MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE, ILLINOIS
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 9, 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 which was as follows:

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

ALSO PRESENT: City Clerk Herberts, City Treasurer Stoffels, City Attorney Robert Peck, City Administrator Bailey, Police Chief Swanson, City Engineer Fitzgerald, Fin. Dir. Filinovich, PC/ZBA Member Jasinski

OMNIBUS AGENDA

2. Approval of Minutes of October 26, 2005.

3. Statement of Bills for the period ending November 9, 2005.

4. Application for a general business license from Petsmart, Inc., #1375, 24 Countryside Plaza. Type: Retail pet store. Applicant: Heidi Thomas (Opened 11-7-05).

5. Application for a general business license from Sunbelt Rentals Inc., 6260 Joliet Road. Type: Rental equipment. Applicant: Cliff Miller.

6. Application for a business registration to Key Appraiser, 5504 Brainard, #G. Type: Real estate appraiser. Applicant: Harold London.

7. Application for a special use license for Suburban Collectors’ Club, to be held at Local #150 to conduct a stamp show on November 25-26, 2005.

8. Membership: Illinois Fire & Police Commissioners Association – Police & Fire Board – $375.

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

QUESTIONS AND/OR COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE

10. Resident Kimberly Benkert, 6605 Natasha Court, read a prepared statement to the Council concerning drainage issues, density, traffic flow and frequency of inspections during construction of the new sub-division. She lives in Countryside Estates, a Jovic Development, which has experienced major drainage issues. She requested that the City hire another engineer to review the plans. The 14 townhouse owners in her development have ongoing issues after four years. To date it has cost the HOA over $8,000 plus landscape fees to have drain tiles replaced and address other problems. She is concerned with inadequate review by the City. She recommends more careful review of engineering plans; outside evaluation of drainage to density issues at the beginning of the project; require landscaping plan; adequate off-street parking in addition to driveway space.

11. Resident living on 61st St. is concerned with traffic ingress/egress for the new townhouses. The traffic will come out on 61st St. past the park. A suggestion was made to open 61st St. to LaGrange Road; the north half of 61st St. has previously been dedicated to the City. Attorney Peck stated that since these issues were raised, rather than make a decision on zoning tonight, Mr. Jovic will get a Plat of Subdivision for consideration at the PC/ZBA Hearing on December 6, 2005.

MAYOR’S REPORT

12. Mayor LeGant sought Council approval for the collective bargaining agreement between the Patrol Officers and the City of Countryside. Ald. Conrad moved to approve the agreement, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried unanimously. Ald. Conrad congratulated Atty. Cetwinski, Chief Swanson and Admin. Bailey, as well as Mr. Fullar for doing an excellent job.

Clerk Herberts declared that this will be known as RESOLUTION 05-15-R.

13. Mayor LeGant sought approval of the Christmas gift certificates to city employees: Department Heads $150, full-time $100; part-time $75. Ald. Conrad moved to approve the expenditure, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried unanimously.

CITY CLERK’S REPORT

14. City Clerk Herberts stated that the 2006 Meeting Schedule is included in the Board packet. She seeks approval of the dates. There was no objection from Council.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

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

15. The first item is approval for the City to contribute $360,300 to the 2005 Police Pension Fund. Ald. Smetana moved to approve the expenditure, seconded by Ald. Conrad and carried unanimously. Mayor LeGant stated that these monies come solely from the Corporate Fund.

16. The second item is approval for the City to contribute $180,000 to the 2006 Police Pension Fund (May 1 through October 31, 2005). Ald. Conrad moved to approve the expenditure, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.

17. The third item is approval for the City to contribute $30,000 monthly to the Police Pension Fund (November 1 through April 30, 2006). Ald. Smetana moved to approve the expenditure, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

18. Treasurer Stoffels sought a donation of $250 to Tony Periaca Tribute to Leadership Fund. Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve the donation, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously.

19. RECREATION COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN CONRAD, CHAIRMAN, presented recommendations from the committee regarding approval of a low bid from Custom Fence Company to fence in the Countryside playground area with a brown vinyl-covered chain link fence, four feet high, with three gates at a cost of $2,694. Ald. Conrad moved to approve the low bid, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried unanimously. Four feet is the standard height for play area fences.

20. WATER COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN STRAZA, CHAIRMAN, discussed the committee recommendation to relocate the water meter vault from the north side to the south side of 55th St. with installation of inlet and outlet mains to the pump house reservoir. Related items — the Water System Analysis Report and recommendations for the 2006 Water Improvement projects will be combined into a more comprehensive water plan. It is noted that IDOT plans major reconstruction work on 55th St. An early November Water Committee meeting will convene to discuss the City Engineer’s findings. These matters will be tabled at this time for further consideration.

LEGAL REPORT

21. City Attorney Peck presented the recommendation of the PC/ZBA to permit construction of a freestanding sign with a surface area of 196 s.f. conditioned upon a landscaping island and area between the two entrances at Salem Square Shopping Center, 5555 Brainard Avenue. There were no objections at the hearing held November 1, 2005. The applicant, Inland Commercial Property Mgmt, presented renderings of the sign, retaining wall, shrubbery and landscape labeled Petitioner’s Exhibit A. The recommendation of the PC/ZBA is to approve the variation in substantial conformity with Petitioner’s Exhibit A. Ald. Smetana moved to concur with the recommendation of the PC/ZBA, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried unanimously.

Clerk Herberts declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 05-45-O.

22. City Attorney Peck presented the recommendation of the PC/ZBA to permit a variance of the current PUD by expanding the north portion of the building by 1,573 s.f. to expand the loading dock area. The applicant, Value City Furniture, presented drawings entitled Petitioner’s Exhibit A, depicting facades up to 7 feet and providing a landscape plan for the property at 1 Countryside Plaza. There were no objections at the hearing held November 1, 2005. Ald. Smetana moved to concur with the recommendation of the PC/ZBA, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

Clerk Herberts declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 05-46-O.

23. Attorney Peck stated that the Jovic Rezoning will be tabled to allow the petitioner time to submit a Plat of Subdivision and application for hearing before the PC/ZBA on December 6, 2005.

24. Attorney Peck presented a draft ordinance repealing the Real Estate Transfer tax of $250 (Ordinance 05-31). The City has been advised that legislation adopted by the Illinois Legislature requires that tax fees may only be increased by Referendum. Rather than keep that ordinance on the books, it is best to repeal it. Ald. Von Drasek moved to repeal Ordinance 05-31, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried unanimously. The City will draft a Resolution putting this matter on the ballot for a future vote. Ald. Conrad suggested that this matter go before the License Committee for discussion.

Clerk Herberts declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 05-47-O.

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

25. City Administrator Bailey presented engineer’s pay estimate #1, Countryside Motel Demolition payment of $93,211.20 to Dem/EX Group with recommendation to pay. Ald. Smetana moved to approve payment, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

26. Mr. Bailey presented engineer’s pay estimate #2 and final for the 2005 Concrete Alley Replacement to Strada Construction Co. in the amount of $11,007.70 with recommendation to pay. Ald. Smetana moved to approve payment, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried unanimously.

STAFF REPORTS

27. Police Chief Swanson distributed the FILE OF LIFE medical information packet to Council members; this item, in conjunction with the Knox Box program for seniors and special needs individuals, allows officers and/or paramedics to gain emergency access to homes on a temporary basis without damaging property. Further information can be found on the City’s Web site.

ADJOURNMENT

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

Mayor LeGant declared the meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.