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050319481 APPROVAL OF MINUTES. The motion was made by Alderman Halverson, and seconded by Morava, to approve the minutes of April 5, 1948. The motion was voted upon by acclamation, whereupon the Mayor declared the motion carried. ADJOURNMENT. The motion was made by Alderman Harm, and seconded by McKay, to adjourn. The motion was voted upon by acclamation, whereupon the Mayor declared the motion carried, and the meeting regularly adjourned. W. J. HENRICH ITY CLERK MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DES PLAINES HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS, MONDAY EVENING. MAY 3, 1948, AT 8:00 P. M. CALL TO ORDER. The meeting was called to order by Mayor G. Walter Pflughaupt, who presided with Aldermen Johnson, Hansen, Vavrinek, Wolf, Kehe, Baines, McKay, Harm, Halverson, and Morava responding to roll call. REPORTS OF CITY. OFFICIALS. The Clerk submitted the reports of Build- ing Inspector, Frank Scharringhausen and Electrical Inspector, Arthur Rieck. The Clerk also gave the report of the cash receipts for April. City Attorney, Frank M. Opeka, made a verbal report regarding Miss Bennett. He was informed that within the next week if she would not dis- pose of her interest in foundations, she would have barricades placed around them. TRAFFIC COMMISSION REPORT ON UNITED MOTOR COACH BUSES. The Clerk read the following report: April 30, 1948 Mr. Otto W. J. Henrich City Clerk The City of Des Plaines Municipal Building Des Plaines, Illinois Dear Mr. Henrich: Reporting on the Committee Report addressed to us dated April 19 relative to portions of the recommendations of the Public Relations Committee re- garding the United Motor Coach buses which were referred to us, we wish to report our recommendations as follows: VLS:ss Section Section Section 2. Relative to parking of buses, we concur their recommendation in its entirety. 4. That portion requesting No Parking signs on Laurel Avenue from the Northwest Highway to Perry Street has been approved by our Commission. Second portion of this section was recommended to be corrected in our letter to you dated August 3, 1946, and for your convenience, we are repeating as follows: "Many members of the Traffic Commission have examined the hazard of the intersection of Laurel Avenue and Northwest Highway, and we recommend to the City Council that they eliminate parking 15 feet east of the building line of Laurel Avenue on the north side of the Northwest Highway. 6. We recommend a revision, of the ordinance relative to weights, for to prohibit the Motor Coach Company would appear to be a restraint of trade as it would prohibit all other trucks of excess weight, regardless of purpose, from using the streets referred to. Respectfully yours, in DES PLAINES TRAFFIC COMMISSION V. L. Spiegler, Secretary TRAFFIC COMMISSION REPORT, CONT'D. The Mayor referred the report and recommendation to the Public Pro- tection Committee. following: COMMITTEE REPORTS. Public Relation. Alderman Harm reported the louton Paint Company - Zoning Violation The above company manufactures paint, which is forbidden within the city limits. Violation is of long standing, and brought to the attention may times in past years by the building inspector, who again asks that something be done about this matter and also calls attention to the dangerousaspect of this operation. It was referred to this committee last May. We have tried to work out a removal of said business with the owner, who we believe has continuously tried to locate outside our city limits. There have been times during the past months when it appeared that re -location would be successful. For that reason, this committee has been standing by, fully realizing that should some incident occur, we would most certainly be severely criticized for inaction. We have taken this course, because it is not the desire to unarbitrarily remove anyone from their business. However, due to the serious hazards involved, and our failure to remedy same in what we believe to be a reason- able time and to the circumstances surrounding this case, we have so advised Mr. Louton that some action must be taken. He has written the following letter for the consideration of the council: April 20, 1948 Alderman H. C. Harm, Chairman Public Relations Committee & City Council 1095 Walter Avenue Des Plaines, Illinois Dear Sir: A year has passed since you called it to my attention that paint manufacturing is not per- mitted within the city limits of Des Plaines. We both have attempted to solve this problem, but as yet have not reached a solution. I would like to request a temporary permit for the coming year, during which time I will continue nor efforts to relocate in a properly zoned area. Very truly yours, LOUTON PAINTA: VARNISH COMPANY KL/ab Kenneth Louton Presumably Mr. Louton believes that he may relocate, or in any event believes that this permission will enable him to adjust this situation by removal within the allotted time. Accordingly, we have two courses. 