MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE, ILLINOIS
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2010

1. After the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, Mayor Conrad called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. City Clerk Sweeney called the Roll of those physically present:

PRESENT: Mayor Robert Conrad, Ald. Michael Smetana, John Von Drasek, Karen Michalczyk, Robert Pondelicek, Sean McDermott,

ABSENT: Ald. Wayne Straza

ALSO PRESENT: City Clerk Sweeney, City Treasurer Jasinski, City Attorney Peck, City Admin. Bailey, Interim Police Chief Novak, Asst. Admin. Peterson, Fin. Dir Paul, City Eng. Fitzgerald, ESDA Coord. Norman, CDD Onderdonk, Police Comm. Burdett.

OMNIBUS AGENDA

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: December 9, 2009 Council minutes and Public Hearing.

3. STATEMENT OF BILLS through January 13, 2010; $1,889,565.16.

4. Application for a general business license from Michael Joseph Homes, 5624 Peck Avenue. Type: Home office. Applicant: Michael Strecker.

5. Application for a general business license from Shooters Productions, 6340 Joliet Road, #C39. Type: Home office. Applicant: Marina Carrillo.

6. Application for a general business license from Circle K #6737, 6101 LaGrange Road. Type: Filling station and convenience store. Applicant: RDK Ventures, LLC (previously old Shell 66).

7. From Misericordia requesting permission to solicit at various intersections on April 23-24, 2010.

8. One day each Special Use request from Suburban Coin Shows, LLC to hold monthly Coin Shows at Park Place, 6200 Joliet Road. (1-10, 2-14, 3-14, 4-11, 5-9, 6-13, 7-11, 8-8, 9-12,10-10, 11-14, 12-11/12, 2010).

9. Application for a general business license from Casa de Montecristo, 1332 W. 55^th St. Type: Cigar shop. Applicant: Sam Khalil.

10. One day Special Use request from Crafty Crafters Expo, Inc., to hold an Expo at the William Tell Banquet on January 31, 2010.

11. Application for a general business license from Midwest Gold Buyers, 40 W. Plainfield Road. Type: Precious Metals buyer. Applicant: Jacob Sadolf.

12. Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve the Omnibus Agenda as presented, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously. Mayor Conrad has visited Club Cubano d/b/a Casa de Montecristo and believes that this cigar shop will become a great tobacco showplace with an international clientele. The City wishes them well.

ADDITIONS TO AND/OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA

13. One addition to the Agenda was noted by Mayor Conrad.

QUESTIONS AND/OR COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE

14. Karen Mally, 5713 Ashland, a resident since 1977, stated that street care has fallen to a low level in the past two years. Since there are no sidewalks, residents must walk in the icy streets. Her street is a sheet of ice and is very treacherous. Rhoda Smithy, 5719 Ashland, is stuck in the house after three back surgeries. She took photos and presented them to the Board; her son slipped and fell on the street. They asked that the City consider spreading salt on this dead-end street Treasurer Jasinski agreed that cul de sacs and dead-end streets are not sufficiently salted. Mayor Conrad stated that due to increased costs of everything, mostly through streets are salted and traffic carries the salt around. He thanked them for bringing this matter to his attention; he will notify the City Administrator and the Supt. Of Public Works to increase salting.

MAYOR’S REPORT

15. Mayor Conrad stated that Department Heads and elected officials received notification from Robert Fullar, Supt. Of Public Works that he will retire effective April 2, 2010. He has served the City faithfully for many, many years. The Mayor will accept his retirement effective April 2, 2010. Ald. Michalczyk moved to accept the resignation, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried unanimously.

