08/20/19568/6/56 3 9 3
FIRST READING OF THE TAX LEVY ORDINANCE. The Clerk informed the Council a meeting
of the Council as a Committee of the Whole was held.duly;al8th. In attendance was
Alderman Wolf., Mayor Meyer, City Attorney Eley and City Clerk, The Clerk presented
a copy of the amounts agreed upon for the 1957 Tax bevy. The Clerk then read for
first reading the 1956 Tax Levy Ordinance. The Mayor ordered placed on file for
next meeting.
SEPTIC TANK APELICATION. 229 THACKER STREET. The Clerk informed the Council he
had an application for septic tank at 229 Thacker Street. The motion was made
by Alderman Wolf and seconded -by Tures to approve the application. After
discussion the Mayor put the question and the.Clerk called the roll. Ayes:
Alderman Davis, Tures, Wolf,'Behrel, Prickett and Tistle. Nays:. Alderman Schubert,
Dunlap, Neff, Wexler, Martin, Nelsen, Bell. and McKay. The Mayor declared the motion
lost. On motion by Alderman Neff and .second by Wexler it was referred to the
Sewer Committee.
SEPTIC TANK APPLICATION 154 OAKWOOD AVENUE. The Clerk informed the Council he
had an application for septic tank at 154 Oakwood Avenue. On motion by Alderman
Neff and second by Wexler it, was referred to the.Sewer Committee.
fl,D DRIVEWAY APPLICATION-1MINER AND.GRACELAND. The Clerk informed the Council he had
rJ an application for driveway permit for gas station.at. Miner & Graceland. The
p!d station is to be rebuilt and at present has. 2. driveways...The Mayor referred same
eFr to Street Committee.
`x METROPOLITAN SANITARY DISTRICT PERMIT. The Clerk informed the Council he had a
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Sanitary District Permit for sewer connection at Lee and Forest Avenue. The
Mayor referred the permit to the Sewer Committee.
MAYOR'S LETTER TO ALDERMEN. The Clerk had mailed a letter from the Mayor to the
Aldermen asking them.to consider several items. The Mayor requested they make
cominents at the next meeting.
Alderman Tistle requested that the old Riverview Village Hall property Which is
owned by the City be referred to the Parking Lots Committee for parking.
ADJOURNMENT. The motion was made by Alderman Wolf and seconded by Tures to adjourn.
The motion was voted upon by acclamation.
City Clerk
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL HELD
IN THE `COUNCIL ROOM, CITY HALL, DES PLAINES,
ILLINOIS, ON AUGUST 20, 1956 at 8:00 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kenneth G. Mayer, the City
Clerk being absent the Deputy Clerk called the roll with the following result:
Alderman McKay, Davis, Schubert, Dunlap, Tures, Wolf, Neff, Wexler, Martin, Behrel,
Prickett, Nelsen and Bell. Alderman Tistle was absent.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF AUGUST 6, 19 1.6... The motion was made by Alderman Wolf and
seconded by Martin to approve the minutes of August 6, 1956. Alderman McKay requested
the addition of "On a motion by Alderman McKay and second by Tures the Council concurred
in the recommendation" to the end of the paragraph entitled "Tri -County Rule
Association of Metropolitan Law enforcing agency." The motion was voted upon by
acclamation with the correction made.
OFFICIAL REPORTS1 The Deputy Clerk submitted the monthly report of the City Treasurer.
Alderman Schubert reported that on August 23, 1956 there would be a meeting to discuss
the west boundary of Des Plaines with the parties concerned.
PETERSON'S SUBDIVISION #4 APPROVED. On a motion by Alderman Schubert and seconded by
Wolf the Mayor and City Clerk were authorized to sign the Peterson Subdivision plat #4
when a $38,000 performance bond was presented to the City Clerk. The bond shall also
guarantee the installation of public improvements on Forest Avenue to Lee Street to be
completed within one year. The motion was voted upon by acclamation.
