City Council Minutes -
September 24, 2008
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COUNTRYSIDE, ILLINOIS
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 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, City Eng. Fitzgerald, CDD Onderdonk, Fin. Dir. Paul,
Plan/ZBA Member Jasinski
OMNIBUS AGENDA
2. Approval of Minutes of September
10, 2008.
3. Statement of Bills through September
24, 2008: $230,055.75.
4. Financial Statement for period
ending August 31, 2008 (previously distributed)
5. Application for a one-day special
use request from Unique Events to hold a model car and toy show at Park
Place, 6240 Joliet Road on October 19, 2008.
6. Application for a general business
license from Metromedia Techniques, Inc., 6428 Joliet Road, #102. Type:
Sales office. Applicant: James Campbell.
7. Ald. Smetana moved to approve the
Omnibus Agenda as presented, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and carried
unanimously.
ADDITIONS TO AND/OR DELETIONS FROM THE
AGENDA
8. Two deletions were noted by
Treasurer Jasinski and Ald. Michalczyk.
QUESTIONS AND/OR COMMENTS FROM THE
AUDIENCE
9. Frank Zickus, 7375 Prescott Lane,
urged Council to approve the rezoning amendment in the R-7 District; he
noted that the PC/ZBA unanimously approved that move making building
size proportionate to lot size.
10. Rolando Perez, 8951 W. Cermak Road,
North Riverside, spoke in favor of clinical massage therapy in
connection with Flying High Gym. He anticipates working with students
and employees, plus the community as a whole in promoting better health
awareness and for educational purposes. His partner, Jamie Stewart, 917
S. Mayfield, Chicago, actually discussed the possibility of traveling
with the Flying High competitive team to assist in pre- and
post-performance massage, which enhances improved performance. All
professional sports teams do travel with massage therapists. Ald. Straza
stated there is a fine line between massage therapy and sports medicine.
The massage therapists with professional teams are all licensed as
trainers; he urged the duo to review the State Statute language.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
11. FINANCE COMMITTEE – TREASURER
JASINSKI, CHAIRMAN, presented consideration of the proposed
Redevelopment Agreement with Countryside Partnership continued from
9-10-08; Attorney Peck provided an update. A draft of the proposed
Redevelopment Agreement provides for sale of the property to the
developer for a sum certain and allows the developer six months within
which to provide a restaurant for that property upon deposit of $50,000
non-refundable earnest money. If the restaurant meets with City
approval, they can purchase the property pursuant to a real estate
contract. The agreement is before the City tonight; Council can approve
the Agreement and give the developer ten days within which to accept and
sign the document.
12. Mr. Jeff Brant of Munster, IN and
two partners, Dennis Larson and John Larson, of Countryside Partnership
LLC, are present tonight. They need the Redevelopment Agreement in
writing. The restaurant, Quaker Steak & Lube franchisee, is very
interested in locating in Countryside. Their theme is car-oriented --
race cars, etc; with three separate dining areas -- a party room, adult
beverage room, play area for kids --very family oriented. They have $5-6
million in sales and draw patrons from a 25-mile radius. Their nearest
location is in Portage, Indiana; their plan is to use the entire site.
City Council members were invited to visit the restaurant as their
guests. Mayor Conrad stated that some staff members have already done
so. The Mayor asked if they will request monetary assistance from the
City. Mr. Brant stated they may require parking and lighting package
variances; nothing else. Special events may require special permits.
They are impressed with the nearby auto dealerships and the Route 66 Car
Show in the area. They believe a car theme will fit in well and promote
the community. They will prepare a site plan. The restaurant should open
in 2010. Ald. McDermott stated that upon deposit of $50,000 earnest
money, the agreement ties up the property for six months.
13. Ald. Smetana moved to approve the
Redevelopment Agreement between the City of Countryside and Countryside
Partnership, LLC, along with the accompanying real estate contract for
the sale of 5631 South LaGrange Road, seconded by Ald. Pondelicek and
carried by Roll Call vote – 5/1 – Ald. McDermott opposed.
Clerk Sweeney declared that this will
be known as ORDINANCE 08-42-O.
14. Treasurer Jasinski presented
consideration of changing billboard signage. The communications
consultants have brought up the possibility of changing the Billboard on
I-294 together with a new marketing campaign. Further research re:
signage change will be done by Fin. Dir. Paul. Ald. Von Drasek moved to
approve further investigation, seconded by Ald. McDermott and carried
unanimously.