1 - We can go along with Mr. Louton, granting his request for special permission to operate for one year. And if so, we recommend proper in- surance nsurance coverage of at least $100,000.00 and bond performance. 2 - We can notify him to cease operations, and thereby enforce the present and performed bond ordinance. For the purpose of disposing of this matter, we recommend granting permission to operate for one year with provision for public liability insurance of $100,000.00 for that period to enable him to relocate or cease operations, and we request that the city attorney be authorized to draw up such an agreement. Respectfully submitted, Henry C. Harm Walter Morava H. J. Halverson 55 COMMITTEE REPORTS, CONT'D. The motion was made by Alderman Harm, and seconded by Morava, to concur in the report. The motion was voted upon by acclamation, whereupon the Mayor declared the motion carried. APPROVAL OF BILLS. Alderman Kehe, Chairman of the Finance Committee, presented the following proposed resolution: BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DES PLAINES THAT THE FOL- LOWING BILLS ARE DUE AND PAYABLE AND THAT THE MAYOR AND CITY CLERK BE AND ARE HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO MAKE PAYMENT FOR SAME. 19536 Koehler Bros. Serv. Sta.$ 440.01 * 19538 Otto W. J. Henrich 55.00 * 19540 The First National Bank 4.20 * 19542 Frank A. Bremer & Son 8.37 * 19544 Johnson's 13.87 * 19546 Arthur Rieck 37.50 * 19548 Lagerhausen Lbr. & Coal 3.31 * 19550 Duncan Meter Corp. 75.00 * 19552 Spiegler's Department Stare 1.53 * 19554 Socony-Vacuum Oil Co.,Inc. 54.88 * 19556 Elgin Softener Corp. 142.80 * 19558 Chi. & N. W. Rwy. Co. 29.29 * 19560 Police Pension Fund 354.73 * 19537 William G. Grice & Co. 19539 The D. P. Publishing Co. 19541 City Clerk's Petty Cash 19543 D. P. Motor Sales, Inc. 19545 Frank Scharringhausen 19547 Lien Chemical Co. 19549 Duncan Meter Corp. 19551 H - H Electric Co. 19553 D. P. Motor Sales, Inc. 19555 Merchants Chemical Co. 19557 E. N. Fletcher 19559 Johnson's 19561 Firemen's Pension Fund $ 11.80 7.70 20.02 648.00 37.50 7.74 541.89 300.00 21.10 209.10 200.00 .61 5.76 The motion was then made by Alderman Kehe, and seconded by Halverson, to adopt the proposed resolution. The Mayor put the question, 'and the Clerk called the roll with the following result: Ayes: Aldermen Johnson, Hansen, Vavrinisk, Wolf, Kehe, Baines, Harm, McKay, Halverson, and Morava. Nays: None. The Mayor thereupon declared the' mo -tion carried and the proposed resolution adopted. WESTERN NATIONAL BANK LETTER ON BENNETT FOUNDATIONS. The Clerk read the following letter: April 30, 1948 Mr. Otto W. J. Henrich City Clerk City Hall Des Plaines, Illinois Re: L. Bennett Construction Co. Dear Sir: (George L. Ellefsen) Confirming our phone conversation of today, we wish to advise that we have arranged a meeting for Monday morning with Miss Bennett and Mr. Ellefsen, wherein the properties of the Bennett Construction Company are to be discussed and some arrangements arrived at whereby Mr. Ellefsen will take over the completion of these buildings. As was stated in our conversation, we received from the F. H. A. their approval on our application for Mr. Ellefsen. FJV:rav Yours truly, FRANK J. VALES Vice President The motion was then made by Alderman McKay, and seconded by Kehe, to fill in the excavations, due to the fact that Miss Bennett did not place barricades around the foundations within ten days as requested by letter. After discussion on voice vote, the motion was declared lost by the Mayor. The motion was then made by Alderman Baines, and seconded by McKay, that Building Inspector, Frank Scharringhausen and Superintendent of Public Works, E. R. Wernicke be instructed to have barricades built around all of the Bennett Construction Company foundations immediately. These barricades are to remain until the buildings are under completion. (The expense of these barricades are to be billed to the owner of the