MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE, ILLINOIS
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON WEDNESDAY JUNE 22, 2005

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 Attorney Erik Peck, Police Chief Swanson, City Administrator Bailey, City Engineer Fitzgerald, Deputy Treasurer Wenzel, ESDA Director Norman

OMNIBUS AGENDA

2. Approval of Minutes of June 8, 2005.

3. Statement of Bills for the period ending June 22, 2005.

4. Application for a block party in the 5800 block of Longview Drive on July 30, 2005 from 4-10 p.m.; rain date July 31. Applicant: Mary Zimmermann.

5. Financial Statement for the period ending May 31, 2005.

6. Subscription: Des Plaines Valley News – Administrator – 2 years – $24.

7. Subscription: Route 66 Magazine – Administrator – $18.

8. Application for a general business license from Interior Traditions, 27 W. Plainfield Road. Type: Retail sales. Applicant: Gail Kensting. (Business name changed from Countryside Antiques).

9. Application for a general business license from Von Drasek Roofing Inc., 6726 Lorraine Drive. Type: Home office. Applicant: John Von Drasek.

10. Subscription: Zoning Bulletin – Building Department – $156.81.

11. Ald. Smetana moved to approve the Omnibus Agenda as presented, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried unanimously.

ADDITIONS TO AND/OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA

12. Additions to the Agenda were noted by Ald. Michalczyk, Smetana and Conrad.

QUESTIONS AND/OR COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE

13. Mr. Ross Vondrak, 5707 Ashland, presented Council members with a two-page handout stating his case. The main complaint is that Autobarn is using 57th St. for car storage and employee parking. Arby employees also use the street for parking. He stated that no cars are ever parked on Sunday when the dealership is closed. He provided Council with photographs of several parked cars. After presenting his argument, he asked that the existing ordinance 5-2-5-A.1 be enforced; he also asked for street signs showing resident parking only on the north side of 57th St. This matter will be brought before the Infrastructure Committee for further consideration.

MAYOR’S REPORT

14. Mayor LeGant presented special award plaques to Sgt. Tony Boyd and Karen Roche, R.N. from Helping Hand Center, for performing CPR on a 3-month old infant who was in respiratory distress last month. Sgt. Boyd also received a Life Saving Award Ribbon from Chief Swanson on behalf of the Countryside Police Department. Both individuals are recognized as heroes and deserving of these awards.

15. Mayor LeGant sought approval for a Special Event Liquor License for the four-day Countryfest event, July 21-24, 2005. Ald. Conrad moved to approve the issuance, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.

16. Mayor LeGant read the Draft Resolution aloud pertaining to Lyons Township Park Project which was approved by referendum on November 2, 2005, authorizing the township to issue up to $10 million in bonds. The 17 affected communities emphasize that bond proceeds be properly and equitably expended for the benefit of the township and its constituents as a whole. Ald. Straza moved to adopt the Resolution as presented, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.

Clerk Herberts declared that this will be known as RESOLUTION 05-10-R.

17. Mayor LeGant presented the request of the Rotary Club of Countryside to conduct bingo at Countryfest on July 23-24, 2005. They also request waiving any license fees. Ald. Conrad moved to approve the request, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously.

18. Mayor LeGant announced the ribbon cutting ceremony and Grand Opening for the new Panda Express on Saturday, June 25 at 10:30 a.m. at Countryside Plaza. He invited Council members and city residents to attend the event.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

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

19. The committee recommends a donation of $120 to the 4th Annual Betty Scheck Memorial Fundraiser benefiting cancer research. Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve the donation, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried unanimously.

20. The committee approved sponsoring four golfers for $125 each at the WCMC Solid Waste Agency Golf Outing on August 10, 2005 at Carriage Greens Country Club. Ald. Straza moved to approve the donation, seconded by Ald. Conrad and carried unanimously.

21. The committee recommends a donation of $500 to the Boy Scouts of America Fundraising Campaign. Ald. Smetana moved to approve the donation, seconded by Ald. Conrad and carried unanimously.

22. The committee recommends sponsoring four teachers at the Teachers Welcome Breakfast on August 23, 2005 at Brookfield Zoo at 7:30 a.m. City officials wishing to attend are asked to sign up at the Clerk’s Office; the cost is $25 per person. Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Conrad and carried unanimously.

23. The committee recommends participation in the DesPlaines Valley News’ advertising campaign, to extend the subscription for two years at $24. Ald. Straza moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried unanimously.

