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March 13, 2014 City Council Meeting Minutes

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March 13, 2014 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, March 13, 2014, at 7:35 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mayor Mike Howley led the Pledge of Allegiance.

ROLL CALL

Upon roll call, the following were present:

  • Mayor, M. Howley
    Aldermen, B. Fonte
    D. Ferrero
    T. McAvoy
    M. McHugh
    J. Stachnik
    J. Szeszycki
    B. Waight
    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
  • 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 McHugh 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 Ferrero 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 McHugh moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of February 27, 2014 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. Alderman Szeszycki pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Mayor Howley is in receipt of a request from the Hills Baseball League for the City’s annual donation. Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve a donation of $175.00 for the Hills Baseball League. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY CLERK

Clerk Catizone announced Stagg High School will be hosting a Spring Craft Show on March 22nd and March 23rd.

Clerk Catizone reported that she attended the Southwest Conference of Mayors Municipal Expo this past Saturday. Mayor Howley, Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Szeszycki and Waight also attended.

Clerk Catizone noted the Street Fair applications have been mailed out. We currently have 13 crafters and 1 food vendor. She also noted the business renewals have been mailed.

Clerk Catizone reported the spring newsletter has been mailed.

CITY TREASURER

Treasurer Schramm presented the Treasurer’s Report dated February 28, 2014 for approval. Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report of February 28, 2014. Alderman Ferrero second.

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

CITY ATTORNEY

Attorney Cainkar presented Resolution 14-3, a resolution
authorizing newly promoted supervisory personnel in the Police Department and Public Work’s Department to remain eligible participants in the volunteer employees’ beneficiary association plans established under collective bargaining agreements with the City of Hickory Hills. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Res. 14-3. Alderman Zimmerman second. Treasurer Schramm added this is a side agreement with regards to the promotion at Public Works. He noted we will see more of this in the Police Department. Treasurer Schramm followed up with the VEBA administrator and he agreed with this amendment. This amendment gives the employee a one -time election for VEBA. Treasurer Schramm stated this would include one police officer to continue with VEBA in 2015. Alderman Szeszycki asked if the City contributes $100.00 per year for each employee. Treasurer Schramm stated yes that is the case. Alderman Ferrero asked if the police officer could get the years that he missed when he was promoted in 2011. Treasurer Schramm stated the City can only move forward. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Attorney Cainkar presented Resolution 14-4, a resolution of the City of Hickory Hills approving a grant application for the 2014 Cook County Community Development Block Grant Program. This is the lining of the sanitary sewer off of 95th Street between 93rd and 95th. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Res. 14-4. Alderman Stachnik second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY ENGINEER

No report submitted.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Ferrero moved to approve the bills payable for the first half of March, 2014 in the amount of $428,743.31. Alderman McAvoy second. Alderman Szeszycki questioned if the water meters were tested?
Larry Boettcher will report on this at the Committee Meeting. Alderman Szeszycki questioned the Roberts Park radio expenditure. Chief Vodicka noted the ETB voted on this at their last meeting for approval. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved

STANDING COMMITTEES

Szeszycki/Finance

Alderman Szeszycki reported he and Treasurer Schramm met with the IT rep from GTSAC. He answered some questions for our Cyber Insurance.

Stachnik/Public Safety

No report submitted.

Zimmerman/Public Works

Mr. Boettcher thanked Mr. Regan Rice for his 39 years of service to the City of Hickory Hills. He will be retiring on March 14, 2014. Mr. Boettcher noted the City will be losing a valuable employee who started in 1974 as a part time employee while attending Stagg High School. After graduation he joined the Public Works full time and rose through the ranks to become HEO, IL Certified Water Operator and then advanced to Assistant Public Works Director. He will be missed and we are glad to call him a co-worker and friend.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

Alderman McHugh reported Boy Scout Troop #728 thanked the City for the use of the Community Center for their recent Pancake Breakfast.

Alderman McHugh also reported 2 vacancies at Parkview are available. If interested, please call Bill Spatz at 237-4150.

Waight/Laws & Ordinances

Alderman Waight reported he is in receipt of one business
certificate application for Ted’s Jewelers Inc. located at 8617 W. 95th Street. No objections were noted.

Fonte/ Health & Environmental Control

Alderman Fonte gave an update on the waste contract
renewal proposal. He stated the City should receive this Waste Management proposal in the beginning of April

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

No report submitted.

McAvoy/Chamber Business Development

Alderman McAvoy distributed information regarding the
Curves Food Drive.

Alderman McAvoy noted he would like to gather some stories regarding Regan Rice for a proclamation. Please email him information.

Alderman McAvoy reported he would like to discuss the curb replacement issue at the next Committee Meeting in March.

Alderman McAvoy thanked the Boy Scouts for helping in his effort to inform voters of a change in a polling place.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Alderman Szeszycki asked about the water meter report
from Public Works. Mr. Boettcher noted he will report on this matter at the March Committee Meeting.

NEW BUSINESS

Alderman Szeszycki noted while he attended the Municipal Expo he received a flyer regarding water main lining. He will distribute this to the Council for review.

ADJOURNMENT

Alderman Ferrero moved to adjourn into Executive Session
for the purpose of discussing a personnel issue. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Meeting adjourned at 8:07 p.m.