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SHAGBARK LAKE MANOR #2 APPROVED. On a motion by Alderman Schubert and seconded by
Dunlap the Mayor and•City Clerk were authorized to sign the Shagbark Lake Manor #2
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plat when a $16,020performance bond is presented to the City Clerk. The motion
was voted upon by acclamation.
ROBERT HALL SIGNS. On a motion by Alderman Wolf and second by Tures to approve the
two signs of the Robert Hall Company, the Mayor put the question and the Deputy Clerk
called the roll. Ayes: Alderman Davis, Tures, Wolf, Wexler,Martin and Prickett.
Nays: Alderman McKay, Schubert, Dunlap, Neff, Behrel, Nelsenjand Bell. The Mayor
declared the motion lost.
On a motion by Alderman Behrel and second by Martin to reconsider the Robertpall
signs taking each individually. The Mayor put the question and the Deputy Clerk ::.
called the roll. Ayes: Alderman McKay, Davis, Tures, Wolf, Wexler, Martin, ,
Behrel, Prickett and Bell. Nays: Aldermen Schubert, Dunlap,1Neffand Nelsen.
The Mayor declared the motion carried.
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ROBERT HALL SIGN ON BUILDING APPROVED. On a motion by Alderman Wolf.and second by
Tures to approve the Roiert Hall sign on the Building. The Mayor put the question
and the Deputy Clerk called the roll. Ayes: Alderman McKay,'Davis, Schubert,
Dunlap, Tures, Wolf, Neff, Wexler, Martin, Behrel, Prickett, Nelsen and Bell.
Nays: None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
ROBERT HALL PYLON SIGN RETURNED TO COMMITTEE: On a motion by Alderman Dunlap and
second by Schubert to return to the.Billboard and Sign Committee for reconsideration.
The motion was voted upon by acclamation. .
BORG'WARNER SIGN APPROVED. On a motion by Alderman Wolf and second by Tures to
grant permission for the Borg-Warner sign, it was voted upon by acclamation.
PRASSE$ TEMPORARY SIGN APPROVED. On a motion by Alderman Wolf and second by
Tures to approve the temporary Prasses sign, to be removed upon completion of
building. The motion was voted upon by acclamation and carried. Alderman Neff
voted "no".
STOP SIGN ON TOUHY AVENUE AT SCOTT STREET. The Council requested the City Clerk
to write the State Highway Department regarding a stop sign on Touhy Avenue at
Scott Street.
APPROVE 4-25 FOOT DRIVEWAYS FOR KOEHLER GAS STATION. On a motion by Alderman
Bell and second by Wolf, the Council approved 4-25 foot driveways for Koehler
Service Station, Graceland Avenue and Miner Street. The motion was voted upon
by acclamation.
TEMP R .:STOPS ON GRACELA!D AND FIRST AVENUES,. On a motion by Alderman Bell
and second by Neff the Council voted to erect a stop sign at First ,Avenue on
Graceland Avenue going North and another stop sign on Graceland Avenue for
Southwest bound traffic for a 90 day trial period. The motion was�voted.upon
by acclamation..
On a motion by Alderman Bell and second by. Martin the vacation of alleys between
Spruce Street and Lee Street and between that alley and Roward Avenue was referred
to the Plan Commission. The motion was voted upon by acclamation.'
CROSSING PATROLMAN ON MINER AND BUSSE HIGHWAY: The following report was made by
Alderman McKay:
Your Police Committee recommends that a traffic policeman or crossing guard be
assigned for duty at Miner and Busse to protect children travelling to and from
Rand Park in connection with recreation facilities during summer vacation as
recommended by Safety Council. Further recommend that City Clerk suite the
Des Plaines Park District and the Safety Council informing them of the action
taken by our recommendation. Also to notify Marshal of Police.
/s/ S. E. McKay, Chairman
Ray Tures.
On a motion by Alderman McKay and second by Tures to station a crossing patrolman
at Miner and Busse for the remainder of this year and all of next year, the Council
concurred in the report.
