December 10, 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, December 10, 2009 at 7:40 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.

Mayor Howley presented a flag for Fairplay that was given to Fairplay from the adoptaplatoon program. Mr. Sam Nicastro from Fairplay was present to accept the framed American Flag.

Mayor Howley presented a proclamation to the Adcock Family for their Halloween display.

OPEN TO PUBLIC

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

Mr. Thomas Lynch
Attorney
Musica Café

Mr. Lynch is present to represent the business owner of Musica Café.
She currently has a business license. Mr. Lynch noted she had requested to open a retail tobacco store and she has been receiving tickets for smoking in the building. Attorney Cainkar stated her current license application did not request the sale of tobacco. A tobacco license is needed to sell tobacco. Attorney Lynch will review the matter with his client and get back to the City.

CLOSE TO THE PUBLIC

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

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of November 12, 2009 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Stachnik second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. Alderman McAvoy pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

    MAYOR

    Mayor Howley thanked Aldermen McHugh and Ferrero for their assistance with the Community Dinner in November.

    Mayor Howley thanked Mr. Tom Lang for his efforts with Phase II of the 95th Street Enhancement Program and moving this forward through the IDOT process.

    Mayor Howley thanked the Public Works Department for the staining of the leaves on the 95th Street Tollway Bridge sign.

    Mayor Howley reported the City is still waiting on IDOT’s approval for a left turn lane into 76th Court into McDonald’s property.

    Mayor Howley reported IDOT had sent him a letter announcing a spring letting will be done for the 88th Avenue widening project.

    Mayor Howley read the Proclamation for National Drunk and Drugged Prevention Month which is in December.

    CITY CLERK

    Clerk Jackson reported the Robinson Engineering Christmas party was last Saturday and it was wonderful.

    Clerk Jackson noted Camelot Banquets will hold a Holiday Dinner on Friday, December 18th. Please call the Clerk’s Office if you can attend.

    Clerk Jackson reported the Clerk’s Office decorated the Zoo Tree and it was a beautiful day.

    Clerk Jackson thanked Fairplay for sending cookies over for this evening’s Council Meeting.

    Clerk Jackson has a request from Beth Wetzig of Public Works for a donation to the Girl Scout to send cookies to the troops. Alderman Moirano moved to approve $250.00 to purchase Girl Scout Cookies for our troops. Alderman McHugh second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    CITY TREASURER

    Treasurer Schramm presented the Treasurer’s Reports dated October 31st and November 30th, 2009 for approval. Alderman Stachnik moved to approve the Treasurer’s Reports dated October 31st and November 30th, 2009. Alderman Moirano second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    CITY ATTORNEY

    Attorney Vince Cainkar reported the Illinois General Assembly adopted comprehensive amendments to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act effective January 1, 2010. One of the amendments to the Act requires that every public body shall designate one or more officials or employees to act as its Freedom of Information officer or officers.

    Alderman Moirano moved to approve the City Clerk and Deputy City Clerk to be designated as the local Freedom of Information officers for the City of Hickory Hills, including all of its boards, committees and subsidiary bodies. Alderman McHugh second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    Attorney Cainkar held a CDBG performance hearing at this time. The two projects are: 1). 08-021 the street resurfacing project in the amount of $70,000.00 is finished and final costs have not been completed. Mr. Lang added the voucher for this project has been submitted to IDOT. 2). 08-204-R in the amount of $100,000.00. This project is on 81st Court. The plans are almost complete and this will be done next year. This completes the Public Hearing.

    CITY ENGINEER

    Mr. Lang presented Invoice #90162 from Central Blacktop in the amount of $8,683.72. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Invoice #90162 (MFT 09-00000-01-GM, CDBG 08-021 pay estimated #4 partial) in the amount of $8,683.72. Alderman McAvoy second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    Mr. Lang reported a bid opening will be held on Wednesday, December 16th at 3:30 p.m. for the 2010 Street Resurfacing Program.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman McHugh moved to approve bills payable for the first half of December in the amount of $659,011.27. Alderman Stachnik second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Alderman Moirano moved to approve the customary bills
for the second half in December 2009. Alderman McAvoy
second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

    Szeszycki/Finance

    Alderman Szeszycki reported he has met with the Workman Compensation Insurance agent and the premium has increased by $4,000.00 this year. He noted he approved this and he will be investigating a new carrier for next year.

    Zimmerman/Public Safety

    Alderman Zimmerman noted the Police Chief has requested a replacement for retiring Officer Mark Jurak. Treasurer Schramm asked if the City could explore the option of hiring a part time officer.

    Chief Vodicka said in his opinion and experience that other departments have moved away from this idea. Chief Vodicka noted currently he is down 5 officers on the street. After some discussion, Alderman Zimmerman moved to approve the hiring of a new police officer by the Board of Fire and Police Commission. Alderman McAvoy second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    Mayor Howley thanked Congressman Lipinski for the funds received for patrol car computers. These will be received in the fall.

    Moirano/Public Works

    Alderman Moirano reported Public Works Pump House #2 existing motor is in need of replacement. Public Works has budgeted a backup power system for electrical loss at $70,000.00, and they believe the City is best serviced by an industrial engine. Public Works will issue a purchase order to Metro Pump for $56,600.00. No objections were noted.

    Alderman Moirano noted the price of salt remains high at twice the cost of prior years. Public Works has received 600 tons of salt of the 1,000 tons allocated. Alderman Moirano also noted Public Works will use steel blades this season.

    McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

    Alderman McHugh reported the community dinner on November 19th was well attended and he thanked all the volunteers. Alderman McHugh thanked Mr. George Les for his donation of turkey and stuffing.

    DeRose/Laws & Ordinances

    Alderman DeRose reported he is in receipt of 3 business license applications. 1) Russo’s Pizza located at 8609 W. 95th Street. This is a pizza delivery and carry out restaurant. 2) Thrive Communications located at 7667 W. 95th Street, Suite 212. This is a business which sells telecommunication services. 3) Smokers Choice located at 8601 W. 95th Street. This is a tobacco shop. The owner noted there would be no smoking in this store. No objections were noted and business licenses will be issued.

    Stachnik/Health & Environmental Control/Recycling

    No report submitted.

    Ferrero/Community Services/Youth Advisory Board

    Alderman Ferrero reported the Children’s Christmas Party will be held on Saturday, December 12th.

    Alderman Ferrero noted the Tree Lighting ceremony on Tuesday, November 24th went well considering the bad weather.

    Alderman Ferrero also noted the House Decorating Contest will be held on Tuesday, December 15th at 6:30 p.m.

    McAvoy/Chamber

    No report submitted.
    Business Development

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

Clerk Jackson distributed Census T-shirts to the Council to promote the census which takes place early next year.

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 8:54 p.m.