MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE, ILLINOIS
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 2011

1. Mayor Conrad called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. City Clerk Sweeney called the Roll of those physically present as follows:

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

ALSO PRESENT: Mayor-Elect Edward Krzeminski, City Clerk Sweeney, City Treasurer Jasinski, Ald.-Elect James Jasinski, City Attorney Peck. City Admin. Paul, Police Chief Ruth, Deputy Chief Novak, Asst. Adm. Peterson, Fin. Dir. Drazner, City Eng. Fitzgerald, Elec. Insp. Sweeney, ESDA Crd. Norman, DPW Supt. Essig, Police Bd. Welch.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – April 27, 2011. Ald. Straza moved to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously.

3. Mayor Conrad acknowledged the presence of former Mayor Carl LeGant and former City Clerk Shirley Herberts and welcomed them to the proceedings.

4. He acknowledged Ald. Michael Smetana, who is retiring after 20 years of service to the City. Ald. Smetana thanked the City Council for their support and for the many great opportunities he experienced while working for the citizens of Countryside .The time spent was very enjoyable. Many thanks for all the support. He will now spend his time fishing at their summer home in Wisconsin. The audience congratulated him.

5. Mayor Conrad thanked everyone for the past 14 years as a City servant, 10 years as Alderman and four years as Mayor of this great City of Countryside. Many terrific projects were begun; the new Administration and City Council will work together to move forward to prosperous economic growth in the next few years. He wished Mayor Krzeminski and the new Administration well in the future. He also welcomed new Alderman James Jasinski to the Council, after which Mayor Conrad left the dais.

SWEARING IN NEWLY-ELECTED OFFICIALS

Mayor, Clerk, Treasurer, Ward 1, Ward 2 and Ward 3 Aldermen

6. The Oath of Office was administered en masse to James Jasinski, Karen Michalczyk and Wayne Straza as Aldermen of the City of Countryside by the Honorable Peter Felice – Judge of the Circuit Court – District 7.

7. The Oath of Office was administered to Steve Jasinski as City Treasurer of the City of Countryside by the Honorable Peter Felice – Judge of the Circuit Court.

8. The Oath of Office was administered to Sharon Sweeney as City Clerk of the City of Countryside by the Honorable Peter Felice – Judge of the Circuit Court.

9. The Oath of Office was administered to Edward A. Krzeminski, as Mayor of the City of Countryside, Illinois by the Honorable Peter Felice – Judge of the Circuit Court – District 7.

10. Congratulations were extended to the new Administration of the City of Countryside. New Council Members took their seats at 7:45 p.m.

OMNIBUS AGENDA

11. STATEMENT OF BILLS through May 11, 2011: $344,099.51.

12. Application for a general business license from CARI G’s Hair Studio, 6534 W. Joliet Road, #2. Type: Hair Salon. Applicant: Cari Georgeff. (moving within building).

13. Application for a general business license from FIVE BELOW, 30 Countryside Plaza. Type: Retail. Applicant: Tom Vellios. (approved 4-27-11).

14. Special Use request from FIVE BELOW, 30 Countryside Plaza to have a two day promotional event serving food for their Grand Opening on May 6-7, 2011.

15. Special Use request from LEDO’S PIZZA, 5525 LaGrange Road to hold a 50^TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION on July 10 from 2-10 pm in parking lot area, including band and amusements.

16. Special Use request from A-TEAM TIRE & AUTO, 6514 Joliet Road to hold a Grand Opening on June 4, 2011 from 10 am to 4 pm including DJ and amusements.

17. Ald. McDermott moved to approve the Omnibus Agenda as presented, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried by unanimous voice vote.

ADDITIONS TO AND/OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA

18. Two additions were noted by Mayor Krzeminski and by Ald. Von Drasek.

QUESTIONS AND/OR COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE

19. Ed Pilarski, 10735 Maplewood, is opposed to the City banning ice cream trucks from the streets. The objection is duly noted; this matter will be addressed later in the Agenda.

MAYOR’S REPORT

20. Mayor Krzeminski asked the audience to contact their Illinois elected officials in opposition to the proposed reduction of state taxes to municipalities; this will affect Countryside in the amount of $160,000 loss – and a reduction to the entire state of $320 million per year.

TREASURER’S REPORT

21. To echo Mayor Krzeminski’s sentiments, Treas. Jasinski stated that the City has drafted a letter in opposition to the loss of the $160,000; the City cannot do this without resident support. Please take the time to contact your representatives about this matter.

22. Treas. Jasinski announced that Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle will meet with the Countryside Chamber of Commerce at the William Tell at 8:00 a.m. Monday morning to support our community and discuss County business. He invited residents to attend the meeting.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

23. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE – ALD. MC DERMOTT, CHAIRMAN presented the Ordinance approving the Redevelopment Agreement for the Harley-Davidson Redevelopment Comprising a Part of the Countryside Commercial TIF District of the City of Countryside, IL. Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried by unanimous Roll Call vote – 6/0. Mayor Krzeminski saluted the previous administration for their efforts in bringing this event to fruition.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 11-34-O.

24. INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE – ALD. MICHALCZYK, CHAIRMAN, sought Council authorization to allow City Engineers, Novotny & Associates to proceed with a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) for the Triangle Area floodplain for a not-to-exceed cost of $30,000. Ald. Straza moved to approve, seconded by Ald. McDermott and carried unanimously.

25. Ald. Jasinski thanked all the people in Ward 1 that voted for him; he will do a good job for his constituents. He thanked his wife for her continued support.

26. Ald. Straza thanked the community for their continued support; the City is moving forward in a positive way with new businesses coming to town. To respond to Ed Pilarski re: the ice cream vendors – it is a matter of protecting children – a safety factor and the fact that the City doesn’t do background checks; many are registered offenders in other areas; those types of individuals are not welcome in the City.

27. RECREATION COMMITTEE – ALD. VON DRASEK, CHAIRMAN, stated that the first CONCERT IN THE PARK will be held on June 16; a good lineup is scheduled. The City is receiving good sponsorship but would encourage more businesses to get involved. Westfield Ford does support the concert series.

28. The cut-off for the Pony Tail Softball season is May 19. There are many reasons why the City is not supporting ice cream vendors.

29. Ald. Pondelicek congratulated all the newly elected officials; he will provide all the necessary support for their continued success.

LEGAL REPORT

30. City Attorney Peck presented the request from Mr. Arce, Tavern on LaGrange for a 30-day extension of the Special Use — Ordinance 10-53-O to complete work by June 27, 2011. He has not been able to complete the work in the six months allotted since his plans have not been approved; this is his second request. He says work will commence by June 27. Ald. Straza moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried by Roll Call vote – 6/0.

31. Attorney Peck presented a draft ordinance restricting food-dispensing vehicles to operate and peddle food, ice cream, etc. on a public street or sidewalk in the City. Ald. Straza moved to approve. Ald. McDermott asked if this includes vehicles going into industrial areas. Mr. Peck stated that a licensed vehicle would be able to complete the year but no new license will be issued. Ald. McDermott stated that there are many ways to regulate this business including background checks. Ald. Straza agrees and does not oppose limiting it to industrial areas, but not having vendors parked in front of a legitimate business that sells the same products; they are then taking business away from the community. Ald. McDermott would limit them to one location. Ald. Von Drasek moved to adopt the ordinance as presented, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and denied by Roll Call vote 3/4/0.

AYES: VonDrasek, Michalczyk, Straza

NAYS: Pondelicek, Jasinski, McDermott, Mayor Krzeminski

ABSTAIN: None

MOTION DENIED – 3/4/0.

Mayor Krzeminski recommended that the City revisit this matter with an eye toward limiting vehicles to the industrial areas only.

STAFF REPORTS

32. City Engineer Fitzgerald stated that the Staff has completed a CMAQ application for the Brainard Avenue shared use bike path, which was submitted in February; results will not become known until later this year. There were 125 applicants, 15 were asked to come to the CMAQ office in the City and do a presentation on behalf of their projects. After the meeting Novotny & Assoc. was asked by Tom Murtha, Director, if the City would entertain a bike lane rather than a bike path. After speaking to Staff, they were in favor of the bike path. He is seeking City Council direction. Mayor Krzeminski favors a bike path. Treas. Jasinski favors a bike path rather than a bike lane. Mr. Fitzgerald stated that bike lanes are up against traffic lanes and are for experienced cyclists rather than novices or family riders. Council consensus – stay with the bike path.

33. Asst. Admin. Ms. Peterson presented the recommendation to award a Printing Services Contract to the low bidder, Infinity Sign & Graphics, for $29,491.65. The bid from Hunt Printing included postage, which was not in the original bid package. Ald. McDermott moved to approve the low bidder, Infinity Signs & Graphics for $29,491.65, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried by Roll Call vote – 5/1 – Ald. Pondelicek opposed.

34. ESDA Coordinator Norman presented the request from the Village of LaGrange Police Department to assist with Traffic/Crowd Control at the LaGrange Pet Parade on Saturday, June 4, from 7 am to 2 pm and to waive any costs incurred. Per his cost analysis he stated it would cost $251 to send three staff members to the event. In the past the City has traditionally provided this service; he seeks direction from Council. Ald. Straza moved to approve the request and waive the fees, seconded by Ald. Jasinski and carried unanimously.

35. Mayor Krzeminski thanked residents for their support throughout this campaign. He will provide an open-door administration; minority views are welcome and invited to participate. Residents are welcome to come in and discuss issues at any time. He invited members of the audience to attend a congratulatory reception with refreshments served on the second floor immediately after this meeting.

ADJOURNMENT

36. Ald. Straza moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Ald. McDermott and carried unanimously.

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

SHARON SWEENEY, CITY CLERK