business to discuss, Ald. McDermott moved to adjourn            into executive session under Section 2Aa of the Open Meetings Act for the purpose of discussing collective bargaining with employee representatives or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees, seconded by Ald. Straza          and carried by unanimous Roll Call vote.

Mayor Conrad declared the meeting adjourned at 7:58 pm.

SHARON SWEENEY, CITY CLERK

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