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September 24, 2015 City Council Meeting Minutes

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September 24, 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 24, 2015, at 7:34 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
    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 McHugh was 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 Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Kelly Gontarz
Brent Wortell
Perfect Paws Grooming/Daycare
8700 W. 95th Street

Ms. Gontarz, owner of Perfect Paws Grooming, would like to extend the business to include pet boarding. After some discussion, it was the consensus of the Council to grant this request.

Mr. Wally Sura
Kiwanis Club of Hickory Hills
Mr. Sura requested the City Council purchase boxes of peanuts from the Kiwanis Club fundraising event. These boxes purchased will be sent to the troop through the Adopt a Platoon Program. Alderman Ferrero moved to purchase 4 peanut boxes at a cost of $200.00. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mr. Miguel Garcia
8906 83rd Court

City Engineer

Mr. Garcia thanked the Council for their efforts with the proposed sewer improvements to relieve his flooding issues. Mike Spolar, City Engineer, reported the contract for this project will be awarded at this evening’s meeting.

Mayor Howley suggested at this time the Council would proceed with the contract award for the 83rd Court sewer improvement for the benefit of the audience.

Mr. Spolar reported a bid opening for the 89th Avenue and 83rd Court Storm Sewer Project was held on September 17, 2015. All bids were correct and in order. The lists of bidders with their respective bids are as follows:

Len Cox & Sons $374,531.00
Riccio Construction Company $382,039.00
MQ Construction $385,000.00
Hasse Construction Company $444,000.00

The low bid was 8.6% higher than the final Engineer’s estimate cost of $324,928.00. Therefore, Mr. Spolar is recommending award of the contract to Len Cox & Sons for the bid amount of $374,531.00. Alderman Zimmerman moved to award the contract to Len Cox & Sons in the amount of $374,531.00. Alderman Stachnik second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CLOSE TO PUBLIC

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

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman Ferrero moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of September 10, 2015 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Szeszycki second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. Alderman McAvoy and Alderman Stachnik pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Mayor Howley presented an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Hickory Hills and School District 117 for the 5K Run/Walk which will be held on October 24, 2015. This is the same agreement as last year. Alderman Zimmerman moved to approve the Intergovernmental Agreement with School District 117. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mayor Howley distributed flyers regarding the 5K Run/Walk. He noted the route has been changed slightly due to work being done. It is the same distance and safer for the runners.

Mayor Howley presented Resolution #15-09, a resolution honoring the Daughters of the American Revolution’s 125 Years of Service to America. Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve Res. 15-09. Alderman Stachnik second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mayor Howley noted Halloween will fall on a Saturday this year and would propose the hours of trick or treating will be from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. No objections were noted.

CITY CLERK

Clerk Catizone reported she is in receipt of an Intergovernmental Agreement for the provision of Environmental Health Inspectional Services for the period of December 1, 2015 through November 30, 2016. The cost will remain the same of $100.00 per inspection.

Alderman Stachnik moved to approve the Intergovernmental Agreement with Cook County Health Systems for Health Inspections. Alderman McAvoy second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Clerk Catizone is in receipt of a request from Sacred Heart Church in Palos Hills to place a sign at 95th Street and Roberts Road for their upcoming Craft Fair on October 24th and October 25th. No objections were noted and permission will be granted.

CITY TREASURER

No report submitted.

CITY ATTORNEY

Ord. 15-09 City Attorney Mike Cainkar presented Ordinance #15-09, an ordinance levying taxes for General Corporate and other purposes for the fiscal year beginning May 1, 2015 and ending April 30, 2016, for the City of Hickory Hills, Cook County, Illinois. Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve Ord. #15-09. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll Call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Alderman McAvoy noted there is a property located at 9141 Forest Drive West in his ward that has several issues. It is currently vacant and has several citations. He would like the Attorney to review this matter.