HOTEL/MOTEL COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN MICHALCZYK, CHAIRMAN, presented recommendations from the meeting of June 17, 2005.

24. The committee recommends approval of the TENG LaGrange Road Streetscape Plan in the amount of $29,000 including their services and grant preparation. Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.

25. The committee recommends acceptance of Serafin’s Proposal to design and implement a new Website, Go Countryside. Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously.

26. The committee approved a donation of $1,000 to the 2005 I & M Rendezvous after researching various activities. Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve the donation, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried unanimously.

27. LICENSE COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN MICHALCZYK, CHAIRMAN, presented the request of the Simon Property Group for a plaza-wide sidewalk sale on July 7-10, 2005. Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve the request, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.

28. Ald. Michalczyk presented the request to hold a BreakDance for the benefit of Youths Struggling for Survival, to be held at Park Place on July 1-2, 4 pm – 1am. Ald. Straza moved to approve the request, seconded by Ald. Conrad and carried unanimously.

29. Ald. Conrad announced that the first Concert in the Park was held last Thursday and was very successful; over 200 people participated. Another concert will be held tomorrow with the group New Odyssey performing. Please invite your friends and neighbors to share in the festivities. Many thanks to the attractive flyer prepared by Serafin & Associates; the Mayor also gave the band his enthusiastic endorsement.

WATER COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN STRAZA, CHAIRMAN, presented recommendations from the committee meeting held earlier this evening.

30. The committee recommends purchasing a new generator for the water pump backup Generator. Further research by Novotny & Associates will explore all avenues to determine which method, gas or diesel, is best for the City. The current system is 35 years old and cannot be rebuilt. This matter will be tabled until that time.

31. Senior Water Operator Anderson has requested permission to attend the AWWA training program in Moline, IL on July 28-29, 2005 at a cost of $104. Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Conrad and carried unanimously.

32. Ald. Von Drasek called attention to Heat Engineering’s parking lot drainage problem. Engineer Fitzgerald met with residents concerning the drainage issue; they were told that Heat Engineering is undertaking plans for remediation of contaminated soil; this should address all outstanding issues.

33. INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN SMETANA, CHAIRMAN, requested that Attorney Peck research and draft an Ordinance to prohibit any motorized use of the ditch enclosure property, especially between 57-58 St. from 9th Avenue to East Avenue. There has been evidence of traffic driving across the area; a legal posting may be necessary. Former Ald. Fajdich stated that two loads of clay fill has been dumped back there. Code Enforcement Officer Pyle will investigate it.

LEGAL REPORT

34. City Attorney Peck presented recommendations from the PC/ZBA meeting of June 7, 2005 regarding updating the Sign Ordinance. It appears that there are additional issues to consider prior to rendering a decision; Ald. Smetana moved to return the matter to the PC/ZBA for further consideration, seconded by Ald. Conrad and carried unanimously.

35. Attorney Peck stated that Zoning Map Updates are not available at this time. This matter will be tabled until the updates are available.

36. Attorney Peck presented a draft Resolution adopting the prevailing wage rate for Public Works Projects, required by the State of Illinois. In the past the City has adopted the existing pay scale. Included is a letter of explanation along with a Draft Resolution as presented, adopting the Illinois Department of Labor suggestions on those wage rates. Ald. Conrad moved to adopt the Resolution, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried unanimously.

Clerk Herberts declared that this will be known as RESOLUTION 05-09 R.

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

37. City Administrator Bailey presented engineer’s pay estimate #3 for the 2005 Water Main Replacement in the amount of $39,601.57 to Gerardi Sewer & Water Company. He recommends payment of that amount. Ald. Smetana moved to approve the payment, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried unanimously. It was noted that punch list items still need to be completed. Mr. Fitzgerald stated that they will be here next week and should complete the job.

38. Mayor LeGant noted the request from the Mobile Home Park for both the Police Department and ESDA to make their presence known in the immediate area. Mr. Norman noted that ESDA has been making rounds in the area. Chief Swanson stated that Sgt. Boyd will be making routine runs with the bicycle unit in the area.

ADJOURNMENT

39. There being no further business to discuss, Ald. Conrad moved to adjourn to Closed Session under Section 2Aa of the Open Meetings Act for the purpose of discussing labor negotiations, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried unanimously by Roll Call vote.

Mayor LeGant declared the meeting adjourned at 8:22 p.m.

SHIRLEY C. HERBERTS, CITY CLERK