MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE, ILLINOIS
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 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 Driscoll, Robert Conrad, Kenneth Kuehn, Michael Smetana, Ald. Krzeminski, Ald.Fajdich

ALSO PRESENT: City Clerk Herberts, City Treasurer Stoffels, City Attorneys Robert Peck, City Administrator Bailey, Deputy Treasurer Wenzel, Deputy Police Chief Swanson, City Engineer Fitzgerald, Deputy Clerk Bartelt, Economic Development Officer Muenzer, Police/Fire Bd. Member Straza. ESDA Director Norman

OMNIBUS AGENDA

2. Approval of Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of January 22, 2003.

3. Statement of Bills for the period ending February 12, 2003.

4. Membership: Northwestern University Public Safety/Traffic Institute Alumni Assn. – Police Department – $25.00.

5. Application for a special use request from Jewel Food Store, 5535 Brainard, to operate an outside garden center from March 1, 2003 to August 15, 2003.

6. Application for a general business license to Yummy Ice Cream, 5963 S. Archer, Summit. Type: Food dispensing vehicle. Applicant: Mohammad Jamil.

7. Membership: American Society of Sanitary Engineering – Building Department – Cost: $80.

8. Application for a general business license from Goomba’s Pizza, 1402 W. 55th St. Type: Pizza carry out. Applicant: Robert Pape (formerly Paul Revere’s Pizza).

9. Membership: Northwest Building Officials & Code Administrators – Building Department – Cost: $30.00.

10. Application for a Charitable Game License from the Ideal School Parent-teacher Organization to hold a raffle during the Fun Fair, March 14, 2003. Also request waiving the $50 license fee.

11. Application for a general business licence from Mediform Billing, 9800 Joliet Road, #43 Birch. Type: Home office. Applicant: Elizabeth Palombi.

12. Application for a general business license from Tornado Cleaning Service, 6630 Brainard, #111. Type: Home office. Applicant: Brankovic Nikola

13. Application for a general business license from Continental Chrysler Jeep, 5700 LaGrange Road. Type: Auto Dealership. Applicant: Cheryl Nelson.

14. Membership: Illinois Tactical Officers Assn. – Police Officer Ken Goluszka – Cost: $40.00.

15. Ald. Kuehn moved, seconded by Ald. Smetana, to approve the Omnibus Agenda as presented. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

ADDITIONS TO AND/OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA

16. One addition to the Agenda was noted by Mayor LeGant and Ald. Fajdich.

QUESTIONS AND/OR COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE

17. Wayne Straza, Police/Fire Board Member has heard comments from concerned citizens regarding the noise ordinance as it affects the Home Depot Store in Countryside Mall, both during the construction phase and during operating hours. Are we engaging in selective enforcement? The noise ordinance should be enforced; we should adopt fair and equitable standards not only for residents but for the business community as well. We should reevaluate our noise ordinance and have a comprehensive study that compares and contrasts noise levels.

MAYOR’S REPORT

18. Mayor LeGant sought confirmation of the appointment of the Chief of Police. He recommended Tim Swanson as the new Chief of Police. Ald. Smetana moved, seconded by Ald. Conrad to approve the appointment. Motion carried by unanimous Roll Call vote.

19. Mayor LeGant administered the Oath of Office to Lieutenant Tim Swanson elevating him to the Office of Police Chief of the City of Countryside. The entire City Council congratulated Chief Swanson on his appointment. Police Chief Swanson thanked the City Council for the honor.

20. Mayor LeGant announced a special meeting to be held in the Council Chambers on February 18, 2003 at 7:30 p.m. to present information regarding the noise wall along the Stevenson Expressway. Drawings will be on display beginning at 6:30 p.m. Representatives of the City and their engineering consultants, Parsons Transportation Group, will be available for discussion.

CITY CLERK’S REPORT

21. City Clerk Herberts requested attendance at the International Institute of Clerks Conference May 18-22, 2003 in Columbus, Ohio for herself and Deputy Clerk Bartelt. Estimated expenses are $945.00. Ald. Krzeminski moved, seconded by Ald. Smetana, to approve the request. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

22. FINANCE COMMITTEE, ALDERMAN DRISCOLL, CHAIRMAN, presented recommendations from the Finance Committee meeting of January 23, 2003.

23. Southwest Suburban Center on Aging – Ald. Driscoll moved, seconded by Ald. Krzeminski, to approve the donation of $3,500. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

24. CEP – JHLP at Gurrie Middle School, has requested a donation of $250. Ald. Driscoll moved, seconded by Ald. Krzeminski, to approve the donation. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

25. Pleasant Dale Park District requests a donation of $1,000 to their July 4th Celebration. Ald. Driscoll moved, seconded by Ald. Smetana, to approve the donation. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

26. Helping Hand Rehabilitation Center has requested a donation of $300 to sponsor a full page ad. Ald. Driscoll moved, seconded by Ald. Smetana to approve that request. Ald. Krzeminski noted that last year 2002 the City waived over $60,000 in permit fees and feels that some recognition is due. Motion carried by voice vote – 4/2. Ald. Krzeminski and Ald. Kuehn opposed.

