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01/20/1930MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DES PLAINES,'•HELD iN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON THE 20th DAY OF JANUARY, AT THE HOUR OF 8:00 O'CLOCK E.M. Mayor Hammerl called the meeting to order with Alderman Collett, Ahbe, Heesch, Suster, Kinder, Schlagel, Schroeder, Lacey, Knabi and Euzertbacher answering to roll call. Alderman Collett moved that the minutes of the regular meeting held January 6th, 1930 and those of the adjourned meeting held January 13th 1930 b$ approved as written. Alderman Schroeder seconded this motion and the same carried by vote of acclamation. The annual report of the City Clerk was read and refered to the Finance Committee. The annual report of the City Treasurer was read and on motion of Alderman Knabb, seconded by Alderman Collett same was ordered published in the next issue of the Suburban Times by the following vote. Ayes) Aldermen Collett, Ahbe, Heesch, Suster, Kinder, Schlagel, Schroeder, Lacey, Knabb and Enzenoacher. The Judiciary and Assessments Committee had no report to make at this time. time. The Police and License Committee had no report to make at this The Streets and Sidewalks Committee had no report to make at this time. The Public Works, Fire, and City Plats Committee had no report to make at this time. The Sewer* Drainage and Sanitation Committee had no report to make at this time. The following letter from the City Plan Commission was presented and read at this time: January 20, 1930 Mr. Fayette 0, Merrill, City Clerk, City Hall, Des Plaines, Ills. Dear Sir: Will you kindly remind the members of the City Council of the special joint meeting with the Park Board, the Plan Commission, engineer and attorney. This will be at the office of Chair- man Albert";. Clarke on Saturday, January 25th, (30) at 2:30 P. M. sharp. We .will be anxious to know how many of the members of the Council can arrange to be present at this important meeting. Respectfully yours, HENRY SIGWALT, Secretary, City Plan Commission of Des Plaines. The following letter and statement from the City Plan Commission was read and refered to the Finance Committee. January 20, 1930 .To the Honoraole City Council, City of Des Plaines, ills. Gentlemen: The enclosed statement from Mr. Carter JenKins was presented to your Com- mission at its last regular meeting. On motion duly made, seconded, and carried the item of twenty five dollars, ($25.00) Was approved as an expense incurred oy the commission, the other item of $216.,00 oeing referred to your council for consideration. The map referred to in the larger item has been tentatively approved and the commission • trusts that this charge will receive your favorable consideration. Yours respectfully, HENRY SIGWALT, Secretary City Plan Commission of Des Plaines. December 7, 1929 Plan Commission of the City of Des Plaines, 111. To: CARTER TENKINS, Cr. For services in connection with the design, layout, and preparation of various maps governing the terri- tonyhanie2edttalDBs Plaines, lying south of Central Road and east of Mount Prospect Road, Seventy -Two (72) Hours. © $3.00 B1ze Line cloth print of the map of Des Plaines, mounted on roller and attached to wall $216.00 25.00 Total - - 4241.00 The following letter from Henry Rees and Sons was read and referred to the City Attorney. Des Plaines, Illinois January 20th, 1930 City Council, Gentlemen: Some time ago 1 inquired if final Confirmation had been entered on Special Assess- ment #139 Cumberland Water. l was informed it had been entered. 74 Upon our instructions to our attorney to furnish us with a final opinion on the bonds he advised us that it could not be done as the certificate of final completion nad not been passed by the court. It is past a year since the com- pletion of this work and we. think. that it is not any more than right to do this at once as it is impossible for us to sell anis lisue of bonds unless we obtain a final opinion Very truly yours, HENRY REES & SONS By Carl Rees The following letter from Mr. William Lewerenz Assessor for Maine Township was read and ordered placed on filet January 20th, 1940 Honorable Mayor and City Council, Des Plaines, Illinois G entlement- Arrangements have been made to - hold a special Tax Mass Meeting at the Masonic Temple on Friday evening at 8 o'clock at which there will be speakers who are acquainted with the tax situation; in fact the men who are re- sponsible for and who are making the reassess- ment. I feel that tnis