October 27, 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 27, 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 - City Clerk, D. Catizone
- City Treasurer, D. Schramm
- City Engineer, M. Spolar
- Police Chief, A. Vodicka
- Public Works Director, L. Boettcher
- Building Commissioner, J. Moirano
Attorney Vince Cainkar was absent. There being a quorum present, the meeting was called to order.
Mayor Howley moved the Waste Management Amendment to Scavenger Services Agreement up on the agenda. He noted this item was discussed at length at the Committee meeting prior to the Council meeting. Alderman Waight moved to approve the Waste Management Amendment to the Scavenger Agreement which agrees to the following: commencing on January 1, 2017, the City shall offer single family residential units the ability to participate in the At Your Door Special Collection Program. Alderman Fonte second. Change to the contract would be to change the ending date from January 1, 2017 to January 1, 2018.
Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Waight, Zimmerman aye. Aldermen Stachnik and Szeszycki nay. So approved.
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.
Linda Gannon
8820 W. 92nd Street
Ms. Gannon voiced her concerns of school buses that are speeding down 92nd Street. Mayor Howley noted he will contact the school district with this concern.
Gil Marek
9320 S. 79th Avenue
Mr. Marek voiced concerns over the trees that are affected by the Emerald Ash on 79th Avenue and what the City is doing to work on this issue. Mayor Howley asked if the trees are on the parkway or private property. Mr. Marek said they are on private property. Larry Boettcher stated the City is removing trees that are dying or dead. Mayor Howley stated if the tree is dying in the parkway, the City will remove it. If it is on private property, it is the resident’s responsibility. Mr. Marek also mentioned that on 94th and 79th Street is a resident with many trees and bushes blocking the driver’s view. Public Works will investigate this area.
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 Ferrero moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of October 13, 2016 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS
MAYOR
St. Patricia Requests – Mayor Howley is in receipt of a request from St. Patricia’s Holy Name Society for temporary liquor licenses for two upcoming events. These two events are the Super Bowl Party on Sunday, February 5, 2017 and the Fish Fry on Friday, March 3, 2017. Alderman Stachnik moved to approve temporary liquor licenses for St. Patricia’s Holy Name Society Super Bowl Party on February 5, 2017 and the Fish Fry on March 3, 2017 with fees waived. Alderman Fonte second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
CITY CLERK
City Clerk Catizone announced Stagg High School will be hosting their Annual Arts and Crafts Show on November 12th and November 13th. The hours are 9:00 – 4:00 on Saturday and 10:00 – 3:00 on Sunday.
Clerk Catizone also announced the Veteran’s Day Ceremony will take place on Saturday, November 5th at 10:00 a.m. at City Hall.
Clerk Catizone noted the Hickory Hills Blood Drive will be held on Sunday, November 6th at the Community Center from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
CITY TREASURER
No report submitted.
CITY ATTORNEY
Attorney Cainkar was absent. No report submitted.
CITY ENGINEER
No report submitted.
COMMUNICATIONS
BILLS PAYABLE
Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the bills payable for the second half of October 2016 in the amount of $350,202.51. Alderman McAvoy second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McHugh, McAvoy, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Szeszycki/Finance
No report submitted.
Stachnik/Public Safety
No report submitted.
Zimmerman/Public Works
Public Works Director Boettcher is seeking approval from the Council for the MFT Funded 2017 Street Program. A copy was distributed at the last Council meeting. The approval will allow Robinson Engineering to start surveying the condition of identified streets and start engineering before the snowfall commences. There was one modification in the First Ward on 94th Street from 78th Avenue to the tollway. Alderman McHugh moved to approve the MFT Funded 2017 Street Program. Alderman McAvoy second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Public Works has completed the annual street tree survey to access the deteriorating condition of the Ash and other trees. Letters were sent to residents informing them of the Tree Cost Sharing Program. Homeowner’s were informed of the deteriorating condition of the existing tree and stump and if they purchase this fall, the City would remove the existing tree and stump and then next spring a new tree would be planted at the agreed location. Public Works has prepared a Request for Proposal for contractors to quote on tree removal and stump grinding for work Public Works could not handle. This proposal called for 8 trees to be removed and 14 stumps to be ground at a lowest quote of $4,230.00. Public Works is recommending acceptance of this bid from Oak Tree Services. No objections were noted. They will be removed by the end of the year. Alderman Fonte and Alderman McAvoy requested a list of these trees that are going to be removed.
McHugh/Bldg./Facilities
Alderman McHugh announced 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.
Alderman McHugh reported Mrs. Peggy Balducci will be leaving the Community Center and a replacement is currently in training.
Waight/Laws & Ordinances
No report submitted.
Fonte/Health & Environmental Control
No report submitted.
Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory
Alderman Ferrero reported the Children’s Halloween Party on October 22nd after the Howl Through the Hills 5k Run/Walk went very well. She noted the Hills Chamber’s Trunk and Treat Event and Scarecrow Contest were a nice addition to 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 at 10:00 a.m.
McAvoy/Chamber Business Development
Alderman McAvoy reported the Veteran’s Day Ceremony will include certificates to Kruse’s Krew, recognizing them for their efforts in boxing for the troops.
Alderman McAvoy distributed plastic bags for the election. The idea came from a neighbor of Alderman Fonte’s. An explanation of the bag is inside.
Alderman McAvoy also distributed a copy of the early voting numbers by precinct.
Alderman McAvoy shared the results of the Scarecrow Contest with the Council. The top winners from each school will receive a pizza party provided by The Hills Chamber.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Alderman Szeszycki reported peeling of the micro resurfacing in front of his house and questioned if it is happening in other areas. Mr. Boettcher stated after looking at this street, the micro surfacing could have been applied to wet pavement and that could cause peeling. He has not noticed any other streets with peeling.
Alderman Ferrero had a question regarding the paint coming off on the lamp posts along 91st Street. Mr. Boettcher stated he has been in contact with the manufacturer and they realize it is their problem. Mike Spolar has been in contact with them and will contact them again for an update.
NEW BUSINESS
Mayor Howley recognized Emmett Spolar, son of City Engineer Mike Spolar, on his great finish (third overall) in the Howl through The Hills 5K.
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 8:13 p.m.