A WORK SESSION WAS CALLED TO ORDER AT 7:00 P.M. BY MAYOR
WEAVER FOR THE PURPOSE OF REVIEWING ITEMS ON THE APRIL 19, 2010 AGENDA WITH THE CITY COUNCIL. THE SESSION
ADJOURNED AT 7:34 P.M.
of the City
Council of the
APRIL 19,
2010
1. CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of
Darien was called to order at 7:35 P.M. by Mayor Weaver.
2. PLEDGE OF
ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Weaver led the Council and audience in the
Pledge of Allegiance.
3. ROLL CALL
— The Roll Call of Aldermen by Clerk Coleman was as follows:
Present:
John Galan
Ted V. Schauer
Joseph A. Marchese
Absent: Carolyn
A. Gattuso
Sylvia
McIvor
Also
in Attendance: Kathleen Moesle Weaver,
Mayor
Bryon
D. Vana, City Administrator
Scott Coren,
Daniel Gombac, Director of Community Development/Municipal
Services
Robert Pavelchik, Police Chief
4.
DECLARATION OF A QUORUM — There being five aldermen
present, Mayor Weaver declared a quorum.
5.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES – April 5, 2010
It was moved by Alderman Galan and seconded by
Alderman Schauer to approve the minutes of the April 5, 2010 meeting, as
presented.
Roll
Call: Ayes: Avci, Galan, Marchese, Poteraske, Schauer
Nays: None
Absent: Gattuso,
McIvor
Results: Ayes 5,
Nays 0, Absent 2
6. RECEIVING
OF COMMUNICATIONS
Alderman Avci…
…received an e-mail from Daniel
Contreras who resides at the corner of
…received a telephone call from Tom Wieland of 7221
Western regarding the grass cutting which took place on Saturday at the median
on
At the request of Alderman Poteraske and Alderman
Galan, Director Gombac will calculate the amount of Saturday’s overtime pay,
and provide that information with the Administrator’s Report.
Mayor Weaver commented that Director Gombac’s decision
was based upon the City Council’s desire to maintain a higher standard on
Alderman Avci suggested that a pool of part time
employees be maintained on call for circumstances such as these.
Alderman Avci received an e-mail from Laurie Forillo regarding her concerns about the safety of her dog
since she saw a coyote near the Arabian Nights Farm, and heard that one was
seen at the
Assistant Administrator Coren advised that coyotes,
raccoons, possums and various other animals are considered part of the natural
wildlife. Telephone numbers of animal
control companies are available at City Hall for residents with concerns about
animals on their private property. Although the city does not provide animal
control, residents should contact City Hall regarding dangerous animals on
public property.
Mayor Weaver thanked
J. Vincent’s Salon & Day Spa for hosting Coffee with the Mayor this past
weekend. At Coffee with the Mayor, Mr. Uddin expressed his concerns regarding his inability to
utilize Pilot II coupons for transportation to and from the airport. Mayor Weaver explained that the purpose of
the Pilot II program is to assist senior citizens in need by reducing their transportation
costs for trips to doctor’s appointments and stores. The City Council Members confirmed their
agreement that the Pilot II Program was instituted to assist needy senior
citizens and not to provide transportation to and from the airport.
Alderman Galan suggested that something be printed on
the coupon which states transportation to and from the airport is not
valid.
Assistant Administrator Coren will look into Alderman
Galan’s suggestion.
7. MAYOR’S
REPORT
A.
Mayor Weaver
read into the record a Proclamation declaring April 19, 2010 as “Eisenhower
Junior High Wrestling Team Day” in the City of
There
was a resounding round of applause from the Council Members and the audience, and
congratulatory hand shakes from the City Council. Mayor Weaver awarded City of
Head
Coach Phil Esposito accepted the Proclamation, and thanked the City Council for
acknowledging the team’s accomplishments.
Coach Esposito expressed pride in the team, the coaching staff, and the parents.
B.
Mayor Weaver read
into the record a Proclamation declaring April 20, 2010 as “Eisenhower Junior High Special
Olympians Day” in the City of
Michael
Fitzgerald, Principal of Eisenhower Junior High School accepted the Proclamation
on behalf of Christopher Haines who could not attend the meeting. Mr. Fitzgerald expressed gratitude to the
City Council for this evening’s recognition.
There
was a resounding round of applause from the Council Members and the audience.
C.
On behalf of
the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2838, Commander Ed Oldis
presented the Darien Police Department an Outstanding Service Award for the
successful resolution of the Kramer homicides.
