October 13, 2011 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, October 13, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.

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 Attorney, V. Cainkar
  • Police Chief, A. Vodicka
  • Public Works Director, L. Boettcher
  • Acting Clerk, C. Doherty

Clerk Catizone was 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 McAvoy second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mr. Vince Uzzardo
9046 W. 92nd Street
Hickory Hills, IL 60457

Mr. Uzzardo gave the Council an update on the Lions 5K Run/Walk scheduled for Saturday, October 22nd. To date, they have 60 applicants signed up. He is hoping for 150 to 200 participants especially if the weather is nice. He also stated the Lions Club will be offering a free eye screening that same morning at City Hall.

CLOSE TO PUBLIC

Alderman Stachnik 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 Szeszycki moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of September 22, 2011 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Ferrero second.

Roll call: Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. Alderman McAvoy pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

    MAYOR

    November meeting schedule

    Mayor Howley noted the second meeting in November would fall on Thanksgiving and would need to be rescheduled. It was agreed that the November 24th meeting would be cancelled and a Committee and Council meeting would be held on November 10th beginning at 6:30 p.m.

    Halloween hours

    It was agreed that Halloween hours would be from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, October 31st.

    Thank you note

    Mayor Howley passed around a thank you note from the family of Gordon Betcher for condolence flowers sent by the City.

    Grant for improved lighting

    Mayor Howley noted he has received confirmation of a grant for improved lighting at intersections for some of our residential streets. The agreement states only 25% of the $150,000 award will be fronted as soon as the executed agreement is submitted. Mr. Lang suggested monies needed be taken from the Utility Tax Fund rather than from MFT for design and engineering costs and periodic payments to the contractor. The City will be paid over the course of the project as construction progresses.

    Nov. 5th electronics recycling event

    Mayor Howley reminded everyone that the City’s electronics recycling event will take place on Saturday, November 5th in the City Hall parking lot from 9 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in conjunction with Land and Lakes and Vintage Tech Recyclers, Inc. This information will be inserted in our newsletter.

    Palos Hts. Comcast Cable Access Channel

    Mayor Howley noted he is in receipt of a letter from the Mayor of Palos Heights and Ron Jankowski, Producer of Cable Channel 4, inviting our City, Palos Hills, and Worth to be part of this TV communication at no cost. All three cities must participate with this Comcast cable circuit to move forward with it. Mayor Howley thought this might be something we could consider.

    Mr. & Mrs. Darrah

    Mayor Howley read a note from Mr. & Mrs. Darrah thanking the City Council for their block party permit for 92nd Place and 93rd Street and the Police Department for providing gift bags that day. They hope to make this an annual event.

    CITY CLERK

    Box Party for the Troops

    It was noted that the monthly Box Party for the Troops will be held on Tuesday, October 18th from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Community Center.

    CITY TREASURER

    Treasurer Schramm presented the Treasurer’s Report dated September 30, 2011 for approval. Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report dated September 30, 2011. Alderman Stachnik second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    CITY ATTORNEY

    Resolution 11-08
    CDBG

    Attorney Cainkar presented Resolution 11-08, a resolution
    authorizing the execution of a subrecipient agreement for Project Number 11-018 under the County of Cook Community Development Block Grant Program. Alderman Moirano moved to approve Resolution 11-08. Alderman Ferrero second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    Ord. 11-9

    Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance 11-09, an ordinance approving rear yard setback variation for the property located at 9540 South Roberts Road, Hickory Hills, Illinois. (Chase Bank) Alderman McHugh moved to approve Ord. 11-9. Alderman McAvoy second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    Ord. 11-10

    Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance 11-10, an ordinance levying taxes for general corporate and other purposes for the fiscal year beginning May 1, 2011 and ending April 30, 2012, for the City of Hickory Hills, Cook County, Illinois. Alderman Moirano moved to approve Ord. 11-10. Alderman Zimmerman second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    CITY ENGINEER

    No report submitted.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the bills payable for the first half of October 2011 in the amount of $540,711.61. Alderman McHugh second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Alderman Stachnik moved to approve the bills payable for the second half of September 2011 in the amount of $90,574.51. Alderman Szeszycki 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 noted in the Police Department’s Quarterly Report that the auxiliary officers issued 301 parking tickets. Last January, the Department implemented using them for 5 hours on Fridays and 5 hours on Saturdays typically the busier days the week. This allowed our regular officers more time to respond to service calls. Using the auxiliary officers should bring in additional revenue.

    Moirano/Public Works

    Mr. Moirano stated that the Street Renovation Program for 2012 will use MFT funds collected during a single calendar year. Also CDBG funds have been applied for as in the past. Proposed improvements adjacent to 88th Avenue have been deferred.

    To address MWRD concerns on double pump operations at sanitary lift stations, Public Works will continue to upgrade the SCADA system to address this issue and install radio communications for three of the sanitary lift stations. A purchase order for $56,000 will be issued to Metropolitan Pump, a budgeted project, unless there are expressed concerns. The SCADA system will allow us to be more accurate.

    McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

    No report submitted.

    Stachnik/Laws & Ordinances

    Alderman Stachnik reported that he is in receipt of two business license applications for 1) Lab Express by Benjamin Villafane, 9243 S. Roberts Road. This is a brokerage company that facilitates phlebotomy services for the homebound. 2) Red Box Automated Retail, LLC, Oak Brook, IL, at the CVS Pharmacy, 8811 W. 87th Street. No objections were noted.

    DeRose/Health & Environmental Control/Recycling

    No report submitted.

    Ferrero/Community Services/Youth Advisory Board

    Alderman Ferrero reported that Community Affairs is set for the City Halloween Party on Saturday, October 22nd.

    McAvoy/Chamber

    Alderman McAvoy reported that Chamber Night will be on November 2nd at which time Mayor Howley and Mayor Bennett will be speaking from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Sabre Room. He will have more information to follow.

    Alderman McAvoy also reported that he will have some volunteers along with those from Stagg High School to work the electronic recycling event.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

Com Ed meeting

Alderman Szeszycki reported there will be a ComEd Mayor’s meeting Wednesday, October 19th regarding the “Smart Grid”.

Lunch with the Legislators

Mayor Howley reported that there will be a luncheon with the Legislators on October 14th at Noon at the Library. Also, he will e-mail information he has on an upcoming Legislators’ Breakfast at the Belvedere Chateau .

Pepe’s Restaurant

Mayor Howley confirmed that Pepe’s Restaurant has closed.

ADJOURNMENT

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

Meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.