March 11, 2010 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, March 11, 2010 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
    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
  • Public Works Director, L. Boettcher
  • Building Commissioner, G. Betcher
  • Deputy Clerk, D. Catizone

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

OPEN TO PUBLIC

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

No one spoke during this portion of the meeting.

CLOSE TO PUBLIC

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of February 25, 2010 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Moirano second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

    MAYOR

    Officer Scott Sodaro

    Mayor Howley recognized Officer Scott Sodaro who recently testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee in Springfield regarding a bill proposed to amend the seatbelt law which would make drivers responsible for securing elderly or infirm passengers. Officer Sodaro was asked by Senator Edward Maloney to appear before this committee to answer any questions. Mayor Howley noted the Senate passed this amendment today.

    McDonald’s Grand Opening

    Mayor Howley reported a grand opening for McDonald’s has been scheduled for June. They will also be celebrating the 35th Anniversary in Hickory Hills.

    Back Lit Street Lights

    Mayor Howley noted he has received positive feedback from the back lit signs that were installed on 95th Street.

    CITY CLERK

    Newsletter Deadline

    Clerk Jackson reported the deadline for any newsletter articles is March 26th.

    Loyalty Day Trophy Donation

    Clerk Jackson noted Ms. June Cuci has donated her trophy from the Miss Loyalty Day which she won in 1977. Clerk Jackson thanked her for her donation.

    Statements of Economic Interest

    Clerk Jackson noted the statements of economic interest will be mailed to city officials and should be sent back as soon as possible.

    Census

    Clerk Jackson also noted census questionnaires will be mailed soon.

    HH Youth Baseball Request

    Clerk Jackson is in receipt of a request from the Hickory Hills Youth Baseball for sponsorship. Alderman Moirano moved to approve a donation of $250.00. Alderman McHugh second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    MS Request

    Clerk Jackson presented a request from Beth Wetzig for a donation to the MS Walk to benefit the National MS Society, Greater Illinois Chapter.
    Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve a $50.00 donation. Alderman McHugh second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    Clerk’s Seminar

    Clerk Jackson reported she and Deputy Clerk Dee Catizone recently attended an all day Clerk’s seminar which was very educational. She noted a special presentation by the US Secret Service regarding counterfeit money was very interesting.

    CITY TREASURER

    Treasurer Schramm presented the Treasurer’s Report for February 28, 2010. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Treasurer’s Reports for February 28, 2010. Alderman Stachnik second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McHugh, McAvoy, Stachnik, Moirano, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    CITY ATTORNEY

    Ord. 10-08

    Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance 10-08, an ordinance adopting the 2009 International Building Code, the 2009 International Residential Code, the 2009 International Mechanical Code, the Illinois Plumbing Code, and the 2009 International Fire Code. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Ordinance 10-08. Alderman Szeszycki second.
    Aldermen DeRose, McAvoy, McHugh, Ferrero, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. Motion approved.

    CITY ENGINEER

    No report submitted.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve bills payable for the first half of March in the amount of $248,621.26. Alderman Stachnik second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

    Szeszycki/Finance

    No report submitted.

    Zimmerman/Public Safety

    Chief Vodicka distributed a copy of the traffic safety application for the Chief’s Challenge Award.

    Moirano/Public Works

    Alderman Moirano reported Public Works appeared before the Park District Board this week regarding the planned activity on 91st Place near Kasey Meadow Park. The new road and shoulders will occupy about ten feet of the park property. The Park District expressed concerns about the construction time frame which will interfere with the access to the building parking lot during Splash Pad operations, day camp, and the concert series for parking on 91st Place roadway. Public Works explained a plan of action that would minimize these concerns. The Park Board approved the reconstruction plan for 91st Place and paving on their property.

    McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

    Alderman McHugh reported the Building Department‘s budget currently stands at $143,900.00 which is approximately $18,900.00 over budget.

    Alderman McHugh noted at Parkview Apartments there is one vacant 3rd floor apartment available.

    DeRose/Laws & Ordinances

    No report submitted.

    Stachnik/Health & Environmental Control/Recycling

    No report submitted.

    Ferrero/Community Services/Youth Advisory Board

    Alderman Ferrero reported this Tuesday night the Youth Board will be baking cookies for the Senior Ice Cream Social at the Community Center. The Ice Cream Social will be held on Wednesday, March 17th at 3:30 p.m.

    McAvoy/Chamber

    Alderman McAvoy reported the Chamber will hold a spring general luncheon meeting on Wednesday, March 24th at the Sabre Room. This event will begin at 11:30 a.m. The topic will be Health Insurance Plans and Policies.

    Alderman McAvoy distributed a flyer regarding an upcoming clothes collection for homeless veterans.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Alderman McHugh asked if it is the decision of the Council to hold a concert the night before the Street Fair. After some discussion, it was the consensus of the Council to have a band play in the beer tent on Saturday, June 26th. The time to be announced later.

NEW BUSINESS

None.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Alderman Ferrero moved to convene into executive session for the purpose of discussing Police Department promotions and job reclassifications. Alderman Moirano second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmermann aye. So approved.

At 9:25 p.m. Alderman McAvoy moved to convene into regular meeting status. Alderman Szeszycki second. Aldermen Zimmerman, DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki aye. So approved.

New Business

Chief Vodicka noted he is a messenger on the behalf of the Radio Operator’s Association. Due to the difficult economy, they are willing to extend their current agreement for one more year and they will also concede the insurance incentive as of April 30th, 2010. This is with the stipulation that if any non-union employee received a raise or stipend, they would receive the same amount. Mr. Cainkar recommended that the Council accept this offer and he would add an addendum to the contract once the decision has been made. There was considerable discussion with regard to sharing these services or out-sourcing them. Chief Vodicka noted that to consider elimination of these services would be detrimental to the operation of our agency and the relationship that exists between our Police Department and the Community. He also gave the Council a list of what he considered to be major disadvantages to opting for a centralized dispatch service other than our existing 9-1-1- Center. Attorney Cainkar will follow up on this issue.

Budget Update

Treasurer Schramm noted that he had circulated budget worksheets to both the Public Works Director (road, sewer and water) and Chief Vodicka (P.D., 9-1-1 and forfeiture). He recommended that we schedule a budget meeting one week from tonight. However, after further discussion, Alderamn Szeszycki moved to schedule the next Council meeting (March 25th) for 6:00 p.m. and the Committee of the Whole sitting as a Finance Committee for 6:45 p.m. the same evening. Alderman McAvoy second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Sewer Back-Up

There was considerable discussion with regard to the sewer back-up on 85th Court. The resident has submitted an itemized list of her losses. Although everyone sympathizes with this situation, the City has never before reimbursed a resident for losses such as this. Alderman McAvoy noted a resident in his ward experienced a similar situation recently and he had informed her that the City was not responsible for the loss. Attorney Cainkar noted there are so many individual cases and it is unknown what clogged the sewer line in the first place. Also, she did not have overhead sewers which would have prevented this problem. Our insurance company has denied the claim since municipalities are exempt from liability for this type of claim. This matter will be re-visited at the next Council meeting.

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 9:45 p.m.