June 8, 2017 City Council Meeting Minutes

June 8, 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, June 8, 2017, 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
    M. McHugh
    J. Stachnik
    J. Szeszycki
    B. Waight
    S. Zimmerman
  • City Clerk, D. Catizone
  • City Treasurer, D. Schramm
  • City Attorney, V. Cainkar
  • Police Lt, A. Vodicka
  • Public Works Director, L. Boettcher

There being a quorum present, the meeting was called to order.

Girl Scout Recognition – At this time, Mayor Howley recognized Girl Scout Troop #50674 on their Silver Award Achievement. The Silver Award is the highest award a Cadette Girl Scout can earn. Present this evening were Shari Schmidt, Troop Leader and Kim DuMoulin, Assistant Troop Leader. The individual Silver Award Recipients were Sarah DuMoulin, Abigail Schmidt, Julianna Puente, Allison Schmidt. (Not present, Brynn Mauthe). Mrs. Schmidt explained what the girls had done as their projects. They created children’s comfort dolls and donated them to first responders and dog and cat toys to be donated to animal shelters. Mayor Howley acknowledged their accomplishments and gave them a small token of appreciation on behalf of the City.

Chief Vodicka also read a statement thanking the girls for the donation of the comfort dolls to the area first responders. These dolls help victims and assist law enforcement.

OPEN TO PUBLIC

Mayor Howley stated seeing no one in the audience, no open to the public portion was needed.

CLOSE TO PUBLIC

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

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman Ferrero moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of May 25, 2017 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Stachnik second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki aye. Aldermen McAvoy, Waight and Zimmerman pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Mayor Howley reported he has spoken with Hickory Hills Park District Director Jennifer Fullerton regarding the 2018 Carnival. After a lengthy discussion, the consensus of the Council was to have the carnival in conjunction with the City’s Street Fair and have a concession stand at the top of the hill only with a fee of $200.00 (only on Sunday). Mayor Howley will talk further with the Park District and share this information.

Kiwanis Memorial Day – Mayor Howley thanked the Hickory Hills Kiwanis Club Ceremony for hosting the Memorial Day Ceremony at the Community Center. He noted it was a very nice ceremony.

U-Haul Trucks – Mayor Howley voiced his concerns regarding the numerous U-Haul Trucks at the oil change facility on 95th Street.

CITY CLERK

Clerk Catizone reported all checks have been prepared for the upcoming Street Fair.

CITY TREASURER

Treasurer Schramm reported on June 2nd the City was notified that the West Suburban Water Commission increased the water rated by 2% effective June 1, 2017 thru December 31, 2017.

Treasurer Schramm stated he has presented proposed water rate increases at the last Committee of the Whole Meeting. The option being considered is to increase the water line charge from $5.25 to $5.40 per month and the water rate from $7.70 to $7.95 per 1,000 gallons. In addition, the Finance Chairman and Treasurer Schramm are presenting a water and sewer monthly surcharge of $2.15 per billing account which would be used for future water and sewer projects. After some discussion, Alderman McAvoy moved to approve the water rate increase to $7.95 per 1,000 gallons and the water line charge to $5.40 per month. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

The proposed water and sewer surcharge died for lack of a motion or second.

CITY ATTORNEY

Attorney Cainkar opened the public hearing for the purpose of discussing the appropriation ordinance for Fiscal Year 2017-2018. Notice has been posted and published in the newspaper for this public hearing.

No one spoke during this portion of the public hearing.
Attorney Cainkar closed the public hearing.

Ord. 17-06 – Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance #17-06, an ordinance providing for a budget and appropriation for corporate and other purposes for the fiscal year beginning May 1, 2017 and ending April 30, 2018 for the City of Hickory Hills, Cook County, Illinois. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Ordinance 17-06, for budget and appropriation purposes for the fiscal year 2017-2018. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY ENGINEER

Mr. Spolar was absent. Public Works Director Larry Boettcher presented Invoice #2 from Insituform Technologies, USA, LLC for work done on storm sewer rehabilitation, project #15-589 (pay estimate #2, final) in the amount of $13,110.54. Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve Insituform Technologies, USA, LLC Invoice #2 in the amount of $13,110.54. Alderman McHugh second.

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

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the bills payable for the first half of June 2017 in the amount of $560,319.31. Alderman Ferrero second. Alderman Szeszycki inquired on the difference of the sod purchased. Mr. Boettcher noted credits were received on the last invoice. Roll Call: Aldermen Fonte, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

Szeszycki/Finance

Alderman Szeszycki distributed a memo regarding City Property & Casualty and Workers Comp Insurance. He reported the City is currently updating property values, vehicle listings, payrolls, and a 5-year loss experience. These will be sent to IMLRMA and A. J. Gallagher to submit quotes sometime in late July or early August. He will keep the Council updated on how the quotes are coming in and also more detail on IMLRMA and their self-insured package program.

Stachnik/Public Safety

No report submitted.

Zimmerman/Public Works

Mr. Boettcher reported A/C Paving started activities this week and should be completed with micro-surfacing within a week. Also, Gallagher Asphalt has commenced asphalt replacement the last two weeks. He noted at a recent pre-construction meeting with the Tollway, it was noted that A/C Paving has been awarded the contract to micro-surface all the shoulders from 95th Street south to the Indiana border.

Mr. Boettcher mentioned the Tollway’s Community Outreach Group is now contacting cities to have an update meeting to discuss the latest budget, its effect and revised timeline. Also, they will reaffirm previous cities requests as well as some high level design issues. The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 28th at 3:00 p.m. at City Hall.

Mr. Boettcher reported the bids for corrugated metal pipe on 85th Avenue in the rear yards should be received mid-July. Two options are available for this rear yard project. Mr. Boettcher will review when bids are received.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

No report submitted.

Waight/Laws & Ordinances

No report submitted.

Fonte/Health & Environmental Control

Alderman Fonte noted the May report from the “At Your Door Service” reported 4,100 pounds was recycled this month.

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

Alderman Ferrero reported as of today the Street Fair has 38 crafters, 13 food vendors and 6 businesses. She hopes more crafters will enter the Street Fair in the coming weeks.

McAvoy/Chamber Business Development

Alderman McAvoy reported he has visited Vito & Nicks II which recently opened and encouraged everyone to stop in this newly opened restaurant.

Alderman McAvoy thanked the WM “At Your Door Service” which picked up recycling from his home this week.

Alderman McAvoy noted the tent for the Street Fair Bingo Tent has been secured. He is already getting volunteers for the bingo tent.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

None.

ADJOURNMENT

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

Meeting adjourned at 8:28 p.m.