11-16-1999 Special Meeting132
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DES PLAINES, ILLINOIS
HELD IN THE ELEANOR ROHRBACH MEMORIAL COUNCIL
CHAMBERS, DES PLAINES CIVIC CENTER, TUESDAY,
NOVEMBER 16, 1999
CALL TO ORDER: The SPECIAL meeting of the City Council of the City of Des
Plaines, Illinois, was called to order by Mayor Pro Tern
Christiansen at 8: 05 p. m. in the Eleanor Rohrbach Memorial
Council Chambers, Des Plaines Civic Center on Tuesday,
November 16, 1999.
ROLL CALL: Roll call indicated the following aldermen present:
Beauvais, Christiansen, Elstner, Sayad, Brookman, Becker,
Smith, Arredia.
Also present were: City Manager Douthwaite, Assistant City Attorney
Bartel, and City Attorney Wiltse.
ELECTION
OF ACTING
MAYOR:
Mayor Pro Tern Christiansen asked the aldermen how they
would go about electing an Acting Mayor; what procedure
they will be following needs to be presented.
Alderman Beauvais stated that the aldermen should
establish a procedure before there are any nominations.
Alderman Sayad stated that he is uncomfortable with
proceeding with this election tonight; he does not have
the proper procedure in front of him; the information
that he has received is not complete; City Attorney
Wiltse should have gotten another opinion; there may be
many options for us to chose from; he would like to
postpone this until they have the proper information.
City Attorney Wiltse stated that there are no set
procedures; the City Council sets their own procedures;
there are not procedures in the State Statutes, only
Robert's Rules; how you go about getting the majority,
it up to you, the City Council.
Alderman Brookman stated that she agreed with Alderman
Sayad; the City Attorney should have provided the
aldermen with the appropriate information so that we
could have been able to discuss this tonight; before we
address this issue, we should have the full information.
Moved by Brookman, seconded by Sayad, to TABLE the matter
of the election of the Acting Mayor until the City
Attorney provides the aldermen with full information
about the procedure options that are available to them;
and the aldermen submit their response to these options
back to the City Attorney. Upon roll call, the vote was:
AYES: 2-Sayad, Brookman
NAYS: 6-Beauvais, Christiansen, Elstner,
Becker, Smith, Arredia
ABSENT: 0-None
Motion declared failed.
Alderman Arredia stated this should be handled in a
proper way; he is concerned that what we may do tonight
would not be legally binding.
Alderman Beauvais asked if the aldermen could set a
procedure with what the City Attorney is telling us; what
is right and what is wrong? City Attorney Wiltse said
yes.
Alderman Becker asked if the Acting Mayor would have to
resign his aldermanic seat; he has not gotten an answer
to that yet.
ACTING MAYOR
(Cont'd.)
132
11/16/99
PAGE TWO
City Attorney Wiltse explained several different possible
options; the law is vague; you set the rules; which way
do you want to go.
Alderman Becker stated that the City Council could define
their own rules which means we need more information.
Moved by Becker, seconded by Arredia, to reconsider the
vote taken on the motion (which failed) to TABLE the
matter of the election of the Acting Mayor until the City
Attorney provides the aldermen with full information
about the procedure options that are available to them;
and the aldermen submit their response to these options
back to the City Attorney.
Alderman Beauvais stated that she suggests that we direct
the City Attorney to offer a few options to us; ask for
suggestions and prepare a procedure.
City Attorney Wiltse stated that he needs clear
directions, i.e. do you want an alderman to be able to
nominate him/herself; do you want to require a second to
a motion.
Alderman Becker asked if the City Council could go into
Executive Session to set a procedure. City Attorney
Wiltse said the City Council cannot go into Executive
Session to establish a procedure unless they would come
out of Executive Session and elect an Acting Mayor
tonight.
Alderman Sayad stated that he recommends that the City
obtain outside counsel for more information.
Aldermen Becker and Arredia withdrew their motion to
reconsider the vote to table.
Alderman Smith stated that it seems to him that the City
Council is afraid to make a decision; you are focused
more on procedure and not on who will be the Acting
Mayor.
Moved by Elstner, seconded by Brookman, that the City
Attorney be authorized to prepare seve:;i:-al different
procedure options regarding the procedures for electing
an Acting Mayor; consult outside counsel, if necessary;
and send the options to the aldermen for their input ,
suggestions, comments and return to the City Attorney for
final draft.
Alderman Beauvais stated that the City Attorney needs to
ask some specific questions to prepare these procedure
options.
Upon roll call, the vote on the motion was:
AYES: 6-Christiansen, Elstner, Sayad,
Brookman Becker, Arredia
NAYS: 2-Beauvais, Smith
ABSENT: 0-None
Motion declared carried.
Moved by Beauvais, seconded by Becker, that whomever is
elected Acting Mayor must resign his/her aldermanic seat
immediately. Upon roll call, the vote was:
AYES: 8-Beauvais, Christiansen, Elstner, Sayad,
Brookman, Becker, Smith, Arredia
NAYS: 0-None
ABSENT: 0-None
Motion declared carried.
Moved by Beauvais, seconded by Smith, that no matter how
few votes a nominee may receive, they will not be
required to drop out of the election process. Upon roll
call, the vote was:
ACTING MAYOR
(Cont'd.)
ADJOURNMENT:
PAGE THREE
132
11/16/99
AYES: 4-Beauvais, Christiansen, Smith, Arredia
NAYS: 4-Elstner, Sayad, Brookman, Becker
ABSENT: 0-None
Motion declared failed (a tie vote is a failed vote) .
Moved by Beauvais, seconded by Brookman, that the SPECIAL
meeting of the City Council adjourn. Motion declared
carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:34 p.m.
~~3L Donna McAllister, CMC/AAE CITY CLERK
APPROVED BY ME THIS ~}3'--=-~~-