MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE, ILLINOIS
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 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, Joseph Fajdich, Karen Michalczyk, Edward Krzeminski, Michael Smetana

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

OMNIBUS AGENDA

2. Approval of Special Meeting Minutes of November 4, 2004.
Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes of November 10, 2004.

3. Statement of Bills for the period ending November 24 and December 8, 2004.

4. Membership: Illinois Parks & Recreation Assn. – Recreation Director – $175.

5. Application for a general business license from R & R Professional Services, 5625 9th Avenue. Type: Office in home. Applicant: William Rodey (name change; formerly R & R consulting Group).

6. Application for a general business license from H & R Block, 36 Countryside Plaza. Type: Tax Services. Applicant: Tim Goken.

7. Application for a general business license from Shirt Printing 4U, 5410 LaGrange Road. Type: Screen Printing. Applicant: Regello Vega (name change); formerly R-Tech Silk Screen).

8. Membership; American Water Works Assn. – City Administrator – $62.

9. Subscription: The Commissioner – CDO Muenzer – $130.

10. Treasurer’s Report for period ending October 31, 2004 (previously distributed).

11. Membership: West Suburban Juvenile Officers Association – Police Dept. – Six (6) Juvenile Officers @ $15 each – $90.

12. Membership: Illinois Municipal League – Administration – $497.

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

ADDITIONS TO AND/OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA

14. Additions to the Agenda were noted by Ald. Fajdich, Krzeminski and Conrad.

QUESTIONS AND/OR COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE

15. John Walsh, 9800 Joliet Road, President of the Country Club Mobile Home Park Association, expressed the gratitude of his community to the entire City Council for their untiring efforts in finally getting the traffic light installed at the entrance to the mobile home park. He introduced the newly elected Board members – Jack O’Donnell, Toni Bricato and Ed Bonk. Mayor LeGant acknowledged the kind words.

MAYOR’S REPORT

16. Mayor LeGant presented a Service Recognition Award as a token of appreciation to Jim Essig, Public Works Foreman, for his 20 years of faithful service to the City. Council members thanked him for doing a terrific job.

17. Mayor LeGant presented a token of appreciation on behalf of the City to Marge Wenslauf for her 28 years as Ceramics Instructor. She thanked Council members and stated that the class will continue at 31st St. & Wolf Road beginning in January.

18. Mayor LeGant read aloud a letter sent by the City to Mr. Keith Sherman, IDOT, in support of Joliet Road (Route 66) becoming a National Scenic Byway. The City has also drafted a Resolution, which the Mayor read aloud. Ald. Krzeminski moved to adopt the Resolution as presented, seconded by Ald. Conrad and carried unanimously.

Clerk Herberts declared that this will be known as RESOLUTION 04-16-R.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

19. WATER COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN STRAZA, CHAIRMAN, stated that the City received notice of a water rate increase from the Village of McCook. Accordingly, the City of Countryside will raise its rate 7 cents per 1,000 gallons effective January 1, 2005. Ald. Straza moved to approve the increase, seconded by Ald. Krzeminski and carried unanimously.

Clerk Herberts declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 04-43-O.

20. FINANCE COMMITTEE – TREASURER STOFFELS, CHAIRMAN, stated that the City received a donation request from the Chicago Area Civil Rights Council of Local #145 for the annual tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee denied the request.

21. RECREATION COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN CONRAD, CHAIRMAN, presented the recommendation from Director Wilson to hire another instructor for Creative Cooking and Arts & Crafts for the Winter/Spring session. The applicant is Bianca Cappetta, a former volunteer for Ponytail Softball. Ald. Conrad moved to approve the appointment, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously.

22. Ald. Conrad stated that the Annual Christmas Party for children took place last Saturday, December 4 and was a huge success. Almost 200 children participated and a great time was had by all. The entertainment was terrific. This Sunday the City will do its Polar Express; there is great interest due to the movie. Carl Rodi delivered several stockings and toys that were left over from the Christmas Party to the Marine Toys for Tots motorcycle rally. We thank him for representing the City in the annual parade.

23. BUILDING COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN FAJDICH, CHAIRMAN, stated that there were a total of 26 building permits issued during November; 20 paid permits brought $26,131.60; six free permits were also issued.

24. HOTEL/MOTEL COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN KRZEMINSKI, CHAIRMAN, presented the committee recommendation from the December 6 meeting. Ald. Krzeminski moved to approve the Marketing Plan of Serafin & Associates as presented, seconded by Ald. Fajdich. Ald. Conrad thanked CDO Muenzer for the time and effort he has expended on this project. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

LEGAL REPORT

25. On recommendation of the Licensing Committee, City Attorney Peck presented the draft ordinance to consider the requirement that commercial building owners furnish the Clerk’s Office with new tenants’ contact information. Ald. Krzeminski moved to adopt the Ordinance as presented and waive the second reading, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk. Police Chief Swanson suggested including language that requires keeping a current emergency call list for after-hours use. That language will be included. Motion carried by unanimous Roll Call vote.

