MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE, ILLINOIS
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 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 John Von Drasek, Karen Michalczyk, Robert Pondelicek, Sean McDermott, Michael Smetana

ABSENT: Ald. Wayne Straza

ALSO PRESENT: City Clerk Sweeney, City Treasurer Jasinski, City Attorney Erik Peck, City Admin. Paul, Interim Police Chief Novak, Asst. Admin. Peterson, City Eng. Fitzgerald, ESDA Coord. Norman, PC/ZBA Member Jasinski.

OMNIBUS AGENDA

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: April 14, 2010.

3. STATEMENT OF BILLS through April 28, 2010: $149,170.61

4. Application for a general business license from RABBEH ICE CREAM. Type: Ice Cream Truck. Applicant: Molkey Rabbeh.

5. Application for a general business license from SHIRT PRINTING 4U, INC., 5410 S. LaGrange Road. Type: Retail. Applicant: Micah McHenry.

6. From the VFW requesting permission to sell Poppies on May 25-27 at Fuller’s Market, 5550 Brainard Avenue.

7. Ald. Pondelicek moved to approve the Omnibus Agenda as presented, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried unanimously. Mayor Conrad stated that re: the ice cream truck application – all vendors must be licensed. Residents may approach them and ask to see their City licenses; the ice cream truck can become a nuisance on occasion.

ADDITIONS TO AND/OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA

8. Additions to the Agenda were noted by Mayor Conrad and Ald. Michalczyk.

QUESTIONS AND/OR COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE

9. Robert Svidron, 7055 Sunset Ave. is applying for a variance to the fence ordinance. He wishes to replace his old fence with a new one – six feet high, white vinyl in the front and solid wood fence in the back. Atty. Peck stated that both those materials are prohibited in the City Code. Mr. Svidron is a beekeeper. His neighbor has no objection. Mayor Conrad asked him to try to salvage portions of the existing fence by adding new posts. He suggested working with Steve Tisinai to resolve the problem. The City Council will explore the situation further. Attorney Peck stated that his request should include the necessity to alleviate a hardship.

10. Paulette Puga, 5403 – Seventh Ave. sought clarification of the overnight parking fee. That portion was not changed; the overnight parking fee remains at $30. Was there any formal meeting for the Ombudsman program. Chief Novak had a meeting with the school staff last Thursday to determine policies and procedures. He was told that the children are bused in and not allowed to leave the school. They have excellent control over the pupils. Evidently young people wandering around the neighborhood at 2 or 3 p.m. were not from Ombudsman. Ald. Von Drasek stated that they are working diligently to establish the Neighborhood Watch Program. No other incidents have been reported.

11. Sue McGoorty, 5602 Ashland, registered a complaint about the Good Humor ice cream truck. It remained parked in front of her house for 20 minutes playing the same music over and over. The neighbors do not want the ice cream truck in their neighborhood; it is very annoying. She has collected a petition with 14 signatures. She also stated that the house at 5614 or 5616 Ashland has been vacant for three years. In the last few months graffiti has appeared, the house has no soffit, windows are broken and animals wander in and out. This matter will be checked out by the police department. Mayor Conrad stated that the ice cream truck application was discussed earlier this evening. If it is a nuisance, call the police. The vendor should be licensed; feel free to ask him if he is licensed.

MAYOR’S REPORT

12. Mayor Conrad introduced Brad Gettleman, 4052 Western Ave, Western Springs, Il, representing the Boy Scouts of America, District Chairman, thanked the City and extended their appreciation for the hospitality of hosting the District Committee meeting here at City Hall for many years. The last meeting was held here on April 5, 2010; future meetings will be held at Plymouth Place. He presented the Mayor with a Certificate of Appreciation signed by Council Members. Mayor Conrad thanked him on behalf of the City Council. He stated that a new pack is being formed at Ideal School.

13. Mayor Conrad stated that the Lyons Township Senior Center will present an Open House on Saturday, May 1, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. -interested officials may attend; hard hats are needed for the walk through. Please advise the Clerk’s Office.