15. Treasurer Jasinski stated that
reimbursement to the Flagg Creek Golf Pro for expenses related to
professional golf tournaments is deleted from the Agenda.
16. Treasurer Jasinski presented the
recommendation to revise the Purchasing Policy as discussed. Ald.
Michalczyk moved to approve, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried
unanimously.
17. RECREATION COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN VON
DRASEK, CHAIRMAN, presented the recommendation to consider participation
in and commitment of funds to Ideal School Park Renovation joint project
not to exceed $335,000. This is the first time the City is working with
the School District in gathering funds. The residents in that area will
benefit greatly from the project. Ald. Pondelicek moved to approve
participation, seconded by Ald. McDermott and carried unanimously. Ald.
Von Drasek believes it is a great project for the City and Ideal
School. Mayor Conrad echoed those sentiments. He congratulated everyone
involved in the project, especially the two Ward Aldermen for their
diligent pursuit of this project.
18. Ald. Von Drasek presented
consideration of awarding the Park Improvements Contracts FY08 for
Hollands, Srejma-Michalek Memorial Park and City Park. Admin. Bailey
stated that the lowest of three bids was from Green-Up Landscaping. The
company was investigated and found capable; the low bid is in the amount
of $203,917 for those three parks. There are two alternates to
consider:
Alternate #1 provides for a concrete
curb around the playground area at Hollands Park versus the current
plastic curb, to better contain the woodchip play area in the event of
flooding. The cost is $5,709.
Alternate #2 provides for a
barrier-free access (concrete sidewalk or path) at Srejma-Michalek Park
for an additional $5,723. After discussion, Ald. Von Drasek moved to
award the contract including Alternate #1, to Green-Up Landscaping,
seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried unanimously. Ald. Von Drasek
stated that a great deal of time was spent with many advisors regarding
this project.
19. INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE – ALDERMAN
MICHALCZYK, CHAIRMAN, presented the recommendation to award landscape
project for AT&T Light Speed parkway cabinets to Wilson Ware Group
Landscape Architecture in the amount of $4,800. Ald. Straza moved to
approve the expenditure, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried
unanimously.
20. Ald. Michalczyk stated that the
revision to Accessory Building Regulations is deleted from the Agenda;
follow-up will be included in the next Quarterly Newsletter.
21. Ald. Michalczyk presented the
recommendation to participate in IDOT initiative to upgrade
State-maintained traffic signals on State Highways with light emitting
Diode modules, as previously discussed. Ald. McDermott moved to approve,
seconded by Ald. Straza and carried unanimously.
22. Ald. McDermott stated that the Ad
Hoc Development Committee met and completed the first round of
interviews; they chose three development companies, all highly qualified
to do the job. They are reviewing financial records and are close to
making a recommendation. This issue will be brought to the Economic
Development Committee for discussion prior to presentation to the City
Council.
LEGAL REPORT
23. City Attorney Peck presented the
PC/ZBA recommendation re: increasing the size of accessory buildings in
the R-7 residential zoning district from 1,200 s.f. to 1,500 s.f. The
specific exception would read, “The R-7 Zoning District: On a lot of one
acre or larger, the maximum lot coverage of an accessory building should
not exceed 1,500 square feet or 2.76% of the square feet of the lot,
whichever is less.” After hearing the testimony and evidence presented
at the hearing held on September 2, 2008, with the many residents
present in favor of that change, the PC/ZBA recommended approval of the
exception to the accessory buildings in the R-7 District. Ald. Smetana
moved to concur with the recommendation, seconded by Ald. Michalczyk and
carried by unanimous Roll Call vote – 6/0.
Clerk Sweeney declared that this will
be known as ORDINANCE 08-43-O.
24. Attorney Peck presented the PC/ZBA
recommendation from September 2, 2008 re: remove all fence requirements
in the Zoning Code. The Building Code has a section that references
specific requirements for fences; it is the recommendation of the PC/ZBA
to remove those references from the Zoning Code so that the Municipal
Code contains all the requirements for fences within the City. The
recommendation is that Title 10 be amended so that all fence
requirements in Title 10 are removed to Title 8, Chapter 3 of the
Municipal Code. Ald. Straza moved to concur with the PC-ZBA, seconded
by Ald. Smetana and carried by unanimous Roll Call vote – 6/0.
Clerk Sweeney declared that this will
be known as ORDINANCE 08-44-O.
