City Council Minutes - October 10, 2007

MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE, ILLINOIS
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2007

1. Mayor Conrad introduced Brandon & Alexis Herman; Brandon is Vice President of the Spring Avenue District 105 Student Council and led the City Council in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.  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, Sean McDermott, Michael Smetana, Robert Pondelicek

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

OMNIBUS AGENDA

2. Approval of Minutes of September 26, 2007

3. Statement of Bills for the period ending October 10, 2007: $235,231.95.

4. From the West Suburban Humane Society requesting permission to solicit at Jewel Food Store on October 27, 2007.

5. Application for a general business license from BELLA’S FLOWERS & GIFTS, 909 W. 55^th St. Type:  Flowers & gifts.  Applicant: Elizabeth West.

6. Application for a general business license from HACIENDA COCULA, 5452 S. LaGrange Road. Type:  Restaurant.  Applicant:  Romualdo Camarena, Jr.

7. Application for a special use request from BETTER TRADES to conduct seminar classes on November 2, 2007 at the Holiday Inn.

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

ADDITIONS TO AND/OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA

9. Mayor Conrad has one FYI item which he addressed at this time. A number of residents are present in the audience tonight related to the Play School article that appeared in the newspaper. Most residents attended the Recreation Committee meeting and are aware that the City is trying to get more information from the Township regarding the length of time the Play School continues at that location. The article in the DesPlaines Valley News states a deadline of November 2, which is in error. Mayor Conrad is not happy about the events which have occurred and assured residents that the City will do everything in its power to find a home for Play School. He will speak to Supv. Rodgers to extend this program to the Winter break – and then go on to find another home in or around Countryside for the children.

QUESTIONS AND/OR COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE

10. Ed Pilarski, 10735 Maplewood, stated that the Shell Station at the SW corner of Joliet Road and Willow Springs Road has an obstructed view due to a large pine tree which is difficult to see over, especially at night. Joliet Road is state right-of-way – Chief Swanson will investigate the matter.   Another matter is stop signs that lack the white striping on the street indicating where cars should stop. That is non-existent in their neighborhood. From a safety standpoint it is imperative that white striping be added to the roadbed.

MAYOR’S  REPORT

11. Mayor Conrad accepted ownership of Fire Station #4 at 58^th St. and LaGrange Road from the Pleasantview Fire Protection District.  Mr. Ron Kubicki,  Board President and Chief Dan Hermes are here to make the presentation. Mr. Kubicki stated that 31 years ago a fire station was needed in the Countryside area. Pleasantview was in difficult circumstances so the City came to its aid by purchasing the property; the District built the building.  Two local governments have worked together to protect the citizens of this community.  A new fire station has been built and was opened one month ago. The District is here to return the old fire station to the City and thank them for their generosity over these three decades; it has been a great relationship which they anticipate will continue in the future. Mr. Kubicki presented the Claims Deed signed and executed to Mayor Conrad. The Mayor thanked both gentlemen; photos were taken.

12. Mayor Conrad discussed the application for a Class I liquor license from Hacienda Cocula, 5452 S. LaGrange Road, Romualdo Camarena, Jr., in conjunction with a business license application. This is the former Komb’s Restaurant which has moved further north.  If a special event request is made -- entertainment or extended hours, etc.-  it must be brought before the Liquor Control Commissioner. Ald. Straza moved to create a new Class I liquor license, seconded by Ald. McDermott, carried by unanimous Roll Call vote.

13. Mayor Conrad presented FYI -  Invitation from Helping Hands to an Open House on Thursday, October 18, from 5-7 p.m. at 928 Plainfield Road.

14. Mayor Conrad sought authorization for the Childern’s Christmas Party to be held at the Union Hall on Joliet Road on December 1; estimated expenses are $6,300.  Ald. Smetana moved to approve the expenditure, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.

15. Mayor Conrad presented FYI – Invitation to the Legislative Breakfast at William Tell Restaurant, October 25 at 7:30 a.m. The cost is $30 per person. Elected representatives from our area will be present to discuss the state of the state.  Ald. McDermott moved to allow elected officials, Department Heads, Administrator’s staff to attend, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried unanimously.

COMMITTEE  REPORTS

16. FINANCE COMMITTEE – TREASURER JASINSKI, CHAIRMAN, presented recommendations from the committee meeting held earlier this week regarding the resolution authorizing updates to the City’s Purchasing Policies and Procedures Manual. He asked that this matter be tabled for two weeks so that all members have an opportunity to read the document and provide feedback to the Finance Department.  Page 15 under Manual Checks section – there may be a change allowing the Police Chief and Deputy Chief to approve requests for manual checks for drug investigations.

17. Treasurer Jasinski sought Council approval to purchase additional software applications from Harris/MSI – a software system to be implemented throughout the City that will assist the Finance Department and each Department Head in streamlining their budget and speeding up check processing .  The cost is not to exceed $35,000. Ald. McDermott moved to approve the request, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried unanimously.

