MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE, ILLINOIS
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 2004

1. After the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, Mayor LeGant called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. City Clerk Herberts called the roll which was as follows:

PRESENT: Mayor Carl LeGant, Aldermen Robert Conrad, Wayne Straza, Michael Smetana, Joseph Fajdich, Karen Michalczyk, Edward Krzeminski

ALSO PRESENT: City Clerk Herberts, City Treasurer Stoffels, City Attorneys Erik Peck and Robert Peck, City Administrator Bailey, Police Chief Swanson, Deputy Treasurer Wenzel, City Engineer Fitzgerald

OMNIBUS AGENDA

2. Approval of Minutes – Regular Meeting – April 14, 2004.

Special Meeting – April 14, 2004

3. Statement of Bills for the period ending April 28, 2004.

4. Treasurer’s Report for the period ending March 31, 2004.

5. Subscription: Crain’s Chicago Business – Mayor’s Office – $164.95 for 2 years.

6. Subscription: Business Radio Licensing – ESDA – $84.

7. Membership: Metropolitan Planning Council – CDO Muenzer – $75.

8. Membership: Association of Public Treasurers – Treasurer’s Office – $182.

9. Application for a general business license from Excellent Nursing Services, 915 W. 55th St. Type: Caregiver Services to Seniors. Applicant: Analee Navarro.

10. Application for a general registration from Workright Occupational Health, 6555 S. Willow Springs Road. Type: Medical office. Applicant: Osama Ramsey, MD (new owner)

11. Treasurer Stoffels stated a correction to the Omnibus Agenda Treasurer’s Report for period ending March 31, 2004, the first item on the bills paid listing shows American Cancer Society. That should be corrected to read Automatic Control Service.

12. Ald. Krzeminski noted that the subscription to Crain’s Chicago Business should be a two-year subscription at the rate of $164.95. The change was so noted.

Ald. Krzeminski moved to approve the Omnibus Agenda as corrected, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried unanimously.

ADDITIONS TO OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA – none

QUESTIONS AND/OR COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE – none

MAYOR’S REPORT

13. Mayor LeGant sought confirmation of reappointment to Police Pension Board of Steven Jasinski and Tina Grotzke for two-year terms expiring on 4-30-06. Ald. Krzeminski moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Conrad and carried unanimously.

14. Mayor LeGant sought approval of Jennifer Block as Administrative Assistant to the Chief of Police effective May 3, 2004. Ald. Conrad moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Smetana, and carried unanimously.

15. Mayor LeGant presented the request from Countryside Chamber of Commerce for assistance from the Police, Public Works and ESDA departments for the Antique & Classic Custom Car & Cycle show on May 21, 2004 as well as the Antique Classic Custom Car show on August 20, 2004. The City is co-sponsor of the event. Ald. Fajdich moved to approve the request, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried unanimously.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

16. BUILDING COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN FAJDICH, CHAIRMAN, presented the request of the Plumbing Inspector to attend the annual Continuing Education Program of the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH/IPIA) on May 13-14, 2004 at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield, IL. At a cost of $133. Ald. Fajdich moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Smetana, and carried unanimously.

17. WATER COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN STRAZA, CHAIRMAN, noted that after discussion of the Consumer Confidence Report on the Public Water Supply for 2003, with some very minor additions the report can be sent to the printer. Ald. Straza moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Krzeminski and carried unanimously.

LEGAL REPORT

18. City Attorney Peck presented the recommendation from PC/ZBA on the application of Brian Briones at 44 E. Plainfield Road, to construct a second floor bedroom area which will exceed the permitted floor area ratio by 43 feet. There were no objections noted at the hearing held on April 6, 2004. The recommendation is to allow the variation subject to compliance with Petitioner’s Exhibit A, which is the plan submitted at the hearing. Ald. Smetana moved to concur, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk, and carried unanimously.

Clerk Herberts declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 04-18-O.

19. Attorney Peck presented the recommendation from the PC/ZBA on the application for approval of the final plat of subdivision submitted by Allen Snyder and Jack Skrine at property commonly known as 9709 56th St. The plat of subdivision was approved subject to providing adequate underground water retention that must be approved by the city engineer. Ald. Smetana stated that important issues have arisen regarding underground retention that must be addressed prior to moving forward.

