City Council Minutes - August 27, 2008

MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE, ILLINOIS
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 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

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

OMNIBUS AGENDA

2. Approval of Minutes of August 13, 2008.

3. Statement of Bills through August 27, 2008:  $95,579.12.

4. Application for a general business license from MORZEP Consulting, LLC, 7106 Pleasantdale Drive. Type:  Home office. Applicant: Mario Moreno.

5. Application for a general business license from SPIRIT HALLOWEEN Superstores, 5459 S. LaGrange Road. Type: Retail sales. Applicant: Steven Silverstein.

6. Application for a general business license from ROLLING LANES, 6301 Joliet Road. Type:  Bowling center. Applicant: Lynn McMillan (new owner).

7. Application for a general business license from the 10^th FRAME LOUNGE, 6301 Joliet Road. Type:  Restaurant & Lounge.  Applicant:  Lynn McMillan (new owner).

8. Application for a general business license from MARTIN PRODUCE, INC., 5401 S. 9^th Avenue. Type:  Warehouse.  Applicant:  Martin Maciel.

9. Financial Statement for the month ended 6-30-08 (previously distributed).

10. Financial Statement for the month ended 7-31-08 (previously distributed).

11. From the Robert Coulter, Jr. Post requesting permission to conduct their fundraiser for “Fall Festival” at Jewel Food on September 6-7, 20-21. 2008.

12. Ald. Pondelicek moved to approve the Omnibus Agenda as presented, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously.

ADDITIONS TO AND/OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA

13. Additions to the Agenda were noted by Mayor Conrad and Ald. Von Drasek.

QUESTIONS AND/OR COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE

14. Victoria Ganz, 10221 – 5^th Avenue, provided Council with additional information regarding her request for a variance to build an accessory building of 1,500 square feet on property commonly known as 10221 – 5^th Avenue Cutoff.  Council accepted the photos and plat of survey and will consider this matter later in the meeting.

15. Frank Zickus, 7375 Prescott Lane, sees no problem with the location or size of the proposed accessory building.  His neighbors are in favor of the project.  Roger Marenkov, 7424 Prescott Lane, echoes the above sentiments. He asked Council to look favorably upon a Code Amendment to increase the size of accessory buildings. All neighbors are in support of this project.  Donna Arrigo, 10200 – 5^th Ave. Cutoff; this lot has been vacant too long; their proposal is ideal and will be an asset to the community.

MAYOR’S REPORT

16. Mayor Conrad presented the application for a Class E. Liquor License from Lynn McMillan for the 10^th Frame Lounge, 6301 Joliet Road, in conjunction with business licenses for the bowling alley. This is an existing liquor license that will be transferred to the new owner.  Ald.  Straza moved to approve, seconded by Ald. McDermott and carried unanimously.

17. Mayor Conrad announced that as an added bonus to the concert series season, a young couple from Countryside won an evening and dinner out with the Mayor and His wife.  The couple has chosen the Flame Restaurant in Countryside. The Mayor asked Asst. Admin. Peterson to coordinate that dinner for next Saturday around 6-6:30 p.m.  He would like a promo or photo op with the Chef and the couple at that time.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

18. FINANCE COMMITTEE – TREASURER JASINSKI, CHAIRMAN, presented recommendations from the committee meeting of 8-26-08.  He seeks to table the Redevelopment Agreement with Countryside Partnership for further information.

19. Treasurer Jasinski recommended approval of the Flagg Creek Golf Course FY ’09 Budget.  Ald. Von Drasek moved to approve the FY ’09 budget as presented, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried unanimously.

20. Treasurer Jasinski recommended tabling approval of the Weather Alarm for Flagg Creek Golf Course until further information is obtained.

21. Treasurer Jasinski recommended proposed pay rates for ESDA employees.  Ald. Smetana moved to approve the recommendation, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

22. Treasurer Jasinski recommended tabling the Traffic Signal Maintenance Cost sharing agreement with the Village of Hodgkins until further information is obtained.

23. INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN MICHALCZYK, CHAIRMAN, stated that the committee continues to explore the culvert and ditch conditions in the 5^th Avenue Cutoff area and is setting up a new schedule for street resurfacing. They are also reviewing permits re: accessory buildings and sign ordinance for car dealers. The ITEP La Grange Road Streetscape bid opening is set for September 24.  Mayor Conrad commended the committee on their work and looks forward to the completed project.

24. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN MC DERMOTT, CHAIRMAN, stated that the Ad Hoc Committee met earlier this evening and narrowed the list down to three developers for possible interviews; they will review the ERA study.

