West Cook News

City of Countryside City Council met May 8

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

CALL TO ORDER -The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Mayor McDermott. City Attorney Peck 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 Frohlich, Alderman Musillami, Alderman Mikolyzk, 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 Cordova, Rec. Secretary Prokop

2. OMNIBUS AGENDA 

a. Approval of the City Council Meeting Minutes of April 24, 2024. 

b. Statement of Bills submitted for payment through May 8, 2024 in the amount of $274,557.73. 

A motion was made by Alderman Von Drasek, seconded by Alderman Musillami that this matter be APPROVED as presented; motion carried by the following vote: 

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

Nay: 0 

3. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC - none 

4. MAYOR'S REPORT 

 a. Presentation of Parade Donations to Pillars Community Health. City Council members took photos with Angela Curran and Stefin Steberl - Communications Directors of Pillars - the with oversize check. They presented them with the check for $15,000. Mayor McDermott thanked Pillars for the great work they do in the community. Ms. Curran thanked the City Council for its continued support. 

b. Presentation of Parade Awards - Best House Party Award went to the Boscovich Family on 55th Place. The best Parade Float was the Harlan School of Irish Dance Ember Wilson, our Irish Princess extraordinaire is here. The Mayor presented her with the Award for the best float. Photos were taken. Congratulations to the parade winners!! 

C. Consideration of a Block Party Request from Lisa Barbaro on June 22, 2024 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. 

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 Benson, Alderman Frohlich, Alderman Musillami, Alderman Finn, Alderman Von Drasek, Alderman Mikolyzk

Nay: 0 

5. CITY CLERK'S REPORT - no report 

6. TREASURER'S REPORT 

a. Treasurer Bolt congratulated the City's Award Winning Finance Department for receiving the Distinguished Budget Award from the Government Finance Office Association (GFOA). This award is the highest form of recognition in government budgeting. This marks the City of Countryside 8th consecutive year the City has received this prestigious award from the GFOA. In addition, the City's Budget received special recognition for its specific goals and strategies. 

b. The City Finance Department also received a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in its Finance Reporting from the GFOA. The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and finance reporting and serves as evidence of the City's spirit of transparency and full disclosure. This marks the 17th consecutive year the City has received this prestigious award from the GFOA. Congratulations to the Finance Department's Dave Schutter - Treasurer Bolt presented Dave Schutter with both the awards. Photos were taken. Congratulations were extended to Dave by the City Council. 

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 

1. Congratulations to Dave Schutter and Treasurer Bolt for doing a great job. 

c. HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE – Alderman Mikolyzk 

1. Consideration to hire Maurine Cody for the position of Executive/HR Assistant. Sue Dignan is retiring on June 21, 2024. Several people were interviewed and Maurine Cody was the best candidate. 

A motion was made by Alderman Musillami, seconded by Alderman Frohlich that this matter be APPROVED as presented; motion carried by the following vote: 

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

Nay: 0 

2. Consideration of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City of Countryside and the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE), Local 150 for the duration of May 1, 2024 through April 30, 2028. Ms. Paul enumerated some changes - going from Maintenance Worker 1 to Maintenance Worker 2 after a period of 8 years - it was 10 years. The salary increases were 4% for this fiscal year; 3% for the next two fiscal years; and 2.75% in the 4th fiscal year. There was an increase in retiree insurance stipend -- which had not changed in many years. Those are the major changes that were made to the contract. The Mayor said this group of public employees do an outstanding job and this contract recognizes their hard work and gives them a just and fair wage and benefit package going forward. 

A motion was made by Alderman Benson, seconded by Alderman Finn that this matter be APPROVED as presented; motion carried by the following vote: 

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

Nay: 0 

d. INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE - Alderman Benson - no report 

e. PLAN COMMISSION/ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS - City Attorney Peck - no report

f. SPECIAL EVENTS COMMITTEE – Alderman Musillami – no report

g. SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE - Alderman Musillami no report 

h. FLAGG CREEK ADVISORY BOARD – Alderman Frohlich 

1. Consideration to purchase a Jacobsen AR331 Rough Mower and two Cushman 1200 Haulers from TurfWerks in the amount of $56,370. 

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 Benson, Alderman Frohlich, Alderman Musillami, Alderman Finn, Alderman Von Drasek, Alderman Mikolyzk

Nay: 0

 2. Consideration to Ratify attached Purchase Order in the amount of $13,050 issued to Water Well Investments, LLC, d/b/a Water Well Solutions Illinois, LLC to complete Pond Well Restoration Services. 

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 Benson, Alderman Frohlich, Alderman Musillami, Alderman Finn, Alderman Von Drasek, Alderman Mikolyzk 

Nay: 0 

8. LEGAL REPORT - City Attorney Peck – no report 

9. CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT - no report 

10. STAFF REPORTS 

a. Chief of Police - no report 

b. City Engineer Fitzgerald – no report 

1. FYI - The Paving Program will begin next week on the Sunset and 67th Street area. 

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

12. MOVE TO EXECUTIVE SESSION 

For the purpose of discussing the sale of Real Estate under Section 2(c)(6) of the Open Meetings Act. 

A motion was made by Alderman Benson, seconded by Alderman Finn that this meeting be RECESSED; motion carried by the following vote: 

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

Nay: 0 

13. Mayor McDermott declared the meeting recessed at 7:45 p.m. 

RETURN TO OPEN SESSION 

The City Council returned to Open Session at 7:52 p.m. with the same members present. 

Consideration of an Ordinance Approving a Purchase and Sale Agreement between the City of Countryside and Helping Hand for the Property at 9540-56th Street. 

A motion was made by Alderman Von Drasek, seconded by Alderman Musillami that this matter be APPROVED as presented; motion carried by the following vote: 

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

Nay: 0 

City Clerk Kmet declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 24-12-0. 

14. ADJOURNMENT 

A motion was made by Alderman Benson, seconded by Alderman Mikolyzk 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 7:54 p.m.

https://cms2.revize.com/revize/countryside/Document/Agenda%20&%20Minutes/2024/City%20Council/05-08-24%20City%20Council%20Minutes.pdf