09/18/1939MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DES PLAINES
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON MONDAY
SEPTEMBER 18th,1939 AT THE HOUR OF 8 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Mayor Hobart
M. Ahbe, presiding with Aldermen Uarroll, Johnson, Henrich, Loos, Dopheide,
Carlson, Friott, Lemke, Schwanbeck and Campagna responding to the roll call.
The Clerk reported all members of the Council present.
THE JUDICIARY AND ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE had no report to offer.
THE POLICE AND LICENSE COMMITTEE had no report to offer.
THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS, BUILDINGS AND PLATS had no report
to offer.
THE STREETS & SIDEWALKS COMMITTEE had no report to offer.
THE WATER COMMITTEE had no report to offer.
THE FIRE COMMITTEE through its chairman Alderman Dopheide re-
ported that recently the Council requested the Board of Fire and Police
Commissioners to appoint a relief fireman to serve during the absence of the
regular firemen, which was done as requested. He further reported that
Fire Marshall Walter Lagerhausen now requests that two additional similar
relief firemen be now authorized by the Council.
The motion was therefore made by Alderman Dopheide and seconded
by Henrich to authorize the appointment of two additional relief firemen,
and to instruct the Clerk to notify the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners
to make such appointments. The motion was voted upon by acclamation whereupon
the Mayor declared the motion carried.
THE BAND COMMITTEE had no report to offer.
THE BUILDING INSPECTOR Frank r .Scharringhausen reported considerable
building activity. He also reported that he attended the annual convention
of the Illinois Municipal League held at Kankakee, Illinois September 12, 13
and 14,1939..
THE ELECTRICAL INSPECTOR Arthur Rieck had no report to offer.
THE CITY ENGINEER E.N.Fletcher reported that the County has
completed the re -paving and re -location of the intersection at Des Plaines
Avenue and Oakton 6treet. He reported further that hehas requested the
County to re -locate the sidewalk on the south side of Oakton Street, as
well as the ornamental lights at that point.
WIDENING OF PEARSON STREET - M.F.T. 6 CS: E,E,Fletcher, City
Engineer, reported that authorization is expected any moment from the State
Highway Department to advertise for bids for the widening of Pearson Street
(M.F.T. Section 6 CS). The motion was made by Alderman Henrich and seconded
by Friott to authorize and direct the City Ulerk to advertise for bids for
Motor Fuel Tax Project 6 CS subject to state approval. The motion was
voted upon by acclamation whereupon the Mayor declared the motion carried.
SOO LINE CROSSINGS: The Clerk then read the following letter:
(see next page)
MINNEAPOLIB,ST.PAUL & SAULT STE.MARIE RWY CO.
Stevens Point, Wis.
Sept 15th 1939
Mr. Edgar J. Friedrich
City clerk
City of Des Plaines,
Les Plaines, Illinois
Dear Sir:
Referring to your letter of September 12th regarding
the matter of repairing and rebuilding street crossings in Des
Plaines.
Assistant yngineer Foster met your Street Commissioner
Wells on August 26th and went over the various street crossings
with him. He was to report to your Council what repairs we were
going to make. These crossing will be brought up to proper
grade and planks renewed and resurfaced with black top before
cold weather sets in. It was suggested that Lee Street which
carried U.S.Highway No.12 and 45 and is now full planked across
both tracks be taken up with the Coufity or State and have them
furnish concrete plank or a steel crossing such as furnished at
other points and the Railroad would install same.
Yours very t ruly
W.J.CABLE
Division Engineer
Mayor Ahbe instructed M.D.Wells, Supt. of Public Works to see that the
said repairs are properly made. He also instructed E.N.Fletcher, City
Engineer, to ask the state to furnish the materials referred to in the above
letter for the repair of the Soo Line crossing at Lee Street.
