MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING

CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE, ILLINOIS

HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2010

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 Wayne Straza, Karen Michalczyk, Robert Pondelicek, Sean McDermott, John Von Drasek, Ald. Michael Smetana

ALSO PRESENT: City Clerk Sweeney, City Treasurer Jasinski, City Attorney Erik Peck, City Admin. Paul. Police Chief Ruth, City. Eng. Fitzgerald, Fin. Dir. Drazner, CDP Swanson, ESDA Coord. Norman, PC/ZBA Chrmn. Fullmer, Meb. Jasinski, Fire Marshals Dan Tholotovsky and Joe Lyons

OMNIBUS AGENDA

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Council Minutes of September 22, 2010 and TIF Minutes of September 22, 2010

3. STATEMENT OF BILLS through October 13, 2010: $443,444.96.

4. Application for a one-day special use request from the Windy City Postcard Club to hold a show at Local 150 on October 23, 2010.

5. Application for a charitable games license to hold a raffle for the Cat Nap from the Heart on November 13, 2010 at the William Tell Hotel. Also requesting waiving the $50 fee for license.

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

ADDITIONS TO AND/OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA

7. One addition to the Agenda was noted by Mayor Conrad.

QUESTIONS AND/OR COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE

8. Frank Zickus called Council’s attention to a Chicago Tribune article dated September 26, 2010 re: Speaker Madigan and his family. Of particular interest to this community are the I-294 tollway plans – seeking another entrance/exit from 294 near the cemeteries in Justice. He is concerned about the possibility of substantially increased traffic congestion for our community. Mayor Conrad has not seen the article but stated that he attended a meeting over two years ago wherein they discussed reopening the 79^th St. exit. Mr. Zickus’ concern is that graves may be moved. He will leave the paper for Council members to peruse.

MAYOR’S REPORT

9. The City’s Newsletter depicts a photo of some elected officials and Mayor Conrad receiving a copy of the Congressional Record from Congressman Lipinski in honor of the City’s 50^th Anniversary. The City of Countryside celebrated its 50^th Anniversary September 25, 2010. Cong. Lipinski took official notice of the event in the Congressional Record of September 16, 2010 on page 1740. Copies of the Congressional Record are available for elected officials.

TREASURER’S REPORT

10. Treasurer Jasinski stated that the Treasurer’s Report will be published by the end of the month. Steve Drazner did a great job of putting the report together. It will be published in The Doings Newspaper the first week of November.

COMMITTEE REPORTS – none

LEGAL REPORT

11. City Attorney Peck presented the PC/ZBA recommendation for a zoning variance to permit construction of an accessory structure and to permit construction of an accessory structure that exceeds the 720 s.f. limit. At the Hearing held on October 6, 2010, after hearing all the testimony and evidence of the applicants, Mr. & Mrs. Ricciardone, the PC/ZBA approved construction of the additional structure and approved the variance to Section 10-2-9 I-2 and 10-2-9 G-2, allowing the combination of structures to exceed the 720 s.f. limit on the property commonly known as 10650 W. 67^th St. with the conditions that the structure be in compliance with Petitioner’s Exhibit A, which are drawings of the proposed structure; be in conformity with the zoning code; and that use be established within six months. The previous building was destroyed by fire. The smaller replacement building will create an undue hardship on the applicant; fees are waived. Ald. Von Drasek moved to concur with the PC/ZBA recommendation, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried by unanimous Roll Call vote 6/0.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 10-47-O.

12. Attorney Peck stated that Council directed him to prepare an ordinance that would update the electronic sign ordinance. Previously only one line of text was permitted on any LED sign. This ordinance will permit four lines of text on any one electronic sign. Ald. Michalczyk moved to adopt the ordinance as presented, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried by Roll Call vote – 6/0.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 10-48-O.

13. Attorney Peck discussed an ordinance regarding hearing applicants who withdraw their appeal before the PC/ZBA. There is nothing in the ordinance that associates a cost with such hearings. It is an internal document with fees directed by the Building Department; they can also establish fees associated with withdrawal. That will become an internal document issued along with every PC/ZBA hearing application packet and become policy.

