MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE, ILLINOIS
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2006

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, Karen Michalczyk, John Von Drasek, Michael Smetana, Robert Pondelicek

ALSO PRESENT: City Clerk Herberts, City Treasurer Stoffels, City Attorneys Robert & Erik Peck, City Admin. Bailey, Police Chief Swanson, City Engineer Fitzgerald, Fin. Director Filinovich, Deputy Chief Mallon, Deputy Clerk Bartelt, Police/Fire Bd. Member Jasinski

OMNIBUS AGENDA

2. Approval of Minutes of January 11, 2006.

3. Statement of Bills for the period ending January 25, 2006.

4. Financial Statement for period ending December 2005.

5. Membership: International Institute of Municipal Clerks – Clerk’s Office – $166.

6. Membership: Illinois Plumbing Inspectors Assn. – Plumbing Inspector – $50.

7. Application for a general business license from West Point Builders & Developers, Inc., 6475 Joliet Road. Type: Business office. Applicant: Thomas Curran.

8. Application for a general business license from Kuehn Builders, 6811 Sunset Avenue. Type: Home office. Applicant: Mark Kuehn.

9. Ald. Pondelicek moved to approve the Omnibus Agenda as presented, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.

ADDITIONS TO AND/OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA

10. Additions to the Agenda were noted by Mayor LeGant.

QUESTIONS AND/OR COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE – none

MAYOR’S REPORT

11. Mayor LeGant presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Deputy Chief Paul Mallon for excellence in service. The City Council applauded his efforts.

12. Mayor LeGant read a petition for Repeal of the Rehabilitation Therapy caps for Seniors. As of 1-1-06 all Medicare patients face a coverage limit of $1,750 per year for outpatient speech therapy and physical therapy and $1,750 per year for occupational therapy. The petition is available at the Clerk’s Office for signatures.

13. Residents are invited to attend a seminar on property tax review at Lyons Township, 6404 Joliet Road on February 8 and February 22, 2006. This will provide residents with an opportunity to file an appeal from the 2005 assessment. The sessions will be held from 10am-12pm and from 6-8pm in the Community Room – first floor.

14. Mayor LeGant read a request from Aging Well – the organization is seeking a liaison to represent the City at their meetings. Please advise the Clerk’s Office if a candidate is found.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

FINANCE COMMITTEE – TREASURER STOFFELS, CHAIRMAN presented recommendations from the committee meeting held earlier this evening.

15. Treasurer Stoffels presented the expenditure for yearly membership fee for the City Attorney in the IMLA for $375. Ald. Straza moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.

16. Treasurer Stoffels presented the proposal from Information Technology which was tabled from 12-14-05. Ald. Straza moved to approve the proposal; motion died for lack of a second; no action taken.

17. Treasurer Stoffels sought Council approval of the exempt employees list – this applies to regular full-time city employees who are nonunion, to be eliminated from overtime. Mr. Bailey stated this would be City Policy #18. Ald. Conrad moved to approve the policy, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried unanimously.

18. Treasurer Stoffels sought Council approval for a policy regarding accumulation and rollover of leave benefits for non-represented employees. Mr. Bailey stated that this would be Policy #19 which clarifies the assignment of benefits for nonunion employees. Ald. Conrad moved to approve the policy, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried unanimously.

19. Treasurer Stoffels stated that the Flagg Creek Administrative Board recommends an increase to the 2005 contribution to the Reserve Fund. The check has not been received to date. Mr. Stoffels will investigate the matter and report to Council.

20. The Committee recommended a donation of $500 to the Children’s Advocacy Center from the Police Fund. Ald. Conrad moved, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.

21. The Committee recommended purchase of a half-page ad for $100 from Community Care Options with updated information re: gocountryside.net. Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve the expense, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.

22. The Committee recommended donation of $400 for sponsorship of the Pleasantdale Little league. Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried unanimously.

23. The Committee recommended a donation of $325.80 for ten people to attend the Special Olympics. Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.

24. The Committee recommended a donation of $1,200 to the Pleasantdale Park District for their July 4th Celebration. Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried unanimously.

25. The Committee recommended a donation of $500 to the American Cancer Society Relay for Life. Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.

26. LICENSE COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN MICHALCZYK, CHAIRMAN, presented recommendations from the committee. Attorney Peck will present a draft ordinance amending the Code and creating a classification for non-conforming business license and registration for Dr. Kessel, Suburban General, Luke Farm and Double J Riding Club. Attorney Peck stated that the new ordinance will accommodate those businesses that come into the City through annexation which do not meet the requirements of the zoning district in which they are located. The City has no specific provision for that type of use currently. These businesses are special uses and are subject to all the limitations and restrictions thereof. Ald. Michalczyk moved to adopt the Ordinance as presented, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

Clerk Herberts declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 06-03.O.

