May 9, 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 9, 2013, at 7:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mayor Howley led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Swearing In Ceremony

At this time, City Clerk D’Lorah Catizone administered the Oath of Office to the following: Brian Waight, 1st Ward Alderman, Debbie Ferrero, 2nd Ward Alderman, Brian Fonte, 3rd Ward Alderman and Joseph Stachnik, 4th Ward Alderman.

A short break was taken for a reception for the newly elected officials.

ROLL CALL

Upon roll call, the following were present:

  • Mayor, M. Howley
  • Aldermen, D. Ferrero
    B. Fonte
    T. McAvoy
    M. McHugh
    J. Stachnik
    J. Szeszycki
    B. Waight
    S. Zimmerman
  • City Clerk, D. Catizone
  • City Treasurer, D. Schramm
  • City Attorney, J. Cainkar
  • City Engineer, T. Lang
  • Chief of Police, A. Vodicka
    Public Works Deputy Director, R. Rice
  • Building Commissioner, J. Moirano

There being a quorum present, the meeting was called to order.

Recognition

Mayor Howley recognized retiring Zoning Chairman Erwin Ernst. He has served as Chairman since 1999. A token of appreciation was given to Mr. Ernst at this time. Everyone wished him well and thanked him for his dedication to the City of Hickory Hills.

Mayor Howley noted he is recommending Mr. Syed Imam as Chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals. He is currently the Secretary of the Zoning Board. He is a retired engineer for IDOT and will do an excellent job.

OPEN TO PUBLIC

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

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of April 25, 2013 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. Alderman Fonte pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Mayor Howley presented the following list of appointments for 2013-2014.

City Attorney & City Prosecutor Vincent Cainka
City Engineer Tom Lang, (Robinson Engineering, Ltd.)
Chief of Police Al Vodicka
Building Commissioner John Moirano
Director of Public Works Larry Boettcher
City Collector D’Lorah Catizone
ESDA Director Christopher Knights
Elevator Inspector Bernie Flynn, (Thompson Elevator)
Community Resource Officer Ingrid McNeff
   
Plumbing Inspector David Tavares
Electrical Inspector Rick Stiegal
Fire Inspector Battalion Chief, Don Huenecke
Building Inspector Mack
Sprinkler Inspector

James Groark
HVAC Inspector James Manuzak

Zoning Board of Appeals (7 Year Term)
Syed Imam 5/09/13 – 4/30/20

Auxiliary Police Officers (1 Year Term) )
Betty Soprych Valentine Zilinskas Arthur Ventura
Anthony Luna Carol Lynch Steve Makropoulos
Sandra Wood Nichola Janeteas Brian Trapp
Alberto Sanchez Mark Sanchez Edvinas Gaidomavicius

Police Pension Board (2 year Term)
Mary McDonald 1/01 – 04/30/15

Board of Fire & Police (3 Year Term)
Robert Runowski 01/22/98 – 04/30/16

Emergency Telephone Board (3 Year Term)
Don Jerenberg 05/28/98 – 04/30/16
Christopher Knights 09/13/07 – 04/30/16

Hearing Officer (1 Year Term)
David E. Eppenstein, Jr. 6/01/06 – 04/30/14

Community Affairs Commission (3 Year Term)
Debbie Zimmerman /04 – 04/30/16
Sharon Chorzempa 05/07 – 04/30/16

Alderman Waight moved to approve the above 2013-2014 appointments. Alderman McHugh second. Roll Call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY CLERK

No report submitted.

CITY TREASURER

Treasurer Schramm presented the 2013-2014 Budget for approval. He noted that he and the Finance Alderman Szeszycki recommend approval of the budget with one open item for discussion. This is the Water Capital Budget projects for Water Meter exchange program ($50, 000) and Radio Read Pads replacement ($450, 000).

They are recommending giving direction to Public Works not to proceed until further facts and costs have been obtained and discussed for a strategy or plan on the best way to handle the City’s current annual water loss. Also to obtain 2 or 3 outside quotes. Alderman Ferrero moved to approve the 2013-2014 Budget with the above stipulations. Alderman McHugh second. Roll Call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mayor Howley thanked Treasurer Schramm and Finance Chairman Szeszycki for all their efforts on this budget process.

CITY ATTORNEY

No report submitted.

CITY ENGINEER

No report submitted.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the bills payable for the first half of May, 2013 in the amount of $545, 803.14. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

Szeszycki/Finance

No report submitted.

Stachnik/Public Safety

Alderman Stachnik distributed a memo regarding Chief Vodicka’s merit pay. If anyone has questions, they can call him.

Zimmerman/Public Works

No report submitted.

Mr. Rice noted an 88th Avenue construction meeting was held last week and the work on 88th Avenue is 95% done. They should make the completion date of June 30th.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

No report submitted.

Waight/Law & Ordinances

Alderman Waight is in receipt of one business application.
Proposed business is Aladdin’s Palace located at 8821 W. 87th Street. This would be a banquet facility with no liquor and catered food (no kitchen facilities). No objections were noted.

Health & Environmental Control

No report submitted.

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

Alderman Ferrero reported the Arbor Day Tree Sale went very well.

Alderman Ferrero noted Street Fair currently has 51 crafters and 9 food vendors.

McAvoy/Chamber/Business Development

No report submitted.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

None.

ADJOURNMENT

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

Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.