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March 24, 2016 City Council Meeting Minutes

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March 24, 2016 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, March 24, 2016, at 7:32 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
    T. 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.

No one spoke during this portion of the meeting.

CLOSE TO PUBLIC

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

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman McHugh moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of March 10, 2016 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. Aldermen Fonte and McAvoy pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Congratulations – Mayor Howley congratulated Alderman Tom McAvoy and Erin on their recent nuptials that took place in the City Council Chambers.

Arbor Day Proclamation – Mayor Howley proclaimed May 7, 2016 as Arbor Day in the City of Hickory Hills. He urges citizens to observe this day by the planting of a tree and by participating in the City Arbor Day Celebration on May 7th at 8:30 a.m.

Res. 16-02 HH Baseball Parade – Mayor Howley presented Resolution 16-02, a resolution
requesting permission for a temporary closure of 95th Street for the purpose of conducting an Opening Day/Season Kick Off parade in the City of Hickory Hills on Saturday, April 16th from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Alderman Stachnik moved to approve Res. 16-02. Alderman Szeszycki second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Chamber Night – Mayor Howley expressed his appreciation to the Hills Chamber for hosting Chamber Night at the Sabre Room. It was well attended. He, along with Mayor Bennett of Palos Hills, spoke and gave an overview of happenings in their cities.

Executive Session – Mayor Howley noted an Executive Session will be held at the end of this evening’s Council meeting for the purpose of discussing Police and Public Works Union Contracts.

CITY CLERK

City Clerk Catizone read two thank you letters from Elim Eagles 5K Run/Walk and Mrs. Kristy Centeno both of whom had received City donations from the Hickory Hills Discretionary Fund.

City Clerk Catizone announced the Hickory Hills Blood Drive will be held on Sunday, April 3rd at the Community Center from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Clerk Catizone reported the Hickory Herald will be mailed to residents this Friday.

CITY TREASURER

No report submitted.

CITY ATTORNEY

No report submitted.

CITY ENGINEER

NPDES Public Hearing – Mr. Spolar reported a Public Hearing is now open in
accordance with the General Permit for Discharges from Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MSS) for the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System known as (NPDES). The purpose of this hearing is to list the City’s program to keep storm water clean and pass this clean storm water to towns at lower elevations. Water pollution degrades surface waters making them unsafe for drinking, fishing, swimming, and other activities. As authorized by the Clean Water Act, the NPDES Permit Program controls water pollution by regulating sewers and ditches and areas tributary into these sewers and ditches that discharge pollutants into waters of the United States, creek, ponds and detention basins. In 2003, IEPA required all MS4’s to file a Notice of Intent (NOI) to describe how they are going to comply with the statewide general permit conditions. Each MS4 community was required to obtain an NOI and have a fully implemented program, addressing each of the six minimum control measures. The City updated their Notice of Intent in September of 2013 and submitted their most recent annual report in May of 2014. The size of Hickory Hills is 2.8 square miles and storm water runoff enters the following receiving waters: Belly Deep Slough, I&M Canal, and the Lucas Ditch Cut-Off. Listed below are the implemented control measures:

1. Public Education & Outreach – This program is met by publishing articles in the City’s newsletter and pamphlets from the Clerk’s Office.
2. Public Involvement & Participation – This is met by holding this public hearing. The City’s Tree Replacement Program is a public outreach program that also meets this Control Measure requirement.

3. Illicit Discharge & Elimination – This is met by ordinances to address this issue. The Public Works Department has an up-to-date sewer atlas that indicates all outfalls and it performs dry weather inspections of these outfalls. The City also has a hotline number to report any spills the public may see.
4. Construction Site Storm Water Runoff Control – The City has an Erosion Control Ordinance in place for this control measure and performs site inspections of construction sites. The City inspects detention ponds for silt retention.
5. Post Construction Storm Water Runoff Control in New Developments & Redevelopments – The City has a Post-Construction Ordinance in place and final inspections are required for any sites.
6. Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping – The City performs street sweeping, inspections and cleaning drainage structures and sewers. Public Works employees receive annual training. Public Works disposes of its used oil in bulk.
7. Annual Activities Moving Forward – An annual report is made to the IEPA each year by June 1st. The City’s Public Programs include the 50/50 tree replacement, cleanup days and dumpster days. The City also has ordinances and a sewer atlas that are reviewed yearly.

