01/03/1955110
IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF DES PLAINES THAT THE
C FOLLOWING BILLS ARE DUE AND PAYABLE
AND THAT THE MAYOR AND CITY CLERK BE
AND HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO MAKE PAY-
MENT FOR SAME.
203
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF
THE CITY COIUNCIL, DES PLAIDS,
ILLINOIS, HELD IN THE COUNCIL ROOM,
CITY HALL, MONDAY, JANUARY 3, 1955,
AT 8:00 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kenneth G. Meyer who presided
with Alderman Hansen, Schubert, Wolf, Tures, Schallawitz, Harm, Auck, Prickett, Dahl,
Blume, Davis and McKay responding to roll call. Alderman Behrel was absent.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES. The motion was made by Alderman Schubert and seconded by
Schallawitz to approve the minutes of adjourned meeting, December 13 and regular
meeting of December 20, 1954. The motion was voted upon by acclamation and the Mayor
declared the motion carried.
OFFICIAL REPORTS. The Clerk submitted the report of Building Commissioner Rieck for
December,
At request of Alderman Dahl, the Superintenddnt of Public Works is to check on
the timing of yellow traffic light at Algonquin and River Road.
APPROVAL OF BILLS. Alderman Blume presented the following resolution:
(A schedule of bills placed before each Alderman and affixed to resolution and on file
with City Clerk.) Total of $5,923.23. The motion was made by Alderman Blume 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 Hansen, Schubert, Wolf,
Tures, Schallawitz, Harm, Auck, Prickett, Dahl, Blume, Davis and McKay. Nays: None.
The Mayor declared the motion carried.
ADOPT $77,000 BOND ORDINANCE. The Clerk read for second reading the following ordinance
entitled:
AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE
BORROWING OF MONEY AND THE ISSUING
OF BONDS BY THE CITY OF DES PLAINES,
ILLINOIS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $77,000
FOR THE PURPOSE OF PURCHASING THE
SITE OF A NEW FIRE STATION AND CON-
STRUCTION OF A BUILDING THEREON AND
PROVIDING FOR THE LEVY AND COTLECTION
OF A DIRECT ANNUAL TAX FOR THE PAY-
MENT OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST OF
SAID BONDS.
The motion was made by Alderman Hansen and seconded by Schubert to adopt the ordinance.
The Mayor put the question and the Clerk called the roll with the following result:
Ayes: Alderman Hansen, Schubert, Wolf, Tures, Schallawitz, Harm, Auck, Prickett, Dahl,
Blume, Davis and McKay. Nays: None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
ADOPT $21,000 BOND ORDINANCE. The Clerk read for second reading the following ordinance
entitled:
AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE
BORROWING OF MONEY AND THE ISSUING
OF BONDS BY TILE CITY OF DES PLAINES,
ILLINOIS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $21,000
FOR THE PURPOSE OF PURCHASING NEW
FIRE DEPARTMENT EQUIPMENT AND
PROVIDING FOR THE LEVY AND COLLECTION
OF A DIRECT ANNUAL TAX FOR THE PAYMENT
OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST OF SAID
BONDS
The motion bras made by Alderman Davis and seconded by Hansen to adopt the ordinance.
The Mayor put the question and the Clerk called the roll with the following result:
Ayes: Alderman Hansen, Schubert, Wolf, Tures, Schallawitz, Harm, Auck, Prickett,
Dahl, Blume, Davis and McKay. Nays: None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Si-
204
1-3-55
ADOPT $18,000 BOND ORDINANCE.
entitled:
The Clerk read for second reading the following ordinance
AN ORDINANCE PROD IDING FOR HE
BORROWING OF MONEY AND THE SSUING
OF BONDS BY TE CITY OF DES PLAIDS,
ILLINOIS, IN THE AMOUNT OF *18,000
FOR THE PURPOSE OF ADDING TO AND
REMODELING THE MINER STREET FIRE
STATION AND PROVIDING FOR T LEVY
AND COLLECTION OF A DIRECT NUAL
TAX FOR THE PAYMENT OF PRIN IPAL
AND INTEREST OF SAID BONDS.
The motion was made by Alderman Schallawitz and seconded by Da
ordinance. The 1ayor put the question and the Clerk called th
follwing result: Ayes: Alderman Hansen, Schubert, Wolf, Tures
Auck, Prickett, Dahl, Blume, Davis and McKay. Nays: None. Th
motion carried.
is to adopt the
roll with the
Schallawitz, Harm,
Mayor declared the
CONSOER, TGaNSEND AND ASSOCIATES PROPOSAL ON WELLFR CREEK SURVDY ACCEPTED. The motion
was made by Alderman McKay and seconded by Davis to accept the proposal and Mayor to
sign same. After discussion it was accepted provided the clause "on condition that
the report carry recommendations for solution of problems and that survey cover down
to the mouth of Weller Creek." The Mayor put the question and the Clerk called the
roll with the following result: Ayes: Alderman Hansen, Schubert, Wolf, Tures,
Schallawitz, Harm, Auck, Prickett, Dahl, Blume, Davis and McKay. Nays: None. The
Mayor declared the motion carried.