The VFW Post 2838 is proud of the continued great service the members of
the Police Department render to the community.
There
was a resounding round of applause from the Council Members and the
audience.
Chief
Pavelchik credited Detective Sergeant Reed and his staff for resolution of the
case. Chief Pavelchik expressed
gratitude to the VFW for the award and for their service to the
There
was a resounding round of applause from the Council Members and the audience.
Detective
Sergeant Reed expressed sympathy to the Kramer family. Detective Sergeant Reed advised that resolution
of the case was due to the combined efforts of the entire Police Department and
FIAT. Detective Sergeant Reed thanked the VFW for
recognizing the efforts of the Darien Police Department.
There
was a resounding round of applause from the Council Members and the
audience.
Commander
Oldis invited all to attend the Memorial Day event
which will take place on May 31, 2010 at the
Nick
Darien stated that the VFW has been honored to provide the 2010 City of
Clerk
Coleman suggested the vehicle stickers be made available at other locations in
town such as Jewel and Brookhaven Market.
Mr.
Darien approved of the suggestion.
8. CITY
CLERK’S REPORT
There was no report.
9. CITY
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
There was no report.
10. DEPARTMENT
HEAD INFORMATION/QUESTIONS
In
response to Alderman Poteraske, Director Gombac advised that
Alderman
Poteraske requested Director Gombac follow-up or invite them to attend a meeting.
Director
Gombac will invite the county to attend a City Council Meeting.
Director
Gombac reminded all that the first brush pick up will take place the week of
May 24. Director Gombac advised that
residents are welcome to dispose of their brush in the brush dumpster located
at the Public Works Facility at
11. TREASURER'S REPORT
A. WARRANT NUMBER 09-10-22
It was moved by Alderman Galan and seconded by
Alderman Poteraske to approve payment of Warrant Number
09-10-22 in the amount of $45,984.05 from the General Fund; $162,449.40 from
the Water Fund; $1,505.42 from the Motor Fuel Tax Fund; $164.42 from the Darien
Area Dispatch Fund; $3,812.00 from the Capital Improvement Fund; $220,354.83 from the General Fund
Payroll for the period ending 04/08/10; $19,257.70 from the Water Fund Payroll
for the period ending 04/08/10; $24,494.79 from the D.A.D.C. Fund Payroll for
the period ending 04/08/10 for a total to be approved of $478,022.61.
Roll Call: Ayes: Avci, Galan, Marchese, Poteraske, Schauer
Nays: None
Absent: Gattuso, McIvor
Results: Ayes 5, Nays 0, Absent 2
B. TREASURER’S
MONTHLY REPORT – MARCH, 2010
Treasurer Coren
reviewed all year-to-date sources of revenue and expenditures and fund balances
through the month of March, 2010: General Fund Revenue $10,620,289; General
Fund Expenditures $10,491,188; Current General Fund Balance $3,008,166; Water
Fund Revenue $2,866,128 Water Fund Expenditures $3,355,314; Current Water Fund
Balance ($38,232); Motor Fuel Tax Fund Revenue $559,916; Motor Fuel Tax Fund
Expenditures $520,966; Current Motor Fuel Tax Fund Balance ($72,898); Water
Depreciation Fund Revenue $167,876; Water Depreciation Fund Expenditures $68,470;
Current Water Depreciation Fund Balance $735,580; Capital Improvement Fund
Revenue $307,718; Capital Improvement Fund Expenditures $2,240,218; Current
Capital Improvement Fund Balance $758,498; Capital Projects Debt Service Fund
Revenue $109,489; Capital Projects Debt Service Fund Expenditures $504,000; and
a current fund balance of $45,774.
Mayor Weaver noted that the cash reserves and collateral are listed on the back page.
12. STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS
Municipal
Services Committee — Alderman
Marchese advised that the next Municipal Services Committee Meeting is
scheduled to take place on Monday, April 26, 2010 at 6:30 P.M. in the Council
Chambers.
Police
Committee — On behalf of Alderman
McIvor, Alderman Poteraske submitted, for the record, the Minutes of the Police
Committee Meeting of March 1, 2010, and advised that the next Police Committee
meeting is scheduled to take place on Thursday, May 6, 2010 at 6:00 P.M. in the
Council Chambers. The regular meetings
of the Police Committee will take place on the first Thursday of the month for
an unspecified period of time.
Clerk Coleman advised that the press will be notified
of the change.
