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March 10, 2011 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, March 10, 2011 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. Stachnik
    J. Szeszycki
    S. Zimmerman
  • City Clerk, J. Jackson
  • City Treasurer, D. Schramm
  • City Attorney, V. Cainkar
  • City Engineer, T. Lang
  • Police Chief, A. Vodicka
  • Building Commissioner, G. Betcher
  • Public Works Director, L. Boettcher
  • Deputy Clerk, D. Catizone

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

OPEN TO PUBLIC

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

Jeff Kranig
Justice, Illinois

Mr. Kranig is a resident of Justice. He is working as a volunteer to assist veterans. He is on a committee with local legislators to organize a veteran ceremony that involves several communities including Bridgeview, Justice, Willow Springs, Bedford Park, and Countryside. He would like the City of Hickory Hills to participate in an event sometime in November. He is asking for a member of the Council to be on the planning committee and to help gather a list of veterans in the City. Mayor Howley thanked Mr. Kranig and that he could count on Hickory Hills for their support.

Ms. Iwona Klimowska
Mr. Kazimierz Fryzowicz

Ms. Iwona Klimowska and her father, Kazimierz Fryzowicz presented Mayor Howley and Alderman McAvoy with a token of their appreciation for all their support. This past summer the two went to Poland to deliver the City’s Resolution to the families of the victims of the tragic plane crash that killed the President of Poland. They also showed pictures of all the families they met with to express their condolences. In attendance, Mr. Jeff Prestinario, Chairman of the Marathon Committee in Palos Heights, was also recognized for his efforts. Mayor Howley thanked Mr. Fryzowicz and Ms. Klimowska.

CLOSE TO PUBLIC

Alderman McHugh moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of February 24, 2011 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Ferrero second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

    MAYOR

    Mayor Howley reported PACE is still interested in installing three bus shelters in our community.

    Mayor Howley stated PitaLand on 95th Street is expanding.

    Mayor Howley noted the banner program is being investigated. He also noted the Chamber is interested in this project.

    Mayor Howley distributed information for review from the Utility Service Partners, a company that provides sanitary sewer line warranty programs for residents. This will be discussed at a later meeting.

    Mayor Howley stated the Council should be in receipt of a memo from Vince Cainkar regarding the Fire and Paramedic Services situation.

    CITY CLERK

    Clerk Jackson distributed a flyer from the Green Hills Library for a reception on April 4th celebrating the opening of a constituent outreach office.

    Clerk Jackson noted voter registration closed on March 8th.

    Clerk Jackson reported the newsletter is at the printer.

    CITY TREASURER

    Treasurer Schramm reported that after discussions with Cole Taylor Bank regarding the note for Parkview, he is suggesting the City pay off the balance of $599,000.00. He noted this would save the City approximately $30,000.00. Payment has been made. The Parkview operating account now has approximately $50,000.00.

    Treasurer Schramm stated he would like to place a 6:00 p.m. start on the March 24th agenda for the Committee meeting. That meeting would just cover the general fund revenue. In April, we will start covering the departmental budgets and the water rates.

    CITY ATTORNEY

    No report submitted.

    CITY ENGINEER

    94th St. Storm Sewer
    CDBG 08-204-R
    Pay Estimate #2

    Mr. Lang presented Invoice No. 6339 from Len Cox and Sons Excavating for work done on the 94th St. Storm Sewer in the amount of $44,669.70. He noted there will be one more payment to end this project. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Invoice 6339 in the amount of $44,669.70. Alderman Szeszycki second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

COMMUNICATIONS

Alderman McAvoy moved to approve bills payable for the first half of March 2011 in the amount of $965,538.18. Alderman Ferrero second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

BILLS PAYABLE

STANDING COMMITTEES

    Szeszycki/Finance

    No report submitted.

    Zimmerman/Public Safety

    Alderman Zimmerman reported an award was given to Chief Vodicka from the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. The award was submitted by Officer Lopez recognizing Chief Vodicka’s support for allowing him the time to train during 4 overseas deployments. Chief Vodicka thanked Officer Lopez and this award was quite a surprise.

    Moirano/Public Works

    Alderman Moirano was absent.

    Public Hearing

    Mr. Lang opened the public hearing in accordance with General Permit ILR40 issued by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit Program. The purpose of the public hearing is discussing the City’s initiatives to conform to the program.

    As required by state and federal regulations, the City of Hickory Hills submitted a notice of intent to be covered by updated Illinois General Permit ILR40 in March of 2008. That notice of intent set forth the commitment by the City to implement certain minimum control measures and to have those measures completed and in play by March 2013. Six minimum control measures must be outlined along with the general introduction of the actions to be taken. The minimum control measures are:

    Public Education and Outreach: which is met by publishing articles in the newsletter and distributing pamphlets.

    Public Participation and Involvement: which is met by holding this public hearing.

    Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination: which is met by mapping the City’s storm atlas, identifying the outfalls and inspecting the discharges during dry weather.

    Construction Site Runoff Control and Post Construction Runoff Control: which are both met by ordinances the City has passed.

    And lastly, Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping of Municipal Operations: which is met through an employee training program and a review of the actions and operations of the City that potentially impact storm water runoff.

    That is the summary of the commitment by the City of Hickory Hills to satisfy the IEPA general permit requirements. No questions were noted. Public Hearing is closed.

    Mr. Boettcher reported the sanitary rehab budget for this year will also be used to line 1,700 linear feet of clay pipe by Insituform who is in town this week and at the same unit prices previously received. The City should consider an annual contract for lining work, as competition for lining services will increase. Also, a balance of budgeted funds will be used for joint grouting. All this work will be done north of 87th Street.

    Mr. Boettcher noted County activities are progressing on the 88th Avenue reconstruction. Palos and Hickory both have received town reimbursement agreements from the County. Numerous details of the agreement will need to be finalized.

    McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

    Alderman McHugh reported the Community Dinner will be held on March 30th at the Community Center from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00.

    Stachnik/Laws & Ordinances

    No report submitted.

    DeRose/Health & Environmental Control/Recycling

    Alderman DeRose reported he is gathering information on Food Waste Recycling through Land and Lakes.

    Ferrero/Community Services/Youth Advisory Board

    Alderman Ferrero reported the Ice Cream Social was held last evening and all went well with 67 residents attending the event.

    Alderman Ferrero noted she has hired the Neverly Bros. Band for the Saturday night before the Street Fair.

    Alderman Ferrero reported the Community Affairs Committee is very busy working on Arbor Day and the Street Fair.

    Alderman Ferrero also reported Alex Beebe of the Youth Board is currently ranked in the top 1% of his class. Also, Andrew Witek is in the top 5% of the class. She thanked them both for all their work on the Youth Board.

    McAvoy/Chamber

    Alderman McAvoy distributed an invitation to a Business Open House on Wednesday, March 30th at Marquette Bank from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. hosted by The Hills Chamber and Marquette Bank.

    Alderman McAvoy reported the Hills Chamber is sponsoring an open house event on May 17th at the Sabre Room. He also noted he attended a meeting with the Chamber on Tuesday. At this meeting, the Chamber announced they will not sponsor the National Night Out Event in August. They will be focusing on reaching out to businesses. Alderman McAvoy noted the Council could explore funding of this event. Chief Vodicka offered to work with the Park District on the this National Night Out event.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

Alderman McAvoy thanked the Boy Scouts for the Pancake Breakfast that was held on Sunday at the Community Center. He noted it was very well attended.

Mayor Howley noted the Pine Wood Derby will be held at Oak Ridge School on March 19th at 10:45 a.m.

ADJOURNMENT

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

Meeting adjourned at 8:31 p.m.