MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE, ILLINOIS
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 2006

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, Karen Michalczyk, John Von Drasek, Michael Smetana, Robert Pondelicek

ABSENT: Ald. Wayne Straza

ALSO PRESENT: City Clerk Herberts, City Treasurer Stoffels, City Attorneys Erik & Robert Peck, City Admin. Bailey, Police Chief Swanson, City Engineer Fitzgerald, Fin. Director Filinovich, ESDA Coordinator Norman, Police/Fire Bd. Member Jasinski

OMNIBUS AGENDA

2. Approval of Minutes of February 22, 2006.

3. Statement of Bills for the period ending, March 8, 2006.

4. Application for a general business license from Brown Underground, Inc., 5321 Ashland Ave. Type: Home office. Applicant: Joan Brown.

5. Application for a general business license from Score Tennis & Fitness, 6550 Joliet Road. Type: Tennis Club. Applicant: Dr. Pierre Wakim.

6. Application for a general business license from Mark’s on 66, 6542-44 Joliet Road. Type: Restaurant & Bar. Applicant: Mark Diederich (name change only).

7. Application for a general business license from Matco Tools, 7000 Golfview Dr. Type: Home office. Applicant: Art Petrovich.

8. Application for a general business license from Adult Medicine Physicians of Countryside, 6438 Joliet Road. Type: Medical Practice. Applicant: Dr. Winters.

9. Subscription: Heartland Real Estate Business – CDD – $65.

10. Membership: International Council of Shopping Centers – CDD – $100.

11. Ald. Von Drasek noted that Item 5, Score Tennis & Fitness, should be approved contingent on the Building Department’s recommendation re: handicap parking. Remove Item 7, Matco Tools, until appropriate parking is obtained for a commercial vehicle. With those modifications, Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve the Omnibus Agenda, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried unanimously.

MAYOR’S REPORT

12. Mayor LeGant welcomed members of Boy Scout Troop 216 attending the City Council meeting tonight to observe city government in action and earn badges toward their Citizenship Award. There was a brief Q and A session at the close of the meeting and Police Chief Swanson noted that materials from the DARE Program are available for the Boy Scouts. Mayor LeGant thanked the Troop for attending.

13. Mayor LeGant introduced Mr. Kevin McKenna of Speer Financial who advised that today bids were accepted on the $5 million General Obligation Bond Issue — Series 2006 for the purpose of funding water improvements. There were eight bidders — the best was Harris Bank at 4.024% for the 20-year bond. The City will retain it’s A-1 bond rating, highest in the A category. Moody’s Report spoke highly of the City’s fiscal responsibility. The recommendation is to accept the bid of Harris Bank. Ald. Smetana moved to accept the bid of Harris Bank, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously by Roll Call vote – 5/0/1.

14. Mayor LeGant presented the application for a liquor license from Dr. Pierre Wakim, Score Tennis & Fitness, for a Class K license $500 (new owner). Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve the application, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

Clerk Herberts declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 06-08-O.

15. Mayor LeGant presented the request of the Heritage Corridor Convention & Visitors Bureau for recertification recognizing the Bureau as the agency to promote convention and tourism business within the City. Ald. Smetana moved to approve the request, seconded by Ald. Conrad and carried unanimously.

Clerk Herberts declared that this will be known as RESOLUTION 06-05-R.

16. Mayor LeGant presented the application for a liquor license from Mark Diederich of Mark’s on 66 for a Class J-2 license, $800 (name change only-transfer). Request waiving fee. Business license listed under Omnibus Agenda. Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve the application, seconded by Ald Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

17. Mayor LeGant presented the request of Helping Hand to place a collection box in the City Hall lobby for donating cell phones. Ald. Smetana moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously

18. Mayor LeGant presented the invitation from Helping Hand to attend a Fashion Show on April 8, 2006 at Ashton Place at a cost of $35 per person. Ald. Smetana moved to approve attendance of interested Council members and Department Heads, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

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

19. Recommendation to approve the draft Bond Ordinance for Water Fund. This matter will be addressed under the Legal Report

20. Recommendation to accept the Flagg Creek 2007 proposed budget. Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.

Clerk Herberts declared that this will be known as RESOLUTION 06-06-R.

