Home › Meeting Minutes › May 23, 2013 City Council Meeting Minutes

May 23, 2013 City Council Meeting Minutes

Posted on Posted in Meeting Minutes

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS
CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
May 23, 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, May 23, 2013, at 7:38 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
    J. Stachnik
    J. Szeszycki
    S. Zimmerman
  • City Clerk, D. Catizone
  • City Treasurer, D. Schramm
  • City Attorney, V. Cainkar
  • City Engineer, T. Lang
  • Chief of Police, A. Vodicka
  • Public Works Director, L. Boettcher
  • Building Commissioner, J. Moirano

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

Chief Vodicka gave an update on the recent increase in request for police services and escalated acts of violence in the vicinity of multi-family dwellings located on the north side of 87th Street from Roberts Road to 85th Court. He stated the following selective enforcement activities are encouraged in this designated area: 1) Increase presence and visibility of marked patrol units. 2) Increase presence and self-initiated activity of unmarked detective units. 3) Increase use of City Ordinance violations related to Public Nuisance Property, proper vehicle registration and other vehicle violations. 4) Increase enforcement of Illinois Vehicle Code violations. 5) Zero tolerance for anyone violating State statutes. This will include, but is not limited to, trespass, drug offenses, underage consumption, disorderly conduct, acts of vandalism, etc. He noted these activities are designed to improve the quality of life for those residents living in this area and are consistent with problem solving methods utilized by the department. This will be a department – wide coordinated effort in order to maximize effectiveness. Chief Vodicka noted the department is currently taking this matter very seriously.

Mayor Howley noted he is in constant contact with the Aldermen and Police Department and are doing all we can to the full extent of the law.

Mr. Nick Pounovich
8608 84th Court

Mr. Pounovich voiced his gratitude for all the work that is being done with regards to the multi-family dwellings at the end of his block. With the recent shooting incident he noted a young girl came down to his house after hearing shots. He voiced his concern for the crowds that gather in the parking lot. Also he is concerned with the young children unattended in the street. He appreciates the quick response of the Police Department. Mr. Pounovich would like to see the landlords held accountable.

Mr. Bart Dziabala
8640 S. 84th Court

Mr. Robert Potas
8640 S. 84th Court

Mr. Charlie Volanti
8620 S. 84th Court

The above residents all had concerns with landlords of these apartments on 87th Street and crowds gathering in this area.

Attorney Cainkar stated the City has to work within the limits of the law. Alderman Stachnik stated the City had created the Property Nuisance Ordinance in answer to this area’s first issue. Mayor Howley finished the conversation with a comment on how he is impressed with the City of Hickory Hills Police Department.

Mr. Gil Marek
9320 S. 79th Avenue

Mr. Marek had an issue with a citation that was issued to him regarding a drainage issue. He voiced his concern on the ticket itself since he was unable to read who wrote the citation.

CLOSE TO PUBLIC

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

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of May 9, 2013 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Mayor Howley requested a motion to cancel the Summer Committee meetings of June through September. Alderman Zimmerman moved to cancel the Committee meetings of June through September. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll Call: Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mayor Howley reminded the Council that his charity golf outing will be held Saturday, June 1st.

CITY CLERK

Clerk Catizone is in receipt of a request from the Hickory Hills Kiwanis Club seeking permission to use Prairie Pond for a Walk around the Pond on Saturday, July 27, 2013. This would be a fundraiser for the Kiwanis Club. No objections were noted.

Clerk Catizone reported the Des Plaines Valley Mosquito Abatement District will be spraying this evening and throughout the weekend in our area.

Clerk Catizone noted Aunt D’s located at 8703W. 95th Street is a transfer of a liquor license from Da Bar. All necessary paperwork has been approved by the City Attorney.

CITY TREASURER

Treasurer Schramm presented the Treasurer’s Report dated April 30, 2013 for approval. Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report dated April 30, 2013. Alderman Stachnik second. Roll Call: Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Treasurer Schramm and Finance Chairman Szeszycki distributed a memo outlining the end of the year finance reports. He noted the Utility Tax Fund did not have to transfer funds into the General Fund as budgeted in 2012. He stated lower operational expenditures also helped with last year’s budget.

CITY ATTORNEY

Public Hearing

Mayor Howley called the Public Hearing open to the public for the purposes of discussing the 2013-2014 Appropriation Ordinance. No one spoke during this portion of the public hearing. Mayor Howley closed the Public Hearing.

Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve Ordinance 13-6, an ordinance providing for a budget and appropriation for corporate and other purposed for the fiscal year beginning May 1, 2013 and ending April 30, 2014, for the City of Hickory Hills, Cook County, Illinois. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll Call: Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY ENGINEER

Mr. Lang presented Invoice #11-545 to Elmund & Nelson Company for final payment of the 89th Street Lighting Project in the amount of $8, 224.28. Alderman Ferrero moved to approve the payment of $8, 224.28 to Elmund & Nelson Company. Alderman Zimmerman second. Roll Call: Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the bills payable for the second half of May, 2013 in the amount of
$156, 106.90. Alderman Zimmerman second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

Szeszycki/Finance

Alderman Szeszycki reported he has met with the insurance company and they were presented the new proposal for the health insurance renewal. He distributed a memo to the Council that described the options. He stated it was recommended to offer more options to the City employees. He asked the Council to review and he will meet with the Employee Insurance Committee next week and they will make the proposals to this Committee. Then at the first meeting in June they will hear anything back from this Committee. Treasurer Schramm noted he wanted to explain to the Committee the proposed changes. Treasurer Schramm stated the employees currently have a plan which includes 90/10 co-insurance which is usually 80/20 and the out of pocket of $500.00 which is usually $1, 000.00. These are changes that he would like to propose to the City Employee Insurance Committee.

Stachnik/Public Safety

Alderman Stachnik reported the Chief has distributed two memos to the Council regarding activities on 84th Street and the assistance to Bedford Park Police Department during their reconstruction. If anyone has any questions, they can direct them to Chief Vodicka.

Zimmerman/Public Works

Mr. Boettcher noted tree planting will start on 88th Avenue. The City is obligated to replace 5 sugar maples on the southeast corner of 92nd Place. The County has to relocate a storm sewer after a City utility was not depicted on the atlas.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

Alderman McHugh was absent. No report submitted.

Waight/Law & Ordinances

Alderman Waight was absent. No report submitted.

Fonte/Health & Environmental Control

Alderman Fonte was absent. No report submitted.

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

Alderman Ferrero noted the Street Fair currently has67 crafters and 9 food vendors. Bands have been hired.

McAvoy/Chamber/Business Development

Alderman McAvoy reported Standard Bank will holdan informational seminar on mortgage banking on Saturday, June 1st.

Alderman McAvoy noted the Hills Chamber networking luncheon will be held on June 11th at Janosik’s Banquet Hall.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

Mayor Howley welcomed Emily from the Reporter who is covering our meeting for the first time. Also, he thanked Jan Glaz from the Village View Newspaper.

ADJOURNMENT

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

Meeting adjourned at 8:36 p.m.