MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE, ILLINOIS
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 10, 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, Wayne Straza, Michael Smetana, Joseph Fajdich, Karen Michalczyk, Edward Krzeminski

ALSO PRESENT: City Clerk Herberts, City Treasurer Stoffels, City Attorneys Erik & Robert Peck, City Administrator Bailey, Police Chief Swanson, City Engineer Fitzgerald, Deputy Treasurer Wenzel, Comm. Dev. Officer Muenzer, Police/Fire Board Member Pondelicek

OMNIBUS AGENDA

2. Approval of Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of November 12, 2003.

3. Statement of Bills for the period ending November 26 and December 10, 2003.

4. Treasurer’s Report – for the period ending October 31, 2003.

5. Membership: International Society of Arboriculture – T. Hanley, DPW Employee – $210.

6. Subscription: Government Finance Officers Assn. (GFOA) – Treasurer’s Office – $85.

7. Membership: Suburban Building Officials Conference – Building Commissioner – $60.

8. Membership: Fifth District/Police Chiefs Association – Police Chief, Deputy Chief, Master Sergeant, $75.

9. Application for a general business license from Vogel Home & Lawn Care, 5705 Gilbert Avenue. Type: Home office. Applicant: Steve Vogel.

10. Application for a general business license from The Barker Shop, 1404 W. 55th St. Type: Retail and dog grooming. Applicant: Kathy Deets.

11. Application for a general business license from Sanchuk Enterprises, Inc., 10725 W. 67th St. Type: Home office. Applicant: Sandra Stoub.

12. Membership: North American Police Work Dog Assn. – Patrolman DiGangi – Cost: $35.

13. Item removed from omnibus agenda.

14. Application for a general business license from The Home Depot #1983, 140 Countryside Plaza. Type: Retail Sales. Applicant: R.L. Nardelli, Chairman, President, CEO.

15. Application for a general business license from K & T Nails, 6524 Joliet Road. Type: Nail salon. Applicant: Ngoc Nguyen.

16. Special Use request from Kevin Wasmer to hold a coin and collectibles show at Park Place, 6200 Joliet Road on January 11, February 8, March 14, April 11, May 9, June 13, July 11, August 8, October 10, November 14 and December 12, 2004 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

17. Subscription: Hope Health Letters – Administration – Cost: $602.40

18. Ald. Krzeminski moved, seconded by Ald. Fajdich, to approve the Omnibus Agenda with the deletion of Items I and L for tax ID number purposes. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

ADDITIONS TO AND/OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA

19. One addition to the Agenda was noted by Ald. Fajdich and Ald. Conrad

QUESTIONS AND/OR COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE – none

MAYOR’S REPORT

20. Dr. Dennis Trybus, Director of Helping Hand Rehabilitation Center, introduced the current Board President, Ed Farrell, who read a Resolution acknowledging the ongoing support of the City of Countryside during the recent construction of a 20,000 square foot building addition. Mr. Farrell read the Resolution and presented the Mayor with an Award of Appreciation plaque; he thanked the City for sharing its grounds and facilities for parking during the construction, thereby allowing services for people with disabilities to continue uninterrupted. The City also reduced its permit fees, allowing for a reduction in construction costs. He thanked all members of the City Council for their invaluable assistance and wished to express sincere gratitude for the City’s contribution to the building project. This plaque will be displayed in a prominent location in the new building. Mayor LeGant thanked Mr. Farrell on behalf of the City.

21. Mayor LeGant stated that the City has received an invitation to participate in a Progressive Dinner celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Pleasantdale Park District on January 30, 2004.

22. Mayor LeGant presented the request of WSCC Partners in Economic Development Program for $3,150 based on a combination of business, population and sales tax revenue. Ald. Krzeminski moved, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk, to approve. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

23. Mayor LeGant presented the final draft of the Successor Agreement covering the Dispatchers within the Countryside Police Department. Ald. Conrad moved, seconded by Ald. Smetana, to approve the Successor Agreement as presented. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

Clerk Herberts declared that this will be known as RESOLUTION 03-19-R.