20. Mr. Ted Staley, Registered Agent, Genesis Survey P.C. provided a letter to City Council regarding the underground storage system, which has definite flaws as indicated in the letter. City Engineer Fitzgerald stated that the current city ordinance allows the above ground facility originally designed and approved. Mr. Staley stated that there will be 18-20 rows of 24 pipe connected to the manifold system; it must be placed in the original location as shown for the above ground system. Lengthy discussion took place regarding benefits versus harmful effects of this system. Ald. Conrad stated that residents who protested at the PC/ZBA hearing are not here tonight. Ald. Smetana stated the project should move forward. Ald. Krzeminski moved to table this matter for one meeting to bring this change to the attention of residents. Ald. Conrad seconded the motion. Motion denied by Roll Call vote – 2/4.

AYE: Conrad, Krzeminski
NAY: Smetana, Michalczyk, Fajdich, Straza

21. Mr. Skryne stated they were not aware of the negatives, the underground system was requested by residents. Ald. Fajdich moved to concur with the recommendation of the PC/ZBA subject to underground plan approved by the engineer. Motion seconded by discussion. Mr. Staley is against the underground system on behalf of his company. Mr. Fitzgerald stated that the retention ponds will be approximately 150 feet long by 40 feet wide. These areas hold water on site and allow it to trickle into the city system. Residents own each part of the retention pond on their lot. Four to six lots are not involved, however, all lots are in the tributary area. Nancy Shackel, 6607 Natasha Lane stated that the three ponds on their property drain the water within hours; there is no standing water. Motion denied by Roll Call vote – 2/4.

AYE: Conrad, Fajdich

NAY: Straza, Krzeminski, Smetana, Michalczyk

22. Ald. Smetana suggested not to concur with the PC/ZBA. Definite flaws have been discovered in the plan after initial approval of the underground system. Ald. Smetana moved to concur with the PC/ZBA with the exception of the requirement to provide underground water detention for the reasons put forth tonight, and to proceed with aboveground system, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk. Motion carried by Roll Call vote- 4/2.

AYE: Krzeminski, Straza, Smetana, Michalczyk
NAY: Conrad, Fajdich

The final decision is to proceed with the original plan with above ground water storage.

Clerk Herberts declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 04-19-O.

23. Attorney Peck presented the draft Ethics Ordinance and Curfew Ordinance adopting states ethics and adopting a gift ban prohibition. Council agreed to review the draft ordinance and table this matter to the next meeting.

CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

24. Mr. Bailey stated that the I & M Canal National Heritage Corridor banners have been received and will be going up in the next week. The Mayor has signed the cover sheets for the noise wall specifications; we are approaching final phases of the project.

The I & M Canal tourism board may be disbanded for questionable handling of funds.

STAFF REPORTS

25. City Engineer Fitzgerald provided updates on city projects. Phase I of the paving project is under way; it should be three weeks from start to finish. Phase II of the program should be finalized to go out for bids in 2-3 weeks. Camboni traffic signal was finally approved by IDOT for a protected left-turn coming out of the mobile home park. The 67th St. Ditch Enclosure project will be going out for bids in one month.

OLD AND NEW BUSINESS

26. Linda Jurgens addressed Council regarding her new business venture planned for 3 Countryside Plaza. They are three weeks away from opening the IT Figures fitness salon and they have a signage problem. Simon has approved the sign but the City has not. She provided photographs of the sign in question. Their sign requires two lines of script, which is causing a height problem. The letters in one line are 16 and 12 high in the second line, totaling 28 with space in between the lines. This sign is standard for the franchisee; 70% of the fascia is visible. Ald. Krzeminski suggested that It Figures have a special use signage allowing them a total sign height of not more than 48 in conformity with Petitioner’s Exhibit A. The sign will say It Figures Fitness for Her in two lines of script. Ald. Krzeminski moved to suspend the sign requirement of Countryside Plaza PUD to permit It Figures to maintain signage of not more than 48 total inches in height at 3 Countryside Plaza for as long as It Figures maintains business at that location, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried unanimously.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to discuss, Ald. Krzeminski moved to convene into closed session under Section 2A(c) of the Open Meetings Act for the purpose of discussing real estate acquisition, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried unanimously by Roll Call vote.

Mayor LeGant declared the meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

SHIRLEY C. HERBERTS, CITY CLERK