MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE, ILLINOIS
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2011

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

PRESENT: Mayor Edward A. Krzeminski, Aldermen: Robert Pondelicek, Ald.Von Drasek, James Jasinski, Sean McDermott, Karen Michalczyk, Wayne Straza.

ALSO PRESENT: City Clerk Sweeney, City Treasurer Jasinski, City Attorney Peck. City Admin. Paul, Police Chief Ruth, Asst. Adm. Peterson, City Eng. Fitzgerald, CDP Swanson, ESDA Crd. Norman, Police Bd. Chrm. Welch, Burdett, PC/ZBA Chrm. Fullmer, Elec. Insp. Sweeney

OMNIBUS AGENDA

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES -June 22, 2011.

3. STATEMENT OF BILLS through July 13, 2011: $964,444.79.

4. Application for a general business license from Reynolds Advanced Materials, 5324 East Avenue. Type: Warehousing & Distribution. Applicant: Trey Bianco. (relocate from 5346 East Avenue)

5. Application for a general business license from Cooper’s Hawk Production, 5426 Dansher Road. Type: Warehouse & distribution. Applicant: Tim McEnery. (add’l location)

6. Application for a general business license from All Information Services, Inc., 6428 Joliet Road, #100. Type: Service Merchant. Applicant: Jeff Pieta. (relocation)

7. Application for a block party from Ann Smothers, 841 W. 63^rd St. on July 9, 2011 from noon to 10 pm.

8. Application for a special event at the Home Depot, 140 Countryside Plaza on July 5, 2011 from 8 am to 2 pm to promote a professional paint line for invitees only.

9. Application for a special event at BMW Motorcycles of Countryside, 6150 LaGrange Road, on June 25, 2011 from 9 am to 6 pm to demonstrate the fleet at an open house grand opening.

10. Application for a general business license from Peter’s Highline Automotive II, Inc, 9675 W. 55^th St, Type: Auto repair. Applicant: Tony & Tina Alexander (formerly Community Car Care)

11. From Cub Scout Pack #69 requesting permission to solicit at Jewel Food Store, 5545 Brainard Avenue on October 1, 2, 8, 9, 2011.

12. Application for a general business license from Ultimate Pro Bikes, LLC, 5475 Joliet Road, #A100. Type: Retail store. Applicant: Juozas Martynaitis.

13. Acceptance of Treasurer’s Reports ending April 30, 2011 and May 31, 2011. (previously distributed)

14. Mayor Krzeminski read the Omnibus Agenda and deleted the statement of bills for further discussion. Ald. Straza moved to approve the Omnibus Agenda minus the statement of bills, seconded by Ald. McDerrmott and carried unanimously.

15. Mayor Krzeminski asked for clarification of the wire transfer for $680,000 for debt service. City Admin Paul stated that payment was from the Corporate Fund for the 2008 g.o. bond payment; there was no identification of the payee. Ms. Paul stated it was paid to the Bank of New York but will verify that fact. Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve the Statement of Bills, seconded by Ald. Jasinski and carried unanimously.

16. Ald. McDermott noted one change to the minutes of June 22, 2011, Item #13, replace the last sentence by Ald. McDermott as follows: I move that City Council disapprove of the Mayor’s removal of Erik Peck, the Peck Law Offices and Raysa & Zimmerman as City Attorney. Ald. McDermott moved to amend the previous meeting minutes as noted above, seconded by Ald. Jasinski and carried unanimously.

ADDITIONS TO AND/OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA

17. Additions to the Agenda were noted by Ald. Von Drasek and Mayor Krzeminski.

QUESTIONS AND/OR COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE

18. Kathy Deets, 1404 – 55^th St., The Barker Shop, seeks to expand her business and wishes to explain circumstances and present additional handouts for Council. Mayor Krzeminski noted that her petition is on the July 27^th Agenda and asked her to appear at the next City Council meeting for that purpose; she distributed the handouts.

19. Bruce Schwartz, 10840 Crestview, asked about Agenda Item 9F. Ald. McDermott stated that authorization to waive the bidding process and enter into a contract with Specialty Contractors to complete site work on the 10-acre development is deleted from tonight’s Agenda.

MAYOR’S REPORT

21. Mayor Krzeminski administered the Oath of Office to Richard Porcaro as a probationary patrol officer for the City of Countryside effective July 7, 2011. City Council and audience members congratulated Officer Porcaro on his appointment.

22. Mayor Krzeminski presented the request for membership to the I & M Canal National Heritage Corridor Authority – the amount requested is $1,500. The City has a member on that Board. They do promote Countryside tourism; the Mayor sought some consideration for their request. Treasurer Jasinski stated that in considering the total requests coming through the Treasurer’s Office, these must be narrowed down to basic needs; this is not a budgeted item. It is up to City Council. After discussion, Ald. Straza moved to deny the request, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek who reminded Council of the reinstated tree program request that benefits all the residents. Council agreed to review the budget in the future; Motion carried unanimously.

23. Mayor Krzeminski presented the list of Aldermanic Committee appointments.

Most Chairmen will remain the same: Economic Development – Ald. McDermott; Finance Committee – Treasurer Jasinski; Infrastructure Committee – Ald. Michalczyk; Police Committee – Ald. Straza; Licensing Committee – Ald. Pondelicek;

Water Committee – Ald. Von Drasek; Recreation Committee – Ald. Jasinski; Flagg Creek Golf Course – Ald. Von Drasek; Human Resources Committee – Ald. Pondelicek.