14. Mr. Peck presented an update on two parcels of property 9945 and 9901 W. 55^th St. re: business license and liquor license. Properties, Harry’s Sports Bar and Pepe’s Restaurant and the former Aldi’s building are owned by one person; there is insufficient parking for those businesses however the restaurants share the parking in between the two buildings. A request for a business license and liquor license is pending in the Clerk’s Office; those two licenses cannot be issued until the parking issue has been addressed. Mr. Bockus is present tonight as well as the attorney for Pepe’s, William Bazianos. Mr. Peck stated that the Council could issue a conditional business license and conditional liquor license based upon application for the Plat of Consolidation into one parcel. If they consolidate the properties, there is sufficient parking for all the buildings on the parcel. Mr. Peck suggested that the City require them to restripe the parking lot, add signage for each facility and install a sprinkler system for the NAPA/Pepe’s building. The City may require that they consolidate the properties and appear before the PC/ZBA within three months (December Hearing) of granting the conditional licenses. Ald. Smetana moved to concur with the attorney re: the above suggestions seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried by Roll Call vote – 6/0.

15. Attorney Bazianos stated that he has applied for the liquor license and background check and has prepared the application for the consolidation. He is awaiting receipt of the survey and Plat of Consolidation before filing. NAPA may also seek additional signage. Mr. Swanson has been very helpful. He believes that sprinkling the building will be an undue financial hardship on Mr. Bockus; the building has not been leased for the past five years; he has spent substantial sums on marketing, brokers, free rent, landlord buildout – the additional $50-60,000 will be a financial hardship. Ald. Smetana suggested that they contact the Fire District which may have a less expensive alternative for sprinkler installation. With combustible liquids stored within, peoples’ lives are in jeopardy without a sprinkler system.

16. Ald. Straza moved to permit Pepe’s to proceed with their liquor license application regardless of the parking issue; applicant must comply with all City requirements and appear before the City Council to create the license, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried by Roll Call vote – 6/0. This matter will be on the City Council agenda in two weeks. They are proceeding with the Plat of Consolidation. Mayor Conrad asked Staff to provide an update and the Fire District to report on the Friday inspection.

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

17. City Admin. Paul presented engineer’s pay estimate #1 for the Water Tank Repainting project in the amount of $33,120 to the Neumann Company, Inc., including repairs and painting inside the tank. Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Straza who stated that the City is saving considerable sums; motion carried by unanimous voice vote – 6/0.

STAFF REPORTS

18. Ms. Paul handled the Asst. Admin. Report – to request approval of the change order for the Ideal School Park project of $116,700 for walking path lighting. Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve, seconded by Ald Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

19. Ms. Paul presented the request for expenses for the Children’s Christmas Party on December 4 at the Wm. Tell from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at a cost of $8,800. Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried unanimously.

20. Ms. Paul asked that the matter of extending lighting for the walking path be tabled for further clarification; they are working with the property owner.

21. City Engineer Fitzgerald requested approval of change order #1 for the LaGrange Road Street Lighting Improvements in the amount of $4,732 for reducing voltage for festoon outlets – to change from 240 volts to 120 volts. Ald. Smetana moved to approve payment, seconded by Ald. McDermott and carried unanimously.

22. Mr. Fitzgerald requested approval of change order #1 – CDBG 09-007 for the Sunset Avenue Street Rehabilitation – an off-site location. The drainage swale between 10725 and 10735 Forestview Drive drains directly into the right-of-way and also crosses a resident’s driveway. The problem could be eliminated by extending the City sewer by ten feet and installing a drainage structure at a cost of $2,090. Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve the change order, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

23. Mr. Fitzgerald presented engineer’s estimate #3 and final for the LaGrange Road Streetscape – in the amount of $19,397.63 to Vixen Construction – City Property. Ald. Straza moved to approve, seconded by Ald. McDermott and carried unanimously.

24. The final item re H & H Electric was previously approved…

ADJOURNMENT

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

Mayor Conrad declared the meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.

SHARON SWEENEY, CITY CLERK