8/20/56395
RIGHT OF PRESS IN POLICE FILE. The following report was read by Alderman McKay:
Mayor and City Council:
With reference to our report of August 6 in connection with the availability of
police department information to the press, and which report was referred back to
committee. The Police Committee reports again as follows:
There was a meeting of the Police Committee on August 3rd with'the press present,
to consider the matter of an order issued by the Marshal of Police restricting the
availability of'certain police department information.
' It seems the Marshal's action was taken because of the manner in which certain news
stories were handled by one of the local papers:during the fore -part of July.
While your committee has its own views as to the importance of the incident covered
in these stories and the method of handling, it fails to find anything in the handling
of this publicity to justify the imposition. of any restriction. It is regrettable
that the order to restrict the availability of information should have come because
of any -one partiduiar case. Something should have been done long ago.
• Access to the police department complaint file has been so free and easy, that some
information which it was felt should not be made public, has actually not been recorded.
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It is recommended that the complaint book and the record of arrests remain accessible
• to the press and to any otherresponsible person who has reason for wanting to inspect
them.
It is further recommended that the Marshal of Police arrange for two files, one to
be private and confidential and adequately secured, and to be used for the keeping
of full and complete records of all police activity in connection with complaints,
arrests and other investigations and assignments. The other file to be open to the
public, easily accessible, and to be used for the keeping of records identical to
those in the private and confidential file,except for such data which if made
public might result in hampering the police in their work, injury to persons who
should be protected, or otherwise prove a disservice to the public.
The identity of victims in sex cases, and the identity of informants in any case when
it is thought disclosure might jeopardize their safety, must be kept confidential
not only while the case is current but even after it is considered closed. This
also applies to the identify of juveniles who have run afoul of the law, except those
obdurate offenders who have a record and who because of their continued delinquency
are not entitled to protection from exposure.
Your;: committee will not attempt to spell out every occasion where it might be
necessary to decide what information should be considered confidential.
We must depend on the judgment of the Marshal of Police or officer in charge in his
absence, to properly decide as to the information to be kept confidential and with-
held from the "open" file.
As a general rule, when a case is closed a complete record should be available in
the "open" file. However, we must insist that there are instances when certain
information developed by the police would, if made public, do more harm than good,
and such information should never get beyond the private and confidential file.
If this report and the recommendations included are approved by the Council the City
Clerk is requested to be sure to send a copy td the Marshal of Police.
/8'/ S. E. McKay
Ray Tures
On a motion by Alderman McKay and second by Tures to concur in the recommendation.
The Mayor put the question and the Deputy Clerk called the roll. Ayes: Alderman
McKay, Davis, Schubert, Tures, Wolf, Behrel, Prickett and Nelsen. Nays: Alderman
Dunlap, Neff, Wexler, Martin and Bell. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
BIDS FOR MINER STREET WATER MAINS. On a motion by Alderman Tures and second by Wolf
to advertise for bids on the 8" watermains for Miner Street to be returnable on
September 17, 1956. The motion was voted upon by acclamation.
PERFORMANCE CHECK FOR HOWARD STREET PAVING. A check for $1,945.00 was presented to
the City Attorney for the paving, curbing and sidewalk on Howard Street at Lee
Street, 33 feet wide and 250 feet long.
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8/20/56
METROPOLITAN SANITARY DISTRICT SEWER PERMIT #126:177: ON a mOtion by Alderman
Wexler and second by Prickett. the Council instructed the Mayor, and City Clerk to
execute permit #1956-177. The motion was voted upon by acclamation.
BIDS FOR TWO SEWER DRAGGING MACHINES; On a motion by Alderman Martin and second by
Tures the City Clerk was instructed to advertise for bide for two sewer dragging
machines for cleaning sewers, returnable September 17, 1956. The motion was voted
upon by acclamation.
APPROVE SEPTIC TANKS FOR 229 THACKER STREET AND 154 0AKW00D AVENUE. On a motion
by Alderman Wexler and second by Neff the Council approved the spetic tanks at •
229 Thacker Street and 154 Oakwood avenue. The motion was voted upon by acclamation.
APPROVE EX?ENDITURE'OF 3500, CLEANING FLUME OF WELLER CREEK UNDER NORTHWEST HIGHWAY.
