03061950377
ORDINANCE, CONT'D.
AN ORDINANCE TO CHANGE THE NAME OF
LA GRANGE STREET TO SCOTT STREET
The motion was made by Alderman Halverson and seconded by Hansen
to pass the proposed ordinance. The Mayor put the question, and the Clerk
called the roll with the following result: Ayes: Aldermen Davis, Hansen,
Vavrinek, Wolf, Baines, Behrel, McKay, Clement, Halverson and Morava. Nays:
None. The Mayor thereupon declared the motion carried and the proposed
ordinance passed.
The City Clerk informed the Council that he had received a letter
for a hearing of the Illinois Commerce Commission regarding the change of the
Greyhound Bus schedule. The letter was ordered placed on file.
The City Clerk also received a letter of a hearing of the
Illinois Commerce Commission on C. & N. W. Railway increase in fares. The
City Attorney was instructed to attend the hearing.
The Clerk read a letter from the Cumberland Terrace Civic Club
regarding the types of homes being built in Cumberland Terrace and other
sections. The Mayor referred the letter to the Building Permit Committee.
The City Clerk was instructed to write to the Superintendent
of Schools regarding the dirty condition of the Lee Street underpass.
Committee:
The following items were referred to the Building Permit
Building at 841 Center (remodeling)
Sign on Oakton Street
The Mayor referred the item of changes to made in the inspector's
office to the Building Permit and Public Building Committees.
The Mayor referred the item of air conditioning to the Building
Inspector and the City Attorney for an ordinance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES. The motion was made by Alderman Baines
and seconded by Hansen to approve -the minutes of February 6, 1950. The
motion was voted upon by acclamation, whereupon the Mayor declared the
motion carried and the minutes approved.
ADJOURNMENT. The motion was made by Alderman Wolf and seconded
by Hansen to adjourn. The motion was voted upon by acclamation, whereupon
the Mayor declared the motion carried, and the meeting regularly adjourned.
W. J. HENRICH
CITY CLERK
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DES PLAINES,
ILLINOIS, HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS,
MONDAY, MARCH 6, 1950, AT 8:00 P. M.
CALL TO ORDER. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kenneth G.
Meyer, who presided with Aldermen Hansen, Davis, Vavrinek, Wolf, Baines,
Behrel, McKay, Clement, Halverson and Morava responding to roll call.
OFFICIAL REPORTS. The Clerk submitted the reports of Inspector
Scharringhausen and the City Clerk for the month of February. The Clerk's
annual report of 1949 was also submitted.
COMMITTEE REPORTS. Alderman Davis reported that the Benjamin
Electric has contracted to have garbage pick-up, and they intend to build
an incinerator for rubbish. The company is also trying to eliminate smoke
from the chimney.
378
STREETS COMMITTEE. Alderman Hansen reported the Streets Committee
recommended "No Parking" signs on the east side of Ida Street between
Jefferson and Perry Streets so as to allow the residences on Ida Street
to have access to and from their driveways. On motion by Alderman Hansen
and second by Davis the report was concurred in.
Alderman Hansen also reported the widening of Prairie Avenue east
of Lee Street has been taken in the 1950 program,and at present appraisals
are being made as to the advisability of purchase and cost.
SPECIAL SEWER COMMITTEE. Alderman Wolf reported that there would
be a meeting next Monday night of the property owners regarding the special
assessment for storm sewer south of Oakton Boulevard.
BUILDING PERMIT COMMITTEE. On motion by Alderman Clement and
second by Behrel the "Side Yard" ordinance was referred to the Zoning Board
of Appeals.
Alderman Clement made the following report on the request for a
sign on Oakton Boulevard:
Your Committee on Building Permits has investigated the above
and has found:
Proposed structure will be used by applicant to support a sign
of a size greater than that normally permitted; therefore permission of
City Council as well as written consent of majority of property owners
in same block is required; proposed location apparently not objectionable;
proposed plans show sign of attractive appearance; owners have offered to
let City use proposed structure to support sign of own choosing when not
in use by owners which will apparently be a large portion of the time;
would lend itself to safety slogans, Community Chest messages, or the like.
We, your Committee on Building Permits, therefore recommend:
Permission be granted upon presentation of written consent of
required number of property owners in the same block; such permission be
granted only upon receipt in writing by Building Inspector of agreement
in form of letter from applicant that sign structure will not be vacant
(that is, without either their sign or the sign chosen by the city being
in place) for more than twenty-four (24) hours at any onetime; and that
structure will be removed if at any time over 50% of the owners in the
same block object to its presence.