APPROVE DIVITO REZONING REAR OF 457 DES PLAINES AVENUE. The Cle
tion of the Zoning Board approving the rezoning of the Divito p
onthe rear of 457 Des Plaines Avenue. On motion by Alderman Tu
Hansen the Council concurred in the recommendation and Attorney
ordinance.
k read the recommenda-
operty to Commercial
es and seconded by
to draft proper
APPROVE ZONING BOARD RECOMMENDATION ON AMENDING ORDINANCE AS TO "INDUSTRIAL USES."
The Clerk read the recommendation of Zoning Board approving an •rdinance amending the
Zoning Ordinance relative to "Light. Manufacturing District" On motion by Alderman
Prickett and seconded by Davis the Council concurred in the recommendation.
FIRST READING OF ZONING ORDINANCE AS TO INDUSTRIAL USES. The Cl
reading an ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance as to Indust
ordered the ordinance placed on file for second readingl
rk read for first
ial uses. The Mayor
ZONING BOARD REJECT REZONING AT 655 DES PLAINES AVENUE. The Cle k read the recommenda-
tions of Zoning Board rejecting the reaoning at 655 Des Plaines Avenue. On motion by
Alderman Schubert and seconded by Hansen the Council concurred the recommendation.
MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. The Mayor read the following report:
Members of the City Council
of the City of Des Plaines
Pursuant to the requirements of the Illinois law, that the Mayor
to the City Council and to the Citizens the status of the City's
this time to present to you my report concerning the City.s affa
We have just concluded a year in which we have ben faced with t
that have confronted the City since I was elected Mayor in 1949.
problems have been completed and othere are in the process of co
periodically report
affairs, I wish at
rs as I see them.
e biggest problems
Some of these
pletion. To name a
few, I refer to the Q850,000.00 Water Improvement Program, the proposed $2,000,000.00
Sewer Project, the $116,000.00 Fire Station and Equipment Bond I sue, the revision of
the Garbage and Rubbish Collection System and purchase of new ga bage trucks, many
street and water improvements by special assessments, the busine s section street
lighting system, the complete settlement of the litigation conte ning Parking Lot #2,
the acquisition of land from Ellinwood Street to Parking Lot #2 d last, but not
least, the careful study and decision concerning annexations andlrezonings.
All of these problems have required a great deal of time and effort on the part of the
City Council - much more time and effort than I am sure the aver ge Citizen realizes.
2O
1-3=55
MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. (Cont'd.)
Some of the projects I have mentioned still require a lot of work on the part of the
City Council before they will be completed.
We have made considerable progress during the past year, but I feel we could have
made much better progress if it hadn't been for What I term "petty bickering" on the
Council floor on details which had been thoroughly analyzed in Committee meetings.
Too often Aldermen failed to attend Committee meetings which would require a complete
rehash of the subject on the Council floor. This is not conducive to an expeditious
administration. More trust, confidence and credence should be given to Committee
reports - and when I refer to Committee reports, I refer to reports based upon a full
or majority meeting of the Committee.
With respect to the major departments of the City, I wash to report as follows:
GARBAGE DEPARTMENT
For the first time in many, many years, the Garbage Department is out of the red.
The decision of the majority of the Council to adopt the periodic billing for garbage
• and refuse pickup instead of levying a tax therefor was a wise one. Unless unexpected
® conditions arise with respect to our mode of disposing of garbage and refuse, it
Y.P
• should be possible, within two years, to reduce this $1.00 per month charge.
t-�
Q At the time the Council adopted the $1.00 a month charge plan, I was of the opinion
and so stated in Committee meetings, that I would prefer to see the garbage tax remain
in force and to charge a nominal fee of 500 per month for refuse pickup, and I still
think that this plan of financing should be given serious consideration by the Council.
Under this plan, we should receive approximately 4$40,000.00 from tax levies. Based
upon 6,500 homes at 500 per month, we should be able to collect approximately
$40,000.00 for rubbish collection and I feel confident that a special pricing arrange-
ment satisfactory to the Commercial institutions and the City can be worked out which
would result in additional revenue. Now that the department is in the black, this
plan, in my opinion, should be given serious consideration.
