City Council Minutes - September 10th, 2008

MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE, ILLINOIS
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 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.

ABSENT: Ald. John Von Drasek, Ald. Michael Smetana.

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

OMNIBUS AGENDA

2. Approval of Minutes of August 27,  2008.

3. Statement of Bills through September 10, 2008:  $351,587.72.

4. Application for a general business license from WIRELESS NOW COUNTRYSIDE, INC., 5231 LaGrange Road. Type: Retail sales. Applicant: Taysir Ali (formerly T-Mobile, new owners).

5. Application for a general business license from INFINITY SIGNS, 5350-52 East Avenue. Type:  Retail sales. Applicant:  Chris O’Connor.

6. Application for a general business license from NUMBERS PLUS, LTD, 5350-52 East Avenue. Type:  Manufacturing.  Applicant: Russell Nicoletti

7. Application for a general business license from CORPORATE CHOICE CHAUFFEURING, 5639 9^th Ave. Type:  Home office. Applicant: Charles Vasilic.

8. From the Countryside Lions Club requesting permission to solicit for Candy Day on October 10, 2008 at various locations.

9. Application for a 6-day special use from MB Financial Bank to hold a promotional event called “Community Awareness Week” beginning October 4, 2008.

10. Application for a special event from FODEO, 6504 Joliet Road to hold an open house/grand opening on September 25, 2008 from 10 am to 7 pm.

11. Application for a general business license from VIA BELLA, 5501 Plainfield Road. Type:  Carryout restaurant.  Applicant: Michelle Fulco-DeLise.

12. Application for a general business license from JRAM INDUSTRIES, 6475 Joliet Road, #A800.  Type: Business office. Applicant:  Joseph Wiesermann.

13. Application for a general business license from BOB’S CARPENTRY SERVICES, 5419 Ashland Ave. Type:  Home Office.  Applicant:  Robert Grzanich.

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

ADDITIONS TO AND/OR DELETIONS FROM THE AGENDA

15. Two additions to the Agenda were noted by Mayor Conrad.

QUESTIONS AND/OR COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE

16. John Larson with Countryside Partners re: 57^th & LaGrange, presented a proposal for Quaker Steak & Lube, a 10,000 s.f. restaurant with three bars, outdoor seating and 275 parking spaces in place of the original two restaurants. He seeks a 10-day extension of time within which to sign the agreement. This is a destination-type family restaurant. Council will discuss the matter further.

MAYOR’S  REPORT

17. Mayor Conrad presented the request from the Countryside Lions Club for a $500 donation to defray expenses for the Countryside Halloween Party, October 31, 2008 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at the William Tell Restaurant.  Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve the donation, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

18. Mayor Conrad presented the additional request from the Lions Club for the City Clerk’s Office staff to distribute tickets to residents from 10-13 through 10-24-08 for the Halloween Party, and to allow City Hall availability on 10-27 to stuff candy bags and to permit ESDA to assist on the party day.  Ald. Straza moved to approve the request, seconded by Ald. McDermott and carried unanimously.

19. Mayor Conrad sought consideration of a draft resolution requesting the Illinois Attorney General to investigate sodium chloride prices for illegal collusion, price gouging, price manipulation and other anticompetitive activities. Ald. Straza stated that the WCMC will try to enter into an agreement to get salt at the same price as the City of Chicago. Ald. McDermott moved to adopt the Resolution, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried by Roll Call vote – 4/0/2.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as RESOLUTION 08-17-R.

20. Mayor Conrad presented the invitation from the West Suburban Chamber of Commerce to all voting officials as their guests to attend the Legislative Affairs Breakfast on October 15 @ 7:30 a.m. at the William Tell.  Non-voting City Officials are invited at a cost of $30 apiece.  Ald. Michalczyk moved to authorize City Officials and Department Heads to attend, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

21. Mayor Conrad presented the request from the I&M Canal National Heritage Corridor, Civic Center Authority, seeking assistance from ESDA and DPW for the Annual Rendezvous on October 11-12, 2008.  Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve the request, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously.

22. Mayor Conrad sought Council consideration to allow Mazda AutoBarn the use of 5949 and 6001 LaGrange Road properties while renovating their facility. Attorney Peck will work out the terms.  Ald. Straza moved to approve the request, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and carried unanimously.

23. Mayor Conrad sought Council approval to consider an engineering agreement between Countryside and Teng & Associates for the IDOT ITEP project.  Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

24. Mayor Conrad thanked Chief Swanson and his staff for handling the situation at the 5^th Avenue Cutoff; congratulations to the Police Department and all other entities involved for their excellent execution of a difficult situation.

25. Mayor Conrad noted the possibility of a Farmer’s Market in Countryside for the 2009 summer season; this should be brought to a committee meeting prior to approval.

26. The Summer Concert Series is complete; Harvest Fest will take place in October. The City will celebrate its’ 50^th year in 2010; a decision on the extravaganza must be made soon. He suggested seeking past officials to participate in the tribute.

COMMITTEE  REPORTS

27. FINANCE COMMITTEE – TREASURER JASINSKI, CHAIRMAN,  sought to continue the proposed agreement with Countryside Partners to September 24, 2008, for further information.  Ald. McDermott moved to approve continuation, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously. Mayor Conrad stated that nothing has changed.

28. LICENSING COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN PONDELICEK, CHAIRMAN,  seeks to authorize installation of “Caution – Blind Resident in Area” sign at 9760 W. 58^th St. on each side of the street – to accommodate 5-year-old twins, one of which was born blind. Ald. McDermott moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously. Ald. Peck will have the final draft of that agreement.\

29. Ald. McDermott advised that the Aging Well – Leaf Raking Party will be held on November 22. Several volunteers will assist Seniors with this chore.  Thanks to Chief Swanson and Mr. Burdett for their assistance.

30. Ald. Straza stated that some time ago he requested installation of  “No parking from 7 to 5” signs at 55^th & Kensington for special needs children  who are picked up by special buses that have difficulty turning when cars are parked in that area. He asked that this be done before the winter season. Mayor Conrad agreed.

LEGAL  REPORT

31. Attorney Peck presented a draft ordinance re: a second Budget Amendment to FY 07-08  Ordinance 07-12-O, which amends Schedule A. After review a slight discrepancy was noted due to a clerical error.  Ald. Michalczyk moved to adopt the ordinance, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously.

Clerk Sweeney declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 08-41-O.

ADMINISTRATOR’S  REPORT

32. City Administrator Bailey presented final invoice #8 from FGM for Countryside Park Improvements FY07, in the amount of $1,460 to Kenneth Company, for installation of additional drainage.  Mr. Bailey believes that more drainage is needed; this may become a budget item for the next fiscal year.  Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve the expenditure, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously.

33. Mr. Bailey sought authorization to fill the vacancy of Code Enforcement Officer 1.

Ald. McDermott moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried unanimously.

34. Mr. Bailey stated that the ITEP project is being pushed as much as possible.  The IDOT bureaucratic process is very slow moving.

STAFF  REPORTS

35. Police Chief Swanson stated that the dispatch officer is recovering from a severe ankle injury, is undergoing follow-up treatment and  may be out for awhile.

ADJOURNMENT

36. There being no further business to discuss, Ald. McDermott moved to adjourn, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried by unanimous voice vote.

Mayor Conrad declared the meeting adjourned at 8:03 p.m.

SHARON SWEENEY,  CITY CLERK

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