February 26, 2015 City Council Meeting Minutes

February 26, 2015 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, February 26, 2015, at 7:34 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
    B. Fonte
    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, M. Spolar
  • 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 Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mr. Ken Burton
Hillside Drive

Mr. Burton expressed his concerns regarding flooding in his area and would like to see a storm sewer project move ahead in the Hillside area. Mayor Howley stated the City addressed this issue at the Committee Meeting and the storm sewer project will move forward.

The City Engineer reviewed timelines with Mr. Burton and an easement will be obtained from him.

CLOSE TO PUBLIC

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

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman McHugh moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of February 12, 2015 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McHugh, McAvoy, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight aye. Alderman Zimmerman pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Mayor Howley reported the City is in receipt of a request
for two temporary liquor licenses from St. Patricia. They
would like to hold a Bunco Party on April 17, 2015 and the St. Joseph’s Table on March 19, 2015 both in the Parish Center. Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve both liquor licenses for April 17, 2015 and March 19, 2015 with fees waived for St. Patricia Church. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Autism Walk Donation – Mayor Howley reported Clerk Catizone is walking in the upcoming Autism Walk on May 16th. Alderman Ferrero moved to approve $100.00 from the discretionary fund. Alderman Stachnik second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Chicago’s Best – Alderman McHugh noted the Dirty Sock was being recognized by the TV Show “Chicago’s Best”. They were filming at this location today and the segment will air on March 22nd at 10:00 p.m. The Council congratulated the owners on this recognition.

CITY CLERK

No report submitted.

CITY TREASURER

Treasurer Schramm reported he has distributed the financial update after 9 months in our fiscal year

CITY ATTORNEY

No report submitted.

CITY ENGINEER

Mike Spolar reported Robinson Engineering has received approval on the bid documents for the 2015 MFT street resurfacing project. This bid date is March 12, 2015.

Mr. Spolar noted the 93rd Street lighting program is slightly delayed due to an issue with ComEd regarding service.

Mr. Spolar reported the City’s Cook County 2015 Community Development Block Grant Program application will be for sewer lining and a resolution will be needed at the next Council meeting.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the bills payable for the second half of February, 2015 in the amount of $205,082.35. Alderman Waight 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 reported everyone should be in receipt of the 2014 Annual Report from the Hickory Hills Police Department. Chief Vodicka noted there are two new additions in this report, goals/objectives and discipline.

Mayor Howley thanked Ordinance Officer Ingrid McNeff on her efforts to make owners of apartments remove trash from their balconies. Mayor Howley encouraged the Council if they see any apartment buildings that have ordinance violations to report them to Mrs. McNeff.

Zimmerman/Public Works

No report submitted.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

No report submitted.

Waight/Laws & Ordinances

Alderman Waight is in receipt of one business certificate application from Clover’s Garden located at 87th Street and 88th Avenue. No objections were noted.

Fonte/Health & Environmental Control

No report submitted.

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

Alderman Ferrero reported she is in search of bands
for the Street Fair. She has one contracted as of
this date.

McAvoy/Chamber Business Development

Alderman McAvoy reported the Annual Chamber Networking Night at the Sabre Room on Wednesday was well attended. He congratulated Mrs. Debra Grad on the Business Person of the Year. He also thanked Mayor Howley for his speech.

Alderman McAvoy noted he is now on the PACE advisory committee and he attended a meeting last week. He discussed some of their long range plans. One item would be restoring full service to 95th Street. Some other interesting things are the express buses on the shoulder of the road on I-55. These have become very popular. This may be expanded. He will keep the Council updated.

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 7:59 p.m.