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December 13, 2012 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 13, 2012, at 7:34 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
    B. Waight
    S. Zimmerman
  • City Clerk, D. Catizone
  • City Treasurer, D. Schramm
  • City Attorney, J. Cainkar
  • Chief of Police, A. Vodicka
  • Public Works Director, L. Boettcher
  • Building Commissioner, J. Moirano

    • City Engineer, Tom Lang was absent. There being a quorum present, the meeting was called to order.

OPEN TO PUBLIC

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

Ms. Laura Meyer
Flying High Sports and Rec Center
5400 East Avenue
Countryside, IL

Ms. Meyer was introduced by Alderman Waight. She is present to answer any questions regarding her proposed business located at 9911 S. 78th Avenue. This is a training facility for cheerleading and gymnastics. They would also like to hold birthday parties on the weekends. She noted they are currently located in Countryside and would like to expand to Hickory Hills. No objections were noted.

Ms. Constance Nester
8120 W. 89th Place

Ms. Nester voiced her concerns about access to the City’s Senior Center and the Hickory Hills Senior Club.

She stated she is representing her Mother and a long list of senior citizens. Ms. Nester explained her mother is on the waiting list to re-join this group. Mayor Howley noted there is a space problem in regards to the City’s Senior Center Facility. He is aware of approximately 40 seniors at present on the waiting list. Due to the fire code, there is an occupancy limitation. Ms. Nester complimented the City on its assortment of functions offered to the seniors. After some discussion, a suggestion was made of adding more space to the Main Center’s gathering room by removing a wall that connected to a back room. Building Commissioner Moirano noted he is familiar with the room and agreed that it was possible and if the wall were removed the room would accommodate a greater number of seniors. The City will review the matter discussed and proceed if possible.

CLOSE TO PUBLIC

Alderman Waight moved to close the meeting to the public. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmermann aye. So approved.

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of November 8, 2012 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. Alderman DeRose pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

    MAYOR

    St. Patricia Request

    Mayor Howley is in receipt of a request from the St. Patricia Holy Name Society for a temporary liquor license for the Annual Super Bowl Party on February 3, 2013. Alderman McHugh moved to approve a temporary liquor license for St. Patricia’s HNS Super Bowl Party from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on February 3, 2013. Alderman Waight second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    HHYB

    Mayor Howley is in receipt of a request from the Hickory Hills Youth Baseball for a donation. Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve a donation of $175.00 to the HHYB. Alderman McHugh second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    Thank you

    Mayor Howley thanked Alderman McAvoy for taking his place at the Chamber Meeting. Mayor Howley also thanked Alderman Zimmerman for conducting the countdown of the holiday tree lighting ceremony. Mayor Howley noted he was recovering from surgery.

    Mayor Howley stated the Danos building is coming along very well.

    Mayor Howley noted Sammie’s Restaurant will be moving to the old Brown’s Chicken location in Palos Hills. Chicago Title is also moving from 87th Street to 95th Street.

    CITY CLERK

    Clerk Catizone announced the filing for petitions for the April 9, 2013 election will begin on Monday, December 17th through December 26th at the Clerk’s Office.

    Clerk Catizone reported the e-recycling trailer has been emptied twice already and the residents are utilizing this trailer.

    CITY TREASURER

    Treasurer Schramm presented the Treasurer’s Report dated November 30, 2012 for approval.

    Alderman McAvoy moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report dated November 30, 2012. Alderman McHugh second. Treasurer Schramm stated on page 4 you will notice a substantial reimbursement in the forfeiture fund. Chief Vodicka noted these are seizures from an ATF case. Roll call: Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    Treasurer Schramm noted a copy of the City’s Audit was distributed to the Council. If you have any questions you can contact Treasurer Schramm. When finished reviewing please return copies to the Treasurer’s office.

    CITY ATTORNEY
    Ord. 12-20

    Attorney Joseph Cainkar presented Ordinance 12-20, an ordinance amending Chapter 3, City Government, of the Hickory Hills Municipal Code by changing Section 3.08, designation of officers (adding Plan Review Officer). Alderman McAvoy moved to approve Ordinance 12-20. Alderman Stachnik second. Roll Call: Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    CITY ENGINEER

    Mr. Lang was absent. Mayor Howley presented Invoice #1211071 from Elmund & Nelson for work done on the 89th Street Lighting Project (pay estimate #1, partial)
    in the amount of $156, 261.51. Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve Invoice #1211071 to Elmund & Nelson in the amount of $156, 261.51. Alderman Ferrero second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman McHugh moved to approve the bills payable for the first half of December, 2012 in the amount of $715, 954.17. Alderman Ferrero second.