27. I & M Canal National Heritage Corridor has requested a donation of $1,500 for the Rendezvous. Ald. Driscoll moved, seconded by Ald. Smetana, to approve the request. Motion carried by voice vote – 5/1. Ald. Kuehn opposed.

28. Ald. Driscoll requested that the Flagg Creek Golf Course Budget be removed from the Agenda for further discussion.

29. Ald. Driscoll presented engineer’s estimate #2 and final for the LaGrange Cross Connection at 51st St. at Dansher Road/ 10th Avenue to Patnick Construction, Inc., in the amount of $15,987. Ald. Driscoll moved, seconded by Ald. Kuehn, to approve the payment. Mayor LeGant noted that the City is splitting this cost with LaGrange. Mr. Fitzgerald and Mr. Bailey are preparing the paperwork. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

30. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN CONRAD, CHAIRMAN, presented the request of the Economic Development Committee to authorize funds for updating the City’s Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Muenzer was directed to obtain bids for this project. Ald. Conrad moved, seconded by Ald. Smetana, to authorize Mr. Muenzer to obtain bids to update the City’s Comprehensive Plan. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

31. Ald. Conrad stated that at the same meeting there was a recommendation to approve the Home Depot Sales Tax Sharing incentive agreement; the terms and conditions are still being negotiated by the attorneys. Ald. Driscoll moved, seconded by Ald. Conrad, to concur with the recommendation. Motion carried by unanimous Roll Call vote.

32. STREETS & ALLEYS COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN SMETANA, CHAIRMAN, presented the recommendations from the meeting held earlier this evening.

33. Ald. Smetana moved, seconded by Ald. Driscoll, to authorize the City Administrator to add $223,253.50 to the Street Rehabilitation Program for 03-04 appropriation for the following streets: 56th St., LaGrange Road to East Avenue, 6th Avenue south of 56th St., 7th Avenue north of 56th St., and 67th St. east of Sunset Avenue. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

34. Ald. Smetana moved, seconded by Ald. Krzeminski, to direct the Economic Development Officer, Mr. Muenzer, to proceed with ordering the new “Welcome” signs at a cost of $13,000; that is for eight signs to be placed within the City. Ald. Conrad thanked the participants of the Committee and Messrs. Muenzer and Bailey for doing a great job. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

35. Ald. Smetana moved, seconded by Ald. Krzeminski, to direct the City Engineer to contact Hodgkins regarding splitting the cost of the traffic signal on Joliet Road at the Circuit City and Quarry Mall entrance. The total cost for that light will be $195,535.25. The City’s share will be $97,767.62 plus splitting the cost of maintenance. Motion carried by unanimous Roll Call vote.

36. BUILDING DEPARTMENT, ALDERMAN FAJDICH, CHAIRMAN, reported that a total of 12 permits were issued during the month of January; there were nine paid permits for $853; three free permits were also issued.

LEGAL REPORT

37. Attorney Robert Peck presented the draft ordinance permitting the towing of any vehicle illegally parked with ten outstanding parking tickets. Council members do not have a copy of the ordinance. This will be considered the first reading; this matter will be continued to the next meeting.

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

38. City Administrator Bailey sought Council approval of a draft resolution recognizing the Heritage Corridor Visitors Bureau as the agency to promote convention and tourism business in the City. This Resolution helps to provide funding for the Bureau; he recommends approval of the Resolution. Ald. Driscoll moved, seconded by Ald. Krzeminski, to approve the Resolution. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

Clerk Herberts declared that this will be known as RESOLUTION 03-02-R.

39. Mr. Bailey presented additional correspondence on the proposal from AccuRate Consulting, Ltd., regarding the utility audit proposal. He believes that this proposal differs from the City’s previous audit experience and will result in reduced electricity costs for the City. He has checked with other municipalities and found no complaints from them. Mr. Dave Hoover answered some questions from Council; the company has been in business for 12 years. He explained certain features of their program. Ald. Kuehn moved, seconded by Ald. Krzeminski, to allow Mr. Hoover to explore the rates used by Commonwealth Edison to achieve the lowest cost and to so advise the City prior to proceeding with implementation. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

40. Mr. Bailey recommends that the City Administrator be appointed the Privacy Officer for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and that the City Attorney prepare the appropriate ordinance to accomplish this designation. Ald. Kuehn moved, seconded by Ald. Smetana, to concur with the recommendation. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

41. Mr. Bailey stated that the results of the noise study at 5300 Dansher Road by Acoustic Associates were delivered yesterday. The report indicates that the company meets state guidelines.

STAFF REPORTS

42. City Engineer Fitzgerald provided updates on ongoing projects. The 2003 water main replacement program plans have been completed; the bid package should be available next week for City review. Ald. Krzeminski would like to set up a Water Committee meeting before the next City Council meeting.

ADJOURNMENT

43. 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 8:07 p.m.

SHIRLEY C. HERBERTS, CITY CLERK