City Council Minutes - May 28, 2008

MINUTES OF A  REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE, ILLINOIS
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2008

1. After the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, Mayor Conrad called the meeting to order at 7:55 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 Attorney Erik Peck, City Admin. Bailey, Police Chief Swanson, City Eng. Fitzgerald, Asst. Admin. Peterson, CDD Onderdonk, Fin. Dir. Paul, ESDA Coordinator Norman, DPW Supt. Fullar, Deputy Clerk Bartelt, CDP Swanson, PC/ZBA Member Jasinski,

OMNIBUS AGENDA

2. Approval of Minutes of May 14, 2008.

3. Statement of Bills through May 28, 2008:  $318,245.22.

4. Treasurer Jasinski noted the Chamber of Commerce May 30, Car & Cycle Show has been cancelled; there is an outstanding bill for $2,500. Mr. Bailey stated that check will be held and the bill pulled off the invoice list.  Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve the Omnibus Agenda with that change, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously.

5. Mayor Conrad asked about the grand opening for the Best Western. Deputy Clerk Bartelt stated that due to the mix-up, they are having a “soft opening” on Friday; no officials are expected to attend.  The City will be notified of the official ribbon cutting ceremony. Mayor Conrad suggested sponsoring another car show later in the summer and including Best Western’s grand opening along with the car show. Ald. Pondelicek stated that James Dean also cancelled their auto show. He suggested that they unite with the Chamber of Commerce to have one big show event.

ADDITIONS TO AND/OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA

6. Ald. Smetana noted one addition to the Police Committee.

QUESTIONS AND/OR COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE

MAYOR’S  REPORT

7. Mayor Conrad presented a Service Recognition Award to ESDA Coordinator Steve Norman for 20 years of service; he received a gift card from Home Depot and many thanks from the City Council.  Photos were taken.

TREASURER’S  REPORT

8. City Treasurer Jasinski noted that the next Finance Committee meeting will take place either June 4 or June 11, 2008.

COMMITTEE  REPORTS

9. POLICE COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN SMETANA, CHAIRMAN, presented the invoice from Bloomington Avionics, Inc., for $54,514.06 for the radio upgrade to the helicopter, part of the Homeland Security Response Committee, paid from the UASI grant money from Cook County.  Ald. Smetana moved to approve the purchase, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

10. Ald. Smetana reported that the City has made a K-9 Training Video; they request authorization to spend $2,005 from the Asset Forfeiture funds to complete final filming, reproduction, DVD, cover design and shipping to all law enforcement agencies in Illinois.  Ald. Von Drasek witnessed the making of this video and was very impressed. He believes the video will be a great tool in assisting police officers. Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve payment, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried by unanimous voice vote.

11. Chief Swanson stated that no such videos are available for this purpose. The City is getting requests from out of state. They will provide copies to the Illinois Training Board and other agencies. The Sheriff’s Office supplied equipment and manpower for the video; he hopes to get the first 1,000 for agencies in Illinois and for Council members as well. Mayor Conrad suggested getting Serafin Assoc. involved to promote the City; include footage in the news programs – five minutes on a news show. This is exactly what is needed to change the image of the City. Include the video along with Movies in the Park as well – a great idea.

12. Ald. Smetana stated that Police Radio Operator Natalie Brunke is retiring; Saturday will be her last day.  Her replacement has been chosen and passed all background checks and physical requirements but will not begin for at least two weeks.  He seeks approval to hire the replacement radio operator. Chief Swanson stated that she is presently a dispatch operator for the City of Joliet and is trained and certified.  Ald. Smetana moved to proceed with hiring the individual, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

13. Ald. Pondelicek noted that the D.A.R.E. Graduation Class ceremony for this year will take place tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. at Ideal School.  Everyone is welcome to attend.  They do a very nice job and have a very good presentation about the program.  Mayor Conrad and Ald. Smetana will try to make the ceremony.

14. Ald. Von Drasek stated that the Aging Well  clean-up program for Seniors went very well. Teen volunteers from Grace Lutheran Church, along with Mayor Conrad, assisted seniors in getting serious junk removed.

15. Ald. Von Drasek announced the re-Grand Opening for Brancato Park will be Friday June 6, at 6:30 p.m. All are welcome back at City Hall for cake and coffee afterwards.  FYI -  Concert in the Park begins at 8 p.m. Thursday, June 5. J.C. Georges will be the food vendor.  The Walking Club will kick off on Wednesday, June 18, Aging Well and the Recreation Department got a 50% response; they are trying to get the word out; please advise those you think are interested in joining.

16. The tree donation by Half Price Books included out of town guests from Dallas and New York who were impressed with the City of Countryside.  They chose this City for the tree and donated $25,000 to the NRDC – National Resource Defense Council -  to promote the environment and fight global warming.  The store will get involved with Ideal School and Pleasantdale School for discount books; they will also supply a mascot for one of Countryside concerts --  a bookworm guy.

17. Ald. McDermott stated that they are working on a date for the next Economic Development Meeting.

LEGAL REPORT

18. City Attorney Peck presented the recommendation from the PC/ZBA on Sections 10-10-2G and 10-10-5 regarding the provision for accessible parking – specifically handicap parking.   Ald. Straza moved to send this matter to the Infrastructure Committee for further discussion prior to voting, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried by unanimous voice vote.

ADMINISTRATOR’S  REPORT

19. City Administrator Bailey requested authorization to bid on the 2007 Sidewalk Project funded by the CDBG program re: handicapped ramps. Ald. Straza moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried unanimously.

20. Mr. Bailey presented FGM’s application for payment in the amount of $39,828 to Kenneth Company regarding Countryside Park Improvements.  Ald. McDermott moved to approve payment, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried unanimously.

STAFF  REPORTS

21. DPW Superintendent, Bob Fullar, stated that the Spring Clean-up went very well; there appeared to be a lot less trash this year.

ADJOURNMENT

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

Mayor Conrad declared the meeting adjourned at 8:22 p.m.

SHARON SWEENEY,  CITY CLERK

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