foundations.) The motion was voted upon by acclamation, whereupon the Mayor declared the motion carried. PASS OIL BURNER ORDINANCE. The Clerk read for second reading the following proposed ordinance entitled: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE "REVISED BUILDING CODE OF THE CITY OF DES PLAINES OF 1939" �(p ORDINANCE, CONT'D. The motion was made by Alderman Halverson, and seconded by Morava, to pass the proposed ordinance. The Mayor put the question, and, the Clerk called the roll with the following result: Ayes: Aldermen Johnson, Hansen, Vavrinek, Wolf, Kehe, Baines, McKay, Harm, Halverson, and Morava. Nays: None. The Mayor thereupon declared the motion carried and the proposed ordinance passed. The motion was made by Alderman Wolf, and seconded by Hansen, to publish the ordinance in the Suburban Times. The motion was voted upon by acclama- tion, whereupon the Mayor declared the motion carried. NORTHLAND GREYHOUND LINES, INCORPORATED. The Clerk informed the Council that he received a notice of the continuance of setting regarding the Northland Greyhound Lines, Incorporated to Wednesday,. June 16, 1948, at 10:00 A.M. This hearing will be held at the office of the Commission at Chicago, Illinois, 19th Floor, 160 North LaSalle Street. LETTER OF DISTRICT ENGINEER,C. H. APPLE. The Clerk read the follow - April 20, 1948 ing letter: Mr. Otto W. J. Henrich City Clerk Des Plaines, Illinois Dear Sir: This is in reply to your letter of March 2, 1948, with reference to several hazardous intersections in your City. We are scheduling twelve hour traffic counts at these intersections this week,and when the data has been analyzed, we will write as to the results of our investigation. Very truly yours, C. H. Apple District Engineer The Mayor ordered the letter placed on file. THREE LETTERS FROM THE DES PLAINES TRAFFIC COMMISSION. The Clerk read the following letter: May 3, 1948 Mr. Otto Henrich City Clerk City of Des Plaines Municipal Building Des Plaines, Illinois Dear Mr. Henrich: The following matter has been brought to our attention, since the last meeting of our Commission; and although we have not been able to discuss it at a regular. meeting, we believe that the work should be completed as rapidly as possible. We wish -to bring to your attention the fact that by now the painting of traffic lanes and parking lanes should have been completed, and we should attempt to have it started before the heavy summer traffic of automobiles. We also believe that the immediate painting of parking sections would relieve much confusion in the parking of cars before the proper parking meter, as we have found a few unintentional violations through the dropping of coins in the wrong meter. Hoping that the City can find men to complete this work, we are, Respectfully yours, DES PLAINES TRAFFIC COMMISSION VLS:ss V. L. Spiegler Secretary Superintendent, E. R. Wernicke, stated that they would have painted the street markings on Sunday, May 2, 1948, but due to rain, plans had to be cancelled till the following Sunday. The Clerk read the following letters: TRAFFIC COMMISSION LETTERS, CONT'D. Mr, Otto T. J. Henrich City Clerk The City of Des Plaines Municipal Building Des Plaines, Illinois Dear Mr. Henrich: April 30, 1948 We have a request from Mr. John Kelly, living in the Fritz apart- ments, and Mr. Goetz, living in the Sears apartments, to have a stop sign posted in the Miner Street alley approaching Pearson Street for the protection of pedes- trians walking on Pearson Street crossing this intersection and for the protection of the children who may possibly be in this immediate vicinity. We are asking that you have Chief of Police, Howard Becker, post these signs, using his authority to attempt a thirty -day test. VLS:ss Mr. Otto W. J. Henrich City Clerk The City of Des Plaines Municipal Building Des Plaines, Illinois Dear Mr. Henrich: Respectfully yours, DES PLAINES TRAFFIC COMMISSION V. L. Spiegler Secretary April 30, 1948 A suggestion has been brought to us, and we propose that the parking meters on the west side of Pearson Street running north from the Catholic Church be hooded, or in some manner be put out of service, and that no parking signs be placed in that vicinity for the convenience of funeral processions when services are being conducted in the Catholic Church. This would eliminate the necessity of using the unrestricted area which causes the automobiles to the south to be moved a further distance to the south. For the use of this