MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING

CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE, ILLINOIS

HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2013

CALL TO ORDER – Pledge of Allegiance

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

ROLL CALL

Present:Mayor Krzeminski,Alderman Pondelicek, Alderman Jasinski,Alderman Michalczyk (absent), Alderman Von Drasek,Alderman McDermott, Alderman Musillami, Clerk Sweeney,Treasurer Jasinski

Also Present:City Admin. Paul, Acting Police Chief Novak, City Attorney Peck, Asst. Admin. Peterson, Fin. Dir. Drazner, City Eng. Fitzgerald, ESDA Crd. Norman, PC/ZBA member Benson.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

1. Regular City Council Meeting – January 9, 2013. Item #6, correct spelling of Bill Nawrot, rather than Norritt. Ald. McDermott moved to approve the Minutes with that correction, seconded by Ald. Musillami and carried unanimously.

OMNIBUS AGENDA

2.Statement of Bills submitted for payment through January 23, 2013: $662,709.29.

3. From Misericordia, Heart of Mercy Center requesting permission to solicit on April 26, 2013 at various intersections and store locations for the Jelly Belly Candy Days fundraising event.

4. Ald. Musillami moved to approve the Omnibus Agenda as presented, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC

5.Diane Brennwald, Senior VP, State Bank of Countryside, re; the non-conforming electronic sign at the Bank. The bank is really seeking scrolling text, which must be changed every five seconds. The next variance relates to flashing; they do not use flashing – perhaps a message to drive safely with a little car going across. They really are seeking scrolling text; their sign only displays 13 characters. The final request for 24 hours was objected to by the PC/ZBA. The bank seeks the same privileges they had before; they are amenable to 7 am to 10 pm seven days a week. They receive many requests to promote community events – fundraisers, amber alerts, free bank services, etc. The bank seeks the same consideration given to the other two electronic signs at Fuller’s Car Wash and Flagg Creek Golf Course. Ald. Von Drasek reiterated this is to basically use the technology of the sign as designed. Ms. Brennwald stated that theonly function now is time and temperature; they are not changing the size or anything else; the only thing they really need is the scrolling text and extended business hours.

MAYOR’S REPORT

6.FYI -Mayor Krzeminski reminded everyone that a meeting will be held at the LaGrange Village Hall on January 31, 2013, from 4-7 p.m., to discuss the IDOT preliminary engineering study re: 47thSt. and East Avenue.

CITY CLERK’S REPORT

7.Approval of City Council Executive Session minutes of 12-12-12 sought by Clerk Sweeney. Ald. Musillami moved to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried by Roll Call vote – 5/0/1.

TREASURER’S REPORT

8.Treasurer Jasinski reminded everyone that a Finance Committee Meeting will be held on Monday, January 28,2013 at 6 pm here at City Hall.

COMMITTEE AND COMMISSION REPORTS FOR DISCUSSION,CONSIDERATION AND, IF SO DETERMINED, ACTION UPON:

9.License Committee – Alderman Musillami presented the Status Report on License Applications. Lucky Day Spa – 6525 Joliet Road and Texas Roadhouse, 9960 Joliet Road – restaurant.

10. Ald. Musillami stated that a License Committee meeting was held last night. Class H license covers beer and wine only. The recommendation for a draft ordinance reducing the Class H Liquor License fee from $1,600 to $1,200 was proposed with full consensus plus return of the $400 previously paid. Ald. McDermott moved to adopt the Ordinance as presented, seconded by Ald. Jasinski, carried by Roll Call vote – 5/0/1.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 13-02-O.

11.Recreation Committee – Alderman Jasinski sought consideration of a recommendation from the Beautification Committee to Apply for a Cookfresh Cook County Grant in the amount of $300 to offset expenses for a community garden. Ald. Musillami moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.

12. Ald. Jasinski stated that the City joined in an agreement with the LaGrange Park District to provide a wider range of programs for Countryside residents. He is happy to announce that 35 families were registered in the Fall 2012; for the Spring 51 families are registered or 6.5% of the total enrollment. This is a good program; residents should look into it and see what they have to offer.

13. Ald. Jasinski looks forward to the Concert in the Park Series which will resume on June 13; he hopes all residents come out and enjoy the music.

14.Infrastructure Committee – Ald. Michalczyk (absent) – City Atty. Peck presented the draft ordinance regarding Fees and Fines for Violations of the City Building Codes. He announced the amount of various fees increased for violations. Ald. Jasinski moved to adopt the ordinance as presented, seconded by Ald. McDermott and carried by Roll Call vote – 5/0/1.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 13-03-O.

