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December 8, 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, December 8, 2011 at 7:35 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 Clerk, D. Catizone
  • City Treasurer, D. Schramm
  • City Attorney, V. Cainkar
  • City Engineer, T. Lang
  • Police Chief, A. Vodicka
  • Public Works Director, L. Boettcher

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

No one spoke during this portion of the meeting.

CLOSE TO PUBLIC

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

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of November 10, 2011 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. CORRECTION: Page 2, year should read 2013. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McHugh, McAvoy, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. Alderman Moirano pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

    MAYOR

    National Drunk/Drugged Driver Prevention Month Proclamation

    Mayor Howley presented the National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month Proclamation. This calls upon all government agencies, business leaders, hospitals and health care providers, and schools to promote awareness of the impaired driving problem, to support programs and policies to reduce the incidence of impaired driving, and to promote safer and healthier behaviors regarding the use of alcohol and other drugs this December holiday season and throughout the year.

    Electronic Recycling Event

    Mayor Howley thanked everyone who participated in the recent electronic recycling.

    Chicago Water Rate Increase

    Mayor Howley stated water rates were discussed at the Committee meeting this evening and will be further discussed at the January Council meeting.

    Electrical Aggregation

    Mayor Howley reported if the City would like to have the electrical aggregation question on the ballot, it would have to be voted on tonight. It is basically no cost to the City and he noted the transmission would be very smooth and it would save the residents approximately $175.00 to $200.00 a year.

    Jimmy John’s

    Mayor Howley introduced Mr. Jeff Fort, owner of the mew Jimmy John’s, which will be moving into Hickory Hills. Mr. Fort provided sandwiches for the Council and a small break was taken at this time.

    CITY CLERK

    Clerk Catizone thanked Mrs. Boettcher for decorating the City Hall for the holidays. She also thanked Robinson Engineering for hosting a wonderful holiday party on Saturday.

    Clerk Catizone reported in reviewing the resident traffic on Thursday evening, she is recommending starting in January, the Clerk’s Office open on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month to follow the Council meetings. Over the last 7 months, an average of one or two residents have come in between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. No objections were noted.

    CITY TREASURER

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

    CITY ATTORNEY

    Performance Hearing

    Attorney Cainkar explained at this time a performance public hearing will be held on the Cook County Development Block Grant Program. Mayor Howley asked for a motion to open the performance hearing. Alderman McHugh moved to open the public hearing. Mr. Boettcher reported the work has been completed to date for the prior year. No questions were noted. Public Hearing was closed at this time.

    Ord. 11-11

    Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance 11-11, an ordinance adding Section 24.05, approved unit battery equipment for emergency systems, to Chapter 25, Electrical Code, of the Hickory Hills Municipal Code. This allows unit battery enclosure and lamp holder shall be UL approved and can be metal or plastic. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Ord. 11-11. Alderman Moirano second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    Ord. 11-12

    Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance 11-12, an ordinance adding Section 6.16, fees for water connection permits, to Chapter 6, Water Service, of the Hickory Hills Municipal Code. This ordinance allows with the absence of the Building Commissioner, the Director of the Public Works Department is authorized to establish and maintain a list of fees to be paid of installing new water connections or repairing a water connection. Alderman Moirano moved to approve Ordinance 11-12. Alderman McHugh second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    Ord. 11-13

    Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance 11-13, an ordinance adding Section 7.12, fees for sanitary sewer connection permit, to Chapter 7, sanitary sewer service, of the Hickory Hills Municipal Code. This ordinance is similar to Ord. 11-12 but this one deals with the sanitary sewer. Alderman Moirano moved to approve Ord. 11-13. Alderman McHugh second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    Res. 11-09

    Attorney Cainkar presented Resolution 11-09, a resolution establishing a merit committee for the executive personnel of the Police Department. Alderman McAvoy moved to approve Res. 11-09. Alderman Ferrero second. Several Aldermen voiced their opinions for and against this resolution. Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Zimmerman aye. Aldermen DeRose and Szeszycki nay. So approved.

    Res. 11-10

    Attorney Cainkar presented Resolution 11-10, a Resolution authorizing the submission of a question concerning the supply of electricity to the electors at the March 20, 2012 General Primary Election. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Res. 11-10. Alderman Moirano second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    CITY ENGINEER

    Mr. Lang presented Invoice #90720 to Central Blacktop in the amount of $20,125.80 for work done on the 2011 miscellaneous resurfacing MFT 11-00000-01-GM, pay estimate #3, partial. Alderman Moirano moved to approve Invoice #90720 in the amount of $20,125.80. Alderman Stachnik second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the bills payable for the first half of December 2011 in the amount of $923,698.59. Alderman Ferrero second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, Moirano, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the regular and customary bills for the second half of November 2011 in the amount of $118,502.36. Alderman McHugh second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the regular and customary bills for the second half of December 2011. Alderman McAvoy second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

    Szeszycki/Finance

    No report submitted.

    Zimmerman/Public Safety

    No report submitted.

    Moirano/Public Works

    Alderman Moirano reported on the 89th Street Intersection Lighting Grant for 89th Street. Public Works is recommending that the lighting be extended west to include Maple and Oakwood. Estimated project cost is $190,000 which exceeds the $150,000.00 grant by $40,000 which was budgeted. The intersection lighting cannot be paid by MFT funds. Alderman Moirano moved to approve taking $40,000.00 from the utility tax fund. Alderman Szeszycki second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    Alderman Moirano reported the IEPA recent water supply inspection requires that the City perform biennial inspections of backflow devices and paper track annual inspections and testing.
    Only certified plumbers with backflow certification are qualified to perform this annual activity with costs starting over $100.00 per unit. This IEPA mandated service can be hired out to a specialty company at a nominal cost to the City, but enforcement remain the City’s obligation. The Public Works Department is investigating this program.

    McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

    Alderman McHugh reported the Thanksgiving Community Dinner was held on November 15th and went very well with $500.00 collected for postage for mailing boxes to the troops.

    Stachnik/Laws & Ordinances

    Alderman Stachnik reported Mobil One Express has a new owner, Mr. Waster Narsolis.

    DeRose/Health & Environmental Control/Recycling

    Alderman DeRose reported the Electronic Recycling Event on Saturday, November 4th was a huge success and collected over 27,000 pounds of electronics.

    Ferrero/Community Services/Youth Advisory Board

    Alderman Ferrero reminded the Council of the upcoming events. The Children’s Christmas Party will be on December 10th at Krueger Park and the Lights of Hickory Hills Contest on December 13th.

    McAvoy/Chamber

    Alderman McAvoy reported the business directory forms have been distributed. He also noted the directory will be out in February.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

Mayor Howley wished everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

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 8:46 p.m.