City of Countryside City Council met April 26.
Here is the agenda provided by the council:
City Council Members
Mayor, Sean R. McDermott
City Clerk, Elizabeth Kmet
Treasurer, Courtney Bolt
Aldermen Thomas Mikolyzk, Scott Musillami, John Finn John Von Drasek, Mark Benson and Tom Frohlich
1. CALL TO ORDER –The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Mayor McDermott. Chief Ford led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Roll Call: City Clerk Kmet called the Roll of those physically present as follows:
Present: Mayor McDermott, Alderman Finn, Alderman Von Drasek, Alderman Benson, Alderman Mikolyzk, Alderman Musillami, Alderman Frohlich, City Clerk Kmet, Treasurer Bolt
Also Present: City Administrator Paul, Police Chief Ford, Deputy Chief Klimek, City Attorney Peck, Finance Director Schutter, City Engineer Fitzgerald
2. OMNIBUS AGENDA
a. Approval of the City Council Meeting Minutes of April 12, 2023.
b. Statement of Bills submitted for payment through April 26, 2023 in the amount of $259,378.81.
A motion was made by Alderman Musillami, seconded by Alderman Finn that this matter be APPROVED as presented; motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 6 Alderman Musillami, Alderman Von Drasek, Alderman Finn, Alderman Mikolyzk, Alderman Benson, Alderman Frohlich
Nay: 0
3. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
- Maria Nedelcu, 5603 Leitch Avenue (with Julia Torres) – Ms. Nedelcu stated that her daughter Julia has asked her to speak on her behalf. After working as a Community Service Officer (CSO) for six months, Julia’s employment with the City was terminated in November of 2021 because she chose not to comply with an order by the City Council that all City Employees must be vaccinated with the newly developed COVID vaccine or lose their jobs. In view of the recent ruling by the Illinois Labor Relations Board that all Chicago City Employees terminated for the same reason be reinstated with full back pay plus 7% interest, Julia is asking that the City Council comply with this ruling with regard to her own situation. We are asking the Mayor and the Aldermen to respond to Julia in writing by May 1st. If you are not willing to reinstate Julia as a CSO and award her the back pay and 7% interest she is due, we ask that a full explanation of denial be given to her in writing and signed by Mayor McDermott, all six Aldermen, and Erik Peck, City Attorney. Please gentlemen, this is the right thing to do, thank you.
a. Mayor McDermott sought consideration of a Block Party Request from Lisa Barbaro at 5311 S. Catherine Avenue on June 24, 2023 from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
A motion was made by Alderman Benson, seconded by Alderman Musillami that this matter be APPROVED as presented; motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 6 Alderman Musillami, Alderman Von Drasek, Alderman Finn, Alderman Mikolyzk, Alderman Benson, Alderman Frohlich
Nay: 0
b. Mayor McDermott sought consideration of a $2,500 donation to Countryside Rotary Club for the District 105 Capstone Celebration. Alderman Musillami as a Rotarian gave a brief description of the Capstone Celebration event for District 105.
A motion was made by Alderman Mikolyzk, seconded by Alderman Finn that this matter be APPROVED as presented; motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 6 Alderman Musillami, Alderman Von Drasek, Alderman Finn, Alderman Mikolyzk, Alderman Benson, Alderman Frohlich
Nay: 0
c. Mayor McDermott brought up the idea of creating a dog park in City Park or that section of land behind Home Depot. Over the past several months, a number of residents have reached out to him regarding this idea. This item will be referred to the Infrastructure Committee for further discussion.
5. CITY CLERK’S REPORT - no report
6. TREASURER’S REPORT –
Treasurer Bolt sought consideration of the Annual Appropriation Ordinance for the Fiscal Year Beginning May 1, 2023 and ending April 30, 2024 in the amount of $26,446,668. Mayor McDermott stated that this is the ninth consecutive year that the City of Countryside has adopted a budget without a tax levy.
A motion was made by Alderman Von Drasek, seconded by Alderman Frohlich this matter be APPROVED as presented; motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 6 Alderman Musillami, Alderman Frohlich, Alderman Benson, Alderman Mikolyzk, Alderman Von Drasek, Alderman Finn
Nay: 0
City Clerk Kmet declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 23-10-O.
7. COMMITTEE AND COMMISSION REPORTS FOR DISCUSSION, CONSIDERATION AND, IF SO DETERMINED ACTION UPON:
a. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – no report
Just an FYI, there will be an Economic Development Committee meeting coming up, there are still a few items to finalize prior to scheduling the meeting.
Mark your calendars, the Scouts pancake breakfast fundraiser will be July 4th at Pleasant Dale Park District from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., tickets are $8.00. For more information contact Connor Schwartz.
b. FINANCE COMMITTEE - no report
c. HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE – no report
d. INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE - no report
e. PLAN COMMISSION/ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
1. Attorney Peck sought consideration of an Ordinance Approving a Special Use Variation to permit Massage Therapy only as a secondary use to the primary business at 5512 S. Brainard Avenue, Suite 101.
