11-17-2008253
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DES PLAINES, ILLINOIS
HELD IN THE ELEANOR ROHRBACH MEMORIAL
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, DES PLAINES CIVIC CENTER,
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2008
CALL TO ORDER: The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of
Des Plaines, Illinois, was called to order by Mayor
Anthony W. Arredia at 7:00 p.m. in the Eleanor Rohrbach
Memorial Council Chambers, Des Plaines Civic Center on
Monday, November 17, 2008.
ROLL CALL: Roll call indicated the following aldermen present:
Beauvais, Moylan, Murphy, Higgason, Walsten, Smith and
Argus. Alderman Brookman was absent.
Also present were: City Manager Bajor, Assistant City Manager Slowinski,
Acting Director of Finance Wisniewski, Police Chief Prandini, Fire Chief
Jaeger, Director of Engineering Oakley, Director of Public Works
Dusckett, Director of Community & Economic Development Conlan, Director
of Information Technology Duebner and City Attorney Wiltse.
PRAYER:
PUBLIC
HEARING/
2008 TAX
LEVY:
CALL TO
ORDER:
DISCUSSION:
CITIZEN
PARTICIPA. :
The opening prayer was given by Ms. Cathy Seng, Baha'i
Community, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the
Flag.
MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC HEARING HELD IN THE
ELEANOR ROHRBACH MEMORIAL COUNCIL CHAMBERS, DES
PLAINES CIVIC CENTER, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2008
Mayor Arredia called the Public Hearing to order at 7:01
p.m. The Public Hearing was being held pursuant to legal
notice to discuss the proposed property tax levy increase
for the City of Des Plaines for 2008 tax year levy in the
amount of $27,790,256, which represents a .9978% increase
over the previous year.
Acting Director of Finance Wisniewski gave a PowerPoint
presentation (in Council file) explaining the public
hearing requirements an~ also that the increase in the
tax levy for 2008 is required to cover the Police Pension
and Fire Pension funding.
There were no comments from the aldermen and the public.
There will be further action on this matter under
Committee of the Whole later in the meeting.
The Public Hearing adjourned at 7:15 p.m.
The City Council reconvened at 7:16 p.m.
Mr. Mike Lake, 1538 Campbell Avenue, addressed the City
Council stating that he is a member of the Des Plaines
VFW who are sending packages overseas to our military;
they would like to add names of servicemen and women to
their list by the end of this month so the packages can
reach them by Christmas; please call the City Clerk's
Office with the names and addresses.
Mr. Wayne Serbin, 835 Pearson Street, addressed the City
Council stating that the Des Plaines Community Senior
Center is a place that senior citizens can come together
to play cards, have a meal and make new friends; they are
a large voting block; please give them back the $40,000.
CITIZEN
(Cont'd.)
PAGE TWO
254
11 /1 7/08
Mr. Steve Schaefer, 835 Pearson Street, addressed the
City Council stating that the Staff is being asked to
make a difficult decision regarding the budget for the
City of Des Plaines as a whole; removing the funding for
the Des Plaines Community Senior Center was the right
thing to do; there is pressure to give in but do not put
this in the budget.
Mr. Bill McNutt, 1600 E. Thacker Street, addressed the
City Council stating that the Senior Center is self-
supporting; most of the 1600 members are from Des
Plaines; it is a place for senior services such as the
medical pantry, meals, social programs; reduce some of
the other funding; please consider the whole picture.
Mr. John LaBerg, a board member of the AFSCME Local #3891
Union and City employee, addressed the City Council
stating that the City is faced with many problems , i .e .
flooding, foreclosures; you need all the employees to do
the jobs; there are no slackers; there are lots of
demands by the residents; if these personnel cuts are
made, they may not be able to be served as soon as they
could be.
Mr. Matt LaPierre, staff representative, AFSCME Local
#3891 Union, addressed the City Council stating that they
want to help the Staff work out a fair budget; there are
currently 13 employees hired within the past year who are
on probation; that seems unfair to those long-term
employees who are being cut; Staff should go back and
revise the budget and we will work with them.