15.Police Committee – Alderman Pondelicek presented the recommendation from the committee meeting held 1-22-13 to waive the formal bidding process and to award the contract for vehicles to Westfield Ford to purchase two Ford Interceptor SUV’s including service contracts, AND trade three used police vehicles for a net cost of $46,134.24 from the asset forfeiture fund. Ald. Jasinski moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Musillami and carried by Roll Call vote – 5/0/1.

16. Recommendation to waive the formal bidding process and award a contract to Police Department Systems (PDS), Mokena, IL for the purchase, installation and removal of emergency police vehicle equipment for a NET cost of $25,970.28. Ald. McDermott moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried by Roll Call vote – 5/0/1.

17.Human Resources Committee – Ald. Pondelicek stated that interviews are ongoing for the Chief of Police position; candidates will be brought up for approval.

18.Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals – City Attorney Peck presented the PC/ZBA recommendation denying the petition of State Bank of Countryside, 6734 Joliet Road for a variance and two special use requests to permit an existing electronic sign. A hearing was held on January 8, 2013 before the PC/ZBA seeking a special use to permit an existing electronic sign on the real estate located at 6734 Joliet Road. After hearing the testimony and evidence, it was their recommendation to deny the special use. Ald. Jasinski moved to not concur with the PC/ZBA recommendation, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried by Roll Call vote – 5/0/1.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 13-04-O.

19. Atty. Peck stated that at the hearing on January 8, 2013, the PC/ZBA also heard the applicant request four variances to the electronic sign ordinance – a 24 s.f. sign, with five second message change intervals, incorporating animation with flashing and blinking, and 24/7 hours of operation. The PC/ZBA heard the testimony and evidence and it was their recommendation to deny granting those variances. Ald. McDermott moved to not concur with the PC/ZBA and allow animation, scrolling text and hours of operation from 7 am to 10 pm, seconded by Ald. Musillami and carried by Roll Call vote – 5/0/1.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 13-05-O.

20. Economic Development Committee – Alderman McDermott presented an artist’s rendering of Westfield Ford’s redevelopment plans – an example of progress made in Countryside. The EDC will meet on Wednesday, January 30 at 6 pm to review proposals for the old fire station property and the last lot in the City Center.

21.Water Committee – Alderman Von Drasek extended condolences to the family of former Alderman Joe Fajdich – who served the City in many capacities for 28 years.

22. Ald. Von Drasek stated that a letter will be sent to residents in the Triangle Area advising that they will receive the difference in water rate over charges passed on to them in the past. City residents should be treated fairly across the board.

CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT

23.Attorney Peck presented a request from Matt Fuller for a 180-day extension to the Ordinance for his three-bay garage addition. This is the second request. Ald. Musillami moved to approve the request, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried by unanimous voice vote.

STAFF REPORTS

24.City Engineer Fitzgerald presented pay estimate #2 and semifinal for 2012 Drainage Improvements to Stip Brothers Excavating, Elwood, IL for $6,344.89. The work is finished but they will look at it in spring to make sure the project is complete. Ald. Jasinski moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried by Roll Call vote – 5/0/1.

25.Deputy Chief Novak sought consideration for an ordinance for placement of Stop Signs on eastbound and westbound 55^th Place at Peck Avenue, to help control traffic and provide a level of safety for children at the new park. Ald. McDermott thanked the Chief for additional patrols in the area to curb speeding. Ald. McDermott moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried by Roll Call vote – 5/0/1.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 13-06-O.

27. Acting Chief Novak reminded Council that as of January 31 he will be out of the City until approximately February 18, during which time Master Sgt. John Mikel will be in charge with full authority and responsibility. Mayor Krzeminski wished Chief Novak a speedy recovery. He also added his condolences to the family of former Ald. Joe Fajdich. Thanks to his efforts about 100 homes are out of the flood plain in Ward 1. He contributed a great deal to this community and will be sorely missed.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

28. Mayor Krzeminski sought a motion to adjourn to Executive Session under Section 2c21 of the Open Meetings Act for the purpose of reviewing Executive Session minutes of 1-9-13.

ADJOURNMENT

29. Ald. Von Drasek moved to adjourn to Executive Session, seconded by Ald. Musillami and carried by unanimous Roll Call vote -5/0/1.

Mayor Krzeminski declared the meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.

SHARON SWEENEY, CITY CLERK