November 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, November 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. Szeszycki
    S. Zimmerman
  • City Treasurer, D. Schramm
  • City Attorney, V. Cainkar
  • City Engineer, T. Lang
  • Police Chief, A. Vodicka
  • Public Works Director, L. Boettcher
  • Deputy Clerk, D. Catizone

Alderman Stachnik, Clerk Jackson and Building Commissioner Gordon Betcher were absent. There being a quorum present, the meeting was called to order.

OPEN TO PUBLIC

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

Jim Kruse
Adoptaplatoon

Mr. Kruse is here this evening to tape a video of the City Council. He asked that everyone state your name and a short message to the troops. At this time, every member of the Council said a few words. Mayor Howley thanked Jim Kruse for all his efforts in this project.

The next boxing party will be on November 16th at the Community Center.

Mr. Greg Karr
President
AmAudit

Mr. Karr presented a proposal from AmAudit to provide utility auditing services. He described the three services his company provides. 1) Utility Tax Collection Audit. The overall goal is to identify areas where revenue is being lost due to a variety of factors. 2) Utility Cost Audit. The goal for this is to identify billing errors and opportunities for refunds or credits. 3) Utility Franchise Agreement Audit. This reviews each utility franchise agreement to ensure compliance by the applicable utility. The fee for the audit services is on a contingent basis. Based upon the findings report submitted to the City for approval, the fee is 50% of forward savings, refunds/credits, and increases in future revenue generated as detailed in the audit report. After some discussion, it was the consensus of the Council to have the City Attorney review this contract and place this on the December 9th agenda.

CLOSE TO PUBLIC

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

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman McHugh moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of October 28, 2010 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Szeszycki second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

    MAYOR

    Mayor Howley presented the National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month Proclamation. The month of December is proclaimed as Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month in the City of Hickory Hills.

    Mayor Howley is in receipt of a request from the Hickory Hills Youth Baseball for support of the upcoming season. Alderman McAvoy moved to approve $175.00 to the HHYB. Alderman McHugh second.

    Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    Mayor Howley reported that he attended the legislative breakfast at Belvedere Chateau in Palos Hills. This event was very well attended.

    Mayor Howley thanked everyone for attending this evening’s Veterans Day ceremony.

    Mayor Howley commented on how nice St. Patricia’s Pond landscaping is looking and he has received many compliments.

    Mayor Howley congratulated 1st Ward Aldermen McHugh and Moirano along with Larry Boettcher for their involvement on a resident’s sidewalk issue.

    Mayor Howley thanked everyone for helping at the Community Center Dinner.

    CITY CLERK

    Clerk Jackson was absent. No report submitted.

    CITY TREASURER

    Treasurer Schramm presented Treasurer’s reports dated September 30, 2010 and October 31, 2010. Alderman Moirano moved to approve the Treasurer’s Reports for September and October 2010. Alderman Szeszycki second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    CITY ATTORNEY

    Ord. 10-16

    Attorney Joe Cainkar presented Revised Ordinance 10-16, an ordinance amending Chapter 41, traffic, Section 41.31, automated traffic law enforcement system by changing the deadline dates in various sub-sections, of the Municipal Code of the City of Hickory Hills. This revised ordinance has a change in Section D, paragraph 7, changing the days from 21 to 14. Alderman McAvoy moved to approve Revised Ord. 10-16. Alderman Zimmerman second. Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. Alderman DeRose nay. So approved.

    Ord. 10-18

    Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance 10-18, an ordinance levying taxes for general corporate and other purposes for the fiscal year beginning May 1, 2010 and ending April 30, 2011, for the City of Hickory Hills, Cook County, Illinois. Alderman Moirano moved to approve Ord. 10-18. Alderman McHugh second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    CITY ENGINEER

    Mr. Lang gave an update on 95th Street and Roberts Road. He noted on Monday the left turn lanes will be started. Turning moments will be done from the middle lane. An option of a detour route was discussed and rejected because it would go through a residential area. He suggested the Police are present during rush hour. Chief Vodicka stated he will have auxiliary notified.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman McHugh moved to approve bills payable for the first half of November in the amount of $746,850.21. Alderman Zimmerman second. Treasurer Schramm noted on page 11, Land and Lakes services should have not been in Parkview’s operating account. This will be corrected. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Alderman Moirano moved to approve the customary bills payable for the second half of November 2010. Alderman McHugh second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

    Szeszycki/Finance

    Alderman Szeszycki reported the new Veba Plan is currently on hold with the employees voting no at this time. With regards to the FSA plan, the City has only received a few enrollment forms. So this will not move forward until the employees have responded.

    Zimmerman/Public Safety

    No report submitted.

    Chief Vodicka distributed a memo by Lt. Mike Rattigan summarizing major activities that the department has been dealing with the last thirty days. They include residential and car burglaries. Chief Vodicka noted in the car burglaries, the cars are unlocked.

    Chief Vodicka reported a retirement party will be held for Lt. Mike Murphy on Saturday, November 13th at Camelot.

    Mayor Howley thanked the Police Department who passed out candy on Halloween.

    Moirano/Public Works

    Alderman Moirano reported USEPA plans to impose severe penalties for sanitary overflows. IEPA in response, proposes to require stringent restrictions for clear water entering sanitary sewers. In 1970, the U. S. census reported the population of Hickory Hills at 13,000, and most of the sanitary system was installed with the state of art technology. Prior to 1970, various materials were used for joints connecting sanitary sewers which were not necessarily water tight. Also, air testing of sanitary lines to prove that they were water tight was not required until mid 70’s. Public Works proposes to have some of the sanitary mains air tested and joints sealed by National Power Rodding who performed our televising this spring. Only pipe runs that are structurally sound would be grouted, in the area north of 89th Street. He noted from this year’s sanitary lining budget, an expenditure of $60,000.00 is estimated. Public Works is recommending commencing of air-testing and grouting. No objections were noted.

    McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

    Alderman McHugh reported the Parkview renovation project is near completion. Alderman McHugh along with Alderman Moirano, Schramm Construction and Mike Mistele met to review the punch list. He noted this should be complete over the next 4 or 5 days.

    Alderman McHugh reported the Thanksgiving dinner was held at the Community Center with approximately 425 dinners served.

    DeRose/Health & Environmental Control/Recycling
    Stachnik/Laws & Ordinances

    Alderman Stachnik was absent. No report submitted.

    Ferrero/Community Services/Youth Advisory Board

    Alderman Ferrero reminded the Council the Tree Lighting Ceremony will be on November 23rd at 6:30 p.m. The Children’s Christmas Party will be on December 11th and the House Decorating Contest will be judged on December 14th.

    Alderman Ferrero is in receipt of a request from the Village View newspaper to place a holiday ad. The council denied this request.

    McAvoy/Chamber

    Alderman McAvoy thanked everyone for all the cards and condolences on the recent passing of his sister.

    Alderman McAvoy distributed a summary of the election results to the Council.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

Mayor Howley noted he has spoken to the representative from Land and Lakes and the City of Hickory Hills is the recycling leader of the southwest suburbs.

ADJOURNMENT

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

Meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.