03/15/19541
135
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL,DES PLAINES,ILLINOIS,
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS, MARCH
15, 1954 AT 8:00 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was calledto order by Mayor Kenneth G. Meyer who presided
with Alderman Wolf, Tures, Schallawitz, Jacobs, Behrel, Harm, Auck, Prickett, Dahl,
Davis and McKay responding to roll call.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES. The motion was made by Alderman Wolf and seconded by Schallawitz
to approve the minutes of March 1, 1954. Alderman McKay requested the following correc-
tion on item three of Traffic Commission Report: The item of paragraph three,sidewalk on
southeast side to be discussed by City Engineer with State Highway Department in connec-
tion with the additional right-of-way already held by State for possible widening of
Golf Wolf Road under the Chicago & Northwestern tracks. The motion was then voted upon
by acclamation and the Mayor thereupon declared the motion carried and minutes approved
as corrected.
OFFICIAL REPORTS. The Clerk submitted the reports of City Treasurer and Nurse and Welfare
Association for February.
City Engineer Fletcher requested that bids be advertised for the electrical •
0 installation at pump house for Well No. 3. On motion by Alderman Tures and seconded by
In Dahl the Council approved the advertising for bids for the electrical installation in
pump house Well No. 3,to be returned at the April 5, 1954 meeting.
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At request of City Engineer Fletcher the Council approved the advertising for
bids on school traffic light at Perry and Des Plaines Avenue on motion by Alderman Auck
and seconded by Alderman Schallawitz to be returned at the April 5, 1954 meeting.
On motion by Alderman Dahl and seconded by McKay the change of Zoning of Lee
Street on the east side from Thacker to Prairie and the West side from Oakwood to
Prairie be refferred to the Zoning Board of Appeals to call a hearing.
The motion was made by Alderman Wolf and seconded by Auck that the Mayor and
Clerk be authorized to sign the contract for the lease for one squad car from May 16,
1954 to April 6, 1955, and two squad cars from April 6, 1954 to April 6, 1955, Chevro-
lets, with the Maine Leasing Corporation. The Mayor put the question and the Clerk
called the roll with the following result: Ayes: Alderman Wolf, Tures, Schallawitz,
Jacobs, Behrel, Harm, Auck, Prickett, Dahl, Davis and McKay. Nays: None. The Mayor
thereupon declared the motion carried.
Alderman Harm made the following report on increase of taxicab rates:
City Council of Des Plaines
Your committee on License & Inspection has the following report to make regard-
ing the request of the council by the taxi cab operators of Des Plaines for a rate in-
crease. This matter had been referred to our committee for action and we recommend that
the rate increase not be granted at this time. The committee feels that the Taxi cab
operators did not offer the cooperation necessary in such a matter. The committee had
requested that the companies involved submit some data to justify their request. A11
except Mr. Martin of Martin Cab. Co. failed to comply. Without data to justify such
action we have no alternative than to refuse the increase requested.
Henry C. Harm (Signed)
A. Prickett (Signed) William Jacobs(Signed)
On motion by Alderman Harm and seconded by Prickett the Council concurred in the
recommendation.
Alderman Auck reported the following on carnivals: The locations in each
instance appear to have more than usual parking facilities available and they will create
IIIno unusual traffic problems for affairs of this type. We therefore recommend that the
Council grant approval of these requests of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Holy
Name Society of St. Stephen's Catholic Church. On motion by Alderman Auck and seconded
by Tures the Council concurred in the report.
Alderman Davis made the following report:
REPORT TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF DES PLAINES, ILLINOIS
FROM FIRE COMMITTEE
March 15, 1954
GENTLEMEN:
Your Fire Committee after several months work have completed estimates for
bringing the Fire Department of the City of Des Plaines to a suiable department containing
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3-15-54
LETTER FROM FIRE COMMITTEE: (Cont'd.)
personal equipment and housing that is necessary for a city of ithis size.
For many years the Fire Department of the City of Des Plaines has been consid-
ered adequate and has a reputation of being one of the most efficient fire departments
in the State of Illinois. This state of efficiency of our fire department continues to
the present year when the Fire Department received an award for efficiency by the Fire
Underwriters. However, it must be pointed out that during the past four years, fire
districts have been added to the City of Des Plaines' Fire Department's responsibilities
plus the added growth of the city. We have a fire department ar}d equipment that was
designed for a city of 12,000 to 15,000 inhabitants and we now have a population of
22,000. Inother words, the city of Des Plaines' Fire Department is just not large
enough nor do they have enough equipment to handle a city of this size population.
This state of affairs was recognized by the City Council and t h Fire Committee was
instructed to prepare plans for the expansion of the fire department.. This has been
done. Your committee has located a piece of land suitable for fire house on the
south side of Des Plaines, after investigating 9 pieces of vacant property and carry-
ing on negotiations with owners, etc.
The committee has interviewed and received preliminary drawings from 7
architectural firms who had submitted various drawings for a suitable fire house that
would take care of our present needs aid could be expanded for f ture use. In some of
the drawings provisions are made so that the basement or parts f the building could
be used as community meeting hall or could house city departments with office space.