On a motion by Alderman Wexler and second by Prickett the Council authorized
Cassidy Construction Company to clean Weller Creek Flume under, Northwest Highway
for a maximum fee of 3500. The Mayor put the question and the Deputy Clerk called
the roll. Ayes: Alderman McKay, Davis, Schubert, Dunlap, Tures, Wolf, Neff,
Wexler, Martin, Behrel, Prickett, Nelsen and Bell. Nays: None. The Mayor declared
the motion carried.
Alderman Dunlap read a report on omitting the Garbage from'the 1956; Tax Levy. Om
a motion by Alderman Dunlap and second by Schubert to remove the Garbage from the
Tax Levy Ordinance because of inefficiency in operation due to the meager maximum
legal garbage tax levy. The Mayor put the question and the Deputy Clerk called
th0 roll. Ayes: Alderman McKay, Schubert, Dunlap, Tures, Neff, Wexler, Martin,
Prickett, Nelsen and Bell. Nays: Alderman Davis, Wolf, and Behrel. The M4y dr
declared the motion carried.
Alderman Nelsen reported on the Parking situation at Cumberland Station and
lighting in Cumberland. The Mayor referred the parking situation on Northwest
Highway at Cumberland station, no -parking signs placed on North side of Northwest
Highway to the Street Committee and the propos,ed.parking lot and meeters on the south
side of railroad track to the Parking Lot Committee.
OWNERSHIP REPORT ON PARKING LOT #4. On a motion by Alderman Nelsen and second by
Prickett the city attorney was instructed to make an ownership report on the
lots proposed for Parking Lot #4. The motion was voted upon by acclamation.
APPROVE BARKING LOT #2 BID FOR LIGHTING. On a motion by Alderman Nelsen and
seconded by Prickett the bid for lighting for Parking Lot #2 was awarded to Johnson
Electric Company for 310,300.00. The Mayor put the question and the Deputy Clerk
called the roll: Ayes: Alderman McKay, Davis, Schubert, Dunlap, Tures, Wolf,
Neff, Wexler, Martin, Behrel, Prickett, Nelsen and Bell. Nays: None. The Mayor
declared the motion carried.
APPROVE PARKING LOT #2 BID FOR RESURFACING. On a motion by Alderman Nelsen and
seconded by Prickett the bid for resurfacing Parking'Lot #2 was awarded to Contracting
and Material Company, Evanston, Illinois for 318,938.90. ThelMayor put the question
and the Deputy Clerk called the roll. Ayes: Alderman McKay,;Davis, Schubert, Dunlap,
Tures, Wolf, Neff, Wexler, Martin, Behrel, Prickett, Nelsen and Bell. Nays: None.
The Mayor declared the motion carried. The City Clerk was instnceted to return all
checks of the unsuceessful bidders.
The c-j.ty attorney was instructed to amend parking lot ordinance regulating the
operation of private parking lots for which a fee is charged for parking.
APPROVAL OF BILLS. Alderman Behrel presented the following resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE.CITY1COUNC,IL
OF THE CITY OF DES PLAINES THAT THE
FOLLOWING BILLS ARE DUE AND PAYABLE
AND THAT THE MAYOR AND CITY CLERK
BE AND ARE HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO MAKE'
PAYMENT FOR SAME. I 1 `
(A schedule of bills are placed before each Alderman and on file with the City Clerk.)
Total 327,034.60. The motion was made by Alderman Behrel and seconded by Prickett
to adopt the resolution. The Mayor put the question and the Deputy Clerk called
the roll: Ayes: Alderman McKay, Davis, Schubert, Dunlap, Tures, Wolf, Neff,
Wexler, Martin, Behrel, Prickett, Nelsen and Bell. Nays: None.' The Mayor declared
the motion carried.
