West Cook News

City of Countryside City Council met Feb. 28.

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. City Treasurer Bolt 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 Frohlich, Alderman Musillami, City Clerk Kmet, Treasurer Bolt

Also Present: City Administrator Paul, Police Chief Klimek, City Attorney Peck, Assistant City Administrator Schutter, City Engineer Fitzgerald, Deputy Clerk Saucedo, Bldg.

Commissioner Wagner, Recording Secretary Prokop

2. OMNIBUS AGENDA

a. Approval of the City Council Meeting Minutes of February 14, 2024.

b. Statement of Bills submitted for payment through February 28, 2024 in the amount of $154,167.44.

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 - none

4. MAYOR’S REPORT

a. Presentation of the 2024 Countryside 8th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade Queen and Recognition of Parade VIPs – Grand Marshal and Queen of the Court – The Mayor thanked Chairman Finn for taking on this responsibility and for doing an outstanding job for the past five years. Also thanks to Liz Saucedo, doing an exceptional job – we have 68 entries – a record for the Parade. Many thanks to Phelan Dodge -- since the very beginning of this Parade they have been the major sponsor. It is my honor to recognize the City’s dear friend, Jim Durkin, Grand Marshal. He has been with us since its inception and has been an enthusiastic supporter all these years. He has been a community leader for 20 years with the Memorial Foundation and helped distribute health care funds to the community – a real commitment. He has given back to the community; we are very proud to have him as Grand Marshal of this Parade. He received the sash and a shamrock plant as a token of appreciation. Photos were taken.

b. Chairman Finn thanked all the sponsors; the City raises money to donate to two worthy charities. Many thanks to our major sponsor -- Jack Phelan – all the others are:

POT O’ GOLD SPONSORS – Countryside Bank - Countryside Mitsubishi – Friends of Sean McDermott – Local #150 -- Merging Technologies – Novotny Engineering – Township of Lyons – Uncle John’s Sports Bar & Grill -- Wolf’s Head Restaurant & Bar

EMERALD SPONSORS – Autobarn Subaru and Volkswagen of Countryside – Chariot Automotive Towing -- Committee to Elect Michael Chatal – Double J Riding Club – Groot Inc. – Highline Automotive – Holiday Inn – Infinity Communications Group -- Napleton’s Countryside Mazda – Odelson Murphy Frazier & McGrath – Rafferty’s Irish Pub – The Mood – Time Out Sports Bar – Westfield Ford

SHAMROCK SPONSORS – Countryside Dental Group -- Illinois Harley Davidson – Scouts BSA Troop-69 Burr Ridge – Sinnott Tree service – The Heat Engineering Company

Thanks to all the Sponsors for their support.

Our Parade Queen tonight is Bea Keenan – she is a member of the Hinsdale Hospital Junior Board organizing fundraisers for different organizations and communities. She attends meetings at both the Leadershop and the Quinn Center. Bea enjoys competitive dance at Impact Dance

Studio and is a member of the Varsity Poms at Nazareth Academy. She was given the Queen’s Crown along with the sash and a shamrock plant. Photos were taken.

Members of the Queen’s Court are Dylan Rafferty – Dylan coaches middle school cheer. She is a cheer captain at her high school and did Irish Dance for four years. All participants were presented with the parade sash and a shamrock plant; individual and group photos were taken.

Member of the Queen’s Court – Marya Keenan – Marya is involved in Lyons Township Theater Board, Lyons Township High School WLTL radio program and Hinsdale Hospital Junior Board.

Princess - Ainsley Wilson – Ainsley is a part of the Harling School of Irish Dance where she performs for local senior living homes, community fundraisers and events. Aside from Irish Dancing, Ainsley enjoys cooking, sewing, gardening and swimming. Photos were taken of the entire Queen’s Court and finally with the entire City Council.

The audience was treated to a special rendition of a traditional Irish Jig performed by Ainsley to the accompaniment of City Engineer John Fitzgerald and his mandolin. Ainsley dances competitively; her team took 4th place in the nation and second in the Regionals last November, according to her father. She will be competing further this summer.

