Minutes - December 15, 2003

A WORK SESSION WAS CALLED TO ORDER AT 7:00 P.M. BY CITY CLERK COLEMAN FOR THE PURPOSE OF REVIEWING ITEMS ON THE DECEMBER 15, 2003 AGENDA WITH THE CITY COUNCIL. THE SESSION ADJOURNED AT 7:10 P.M.

Minutes of the Regular Meeting

of the City Council of the

CITY OF DARIEN

DECEMBER 15, 2003

1. CALL TO ORDER

The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Darien was called to order at 7:30 P.M. by City Clerk Joanne F. Coleman.

ELECTION OF MAYOR PRO-TEM

Clerk Coleman stated that Mayor Soldato was unable to attend the meeting due to a work commitment; she asked Council for nominations for Mayor Pro-Tem.

It was motioned by Alderman Poteraske and seconded by Alderman Marchese to appoint Alderman Richard Biehl as Mayor Pro-Tem. There being no other nominations, she closed the election and called for the question.

Roll Call: Ayes: Hagen, Marchese, Poteraske, Tikalsky, Weaver

Nays: None

Abstain: Biehl

Absent: Cotten

Results: Ayes 6, Nays 0, Absent 1 MOTION DULY CARRIED

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mayor Pro-Tem Biehl led the Council and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.

3. ROLL CALL — The Roll Call of Aldermen by City Clerk Coleman was as follows:

Present: Richard Biehl John F. Poteraske, Jr. David Hagen James Tikalsky Joseph Marchese Kathleen Moesle-Weaver

Absent: Morgan Cotten

Also in Attendance: Joanne F. Coleman, City Clerk Kevin P. Monaghan, City Treasurer Bryon D. Vana, City Administrator Robert Pavelchik, Chief of Police Gregory Dreyer, Community Development Director Robert Mengarelli, Asst. Director of Public Works Robert Rodgers, Asst. Director of Public Works

4. DECLARATION OF A QUORUM — There being six Aldermen present, Mayor Pro-Tem Biehl declared a quorum.

5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — December 1, 2003

It was moved by Alderman Marchese and seconded by Alderman Hagen to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of December 1, 2003, as presented.

Roll Call: Ayes: Biehl, Hagen, Marchese, Poteraske, Tikalsky

Nays: None

Abstain: Weaver

Absent: Cotton

Results: Ayes 6, Nays 0, Absent 1 MOTION DULY CARRIED

6. RECEIVING OF COMMUNICATIONS

Alderman Marchese stated that he received a follow-up email from William Kohlsat in regard to the Tara Hill gateway signs. He forwarded the email to Director Dreyer who responded by letter to Mr. Kohlsat's inquiry.

Alderman Weaver received email from Patti Chereskin of Ward 7 in regard to the Darien Park District property located on Cass Avenue. Alderman Weaver said that the property was for sale and recently sold; the new owners have not approached the City.

7. MAYOR'S REPORT

A. RECOGNITION OF 2003 HOLIDAY HOME DECORATING CONTEST WINNERS

Mayor Pro-Tem Biehl welcomed the Holiday Home Decorating Contest Committee and turned the meeting over to Chairperson Jeannette Campo. Ms. Campo introduced committee members Cindie Hagen, Gene Kolling, and Anna & Herman Fein; she said that Dorothy Miller, a member of the Committee, was unable to attend the meeting. She noted that the contest had been in existence since 1994; she thanked the Council for their continued support. Ms. Campo stated that the committee no longer drove up-and-down each City street seeking winning homes; homes were nominated by other community homeowners and were then the homes were viewed/judged by the Committee. She described each contest winner.

Honorary Award Plaques were presented to the following families for their repeated outstanding participation: Corso Family, 7031 Seminole Drive, Kobleski Family, 2233 Green Valley Road, and Marsico Family, 1612 Lakeview Drive.

Honorable Mention Certificates were presented to: Alyward Family, 7034 Sierra Drive, Lampugnano Family, 3228 Beller Drive, and Truhlar Family, 8408 Cramer Lane.

Chairperson Campo congratulated the following 2003 Holiday Home Decorating Contest Winners: ? Fifth Place Winner was The Prosia Family, 602 Glen Lane; they were presented with a Fifth Place Certificate and a $25.00 check. ? Fourth Place Winner was The Sima Family, 414 70th Street; they were presented with a Fourth Place Certificate and a $25.00 check. ? Third Place Winner was The Siebold Family, 7317 Sunrise Avenue; they were presented with a Third Place Certificate and a $50.00 check. ? Second Place Winner was The Kiser Family, 533 73rd Street; they were presented with a Second Place Certificate and a $100.00 check. ? First Place Winner was The Monaco Family, 7007 Sierra Drive; they were presented with a First Place Certificate and a $200.00 check.

It was noted that Trolley Tours to view the contest winners were scheduled for December 17th, 18th and 19th; reservations were needed and could be made by contacting City Hall at 852-5000.

B. COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT – FISCAL YEAR ENDED APRIL 30, 2003

John DeLand, a partner with Wolf & Company LLP, presented a brief overview of the City's Financial Report. Alderman Weaver noted that the Administrative/Finance Committee thoroughly reviewed the report with the auditor.

8. CITY CLERK'S REPORT

Clerk Coleman…

… thanked the Girl Scouts and their Troop Leaders for decorating the tree in front of City Hall.

… noted that the Police Pension Board scheduled a meeting for Wednesday, December 17th, at 7:00 P.M. in the Police Department.

