MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE, ILLINOIS
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON WEDNESDAY MAY 11, 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 as follows:

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

ALSO PRESENT: City Clerk Herberts, City Treasurer Stoffels, City Attorneys Erik & Robert Peck, Deputy Chief Mallon, City Administrator Bailey, City Engineer Fitzgerald, Deputy Treasurer Wenzel, Code Enforcer Pyle, Deputy Clerk Bartelt

OMNIBUS AGENDA

2. Approval of Minutes of April 27, 2005.

3. Statement of Bills for period ending May 11, 2005.

4. Application for a general business license from Action Threaded Products LLC, 5410 Dansher Road. Type: Distributor. Applicant: Raul Torres (relocation from 5322 East Avenue).

5. Application for a general business license from Trendz Pro Inc., 921 55th St. Type: Business Office. Applicant: Patrick O’Connell.

6. Application for a general business license from Viking Sewing Gallery, 20 Countryside Plaza. Type: Retail sales. Applicant: Bengt Gerborg.

7. Application for a general business license from Integrity Estate Sale Service. Type: Auction – Wishing Well. Applicant: John Bostjancic.

8. Application for a general business license from Mahmud Algaie, 855 W. Aldine, Chicago, IL. Type: Ice cream truck. Applicant: Mahmud Algaie.

9. Application for a general business license from Panda Express Inc., 185 Countryside Plaza. Type: Restaurant. Applicant: Thomas Davin.

10. Application for a general business license from Petrovich Appraisals, 9915 W. 58 St. #9. Type: Home office. Applicant: Peter Petrovich.

11. Treasurer’s Report for the period ending April 30, 2005.

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

ADDITIONS AND/OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA

13. One addition to the Agenda was noted by Ald. Smetana

QUESTIONS AND/OR COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE

14. Rose Dostal stated she found the original permit for her house from 1971 and has given that document to the Building Department; to date she has not received a response. The building was built as a multifamily building. She believes the house should be zoned multifamily. Mayor LeGant stated that after review by the Building Department and attorney an answer is anticipated by May 25, 2005.

15. Tom Heuer, is engineer for the Hidden Acres development on Willow Springs Road. The parcel is approximately five acres in unincorporated Cook County. He is here today to request reconsideration from the City to sign the waiver concerning Hidden Acres. They wish to develop the parcel into 16 residential lots with single family homes. Gregory Serduke, owner of Boomerang Properties, spoke with Chief Tholitowsky today; he has no problem with the dimensions of the road and the entire subdivision plat. He brought the copy of the PUD they are asking the City to sign. Burr Ridge and Willow Springs have submitted waivers; all other municipalities have signed off on the development. Comm. Peraica stated that Cook County would be satisfied with a waiver. Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve the development, seconded by Ald. Straza. Motion defeated by 2/4 Roll Call vote.

AYES: Straza, Michalczyk

NAYS: Conrad, Smetana, Pondelicek, Von Drasek

Motion defeated

15A. Ald. Conrad moved to submit a waiver for Hidden Acres and authorize the Administrator to send a letter to accompany that waiver, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried by 4/3 Roll Call vote.

AYES: Conrad, Smetana, Pondelicek, Mayor LeGant

NAYS: Straza, Michalczyk, Von Drasek
Motion carried

16. Anna Cumbo and Gino Firvante, owners of Little Joe’s at 20 E. Plainfield, are concerned about the light pole located in front of their sign. They received verbal and written confirmation from city officials that the light pole would be moved. To date it has not been moved; they want to know when this will happen. The builder has damaged their building and caused damage between the buildings. Discussion ensued. Mayor LeGant stated that the light pole location is important because it secures the area and provides for sufficient amount of lighting; this is the best possible location for the light pole. After lengthy discussion, Mr. Peck stated that the light pole does not violate any City Codes; this is a private matter that should be taken up with Mr. Schramko.

