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September 10, 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, September 10, 2009 at 7:31 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
    S. Zimmerman
  • City Treasurer, D. Schramm
  • City Clerk, J. Jackson
  • 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

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

Police Swearing In Ceremony

Chief Vodicka introduced the probationary police officer, Eric Schultz. Mr. Ken Fonte, Police Commissioner, conducted the swearing in ceremony. Fr. Joseph Mol also gave a special prayer. A short break was taken for refreshments.

Chief Vodicka also noted Officer Mark Jurak will be recognized for his 30 years of service on September 15th.

Fairplay Presentation

Mr. Jim Kruse of the Adopt a Platoon program presented a flag that was flown over Iraq to the managers of Fairplay for all their support and donations to his program.

Mr. Kruse also presented a flag to the Mayor for all the support received from the City of Hickory Hills.

OPEN TO PUBLIC

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

Mr. Joseph Cantele
8950 S. 84th Avenue

Mr. Cantele expressed his concern that the City did not
have a crossing guard at 95th and Roberts Road.

CLOSE TO THE PUBLIC

Alderman McAvoy moved to close the meeting to the public. Alderman Szeszycki second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, 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 August 27, 2009 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Szeszycki second. Correction: Page 2, 3rd paragraph add Alderman Ferrero to roll calls. Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. Alderman DeRose pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

    MAYOR

    Mayor Howley reported last week a luncheon for the 50th Anniversary of the Hickory Hills Senior Club was held at the Sabre Room. Mayor Howley was unable to attend but he heard nothing but great reviews for this event.

    Mayor Howley reported the City has received another Community Block Grant for street reconstruction.

    Mayor Howley also reported final details are being worked out for Phase II of the 95th Street Corridor Enhancement Program. This Phase II will also have a visable crosswalk at 95th and Roberts Road.

    Mayor Howley asked the Council to keep the Hurkes’ family in their prayers for the loss of their daughter.

    CITY CLERK

    Clerk Jackson reported the Clerk’s office evening hours have begun.

    Clerk Jackson noted the Council should all be in receipt of an invitation to a groundbreaking for Countryside Senior Apartments on Joliet Road.

    Clerk Jackson reported she is in receipt of a request from the Southside Irish Baseball team requesting a day to solicit on 95th and Roberts Road. After some discussion, this request was denied due to the fact you may only solicit once during a fiscal year.

    Clerk Jackson has given permission to the Girl Scouts to sell cookies in January and October of 2009. No objections were noted.

    Clerk Jackson reported Comcast was in this week to set up the Internet with a static IP.

    Clerk Jackson noted the Clerk’s office has been very busy this week with the auditors.

    Clerk Jackson announced Dee Catizone has received two scholarships to attend the Clerk’s Institute and Academy in Springfield.

    Clerk Jackson asked the Council if there was a problem moving the newsletter deadline up so it can go out earlier and include information on the leaf program discontinuation and the Halloween Party as well.

    Clerk Jackson reported she has given the Council a letter from the attorney regarding the zoning fees. This will be discussed at the next committee meeting.

    CITY TREASURER

    Treasurer Schramm distributed a financial update summary as of August 31, 2009. He noted to look it over and if anyone has questions or concerns to email or call him. This will be discussed at the committee meeting

    CITY ATTORNEY

    No report submitted.

    CITY ENGINEER

    Mr. Lang reported two out of the three Community Block Grant Projects have been started.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman McAvoy moved to approve bills payable for the first half of September in the amount of $278,411.35. Alderman Moirano second. Alderman Zimmerman inquired on page 6 and page 7, why this gentleman was being used for inspections. Mayor Howley noted this would be discussed at an upcoming committee meeting or after this evening’s meeting. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

    Szeszycki/Finance

    Alderman Szeszycki noted the City’s casualty and property insurance will come up for renewal on September 23, 2009. He has met with the insurance broker and there were several changes including a change in carrier. It is now Houston Casualty. They are quoting a premium of $106,798.00. He is recommending accepting this quote. No objections were noted.

    Zimmerman/Public Safety

    No report submitted.

    Moirano/Public Works

    No report submitted.

    McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

    Alderman McHugh requested the demolition cash bonds be raised to $5,000.00 and new construction cash bonds to $3,000.00. No objections were noted. City Attorney Cainkar was directed to draft changes in this ordinance.

    DeRose/Laws & Ordinances Ordinances

    No report submitted.

    Stachnik/Health & Environmental Control/Recycling

    Alderman Stachnik reported on information he has received from the Cook County Public Health Department regarding the HIN1 flu. He also noted 45 to 52 million doses of the vaccine have started to be distributed to hospitals and healthcare centers. If anyone would like to volunteer to help distribute these vaccines, the number to call is (708) 492-2820. He also noted there have been 500 deaths due to this illness and over 8,000 reported hospitalizations.

    Ferrero/Community Services/Youth Advisory

    Alderman Ferrero reported the Children’s Halloween Party will be held at City Hall on October 24th from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

    Alderman Ferrero noted a Youth Advisory Board will have a meeting on Tuesday, September 15th at 7:00 p.m. at the Community Center.

    McAvoy/Chamber/Business Development

    Alderman McAvoy reported the Chamber will hold a Golf Outing on September 23rd.

    Alderman McAvoy noted he is looking for information on a Hazardous Waste Disposal. They are usually held in October, but he has not received any information as of yet.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

None.

ADJOURNMENT

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

Meeting adjourned at 8:48 p.m.