11/06/1939206
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DES
PLAINES HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON
NOVEMBER 6, 1939 AT THE HOUR OF 8:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Mayor Hobart
M. Ahbe, presiding, with Aldermen Carroll, Johnson, Loos, Dopheide, Carlson,
Friott, Lemke, Schwanbeck and Campagna responding to the roll call. (Alder-
man Henrich was absent during tilis roll call but arrived soon thereafter.)
The Clerk reported a quorum present.
REPORTS OF OFFICERS: The Clerk then submitted the following reports:
The report for October, 1)39 of E.J.Friedrich, City Clerk.
The report for October, 1939 of C.i.Larson, City Treasurer.
The Mayor ordered these reports placed on file.
THE JUDICLmRY & ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE had no report to offer.
THE POLICE & LICENSE COM'VMITTEE had no report to offer.
THE STREETS & SIDEWALKS COMMITTEE had no report to offer.
THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC 'FORKS, BUILDINGS & PLATS had no report to
offer.
THE SEWER, DRAINAGE & SANIT-'.TION COMMITTEE had no report to offer.
THE WATER COMMITTEE, through its chairman Alderman Lemke reported
that the oil line on the City well has developed a break, which will probably
make it necessary to "pull" the pump and supply water from the Norma Well.
He reported further that the Water Department is attempting to eliminate the
brown cloudy particle from the water by means of tri -sodium. (Alderman
Henrich arrived at t his point.)
THE FIRE COMMITTEE had no report to offer.
THE BAND COMMITTEE had no report to offer.
THE BUILDING INSPECTOR, Frank F. Scharringhausen, reported that building
permits totalling $46,000.00 were issued during October, 1939, and that the
total building permits for the entire calendar year 1939 will exceed $500,000.00.
REPAIR OF S00 LINE CROSSINGS: The Clerk then read the following
letter:
MINN. ST. PAUL & SLUT STE .IM,RIE RY. CO.
Stevens Point, Wis.
November 3, 1939
Mr. Edgar J. Friedrich,
City Clerk
Des Plaines, Illinois
Dear Sir:
This will acknowledge receipt of your letter of October 24th
in regard to various street crossings with the Wisconsin Central Railway
in the City of Des Plaines. It is unfortunate that this matter has been
delayed until this late date. However, it is our intention to make repairs
in the most satisfactory way considering weather conditions. At this time
we are placing black top at a number of places and experiencing great
difficulty in installing properly so as to get a good job. Consideration
has been given to installing blacktop on Oakland and Graceland Avenus, and
it is my recommendation that we postpone this work until next spring when
we can be sure of getting a first class job.
Our track forces have instructions now to raise the westbound
main track at Oakton Boulevard bringing it up level with the eastbound track
and renewing the present crossing in kind with 1007. new material. This
work will be started in the very near future and will guarantee a good job
207
on Oakton Boulevard. Track forces will also repair Lee Street crossing using
planks and renailing all loose planks. Oakland and Graceland Avenues will be
repaired in a manner so they will safely carry over until spring if this
meets with your approval at which time we will tear out the old plank cross-
ing and install blacktop. I would appreciate an expre_sion from you if our
proposed plans for this fall meet with your satisfaction.
Very truly yours,
Signed: A.J. CABLE,
Division Engineer.
The Clerk volunteered to write the Soo Line Railraod Company to proceed to
repair the crossings referred to, in such a manner as to make them safe for
the tinter and then thoroughly rebuild them in Spring.
DESIGNATING DEPOSITORIES FOR CITY FUNDS: The Clerk then read the
following proposed resolution:
RESOLUTION
WHERE S, the following duly designated Banks have furnished the
Cq City Council of the City of Des Plaines, Illinois, with copies of Bank
statements as furnished to the Comptroller of Currency and the Auditor of
Public Accounts as of 6/30/39 and 10/2/39,
d THE FIRST N:=.TIONL BANK OF DES PLAINES, ILLINOIS
THE NORTHERN TRUST COMPANY, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
BE IT RESOLVED, after consideration of these statements, the
Banks be continued as the Depositories for the Funds of Charles 14. Larson,
City Treasurer of the City of Des Plaines, Illinois.
The above is a correct copy of Resolution passed &.t a meeting
held on the day of A.D. 1939.
EDGAR J. F RIEDRICH, City Clerk
The motion was made by Alderman Henrich and seconded by Alderman Dopheide
to adopt this proposed resolution. The motion was voted upon by acclamation
whereupon the Mayor declared the motion carried and the resolution adopted.
RESIGNS FROI.L LIBRARY BOARD: The Clerk tliien read the following
letter:
Davenport, Iowa
Nov. 5, 1939
Honorable Mayor and City Council
Gentlemen:
As it is indefinite how long i will be away from Des Plaines, I
believe it will be to the best interests of the Library that I resign from
the Library Board.
