October 13, 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, October 13, 2016, at 7:31 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
M. McHugh
T. McAvoy
J. Stachnik
J. Szeszycki
B. Waight
S. Zimmerman - Acting City Clerk, C. Doherty
- 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, McHugh, McAvoy, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
No one spoke during this portion of the meeting.
CLOSE TO PUBLIC
Alderman Waight moved to close the meeting to the public. Alderman Fonte second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McHugh, McAvoy, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS
Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of September 22, 2016 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. Aldermen McAvoy and McHugh pass. So approved.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS
MAYOR
Proclamation – Mayor Howley read a Proclamation recognizing November 7, 2016 as Color the World Orange Day regarding Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, also known as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD).
November/December Meeting schedules – Mayor Howley noted the second meeting in November falls on Thanksgiving and would need to be rescheduled. It was agreed that the November 24th meeting would be cancelled and a Committee and Council meeting would be held on November 10th beginning at 6:30 p.m. The December meetings will follow the regular schedule.
Halloween hours – It was agreed that Halloween hours would be from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, October 31st.
St. Patricia Holy Name “Sports Nite” – Mayor Howley announced the St. Patricia Holy Name will hold a meeting and “Sports Nite” with guest WGN Sportscaster, Rich King, at the Hickory Hills Community Center on Thursday, October 20th, at 6:30 p.m.
CITY CLERK
Acting City Clerk Doherty noted City Clerk Catizone is attending the Municipal Clerk’s Academy in Springfield. She reported the Clerk’s Office is in receipt of a request from Sacred Heart Church to place signs at 95th and 76th Avenue and 87th and Roberts Road for their upcoming craft show on October 22nd and 23rd. No objections were noted
CITY TREASURER
Treasurer Schramm presented the Treasurer’s Report dated August 31, 2016 for approval. Alderman McHugh moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report dated August 31, 2016. Alderman Stachnik second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McHugh, McAvoy, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
CITY ATTORNEY
No report submitted.
CITY ENGINEER
No report submitted.
COMMUNICATIONS
BILLS PAYABLE
Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the bills payable for the first half of October 2016 in the amount of $697,998.18. Alderman Stachnik second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McHugh, McAvoy, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Szeszycki/Finance
Alderman Szeszycki distributed the latest Video Gaming Revenue Report.
Stachnik/Public Safety
Alderman Stachnik noted the Police Quarterly Report was distributed to the City Council along with the Ordinance/Animal Control Report for July, August and September, and the Third Quarter Chronic Nuisance Property Report.
Zimmerman/Public Works
Public Works Director Boettcher proposed the full time hiring of Mr. Julio Ayala who has experience working with contractors and doing property maintenance. Mr. Ayala will be hired at Union Grade E. No objections were noted.
Public Works has budgeted $27K for a 4X4 pickup with a plow. The total cost from Hawk Ford for this vehicle with equipment will be $28,600. Public Works will move forward with this purchase. No objections were noted.
Mr. Boettcher has met with the Forest Preserve District regarding the Kean Avenue Pond at 91st Place. A second meeting will be necessary. Robinson Engineering is scheduled to move forward with checking drainage issues. The City will have to deal with the FPD and their requirements.
Mr. Boettcher distributed Public Works 2017 Proposed Street Program. He would like this program finalized by the October 27th meeting.
McHugh/Bldg./Facilities
Alderman McHugh reported the plumbing work at Parkview’s third building is complete. PermaSeal work will also be done at this building. In November, we will lose 4 or 5 residents, but new ones are available to move in.
He also noted there will be a free Thanksgiving Dinner at the Community Center for residents only on Tuesday, November 1st from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Donations for the Troops are encouraged for the postage to mail packages.
Waight/Laws & Ordinances
Alderman Waight presented one business certificate application for Chicago Group L.A. Ltd., an import/export group at 7667 W. 95TH St. No objections were noted.
Fonte/Health & Environmental Control
Alderman Fonte noted that Mr. Mike Morley of Waste Management informed him that Chicago Ridge is starting their curb recycling program in November. Discussion ensued on starting this program in our City. There was a consensus to move forward with this service for the City and have Alderman Fonte check into the time line for initiating it.
Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory
Alderman Ferrero reported plans are complete for the Children’s Halloween Party on October 22nd after the Howl Through the Hills 5k Run/Walk 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. Alderman Ferrero also mentioned the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting on November 22nd at 6:30 p.m.; the Annual Children’s Christmas Party at Krueger Park on December 10th and the Lights of Hickory Hills decorating judging on December 13th. She also noted there will be a Veteran’s Day program on Saturday, November 5th.
McAvoy/Chamber Business Development
Alderman McAvoy reported the Sabre Room Plaza informational meeting at St. Patricia on October 12th was well attended.
Alderman McAvoy noted on Thursday, October 20th, Jewel/Osco will have a Grand Reopening at 8:00 a.m.
The Scarecrow Contest and Trunk and Treat Event will take place in conjunction with the Halloween Party. A ballot box and an actual voting machine will be available from Tuesday through Friday at City Hall.
The managers from both Walgreens stores in Hickory Hills attended the development meeting on Wednesday night. Alderman McAvoy is in contact with Mr. Alex Gourlay of Walgreen’s Boots Alliance, Inc. who will reach out to us regarding the Walgreen’s Safe Medication Disposal Kiosk Program.
Mayor Howley extended his thanks to Aldermen McAvoy and Fonte for their fine job in organizing the community meeting for the Sabre Room development.
Alderman McAvoy also extended his thanks to Ms. Sue Lehr for bringing and setting up the sound system for the Wednesday night meeting.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Alderman McHugh noted there will be a benefit and raffle for the Ruddy family children on Saturday, October 22nd at Robert’s Roadhouse. They are requesting permission to close their parking lot from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. No objections were noted.
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 Ferrero, Fonte, McHugh, McAvoy, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.