April 24, 2014 City Council Meeting Minutes

April 24, 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, April 24, 2014, at 7:30 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, 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
  • Police Lt., T. Stevens
  • Public Works Director, L. Boettcher

Chief Vodicka, Tom Lang and John Moirano 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 Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Joe Mancuso
9205 S. 85th Court

Mr. Mancuso voiced his concern regarding a phone call he received on Saturday soliciting funds for the Police Department. He noted that they said it was for the Hickory Hills Police Department.

Lt. Stevens stated they are actually calling on behalf of the Police Union (MAP). The Hickory Hills Police Department does not solicit over the phone.

CLOSE TO PUBLIC

Alderman Zimmerman moved to close the meeting to the public. Alderman McAvoy 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 April 10, 2014 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Mayor Howley presented the following 2014-2015 Appointments:

City Attorney & City Prosecutor Vincent Cainkar
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 Batt. Chief Don Huenecke
Building Inspector Ed Mack
Sprinkler Inspector James Groark
HVAC Inspector James Manuzak

Zoning Board of Appeals (7 Year Term)
Bernard McLaughlin 04/93 – 4/30/21

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

Police Pension Board (2 year Term)
James Kardelis 03/18/04 – 04/30/16

Board of Fire & Police (3 Year Term)
Henry Kman 07/23/09 – 04/30/17

Emergency Telephone Board (3 Year Term)
Chief Al Vodicka 07/23/92 – 04/30/17

Hearing Officer (1 Year Term)
Arthur Wrobel 5/01/14 – 04/30/15

Community Affairs Commission (3 Year Term)
Sandy Wcislo 02/25/99 – 04/30/17

Human Rights Commission (3 Year Term)
Seema Imam 11/21/96 – 04/30/17

Alderman McHugh moved to approve the 2014-2015 Appointments. Alderman McAvoy second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mayor Howley read a proclamation naming the first week in May as Municipal Clerk’s Week in Hickory Hills. He also thanked the City’s Clerk Dee Catizone for her excellent job.

Mayor Howley also read the Arbor Day Proclamation and invited all to attend the Arbor Day Tree Sale on Saturday,
May 3rd.

Mayor Howley noted the Hills Baseball Parade will be May 3rd at 8:30 a.m. The City has not received any information.

CITY CLERK

No report submitted.

CITY TREASURER

Treasurer Schramm presented the Treasurer’s Report dated March 31, 2014 for approval.

Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report dated March 31, 2014. Alderman Waight second.
Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY ATTORNEY

No report submitted.

CITY ENGINEER

Mr. Lang was absent. No report submitted.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the bills payable for the second half of April, 2014 in the amount of $241,432.93. Alderman Ferrero 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

No report submitted.

Zimmerman/Public Works

Mr. Boettcher reported a Public Hearing is now open
in accordance with the General Permit ILR40 issued under the Federal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System known as (NPDES). The purpose of this hearing is to list the City’s program to keep storm water clean and pass this clean storm water to towns at lower elevations. Below are listed the implemented control measures:

A. Public Education & Outreach – This program is met by publishing articles in the City’s newsletter and distributing pamphlets from the Clerk’s Office.
B. Public Participation & Involvement – Which is met by holding this public hearing, soliciting assistance from local youth groups, tree planting, yard waste collection and a dumpster program.
C. Illicit Discharge Detection & Elimination – This is met by mapping the City’s storm atlas, identifying the outfalls and inspecting the storm water discharge at the outfall from the City. Retention ponds help reduce this potential.
D. Construction & E. Post Construction Site Runoff Control – This is met by City ordinances and inspection of projects during construction by City Departments.
F. Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping of Municipal Operations – This is met through employee training programs, street sweeping & etc., and review of the actions and operations of the City for potentially impacting the clean storm water runoff.

This is the summary of the City’s commitment to meet the General Permit ILR40 requirements. No public comments at this time, Public Hearing is closed.

Mr. Boettcher reported Davis Construction proposes to start construction on May 5th for the Safe Walk to School Sidewalk Project. Public Works will prepare a notification to residents and deliver to property owners. This work will take approximately two months to complete.

Mr. Boettcher noted the banners placed on 95th Street and Roberts Road last spring are starting to deteriorate after 1 year of service. Public Works is suggesting remaining banners be removed by the end of May to eliminate the need to remove each banner as it shreds. Palos Hills is also recommending banner removal by the end of May. No objections were noted and Mayor Howley will contact someone at the Chamber.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

Alderman McHugh reported all but one apartment have been rented at Parkview.

Alderman McHugh thanked Treasurer Schramm for all the work on this year’s budget.

Waight/Laws & Ordinances

Alderman Waight reported he is in receipt of two business
certificate applications. 1) Metro Loan Company located at 7612 W. 95th Street. 2) Siraldo’s Pizza located at 8609 W. 95th Street. No objections were noted.

Fonte/ Health & Environmental Control

Alderman Fonte reported he has received a rebate check
in the amount of $761.69 for the month of March, 2014.

Alderman Fonte noted no new updates on the Waste Management negotiations.

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

Alderman Ferrero reported she has booked one more
band for the Street Fair.

Alderman Ferrero noted Arbor Day is May 3rd at 8:30 a.m. at City Hall.

McAvoy/Chamber Business Development

Alderman McAvoy distributed an invitation to the
BusinesHills Chamber Networking Luncheon on April 30th at Prime Time Restaurant at 11:30 a.m. Please RSVP to Donna Venezia at 364-7739.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Treasurer Schramm noted at the April 10th meeting the
City Council gave approval of the employee raises. Now he is asking for a formal motion. Alderman McHugh moved to approve the approved employee salary raises that were discussed at the April 10th Council meeting. Alderman McAvoy second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Treasurer Schramm is requesting a motion to direct the City Attorney to draft the appropriation ordinance for the 2014-2015 Budget. Alderman Zimmerman moved to approve the 2014-2015 Budget. Alderman Waight second. Alderman Szeszycki moved to amend this motion by adding one employee to the Public Works Department. Alderman McHugh second. Discussion followed if it is essential to add 1 employee to bring the number to 14. Mr. Boettcher felt 13 was a good number. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman nay. Alderman Szeszycki aye. Amended Motion fails. Mayor Howley would like to raise the hearing officer stipend to $300.00 from $200.00. No objections were noted. Main Motion Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved. Attorney was directed to draft the appropriation ordinance.

NEW BUSINESS

Mayor Howley extended Happy Birthday wishes to Alderman Debbie Ferrero.

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 8:22 p.m.