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05151950-1-//0 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DES PLAINES, ILLINOIS, HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS, MONDAY, MAY 15, 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, Vavrinek, Wolf, Baines, Behrel, McKay, Clement, Halverson and Morava responding to roll call. Alderman Davis was absent. OFFICIAL REPORTS. The City Clerk submitted the reports of City Treasurer Barrett and the City Clerk's report for the month of April. COMMITTEE REPORTS. Public Buildings. Chairman Alderman Morava made the following report: Your Committee on public buildings and lands did call that meeting for Friday, April 28, 1950. This committee wanted to be sure to make this report complete so invited the Building Inspector, Fire Inspector, Superintendent of Public Works, Electrical Inspector, the Janitor, the Northwest Heating Company (who installed the oil burner) the Shell Oil Company, Mayor Meyer, Aldermen Halverson, Behrel, Davis, and Morava. Several weeks ago during the cold weather, the stoker attachment to the furnace in our Municipal Building broke down to the point that it was beyond repair. A meeting was called for a Sunday morning of all the councilmen to meet and give the Buildings and Land Committee power to act in converting from stoker coal to oil. This was an emergency meeting. The cost of a new stoker or try- ing to fix the old one after thirteen years of service would be as expensive as buying an oil burner. After some discussion, it was decided by the aldermen present and the Mayor that we purchase the oil burner. The appropriation for this emergency was set up at the beginning of the year in anticipation of such a breakdown. The amount appropriated was $1,000.00. We then hurriedly got costs on the installation of an oil burner from Walter Held, Central Heating Company and Northwest Heating Company. These were not bids, as this committee (after given power to act) felt ta)much time would be lost in advertising for these bids and thereby asked these companies for estimates. The Northwest Heating Company, being the lowest estimate of cost and within our $1,000.00 appropriation, was given the work. A gentleman from the Shell Oil Company was present at this meeting, as his home was in Des Plaines, and he kindly offered his suggestions as to what grade oil to use and cheapest in the long run. His information was very valuable, and we have been using Shell Oil to the present time. After two more additional tanks are installed, we will advertise for bids for oil for this furnace. With the installation of two additional tanks, our price per gallon will be lowered. The explosion that occurred was due to the soot that had fallen loose from the stack and opened the flue door, creating a stoppage of the proper draft and when the burner went on it blew the door open. This was no fault of the burner. Therefore, your committee on Public Buildings and Land, after careful and personal study with the Fire Inspector, Building Inspector, Superintendent of Public Works and other department heads of the City of Des Plaines do ac- cept this installation as a safe one, an economical one and practical. We are always trying to abate the smoke nuisance and with this conversion, we can do it more diligently. The janitor will have more time to do other chores about the building which are badly needed. This committee report signed by: Walter Morava H. H. Behrel H. J. Halverson On motion by Alderman Morava, and second by Halverson the report was concurred in. BUILDING PERMIT COMMITTEE. Alderman Clement reported the follow- ing regarding help for the Building Inspector's Department: There is a definite need for extra clerical help in the Building Inspector's Department at the present time because of the very large increase in construction activity. The Building Permit and Finance Committees there- fore recommend: That the other departments, such as the Water Department and the Department of Public Works, share in the services and expenses of this added help. That such added help be utilized as a general receptionist, if and when these departments move to the proposed new quarters in the Municipal Warehouse. That the possibility of utilizing part of the clerical help in other departments duringthis emergency be investigated. BUILDING PERMIT COMMITTEE REPORT, CONT'D. This report was signed by Aldermen Clement, Baines, Behrel, McKay, and Hansen. On motion by Alderman Clement and second by Baines the. motion was concurred in. Alderman Clement reported that Inspector Scharringhausen had re- ceived a letter requesting the erection of a sign at Graceland and Ellinwood Streets, on the Sinclair property. The Mayor referred the matter to the Building Permit Committee. Alderman Clement reported that the owner had applied for a building permit to repair the building at 841 Center Street, estimate cost A275.00. That at a previous Council meeting on report of the Building Permit Committee, the Council had concurred in a refusal of a $3,000.00 permit and consideration of the condemnation of the building. The Mayor referred the item to the Build- ing Permit Committee. Alderman Clement reported that they had made an inspection of the warehouse and suggested that the trucks and other equipment be stored in that building as soon as possible. After Engineer Fletcher draws the floor plans, they will plan the department quarters. Mayor Meyer reported the Park District Commissioners had contacted him regarding the maintenance of the grounds after the Des Plaines Avenue pump -house was removed. They desired a reduction in