privilege, we recommend that either the church or the undertaker in charge of the service make this request of the police depart- ment the day before the funeral. VLS:ss Committee. Respectfully yours, DES PLAINES TRAFFIC COMMISSION V. L. Spiegler Secretary The Mayor referred the last two letters to the Public Protection CHICAGO CHILDREN'S BENEFIT LEAGUE TAG DAY. The Clerk read the following request: April 26, 1948 Mayor G. W. Pflughaupt Des Plaines. Illinois Dear Sir: The annual tag day of the Chicago Children's Benefit League is planned this year for Monday, October llth. We would like very much to receive your permission for our taggers to operate in your city as we did last year. The particular organization which would benefit from funds secured by tagging on the streets in your city is the Lake Bluff Orphanage. Hoping that we may be granted this courtesy which would be greatly appreciated bythe members of the League, I am, Sincerely yours, CHICAGO CHILDREN'S BENEFIT LEAGUE (Mrs.J.M.)Margaret W. Coen Corresponding Secretary 62 TAG DAG, CONT'D. The motion was made by Alderman Kehe, and seconded by Vavrinek, to grant the request. The motion was voted upon by acclamation, whereupon the Mayor declared the motion carried. S00 LINE CROSSINGS. The motion was made by Alderman Baines, and seconded by Kehe, that the Clerk write a letter to the Soo Line regarding all their crossings which are badly in need of repair. The motion was voted upon by acclamation, whereupon the Mayor declared the motion carried. RESURRECTION HOSPITAL. The Clerk read the following letter: DES PLAINES LADIES AUXILIARY RESURRECTION HOSPITAL FOUNDATION April 19, 1948 The Hon. G. Walter Pflughaupt, Mayor City of Des Plaines Municipal Building Des Plaines, Illinois Dear Sir: We are asking for the support of the city in an undertaking which is to be of benefit to the community. As you probably know, a recent survey of the health needs of Chicago and Cook County showed a serious lack of hospital facilities. The proposed Resurrection Hospital is to be erected in the near future at Oriole and Talcott Roads in Chicago, and will serve residents of the northwest section of the County without discrimination. Any support which you may be able to give to the Des Plaines women of the Auxiliary will be greatly appreciated. We are planning a benefit party on Friday evening, May 14, 1948, to be held at St. Mary's Training School Gym. Your co-operation in helping us to make this urgently needed hospital a reality will be appreciated. undertaking. letter: The Mayor suggested Sincerely yours, Marion Zaleski, Chairman Patron Committee 2048 Rand Road Des Plaines, Illinois that everyone co-operate in helping this worthy COOK COUNTY TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION. The Clerk read the following Mr. G. W. Pflughaupt 1348 Henry Avenue City Hall Des Plaines, Illinois Dear Mayor: April 14, 1948 Our program fpr this year's Cook County Traffic Safety Conference will include not only a general inspirational session but will also feature separate meetings on Education, Engineering, Enforcement and Public Support. You and the members of your official family are urged to attend per- sonally and to select separate groups of citizens from your municipality for active participation in these special meetings and discussions which will be held on Thurs- day, May 6, in the Sherman Hotel, Chicago. We sincerely feel that such participation will be of practical value to you in furthering your local traffic safety program or in organizing an informed safety council, if you do not already have one. Copies of the detailed program will follow. Harry H. Porter General Chairman The Mayor attend this meeting. Yours truly, William N. Erickson President urged the Aldermen who were free that particular day to MIDDLE STATES TELEPHONE COMPANY. The Clerk then read the following letter: MIDDLE STATES TELEPHONE COMPANY OF ILLINOIS Park Ridge, Illinois City of Des Plaines Des Plaines, Illinois ATT: City Clerk Gentlemen: May 31 1948 67 Permission is requested to allow the Middle States Telephone Company of Illinois, whose business address in Des Plaines is 1563 Ellinwood Street, and Brown -Orth Motors, _Inc., whose business address is 1565 Ellinwood Street, Des Plaines, Illinois, to improve that section of Prairie Avenue which has been dedicated as a 50' street that joins the Middle States Telephone Company's property on Lot #97 and #98 of the original Town of Rand, and Brown -Orth, Inc.'s property, known