will give,the people of Des Plaines an opportunity to -get first hand information regarding tne re -valua- tion and J. trust ttat you will be able to attend. Yours very truly, WM;IEWEEMIt Assessor, Town of Maine The following letter -from kiss Flora Schmohl wan presented to to the City Council at this time and after considerable discussion same was referred to the City Attorney for'adjustment with Miss Schm6h1 and her Attorney after considering the two law suits which she had'filed against the City. 1465 Otto St. Chicago, Illinois January 17, 1930 To the Mayor of Des Plaines; To the.Aldermen of Des Plaines; To the Des Plaines City Council assembled; To the Des Plaines Board of Local improvements; Gentlemen: So many appeals have been sent to various ones in Des Plaines and nothing has re- sulted for the;undersigned. in the first place, I have paid on 406 ft. frontage, or as much as ten other tax-payers,all taxes and assessments levied that were in good order and 1. have not had as much consideration as the single tax -payer, who at least has had a hearing during the last year. - As you may know, 1 placed my objections .to didewalks on the stub -ends of Wicke Avenue also Forest avenue and Soo Line Railway in tne regular way and was sustained to the extent that Goth the Mayor at that time and Mr Collett, Chairman of streets and alleys •committe, both assured me that they had gotten it through at a regular meeting that 1 was to be excused from laying sidewalks and 1 was given to understand that tne sidewalk ordinance had been so ,amended. Then tne contractor, after ail this procedure lays sidewalks on my entire frontage as also lots Nc 6 & 12 tnat had been included in my appeal. These two owners nave paid their assess- ments rather than make any fuss about it. At various times the authorities have returned my sidewalk assessment "not delinq- uent" which has peen so appreciated tnat I paid as much of my assessments as possible in Des Plaines so that some benefit resulted. Naw about a year ago, 1 made tne usual appeal, and a printed report of the meeting states that my sidewalk assessments were voted to be returned not delinquent and 1 appreciated the act. On the first of My, 1 paid six -hundred fifty-three dollars special assessments, and remember that 1 am not getting one cent's worth off of that land because these payments have pre- vented me from anticipaeed building and living there. The other day I was in the county treasurer's office and was shown the book containing tax -sales and my six lots are listed there, and because a demand is made upon me that is illegal in every point. Why don't you stand like men by your decision? Last Summer I arranged a loan to meet the assessments due now, and if 1 am compelled to pay and that illegally that sidewalk special, 1 will not be able to pay the other assessments until next August when I may be able to arrange a further loan. Last Summer I offered my lots at half cost price and 1 failed to sell one lot. I have written you before that when a lot is sold, the sidewalk assessments will be provided for, because 1 could not give clear title with tnose assessments against tne lot. I nave tried to state the case as briefly as possible, and 1 can see but one way to settle this controversey and that is to set aside those specials until 1 can dispose of a lot when it will be properly taken care of. if the contracter blundered why should the City of Des Plaines use its entire official force to collect for him? Please have this read into the minutes of your next Council Meeting as also into tne minutes of the Board of Local Improvements and oblige ten times a tax -payer, IilSS F. J. SCHMOHL First reading of AN ORDINANCE, PROVIDING FOR CURBIN, DRAINING, GRADING, PAVING AND OTHERWISE =PROVING SPRUCE STREET AND OTHER STREETS, ALSO THE OPENING AND WIDENING OF PINE STREET FROM EVERETT STREET TO PROSPECT AVENUE, IN THE CITY OF DES PLAINES, COUNTY OF COCK AND STATE OF ILLINOIS. 