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August 25, 2016 City Council Meeting Minutes

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August 25, 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, August 25, 2016, at 7:30 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
    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

Alderman Brian Fonte was absent. There being a quorum present, the meeting was called to order.

OPEN TO PUBLIC

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

No one spoke during this portion of the meeting.

CLOSE TO PUBLIC

Mayor Howley closed the meeting to the public as there was no one in the audience.

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman Stachnik moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of August 11, 2016 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman McAvoy second.

Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McHugh, McAvoy, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Proclamation – Mayor Howley presented a proclamation for Constitution Week, on September 17th through September 23rd. This acknowledges the privilege and duty of the American people to commemorate September 17th as the 229th anniversary of the drafting of the Constitution of the United States of America.

Glen Oaks School – Mayor Howley congratulated Glen Oaks School in being named one of the top 20 elementary suburban schools in Cook County.

95th Street Property – Mayor Howley mentioned he has met with the new owners of the George’s Steak House property on 95th Street. He is very excited about this purchase.

CITY CLERK

Clerk Catizone reported the deadline for newsletter articles is September 15th. The newsletters will be delivered the first week of October.

Clerk Catizone announced that Green Hills Library will host an electronics recycling event on September 10th from 11-2:00 p.m.

Clerk Catizone shared a phone call she received from Mrs. Noyes, the resident who attended the last Council meeting with concerns with overnight parking on her street. Mrs. Noyes expressed her appreciation for the positive changes that have occurred and thanked the City.

CITY TREASURER

Treasurer Schramm presented the Treasurer’s Report dated July 31, 2016 for approval. Alderman McHugh moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report for period ending July 31, 2016. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Treasurer Schramm reported this week the Police Pension assets are being transferred to the new investment manager. He will give an update at the next Council meeting.

CITY ATTORNEY

Attorney Cainkar presented the Police Contract (2016-2020) and the Public Works Contract (2016-2021) for approval.

Union Contracts – These contracts were updated as of May 26, 2016 and will need approval by the City Council. Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the Hickory Hills Police Contract (2016-2020) and the Hickory Hills Public Works Contract (2016-2021). Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY ENGINEER

Mike Spolar reported bids were submitted on August 4, 2016 for the Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation, Cured-In-Place Pipelining – Alternate A – CDBG 1506-009. The bids are as follows:

Insituform Technologies USA, Inc. $111,615.00
SAK Construction LLC $112,350.00

Mr. Spolar recommends awarding the contract to Insituform Technologies USA, Inc. for the bid amount of $111,615.00.
Alderman Zimmerman moved to award the Alternate A Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project to Insituform Technologies USA, Inc. Alderman McAvoy second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mr. Spolar presented two invoices from Hasse Construction Company for work done on the 2015 Drainage Improvements (pay estimate 8m partial). Invoice #8937 and Invoice #8965 in the amount of $41,293.43. This is work done on the 2015 drainage improvement project. Alderman Ferrero moved to approve payment to Hasse Construction Company in the amount of $41,293.43. Alderman Zimmerman second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, 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 August 2016 in the amount of $187,221.78. Alderman Waight second. Roll Call: Aldermen Ferrero, McHugh, McAvoy, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

Szeszycki/Finance

Alderman Szeszycki distributed the monthly Video Gaming revenues and reported they have been running flat. It has been running the same for the last few months.

Alderman Szeszycki reported the Property Casualty Insurance renewal is October 1, 2016. He will be meeting with Gallagher Bassett and will present this at the September 8th Council meeting.

Alderman Szeszycki stated on Wednesday, August 17th, a meeting with Mesirow, our Health Insurance Broker, was held to review the employee Blue Cross/Blue Shield October 1st renewal premiums along with quotes from Aetna and United Health Care on our current PPO/HMO plans. He stated BCBSIL’s renewal came in at 8.8% premium increase or $66,500 annual increase. Including this year’s premium increase, premiums under BCBSIL have increased $180,000 over the last 3 years. Alderman Szeszycki noted at last year’s open enrollment, employees were notified that if BCBSIL premium increases continue, the City would have to look at benefit plan changes or go to the outside markets to control or reduce health care costs.

Alderman Szeszycki reported Aetna’s quote for similar PPO/HMO plans came in at $106,000 lower than BCBSIL. United Health Care quote came in at $162,000 lower than BCBSIL. He noted these plans were evaluated with their positive and negative effects of each plan. The employee contribution annual savings under both Aetna and UHC either offset or reduce this benefit risk shift to employees. Treasurer Schramm commented that the lower premiums have significant savings to the employees.

Alderman Szeszycki stated on Tuesday, August 23rd he met with the Health Insurance Committee and reviewed the renewal quotes in detail, along with the savings on employee contributions. Alderman Szeszycki asked the Council to review the packet that was given to the Health Insurance Committee at this meeting.

Also at this meeting, feedback from the employees was requested within the next week on what plan they prefer, Aetna or United Health Care. Based on his review of the Aetna/UHC networks, they cover the same as BCBSIL. At this time, Alderman Szeszycki and Treasurer Schramm are requesting consensus that the City move plans to Aetna or UHC. Discussion ensued and the Council consensus was to wait until they hear employee feedback, but acknowledge that a change in carrier might occur and they will need to react quickly due to open enrollment deadlines. Alderman McAvoy noted it may take time for the employees to poll their doctors to see if they are in these proposed plans. If something comes out of the feedback, it will be addressed.
Alderman Szeszycki noted the employees have a week and he would like to bring this before the Council at the September 8th meeting. Treasurer Schramm would like the Council to review the employee contribution savings that are in the packets they received. This will be discussed further at the next Council meeting.

Stachnik/Public Safety

Chief Vodicka reported he has updated the auction list with the addition of two vehicles. This would bring the total to 5 vehicles to be placed in the SCM October 15, 2016 Auction.

Zimmerman/Public Works

Mr. Boettcher reported Public Works will start waterproofing manhole risers and frames in the roadways. The material for this program will cost approximately $200.00 per manhole. This is a budgeted amount from the Sanitary Rehab Program. Public Works will be issuing a PO to Midwest Water in the amount of $10,000.00 for Flex Seal Utility Sealant if there are no concerns. No concerns were noted.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

No report submitted.

Waight/Laws & Ordinances

Alderman Waight reported the tour of the new Buttercrumb Bakery on Saturday was very nice.

Fonte/Health & Environmental Control

Alderman Fonte was absent. Alderman McAvoy noted Alderman Fonte is still obtaining more information on the e-recycling event and would like the Council’s consensus on the Waste Management E-Recycling Program.

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

No report submitted.

Alderman Ferrero questioned what Nicor was doing in the City this week. Mr. Boettcher noted they are updating their equipment.

Mayor Howley noted the Howl Through the Hills 5K Run/Walk is scheduled for October 22nd and plans are moving forward.

McAvoy/Chamber Business Development

Alderman McAvoy reported he has taken a tour of the chicken coop and all is well.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

None.

ADJOURNMENT

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

Meeting adjourned at 8:08 p.m.