MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE, ILLINOIS
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 14, 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, Aldermen Wayne Straza, John Von Drasek, Karen Michalczyk, Robert Pondelicek, Sean McDermott

ABSENT: Ald. Michael Smetana

ALSO PRESENT: City Clerk Sweeney, City Treasurer Jasinski, City Attorney Erik Peck, City Admin. Paul, Interim Police Chief Novak, City Eng. Fitzgerald, PC/ZBA Chrm. Fullmer, Jasinski, Police/Fire Bd. Burdett

OMNIBUS AGENDA

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: June 23, 2010.

3. STATEMENT OF BILLS through July 14, 2010: $1,143,880.62,

4. Application for a general business license from THIPI FLOWERS, 27 W. Plainfield. Type: Retail. Applicant: Enrique Zaveleta.

5. Application for a special use from WHAT A DEAL to conduct sidewalk sales from July 15-23 2010 from 10 am to 7 pm at 9930 W. 55^th St.

6. Request from Pam Taubery for a block party on July 31, 2010 on Ashland between 55^th St. and 57^th St. from 9 am to 11 pm.

7. Application for a special event and special use permit from Kenny’s Irish Pub, 917 W. 55^th St. to hold a Summer party behind the Pub on August 28, 2010 – noon to 10 pm.

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

ADDITIONS TO AND/OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA

9. Two additions to the Agenda were noted by Mayor Conrad.

QUESTIONS AND/OR COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE

10. Richard Fullmer, 9545 W. 56 St. asked to put the rules re: the new Dog Ordinance in the City Newsletter. There are two pit bulls living across the street in a non-fenced yard area. These are vicious animals; people should not be in danger because of these dogs. Owners should be required to get insurance and have a fence. Mayor Conrad stated that this information will be included in the Newsletter.

MAYOR’S REPORT

11. Interim Chief Novak presented Mayor Conrad with the official 50^th Anniversary Star and the Challenge Coin in a velvet box. Mayor Conrad presented each Alderman with their individual Anniversary Star and Challenge Coin in a velvet box. At the conclusion of the presentation photos were taken of the entire City Council holding their own 50^th Anniversary Official Badge. Ald. Smetana will receive his Star later.

12. Mayor Conrad had the honor of cutting the ribbon for the first Relay for Life in Countryside Park last Friday. Their activities went on from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to help stamp out cancer. Hopefully in the future teams will be lining the park for this cause. The City is proud to support the Relay for Life.

13. Cheryl Nelson of Continental Motors is requesting an extension to sell used vehicles at their location, 5800 LaGrange Road. She presented Ms. Paul with the information regarding sales tax figures from June of last year. Mayor Conrad stated that the Council will vote on this matter later tonight; it will be discussed in Executive Session but voted on at the Regular Session afterwards.

TREASURER’S REPORT

14. City Treasurer Jasinski stated that Laura Narducci is here on behalf of the CBA to announce their golf tournament on July 26 – just making sure the City is aware of it. There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony tomorrow for the open house / remodeling at Helping Hand; they expect 250 people.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

15. INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN MICHALCZYK, CHAIRMAN, recommends requiring the property owner to install a sidewalk at Fuller’s Car Wash, 5820 Brainard Avenue. Ald. Straza moved to approve, seconded by Ald. McDermott and carried unanimously.

16. Ald. Michalczyk committee recommends requiring Quarterly Maintenance inspection fees for the Countryside Senior Apartment building, 6406 Joliet Road. The City and the PUD agreed upon $900 a year initially or more as costs increase. This matter will be referred to Attorney Peck.

17. Ald. Michalczyk recommended updating the Electronic Sign Ordinance – rather than one scroll per hour, the committee agreed to six scrolls per hour. The ordinance will be amended and brought before the City Council at its next meeting.

18. Ald. Von Drasek expressed condolences to the Pilarski Family on the loss of Vivian Pilarski.

19. Ald. McDermott stated that an Economic Development Meeting will be held tomorrow at 6 p.m.

19A. Ald. Straza stated that a Water Committee meeting will be held shortly.