CITY ENGINEER

Res. 15-08 Mr. Spolar presented Resolution 15-08, a resolution directing the Mayor and City Clerk to be authorized to submit and execute the 2015 Community Development Block Grant Program Agreements with County of Cook, Illinois Project Number 1506-009. Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve Res. 15-08. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Invoice #8473 Mr. Spolar presented Invoice #8473 from Hasse Construction Company for work done on the 2015 Drainage Improvements (pay estimate #1, partial) in the amount of $60,319.26. Alderman Zimmerman moved to approve Invoice #8473 to Hasse Construction Co. in the amount of $60,319.26. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Invoice #0731-1953 Mr. Spolar presented Invoice #0731-1953 from Utility Dynamics Corp. in the amount of $7,425.00 for work done on the 93rd Street Lighting Project (pay estimate #2, partial). Alderman Ferrero moved to approve Invoice #0731-1953 in the amount of $7,425.00 to Utility Dynamics Corp. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the bills payable for the second half of September 2015 in the amount of $162,396.67. Alderman Waight second. Roll Call: Aldermen Fonte, Ferrero, McAvoy, Stachnik Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

Szeszycki/Finance

Alderman Szeszycki distributed a copy of the video gaming report. He noted it is going strong but the state is holding our portion of the revenues for the last three months.

Alderman Szeszycki reported the City’s Property Casualty Insurance premiums were reviewed. There will be some small changes. Including a 4% increase to our premium.

Alderman Szeszycki noted the Workmen’s Compensation Insurance Renewal will be January 1, 2016. This will be reviewed in December.

Stachnik/Public Safety

Alderman Stachnik reported everyone should be in receipt of a memo from the Police Department regarding a new hire.

Chief Vodicka reported there will be a vacancy as of October 1, 2015 with the resignation of Officer Eric Schultz. He is requesting to hire a new recruit and have him/her sworn in at the Council’s December meeting. The next academy begins January 4, 2016. It was the consensus of the Council to approve the hiring one new police officer.

Zimmerman/Public Works

Mr. Boettcher reported funds were budgeted over three departments for the last stage of the Scada System installation at the Sabre Room Lift Station.

Public Works will issue a purchase order to Metropolitan Industries in the amount of $22,000.00 if there are no objections. No objections were noted.

Mr. Boettcher noted funds were budgeted for residential meter replacement of the 1988 (27 year old) meters with the plan for the area “6” which has 420 meters. The entire area will cost approximately $120,000.00. At the last Council meeting, Public Works reported 85 letters were sent to residents requesting appointments for water meter replacement. He noted 60 meters were purchased. As of Tuesday of this week, 30 meters were replaced. The material cost of meter and flexnet reader is $275.00. The going contractor rate for installation is $100.00. The slowest process is always getting the appointments. Mr. Boettcher noted the City is saving money with a Public Works install, but it will take several years. Mr. Boettcher would like to move forward with the installation of these 85 meters until the next Committee Meeting in October to discuss how the Council would like to proceed with this water replacement program.

Treasurer Schramm commented he and Finance Chair Szeszycki have issued a summary of the water replacement program to the Council members. He would like to place the review of the total water meter replacement program on the October Committee Meeting Agenda. At this time, he also recommended moving forward with the 80-85 meter replacements until October 22, 2015. No objections were noted.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

Alderman McHugh was absent. 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 complete for the Children’s Halloween Party on October 24th from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. She noted the Hills Chamber will hold a Trunk and Treat Event and a Scarecrow Contest in conjunction with the Halloween Party.

McAvoy/Chamber Business Development

Alderman McAvoy reported the Hills Chamber of Commerce Golf Outing was held on Wednesday, September 16th. They had 32 golfers. He thanked all the Council who participated in the golf outing.

Alderman McAvoy noted the Chamber’s Halloween Events will be held on October 24th at City Hall.

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, McAvoy, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Meeting adjourned at 8:13 p.m.