Mr. Spolar noted there are some new regulations which cities will be required to do. These include reporting environmental justice within your community to make sure they can live to the best of their ability in a healthy clean environment. Another new regulation is requiring a salt dome. Lastly, you must address climate change in your annual report. This is the summary of the City’s commitment to meet the General Permit requirements. No public comments at this time. Public Hearing is closed.

Res. 16-03 2016 CDBG – Mr. Spolar presented Resolution 16-03, a resolution for the 2016 CDBG Capital Improvement/Demolition and Economic Development Project Application in the amount of $300,000.00. This is for a Community Block Grant Fund for program year 2016. The project name is 2017 CDBG Resurfacing Program. Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve Res. 16-03. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Invoice #8696 Hasse Construction – Mr. Spolar presented Invoice #8696 from Hasse Construction
for work done on 2015 Drainage Improvements pay estimate #5 (partial) in the amount of $96,082.75. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Invoice #8696 to Hasse Construction in the amount of $96,082.75. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the bills payable for the second half of March 2016 in the amount of $789,579.93. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll Call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

Szeszycki/Finance

No report.

Alderman McAvoy questioned Chief Vodicka if tickets are being issued for vehicle registration stickers due to the fact they are not sending renewal notices. Chief Vodicka stated if anyone receives a citation and they produce the receipt of the updated sticker, you will be in compliance and the citation is dismissed. Chief Vodicka noted there is a website you can log into and check when your registration sticker or your emissions test is due. This website will be published in the City’s newsletter.

Stachnik/Public Safety

No report.

Mayor Howley thanked Chief Vodicka and his officers for helping out with the Church last weekend. The City has received a letter of thanks from the Church.

Zimmerman/Public Works

95th Street Landscape – Director Boettcher reported spring is fast approaching and a purchase order for fiscal year 2016-2017 should be issued now to initiate maintenance activity. Golden Gate Nursery has provided this service in the past for the City’s landscaped areas of 95th Street, St. Pat’s Pond and the Rain Garden. The proposal is similar to last year. If there are no objections, this will be issued to Golden Gate Nursery in the amount of $14,400.00. No objections were noted.

Sewer Lateral Repair – Mr. Boettcher noted the City will need to hire a contractor to repair a deep 15’ lateral sanitary sewer in the alley of 83rd Avenue at 95th Street. This services an apartment building and professional office. Public Works solicited an estimated cost from 2 local contractors with the lowest at $8,500.00. Because of the emergency to have this service line repaired on Friday, Public Works issued a purchase order to Del Riccio Construction on this project. The lateral service repairs are within the right of way and are the City’s problem according to City Code. He noted our City is one of few cities to accept this responsibility.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

No report submitted.

Waight/Laws & Ordinances

No report submitted.

Fonte/Health & Environmental Control

No report submitted.

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

No report submitted.

McAvoy/Chamber Business Development

Alderman McAvoy noted he was unable to attend the Chamber Night last night but was told it was very nice. He congratulated the businessman of the year, Mr. Tim Parks.

Alderman McAvoy noted Willow Springs will begin Video Gaming in 9 or 10 establishments. He doesn’t think this will have any impact on the City.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

Alderman McAvoy thanked all for their good wishes during his absence over the last two months. He is feeling much better.

ADJOURNMENT

Alderman Ferrero moved to adjourn into Executive Session to discuss Police Personnel and Police Collective Bargaining Agreement. Alderman Waight second. Roll Call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Meeting adjourned at 7:59 p.m.