It is a satisfaction to have had the opportunity to make a contrib-
ution during the past seven years, to an institution for Which I have such a
high regard.
I do not believe the Davenport Library which has sixty thousand
volumes has as solid a nucleous of recent and high grad non-fiction as the
Library. Thanking you, I am
-little Des Plaines
Very truly yours,
Signed: KENNETH W. DOWNING
The motion was made by Alderman Dopheide and seconded by Alderman Lemke to
accept this resignation with regrets. The motion was voted upon by acclama-
tion whereupon the Mayor declared the motion carried and the said resignation
accepted.
ELECTRIC CODE - SUGGEST AMNDMENTS: The Clerk then read the
following letter:
208
DES PLtiINES BUSINESS MEN'S ASS'N.
1490 Miner Street
Des Plaines
The Honorable Mayor and City Council,
Des Plaines, Illinois
Gentlemen:
Our organization is vitally interested inthe various ramifi-
cations of the new electrical ordinance. At our November directors
meeting tomorrow evening this matter will be the principal topic for
discussion.
We will report to your body our findings and recommendations
after this meeting. This issue is one that should be seriously considered.
from all angles before action is taken to make changes in the present
ordinance and our officers and directors will give it serious consideration
before making recommendations.
We want to thank Mayor Ahbe for his consideration in suggesting
that. we work with you in this matter.
Very truly yours,
Signed: T.S. SMITH, Sec.
The motion was made by Alderman Campagna and seconded by Alderman Henrich to
refer this letter to the Council meeting as a committee -of -the- whole on
Monday Evening, November 13, 1939 at 8:00 P.M. The motion was voted upon by
acclamation whereupon the Mayor declared the motion carried.
ACT TO RECOVER BACK TAXES: The Clerk then read the following
proposed resolution:
RESOLUTI ON
WHEREAS, it is deemed to be to the best interest of the City of Des
Plaines that a complete examination and surve, of the tax records of the County
Collector of Cook County should be made to determine whether or not all of
the moneys due the City of Des Plaines have been paid to it, and whether or
not there remain funds in the hands of the County Collector payable to the
said City,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Des
Plaines, Cook County, Illinois, that the firm of DOSLANDi CONNER & MAYFIELD
be and the same is hereby employed to examine and survey the tax records of
the County Collector of Cook County in order to determine whether or not all
of the tax collections for the tax year of 1937 and tax, years prior thereto
received by the County Collector have been remitted to the City of Des Plaines,
and to take such necessary steps as may be proper to recover any sums col-
lected by the County Collector of Cook County and not remitted to the said
City of Des Plaines, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor and City Clerk be and they
are hereby authorized and directed to enter into a contract employing the
firm of DOSLAND, CONFER & sAYFIELD to perform such services, and therein
agreeing to pay to them a contingent fee equal to an amount of twenty per
centum of the amount recovered for the City of Des Plaines; such fee to
include all necessary legal and accounting expenses and fees for work done
in connection therewith without any additional charge to the said Cit-, of
Des Plaines; such :.ork to be done entirely on a contingent basis.
ADOPTED by the City Council of the City
of Des t'lain+_ s ti,isday of
A.D. 1939.
City Clerk of the City of Des
Plaines, Cook County, Illinois.
The motion was made by Alderman Henrich and seconded by Alderman Campagna to
adopt this proposed resolution. The motion Has voted upon by acclamation
whereupon the Mayor declared the motion carried and the said resolution adopted.
ERECT SIGNS AT DANGEROUS INTERSECTIONS: Alderman Dopheide
then introduced the following proposed resolution which was read by the
Clerk:
RESOLUTI O N
WHEREAS a number of serious automobile traffic accidents have
recently occurred at the intersection of Wolf Road and Rand Rodd, causing
two deaths, five injuries and two claims for property damage, and
WHEREAS a number of similar serious accidents have occurred also
at the intersection of Dempster Street and Rand Road, a crossing which
hundreds of Maine Township High School students must cross several times
daily, and
209
WHEREAS frequent motor vehicle accidents have occurred at the
intersection of Touhy Avenue and Mannheim Road (LaGrange Rd) causing
the said crossing to be referred to as "Death Crossing", and
WHEREAS the physical conditions existing at the intersection, of
Rand Road and Golf Road are such as to constitute a traffic hazard,
which has caused a number of traffic accidents,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Des
Plaines that the State Highway Department be and the same is hereby re-
quested to provide and install large octagonal signs preceded at 100
feet by warning signs at the said intersection similar to those recently
installed at the intersection of Touhy Avenue and River Road, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Clerk be and he is hereby
instructed to forward to the State Highway Department a certified copy
of this resolution.
