Minutes- January 5, 2004 - Committee-of-the-Whole

Minutes of the Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting

of the City Council of the

CITY OF DARIEN

JANUARY 5, 2004

1. CALL TO ORDER

The Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting of the City Council of the City of Darien was called to order at 6:30 P.M. by Mayor Carmen D. Soldato. In attendance were Mayor Soldato, Clerk Coleman, Treasurer Monaghan, Attorney Murphey, Aldermen Biehl, Cotten, Hagen, Marchese, Poteraske, Tikalsky, and Weaver, Administrator Vana, Police Chief Pavelchik, Community Development Director Dreyer, Public Works Asst. Director Mengarelli and Public Works Asst. Director Rodgers.

2. GENERAL ANNEXATIONS

Mayor Soldato stated that the Committee-of-the-Whole meeting was called for the purpose of discussing the City's interest for pursuing annexations in unique areas of the City that have historically not been annexed. He turned the meeting over to Administrator Vana who said that this discussion was a continuation from the October 20, 2003 Committee-of-the-Whole meeting. He briefly spoke about the draft form entitled "Advantages of Annexing to Darien" along with sample calculations if a parcel were to annex to the City. Administrator Vana noted that twelve areas had been defined; the intent was to send letters to those residents for feedback.

Alderman Hagen felt that the incentives were fine; he was against waiving water connection fees.

Alderman Poteraske stated that the cost for 'new' water connection was roughly $1,900.00; he noted that some unincorporated homes were already connected to City water but were paying a higher cost for water. Alderman Biehl inquired if the residences in Area 1 and 2 were on City water; the twelve identified areas were discussed, particularly if they received City or DuPage County water or if they utilized wells. Alderman Poteraske stated that there were three areas that could be annexed even if those residents did not want to become part of the City due to size. He would like to focus on the unincorporated areas between Wards 3 and 7. He suggested that two types of letters be sent to the residents inquiring about annexation: 1) to those who were contiguous, and 2) to all other areas; also to schedule meetings with residents and to consider waiving the costs related to annexation. Alderman Poteraske volunteered to canvass door-to-door.

Mayor Soldato inquired if there were areas that could be eliminated due to historical information: * Alderman Marchese responded that Brookeridge subdivision and the landing strip, Area 10, should be eliminated. There was a suggestion to include Mallard Landing and Rosehill with the informational mailing. Administrator Vana noted that some parcels were subject to a pre-annexation agreement should they become contiguous to the City; he indicated that he would check the agreements. * Alderman Cotten stated that Area 12 could wait until the owner, Phil Gardner, was ready to develop the area; he said that an annexation agreement would provide the City with better control of the development. * Alderman Hagen inquired about Bruce Lake, if there was a requirement for them to annex to the City since City water was supplied to the area; the response was that there was no requirement for annexation due to the condition of the subdivision. Alderman Cotten asked that Area 11 be dissected to specifically indicate the various subdivisions but to eliminate Bruce Lake from annexation. * Clerk Coleman suggested elimination of Area 4, Timberlake.

Alderman Weaver stated that since she was out of town, she would like to address her comments to Council at a later date. Administrator Vana stated that pre-annexation agreements would be verified and that there would be no 'forced annexations'.

Mayor Soldato suggested that the cover letter be drafted with information that the homeowners could utilize for consideration and for comparison purposes if the owners were to choose annexation to the City. Alderman Poteraske inquired about the fees to be waived; Administrator Vana responded that water connection fees would be waived if the resident was already on the City's water system. Alderman Poteraske asked what the homeowner would be responsible for paying; the response was: application fee, Plat of Annexation, and recording fees.

3. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the Committee-of-the-Whole, the meeting adjourned at 7:10 P.M.

Carmen D. Soldato, Mayor
Joanne F. Coleman, City Clerk

JFC/jr All supporting documentation and report originals of these minutes are on file in the Office of the City Clerk under File Number 01-05-04 Committee-of-the-Whole. Minutes of 01-05-04 Committee-of-the-Whole January 5, 2004

2004 Minutes

Minutes- January 5, 2004 - Committee-of-the-Whole