REVISE FORM OF RURAL FIRE CONTRACTS: The Clerk then read the
following letter:
Kenneth G. Meyer,City Attorney
September 12, 1939
City Council of Des Plaines
City Hall
Des Plaines, Illinois
Gentlemen:
You were recently requested by the Fire Marshal to authorize
the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the Fire Protection Contract with non-
residents with Paragraph three l3) of said contract eliminated, which
Paragraph Three (3) reads as follows:
3. The parties hereto further agree that
the said non-resident shall not hold the CITY
OF DES PLAINES liable for, and will protect the
CITY OF DES PLAINES against any claims which
may be made growing out of any personal injury
or property damage resulting from any accident
for which any member of the CITY OF DES PLAINES
Fire Department or the CITY OF DES PLAINES Volun-
teer Fire Department may be responsible while
accompanying the apparatus or equipment of the
CITY OF DES PLAINES Fire Department in proceeding
to or returning from any fire call to the said
non-resident, including any claims for personal
injuries to members of the CITY OF DES PLAINES
Fire Department or the CITY OF DES PLAINES Volun-
teer Fire Department while on duty in response to
any call from the said non-resident for fire pro-
tection.
lcontinued)
188
Kenneth G. Meyer (letter contd.)
At your request I enclose a resolution covering
this subject matter, but I wish to inform you that if
Paragraph Three (3) is taken from the contract in
question the City will be unable to look to any such non-
resident for contribution or indemnity in case the City
is involved in an accident on the Highways outside the city
limits. Nor will the City be able to look for contributions
or indemnity from such non-residents in case a fireman is
injured outside the city limits while answering a non-
resident call or attending to a non-resident fire.
I repeat that I hold considerable doubt as to the legality
of a contract by a municipality with a non-resident whereby the
municipality agrees to furnish fire protection, and should the
city's fire apparatus be involved in an auto accident on the
highways outside the cityAI believe the City would have a
difficult case to defeat.'
I merely pass this opinion on so that you are fully
advised as to why I included Paragraph Three (3) in the contract.
You understand, of course, section Three as I drafted it does not
relieve us from liability but creates a source of possible contri-
bution and indemnity in case the city is sued.
Respectfully submitted
KENNETH G.MEYER
City Attorney of Des Plaines
and followed the said letter by the reading of the following proposed resolution:
RES 0 L U T I 0 N
WHEREAS the City Council of the City of Des Plaines by resolution
did hitherto authorize the Mayor and City Ulerk to execute contracts
with non-residents whereby the City of Des Plaines, through its paid
mire Department and Volunteer Fire Department, agreed to furnish fire
protection to such non-residents as signed said contracts as authorized
by said resolution: and
WHEREAS it is deemed advisable by the City Council, that said
contract be modified by eliminating therefrom Paragraph Three (3),
which is in words and figures as follows:
3. The parties hereto further agree
that the said non-resident shall not hold
the CITY OF DES PLAINES LIABLE for, and
will protect the CITY OF DES PLAINES a-
gainst any claims which may be made grow-
ing out of any personal injury or property
damage resulting from any accident for
which any member of the CITY OF DES PLAINES
Fire Department or the CITY OF DES PLAINES
Volunteer Fire Department may be responsible
while accompanying the apparatus or equip-
ment of the CITY OF DES PLAINES Fire Depart-
ment in proceeding to or returning from any
fire call to the said non-resident, includ-
ing any claims for personal injuries to mem-
bers of the CITY OF DES PLAINES fire Depart-
ment or the CITY OF DES PLAINES VOLUNTEER
fire Department while on duty in response
to any call from the said non-resident for
THEREFORfire protection.
THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City
of Des Plaines that the mayor and City Clerk of this City be and
they are HEREBY AUTHORIZED to execute said Fire Protection Contracts
with the said Paragraph Three (3) hereinbefore quoted eliminated
from such contracts.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that existing executed contracts be cor-
rected so as to eliminate said paragraph 3.
189
The motion was made by Alderman Dopheide and seconded by Carlson to adopt
this proposed resolution. The motion was voted upon by acclamation
whereupon the Mayor declared the motion unanimously carried and the said
resolution adopted.
letter:
WATER TAP FOR PARK DISTRICT: The Clerk then read the following
DES PLAINES PARK DISTRICT
September 18,1939
To the Honorable Mayor and
L,ity Council
City of Des Plaines, Illinois
Gentlemen:
Permission is requested to make water tap at South Park,corner
of Wicke St. and Cora St. It is the intention to use this tap
for supplying drinking water to tennis players and others using
this playground. Also it is intended to make it easir to keep
C\I the tennis courts in better playing condition. We trust that per-
t; mission will be granted for this work at cost.
Very truly yours
Q` DES PLAINES PARK DISTRICT
ett Edd R.Schlagel
Secretary
The motion was made by Alderman Lemke and seconded by Dopheide to grant this
request.. The motion was voted upon by acclamation whereupon the Mayor de-
clared the motion carried and the said request granted.
