City Council Minutes - June 25, 2008

MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING

CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE, ILLINOIS

HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 2008

1. 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

ABSENT: City Treasurer Jasinski

ALSO PRESENT: City Clerk Sweeney, City Attorney Peck, City Admin. Bailey, Police Chief Swanson, City Eng. Fitzgerald, Asst. Admin. Peterson, Fin. Dir. Paul, CDD Onderdonk, ESDA Coord. Norman, PC/ZBA Meb. Jasinski, Fire/Police Comm. Burdett

OMNIBUS AGENDA

2. Approval of Minutes of June 11, 2008.

3. Statement of Bills through June 25, 2008: $116,597.31.

4. Application for a general business license from Jiffy Lube, 5550 LaGrange Road. Type:  Retail & service.  Applicant:  Paul Gedwill (new owner).

5. Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve the Omnibus Agenda as presented, seconded by Ald. McDermott and carried unanimously.

ADDITIONS TO AND/OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA

6. One addition to the Agenda was noted by Mayor Conrad

QUESTIONS AND/OR COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE

7. Kimberly Yarbough, 1418 Elmhurst Road, Elk Grove Village, appeared on behalf of Jiffy Lube to appeal the denial of the electronic sign variance by the PC/ZBA.  She stated that installation of the sign was originally approved and later prohibited by the City. Jiffy Lube seeks reconsideration to approve a time/temperature display, allowed by City Code. Lettering is white and will not flash or scroll. The sign is too expensive to remove and replace.  Council will consider this request later in the meeting.

MAYOR’S REPORT

8. Mayor Conrad sought Council consideration for reinstating the Pool & Library Reimbursement Programs to allow for the reimbursement of charges up to $100 per family for each program. Ald. Smetana moved to approve the programs, seconded by Ald. McDermott and carried unanimously.

9. Mayor Conrad sought Council consideration to approve the I.U.O.E. Local #150 Administration Labor Agreement.  Ald. Smetana moved to approve the Labor Agreement as presented, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried by unanimous Roll Call vote.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as RESOLUTION 08-12-R.

10. Consider approval of the expanded proposed Business District.

11. Consider approval of the Countryside Business District #1 Redevelopment Plan. Mayor Conrad noted that several Public Hearings have taken place regarding establishment of the Countryside Business District #1.  Council has the Draft Ordinance and Plan which are the results of those hearings.  If adopted the Ordinance will establish a business district from Joliet Road north to 58^th St. east of LaGrange Road for the purpose of growth and development of the area.  Ald. Pondelicek moved to adopt the Ordinance as presented, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried by unanimous Roll Call vote- 6/0.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 08-29-O.

12. Mayor Conrad stated that for the purpose of financing certain public / park improvements and the acquisition and improvement of properties located in the newly-established Countryside Business District #1, he seeks Council authorization for the issuance of not to exceed $20 million taxable General Obligation Bonds, Series 2008.  Ald. Pondelicek moved to approve, seconded by Ald. McDermott and carried by unanimous Roll Call vote – 6/0.  Mayor thanked the City Council members for their vote.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 08-30-O.

13. FYI – Dremco Office Building, 6408-10 Joliet Road – construction has begun on the third building.

14. Mayor Conrad acknowledged receipt of the certificate from the D.A.R.E. Program at Ideal School thanking Officer Millsap and Chief Swanson for their continued efforts on behalf of the City of Countryside.

CITY CLERK’S REPORT

15. Clerk Sweeney sought Council consideration to amend the Official Yearly Calendar to reflect the Board of Police & Fire Commissioners to meet quarterly instead of bimonthly, effective immediately – the new meeting dates to be Tuesday, September 16, 2008 and Tuesday, December 16, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.  Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve the request, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.

TREASURER’S REPORT

16. Treasurer Jasinski is unable to attend the meeting tonight. Ald. Michalczyk stated that in regard to the Bond Ordinance that was adopted earlier, the City will be accepting bids tomorrow.  The Treasurer, Mayor and City Clerk will need to sign multiple documents next week.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

17. RECREATION COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN VON DRASEK, CHAIRMAN, discussed the Internet Line for Countryside Park Security Cameras.  After discussion, the recommendation was to sign an agreement with Comcast for $98.95 per month. Ald. Michalczyk moved to accept the Comcast proposal, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried unanimously.

18. Ald. Von Drasek thanked the residents for attending Concert in the Park – it was a good turnout with good food.  Tomorrow night The Meteors are featured – a 50s, 60s, 70s Band – he invited all residents to the concert.

19. INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN MICHALCZYK, CHAIRMAN, reported that the committee is working on the revision of various City Codes.  Mayor Conrad commended the committee on doing a very nice job.

20. POLICE COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN SMETANA, CHAIRMAN, presented the recommendation to replace Squad #92, Ford Expedition, with a 2008 model from Westfield Ford for $21,850, including a $5,000 trade-in – and below the State purchasing price.  This is a budgeted item; the vehicle carries all the SWAT team gear. Chief Swanson stated that it is a 2006 vehicle with 70,000 miles; it has had numerous repairs with engine/transmission problems. Ald. Smetana moved to approve the purchase, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously.

21. Chief Swanson discussed participation in the third year of the Project Gold Shield Program for Homeland Security.  There is no cost to the City; the attorney has reviewed the standard contract language.  This program will provide two additional cameras for the City plus other equipment. Attorney Peck stated that the federal government requires an agreement with the County by way of Resolution. They need City approval to go forward with that program. Chief Swanson stated that camera locations will be determined later, probably the Holiday Inn and the Water Tower; other mobile devices would be installed in squad cars.  These cameras are designed for outdoor use only. Ald. Smetana moved to approve the Project Gold Shield, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as RESOLUTION 08-13-R.

22. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN MC DERMOTT, CHAIRMAN, advised that the committee met on Monday to hear a presentation from ERA to review the economic plan or vision for the City.

LEGAL REPORT

23. City Attorney Peck presented acceptance of the Plat of Dedication from the City of Countryside to donate a portion of the land required for the ITEP landscape improvements at 5631 LaGrange Road.  Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve the Plat of Dedication, seconded by Ald. McDermott and carried unanimously.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 08-35-O.

24. Attorney Peck presented the PC/ZBA recommendation of June 3, 2008 re: application of Dr. A. Alvi for a special use to operate a small animal veterinary hospital at 6555 Willow Springs Road. He currently has a cat clinic and wishes to expand his business to include other small animals, birds and dogs.  The PC/ZBA heard the testimony, found that he met all the requirements and approved the special use subject to the following conditions:  that there be no overnight boarding of animals; hours of operation are 8 am to 7pm Monday through Friday, 9 am to 1 pm on Saturday, Closed on Sunday; he must comply with all other requirements of the City. Ald. Straza moved to concur with the recommendation.  Mr. Alvi appeared in person and requested that Sunday hours of 9 am to 1 pm be added to the list.  After discussion, Council did not object. Ald. Straza moved to add the Sunday hours of 9 am to 1 pm to his motion, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried unanimously.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 08-31-O.

25. Attorney Peck presented the PC/ZBA recommendation of June 3, 2008 re: the application of Jiffy Lube to operate a changing electronic sign in a B-1 zoning district at 5550 LaGrange Road.  At the hearing the PC/ZBA denied the request for a variance. The applicant appeared earlier this evening and made a brief statement.  Ms. Yarbough stated that the City Code does allow a changeable time/temperature only sign. Mr. Peck stated that the clerical error by the Building Department does not entitle them to use the electronic sign since that is prohibited.  Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve the variance for the electronic sign restricting the use to time and temperature only, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried by Roll Call vote – 6/0.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 08-32-O.

26. Attorney Peck presented the PC/ZBA recommendation of June 3, 2008 re: the application of Dr. B. Sweis to allow one monument sign without the required 7-foot space between the sign and ground level at 6502-6504 Joliet Road.  The PC/ZBA heard the testimony and found that the applicant established all requirements for the variation. They recommended approval of the variance subject to the following conditions:  that all construction and operation permitted by such sign variation shall be subject to all applicable codes and ordinances of the City of Countryside; that said use be established within six months; that construction be in substantial compliance with Petitioner’s Exhibits A and B, which are the site plan and drawing of the sign structure; that the plan for the subject sign be reviewed and approved by the City Engineer and that the line of sight/ sight line for the corner of Stalford Road and Joliet Road be 100% acceptable to the City Engineer. Mr. Fitzgerald has not checked the sight line; Mr. Hudson has done so but Mr. Fitzgerald will verify that.  Ald. Von Drasek moved to concur with the recommendation, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried by Roll Call vote – 6/0.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 08-33-O.

27. Attorney Peck presented the PC/ZBA recommendation of June 3, 2008 re: yard area setbacks, building height and structure requirements in the B-1 commercial district on properties adjacent to residential properties.  Copies of the suggested changes have been distributed to Council members.  Ald. Michalczyk moved to concur with the recommendation, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried by Roll Call vote – 6/0.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 08-34-O.

28. Attorney Peck sought consideration of an amendment to the real estate contract for 5949 LaGrange Road, the Dodge property, to extend the closing date from July 1, 2008 to July 16, 2008 with additional earnest money of $100,000 applied to the final price.  Ald. McDermott moved to extend the closing date to July 16, 2008, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously.

29. FYI – Mr. Peck stated that Council will receive another contract extension for the Ethan Allen property at the next City Council meeting.

30. Mr. Peck presented the application for a general business license from Ray Stremski, 718 Terry Lane, seeking a home office use as a fire arms dealer. The City does not have a fire arms dealer license in place right now; he is seeking approval of a home office.  Ald. McDermott moved to approve the general business license, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried by Roll Call vote – 4/2.

AYES: Straza, Smetana, Pondelicek, McDermott

NAYS: Michalczyk, Von Drasek

CARRIED: 4/2

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

31. City Administrator Bailey sought authorization to solicit bids for implementation of the ITEP LaGrange Road Streetscape Program.   Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

32. Mr. Bailey sought authorization to enter into an agreement with the Cook County Assessor to access the Cook County GIS data.  Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried unanimously.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as RESOLUTION 08-14-R.

33. Mr. Bailey presented engineer’s pay estimate #5 for Pump Houses 1 and 2 Rehabilitation to Genco Industries in the amount of $84,674.69.  Ald. Smetana moved to approve payment, seconded by Ald. McDermott and carried unanimously.

STAFF REPORTS

34. CDD Mr. Onderdonk invited everyone to the Plan Commission meeting next Tuesday evening, July 1, for a demonstration of the GIS program and its capabilities. They are using County data and other data to help with the mapping program; they have begun to use data from other departments, specifically the Water Department, to locate all the valves in the City and to layer that information over the streetscape.

35. Mr. Onderdonk stated that other property improvements are taking place in the City, namely the Sales Square rehabilitation,  Mr. Arce’s bricklayers are working, the Dremco building and Sweis building are coming along.  The ERA report stated that vacancy rates in Countryside are lower than the surrounding areas.

36. Ald. McDermott stated that the fire arms dealer’s activity as listed on Mr. Stremski’s application is to sell to law enforcement personnel -- only on the Internet.

ADJOURNMENT

37. 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 8:10 p.m.

SHARON SWEENEY, CITY CLERK

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