MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE, ILLINOIS
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 2010

1. After the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, Mayor Conrad called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Clerk Sweeney called the Roll of those present:

PRESENT: Mayor Robert Conrad, Aldermen John Von Drasek, Karen Michalczyk, Robert Pondelicek, Sean McDermott, Michael Smetana, Wayne Straza

ALSO PRESENT: City Clerk Sweeney, City Treasurer Jasinski, City Attorney Erik Peck, City Admin. Paul, Interim Police Chief Novak, Asst. Admin. Peterson, City. Eng. Fitzgerald, ESDA Coord. Norman, Police/Fire Comm. Members Welch, Burdett, PC/ZBA Members Fullmer, Jasinski

Clerk Sweeney sought a motion to allow Ald. Straza to attend the meeting telephonically. With a quorum present, Ald. Smetana moved to approve electronic attendance of Ald. Straza, seconded by Ald. McDermott and carried unanimously. Clerk Sweeney advised Ald. Straza that Council approved his electronic attendance.

OMNIBUS AGENDA

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: March 10, 2010.

3. STATEMENT OF BILLS through March 24, 2010: $408,621.90.

4. Application for a general business license from ONE STOP EXPRESS, Inc., 6475 Joliet Road, #A 100. Type: Business Office. Applicant: Tadas Ivanauskas.

5. From the WSCC requesting permission to hold the 2010 Farmers’ Market at the William Tell Parking Lot from May 10 through October 25, 2010 from 8 am to 2 pm. Requesting all permit fees be waived.

6. Request for a one-day special use from UNIQUE EVENTS to hold a Model Car and Toy Show on March 28, 2010 at Park Place of Countryside.

7. From the American Legion Post #1941 requesting permission to sell Veterans’ poppies from May 27-29 from 6 am to 9pm at various locations within the City.

8. Request for a two-day special use from GREATER CHICAGO POSTCARD SHOW to hold an annual postcard show on April 16-17 at Local #150 Union Hall.

9. Application for a general business license from VIA BELLA RESTAURANT, 5412 LaGrange Road. Type: Carryout. Applicant: Michelle Fulco & Michael Siambanes.

10. Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve the Omnibus Agenda as presented, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried unanimously.

ADDITIONS TO AND/OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA – none

QUESTIONS AND/OR COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE

11. Jim Jasinski, 5410 – 9^th Ave. addressed Council re: the nature of the roadwork on 9^th Avenue; streets and driveways are left unfinished. City Eng. Fitzgerald stated that restoration is two weeks away; asphalt plants are closed until that time. Underground work has been completed. Negotiations to grind and resurface Madison, 9^th Ave. and 56^th St. are ongoing; driveways will be restored as well. Attorney Peck suggested contacting Public Works for cleanup of debris and street sweeping. Eng. Fitzgerald suggested calling the South Lyons Sanitary District to voice complaints. Mayor Conrad stated that the City has registered its disappointment with the project.

12. Ruth Vollmer, 9545 W. 56^th St. stated that the house at 9731 W. 57 St. has had numerous Code violations; the renter has been to adjudication twice. There is furniture on the front lawn and at least nine cars in and around the house. It appears that the owner has re-rented the home to the same person. Mr. Peck will make sure the Building Department is notified for inspection of the premises and number of occupants. Mayor Conrad requested that the Police Department review the premises and concentrate on the car situation.

13. Frank Zickus thanked the City Council for various citizen benefits throughout the City. He especially noted the quick response of the Countryside Police Department, specifically Officer Klimek, re: an investigation of three individuals detained at Dominick’s parking lot after being reported as loitering in the woods. They were detained within 20 minutes of the report, which is most impressive. Good job!

MAYOR’S REPORT

14. Mayor Conrad sought confirmation of the appointment of a new member to the Plan Commission/ZBA: Mark Benson, 1110 W. 55^th Place, a resident of the Triangle Area. His term will expire in 2015. Ald. McDermott moved to approve the appointment, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.

15. Mayor Conrad sought confirmation of the Reappointment to the Plan Commission/ ZBA for Tina Grotzke, term to expire in 2014; and Richard Toth, term to expire in 2014. Ald. Pondelicek moved to approve both reappointments, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.

16. Mayor Conrad sought confirmation of the Reappointment to the Board of Police & Fire Commissioners for Chairman Jerry Welch, term to expire in 2012. Ald. Smetana moved to approve the reappointment, seconded by Ald. McDermott and carried unanimously. Mayor Conrad stated that he will swear in the various appointees at their next meeting. He thanked all the above residents for their community service.

17. Mayor Conrad stated that FYI – the Annual Dinner given by the WCMC will take place at the Rosemont Convention Center on May 7, 2010. Elected officials interested in attending should advise the Clerk’s Office as soon as possible.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

18. FINANCE COMMITTEE – TREASURER JASINSKI, CHAIRMAN, presented the request of ODM Tool & Mfg. Co. to extend their Class 6b Property Tax Incentive at 5710 East Avenue. The Finance Committee recommends denial of this request. This matter has been tabled for the last two meetings to provide them with an opportunity to get a tenant; they have not done so. Ald. Michalczyk moved to concur with the recommendation, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

19. RECREATION COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN VON DRASEK, CHAIRMAN, presented the draft Intergovernmental Agreement with the Township of Lyons for Award of Park bond funds. This matter is being reviewed by their legal department and will be tabled to the next meeting.

20. Ald. Von Drasek – consideration of Music Licenses for Summer Concert Series – more information is needed; the matter is tabled to the next meeting.