ADOPTED by the City Council of the
City of Des Plaines this day of
A.D. 1939.
EDGAR J. FRIEDRICH, City Clerk
The motion was made lgy Alderman Dopheide and seconded by Alderman Lemke
to adopt this proposed resolution. The motion was voted upon by accla-
mation whereupon the Mayor declared the motion carried and the resolu-
tion adopted.
SUGGEST "RIGHT -TURN ARROW" AT MINER ST. AT LEE STREET: Alder-
man Dopheide then introduced the following proposed resolution which
was read by the Clerk:
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS it appears that the safe flow of traffic at the inter-
section of Miner Street and Lee Street could be greatly improved by
means of the installation of a "turn -right on green arrow" unit in con-
nection with the Stop and Go traffic control unit located on the south
eastcorner of Miner Street and Lee Street, permitting a right turn on
green arrow for traffic coming eastward on Miner Street wishing to turn
south on Lee Street.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of
Des Plaines that the State Highway Department be and it is hereby requested
to provide and install the said unit, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Clerk be and he is hereby
instructed to forward a certified copy of this resolution to the State
Highway Department.
ADOPTED by the City Council of the City
of Des Plaines this day of
A.D. 1939.
EDGAR J. FRIEDRICH, City Clerk
The motion was made by Alderman Dopheide and seconded by Alder-
man henrich to adopt this proposed resolution. The motion was voted upon
by acclamation whereupon the Mayor declared the motion carried and the
said resolution adopted.
210
STREET TRAFFIC MARKING: After emphasizing the need for clear
marking of streets for traffic regulation the motion was made by Alderman
Dopheide and seconded by Alderman Henrich to refer the matter of street
marking to the Streets and Sidewalks committee. The motion was voted
upon by acclamation whereupon the Mayor declared the motion carried.
ORDINANCE PROHIBITING OVERCROWDING OF BUSSES: The motion was made
by Alderman Johnson and seconded by Alderman Loos to instruct the City Attorney to
prepare an ordinance prohibiting the overcrowding of busses. The motion was
voted upon by acclamation whereupon the Mayor declared the motion carried.
BOECKENHAUERCULVERT: The motion was made by Alderman Lopheide
and seconded by Alderman Johnson to refer the matter of providing a suitable
culvert to properly drain the farm of John Boeckenhauer, to the Sewer, Drainage
and Sanitation Committee for study and report. The motion was voted upon
by acclamation whereupon- the Mayor declared the motion carried.
PROPOSE WIDENING OF GRACELAND AVENUE: The motion was made by Alder-
man Johnson and seconded by Alderman Schwanbeck to instruct the City Engineer
to prepare the necessary plans, specifications and estimates for the widening
of Graceland Avenue by means of Motor Fuel Tax funds. The motion was voted
upon by acclamation whereupon the Mayor declared the motion carried.
REFUSE TO ELIMINATE DRIVEWAY: The motion was made by Alderman Loos
and seconded by Alderman Henrich to instruct the City Engineer to eliminate
the northmost driveway at the Pure Oil Service Station on Pearson Street at
Miner Street (the driveway first south of Thuey's Meat Market). The Mayor
put the question and the Clerk called the roll with the following result:
Ayes; Aldermen Henrich, Loos, Carlson, Dopheide and Friott. Nays; Aldermen
Carroll, Johnson, Lemke and Schwanbeck and Campagna. The Clerk announced the
vote to be a tie, whereupon Mayor Ahbe cast his vote as "Nay" and declared
the motion lost.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Each member having been supplied with a copy
of the minutes of the regular Council meeting held October 16, 1939 as well
as a copy of the minutes of the special Council meeting held October 30, 1939
the motion was made by Alderman Carroll and seconded by Alderman Friott to
approve the said minutes as written. The motion was voted upon by acclamation
whereupon the Mayor declared the motion carried and the said minutes approved.
APPROVAL OF BILLS: The Finance Committee through its chairman, Alder-
man Johnson then introduced a resolution approving bills and miscellaneous
wages. The motion was made by Alderman Henrich and seconded by Alderman Loos
to strike from the resolution the invoice of the Rock -Road Construction oo.
in the sum of $1,141.62 (shown on resolution as $1,041.62 in error). The
Mayor put the question on the' motion to strike and the Clerk called the roll
with the following result: Ayes; Aldermen Johnson, Henrich Loos, Dopheide,
Carlson, Friott, Lemke, Schwanbeck and Campagna. Nays; Alderman Carroll. The
Mayor thereupon declared the motion carried and the said item stricken.