A motion was made by Alderman Musillami, seconded by Alderman Benson that this matter be APPROVED as presented; motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 6 Alderman Musillami, Alderman Von Drasek, Alderman Frohlich, Alderman Finn, Alderman Mikolyzk, Alderman Benson
Nay: 0
City Clerk Kmet declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 23-11-O.
f. SPECIAL EVENTS COMMITTEE – no report
g. SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE - no report
Alderman Musillami updated the Council on the No Mow ‘Til May program. There is a lot of participation and the City is also participating, by not mowing a section of Memorial Park.
h. FLAGG CREEK ADVISORY BOARD – no report
Alderman Frohlich stated that the golf course has been doing well, at the end of March we were 1,000 rounds ahead of the prior year and we’ve had a strong start with the month of April.
8. LEGAL REPORT – no report
9. CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – no report
10. STAFF REPORTS
a. Police Chief Ford – Chief Ford would like to thank everyone for the past ten years and the support of the Council and their support of our Police Officers. Mayor McDermott commended Chief Ford on his commitment and his professionalism. This Police Department is a very different Police Department since the Chief joined it ten years ago. Everyone on the Council has seen the progress that has been made; and the morale of the Police Department is excellent and that’s an account of your hard work. We appreciate all that you have done to move the department in that direction and your commitment to keeping our community safe. Steve Bahn, the former Superintendent of D105 sent over a letter thanking you and talking about what an incredible working relationship you had with the school, and the change that took place once you took over. We thank you for your dedication, we thank you for your hard work and we hope you enjoy your retirement and we hope to see you around town. Please come back and join us; we’ll get you over to that golf course for a round of golf.
Alderman Von Drasek thanked Chief Ford for his service and all he hears from his residents is nothing but praise. He has seen the change in the department as well; he has been Alderman since 2005, and what a transition and for you to be a part of bringing this new Police Department to where it is and to be a part of bringing this new facility for your Officers.
Alderman Musillami met Joe during the Police Chief interviews. He now considers Joe a friend, and is very appreciative of all that Joe has accomplished in the past ten years.
Alderman Finn said that in speaking to residents, it makes it so much easier when they say how great the department is and everyone is and all the Officers are always smiling and so friendly even when you’re in a tough situation. So I want to thank you, because it makes our job easier.
b. City Engineer Fitzgerald – Just a quick FYI: We will be having a bid opening for the Sunset Avenue Water Main Replacement project on Thursday, May 4, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. Alderman Von Drasek asked when that project should begin. Mr. Fitzgerald said that they should start about four to five weeks after the contract has been awarded. Alderman Frohlich asked if there had been any updates on the East Avenue Construction project. Mr. Fitzgerald said that the only news he has on that project is that they have moved the completion date from fall of 2023 to the fall of 2024; this is because of the utility delays which added a year to the project. Mr. Fitzgerald went on to say that the 55th Street IDOT project from 294 to Plainfield Road has been moved up from IDOT and now is on the June 2023 letting; so that project will start this year. Mayor McDermott asked about the intersections/termini in the different sections of the 55th Street IDOT project. Mr. Fitzgerald said that the first project (that he mentioned) goes from 294 to Plainfield Road; the second scope of the project which doesn’t have a letting date yet goes from Plainfield Road to Dansher Road and it covers the intersection of LaGrange Road. It’s the east section that is going on right now from Dansher Road to East Avenue.
11. BUSINESS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL FOR DISCUSSION, CONSIDERATION AND, IF DETERMINED, ACTION UPON: none
12. RECESS TO EXECUTIVE SESSION
a. To discuss Litigation under Section 2(c)(11) of the Open Meetings Act.
A motion was made by Alderman Benson, seconded by Alderman Von Drasek that this meeting be RECESSED as presented; motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 6 Alderman Musillami, Alderman Von Drasek, Alderman Finn, Alderman Mikolyzk, Alderman Benson, Alderman Frohlich
Nay: 0
Mayor McDermott declared the meeting recessed at 7:50 p.m.
* * *
13. RECONVENE TO REGULAR SESSION
a. The Regular City Council returned to Open Session with the same members present at 8:06 p.m.
14. ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Alderman Musillami, seconded by Alderman Finn that this meeting be ADJOURNED; motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 6 Alderman Musillami, Alderman Von Drasek, Alderman Finn, Alderman Mikolyzk, Alderman Benson, Alderman Frohlich
Nay: 0
Mayor McDermott declared the meeting adjourned at 8:07 p.m.
https://www.countryside-il.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/4-26-23-City-Council-MINUTES-1.pdf
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