Mr. Joseph Yi, 1327 Washington Street, addressed the City
Council stating that he has lived in other communities
where they took steps to ensure that there would be a
Senior Center; we have many wonderful programs; the
seniors are given the opportunity to lead joyful lives
in their senior years.
Mrs. Myrtle Klebe, 1434 Walnut Avenue, addressed the City
Council stating that she has lived here since 1962 ; this
is a wonderful City to live in but being a senior citizen
can be lonely; the Senior Center gives seniors a place
to meet other seniors; it provides many programs, i.e.
blood pressure screening, legal assistance; it is an
extended family; there is a camaraderie that is
wonderful.
Mr. Sharon Smith, Executive Director, Des Plaines
Community Senior Center, addressed the City Counci l
stating that she would like to review some misconceptions
about the Senior Center; we do have membership fees -$30
a year; you do not have to be a member to access the
senior services; we have 3700 non-members; we have looked
at grants and have asked other communities to assist us,
but they say if your own community doesn't support you,
why should we; we are asking you to find this $40 ,000
somewhere in the budget.
Mr. Phil Schloss, 1264 Dennis Place, addressed the City
Council stating that he is president of MECCA -the
Public Works union; stating that he addressed the City
Council at the last meeting regarding the loss of
employees; the City should increase taxes rather than cut
jobs and put people out of work; cuts could be made by
attrition; you are going to get what you pay for with
private contractors.
Tom, who lives in Chicago, addressed the City Council
stating that he joined the Des Plaines Community Senio r
Center last year; other communities have senior centers
and they pay for them; do not cut this funding; there
would be a socialization problem.
CITIZEN
(Cont'd.)
SIDEWALK
SNOW & ICE
REMOVAL:
Ordinance
M-41-08
(formerly
M-67-07)
CONSENT
AGENDA:
MINUTES:
Consent
Agenda
LIQ. LIC./
562 E.
ALGONQUIN:
Consent
Agenda
Ordinance
M-42-08
PAGE THREE
255
11/17 /08
Mrs. Hilda Hofmann, 1470 Jefferson Street, addressed the
City Council stating that she has belonged to the Senior
Center for years; she enjoys it so much and would hate
to see it go out of business; please include this funding
in the budget.
Mr. Don Miletic, a member of the Des Plaines Community
Senior Center Board and employee of the Des Plaines Park
District, addressed the City Council stating that an
intergovernmental agreement between the City and t he Des
Plaines Park District would enable the Senior Center to
continue on for many years; it would be utilizing
resources that would save the City and the Des Plaines
Park District money.
Mr. Cliff Hagedorn, 1515 Fifth Avenue, addressed the City
Council stating that the Senior Center goes back 32 years
as a non-profit organization; we have been able to go it
alone but now we have a different situation; we have a
financial problem which we think could be solved with
this intergovernmental agreement; we have met the needs
of the seniors in every area; we are a nationally
recognized Senior Center; hopefully, you can find the
money so we can continue our work with the seniors.
Moved by Murphy, seconded by Higgason, to POSTPONE until
December 1, 2008, the matter of Sidewalk Snow & Ice
Removal and Ordinance M-41-08, scheduled to be discussed
later in the evening under Committee of the Who l e.
Motion declared carried.
Alderman Beauvais requested that Items 3 and 3a be
removed from the Consent Agenda; and Alderman Walsten
requested that Items 4 and 4a be removed.
Moved by Beauvais, seconded by Murphy, to establish a
Consent Agenda except for Items 3, 3a, 4 and 4a. Motion
declared carried.
Moved by Higgason, seconded by Murphy, to approve the
Consent Agenda. Upon roll call, the vote was:
AYES: 7-Beauvais, Moylan, Murphy,
Higgason, Walsten, Smith, Argus
NAYS: 0-None
ABSENT: 1-Brookman
Motion declared carried. Minutes were approved; Staff
recommendations and requests were approved and Ordinance
M-42-08 was placed on First Reading.
Moved by Higgason, seconded by Murphy, to approve minutes
of the regular meeting of the City Council held November
3, 2008, as published. Motion declared carried as
approved unanimously under Consent Agenda.
