City Council Minutes - May
27, 2009
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE, ILLINOIS
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2009
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:
PRESENT:
Mayor Robert Conrad, Aldermen Wayne Straza, Karen Michalczyk, Robert
Pondelicek, Sean McDermott, John Von Drasek
ABSENT:
Ald. Michael Smetana
ALSO
PRESENT: City Clerk Sweeney, City Treasurer Jasinski, City Attorney
Erik Peck, City Admin. Bailey, Police Chief Swanson, Asst. Admin.
Peterson, Fin. Dir. Paul, CDD Onderdonk
OMNIBUS
AGENDA
2.
Approval of Minutes of May 13, 2009.
3.
Statement of Bills through May 27, 2009: $176,229.65.
4.
Application for a general business license from Marry Me Jewelry, 3
Countryside Plaza. Type: Retail. Applicant: Gino Blando.
5.
Application for a general business license from Dana’s Pet Service, 6110
Jovic Court. Type: Home office. Applicant: Nancy Marchese.
6.
Application for a general business license from Tish & Cari G’s Hair
Studio, 6534 Joliet Road. Type: Service merchant. Co-tenant
applicants: Leticia Posavec and Cari Georgeff.
7. 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
8. Two
additions to the Agenda were noted by Mayor Conrad.
QUESTIONS AND/OR COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE
9. Mr.
Mike Viteck, 4125 Franklin, Western Springs, made his experience known
re: the RedLite Camera at LaGrange Road and Joliet Road. He received a
ticket for $100; which he paid and acknowledged that he did not come to
a complete stop. Due to this event, he will be less inclined to come to
Countryside to shop or frequent the restaurants. Mayor Conrad stated
that the RedLite Cameras are a safety precaution; in the short time they
have been up at both locations - also 55th St. and LaGrange
Road, - they revealed that 50,000 cars travel those streets on a daily
basis, they make the key intersections of the City safer. Chief Swanson
stated that after reviewing the tapes, they give the drivers the benefit
of the doubt and have thrown out 1/3 of the violations. The City
installed cameras for safety reason not for revenue generation. There
has been a dramatic decrease in violations at both intersections.
10.
Robert Cavalieri on behalf of Little Joe’s – discussed the one per cent
tax on restaurants and gas stations; why not tax all City businesses.
Mayor Conrad stated that there will be an additional tax on all
businesses in the City. Countryside provides the best services to its
residents, who pay no real estate tax. As a home rule community it gives
us the means to do what must be done. He suggested that residents
attend the Breakfast Meeting Thursday, June 4, 7:30 a.m. at Park Place,
to discuss future plans for LaGrange Road. The bidding process begins
on June 12 for the LaGrange Road Streetscape. All businesses in the City
are invited to participate.
11. Mr.
Onderdonk stated that Chris Chudzik, 5640 LaGrange Road, received a
two-week extension to complete the landscaping plan. Mr. Chudzik stated
that his car washing equipment is ready and he has completed the punch
list. Mayor Conrad stated that the City has been more than fair with
him and allowed ample time to get all the plans completed. He has 60
days to conform to the Landscape Ordinance and site plan originally
submitted and must post a bond of $5,000. If the Building Department
approves the work done, the bond will be returned; otherwise it will be
forfeited. Under those circumstances he will receive a conditional
occupancy permit and must complete the landscape additions. Mr. Chudzik
stated that the trees will be put in tomorrow. Mr. Peck stated that if
landscaping complies with the original site plan, no bond is required.
If he is not in compliance, a $5,000 bond must be posted and a
conditional occupancy permit will be issued.
MAYOR’S
REPORT
12. FYI
– Mayor Conrad noted the DARE Graduation Ceremony at Ideal School
library on Thursday, May 28, at 1:30 p.m. Ald. Pondelicek will try to
attend.
13.
Discussion of Continental Chrysler/Jeep selling of used vehicles. As of
June 9 the dealership will close its doors. This matter was discussed at
the Finance Committee meeting earlier this evening. Mayor Conrad stated
that the City understands the hardship Continental is under. The City
will allow Continental to remain open after June 9th to sell
off inventory and perform other services. Continental needs to get the
proper information before the Building Department and attend the July
meeting of the PC/ZBA to seek a variance from the Zoning Code to
continue to sell used cars. Another entity must be created to allow them
to continue in service on June 10 as a used car dealer.
Ald.
Straza moved to provide conditional approval to operate a used car
business on that facility, seconded by Ald. McDermott and carried by
unanimous voice vote. They would then file for a variance which would
permit legal operation of a used car dealership on that property.
14.
Mayor Conrad discussed the Countryside resident, Carrie Cook, mother of
two who was killed crossing LaGrange Road at 47th St. It is
a tragic situation, a young mother, age 32, leaving behind a husband and
two children. The City of Countryside is starting a fund to help the
family. This information will be posted in restaurants, on the City’s
Website and in newspapers, etc. Mayor Conrad will contribute his salary
as Mayor during the month of July; it will be deposited directly into
the new account. If there is an existing fund the City will coattail
onto that fund. Ald. Von Drasek moved to open the Cook Family Fund,
seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.
TREASURER’S REPORT
15.
Treasurer Jasinski stated that the City will make a financial
contribution to the Cook Family Fund of $500. Treasurer Jasinski will
pledge his July salary to the Cook family fund as well.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
16.
INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN MICHALCZYK, CHAIRMAN, presented the
request from North Hampton Group, LLC, 7061 Willow Springs Road, to
lease adjacent public property. Ald. Von Drasek moved to
refer this matter to the attorney to prepare the licensing agreement,
seconded by Ald. Straza and carried by unanimous voice vote – 5/0/1.
17. Ald.
Michalczyk presented the request from Tom Frohlich, 9680 W. 57th
St. to accept the final site grading as is and authorize release of the
construction bond. No action was taken on this matter.
18. Ald.
Michalczyk sought authorization to purchase a dump truck for $58,683 and
accessory equipment for $49,105 from the State Purchasing Program. The
City has budgeted $120,000; the total for the truck is $107,788; the
saving to the City is about $6,800. Ald. McDermott moved to approve the
purchase, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried by unanimous voice vote –
5/0/1.
19.
LICENSE COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN PONDELICEK, CHAIRMAN, sought consideration
for Home Depot’s request for permission to hold a one-day special event
on June 20, 2009 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to promote their services. They
will have vendors, power tool demonstrations and landscape activities.
Ald. Straza moved to approve the request, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek
and carried unanimously.
20. Ald.
Pondelicek presented the application of NO NAME JUST FRIENDS to conduct
a car show, cruise show at Countryside Plaza on June 25, July 23 or 30,
August 27, September 24 or 30, 2009, from 6-9 p.m. (four shows in all).
They have approval from the Plaza. They will probably need City support
services from ESDA and the Police Department. The purpose is to promote
businesses in the Plaza. Mayor Conrad stated that car shows bring
people in to the City. Ald. Michalczyk moved to table this matter for
further information. Ald. Straza moved to clarify the information
during the next week including the cost of permits. Ald. McDermott
seconded the motion. Motion carried by Roll Call vote – 4/1/1 – Ald.
Michalczyk opposed.
21.
WATER COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN STRAZA, CHAIRMAN, stated that the 2008
Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) will be published in the June 18th
edition of The Doings and copies will be available at the Clerk’s
Office. This represents a full explanation of what was done by the
Water Committee showing compliance with the necessary regulations.
22.
RECREATION COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN VON DRASEK, CHAIRMAN, stated that the
first Concert in the Park will be held Thursday, June 18. Many people
asked about food this year; crowds are getting bigger. He suggested
Little Joe’s and pizzas would do well.
23. From
The Aging Well project – many volunteers showed up and assisted
residents with the Countryside Clean-Up; they tore down a shed and
cleaned up the yard. There was family participation from St. Thomas
Hospice. Roger Marenkov worked hard as did all the participants.
LEGAL
REPORT
24. The
first two items are combined into one recommendation, regarding
Westfield Ford at 6200 S. LaGrange Road. On May 5, 2009, the applicant
appeared before the PC/ZBA for two variances: one to permit a third
freestanding sign on a lot containing two existing freestanding signs;
and the other variance to permit the monument sign without seven feet of
separation between the baseline and the ground. At the hearing it was
found that the applicant complied with all requirements for those
variances and the recommendation of the PC/ZBA was to grant both
variances with the following conditions: All construction shall be in
substantial compliance with Petitioner’s Exhibit A, which is a copy of
the proposed sign. The showroom service sign shown in the picture will
be removed and the Quick Lane sign will be installed; The Ford logo at
the bottom of the sign will be removed and replaced with a panel with a
vertical blue line consistent with the other Ford sign. A horizontal
black line running completely around the sign will separate the vertical
blue panel from the bottom two panels. With those conditions it was
the recommendation of the PC/ZBA to approve both variances. Ald.
Michalczyk moved to concur with the recommendation, seconded by Ald. Von
Drasek and carried by unanimous Roll Call vote – 5/0/1.
Clerk
Sweeney declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 09-21-O.
25.
Attorney Peck presented a draft ordinance amending the Restaurant and
Eating Tax Ordinance. Issues came up with the definition of eating
place. The second portion permits the restaurant collecting the tax to
be entitled to a commission of one per cent of the tax to be remitted to
the City; the tax payment is due on or before the 20th of the
subsequent month. Ald. Straza moved to adopt the Ordinance as
presented, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried by Roll Call vote –
5/0/1.
Clerk
Sweeney declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 09-22-O.
26.
Attorney Peck presented the draft ordinance amending the Vacant Property
Inspection Ordinance to add a definition of applicable buildings. The
definition of buildings was revised and a new definition was reviewed by
the City Engineer and Building Department. Ald. Von Drasek moved to
adopt the Ordinance as presented, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried by
Roll Call vote – 5/0/1.
Clerk
Sweeney declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 09-23-O.
STAFF
REPORTS
27. CDD Onderdonk mentioned that
the Marry Me Jewelry coming into Countryside is an example of everyone
being a member of the Economic Development Team. It is a complete
package deal for the community. Ald. Straza stated that the father and
brother have jewelry stores in the community; the Blandos have an
outstanding reputation. They are welcomed to the City.
OLD AND NEW BUSINESS
28. Ald. McDermott would like to
extend the best wishes of the City Council to Bryan Swanson who was in a
serious car accident; they wish him a speedy recovery. His car was
struck by a drunk driver. He is recovering well.
ADJOURNMENT
29. 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 8:29 p.m.
SHARON SWEENEY, CITY
CLERK
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