76 Alderman Schlagel moved that the ordinance be passed as read. Alderman Knabb seconded this motion and the roll was called with the following result: (AYES) Aldermen Collet, Ahbe, Heesch, Suster, Schlagel, Schroeder, Lacey, Knabb and Enzenbacher. Alderman Kinder voting (NAYE) whereon the Mayor declared the motion carried and the ordinance passed as read. Alderman Heesch reporting for the Police and License Committee stated that the meeting had been held with the Bulkiness Men inter- ested in the garage and filling station license fees and that the coming week the Committee hoped to meet with the other groups and submit a report at the regular meeting February 3rd. 1930. Alderman Schlagel stated that he was not favorable to reducing the fee for certain groups and not considering a reduction for other groups. Alderman Kinder stated that in his opinion he did not think it was fair to collect from one and allowing others in the same line to get by without paying their just dues. Alderman Knabb also spoke about the hardship brought upon the small business man who might be handling several articles which required a tax while others might handle several nob. -taxable articles and pay no license whatever. Alderman Heesch then stated that Olie some of the fees no doubt wereequitable but that others should be adjusted. Alderman Heesch reported that the Finance Committee would sub- mit a report of the Audit as to the recommendations they would make in adjusting the several special assessment accounts,at an adjourned meeting to be held the following Monday evening. Alderman Heesch as chairman of the Finance Committee presented the following resolution. RESOLVED THAT THE FOLLOWING BILLS ARE DUE AND PAYABTF AND THAT THE MAYOR AND CITY CLERK BE AUTHORIZED TO ISSUE THE PROPER WARRANTS ON THE CITY TREASURER IN PAYIINT OF THE SAME. Des Plaines Publishing Co. $149.50" Burroughs Adding Machine Co. 4.45' Middle States Telephone Co. 39.50- M.A.. 9.50M.AA. Behrens, City Treas. 48.28- Maloneyr,Wooster,Whiteside 17.60" Union Linen Supply Co. 4.50 - Des Plaines Tire ctc Bat. Ser. 42.95" J. Walter 6.25. Lagerhausen Lumber & Coal Co. 11.224 Chase Brass & Copper Co. 16.80~ Frank A. Bremer " 8.00 Middle States Tel. Co. v'12.00 Sigwait Lum. & Coal Co. - 2.28 Municipal Bank Miedert Motor Service B. F. Kinder's Sons Frank Fischer Mrs. D. E. Maoris Henion & Hubbell Buffalo Meter Co. "200.00 4.75 " 4.45 80.00 5.00 30.78 h 2.39 %1 National Lead Co. 39.67• Public Service Co. " 202.92 Neptune Meter Company 60.61- Middle States Tel Co. , 14.25 Middle States Telephone Co. 31.35- Otto Lund 8.75 Public Service Co. 39.28°° Des Plaines Mercantile Co' 6.87 B, F. Kinders Sons 1.70" Hartiess Austin Towel Sup 1.50 Middle States Telephone Co. 4.30" Public Service Co. Federal Transportation Co. 1.00" Scott's Electric Shop Middle States Telephone Co. 4.00- Kuhlman & Nagel Axel D. Petterson 38.40^ 3peigler's Dept Store " .70 William G. Wille Sons 37.00, Meyer Coal a Material Co. -2.50 Louis Eicksman 8.00- ben Meehan 8.00 Otto Lund 59.50 N Des Plaines Tire & Bat. 7.10 C. H. Hanson Co. 48.75 a C. H. Hanson Co. " 233.70 Des Plaines Tire & Battery Ser. 36.88- Purnell and Wilson - 10.30 Middle States Telephone Co. 3.50- Des Plaines Tire & Bat. h 32.17 Union Linen Su ply Co. 6.00- Public Service Co. 3.00 Des Plaines !` or Sales 11.35- Lund Brothers -42.80 B. F. Kinderls Sons 2.50,, ;1". C. Walton - 3.00 Public Service Co. 14.47^ 5 3.00 '~ 1.80 4.50 Alderman Knabb moved that the resolution oe adopted. Alderman Schroeder seconded this motion and the roli was called with the following result: (AYES) Collet, *hbe, Heesch, Suster, Kinder, Scnlagel, Lacey, Schroeder Knabb, and Enzenbacher. None voting naye the Mayor declared the motion carried and the resolution passed and further directed that proper warrants be issued. Engineer Jenkins then submitted the following report on State and County Roads: G exit l emen. : - n; to view of the face that Mr. Robert Kingery, Secretary of the Cnicao Regional Planning Assoc., was unable to be at tnis meeting, Mr. Charles Hammer, member of our commission and Mayor of the City of Des Plaines requested that call on Mr. Kingery and secure from him the infor- mation, which he himself would have delivered had he been able to be here. The statements that 1 will shortly mage are based on information given me by him, and 1 feel certain that Jnr. Kingery has full authority for such statements as will be made. The first piece of construction work discussed. was the paving of River Road from Keeney Ave. to Rand Road, which was assured was listed on the County Highway program for 1930. This work proposes the construction of a pavement 40 feet in width, between the limits just named, and in addition the building of a retaining wall near Thacker Street to re-claim that part of the right of way, which.has been encroached upon by the river. This work proposes the widening of the present pavement south of the Northwestern Railway and the removal and re-laying of all tne pavement north of Miner St. Busse Highway, tne right of way of which is now being secured, is listed on the 