24. Mayor Krzeminski presented a letter from the Cook County Bureau of Economic Development advising the City that the CDBG Program for 2011 will be increased to $115,000 for the City of Countryside. The Mayor stated that due to the severe storm damage this past week almost half the City was without power. As of this afternoon 135 residents remain without power. ComEd has been keeping the residents updated. The Triangle Area is still without power; many trees were down causing power interruptions throughout the City. Some areas may remain without power until Saturday. Kudos to the ESDA Department again for their excellent handling of the situation.

CITY CLERK’S REPORT

25. Clerk Sweeney presented the draft resolution amending Resolution 11-1-R to reflect additions or continuations to Schedules A & B of Executive Session minutes. Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously by Roll Call vote.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as RESOLUTION 11-10-R.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

26. FINANCE COMMITTEE – TREASURER JASINSKI, CHAIRMAN, presented recommendations from the Finance Committee meeting of 6-28-11.

27. Acceptance of revised 4-year professional services contract for Fran Prokop, City Stenographer. Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Jasinski and carried unanimously.

28. Recommendation to rebate $200 in building review costs to Flaunt, 26 E. Plainfield Road. Ald. Straza moved to approve, seconded by Ald. McDermott and carried unanimously.

29. Recommendation concerning Casa de Montechristo to waive $3,500 from the $4,106.75 owed in engineering fees. They did a nice job landscaping the area. Ald. Straza moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

30. Treas. Jasinski stated that 61^st St. and 61^st Place will be without power until Saturday; the transformer is leaking some chemical; once it is replaced the downed tree can be removed, the line repaired and electricity restored.

31. HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN PONDELICEK, CHAIRMAN, presented the committee’s recommendation to accept a 4-year contract for Gail Paul, City Administrator. Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve, seconded by Ald. McDermott and carried by Roll Call vote 6/0.

32. Ald. Pondelicek presented the committee’s recommendation to accept a 4-year contract for Michael Ruth, Police Chief. Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried by Roll Call vote – 6/0.

33. Ald. Von Drasek stated that last night was the first night time girl’s soft ball game at Countryside Park thanks to Sun Belt Rentals for supplying lighting. Unfortunately the residents around the park didn’t have any lights due to the storm damage.

34. Ald. Von Drasek stated that the BMW Grand Opening on June 25 was quite an event; roughly 150 individuals test drove the BMW motorcycles through the forest preserves. Richard Fisher and the Head of BMW were there along with City officials and the former Mayor Conrad.

35. Ald. Von Drasek stated that as of now there is no electricity in Countryside Park. After discussion Council decided to postpone tomorrow night’s concert until August 11. Ms. Peterson stated that the band is available and the food vendor is available. The notice will go out to residents by email and message board.

36. Ald. Von Drasek gave special thanks and praise to Steve Norman and the ESDA Department crew for their extraordinary efforts during the recent storms.

CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

37. City Administrator Ms. Paul stated that the closing on Harley Davidson was officially completed today. Audience recognized the tremendous effort involved in this historic accomplishment. City Council thanked Ms. Paul.

STAFF REPORTS

38. City Engineer Fitzgerald presented the recommendation to remove the hydraulic lifts from the demo bid and enter into a contract with Fatlan Trucking & Excavating, Ltd. for hydraulic lift removal and cleanup in an amount not to exceed $20,000. The bids are going out tomorrow; hydraulic lift removal is a specialized process in order to comply with state standards. He was advised to deal directly with a qualified contractor on a time and material basis as a better way to get the job done correctly for both properties. Mr. Fitzgerald stated they are highly recommended; he will check further references. After discussion, Ald. Straza moved to approve the contract with Fatlan not to exceed $20,000, seconded by Ald. McDermott and carried unanimously.

39. Mr. Fitzgerald presented the recommendation to award the 2011 MFT Street Rehabilitation project to the low bidder, Brothers Asphalt Paving, Inc. in the amount of $255,186, pending completion of the 8-calendar day bidder protest period. The streets to be resurfaced are Merry Court north of 59^th St to the cul de sac and Lorraine Drive from 67^th to 71^st. Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.

40. Asst. City Admin. Ms. Peterson met with Messrs. Swanson, Fitzgerald and Fuller regarding the sidewalk installation along Plainfield Road. Mr. Fuller will request an appearance at the July 27, 2011 Council meeting to seek reconsideration of the City’s decision . Staff explained that this is a Code requirement. Ald. Von Drasek stated that three businesses in Ward 2 also had to comply with the sidewalk installation. This is a general public safety improvement issue for children crossing the intersection.

41. ESDA Coordinator Norman thanked Mr. Swanson for putting out the email alert. Just a reminder to residents without power – the City Hall facility is designated as a cooling center for residents and a safe haven during emergencies.

ADJOURNMENT

42. Ald. Straza moved to adjourn to Executive Session under Sections 2B9 and 2Ah of the Open Meetings Act for the purpose of discussing personnel and litigation matters, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried by unanimous Roll Call vote – 6/0.

Mayor Krzeminski declared the meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.

SHARON SWEENEY, CITY CLERK