CITY CLERK’S REPORT

24. City Clerk Herberts presented the request for attendance at the annual International Institute of Municipal Clerks’ Conference, May 23-27, 2004 in Whistler, Canada for the Clerk and Deputy Clerk. The cost is $1,695 each plus airfare, which is questionable at this time. Ald. Krzeminski moved, seconded by Ald. Smetana, to approve the request with the inclusion of a written report. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

25. FINANCE COMMITTEE – TREASURER STOFFELS, CHAIRMAN, presented the recommendations from the earlier meeting of the Finance Committee. The Committee agreed to a donation of $100 to the Pleasantdale Park District’s Chalet Fitness Fair, March 6, 2004. Ald. Smetana moved, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk, to approve the donation. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

26. Treasurer Stoffels stated that the committee recommended a donation to the American Cancer Society in the amount of $500 for the year 2004. Ald. Smetana moved, seconded by Ald. Straza, to approve the donation. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

27. Treasurer Stoffels stated that the committee recommended a donation to the (CEP) Community Extension Project in the amount of $250 for the year 2004. Ald. Smetana moved, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk, to approve the donation. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

28. Treasurer Stoffels called attention to the unfortunate loss of John R. Sullivan in the Iraq conflict. The committee suggested providing a plaque on the quadrangle at Veterans’ Park and donate $1000 to an account established in Mr. Sullivan’s name at the Fifth Third Bank. Ald. Straza moved, seconded by Ald. Krzeminski, to approve the expenditure. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

29. WATER COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN STRAZA, CHAIRMAN, presented recommendations from the meeting of the Water Committee. Ald. Straza stated that telemetry control system bids were opened on December 4, 2003. The committee recommends accepting the low bid of Automatic Control Services in the amount of $101,435.55 for master supervisory and pump control modifications. Ald. Straza moved, seconded by Ald. Krzeminski, to accept the low bid of Automatic Control Services. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

30. Ald. Straza stated that committee members discussed current water rates. The City has been notified by McCook that Chicago has raised McCook’s rates and McCook has raised Countryside rates. The committee recommends passing the increase on to the citizens and businesses of Countryside and customers in Indian Head Park and LaGrange Highlands at .06 /1000 gallons. Ald. Krzeminski moved, seconded by Ald. Smetana, to concur with the recommendation. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

Clerk Herberts declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 03-43-O.

31. Ald. Straza stated that the committee is considering a monthly water billing system, however, this issue requires further research by Mr. Anderson and Mr. Bailey. Ald. Krzeminski suggested getting feedback from residents regarding this matter via local newspaper articles. This matter is tabled for further consideration.

32. RECREATION COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN CONRAD, CHAIRMAN, suggested that the committee set a date during the first full week in January for a committee meeting.

33. BUILDING COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN FAJDICH, CHAIRMAN, reported that 29 building permits were issued during the month of November. Twelve permits were free and 17 paid permits brought in $1,660.48.

LEGAL REPORT

34. City Attorney Peck presented the annexation of Tract 2 on the 5th Avenue Cutoff and the L-shaped separate tract directly east of it, and parcel 7 of Tract 2 reannexed. Mr. Peck stated that the 14 tracts of land are north of the Tri-State Tollway and south of the Stevenson Expressway, as indicated by four maps and 3-page memorandum dated October 27, 2003. Ald. Krzeminski moved, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk, to proceed with annexation as presented and waive the second reading. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

Clerk Herberts declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 03-39-O.

35. Attorney Peck presented the annexation petition for the Glenn A Decker property at 10201 5th Avenue Cutoff. The annexation petition has been filed by the owners of record and received by the Clerk’s Office. Ald. Krzeminski moved, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk, to proceed with annexation as presented and waive the second reading. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

Clerk Herberts declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 03-40-O.

36. Mr. Peck discussed the proposed code amendment to provide for immobilization of certain vehicles. After reviewing ordinances of various municipalities it was determined that cars must be parked on city streets to be booted. The City cannot seize property or disable vehicles parked on private property. Therefore this has become a moot issue. Ald. Straza suggested that Mr. Peck investigate an amnesty program for offenders.

