10/24/1955R, ® 2
MINUTES OF THE
THE CITY COUNC
ILLINOIS, HELD
CITY HALL, MO
AT 8:00 P.M.
ADJOURNED MEETING OF
L, DES PLAINES,
IN THE COUNCIL ROOM,
AY, OCTOBER 24, 1955,
CALL TO ORDER. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kenneth G. Meyer who presided
with Alderman Neff, Wexler, Martin, Behrel, Prickett, Tistle, Nelsen, McKay, Davis,
Schubert:& Dunlap responding to roll call. Alderman Wolf and Tures were absent.
LEROY D. ALEXANDER, CHICAGO, AWARDED BID ON ADDITION TO OLD FIDE STATION4 23,403.00;
Alderman Davis reported that L. D. Alexander was the low bidder andthen made the
motion to award the bid on addition to fire station to L. D. Alexander for
w23,403.00. Alderman Prickett seconded the motion. Alderman Martin thought the bid
should be awarded to the local bidder Geo. H. Knight for $23,600.00. After dis-
cussion the Mayor declared a five minute recess for the Fire Committee to discuss
the bid. After reconvening the Mayor put the question and the Clerk called the roll:
Ayes: Alderman Neff, Wexler, Behrel, Prickett, Tistle, NcKay, avis, Schubert and
Dunlap. Nays: Alderman Martin and Nelsen. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
BID BOND WITH BID. On motion by Alderman Schubert and second
approved that in the future a bid bond must be attached to all
by Martin the Counci:L
bids.
ADOPT AMENDMENT TO SEPTIC TANK ORDINANCE. The Clerk read for first reading the
following ordinance entitled:
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ARTICLE XX OF THE 1939 UILD,-
ING CODE OF TE CITY OF DES PLAINES ENTITLED
"SEPTIC TANKS" BY ADDING THERETO CERTAIN REG-
ULATIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE INSTALLATION AND
CONSTRUCTION OF SEPTIC TANKS AND SEEPAGE SYST+MS
The motion was made by Alderman Schubert and seconded by Neff o suspend the rules
and adopt the ordinance. The Mayor put the question and the Clerk called the roll:
Ayes: Alderman Neff, Wexler, Martin, Behrel, Prickett, Tistle, Nelsen, McKay, Davis,
Schubert and Dunlap. Nays: None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and the
ordinance before the Council for adoption. The motion was madle by Alderman Schu-
bert and seconded by Dunlap to adopt the ordinance. The Mayor put the question
and the Clerk called the roll: Ayes: Alderman Neff, Wexler, Mafrtin, Behrel,
Prickett, Tistle, Nelsen, McKay, Davis, Schubert and Dunlap. Nays: None. The
Mayor declared the notion carried.
DUTCH ELM DISEASE CONTROL COMMITTEE. Alderman Dunlap presented
as members of the Dutch Elm Disease Committee:
A. J.-Tomasek - 1828 Lincoln Avenue, Chairman
John J. Heiland - 1339 Center Street
Gilbert Rudiger - 729 Prairie Avenue
J. A. Haynes,Jr. - 1133 Jeannette Avenue
Miss Marian Hodgins - 1014 Prairie Avenue
R. Jack Sneeden - 109714. Villa Drive
Theodore B. Fossberg- 870 N. Golf Cul de Sac
Mrs. R. E. Scott - 904 Second Avenue
the following names
On motion by Alderman Dunlap and seconded by Behrel the Council confirmed the
appointments.
DO ALL COMPANY DRIVEWAY. Alderman Prickett reported that the Street Committee
investigated regarding Do All Company driveway and recommended that a permit be
granted for a driveway 25 feet wide at the sidewalk and mamimum of 31 feet at the
curb. On motion by Alderman Prickett and seconded by Dunlap to Council concurred
in the report.
BANK ACCOUNT FUNDS. Alderman Behrel reported that the Finance Committee had investi-
gated regarding bank to pay interest on City funds in bank. They found the following:
1. The National Ranking Act of 1933, prohibits National member banks from paying
interest on checking accounts.
2. The City of Des Plaines is already investing surplus funds in U S. Treasurey
bills.
3. That special assessments funds are not similarly invested `because earnings
cannot be returned to the City, but must remain in individual special accounts.
The Finance Committee recommended the report be placed on file. On motion by Alder-
man Behrel and second by Neff the Council concurred in the recommendation.
303
10-24-55
HUGO J. THAL REQUFST FOR QUIT CLAIM DEED. Alderman Behrel reported that Finance
Committee recommended that Hugo J. Thal be advised quit claim deed may be obtained
by payment of a fee of $100.00 per lot or in this request a total of $200.00. On
motion by Alderman Behrel and second by Prickett the Council concurred in the
recommendation.
ADJOURNMENT. The motion was made by Alderman Schubert and seconded by Davis to
adjourn. The motion was voted upon by acclamation.
Otto 1.' J. Henrich •
City "Clerk
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF
THE CITY COUNCIL, DES PLAINES,
ILLINOIS, HELD IN THE COUNCIL ROOD,
CITY HALL, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7,1955,
AT 8:00 P.M.
CD
CALL TO ORDER. The meeting was called to order by the City Clerk due to absence of
Maor Meyer,with Aldermen Martin> Behrel> Prickett, Tistle, Nelsen, McKay,Davis,
,. Schubert, Dunlap, Tures, Wolf, Neff and Wexler responding to roll call. On motion by
Q Alderman Schubert and seconded by Tures the Council appointed Alderman McKay Chairman
pro tem.
1
1
APPROVAL OF MINUTES. The motion was made by Alderman Prickett and seconded by Behrel
to approve the minutes of the adjourned meeting, October 10, regular meeting October
17 and adjourned meeting October 24, 1955. The motion was voted upon by acclamation.
OFFICIAL REPORTS. The Clerk submitted the reports of Building Commissioner and City
Clerk for October.
The Mayor made his appearance at this time and took the Chair.
ATTORNEY HOWARD'S REPORTS. I wish to report to you that to my shocked surprise,
Judge Daniel Covelli of the Superior Court, over -ruled my motion to dismiss Arthur
Rieck, Building Commissioner of Des Plaines, out of the lawsuit brought by some
twenty-five property owners on the south side of Des Plaines, against the Herzog
Company for defective basement floors.
In other words, Judge Covelli ruled that a Building Commissioner is personally
liable to subsequent property owners if he fails to catch defective workmanship in
the construction of buildings he is supposed to inspect.
In my opinion this is a most harsh and unreasonable doctrine, putting an almost
intolerable burden of responsibility and liability on a Building Department of a
municipality, and I certainly feel that the ruling ougnt not be permitte&to stand.
I have not yet decided what the next move in this matter ought to be. It would
be risky to stand by the motion and take an appeal from Judge Covelli's ruling. This
would mean if the Supreme Court disagreed with me and agreed with Judge Covelli, that
Arthur Rieck would be automatically personally liable for all damages without a chance
to contest the facts of the case.
I will give the matter further thought and report to the Council again at a later
date. I thought, however, that you should know about this ruling.
(Signed) Marshall S. Howard
As you know, there are now pending against the City, five lawsuits, each of which
seeks a declaratory judgment against our zoning laws and ordinances invvarious places.
Of these lawsuits, the Treveillier Case, involving the corner of Golf, Wolf and
Seegers' Roads, in the northwestern section of town, the Rams Head Case, involving
property on Graceland Avenue, near the Soo Line tracks, the Premier Rose Garden and the
Bauske Cases, both involving extensive open areas on the south side of town, have been
•referred to Master -in -Chancery Albert Sheppard and are in various stages of hearing.