The Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting of the City Council of the City of Darien was called to order at 6:05 P.M. by Mayor Kathleen Moesle Weaver. In attendance were: Aldermen Biehl, Durkin, Gattuso, Marchese, McIvor, Poteraske, and Weaver. Also in attendance were: Mayor Weaver, Clerk Coleman, Treasurer Monaghan, Attorney Murphey, Administrator Vana, Police Chief Pavelchik, Director Gombac, and Assistant to the Administrator Coren.

2. DECLARATION OF A QUORUM — There being seven Aldermen present, Mayor Weaver declared a quorum.

3. NEW BUSINESS

STREET SIGNS Director Gombac provided background information regarding signage and related equipment; information was needed for preparation of bid specifications. He indicated that the proposed signage would be highly reflective and mounted on vandal proof hardware. Public Works would be responsible for removal and installation. He reviewed Council responses to staff’s signage survey; the results included: * Color was blue versus green (6-1) * Top Hat design blue w/no logo (7-0) * Placement of signs on County intersections (75th Street, Cass Avenue, Plainfield Road); County only allows green signage; the City would not install a Top Hat on those intersection signs; possibility of Intergovernmental Agreement w/County for installation and future maintenance. There was discussion about signs along County roadways. * Collector street would include signage with two street names and one double sided Top Hat on each pole. * Minor Arterial streets would not have Top Hat signage. Director Gombac stated that all signs would contain the Darien logo. He explained that collector streets with a speed limit in excess of 25 MPH would have 9-inch signage; 6-inch signage would be placed on interior streets that were not collector streets. * Posts would be uniform throughout the City (2” x 2” x 12’). There was discussion about black powder coated versus galvanized poles. * Light poles would have street name signage installed on them.

Mayor Weaver requested the Council receive a copy of the results prior to going to bid. Administrator Vana indicated that completion of the project could take 1 – 1-1/2 years. Director Gombac stated that preparation of the bid specifications would begin shortly. RESOLUTION/PROCLAMATION POLICY Mayor Weaver inquired if the ‘RESPECT LIFE’ Resolution should be placed on an upcoming agenda. Alderman Biehl thought the requested time frame had passed; Mayor Weaver indicated that it could be passed at any time. Alderman Marchese said there was concern with content language that could be controversial and that was the reason for policy consideration. Council agreed that the decision for a ceremonial resolution/ proclamation should be left to the discretion of the Mayor. Margaret Edwards addressed Council and stated that human life should not be controversial.

REMOTE ATTENDANCE AT COUNCIL MEETINGS Mayor Weaver provided an overview; she indicated that there would be costs associated with remote attendance due to video or audio conferencing. She asked if it would be beneficial for Council based on specific outlined criteria for not attending a Council meeting. Attorney Murphey said that Council had the right to say ‘no’ to remote participation but if Council allowed remote attendance, it had to be done as set forth in the State Law. A straw poll of Aldermen indicated that three did not support remote attendance and four supported remote attendance. Attorney Murphey said that he prepared the Ordinance and that it would come before Council for consideration and would then be codified. Attorney Murphey advised remote attendance would apply only to the City Council and not City Boards, Committees, and Commissions.

4. EXECUTIVE SESSION Due to time constraints, Executive Session was moved to after the Regular City Council Meeting.

5. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the Committee-of-the-Whole, the meeting adjourned at 7:30 P.M.

Kathleen Moesle Weaver, 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 11-06-06 Committee-of-the-Whole.