West Cook News

City of Countryside City Council met Nov. 8.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

1. CALL TO ORDER –The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Mayor McDermott. Air Force Veteran, Alderman Tom Frohlich, led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, in honor of Veterans’ Day.

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 Frohlich, Alderman Musillami, City Clerk Kmet, Treasurer Bolt

Also Present: City Administrator Paul, Police Chief Klimek, City Attorney Peck, City Engineer Fitzgerald, Deputy Clerk Saucedo, Recording Sec. Prokop

2. OMNIBUS AGENDA

a. Approval of the City Council Meeting Minutes of October 25, 2023.

b. Statement of Bills submitted for payment through November 8, 2023 in the amount of $365,530.97.

A motion was made by Alderman Musillami, seconded by Alderman Von Drasek 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 - none

4. MAYOR’S REPORT

a. Mayor McDermott sought consideration to enter into an Agreement with DSI Holdings Corporation d/b/a ServiceMaster Restore for Emergency Services – in the event that something happened at City Hall, the City would get preferential treatment in terms of rates and priority service.

A motion was made by Alderman Benson, seconded by Alderman Von Drasek 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 request from the Countryside Police Pension Find for the Annual Fiscal Year 2024 Employer Contribution in the amount of $493,824. 

A motion was made by Alderman Mikolyzk, 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

c. The Mayor wished everyone a Happy Veterans’ Day.

5. CITY CLERK’S REPORT - no report

6. TREASURER’S REPORT – no report

7. COMMITTEE AND COMMISSION REPORTS FOR DISCUSSION, CONSIDERATION AND, IF SO DETERMINED ACTION UPON:

a. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – no report

b. FINANCE COMMITTEE – no report

c. HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE – no report

d. INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE

1. Alderman Benson sought consideration of Bulk Salt Purchase from Cargill, Inc., in the amount of $65.71/ton through the State of Illinois Joint Purchasing Program. Salt prices actually came down this year; the City is saving some money.

A motion was made by Alderman Finn, 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

e. PLAN COMMISSION/ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

1. City Attorney Peck sought consideration of an Extension Request for an Approved Special Use Variation at 9665 W. 55th St. – Highline Automotive. Attorney Peck explained the need for the requested extension for both matters. There were two separate Ordinances requiring two separate extension requests.

A motion was made by Alderman Finn, seconded by Alderman Frohlich that the Special Use Variation extension be APPROVED; motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: 6 Alderman Musillami, Alderman Von Drasek, Alderman Finn, Alderman Mikolyzk, Alderman Benson, Alderman Frohlich

2. City Attorney Peck sought consideration of a Second Extension Request for an Approved Variance at 9665 W. 55th St. – Highline Automotive.

A motion was made by Alderman Frohlich, seconded by Alderman Finn that the Variance 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

f. SPECIAL EVENTS COMMITTEE – no report

g. SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE - no report

h. FLAGG CREEK ADVISORY BOARD – no report

8. LEGAL REPORT – no report

9. CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – no report

10. STAFF REPORTS

a. Police Chief Klimek

1. Chief Klimek requested authority to waive the formal bidding process and approve the Update and Repair of the Camera System at Countryside Park by Pace Systems, Inc., in the amount of $87,500.00. Cameras were originally installed in 2008, being repaired and updated as needed over the years. Currently over half the cameras are down and not working; they are in need of replacement along with the associated networking and storage equipment. They proposed the addition of a camera on a pole next to the skate park to provide a clear and unobstructed view of the skate park. The PD regularly deals with graffiti and defacement issues. Also they will install a camera on a pole on the north side of the park via the gazebo for that portion of the park and the parking lot along 59th Street.They budgeted $81K for this project for FY24. After reviewing proposals from different vendors, the lowest qualified quote was from Pace Systems in the amount of $87,500. Chief Klimek asks that the Board approve this request as presented.

A motion was made by Alderman Mikolyzk, 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. Chief Klimek requested approval of the Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Countryside and Pleasantdale Park District for Enforcement of Park Usage Rules and Regulations. The need for an IGA was discovered while reviewing the City Code re: a tow truck that is parking all over Ward 2. The tow truck is especially fond of parking overnight in Soehrman Park. After reviewing the Code and consulting with Attorney Peck, we found that an IGA was needed to enforce the Ordinances on the Soehrman Park property. Council members thanked the Chief for following up on the problem.

A motion was made by Alderman Von Drasek, seconded by Alderman Mikolyzk 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. City Engineer Fitzgerald

1. City Engineer Fitzgerald has three Informational items –first an Update on the 2023 Drainage Improvements – the project from the MWRD re: the local drainage studies. It consists of a new relief sewer on Kensington plus high efficiency inlets on Kensington, Catherine, Ashland, Madison, 6th & Bobolink and 7th & Bobolink. They finished the underground on Kensington; Catherine is finished today; plan to finish Ashland tomorrow. They have 3-4 days’ work on Madison, then moving next week to the 6th & 7th Bobolink area. After that work is completed, they will begin the restoration. The whole project should be completed by the end of the month. Alderman Musillami thanked them for having a very efficient work method. Mr. Fitzgerald stated that Kensington is the most complex area of the project; the crew did an excellent job there. They are a very good outfit. Mayor McDermott stated that the project has been in the works for some time. There were several complaints and problems noted. Mr. Fitzgerald stated that when IDOT builds the big sewers on 55th St. and Cook County on Plainfield, coupled with these improvements that should address the last of the “bad” areas in the City.

2. Sunset Avenue Water Main Replacement Update -- the main line is complete. They are transferring the house water services to the new main; that should be completed early next week; at the same time they are beginning to transfer the side streets. By the end of next week they will be cutting and capping the old main and then beginning restoration. Just a reminder – they will install temporary curb with asphalt – just so DPW has something to plow against. The main line pavement will be 8” concrete, 3” asphalt before using the binder mix; that will all be restored again before the end of the month. Alderman Benson asked about chlorinating. Mr. Fitzgerald stated they will do that before cutting service – they pressure tested the main ten days ago, chlorinated the main on Nov. 3 and 4 and began service this week. Service cannot be transferred until chlorination is completed. Alderman Von Drasek said they’re doing a good job; they have been great about keeping the City informed. Mr. Fitzgerald stated that the job is on schedule and moving along. Survey crews completed Lorraine, Rose Ave. and Rose Court. They received Block Grant Money for that area and are adding it to the paving job for next year. The whole job will be prepared for bid over the winter.

3. The IDOT Project Update – the detour is finally coming tonight from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. – East Avenue will be closed during that time. Detour signage will be posted. Chief Klimek has alerted Fire and everyone that needs to be alerted; it is also posted on the City’s website and Facebook. Mayor McDermott stated that a closure of Wolf Road is coming up at the bridge in Indian Head Park. They will completely shut down the street for a few days; that was posted today as well. Alderman Frohlich asked if there is any update on when they will switch the traffic on East Avenue to the other side of the street. Mr. Fitzgerald will look into that; he doesn’t know the answer. The IDOT goal is to finish the west side this year. There is still a lot of work to do before they transfer traffic to the new lanes.

11. BUSINESS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL FOR DISCUSSION, CONSIDERATION AND, IF DETERMINED, ACTION UPON:

12. ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Alderman Mikolyzk, seconded by Alderman Benson 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 7:47 p.m.

https://www.countryside-il.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/11-8-23_COUNCIL.pdf