City Council Minutes - April 9, 2008

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

1. Mayor Pro Tem Smetana announced his office tonight due to Mayor Conrad’s absence. Ald. Straza is in Springfield. Ald. Pondelicek had a death in his family and cannot attend.

2. After the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, Ald. Michalczyk moved to appoint Ald. Smetana Mayor Pro Tem, seconded by Ald. McDermott, and carried unanimously.  Mayor Pro Tem Smetana called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.  City Clerk Sweeney called the Roll of those physically present as follows:

PRESENT: Mayor Pro Tem Smetana, Ald. Sean McDermott, Karen Michalczyk, John Von Drasek

ABSENT: Mayor Conrad, Ald. Pondelicek, Ald. Straza

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

OMNIBUS  AGENDA

3. Approval of Minutes of March 26, 2008.

4. Statement of Bills through April 9, 2008:  $243,533.96.

5. Membership:  GFOA – Finance Director - $255.

6. Application for a general business license from Dollar Zone Store, 5555 Brainard Avenue. Type: Retail. Applicant: Mohammad Hussein (new owner).

7. Mayor Pro Tem Smetana announced that the last item on the Omnibus Agenda, re: Dollar Zone Store licensing,  will be discussed later tonight under the License Committee.  He sought approval of the Omnibus Agenda minus that item. Ald.  Michalczyk moved to approve the Omnibus Agenda, minus the last item, seconded by Ald. McDermott and carried unanimously.

ADDITIONS TO AND/OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA

8. Additions to the Agenda were noted by Ald. Von Drasek and Clerk Sweeney.

QUESTIONS AND/OR COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE

9. Don Wilkos, owner/operator of the Brown’s Chicken in Countryside, voiced his concern over the proposed landscape plan at the corner of 58^th St. and LaGrange Road.  Landscaping in that area will create a public safety hazard and also reduce employee parking by 15%. He suggested possible monetary compensation for the land area used. Trees and landscaping will create additional problems. Mayor Pro Tem Smetana stated that his concerns are valid; the matter will be taken under advisement.

10. Ed Pilarski, 10735 Maplewood, questioned Council re: purchase of parcels at 5949 LaGrange Road and 6001 LaGrange Road. Mayor Pro Tem Smetana stated that larger parcels will draw revenue and attract businesses to the City. The Comprehensive Master Plan may need updating. The City has many projects going on simultaneously. This information will be included in a forthcoming City Newsletter.

MAYOR’S  REPORT – none

TREASURER’S  REPORT

11. Treasurer Jasinski announced that the Finance Committee meeting will take place Wednesday, April 16 at 6:00 p.m. in City Hall.

COMMITTEE  REPORTS

12. INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN MICHALCZYK, CHAIRMAN, stated that the  purchase of a 2008 Ford Ranger from Westfield Ford will be continued for further discussion.

13. RECREATION COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN VON DRASEK, CHAIRMAN, presented the committee recommendation to increase the fine for park vandalism to $750 including community service.  Mr. Peck presented the draft ordinance tonight. The City has no specific penalty in the Code regarding park vandalism; it falls under general penalty. This ordinance increases the general penalty section from $500 to $750.  Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve the draft ordinance as presented and waive the second reading, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried by Roll Call vote – 4/0/2.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 08-17-O.

14. Ald. Von Drasek presented the recommendation to hire a maximum of 12 coaches for the Ponytail Softball League.  There were not enough volunteers to fill the positions.  Ald. McDermott moved to concur with the recommendation, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried by unanimous voice vote.

15. Ald. Von Drasek presented the committee recommendation to draft  a contract re: Burr Ridge Recreation Programs Cooperative Agreement. Mr. Peck reviewed the document presented by Asst. Admin. Peterson and suggested that Council approve it by Resolution.  The City will receive the same programs it currently receives and will pay the sum of $9,500 for the year – subject to their By-Laws, Rules and Regulations. Ms. Peterson stated that this is the first year the City will be charged the actual full-time rate; the City has been charged the part-time rate in the past. Resident participation has been in excess of 200 yearly.  Attorney Peck was directed to draw up the Resolution for presentation to Council.

