MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE, ILLINOIS
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON WEDNESDAY MARCH 10, 2004

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, Michael Smetana, Joseph Fajdich, Karen Michalczyk, Edward Krzeminski

ALSO PRESENT: City Clerk Herberts, City Treasurer Stoffels, City Attorney Erik Peck, City Administrator Bailey, Police Chief Swanson, CDO Muenzer, Deputy Treasurer Wenzel, Deputy Clerk Bartelt, Police/Fire Bd. Member Pondelicek

OMNIBUS AGENDA

2. Approval of Minutes – February 25, 2004.

3. Statement of Bills for the period ending March 10, 2004.

4. Subscription: Hope Health – Administration – $439.08.

5. Application for a special use from W. Ensley, 5310 8th Avenue, to have a block party in the alleyway between 7th and 8th Avenues on April 17, 2004, 11 am to 9 pm. Signed petition attached.

6. Membership: Illinois Park and Recreation Assn. – Recreation Director – $170.00

7. Application for a special use from Greater Chicago Productions to conduct a postcard show at Local #150 on April 16-17, 2004.

8. Application for a general business license from Roni’s Hair Studio, 5512 Brainard. Type: Beautician/cosmetologist. Applicant: Veronica Zamora (formerly Kitty’s Hair Design).

9. Ald. Krzeminski moved, seconded by Ald. Conrad, to approve the Omnibus Agenda as presented. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

ADDITIONS TO AND/OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA

10. Additions to the agenda were noted by Mayor LeGant and Ald. Conrad.

QUESTIONS AND/OR COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE

11. Diane Bouse addressed the Council regarding Item 9B, business license for a women’s fitness center in Countryside Plaza, called It Figures. Mayor LeGant stated that this matter will come up for discussion later in the meeting.

MAYOR’S REPORT

12. Consideration of Phase 2 – 2004 Street Rehabilitation Project – Mayor LeGant read the letter from Engineer Fitzgerald stated that bids were very favorable for the motor fuel tax project; many bids were substantially lower than cost estimates. It is his recommendation that the city consider a second resurfacing program for 2004. Ald. Smetana believes that this matter should be brought to the Streets & Alleys Committee for discussion. Ald. Smetana moved, seconded by Ald. Krzeminski, to discuss the matter at a Streets & Alleys Meeting. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote. This matter is tabled until the next meeting.

13. Mayor LeGant read the letter from Comm. Peraica regarding the liquor license ordinance he co-sponsoring that will eliminate 4 a.m. liquor licenses in unincorporated Cook County. About 40 businesses will be affected. Mayor LeGant responded by stating that all businesses in Countryside have 2 a.m. liquor licenses but two establishments in adjacent areas have 4 a.m. licenses, placing an undue burden on the City of Countryside police department when problems occur. The Mayor strongly supports an ordinance to eliminate the 4 a.m. liquor licenses. Ald. Krzeminski moved, seconded by Ald. Conrad, to support the establishment of the ordinance. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

14. LICENSE COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN MICHALCZYK, CHAIRMAN, discussed the special use classification of health clubs in the B-3 zoning district. There are two women’s fitness centers trying to establish themselves in Countryside. City ordinance states that health clubs are zoned B-3, but these establishments are not health clubs; they are 30-minute exercise or workout facilities geared towards women only. They usually operate in strip malls, which are classified as B-1 zoning districts; consequently both establishments have problems with zoning. Ald. Michalczyk recommends changing the zoning to B-1. Ald. Krzeminski recommends creating a new classification of health salon in a B-1 zoning district as a permitted use.

15. Bob Wagner of Slim & Tone, a similar facility, stated that he appeared before the PC/ZBA hearing to explain their situation, which is identical to the second women’s fitness center known as It Figures, operated by Diane Bouse. Both individuals addressed Council with their concerns. Neither of them ever inquired about zoning issues connected with their business.

16. Attorney Peck stated that being a home rule community the city has great leeway in conducting their business. The Council can ratify and confirm the business licenses already approved, or grant the business license conditioned upon rezoning or creation of a new zoning classification. This matter will be on the next PC/ZBA meeting; no board members had any objections to adding health clubs to the B-1 zoning district. The city may create a new classification, health salon, and make that a special use or permitted use in the B-1 district. Mayor LeGant stated that all Council members are in agreement to allow both parties to move ahead with their plans. Ald. Smetana moved, seconded by Ald. Conrad, to approve the business license of It Figures when presented. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

17. Ald. Krzeminski moved, seconded by Ald. Straza, to ratify and reconfirm the business license of Slim & Tone. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

18. RECREATION COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN CONRAD, CHAIRMAN, presented recommendations from the committee meeting of 3-9-04; discussion of accepting Ms. Marci Glink, Great Events, Inc., as an event planner; she will present proposals for the 45th anniversary celebration in July 2005; Suggestion was made to have four small concerts in the park along with three movies in the park; no action necessary on this matter until proposals are presented.

19. Ald. Conrad attended the WCMC breakfast at the Edgewood Valley Country Club. He congratulated everyone who attended and represented the City, including Chief Swanson, Mr. Bailey, etc. At that event there was discussion of discontinuing the OSLAD Grant program from the IDNR. He suggested that Mr. Bailey draft a letter to Gov. Blagojevich and local legislators, signed by the Mayor, opposing discontinuation of the OSLAD grant program. Ald. Conrad moved, seconded by Ald. Krzeminski, to support sending the above letter. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

20. HOTEL/MOTEL COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN KRZEMINSKI, CHAIRMAN, presented the List of Objectives for FY 2004/5 as compiled during the committee meeting held last week. There are 12 objectives listed, one of which is to hire an ad agency to promote the city and establish a symbol/slogan for the city. Accordingly, Ald. Krzeminski presented the Request for Proposals (RFP) Countryside Marketing Plan, proposed by Mr. Muenzer to hire an ad agency. Ald. Krzeminski moved, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk, to authorize Mr. Muenzer to distribute the RFP. Motion carried by unanimous Roll Call vote.

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

21. City Administrator Bailey presented the engineer’s recommendation to award the 2004 Street Rehabilitation Project to Central Blacktop Company in the amount of $206,572.70. Ald. Krzeminski moved, seconded by Ald. Fajdich, to concur with the recommendation. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

ADJOURNMENT

22. There being no further business to discuss, Ald Conrad moved, seconded by Ald. Smetana, to convene into closed session under Section 2Ac of the Open Meetings Act for the purpose of discussing land acquisition. Motion carried by unanimous Roll Call vote.

Mayor LeGant declared the meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

SHIRLEY C. HERBERTS, CITY CLERK