MAYOR’S REPORT

17. Mayor LeGant sought Council approval for confirmation of new and renewal appointments of Frank Thullen, reappointed to the Plan/ZBA until 2010; Robert Peck and Erik Peck reappointed as City attorneys until 2007; Steven Norman, reappointed as Director of ESDA until 2007; James Krautstrunk, Building & Zoning, reappointed until 2007; Paul DeMaertelaere, Plumbing Inspector, reappointed until 2007; Martin Sweeney, Flagg Creek Administrative Board, reappointed until 2006; Martin Sweeney, Electrical Inspector, reappointed until 2007; Stanley Johnson, I&M Canal, Civic Center Authority, new appointment until 2006. Ald. Conrad moved to approve all appointees listed above, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

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

18. The Countryside Chamber of Commerce has requested a $3,000 joint sponsorship for two car shows – $1,500 a piece. The first to be held on Friday, May 20 and the second on Friday, August 19. Funds will come from the Hotel/Motel Tax Fund. In this instance the committee seeks City Council approval in advance; the Chairman will explain the approval to committee members at the next meeting. Ald. Straza moved to approve the expenditure, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried unanimously.

19. Treasurer Stoffels discussed the H Foundation, which is in the Board Packet. The original donation request – they propose ten table billboards which have two different businesses or information on each side at a cost of $200. Ald. Smetana moved to approve the expenditure, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

20. The WSCC 2005 Golf Outing – at the last meeting a hole sponsorship was approved. This request is for golf and dinner on June 6, 2005. The Finance Committee suggests approval for City officials and Department Heads, including Messrs. Bailey and Muenzer; cost is unknown at present. Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve the request, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously.

21. RECREATION COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN CONRAD, CHAIRMAN, presented the recommendation to hire returning and new summer help for the Summer Recreation Programs. The list of names and applications are included in the packet. Ald. Conrad moved to approve the list as presented, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried unanimously.

22. INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN SMETANA, CHAIRMAN, presented recommendations from the meeting of May 4, 2005: They recommend that the engineer and DPW Director choose specific plantings including shrubs vines and mulch for Noise Wall landscaping, at a cost not to exceed $20,460 as budgeted. The area is very narrow and shaded; salt will be a problem as well. Ald. Conrad moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek, and carried unanimously.

23. Ald. Smetana discussed the annual cap on the 50/50 Tree Removal Program for a maximum of $750 for property owner’s reimbursement. Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve the recommendation, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously.

24. Ald. Smetana stated that the committee wishes to table the 5th Avenue sanitary sewer proposal to seek further information concerning community block grants.

24. Ald. Smetana sought Council approval to rehire three seasonal employees for the Public Works Department Summer Program. All three are Countryside residents and have performed well in the past. Ald. Conrad moved to approve the rehiring of Brian McMahon, John Rudeck and Steve Howard, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

25. Ald. Smetana was notified by a resident that the 9th Avenue ditch between 57th and 58th Streets, going east, is being illegally used as an entrance into a back yard on 57th St. several lots east of 9th Avenue. The easement is bearing the brunt of this use. He asked Deputy Chief Mallon to check it out and keep the Council apprised.

26. LICENSE COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN MICHALCZYK, CHAIRMAN, presented a special use request from the Windy City Postcard Club to hold a postcard show on June 3-4, 2005 at Local #150, 6200 Joliet Road. Ald. Smetana moved to approve the request, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.

LEGAL REPORT

27. City Attorney Peck presented a draft ordinance establishing the position of Community Development Director for the City of Countryside. Ald. Conrad moved to adopt the Ordinance as presented and waive the second reading, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried by Roll Call vote.

Clerk Herberts declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 05-18-O.

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

28. City Administrator Bailey presented engineer’s pay estimate #2 for the 2005 Water Main Replacement project in the amount of $37,224.22 to Gerardi Sewer & Water Company and recommends payment. Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve payment, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried unanimously.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to discuss, Ald. Straza moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried unanimously.

Mayor LeGant declared the meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

SHIRLEY C. HERBERTS, CITY CLERK