City Council Minutes - May
14, 2008
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE, ILLINOIS
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2008
1. After the Pledge of Allegiance to
the Flag, Mayor Conrad called the meeting to order at 7:45 p.m. City
Clerk Sweeney called the Roll of those physically present as follows:
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 Attorney Peck, City Admin. Bailey, Police Chief
Swanson, Asst. Admin. Peterson, City Engineer Fitzgerald, CDD Onderdonk,
Fin. Dir. Paul, ESDA Coordinator Norman
OMNIBUS AGENDA
2. Approval of Minutes of April 23,
2008.
3. Statement of Bills through May
14, 2008: $353,370.62.
4. Application for a special use
from James Dean Muffler & Brake, 6501 Joliet Road, requesting permission
to hold a car show on May 18 from 10am to 3pm.
5. Application for a general
business license from DMG Industries LLC, 7301 Willow Springs Road,
#304. Type: Home Office. Applicant: Damnic Grujic.
6. Application for a special use
from Windy City Postcard Club to hold a postcard show at Local #150
Engineer’s Hall on May 31, 2008 from 8am to 4pm.
7. SUBSCRIPTION: Suburban Life –
Clerk’s Office - $54 (two-year).
8. Solicitation request from the
American Legion Post #1941 to solicit at various locations for Poppy Day
on May 22-24, 2008.
9. Special Use request from the Best
Western Chicagoland/Countryside to conduct a ribbon cutting ceremony
including refreshments and band playing from 4-7 pm on May 30, 2008.
10. Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve
the Omnibus Agenda pending clarification and further investigation of
the special use request for the James Dean car show on May 18, seconded
by Ald. Smetana and carried unanimously.
ADDITIONS TO AND/OR DELETIONS FROM
THE AGENDA
11. Two additions to the Agenda were
noted by Mayor Conrad and Ald. Von Drasek.
QUESTIONS AND/OR COMMENTS FROM THE
AUDIENCE
MAYOR’S REPORT
12. Mayor Conrad requested approval
of the Annual Appropriation Ordinance for fiscal year beginning May 1,
2008 and ending April 30, 2009 - $16,402,439. Ald. Smetana moved to
approve the Annual Appropriation as presented, seconded by Ald. Straza
and carried by unanimous Roll Call vote – 6/0.
Clerk Sweeney declared that this
will be known as ORDINANCE 08-22-O.
13. Mayor Conrad presented the
request from the Countryside Chamber of Commerce to co-host the 7th
Annual Antique Classic Custom Car & Cycle Show on May 30, 2008 at the
Best Western Hotel parking lot, 6501 Joliet Road. Best Western will
hold its Grand Opening festivities at the same time. They plan on having
NASCAR style Winston Cup Car and an Orange County Chopper motorcycle
carrying the Best Western colors. There should be a ribbon-cutting
ceremony; Ms. Peterson will provide further information regarding the
program and refreshments. As co-sponsor the City is contributing $2,500
to the car show, which will come from the Hotel/Motel Fund. Ald.
Smetana moved to approve the co-sponsorship and contribution of $2,500
to the Chamber of Commerce for the Antique Classic Car & Cycle Show,
seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously.
14. F Y I - Mayor Conrad was
notified by Ms. Peterson that the Half Price Bookstore in Countryside
Plaza is awarding $25,000 to the Natural Resources Defense Council
(NRDC) in honor of their promoting conservation and preserving the
environment. Half Price Books will present the check to the NRDC on
Thursday, May 22, 2008 at Countryside Park, dedicate a tree in NRDC’s
honor and install a plaque in front of the dedicated tree. They are
requesting that some elected officials attend to support the dedication
ceremony. Further information will be provided by Ms. Peterson. They
are anticipating either 10 am or 2 pm ceremony. Mayor Conrad will be
out of town and asked Council members to attend in his absence. Ald.
Straza and McDermott will both attend the dedication. Ald. McDermott
moved to approve the tree dedication in Countryside Park by Half Price
Books, seconded by Ald. Straza; carried unanimously.
15. Mayor Conrad received a letter
from Comcast seeking college or high school age students that are
looking for summer job opportunities. Comcast is looking for energetic
students for sales rep positions providing the following benefits: up to
$100 per day, possible car allowance, uniforms are provided and the
chance to develop contacts for potential future employment opportunities
– plus an opportunity to “sleep in” since the majority of hours are in
the afternoon/evening. Mr. Bailey will keep the letter.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
16. F Y I - RECREATION COMMITTEE –
ALDERMAN VON DRASEK, CHAIRMAN, stated that this Saturday, through the
Aging Well Program, approximately 10-15 teen volunteers will help
Seniors with items being discarded in conjunction with the Spring
Clean-Up which will take place next week.
16A. The first Concert in the Park
will take place on Thursday, June 5. July 10 will be a live band
karaoke from 7-10 p.m.; please tell your neighbors; all are welcome.
