MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE, ILLINOIS
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 2010

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, John Von Drasek, Karen Michalczyk, Robert Pondelicek, Sean McDermott, Michael Smetana

ABSENT: Interim Police Chief Novak, City Eng. Fitzgerald

ALSO PRESENT: City Clerk Sweeney, City Treasurer Jasinski, City Attorney Erik Peck, City Admin. Paul, Asst. Admin. Peterson, ESDA Coord. Norman, PC/ZBA Chrm. Fullmer, Jasinski, Police/Fire Bd. Member Burdett

OMNIBUS AGENDA

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: March 24, 2010.

3. STATEMENT OF BILLS through April 14, 2010: $318,551.73.

4. Application for a general business license from GRIFFIN REAL ESTATE SERVICES, 5308 Ashland Avenue. Type: Home office. Applicant: Mary Francs Griffin.

5. Application for a general business license from VIA BELLA RESTAURANT, 5412 LaGrange Road. Type: Restaurant. Applicant: Michelle Fulco.

6. From the Robert Coulter Post #1941 American Legion requesting permission to sell raffle tickets for their Fall Fest at Jewel on the weekends of July 31, August 1 and September 18, 2010.

7. Application for a general business license from COOPER’S HAWK, 430 E. Plainfield Road. Type: Winery and retail. Applicant: Tim McEnery.

8. TREASURER’S REPORT for the period ending February 28, 2010.

9. Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve the Omnibus Agenda as presented, seconded by Ald. McDermott and carried by unanimous voice vote.

ADDITIONS TO AND/OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA

10. Additions to the Agenda were noted by Mayor Conrad and Ald. Von Drasek.

QUESTIONS AND/OR COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE

11. Several residents addressed the Council on the same topic, namely, the rash of burglaries occurring in Ward 2 and what steps are being taken to resolve the problem. Money and jewelry were taken. Also noted was the alert sent by telephone that was received by Ward 2 residents but not the rest of the City. What happened?

11A. Residents appearing tonight include Ed Pilarski, Jane Walker, Serena Dreyer, Bob Jerich, Vivian Trujillo and Paulette Puga. They all recounted their complaints with the Ombudsman program for disturbed youth and believe they are the source of the problem. Two students were picked up by police last week during school hours. Who allowed this building to be rented to this group. Mayor Conrad stated that Interim Chief Novak is not present tonight but will be given the names of the individuals listed and contact them tomorrow. Crime affects everyone in the City.

12. Ald. Von Drasek stated that at the time they applied for a business license, the property was available and it was a permitted use. No one realized that it would become the problem that it is. Since that time the City has changed the law re: business that do not generate sales tax must ask for a special use, rather than permitted use. The Police Department is working on a Neighborhood Watch Program. There are undercover officers working in the neighborhood. The non-emergency police number is 352-2171.

13. The building on Joliet Road will provide housing for fixed-income seniors, age 55 and older; 115 people have applied for 70 units; 34 of them are Countryside residents.

14. Question regarding why senior programs are dropped from the 2011 budget, but not Concerts in the Park. Aldermen use various methods of communication to keep in touch with residents; most communicate as needed or talk to people while out shopping, etc. Financial constraints dictate which budget items are deleted. Ald. Straza reminded residents that the City abated the Police Pension cost and other bond costs so that residents would not have to pay additional taxes. A survey was sent out to City residents and the response received was only one per cent of the population. Ald. McDermott stated that the City is updating its website and may incorporate Twitter, Facebook and other social media and that may be used as a way of soliciting input from residents. The Mayor thanked the residents for appearing here tonight.

MAYOR’S REPORT

15. Application for a Class UU (BYOB) liquor license from Casa de Montecristo, 1332 W. 55^th St. Applicant: Sam Khalil. Ald. Straza moved to approve the license, seconded by Ald. McDermott and carried by unanimous Roll Call vote – 6/0.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 10-11-O.

16. Application for a Class E liquor license from Via Bella Restaurant, 5412 LaGrange Road, in conjunction with business license listed under the Omnibus Agenda. Applicant: Michelle Fulco. Ald Straza moved to approve the license, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried by unanimous Roll Call vote – 6/0.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 10-12-O.

17. Consideration of donation to the Countryside Rotary Club for the Diamond Achievement Awards Dinner on May 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the William Tell Restaurant. Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve a donation of $2,000, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried by unanimous voice vote.

18. Application for a Class V liquor license from Cooper’s Hawk, 430 E. Plainfield Road. Applicant: Timothy McEnery. Ald. Pondelicek moved to approve the license, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried by unanimous Roll Call vote – 6/0.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 10-13-O.

19. Recommendation to appoint a committee for the Police Chief Selection process will be discussed in Executive Session after this meeting is finished. The Council will return to Open Session afterwards to announce the decision.

20. Mayor Conrad was saddened to learn of the death of former Police Chief Charles D’Urso. Mayor Conrad extended sincere condolences to the entire D’Urso family and friends on behalf of the City, this Administration and the former Administration.

21. Mayor Conrad also announced the death of Judy Stolte, a long-time resident of Countryside, whose father was Elburn Hollands, the first Mayor of the City. There is a service for her on Friday from 3-9 at Hallowell & James Funeral Home. The City Council extends sympathies to the entire family.

