Dupage Policy Journal

City of Darien City Council met Feb. 5.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

A WORK SESSION WAS CALLED TO ORDER AT 7:04 P.M. BY MAYOR MARCHESE FOR THE PURPOSE OF REVIEWING ITEMS ON THE FEBRUARY 5, 2024 AGENDA WITH THE CITY COUNCIL. THE WORK SESSION ADJOURNED AT 7:25 P.M.

1. CALL TO ORDER

The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Darien was called to order at 7:44 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      Ted V. Schauer

Eric K. Gustafson        Ralph Stompanato

Joseph A. Kenny         Mary Coyle Sullivan

Gerry Leganski

Absent: None

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 seven aldermen present, Mayor Marchese declared a quorum.

City Council Meeting February 5, 2024

5. QUESTIONS, COMMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS – GENERAL

Joe Myczek inquired…

…if Darien was a Sanctuary City. Mayor Marchese responded that Illinois is a Sanctuary State; he stated cities are not Sanctuary Cities.

…about City of Darien policy regarding migrants should a mass drop-off take place. Mayor Marchese did not anticipate the arrival of buses as Darien does not have a train station or a downtown area. He said the plan, for protection of residents and migrants, was to contact DuPage County Department of Homeland Security & Emergency Management regarding transportation by train to downtown Chicago. Mayor Marchese commented on meetings with Metropolitan Mayors Caucus and DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference (DMMC). He stated DMMC is pushing for immigration reform. Mayor Marchese, Administrator Vana, and Chief Thomas met with City Attorney and determined there was no need to implement an ordinance regarding notice/impounding of buses transporting migrants.

6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – January 15, 2024

It was moved by Alderman Kenny and seconded by Alderman Gustafson to approve the minutes of the City Council Meeting of January 15, 2024.

Roll Call: Ayes: Belczak, Gustafson, Kenny, Leganski, Schauer, Stompanato, Sullivan

Nays: None

Absent: None

Results: Ayes 7, Nays 0, Absent 0

MOTION DULY CARRIED

7. RECEIVING OF COMMUNICATIONS

Alderwoman Sullivan…

…received communication from Kelly Glisan regarding the addition of a streetlight near Carriage Greens Country Club parking lot; communication was sent to Director Gombac. Alderwoman Sullivan instructed Mr. Glisan to contact the owners of Carriage Greens Country Club since location is in their parking lot versus City parkway. In addition, Mr. Glisan sent communication regarding roadkill on Frontage Road; Alderwoman Sullivan

thanked Municipal Services for removal on a road outside of City jurisdiction. …received communication from residents regarding the clearing of culvert on Frontage Road, which left destruction of fence and downed signs exposed. Alderwoman Sullivan and Director Gombac are in continuous communication with IDOT and state officials to ensure addressing of fence repairs in area and along North and South Frontage Roads.

8. MAYORS REPORT

Mayor Marchese provided below statement and announcements.

CVS Facility:

The City of Darien received notice from Cars Collision Center LLC also known as Gerber Collision and Glass that they will no longer be pursuing development or operation at the former CVS site. The City attorney and other attorneys involved will meet to discuss the litigation and the special use that was approved by Darien City Council for that site. Council will be updated as more information is received.

Kingswood Academy Banquet:

Mayor Marchese attended Kingswood Academy banquet and fundraiser on February 3. He expressed his enjoyment in being a guest and thanked Tammi Karam and Lisa Bergman for a wonderful evening.

Citizen/Honorees of the Year:

A congratulatory reception will be held in the Police Department Training Room immediately following City Council Meeting on February 20 for Citizen of the Year, Valerie Kazich and honorees from civic/service organizations: Stan Uba, Darien Youth Club; Chris Snow, Darien Woman’s Club; Doug Barnes, Darien Lions Club; Gina Pignato & Tracey Schroeder, Darien Garden Club; Kelly Jean Tischler, Darien Chamber of Commerce; and Heather Conroy, Rotary Club of Darien. All will be honored at a dinner/dance on Friday, March 8, at Alpine Banquets.

Anniversaries:

Rotary Club of Darien will be celebrating their 50th Anniversary in April. In commemoration of their anniversary, Rotary Club is sponsoring the 2024 Vehicle Sticker, which are available at City Hall and Police Department for a $3.00 or more donation.