H. W. Clement
H. H. Behrel
W. N. Davis
The motion was made by Alderman Clement and seconded by Morava
to concur in the report. The motion was voted upon by acclamation, where-
upon the Mayor declared the motion carried.
Alderman Clement made the following report on the request for a
remodeling permit at 841 Center Street:
Your Committee on Building Permits has investigated the above
and has found:
Building in question is devoted to a non -conforming use; Section
Seven of the Zoning Ordinance entitled "Non -Conforming Uses" states that
a building devoted to a non -conforming use may be reconstructed or
structurally altered provided such shall not exceed its assessed value;
value of proposed alteration work is estimated at $3,000.00; assessed
valuation according to Assessor's Office is 8555.00.
We, your Committee on Building Permits, therefore recommend:
That the application for a building permit to cover the work in
question be denied and that consideration be given by the proper authority
to the possible condemnation of this building.
H. W. Clement
H. H. Behrel
W. N. Davis
Alderman Clement reported the following on the Cumberland Terrace
Civic Club's letter regarding types of homes being built in Des Plaines:
has found:
Your Committee on Building Permits has investigated the above and
379
ALDERMAN CLEMENT'S REPORT, CONT')).
Floor area restriction is most possible; such a restriction would
be extremely desirable for particular areas; must be drawn carefully;
Architectural Commission should be consulted for technical advice on both
areas and minimum limits.
We, your Committee on Building Permits, therefore recommend:
Council request that Architectural Commission prepare data on
areas to be restricted and what restrictions are to be established as far
as minimum floor area is concerned; further hearings to be held by this
committee to which Cumberland Terrace Civic Club will be invited.
H. W. Clement
H. H. Behrel
W. N. Davis
On motion by Alderman Clement and second by Hansen, the report
was concurred in.
APPROVAL OF BILLS. Alderman Baines, 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.
(Schedule of bills placed before each alderman and affixed to
resolution and on file with the City Clerk.)
The motion was made by Alderman Baines and seconded by Behrel
to adopt the proposed resolution. The Mayor put the question, and the
Clerk called the roll with the following result: Ayes: Aldermen Hansen,
Davis, Vavrinek, Wolf, Baines, Behrel, McKay, Clement, Halverson and Morava.
Nays: None. The Mayor thereupon declared the motion carried and the pro-
posed resolution adopted.
DES PLAINES SAFETY COUNCIL LETTER. The Clerk read the following
letter:
Des Plaines, I11.
February 20, 1950
Mr. Otto Henrich, City Clerk
Des Plaines City Council
Des Plaines, I11.
Dear Sirs:
The recent heavy ice and sleet storm which did such severe damage
to trees, wires, etc. really taxed our department of public works, police
and fire departments to the limit. Their cooperationand hard work is to be
commended.
One of the things that stood out as something,which again really
proved an asset to the welfare of the city and an immense help to the depart-
ment workers, was the two-way radio equipment which the fire department and
the police department have as part of their equipment. These radios were
really a great help in enabling Mr. Warnicke to keep in close touch with
the men and the calls for needed men or help as need came up.
Broken live wires had to be taken care of in various parts of
the city and many calls to remove fallen trees from streets were taken
care of.
The Des Plaines Safety Council commends all of the workers.
We wish to make one recommendation to the City Council, which
if carried out will, we are sure, be a big help to the Supt. of Public
Works, Mr. E. R. Warnicke, in always keeping in touch with the office
and the police and fire department, especially in times of emergency.
Our recommendation is that Mr. Warnicke's department car be equipped
with a two-way radio as soon as possible.
Trusting the recommendation will be met with your approval,
we remain,
Yours truly,
Des Plaines Safety Council
Mr. John Gallup, President
A. Pieper, Secretary
The Mayor referred the letter to the Street and Water Committees.
3 I
PETITION TO VACATE ALLEY BACK OF THACKER STREET BETWEEN SECOND
AND WEBSTER LANE. The Clerk read the following petition:
We, the undersigned members, are owners of property adjoining an
alley located as follows in the city of Des Plaines:
Running east to west parallel to Thacker Street
between the streets of Second Avenue and Webster
Lane with its general location in Sunset Gardens
Subdivision.
We, the undersigned members, are interested in having this alley
closed.
(The petition had seven signatures.)
The Mayor referred the petition to the Streets Committee.
Alderman Baines requested the City Clerk to write to the Soo Line
regarding the need of crossing repairs.