Moved by Higgason, seconded by Murphy, to concur with
Staff recommendation to amend Title 4, Chapter 4
"Intoxicating Liquors," Section 4-4-5 :A, of the City Code
to add a new Class B -Bulk Sales Dealers Liquor License
for property located at 562 E. Algonquin Road, d/b/a Mex
Liquors; contingent upon verification of background
check; and further recommend to place on First Reading
Ordinance M-42-08, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 4,
"BUSINESS REGULATIONS," CHAPTER 4, "INTOXICATING
LIQUORS," SECTION 5, "LICENSE FEES AND NUMBER," OF THE
DES PLAINES CITY CODE TO ADD ONE CLASS B LIQUOR LICENSE
FOR MEX LIQUORS, LLC D/B/A MEX LIQUORS LOCATED AT 562 E.
ALGONQUIN ROAD, DES PLAINES, ILLINOIS. Motion declared
carried as approved unanimously under Consent Agenda.
ZONING CASE
08-48-V
VARIATION/
1530
BIRCHWOOD:
Ordinance
Z-28-08
INTERGOVERN.
AGREEMENT/
TOLL HWY.
AUTHORITY
BRIDGE
LIGHTING:
Resolution
R-153-08
LIQ. LIC./
919 E.
OAKTON ST.:
Consent
Agenda
ADVERTISING
FOR BIDS:
Consent
Agenda
WARRANT
REGISTER:
PAGE FOUR
256
11/17/08
Moved by Beauvais, seconded by Murphy, to concur with
recommendation of Des Plaines Zoning Board of Appeals,
re Zoning Case 08-48-V, to grant request, with
conditions, for Variation to permit 27 parking spaces ,
instead of the required 47 parking spaces, for an
industrial warehouse in M-2 General Manufacturing
District on property located at 1530 Birchwood Avenue;
and further recommend to place on First Reading Ordinanc e
Z-28-08, AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A VARIATION TO SECTION
9.7 OF THE CITY OF DES PLAINES ZONING ORDINANCE TO ALLOW
27 PARKING SPACES AT 1530 BIRCHWOOD AVENUE, DES PLAINES ,
ILLINOIS. Motion declared carried.
Moved by Murphy, seconded by Argus, to concur with Staff
recommendation to authorize Mayor and City Clerk to
execute "Intergovernmental Agreement" with the Illinoi s
State Toll Highway Authority for installation o f
underpass lighting at the Ballard Road Bridge and Golf
Road Bridge for pedestrian safety; the City will be
responsible for the underpass lighting at an approximate
cost of $2, 400 per year/MFT Funds and for any future
relocation; and further recommend to adopt Resolution R-
153-08, A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AN
INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE ILLINOIS STATE
TOLL HIGHWAY AUTHORITY AND THE CITY OF DES PLAINES FOR
MAINTENANCE OF UNDERPASS LIGHTING AT BALLARD ROAD AND AT
GOLF ROAD ALONG I-294 IN DES PLAINES. Upon roll call,
the vote was:
AYES: 7-Beauvais, Moylan, Murphy,
Higgason, Walsten, Smith, Argus
NAYS: 0-None
ABSENT: 1-Brookman
Motion declared carried.
Moved by Higgason, seconded by Murphy, to concur with
Staff recommendation to approve Change of Ownership for
Class B -Bulk Sales Dealers Liquor License for property
located at 919 E. Oakton Street, d/b/a Oakton Liquors;
contingent upon verification of background check. Motion
declared carried as approved unanimously under Consent
Agenda.
Moved by Higgason, seconded by Murphy, to concur with
Staff recommendation that City Clerk be authorized to
advertise for bids for HVAC Maintenance Services,
returnable by 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 2, 2008 .
Motion declared carried as approved unanimously under
Consent Agenda.
Moved by Higgason, seconded by Murphy, to concur with
Staff recommendation that City Clerk be authorized to
advertise for bids for Elevator Maintenance Services,
returnable by 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 2, 2008.
Motion declared carried as approved unanimously under
Consent Agenda.
MAYOR ARREDIA DECLARED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL WAS NOW
RESOLVED INTO A COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION Alderman Smith, Chair
Moved by Higgason, seconded by Walsten, to recommend to
the City Council approval of the November 1 7, 2008 -
Warrant Register, in the total amount of $2,524,463.89,
and further recommend that Resolution R-154-08 be adopted
at appropriate time this evening. Motion declared
carried.
