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May 13, 2010 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, May 13, 2010 at 7:30 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

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

POLICE PROMOTIONS

Chief Vodicka stated it was his distinct privilege and honor to preside over the promotions of two of Hickory’s finest officers; Sgt. Tim Stevens and Officer Ervin Wee Sit. Chief Vodicka introduced Sgt. Stevens and gave some background information. Sgt. Stevens began his career in 1986 by participating in the Police Cadet Program. He was promoted to Sergeant in 2001. He has a file full of commendations and Chief Vodicka read one of these commendations. Chief Vodicka introduced Officer Wee Sit who officially began his career in law enforcement prior to joining the Hickory Hills Police Force by serving our country in the Military Police Department for the U.S. Army. He began his career with the Police Department in 1992. Officer Wee Sit is also a supervisor with the 5th District Swat Team. Finally, Chief Vodicka noted that his personnel file also contains a number of commendation letters and read one of those. At this time, Chief Vodicka turned the meeting over to the Fire and Police Commissioners for the swearing of Lieutenant Tim Stevens and Sergeant Ervin Wee Sit. Father Mol gave a blessing.

Mayor Howley extended congratulations on behalf of the City Council, noting that these two officers are well deserving of the promotions.

OPEN TO PUBLIC

Alderman Moirano 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

Alderman Szeszycki moved to close the meeting to the public. Alderman McAvoy 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 April 22, 2010 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Ferrero second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, Moirano, Stachnik, Zimmerman aye. Aldermen McHugh and Szeszycki pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

    MAYOR

    Mayor Howley noted that prior to this meeting, he attended a regional senior lunch/dinner sponsored by the Aging Well Network. They have been promoting senior programs in the southwest region through the benefit of a significant grant. It was a very nice event.

    Mayor Howley noted that he also had another meeting with McDonald’s and Mr. Danos early last week regarding the turning lane. The cost breakdown was reviewed for a possible left turn lane. Actually, this is a resignalization of all the signals at 76th and 95th Street. We now have a proposal before a liaison for IDOT explaining what we would like to see happen at this location.

    CITY CLERK

    Clerk Jackson reported that she has received a request for a block party from a resident at 8336 W. 94th Street. This is for June 5th from Noon to Midnight. Council consensus was to approve and barricades will be provided.

    Clerk Jackson reported on the second annual 2010 State Senior Spelling Bee which will be held on May 20th at Palos Township in Palos Hills.

    Clerk Jackson requested a donation for Mark Smolinski, President of Moraine Valley Rotary who is participating in a walk/run for Rotary District 6450 to end Polio now. Alderman McHugh moved to approve a $25.00 donation to Mark Smolinski. Alderman Moirano second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    Clerk Jackson reminded everyone about the “Walk Around the Pond” for Saturday morning starting at 9:30 a.m.

    At this time, there was some discussion on the Committee Meeting schedule. Alderman Stachnik moved that the committee meetings be canceled from June through September, 2010. Alderman Ferrero second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    It was also noted that the next committee meeting on May 27, 2010 will be held at the normal time – 6:30 p.m. It will deal solely with finalization of the budget unless a matter of some urgency should arise.

    CITY TREASURER

    Treasurer Schramm deferred his report until the unfinished business portion of the meeting.

    CITY ATTORNEY

    Radio Operators Agreement

    Attorney Cainkar presented the agreement between the City of Hickory Hills and the Hickory Hills Radio Communication Operators Assoc. for a one-year extension, with modifications, of the collective bargaining agreement dated October 26, 2006. Attorney Cainkar noted this agreement extends the contract for a year while deleting the insurance incentive and modifies the wage scale to no increases except in the event the City provides a raise for non union City employees. Alderman Moirano moved to approve the Radio Communication Operators Agreement. Alderman Stachnik second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    Ord. 10-09

    Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance 10-09, an ordinance Amending Chapter 24, building code, of the Hickory Hills Municipal Code by changing Section 24.02, building permit fees. Attorney Cainkar noted this would change the permit fee for new driveways or extensions of existing driveways, utility or storage sheds and fences to $25.00. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Ord. 10-09. Alderman McAvoy second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    Ord. 10-10

    Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance 10-10, an ordinance amending Section 4.01, creation, of Chapter 4, Police Department, of the Hickory Hills Municipal Code by providing for nineteen patrol officers and six lieutenants. Alderman Zimmerman moved to approve Ord. 10-10. Alderman Stachnik second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    Res. 10-08

    Attorney Cainkar presented Resolution 10-08, a resolution adopting a RHFP post retirement healthcare funding plan. Alderman Szeszycki asked if this would be for all city employees and Treasurer Schramm noted this is the first step and is only for Police Officers. It eventually will be for all employees. After this is approved, a check for $2,000.00 will be issued- $100.00 times 20. The question also came up if this was an annual fee of $100.00 per employee or a one-time fee – Treasurer Schramm noted he would clarify this at the next meeting. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Res. 10-08. Alderman Szeszycki second. Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. Alderman DeRose nay. So approved.

