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August 13, 2009 City Council Meeting Minutes

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CALL TO ORDER

The regular meeting of the Hickory Hills City Council was called to order by Mayor Mike Howley on Thursday, August 13, 2009 at 7:35 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
    T. McAvoy
    M. McHugh
    J. Moirano
    J. Stachnik
    J. Szeszycki
    S. Zimmerman

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

Alderman Ferrero, Clerk Jackson and Treasurer Schramm were 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, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mr. Joseph Cantele
8950 S. 84th Avenue

Mr. Cantele questioned if the leaf program is stopping. Mayor Howley noted this is correct. Mr. Cantele suggested employees of the City put teams together and come up with ways to save money.

Mr. John Sturlas
8931 S. 84th Avenue

Mr. Sturlas would like the leaf program to continue and asked if this could be changed in the future. He asked if he gathered signatures in support would this make a difference. Mayor Howley noted it would certainly bring attention to this matter.

Mark Warchol
9211 Roberts Road

Mr. Warchol thanked the Council for the improvements in Ward 1. Mr. Warchol would also like to see a dog park in Hickory Hills. Mayor Howley directed him to the Park District Board. Mr. Warchol also voiced his concerns on the crosswalk on Roberts Road and 92nd Street. He noted cars are speeding and it is dangerous to cross Roberts Road.
Chief Vodicka will forward the crosswalk information to the traffic enforcement officer.

CLOSE TO THE PUBLIC

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

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman Moirano moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of July 23, 2009 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman McHugh second. Correction: Page 2, second paragraph. Mr. Henry Kman’s term for the Board of Fire/Police Commission should expire April 30, 2011. Page 3, paragraph 6, Alderman Moirano moved to approve invoice #90036. Aldermen DeRose, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Zimmerman aye. Alderman Szeszycki pass. So approved.

Presentation

At this time, representatives from Planning Resources reviewed the plans for 95th Street Phase II of the 95th Street Corridor Enhancement Program. Phase I was the decorative street lights installed. Phase II will involve street landscaping and signage enhancements. Mr. Kevin

Graham and Mr. Brent Lewis noted they are following the grant guidelines for this project.

Some of the highlights are infilling of trees, signage at key intersections and squaring off around the new decorative street lights. The areas around the lights will have hardy plants with little or no maintenance and will add color. They noted on 95th and Roberts Road a stamped colored concrete will highlight this intersection. A sign at 95th and Roberts Road was discussed possibly to eliminate all the collection of different signs. Mayor Howley thanked Planning Resources for their presentation.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

    MAYOR

    Mayor Howley reported the back lit signs for 95th Street are at the supplier and the City is waiting for the final price.

    Mayor Howley noted he and Larry Boettcher met with IDOT in Bridgeview concerning the welcoming sign on the bridge. He noted this project is moving forward with completion in September.

    Mayor Howley presented the AT&T Agreement regarding the 8 boxes that are being installed around the City. This agreement provides the City with $1,500.00 per box for landscaping. Consensus of the Council was to approve this agreement. The Council would like a map identifying placement of these boxes in each ward. The Building Department will distribute this information.

    CITY CLERK

    Clerk Jackson was absent. No report submitted.

    CITY TREASURER

    Treasurer Schramm was absent. No report submitted.

    CITY ATTORNEY

    Ord. 09-19

    Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance 09-19, an ordinance approving amendment #1 to the lease agreement between the City of Hickory Hills and Sprintcom, Inc. for the property located at 8903 S. 88th Avenue. This agreement provides a monthly rental fee of $500.00. Alderman Moirano moved to approve Ord. 09-19. Alderman McHugh second. Aldermen DeRose, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye.
    So approved.

    CITY ENGINEER

    Mr. Lang presented Invoice #R0902-F from Lyons/Pinner Company for work done on the 1st Ward Street Lighting in the amount of $91,667.61 (pay estimate #2 final). Alderman Moirano moved to approve Lyons/Pinner Company Invoice R0902-F in the amount of $91,667.61. Alderman McHugh second. Aldermen DeRose, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman McHugh moved to approve bills payable for the first half of August in the amount of $496,924.71. Alderman Stachnik second. Aldermen DeRose, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

    Szeszycki/Finance

    Alderman Szeszycki noted with the approved Public Works contract the City will no longer be paying the insurance incentive. As of September 1, 2009 all non-union employees will no longer receive this incentive. This will require a change in the employee handbook. Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the removal of the insurance incentive to all non-union employees as of September 1, 2009. Alderman Moirano second. Alderman McHugh moved to table this issue until next meeting. Mayor Howley asked if everyone is prepared to vote on this matter this evening. Alderman McHugh withdrew his motion to table. Attorney Cainkar has sent letters to the Police and Radio Operators requesting opening their contracts to remove this incentive. Roll call on motion to remove insurance incentive: Aldermen DeRose, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    Zimmerman/Public Safety

    No report submitted.

    Chief Vodicka reported the department has received a grant from IDOT to purchase two radar boxes at a cost of $10,000.00.

    Moirano/Public Works

    Alderman Moirano reported Public Works was notified by Illinois Central Management System (CMS) that the contractor’s bids for the City’s salt request for 1,000 tons were received at $71.74, which is within the budgeted amount of $75,000.00.

    Alderman Moirano noted Public Works has submitted a quarterly report to the IEPA and MWRD of the activities of the City. The USGS continues to take flow readings on the Roberts Road sanitary sewer. The City has set our own flow meter to collaborate the USGS findings.

    McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

    No report submitted.

    DeRose/Laws & Ordinances Ordinances

    Alderman DeRose presented three business license applications. 1) Pita Land located at 7831 W. 95th Street, Suite L. This is a fast food restaurant. 2) Musica Café located at 7831 W. 95th Street, Unit A-B. This is a coffee shop. 3) TNT Deals, Inc. located at 7734 W. 99th Street. This is a web-based internet sales company. No objections were noted.

    Stachnik/Health & Environmental Control/Recycling

    No report submitted. /Recycling

    Ferrero/Community Services/Youth Advisory

    Alderman Ferrero was absent. No report submitted.

    McAvoy/Chamber/Business Development

    Alderman McAvoy reported the Chamber hosted National Night Out on Tuesday, August 4th which was a huge success.

    Alderman McAvoy reported the Chamber Breakfast meeting will be held on August 26th and the Golf Outing will be September 23rd at Palos Golf Course. For more information call 364-7739.

    UNFINISHED BUSINESS

    Alderman McHugh inquired when the old street lights will be turned off in the first ward. Mr. Boettcher noted those lights have been removed from our bill.

    Alderman McHugh asked what was being done at the retention pond at St. Patricia. Mr. Boettcher stated they are preparing for a seed bed.

NEW BUSINESS

Chief Vodicka reminded everyone the Blood Drive will be held at the Community Center on Sunday, August 23rd. There will be a challenge between the City of Hickory Hills and Willow Springs.

Alderman McHugh noted he has reviewed the memo from Clerk Jackson regarding ending Saturday hours and having Thursday evening hours. Alderman Moirano also noted this would be year round. Mayor Howley asked if anyone had any objections; none were noted. The Thursday evenings will begin on September 10th for the Clerk’s office.

ADJOURNMENT

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

Meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m.