LEGAL REPORT
17. City Attorney Peck presented the
draft ordinance updating the Zoning Map. In the past this work has been
done by Novotny Engineering; this year Mr. Onderdonk and his staff
prepared the Zoning Map. Mr. Onderdonk stated that this is a Smart Map –
behind every parcel and zoning district is an array of other data. They
used the Geographic Information System (GIS) to create this map; the
main difference is that this map geographically accurate and shows the
exact location of every parcel of property in the City. Staff is
beginning to build a database. Eventually an overlay will be added to
indicate house location, water and sewer lines and other features of the
property. One of the layers on this base map is the zoning map; much
more will be added in the future including flood plain data; everything
is geo-positioned or referenced according to latitude and longitude.
This is a big break-through for the City. Eventually it will be tied in
to Google Earth for a virtual tour of the City. Ald. Von Drasek moved
to adopt the new Zoning Map for 2008, seconded by Ald. Smetana and
carried unanimously.
Clerk Sweeney declared that this
will be known as ORDINANCE 08-23-O.
18. Mr. Peck stated that the draft
ordinance adopting the Annual Appropriation Ordinance for fiscal year
2008-2009 has been addressed under the Mayor’s Report.
19. Mr. Peck stated that the grant
of License for Parking and Open Space Use to Dr. Sweiss at Stalford Road
was brought to Council’s attention. His preference is to grant Dr.
Sweiss a license and if a problem arises in the future the license may
be revoked and the open space returned to the City. Mr. Peck has
provided a draft License for Parking and Open Space Use of the property
at 6502-04 Joliet Road. Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve the License as
presented, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried unanimously.
20. Mr. Peck discussed consideration
of authorizing a 20% administrative fee is added to general pass-thru
costs. This matter needs further discussion with Finance Director Paul;
he suggested that this matter be brought before the Finance Committee
and continued to the next City Council meeting.
21. Mr. Peck presented the draft
ordinance amending liquor license fees effective immediately. The City
has increased the annual liquor license fees by 100% - Class A through
Class T. They will range from $40 a day for Class C to $1,200 for Class
A. Ald. Michalczyk moved to adopt the Ordinance as presented, seconded
by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously.
Clerk Sweeney declared that this
will be known as ORDINANCE 08-24-O.
22. Mr. Peck presented the draft
ordinance amending tobacco license fees effective immediately. This will
increase the license for tobacco sales – increasing the wholesale
license to $250, retail license to $150 and a cigarette or tobacco
machine $150 each. Ald. Michalczyk 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 08-25-O.
23. Mr. Peck sought consideration of
an Intergovernmental Agreement with Pleasantview Fire Protection
District re: cleanup of 5745 LaGrange Road – the old firehouse
property. The property is contaminated but it will eventually revert
back to the City. The Fire District, the current titleholder, has
applied to the LUST Program with the State of Illinois for remediation.
The IGA states that they will do all the paperwork; the City will pay
the cost of remediation but the money received from the LUST Program for
remediation will be returned to the City. Mr. Onderdonk believes that
reimbursement will be 90-95% of the cost but timing will be the big
issue; funds will not be returned in this fiscal year. The City may be
able to use bonds for the cleanup and not dip into the General Fund.
Ald. McDermott moved to approve the IGA with Pleasantview Fire
Protection District re: cleanup of 5745 LaGrange Road, seconded by Ald.
Straza and carried unanimously.
24. Mr. Peck sought approval of the
Serafin Confidentiality Agreement. The parties have agreed on a working
confidentiality agreement that protects the City when they sit in on
Executive Sessions. Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve the
confidentiality agreement as presented, seconded by Ald. McDermott and
carried unanimously.
25. Mr. Peck presented a draft
resolution re: approving an agreement with the Illinois Elevator Safety
Program. City ordinance requires safety inspection of all elevators in
the City permitting the Building Department to do those inspections or
to contract it out. At present this job is outsourced. Mr. Peck received
the agreement from the Fire Marshal’s Office. The Fire Marshal will do
inspections for the City but is extremely slow. If that delay affects
business or development within in the City, the City may enact its own
ordinance to authorize the Building Department to do those inspections
or to contract it out. Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve the Illinois
Elevator Safety Program Agreement as presented, seconded by Ald.
McDermott and carried unanimously.
Clerk Sweeney declared that this
will be known as RESOLUTION 08-09-R.
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
26. City Administrator Bailey
presented engineer’s pay estimate for pump House #1 & 2 Rehabilitation
to Genco Industries in the amount of $127,885.61 and recommends payment.
Ald. Straza moved to approve payment, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and
carried unanimously. Mr. Bailey stated that the elevated storage tank
is being drained prior to inspection. The City water distribution
system is running exclusively on pumps at present.