    CITY ENGINEER

    Miscellaneous Street Resurfacing
    MFT 09-00060-00-RS
    ERP Job #C/D-91-121-10
    Pay Estimate #1
    Partial

    Mr. Lang presented Invoice #3010101 from Fiala Paving Co. Inc., for work done on street resurfacing in the amount $243,326,57. Alderman Moirano moved to approve Invoice #3010101. Alderman McHugh second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    91st Place

    Mr. Lang reported the 91st Place bid opening will be May 26th and construction will begin after the Fourth of July.

    94th Street

    Mr. Lang noted the contractors are tentatively planning to start the 94th Street storm sewer on Monday.

    95th Street

    Mr. Lang also noted that the 95th Street pre-construction meeting will be in Schaumburg on May 27, 2010.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman McHugh moved to approve an additional bills payable for the second half of April to close out the fiscal year in the amount of $72,862.02. Alderman Ferrero second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Alderman McHugh moved to approve bills payable for the first half of May in the amount of $350,801.49. Alderman McAvoy second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

    Szeszycki/Finance

    Alderman Szeszycki reported that he is still investigating sanitary line insurance for homeowners. Our current carrier may be willing to provide this and is working on getting pricing.

    Alderman Szeszycki noted there is an extra amount of liability insurance for the Saturday night beer tent at the Street Fair.

    Zimmerman/Public Safety

    Chief Vodicka presented an overtime breakdown for 2009-2010 which has been given to all officers. Due to budgetary constraints, Chief Vodicka noted he is making a concerted effort, in addition to those already in place, to reduce overtime expenses for this next fiscal year. Thirty two percent of overtime includes incident completion and arrests, of which the department has no control. An analysis of overtime costs reveals that a significant portion is related to sick day usage.

    To address the concerns about overtime, certain strategies are being implemented as was outlined in his handout.

    Moirano/Public Works

    No report submitted.

    McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

    Alderman McHugh reported that Parkview is pretty well all rented.

    DeRose/Laws & Ordinances

    Alderman DeRose presented one business license application for “Da Bar” located at 8703 W. 95th Street. No objections were noted.

    Stachnik/Health & Environmental Control/Recycling

    Alderman Stachnik reported that the City has received recycling proceeds for the first quarter of 2010 in the amount $2,162.58. This is promising that we are starting to receive recycling money again.

    Alderman Stachnik noted the Cook County Department of Public Health will begin collecting and submitting birds for West Nile Virus testing for the 2010 season on May 1, 2010. As in the past years, residents reporting a dead bird can call (708) 492-2650.

    Ferrero/Community Services/Youth Advisory Board

    Alderman Ferrero reported we are moving along as far as street fair plans with 57 crafters and 7 food vendors. She also noted that the City has again won the Tree City USA award.

    Alderman Ferrero noted Arbor Day also turned out well with good weather and a good turn-out.

    McAvoy/Chamber/Business Development

    Alderman McAvoy welcomed Jesse Marx, the reporter from the Reporter to the meeting.

    Alderman McAvoy also reported that the networking meeting of the Chamber of Commerce was held last night with about 40 businesses in attendance.

    Alderman McAvoy noted that he attended the funeral of Richard Doman at Abraham Lincoln Cemetery. He noted the ceremony was done with dignity and he gave a letter to the Doman family expressing sympathy.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Treasurer Schramm circulated a final copy of the budget a three page summary of the 44 page detailed budget report. He noted that it is self-explanatory and he was not going to discuss it this evening.

He requested that everyone review and bring it to the Committee meeting in two weeks at 6: 30 p.m.

NEW BUSINESS

Mayor Howley invited everyone to his annual golf outing at Waters Edge on June 5th.

Alderman Ferrero also noted that she had received a request from a constituent to include phone numbers of the aldermen in the next newsletter.

Alderman Ferrero reported Mr. Sam Nicastro was the guest speaker at Silver Lakes Country Club. This is an annual banquet for special needs children and people who hire these children.

Clerk Jackson also reported that because of time constraints for the next newsletter, information should be turned in by June 1st.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Alderman Ferrero moved to convene into executive session for the purpose of discussing personnel. Alderman Moirano second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

ADJOURNMENT

Alderman Ferrero moved to convene into the regular meeting and 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.