16. Mayor Conrad seeks confirmation of the appointment of Jim Essig to assume responsibilities as Supt. Of Public Works effective April 2, 2010. Ald. Smetana moved to confirm the appointment, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

17. Mayor Conrad stated that Inland Commercial Property Management, Inc., requests a one-year extension to develop and improve the Salem Square Shopping Center, 5555 Brainard Avenue. City Eng. Fitzgerald stated that one of the conditions for the PUD designation was providing for storm water detention. They chose to focus on fa̤ade improvements instead. The merchants are doing very well. Mayor Conrad seeks a timeline. They have already received one extension; the City needs a conclusion to this matter. Attorney Peck suggested that any extension granted by the City must include providing drainage control before commencing with outlot activities. Attorney Peck and Mr. Fitzgerald will draft a response letter. This matter will be continued to the next meeting. Council members agreed.

18. Mayor Conrad presented the City’s invitation to the WCMC legislative breakfast at the Rosewood on Higgins Road, February 20, 2010. In the past the City has reserved a table for elected officials. Other Township officials are invited to join the breakfast. Mayor Conrad will attend. Please advise the Clerk’s Office if you plan to attend.

TREASURER’S REPORT

19. Treasurer Jasinski stated that January 18 and 19 Department Heads will meet with Mr. Bailey and Ms. Paul for the first budget review meeting. Ms. Paul will prepare a budget book to be distributed by Friday, January 22 for weekend review in preparation for the Finance Committee meeting on Tuesday, January 26 at 6 p.m.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

20. RECREATION COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN VON DRASEK, CHAIRMAN, presented recommendations from the committee meeting held earlier this evening.

21. Recommendation regarding a bridal shower to be held at Countryside Park in August 2010 – no action taken.

22. Recomendation to accept the proposal for the light pole banners in the amount of $495 each for the City’s 50^th Anniversary. Ald. McDermott moved to accept the proposal of Infinity Signs and Graphics as presented, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried unanimously.

23. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN MC DERMOTT, CHAIRMAN – had no report.

LEGAL REPORT

24. City Attorney Peck presented the draft ordinance increasing the Class E Liquor Licenses to seven – this item was acted on last month and removed from the agenda.

25. Mr. Peck presented the draft ordinance designating a FOIA Officer for the Board of Police & Fire Commission. That action should be taken by the Board of Police & Fire Commissioners. A draft resolution will be sent to them for their consideration.

26. Mr. Peck presented the final termination of obligation re: SubAgreement with Cook County for the helicopter equipment and obligations of the transfer of equipment to the Kankakee County Sheriff. Previously, Chief Swanson provided for helicopter financial assistance from the State for use in law enforcement activities. The former Chief has departed and the helicopter is of no use to the City. The helicopter has been returned and is now in the possession of the Kankakee County Sheriff’s Department. The City received a grant of $300,000 from the federal government through Cook County for additional equipment for the helicopter. The grant agreement that the City had with Cook County needs closure. The current agreement relieves the City of its obligation pursuant to that grant and the Kankakee Sheriff’s Department assumes those obligations. Ald. McDermott moved to approve transfer of the helicopter and to approve the SubAgreement as presented, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried by Roll Call vote – 5/0/1.

27. Mr. Peck presented the draft Resolution accepting the 09-007 Subrecipient Agreement for Capital Improvements. Mr. Onderdonk stated that this is part of the CDBG program for receiving funds targeted for Ward 2 road improvements. Staff recommends approval of this resolution for 74^th St. to Fifth Avenue.Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve the SubRecipient Agreement as presented, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as RESOLUTION 10-1-R.

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

28. City Administrator Bailey presented engineer’s pay estimate #3 for the 2009 Water Main Replacement project to Archon Construction Company, Addison, IL in the amount of $113,585.72. Staff recommends approval. Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve payment, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried unanimously.

29. Mr. Bailey presented engineer’s pay estimate #1 for the Brainard Avenue Headwall Replacement to Kovilic Construction of Franklin Park, IL in the amount of $49,704. Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve payment, seconded by Ald. McDermott and carried unanimously.

30. Mr. Bailey presented a change order associated with the 2009 water main replacement project at Lorraine & Madison. The City engineer prepared an extensive explanation regarding the cause – an unknown concrete structure was encountered while auguring under 55^th Street. It was determined that this was an old building foundation footing and brickwork. As a result the crew had to dig further down to go under the structure; photos were included with the explanatory memo. The cost for this unforeseen additional work was $31,515.52. Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve the change order, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.