as Lot #99 of the original Town of Rand. The extent of this improvement is to be the grading to street level to allow a 40' width of 6" deep crushed rock, and this surface, after a six month's settling and packing period, to have a surface of 2 inches of bituminous paving. This work is to be done under the supervision of the City Engineer. The Middle States Telephone Company of Illinois would like to have the City's permission to retain this section of Prairie Avenue as parking for their telephone operating equipment, and not open it up to general parking until after their building program is out of the way this Fall. This in no way will disturb existing parking that 3,s now available on the improved section of Prairie Avenue. If the City of Des Plaines grants permission for this request, the undersigned Concerns, after completion of the improvement of this section of Prairie Avenue, would like to have such improvement recorded on City records so that further extension of improving Prairie Avenue would not result in special assessments against these properties unless additional improvement is applied to that section of Prairie Avenue abutting Lots #97, #98, and #99. MIDDLE STATES TELEPHONE COMPANY OF ILLINOIS By: S. H. Biery District Manager BROWN-ORTH MOTORS, INCORPORATED D. A. Orth, Jr. Treasurer The motion was made by Alderman Johnson, and seconded by Vavrinek, to refer the letter to the Streets and Sidewalk Committee, Engineer E. N. Fletcher, and City Attorney, Frank M. Opeka,for study and report next meeting. The motion was voted upon by acclamation, whereupon the Mayor declared the motion carried. MPS. GEORGE H. RUGEN'S LETTER. The Clerk read the following letter: April 26, 1948 Des Plaines City Council Dear Gentlemen: Am sorry to report my recent fall, due to the broken condition of sidewalk on Ellinwood Street at ?"!algreens, nay fall being a very severe and painful, and also a sprained left ankle am still in bed. Am not asking damage but certainly expect my medical and loss of time payed as well as the pain, shock, and inconvenience suffered. My fall happened April 14, 1948, on which date I reported same to Mr. Henrich, since then the walk has been repaired, my husband noticed. I would be Satisfied if you would send me a check of $75.00, which would pay only part of my. expense. Enclosed find Doctor's report on day it happened. Yours sincerely, Mrs. George H. Rugen 215 Grove Avenue Des Plaines, Illinois The Mayor referred this letter to the City Attorney, Frank M. Opeka. ARTHUR KOPCZYNSKI'S LETTER. The Clerk read the following letter: City Council of Des Plaines Gentlemen: Chicago, Illinois April 26, 1948 I own a acre lot (#4) in the Dexter Acres subdivision, located at Lee Street and Route #45. I intend to build on it this summer. I have been at the Cook County Zoning Department, and they offered to issue me a permit to build a home, using a septic tank for sewerage disposal and a well for water supply, but I have heard that the City of Des Plaines does not approve of these methods of sewerage. I, and I'm sure my neighbors also, want to be on the hest of terms with your City, so I would appreciate any information you can give me concerning water supply and sewerage disposal in this subdivision. Can you let`me know why the City should object to a septic tank on my lot, and what can they do to stop me from installing it? If I must have City sewerage and water, how do I go about getting it installed? How many landowners would have to agree to having it installed before you would consider an application for same? I have a list of about a dozen owners of lots which'I received through the Cook County Real Estate Tax Division, but cannot get the names of the others, as Westfield, Incorporated will not give me that information. If I could get in contact with all the landowners, I'm sure we would as*ree to apply to you for City water and sewerage. Thanking you for any information you can give me, I am sincerely Arthur Kopczynski 1733 N. Maplewood Avenue Chicago, Illinois The Mayor referred the letter to the City Attorney, Frank M. Opeka. A COMPLAINT FROM THE RESIDENTS OF WALNUT AVENUE. The Clerk read the following letter: Des Plaines City Council Des Plaines, Illinois Gentlemen: April 23, 1948 We the tax payers of Walnut Avenue have a problem which we would like to call to your attention. It seems as though Louton Paint Company and the Dairy on Oakwood Ave- nue use the vacant lot, in back of their stores which faces Walnut Avenue, as