City Council Minutes - July 9, 2008

MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE, ILLINOIS
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 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, Robert Pondelicek, Karen Michalczyk, John Von Drasek, Sean McDermott 

ABSENT: Ald. Michael Smetana

ALSO PRESENT: City Clerk Sweeney, City Treasurer Jasinski, City Attorney Peck, City Admin. Bailey, Police Chief Swanson, City Eng. Fitzgerald, Asst. Admin. Peterson, Fin. Dir. Paul, ESDA Cord. Norman

OMNIBUS AGENDA

2. Approval of Minutes of June 25, 2008.

3. Statement of Bills through July 9, 2008:  $389,338.90.

4. Financial Statement – period ending May 31, 2008.

5. Application for a general business license from Flagg Creek Property Solutions, 6345 Joliet road, 2D.  Type:  Business Office.  Applicant:  Eric Johnson.

6. Application for a general business license from Inland Bank & Trust, 5456 LaGrange Road. Type:  Bank.  Applicant:  Michael Braun (formerly AmeriMark Bank).

7. MEMBERSHIP: West Central Municipal Conference – Administration - $5596.85.

8. MEMBERSHIP: WCMC, Council of Mayors due - $1,327.

9. Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve the Omnibus Agenda as presented, seconded by Ald. Straza.

ADDITIONS TO AND/OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA

10. One addition to the Agenda was noted by Treasurer Jasinski; one deletion was noted by Clerk Sweeney – the statement of bills. Treasurer Jasinski stated that the totals for the Statement of Bills through July 9, 2008 is $389,338.90.   The Omnibus

Agenda was approved as corrected and carried by voice vote.

MAYOR’S REPORT

11. Mayor Conrad read a press release from the Suburban Life Newspaper from March 2008 noting Countryside’s receipt of a Certificate of Achievement Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the FY 2007.    Finance Director Gail Paul will be given the award for her department’s efforts in compiling the City’s annual financial report.  A panel of impartial judges announced that Countryside has one of the finest examples of financial reporting.  She has done an excellent job.  Mayor Conrad presented Gail Paul with the Certificate of Achievement on behalf of the City and congratulated her on a job well done.  Council members applauded her efforts.

CITY CLERK’S REPORT

12. City Clerk Sweeney withdrew the request for approval to participate in the IML’s 95^th Annual Conference September 27, 2008 at the Chicago Hilton Hotel. No one from the Clerk’s Office will attend.

COMMITTEE  REPORTS

13. FINANCE COMMITTEE – TREASURER JASINSKI, CHAIRMAN, presented the approval for the proposed Mazda Redevelopment Agreement.  He requested that this matter be tabled until further information is received.

14. Treasurer Jasinski presented the approval for the Flagg Creek Golf Course FY 2009 Budget – and requested that this matter be tabled for further information as well.

15. Treasurer Jasinski presented the recommendation to deny the agreement with LTHS for Advertisement of Concerts.  There is a stipulation that Staff will be discussing this topic for next year’s Harvest Fest and concerts. Ald. Michalczyk moved to concur with the recommendation, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

16. Treasurer Jasinski stated that Staff will be directed to reinstate funds to cover Senior Trips this year. Mayor Conrad directed him to investigate the particulars and bring the topic back to Council with more information.    Re: the Mazda Redevelopment Agreement, Mayor Conrad seeks a quick resolution with inclusion on the next agenda.

17. Ald. Von Drasek invited everyone to attend the Karaoke performance tomorrow evening at Concerts in the Park.

LEGAL  REPORT

18. City Attorney Peck stated that the closings for the Dodge Property and the Ethan Allen Property were scheduled for July 1.  Both sellers have asked for an extension of the contract.  Council has an amendment to the real estate contract extending the closing to July 15, plus an additional $15,000 in earnest money.  Ald. Straza moved to approve the extension, seconded by Ald. McDermott and carried unanimously 5/0/1.

ADMINISTRATOR’S  REPORT

19. City Administrator Bailey expressed his appreciation and delight to Ms. Paul on receiving the Certificate of Achievement Award for the City.

STAFF  REPORTS

20. City Engineer Fitzgerald stated that Ald. Von Drasek asked him to provide a public report regarding the 5^th Avenue Cutoff. The County is almost done with Phase I engineering; they are targeting next year pending the County’s budget for construction.

OLD & NEW BUSINESS

21. Mayor Conrad stated that the 13^th Annual Rotary Golf Outing will be held August 4, 2008; the City usually participates in the event. The cost is $50 for golf/dinner; $20 for dinner only.  Ald.  Straza moved to include elected officials and City staff, as in the past, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously 5/0/1.

22. Mayor Conrad attended a breakfast meeting at the County Building hosted by President, Todd Stroger, along with mayors from other communities.  It was a very enlightening meeting; the President is trying to bridge the gap between the County and outlying municipalities. Opening lines of communication with suburban areas assists residents in understanding how the tax affects their community, and the benefit received from it. Mayor Conrad looks forward to the next meeting which will be held in the suburbs.

ADJOURNMENT

23. 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 7:50 p.m.

SHARON  SWEENEY,  CITY CLERK

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