Darien Park District will be celebrating their 50th Anniversary and Darien Chamber of Commerce their 40th Anniversary.

9. CITY CLERK’S REPORT

Clerk Ragona announced City offices will be closed on Monday, February 19, 2024 in observance of Presidents’ Day. The next City Council Meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 20, 2024.

10. CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

There was no report.

11. DEPARTMENT HEAD INFORMATION/QUESTIONS

A. POLICE DEPARTMENT – NO REPORT

B. MUNICIPAL SERVICES – NO REPORT

12. TREASURER’S REPORT

A. WARRANT NUMBER 23-24-19

It was moved by Alderwoman Sullivan and seconded by Alderman Belczak to approve payment of Warrant Number 23-24-19 in the amount of $294,833.79 from the enumerated funds, and $315,830.26 from payroll funds for the period ending 01/25/24 for a total to be approved of $610,664.05.

Roll Call: Ayes: Belczak, Gustafson, Kenny, Leganski, Schauer, Stompanato, Sullivan

Nays: None

Absent: None

Results: Ayes 7, Nays 0, Absent 0

MOTION DULY CARRIED

B. MONTHLY REPORT – DECEMBER 2023

Treasurer Coren reviewed year-to-date sources of revenue, expenditures, and fund balances through the month of December 2023.

General Fund: Revenue $13,529,295 Expenditures $10,625,500; Current Balance $6,279,314

Water Fund: Revenue $5,565,527; Expenditures $5,376,046 Current Balance $3,783,741

Motor Fuel Tax Fund: Revenue $703,409; Expenditures $544,467; Current Balance $1,633,053

Water Depreciation Fund: Revenue $14,929; Expenditures $52,749; Current Balance $575,417

Capital Improvement Fund: Revenue $684,780; Expenditures $4,447,228; Current Balance $16,005,888

13. STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS

Administrative/Finance Committee – Chairwoman Sullivan noted City staff is finalizing 2024-25 Budget, which should be distributed next week. She stated Committee-of-the-Whole 2024-25 Budget Workshop Meetings are scheduled to begin on Wednesday, February 21, at 6:30 P.M. followed by Tuesday, February 27, at 6:30 P.M., with review on March 4; an additional meeting may be added on Wednesday, March 6. A Public Hearing is scheduled for Monday, April 1. She noted Budget Workshop Meetings are televised and begin at 6:30 P.M. in Council Chambers; all documents are online for full disclosure.

Mayor Marchese commented on the importance of transparency; budget discussions are open to the public and residents are encouraged to attend.

Liaison Sullivan announced all are invited to attend Congratulatory Reception on Tuesday, February 20 for Valerie Kazich and honorees from the City’s various civic/service organizations. Dinner/dance will be held on March 8, 2024 at Alpine Banquets with cocktails at 6:00 P.M. and dinner at 7:00 P.M.; reservations will be taken through February 26 at a cost of $52.00/each.

Mayor Marchese announced plans for a Food Drive at the dinner/dance; a service project for a college student benefiting local food pantry. Administrator Vana noted additional information will follow in Direct Connect. Mayor Marchese shared success of food collection at summer concerts with plans to include Oktoberfest.

Municipal Services Committee – Chairman Belczak announced the next Municipal Services Committee meeting is scheduled for February 26, 2024 at 6:00 P.M.

Police Committee – Chairman Kenny announced the Police Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at 6:00 P.M. in the Police Department Training Room.

Police Pension Board – Liaison Coren announced the next quarterly meeting of the Police Pension Board will be held on Thursday, February 15, 2024 at 6:00 P.M. in the Police Department Training Room; fund performance as of 12/31/23 will be reviewed.

Mayor Marchese announced the Darien Community Action Committee will be meeting on Saturday, February 17, 2024 in the Police Department Training Room.

14. QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS – AGENDA RELATED

Joe Myczek commented on Consent Agenda Item C; he suggested language be added regarding Suburban Concrete workmanship.

15. OLD BUSINESS

There was no Old Business.