… stated that the Environmental Committee meeting scheduled for December 16th, the Cable Communications Commission meeting scheduled for December 18th, and the Public Works Water/Streets Committee meeting scheduled for December 24th had been cancelled.

… commented that City offices would be closed on December 24th and 25th, as well as January 1st for the Holidays.

… invited everyone to join Mayor Soldato for coffee on Saturday, December 20th, from 9:00 until 10:00 A.M. at Carmelite Carefree Village located at 8419 Bailey Road.

Clerk Coleman wished everyone a happy and healthy New Year and a very Merry Christmas.

9. CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT

No Report.

10. DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORT

Asst. Director of Public Works Robert Rodgers…

… announced that he and Asst. Director Mengarelli attended a Chicago Area Clean City seminar; he displayed a plaque that honored the City as part of the 'Green Fleet'.

… spoke about the recently purchased listening devise that assists the Department with locating water leaks. He noted that the water survey done in 1998 found 21 leaks, in 2001 found 27 leaks, in 2002 found 17 leaks, and in 2003 found only 5 leaks due to the use of the listening devise.

… commented that the L & O report indicated less than 2% water loss, which was the best report the City had ever received. Alderman Hagen inquired if there was consideration for use of fire hydrants by fire departments; Asst. Director Rodgers affirmed that all uses were recorded.

… noted that from September to December in 2001 there were 12 watermain breaks; in 2002 there were 27 watermain breaks; and in 2003 there were 10 watermain breaks. He noted that the Department was in the middle of watermain break season.

11. TREASURER'S REPORT

A. WARRANT NUMBER 03-04-14

It was moved by Alderman Tikalsky and seconded by Alderman Poteraske to approve payment of Warrant Number 03-04-14 in the amount of $78,050.17 from the General Fund; $599,929.84 from the Water Fund; $52,423.98 from Motor Fuel Tax Fund; $1,000.00 from the Drug Forfeiture Fund; $619.71 from Darien Area Dispatch Fund; $322,242.50 from the Joint Use Facility Fund; $207,255.74 from the General Fund Payroll for the period ending 12/11/03; $23,565.84 from the Water Fund Payroll for the period ending 12/11/03; $28,097.51 from the D.A.D.C. Fund Payroll for the period ending 12/11/03; for a total to be approved of $1,313,185.29.

Roll Call: Ayes: Biehl, Marchese, Poteraske, Tikalsky, Weaver

Nays: Hagen

Absent: Cotton

Results: Ayes 5, Nays 1, Absent 1 MOTION DULY CARRIED

B. TREASURER'S MONTH REPORT – NOVEMBER 2003

City Treasurer Monaghan reviewed all sources of revenue and expenditures for the month of November 2003 with the following year-to-date fund balance: General Fund $1,419,266; Water Fund $409,592; Motor Fuel Tax Fund $654,462; Darien Towne Centre Sales Tax Fund $275,899; and Hotel/Motel Tax Fund $78,969.

12. STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS

Administrative/Finance Committee — No Report.

Planning/Development Committee — Chairman Hagen announced that the Committee would meet on Monday, December 22nd, at 6:30 P.M.; he noted that there were two items on the agenda.

Public Works Water/Streets Committee — No Report.

13. QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS — AGENDA RELATED

There were no Agenda related questions or comments.

14. OLD BUSINESS

There was no Old Business to come before the City Council

15. CONSENT AGENDA

There were no items on the Consent Agenda.

16. NEW BUSINESS

A. CONSIDERATION OF A MOTION TO APPROVE A ONE-YEAR EXTENSION OF THE SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR MYERS SENIOR HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

It was moved by Alderman Hagen and seconded by Alderman Tikalsky to approve a one-year extension of the Special Use Permit for Myers Senior Housing Development, as presented.

Roll Call: Ayes: Biehl, Hagen, Marchese, Poteraske, Tikalsky, Weaver

Nays: None

Absent: Cotton

Results: Ayes 6, Nays 0, Absent 1 MOTION DULY CARRIED

17. QUESTIONS, COMMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS — GENERAL

Council wished everyone a Merry Christmas.

Kurt Mach, 1500 Evergreen Lane, stated that the petition for the dissolution of the Darien Park District was in circulation. He said that if Darien Park District residents had questions or wanted to sign the petition, they should contact him at (630) 910-3869.

Michael Pizutto, developer for the Myers Senior Housing Development, thanked Council for their support in granting the one-year extension.

Warren Anderson, 533 Chestnut Lane, read an email that he sent to Superintendent Johnson, Darien School District 61, in regard to a resident obtaining signatures for the Darien Park District petition on the premises of Eisenhower Junior High School.

In response to Warren Anderson's comments, Don Jiskra, 1100 Bristlecone Court, spoke about consolidation of the Darien Park District and the attempt by the Darien Park District Sergeant- At-Arms to obstruct the freedom afforded to people that allows them the right to sign petitions.

Mary Testolin, 8559 Beller Court, was concerned about newspaper articles she read that stated some of the Darien Park District property would be sold, particularly South Grove Park.

18. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the City Council, it was moved by Alderman Marchese and seconded by Alderman Weaver to adjourn.

VIA VOICE VOTE – MOTION DULY CARRIED

The City Council meeting adjourned at 8:25 P.M.

JFC/jr All supporting documentation and report originals of these minutes are on file in the Office of the City Clerk under File Number 12-15-03.

Minutes of 12-15-03 CCM December 15, 2003

2003 Minutes

Minutes - December 15, 2003