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01/17/1944ADJOURNMENT: The motion was made by Alderman Lemke and seconded by Vavrinek to adjourn. The motion was voted upon by acclamation, whereupon the Mayor declared the motion carried and the Council regularly adjourned. EDGAR J. FRIEDRICH, City Clerk MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DES PLAINES HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS, MONDAY, JANUARY 17, 1944 AT 8:00 P. M. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Mayor Charles H. -Garland presiding with Aldermen Johnson, Napieralski, Vavrinek, Kehe, Scharringhausen, Lemke, McKay, Campagna and Hal- verson responding to the -roll -call. (Alderman Pflughaupt was absent during this roll -call°, but he arrived later during the meeting.) The Clerk reported nine (9) aldermen present. REPORTS OF OFFICERS: The Clerk then read the reports for December, 1943, of the following: Edgar J. Friedrich, City Clerk Harold J. Ahbe, City Treasurer The Mayor ordered these reports placed on file. ANNUAL REPORT OF LIBRARY BOARD: The Clerk then read the fol- lowing report: Report for 1943 545 new books added. 502 new borrowers in 1943. Total circulation for year 66,389. • • Call for books of non-fiction dealing with the war exceeded all other demands, while books dealing with international politics shared second place with technical books and victory garden books in popularity. Atlas folios were consulted more in 1943 than in any ten preceding years. Public interest in China and India is growing. Books on Russia have been rising in demand while books on Latin America found decreasing readers. • New reference books: Who's Who, World Almanac, Encyclopedia Brittaniea, World Book, Lincoln Library of Essential Information - Des Plaines Public Library erected 1906. Andrew Carnegie gave $5,000. to build -library. Library rebuilt 1937. Moved in August, 1937. Approximately•9,500 volumes including books on Philosophy, Re- ligion, Economics, Languages, Science, Engineering, Gardening, Animals, Art, Literature, History, Biography, Travel. Subscriptions to 48 magazines. Library offers special service to clubs or any study group wishing to borrow books for an extended length of time. Books may be borrowed for one month at a time during vacation periods. Des Plaines schools borrow books for an extended period. Library offers special service of borrowing from State library any non-fiction book which is not owned by Des Plaines Library. Personnel includes Mrs. Elsie Earle, Mrs. George Cook, Ione Currier. Hours open to public: 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. week -days .. 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays The Mayor ordered the said report placed on file. 213 214 REJECT BOECKENHAUER OFFER: The Clerk then read the following report: COMMITTEE REPORT To the Chairman of the Finance committee, at the meeting of the City Council, held January 3, 1944, the following matter was re- ferred to your committee: Letter of John H. and Esther Boeckenhauer, under date of January 3, 1944, relative to Thacker Street City Clerk. Des Plaines, Illinois, January 17, 1944. To the Mayor and City Council: Your Committee on Finance has investigated the above.. _We, your Committee on Finance, therefore recommend: that the offer be rejected.... H.J.Kehe, co-chairman Signed, Committee, The motion was made by Alderman Lemke and seconded by Napieralski to concur in this report. The motion was voted upon by acclamation, whereupon the Mayor declared the motion carried, the report concurred in, and the said offer rejected. APPROVAL OF BILLS: The Finance Committee through its Vice - Chairman, Alderman Itehe, then introduced the following proposed resolution: RESOLVED THAT THE FOLLOWING BILLS ARE DUE AND PAYABLE AND THAT THE MAYOR AND CITY CLERK BE HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO DRAW THE PROPER VOUCHERS IN PAYMENT OF THE SAME. 14458 Des Plaines Agency,hc 188.88 14460 Nagel Sales & Service 5.41 14462 DesPlaines Motor Sales122.34 14464 Meyer Coal & Mater. Co.83.51 14466 Johnson's 17.47 14468 Westfield Motor Sales 2.00 14469 Pub. Serv. of N. I11. 22.95 14471 John Kray 7.00 14473 Prairie -Lee Paint Store 9.35 14475 Lagerhausen Lbr & Coal 3.59 14477 James Vlastnick 5.00 14479 Marblehead Lime Co. 107.60 14481 Lagerhausen Lbr & Coal 9.18 14483 Lake Cook Farm Supply 5.10 14485 James B. Clow Sons 34.24 14487 Harold Petterson 5.00 14488 H. O. Tibbetts . 14.28 14491 Auto Parts of D.P. 1.02. 14493 Harold Petterson 1.60 14495 Walter Lagerhausen 200.00 Fund 14498 Brd. of Tr.Fire.Pens/ 50.54 14503 14504 Zephyr Cafe 6.76 14459 14461 14463 14465 14467 14496 14470 14472 14474 14476 1.478 14480 14482 14484 14486 14489 14490 1/492 14494. 