City Council Minutes - February 11, 2009

PUBLIC HEARING CONCERNING AVAILABILITY
OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDS
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE, ILLINOIS
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2009

Mayor Conrad called  the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. 

PRESENT: Mayor Conrad,  Aldermen Wayne Straza, Karen Michalczyk, Robert Pondelicek, Sean McDermott, John Von Drasek, Michael  Smetana

ALSO PRESENT: City Clerk Sweeney,  City Treasurer Jasinski,  City Atty. Erik Peck, CDD Swanson

INTRODUCTION

Mayor Conrad that City Staff will present the City’s Community Development Plan and the proposed CDBG application to local residents.  After the presentation all persons desiring to be heard on the subject will be given an opportunity to do so.   Ald. Straza moved to open the Public Hearing, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried by unanimous voice vote.

STAFF REPORT ON THE PROJECT

Community Development Department city planner Bryan Swanson stated that the City of Countryside proposes to resurface approximately 930 linear feet on Sunset Avenue as a capital improvement project. The City is requesting approximately $50,000 of CDBG funds for this project with a local match of $26,000.  That concludes the presentation.

OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT

There was no comment from residents or from City Council members. 

CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT                                           

Ald.  McDermott moved to close the public comment portion of the Public Hearing

Hearing seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried by unanimous voice vote.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further comment from the public, Ald. Michalczyk moved to adjourn the public  hearing, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.

Mayor Conrad declared the Public Hearing adjourned at 7:35 p.m.

SHARON SWEENEY,  CITY CLERK

MINUTES OF A REGULAR  MEETING
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE, ILLINOIS
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2009

1. After the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag,  Mayor Conrad called  the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.  City Clerk Sweeney called the Roll of those physically present:

PRESENT: Mayor Robert Conrad, Aldermen Wayne Straza, Karen Michalczyk, Robert Pondelicek, Sean McDermott, Michael Smetana, John Von Drasek

ALSO PRESENT: City Clerk Sweeney,  City Treasurer Jasinski,  City Attorney Erik Peck,  City Admin. Bailey, Police Chief Swanson, Asst. Admin. Peterson, Fin. Dir. Paul, City Engineer Fitzgerald,  CDD Swanson, ESDA Coord. Norman, PC Meb. Jasinski, Police Comm. Burdett

OMNIBUS AGENDA

2. Approval of Minutes – Regular Meeting – January 28, 2009; Public Hearings:

1-28-09 re: Real Estate Transfer Fee Question and Community Development Block Grant  (CDBG).

3. Statement of Bills through February 11, 2009: $456,822.29.

4. Application for a general business license from SCS HAULING & DISPOSAL LLC, 10031 W. Roosevelt, #100,  Westchester, IL. Type: Scavenger Truck. Applicant: Robert Stillo.

5. Application for a general business license from UNITED STORAGE COUNTRYSIDE, 9801 W. 55^th St. Type:  Storage Facility.  Applicant: Ed Amicore.

6. Application for a general business license from THE COLOR STUDIO, INC., 6534 Joliet Road #8. Type: Hair Salon. Applicant: Pamela Podkuski-Garcia.

7. From Unique Events requesting a toy show on March 29, 2009 at Park Place from 10 am to 3 pm.

8. Ald. Straza moved to approve the Omnibus Agenda as presented, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

ADDITIONS TO AND/OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA

9. Asst. Admin. Peterson deleted her Agenda item relating to City Sponsored Events at the parks. Ald. Pondelicek added one item.

QUESTIONS AND/OR COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE

10. Larry Clancer, 7061 Sunset requested a stop sign be installed on 71^st and Sunset. Recently a vehicle went through his yard and knocked down a tree.  No one slows down at the intersection; he made this request seven years ago. Nothing was done and he is repeating his request  for a stop sign on the SE corner. Ald. Michalczyk suggested doing a traffic study. Police Chief Swanson suggested a traffic counter.  Mayor Conrad directed the Police Chief to investigate the matter as soon as possible.

