Minutes- January 5, 2004

A WORK SESSION WAS CALLED TO ORDER AT 7:12 P.M. BY MAYOR CARMEN D. SOLDATO FOR THE PURPOSE OF REVIEWING ITEMS ON THE JANUARY 5, 2004 AGENDA WITH THE CITY COUNCIL. THE SESSION ADJOURNED AT 7:20 P.M.

Minutes of the Regular Meeting

of the City Council of the

CITY OF DARIEN

JANUARY 5, 2004

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 Mayor Carmen D. Soldato.

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mayor Soldato 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 Joseph Marchese Morgan Cotten John F. Poteraske, Jr. David Hagen James Tikalsky Kathleen Moesle-Weaver

Also in Attendance: Carmen D. Soldato, Mayor Joanne F. Coleman, City Clerk Kevin P. Monaghan, City Treasurer John B. Murphey, City Attorney 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 seven Aldermen present, Mayor Soldato declared a quorum.

5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - December 15, 2003

It was moved by Alderman Weaver and seconded by Alderman Tikalsky to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of December 15, 2003, as presented.

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

Nays: None

Absent: None

Results: Ayes 7, Nays 0, Absent 0 MOTION DULY CARRIED

6. RECEIVING OF COMMUNICATIONS

Alderman Poteraske received email from Stan Niemac of the 7100 block of Hudson; he was concerned with reception received from the cable provider, Comcast, from December 18th through the 31st. Alderman Poteraske had requested City staff to arrange a meeting with Comcast for January 15th with the Cable Communications Commission.

7. MAYOR'S REPORT

Mayor Soldato updated Council regarding the Darien Park District's potential dissolution, which was based on the efforts of various individuals. He noted that 2,900 signatures were necessary to place the dissolution on the March 16th ballot; he said that the group collected 3,800 signatures and that they were filed with the Darien Park District as required by law. The Park District needed to certify the signatures and file them with DuPage County by January 15th. Mayor Soldato asked Attorney Murphey to clarify what the Park District's obligation was. Attorney Murphey stated that the Park District, upon receipt of the petition, had to certify the document; the election code provided that when a petition/question of public policy/referendum was brought forward, the governmental body needed to certify it for an election within a timely fashion, normally seventy-eight (78) days after submittal. He noted that the appropriate election for consideration of this item would be the March 2004 election.

Mayor Soldato stated that this question would be on the March ballot; it would provide citizens the opportunity to dissolve the Darien Park District. If dissolution was successful, the Council made it clear through a Resolution to take on all of the programs currently run by the Park District; he noted that there was no intention to eliminate Park District programs or employees. Mayor Soldato said that the ultimate goal was to reduce the cost to Darien taxpayers and to improve the scope and delivery of programs. 8. CITY CLERK'S REPORT

Clerk Coleman invited everyone to join Mayor Soldato for Coffee on Saturday, January 17th, from 9:00 until 10:00 A.M. at City Hall in the Council Chambers.

9. CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT

Administrator Vana...

... advised that FREE pickup of Christmas trees was offered by the waste hauler, BFI, during the weeks of January 5th and January 12th on the resident's regular pickup day. He noted that the trees should not be bagged and that they should be clear of any decorative items.

... complimented Officers Liss and Stutte for completion of canine training; they are now on the streets with their new partners, Quanto and Rolf.

Alderman Hagen inquired if responses had been received regarding development of the 'Triangle'. Administrator Vana responded that four additional firms requested RFPs; he stated that February 17th was the deadline for submittal.

10. DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORT

Community Development Director Gregory Dreyer...

... commented that he was reviewing information regarding partial and full census and that he would forward detailed information to Council.

... spoke about 2003 building statistics: 677 building permits had been issued compared to 603 in 2002. He said that two-thirds of the permits issued were for minor projects, i.e., fences, roofs, decks, and sheds; single-family construction for alterations and additions had doubled; new housing remained between 20-40 homes per year.