27. Mr. Bailey presented architect’s
certificate for payment for the Brancato Park and Woodland Ridge Park to
Kenneth Company in the amount of $10,723.86 and recommends payment.
Ald. Smetana moved to approve payment, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and
carried unanimously.
28. Mr. Bailey presented engineer’s
pay estimate #4 and semi-final for the 2007 Street & Alley
Rehabilitation project to Central Blacktop in the amount of $37,776.19
and recommends payment. Ald. Smetana moved to approve payment, seconded
by Ald. Michalczyk and carried unanimously.
29. Mr. Bailey recommends
acceptance of the low bid of Crystal Maintenance Services for $1,480
monthly for Countryside City Hall custodial services for one year.
Council received copies of the bid tabulation sheet. Their insurance is
in place and references checked. He projects a savings of $96,000
annually. They will perform services five days per week from 10 pm to 6
am; daily employees will never see the workers. Mayor Conrad was
assured that they are familiar with the schedule of events and meetings
upstairs; everything possible has been covered. Ald. Straza moved to
approve the low bid, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried
unanimously.
30. Mr. Bailey presented invoice #6
from TENG & Assoc. for the ITEP – LaGrange Road project in the amount of
$37,179.60 and recommends payment. Ald Von Drasek moved to approve
payment, seconded by Ald. McDermott and carried unanimously.
31. Ald. Smetana asked about
follow-up of the street rehabilitation programs that were put aside due
to the Sanitary District. What is occurring with that program? Mr.
Bailey met Tom Heuer last week, the Sanitary District engineer to
discover the status of the project. He stated that it is still being
considered and they will be coming to the City this year. Ald. Smetana
does not want to let this project slip through the cracks.
STAFF REPORTS
32. Police Chief Swanson reported
that Desk Officer Brunke will retire at month end. That has been
reported to the Finance Department.
33. CDD Onderdonk stated that the
new promotional flyer has been distributed to Council. It shows the
location of different businesses in the community and highlights some of
the successful firms. Thanks to Serafin for helping in that task.
34. Assistant Administrator Peterson
requests authorization to hire Summer Staff -- a softball coordinator
and coaches for the 2008 Summer Program. She is seeking to hire 7
employees and one umpire; they will be contractual employees this
season. Coaches will get $15 per practice with a maximum of 15 practices
per season and $23 per game. The umpire will receive $25 per game. We
need to hire a softball coordinator every year. Last year Jerry
Cappetta received $2,227.89 for the season. This includes scheduling
games, running tryouts, coaches’ meetings, choosing teams meeting,
umpiring games (if needed) and dealing with parents and family issues.
He will be a regular employee. Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve hiring
the listed individuals, seconded by Ald. McDermott and carried by
unanimous voice vote. Mayor Conrad urged Ms. Peterson to do whatever is
in the best interest of the City. Mr. Bailey stated that it is a
significant change for the City to start treating some of these
employees as contractual versus part-time payroll employees and may
affect the City’s liability.
OLD AND NEW BUSINESS
35. ESDA Coordinator Norman met with
Jim Alsop, the NOAA coordinator. The City is has received its 2008-2011
Storm Ready Accreditation, specifically for enhancing the outdoor
warning capabilities by installing a siren at 59th St. and
LaGrange Road. Mayor Conrad congratulated him on a job well done.
ADJOURNMENT
36. There being no further business
to discuss, Ald. Smetana moved to adjourn to Executive Session under
Section 2Aa and 2B1 of the Open Meetings Act for the purpose of
discussing #150 Labor Agreement and the appointment to fill the position
of Senior Accountant, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried by
unanimous Roll Call vote – 6/0.
Mayor Conrad declared the meeting
recessed at 8:25 p.m.
* * * *
The Regular City Council meeting
returned to Open Session with the same members present at 9:18 p.m.
37. Consideration for approval of
the #150 DPW Labor Agreement. Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve the
Labor Agreement as presented, seconded by Ald. McDermott and carried by
unanimous Roll Call vote – 6/0.
Clerk Sweeney declared that this
will be known as RESOLUTION 08-10-R.
38. Consider approval of the
exclusion of the position of Senior Accountant from the collective
bargaining unit. Ald. Pondelicek moved to approve the exclusion as
presented, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried by unanimous Roll Call
vote – 6/0.
39. Approve the salary level for the
Senior Accountant position at $62,088. Ald. McDermott moved to approve,
seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried by unanimous Roll Call vote – 6/0.
40. Approve the appointment of Mei
Ling Lieu to the Senior Accountant position. Ald. Smetana moved to
approve the appointment, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried by
unanimous Roll Call vote – 6/0.
ADJOURNMENT
41. There being no further business
to discuss, Ald. McDermott moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by
Ald. Smetana and carried by unanimous voice vote.
Mayor Conrad declared the meeting
adjourned at 9:22 p.m.
SHARON SWEENEY, CITY CLERK
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