2008
ESTIMATED
TAX LEVY:
PAGE FIVE
257
11/17/08
City Manager Bajor stated that the Illinois Property Tax
Extension Limitation Law (PTELL) requires that the City
adopt a tax levy and file it with the County Clerk's
office by the last Tuesday in December or the City would
be prohibited from levying any property tax; the
estimated tax levy of .9978% is consistent with Staff's
proposals and recommendations throughout the 2009 Budget
review process and is supported by a consensus of the
City Council in the Committee of the Whole; this Tax Levy
provides for the adequate funding of the City's projected
expenditures and other financial responsibilities.
Alderman Murphy stated that she would like to recommend
that the City renegotiate the contract with the City's
lobbyist down to $60,000 from $75,000 or send out RFPs
for the services of a lobbyist.
Alderman Walsten stated that he would like to see us
start at $50,000.
Moved by Moylan, seconded by Higgason, to recommend to
the City Council that the City Manager be authorized to
renegotiate the contract with City's lobbyist, John
Kelly, All-Circo, Inc., with an annual compensation of
no greater than $60,000. Upon roll call, the vote was:
AYES: 4-Beauvais, Moylan, Higgason, Smith
NAYS: 3-Murphy, Walsten, Argus
ABSENT: 1-Brookman
Motion declared carried.
Motion by Moylan to recommend to the City Council that
money be found in the 2009 Budget to add back the funding
for the Des Plaines Community Senior Center in the amount
of $40,000 DIED FOR LACK OF A SECOND.
Moved by Moylan, seconded by Beauvais, to recommend to
the City Council that money be found in the 2009 budget
to add back the funding for the Des Plaines Community
Senior Center in the amount of $40,000.
Moved by Murphy, seconded by Argus, to adopt a substitute
motion to refer back to Staff the 2008 Tax Levy and the
2009 Budget for further review. Upon roll call, the vote
was:
AYES: 3-Murphy, Walsten, Argus
NAYS: 4-Beauvais, Moylan, Higgason, Smith
ABSENT: 1-Brookman
MOTION DECLARED FAILED.
Upon roll call on Alderman Moylan's motion, the vote was:
AYES: 2-Beauvais, Moylan
NAYS: 3-Murphy, Walsten, Argus
ABSTAIN:2-Higgason, Smith (conflict of interest)
ABSENT: 1-Brookman
MOTION DECLARED FAILED.
Moved by Walsten, seconded by Moylan, to concur with
Staff recommendation and recommend to the City Council
to approve a .9978% 2008 Tax Levy in the amount of
$27,790,256; and Ordinance M-43-08 be placed on First
Reading at appropriate time this evening. Upon roll
call, the vote was:
AYES: 7-Beauvais, Moylan, Murphy,
Higgason, Walsten, Smith, Argus
NAYS: 0-None
ABSENT: 1-Brookman
MOTION DECLARED CARRIED.
ZONING CASE
07-48-PUD
FINAL PUD &
EXCEPTIONS/
2200 GOLF:
WARRANT
REGISTER:
Resolution
R-154-08
2008
TAX LEVY:
Ordinance
M-43-08
ZONING CASE
07-48-PUD
FINAL PUD &
EXCEPTIONS/
2200 GOLF:
Ordinance
Z-29-08
PAGE SIX
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT -Alderman Murphy, Chair
258
11/17/08
Alderman Beauvais stated her concern that the 121
townhouses would have little room between the buildings
to allow a car to be parked in front of the garage door.
Moved by Argus, seconded by Higgason, to concur with
recommendation of Des Plaines Plan Commission and Staff
and recommend to the City Council, re Zoning Case 07-48-
PUD, to grant request for approval of Final Planned Unit
Development (PUD) with Permitted Planned Unit Bulk
Exceptions, and conditions, to permit construction of 102
condominium dwelling uni ts and 121 townhouses in R-3
Townhouse Residential District on property located at
2200 E. Golf Road (at East River Road); and Ordinance Z-
29-08 be placed on First Reading at appropriate time this
evening. Motion declared carried. Alderman Beauvais
voted no.