37. Mr. Peck presented the recommendation of the PC/ZBA regarding the application of John Plzak for a Special Use to operate a classic and luxury used car dealership at 6420 Joliet Road. At the hearing held on December 2, 2003, the Board found that the applicant met all criteria and there were no objections to the petition. The Board recommended granting the application subject to specific definitions of classic and luxury vehicles attached as Exhibit A herein. Ald. Krzeminski moved, seconded by Ald. Smetana, to concur with the recommendation of the PC/ZBA. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

Clerk Herberts declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 03-41-O.

38. Mr. Peck presented the recommendation of the PC/ZBA regarding the application of the Luna Corporation/Arby’s Restaurant for a zoning variation permitting construction of a new Arby’s Restaurant with a 14.5-foot green belt instead of the required 25-foot green belt at the existing location commonly known as 5656 S. LaGrange Road, in substantial compliance with the site plan entered as Petitioner’s Exhibit A. At the hearing held on December 2, 2003, the Board found that the applicant met all criteria and there were no objections to the petition. The PC/ZBA recommended granting the application and that the variation be subject to all applicable codes, ordinances and regulations of the City of Countryside. Ald Fajdich moved, seconded by Ald. Smetana, to concur with the recommendation of the PC/ZBA. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

Clerk Herberts declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 03-42-O.

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

39. City Administrator Bailey presented engineer’s pay estimate #3 and final for the 2003 Street Rehabilitation Project to James Fiala Paving Company in the amount of $13,712.77. Ald. Smetana moved, seconded by Ald. Fajdich, to concur with the recommendation. The company will post a $1000 bond pending sod review in Spring. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

40. Mr. Bailey presented engineer’s pay estimate #2 and final for the 2003 Sidewalk Replacement Program to Strada Construction Company for $16,809.26. Ald. Smetana moved, seconded by Ald. Straza, to concur with the recommendation. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

41. Mr. Bailey presented engineer’s pay estimate #6 for the 2003 Water Main Replacement project to Unique Plumbing Co. for $131,251.94. Ald. Smetana moved, seconded by Ald. Straza, to concur with the recommendation. Mr. Fitzgerald recommends holding the final payment until Spring per sod review. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

42. Mr. Bailey presented the invoice from Parson’s regarding the Noise Wall Project for $27,443.63. He stated that the design phase is coming to an end. In January bids will be advertised and Novotny will take over the construction phase. Ald. Krzeminski moved, seconded by Ald. Smetana, to concur with the recommendation. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

43. Mr. Bailey presented engineer’s pay estimate #1 for Traffic Signal Installation at Joliet Road & Circuit City to Lyons Electric Co. for $58,408.09. Mr. Fitzgerald stated that all geometrics and concrete foundation work is completed; underground work should be completed in a week. Ald. Krzeminski moved, seconded by Ald. Smetana, to concur with the recommendation. The City is the lead agency and will pay this bill; Mr. Bailey will advise Hodgkins regarding the shared cost.

44. Mr. Bailey discussed the City’s participation in the Primeco class action suit. He presented a memo detailing the IMF Litigation Intergovernmental Agreement providing for the sharing of litigation expenses on a .25 per capita basis or $1,500 for Countryside. Skokie will be the lead community and class representative for all communities in the state which have levied the IMF fee. Mr. Peck agreed that joining the class action suit is appropriate. Ald. Krzeminski moved, seconded by Ald. Smetana, to execute the agreement on behalf of the City. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

STAFF REPORTS

45. Police Department Update – Police Chief Swanson stated that the City has two new graduates of the Academy this Friday. The police dog, Dago, a 2-year-old German Shepherd will be servicing the community after next week. Officer Joe DiGangi is the new canine unit officer. Tony Boyd was rotated out of the service and is serving the City at present but anticipates a return to service for maybe one year.

46. Engineer Fitzgerald stated that the Kensington Avenue Ditch project is virtually complete; sod restoration has been completed.

ADJOURNMENT

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

Mayor LeGant declared the meeting adjourned at 8:12 p.m.

SHIRLEY C. HERBERTS, CITY CLERK