a place to put garbage, tin cans, rocks, and large paint drums. Children play in this lot,and if they should have matches and those drums explode they could be badly hurt or even killed. Also this garbage will draw rats,and we can not see why, when we have free garbage pickup,that people are allowed to be so careless. We try to make our homes attractive, and then we must have this mess around us. We have large containers placed around town to help keep our city clean, so why not do something about this matter. Respectfully submitted, Residents of Walnut Avenue Alderman Vavrinek reported having received this complaint, and he said that Superintendent of Public Works, E. R. Warnicke, had investigated this matter and informed the Louton Paint Company and the Dairy to clean up the premises. Alderman Johnson mentioned that Mrs. Willer was going there tomorrow to check and see whether they had cleaned up. PETITION TO VACATE PORTION OF FOURTH AVENUE ("CUMBERLAND"). The Clerk then read the following petition: To the Honorable Mayor and Members of the Council City of Des Plaines Cook County, Illinois Gentlemen: Your petitioners, the record owners of Lots 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18; 19 and 20 of Cumberland East Subdivision and Lot 1 of Block Nineteen Cumberland Subdivision in the City of Des Plaines, which abut Fourth Avenue, respectfully PETITION, CONT'D. request the adoption and passage of an ordinance vacating that portion of Fourth Ave- nue which extends northerly from Golf Road (Illinois State Route 58) to the north limits of the City of Des Plaines, Illinois. Reference is made to the official plat of the Cumberland East Sub- division recorded in Cook County, Illinois, as Document 12407582 in Book 330 of Plats at page 39, and to the,official plat of Cumberland Subdivision recorded in Cook County, Illinois, Document 9940985 in Book 255 of Plats at page 36. Your petitioners agree to reimburse the City for the expense in- curred by it in this connection. H. M. Cornell (Agent for Cumber- Carl L. Tagge land Trust, Mt. Prospect) Lot 1, Cumberland Block Nineteen Bessie M. Tagge Lot 17 Cumberland East Winford 0. Skinner William C. Parks Sarah M. Skinner Elizabeth G. Parks Lots 12 and 13 Cumberland East Lot 18 Cumberland East Conrad Klein Lois Thelma Burgett Sarah L. Klein William Burgett Lot 14 Cumberland East Lot 19 Cumberland East Ralph A. Milliman Ruth Gordon Margaret D. Milliman Lot 15 Cumberland East Lot 20 Cumberland East Foster L. Travis Doris A. Travis Lot 16 Cumberland East The Mayor referred the petition to the Municipal Development Committee and the Plan Commission. RESOLUTION * DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS. The Clerk read the following pro- posed resolution: RESOLUTION WHEREAS, the State of Illinois through its Department of Public Works and Buildings, Division of Highways, has constructed and maintains, or causes to be maintained, State Bond issue Route 19, Section 86-W-1 and State Bond issue Route 46 Section 465 X in the City of Des Plaines, Illinois, located in the city streets known locally as Miner Street and Lee Street, respectively and more specifically described as follows: Section 86 W-1. Between Des Plaines Avenue and Graceland Avenue, being one lane 6 feet in width adjoining and long the south curb line of Miner Street; Section 4.0. X. Between the north street line of Prairie Avenue and the alley south of Park Place, being one lane 6 feet in width, adjoining and along the west curb line of Lee Street; and between the north street line of Prairie Avenue and the alley south of the street line of Park Plaee,.being one lane 6 feet ip width adjoining and along the east curb line of Lee Street; and WHEREAS, the public convenience and necessity requires that the ranking or parking of vehicles be permitted in a parking lane paralleling the curb lines of the above described State Bond issue Route 19, Section 86,W-1 and that portion of State Bond issue Route 46, Section 465 X; NOW, THEREFORE, BE it Resolved by the City Council of the City of Des Plaines, Cook County, Illinois: That the State of Illinois through its Department of Public Works and Buildings, Division of Highways, be petitioned, and is hereby petitioned to abandon to the said City of Des Plaines for maintenance and traffic control that RESOLUTION, CONT'D. portion of the above described State Bond issue Route 19, Section 86 W-1 and that portion of State Bond issue Route 46, Section 465 X, including the