14497 Void Hess Tire & Battery Serv. 10.20 C. H. Hanson Co. 12.00 Hartless-Austin Linen & Towel Supply Co. 1.65 Axel Petterson 30.00 Hess Tire & Bat. Serv. 10.05 H. Burmeister 5.00 Prairie -Lee Paint Store 1.79 Spiegler's 2.55 Lagerhausen Lbr & Coal 5.02 Harold Petterson 12.00 Lagerhausen Lbr & Coal 12.44 Walter W. Held Co. 1.07 Johnson's 28.33 Lagerhausen Lbr & Coal 4.39 Hess Tire & Bat. Serv. 13.70 DesPlaines Motor Sales 6.32 Seagrave Corp. 1.50 Nagel Sales & Service 16.84 Brd. of Tr. Police Pens. Fund 63.65 DesPlaines Cafe 10.04 The motion was made by Alderman Kehe and seconded by Campagna that the said proposed resolution be adopted. The Mayor put the question and the Clerk called the roll with the following result: Ayes; Aldermen Johnson, Napieralski, Vavrinek, Kehe, Scharringhausen, Lemke, McKay, Campagna, and Halverson. Nays; None. The Mayor thereupon declared the motion carried and the said resolution adopted. DEFER ACTION ON TAXI RATE ORDINANCE: The Clerk then read for second reading a proposed ordinance entitled: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTIONS 614 AND 615 OF ARTICLE II OF CHAPTER 17 0' THE REVISED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF DES PLAINES 1928,. AND AMENDING ARTICLE II OF CHAPTER 17 BY ADDING THERETO SECTION 621-a. The Clerk also read the following letters pertaining to the said pro- posed ordinance: Des Plaines, City Council. Des Plaines, I11. Jan. 15, 1944. LETTERS PERTAINING TO DiFltt ACTION ON TAXI RATE ORDINANCE DISCUSSION (CONT'p.) Dear Sir's _ Our organization is interested in the proposed taxi cab rates in Des Plaines. After a survey of`the surrounding towns in the suburban territory we are of the opinion.that the proposed ordinance will place the rates higher than in other communities included in the survey. This would cause a hardship on the citizens who are forced to the taxi cabs . We wish to go on record as proposing the following. 1. Taxi cab rates be based on zones. 2. The radiating point would be the taxi cab stand at Center and Ellinwood. 3. a. First zone to be one mile radius from the stand maximum rate 25¢ per passenger. b. Second zone to be two mile radius from the stand maximum rate 35# per passenger. c. Third zone to be three mile radius from the stand maximum rate 46¢ per passenger. 4. Children under 12 years will ride free when accompanied ty an adult. This proposal we believe will eliminate much of the controversy as to extra passengers etc. The Des Plaines Home Owners Ass oc. Ralph C. Anderson Committee Chairman City Council Des Plaines, Illinois. Sir's Jan. 16, 1944. A suggebtion regarding the proposed taxi cab ordinance is that the only fair rate is one based on zones. We are now farted to use group riding which can't be fair while the meter system is used. The zone rates should be based on the per passenger rate. If two passengers riding to the same zone they must each pay the zone rate that they have entered. If there are two or more passengers each passenger pays for the zone they are discharged in rbgardless of what zone the cab has already been in. I propose the following rates and zones, the zones radiating point to be the cab stand. Zone one 200 one-half mile radius. Zone two 25¢ one mile radius. Zone three 30¢ one and one-half mile radius. Zone four 35¢ two nille radius. Zone five 40¢ two and one-half mile radius. Zone six 45¢ three mile radius. At the first reading the above might sound complicated but after a study I believe it would be fairer to 'have small zones and have a passenger rate to eliminate the extra passenger controversy that seems to be the chief trouble. The -above rate I believe will give the cab companies a substantial increase in revenue but will be welcome by the citizens of Des Plaines over the rate they are now forced to pay. Sincerely Harvey Schapanaki December 17, 1943 City Council Des Plaines, Illinois Gentlemen: We wish to go on record as being definitely against the proposed ordinance on taxi cab rates. It is our opinion that we, in the outlying section of town, are being made to carry the brunt of the increase in rates. 215 216 LETTERS ON TAXI RATE ORDINANCE (CONT'D.) Regardless of the reports of surveys made as to average prices, the fact remains that sixty-five and seventy-five cent fares are being paid even when riding alone. Additional passengers bring up the fare to where the increase over old rates is one hundred per cent. Rates cannot fairly be compared to those of Chicago cabs where such transportation is more of a convenience than a necessity. Resi- dents in this area do not hire taxicabs as a convenience, but as a necessity due to the lack of other transportation at odd hours. We repeat again that we feel the rates are unfair and that the proposed ordinance should -be defeated. Yours very truly, CUMBERLAND TERRACE CIVIC CLUB James W. Bauer Secy. '43 an/ie • The motion was made by Alderman Jbhnson and seconded by Scharringhausen that the said proposed ordinance be passed. However the motion was made by Alderman McKay and seconded by Lemke to refer the said proposed ord inane to the Committee on Public Protection for study and recom- mendation. The motion to commit was voted upon by acclamation, whereupon the Mayor declared the motion carried and the said proposed ordinance referred to the Committee on Public Protection. TESTIMONIIL RESOLUTION = ROLLAND PAGEL: The Clerk then read the.following proposed resolution: TESTIMONIAL RESOLUTION FOR ROLLAND PAGEL. WHEREAS, Rolland Pagel has been employed in the Sanitation Department of the City of Des Plaines for many years last past, and has rendered faithful, efficient and loyal service; and WHEREAS, the said Rolland Pagel has, tendered his resignation because of an opportunity to better himself; now, therefore, BE IT` RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DES PLAINES, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS: SECTION 1. T hat the City Council regrets the resignation of Rolland Pagel who has rendered faithful, efficient and loyal service for many years last past while employed in the Sanitation department of the City of Des Plaines, Illinois. SECTION 2. That the City Council testifies to his loyalty, efficiency and faithfulnes s and gladly recommends him to his new employer. SECTION 3. That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Rolland Pagel in tribute to his service to the City of Des Plaines. SECTION 4. That this resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and approval. The motion was lade by Alderman Napieralski and seconded by Campagna to adopt the said proposed resolution. The motion was voted upon by ac., clamation, whereupon the Mayor declared the motion carried and the said resolution adopted. PLANNING ASSISTANCE OFFERED BY STATX: The Clerk then read the following letter: January 5, 1944 Mayor and City Council City of Des Plaines Des Plaines, Illinois Gentlemen: In 1929 the State Legislature adopted the Motor Fuel Tax Law which provides for a tax on the privilege of 'operating motor vehicles upon the public highways based upon the consumption of motor fuel and further provides that these funds are to be distributed between the State, the various Counties and municipalities within the State. LETTER ON PLANNING ASSISTANCE OFFERED BY STATE (eONT'D.) Since that time the municipalities have used the funds allotted to them for the construction and maintenance of arterial streets and State highways within the various municipalities. I believe, in general, these funds have been spent wisely and economically. The law provides that the expenditure of these funds shall be under the supervision of the State Highway Department and I feel sure that I am expressing the sentiment of the Department when I express my thanks and appreciation for the cooperation of the municipalities in the past. At the present time road construction is rather limited due to the war restrictions, but many of -you undoubtedly are thinkingcf and planning the work which you propose to do after the present emergency is over. Our Department has the same thought in mind and would appreciate the opportunity to work with you in the preparation of your planning program. We believe that it would be sound policy for each municipality to prepare a four of five year program, based upon its anticipated al- lotment of Motor Fuel Tax Funds. We believe the adoption of a pro- gram of this sort would permit the planning of integrated improvements that fit in with one another and, in addition, it would be possible to,correlate the programs of the various municipalities with the programs of the County and State Highway Departments. With this thought in mind, I would appreciate your consideration of the preparation of a program of this kind. As a suggestion, pos- sibly you would wish to appoint a committee to formulate such a pro- gram. After the program has been tentatively set, we would appreciate an opportunity to sit with your committee and possibly correlate your program with the programs of other municipalities, the County and the State. If you so desire, we would gladly arrange to have a represent- ative meet with your committee during the preparation of the tentative program. In any case, I would appreciate your comments and suggestions relative to the adoption of a program of this kind in your municipality. Yours very truly, O. H. Apple District Engineer Mayor Garland referred the said letter to the Municipal Development Committee. OPEN CROSSWALK AT C.& N.W.STATION: The Clerk then read the following letter: January 7, 1944. - Mayor Charlie Garland, . & Members of the City Council, Des Plaines, I11. Gentlemen: • At a special meeting held Jan. 4th, in the City Hall, for the purpose of studying further, the possibilities of improving on the hazzards that exist at the crosswalk facing the C.