the water rate in ex- change for the maintenance. The Mayor referred the matter to the Water Committee. APPROVAL OF BILLS. Alderman Baines, Chairman of the Finance Com- mittee, 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 reso- lution and on file with the City Clerk.) The motion was made by Alderman Baines 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 Hansen, Vavrinek, Wolf, Baines, Behrel, McKay, Clement, Halverson and Morava. Nays: None. The Mayor thereupon declared the motion carried and the resolution adopted. PASS ORDINANCE FOR THE SALE AND ASSIGNMENT OF LIENS. The Clerk read for second reading the following proposed ordinance entitled: AN ORDINANCE FOR THE SALE AND ASSIGNMENT OF CERTAIN JUDGMENT LIENS FOR CERTAIN OVER -DUE AND UNPAID INSTALLMENTS OF CERTAIN SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS HELD BY THE CITY OF DES PLAINES, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS. The motion was made by Alderman Wolf and seconded by Baines to adopt the proposed ordinance. The Mayor put the question, and the Clerk called the roll with the following result: Ayes: Aldermen Hansen, Vavrinek, Wolf, Baines, Behrel, McKay, Clement, Halverson and Morava. Nays: None. The Mayor there- upon declared the motion carried and the ordinance adopted. MINNEAPOLIS, ST. PAUL AND SAULT STE. MARIE RAILROAD LETTER. The Clerk read the following letter: File CS -108 Mr. Otto W. J. Henrich Stevens Point, Wis., May 8, 1950 City Clerk Des Plaines, I11. Dear Mr. Henrich:- I am in receipt of your letter of May 2nd, regarding repairs necessary to crossings in the City of Des Plaines. viz RAILROAD COMPANY LETTER, CONT'D. I handled this matter immediately upon receipt of your letter of March llth, and was advised that the necessary repairs had been made. I am having my Division Engineer investigate this matter immediately, and make a survey to determine what is necessary to put the crossings at Des Plaines in good condition, and you may rest assured that this matter will be given preference attention. Yours truly, Copy JPG H. A. Sparks GWK Superintendent TRAFFIC COMMISSION REPORT ON PARKING. The Clerk read the following report: May 12, 1950 Mr. Otto W. J. Henrich City Clerk City of Des Plaines Illinois Dear Mr. Henrich: In reply to your letter of May 2, your Committee Report dated April 17 is attached herewith. The Des Plaines Traffic Commission met last evening and offer the following recommendations: We recommend that to improve the safety of pedestrians at the railroad crosswalk over Miner Street between the depot and the bus company a caution light be installed at the crosswalk with an orange flasher bulb visible four ways with a white light shining down on the crosswalk painted on the street. We recommend a two-hour parking ordinance on the south side of Miner Street between Pearson Street and Des Plaines Avenue. We recommend a two-hour parking ordinance on Des Plaines Avenue from Pearson Street to Miner Street on the west side and from River Street to Miner Street on the east side. We also suggest that parking spaces be painted on the street in this zone. We recommend that no changes be made at this time on Graceland Avenue, Lee Street, Center Street, and Pearson Street south of Prairie Avenue. We also suggest that the City Council be on the lookout for the purchase of vacant lots that could be made available for parking purposes in the future. Respectfully yours, DES PLAINES TRAFFIC COMMISSION VLS: Enc. By: V. L. Spiegler, Secretary The motion was made by Alderman Vavrinek and seconded by Hansen to concur in the report and that the City Attorney draft an ordinance regarding the report. PASS AMENDED ORDINANCE IN RE ELECTRICAL INSPECTOR. The Clerk read for second reading the following proposed ordinance entitled: AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTIONS 156 AND 158 OF ARTICLE VI RELATING TO THE ELECTRICAL INSPECTOR AND COMMISSION OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF DES PLAINES, AS HERETOFORE AMENDED. The motion was made by Alderman Wolf and seconded by Hansen to adopt the proposed ordinance. The Mayor put the question, and the Clerk called the roll with the following result: Ayes: Aldermen Hansen, Vavrinek, 'Wolf, Baines, Behrel, McKay, Clement, Halverson and Morava. Nays: None. The Mayor there- upon declared the motion carried and the ordinance adopted. PETITION OF PROPERTY OWNERS IN DES PLAINES GARDENS AND SUNSET GARDENS. Alderman Baines read the following petition: TO THE HONORABLE MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF DES PLAINES, ILLINOIS We, the undersigned, being property owners and taxpayers of the City of Des Plaines, do hereby join in a petition protesting against the issuance of building permits for the construction of homes of less than 1200 square feet PETITION, CONT'D. in floor area in that part of the City of Des Plaines described as follows: Des Plaines Gardens & Sunset Gardens, being W. L. Plew & Company's Subdivisions for the reason that construction of such homes will disrupt the presently es- tablished co-ordinated, adjusted and harmonious development of the above de- scribed property and will not, in accordance with the present and future needs of the property aforesaid, best promote health, safety, order, convenience, prosperity, efficiency and economy in the process of development and general welfare of the community and of the City of Des Plaines. Petitioners believe it to be fundamental that a good residential neighborhood cannot maintain its status as such in close proximity to, or in which there is permitted, construction of any kind not in conformity with the