pavement, gutter, curb, gutter inlets and all appurtenances which may have been constructed, or are being maintained by the State of Illinois and which are located along the curbs, as aforesaid, in the width of 6 feet. PASSED: this 3rd day of May, 1948. APPROVED: this 3rd day of May, 1948. ATTEST: G. Walter Pflughaupt Mayor Otto W. J. Henrich City Clerk The motion was made by Alderman Vavrinek, and seconded by Johnson, to adopt the proposed resolution. The motion was voted upon acclamation, whereupon the Mayor declared the motion carried. LETTER REGARDING CHANGE IN VEHICLE LICENSE. The Clerk read the following letter: City Council City of Des Plaines Gentlemen: April 26, 1948 • I would like a change in the low rate of truck vehicle license. The present first rate is $8.00 for gross 5,000 lbs. I would like this changed to "gross weight 8,000 lbs.". The second rate is 5,000 lbs. to 12,000 lbs. This is to be changed to "more than 8,000 lbs. and not more than 12,000 lbs." Very truly yours, OWJH:NS Otto W. J. Henrich City Clerk The Mayor referred this letter to City Attorney, Frank M. Opeka, to amend the vehicle ordinance. FIRST REPORT ON STORM SEE? FROM BARCUS, KINDRED & COMPANY. The Clerk read the following letter and report: Honorable Mayor and City Council, City of Des Plaines, Cook County, Illinois. In accordance with the agreement entered into between the CITY OF DES PLAINES and BARCUS, KINDRED & COMPANY and EDWARD BENJAMIN, jointly on Febru- ary 16, 1948, we submit herewith the first section of our survey. This portion of the survey is limited to a discussion of the present sewerage problems confronting the city. April 26, 1948 Respectfully submitted, BARCUS, KINDRED & COMPANY and EDWARD BENJAMIN The following is the first section of a survey of the City of Des Plaines sewerage system relating only to a discussion of the need for relief sewers. Subsequent sections relating to construction and finance will follow. The sewerage system of the CITY OF DES PLATNES was initially installed in 1900 when the population was 1,666. This original sewerage installation created for a community of about 3,000 persons is still in use without any enlargement of pipe sizes even though thousands of feet of additional sewer mains were added as the city grew. The sewerage system of the CITY OF DES PLAINES consists of a network of combined storm water and sanitary sewers. The total burden gathered by city intercepting sewers is diverted to a large intercepting sewer owned by the Chicago Sanitary District and eventually treated in the Chicago Sanitary District sewage treatment plant. I STORM SEWER REPORT, CONT'D. The growth of the CITY OF DES PLAINES as shown by the United States Census reports is as follows: 1900 - 1,666 1910.- 2,348 1920 - 3,451 1930 - 8,798 1940 - 9,518 1948 - 14,000 estimate 865 permits to build homes have been issued_by the CITY OF DES PLAINES during the past 7 years. In addition permits for ?1,775,160 of buildings other than homes were issued as follows: Number Value Value of of of other than Year homes homes home building 1948* 14 $ 151,600 22,120 1947 134 1,358,660671,158 1946 134 1,047,290 •335,022 1945 92 604,930 341,106 1944 241 1,161,683 68,780 1943 332 1,575,910 108,937 1942 26146,070 70,992 1941 92 573,132 157,046 *' First three months. As the city grows, not only are more homes added to increase the burden of normal sanitary sewage but the paving of streets collects a shock -load of storm water which the sewerage system periodically cannot abeorb. This results in the backing up of sewage into basements. After an interval the excess volume of sewage will eventually flow through the limited diameters of the present sewerage system belatedly relieving the flooded basements. THE CONSTRUCTION OF MORE HOMES AND PAVEMENTS WILL CAUSE THIS PROBLEM TO BECOME !;IORE AND MORE ACUTE AS TIME PASSES. This problem is not a new one to Des Plaines: Twenty years ago Mr. Carter Jenkins, then Engineer for the City reported the need for building relief sewers. In 1938 the problem was again considered at which time the Sewer Committee of the City Council addressed an open letter to the Citizens of Des Plaines on March 13, 1938 in part as follows: "On March 7, 1938, an ordinance providing for a system of storm relief sewers was introduced in the City Council by the Sewer Committee. This ordinance is the result of more than a year's intensive work on the sewer problem of Des Plaines. The existing drainage situation through- out Des Plaines is so well known