31. Mr. Bailey presented Teng & Associates invoice #2 dated 12-25-09 for the Streetscape Project in the amount of $9,541. Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve payment, seconded by Ald. McDermott and carried unanimously. Mr. Bailey will review related issues and determine when this payment will be made.

STAFF REPORTS

32. Interim Police Chief Novak highlighted the fine police work of Det. Mark Battaglia and Det. Darrel DuRell. Officer DiGangia and his partner RICO were working on December 30 doing surveillance on a very large burglary crew and our officers identified the offenders and began a foot pursuit. Rico flushed the burglars, who were hiding in Lyons; arrests were made. These burglars were mid-level gang members who burglarized between 75-80 homes in Downers Grove, Lyons, Brookfield and LaGrange. Their arrests cleared up several burglaries and homicides as well – great police work.

33. Also, Officer Steve Muszynski has resigned and moved to Ft. Lauderdale, Fl Police Department and began his duties on January 4. He was an exceptional officer and will be missed. Mayor Conrad and Officer Muszynski exchanged telephone messages. He thanked the entire City Council for his time here. Mayor Conrad wishes him the best of luck in his new position.

34. City Engineer Fitzgerald noted that during the Triangle Flood Plain presentation last November, Joe Krautzer, stated that all flood plains are being reanalyzed by MWRD and other firms. The results of those studies will be presented on February 17 from 9-12 noon. He asked whether the City would host the event to discuss the three flood plains in this area – the East Avenue Ditch, the Peck Avenue Ditch (Triangle Area) and Flagg Creek in Western Springs. Mayor Conrad agreed and stated that the City will notify residents accordingly; they need closure on this matter. Please keep the City posted on further happenings.

35. Mr. Onderdonk announced that the City is into the CDBG program again – two hearings have been scheduled – the Citizen Input Meeting at 1:30 p.m. on January 28, here at City Hall. The second meeting is February 10 at 7:15 p.m., before the Regular Council Meeting, to formally review the CDBG program for next year. The City is considering applying for $75,000 to continue working in Ward 2 and the Cutoff – primarily resurfacing Prescott – and drainage improvements.

36. Finance Director Paul stated that all elected officials, staff and consultants working on the TIF district project must sign a Conflict of Interest statement before any further work is completed. Those statements will be mailed out tomorrow and must be signed and returned to the Clerk’s Office by the next Council meeting.

OLD AND NEW BUSINESS

37. Mr. Jim Arce appeared to answer any questions re: the Tavern on LaGrange. He discussed two items in particular – the first is putting visors on lights in the rear of the building. The electrician will install them tomorrow. The second is screening the equipment on the roof in the rear of the building. The contractor will do the job, weather permitting. Pending approval of the inspector he hopes to be open in two weeks. Mr. Onderdonk met with the various inspectors today. The main problem is the screening of equipment on the roof. Council could grant a bond for that. Mr. Arce is getting close but has not received final approval from the County Health Department, the Fire Protection District and the City Building Official. Mr. Arce invited those officials to do a preliminary review; he has put $1.4 million in the building. There is snow and ice on the roof; he doesn’t want to be responsible for someone falling off the roof. Mr. Bailey noted that screening the equipment is a condition of approval by the Plan Commission. Mr. Arce is seeking postponement of that requirement till a later date – weather permitting. If Council agreed to that he could be granted a temporary occupancy permit until the weather breaks. Mr. Arce and Staff should come to an agreement on this matter.

ADJOURNMENT

38. There being no further business to discuss, Ald. Michalczyk moved to convene into Executive Session under Section 2Aa and 2Ac of the Open Meetings Act for the purpose of discussing personnel matters and real estate matters, seconded by Ald. McDermott and carried by unanimous Roll Call vote – 5/0/1.

Mayor Conrad declared the meeting adjourned at 8:18 p.m.

SHARON SWEENEY, CITY CLERK