MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE, ILLINOIS
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2003

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, Karen Michalczyk, Edward Krzeminski, Joseph Fajdich

ALSO PRESENT: City Clerk Herberts, City Treasurer Stoffels, City Attorney Robert Peck, City Administrator Bailey, Police Chief Swanson, City Engineer Fitzgerald, Comm. Dev. Officer Muenzer, Police/Fire Bd Member Pondelicek

ABSENT: Ald. Smetana, Ald. Straza

OMNIBUS AGENDA

2. Approval of Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of July 23, 2003.

3. Statement of Bills for the period ending August 13, 2003.

4. Request from Karen Michalczyk to hold a block party on the 10800 block of Crestview on September 13, 2003 from 1-11 p.m.

5. Application for a general business license from Substance Counseling, Inc., 475 W. 55th St. Type: DUI Education. Applicant: Elaine Rubalcava.

6. Application for a general business license from American Websites, 6142C Kensington Ave. Type: Home occupation. Applicant: Donald Mauthe.

7. Request from Elizabeth Kmet to hold a block party on the 5600 block of Longview on September 27, 2003 from 4-9 p.m.

8. Membership: Municipal Clerk’s Association of South and West Suburbs of Cook County – Clerk’s Office – Cost: $30.

9. Membership: International Municipal Lawyers Assn. – City Attorney – Cost: $375.

10. Membership: Sam’s Club – Clerk, Police, ESDA – Cost: $90.00.

11. From the Kiwanis Club requesting permission to tag at various intersections for their Peanut Days on September 25-26, 2003.

12. After discussion of Items H, I and E, Ald. Krzeminski moved, seconded by Ald. Fajdich, to approve the Omnibus Agenda as presented. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

ADDITIONS TO AND/OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA

15. Two additions to the Agenda were noted by Mayor LeGant.

QUESTIONS AND/OR COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE – none

MAYOR’S REPORT

16. Mayor LeGant stated that the Chamber of Commerce is requesting a change of date for the Antique Car Show at the William Tell Holiday Inn parking lot from August 29 to September 12, 2003 from 4-9 p.m. Council previously approved their request for co-sponsorship. Council members had no objection to the date change.

17. Mayor LeGant presented the request of the I & M Canal National Heritage Corridor for assistance from Countryside ESDA and DPW for the I & M Canal Rendezvous on September 6-7, 2003. Mayor LeGant stated that ESDA is not available on September 7; they are committed to another event.

18. Mayor LeGant stated that the City has received a request from the Pleasantdale Park District to waive building permit fees on the redevelopment of Soehrman Park. No figures are available at this time; the Building Department is reviewing plans and specs prior to determining the amount. The Mayor stated that a 6″ barrier curb should be installed between the parking area and the grassy area.

TREASURER’S REPORT

19. Treasurer Stoffels presented Engineer’s payment estimate #2 for the 2003 Street Rehabilitation project to James D. Fiala Paving Company in the amount of $162,878.85. Ald. Krzeminski moved, seconded by Ald. Conrad, to approve the payment. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

20. Treasurer Stoffels presented Engineer’s payment estimate #3 for the 2003 Water Main Replacement project to Unique Plumbing Company, Inc., in the amount of $100,004.40. Ald. Conrad moved, seconded by Ald. Fajdich, to approve the payment. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

21. Recommendations from the Finance Committee meeting of 8-13-03: Treasurer Stoffels stated that the committee approved a donation of $350 to the Lyons Township High School Booster Club for a one-half page ad. Ald. Michalczyk moved, seconded by Ald. Conrad, to approve the request. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

22. Treasurer Stoffels stated that regarding the Southwest Suburban Center on Aging, a review of records indicated a donation of $3,500 for 2004. The Committee decided not to approve any additional funds; no action taken.

23. Finance Committee approved a $100 donation to Pleasantdale PTA District #107. Ald. Michalczyk moved, seconded by Ald. Krzeminski, to concur with the recommendation. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

24. Regarding Minorities & Success Ad – the Finance Committee decided not to participate.

25. The 2004-05 West Suburban Chamber of Commerce Regional Resource Guide – the Committee approved the purchase of a biannual one-half page ad for $500. Ald. Michalczyk moved, seconded by Ald. Krzeminski, to approve the expenditure. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

26. STREETS & ALLEYS COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN SMETANA, CHAIRMAN – report given by Ald. Conrad to consider approval of relocation of the street light from intersection of Cantigny Road and Willow Springs Road to the intersection of 67th St. and Lorraine Drive at an estimated cost of $4,000 to $4,500. Ald. Conrad moved, seconded by Ald. Krzeminski, to approve the relocation. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

27. POLICE COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN CONRAD, CHAIRMAN, presented the request of Police Chief Swanson to attend the International Assn. of Chiefs of Police in Philadelphia, PA from October 21-25, 2003. Estimated expense is $1,690. Ald. Conrad moved, seconded by Ald. Krzeminski, to approve the request. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

28. BUILDING COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN FAJDICH, CHAIRMAN, presented the request of Building Department employees and Building Committee to approve attendance at the SBOC Dinner Dance/Meeting at the Carlisle in Lombard, IL on October 24, 2003. The cost is $35 per person. Ald. Fajdich moved, seconded by Krzeminski, to approve the request. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

29. Ald. Fajdich reported that 44 building permits were issued during the month of July; 15 permits were free; 29 paid permits totaled $5,260.

