City Council Minutes -
April 23, 2008
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE, ILLINOIS
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2008
1. Mayor Conrad announced that Jessica
Fuller, a student at Ideal School, will lead us in reciting the Pledge
of Allegiance. Jessica was honored with the SCOTY Award --School Citizen
of the Year. She is a hard-working student involved in many
extra-curricular activities while still maintaining good grades and is a
role model for her peers. As a token of appreciation, Mayor Conrad
presented her with the Key to the City.
1A. After the Pledge of Allegiance to
the Flag, Mayor Conrad called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. City
Clerk Sweeney called the Roll of those physically present.
PRESENT: Mayor Robert Conrad, Aldermen
Wayne Straza, Karen Michalczyk, John Von Drasek, Sean McDermott, Robert
Pondelicek, Michael Smetana
ALSO PRESENT: City Clerk Sweeney, City
Treasurer Jasinski, City Atty. Erik Peck, City Admin. Bailey, Police
Chief Swanson, Asst. Admin, Peterson, City Engineer Fitzgerald, CDD
Onderdonk, Fin. Dir. Paul, ESDA Coord. Norman
OMNIBUS AGENDA
2. Approval of Minutes of April 9, 2008.
3. Statement of Bills through April 23, 2008: $705,364.94.
Treasurer’s Report – for the period ending January 31, 2008.
4. Treasurer’s Report – for the period ending February 29, 2008.
5. Membership: Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau - $950.
6. Membership: American Water Works Association – D. Decker - $165.
7. Application for a general business license from BELLA BANQUETS, 5412
LaGrange Rd. Type: Banquet Hall. Applicant: Michael Siambanes
(formerly Chantilly).
8. Application for a general business license from RABBEH ICE CREAM,
5211 S. 73rd Ct. Summit. Type: Ice cream truck. Applicant:
Molkey Rabbeh.
9. Application from VFW Post #10778 to sell poppies for Veterans at
Fuller’s Car Wash on May 21-22, 2008
10. Application for a general business license from CURVES FOR WOMEN,
1418 W. 55th St. Type: Women’s Health Club. Applicant:
Bianca Gohan-Kennedy.
11. Application for a general business license from TROPICAL SNO, 9550
W. 56th St. Type: Home office. Applicant: Renee Jerbis.
12. Application for a general business license from TROPICAL SNO, 9550
W. 56th St. Type: Food Dispensing vehicle. Applicant: Renee
Jerbis.
13. Application for a general business license from ROOMS DIRECT
FURNITURE, 5 Countryside Plaza. Type: Retail furniture. Applicant: Mir
Khan.
14. Ald. Pondelicek moved to approve the Omnibus Agenda as presented,
seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried unanimously.
ADDITIONS TO AND/OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA
15. One addition to the Agenda was noted by Mayor Conrad.
QUESTIONS AND/OR COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE
16. Ron Shelby, 5707 Catherine, presented fresh photographs to Ald.
Straza and Council members from an ongoing dispute with
a neighbor affecting drainage on his property. Ald. Straza noted other
issues affecting that property as well. Harry Marvin, 5719 Catherine,
stated that a shed is built against the house causing water to run
directly to his yard. Both homes are affected by the drainage problem.
17. Terry Faloun representing Bella Banquets stated that this matter is
on the agenda this evening for a business license and liquor license.
The principals are present and available for questioning if necessary.
He presented additional materials (photos and artist renderings of the
proposed site) to supplement the package provided. Mayor Conrad accepted
the materials and welcomed them to the City.
MAYOR’S REPORT
18. Mayor Conrad reintroduced Jessica Fuller of Ideal School who
presented a thank you poster from the Sixth Graders of Ideal School
thanking the City for its donation to the school. Photos were taken to
mark the occasion. The poster reads: “Dear Countryside City Council and
Finance Committee; Thank you for helping to make Ideal School a better
place to learn. The Sixth Graders of Ideal School.”
19. Mayor Conrad accepted the check from AT&T in the amount of $3,500
and thanked them for sponsorship of Concerts in the Park series.
20. Mayor Conrad signed the Resolution Supporting the City of Chicago’s
bid for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympics Games. Ald. McDermott moved to
adopt the Resolution, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried
unanimously.
Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as RESOLUTION 08-05-R.
21. Mayor Conrad signed the Resolution of Authorization to proceed with
the OSLAD Ideal Park Redevelopment project. Ald. Pondelicek moved to
adopt the Resolution seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried
unanimously. Ms. Peterson was assisted by the Romeoville Park District
re: their OSLAD Grant Application from 2007.
Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as RESOLUTION 08-06-R.
22. Mayor Conrad noted the Proclamation designating May as Older
Americans Month. Ald. Straza moved to approve the Proclamation as
presented, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried unanimously.
23. Mayor Conrad stated that the Rotary Club has invited the City
Council to attend the Diamond Achievement Award Dinner on May 1 at
Bella Banquets along with the request for $2,000 to subsidize the
event. Ald. Smetana moved to approve the donation, seconded by Ald.
Pondelicek and carried unanimously. Ald. Smetana and Mayor Conrad both
acknowledge that this is a very worthy cause honoring students who have
most improved their grades during the school year.