11. Mr. Clancer called attention to the ordinance allowing parking on the east side of Stalford and Joliet Road.  The signs were put up on the west side of the street.  Attorney Peck stated that was a clerical error just discovered and will be changed tomorrow.  New signs should allow parking on the west side and no parking on the east side. Mr. Bailey thanked Mr. Clancer for bringing that matter to the City’s attention.

12. Mr. Bob Jovic of Jovic Builders requested signage be allowed in the public right-of-way on Brainard and 61^st St to promote Parkview Estates. He requested a 4x4-foot sign to alert drivers to his location; he has sold 3 units and needs to sell the remaining 13; the sign will have an arrow pointing east.  Mayor Conrad stated that the Council will take up this matter later in the agenda.

MAYOR’S  REPORT

13. Raffle drawing for the $5,000 Shopping Spree in Countryside. Mayor Conrad stated that this prize is the result of a promotional Christmas season shopping spree in Countryside. Participants had to follow certain criteria and submit their names.  The box contains 238 entries all sealed in envelopes.  Mayor Conrad drew one envelope from the box and announced the winner to be   --  James Lejewski, 514 Homestead Road, LaGrange Park, IL.  He congratulated the winner and directed Ms. Paul to contact him. The proceeds must be spent in Countryside. 

14. Mayor Conrad stated that a letter was received from Richard Kirkpatrick of AutoBarn Mazda of Countryside, 6191 Joliet Road, requesting an 8-10 month extension to display temporary signs to announce the dealership is open during construction.  There are two banners tied to the lighting.  Ald. Straza moved to approve the extension, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried unanimously.

15. Mayor Conrad also received a letter from Jack Phelan Dodge, 5859 LaGrange Road, requesting a six-month extension to display temporary signs announcing the dealership is open.   Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve the extension, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried unanimously.

16. Mayor Conrad discussed the letter from Jovic Builders requesting  signage be allowed in the public right-of-way on Brainard at 61^st St. to promote Parkview Estates.  Discussion re: liability issues. Atty. Peck suggested granting a license, which can be revoked at any time, including a requirement to have an insurance policy for that sign. Mr. Jovic agreed. Mayor Conrad stated that another resident will complain. Ald. McDermott moved to approve erection of a 4x4-oot sign on the south side of 61^st St. for a six-month period; the sign will have no flags or decorations and with liability insurance provided, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously.

17. Mayor Conrad sought Confirmation of Appointment of Gail Paul to the Police Pension Board from February 2009 to May 1, 2010. Ald. Smetana moved to confirm the appointment, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously.

18. FYI -  Mayor Conrad announced the invitation from the WCMC re: Legislative Affairs Breakfast on February 13, 2009 at the William Tell, 7:30 a.m. - $30 per person.  The Clerk has the list of attendees.  Ald Von Drasek moved to approve attendance of elected officials and City Staff including Mr. Bailey, Ms. Peterson, Police Chief Swanson and  Fin. Dir. Paul, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried unanimously.

COMMITTEE  REPORTS

19. FINANCE COMMITTEE – TREASURER JASINSKI, CHAIRMAN, presented recommendations from committee members  over the past 18 months to assist the City in balancing its budget.  The first recommendation is to establish a vehicle fuel tax.  Ald.  McDermott moved to establish a four-cent vehicle fuel tax, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried by unanimous Roll Call vote – 6/0. Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 09-06-O.

20. Treasurer Jasinski presented the recommendation to increase Countryside’s home rule sales tax by .25%.  This should bring an additional $700,000 into the City to help with the deficit. Ald. Von Drasek moved to table this matter until after the next Finance Committee meeting when budget cuts will be reviewed, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried by Roll Call vote – 4/2.  The Finance Committee will meet on February 24. Mayor Conrad seeks a definite answer at that time. 

AYES: Von Drasek, Straza, Pondelicek, McDermott

NAYS: Smetana, Michalczyk

CARRIED 4/2

21. Treasurer Jasinski recommended establishment of an electric utility tax of 5% to shore up the deficit.  He noted that the $1.9 million deficit may reach $3.3 million in 2010.  Ald. Michalczyk moved to establish a 5% electric utility tax, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried by Roll Call vote – 4/3.

