MINUTES

Regular Meeting of the City Council, City of Countryside

5550 East Avenue

City Hall, Council Chamber

Wednesday, September 23, 2015 – 7:30 P.M.

A. CALL TO ORDER – Pledge of Allegiance.

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM.

B. ROLL CALL

City Clerk Burdett called the roll of those physically present as follows:

Present: Mayor McDermott, Alderman Pondelicek, Alderman Mikolyzk, Alderman Jasinski, Alderman Von Drasek, Alderman Musillami, Alderman Benson, City Clerk Burdett, Treasurer Stancik

Also Present: City Administrator Paul, Police Chief Ford, Asst. City Administrator Peterson, City Attorney Peck, City Engineer Fitzgerald, ESDA Coordinator Norman, Finance Director Schutter, Deputy City Clerk Carey, Police Board Member Burdett

C. OMNIBUS AGENDA

1. The Minutes of the Regular Meeting of September 9, 2015 were previously distributed to the members of the City Council. Mayor McDermott asked if there were any corrections to be made to said Minutes. There were none.

2. The Statement of Bills was submitted for payment through September 23, 2015: $655,266.11.

I move to approve the minutes of the City Council Meeting of September 9, 2015 and to approve the Statement of Bills through September 23, 2015 in the amount of $655,266.11.

A motion was made by Alderman Musillami, seconded by Alderman Pondelicek, that this matter be APPROVED. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: 6 Alderman Von Drasek, Alderman Jasinski, Alderman Pondelicek, Alderman Mikolyzk, Alderman Musillami, Alderman Benson

Nay: 0

D. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC – NONE

E. MAYOR’S REPORT

1. Mayor McDermott sought consideration of a Resolution opposing the disconnection and expansion of the UPS facility. The Village of Hodgkins is seeking to annex a fairly large portion of the UPS property from Willow Springs. That would have a detrimental impact on residents living along the 5^th Avenue Cutoff. Burr Rudge will also pass such a Resolution. Ald. Mikolyzk stated that this facility would be within 75 yards of his house. The increased traffic on a two-lane road and the noise pollution are unbearable; it would have a negative influence on the community. Ald. Von Drasek stated that the area has serious congestion problems without the added burden of more truck traffic. They strongly support the Resolution.

A motion was made by Alderman Mikolyzk, seconded by Alderman Von Drasek, that this matter be APPROVED. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: 6 Alderman Von Drasek, Alderman Jasinski, Alderman Pondelicek, Alderman Mikolyzk, Alderman Musillami, Alderman Benson

Nay: 0

City Clerk Burdett declared that this will be known as RESOLUTION 15-19-R.

2. Mayor McDermott sought consideration to increase the number of Class HH Liquor Licenses for the restricted application by Quins Corporation, d/b/a Capanna’s Wine-Bistro-Flowers, located at 5526 S. La Grange Road. This license is contingent upon the business not having gaming; if any gaming were to occur, they would immediately lose the liquor license.

A motion was made by Alderman Musillami, seconded by Alderman Jasinski, that this matter be APPROVED. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: 6 Alderman Von Drasek, Alderman Jasinski, Alderman Pondelicek, Alderman Mikolyzk, Alderman Musillami, Alderman Benson

Nay: 0

City Clerk Burdett declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 15-41-O.

F. CITY CLERK’S REPORT – NO REPORT

G. TREASURER’S REPORT – NO REPORT

H. COMMITTEE AND COMMISSION REPORTS FOR DISCUSSION, CONSIDERATION AND, IF SO DETERMINED, ACTION UPON:

1. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – NO REPORT

2. FINANCE COMMITTEE-NO REPORT

3. HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE

Ald. Musillami sought consideration of an offer letter to Jasmin Rodriguez for the position of Administrative Clerk in the Clerk’s Office. This matter will be tabled at this time.

Ald. Musillami sought approval to begin the hiring process for a Crime Free Housing Coordinator.

A motion was made by Alderman Pondelicek, seconded by Alderman Benson, that this matter be APPROVED. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: 6 Alderman Von Drasek, Alderman Jasinski, Alderman Pondelicek, Alderman Mikolyzk, Alderman Musillami, Alderman Benson

Nay: 0

4. INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE-NO REPORT

Ald. Von Drasek stated that the road machines used to resurface the streets have disappeared. He spoke to Engineer Fitzgerald who advised him that one of the machines broke down; the crews will return in full force tomorrow. Please use caution when traveling the roads. Ald. Pondelicek stated that work also began on 9^th Avenue between 56^th and 57^th Streets.

Ald. Von Drasek thanked Mayor McDermott and Police Chief Ford for meeting with Seniors today; there were lively discussions. Chief Ford has many fans in Ward 2.

