MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE, ILLINOIS
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2010

1. Mayor Conrad called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. City Clerk Sweeney called the Roll of those physically present as follows:

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, Police Chief Ruth, Interim Police Chief Novak, City Admin. Paul, Fin. Dir. Drazner, City. Eng. John Fitzgerald, Asst. Admin. Peterson, ESDA Coord. Norman, PC/ZBA Members Fullmer, Grotzke, Jasinski, Gonzalez

OMNIBUS AGENDA

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: August 11, 2010

3. STATEMENT OF BILLS through August 25, 2010: $289,903.35.

4. Application for a block party/Halloween party on October 30, 2010 between 1-9 pm on 5300 block of 8^th Avenue.

5. Application for a general business license from A.J. CRAFTS N MORE, 6526 Joliet Road. Type: Retail. Applicant: Ashley Jeglinski (relocation from 6502).

6. Application from the Countryside Business Association to hold a 50/50 Raffle at the Countryside Party in the Park, 9-25-10 (request waiving fee).

7. Application from the Countryside Business Association to hold a raffle at the Countryside Party in the Park, 9-25-10, for a scooter prize (request waiving fee).

8. Application for a general business license from SPIRIT HALLOWEEN SUPERSTORES, 9945 W. 55^th St. Type: Retail. Applicant: Steven Silverstein.

9. From Cub Scout Pack 69 to solicit for their fundraiser at various locations from September 11 to October 31, 2010.

10. TREASURER’S REPORT for the period ending July 30, 2010 (previously distributed).

11. Application for a bingo license from the Rotary Club for the City’s 50^th Anniversary celebration, September 25, 2010. (request waiving fee).

12. Ald. Straza moved to approve the Omnibus Agenda as presented, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously. Ald. Pondelicek moved to approve waiving fees for the Rotary Club, Ald, Straza seconded, carried unanimously.

ADDITIONS TO AND/OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA – none

QUESTIONS AND/OR COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE

13. Mark Janowski, 5311 – 8^th Ave. objects to the remote parking for Tavern on LaGrange. Jim Arce responded by amending his application for parking; the valets will be using LaGrange Road and 55^th St. only to get to the parking lot. He is dropping his request for the club and will only have private parties. Zach Cooke from Perfect Valet is here to underscore that fact.

14. George Georgevich, 5408 – 6^th Ave. provided a letter of support for Tavern on LaGrange. Georgiann Rehak, 5340 – 6^th Ave., objects to the parking, the garbage and the noise resulting from all the businesses located in the area. Look at the big picture and think about the residents. James Mather at 5412 – 6^th Ave. has no problem with the valet parking, noise or dogs barking. Vicki Thiesse, 9911 57^th St. stated that the valet guys tell people where to park; they keep everything safe. Carol Shotola, 5348 – 6^th Ave. lives across the street and has no problem with any employees, parking on driveways or otherwise. Valets are doing a great job; no complaints. The restaurant is an asset to the community. Tom Skryd, 9811 – 57^th St. is in favor of the banquet hall.

MAYOR’S REPORT

15. Mayor Conrad sought authorization from the City Council to confirm his appointment of Michael Ruth as the Chief of Police of Countryside. Ald. Straza moved to approve Michael Ruth as Chief of Police, City of Countryside, seconded by Ald. Sean McDermott and carried by unanimous Roll Call vote – 6/0. Mayor Conrad administered the Oath of Office to Michael Ruth as the Chief of Police of the City of Countryside effective August 30, 2010. City Council and members of the audience welcomed Commander Ruth to the City; photos were taken and a brief intermission was had.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

16. FINANCE COMMITTEE – TREASURER JASINSKI, CHAIRMAN, presented consideration of a Resolution approving a Class 6b Incentive for 5401 9^th Avenue, Windy City. Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve the Resolution, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as Resolution 10-11-R.

17. Treasurer Jasinski presented consideration of approving the calendar year 2011 IMRF employer contribution rate. Ald. Straza moved to approve the rate, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried unanimously.

18. Treasurer Jasinski recommended acceptance of the contract with Spyglass Group, Inc., a telecommunications expense management firm. Ald. Michalczyk moved to accept the contract, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried unanimously.

19. Treasurer Jasinski sought consideration for paying invoices directly for the expenses incurred for the 50^th Anniversary Party in the Park, 9-25-10. Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve direct payment, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried unanimously.

20. Treasurer Jasinski recommended accepting the Grant Funding Policy and Procedures as well as forms utilized for grant tracking and record keeping purposes. Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously.

20A. The matter of ITG Solutions, Inc. invoice of $2131.33 for power supply, UPS backup, correcting wiring issues and repairing the keypads and panic alarms was tabled to appear on the agenda of 9-8-10.

21. LICENSE COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN PONDELICEK, CHAIRMAN, presented the application for a general business license from Extreme Mixed Martial Arts & fitness, 51 E. Plainfield Road. Type: Service merchant. Applicant: G. Rebaudo. Ald. Pondelicek asked to defer this matter until after the Attorney’s report.