architectural and structural standards of established residences in the neighborhood and that serious deterioration of property values with loss in tax revenue must inevitably result from construction of dwellings inharmonious with the type of residential neighborhood now existing and to be developed on the property above described. Petitioners therefore request the City Council to immediately enact an ordinance restricting the construction of residences within the area above described to dwellings of not less than 1200 square feet of floor area. Respectfully submitted this 15th day of May, 1950. (The above petition was signed by fifty-four individuals.) The motion was made by Alderman Baines and seconded by Behrel, that the petition be referred to the City Attorney to draft an ordinance for con- struction of homes of not less than 1200 square feet in floor area in the following subdivisions: Des Plaines Gardens, Sunset Gardens, Homerican Villas, Des, Plaines Villas, Cumberland, Cumberland Terrace, Cumberland East. The motion was voted upon by acclamation, whereupon the Mayor declared the motion carried. The Mayor instructed the Building Inspector not to issue any building permits under 1200 square feet of floor area on Second Avenue north of Walnut Avenue. LETTER ON REZONING RECEIVED FROM MRS. OTTO MALLEGG. The Clerk read the following letter: May 12, 1950 Gentlemen: We are the owners of the property•at 452 State Street in Cumberland, which is located between Stratford and Cornell Avenue. State Street from Wolf Road to Cornell Avenue on the north side is residential. We would like to have the south side of State Street rezoned from commercial to residential. We have only two reasons. 1. The amount of traffic involved 2. Stores in a residential community are undesirable, especially when you are facing them. Have discussed this with the families building to the east of us. There are three families, and all three men are paraplegics. They agree heartily with what I am doing. Will you please consider the rezoning of the property spoken of. Sincerely, Mrs. Otto Mallegg On motion by Alderman Hansen and second by Clement, the application was referred to the Zoning Board of Appeals, sitting as a commission. PASS SIXTH AVENUE PAVING ORDINANCE. The Clerk read for first reading the following proposed ordinance entitled: AN ORDINANCE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A HARD SURFACED MACADAM AND ASPHALT STREET ON SIXTH AVENUE IN THE CITY OF DES PLAINES, ILLINOIS, INCLUDING CONCRETE CURBING AND GUTTERS AND CONSTRUCTION OF INLETS, VALVE VAULTS. CATCH BASINS AND MANHOLES PAVING ORDINANCE, CONT'D. The motion was made by Alderman Baines and seconded by Halverson to suspend the rules and place the proposed ordinance on passage. The Mayor put the question, and the Clerk called the roll with the following result: Ayes: Alder- men Hansen, Vavrinek, Wolf, Baines, Behrel, McKay, Clement, Halverson and Morava. Nays: None. The Mayor thereupon declared the motion carried, the rules sus- pended and the proposed ordinance before the Council for final passage. The motion was made by Alderman Hansen, 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 Hansen, Vavrinek, Wolf, Baines, Behrel, McKay, Clement, Halverson and Morava. Nays: None. The Mayor thereupon de- clared the ordinance adopted. FIRST READING OF 1950 TAX LEVY ORDINANCE. The Clerk read for first reading the following proposed ordinance entitled: AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE LEVYING OF AN ASSESSMENT OF TAXES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR OF THE CITY OF DES PLAINES, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS, COMMENCING JANUARY 1st. 1950 AND ENDING DECEMBER 31st, 1950. The Mayor ordered the Clerk to place the proposed ordinance on file for second reading. APPROVAL OF MINUTES. The motion was made by Alderman Hansen and seconded by Morava to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of May 1, 1950, and the adjourned meeting of May 8, 1950. The motion was voted upon by accla- mation, whereupon the Mayor declared the motion carried and the minutes approved. ADJOURNMENT. The motion was made by Alderman Wolf and seconded by Clement to adjourn. The motion was voted upon by acclamation, whereupon the Mayor declared the motion carried and the meeting regularly adjourned. te l ! OTTO J. HENRICH C TY CLERK MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DES PLAINES, ILLINOIS, HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS, MONDAY, JUNE 5, 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 May. COMMITTEE REPORTS. PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE. Alderman Davis re- ported on the Des Plaines Emergency Committee. The motion was then made by Alderman Davis and seconded by Behrel that the Mayor be authorized to approve the members of the Des Plaines Emergency Committee to the United States Govern- ment as the official Emergency Committee of Des Plaines. On motion by Alderman Morava and second by Halverson,it was approved that the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized to sign a five-year lease for the rental of one of the warehouse buildings. BUILDING PERMIT COMMITTEE. Alderman Clement reported the following in regard to the request for the Sinclair sign at Graceland and Ellinwood Streets: "Proposed sign is over the maximum size permitted in the area in question,; the location is in the main business sedion on one of the main streets. Recommend that the request for a permit to erect the sign in question be denied." On motion by Alderman Clement and second by McKay the report was concurred in.