Dupage Policy Journal

City of Darien City Council met Feb. 20.

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 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.

5. QUESTIONS, COMMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS – GENERAL

City Council Meeting February 20, 2024

There were none.

6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – February 5, 2024

It was moved by Alderman Stompanato and seconded by Alderman Kenny to approve the minutes of the City Council Meeting of February 5, 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 stated progress is being made on North Frontage Road with fence repairs and clearing of culvert in preparation of curvature reconstruction.

8. MAYORS REPORT

A. CONSIDERATION OF A MOTION TO APPROVE A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING VALERIE L. KAZICH AS THE 2024 CITIZEN OF THE YEAR IN THE CITY OF DARIEN, ILLINOIS (CITIZEN OF THE YEAR COFFEE AND CAKE RECEPTION WILL BE HELD AFTER THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING)

Mayor Marchese read the resolution into record.

It was moved by Alderman Belczak and seconded by Alderwoman Sullivan to approve the motion as presented.

A. RESOLUTION NO. R-18-24 A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING VALERIE L. KAZICH AS THE 2024 CITIZEN OF THE YEAR IN THE CITY OF DARIEN, ILLINOIS (CITIZEN OF THE YEAR COFFEE AND CAKE RECEPTION WILL BE HELD AFTER THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING)

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

Murphey, Vana

Nays: None

Absent: None

Results: Ayes 12, Nays 0, Absent 0

MOTION DULY CARRIED

Mayor Marchese presented Valerie Kazich with the Citizen of the Year Resolution and plaque. There was resounding applause and a standing ovation from City Council and audience.

Mayor Marchese recognized Darien Honorees: Doug Barnes, Darien Lions Club; Heather Conroy, Rotary Club of Darien; Kelly Jean Tischler, Darien Chamber of Commerce; Gina Pignato & Tracey Schroeder, Darien Garden Club; Chris Snow, Darien Woman’s Club; and Stan Uba, Darien Youth Club.

Valerie Kazich thanked all for the honor and congratulated Honorees of the Year for working together to make Darien “A Nice Place to Live.” She thanked Lily Vana, food drive coordinator, & Liaison Sullivan for organizing a food & supplies collection for Our Lady of Mount Carmel food pantry.

Valerie acknowledged her family and friends, especially: Barb Sparks for the Darien Woman’s Club nomination, Citizen of the Year (COY) Committee, City Council & photographer Joe Paladino.

Mayor Marchese noted food drive collection will take place at the dinner; for those unable to attend, donations are also accepted at City Hall. He reviewed items needed to stock the food pantry. He directed all questions to Lily Vana at lily_vana@yahoo.com.

Liaison Sullivan announced the dinner/dance will be held at Alpine Banquets on March 8; she provided program, reservation, and payment details.

Liaison Sullivan invited all to attend Congratulatory Reception immediately following the City Council meeting in the Police Department Training Room.

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 – NO REPORT

B. MUNICIPAL SERVICES – NO REPORT

12. TREASURER’S REPORT

A. WARRANT NUMBER 23-24-20

It was moved by Alderman Belczak and seconded by Alderman Schauer to approve payment of Warrant Number 23-24-20 in the amount of $744,631.18 from the enumerated funds, and $298,994.63 from payroll funds for the period ending 02/08/24 for a total to be approved of $1,043,625.81.

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 – JANUARY 2024

Treasurer Coren reviewed year-to-date sources of revenue, expenditures, and fund balances through the month of January 2024.

General Fund: Revenue $15,025,011 Expenditures $11,578,978; Current Balance $6,821,552

Water Fund: Revenue $5,599,319; Expenditures $6,044,965 Current Balance $3,148,614

Motor Fuel Tax Fund: Revenue $796,079; Expenditures $629,391; Current Balance $1,640,799

Water Depreciation Fund: Revenue $16,792; Expenditures $52,749; Current Balance $577,280

Capital Improvement Fund: Revenue $806,220; Expenditures $4,477,388; Current Balance $16,097,168

13. STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS

Administrative/Finance Committee – Chairwoman Sullivan announced Administrative/Finance Committee-of-the-Whole 2024-25 Budget Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 27, at 6:30 P.M.; meeting will be televised with all documents available on City website. She thanked Administrator Vana, Mayor Marchese, Treasurer Coren, Staff and Department Heads for preparation of documents.

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 stated the minutes of the December 18, 2023 meeting were approved and submitted to the Clerk’s Office. Chairman Kenny announced the Police Committee meeting is scheduled for March 18, 2024 at 6:00 P.M. in the Police Department Training Room.

14. QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS – AGENDA RELATED

There were none.

15. OLD BUSINESS

There was no Old Business.

16. CONSENT AGENDA

It was moved by Alderwoman Sullivan and seconded by Alderman Schauer to approve by Omnibus Vote the following items on the Consent Agenda:

A. RESOLUTION NO. R-19-24 A RESOLUTION APPROVING A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY OF DARIEN AND THE DARIEN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE-- $35,000 GRANT AND DARIEN FEST

B. RESOLUTION NO. R-20-24 A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING A PROPOSAL FROM GOVTEMPS-MGT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A FOUR-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN IN THE AMOUNT OF $18,100

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

There were none.

18. QUESTIONS, COMMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS – GENERAL

Mayor Marchese announced Darien Arts Council (DAC) presents Night on Broadway at Darien Swim & Recreation Club on March 1, 2024 at 7:00 P.M. He noted Alderman Kenny will have a singing performance. Mayor Marchese shared ticket cost of $25.00 includes food and soft beverages. Questions should be directed to DAC at darienartscouncil@gmail.com.

19. ADJOURNMENT

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

VIA VOICE VOTE – MOTION DULY CARRIED

The City Council meeting adjourned at 7:57 P.M.

https://darien.il.us/getattachment/3c605820-de5c-435f-9e92-68b047c709e5/Darien-City-Council-Meeting-February-20,-2024.aspx