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SALARY FOR POLICE MAGISTRATE. Alderman Behrel read the following letter:
8/20/56 -3 9 7
To the Mayor and City Council:
Gentlemen:
At the request of Mayor Kenneth Meyer, I am writing this letter to explain some of the
details of my letter presented at the last Council Meeting.
First: In'the event the City Council passes an Ordinance in the near future, placing
the position of Police Magistrate on a salary basis of $3600.00 per year, I will be
happy to execute, not only a release of the costs received by the City in excess of
the salary for the balance of my term, computed monthly on the basis outlined, but
will also agree that in the event that the total income from Court Costs for the
balance of my term does not amount to enough to pay the Salary, that I will accept
whatever the Court Costs amount to, in lieu of salary. On the present basis, there
should be'no danger of this happen,ing,_but I feel the City should be protected in
any event.
In the event of the passage of the Ordinance, the Police Desk Clerk on duty would act
as Clerk of the Court, and would make out the Complaints and the docket entry for the
preparation of the Court Sheet at the same time. Thus, a Clerk would be on duty at
all times, without additional expense to the City.
All Criminal'Complaints would still have to be signed before the Police Magistrate as
is provided by Law, before a Warrant could issue. All Cases would have to be heard
in Court as at present.' The fines would be turned in to-theCity Clerk after Court
each week, by such Police Officer or the Chief of Police, who acts as Clerk, and the
Police Magistrate, and would be receipted for on the Court sheet as they are at
present.
The reports to the Secretary of State would have to be made as they presently are,
by the Police Magistrate and each report would be signed by the Police Magistrate as
required by law.
Very truly. yours,
/a/ A. L. Sengstock
Police Magistrate
On amotion by Alderman Behrel and seconded by Bell the city attorney was instructed
to prepare an ordinance for the• salary of Police Magistrate for the remainder of
1956 and all of 1957, not to exceed $3,600. per year. The motion was voted upon by
acclamation.
PREPARE CITY SURVEY CONTRACT. On a, motion by Alderman Behrel and seconded by Wexler
to instruct the city attorney to prepare a contract with J. L. Jacobs Company to
conduct a survey of various phases of our City Government. TheMayor put the question
and the Deputy Clerk called the roll. Ayes: Alderman McKay, Dunlap, Tures, Neff,
Wexler, Martin, Behrel, Prickett, Nelsen and Bell. Nays: Alderman Davis, Schubert,
and Wolf. The Mayor declared themotion carried.
AMEND THE 1956'TAX LEVY ORDINANCE TO OMIT THE GARBAGE DISPOSAL LEVY. On a motion by
Alderman Dunlap and seconded by Schubert to amendthe 1956 Tax Levy Ordinance excluding
the Garbage levy. The Mayor put the question and the Deputy Clerk called the roll.
Ayes: Alderman McKay, Schubert, Dunlap, Tures, Neff, Wexler, Martin, Prickett and
Nelsen. Nays: Alderman Davis, Wolf, Behrel,.and Bell. The Mayor declared the motion
carried.
ADOPT 196 TAX LEVY ORDINANCE Agualp GARBAGE DISPOSAL FUND LEVY. The deputy Clerk
read for second readirg the 1956 Tax Levy Ordinance. On a motion by Alderman Behrel
and second by Prickett to adopt the 1956 Tax Levy Ordinance as amended. The Mayor
put the question and the Deputy Clerk called the roll: Ayes: Alderman McKay,
Schubert, Dunlap, Tures, Neff, Wexler, Martin, Behrel, Prickett, Nelsen and Bell.
Nays: Alderman Davis and Wolf. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
ADOPT DUTCH ELM TREE DISEASE ORDINANCE.. The Deputy Clerk read for second reading the
Dutch Elm Tree Disease Ordinance. On a motion by Alderman Dunlap and second by Bell
to adopt the Dutch Elm Tree Disease Ordinance. The Mayor put the question and the
Deputy Clerk called the roll. Ayes: Alderman Mc Kay, Davis, Schubert, Dunlap,
Tures, Wolf, Neff, Wexler, Martin, Behrel Prickett and Nelsen and Bell. Nays: None.