14. Mayor Conrad acknowledged the presence of Marc LaCroix and Russ Nicolletti from the CBA tonight; he congratulated them on doing a nice job at the Flagg Creek Country Club Business After Hours event. He thanked them and Mr. Lenoch for their support. They will be at Casa de Montecristo on Monday, May 24; he urged everyone to attend. The banners look great.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

15. FINANCE COMMITTEE – TREASURER JASINSKI, CHAIRMAN, presented the recommendation to approve the attached Annual Appropriation Ordinance for FY 2010-2011 – $18,768,702. Ald. Michalczyk moved to adopt the ordinance as presented, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried by Roll Call vote – 4/1/1.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 10-18-O.

AYES: Pondelicek, Von Drasek, Michalczyk, Smetana

NAYS: McDermott

ABSENT: Straza

Motion carried 4/1/1

16. INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN MICHALCZYK, CHAIRMAN, stated that the recommendation on Changes to the Vacant Property Inspection Program ordinance will be handled by Attorney Peck.

17. Recommendation on Changes to Construction Standards for Driveways and Aprons will also be handled by Attorney Peck.

18. Ald. Michalczyk presented the committee recommendation to award the Light Pole Contract as part of the Streetscape project to the low bidder, Sternberg Lighting in the amount of $93,330. Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve, seconded by Ald. McDermott and carried unanimously.

19. Ald. Michalczyk sought Council approval for authorization to seek proposals for installation of the light poles for the Streetscape Project. Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried unanimously.

20. RECREATION COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN VON DRASEK, CHAIRMAN, presented a request from the Robert Coulter Post #1941 American Legion for permission to sell raffle tickets for their Fall Fest during the Concerts in the Park, June 17, July 1, July 22 and August 5, 2010. Ald. McDermott moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried unanimously.

21. Ald. Von Drasek – FYI from Aging Well – Officer April Bisignani was appointed the Countryside Elder Service Officer. She provides informative seminars for seniors and advises them regarding scam protection.

22. The first annual volley ball game for the special Olympics will take place on May 18, 2010 at the Pleasantdale School Gym, 7450 Wolf Road. The 7^th and 8^th grade girls volley ball team will play the Countryside and Burr Ridge Police Department. Also on May 21, Cops on Tops will raise money for Special Olympics at Dunkin Donuts.

LEGAL REPORT

23. City Attorney Peck presented the draft ordinance Amending Vacant Property License Fees and Vacant Property Inspection Fees – to cover the actual cost that the City incurs. Ald. Von Drasek moved to adopt the ordinance as presented, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried by unanimous Roll Call vote 5/0/1.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 10-19-O.

24. Attorney Peck presented the draft ordinance Amending Driveway Requirements in the Building Code, providing for an alternate means of revocation of a permit and requiring additional indemnification to the City. Ald. Michalczyk moved to adopt the City ordinance as presented, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried by unanimous Roll Call vote – 5/0/1.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 10-20-O.

25. Attorney Peck presented the PC/ZBA recommendation for a variance to construct a four-season room requiring a front yard setback of 15.96 feet to the window well and 18.48 feet to the addition foundation instead of the required 30-foot front yard setback on Bobolink Drive, on the real estate commonly known as 5401 Seventh Avenue. At the hearing held on April 6, 2010, the PC/ZBA found that the applicant met all the requirements for a variation subject to the following conditions: that all construction be in substantial conformity with Petitioner’s Exhibit A, the site engineering plan, a copy of which is attached to the recommendation. Ald. Smetana moved to concur with the PC/ZBA recommendation, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried by unanimous Roll Call vote – 5/0/1.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 10-21-O.

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – none

STAFF REPORTS

26. Ald. McDermott asked City Engineer Fitzgerald if there was any information on the flood plain issue. Mr. Fitzgerald stated that the MWRD will have a workshop at the end of May and will contact the City to use this facility when the date is determined. He stated that there is no significant change; they are working on the next round of revisions and will present them at that time. He is not sure whether it will be open to the public; he will investigate further and keep the City informed.

ADJOURNMENT

27. There being no further business to discuss, Ald. Michalczyk moved to adjourn to Executive Session under Section 2Ac of the Open Meetings Act for the purpose of discussing real estate acquisition, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried by unanimous Roll Call vote – 5/0/1.

Mayor Conrad declared the meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.

SHARON SWEENEY, CITY CLERK