Clerk Herberts declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 04-44-O.

26. Attorney Peck presented a draft ordinance providing for Environmental Health Inspection Services. The State of Illinois has adopted new standards for food inspection requiring a licensed health practitioner. The Code Enforcement Officer does not hold that license. Administrator Bailey has made arrangements with the Cook County Dept. of Public Health to provide those services effective January 1, 2005. To implement that program there is a need to coordinate procedures. Before Council tonight is an ordinance, which amends numerous sections of the City Code covering all aspects of food preparation, storage and distribution. Ald. Conrad moved to approve the ordinance as presented, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously.

Clerk Herberts declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 04-45-O.

27. Attorney Peck presented the recommendation of the PC/ZBA to approve a special use for Simon Property Group permitting an amendment to the PUD to expand the west portion of Countryside Plaza to permit construction and operation of a PetSmart, Staples and JoAnn’s Fabrics, and to permit certain site improvements including reconfiguration of the intersection at LaGrange Road, to property commonly known as 16, 22, 24 Countryside Plaza, all in substantial conformity with Petitioner’s Exhibits 1 through 7 which were presented at the hearing of November 16, 2004 and included in the record. Also, additional and improved painting and signage will be added on 59th St. to prohibit left-hand turns onto LaGrange Road. A draft ordinance has been prepared encompassing the above-mentioned items. Mr. Sturino noted that the ordinance includes a provision stating that if improvements to the intersection have not been completed by the time the new stores are ready to open, the City will not unreasonably withhold occupancy permits. Ald. Conrad moved to approve the ordinance as presented, seconded by Ald. Straza. Mr. Sturino stated that discussions are continuing with Home Depot regarding moving the staging area back further from LaGrange Road. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

Clerk Herberts declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 04-46-O.

28. Attorney Peck has prepared a draft resolution to consider a public question for a referendum to eliminate the position of City Treasurer as an Elected Office. The proposition shall read, Shall the Office of City Treasurer for the City of Countryside be abolished as an Elected Office effective as of the expiration of the term of office of the current City Treasurer. This will be submitted to voters at the consolidated election on Tuesday, April 5, 2005. Ald. Krzeminski moved to adopt the Resolution as presented, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously.

Clerk Herberts declared that this will be known as RESOLUTION 04-17-R.

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

29. City Administrator Bailey presented engineer’s pay estimate #2 for construction of the I-55 Noise Wall to Lorig Construction Co., in the amount of $689,288.40. Ald. Krzeminski stated that some of the panels need minor patching; he would like to see that accomplished. The wall has made a tremendous difference in the noise level of traffic. Ald. Krzeminski moved to approve the expenditure, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried unanimously.

30. Mr. Bailey recommended approval of the quote from Heat Engineering to install three new garage unit heaters for pump house #2 in the amount of $4,421. Ald. Smetana moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Conrad and carried unanimously.

31. Mr. Bailey recommended accepting the proposal for personnel services from McGrath Consulting to assist in developing an Employee Handbook and other personnel-related items in the amount of $8,935. Ald. Straza moved to approve the expenditure, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried unanimously.

32. Mr. Bailey recommended removing development of the Landscaping Ordinance Project from URS/TPAP and placing it with Houseal, Lavigne & Associates. This is for commercial and industrial landscaping. Ald. Smetana moved to approve the recommendation, seconded by Ald. Conrad and carried unanimously.

STAFF REPORTS

33. Police Chief Swanson reported that the Department would be working with ESDA in getting the City certified as storm ready through the National Weather Service office.

34. City Engineer Fitzgerald stated that the water main project is two weeks from completion, excluding restoration, which will take place next Spring. The basins on 58th St. have not been completed and will be rough graded for the Winter.

OLD AND NEW BUSINESS

35. Ald. Straza believes that the City should proceed with the Disaster Plan discussed a few months ago. He would like to address this issue in January with the goal of putting it into effect and to proceed with what was agreed upon, as far as naming members on a formal basis for the Plan itself.

36. Ald. Krzeminski noted the problem with speeding cars at the city park on Lorraine and Forest View. A traffic counter was installed for one week; the result was a high speed of 29.4 mph with average speed of 18.3 mph. The problem area was on Lorraine Drive with the average speed of 25.9 mph and a high speed of 46.9 mph occurring on a residential street right at the park where kids are playing. He suggested installing a stop sign on Lorraine and Forest View both north and south, which would help control traffic speed. Speed bumps were also suggested. Mr. Peck will discuss specific information with the Police Department and prepare an ordinance for the next meeting.

37. Ald. Fajdich is a member of the Senior Citizens Club, which meets in the upstairs meeting room on the first and third Tuesdays of the month. They need a podium and microphone for guest speakers who present programs to the Seniors. Council authorized Mr. Bailey to purchase equipment similar to what is presently used in Council Chambers.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to discuss, Ald. Smetana moved to adjourn, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously.

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

SHIRLEY C. HERBERTS, CITY CLERK