The Mayor declared the motion carried.
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8/20/56
FIRE_HOSE AND LIGHTING FIXTURES FOR FIRE STATIONj2. On a motion by Alderman Prickett
and seconded by Dunlap to open the bids for the Fire Hose and Lighting Fixtures for
Fire Station #2. The motion was voted upon by acclamation.
LIGHTING FIXTURES bids are as follows:
Graybar Electric Company, Chicago, Illinois
Brooks Electrical Supply Company, Chicago, Illinois
Charles Johnson Electric Company, Inc., Des Plaines, Illinois
Scott Electric Company, Des Plaines, Illinois
FIRE HOSE bids are as follows:
American LaFrance Company •
Great Ickes Equipment Company
1,256.21-2 unquoted items
1,373.55
1,650.00
1,710.00
$ 1.80 per foot
2.00 per foot
On a motion by Alderman Wolf to refer the Lighting fixtures and fire hose to the
Fire Committee to report on next meeting. Alderman Prickett objected to the motion
due to the urgency of the lighting fixtures to complete the new fire station.
On a motion by Alderman Prickett and second by Wexier to award thebids after a
recess to study the bids. The motion was voted upon by acclamation.The Mayor
declared a five minute recess for the Fire Committee to study thebids.
AWARD THE LIGHTING FIXTURE BID TO•GRAYBAR ELECTRIC COMPANY. On a motion by
Alderman Prickett and second by Behrel to award the Lighting fixture bid to the
Graybar Electric Company, Chicago, Illinois for $1,256.21 less 2 unquoted items.
The Mayor put the question and the Deputy Clerk called the roll. Ayes: Alderman
McKay, Davis, Schubert, Dunlap, Tures, Wolf, Neff, Wexier, Martin, Behrel, Prickett,
Nelsen and Bell. Nays: None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
FIRE HOSE BIDS TO NEXT MEETINQ, Alderman Prickett reported that samples were not
included with bids for fire hose deferring award to next meeting.
ADOPT RESOLUTION FOR PROPOSED LIBRARY. On a motion by Alderman McKay and seconded by
Tures to adopt the resolution approving the proposal of the Board of Directors of
the Des Plaines Public Library, Des Plaines, Cook County, Illinois,' to acquire
a site and for the construction and equiping a library building thereon. The Mayor
put the question and the Deputy Clerk called the roll. Ayes:, Alderman McKay,
Schubert, Dunlap, Tures, Neff, Wexler, Martin, Behrel, Prickett, Nelsen and Bell.
Nays: Alderman Davis and Wolf. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
FIRST READING ORDINANCE VACATING FART OF AMHERST AVENUE. The iDeputy Clerk read
for first reading the ordinance vacating part of Amherst Avenue. The Mayor ordered
the ordinance placed on file for second reading.
FIRST READING ON 0RDINANDEcCHANGING NAME OF BELLE PLAINE TO PRATT AVENUE. The
Deputy Clerk read for first reading the ordinance changing Belle Plaine to Pratt
Avenue. The Mayor ordered the ordinance placed on. file for second reading.
LOAD LIMIT ON VAN BUREN STREET BETWEEN LEE STREET AND MARGRETISTREET. Alderman
Neff requested an ordinance be drafted requiring a load limittplof 3 Ton on Van Buren
Street between Lee Street and Margret Street. The Mayor referred to the city attorney
.to draft ordinance.
2 HOUR PARKING SIGNS ON MARION STREET. Alderman Behrel requested an ordinance for
2 hour parking on Marion Street. The Mayor referred to the city attorney to draft
an ordinance.
28.512 POPULATION AS OF JULY 10.1956. The Mayor read the report of the Federal
Census Bureau certifying the population of 28,512 as of July 10, 1956 for Des Plaines,
Illinois.
ADJOURNMENT.. The motion was made by Alderman Wolf and seconded
by Tures to adjourn.
The motion was voted upon by acclamation.
M. BUCHHOLZ
DEPUTY CLERK
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