October 23, 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,
October 23, 2014, at 7:40 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
B. Fonte
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.
PRESENTATION
Oak Lawn Clerk Jane Quinlan and Evergreen Park Clerk Cathy Aparo presented Dee Catizone with a plaque recognizing her achievement as Master Municipal Clerk.
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.
Mrs. Carrie Vinkler
9260 S. 86th Avenue
Mrs. Vinkler voiced her concern with the parking of a box truck on her driveway. She has received a ticket and would like to know why she didn’t get a warning first. She is seeking an exemption because this is the only vehicle she currently has. Her other non-working vehicle is a pickup truck with a “D” plate. Mayor Howley said this would not be decided today and is being taken under consideration at this time.
Mr. Mark Gambla
8460 W. 91st Street
Mr. Gambla noted he has received a ticket for a “D” plate vehicle parked in his driveway. He noted this is a pick-up truck and it does have a company name on the side. He would like the Council to allow these pickup trucks on driveways.
Mrs. Debbie Groark
7909 W. 98th Street
Mrs. Groark wanted to remind the Council about Senate Bill 16 and the potential funding loss to District 117. Also, she thanked the Mayor and Alderman Szeszycki for attending the Town Hall meeting on October 22nd.
Mr. Dan Kwak
8831 S. 84th Avenue
Mr. Kwak voiced his concern regarding overnight parking on residential streets. He stated he has adult children that live with him and there is no room on his driveway. He noted he also falls in the category of a “D” plate pickup truck. He would like to see the City allow “D” parking and overnight street parking.
Mr. Adam Para
9158 S. 86th Court
Mr. Para is present to voice his support of “D’ plate pickup trucks parking in the driveway.
CLOSE TO PUBLIC
Alderman McAvoy moved to close the meeting to the public. Alderman Fonte second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS
Alderman Stachnik moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of October 9, 2014 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Fonte, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. Aldermen Ferrero and McAvoy pass. So approved.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS
MAYOR
5K Race/Walk – Mayor Howley reported all is going well with the planning Howl Through The Hills of the 5K Run/Walk which will be held on October 25th at 9:00 a.m. He stated the turnout for the 5K race is outstanding. Mayor Howley thanked the Community Affairs Committee for helping pack the bags for the race. He also thanked Sharon Marciano for all her efforts with race preparations. Mayor Howley thanked Dee Catizone for her assistance with the race.
Mayor Howley mentioned Spirits Halloween stated they are the number one store in the state for donations to charities. They thanked all the residents for shopping there.
CITY CLERK
Clerk Catizone expressed her appreciation of the City Council’s continued support of her educational certifications.
Donation Request – Clerk Catizone is in receipt of a request from Ms. Ashley Udaykee. She is a Hickory Hills resident who is also in the dance club at Stagg High School. She is requesting a donation to the ad book of November 13, 2014. In the past, the City has donated $100.00 to this activity. Alderman McHugh moved to approve a $100.00 donation to the Stagg Dance Club for an ad in their upcoming show. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Clerk Catizone reminded the Council early voting for the November 4th election started Monday, October 20, 2014.
Clerk Catizone noted the Clerk’s Office has been very busy with the 5K Race and she would like to thank Sharon Marciano for all her efforts in organizing this event.
CITY TREASURER
No report submitted.
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 October, 2014 in the amount of $421,951.86. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, Fonte, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Szeszycki/Finance
Alderman Szeszycki distributed this month’s video gaming revenues.
Alderman Szeszycki would like to place 2015 Medical Insurance renewal quotes on the Committee Meeting Agenda of November 13th and Workman’s Compensation Insurance renewal quotes on the December 11th Committee Meeting Agenda.
Stachnik/Public Safety
Alderman Stachnik distributed the Quarterly Police Report for the months of July, August and September.
Chief Vodicka announced Officer Dan McCauley will be having a retirement cake at the Police Station on Friday, October 24th from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Chief Vodicka reported an underage compliance check was completed at all of the liquor license establishments and a full report was given to the Aldermen and Mayor Howley.
Zimmerman/Public Works
Mr. Boettcher reported as part of the City’s Tree Cost Sharing Program, the City will need to remove twenty-eight trees in the parkway. Public Works removed nine trees and the remaining nineteen larger trees will require a contractor. Tree removal is a budgeted item.
Public Works is seeking approval of the Council to have a purchase order he issued to Oak Tree Services, Inc. which was the lowest bidder in the amount of $5,925.00. Alderman Zimmerman moved to award this contract to Oak Tree Services in the amount of $5,925.00. Alderman Stachnik second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Mr. Boettcher verified Public Works will be ordering the trees for the Parkway Tree Replacement Program.
Sanitary Sewer Lining – Mr. Boettcher noted the City will need to line sanitary sewers in order to reduce I/I clear water entering the sanitary system. The City has an annual service agreement with Insituform to provide this specialty service. This will be paid from the Working Capital Fund. Public Works proposes to line 4,400 LF of 8”pipe using the 4.5 mm liner. The budgeted amount is approximately $138,000.00.
Mr. Boettcher stated he has distributed a proposed list of streets for renovation next year to the Council. Streets were selected with consideration to pavement deterioration, traffic volume, and safety. This year’s proposed program for roadway improvements and pavement preservation is using only MFT funds. With these limited funds each ward is allowed about one-quarter mile of reconstruction. Public Works will need to finalize the proposed streets by the next meeting.
McHugh/Bldg./Facilities
Alderman McHugh reported Parkview Apartments currently has no vacancies. There were some issues with one building and the work is being completed.
Alderman McHugh noted the Community Dinner will be held on November 11th at the Community Center.
Waight/Laws & Ordinances
No report submitted.
Fonte/Health & Environmental Control
No report submitted.
Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory
Alderman Ferrero noted preparations for the Children’s Halloween Party are complete.
McAvoy/Chamber Business Development
Alderman McAvoy reported the Huie Grimes Foundation is hosting a charity raffle at Mo’s Willow Pub and Grub on Saturday, November 8th at 5:00 p.m. Raffle tickets are available.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Alderman McHugh presented the issue of advertising flags which was on the Committee Meeting Agenda and moved to this meeting. After some discussion regarding these advertising flags, it was the consensus to enforce our current ordinance.
NEW BUSINESS
Mayor Howley announced the Veteran’s Day ceremony will be held on Saturday, November 8th at 9:00 a.m.
Alderman Szeszycki inquired if the sewer lining expenditure was the $130,000.00 that was discussed at the last meeting. Mr. Boettcher noted that is the case.
Mayor Howley stated that the issuing of tickets for “D” plate parking will be suspended until the next meeting at which time a decision will be made.
Chief Vodicka reported the Hickory Hills Blood Drive will be held on November 2nd at the Community Center.
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.