MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE, ILLINOIS
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 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, Karen Michalczyk, Robert Pondelicek, Sean McDermott, Michael Smetana, John Von Drasek

ABSENT: City Treasurer Jasinski

ALSO PRESENT: City Clerk Sweeney, City Attorney Erik Peck, City Admin. Paul, Interim Police Chief Novak, Asst. Admin. Peterson, City. Eng. Fitzgerald, ESDA Coord. Norman

OMNIBUS AGENDA

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: June 9, 2010.

3. STATEMENT OF BILLS through June 23, 2010: $622,035.59.

4. Application for a charitable game license from the City of Countryside Police Department requesting permission to hold a motorcycle raffle in conjunction with a Special Olympics fundraiser on September 9, 2010 at the William Tell.

5. Application for a special use from What A Deal to conduct sidewalk sales from 6-24 through 7-3 from 10 am to 7 pm at 9930 W. 55^th St.

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

ADDITIONS TO AND/OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA

7. One addition to the Agenda was noted by Mayor Conrad.

QUESTIONS AND/OR COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE

8. Cheryl Nelson from Continental Auto Center seeks an extension to the six month agreement to sell used cars which expires in July. She reported minimum sales but is able to maintain the staff so far. They have made no progress in dealing with Chrysler; they have tried arbitration. No action taken at this time

MAYOR’S REPORT

9. Acceptance of a Certificate of Appreciation from D.A.R.E. Mayor Conrad accepted the Certificate of Appreciation and applauded the new DARE Instructor, April Bisignani. Photos were taken.

10. Mayor Conrad acknowledged Gail Paul’s contribution to the Finance Department; she is doing a terrific job. He announced receipt of the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting presented to the City of Countryside; kudos to Gail Paul on her level of excellence. Photos were taken with the Mayor.

11. Stan Johnson tree dedication will take place on July 10 at 9 a.m. at Memorial Park, 306 Plainfield Road. Mayor Conrad invited all residents to attend.

12. Special Events Update: Countryside Business Assn. (CBA) will sponsor a 50^th Anniversary Events schedule. The letter from Marc LaCroix details their participation in the events. They will host the cocktail party / anniversary party scheduled for August 13, 2010 from 7-11 p.m. at William Tell. This will be at no cost to the City of Countryside. With City help they will run the Bash in the Park party on Saturday, September 25. The City has committed $25,000 towards that event. They will run the Beer Garden; any profits realized there from will go to the CBA.

13. Mayor Conrad thanked the Police Department, ESDA and the DPW during the recent stormy weekend; they put themselves in harms way for the residents; their efforts are greatly appreciated, especially Jim Essig who returned from a planned trip to provide assistance during the weekend.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

14. FINANCE COMMITTEE – TREASURER JASINSKI, CHAIRMAN (absent) – presented by Ald. Michalczyk – recommendation to accept the FY 2010 Audit Engagement Letter from Sikich LLP. Ald. McDermott moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.

15. Ald. Michalczyk presented the recommendation to approve the Flagg Creek Golf Course Budget for FY 2011 for $1, 203,000. Ald. Straza moved to approve the budget as presented, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.

16. Ald. Michalczyk presented consideration of approval of the Treasurer’s Report for the months ending March 31 and April 30, 2010. Ald. Straza moved to approve, seconded by Ald. McDermott and carried unanimously.

17. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN MC DERMOTT, CHAIRMAN, presented consideration of approving a contract with Blitz Creative Group for website design in the amount of $17,485 with an optional $80/hr. support package. Ald. Smetana moved to approve the contract, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously.

18. Ald. Von Drasek invited residents to come to the Concert in the Park tomorrow evening; the Meteors are playing; it is a great experience.

LEGAL REPORT

19. City Attorney Peck presented the draft ordinance regulating the discharge of roof downspouts and sump pumps. This will greatly enhance the City’s Ordinance re: nuisance or improper discharge. Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve the ordinance as presented, seconded by Ald. McDermott and carried by unanimous voice vote – 6/0.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 10-31-O.

20. Attorney Peck presented the draft land use agreement for the Route 66 Wayside Sign to be located at 6200 Joliet Road. The agreement is between the City and the International Union of Operating Engineers. The Wayside Freestanding Sign agreement is between the City and the Illinois Route 66 Heritage Project, Inc. Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve the agreement, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

21. City Administrator Paul presented engineer’s pay estimate #6 and semi-final re: 2009 Water Main Replacement to Archon Construction Co. in the amount of $64,196.09. Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve payment, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously.

STAFF REPORTS

22. Interim Police Chief Novak stated that there was a gas line rupture on June 10 in front of City Hall. The 9-1-1 Center was affected. The Chief thanked Steve and his crew for doing a great job. ESDA people provided invaluable assistance in a time of great stress. Thanks to the McCook Police Department, Hodgkins, Novotny’s Office, ESDA and our Police Department. Thanks to everyone who assisted during this emergency.

23. Asst. Admin. Peterson requested approval to disburse $2,000 to the CBA per the Vulcan Materials Company sponsorship instructions. Ald. Straza moved to approve the disbursement, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.

24. Steve Norman reported that during the Father’s Day storms ComEd outages occurred. Residents called to report them but were never put on their list. – Tracking overwhelmed temporarily? Today there were several glitches with the sirens in the City, Hodgkins, and Pleasantview Fire District. All are aware of the problem and are alerting the proper companies. Mayor Conrad asked for a report via e-mail. Mayor Conrad stated that a resident in Ward 1 on Bobolink & 6^th Ave. had a fallen limb problem and received no assistance until Saturday morning; wires were arcing on the ground around the home.

OLD AND NEW BUSINESS

25. Mayor Conrad reported that he met on Monday afternoon at the new Hodgkins Village Hall with ten municipal entities throughout this area re: Joliet Road closure. They are seeking a way to approach IDOT to get the $40 million escrow fund to insure that the monies are spent in this immediate area. Ald. Straza reported a 35-40% reduction in total traffic as a result of the closure.

26. Attorney Peck addressed the Sanitary District project. There have been several revisions to the original intergovernmental agreement. Ms. Paul met several times with Supt. Breakey to discuss several items. The Sanitary District will repave 9^th Ave. from 55^th St. to Plainfield Road; repave 56^th St. from LaGrange Road to East Avenue; Madison Ave. from 53^rd to 57^th St. The Sanitary District will do 9^th Ave. and 56^th St. this year, and Madison Avenue next year to be completed by July 31, 2011. Is the City amenable to that timetable? The streets should be warranted for three years after project completion. All rights-of-way must be restored and tree destruction must be reimbursed. The permit issue and compliance with the City Code are not negotiable. These issues will be discussed at a meeting scheduled for Thursday. Is financial hardship the reason for not completing all three streets this year? Discussion re: requirements the City should impose as a home rule community if this situation arises in the future.

ADJOURNMENT

27. There being no further business to discuss, Ald. Straza moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried by unanimous voice vote.

Mayor Conrad declared the meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.

SHARON SWEENEY, CITY CLERK