5. LICENSE COMMITTEE – NO REPORT

6. PLAN COMMISSION/ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

City Attorney Peck sought consideration of an ordinance amending the electronic variable messaging (EVM) sign code. At the meeting of the PC/ZBA held on September 1, 2015, the Board considered amending the text regarding LED signs. It is currently a special use for EVM signs. This recommendation would make them permitted uses subject to several specific conditions: 1) that the maximum area of any such sign shall not exceed 50% of the sign; 2) that the location is not within 200 feet of any residence; 3) that the message will change no more frequently than every 60 seconds; 4) that only one sign per zoning lot is allowed; 5) the brightness control would dim automatically; 6) hours of operation of the sign are during the hours of operation of the business; 7)a minimum pitch of 16 mm for all signs.

With those conditions in place EVM signs would be permitted uses in the business district. It was the PC/ZBA recommendation to amend the Code as stated above. Mayor McDermott discussed this matter with several Aldermen and there appears to be consensus to move the interval to ten seconds rather than 60 seconds. The Mayor asked for a motion to approve with that amendment.

A motion was made by Alderman Von Drasek, seconded by Alderman Benson, that this matter be APPROVED. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: 6 Alderman Von Drasek, Alderman Jasinski, Alderman Pondelicek, Alderman Mikolyzk, Alderman Musillami, Alderman Benson

Nay: 0

Clerk Burdett declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 15-42-O.

7. POLICE COMMITTEE-NO REPORT

8. RECREATION COMMITTEE -NO REPORT

Ald. Jasinski reminded residents that, thanks to Staff’s hard work, the Children’s Christmas Party will take place on Saturday, December 5 at Capri Banquets from 10:30 – 12 noon. More information can be found in the City Newsletter and at the Clerk’s Office.

9. WATER COMMITTEE – NO REPORT

10. FLAGG CREEK ADVISORY BOARD-NO REPORT

I. LEGAL REPORT-NO REPORT

J. CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

1. City Administrator Paul placed a VIP invitation in the mailboxes of elected officials. Best Western has completed renovations and will have a grand re-opening. They attended the CBA meeting this afternoon and distributed invitations. The event will take place on Wednesday, October 7, 2015. All are welcome to attend.

K. STAFF REPORTS

1. CHIEF OF POLICE

Police Chief Ford stated that this Saturday, September 26, the Police Department will host a National Prescription Take-Back Day. This program enables individuals to dispose of expired medications of their own or of deceased family members. Bins will be available for proper disposal from 10 am to 2 pm at the police station.

2. CITY ENGINEER

City Engineer Fitzgerald sought consideration to award the negotiated contract for the 71^st Place Water Main Replacement project to Riccio construction for $203,370.

A motion was made by Alderman Von Drasek, seconded by Alderman Benson, that this matter be APPROVED. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: 6 Alderman Von Drasek, Alderman Jasinski, Alderman Pondelicek, Alderman Mikolyzk, Alderman Musillami, Alderman Benson

Nay: 0

L. BUSINESS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL FOR DISCUSSION, CONSIDERATION AND, IF SO DETERMINED, ACTION UPON:
Mayor McDermott failed to mention that the City hosted a group of travelers from Ireland. They were guests at the William Tell; they all rented Ford Mustangs and were going to travel down Route 66 to Culver City, California. The Mayor of Culver City joined the group for informal remarks; Ald. Benson attended the evening before and welcomed them to the City of Countryside; it was a great event and an interesting experience.

M. EXECUTIVE SESSION
I move to recess to a Closed Executive Session for the purpose of reviewing the Executive Session minutes of September 9, 2015, under Section 2(c)(21); and to discuss real estate under Section 2(c)(5) of the Open Meetings Act.

A motion was made by Alderman Von Drasek, seconded by Alderman Jasinski that this meeting be RECESSED. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: 6 Alderman Von Drasek, Alderman Jasinski, Alderman Pondelicek, Alderman Mikolyzk, Alderman Musillami, Alderman Benson

Nay: 0

Mayor McDermott declared the meeting recessed at 7:49 p.m.

* * *

N. RECONVENE TO REGULAR COUNCIL SESSION AT 7:54 p.m.
The roll was called to reconvene to Open Session. Aldermen Von Drasek, Jasinski, Pondelicek, Mikolyzk, Benson, Musillami and Mayor McDermott were present.

REPORT ON EXECUTIVE SESSION AND ACTION AS A RESULT OF, IF ANY.

1. APPROVAL OF EXECUTIVE SESSION CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
I move to approve the Executive Session City Council minutes of September 9, 2015, as presented.
A motion was made by Alderman Von Drasek, seconded by Alderman Benson that this matter be APPROVED. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: 6 Alderman Von Drasek, Alderman Jasinski, Alderman Pondelicek, Alderman Mikolyzk, Alderman Musillami, Alderman Benson

Nay: 0

O. ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Alderman Mikolyzk, seconded by Alderman Musillami that this meeting be ADJOURNED. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: 6 Alderman Von Drasek, Alderman Jasinski, Alderman Pondelicek, Alderman Mikolyzk, Alderman Musillami, Alderman Benson

Nay: 0

Mayor McDermott declared the meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.

/fp

APPROVED: 10-14-2015

Respectfully Submitted,

SUSAN BURDETT, CITY CLERK