City of Darien City Council met May 2.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
1. CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Darien was called to order at 7:30 P.M. by Mayor Marchese.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Marchese led the Council and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. ROLL CALL — The Roll Call of Aldermen by Clerk Ragona was as follows:
Present: Thomas J. Belczak
Thomas M. Chlystek
Eric K. Gustafson
Mary Coyle Sullivan
Lester Vaughan
Absent: Joseph A. Kenny
Ted V. Schauer
Also in Attendance: Joseph Marchese, Mayor
JoAnne E. Ragona, City Clerk
Michael J. Coren, City Treasurer
Bryon Vana, City Administrator
Gregory Thomas, Police Chief
Daniel Gombac, Director of Municipal Services
4. DECLARATION OF A QUORUM – There being five aldermen present, Mayor Marchese declared a quorum.
5. QUESTIONS, COMMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS – GENERAL
Mary O’Dowd expressed her satisfaction with LRS, new waste and recycling service. She thanked the City of Darien and LRS for saving her money, making life easier and for promoting domestic tranquility.
6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – April 18, 2022
It was moved by Alderwoman Sullivan and seconded by Alderman Belczak to approve the minutes of the City Council Meeting of April 18, 2022.
Roll Call: Ayes: Belczak, Chlystek, Gustafson, Sullivan, Vaughan
Nays: None
Absent: Kenny, Schauer
Results: Ayes 5 Nays 0, Absent 2
MOTION DULY CARRIED
7. RECEIVING OF COMMUNICATIONS
Alderwoman Sullivan received an email from the Mueller Family expressing concern over the shooting incident that occurred April 23 on I55 and the need for a sound wall.
Mayor Marchese acknowledged receipt of beautiful card from Downers Grove South thanking him for attending two government classes and participating in panel discussions.
8. MAYORS REPORT
There was no report.
9. CITY CLERK’S REPORT
There was no report.
10. CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
There was no report.
11. DEPARTMENT HEAD INFORMATION/QUESTIONS
A. POLICE DEPARTMENT
Chief Thomas provided Police Department updates that included:
• New Personnel
o Two new Community Service Operators: Dave Wiggins (5/24/21) and Jade Niedzwiedz (8/18/21).
o Two new Officers: Officer Christopher Oplawski (1/18/21) and Officer Kris Dlugopolski (11/15/21). Officer Dlugopolski was pinned by Bernadette Maka; she was presented with flowers.
• Retirement of Sergeant William Greenaberg (1/21/22) – reviewed highlights from his 26 dedicated years of service to the Darien Community.
• Promotion of Sergeant Geoff Kosieniak (1/22/22) who replaced Sergeant Greenaberg.
• Acknowledged Awards: Thirty-three Letters of Appreciation, eleven Letters of Commendation, (4) Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorist Awards to Officers Jairala, Somogye, Noga, and Hruby. Officer Cachro received Lifesaving Award for his quick lifesaving efforts.
• Expressed condolences to Officer Hruby and his family on the passing of K9 Niko in January 2022.
• Annual Report which included: Total Crime, Case Dispositions, Roadway Crashes, Citizen Generated Calls for Service.
Chief Thomas played videos involving a vehicle carjacked at gunpoint and car accidents. He addressed Council questions regarding license plate reader, retail theft and DNA.
B. MUNICIPAL SERVICES – NO REPORT
12. TREASURER’S REPORT
A. WARRANT NUMBER 21-22-25
It was moved by Alderwoman Sullivan and seconded by Alderman Vaughan to approve payment of Warrant Number 21-22-25 in the amount of $262,131.94 from the enumerated funds for a total to be approved of $262,131.94.
Roll Call: Ayes: Belczak, Chlystek, Gustafson, Sullivan, Vaughan
Nays: None
Absent: Kenny, Schauer
Results: Ayes 5, Nays 0, Absent 2
MOTION DULY CARRIED
B. WARRANT NUMBER 22-23-01
It was moved by Alderman Belczak and seconded by Alderman Vaughan to approve payment of Warrant Number 22-23-01 in the amount of $34,892.62 from the enumerated funds and $261,954.71 from payroll funds for the period ending 04/21/22 for a total to be approved of $296,847.33.
