West Cook News

City of Countryside City Council met March 26

Here are the minutes 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, who 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 Frohlich, Alderman Musillami, Alderman Von Drasek, Alderman Benson, Alderman Mikolyzk, Clerk Kmet, Treasurer Bolt

Also Present: City Administrator Gail Paul, Police Chief Klimek, City Attorney Peck, Asst. City Administrator Schutter, City Engineer Hernandez, Deputy Clerk Cordova, Recording Secretary Prokop

2. OMNIBUS AGENDA

a. Approval of the City Council Meeting Minutes of March 12, 2025.

b. Statement of Bills submitted for payment through March 26, 2025 in the amount of 400,741.88.

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

Nay: 0

3. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC - none

4. MAYOR’ S REPORT

a. Presentation of the Parade Donations to Aging Care Connections and Healthy Countryside. Thanks to Chairman Finn and Liz Cordova and all the volunteers who participated.

We had a great day. Since the inception of this parade the City has raised over $ 100K for charities. This year’ s recipients are Healthy Countryside, $ 5,000 donation, and Aging Care Connections, $ 10,000 donation. The Mayor and City Council presented the checks to both organizations; photos were taken and congratulations extended.

b. Presentation of Parade Awards. Mayor McDermott stated that the Best Party at the Parade award goes to the Hime Family – who also won this Award the very first year. The best Parade Float Award goes to Kearney Builders Co. They have been in the parade yearly; for the past two years the company has handed out sliders to parade gazers – about 240 sliders. They brought a box of White Castle Sliders for City Council tonight. Photos were taken and Awards presented. The Mayor thanked everyone for their efforts, especially the Police and DPW.

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

FYI – The Finance Committee meeting held earlier this evening showed that revenues are up and expenses down, creating a $1.9M surplus – good work by all Staff.

c. HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE – Alderman Mikolyzk – no report

d. INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE - Alderman Benson

a. Consideration of awarding a contract to M.E. Simpson in the amount of 33,465 for Fire Hydrant Flow Testing – done by the City every 5 years – to make sure all hydrants are in good working condition.

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

Nay: 0

b. Consideration to purchase a Route 66 Monument Sign from the US Route 66 Centennial Commission. This is a monument sign that is electrified with the name Countryside on it, to be located on Joliet Road near the Harley Davidson store. The Mayor said that Countryside is participating in a Centennial Celebration being held throughout the Route 66 states. The sign is a welcome addition.

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

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

Nay: 0

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

a. Consideration of an Ordinance adopting the 2024 Zoning Map required by State Statute. The map reflects all corporate boundaries for the City along with Amendments from the previous year and Special Uses. On March 4, 2025, the PC/ ZBA reviewed the map prepared by the City Engineer; the PC/ ZBA recommended approval of the 2024 Zoning Map as presented.

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

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

Nay: 0

City Clerk Kmet declared that this will be known as ORDINANCE 25-05-O.

B. Consideration of an Extension Request for an Approved Variance at 6131 Joliet Road. The parcel is owned by Autobarn Volkswagen who is seeking to extend storage Facilities for that location. They appeared before the PC/ ZBA in September 2024. At that time the City Council approved Variances and Special Uses. The City Code requires that improvements be commenced within a certain time period. The owners have the plans finalized and are seeking bids at present. They are seeking a six-month extension to September 25, 2025. Alderman Musillami approved the extension for two months.

Alderman Benson clarified that it is two months to have permitting in place.

Motion was made by Alderman Musillami to extend the request for two months, seconded by Alderman Benson that this matter be APPROVED; motion carried by the following vote: 

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

Nay: 0

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 increase Equipment Rental Fees for Fiscal Year 2026. Fees for golf carts, driving carts, push carts and clubs are included. Mr. Schutter stated the increase is pursuant to the new tax imposed – sales tax on equipment rentals by the State.

b. Consideration to increase Range Bucket Prices for Fiscal Year 2026. The increase is $2 per bucket. Fresh Meadows has closed 120 spots and they were only four miles away; there is a supply/ demand imbalance, per Mr. Schutter.

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

Nay: 0

8. LEGAL REPORT – City Attorney Peck – no report

9. CITY ADMINISTRATOR’ S REPORT – Ms. Gail Paul

a. Presentation of the 2024 Annual Report of City Operations. The Cover Letter highlights some of the major items from 2024. The most important item is the Finance committee recommended no property taxes, once again for the 2024 tax year. Police Pension funding increased to 97% as a result of accelerated contributions in the financial plan presented by the Finance Committee. The City issued 653 permits in 2024 with a construction value of over 20M, which shows the confidence both businesses and residents have in Countryside. Alderman Finn mentioned the sizeable operating surplus for the fiscal year. The Flagg Creek Golf Course had a record net operating profit for FY24 which resulted in profit sharing of over $658K. The City held 14 Special Events at no cost to attendees; finally, the City’ s 2040 Comprehensive Plan was completed and adopted by the City Council. Mayor McDermott thanked Ms. Paul for all her hard work; please extend the City’ s gratitude to Staff for doing an outstanding job. The City is fortunate to have high-quality people as employees, and it shows.

10. STAFF REPORTS

a. Chief of Police

1. Presentation of the Countryside Police Department 2024 Annual Report. Chief Klimek thanked the City Council and City Staff for their support over the past calendar year.

The Police Department had over 15K calls for service in 2024, an increase of 1,800 calls. Most activity was driven by officer traffic stops especially on the side streets. A significant decrease in domestic violence and motor vehicle theft offenses was noted. He credits that to community partnerships with the Crisis Center of South Suburbia and also the Cook County Treatment Response Team; both were really beneficial in those situations. The Department’ s commitment to technology has led to the decrease in theft of motor vehicles thanks to LPR cameras. 

After many years of COVID delays, the City finally has a full contingent of fleet vehicles with a lot more efficiency for officers not dealing with car breakdowns. All body-worn and in-car cameras were replaced in 2024; a Grant is pending to be reimbursed for those costs. The City also purchased six stationary radar speed signs placed throughout the community and a mobile speed sign – purchased primarily to assist in remedying side street violations. Those efforts combined with traffic enforcement has led to significant decrease in speeding car complaints.

The City was awarded a $ 30K Grant for GPS units from the Attorney General’ s Office – all installed in patrol cars. Officers completed over 3K hours of Department training – State Certified Training. They had the Traffic Stops Class – also state certified. Sgt. DeGangi attended Northwestern University’ s Supervision of Police Personnel class. There was an increase in Investigator Training for patrol officers, which led to higher quality reports from the officers and a better response in dealing with citizens. Police conducted over 3,500 traffic stops with emphasis on the side streets and keeping citizens safe. The Mayor thanked Chief Klimek and his officers for doing an excellent job in keeping the City safe throughout the year. The years-long street constructions has put increased pressure on interior streets with “ cut-thru” traffic and complaints from residents. The Mayor thanked the Police for their efforts in that regard.

b. City Engineer Hernandez

a. Consideration of pay estimate # 2 to Unique Plumbing Co., Inc. of Brookfield, IL in the amount of $26,422.20 for the 2024 Water Main Replacement Project.

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

Nay: 0

11. BUSINESS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL FOR DISCUSSION, CONSIDERATION AND, IF SO

DETERMINED, ACTION UPON: none

12. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to discuss --

A motion was made by Alderman Mikolyzk seconded by Alderman Musillami that this meeting be ADJOURNED; motion carried by the following vote:

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

Nay: 0

Mayor McDermott declared the meeting adjourned at 7:57 p.m.

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