LEGAL REPORT

22. City Attorney Peck presented the PC/ZBA recommendation on a variance to Section 10-10-2E to allow off-site parking facilities which are not under common ownership or possession for 5403 S. LaGrange Road – Jim Arce. On August 3, 2010, Mr. Arce appeared before the PC-ZBA requesting two variances – to Sec. 10-10-2E to allow off-site parking facilities not under common ownership or possession at the real estate commonly known as 9825 W. 55^th St. Mr. Arce has a lease with option to buy that property; that variance is actually used with adjacent property where no lease is involved. The PC/ZBA recommended to deny. Ald. McDermott moved to concur with the recommendation, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously by Roll Call vote.

23. The second request from Mr. Arce is a variance to Section 10-10-4B to allow an off-site parking facility which exceeds the 600-foot distance of the use served at 9825 W. 55^th St. This lot is more than 600 feet from the service site. The PC/ZBA heard much testimony and there were several objections to the use of that property regarding additional traffic, increased noise and parking problems. Many residents attended to object; some residents favored the site. The PC/ZBA recommended that he be permitted to use the off-site parking subject to conditions – 1) that the parking valets only use 55^th St. and LaGrange Road for travel to and from the facility; 2) that the variance is applicable only to the restaurant at 5403 LaGrange Road and not for the banquet hall or club use in the basement. Mayor Conrad suggested that all the restaurants on LaGrange Road get together to hire one valet company to handle parking vehicles during peak times. He suggested that the matter be sent back to the PC/ZBA one more time and come back with a specific plan. Ald. Von Drasek moved to refer the matter back to the PC/ZBA for further consideration with Mr. Arce to spell out exactly what he wants re: use of basement, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried by Roll Call vote – 5/1 – Ald. Pondelicek opposed.

25. Mr. Peck presented the PC/ZBA recommendation for a special use pursuant to Section 10-6A-2 to operate a martial arts business at 51 E. Plainfield Road – G. Rebaudo and G. Cavaliere. Ald. Straza moved to concur with the recommendation to approve the business, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried by Roll Call vote -6/0.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 10-39-O.

26. Ald. Pondelicek presented the application for a general business license from Extreme Mixed Martial Arts & Fitness, 51 E. Plainfield Road. Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried unanimously.

27. Mr. Peck presented the PC/ZBA recommendation for a special use to Section 10-6C-2 to allow permanent and seasonal outdoor sales and storage of retail items at the Dutch Village at 6150 LaGrange Road – C. Lambright & R. Miller. At the meeting held August 3, 2010, the PC/ZBA recommended approval subject to the following conditions: 1) that all seasonal items be brought indoors within seven days of the applicable holiday; 2) that all seasonal items be brought indoors when the business is closed. Ald. Michalczyk moved to concur with the PC/ZBA recommendation, seconded by Ald. McDermott and carried unanimously.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 10-40-O.

28. Mr. Peck presented the PC/ZBA recommendation for a special use to Section 10-6A-2 to operate a beauty parlor at 1516 W. 55^th St. – Marty Kerrins. At the hearing held August 3, 2010, the PC/ZBA recommended approval of the special use to run with the property and not with the business. Ald. McDermott moved to concur with the PC/ZBA recommendation, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 10-41-O.

29. Mr. Peck presented the PC/ZBA recommendation for a special use to Section 10-6A-2 to allow permanent and seasonal outdoor sales and storage of retail items at What A Deal, 9930 W. 55^th St. – L. Shelton. At the hearing held August 3, 2010, the PC/ZBA recommended approval of the special use subject to the following conditions: 1) all items outdoors will be removed nightly with no items placed in the parking lot; 2) no combustible items may be placed under the entrance canopy, per Fire District regulations. Ald. Von Drasek moved to concur with the PC/ZBA recommendation, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried unanimously by Roll Call vote.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 10-42-O.

30. Mr. Peck presented the PC/ZBA recommendation for a variance to Section 8-5-9C-1 to permit the installation of new wall signs at 1422 W. 55^th St. – S. Khalil. At the hearing held August 3, 2010, the PC/ZBA recommended approval of the variance. The signs will be non-illuminated. Ald. McDermott moved to concur with the PC/ZBA recommendation, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried by Roll Call vote – 6/0

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 10-43-O.

STAFF REPORTS

31. Acting Police Chief Novak thanked the Mayor and the City Council for the support he received during the past 14 months. The City is moving in the right direction.

32. City Engineer Fitzgerald stated that the MFT street rehabilitation project is going forward; they are finalizing plans and including parking along Northeast Court as an option. Also the Sunset Avenue CDBG program bid opening will take place 9-8-10.

33. Asst. Admin. Peterson presented invoice #9R dated 8-17-10 for Cost Plus Fixed Fee (Phase III) from TENG & Associates for the Streetscape project in the amount of $4,884.04. Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve payment, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously. Question asked whether they have a bond with the City. Ms. Peterson will review the contract and provide that information.

34. ESDA Coord. Norman stated that FEMA funding registration has been added to the City’s Website. All residents who submitted initial damage assessments have been contacted.

OLD AND NEW BUSINESS

35. Question asked whether the City will come up with a comprehensive parking plan for the businesses along LaGrange Road. It would be in everyone’s best interest to do so. Mayor Conrad stated that is in the general plan for the future.

ADJOURNMENT

36. There being no further business to discuss, Ald. Smetana moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried by unanimous voice vote.

Mayor Conrad declared the meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

SHARON SWEENEY, CITY CLERK