City Council Minutes - January 9, 2008

MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE, ILLINOIS
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2008

1. After the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, Mayor Conrad called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Acting Clerk Bartelt 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 and Robert Pondelicek

ABSENT: Clerk Sweeney

ALSO PRESENT: Acting Clerk Bartelt, City Treasurer Jasinski, City Attorney Erik Peck, City Admin. Bailey, Police Chief Swanson, City Engineer Fitzgerald, CDD Onderdonk and Asst. Admin. Peterson

OMNIBUS  AGENDA

2. Approval of Minutes of  December 12, 2007.

3. Statement of Bills for the period December 13 through January 9, 2008:  $466,662.54.

4. MEMBERSHIP:  INTL. INSTITUTE OF MUNICIPAL CLERKS – Clerk and Deputy - $190

5. Application for a general business license from AutoBarn of Countryside, 6060 LaGrange Road. Type:  Mazda Car Dealer.  Applicant:  Richard Fisher (relocation).

6. Application for a general business license from AutoBarn of Countryside, 6070 LaGrange Road. Type:  Subaru Car Dealer. Applicant: Richard Fisher (relocation).

7. Application for a general business license from Farmingdale Millwork Company, 6280 Joliet Road. Type:  Business office. Applicant:  John Gallagher.

8. SUBSCRIPTION:  HOPE HEALTH NEWSLETTER- All Departments: $396.96.

9. Application for a special use license from West Suburban Coin Show, Kevin Wasmer, to hold coin shows at Park Place on the following dates:  1-13, 2-10, 3-9, 4-13, 5-11,  6-8, 7-13, 8-10, 9-14, 10-12, 11-9, and 12-13 & 14, 2008.

10. MEMBERSHIP: INTL. CITY/COUNTY MANAGEMENT ASSN. – Admin. $836.28.

11. Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve the Omnibus Agenda as presented, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek 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

13. Ron Sobe, 5707 Catherine, complained about his next-door neighbor and the drainage problem. He has sustained damage to his basement due to the neighbor’s directing water flow toward his property. Council is aware of this problem. Mayor Conrad  Bldg. Comm.  Hudson and Ald. Straza have reviewed the problem. Mayor Conrad assured Mr. Sobe that the City will do its utmost to resolve the problem.

14. Sue Briones, Countryside resident, is trustee of her father’s trust on property at 7503 Willow Springs Road at the corner. She asked the City to clear the overgrown property to the north; the subject property is still zoned residential, possibly special use. She asked Council to keep an open mind when new purchasers inquire. It is a very busy intersection more suited to commercial rather than residential.

MAYOR’S  REPORT

15. Mayor Conrad sought Council approval for recertification of the Heritage Corridor Convention & Visitors Bureau as the official tourism bureau for the City for a one-year period ending June 30, 2009. A draft Resolution is attached.  Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve the Resolution as presented, seconded by Ald. McDermott and carried unanimously.

Acting Clerk Bartelt declared that this will be known as RESOLUTION 08-01-R.

16. Mayor Conrad read correspondence from Mr. Onderdonk stating that  Paul DeMaertelaere’s last day of work is January 18, 2008.  For the record Mayor Conrad thanked Paul for his many, many years of service to the City as the Plumbing Inspector and for the last few years as member of the Police Commission.  There will be a small reception in his honor later this month.

COMMITTEE  REPORTS

17. RECREATION COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN VON DRASEK, CHAIRMAN, presented recommendations from the committee meeting held last week to create a cooperative venture between the City and the YMCA regarding Summer Camp.  The ratio of kids to counselors will be reduced; more field trips will be offered, additional activities with highly trained workers will be available.  Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve the City/YMCA Cooperative Summer Camp, seconded by Ald. Smetana. 

18. Attorney Peck presented  a draft agreement with the YMCA re: the Summer Camp program -- under the Legal Portion of the Agenda.  Highlights include – YMCA will operate the program and receive all the funds for the program; at the end of the program the YMCA will provide an accounting; the City will be responsible for any shortfall; if there is a surplus it will remain with the YMCA.  The YMCA will make room available in both half day and full day programs, for Countryside residents so long as applications are submitted in a timely manner. They will guarantee a place for Countryside kids.  The camp will begin June 16 and end on August 8, 2008. Ald. Michalczyk reiterated that the City will make up the shortfall but not receive any surplus funds – that is not acceptable; Council members agreed.  The YMCA will be using Countryside Park; the City hopes to break even but any profit should be returned to the City. Mr. Peck stated this is only a proposal and the language will be revised.

