MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING

CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE, ILLINOIS

HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013

CALL TO ORDER – Pledge of Allegiance

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

ROLL CALL

Present:Mayor Krzeminski,Alderman Pondelicek, Alderman Jasinski,Alderman Michalczyk, Alderman Von Drasek,Alderman McDermott, Alderman Musillami, Clerk Sweeney,Treasurer Jasinski.

Also Present:City Admin. Paul (absent), Police Chief Ford, City Attorney Peck, Asst. Admin. Peterson (absent), Jim Essig, Asst. Admin., Fin. Dir. Drazner, City Eng. Fitzgerald, ESDA Crd. Norman.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

1. Regular City Council Meeting – September 11, 2013. Ald. Musillami moved to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried by Roll Call vote – 6/0/0.

OMNIBUS AGENDA

2. Statement of Bills submitted for payment through September 25, 2013: $90,797.88.

3. Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve the Omnibus Agenda as presented, seconded by Ald. Jasinski and carried by Roll Call vote – 6/0/0.

COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC – none

MAYOR’S REPORT

4.Mayor Krzeminski called attention to the 140 or so motorcyclists from the Fire and Iron Motorcycle Club – who invaded the City last weekend for four days of non-stop activities. It was a friendly invasion – consisting of first responders, fire fighters and paramedics from all over the country joining in the First Annual Area Wide Meet – including riders from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Florida and Connecticut – decided to meet in Countryside. He happily reported that the William Tell was booked solid; local eateries were enjoying the added business – and in general the entire program helped to promote tourism in Illinois. Members of several Illinois firehouses joined their ranks and a really enjoyable weekend was shared by all. Countryside is THE PRIME location and has the amenities available to service large touring groups.

CITY CLERK’S REPORT – no report.

TREASURER’S REPORT – no report.

COMMITTEE AND COMMISSION REPORTS FOR DISCUSSION,

CONSIDERATION AND, IF SO DETERMINED, ACTION UPON:

5. Economic Development Committee – Alderman McDermott reported on the soft opening of Texas Roadhouse this past weekend. This is the culmination of plans set in motion over five years ago – and there is more to come. Starbucks had its soft opening on Sunday as well.

6. Finance Committee – Treasurer Jasinski stated that there was no meeting in September; there will be a Finance Committee meeting in October with a full agenda.

Human Resources Committee – Alderman Pondelicek – no report.

7. Infrastructure Committee – Alderman Michalczyk thanked Elaine Zickus for alerting her to a very nice article in Suburban Life about the late Alderman Michael Smetana. Ald. Michalczyk contacted Staff and noted that there are several photos in the office archives; she suggested creating a collage through the years — as a memorial /tribute to Ald. Smetana. Ald. Musillami has offered to frame it at no cost. Council agreed this is a great idea.

8. Ald. Michalczyk stated that another article in the paper highlighted the street light installation. Staff is reviewing grants to secure funding – price and cost estimates will be presented at the next Infrastructure Meeting.

9. License Committee – Alderman Musillami presented the business License applications submitted: T-Mobile, 6003 LaGrange Road, cellular store; Flooring Management Group, 51 E. Plainfield Road, Warehouse; Amazing Trucking & Logistics, 6432 Joliet Road, Suite A, business office; Salon Hair Professional, 6527 Joliet Road, Hair Salon. A special use was requested by Illinois Harley for a customer appreciation day on 9-13-13. There will be a golf outing sponsored by the Countryside Rotary Club at Flagg Creek Golf Course on Monday, September 30; with a dinner at 5 p.m.

10. Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals – City Attorney Peck presented the Plan/ZBA recommendation to amend Ordinance 12-75-O to permit additional sign and menu board variances for the Starbucks Coffee business, 6001 LaGrange Road as part of the Final City Center Design Standards and the Zoning ordinance (sign code) Sec. 8-5-9 C-1 – to permit an additional 16 s.f. logo wall sign above the drive-up window; and to permit the pre-menu and menu boards to have a height of 6’1 å_ instead of the permitted six feet. At the hearing held on September 10, 2013, the PC/ZBA having heard all the testimony and evidence, determined that Starbucks met all requirements and permitted them to amend the Ordinance subject to the following conditions: 1) All site furniture must comply with the City Center Design Standards and must be installed by the property owner (pertaining to dumpsters); 2) All construction and placement of signs be in substantial conformity with Petitioner’s Exhibit A, which is attached hereto and made a part hereof. Ald. McDermott moved to concur with the PC/ZBA recommendation, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried by Roll Call vote – 6/0/0.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 13-43-O.

11. Attorney Peck presented the PC/ZBA recommendation to present an Ordinance to permit the establishment of an outdoor dining area at 803 Joliet Road (former Flame Restaurant) on the application of Dimitri Mikroulis. At the hearing held on September 10, 2013, after hearing all the testimony and evidence, the PC/ZBA found that the applicant met all the requirements for a special use. There were some objections at the hearing concerning parking lot safety and noise from outdoor dining. With those objections taken into consideration, it was the PC/ZBA recommendation to approve outdoor dining subject to the following conditions: 1) that all construction of the outdoor dining area be in substantial compliance with Petitioner’s Exhibit A, showing the outdoor dining area at the SE corner of Joliet Road running north along the east side of the building; 2) construction of a sidewalk along Joliet Road and Brainard Avenue is subject to approval of Cook County and State of Illinois for placement of the sidewalk in the right-of-way; if approved, the sidewalk must be constructed within one year; 3) that five U-shaped bicycle racks be installed near the entrance of the building; 4) that all construction and operation comply with applicable City Codes. Ald. Jasinski moved to concur with the PC/ZBA recommendation, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried by Roll Call vote – 6/0/0.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 13-44-O.

12. Police Committee – Alderman Pondelicek presented consideration of approval on the 2014 sustained Traffic Enforcement Program grant for $27,564. Ald. Musillami moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Jasinski and carried by Roll Call vote – 6/0/0.

Mayor Krzeminski stated that this involves eight yearly traffic checks and stops.

Recreation Committee – Alderman Jasinski – no report.

13. Water Committee – Alderman Von Drasek alerted residents to the gypsy scams operating in the City – beware of door-to-door scammers preying on everyone but especially seniors; if anyone sees suspicious people lurking about, call the police.

CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT – none

CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

14.Mr. Essig presented the Ettleson Hyundai request for extension to the Parking Lot Agreement from 9-3-13 to 3-31-14. Ald. McDermott moved to approve the extension, seconded by Ald. Musillami and carried unanimously.

STAFF REPORTS

15.City Engineer Fitzgerald presented pay estimate #1 for Sunset Avenue Lift Station to Marc Kresmery Construction for $160,110. The job may be completed by the third week in October. Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Jasinski and carried by Roll Call vote – 6/0/0.

16. Mr. Fitzgerald presented pay estimate #5 for the proposed site Improvements for City Center, Phase 3, to Schwartz Excavating, Inc., for $260,871.66. Ald. Musillami moved to approve, seconded by Ald. McDermott and carried by Roll Call vote – 6/0/0.

17. Mr. Fitzgerald discussed the 2013 Drainage Plan for work completed in the City. Rather than go out for bid, Staff discussed the idea of getting a price from Stic Brothers who did the job last year. That contract was left open and the City held $1,000 back; they did an excellent job. If their price is competitive, the City would consider adding this job to the contract as a change order. He asked Council for their thoughts on the subject. Ald. Michalczyk stated it is a good idea. Mayor Krzeminski agreed – it will save time and effort. Council members agreed. Mr. Fitzgerald will have the change order by the next Council meeting. The job will be completed this year.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to discuss, Ald. Jasinski moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried by Roll Call vote – 6/0/0.

Mayor Krzeminski declared the meeting adjourned at 7:49 p.m.

SHARON SWEENEY, CITY CLERK