Roll Call: Ayes: Belczak, Chlystek, Gustafson, Sullivan, Vaughan
Nays: None
Absent: Kenny, Schauer
Results: Ayes 5, Nays 0, Absent 2
MOTION DULY CARRIED
13. STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS
Administrative/Finance Committee – Chairwoman Sullivan announced the Administrative/Finance Committee meeting is scheduled for June 6, 2022 at 6:00 P.M. She stated the Economic Development Committee meeting is scheduled for May 5, 2022 at 7:00 P.M.
Municipal Services Committee – Chairman Belczak announced the Municipal Services Committee meeting is scheduled for May 23, 2022 at 6:00 P.M.
Police Committee – Administrator Vana announced the Police Committee meeting is scheduled for May 16, 2022 at 6:00 P.M. in the Police Department Training Room.
Police Pension Board – Liaison Coren announced the Police Pension Board quarterly meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 5, 2022 at 6:00 P.M. in the Police Department Training Room. He stated fund performance for the period January 1 – March 31, 2022 will be reviewed. Liaison Coren responded to Mayor Marchese’s inquiry regarding case pending challenging consolidation of pension funds and discussion regarding extending deadline dates.
14. QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS – AGENDA RELATED
There were none.
15. OLD BUSINESS
There was no Old Business.
16. CONSENT AGENDA
There was no Consent Agenda.
17. NEW BUSINESS
A. CONSIDERATION OF A MOTION TO APPROVE:
• THE ANNUAL FOURTH OF JULY PARADE ON MONDAY, JULY 4, 2022, BEGINNING AT 9:30 A.M., SPONSORED BY THE DARIEN LIONS CLUB AND
• AUTHORIZING THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO ASSIST IN TRAFFIC CONTROL AND AUTHORIZING THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF STREETS FOR THE FOURTH OF JULY PARADE: FROM THE JEWEL PARKING LOT, NORTH ON CASS AVENUE TO 71ST STREET; EAST ON 71ST STREET TO CLARENDON HILLS ROAD; SOUTH ON CLARENDON HILLS ROAD TO HINSDALE SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL
It was moved by Alderman Vaughan and seconded by Alderman Belczak to approve the motion as presented.
Roll Call: Ayes: Belczak, Chlystek, Gustafson, Sullivan, Vaughan
Nays: None
Absent: Kenny, Schauer
Results: Ayes 5, Nays 0, Absent 2
MOTION DULY CARRIED
B. CONSIDERATION OF A MOTION TO APPROVE TO APPROVE AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE VI, CHAPTER 3 OF THE DARIEN CITY CODE, “WATER METERS AND BILLING REGULATIONS” BY AMENDING SUBSECTION 7, “NONPAYMENT OF BILLS”
It was moved by Alderman Belczak and seconded by Alderman Vaughan to approve the motion as presented.
ORDINANCE NO. O-09-22 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE VI, CHAPTER 3 OF THE DARIEN CITY CODE,
“WATER METERS AND BILLING
REGULATIONS” BY AMENDING
SUBSECTION 7, “NONPAYMENT OF BILLS”
Roll Call: Ayes: Belczak, Chlystek, Gustafson, Sullivan, Vaughan
Nays: None
Absent: Kenny, Schauer
Results: Ayes 5, Nays 0, Absent 2
MOTION DULY CARRIED
18. QUESTIONS, COMMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS – GENERAL
Mayor Marchese commented that the Arbor Day celebration held on Friday, April 29, 2022 at the Darien Park District Community Center was well attended. Four trees were planted in memory of those passed, with one honoring Kathy Minardi, “Arbor Day Lady.” Madrigal Singers added to the ceremony.
Alderwoman Sullivan…
…extended kudos to Arbor Day Committee.
…announced the Citizen Action Committee will meet on May 14, 2022 at Indian Prairie Public Library from 10:00 – Noon. She expressed satisfaction with the launch of Community Calendar.
…stated Cass District 63 will have a Referendum on the June 28 ballot. She urged residents to attend informational meetings on May 23 and May 25 at Cass Junior High School at 6:30 P.M. or via Zoom. Residents should review mailer sent or visit Cass District 63 website for information.
Alderman Gustafson announced Center Cass 66 will also have a Referendum on the June 28 ballot; he encouraged all to vote. He reviewed formula residents can use to calculate proposed tax increase.
19. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the City Council, it was moved by Alderman Vaughan and seconded by Alderwoman Sullivan to adjourn the City Council meeting.
VIA VOICE VOTE – MOTION DULY CARRIED
The City Council meeting adjourned at 8:17 P.M.
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