Finally, Mayor McDermott announced that the Village of Lyons Police Chief, Tom Herion, will play his bagpipe for the audience after which time he will lead the Queen and her Court out of the City Hall Chambers and into the hallway. His performance received a standing ovation. Many thanks to all the performers for participating. Have a great St. Patrick’s Day!!

c. Mayor McDermott stated that Chris Lonsway and Chris Valdez, Countryside residents, approached him and expressed interest in starting a Healthy Countryside Committee. Some local doctors have agreed to participate; Ald. Von Drasek has also agreed to participate. They will put together some interventions in the community to try to make Countryside the healthiest community in the western suburbs. They will coordinate with Pillars; a meeting is scheduled for tomorrow with Angela Curran; we will do what we can to make our community healthier as we move forward.

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 – Alderman Von Drasek - no report

b. FINANCE COMMITTEE – Alderman Finn – no report

c. HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE – Alderman Mikolyzk - no report

d. INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE - Alderman Benson – no report

e. PLAN COMMISSION/ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS - Attorney Peck

a. Consideration of an Ordinance Granting Text Amendments to Section 10-2-4 (Permitted Obstructions in Required Yards) and Section 10-2-17 (Location of Swimming Pools) in the Zoning Code. At the Hearing held on February 6, 2024, the PC/ZBA heard all the evidence and testimony and recommended amending both those sections making a hot tub/spa system a permitted obstruction in the required yard, and also providing for the location of hot tub/ spa system in the Zoning Code. They also recommended amending Section 6-3-1 to add language regarding nuisances and Section 8-1-2 to add language regarding fees, charges and general permit requirements. The PC/ZBA found that all requirements had been met for a Text Amendment; there were no objections to the proposed amendments and the Code was amended as set forth in the recommendation.

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

City Clerk Kmet declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 24-02-O.

f. SPECIAL EVENTS COMMITTEE – Alderman Musillami – no report

g. SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE - Alderman Musillami – no report

h. FLAGG CREEK ADVISORY BOARD – Alderman Frohlich

a. Consideration to approve the sale of two Toro GM1000 Walking Greens Mowers in the amount of $2,800.

A motion was made by Alderman Finn, 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

8. LEGAL REPORT – Attorney Peck - no report

9. CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

a. Ms. Paul sought consideration of a Permit for a Temporary Outdoor Storage Area for Home Depot, located at 140 Countryside Plaza from March 11 through July 15, 2024. Home Depot requested the same area as last year, which is north of the roadway and north of the one included in their PUD. Mayor McDermott, PM Mr. Trent and Ms. Paul met with reps of Home Depot last week to discuss their request to amend the PUD to make this outdoor area a permanent outdoor sales space. The City is concerned about the entrance/exit from Countryside Plaza; they would like consideration given to improving that entrance. Home Depot Corporate will review that request. The City is providing temporary approval at present; Home Depot will return to the Plan Commission with a request to amend the PUD.

b. Ald. Von Drasek witnessed employees washing mulch from the flower area down the City drains; he spoke to Jesse Serna about it; the parking lot will not drain. He would like a guarantee that HD employees will not be washing material down the drain; rather they should sweep it up and shovel it away. Home Depot General Manager Brian Kelly is present and agreed that employees will only sweep the area to keep it clean. They are on a regular monthly schedule to monitor the drains to catch anything before it goes down. He assures the City that will be the case. City Engineer Fitzgerald suggested installing filters to catch the debris; GM Kelly stated they have already done so. Filters were installed when improvements were made some years ago and are monitored today.

c. Ald. Benson addressed the encroachment to the Fire Lane; that was dangerous last year. That concern has been addressed. Mayor McDermott noted that the Fire Department deemed the current configuration difficult to navigate when turning; that should be rectified because it is a significant public safety issue. Fire trucks must enter from the south end and it delays their arrival, which is a concern.

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 Finn, Alderman Mikolyzk, Alderman Benson, Alderman Frohlich

Nay: 0

10. STAFF REPORTS

a. Police Chief Klimek – no report

b. City Engineer Fitzgerald – no report

The Mayor thanked Mr. Fitzgerald for his yearly musical entertainment.

11. BUSINESS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL FOR DISCUSSION, CONSIDERATION AND, IF DETERMINED, ACTION UPON: none

12. ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Alderman Musillami, seconded by Alderman Von Drasek 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 7:55 p.m.

https://cms2.revize.com/revize/countryside/Document/Agenda%20&%20Minutes/2024/2-28-24%20City%20Council%20Minutes.pdf