19. Ald. Straza  commended the Recreation Committee and others present  for insuring that City residents will be guaranteed space in the program. Mayor Conrad stated that the language will be clarified. The City will vote tonight pending revisions to be made both by Attorney Peck and Asst. Admin. Peterson.  Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

20. Ald. Von Drasek presented the committee recommendation to approve training to Revenue Development & Management School, March 9-14, 2008 for Asst. Admin. Peterson in Wheeling, WV at an estimated cost of $1,554.  Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve the expenditure,  seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried unanimously.

21. Ald. Von Drasek presented the committee recommendation to approve the second installment payment for Gateway Special Recreation Assn. term to end June 30, 2008 in the amount of $6,458.85. Asst. Admin. Peterson noted the City’s membership in this organization along with nine other communities. The programs provide services to both children and adults with disabilities in various communities. This past fall there were four participants in the program; dues are based on population and other factors. Funds have been allocated for this anticipated budget item.  Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve the expenditure, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried unanimously.

22. Ald. Von Drasek stated that Asst. Admin. Peterson is developing a questionnaire to be sent out regarding the Recreation Program -- to help create awareness of ongoing programs and to seek suggestions for new programs.

23. LICENSE COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN VON DRASEK, CHAIRMAN, presented the list of delinquent business licenses.  Due to a recently passed ordinance doubling the fees, businesses are encouraged to renew their licenses in a timely manner.  Ald. Straza noted that proper notification regarding these changes is important for Police Department’s benefit and Clerk’s Office follow-up.

LEGAL

24. City Attorney Peck presented a draft ordinance re: permanent structures in parkways. Although the document is completed and has been sent, it is somewhere in cyberspace limbo.  This item will be added to the agenda for the next meeting.

ADMINISTRATOR’S  REPORT

25. City Admin. Bailey stated that a letter was sent out today to the resident at 5713 Catherine regarding the drainage issue; that is Mr. Sobe’s neighbor.

26. Mr. Bailey noted that TENG & Assoc. will return on January 23, 2008 to present the refined LaGrange Streetscape proposal at the City Council meeting.

27. Mr. Bailey requested Council authorization for CDD  Onderdonk to attend the APPA Conference in Salvages, NV April 27-May 1, 2008; the estimated cost is $1,655.  Ald. Smetana moved to approve attendance, seconded by  Ald. McDermott and carried unanimously.

28. Mr. Bailey  sought City Council authorization to establish Public Hearing Dates for the ’08 CDBG application.  January 23 would be the informational hearing for the public to make suggestions for grant applications; February 13 would be the Public Hearing for the grant application. The public hearings are part of the draft application process. Ald. Smetana moved to approve the public hearings on the above dates, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried by unanimous voice vote.

29. Mr. Bailey requests Council authorization to purchase video and radio surveillance systems for Urban Working Group Helicopter in the amount of $295,409. Chief Swanson stated that this is a pass-thru grant that was previously awarded; it is a matter of authorizing the purchase. Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve the purchase, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

STAFF  REPORTS

30. Mr. Onderdonk stated that over 50 RFPs were distributed re: the motel property on LaGrange Road. The bidding process will be open until March 30.

31. Mayor Conrad stated that the Flagg Creek Golf Course Board will have two representatives from Countryside this year. They are both Ward 2 Aldermen -- Ald. Michalczyk and Ald. Von Drasek.  Ald. Straza moved to approve both appointments to the Flagg Creek Golf Course Board, seconded by Ald.  McDermott and carried unanimously.

ADJOURNMENT

32. There being no further business to discuss, Ald. Smetana moved  to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Ald.            Michalczyk and carried unanimously.

Mayor Conrad declared the meeting adjourned at 8:58 p.m.

SHARON SWEENEY, CITY CLERK

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