April 9, 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, April 9, 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
M. McHugh
T. McAvoy
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
Alderman Fonte was absent. There being a quorum present, the meeting was called to order.
OPEN TO PUBLIC
Alderman Ferrero moved to open the meeting to the public. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Joe Piccioli
7836 W. 97th Street
Mr. Piccioli voiced his concerns with water in his rear yard. He feels the culvert near his home is not running properly. His house is the last house on the block. Mr. Piccioli has spoken to Mr. Boettcher in the past.
Mr. Boettcher stated swales would help this water stay off his property. Mr. Piccioli stated he has a utility easement in the back of his lot that may be used to stop the flooding. Mr. Piccioli also noted the culverts in his area all need to be grated, cleaned and repaired.
He also indicated a house behind him is vacant and in disrepair. He feels this is a danger to the community. Mayor Howley stated he will have Public Works look into ways to help with the water related issue and the house address will be given to the Ordinance Officer.
Cesar Romero
8901 S. 83rd Court
Mr. Romero stated he was attending the meeting for a follow up on the 83rd Court flooding issue. City Engineer Mike Spolar reported this project was discussed at the last Committee Meeting of the City Council. At that time they directed the engineer to move forward on the 83rd Court and 89th Street storm sewers. This will improve the area with a modified drainage plan. This item will be talked about later in the meeting.
CLOSE TO PUBLIC
Alderman McAvoy moved to close the meeting to the public. Alderman Stachnik second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, 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 March 26, 2015 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. Alderman McAvoy pass. So approved.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS
MAYOR
Mayor Howley stated the Executive Session will begin at the end of this meeting.
CITY CLERK
Clerk Catizone reported she is receipt of a letter of appreciation from Principal Robert Serdar of School District 109 for our donation to the Technology Fundraiser.
Clerk Catizone has also received a thank you note from Mrs. Peggy Balducci for the flowers sent to her mother’s funeral.
Clerk Catizone noted the Hickory Hills Blood Drive will be held on April 19th at the Community Center.
Clerk Catizone stated she is in receipt of a request for sponsorship of the Hills Baseball/Softball Association. Alderman McHugh moved to approve a $200.00 donation to the Hills Baseball/Softball Association. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
CITY TREASURER
Treasurer Schramm presented the Treasurer’s Report dated March 31, 2015 for approval. Alderman McAvoy moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report as of March 31, 2015. Alderman Stachnik second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Treasurer Schramm reported the City has received a letter from IDOT informing the City of the reduction in the MFT funds for the month of March 2015. $50 million was swept from this fund to the State of Illinois. This was a one-time reduction.
Treasurer Schramm reminded the Council the first budget meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 22nd at 6:30 p.m.
CITY ATTORNEY
No report submitted.
CITY ENGINEER
Mike Spolar reported a bid opening for the 93rd Street Lighting Project was held on April 6, 2015. All bids were correct and in order. The list of bidders with their respective bids is as follows:
Utility Dynamics Corp. $133,166.00
Elmund & Nelson Company $164,501.00
Airport Electric Company $220,981.50
Therefore, Mr. Spolar is recommending the award to Utility Dynamics Corp. for a bid amount of One Hundred Thirty-Three Thousand One Hundred Sixty-Six Dollars and Zero Cents ($133,166.00). Alderman Szeszycki moved to award the 93rd Street lighting (85th Court to 80th Court) to Utility Dynamics Corp. Alderman Ferrero second. Treasurer Schramm asked if the City has received the grant for this project and can this project be postponed. Treasurer Schramm was under the impression this project would cost $100,000.00, the grant amount, and now the total is $133,000.00. Mayor Howley stated, in his opinion, this project should move forward and not be delayed or the City would risk losing the grant funds. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Mr. Spolar reported on the storm sewer project of 83rd
Court with Methods A and B being the options the City would like to pursue. He would need the recommendation of the City Council to move forward. Methods A and B would include: Method A is to reconstruct the sewers and drainage structures at the intersection of 83rd Court and 89th Street. There are 17 drainage structures with various sizes of storm sewers that collect and convey storm water at this intersection. By reconfiguring the storm sewer layout with larger sewers, a more efficient system of conveying the storm water can be accomplished.
Method B is to reconstruct the 30-inch storm sewer that crosses the property at the northwest corner of 83rd Court and 89th Street with a 43-inch storm sewer. The capacity of the 30-inch storm sewer is 38 cfs while the 42-inch sewer capacity will be 78 cfs. This will increase the flow of water away from the intersection. The estimate cost of this project is $500,000.00. Alderman Zimmerman moved to approve the 83rd Court Storm Sewer Project. Alderman McAvoy second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved. Mayor Howley stated this project will be completely by the end of summer.
COMMUNICATIONS
BILLS PAYABLE
Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the bills payable for the second half of March, 2015 in the amount of $1,029,179.94. Alderman McHugh second.
Treasurer Schramm stated one third of the total is the City’s 2nd half of the police pension contribution and some large purchases. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Szeszycki/Finance
No report submitted.
Stachnik/Public Safety
Chief Vodicka stated he has distributed two informational memos and one confidential memo to the Council. If anyone has any questions, please contact him.
Zimmerman/Public Works
Mr. Boettcher reported on the residential water meter replacement program. He noted Public Works initiated this program in our smallest section #7 that has 154 private meters. Public Works has all but two meters replaced in this section. All efforts to have property owners contact them for an appointment has failed for the last 6 weeks. Public Works believes it is now necessary to take further steps to disconnect water if the residents do not contact the Public Works Department within the next few weeks.
Mr. Boettcher noted Public Works has received a complaint from 8440 85th Court regarding flooding from the Justice Sunset Apartments at 8300 88th Avenue. Sunset has hired a contractor to remove a section of their east fence line and then proceeded to excavate a ditch in the Hickory Hills ROW of future ½ Street of 86th Avenue. The point source flow water has been coming from a manhole structure next to the east curb line/fencing. The water has been flowing steadily for the last few weeks. Public Works investigated the conditions and informed Sunset security that the City will need to talk to the management about these illegal continuous flow discharges. Public Works has informed Justice Public Works of their findings. Mr. Boettcher has recently received a letter from Sunset Apartments stating they are no longer welcome on this property. Mr. Boettcher would like the Police Department to ticket this property. A resident from 8452 S. 85th Court was present at the meeting and also has problems with water in the rear of his yard where a ditch was dug and trees removed. Mr. Boettcher stated Sunset Lake is the detention pond for Justice. They may be trying to lower the lake level.
There was some discussion on bringing a load of dirt in the back of the lot, but this is not feasible because it’s so wet. Mayor Howley stated further discussion will take place after this meeting regarding this matter.
McHugh/Bldg./Facilities
No report submitted.
Waight/Laws & Ordinances
Alderman Waight presented two business certificate applications: 1) Northwestern Mortgage Co., located at 9604 S. Roberts Road. 2) Sprint located at 8075 W. 95th Street, Ste., D-11. No objections were noted.
Fonte/Health & Environmental Control
Alderman Fonte was absent. No report submitted.
Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory
Alderman Ferrero reported the tree order list for the Arbor Day Tree Sale has been received. More trees have been added.
Alderman Ferrero noted currently the Street Fair has 27 crafters and 4 food vendors.
McAvoy/Chamber Business Development
Alderman McAvoy reported Bob Rakow from the Reporter has left and Ms. Sharon Filkins will be the new reporter covering the City Council meetings.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Alderman Ferrero moved to adjourn into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing collective bargaining. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.