MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE, ILLINOIS
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 26, 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, Robert Pondelicek,

ABSENT: Michael Smetana,

ALSO PRESENT: City Clerk Herberts, City Treasurer Stoffels, City Attorney Erik Peck, City Admin. Bailey, Police Chief Swanson, City Engineer Fitzgerald, Deputy Clerk Bartelt, Plan/ZBA Chairman Fullmer

OMNIBUS AGENDA

2. Approval of Minutes of July 12, 2006.

3. Statement of Bills for the period ending, July 26, 2006.

4. Application for a general business license from Charisma, 907 W. 55th St. Type: Hair Salon. Applicant: Ankica Pervan (new owner).

5. Reapplication for a block party from M. Murphy, 5809 Francis Avenue, for August 19 instead of July 29, 2006, from noon to midnight.

6. Ald. Conrad added the application of Janina Rogman for a block party at 107 S. Constance Lane on July 29 from 3-11 pm.

7. Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve the Omnibus Agenda with the addition as presented, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously.

ADDITIONS TO AND/OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA

8. Additions to the Agenda were noted by Ald. Conrad and Treasurer Stoffels.

QUESTIONS AND/OR COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE

9. Resident John Supple, 6630 Sunset, thanked Aldermen Michalczyk and Von Drasek for their assistance in getting the ditch fixed. He provided Council with photos of the improvement.

MAYOR’S REPORT

10. Mayor LeGant announced the appointment of Joseph Bouse, 6630 S. Brainard, as the Countryside representative on the Illinois & Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor Civic Center Authority Board. He administered the Oath of Office to Joseph Bouse for a one-year term as Board member. Council members congratulated him on the appointment. Mayor LeGant stated that the City has received a letter of resignation from Stan Johnson. Mr. Johnson thanked the City for its support for the past 22 years. Mayor LeGant noted that he will be sorely missed.

11. Mayor LeGant sought a motion to have the PC/ZBA reconsider the issue of R-7 zoning for the 5th Avenue Cutoff. Ald. Michalczyk stated that approximately 50% of the parcels are under one acre in size. She moved to refer the matter back to the PC/ZBA for further consideration, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously. Mayor LeGant stated that a Special Meeting may be called for this matter. A Special Meeting of the City Council will be called to address the issue after the Plan/ZBA submits their recommendation.

TREASURER’S REPORT

12. On behalf of all the City Officials, Treasurer Stoffels thanked Alderman Conrad for his excellent efforts during the four-day Countryfest Celebration. He displayed exceptional enthusiasm above and beyond the call. Congratulations on a job well done. Ald. Conrad stated that all Council members worked hard to make this year’s fest a huge success; a good time was had by all. Many thanks to everyone involved in the celebration.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

13. HOTEL/MOTEL COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN MICHALCZYK, CHAIRMAN presented recommendations from the committee meeting of July 17, 2006. The Committee recommended a contribution of $1,000 to the I/M Civic Center Authority. Ald. Straza moved to approve the donation, seconded by Ald. Conrad and carried unanimously.

14. Ald. Michalczyk presented the committee recommendation to contribute $3,000 to the Countryside Car Show held in the Holiday Inn parking lot on August 25, 2006. Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve the donation, seconded by Ald. Conrad and carried unanimously.

15. Ald. Michalczyk presented the committee recommendation to contribute $450 to the State Tourism Guidebook program for the Holiday Inn. Ald. Pondelicek moved to approve the donation, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.

16. Ald. Michalczyk presented the committee recommendation which concurred with Serafin & Associates to hire a new Community Development Director. Consensus was not to lose any momentum gained from past efforts to develop Countryside. Ald. Conrad moved to fill the vacancy of the Community Development Director position, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.

17. WATER COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN STRAZA, CHAIRMAN, presented recommendations from the committee meeting held earlier this evening. He presented the updated cost of water service study for LaGrange Highlands Sanitary District and the Village of Indian Head Park as prepared by Novotny & Associates. Ald. Michalczyk moved to accept the updated cost of Water Service Study for LGH and IHP, as presented, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.