&N.W. Depot, the following motion was carried: "WA recommend to the City Council to leave the gate closed until . the next regular meeting of the Traffic Commission, Jan. 25th, 1944, at which time, if the gate is opened, other safety measures may be installed for the protection of the Public." We wish to say further that two representatives of the Chicago & North- western Railway Company, were present at this meeting, and they el- pressed rpressed their willingness to co-operate with us. They also aim to supply plans for further.improvement, at our next meeting. Respectfully yours, Des Plaines Traffic Commisskon. V. L. Spiegler,.Secretary. Mayor Garland reported that he requested the C. & N.W. Railroad Co. to open the crosswalk and that the railroad complied with his request and opened the same. He further reported that the Chief of Police has been ordered to station a patrolman at the crosswalk until such time as 217 218 OPEN CROSSWALK AT C. & N.W. STATION (CONT'D.) proper warning signals are installed. The motion was made by Alderman McKay and seconded by Campagna to concur in the action taken_by the Mayor with respect to the said crosswalk. The motion was voted upon by acclamation whereupon the Mayor declared the motion carried. APPOINTS COMMITTEE FOR APPROVING CUMBERLAND TERRACE INSTALLATION: In accordance with a motion passed SEWER Mayyor Garland appointed the following commission to inspect the Cumberland Terrace Sewer installation, before releasing Construction Company from its bond: City's Representative. -.Sam Atkins, Chairman Cumberland Terrace Representative --Stanley Redmer Contractor's Representative --Felix Obi and approve the Orfei The motion was made by Alderman Johnson and seconded by Lemke that the said appointment be confirmed. The motion was voted upon by acclamation, whereupon the Mayor declared the motion carried and the said appointments confirmed. (Note: At this time Alderman Pflughaupt arrived and took his seat.) ,SUGGEST RIVER BEAUTIJICATIOg AS POST -YAR PROJECT: The Public Relations Committee through its chairman, Alderman Napieralski,then submitted the following letter: August 2, 1943 Mr• Henry J. Kehe, Chairman Municipal Development Committee Municipal Building Des Plaines, Illinois Dear Mr. Kehe: I assume by the title you bear as head of the Municipal Development Committee that the subject matter of this letter is properly referred to you. For many years past, I have been active in getting the Des. Plaines River cleaned up and have been active in inducing the Forest Preserve District and the Division of Waterways of Illinois to take definite steps toward the construction of dams in the river so as to provide navigation for outboard motor boats which would be a great asset to our community as well as the forest preserves which line the river. I have just recently been informed by the Division of Waterways of the State of Illinois that it is proposed to construct ten.dams. Four of these dams will be constructed immediately after the close of the war. These dams will be constructed so that the water at the foot of each dam will be about two feet in depth. One of the dams listed for cone struction immediately after the war is to be placed at Oakwood Avenue. Itis my thought in the matter that it would be more satisfactory if a dam could be constructed at about Oakton Street so as to provide a fairly deep level of water north from Oakton Street to at least Rand Bridge. With the dam so located, this would assure fine navigable water for summer sports and make for better freezing of the water in the winter and thus provide better skating for the Des Plaines citizens. I might also add that it is contemplated to construct these dams so that one portion thereof will be at an incline whereby rollers will be built for the convenience of transferring boats over the dams. If the Municipal Development Committee is interested in this subject as I think it should be and feel as I do with regard to not having a dam located at Oakwood Avenue, but having it located further south than Oakwood. Avenue, then I think the Council should take some action of expressing its feelings in the matter to the Division of Water- ways, 201 West Monroe Street, Springfield, Illinois. I think it also would be well for the Council to suggest its hearty endorsement to the Division of Waterways of the plan to improve the Des Plaines River. 219 POST-WAR RIVER BEAUTIFICATION SUGGESTION (CONT'D.) Very few persons in Des Plaines are aware of a natural asset which for so many years has been terribly mistreated. Trusting your committee and the Council as a whole will take an interest in the subject matter of this letter and offering my assistance t you in any way possible, I am Very truly yours, KGM:vk Kenneth G. Meyer The motion was made by Alderman Napieralski and seconded by Pflughaupt authorize and direct the Public Relations Committee to negotiate with the State of Illinois, Division of Waterways, and to take suojt other steps as it may deem necessary to beautify the Des Plaines River. _The motion was voted upon by acclamation, whereupon the Mayor de- clared the motion carried. ALFINI'S RESUBDIVISION PLAT APPROVED: The Clerk then submitted a final plat, bearing the approval of the Plan Commission and entitled: ALFINI'S RESUBDIVISION of Lots 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58 and 59 (Except that part of Lots 28, 29, 56 and 57 heretofore dedicated for the opening of Wolf Road in Cherry Highlands Second Addition, being a subdivision of the S. of Blocks 41, 49 and 50 and Block 51 in Des Plaines Manor Tract No. 3, a subdivision -of that -part of the S.E4,of Section 18, Township 41 North, Range 12 East of the 3rd Principal Meridian lying South and East of the Chicago and North