Alderman Baines commented on the curve in streets at Graceland and
First Avenues. He suggested that before buildings are placed on the property,
this curve should be eliminated. The Mayor referred the item to the City
Attorney to check on the ownership of land and the City Engineer to prepare
plans.
Alderman Behrel asked to have Mr. Yates' letter referred to his
committee. This letter was in regard to a dog kennel.
Alderman Halverson requested the Mayor to call a short recess
so that the Council could look at some plans. After reconvening, on motion
by Alderman Halverson and second by McKay, the Clerk was instructed to ad-
vertise for bids on two water mains, the bids to be presented at the
April 3, 1950, meeting.
On motion by Alderman Halverson and second by McKay, the City
Engineer was instructed to prepare plans for the improvement and enlarge-
ment of the water softening plant.
FIRST READING OF PARKING LOT ORDINANCE. The Clerk read for first
reading the following proposed ordinance entitled:
AN ORDINANCE
RELATING TO PARKING LOTS
The Mayor referred the ordinance to the Streets Committee.
MAYOR KENNETH G. MEYER'S FIRST ANNUAL REPORT.
Gentlemen of the City Council: -
The Statutes of Illinois require that the Mayor annually report
to the Council the state of affairs of the City:
FINANCIAL POSITION: The general financial position of the City
is very good. The general corporate account as of December 31, 1949 was
in the red in amount of $26,463.00. This account was $30,779.86 in the red
as of January 1, 1949. However, actually, if surplus balances from other
accounts were transferred to the general corporate account, as can be done
legally, the general corporate account would not be in the red. It is mfr
hope that we can, by eliminating expenses wherever possible and collecting
all that is due the City from various sources, reach the point where this
account will have an operating surplus.
WATER ACCOUNT: The water account has a surplus in it of
sixty-six thousand dollars ($66,000.00) which is being held in reserve
for much needed improvements to our water system. By using this balance,
much needed repairs can be made without additional taxation to the citizens.
Our water accounts are now strictly on a current basis -we do not any longer
tolerate long past due accounts.
PARKING METERS: Based upon current revenues from parking meters,
our parking meters should be paid for by September of this year, and with
this debt out of the way, we will have funds to be used for acquiring
additional parking areas, and I hope to be able to use some of these funds
to make much needed repairs to our streets.
3!l
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MAYOR, CONT'D.
OUR BONDED INDEBTEDNESS: Our bonded indebtedness is very low,
($44,377.00). However, our bonded indebtedness will be increased
by *99,000 should the voters approve the purchase of the foundry site
on Miner Street for a city garage and warehouse. I, as Mayor, believe
that the aluisition of said property on Miner Street is necessary for the
City even though at present the building is somewhat larger than is actu-
ally needed today, but I feel certain that in years to come the purchase
of this site will be considered a good move.
POLICE DEPARTMENT:. The Police Department is being operated
efficiently and more economically than it has been for many years. You,
as aldermen, by examining the cost of operating the police department under
Mr. Wigham and comparing the expenditures of former year; will readily
understand what I mean. Mr. Wigham has proved to me that he desires to
cut down unnecessary expenses to the benefit of the tax -payer.
He has conferred with me and Alderman Vavrinek and recommended
a plan whereby we can rent police cars under a plan which should result
in a considerable savings to the City. This plan will no doubt be sub-
mitted to you at an early date.
BUSINESS LICENSES: The City Clerk reports that more business
licenses, vehicle licenses and dog licenses have been collected as of
March 1st than was ever collected as of March 1st of other years. This
is because the public clearly understand that this administration intends
to insist upon prompt payment of accounts payable whether in the form of
taxes, licenses or otherwise.
SOUTH SIDE SEWER RELIEF: The proposition of installing a
sewer relief system to take care of the sewerage problems of the areas
South of Oakton Street have been formulated by the engineer and the plan
of financing by special assessment has been submitted to a committee of
citizens residing in the area in question, and the City is prepared to
proceed in this matter as soon as the majority of the citizens residing
South of Oakton Street, indicate their approval of the plan submitted.
COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES: Since my election as Mayor, I have in-
sisted that you as aldermen assigned to various committees decide the
issues referred to your respective committees. I have attended many
committee meetings and expressed my views on matters referred to you,
but I have not exerted any pressure on you to force you to decide according
to my thinking. On many occasions I have received telephone calls from the
citizens asking that action be taken on some particular matters and in
every case I have referred the request directly to the committee chairman
involved, so that the question could be considered by the committee and
their recommendations made on the subject.