21. Ald. Von Drasek stated that Saturday, April 3, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. is the Easter Egg Hunt. The Easter Bunny will be in attendance; he urged all children to come out for a photo and a good time.

22. Ald. Michalczyk announced that an Infrastructure Committee meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 7, 2010.

23. Ald. Straza reported that the pension reform bill has passed the Illinois legislature re: all employees except police and firemen.

24. Ald. McDermott commended Mayor Conrad on his appointments tonight and his diligent efforts to have all areas of the City represented on various Boards.

LEGAL REPORT

25. City Attorney Peck presented a draft ordinance re: License Agreement for the placement of a new fence on the west side of Supersonic Petroleum, Inc., 5300 LaGrange Road, on City property. In exchange for that privilege, the City seeks the granting of an easement to the City for placement of the Welcome to Countryside sign. That corner is the best location for the sign on Supersonic Property. Ms. Peterson has been in contact with the owner and he is in agreement. Ald. Smetana moved to approve the license agreement to place the fence on City property contingent upon the granting of an easement for the placement of the Welcome to Countryside sign, on Supersonic property, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried by Roll Call vote – 6/0.

26. Attorney Peck presented the PC/ZBA recommendation to amend Sections 10-6A1 and 2; Sections 10-6B1 and 2, and Sections 10-6C 1 and 2 by removing non-sales tax producing permitted uses and adding those uses as special uses in zoning districts B1, B2 and B3. At the hearing held on March 2, 2010, the PC/ZBA agreed that at least 50% of the business or commercial income must be derived from sales tax generating purposes, otherwise the business will be deemed a special use requiring a hearing before the PC/ZBA. Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve the above language, seconded by Ald. Mc Dermott and carried by unanimous Roll Call vote – 6/0.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 10-09-O.

27. Attorney Peck presented the draft ordinance creating a Class V Liquor License for Cooper’s Hawk Winery to produce and sell wine and to conduct wine tastings. There is no license in the City Code applicable for that purpose. Both attorneys have created the Class V license which will authorize the licensee to manufacture, sell and offer for retail sale to consume on or off the premises, the winemaker’s wine. They must also have a 1^st or 2^nd Class Winemaker’s License issued by the State of Illinois. He believes that will adequately cover the operation and allow the City restrictive control over distribution of distilling the product in the industrial park. The annual fee of $2,500 was suggested. Ald. Von Drasek moved to adopt the ordinance as presented, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried by unanimous Roll Call vote – 6/0.

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

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

28. City Administrator Paul stated that GOOGLE is planning on building an ultra high-speed broadband network in a small number of communities throughout the nation. They have requested information from the City which Staff has completed and submitted. Their intention is to provide fiber to the home connection allowing Internet connection to run 100x faster than currently. Based upon the information received they will select a small number of communities as test sites to build connections between 50,000 to 500,000 people.

STAFF REPORTS

29. Interim Police Chief Novak sought Council authorization to apply for the annual Tobacco Enforcement Program grant for 2011 in the amount of $1,870. This grant allows the Police Department to enforce the minimum age tobacco laws within the City. It also supplies educational materials for distribution to tobacco retailers. Ald. McDermott moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried unanimously.

30. Chief Novak sought Council authorization to apply for the annual IDOT Holiday Mobilization Program grants for 2010 and 2011. The total grant amount should be $34,549.50, split into two years. The grant money covers overtime salaries for officers doing seatbelt and DUI checks; it also supplies educational materials at checkpoints. Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried unanimously.

31. Chief Novak will be out of town from Thursday, March 25 through Sunday, March 28, 2010. Any issues requiring attention should be brought to Sgt. John Michael.

32. City Engineer Fitzgerald provided an update on the water main project. The contractors are scheduled to come in next week to finish the remaining underground work on Madison and Lorraine; that should be completed in two weeks. They will then go into restoration and sodding which should be completed by May 15.

33. Mr. Fitzgerald stated that his office has received the CDBG project Notice to Proceed. They have begun surveying Sunset; they are doing the designs and should have that out for bids within six weeks.

34. Asst. Administrator Ms. Peterson sought Council authorization to draft a RFP for printing services. The cost last year was $30,896; the current contract expires 4-30-10. There is a provision in the contract to hold the price for one more year. Ald. Smetana moved to extend the contract of Hunt Printing for one year, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

35. Ms. Peterson sought Council approval to amend Streetscape Design contract with Vixen Construction to $54,560 to account for the increase in local prevailing wage costs, an increase of $6,449.10. The City awarded a contract to Vixen Construction in October 2009 using the Federal prevailing wages. The City has been informed that it must follow the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act, which results in higher prevailing wages; that difference is $6,449.10. Ald. McDermott moved to amend the contract and approve the addition of $6,449.10, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried unanimously.

36. Ms. Peterson presented TENG invoice #6 for Engineering Services for additional services re: light poles in the Streetscape Project in the amount of $3,446.97. Ald. Smetana moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

37. Ms. Peterson presented TENG invoice #4 dated 2-23-10 for professional services re: LaGrange Road project in the amount of $3,760.96 for the ITEP portion of the project. Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.

38. Ms. Peterson stated that work began on the Streetscape project last week – digging and laying the foundation; the goal is to begin putting in the pillars next week. Mayor Conrad asked whether residents have noticed that the overhead wires are gone.

ADJOURNMENT

39. There being no further business to discuss, Ald Von Drasek moved to adjourn to Executive Session under Section 2Ac of the Open Meetings Act to discuss real estate, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried by unanimous Roll Call vote.

Mayor Conrad declared the meeting adjourned at 8:06 p.m.

SHARON SWEENEY, CITY CLERK