Western Railway Company's lands, except parts of aforesaid Blocks heretofore conveyed for the opening of Rose Ave. and Thacker St. The motion was made by Alderman Johnson and seconded by Lemke that the Council approve the said proposed plat. The motion was voted upon by acclamation, whereupon the Mayor declared the motion carried and the said plat approved. DES PLAINES LEADS ALL CHICAGO SUBURBS IN BUILDING DURING 1943: Alderman Pflughaupt then quoted the following paragraph from the Real Estate page of the Chicago Sunday Tribune of January 16, 1943: "Des Plaines led all suburbs in home building last year with 332 dwellings, costing $1,575,914. Cicero was second with 197, at $987.040. ,Brookfield was third, with 180, at $855,047. Bell- wood and Melrose Park followed with 174 and 150, respectively. Broadview had 132 and Park Ridge 126." REQUEST C. & N.W. PREVENT SCATTERING OF STRAW: The motion was made by Alderman Johnson and seconded by Napieralski to instruct the Clerk to write a letter to the C. & N.I. Railroad Company vigorously protesting against the blowing of straw from its team track. The motion was voted upon by acclamation, whereupon the Mayor declared the motion carried. , SUGGESTS RESURFACING AtTERIAL STREETS: The motion was made by Alderman Johnson and seconded by Napieralski to refer the matter of resurfacing the City's arterial streets (especially Graceland Avenue north of Miner Street) to the Committee on Streets and Sani- tation. The motion was voted upon by acclamation, whereupon the Mayor declared the motion carried. ORDER RECONDITIONING OF FIRE HYDRANTS: The motion was made by Alderman Johnson and seconded by McKay to instruct the Superintendent of Water, Sewers and Public Buildings to have an inspection made of all fire hydrants and see to it that all fire hydrants in the City are in good working order. The motion was voted upon by acclamation, where- upon the Mayor declared the motion carried. 220 SUGGESTS CONDEMNING PARTLY BURNED BUILDING: The motion was made by -Alderman Halverson and seconded by Pflughaupt to refer the mat- ter of condemning the small residence in Riverview recently partially destroyed by fire, to the Fire Marshall and the Health Inspector. The motion was voted upon by acclamation, whereupon the Mayor declared the motion carried. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Each member of the Council having been supplied a copy of the minutes of the special council meeting held Thursday, December 30, 1943, as well as a copy of the minutes of the regular Council meeting held Monday, January 3, 1944, the motion was made by Alderman Lemke and seconded by Vavrinek that the said minutes be approved. The motion was voted upon by acclamation, whereupon the Mayor declared the motion carried and the said minutes approved. ADJOURNMENT: The motion was made by Alderman Johnson and seconded by Lemke to adjourn. The motion was voted upon by acclamation, whereupon the Mayor declared the mo on i and the Council reg- ularly adjourned. ED CH, City Clerk. MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DES PLAINES HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7,• 1944 at 8:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Mayor Charles H. Garland presiding, with Aldermen Johnson, Napieralski, Pflughaupt, Vavrinek, Kehe, Scharringhausen, Lemke, McKay, • Campagna, and Halverson responding to the roll call. The Clerk reported all members of the Council present. SIGWALT VS. CITY, CASEJ44-S-676: The Clerk then read the following letter: February 7, 1944. Mayor and City Council, Des Plaines, Illinois. Gentlemen: The City of Des Plaines, together with Harold J. Ahbe as City. Collector, myself as City Attorney and others were served with summons: in an action entitled "Sigwalt Co., vs. City of Des Plaines, etal, Superior Court case No. 44 S 676, praying for injunction to restrain the City and the County collector from collecting the first four installments of Special Assessment Warrant No. 62694, it being alleged that they had been cancelled. The treasurer's books show that the first four installments of said assessment were cancelled as payment under condemnation for land taken at the time of the improvement. Since the install- ments were cancelled, there was no interest, penalty or costs Attach to said four installments. I filed an answer on behalf of the City, Mr. Ahbe and myself, admitting the cancellation of the first four installments, but denying that any attempt is being made to collect any portion of said installments. The States Attorney filed answer on behalf of himself and the County Clerk and County Treasurer, who were also parties defendant. The matter came on for a hearing this morning, and the court entered a decree awarding an injunction to restrain us from col- lecting, or attempting to collect any principal, interest, penalty or costs on the first four installments, and further ordered that the City.Collector so mark his books. Your approval of my action in this matter will be appreciated. Very truly yours, (Signed) Frank M. Opeka FMO:S City Attorney.