April 9, 2009 City Council Meeting Minutes

CALL TO ORDER

The regular meeting of the Hickory Hills City Council was called to order by Mayor Mike Howley on Thursday, April 9, 2009 at 7:33 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mayor Howley led the Pledge of Allegiance.

ROLL CALL

Upon roll call, the following were present:

  • Mayor, M. Howley
  • Aldermen
    L. DeRose
    D. Ferrero
    T. McAvoy
    M. McHugh
    J. Moirano
    J. Stachnik
    J. Szeszycki

  • City Clerk, J. Jackson
  • City Treasurer, D. Schramm
  • City Attorney, V. Cainkar
  • Chief of Police, A. Vodicka
  • City Engineer, T. Lang
  • Building Commissioner, G. Betcher
  • Public Works Director, L. Boettcher
  • Deputy City Clerk, D. Catizone

Alderman Zimmerman was absent. There being a quorum present, the meeting was called to order.

OPEN TO PUBLIC

Alderman Stachnik moved to open the meeting to the public. Alderman Moirano second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, aye. So approved.

Mr. Kardas
Maytag Laundromat

Mr. Kardas is the owner of the Maytag Laundromat located in the Hickory Palos Square Mall. He is concerned that the parking lot lights are not kept on 24 hours a day. Mr. Kardas noted Jewel lights are on 24 hours and he would like the rest of the mall to be the same. He has approached the management but has received no help. Mayor Howley noted the Council is aware of this situation. He will talk with the two aldermen of that ward and the City Attorney to see what the City can do. Alderman McAvoy asked if this could be placed on the Committee Agenda of April 23rd.

Tom Pietruszynski
Public Works Department

Mr. Pietruszynski is present to ask if the Council had any questions regarding the Public Works proposed union contract. Vince Cainkar noted it is not proper to negotiate directly with the City Council but should be done with the negotiating team. Mayor Howley noted the City Council is well aware of the issues and have been kept informed with meetings with the City Attorney. Mr. Pietruszynski asked if the Council would read the proposed contract and he would answer any questions.

Steve Makropoulos
City of Hickory Hills
Auxiliary Police Officer

Mr. Makropoulos reported the City of Hickory Hills was well represented at the Greek Independence Parade downtown. He thanked Chief Vodicka for allowing a squad car to be in this parade. Also, on the same weekend at the Chicago Orchestra Hall, Hickory Hills was represented by Mr. Makropoulos’s sons.

CLOSE TO PUBLIC

Alderman McAvoy moved to close the meeting to the public. Alderman Szeszycki second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki aye. So approved.

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman McHugh moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of March 23, 2009 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Szeszycki second. Correction: Page 2 first paragraph sentence should read: He also noted smoke testing has taken place and there was a cross connection on Willow Road that was very significant. Page 5 under Alderman McAvoy correct spelling is Mr. Kardas. Aldermen DeRose, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki aye. Alderman Ferrero pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

    MAYOR

    Mayor Howley presented Resolution 09-07, a resolution that commits Hickory Hills to participate in the Clean Air Counts program and adopt the strategies required to improve air quality in our community and region. He is seeking a bronze level status. Mayor Howley also noted this would not be at any cost to the City. Alderman Moirano moved to approve Res. 09-07. Alderman Stachnik second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki aye. So approved.

    Silver Star Banner Day Proclamation

    Mayor Howley presented a Silver Star Banner Day Proclamation which honors the sacrifice of the men and women in the Armed Forces and proclaims May 1, 2009 as Silver Star Banner Day the permanent and official day to honor the wounded and ill soldiers of the City of Hickory Hills.

    Summer Meetings

    Mayor Howley noted as in the past, the summer committee meetings will be deferred. Alderman McAvoy moved to cancel the June, July, August and September Committee meetings. Alderman Ferrero second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki aye. So approved.

    Mayor Howley reported he had a meeting this week with the urban planners regarding the lights on 95th Street. These will be completed in early fall. The back lit signs will also be started soon. The next phase would be working on the landscaping activities. He noted this would not include the pond at 95th Street and Roberts Road.

    CITY CLERK

    Clerk Jackson reported the PATSE Bus will not be running from April 8th through April 12th due to construction at the City of Palos Hills Community Center where the PATSE office is located.

    Clerk Jackson is in receipt of an invitation to the Hickory Hills Youth Baseball parade and opening day on Saturday, April 18th. The parade begins lining up at 7:30 a.m. Public Officials will be recognized at 9:00 a.m.

    Clerk Jackson is also in receipt of a faxed invitation to the Lyons Township annual meeting and reception. You can RSVP to the Lyons Township.

    Clerk Jackson congratulated all the Aldermen on the recent election.

    Clerk Jackson wished everyone a very Happy Easter.

    CITY TREASURER

    Treasurer Schramm asked if everyone is available for a budget meeting on April 16th. Treasurer Schramm noted he would like to start at 6:00 p.m. and questioned if everyone could be in attendance. Mayor Howley said he would be out of town on this date. Alderman Szeszycki noted he would let Alderman Zimmerman know of this meeting. Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve a specially called budget meeting on April 16, 2009. Alderman McHugh second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, aye. So approved.

    CITY ATTORNEY

    No report submitted.

    CITY ENGINEER

    Mr. Lang gave an update on the 95th Street project. He stated one and a half million dollars was paid for by the Federal Government. The landscaping for 95th Street has a bid date of January 2010.

    Mr. Lang noted the street light project in the 1st Ward is progressing.

    Mr. Lang reported a bid date of April 22, 2009 has been published for the street resurfacing.

    Mr. Lang also reported that Hickory Hills was awarded a Lap Project for 76th Avenue through the Southwest Council of Mayors. This is a joint project between Bridgeview and Hickory Hills; it will be a 70 /30 split. Bids will start in November 2009.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Moirano moved to approve bills payable for the first half of April 2009 in the amount of $262,607.61. Alderman McHugh second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

    Szeszycki/Finance

    No report submitted.

    Zimmerman/Public Safety

    Chief Vodicka reported the Hickory Hills Blood Drive will be on Sunday, April 19th. The Holy Name Society of St. Patricia will co-sponsor this event by providing breakfast of pancakes and sausage.

    Moirano/Public Works

    Alderman Moirano reported that under the Clear Water Program over 84 percent of the multifamily structures and most of the commercial establishments have been inspected. In addition, sanitary manholes are being inspected and repaired if necessary.

    Alderman Moirano noted smoke testing in the Blue Ridge area is now complete and they will now relocate to Willow Road.

    McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

    Alderman McHugh reported the Community Dinner went well and 300 people were served. He also thanked everyone who volunteered.

    DeRose/Laws & Ordinances Ordinances

    No report submitted.

    Stachnik/Health & Environmental Control/Recycling

    Alderman Stachnik distributed a report on recycling tonnage.

    Ferrero/Community Services/Youth Advisory Board

    Alderman Ferrero thanked the local Fire Departments for all the donations for the troops. This project was organized last fall along with the Council for Exceptional Children.

    McAvoy/Chamber/Business Development

    No report.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

None.

ADJOURNMENT

Alderman Ferrero moved to adjourn the meeting until the next regularly scheduled or specially called meeting. Alderman Moirano second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki aye. So approved.

Meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.