22. Mayor Conrad stated that the City received a letter from the Chief of Police of Western Springs commending Officer Craig Floyd for his assistance in apprehending an individual who tried to kill a state trooper in Bloomington, IL. He was captured in Western Springs. The police did a great job.

23. Mayor Conrad announced that Juan Manuel Charon has been appointed to the Pleasantview Fire Department Board; he will be sworn in on May 11, 2010. Our congratulations go out to Mr. Charon.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

24. FINANCE COMMITTEE – TREASURER JASINSKI, CHAIRMAN, presented the Finance Committee recommendation to enter into a CDARS deposit placement agreement with Inland Bank. Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously.

25. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN MC DERMOTT, CHAIRMAN, presented the recommendation to approve a Class 6b tax incentive for Cooper’s Hawk, 430 E. Plainfield Road. Ald. Straza moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried unanimously by Roll Call vote – 6/0.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as RESOLUTION 10-5-R.

26. INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN MICHALCZYK, CHAIRMAN, presented the recommendation to rescind the contract with TENG for $155,000 and approve a contract with TENG for $64,875 for management of the Streetscape project. She called the residents’ attention to the fact that the overhead wires along that section of LaGrange Road are gone and construction is under way. Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

27. Ald. Michalczyk presented the recommendation for TENG to pre-order street lights and street poles for the Streetscape project. Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried unanimously. The remainder of the items will be addressed under Attorney Peck’s Legal Report.

LEGAL REPORT

28. City Attorney Peck presented the draft ordinance amending the International Building Codes re: Outstanding Bonds and Temporary Certificates of Occupancy. Ald. Michalczyk moved to adopt the draft ordinance as presented, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried by unanimous Roll Call vote – 6/0.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 10-14-O.

29. Attorney Peck presented the draft ordinance amending the Rental Inspection portion of the Building Code including inspections and fees. The Infrastructure Committee reviewed the suggested revisions from the Building Department. Ald. Michalczyk moved to adopt the draft ordinance as presented, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried by unanimous Roll Call vote – 6/0.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 10-15-O.

30. The Class V liquor license was previously addressed by the Mayor.

31. Attorney Peck presented the draft ordinance to increase fines for handicapped parking, for fire lane usage and general parking violations. The handicap parking fine has been increased from $100 to $350. All other parking violations are at $30 except for the fire lane parking which was increased to $150. Mayor Conrad noted that this information should be put in the City Newsletter to advise businesses in the City. Ald. McDermott moved to approve increased fees for fire lane parking and handicapped parking as presented, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried by unanimous Roll Call vote – 6/0. Ms. Peterson stated that she and Steve Tisiani have been working on a letter which will be sent out to the business community next week.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 10-16-O.

32. Attorney Peck presented the draft ordinance amending Section 8-1-1 of the 2006 International Property Maintenance Code. The current Code is vague on the time frame within which to get testing completed and this ordinance clarifies that time limit. Ald. Von Drasek moved to adopt the draft ordinance as presented, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried by unanimous Roll Call vote – 6/0.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 10-17-O.

33. The Class UU liquor license was previously addressed by the Mayor.

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

34. City Administrator Ms. Paul sought consideration of waiving the formal bidding process for the Spring Clean-Up and hire Serrano for landscaping services at a cost of $19,703, plus weekly maintenance of Memorial Park and periodic maintenance of Countryside Park at a cost of $10,000. Spring clean-up involves all the city-owned parks and areas around city signage, clean up of flower beds, planting, aerating, fertilize lawns, replace mulch and replace safety woodchips. Ald. Smetana moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried unanimously.

35. Ms. Paul presented change order #8 in the amount of $9,924.90 for the 2009 Water Main Replacement for pavement and parkway repairs. Structural failures occurring during the winter months must be repaired in Spring. Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve payment, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously.

STAFF REPORTS

36. Asst. Admin. Peterson presented invoice #7 from TENG for engineering services in the amount of $16,085.88 for light pole portion of the Streetscape project. Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried unanimously.

37. Ms. Peterson presented invoice #5 from TENG for engineering services on the LaGrange Streetscape dated 3-25-10 in the amount of $2,642.70 for Phase 3 of the project. Ald. Smetana moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried by unanimous voice vote.

ADJOURNMENT

38. There being no further business to discuss, Ald. McDermott moved to adjourn to Executive Session under Sec. 2Ah, 2B1 and 2Ac of the Open Meetings Act to discuss pending litigation and the acquisition of real estate, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried by unanimous Roll Call vote. Council will return to the Regular Session afterwards.

Mayor Conrad declared the meeting recessed at 8:40 p.m.

* * * * *

The regular City Council meeting returned to Open Session with the same members present at 9:53 p.m.

40. Mayor Conrad announced the committee members appointed for the Police Chief Selection process as Ald. Pondelicek, Ald. Von Drasek, Administrator Paul, Asst. Admin. Peterson, and Police/Fire Board member Burdett. Ald. Smetana moved to approve the appointed committee members above, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried by unanimous voice vote.

ADJOURNMENT

Ald. Von Drasek moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried by unanimous voice vote.

Mayor Conrad declared the meeting adjourned at 9:55 p.m.

SHARON SWEENEY, CITY CLERK