RESIGNS FROM ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS: The Clerk then read the
following letter:
736 Main at
Davenport, Iowa
9-4-1939
Hon.Mayor and City Council
Gentlemen:
I wish to resign from the Zoning Board of Appeals, as my
absence from Des Plaines makes it impossible for me to attend the
meetings. I do this with reluctance, but the board has only five
members and the continued absence of one of the members makes it
difficult for them to obtain a quorum.
Yours very truly
K.W.DOWNING
The motion was made by Alderman Carroll and seconded by Johnson to accept
this resignation. The Motion was voted upon by acclamation whereupon the
Mayor declared the motion carried and the said resignation accepted.
APPOINTMENT TO ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS: Mayor Ahbe then announced
the following appointment:
Mr. Alvah James, as a member of the Zoning Board of
Appeals, to complete the unexpired term of K.W.Downing
(resigned) expring hpril 30, 1941.
The motion was made by Alderman Johnson and seconded by Carroll that the
Council confirm this appointment. The motion was voted upon by acclamation
whereupon the Mayor declared the motion carried and the said appointment con-
firmed.
1190
TAG DAY PERMIT: The Clerk then read the following letter:
PARK RIDGE SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
Sept 5 1939
Mr. Fred A.Fulle
Des Plaines Co.Publishers
Des Plaines, Ill.
Dear Mr. Fulle;
Each year your City Council has permitted the
Federated Charities to gat in your city.
We are preparing to hold a tag day again this
year and we hope that you will put in a good word for us.
We appreciate all you have done for us and hope
that thru you, the Council will again permit us to tag in
es Plaines.
Sincerely
R.K.BADGER, Superintendent
The motion was made by Alderman Schwanbeck and seconded by Carroll to
grant the permit as requested. The motion was voted upon by acclamation
whereupon the Mayor declared the motion carried.
ADVERTISE FOR COAL BIDS FOR MUNICIPAL BUILDING FUEL: The
motion was mde by Alderman Loos and seconded by Lemke to instruct the
Clerk to advertise for bids for coal for heating the Municipal Building,
using the same quantities and the same coal specifications as were used
for the 1938-1939 heating season. The motion was voted upon by acclamation
whereupon the Mayor declared the motion carried.
The motion was then made by Alderman Lemke and seconded by Campagna
that the Des Plaines Suburban Times be used as the advertising medium for
the said coal bids. The motion was voted upon by acclamation whereupon
the Mayor declared the motion carried.
SUGGEST DRIVEWAY BONDS". The motion was made by Alderman Dopheide
and seconded by Johnson to instruct the City Attorney to advise the City
Council on the advisability of requiring "driveway bonds" for driveways
leading across public parkways or sidewalks, and to render an opinion upon
the question whether or not the city has power to require "driveway bonds"
for business'driveways only and not for residential driveways. The motion
was voted upon by acclamation whereupon the Mayor declared the motion carried.
CUMBERLAND TERRACE REQUESTS STREET LIGHTS: Alderman Lemke re-
quested that the necessary steps to be taken to provide six street lights for
Cumberland Terrace. Mayor hhbe referred this matter to the Streets and
Sidewalks for study and report.
REQUESTS MOVING STREET LIGHT: Alderman Henrich requested that the
street light located on Des Plaines Avenue between Ellinwood Street and
Thacker Street be moved to the next post south. This matter was referred to
the Streets and Sidewalks Committee by the Mayor.
REPORTS STREET NAME SIGN DOWN: Alderman Henrich reported that
a street name sign is down at the corner of Des Plaines Avenue and Walnut
Avenue. The Mayor referred this matter to the Superintendent of Public
Works for attention.
REPORTS DANGEROUS TREE: Alderman Henrich reported a large dead
tree branch on a tree located on Lee Street just south of Prairie Avenue,
pointing out the danger thereof to the public. This matter'was referred to
the streets and Sidewalks Committee by the Mayor.
APPROVAL OF BILLS: The Finance Committee through its Chairman,
Alderman Johnson then introduced the following proposed resolution:
RESOLVED THAT THE FOLLOWING BILLS ARE DUE
AND PAYABLE AND THAT THE MAYOR AND CITY
CLERK BE AUTHORIZED TO ISSUE PROPER VOUCHER
WARRANTS IN PAYMENT OF SAME.