16. Ald. Von Drasek stated that the last Ad Hoc Committee meeting of Ideal School   Park Planning Group is Tuesday, April 15, 2008. The City must adopt a Resolution of Authorization to apply for this OSLAD Grant.  This item will be on the Agenda for the next City Council meeting.  He suggested that Mr. Peck and Ms. Peterson review this document to assist in getting the application submitted; if that is approved the next step is to conduct two public hearings on the proposed park renovations – those hearings would be held May 14 and May 28, 2008 – both Wednesdays.  Time is of the essence; many meetings have been held; the proposed plan development will be a welcome addition to all residents in this Ward.  Ald. McDermott moved to direct Mr. Peck to proceed with drafting the document, seconded by Ald.  Michalczyk and carried by unanimous voice vote.  Mr. Peck will have a proposed draft for the next meeting. Ald. Von Drasek stated that ELA Architects have done an excellent job. Admin. Bailey stated that the park proposal complies very well with the City’s Open Space Master Plan adopted in 1998. Safety concerns have been addressed by Deputy Chief Novak.

17. WATER COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN STRAZA, CHAIRMAN, (absent tonight) – Mr. Bailey presented the recommendation to approve change orders 2 through 8 re: Water Pump House  #1 and 2 Rehabilitation in the amount of $27,225.12. Approval is recommended; the need resulted from unanticipated conditions – re: old and new equipment not matching. The project remains under budget. Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve payment, seconded by Ald. McDermott and carried by Roll Call vote – 4/0/2.

18. LICENSE COMMITTEE – CITY CLERK SWEENEY, ACTING CHAIRMAN, presented the committee recommendation to approve the license for the Dollar Zone Store. Ald. McDermott moved to approve the license, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried by unanimous voice vote.

19. Ald. McDermott advised that an Economic Development Committee meeting will take place on Thursday, April 17, 2008  at 6:00 p.m.

LEGAL  REPORT

20. City Attorney Peck presented the draft ordinance amending water rates for multiple residential buildings.  This ordinance amends language regarding the common water meter for multiple residential building sprinklers. These sprinklers were charged at the commercial rate and will now be charged under the residential rate.  Ald. Von Drasek moved to adopt the Ordinance as presented, seconded by Ald.  McDermott and carried by Roll Call vote – 4/0/2.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 08-18-O.

21. Mr. Peck noted that the State of Illinois passed legislation restricting indoor smoking. This ordinance adopts the same requirements,  provides for enforcement within the City limits and allows the City to keep the fines imposed. Ald. McDermott moved to adopt the Smoke Free Act within the City of Countryside, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried by Roll Call vote – 3/1/2.  Ald. Michalczyk opposed.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 08-19-O.

22. Attorney Peck presented the agreement between the City and the YMCA for T-Ball Baseball; the YMCA  will administer the program and pay the City the sum of $250 for use of the parks. Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve the agreement, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.

ADMINISTRATOR’S  REPORT

23. Mr. Bailey presented engineer’s pay estimate #3 for Pump House #1 and 2 Rehabilitation for $324,605.25 to Genco Industries, Inc.  Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve payment, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried by Roll Call vote – 4/0/2.

24. Mr. Bailey presented the invoice #5 from TENG & Assoc. in the amount of $40,282.28 for the ITEP/LaGrange Road Streetscape project.  Ald. McDermott moved to approve payment, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried by Roll Call vote – 4/0/2.

25. Mr. Bailey stated he is conducting a review of the City’s utility  franchise agreements and will have a written report for Council at the next meeting.

STAFF  REPORTS

26. Mr. Onderdonk, CDD, stated that the business retention survey is being conducted in conjunction with ComEd.  Representatives from the industrial park will be contacted to assist the City in understanding the needs of the business community.

ADJOURNMENT

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

Mayor Pro Tem Smetana declared the meeting adjourned at 7:58 p.m.

SHARON SWEENEY,  CITY CLERK

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