27. RECREATION COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN CONRAD, CHAIRMAN, presented recommendations from the committee meeting of January 24, 2006. The committee met with Marcy Glink and her staff regarding Countryfest 2006. More information to come. At that meeting Mr. Bailey, Ms. Wilson and Mr. Muenzer were directed to review other city parks in the near future with an eye to re-development if funds become available.

38. POLICE COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN CONRAD, CHAIRMAN, presented recommendations from the committee meeting of January 24, 2006. The committee discussed consideration for a separate server at a cost of $9,049.55. No action was taken on this matter; further research is needed.

39. The Police Department is requesting two CF-29 laptop computers at a cost of $3,708 a piece. Chief Swanson stated that a grant has been awarded to the City to cover those costs. Ald. Smetana moved to approve the request, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

40. Ald. Conrad stated that the committee discussed the 2006 Net Near West Board fees at an annual cost of $2,120. Ald. Smetana moved to approve the expense, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

41. INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN SMETANA, CHAIRMAN, presented an invoice for Council consideration of payment for resident Judy Stolte, regarding a sewer line repair at 6002 Longview for $6,030. The committee recommends that the City not participate in payment; it is the resident’s responsibility. Ald. Smetana moved to deny the request, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried unanimously.

LEGAL REPORT

42. City Attorney Peck presented the draft ordinance revising City water rates and establishing a service availability charge effective January 1, 2006 for residential users at $4.10/1000 gallons plus a $5/month service charge. Residents are being advised of the increase by letter. Ald. Straza moved to adopt the Ordinance as presented, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.

Clerk Herberts declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 06-04-O.

43. Attorney Peck presented the recommendation of the PC/ZBA to deny the application of Ankica Pervan, who requested a number of zoning variations on property commonly known as 40 E. Plainfield Road. The Board found that the applicant did not present sufficient evidence to support her request. Ald. Michalczyk moved to concur with the recommendation of the PC/ZBA, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously.

44. Attorney Peck requested an Executive Session immediately following this meeting to discuss litigation and the possible acquisition of real estate.

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

45. City Administrator Bailey presented the request of IRMA (Intergovernmental Risk Management Agency) for the 2006 Annual Contribution for the liability insurance pool of which the City is a member. Mr. Bailey recommends payment of the yearly premium -$164,266. Ald. Smetana moved to approve the expenditure, seconded by Ald. Conrad and carried unanimously. Mr. Bailey noted that the premium decrease reflects a better insurance market and is substantially lower than last year.

46. Mr. Bailey presented a proposal to approve the FOP Dispatchers Labor Agreement. The Council has had correspondence regarding this matter. Ald. Conrad moved to approve the proposal, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously. Ald. Conrad congratulated all parties involved in the negotiations.

Clerk Herberts declared that this will be known as RESOLUTION 06-01-R.

47. Mr. Bailey sought consideration to approve an engagement with FGM, Inc., Architects & Engineers, on an ongoing basis for miscellaneous architecture related projects. A panel including Aldermen Von Drasek, Pondelicek, CDD Muenzer and Admin. Bailey interviewed three architectural firms and recommended FGM, Inc., subject to attorney review and approval. This would be an umbrella or general master agreement under which individual projects would be approved separately. Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve the engagement with FGM, Inc., seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously. Mr. Bailey thanked the three gentlemen involved in the interview process. Aldermen Smetana and Conrad echoed Mr. Bailey’s sentiments.

48. Mr. Bailey sought Council approval for the space needs analysis proposal for City Hall from FGM Architects and Engineers in the amount of $18,000. Ald. Smetana moved to approve the proposal, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

STAFF REPORTS

49. City Engineer Fitzgerald reported on the status of the street rehabilitation project. They are awaiting IDOT approval and the project can go out for bids.

OLD AND NEW BUSINESS

50. Mayor LeGant read a letter from the Chicago White Sox organization advising that the World Series Championship Trophy will be traveling to municipalities and for a donation of $10 to the White Sox Charities, photos may be taken with the trophy.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to discuss, Ald. Von Drasek moved to convene into Executive Session under Sections 2Ah and 2Ac of the Open Meetings Act to discuss litigation and possible land acquisition, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried by unanimous Roll Call vote.

Mayor LeGant declared the meeting recessed at 8:10 p.m.

The City Council returned to Open Session at 8:40 p.m. with the same members present.

Ald. Smetana moved to refer to the PC/ZBA the matter of re-zoning the Bresnahan property from M-1 to B-3 classification with a special use for automotive purposes and to consider requiring that all damaged vehicles be kept under roof, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

ADJOURNMENT

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

Mayor LeGant declared the meeting adjourned at 8:41 p.m.