as to require but little detailed explanation. Practically every citizen is fami- liar with the fact that for some reason basements are flooded and difficulties experienced in securing proper drainage in practically all parts of the city at times of heavy or even average rainfall. We have found the reason for this to be the piecemeal construction of existing combined storm and sanitary sewers, coupled with the fact that in a number of instances new subdivisions have been provided with lateral and sub -main sewers woe- fully inadequate at the very beginning. We have found, also, that as the city develops the situation will be- come worse, and houses which have had no trouble to date have no assurance of immunity in the future. The suburban cities in the great Chicago metropolitan district are destined to have a tremendous growth dur- ing the next generation. Des Plaines has many natural advantages and all of the improvements and public facilities required to keep its place with the other municipalities in this area with the exception of ade- quate drainage. It is our sincere belief that only through the construction of this project will Des Plaines be in a position to compete with other suburbs in the future." In an attempt to determine the frequency and extent of basement flooding a survey was made of the entire City. The results are as follows: STORM SEWER REPORT, CONT'D. Year Reported floodings 1948 725 1947 349 1946 254 1945 129 1944 103 1943 41 1942 23 The attached map portrays graphically the location of flooded base- ments as represented by replies from the card survey made March 1948. It is inter- esting to note that the basement flooding is a city-wide problem of the entire community with certain sections experiencing wide -spread flooding. The March flooding provoked a number of public meetings at which citizens of Des Plaines described property losses and hazards to the health of their families. Repeated assertions were made that failure to alleviate basement flooding will result in removals from the community. Such actions would cause lowering of property values. The foregoing data evidences the need for consideration by the City Council of the problem of relief sewers. The increasing frequency of basement flooding will, if permitted to continue, jeopardize the growth of the City of Des Plaines. The motion was made by Alderman Halverson, and seconded by Wolf, to concur in the report. The motion was voted upon by acclamation, whereupon the Mayor declared the motion carried. Alderman Halverson suggested that both weekly papers publish the report. ALBERT PIEPER REAPPOINTED TO TRAFFIC COMMISSION. On motion by Alder- man Johnson, and second by Baines, the Council approved the appointment of Albert Pieper to.the five-year term as member of the Traffic Commission. ARTHUR W. KAPHEN REAPPOINTED TO THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS. On motion by Alderman McKay, and second by Halverson, Arthur V. Kaphen was reappointed to a five-year term as member of the Zoning Board of Appeals. APPROVAL OF MINUTES. The motion was made by Alderman Hansen, and seconded by Vavrinek, to approve the minutes of April 19, 1948. The motion was voted upon by acclamation, whereupon the Mayor declared the motion carried. ADJOURNMENT. The motion was made by Alderman Baines, and seconded by Wolf, to adjourn. The motion was voted upon by acclamation, whereupon the Mayor declared the motion carried, and the meeting regularly adjourned. OT /e(-(A4AA'//4 W. J. HENRICH CITY CLERK MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DES PLAINES HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS, MONDAY EVENING, MAY 17, 1948, AT 8:00 P. M. CALL TO ORDER. The meeting was called to order by Mayor G. Walter Pflughaupt, who presided with Aldermen Johnson, Hansen, Vavrinek, Wolf, Kehe, McKay, Halverson, and Morava responding to roll call. Aldermen Baines and Harm were absent. REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS. The City Clerk submitted the report of City Treasurer, H. J. Ahbe for the month of April. Superintendent of Public Works, E. R. Warnicke, reported that fence barricades had been placed around all of the Bennett Construction Company's founda- tions. City Attorney, Frank M. Opeka,,reported that he had attended the Middle States Telephone hearing which concerned the increase of rates. He said that several persons had promised to appear as witnesses; but they failed to attend. (The hearing was continued to May 25, 1948.)