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

Customary Bills Payable

Alderman McHugh moved to approve the customary bills payable for the second half of December 2012. Alderman Stachnik second. Roll Call: Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Bills Payable

Alderman Waight moved to approve the bills for the second half of November 2012 in the amount of $301, 455.29. Alderman McAvoy second. Roll Call: Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved

STANDING COMMITTEES

    Szeszycki/Finance

    Alderman Szeszycki reported he has met with the worker’s compensation insurance representative and has signed the bill with an increase of $64, 000.00 or 18%.

    Alderman Szeszycki noted the Council will have to review water rates because Chicago is raising the rates. This will have to be discussed at the January meetings.

    Stachnik/Public Safety

    No report submitted.

    Zimmerman/PublicWorks

    88th Avenue Reconstruction
    Public Works Director Boettcher noted utilities have been a continual hindrance to the 88th Avenue reconstruction program. The most recent was the NICOR 6 inch high pressure gas line that was on grade, but became priority as the excavator found service “T” 3 to 4 inches above the gas main and this area had to be hand dug by NICOR. Good weather has allowed significant activity to occur this week with installation of asphalt, concrete curbs and sidewalks. The asphalt should be completed by the middle of next week and roadway could be opened to 2 way traffic by the end of next week if this weather continues.

    Lighting would be only from Com Ed fixtures. Mailboxes will be installed after all driveways have been completed next week.

    Sanitary Sewer Televising
    Mr. Boettcher reported National Power Rodding (NPR) has televised 30, 000 linear feet or 27% of the sanitary project to date and expects to complete televising by mid-January under good weather conditions. The televised information will be stored in a cloud data base after NPR removed the annual maintenance storage fee. This data base will allow the City to keep a running record of repairs performed for this project area. In addition, the bi-weekly downloads will allow immediate access to televised information and grading system of Pipeline Assessment and Certification Program (PACP) rather than waiting for the hard drive at the end of the project.

    McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

    Alderman McHugh reported there are few apartments available at Parkview.

    Alderman McHugh turned it over to Building Commissioner Moirano to introduce the various inspectors of the City’s Building Department. Mr. Jay Groark, Fire Sprinkler Inspector, Mr. Jim Manuzak, HVAC Inspector, Dave Tavares, Plumbing Inspector, Mr. Rick Stiegal, Electrical Inspector (not present), Mr. Robert Schmidt, Plan Review Officer. Also introduced was Marilyn Gabrysiak, Deputy Building Inspector. Mayor Howley welcomed all and also read a very nice thank you letter to the Building Department.

    Alderman McHugh thanked the girl scouts, Mary Boettcher and Marilyn Gabrysiak for decorating the Community Center.

    Waight/Law & Ordinances Alderman Waight is in receipt of one business certificate application for Flying High Gymnastics located at 9911 S. 78th Avenue. No objections were noted.

    DeRose/Health & Environmental Control/Recycling

    Alderman DeRose reported on the Vintage Tech certificate of recycling in the amount of 1, 978 pounds that included computers, monitors, printers, televisions, and low grade scrap.

    Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

    Alderman Ferrero stated the Children’s Christmas Party on Saturday, December 8th went very well.

    Alderman Ferrero reported the next event is the “Lights of Hickory Contest on Tuesday, December 18, 2012.

    McAvoy/Chamber/Business Development

    Alderman McAvoy welcomed Ms. Jessie Malloy from the Reporter.

    Alderman McAvoy reported on the Chamber’s General Meeting where the City’s address was given by Alderman McAvoy.

    Alderman McAvoy noted the Sertoma Christmas Tree lot will be open until Friday. He is also selling raffle tickets for Sertoma.

    Alderman McAvoy thanked Public Works for placing the Chamber sign at 95th and Roberts Road. He also thanked them for decorating the park at City Hall.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

Mayor Howley mentioned Standard Bank has received good news in the banking industry. They are doing very well.

ADJOURNMENT

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

Meeting adjourned at 8:29 p.m.