July 28, 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, July 28, 2016, 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
- Aldermen, D. Ferrero
B. Fonte
T. McAvoy
T. McHugh
J. Stachnik
J. Szeszycki
B. Waight - City Clerk, D. Catizone
- City Treasurer, D. Schramm
- City Attorney, V. Cainkar
- Police Chief, A. Vodicka
- Public Works Director, L. Boettcher
Alderman Zimmerman and Building Commissioner John Moirano 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, McAvoy, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight 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 Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McHugh, McAvoy, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight aye. So approved.
JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS
Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of July 14, 2016 as printed subject to deletions or corrections.
Alderman Stachnik second. Roll call: Aldermen Fonte, McHugh, McAvoy, Stachnik, Szeszycki, aye. Aldermen Ferrero and Waight pass. So approved.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS
MAYOR
National Nite Out – Mayor Howley reminded the Council that National Nite Out will be Tuesday, August 2nd at 7:00 p.m. at Kasey Meadow Park.
Hickory Plaza – Mayor Howley thanked Ordinance Officer Ingrid McNeff and the Building Department for their efforts with Hickory Plaza. The construction has begun to repair their sign.
Tree City USA – Mayor Howley reported the City has received a very nice trophy for participating as a Tree City USA for the last 20 years. He thanked Public Works which is very helpful with this program..
2016 MFT Pay Estimate – Mayor Howley noted the following item was not placed on the agenda and needs to be approved. The Council is in receipt of Invoice #16-0044 from “D” Construction, Inc. for work done on the 2016 MFT Resurfacing (pay estimate #1, partial) in the amount of $263,416.39. Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve Invoice #16-0044 to “D” Construction in the amount of $263,416.39. Alderman Fonte second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight aye. So approved.
CITY CLERK
Clerk Catizone reported the Secretary of State Mobile Drive Services Facility will be at Hickory Hills City Hall on Tuesday, August 16th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The following services will be provided: Driver’s License Renewals, State ID Cards, Duplicate Licenses, Corrected Licenses, Vision Screenings and Vehicle Renewal Stickers for License Plates.
CITY TREASURER
Treasurer Schramm presented the Treasurer’s Report dated June 30, 2016 for approval. Alderman McHugh moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report dated June 30, 2016. Alderman Stachnik second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight aye. So approved.
Treasurer Schramm updated the Council on a few items. The Police Pension Board has now signed on with the new asset management firm of Sawyer & Falduto. Also, Standard Bank announced their merger with First Midwest Bank. He noted when this happens, all Standard Bank branches will become First Midwest Bank. Mayor Howley noted all indications are that the operations will remain in the building on 95th Street.
CITY ATTORNEY
No report submitted.
CITY ENGINEER
Mike Spolar was absent. MFT Invoice covered under Mayor’s report.
COMMUNICATIONS
BILLS PAYABLE
Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the bills payable for the second half of July 2016 in the amount of $233,434.68. Alderman Stachnik second. Roll Call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McHugh, McAvoy, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight aye. So approved.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Szeszycki/Finance
No report submitted.
Stachnik/Public Safety
Chief Vodicka reported at the time when Lt. Rattigan retired, the City agreed not to make any promotions unless something else came up. The Chief has now received a letter from Sgt. Gary Kollner requesting his retirement as of September 1, 2016, and is seeking approval to make a promotion at the upcoming Council Meeting of September 8th. Also, he is requesting approval to hire a new patrol officer for an Academy date of October 2, 2016. The Council gave consensus of support for these upcoming moves in the Police Department Personnel.
Zimmerman/Public Works
Alderman Zimmerman was absent.
Mr. Boettcher reported the monthly water meter reading from the West Suburban Water Commission compares favorably to the Flex-Net monthly reading of billable water used. This format will alert Public Works if water leaks are becoming an issue in the water system.
McHugh/Bldg./Facilities
Alderman McHugh reported two of the Parkview Apartments have had the water pipes in the building upgraded. One more building will be done this year at approximately $9,000.00 per building.
Alderman McHugh noted the Parkview parking lot will be patched and seal coated in the next month.
The City Council expressed their condolences to Peggy Balducci (Community Center) on the recent loss of her sister.
Waight/Laws & Ordinances
Alderman Waight reported he is in receipt of two business certificate applications. 1) Montrose Colors located at 9905 S. 78th Avenue. The owner, Mr. Jeff Adams, is opening a distribution warehouse for books and art materials. 2) Frutex Inc. located at 9831 S. 78th Avenue. The owner, Mr. Omar Almosalame, will be buying candy wholesale in bulk and packaging it in smaller quantities for resale in the Chicagoland area. No objections were noted.
Fonte/Health & Environmental Control
Alderman Fonte reported he does not have an update from Republic Disposal on the one day e-recycling event. He has been unable to contact them at this time. He will continue investigating other options.
Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory
Alderman Ferrero thanked her Community Affairs Committee: Mary Boettcher, Sandy Wcislo, Sharon Chorzempa, Debbie Zimmerman and Joann Jerantowski for their help at the Street Fair. She stated the vendors told her they did excellent this year. Also, she had 15 new crafters.
Discussion ensued on next year’s Street Fair if Roberts Road was under construction. Mr. Boettcher stated no final plans have been set for Roberts Road from the County. Also, some discussion on an alternative site was discussed if Roberts Road was under construction. Mr. Boettcher will keep the Council updated on the County’s progress on the Roberts Road Project.
McAvoy/Chamber Business Development
No report submitted.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Clerk Catizone reported on the Municipal Clerks of Illinois Summer Seminar in Naperville. Clerk Catizone noted she hosted along with the Naperville Deputy Clerk Nancy Bright and Richmond Clerk Karla Thomas. She reported 80 Clerks attended this seminar and the speakers were very informative. The networking alone is a wealth of information.
NEW BUSINESS
Mayor Howley stated another video gaming establishment has contacted the City to see if any liquor licenses are available at this time. It was the consensus of the Council not to increase the liquor licenses.
ADJOURNMENT
Alderman Stachnik moved to adjourn into Executive Session to discuss existing specific Public Works personnel and the possibility of hiring a new Pubic Works employee. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McHugh, McAvoy, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight aye. So approved.
Meeting adjourned at 8:12 p.m.