18. Ald. Straza suggested that consideration of Water Bill Format Revision be tabled at the present time.

19. POLICE COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN CONRAD, CHAIRMAN, presented the recommendation from the Police Committee meeting held last evening to purchase a 2006 Dodge Charger from Thomas Dodge in the amount of $21,680. Ald. Conrad moved to concur with the recommendation, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously.

20. Ald. Von Drasek thanked all City Departments, employees, volunteers, Police Department, ESDA for their efforts in making Countryfest a huge success.

LEGAL REPORT

21. City Attorney Erik Peck presented the PC/ZBA recommendation to deny the variance for a front yard setback and to deny a variance to allow a residence on approximately 6,475 s.f. at 40 E. Plainfield Road. The applicant was Ankica Pervan. After the hearing held on July 11, 2006, the Board found that the Applicant failed to establish the conditions required for both variances and they recommended denial of the request. Ald. Conrad moved to concur with the recommendation regarding the front yard setback, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously. Ald. Conrad moved to concur with the recommendation regarding the variance to allow a residence on the property at 40 E. Plainfield Road, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.

22. Attorney Peck presented the PC/ZBA recommendation to consider for ratification a previously approved plat of Grzanich’s Resubdivision at 5609 Madison. This hearing was held on July 11, 2006. Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve the ratification and confirmation of Grzanich’s Resubdivision, seconded by Ald. Conrad and carried unanimously.

Clerk Herberts declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 06-28-O.

23. Attorney Peck presented the PC/ZBA recommendation for a special use permitting maintenance of an off-street open parking area in conjunction with the operation of an adjacent restaurant at 5400 & 5404 6th Avenue; the applicant is J. Arce. At a hearing held on July 11, 2006 the PC/ZBA approved the special use with two conditions: that construction be in substantial conformity with Petitioner’s Exhibit A; and that a fence be placed around the perimeter of the parking lot. Ald. Von Drasek moved to concur with the recommendation, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

Clerk Herberts declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 06-27-O.

24. Attorney Peck presented the PC/ZBA recommendation of Robert Wadach to construct a residence with less than the required minimum square footage at 7415 Willow Springs Road. After the testimony at the hearing on July 11, 2006, the PC/ZBA found that the applicant failed to establish the conditions required for the variance and it was their recommendation to deny the request. Mr. Peck suggested that the Council may wish to continue this matter since it is scheduled to go before the PC/ZBA for a hearing re: amending the Code for undersize lots which came into the City with annexation of the 5th Avenue Cutoff area. Ald. Straza moved to continue this matter until after the PC/ZBA discussed possible future amendment to the Zoning Code regarding R-7 zoning, seconded by Ald. Conrad and carried unanimously.

25. Regarding Clocktower Pointe – the City is still waiting for notification of real estate transaction concerning acceptance of annexation agreement. Mayor LeGant spoke with Mr. O’Brien from MSD. There was a difference of opinion regarding storm water handling; the engineer has revised his previous specifications to their satisfaction. When all requirements have been met they will issue the permit to begin construction. This matter is tabled at present.

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

26. City Administrator Bailey commented on the various contributions of City Departments and the efforts of all City employees toward making Countryfest a huge success. Mr. Bailey presented the invoice for final payment to Great Events, Inc., for the Concert Series 2006 in the amount of $8,235 and recommends approval. Ald. Conrad moved to approve payment, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously.

OLD AND NEW BUSINESS

27. Ald. Michalczyk stated that the Recreation Committee and the Hotel/Motel Committee with hold a joint meeting to discuss Countryfest feedback.

ADJOURNMENT

28. There being no further business to discuss, Ald. Conrad moved to convene into Executive Session under Section 2Ac of the Open Meetings Act for the purpose of discussing real estate, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried by Roll Call vote.

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

SHIRLEY C. HERBERTS, CITY CLERK