I am very pleased with your sincere endeavors and hard work.
All of us haven't always agreed on every issue presented to the Council -
but that is the way it should be under our American System of Government.
The members of the many commissions made up of public spirited citizens
who work without one -cent of compensation, are doing an excellent job and
deserve a sincere vote of thanks from every citizen of this City.
Also, the employees of the City all seem to be loyal, consci-
entious, and I appreciate their interest and loyalty.
A continuation of the spirit of "good public service" on the
part of all of us from the Mayor down, can result in only one thing -
a better City government to the benefit of all the citizens.
***************
Respectfully submitted,
Kenneth G. Meyer, Mayor
Alderman Hansen asked the press to take notice of the fact that
two bills approved for payment, which had been questioned by Alderman Wolf,
were for the cutting and hauling of branches due to the sleet storm. He
said there was still a large amount of work to be done and the City em-
ployees were working every day picking up the branches.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES. The motion was made by Alderman Wolf and
seconded by Baines to approve the minutes of February 20, 1950. The motion
was voted upon by acclamation, whereupon the Mayor declared the motion
carried and the minutes approved.
ADJOURN TO 7:30 P.M., MARCH 13, 1950. The motion was made by
Alderman Baines and seconded by Wolf to adjourn the meeting to Monday,
March 13, 1950, at 7:30 P.M. The motion was voted upon by acclamation,
31,2
ADJOURNMENT, CONT'D.
whereupon the Mayor declared the motion carried and the meeting adjourned
to Monday, March 13, 1950, at 7:30 P.M.
W. J. HENKICH
CITY CLERK
MINUTES OF THE ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DES PLAINES,
ILLINOIS, HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS,
MONDAY, MARCH 13, 1950, AT 8:00 P. M.
CALL TO ORDER. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kenneth G.
Meyer, who presided with Aldermen Vavrinek, Wolf, Baines, Behrel, McKay,
Clement, Halverson and Morava responding to roll call. Aldermen Davis and
Hansen were absent.
PASS ORDINANCE FOR SUBMISSION TO VOTERS THE QUESTION OF ISSUING
$100,000 MUNICIPAL WAREHOUSE BONDS. The Clerk read for first reading the
following proposed ordinance entitled:
AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE
SUBMISSION TO THE VOTERS OF THE
CITY OF DES PLAINES, COOK COUNTY,
ILLINOIS, THE QUESTION OF ISSUING
$100,000 MUNICIPAL WAREHOUSE
BONDS AT A SPECIAL ELECTION TO
BE HELD IN AND FOR SAID CITY ON
THE 15th DAY OF April , 1950.
The Mayor and Alderman Baines explained the interest rate and
other items regarding bonds and property. Alderman Baines then made the
motion to suspend the rules and place the proposed ordinance on passage.
The Mayor put the question, and the Clerk called the roll with the follow-
ing result: Ayes: Aldermen Vavrinek, Wolf, Baines, Behrel, McKay, Clement,
Halverson and Morava. Nays: None. The Mayor thereupon declared the motion
carried, the rules suspended and the proposed ordinance before the Council
for final passage. The motion was made by Alderman Baines 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
Vavrinek, Wolf, Baines, Behrel, McKay, Clement, Halverson and Morava. Nays:
None. The Mayor thereupon declared the ordinance adopted.
OFFICIAL REPORT. The Clerk read the following report:
March 13th, 1950
Honorable Mayor & City Council
Des Plaines, Illinois
Gentlemen:
The Street Department has erected "No Parking" signs on the east
side of Ida Street between Jefferson and Perry Streets. Also two new signs
pointing in the direction of the City Hall, Police and Fire Departments and
four signs pointing in the direction of the free parking lot.
The sewer department is in the process of checking all the sewers.
Having completed at this time the south side and all other sections where
flooding has previously occurred. Also we have arranged to keep in our
city garage Milburn Bros. large pump, so that we will be able to start
pumping on the Oakton Street sewer within an hour whenever necessary, be
it day or night.
ERW:pah
Respectfully submitted,
E. R. Warnicke
Supt. of Public Works
ADJOURNMENT. The motion was made by Alderman Halverson and
seconded by Morava to adjourn. The motion was voted upon by acclamation,
whereupon the Mayor declared the motion carried and the meeting regularly
adjourned. / %
tat ( /
OTTO W. J. HENRICH
CITY CLERK