21. Treasurer Stoffels presented the request of Pet Parade for a donation of $500, same as last year. Ald. Smetana moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN SMETANA, CHAIRMAN, presented recommendations from the Committee meeting held earlier this evening.

22. Committee recommended approval for vacation of the plat of easement at Countryside Plaza. There is an undeveloped portion between Old Country Buffet and JoAnn Fabrics that is the right-of-way for an unconstructed portion of 59th St. JoAnn Fabrics asked the City to vacate 35 feet of that easement since their building extends to that easement. Rather than vacate, Ald. Smetana moved to direct Attorney Peck to prepare a license to allow JoAnn Fabrics to continue the use of the easement for the life of that building, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously. If the building is demolished, the easement reverts back to the City.

23. Ald. Smetana moved to approve the Memorandum of Understanding for 5th Avenue Cutoff Jurisdictional Transfer and direct City Engineer to contact the County to prepare the Pre-concept Engineering, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried unanimously. Mayor LeGant stated that County funds are not available for this project at the present time. The City seeks the right to maintain the street as soon as possible.

24. The matter of accepting full financial responsibility for traffic signal maintenance at Circuit City and Quarry Mall was tabled for further discussion.

25. Regarding the matter of considering new City welcome signs with the new City logo, it was decided that when signs need repair, etc., they will be replaced with the new logo signs.

26. Ald. Smetana discussed the increased cost of the sanitary sewer system re: Flow Monitoring Program of M.E. Simpson. Originally the program called for two monitors at a cost of $5,900; after discussion, it was agreed that five monitors are necessary which will increase the cost by $2,000. Ald. Smetana moved to approve the increased cost of $2,000 for the monitoring program, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously. Mayor LeGant stated that this program applies to Ward 2 only. The remainder of the City is serviced by South Lyons Township Sanitary District and the La Grange Highlands Sanitary District.

27. The Annual Spring Clean-Up dates will be May 22, 23, 24 2006.

28. LICENSE COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN VON DRASEK, CHAIRMAN, stated that the owners of Matco Tools are present tonight. The business license matter was tabled pending suitable parking for a commercial vehicle. They have advised the City and were cited for the infraction. Chief Swanson could reduce the citation to a warning if they remove the vehicle by this weekend. They have agreed to do so and will provide information as to where the vehicle is parked.

LEGAL REPORT

29. City Attorney Peck presented the draft ordinance creating a business license for a horse stable – for boarding horses used by the public. The fee is $50 plus $5 for each horse kept on the premises. They must have public liability insurance. Ald. Von Drasek moved to adopt the Ordinance as presented and waive the second reading, seconded by Ald. Conrad and carried unanimously.

Clerk Herberts declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 06-09-O.

30. Attorney Peck presented the Bond Ordinance establishing the official authorization for issuance of the $5 million General Obligation Bond issue that was purchased by Harris Bank, including assurances, interest maturity schedule and levy schedule. Ald. Smetana moved to adopt the Ordinance as presented and waive the second reading, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried by Roll Call vote – 5/0/1. Mayor LeGant stated that the money will be used to make necessary improvements and update infrastructure.

Clerk Herberts declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 06-10-O.

31. FYI – Attorney Peck stated that the City received copy of a complaint and motion for TRO re: the new law passed by the Illinois Legislature providing for early voting, noting that it was adopted without any standards resulting in an uneven distribution of polling places. Some municipalities, such as Countryside, do not provide for early voting on weekends. No action taken by City Council.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to discuss, Ald. Von Drasek moved, seconded by Ald. Smetana to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

Mayor LeGant declared the meeting adjourned at 8:08 p.m.