16. CONSENT AGENDA

It was moved by Alderman Stompanato and seconded by Alderman Kenny to approve by Omnibus Vote the following items on the Consent Agenda:

A. Consideration Of A Motion Granting Waiver Of The Raffle License Bond Requirement For The West Suburban Humane Society

B. Consideration Of A Motion Granting Waiver Of The Raffle License Bond Requirement For The Darien Arts Council

C. Resolution No. R-05-24 A Resolution A Authorizing The Mayor To Execute A Contract For The 2024 Concrete Sidewalk, Apron, Curb And Gutter Removal And Replacement Program With Suburban Concrete, Inc., In An Amount Not To Exceed $1,256,250.00 And To Waive The Residential $75.00 Permit Fee Application For Concrete Work

D. Resolution No. R-06-24 A Resolution Authorizing The Mayor To Execute A Contract With Rag’s Electric, Inc., Per The Proposed Unit Prices, For The 2024 Street Light Maintenance Beginning May 1, 2024 Through April 30, 2025

E. Resolution No. R-07-24 A Resolution Authorizing The Mayor And City Clerk To Extend A Contract With Trugreen Limited Partnership For Six (6) Various Fertilizer Applications And (3) Three Applications For Planting Beds And Weed Control, Within Rip Rap Areas And Tree Fertilization For 75th Street, In An Amount Not To Exceed $76,756.00 For The 2024 Landscape Fertilization Services

F. Resolution No. R-08-24 A Resolution Accepting The Unit Price Proposal For Analytical Soil Testing Fees From Testing Service Corporation At The Proposed Unit Prices For Certain Waste For A Period Of May 1, 2024 Through April 30, 2025

G. Resolution No. R-09-24 A Resolution Accepting A Proposal From Water Products Company For General Water Department Utility Tools And Marking Supplies For The Maintenance Of The Water System For A Period Of May 1, 2024 Through April 30, 2025

H. Resolution No. R-10-24 A Resolution Accepting A Proposal From Underground Pipe & Valve Co., For General Water Department Utility Tools And Marking Supplies For The Maintenance Of The Water System For A Period Of May 1, 2024 Through April 30, 2025

I. Resolution No. R-11-24 A Resolution Accepting A Proposal From Ziebell Water Service Products, Inc., For General Water Department Utility Tools And Marking Supplies For The Maintenance Of The Water System For A Period Of May 1, 2024 Through April 30, 2025

J. Resolution No. R-12-24 A Resolution Accepting A Proposal From Core & Main For General Water Department Utility Tools And Marking Supplies For The Maintenance Of The Water System For A Period Of May 1, 2024 Through April 30, 2025

K. Resolution No. R-13-24 A Resolution Accepting A Proposal From Ferguson Waterworks For General Water Department Utility Tools And Marking Supplies For The Maintenance Of The Water System For A Period Of May 1, 2024 Through April 30, 2025

L. Resolution No. R-14-24 A Resolution Accepting A Proposal From Underground Pipe & Valve Company For General Water Department Utility Fixtures For The Maintenance Of The Water System For A Period Of May 1, 2024 Through April 30, 2025

M. Resolution No. R-15-24 A Resolution Accepting A Proposal From Ziebell Water Service Products, Inc., For General Water Department Utility Fixtures For The Maintenance Of The Water System For A Period Of May 1, 2024 Through April 30, 2025

N. Resolution No. R-16-24 A Resolution Accepting A Proposal From Core & Main For General Water Department Utility Fixtures For The Maintenance Of The Water System For A Period Of May 1, 2024 Through April 30, 2025

O. Resolution No. R-17-24 A Resolution Accepting A Proposal From Ferguson Waterworks For General Water Department Utility Fixtures For The Maintenance Of The Water System For A Period Of May 1, 2024 Through April 30, 2025

Roll Call: Ayes: Belczak, Gustafson, Kenny, Leganski, Schauer, Stompanato, Sullivan

Nays: None

Absent: None

Results: Ayes 7, Nays 0, Absent 0

MOTION DULY CARRIED

17. NEW BUSINESS

A. REMOVED FROM AGENDA

18. QUESTIONS, COMMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS – GENERAL There were none.

19. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the City Council, it was moved by Alderman Leganski and seconded by Alderman Schauer to adjourn the City Council meeting.

VIA VOICE VOTE – MOTION DULY CARRIED

The City Council meeting adjourned at 8:11 P.M.

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