25. Attorney Peck presented the PC/ZBA
recommendation from September 2, 2008 to Amend Title 10 to include
massage therapy as a permitted use in the B-1, B-2, B-3 and O office
zoned areas of the City and calls for strict compliance with the
requirements of the State of Illinois, specifically to read “--- so long
as the applicant is licensed with the State of Illinois and complies
with the Illinois Massage Therapy Licensing Act, which is hereby adopted
in its entirety and as amended from time to time.” All applicants must
be licensed with the State. The PC/ZBA heard testimony and in response
to persons who responded seeking consideration of including locations in
the manufacturing district, Ald. Michalczyk moved to concur with the
PC/ZBA recommendation and to include massage therapy as a permitted use
in the M-1 district, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried by Roll Call
vote – 6/0.
Clerk Sweeney declared that this will
be known as ORDINANCE 08-45-O.
26. Attorney Peck presented the Plat of
Consolidation for Lyons Township Senior Apartments. Mr. Onderdonk
stated that a motion is needed for the IFF/LT funded project; this is an
administrative action needed to make the two separate parcels one
consolidated plat to conform to the requirements of the planned unit
development. Mr. Peck stated that this action will eliminate the middle
lot line and side yard requirement. Ald. Smetana moved to approve the
Plat of Consolidation, seconded by Ald. Straza and carried by unanimous
voice vote.
Clerk Sweeney declared that this will
be known as ORDINANCE 08-46-O.
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
27. City Administrator Bailey presented
the draft document re: Committee Responsibilities for each of the
Standing Committees of the City Council. He has provided definitions
that more clearly define the areas of responsibility for each
committee. Ald. Michalczyk moved to approve the draft document as
presented, seconded by Ald. Von Drasek and carried by unanimous Roll
Call vote – 6/0.
Clerk Sweeney declared that this will
be known as ORDINANCE 08-47-O.
28. Mr. Bailey seeks authority to
advertise for the position of Manager of Building Administration. Mr.
Hudson has tendered his resignation; his last day of work will be
October 17, 2008. Ald. McDermott moved to approve, seconded by Ald.
Pondelicek and carried unanimously.
STAFF REPORTS
29. Police Chief Swanson stated that
installation of cameras in the park will take place after Harvest
Fest. Regarding the Redflex cameras with LED lights, application was
made to IDOT; initial approval was granted and the project is in the
final stages; cameras should be installed in the Fall. Donna Roberts
came back to work on Monday.
30. City Engineer Fitzgerald and DPW
Supt. Fullar reviewed City streets and produced the street condition
inventory. They will consolidate their findings into a map to present to
the Infrastructure Committee at the next meeting which will assist in
establishing a budget for a 5-year paving plan. Paving prices are
exorbitant at present.
31. Community Development Director
Onderdonk thanked well-wishers and stated that his eye is slowly getting
better. Demolition was begun on the old fire station. The ITEP
Streetscape bids are due on October 2, 2008. Route 66 Marketing Plan
Byways Presentation will take place at City Hall on Thursday, October 23
at 2:00 p.m. The Master Plan will be made available on CD for interested
parties.
32. Finance Director Paul stated that
the Water Department will begin the hydrant flushing program on Monday;
mailings have gone out to residents regarding the benefits of flushing.
Mr. Bailey was impressed with the Notice composed by Mike Hartigan.
Mayor Conrad noted the City’s improving communications network and urged
all residents to read the Quarterly Newsletters, which include past
projects as well as upcoming events.
33. Mayor Conrad stated that there was
a nice article in Suburban Life re: Harvest Fest and related events
beginning October 4. Ald. Von Drasek stated that the “Aging Well”
program will hold its Fall leaf raking on November 22; more publicity,
recruitment and volunteers are needed. Mr. Bailey stated that the
Clerk’s Office is the official contact for residents seeking information
re: the Aging Well Program.
ADJOURNMENT
34. There being no further business to
discuss, Ald. Von Drasek moved to adjourn to Executive Session under
Section 2B1 of the Open Meetings Act for the purpose of discussing
information regarding employment or dismissal of an employee or officer,
or to hear testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee or
officer to determine its validity, seconded by Ald. Smetana and carried
by unanimous Roll Call vote – 6/0.
Mayor Conrad declared the meeting
adjourned at 8:22 p.m.
SHARON SWEENEY, CITY CLERK
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