MINUTES OF THE 1,315TH MEETING OF

                                         CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORTHLAKE

                                                   HELD ON MONDAY MAY 21, 2007

The regular meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M.  Mayor Sherwin asked everyone to stand for the pledge of allegiance.  Mayor Sherwin called for the roll.

ROLL CALL:

PRESENT:                                 ALDERMAN STRAUBE, FELDMANN, DELGADO, PADILLA, NESSLING, REISTERER, GROCHOWSKI AND PATTI

OTHERS PRESENT:                  JOANNE FLOISTAD, CITY CLERK

                                                  FRED PAUL, TREASURER

                                                  NORM NISSEN, DEPUTY CHIEF OF POLICE

                                                  WILLIAM KABLER, FINANCE DIRECTOR

                                                  DALE ROBETS, SUPERINTENDANT OF PUBLIC WORKS

                                                  MIKE MCGRATH, CITY ATTORNEY

Mayor Sherwin presented the minutes of the regular meeting held on May 7, 2007.  Alderman Patti made a motion to accept the minutes of the regular meeting held on May 7, 2007; seconded by Alderman Delgado.  Mayor Sherwin asked if there were any additions or corrections.    Mayor Sherwin called for a voice vote.  All were in favor.

MOTION TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE MAY 7, 2007

CITY COUNCIL MEETING CARRIED

appointments/RE-APPOINTMENTS:  none

 PRESENTATIONS:

Alderman Feldmann made a motion to pay the warrants and vouchers if and when the funds become available; seconded by Alderman Patti.  Mayor Sherwin called for the roll.

  ROLL CALL:   

                AYES:                          ALDERMAN STRAUBE, FELDMANN, DELGADO, PADILLA, NESSLING, RIESTERER, GROCHOWSKI AND PATTI

                NAYS:                          NONE

MOTION TO PAY THE WARRANTS AND

VOUCHERS CARRIED

REPORTS OF THE STANDING COMMITTEES:

Alderman Patti said that the Public Safety Committee met on May 9, 2007 at 6:00 p.m.  The committee discussed the collections boxes found at Farmer’s Best and other locations around town.  People have been going through the boxes and leaving a mess around the boxes.  The committee suggested some type of chute be used so that people cannot crawl inside to remove any articles.  The committee made a decision to require a $25.00 permit for all collection boxes.  The permit will have ownership information.  A fine structure was recommended.  The first offense would be a $100.00 fine, the second offense would be a $350.00 fine and the third offense would be removal of the box.  The committee would like the city attorney to draft an ordinance establishing these measures. 

Next, they discussed unlicensed vehicles at the Grand Avenue apartments.  Chief Koletsos took pictures.  Alderman Patti said that according to the pictures, it was very clean behind the building.  As far as they are concerned, the issue is closed. 

The committee discussed tree branches being piled too high that create an obstruction of vision for motorists.  They are recommending an amendment be made to an existing ordinance or drafting a new ordinance. 

Speeding cars and motorcycles on the 200 block of Country Club was discussed. Chief Koletsos said that he would put the speed radar on the block.  Mayor Sherwin said it is not working on Armitage.

The committee recommended that permits be required for all parades.  This would be free of charge.  This would be beneficial for the police department in planning traffic patterns and overtime. 

Alderman Patti is the Chairman; Rick Riesterer is the Vice Chairman.  The committee will be a four panel with Alderman Nessling, Alderman  Riesterer, Alderman Grochowski and Alderman Patti.  Starting August 1, 2007 they plan on moving the meeting to the first Wednesday of the month. 

Alderman Patti made a motion to approve the report of the Public Safety meeting; seconded by Alderman Riesterer.  Mayor Sherwin called for a voice vote.  All were in favor.

Mayor Sherwin talked about starting some “soft” enforcement for the tree branches.  Branches should not be out until one week before the scheduled pick up.  Mayor Sherwin suggested a letter reminding the residents of this. 

Mayor Sherwin said that Com Ed took all the lights down at Kahl Park.  The engineers contacted Com Ed to advise them of our lighting project and to find out if there would be any cost associated with the removal of the lights.  Com Ed just went ahead and removed the lights.

We told Com Ed to put some of the lights back.  A letter will be sent to the area residents informing them of what happened. 

Mayor Sherwin said the greenway will be replanted starting on May 24, 2007 with more tolerant plants to an urban setting. 

Mayor Sherwin wanted a consensus as to the closing time for the parks.  It was agreed to be 9:30 p.m.  Dale Roberts will erect signs at all the parks.  This will not include Centerpoint and the dog park. 

UNFINSHED BUSINESS:

Mayor Sherwin brought up the Police Station Expansion.  Originally, the plan was to put an addition on to our current building.  The church, located next door, came to us after the referendum was passed and said they were interested in selling.    The church has not reached a conclusion as to if they want to sell to us.  We purchased another house behind us, leaving two houses in between.  We started discussing the costs of renovating the church building and renovating this building.  We also looked into building a new police station on Gayle.  We would leave the gun range, workout room and storage here. 

We have three scenarios; one would be just a police station, second would be a building that would be built to accept a second floor and the third would be to build a second floor as a shell.

Mayor Sherwin referred to the packet memo which listed costs.  The second floor really put the project out of reach at this point.  Our concern is that we would get in to these renovations and not have enough money to finish the project.  Mayor Sherwin said this will be discussed in executive session.

A discussion took place regarding the costs for these projects. 

NEW BUSINESS:

Mayor Sherwin opened up the discussion to the public.

George Hainault of 19 Wiltse Drive spoke.  He said that Chief  Koletsos spoke to him and told him that the city would be responsible for putting the dirt, grass and driveway back after installing a drain pipe.  This has not been done.  Mayor Sherwin said that sidewalks will be started in June.  Mr. Hainault stated the ground needs to be evened out so he can mow.  Mayor Sherwin said that we will level it out.     

Alderman Straube made a motion to go into Executive Session at 7:20; seconded by Alderman Delgado.  Mayor Sherwin called for a voice vote.  All were in favor.

MOTION TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION CARRIED

After returning from executive session at 7:42, Mayor Sherwin asked for a motion to approve and accept the personnel and collective bargaining agreement.  Alderman Patti made a motion; seconded by Alderman Straube.  Mayor Sherwin called for the roll.

  ROLL CALL:   

                AYES:                          ALDERMAN STRAUBE, FELDMANN, DELGADO, PADILLA, NESSLING, RIESTERER, GROCHOWSKI AND PATTI

                NAYS:                          NONE

MOTION TO APPROVE THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING

AGREEMENT CARRIED

There being no further business, Alderman Straube made a motion to adjourn; seconded by Alderman Riesterer.  Mayor Sherwin called for a voice vote.  All were in favor. 

MOTION TO ADJOURN CARRIED

MEETING ADJOURNED AT 7:45 P.M.

RESPECTULLY SUBMITTED,

JOANNE FLOISTAD, CITY CLERK