MINUTES

INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE

CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE – COUNCIL CHAMBER

July 6, 2015 5:30 PM

I. CALL TO ORDER.

Meeting was called to order at 5:30 pm.

II. ROLL CALL

Upon roll call the following were present:

Alderman John Von Drasek, Chairman

Alderman Mark Benson

Alderman Scott Musillami

Mayor McDermott, Ex-Officio

Also present:

Gail Paul, City Administrator

Sharon Peterson, Assistant City Administrator

Jim Essig, Public Works Superintendent

Steve Tisinai, TPI, Building Official

Kimberly Clarke, Zoning Administrator

III. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC.

None.

IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – November 3, 2014.

Upon motion made by Alderman Musillami and seconded by Alderman Benson, the minutes were approved.

V. DISCUSSION ON DRAFT ORDINANCE PROHIBITING LAWN DECORATIONS.

Assistant City Administrator Peterson presented the draft Ordinance prohibiting lawn decorations, and gave a few options for the Committee to consider:

Outright ban on all lawn decorations in the City.

Include backyards or only front yards.

Should there be a limit on the number of lawn decorations allowed.

After discussion, the Committee determined that the Ordinance would be revised to include both the front and backyard, exclude lighting, bird houses, planters and lawn furniture. Chairman Von Drasek recommended that the Ordinance allow for one bird bath in the front yard and one in the back yard. The maximum number of decorations allowed will be eight. A motion was made by Alderman Musillami and seconded by Alderman Benson to have the Draft Ordinance presented at the July 22, 2015 City Council meeting. Motion passed unanimously.

VI. DISCUSSION ON POTENTIAL UPDAETS TO THE PRESALE INSPECTION PROGRAM.

Building Official Steve Tisinai reviewed the current program with the Committee. The current program is that all residential presale inspections are $100 per inspection with all re-inspections at no cost. There are a number of times where a person will schedule their inspection, and then no one will be there when the inspector shows up. We are proposing that we now charge a re-inspection fee in these situations. Our current re-inspection fee for construction projects is $75.00 and we have a non ready fee of $150.00. We are proposing a $75.00 no show fee for Presale inspections. After discussion, the Committee agreed to the $75.00 no show fee. This item will be on the July 22, 2015 City Council agenda for a final vote.

Chairman Von Drasek asked Mr. Tisinai to discuss the second item proposed under Presale Inspections. Currently, we allow homes to be sold as is in certain conditions. If the repairs to fix the home are under $3,000.00, the buyer can either give the City a $750.00 bond or have their attorney write a letter stating they will make all corrections within 30 days and schedule a re-inspection. If the repairs are above $3,000.00, we require a $1,500.00 bond. The issue is that a lot of the people are not following up within the 30 days, and we are holding onto their money. After discussion, the Committee directed staff to follow up in 30 days with a letter, 60 days with a second letter, and at 90 days, issue a citation.

VII. DISCUSSION ON UPDATING THE SIGN CODE.

Chairman Von Drasek asked Zoning Administrator Kimberly Clarke to present the proposed changes to the sign code to the Committee. Ms. Clarke presented recommended changes to the existing sign code. After considerable discussion, the Committee directed Ms. Clarke to bring the Electronic Sign Section of the Code to the Zoning Board of Appeals as a text amendment. Once passed by the ZBA, this item will then go to the City Council for final approval.

VIII. DISCUSSION ON GRAVEL DRIVEWAYS IN THE R-7 DISTRICT.

Assistant City Administrator presented the language in the Code on gravel driveways in the R-7 District. Several homes in the R-7 Zoning District (Ward 2) have gravel driveways. The current city code states, All residential properties shall replace stone, gravel, dirt, or similar non-conforming driveways at time of property transfer or within 180 days of notice from the City of Countryside with code compliant concrete, asphalt, or brick pavers per City Code section 7-2-7. Ms. Peterson asked the Committee how they would like to continue with this, because past practice has been that we have been asking the homeowners to come into compliance at the time of property transfer. After discussion, it was determined that we would continue the practice of requiring the driveway to be changed at the time of property transfer.

IX. OTHER COMMITTEE BUSINESS.

Alderman Benson brought up flooding concerns on 55^th Place from Willow Springs to Leitch. He would like to have the City Engineer look at these areas and report back to the Committee on what the issues are; whether it is a private property issue, or a City issue, and how it can be fixed. Public Works Superintendent Essig asked for addresses and photos of these properties.

Assistant City Administrator Peterson said that Alderman Pondelicek called her and asked that she bring up Francis Avenue and see if it can be moved up further in the paving project 5-year plan. Mr. Essig commented that that street did take a hit from the water main project. This area will be reevaluated when the City Engineer and Public Works Superintendent update the 5-year paving plan.

X. ADJOURNMENT.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:53pm.

Approved: 11-2-15 Alderman John Von Drasek, Chairman