The old fire house attached to the City Hall must be altered to provide
additional space and designs for this have been made. The committee had carefully
investigated all types of fire equipment available and the lowest estimate to provide
the fire department with a new fire truck and additional auxiliary equipment is $20,000.
Total cost for this project will be as follows:
Land
Building
Equipment '.
Alterations for Old Building
Total
$ 4,000.00
70,000.00
20,000.00
16,000.00
$ 110,000.00
It is realized that this sum of money cannot be obtained from the tqx rolls
and must be obtained from a bond issue to be amortized fromthe tax rolls over a
period of years. In order to do this, it would be necessary to submit this proposal
to the voters of the city of Des Plaines in a referendum vote for this bond issue.
Your Fire Committee therefore recommends that a refereidum be submitted to
the voters of the city of Des Plaines at a special election to obtain the voters'
endorsement to proceed with a bond issue in the amount of $1102000.00.
FIFE COMMITTEE
William N. Davis (Signed)
William N. Davis
Dale K. Auck (Signed)
On motion by Alderman Davis and seconded by Auck the Council condurred in the report.
Alderman McKay made the following report:
March
15, 1954
Mayor and City Council:
With reference to increased fee for collection and disposal of excess waste
material from business establishments, made effective last October 1st for a trial
period of six months:
It is recommended that the increased charges be continued in effect for an
additional three months, or until July lst,'pending fufther report from this Committee.
It is hoped that by July 1st the Council will have determined whether to
engage scavenger service for residential pick-up or to purchase our own packer -units;
and whether we shall collect directly from residents and abandon tax levy. Also what
to do about the problem of commercial pick-up. 1
S. E. Mc K y Ch (Signed)
Earl Schallawitz (Signed)
On motion by Alderman McKay and seconded by Schallawitz the Council concurred in the
report.
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3-15-54
Alderman McKay reported the following on condition of City Dump: The
Sanitation Committee recommends that a sign approximately 6 feet by 4 feet, reading
"Trespassing and Unauthorized Dumping Prohibited by Order City Council;' Des Plaines,
Illinois;' to be prepared and erected at the Algonquin Street entrance to dumping and
incineration grounds. On motion by Alderman McKay and seconded by Behrel the report
was concurred in.
APPROVAL OF BILLS. Alderman Behrel presented the following resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF DES PLAINES THAT THE
FOLLOWING BILLS ARE DUE AND PAYABLE
AND THAT THE MAYOR AND CITY CLERK BE
AND HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO MAKE PAYMENT
FOR SAME.
(A schedule of bills placed before each Alderman and affixed to resolution and on file
with the City Clerk.) The motion was made by Alderman Behrel and seconded by Tures to
adopt the resolution. The Mayor put the question and the Clerk called the roll with
the following result: Ayes: Alderman Wolf, Tures, Schallawitz, Jacobs, Behrel, Harm,
Auck, Prickett, Dahl, Davis and McKay. Nays: None. The Mayor thereupon declared the
motion carried.
Lt`J The Clerk read a letter from the State Highway Department that the investiga-
tions will be made late spring at the three intereections requested the March4, 1954
meeting.
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FIRST READING PREMIER ROSE GARDENS ANNEXATION ORDINANCE. The Clerk read for first
reading the Premier Rose Garden 16 Acres annexation ordinance. The Mayor ordered the
ordinance placed on file for second reading.
APPROVE CONTRACT FOR STREET LIGHTS BY SPECIAL ASSESSMENT NO. 161. The contract for
Street Lights with'the H. -H. Electric Company, total $89,451.75, to be installed by
Special Assessment No. 161 and which was on file in the City Clerk's Office the re-
quired seven days was presented by the City Clerk for approval. The motion was made
by Alderman Wolf and seconded by Behrel to approve the contract and authorize the
City Clerk to execute the contract. The Mayor put the question and the Clerk called
the roll with the following result: Ayes: Alderman Wolf, Tures, Schallawitz, Jacobs,
Behrel, Harm, Auck, Prickett, Dahl, Davis and McKay. Nays: None. The Mayor there-
upon declared the motion carried.
Alderman Auck informed the Council that Mr. V. Ralph had been given the use
of an old building which is being repaired and electric lights installed with no
charge, to be used by the Civilian Defense for plane detection. On motion by Alderman
Auck and seconded by Prickett the Council approved to pay for the electric current.
Alderman Davis read a report on Mosquito Abatement regarding a referendum for
the sum of $8,500.00. At the Mayor's suggestion the following addition was made to
report. The City Attorney advises the Council on the law regarding referendum and tax
on mosquito abatement. The motion was made by Alderman Davis and seconded by Dahl to
concur in the report. The Mayor put the question and the Clerk called the roll with
the following result: Ayes: Alderman Dahl, Davis and McKay. Nays: Alderman Wolf, Tures,
Schallawitz, Jacobs, Behrel, Harm, Auck and Prickett. The Mayor thereupon declared the
motion lost.
At the request of Alderman Harm, Superitendent Wernicke is to place "Slow
Children" signs on Greenview east of Wolf Road at the street curve.
ADJOURNMENT. The motion was made by Alderman Wolf and seconded by Behrel to adjourn.
The motion was voted upon by acclamation whereupon the Mayor declared the motion
carried and the Council regularly adjourned.
07 /(&0211/4.
J. Henrich "
City Clerk