MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE, ILLINOIS
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 8, 2003

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, Michael Smetana, Joseph Fajdich, Karen Michalczyk

ABSENT: Ald. Krzeminski

ALSO PRESENT: City Clerk Herberts, City Treasurer Stoffels, City Attorney Robert Peck, City Administrator Bailey, Police Chief Swanson, City Engineer Fitzgerald, Deputy Treasurer Wenzel, Police/Fire Bd Member Pondelicek

OMNIBUS AGENDA

2. Approval of Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of September 24, 2003.

3. Statement of Bills for the period ending October 8, 2003.

4. Subscription: 9-1-1 Magazine – Police Chief – $26.95.

5. Membership: West Suburban Chiefs of Police – Deputy Police Chief – $50.

6. Application for a general business license to “NADA” Cleaning Service, 6670 Brainard Avenue, #303. Type: Home Office. Applicant: Hadica Stefanovic.

7. Application for a general business license to MUSA, INC., 1419A. W. 55th St.. Type: Martial Arts school. Applicant: Jeong Ah Lee.

8. Membership: Association of Public Safety Communications Officials – C. Rothbard – $80.

9. Ald. Smetana moved, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk, to approve the Omnibus Agenda as presented. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

ADDITIONS TO AND/OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA

10. Additions to the Agenda were noted by Ald. Fajdich, Conrad, Smetana and Mayor LeGant.

QUESTIONS AND/OR COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE – none

MAYOR’S REPORT

11. Mayor LeGant administered the Oath of Office to Police Officer Scott Novak promoting him to the Office of Sergeant. Council members congratulated Sgt. Novak on the promotion.

12. Mayor LeGant presented a Plaque of Recognition to Stanley Johnson, first representative to the Illinois & Michigan Canal, National Heritage Corridor, Civic Center Authority, who served with distinction for many years from 1984-2003. Although Mr. Johnson has retired from the active chairman duties, he will remain a part of the activities and urged the City to support Ms. Kim Bankert, his replacement. Mr. Johnson thanked Council for the recognition.

13. Mayor LeGant sought Council support to purchase gifts and entertainment to conduct the Children’s Christmas Party, December 6, 2003 at Local #150 Union Hall. Ald. Conrad moved, seconded by Ald. Straza, to approve the expenditure. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

14. Mayor LeGant stated that a meeting will be held to discuss the impact of the Joliet Road closure on surrounding communities on Wednesday, October 22, 2003 at 2:00 p.m. at the McCook Village Hall. The Mayor read correspondence from IDOT regarding the closure and a letter sent by the City to Mr. Timothy Martin, Secretary of Transportation, detailing the impact of the closure on residents and the effects of an additional 20,000 vehicles traversing City streets daily. Mayor LeGant urged residents to attend the meeting on October 22, 2003 at 2:00 p.m.

15. Mayor LeGant read correspondence received from the Superintendent of Highways, Cook County, regarding a Plainfield Road continuous center turn lane from Brainard Avenue to LaGrange Road. The Department will review funding for this project including curbs and gutters on both sides of the street. If the City requests lights and sidewalks, the cost will be split 50/50. They will advise the City regarding their decision

16. Mayor LeGant stated that Aldi’s, 9930 Joliet Road, has requested the issuance of a Class A Liquor License to sell beer and wine. Ald. Smetana moved, seconded by Ald. Straza, to create a new Class A Liquor License for Aldi’s. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

Clerk Herberts declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 03-36-O.

17. Mayor LeGant introduced Mr. John Weber to present the Annual Financial Report for the year ended April 30, 2003. Mr. Weber noted that once again they have issued a “clean opinion” indicating that everything is in order. The City Finance Department is to be commended on doing an exceptional job; their books and records are in good shape. The City ended the year with $14.9 million in the General Fund; that is an increase of about $334,000. Revenues were $7.6 million in the General Fund; the City budgeted $6.6 million. Sales tax was not impacted as badly as expected. Expenditures were budgeted at $7.7 million in the General Fund; actual numbers were $7.2 million, leaving a balance of $500,000. The Water Fund ended the year with $1.7 million in retained earnings; having the cash for future needs, repairs and expansion is a positive position. The fund had $279,000 of net income for the year. The IMRF is funded $104%. The Police Pension is 88% funded – the average in Illinois is 72-76% funded. The management letter deals with developing long-term capital budget plans and cash flow forecasting and a procedures manual; hopefully much will be implemented in 2004. Ald. Smetana moved, seconded by Ald. Fajdich, to approve the Financial Report as presented. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

18. STREETS & ALLEYS COMMITTEE, ALDERMAN SMETANA, CHAIRMAN, presented the recommendation of the Committee from its meeting earlier this evening. The Committee considered the request of Daniel & Vicki Thiesse, 9911 S. 57th St. to construct a brick mailbox at curbside. At present the City does not allow brick mailboxes in the parkway. Further discussion is needed. He asked City Council members to advise him regarding these structures via e-mail. Another meeting will be held to address this issue.

19. Ald. Smetana asked Administrator Bailey to review the Village of LaGrange’s handling of the garbage strike. They are providing dumpsters for their residents at the DPW building for general refuse only, no recyclables. He moved that the Administrator contact Pinnacle or a similar company to promote a refuse drop-off program. Ald. Conrad seconded the motion. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote. Mayor LeGant noted that this is only for citizens and businesses of Countryside; hours should coincide with working hours for the DPW, 7a.m. to 4 p.m.

20. BUILDING DEPARTMENT – ALDERMAN FAJDICH, CHAIRMAN, reported that 45 building permits were issued in September; 23 were free; 22 were paid for a total of $23,031.

21. Ald. Conrad thanked the City Council and the Mayor for the kind words expressed regarding the passing of his father, former Ald. Don Conrad. He thanked everyone for their support and contributions to the American Diabetes Association. He also thanked Police Chief Swanson for the assistance of the Police Department at the funeral procession.

LEGAL REPORT

22. City Attorney Peck has reviewed and approved the contract between the City and the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority. Chief Swanson stated that the Police Information Management System program involves a warehousing service for retaining records and reports. Ald. Smetana moved, seconded by Ald. Conrad, to authorize the Mayor and the Chief to sign the contract. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote. Chief Swanson stated that all records will be housed with the Authority, which provides all software and houses all records. Fifty other communities are involved with this program; the cost involves user fees for keeping our records.

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

23. Mr. Bailey stated that he and the City Treasurer will respond in writing to the management letter from the auditor.

24. Mr. Bailey presented the invoice from Parsons for design work performed during August-September on the Noise Wall Project in the amount of $7,415.52. Ald. Smetana moved, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk, to approve the expenditure. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

STAFF REPORTS

25. City Engineer Fitzgerald advised that the Kensington Avenue Drainage Project has gone out for bids. Bids will be opened next Thursday at City Hall.

26. Mr. Fitzgerald is seeking direction regarding the 67th St. Ditch enclosure. The engineering is almost completed but being so late in the season should the project proceed to bid now or wait until Spring. The enclosure is not weather sensitive, however restoration is. Council agreed to wait until early spring to go out for bids, possibly in March.

ADJOURNMENT

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

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

SHIRLEY C. HERBERTS, CITY CLERK