April 25, 2013 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, April 25, 2013, 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, D. Ferrero
    T. McAvoy
    M. McHugh
    J. Stachnik
    J. Szeszycki
    B. Waight
    S. Zimmerman
  • City Clerk, D. Catizone
  • City Treasurer, D. Schramm
  • City Attorney, G. Pearlman
  • City Engineer, T. Lang
  • Chief of Police, A. Vodicka
  • Public Works Director, L. Boettcher
  • Building Commissioner, J. Moirano

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

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman McHugh moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of April 11, 2013 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman McAvoy second. Roll call: Aldermen McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. Alderman Ferrero pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Mayor Howley announced a grand opening will be held on Tuesday, April 30th at 7:30 a.m. for the new Crisp-N-Clean Cleaners located at 7612 W. 95th Street.

Mayor Howley reminded the Council a legislative breakfast will be held Friday, April 26th at the Belvedere in Palos Hills.

CITY CLERK

Clerk Catizone reported the Hickory Hills Police Department along with Walgreen’s will sponsor a prescription take back program on Saturday, April 27, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Walgreen’s at 95th Street and Roberts Road.

Clerk Catizone noted she attended a Com Ed Joint Operating Center Meeting in Palos Heights along with Assistant Public Works Director Regan Rice. This is a program through Com Ed that will enhance communication and coordination during a severe weather event. This Center would open if 20 percent of the customers are out of power for 3 hours within this selected area. It also explained the importance of our APRL or Area Priority Restoration List. This is a list the City provides Com Ed with important areas within the City that must have power restored first. A statewide exercise will be held on June 13th.

Clerk Catizone reported she has recently started an extensive debt collection process with older debts owed to the City. As of today, she has collected over $31, 627.66.

CITY TREASURER

No report submitted.

CITY ATTORNEY

Attorney Perlman presented Ordinance #13-5, an ordinance amending Chapter 24, Building Code, of the Hickory Hills Municipal Code by adding Section 24.16, Carports Prohibited. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Ordinance 13-5. Alderman Waight second.
Alderman Szeszycki wanted the definition of car port clarified. Attorney Perlman stated this would be for new construction, or change in our building code. Roll Call: Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY ENGINEER

No report submitted.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the bills payable for the second half of April, 2013 in the amount of $161, 644.37. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

Szeszycki/Finance

No report submitted.

Stachnik/Public Safety

Alderman Stachnik distributed the 1st quarter productivity report from the Police Department.

Zimmerman/Public Works

Mr. Boettcher reported the City was fortunate with the 4 inches of rain last week. The MWRD sanitary was full by 7:00 p.m. with sanitary surcharging on 87th Street and Roberts Road. He noted by 9:00 p.m. lift stations were backing up and also Forest Preserve on 95th has some flooding. By morning all detention ponds were full and the Public Works office received about a dozen calls of rear yard flooding and full sanitary system. No calls were received for flooded basements by sanitary or storm water.

Mr. Boettcher reported Public Works distributed fliers to homeowners on the streets to be effected by the street paving program. Paving will begin on May 1st or May 6th if more rain occurs.

Mr. Boettcher noted a pre-construction meeting was held this morning with Insituform to start construction within the next two weeks to clean sewers. All work should be completed by July. This project is the Community Development Block Grant.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

Alderman McHugh reported there are some vacancies at Parkview.

Waight/Law & Ordinances

No report submitted.

Health & Environmental Control

No report submitted.

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

Alderman Ferrero reported plans are complete for theArbor Day Tree Sale and Coloring Contest which will be held on Saturday, May 4th.

Alderman Ferrero noted Street Fair plans are moving forward.

McAvoy/Chamber/Business Development

Alderman McAvoy reported no flooding on Lotus Laneafter the recent rainfall. He thanked everyone for their assistance with this project.

Alderman McAvoy noted he has distributed packets to the Council on an issue he would like to address on May 9th or May 23rd.

Alderman McAvoy requested Public Works give an orientation of the workings of the Public Works Department with a tour to the new Alderman. He noted this was very informative.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Alderman Szeszycki reported he attended the Justice Willow Water Commission Meeting this morning and discussed with them the recent rate increases.

NEW BUSINESS

Mayor Howley stated his charity golf outing will be held on Saturday, June 1st.

ADJOURNMENT

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

Meeting adjourned at 7:53 p.m.