25. At the “Aging Well” meeting on Monday, November 22 was chosen as the Rake Clean-Up Day. They are seeking high school volunteers to help senior citizens in cleaning up their lawns.  Mayor Conrad offered his assistance as well.

26. RECREATION COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN VON DRASEK, CHAIRMAN, conveyed appreciation to the Public Works Department for their assistance in Ward 2. 

27. Regarding the Summer programs, thanks to Ms. Peterson for the Concert number results – 1,213 attended of which 548 were from Countryside; Attendance at Movies in the Park was 334 of which 141 were Countryside residents; the rest came from surrounding communities. The next event is the Harvest Fest, coming up on October 4, with a DJ, haunted hayride, moon jump, pony rides, etc. Come out and enjoy.

LEGAL REPORT

28. City Attorney Peck presented the Continental Nissan Plat of Dedication for 5700 LaGrange Road as part of the ITEP Streetscape improvements.   Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve the land donation, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried by unanimous voice vote.

29. Attorney Peck presented the PC/ZBA recommendation re: petition of  M. Czarney and V. Ganz seeking a variance for the size of an accessory building of 1,500 s.f. within the R-7 zoned district at 10221 W. 5^th Avenue Cutoff.  After hearing all the testimony presented, the PC/ZBA determined that the applicants failed to establish the conditions required to permit granting the variance and the request was denied. Ald. Michalczyk moved to concur with the recommendation, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried by unanimous Roll Call vote – 6/0. 

29A. Mayor Conrad stated that this matter will come before the PC/ZBA at its next meeting on September 2, 2008 at which time amending the zoning code in the R-7 zoning district will be addressed.

30. Attorney Peck presented the request for a Class 6B Real Estate Tax Incentive from Martin Maciel for property of 5401 S. 9^th Avenue.  This classification encourages industrial development throughout Cook County by offering a tax incentive to develop or rehab industrial property. Properties in the Class 6B category are assessed at 16% of market value for the first 10 years, 23%-11^th year, 30%-12^th year – normal tax is 36%.

31. Attorney Terry Griffin, representing Martin Maciel and Martin Produce, Inc., requested that Council find the property eligible for a Class 6B tax incentive. Manny Maciel, G M, is present as well as R E broker, Mark Limus.  Mr. Griffin provided informational packets to Council. The company is purchasing the property but the contract is contingent upon getting approval of the City of Countryside and Cook County Board. Although the property has not been vacant for 24 months, there are special circumstances that warrant finding the property to be abandoned. This 20,000 s.f. unoccupied building is situated in Dansher Industrial Park. The existing business will relocate from Chicago, employing 15 full-time people and with expansion additional employees from Countryside will be hired.  The vacant building will be upgraded with new landscaping, fascia upgrades and dock repair.  This will be a single tenant, owner-occupied location within the industrial park and will bring new business to the City. Police Chief Swanson requested that the common driveway between the adjoining buildings be closed off so that cars cannot drive through to 9^th Avenue. Mr. Maciel agreed to block off the road. Ald. McDermott moved to consider a Resolution to have 5401 S. 9^th Avenue declared eligible for special circumstances finding that the property is abandoned for the Class 6B status pursuant to the Cook County real property classification ordinance, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried by Roll Call vote – 6/0.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as RESOLUTION 08-16-R.

ADMINISTRATOR’S  REPORT

32. City Administrator Bailey stated that Arby’s is willing to accept one parking space for the ITEP project, and they have approved a permanent easement; that should satisfy IDOT requirements. Mr. Fitzgerald stated that an easement serves the same purpose as a Plat of Dedication.  Two other parcels still need further discussion.

33. Mr. Bailey presented the bid award for the 2008 CDBG Detectable Warning Ramp Replacements #07-055.  The low bid was from A & R Cement, Inc. in the amount of $42,351.  The perimeter area includes Joliet Road, LaGrange Road, 58^th St. to East Ave. -- all ramps and public sidewalks. The project budget of $40,000 includes a matching City grant for $5,000.  After discussion, the City agreed to increase their amount from $5,000 to $7,400.  Ald. Straza moved to approve the A&R bid, with the City adding $2,400, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

34. City Engineer Fitzgerald stated that the City has received $40,000 in CDBG funds for the 5^th Avenue Cutoff area road repairs.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to discuss, Ald. Smetana moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried unanimously.

Mayor Conrad declared the meeting adjourned at 8:16 p.m.

SHARON SWEENEY,  CITY CLERK

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