18. WATER COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN STRAZA, CHAIRMAN, presented the recommendation to approve additional Safety Lighting for Water Department vehicles.  Ald. Pondelicek moved to approve the request, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.

19. Ald. Straza recommended retroactive payment for Water Plant Operator Hartigan from March 2007 to the present.  Ald Michalczyk moved to approve payment, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

20. POLICE COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN SMETANA, CHAIRMAN, presented the recommendation to approve the purchase of three squad cars, Crown Vics, from Westfield Ford, as part of the replacement program. The cost is $20,050 for each vehicle with police interceptor packages. Chief Swanson stated that trade-ins of existing cars will bring the price down to about $15,000 for each vehicle.  Ald. Smetana moved to approve the purchase, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

21. RECREATION COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN VON DRASEK, CHAIRMAN, stated that Sun Belt rentals has helped the City out for water main breaks on Joliet Road where City vehicles used Sun Belt light boards; special thanks to them.

22. Ald. Von Drasek asked residents and staff to ride by Srjema-Michalek Park to see the improvements made; this is the beginning of the City’s program to revamp the park system.  Photos are available. Residents have been very complimentary.

23. Ald. Von Drasek presented FGM’s recommendation on bids for Woodland & Brancatto Parks.  Asst. City Admin. Peterson described some of the improvements in each park.  Bids were opened on September 27; four companies submitted bids. The low bidder was the Kenneth Company of Bolingbrook, IL. FGM conducted reference checks which came back excellent.  She presented renderings of both parks with the improvements.  Brancatto Park improvements proposed a not to exceed amount of $143,191.  Work involves removing playground equipment, adding new safety features that are ADA acceptable, new playground equipment and update landscaping. Woodland Ridge Park proposed a not to exceed amount of $34,090. They stated that all work would be completed by year end. Work at Woodland Ridge includes the retaining wall, drainage and additional landscaping. Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve payment for both parks, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried unanimously. Mayor Conrad received a letter from a young girl living on Ashland Avenue; he will provide her name to Ms. Peterson; the city has implemented some of her ideas. The Mayor would like to have her involved with some groundbreaking ceremonies.

24. Ald. Von Drasek – FYI -  the Harvest Fest is this Saturday, October 13 from noon to 6 p.m. at Countryside Park.  He encouraged residents to attend -  there will be a haunted house, hay rides, pumpkin weight guess, Halloween costumes can  be worn by  young and old alike , pumpkin painting – many activities for residents to enjoy.

ADMINISTRATOR’S  REPORT

25. Asst. Admin. Peterson presented consideration of continuing participation in the Christmas Tree for Brookfield Zoo’s Holiday Magic Celebration. In the past the City has sponsored a tree for Brookfield Zoo at a cost of $125 for a fully lit tree plus 20 complimentary general admission passes and 5 free parking passes to be used that weekend.  Children make ornaments to decorate the tree. They recommend using foam, foil and plastic materials, brightly colored.  In researching other communities, it was found that several do not participate. Ald. Smetana moved to continue the community tree trim, seconded by Ald. McDermott and carried unanimously. A resident suggested that Countryside children decorate a tree and place it in the City park – a good idea.

26. Ms. Peterson presented engineer’s pay estimate #1 for the 2007 Sidewalk Replacement Program to MSC Concrete, Inc., in the amount of $63,972.52. Ald. Smetana moved to approve payment, seconded by Ald.  Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

27. Ms. Peterson presented engineer’s pay estimate #5 and semi-final for the 2007 Water Main Replacement to Gerardi Sewer & Water Company in the amount of $99,106.72.  Ald. Smetana moved to approve payment, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously.

STAFF  REPORTS

28. Police Chief Swanson stated that the Red Light Program with Red Flex has run into a problem with IDOT.  IDOT is advising the RedFlex people in those communities that all traffic lights must be upgraded to LED lights; that was not part of the legislation.  No work has been done on the program.

29. CDD Onderdonk – FYI –has distributed the Economic Development monthly report in each person’s mail box.

OLD AND NEW BUSINESS

30. Ald. Straza asked Chief Swanson to investigate the intersection of 61^st and Kensington, going west on 61^st, coming out of the new development. Residents are concerned about erecting a stop sign going west on that corner.  Chief Swanson noted that it will be brought to the Infrastructure Committee and then Council may direct the attorney to draft an Ordinance for the next meeting.  Ald. Straza hopes to address the issue in Ward 3 as soon as possible.

ADJOURNMENT

31. There being no further business to discuss, Ald Von Drasek moved to adjourn into Executive Session under Section 2B1 of the Open Meetings Act for the purpose of discussing personnel, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried by unanimous Roll Call vote.

Mayor Conrad declared the meeting adjourned at 8:06 p.m.

SHARON SWEENEY, CITY CLERK

City Profile  |  Programs and Services  |  Info Resources  |  Links

Home  |  Search  |  Site Map

Site Design/Development by