Dupage Policy Journal

City of Darien City Council met March 4.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

A WORK SESSION WAS CALLED TO ORDER AT 7:00 P.M. BY MAYOR MARCHESE FOR THE PURPOSE OF REVIEWING ITEMS ON THE MARCH 4, 2024 AGENDA WITH THE CITY COUNCIL. THE WORK SESSION ADJOURNED AT 7:17 P.M.

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 Gerry Leganski

Eric K. Gustafson Ralph Stompanato

Joseph A. Kenny

Absent: Ted V. Schauer

Mary Coyle Sullivan

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

There were none.

6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – February 20, 2024

It was moved by Alderman Stompanato and seconded by Alderman Belczak to approve the minutes of the City Council Meeting of February 20, 2024.

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

Nays: None

Absent: Schauer, Sullivan

Results: Ayes 5, Nays 0, Absent 2

MOTION DULY CARRIED

7. RECEIVING OF COMMUNICATIONS

Alderman Leganski commented on communication received from Nick Cagle regarding speeding on Nantucket. He noted traffic study had been done. Alderman Leganski inquired about measures that can be taken; stated residents were pleased with placement of electronic speed limit signs on 79th Street. Director Gombac provided an update on traffic study results; he recommended flashing signs as a traffic calming measure at a cost of $5,500.00 each.

Alderman Kenny inquired about development at Carrol Lane & Gigi Lane.

8. MAYORS REPORT

Mayor Marchese provided the following:

• Attended Community Leader Round Table at Argonne National Laboratory to discuss Economic Impact Report, which significantly impacts the Darien community, DuPage County, State of Illinois and the United States. He advised Council to attend future meetings.

• Congratulated Hinsdale South High School Lady Hornets who finished 4th in the State; team will be recognized at the March 18 City Council Meeting.

• Attended A Night of Broadway on March 1; he expressed how proud he was of Nancy Urban and the Darien Arts Council. Next performance will be Nunsense in June.

• Announced Citizen of the Year/Honoree dinner/dance will be held on March 8. He encouraged all to participate in food drive collection that will take place at the venue to benefit Our Lady of Mount Carmel Food Pantry. Food Drive will be extended after the event, with donations accepted at City Hall.

9. CITY CLERK’S REPORT

There was no report.

10. CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

Administrator Vana reviewed Abatement Ordinances.

11. DEPARTMENT HEAD INFORMATION/QUESTIONS

A. POLICE DEPARTMENT

Chief Thomas provided highlights from the 2023 Annual Report, which included crime, crashes, other concerns, calls for service, community engagement, honor, personnel, partnerships, organization and administration. He addressed Council question.

Mayor Marchese stated Direct Connect eNews will feature QR code to easily access Darien Police Department Annual Report 2023.

B. MUNICIPAL SERVICES – NO REPORT

Director Gombac announced Tony & Tina’s Deli at 8133 Cass is now open for business.

12. TREASURER’S REPORT

A. WARRANT NUMBER 23-24-21

It was moved by Alderman Kenny and seconded by Alderman Leganski to approve payment of Warrant Number 23-24-21 in the amount of $81,349.74 from the enumerated funds, and $283,110.87 from payroll funds for the period ending 02/22/24 for a total to be approved of $364,460.61.

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

Nays: None

Absent: Schauer, Sullivan

Results: Ayes 5, Nays 0, Absent 2

MOTION DULY CARRIED

13. STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS

Administrative/Finance Committee – Clerk Ragona announced the Administrative/Finance Committee meeting is scheduled for April 1, 2024 at 6:00 P.M.

Municipal Services Committee – Chairman Belczak announced the next Municipal Services Committee meeting is scheduled for March 25, 2024 at 6:00 P.M.

Police Committee – 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

Mayor Marchese stated Item A was removed during the Work Session.

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

A. ORDINANCE NO. O-02-24 

AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A FINAL PLAT OF SUBDIVISION AND GRANTING A SPECIAL USE AND VARIATIONS FROM THE DARIEN ZONING ORDINANCE (PZC2024-01: INDVESTIA DARIEN LLC, 7409 CASS AVENUE)

B. RESOLUTION NO. R-21-24 

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT FOR THE 2024 LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE SERVICES WITHIN THE 75TH STREET RIGHT OF WAYS, CLOCK TOWER AND 8 ENTRANCE WAY PLANTING BEDS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $38,200.00 BETWEEN THE CITY OF DARIEN AND JC LANDSCAPING & TREE SERVICES 

C. CONSIDERATION OF A MOTION TO AUTHORIZE A CONTINGENCY WITH JC LANDSCAPING & TREE SERVICES IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,500 FOR REPLACEMENT OF PLANT MATERIALS AND PLANT ENHANCEMENTS FOR THE 2024 LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE SERVICES, PENDING BUDGET APPROVAL

D. RESOLUTION NO. R-22-24 

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH BROTHERS ASPHALT PAVING, INC., FOR THE 2024 STREET PROGRAM AS PER THE FOLLOWING SCHEDULE OF PRICING, PENDING 2024/25 BUDGET APPROVAL; BASE BID - $1,807,793.12; ALTERNATE 1 - PATCHING - $90,000.00; FOR A TOTAL COST OF $1,897,793.12

E. ORDINANCE NO. O-03-24 AN ORDINANCE ABATING PROPERTY TAX HERETOFORE LEVIED BY ORDINANCE NO. 0-28-12 (IN THE AMOUNT OF $305,125)

F. ORDINANCE NO. O-04-24 AN ORDINANCE ABATING PROPERTY TAX HERETOFORE LEVIED BY ORDINANCE NO. 0-11-18 (IN THE AMOUNT OF $387,700)

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

Nays: None

Absent: Schauer, Sullivan

Results: Ayes 5, Nays 0, Absent 2

MOTION DULY CARRIED

17. NEW BUSINESS

There was no New Business.

18. QUESTIONS, COMMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS – GENERAL

Mayor Marchese announced…

…Citizen of the Year/Honoree dinner/dance will be held on Friday, March 8, at Alpine Banquets.

…Darien Lions Club Pancake Breakfast will be held on Sunday, March 10, at Eisenhower Junior High School.

19. ADJOURNMENT

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

VIA VOICE VOTE – MOTION DULY CARRIED

The City Council meeting adjourned at 8:08 P.M.

https://darien.il.us/getattachment/1ad4f47f-59b1-4f90-86bf-264e8ff34cb8/Darien-City-Council-Meeting-March-4,-2024.aspx