24. The City received an invitation to participate in the LaGrange Pet
Parade on May 31, 2008 with officials, cars, ESDA and Police
Department. Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Smetana
and carried unanimously.
25. Mayor Conrad presented the application for a Class Q Liquor License
from Bella Banquets, 5412 LaGrange Road, in conjunction with a business
license. The applicant is Michael Siambanes. Ald. McDermott moved to
approve, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously.
26. Mayor Conrad was invited to a caucus of Suburban Mayors by Cong.
Lipinski to discuss flood plain issues with FEMA and the Army Corps of
Engineers. Information will be given to Novotny & Assoc. and shared
with both Aldermen from that Ward. The Mayor stated that this is a step
in the right direction for relief in the Triangle Area.
CITY CLERK’S REPORT
27. Clerk Sweeney sought Council consideration to change City Hall
official business hours from 8:30 to 4:30 Monday through Friday,
effective May 1, 2008. Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve the request,
seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried unanimously.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
28. FINANCE COMMITTEE – TREASURER JASINSKI, CHAIRMAN, presented
recommendations from the committee meeting of 4-16-08. He presented the
draft Resolution extending participation in the South Central
Cooperative Health Pool, a subgroup of the intergovernmental IPBC
through June 30, 2011. Ald. Straza moved to adopt the Resolution,
seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried unanimously.
Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as RESOLUTION 08-07-R.
29. Treasurer Jasinski presented truck replacement bids for the ’00
Chevy Jimmy SUV in the amount of $8,920. He noted that for an
additional $210 the truck would be available now - speed up delivery by
two months. Ald. Straza moved to approve the immediate purchase,
seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.
30. Treasurer Jasinski sought Council consideration for financial
support for the Des Plaines Valley Rendezvous, (formerly the I&M Canal
Rendezvous) in the amount of $1,000. Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve
the donation, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried unanimously.
31. Treasurer Jasinski sought Council consideration for financial
support to the LaGrange Pet Parade in the amount of $500. Ald. McDermott
moved to approve the donation, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried
unanimously.
32. Treasurer Jasinski held up the WSCC Membership Directory and called
attention to the City’s ad on the back cover of the pamphlet.
LEGAL REPORT
33. City Attorney Peck presented PC/ZBA recommendations on the
application of Besnick Useini, on the property commonly known as 9901 W.
56th St., requesting four variances relating to Sec. 10-5E-5C
to allow a rear yard setback of 23’3”; a variance to Sec. 10-5E-6A to
allow a FAR of .57 instead of .3; a variance to Sec. 10-5E-4F to allow a
building site with approximately 19 units per acre instead of 6 units
per acre; and a variance to Sec. 10-2-9E and 10-5E-5B-3 to allow a trash
enclosure as an accessory building in the rear yard nearer than 5’ to
the side lot line. At the hearing held on April 1, 2008, the PC/ZBA,
after hearing the testimony and evidence presented recommended approval
of all four variances in substantial conformity with Petitioner’s
Exhibit A. Ald. Smetana moved to concur with the PC/ZBA recommendation
regarding all four variances, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried
unanimously.
Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 08-20-O.
34. Attorney Peck presented a draft ordinance amending Sec. 3-1-5 to
include a $20 late fee for the 30-day period after renewal occurs and if
unpaid after 30 days, become subject to a penalty equal to the cost of
the license fee, added to the original fee. Ald. Pondelicek moved to
adopt the ordinance as presented, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and
carried unanimously.
Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 08-21-O.
35. Attorney Peck presented a draft resolution regarding the Burr Ridge
Recreation Program’s Cooperative Agreement. Ald. Smetana moved to
approve the Resolution, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried
unanimously.
Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as RESOLUTION 08-08-R.
36. Ald. Von Drasek reminded the audience that Thursday, June 5 will be
the First Concert in the Park – please mark your calendars. The City
received a thank you from Pleasantdale School for the donation of
$2,500; the school also thanked Vulcan for the stage lighting.
37. Ald. McDermott asked Admin. Bailey to present a report regarding
the “Cool Cities” event which they both attended last week. A report
will be presented later.
STAFF REPORTS
38. Police Chief Swanson advised the audience that Chief Judge Thomas
Carmody of the 5th District Courthouse passed away; his wake
and funeral will be Friday and Saturday. He has additional information
for interested parties.
39. CDD Onderdonk stated that the City has received an application from
Mr. Sweiss requesting parking in the public road R-O-W (not the paved
area) at Stalford and Joliet Road. A license is required. Ald. Von
Drasek stated that the parking spaces were always there in the past; he
has created more green space. Ald. Von Drasek moved to direct the
attorney to prepare a draft license and permit, to be presented for
Council approval, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried unanimously. A
copy of the deed and site plan will be provided to Council prior to the
next meeting.
40. Discussion regarding the numerous coyote sightings in the City
during daylight hours -- at 2 p.m. two coyotes was traveling down
Catherine Avenue. The City is working with the County; there is a
company that will try to trap them if they are called.
ADJOURNMENT
41. There being no further business to discuss, Ald. Michalczyk moved to
adjourn the meeting, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously.
Mayor Conrad declared the meeting adjourned at 8:02 p.m.
SHARON SWEENEY, CITY CLERK
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