1940 program. The County proposes to build 20 feet of pavement between Dee Road and Miner St. The widening of Mannheim Road, Lee St., in the City of Des Plaines, was discussed at length. From Oakton St., north to Algonquin Road and from Everett St. south beyond Touhy Avenue is listed on the program for 1931. This will result in the construction of additional pavement so that the total paved width will be 40 feet extending from Algonquin Road beyond the south city limits of Des Plaines. Algonquin Road west of Lee St. will probably not be reached until 1932, as it is the third item on the highway list after the completion of the two year program recommended by the Citizens Committee From River Road to Touhy Ave. construction work will undoubtedly be done in 1931, and the bridge across the Des Plaines River in pro - i igaiion of Keeney Ave. may be started this year. T#.ia structure is of considerable size and some time will be required in order for the approach fills to properly settle, before pavement is placed thereon. Talcott Road, over which Algonquin Road has been routed south of Touhy Avenue is under contract at the present time and should be completed by early fall. The widening of Miner st., which is of considerable interest to all property owners east of the Des Plaines River, is the 8th item on the State Highway program for 1930. The plans under pre- paration include the construction of a large paving intersection at the junction of Dempster St., Miner 78 Street, and Rand Road, a matter which has been given considerable thought and discussion by all interested in the public affairs of Des Haines. -This road will be sidened to 40 feet and will assist materially in reducing the present congestion between River Road and Dempster St. At the same time, other work will be done on Route 19, (the Northwest Highway), namely the wide- ning of the subway under the Northwestern and Soo Rail- roads to accomodate the 40 foot pavement and the widen- ing of all gaps between Seegers Road and Barri ton.- This will then give a continuous 40 foot pavemedt from the east city limits of Des Plaines westerly for a number of miles. Rand Road will be re -constructed and widened by the State highway Dept. from Des Plaines to Euclid Ave. in Arlington Heights. This worn will also be done by the state. The improvement of Road from Higgins Road to Milwaukee Ave. Will be delayed until 1932. This highway has not been favorably considered by th-e Citizens Committee making recommendations to the County Board, and although it is important to Des Plaines, its early completion cannot be expected. An effort will be made by the Chicago Regional Planning Commission how- ever, to expedite matters but the'asssurance cannot be held out. The Golf $oad subway under the Northwest Highway and the Chicago and Northwestern R. R. will not be reached until 1931 unless difficulties on earlier projects listed release funds which can be used for construction warm earlier than the time set. The gap on Golf Road Between River Road and East River Road is now under contract, the bridge having been completed last fall. There are other pavement gaps in this highway, a large one being in the Village of Files Center where considerable under- ground worm has been installed this past year. 1 was given to understand that this work has been completed and that plans are now in preparation for the paving of the street. if this is the case, it simply means that by the end of the construction season in 1930, residents of Des Plaines will be able to use Golf Road as a dir- ect connection into Evanston. In the widening of River Road, the first project discussed, no grade separation at its inter- section with Miner Street and its crossing of Northwestern Railway, has been considered. The Grade Separation Com- mittee, whose recommendations were favorably acted on, has listed this as one of the important structures to be built. On account of the failure last fall of the bond issue for this special purpose, no funds are available to pay for such worst. As a result, the grade separation program will be delayed until money is found for this important work. The proposed grade separation just mentioned, entails some very intricate problems, in view of the face that the Northwestern Railroad may.elevate within the next few years, and it is further complicated by the fact that any design presented must consider the proper handling of the municipal traffic on Ellinwood St. and state traffic on Miner St. The feature of high water in the river must