Administrative/Finance
Committee — Alderman Poteraske
submitted, for the record, the Minutes of the Administrative Finance Committee
Meeting of April 12, 2010, and advised that the next Administrative and Finance
Committee Meeting is scheduled to take place on Monday, May 10, 2010 at 6:30
P.M.
13. QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS — AGENDA RELATED
Mayor Weaver advised that Item A under New Business
has been removed from the agenda, and will be on the next City Council Meeting
agenda.
Matt Goodwin of 1118 Tamarack expressed concern with
the proposed temporary reduction of sworn staff of the Police Department, and
requested the City Council reconsider.
Mayor Weaver explained that the city has been
functioning for a long period of time with 37 officers, and that the city is
not eliminating any positions. Mayor
Weaver emphasized that the reduction is temporary. Mayor Weaver explained that the Police
Committee is in the process of conducting a very thorough review of the Police
Department. The Police Committee’s recommendation to reduce the force was made
with the knowledge that there are currently 37 officers on the street.
As a member of the Police Committee, Alderman Galan
further explained that it was demonstrated that the Police Department was
functioning with 37 officers on the street.
The number of officers on the street is not being changed. The reduction is temporary since there is the
understanding that the number may have to be increased or decreased in the
future.
Mr. Goodwin added that although he understands the
temporary nature of the reduction, training of a new officer can take six
months. Mr. Goodwin expressed a desire
to see the DARE Program continue.
Alderman Galan responded that the City Council has
adopted an ordinance that would allow the hiring of trained police officers,
which would cut training time in half.
Mr. Goodwin added that trained officers may not be the
best candidates.
Alderman Poteraske stated that, in the interim, if a
significant problem should occur, the Police Committee will reconsider the
reduction.
Alderman Galan invited Mr. Goodwin to attend the
Police Committee meetings.
14.
OLD BUSINESS
There was no old business to come before the City
Council.
15. CONSENT
AGENDA
Mayor
Weaver reviewed the items on the Consent Agenda for the benefit of the viewing
audience.
It
was moved by Alderman Galan and seconded by Alderman Schauer to approve by
Omnibus Vote the following items on the Consent Agenda:
A. ORDINANCE NO. O-11-10 CONSIDERATION OF A MOTION TO
APPROVE AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 3-3-7-1 OF THE DARIEN CITY CODE TO
INCREASE THE NUMBER OF CLASS A LIQUOR LICENSES FROM 7-8
B. RESOLUTION NO. R-30-10 CONSIDERATION OF A MOTION TO
APPROVE A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR TO ENTER INTO AN
AGREEMENT WITH BEST QUALITY CLEANING TO PROVIDE JANITORIAL SERVICES FOR THE
CITY OF
C. RESOLUTION NO. R-31-10 CONSIDERATION OF A MOTION TO
APPROVE A RESOLUTION DECLARING A DEFAULT AND DEMANDING PAYMENT UNDER A CERTAIN
LETTER OF CREDIT (JAMES PETER COURT SUBDIVISION/INTEGRA BANK IRREVOCABLE LETTER
OF CREDIT NO. 378)
D.
CONSIDERATION OF A MOTION TO AUTHORIZE A TEMPORARY
REDUCTION IN THE AUTHORIZED SWORN STAFF OF THE DARIEN POLICE DEPARTMENT
Roll
Call: Ayes: Avci, Galan, Marchese, Poteraske, Schauer
Nays: None
Absent: Gattuso,
McIvor
Results: Ayes 5,
Nays 0, Absent 2
16. NEW
BUSINESS
There
was no new business.
17. QUESTIONS,
COMMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS — GENERAL
In response to Alderman Galan, Assistant Administrator
Coren advised that Republic Services, Allied Waste, ARC, and BFI have merged
and are now the same company. Residents
may see minor changes.
Matt Goodwin advised that VFW #2838 is currently
working on a membership drive. Mr.
Goodwin noted that the VFW is very active in service to the community and veterans
in need.
Nick Darien of
Chief Pavelchik wished a Happy 22nd
Birthday to his son, Christopher, who is coming home soon from
18. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the
City Council, it was moved by Alderman Galan and seconded by Alderman Schauer
to adjourn.
VIA VOICE
VOTE – MOTION DULY CARRIED
The City Council
meeting adjourned at 8:35 P.M.
Mayor
________________________________
City Clerk
ld
All supporting
documentation and report originals of these minutes are on file in the Office
of the City Clerk under File Number 04-19-10.
Minutes of 04-19-10 CCM