... reported that the Planning and Zoning Commission would be reviewing various requests: driveway access onto 67th Street for Ryan Development within the Village of Westmont, townhome plans for Violet's Farm at North Frontage Road & Mystic Trace, Capital Estates on South Frontage Road, and a variation on Brookhaven Drive. He also reported that the Planning/Development Committee would review the Jewel-Osco request for a drive-thru pharmacy and development of the 67th & Bentley property.

Alderman Poteraske commented that he had read an article in the Tribune about tear downs; he requested that the City's process be reviewed and possibly be presented at a Committee-of-the-Whole. Mayor Soldato stated that this item could be discussed at a Goal Setting Session in order to decide what the City wanted to accomplish. Alderman Weaver stated that the issue was brought up a few years ago and that the determination was that the City had all of the ordinances in place particularly height of buildings, setbacks, etc.

Alderman Biehl inquired about action being considered for the proposed two-lot subdivision on Plainfield Road; Director Dreyer responded that it was scheduled to be reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Commission on January 21st.

11. TREASURER'S REPORT

A. WARRANT NUMBER 03-04-15

It was moved by Alderman Tikalsky and seconded by Alderman Biehl to approve payment of Warrant Number 03-04-15 in the amount of $83,534.70 from the General Fund; $50,372.75 from the Water Fund; $5,162.55 from Motor Fuel Tax Fund; $2,101.14 from the Special Service Area Tax Fund; $2,863.03 from the Darien Area Dispatch Fund; $206,254.16 from the General Fund Payroll for the period ending 12/23/03; $24,801.16 from the Water Fund Payroll for the period ending 12/23/03; $23,925.75 from the D.A.D.C. Fund Payroll for the period ending 12/23/03; for a total to be approved of $399,015.24.

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

Nays: None

Absent: None

Results: Ayes 7, Nays 0, Absent 0 MOTION DULY CARRIED

12. STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS

Administrative/Finance Committee - No report.

Planning/Development Committee - No report.

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 Consent Agenda items to come before the City Council.

16. NEW BUSINESS

A. CONSIDERATION OF A MOTION TO APPROVE A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS SUBJECT TO MAINTENANCE (DARIEN RIDGE SUBDIVISION)

It was moved by Alderman Poteraske and seconded by Alderman Tikalsky to approve

RESOLUTION NO. R-01-04 A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS SUBJECT TO MAINTENANCE (DARIEN RIDGE SUBDIVISION) as presented.

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

Nays: None

Absent: None

Results: Ayes 7, Nays 0, Absent 0 MOTION DULY CARRIED

17. QUESTIONS, COMMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS - GENERAL

Alderman Cotten commended and thanked Public Works for their efforts with the recent snow storm; all of Council agreed. Mayor Soldato inquired about road salt; Asst. Director Mengarelli responded that the City utilized 500 Tons of salt and that he had ordered 600 Tons.

Alderman Poteraske announced that 2004 Darien Historical Society Vehicle Stickers were available at City Hall, Police Department, both West Suburban Bank locations, and that he would announce additional locations after arrangements were made.

Nancy Campagnolo, a resident at 8916 Tara Hill and an elected Darien Park District Board member, commended the 3,771 registered voters/citizens of Darien for expressing their desire to place a referendum for the dissolution of the Darien Park District on the March ballot by signing petitions. She said that residents sent a clear and resounding message to the elected officials of the Darien Park District; she said that residents were unhappy and frustrated with the actions of the Board.

Ed Sawica, 1401 Pine Cove Court, distributed an informational handout that referenced the Darien Park District; he read a majority of the information and made comments. He said that approximately 95% of residents approached signed the petition for dissolution.

Gino Vezzani, 1806 Creekside Lane, thanked Council for their positive and constructive position by approving a City Department of Parks and Recreation if citizens were successful with dissolution of the Darien Park District. He noted that the referendum had overwhelming support of the people and that citizens should be allowed to speak, be seen, and make inquiries. He thanked Mayor Soldato and Council members for setting a wonderful example on how government can be affective, open, and efficient.

18. ADJOURNMENT

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

VIA VOICE VOTE - MOTION DULY CARRIED

The City Council meeting adjourned at 8:20 P.M.

Mayor

________________________________ 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.

2004 Minutes

Minutes- January 5, 2004