be taken care of properly. it is Hinted that funds might be found which would permit at least a beginning of the grade separation p--rogramp put the source or nature of these funds was not exi,ined. There has been considerable discuss- ion relative to the forest preserve project. This high- way will skirt the easterly boundaries of the City of Des Plaines, and is routed over the Rand Road Miner St. intersection. No funds are available from forest pre - se we sources to pay for paving or a general improvement of this drive, and such work as will be done will nave to be borne by the County Highway Department. There seems to be some legal phase which prevents the use of forest preserve funds for an improvement of this nature. 1 was very much disappointed to learn that the paving of Dotter Road, a matter of great impor- tance to the High School Board and. to the students of Maine•Township has not yet been recommended by the Citi- zens Committee, inasmuch as tney consider it a real estate development. This is in spite of the face that the paving was specifically asked for by the City Council of Park Ridge, the City Council of Des Plaines, and the Board of Trustees of the Maine Township High School. At present there is no other feasible route over which the students from Park Ridge may reach the new building, and the paving of this road will be of gread convenience to the residents of Des Plaines and to those living in the immediate vicinity of the high school. This construction work was approved by the County Board last summer, and 1 feel that every effort should be made to secure its re- tention on the construction program for this year. lm- provement of this highway meets the approval of the Chicago Regional Planning Assoc., who realize its importanct to Maine Township, and we can be assured that we have their cooperation in any efforts that are made to insure it construction this year. At the present time no grade separa- tion is being considered to take care of the location of the traffic of forest way drive at the Rand Dempster - Miner intersection. Action on this matter will have to be deferred until funds are secured from which the forest way drive may be improved. The report was ordered placed on file. There being no further business to come before the Council at this time on motj.on duly made, seconded and unanimously carried same adjourned to meet again in an adjourned meeting to be held Monday evening January 27th at the hour of 9 oicloCk P. M. City Clerk, 80 MINUTES OF AN ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE CITY -COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DES PLAINES, HELD IN THE COUNCIL .CHAMBERS ON THE 27th DAY OF JANUARY, AT THE HOUR OF 9 1'CLOCK P. M. Mayor Hammeri called the meeting to order with Alderman Collet, Ahbe, Heescn, Suster, Schiagei, Schroeder, hinder, Lacey, Knath and Enzenbacher answering to roil call. Mayor Hammeri reported tnat tnis was an adjourned meeting for the purpose of nearing; a report of the Finance Committee realative to their recommendation regarding steps to be taken to adjust Special Assessment accounts and to consider such other nusiness that might come before the Council at this time. Aldermanaeesch stated that the Committee was not prepared to make their report but would present same next Monday evening at the regular meeting. The following letter from tne Fire Department was presented and read: January 27, 1940 To the Mayor, & Members of the City Council, Des Plaines, 111. G errtlement 1'E time has come when it is practically impos- sible to render to our City the efficient service, we feel we have in the past, without tne aid of a full time paid Eiremsn for night duty, one who can operate the trucks, who also knows how to operate the chemicals and pumps and knows tneir mechanical construction. We believe that with such a party on duty through -out the night, we would save the community many times his salary. The writer nas been in consulation with bgtn Alderman Schroeder, Chairman of tne Fire Committee Alderman Suster, Chairman of the 'Police Committee, and the Chief of Police, and we wish to present the following, whicn nas met with the approval of these three gentlemen. That the l :fight Seargent, Officer Koenig, be transfered from the combined Police & Fire Departments to the Police Department, and tnat tne Fire Chief be invested with the power to employ the necessary man to meet our requirements. as night fireman. Respectfully yours, Des Plaines Eire Department. AXEL PETTERSEN Fire Chief.