April 27, 2017 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, April 27, 2017, 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
Aldermen, D. Ferrero
T. McAvoy
B. Fonte
M. 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 Lt, 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 Fonte 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 Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS
Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of April 13, 2017 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. Aldermen Fonte and McHugh pass. So approved.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS
MAYOR
Proclamation – Mayor Howley read a proclamation regarding the upcoming Municipal Clerks Week on May 7th through May 13th.
Exec. Session – Mayor Howley announced an Executive Session will be held after the Council Meeting this evening.
CITY CLERK
No report.
CITY TREASURER
No report.
CITY ATTORNEY
Attorney Mike Cainkar presented Resolution, 17-04, a resolution relating to participation by elected officials in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF). Attorney Cainkar noted the new IMRF Board requires all governing bodies of units of government with elected positions participating in IMRF to pass a new resolution re-affirming that the positions meet the IMRF hourly standard of 600 hours per year. Alderman Zimmerman moved to approve Resolution 17-04, which finds the following elected positions: Mayor, Clerk, Treasurer and Aldermen qualify for membership in IMRF. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
CITY ENGINEER
No repoprt.
COMMUNICATIONS
BILLS PAYABLE
Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the bills payable for the second half of April 2017 in the amount of $484,347.49. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll Call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Szeszycki/Finance
Alderman Szeszycki presented the Video Gaming Report. The revenues for March, 2017 were $19,752.00.
Stachnik/Public Safety
Chief Vodicka reported on April 19th the Department began dispatching for the City of Hometown and it is running smoothly. As of May 1st, the City should start receiving compensation as per our 9-1-1 agreement.
Zimmerman/Public Works
North Palos Fire – Director Boettcher reported Public Works has recently received a letter from ISO the leading supplier of data and analytics for property/casualty insurance industry. The letter stated that the insurance rating for North Palos Fire District has been upgraded after investigating the operations of the department and the status of Water Mains utilized by this department. The rate has removed from a three (3) rating upward to a two (2) rating. This allows property insurance rates to be reduced by insurance companies.
Ash Tree – Director Boettcher reported Public Works has contacted the homeowner last fall regarding the Cost-Sharing Tree Program and that the Ash tree would be removed upon payment for a new tree. He did not reply. After the last Council meeting the homeowner was again contacted regarding removal of this tree. This time the homeowner did sign up. A tree was selected and paid with a check. Public Works will remove this tree within the next few weeks, but the tree trunk will be ground down in the fall when a contractor has been hired. A new tree will be planted in the fall.
McHugh/Bldg./Facilities
Alderman McHugh reported there was a water back up issue at Parkview Apartments but has been handled by the Public Works Department.
Alderman McHugh thanked Assist. Director Sue Lehr for her assistance in this matter.
Waight/Laws & Ordinances
Alderman Waight reported he has 3 business certificate applications for approval and one new owner of an existing business. PitaLand will have a new owner, Mr. Eyad Al Silwadi as of May 1, 2017. New businesses for approval are: 1) Luxe Jewelry Design located at 9525 S. 79th Avenue. Owner is Ms. Shorouq Odeh 2) May’s Lounge at 7612 W. 95th Street. This is a café with video gaming. The owners are Mr. N. Elias and Mr. Z. Heidner. 3) CrossLink Wireless located at 9831 S. 78th Avenue, Unit A. This is a telecommunication construction warehouse. The owner is Mr. Fred Jenkins. No objections were noted.
Fonte/Health & Environmental Control
No report.
Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory
Alderman Ferrero reported as of today, the Street Fair has 23 crafters, 2 businesses and 3 food vendors.
McAvoy/Chamber Business Development
No report.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
Mayor Howley wished to extend a Happy Easter to all those that celebrate.
ADJOURNMENT
Alderman Ferrero moved to adjourn into Closed Executive Session for the purpose of discussing pending litigation against the City and salary schedules for one or more classes of City employees. Alderman Waight second. Roll Call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Meeting adjourned at 7:52 p.m.