AYES: Straza, Smetana, Michalczyk, Mayor Conrad

NAYS: Von Drasek, Pondelicek, McDermott

CARRIED: 4/3

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 09-07-O.

22. Treasurer Jasinski recommended establishment of a gas use tax of 5%  for both industrial and residential users.  Ald. Smetana moved to approve the gas use tax of 5%, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and denied by Roll Call vote – 3/4.

AYES: Smetana, Michalczyk, Mayor Conrad

NAYS: Von Drasek. Straza, Pondelicek, McDermott

DENIED: 3/4

23. Treasurer Jasinski recommended enactment of an eating and drinking establishment tax of 1%; this should increase the general fund by $300,000.  Ald. McDermott moved to approve the 1% tax, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried by unanimous Roll Call vote – 6/0

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 09-08-O.

24. Treasurer Jasinski presented approval of the Flagg Creek Reimbursement request. He stated that for the last three years the City and Pleasantdale Park District have set aside funds in the Capital Reserve Fund for golf course improvements. At the meeting yesterday, Ald. Michalczyk decided that the City needs these funds more than the golf course needs an irrigation system.  The City requests that these funds be brought back to the City’s general fund; this will amount to a one-time increase of $90,000.  Ald. Straza moved to approve the request, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

25. POLICE COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN SMETANA, CHAIRMAN, presented the recommendation to replace Squad 96 with a quote from Jack Phelan Dodge for $20,497. There is also charge for an extended warranty cost of $2,600 and a charge for retrofitting equipment from the Ford to the Dodge.  Ald. Straza suggested contacting the Illinois Attorney General’s office because the car is currently under warranty and the Ford Motor Company is unwilling to honor its warranty; he asked Attorney Peck to investigate the matter. He will do so.  Ald. Smetana moved to approve the purchase, seconded by Ald. McDermott and carried unanimously.

26. Ald. Pondelicek stated that Council members have a copy of the recent license renewals package.  He commended the City Clerk’s Office Staff for doing an outstanding job;  all business licenses have been renewed except for 25 remaining.  Licenses have been issued and sent out to the businesses.  They are doing an excellent job.    Mayor Conrad asked to include the nine-digit Zip Code on business licenses in the future, rather than the five-digit Zip Code for reimbursement purposes.  Ms. Paul stated that the nine-digit Zip Code will be included on the license of individual businesses.  Ald. Smetana stated that Phelan Dodge purchases should be tracked due to their recent move from Berwyn.  Mayor Conrad stated Phelan Dodge is very pleased with the traffic going through their new store.

27. Ald. Von Drasek reiterated that vehicle stickers will be eliminated in lieu of the one cent vehicle fuel tax. Treasurer Jasinski agreed.

LEGAL  REPORT

28. City Attorney Peck  sought consideration of the draft resolution to file a CDBG application with Cook County for the 2009 Program.  Earlier this evening the City held a Public Hearing regarding this matter and the project is street resurfacing in the 5^th Avenue Cutoff area on Sunset Avenue.  The Resolution permits the Mayor and the Clerk to sign all necessary papers and applications for that Grant Program. Ald. Von Drasek moved to adopt the Resolution as presented, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried unanimously.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as RESOLUTION 09-03-R.

29. Attorney Peck presented the draft ordinance Amending Sec. 3-5-7 to add one Class S Liquor License and delete one Class H Liquor License.  Ald.  Von Drasek moved to adopt the Ordinance as presented, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried unanimously.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 09-09-O.

ADMINISTRATOR’S  REPORT

30. City Administrator Bailey stated that the Recreation Committee meeting and the Economic Development Committee meeting are both scheduled for next Tuesday.

STAFF  REPORTS

31. Police Chief Swanson stated that installation of the red light cameras on 55^th and LaGrange Road has begun. That is done  by the RedFlex Company; the other intersection covered with cameras will be at Joliet Road and LaGrange Road.

32. Asst. Admin. Peterson withdrew the item re: City Sponsored Events in the Parks.

ADJOURNMENT

33. There being no further business to discuss,  Ald. Straza moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

Mayor Conrad declared the meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

SHARON SWEENEY,  CITY CLERK

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