LEGAL REPORT

30. City Attorney Peck presented the draft resolution approving the Class 6b tax status classification application of T & H Lemont, 5118 Dansher Road. In 2000 the County amended its ordinance by extending the term of Class 6b status for an additional ten years. T & H Lemont has requested the City approve such a renewal. After Council discussion, Ald. Krzeminski moved, seconded by Ald. Fajdich, to adopt the Resolution as presented. Motion carried by unanimous Roll Call vote.

Clerk Herberts declared that this will be known as RESOLUTION 03-13-R.

31. Attorney Peck presented the draft ordinance authorizing stop signs in the alley between LaGrange Road and Madison Avenue and between 55th St. and Plainfield Road. Ald. Fajdich moved, seconded by Ald. Conrad, to adopt the Ordinance as presented and waive the second reading. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

Clerk Herberts declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 03-22-O.

32. Attorney Peck stated that the draft ordinance removing specific reference to employee benefits from the City Code has not been completed; it will be presented at the next meeting.

33. Attorney Peck presented the draft ordinance permitting the abatement of taxes to be levied for 2002 in the amount of $538,106.26 in principal and interest due on General Obligation Bonds, Series 2000. This is done on an annual basis. Ald. Conrad moved, seconded by Ald. Krzeminski, to adopt the Ordinance as presented and waive the second reading. Motion carried by Roll Call vote.

Clerk Herberts declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 03-23-O.

34. Regarding annexation proceedings on the 5th Avenue Cutoff, Attorney Peck stated that the area has been divided into three tracts. A hearing date has been set by the Court for September 5 on Tracts 1 and 3. There are more than enough residents committed to the second tract, however, they must contact the Peck Law Office to come in and sign the petition.

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

35. City Administrator Bailey seeks Council authorization for non-police, non-organized employees to be subject to the same benefit levels as those acquired by members of Operating Engineers, Local 150. It is administratively simpler to minimize the number of benefit levels. The City should maintain a benefit level for Department Heads at least equal to their subordinate employees. Ald. Conrad moved, seconded by Ald. Fajdich, to concur with the recommendation. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

36. Mr. Bailey presented the Water Committee recommendation approving the security system proposal. Ald. Straza, Chairman, was unable to attend that meeting. Five proposals were received. The Water Committee recommended that the proposal of Video Masters be accepted in the amount of $105,310. Ald. Krzeminski moved, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk, to concur with the recommendation. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

37. Mayor LeGant stated that a Special Council Meeting will be held next Wednesday, August 20, 2003 at 7:30 p.m. to discuss Local 150 contract. Mr. Cetwinski will provide an informational packet for Council members.

STAFF REPORTS

38. City Engineer Fitzgerald provided an update on current projects. The paving project is completed except for sod restoration. The water main project is proceeding; they are currently laying the additional block on Plainfield; they are down to services on Catherine, finishing that block and transferring service. Sod restoration for both projects will be coordinated.

39. Regarding the Winwood Apartments backflow preventer, Mr. Fitzgerald received a verbal cost estimate of $3,000. The preventer itself costs $1,800. Installation, cutting the last five feet of curb and pouring a concrete spillway to guide the water, is an additional cost. Ald. Conrad moved, seconded by Ald. Fajdich, to approve the expenditure. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

40. Regarding the traffic signal project on Joliet Road at the Quarry Mall/Circuit City location, the protected left-turn signal at Camboni was added to the project. Unfortunately it must be separated back into two projects. IDOT approval is expected within the next two weeks on the independent signal at Joliet Road; additional correspondence regarding the Camboni light will delay that project, they must be separated. This project will go out for bids shortly. Council agreed to keep both projects independent.

41. Mayor LeGant discussed the sidewalk at Chariot Automotive; a guy wire from a telephone pole directly interferes with sidewalk placement. ComEd was notified but they have not responded. Fitzgerald stated that an IDOT permit is required; the sidewalk will line up with that of the Township office. The sidewalk will be five feet wide and one foot off the property line on the south side. It will be terminated ten feet short of the wall for the mobile home park.

OLD AND NEW BUSINESS

42. Ald. Krzeminski discussed the sound wall along the Stevenson Expressway. The Fire Department must bring their tanker because there is no source of water. They need access to the fire hydrants on 71st Street by either a trap door or making an actual connection with a pipe on both sides of the wall to use the water from the hydrant rather than operating the pump. He asked Mr. Fitzgerald to contact IDOT to put fire connections in the wall. Mr. Fitzgerald believes that item is covered but he will check with IDOT.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to discuss, Ald. Krzeminski moved, seconded by Ald. Fajdich, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

Mayor LeGant declared the meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.

SHIRLEY C. HERBERTS, CITY CLERK