MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE, ILLINOIS
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 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

ABSENT: City Admin. Bailey

ALSO PRESENT: City Clerk Herberts, City Treasurer Stoffels, City Attorney Erik Peck, Deputy Police Chief Mallon, City Engineer Fitzgerald, Financial Director Filinovich

OMNIBUS AGENDA

2. Approval of Minutes of September 14, 2005.

3. Statement of Bills for the period ending September 28, 2005.

4. Clerk Herberts made two corrections to the Minutes of September 14, 2005; item 18 change to Municipal Clerks of Illinois Conference; item 19, clarify that scholarships are aimed at graduating Countryside students of LTHS. Ald. Smetana moved to approve the Omnibus Agenda as corrected, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried unanimously.

ADDITIONS TO AND/OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA

5. Additions to the Agenda were noted by Mayor LeGant.

QUESTIONS AND/OR COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE

6. Gloria Albanse thanked the Police Department for its prompt attention to the problem she described at the last meeting. Ald. Pondelicek spoke to Mr. Camboni regarding the gate and the fence. Another resident (no name) expressed her disappointment about a new very large and high mobile home placed next to hers; there are no rain gutters and when it rains she has water in her yard. She also complained of graffiti on the inside of the wooden fence facing their homes. After discussion, it was agreed that the inside of the fence is the park responsibility.

MAYOR’S REPORT

7. Mayor LeGant stated that the first three items on the Agenda, from the Countryside Lions Club requesting the Clerk’s office to distribute Halloween Party tickets from October 10-24, 2005; requesting permission to use Council Chambers on October 24 at 7 p.m. to pack treat bags for the Halloween Party; and also requesting assistance of ESDA members with the Halloween Party. Mayor LeGant entertained a motion to approve all items, A, B, and C above. Ald. Conrad moved to approve all three items, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.

8. Mayor LeGant read the Proclamation celebrating the Tenth Anniversary of the Community Memorial Foundation of Hinsdale, IL and declaring October 3, 2005 to be Non-Profit Organization Day in Countryside. Mayor LeGant signed the Proclamation on behalf of the City.

9. Mayor LeGant presented engineer’s pay estimate #1 and semi-final regarding the concrete alley replacement south of Plainfield between 6th Ave. and LaGrange Road, in the amount of $36,879.30 to Strada Construction. Ald. Smetana moved to approve the expenditure, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried unanimously.

10. Mayor LeGant presented engineer’s pay estimate #3 and semi-final regarding the 2005 Street Rehabilitation Project to Brothers Asphalt Paving, Inc., in the amount of $12,254.53. Mayor LeGant stated that some sod problems still remain. Ald Smetana moved to approve the expenditure, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

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

11. The Committee recommended a donation of $500 to the Countryside Lions Club, in support of treats for the children at the Halloween Party, October 31, 2005. Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

12. The Committee recommended the purchase of two tickets at a cost of $100 a piece to the Des Plaines Valley Council Boy Scouts of America – Distinguished Citizens Breakfast on Friday, October 21, 2005 at the LaGrange Country Club. Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.

13. POLICE COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN CONRAD, CHAIRMAN, presented the request of the Fire & Police Commissioners to attend the Fall Seminar of the Illinois Police Commissioners Assn. in Schaumburg, IL at a cost of $305 per person. Ald. Conrad moved to approve the request, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

14. RECREATION COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN CONRAD, CHAIRMAN, presented the recommendation to approve the Holiday Magic yearly Community Tree Trim Program held at Brookfield Zoo, at a cost of $125. Ald. Conrad moved to approve the request, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried unanimously.

15. INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN SMETANA, CHAIRMAN, presented the recommendation from Bob Fullar regarding suspension of the City tree planting program for one year due to the extreme drought soil conditions. Many established trees are showing signs of drought stress and it is wise to wait and see if soil moisture is recovered during the fall, winter and spring seasons. Council agreed with the recommendation. Ald. Smetana suggested advising the people on the waiting list for parkway trees about the delay.

16. Ald. Smetana addressed the matter of tree removal reimbursement before the City issues a purchase order. There has been a breach of procedure in taking down trees, specifically from Larry Robb of 10135 5th Ave. Cutoff, and another resident on 71 St. To work efficiently the program must follow City procedure, i.e., the City takes bids, recommends the low bid and obtains the property owner’s 50% share of the low bid cost prior to issuing approval to the contractor to remove the tree. Ald. Smetana will speak to Mr. Bailey and the Clerk’s Office to draft a letter of acknowledgement for tree contractors to sign and comply with or be stricken from the tree program. Council members specifically are concerned with Sinnott Tree Service. Ald. Smetana moved to deny payment to both residents above, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried by unanimous voice vote. Council agreed that this matter needs further attention and should be included in the Fall Newsletter, outlining the proper procedure for residents to follow if they seek 50/50 tree removal reimbursement.

STAFF REPORTS

17. City Engineer Fitzgerald recommended that the City accept the low bid of Dem/Ex Group in the amount of $129,819 for the Countryside Motel demolition. Five bids were received; this bid is $22,000 under the estimate. Ald. Pondelicek moved to accept the recommendation, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously. Discussion followed as to the particulars: Mr. Fitzgerald stated that the east wing of the property has a full basement; the company will fill the area and leave it at a slight slope, which can be maintained with topsoil and seed; the pool will also be removed and filled.

OLD AND NEW BUSINESS

18. Mayor LeGant read a letter from the Governor’s Office announcing that Route 66 and The Illinois River Road have been designated Scenic Byways. They will be added to the National List of Scenic Byways and as such are eligible for grants and other amenities; Scenic Byways are eligible to apply for a $25,000 annual administrative cost for the first five years for marketing, landscaping and construction of visitors’ centers and other amenities.

19. Mayor LeGant, Ald. Conrad and Ald. Von Drasek attended a meeting at the Assessor’s Office of Lyons Township this past Monday. The Mayor received a description of his property with various characteristics. There are 2,627 parcels in Countryside; of that amount 1,515 or 57% have received a home owner’s exemption. Approximately 96% of parcels received an exemption of $5,000. The bottom line is there will be a significant increase in real estate taxes.

ADJOURNMENT

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

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