LEGAL REPORT

20. City Attorney Peck presented the recommendation of the PC/ZBA for a special use to allow an Edward Jones office, classified as a financial institution, to operate at the property commonly known as 6555 Willow Springs Road, #9, at the hearing held July 6, 2010. The PC/ZBA heard all testimony and evidence and they recommended approval of the office at that location. There is no fee in lieu of sales tax due to the small size of the office and the fact that it had been an office in the past. Ald. Straza moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried by unanimous Roll Call vote – 5/0/1.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 10-32-O.

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

21. City Admin. Gail Paul recommended approval to appropriate MFT funds for the 2010 MFT street resurfacing project in the Fall. This was discussed at a prior meeting of the Infrastructure Committee; the streets will be 61^st St., Kensington Ave, North West Court and North East Court; they are itemized on the Resolution. Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously – 5/0/1.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as RESOLUTION 10-6-R.

22. Ms. Paul sought approval of the engineering agreement for the 2010 MFT street rehabilitation program with Novotny & Associates. Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve, seconded by Ald. McDermott and carried unanimously.

23. Ms. Paul presented the Certificate of Recognition from IRMA to the Public Works Department in honor of their 2009 Zero Accident Record. The City’s PAW Department was one of a small group of member departments reflecting outstanding performance. Their achievement will be acknowledged with presentation of a Plaque to Jim Essig.

24. Ms. Paul seeks authorization to apply for the 2010 Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) Grant to extend the Streetscape Project to Joliet Road, bringing ornamental streetlights to the area. Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously.

STAFF REPORTS

25. Interim Police Chief Novak advised Council that he will be on vacation from July 21 through August 3, 2010. Sgt. Mikel will be in charge during his absence.

26. City Engineer Fitzgerald presented engineer’s pay estimate #2 for the Streetscape Project to Vixen Construction in the amount of $35,961.01. Ald. McDermott moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously.

27. Mr. Fitzgerald presented engineer’s pay estimate #1 for LaGrange Road Street Lighting Improvement project to H & H Electric Co. in the amount of $87,767.55. Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously. Mayor Conrad commented on how well the Streetscape is coming together; it looks great and is the gateway to future development.

28. Assistant Administrator Ms. Peterson presented the invoice dated 7-1-10 from Sternberg Lighting for the Streetscape Project – 18 light poles in the amount of $93,330. Ald. Straza moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.

29. Ms. Peterson presented the final invoice dated 6-25-10 for engineering services from Teng & Assoc. for streetscape lighting in the amount of $13,787.90. Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve, seconded by Ald. McDermott and carried unanimously.

30. Ms. Peterson presented invoice #7 dated 6-24-10 from Teng & Assoc. Phase 3 for the Streetscape Project in the amount of $20.177.64. Ald. Straza moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried unanimously.

ADJOURNMENT

31. There being no further business to discuss, Ald. McDermott moved to recess to Executive Session under Sections 2Aa, 2B1, 2Ac and 2Ah of the Open Meetings Act for the purpose of discussing personnel, real estate and litigation, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried by unanimous Roll Call vote – 5/0/1.

Mayor Conrad declared the Regular Meeting recessed at 7:55 p.m.

* * *

The Regular City Council Meeting returned to Open Session with the same members present at 10:46 p.m.

Ald. Straza moved to approve the six-month extension for Continental Motors and to require the dealer to provide the City with due diligence efforts for new car opportunities and/or a letter of intent detailing correspondence with other manufacturers, seconded by Ald. McDermott and carried by Roll Call vote – 3/2/1.

AYES: Von Drasek, Straza, McDermott

NAYS: Pondelicek, Michalczyk

ABSENT: Smetana

Motion carried: 3/2/1.

Ald. Von Drasek moved to adjourn the Regular Meeting, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

Mayor Conrad declared the meeting adjourned at 10:48 p.m.

SHARON SWEENEY, CITY CLERK