Home › Meeting Minutes › September 10, 2015 City Council Meeting Minutes

September 10, 2015 City Council Meeting Minutes

Posted on Posted in Meeting Minutes
September 10, 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, September 10, 2015, at 7:33 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
  • D. Ferrero
    B. Fonte
    M. McHugh
    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

Aldermen McAvoy and Stachnik were 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, Fonte, McHugh, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

No one spoke during this portion of the meeting.

CLOSE TO PUBLIC

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

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman McHugh moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of August 27, 2015 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Szeszycki second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McHugh, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. Alderman Fonte pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Mayor Howley is in receipt of two liquor license requests from St. Patricia Parish. 1) Octoberfest to be held on September 26, 2015 and 2) Wine Tasting event on November 13, 2015. No objections were noted and these licenses will be issued with fees waived.

Mayor Howley thanked John Moirano for his assistance with the new Drive Time and the former owner of the Lexington House.

CITY CLERK

Clerk Catizone reported she is in receipt of a request from the Stagg Music Boosters to have signs put up advertising their Fall Craft Show on November 14th and 15th. The signs will be up the weeks of October 12th through November 15th. No objections were noted.

Clerk Catizone noted the City’s Rain Barrel Program is going very well. She has ordered over 70 rain barrels. This program will run through December, 2017 or 56,000 rain barrels delivered throughout greater Chicago area, whichever comes first.

Clerk Catizone mentioned Standard Bank will hold a shredding event on Saturday, September 12, 2015 from 10:00 a.m. to Noon.

Clerk Catizone stated the newsletter deadline for the fall newsletter is September 15, 2015.

Clerk Catizone reported boxing for the Troops will be held on Tuesday, September 15th at the Community Center.

Clerk Catizone invited the City Council to a Southwest Municipal Clerk’s Meeting which she will be hosting on Thursday, October 1st at the Camelot Banquet Hall. The time is 6:30 p.m.

CITY TREASURER

Treasurer Schramm presented the Treasurer’s Report dated August 31, 2015. Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report dated August 31, 2015. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McHugh, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Treasurer Schramm distributed a financial update as of August 31, 2015. It is 4 months into the fiscal year and there are no concerns at this time. Treasurer Schramm noted the City has not received any Video Gaming Revenues since June and MFT Funds last received in July from the State.

CITY ATTORNEY

Ord. 15-08 City Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance #15-08, an ordinance amending Chapter 6, Water Service, Section 6.27, Outdoor Water Use Restrictions, and Chapter 26, Plumbing Code, Section 26-011, Metering, Flushing, and Installation of Water Saving Plumbing Fixtures, of the Hickory Hills Municipal Code. Alderman Zimmerman moved to approve Ord. #15-08. Alderman Waight second. Attorney Cainkar noted this is mandated by the IEPA. Some typographical errors were noted and corrections will be made. Roll Call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McHugh, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY ENGINEER

Mr. Spolar reported the light poles on 93rd Street will be installed next week.

Mr. Spolar noted the 83rd Court project’s bid opening will be held on September 17th and the contract award will be on the September 24th Council agenda.

Mr. Spolar also noted the 85th Avenue project is ongoing and it should be approaching the 89th Street intersection within ten days.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the bills payable for the first half of September 2015 in the amount of $450,949.79. Alderman Waight second.

Roll Call: Aldermen Fonte, Ferrero, McHugh, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

Szeszycki/Finance

Alderman Szeszycki distributed a memo regarding employee health insurance. He noted a meeting was held on September 3rd with the employee health insurance committee. At this time, they were notified of the recent change in enrollment date and increase.

Alderman Szeszycki reported a meeting was held on September 8th regarding the City’s Property Casualty Insurance where the premiums were reviewed. There will be a 7% or $12,000.00 increase due to the auto liability claims this year. Also discussed at this meeting was the under and uninsured policy which has been lowered from one million to a fifty thousand limit. He also mentioned some cost saving options that were considered to lower the premiums.

Stachnik/Public Safety

Alderman Stachnik was absent. No report submitted.

Zimmerman/Public Works

Mr. Boettcher reported the City Arborist has completed the Tree Survey of the entire City. He noted 60 letters will be sent out to the residents informing them of the cost sharing tree replacement program. A large percentage of the letters are because of the declining Ash tree populations. The homeowners must respond by Friday, September 25th.

Mr. Boettcher noted Public Works is optimistic to start the water meter replacement program but with the State of Illinois holding funds, this program will be discussed at a later date.

At this time, Treasurer Schramm asked if the residential/commercial water meter replacement program could be put on the next agenda for discussion.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

No report submitted.

Waight/Laws & Ordinances

No report submitted.

Fonte/Health & Environmental Control

No report submitted.

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

Alderman Ferrero reported plans are underway for the Children’s Halloween Party, the horse drawn wagon is ordered.

McAvoy/Chamber Business Development

Alderman McAvoy was absent. No report submitted.

Mayor Howley reminded the Council the Hills Chamber of Commerce Golf Outing will be on Wednesday, September 16th.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

None.

ADJOURNMENT

Alderman Ferrero moved to adjourn the meeting until the next regularly scheduled or specially called meeting. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen
Fonte, Ferrero, McHugh, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Meeting adjourned at 7:54 p.m.