The motion was then made by Alderman Johnson and seconded by
Alderman Carroll to adopt the said resolution with the aforesaid item stricken
therefrom and reading as follows:
RESOLVED THAT THE FOLLOWING BILLS
AND WAGES ARE DUE AND PAYABLE AND
THAT THE M YOR AND CITY CLERK BE
AUTHORIZED TO ISSUE PROPER VOUCHER
WARRANTS IN PAYMENT OF THE SAME.
4660 Middle States Tel. Co.
4662 Chas. M. Larson, Treas.
4664 Public Service Co.
4666 W.S. Darley & Co.
4668 Middle States Tel. Co.
4670 Doolittle & Flknr, Inc.
4672 Des Plaines Motor Sales
4674 Lagerhausen Lbr. & Coal
4676 Middle States T1.Co.
4677 Middle States Tl.Co.
4679 Arthur Rieck
4681 Middle States Tel. Co.
4683 Public Serv. Co.
4685 Meyer Coal & Mat'l. Co.
4687 Lewis Clinton
4689 Bert Sweeney
28.00 4661 Middle States
5.00 4663 Joe Divito
438.96 4665 A. Kennicott
60.51 4667 Frank A. Bremer & Son
38.60 4669 Walter C. Oehler & Co.
141.93 4671 Hacker's Serv. Station
30.57 4673 Pure Oil Prod. Co.
Co. 1.78 4675 The Wood Shop
7.50 4745 Lee St. Garage
3.00 4678 Frank Scharringhausen
109.22 4680 Frank A. Bremer & Son
9.90 4682 Wm. Radlein
30.77 4684 Lien Chemical Co.
12.19 4686 Chgo. Regional Plan Soc.
12.60 4688 Albert Ritter
12.50 4690 Purnell & Wilson, Inc.
Tel .
Co.
19.15
5.00
75.00
2.73
20.00
1.40
2.76
20.60
104.33
143.18
28.48
50.40
12.00
25.00
70.00
48.83
4691
4693
4695
4697
4699
4701
4703
4705
4707
4709
4711
4713
4715
4717
4719
4721
4723
4725
4727
4729
4731
4733
4735
4737
4739
4741
4743
iY-18
k,-20
Des Plaines Journal
City Clerk Petty Cash
riddle States Tel. Co.
Gaare Oil Co.
R.O. Sigwalt
Middle States Tel
Des Plaines Journal
Bert Sweeney
City Clerk Petty Cash
Pennsylvania Oil Co..
Public Service Co.
Union Linen Supply Co.
Pure Oil Prod. Co.
James B. Clow & Sons
Worthington Meter Co
James B. Clow & Sons
Addresograph Sales
Arthur U. Gehrke
Herbert Long
E.A. Shappi
Wm. Garritano
Wilbur Kurtz
Edward Horack
City Clerk Petty Cash
B.F. Kinder's Sons
Middle Sat Tel Co
4.80
1.56
7.45
9.00
16.50
3.50
6.00 4704
57.50 4706
.31 4708
14.94 4710
4.40 4712
1.50 4714
1.26 4716
16.15 4718
43.46 4720
13.27 4722
2.11 4724
5.00 4726
2.93 4728
1.17 4730
3.71 4732
2.84 4734
2.10 4736
.50 4738
8.55 4740
6.78 4742
211
4692 Public Service Company 46.33
4694-Ree#-Resd-6ene6rtle45ien-eav---1;94i763void
4696 Charles Dencker
4698 Koehler Bros. Serv. Sta.
4700 Union Linen oupply Co
4702 Public Service Co
Fred Kaufman
James Loeke
Merchants Chem. Co.
Public Service Co
Middle States Tel. Co.
b.v. Wells
Purnell & Wilson, Inc.
Pittsburgh Equit. Meter
Inland Supply Co
City Clerk Petty Cash
Des Plaines Journal, Inc.
Il1.Trans. Repair Co.
L.O. Taylor
Frank Seaman, Jr.
George Formella
'mmett Long
Ed Geisen
Des Plaines Merc. -o.
Public Service Co.
D P Vol Fire Dept
4744 Bd.Trustees Fire r'ens.Fund
M-19 Adam J. Schillo
Bd.Trustees PolPens.Fund 71.78
Des Plaines Journal 9.30
Milburn Bros. 9,349.01
10.00 j
47.27
1.50
2.84
57.60
22.50
32.88
900.90
17.20
20.00
2.72
155.74
145.88
20.06
8.50
4.50
5.00
3.12
3.33
2.86
28.40
2.06
19.76
158.22
83.77
118.00
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.
ADJOUREME_1: The motion was made by alderman Lemke and seconded by
Alderman Carlson to adjourn. The motion was voted upon by acclamation whereupon
the iayor declared the motion carried and the Council regularly adjourned.
EDGAR A "50' -CH, City Clerk