4287 Middle States Tel.Co
4289 Frank A.Bremer & Son
4291 Des Plaines Publ.Co.
4293 Des Plaines Journal
4295 Public Service Co
4297 Des Plaines Publ.Co.
4299 Johnson Electric Shop
4301 Des Plaines Motor Sales
4303 Frank A.Bremer & Son
4305 Des Plaines Publ.Co
4307 Chicago Blue Print Co
4309 Des Plaines Journal
4311 W.Radlein
4313 B.F.Kinder's Sons
4315 B.F.Kinder's Sons
4317 Public Service Co
4319 Bert Sweeney
4321 Nagel Service Station
4323 Monroe Llec.Co.
4325 Standard uil Co
4327 Joe Palmer
4329 Coffman Coal Yard
4331 Public Service Co
4333 Fred Kaufman
4335 Albert hitter
4337 D. Rijani
4339 Pennsy1.0i1 Co.of Evanston
4341 Middle States Tel.Co
4343 James B.Clow a Sons
4345 James B.Clow a Bons
4347 James B.Clow & Sons
4349 Frank A.Bremer & Son
4351 Mrs. Federwitz
4353 Arthur Wright
4355 L.J .chels
4357 C.Ladendorf
4359 Nagel Serv.Sta.
4361 Public Service Co
M 13 Des Plaines Journal
36.25 4288
4.38 4290
15.25 4292
17.90 4294
409.56 4296
12.75 4298
3.35 4300
34.07 4302
2.32 4304
7.20 4306
4.65 4308
34.00 4310
46.80 4312
2.98 4314
.92 4316
3.06 4318
35.00 4320
1.00 4322
36.55 4324
.544326
51.50 4328
4.40 4330
3.80 4332
79.20 4334
5.00 4336
14.25 4338
14.94 4340
17.20 4342
8.32 4344
10.50 4346
50.43 4348
9.3743 50
3.92 4352
2.43 4354
3.60 4356
.50 4358
3.90 4360
16.16 4362
8.90 M 14
Middle States Tel.Co.
Des Plaines Journal
Des Plaines Publ.Co
Les Plaines rubl.Co
A.'ennicott
Middle States Tel.Co
Hudson Serv.Sta.
Nielsen Studio
Drovers Journal Press
Middle States Tel.Co.
Middle States Tel.Co
Middle States Tel.Co
Public Service Co
Lien Chemical Co
Albert Ritter
Albert Ritter
Purnell & Weilson Inc
Eagle Signal Corp
Public Service Co
Middle States Tel.Co.
The Texas Co
Middle States Tel.Co
Union Linen Supply Co
Bert Sweeney
Anton Christson
A.Marinucci
Public Service Co
Union Linen Supply Co
Des Plaines Merc.Co
Axel D.Petterson
D P Publ.Co.
H.Hedegard
Donald Ray
Walter H.Richter
C.O.Edgerly
The Vaporine Co
S.S.White Dental Mfg.Co.
middle States Tel.Co
E.N.Fletcher
19.25
10.50
53.85
14.40
75.00
50.75
97.43
6.00
26.50
8.00
3.00
4.15
23.80
18.44
5.00
55.00
.88
54.69
48.49
9.00
4.40
3.30
3.00
30.00
7.35
10.50
4.80
3.00
2.26
15.75
15.75
4.47
3.97
.54
1.85
3.85
3.87
8.93
239.87
191
The motion was made by Alderman Johnson and seconded by Carroll to adopt this
proposed resolution. The Mayor put the question and the Clerk called the roll
with the following result: Ayes; aldermen Carroll, Johnson, Henrich, Loos,
Dopheide, Carlson, Friott, Lemke, Schwanbeck and Campagna. Nays; None. The
Mayor thereupon declared the motion carried and the said resolution adopted.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Each member of the Council having been supplied
with a copy of the minutes of the regular Council meeting held Tuesday, September
5, 1939, the motion was made by Alderman Lemke and seconded by Dopheide to approve
the said minutes as presented. The motion was voted upon by acclamation whereupon
the Mayor declared the motion carried and the said minutes approved.
ADJOURNMENT:jhe motion was made by «lderman Dopheide and seconded by Lemke
that the Council adjourn.The motion was voted upo y a m `on whereupon the mayor
declared the motion carried and the Council reg
EDGAR . . ►, r"� City Clerk