If my recommendations are not received with favor, than I would like to recommend
that our present ordinance be amended to allow a discount of $2.00 per year on the
garbage and rubbish fee to any person who pays his garbage and refuse pickup fees in
advance, for the full year, within fifteen days from date of billing. Many Citizens
have already paid their fee in full without any discount and if a discount were
allowed, I believe that more persons would pay their year's charges in full, which
would reduce the cost of service in the City Clerk's Office, as well as bring more
substantial sums in at one time to the City Treasurey.
WATER DEPARTMENT
Financially and from a water supply situation, this department is in very good °
condition. It hasn't been necessary to use any water from our new Well #3 since
September of 1954. This should prove that our present water supply is adequate for
normal home, commercial and industrial use and with an adequate reserve for increased
normal home, commercial and industrial use. When our water improvement plan is
completed, we will have an additional well, and a greatly expanded storage and treat-
ment capacity - yet when these improvements are completed, no Citizen has the right
to expect that he may sprinkle his lawn at will in drought periods. Water systems
like sewer systems are designed for normal use. It is difficult to understand how
Cit :tens of Des Plaines can complain because lawn sprinkling restrictions are imposed
when cities like Chicago, Evanston, and Greenbay, with Lake Michigan as the source of
supply, are obliged to enforce lawn sprinkling restrictions in drought periods.
POLICE & FIRE DEPARTMENTS
In view of the expansion of our City, it has become necessary to increase the
personnel in both the Police & Fire Departments and with an increase in personnel, it
is also necessary'to purchase additional equipment.. We must face the fact that as we
grow, we must be prepared to expand our services and we only can expand our services
at an increased cost. We must school ourselves to face the fact that our appropriations
each year will grow larger and larger.
206
1-3-55
MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT. (Cont'd.)
STREET & LIGHTING PROGRAM
Very substantial improvements were made to many of our Ciy's streets during the
past year and most of them were made at no direct cost to the property owners fronting
on said streets. These improvements have been made by spend4ng wisely gas tax monies
which are available to the City. Recently, the Council adopted a resolution for a
five year program for the use of gas tax monies for the purpose of improving our
street system. If this program can be completed, we should eel very, very proud.
One serious problem which faces us concerns the street li hting system in the
Cumberland area, in which area, lighting standards were inst lled in 1927 and the
underground cable has depreciated to the point where it has ecome an excessive
burden to keep this street lighting system in operation. In view of the fact that
for the past four years at least, this particular area has received the mayor bene-
fit of our street lighting tax monies, the time has now come when we will have to
install the regulation over -head street lights and discontinue servicing the light-
ing standards unless the property owners in this area are willing to pay for a street
lighting system with street standards by special assessment proceedings.
SEWER DEPARTMENT .
Des Plaines, like most communities in the Chicago Metropol
problem and we are in the process of submitting to the people
program, including the Weller Creek situation, which will cos
$2,000,000 or better. To pay for such a huge project, we wil
obligation bonds or finance the program by sewer revenue bond
home owner will be billed an amount based upon the water cons
project by.a combination of both plans. In either event, I a
will be required and whether or not we can complete the sewer
ultimately it is going to rest in the hands of the voters of
sincere hope that the people of this City will support and ap
submitted by this City Council.
tan Area, has a sewer
a sewer improvement
approximately
have to issue general
which means that each
med, or finance the
sure a referendum
improvement program,
his City. It is my
rove whatever plan is
PARKING LOTS
Our largest parking lot, being Parking Lot #2, located bet een Prairie and
Ellinwood Street, should be pretty well completed during the
of acquiring land for these lots and improving the same has be
from the sale of parking meter bonds, and while it is our ultii
ually have these parking lots without meters, we are under con
holders to provide meters until such time as the bonds are ret
some discussion in Committee meetings for the establishment of
ar 1955. The' cost
n financed primarily
ate aim to event-
ract with the bond
red. There has been
a parking lot to serve
the north side business section. To this date no suitable site has been elected. If
and when one is selected, the question of financing the purchase and improvement of
°same is something that will require careful consideration.
The Projects which I see lying ahead of us and which are not yt on our agenda, are
as follows:
1) The final complete report from the Plan Commission as t the City Plan.
2) The completion of the revision of the City Code.
3)
4)
5)
6) Modernization of street lighting system in the residenti1 areas.
The correction of the hazard existing on Northwest High.ay under the railroad
viaduct. ��
The enlargement of our Public Library.
An extensive tree trimming and tree removal program.
Respectfully submitted,
Kenneth G. Meyer (Siined)
Kenneth G. Meyer
Mayor
ADJOURNMENT. The motion was made by Alderman Schubert and secon ed by Tures to adjourn
to Monday, January 10, 1955 at 8:00 P.M. The motion was voted upon by acclation
and the Mayor declared the motion carried.
A/.
Otto W. J
City Clerk