MAYOR ARREDIA ASSUMED THE CHAIR AND DECLARED THE CITY
COUNCIL BACK IN SESSION
Moved by Smith, seconded by Argus, to concur with
recommendation of Committee of the Whole to adopt
Resolution R-154-08, 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
ARE HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO MAKE PAYMENT FOR SAME. Total:
$2,524,463.89. Upon roll call, the vote was:
AYES: 7-Beauvais, Moylan, Murphy,
Higgason, Walsten, Smith, Argus
NAYS: 0-None
ABSENT: 1-Brookman
Motion declared carried.
Moved by Smith, seconded by Murphy, to concur with
recommendation of Committee of the Whole to approve a
.9978% 2008 Tax Levy in the amount of $27,790,256; and
further recommend to place on First Reading Ordinance
M-43-08, AN ORDINANCE LEVYING TAXES FOR THE CITY OF DES
PLAINES, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR
BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2009 AND ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2009.
Motion declared carried.
Moved by Smith, seconded by Higgason, to concur with
recommendation of Committee of the Whole that the City
Manager be authorized to renegotiate the contract with
City's lobbyist, John Kelly, All-Circa, Inc., with an
annual compensation of no greater than $60, 000. Upon
roll call, the vote was:
AYES: 5-Beauvais, Moylan, Higgason, Walsten, Smith
NAYS: 2-Murphy, Argus
ABSENT: 1-Brookman
Motion declared carried.
Moved by Murphy, seconded by Argus, to concur with
recommendation of Committee of the Whole, re Zoning Case
07-48-PUD, to grant request for approval of Final Planned
Unit Development (PUD) with Permitted Planned Unit Bulk
Exceptions, and conditions, to permit construction of 102
condominium dwelling uni ts and 121 townhouses in R-3
Townhouse Residential District on property located at
2200 E. Golf Road (at East River Road); and further
recommend to place on First Reading Ordinance Z-29-08.
Motion declared carried. Alderman Beauvais voted no.
ORDINANCE
Z-28-08
VARIATION/
1530
BIRCHWOOD:
ORDINANCE
Z-29-08
FINAL PUD &
EXCEPTIONS/
2200 GOLF:
ADJOURNMENT:
PAGE SEVEN
259
11/17/08
Moved by Walsten, seconded by Higgason, to advance to
Second Reading and adopt Ordinance Z-28-08, AN ORDINANCE
AUTHORIZING A VARIATION TO SECTION 9.7 OF THE CITY OF DES
PLAINES ZONING ORDINANCE TO ALLOW 27 PARKING SPACES AT
1530 BIRCHWOOD AVENUE, DES PLAINES, ILLINOIS (Case 08-48-
V). Upon roll call, the vote was:
AYES: 7-Beauvais, Moylan, Murphy,
Higgason, Walsten, Smith, Argus
NAYS: 0-None
ABSENT: 1-Brookman
Motion declared carried.
Moved by Murphy, seconded by Argus, to advance to Second
Reading and adopt Ordinance Z-29-08, AN ORDINANCE TO
ALLOW A CONDITIONAL USE FOR A FINAL PLANNED UNIT
DEVELOPMENT (PUD) WITH SEVERAL PERMITTED PLANNED UNIT
DEVELOPMENT BULK EXCEPTIONS FOR 2200 EAST GOLF ROAD, DES
PLAINES, ILLINOIS (Case 07-48-PUD-A) .
Petitioner Moises Cukierman, Lexington Homes, LLC, 1731
N. Marcey, Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60614, addressed the
City Council and answered questions regarding funding for
this project.
Upon roll call, the vote was:
AYES: 6-Moylan, Murphy, Higgason,
Walsten, Smith, Argus
NAYS: 1-Beauvais
ABSENT: 1-Brookman
Motion declared carried.
Moved by Murphy, seconded by Higgason, that the regular
meeting of the City Council adjourn. Motion declared
carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:44 p.m.
Donna McAllister, MMC -CITY CLERK
APPROVE~ :;-
DAY OF~ , 2008 --·-·· .. ,
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