January 11, 2018 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,
January 11, 2018, at 7:33 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
H. Kman
M. McHugh
J. Stachnik
J. Szeszycki
B. Waight
S. Zimmerman - City Clerk, D. Catizone
- City Attorney, V. Cainkar
- City Treasurer, D. Schramm
- Police Chief, A. Vodicka
- Chief Engineer, M. Spolar
- Public Works Director, L. Boettcher
- Building Commissioner, J. Moirano
There being a quorum present, the meeting was called to order.
Winners of the “Lights of Hickory Hills” Presentation.
Mayor Howley presented the winners of the “Lights of Hickory Hills” with a token of appreciation. He thanked the winners present for decorating their houses and making Hickory Hills festive for the holidays. The winners are listed below:
*1st Ward – 1st Place – Gustavo Family 9026 S. 79th Avenue
1st Ward – 2nd Place – Ulloa Family 7830 W. 90th Place
*2nd Ward – 1st Place – Al Kasper & Janice Mastro 8310 W. 91st Street
2nd Ward – 2nd Place – Ramirez-Zapata Family 431 S. 86th Ct, Apt. 1W
*3rd Ward – 1st Place – Cooper Family 9240 S. 89th Avenue
3rd Ward – 2nd Place – Selvek Family 8848 W. 92nd Place
*4th Ward – 1st Place – Kramer Family 8944 S. 80th Court
*4th Ward – 2nd Place – Frederick Family 8230 W. 89th Street
*present at Council Meeting.
OPEN TO PUBLIC
Alderman Stachnik moved to open the meeting to the public. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, 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 Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS
Alderman Waight moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of December 14, 2017 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Ferrero second.
Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. Alderman Kman pass. So approved.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS
MAYOR
PATSE Bus – Mayor Howley reported he is in receipt of a letter from Palos Hills requesting financial support to offset the cost to operate the PATSE Bus Service in the amount of $12,955.18. This represents 2,257 rides for residents of Hickory Hills.
Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the financial support of $12,955.18 to Palos Hills Community Resource & Recreation Department for the PATSE Bus Service. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved. After a brief discussion, the Council agreed they would request a more detailed report from the PATSE Bus Service.
Firefighter Sanders Donation – Mayor Howley noted that the injured Roberts Park Firefighter Clint Sanders is improving and was released from the hospital. He was injured in a fire in Justice recently. Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve a $250.00 donation from the discretionary fund to the Sanders family whom reside in Hickory Hills. Alderman Fonte second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
CITY CLERK
City Clerk Catizone reported she is in receipt of a request from St. Patricia School to place signs around the City regarding their upcoming Open House. No objections were noted.
Clerk Catizone noted the Camelot Holiday Dinner for employees was held on December 29th. She thanked the Camelot for a wonderful dinner.
Clerk Catizone announced Packing for the Troops will be held on Tuesday, January 16th at the Community Center beginning at 6:00 p.m.
Clerk Catizone reported the next Hickory Hills Blood Drive will be held on Sunday, January 28th at the Community Center from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
Clerk Catizone noted she will not be in attendance at the next Council meeting of January 25th and Chris Doherty will be attending in her place.
CITY TREASURER
No report submitted.
CITY ATTORNEY
Res. 18-01 – Attorney Vincent Cainkar presented Resolution 18-01, a resolution adopting a workplace discrimination and harassment policy. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Res. 18-01. Alderman Stachnik second. Alderman Szeszycki voiced his concern that he has read this resolution and just doesn’t like it. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Kman, Fonte, McHugh, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. Alderman Szeszycki present. So approved.
City Attorney left meeting at 7:50 p.m.
CITY ENGINEER
City Engineer Mike Spolar presented Invoice #GE17205 2 (2017 MFT resurfacing, pay estimate #2, final) in the amount of $29,150.18 to Gallagher Asphalt. He noted work has been completed and this is the final payment. Alderman Ferrero moved to approve Invoice #GE17205 2 to Gallagher Asphalt in the amount of $29,150.18. Alderman Kman second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
COMMUNICATIONS
BILLS PAYABLE
Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the bills payable for the first half of January 2018 in the amount of $404,527.69. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Bills Payable Dec. 2nd half – Alderman Szeszycki reported the customary bills payable for the second half of December, 2017 was $309,939.26. These were approved at the last Council meeting.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Szeszycki/Finance
Alderman Szeszycki distributed the Video Gaming revenues through the month of November 2017. He will have the final year end totals at the next Council meeting.
Stachnik/Public Safety
No report submitted.
Zimmerman/Public Works
Mr. Boettcher reported a Tollway meeting will be held on Monday, January 22nd at 6:00 p.m. in the Hickory Hills Council Chambers. The tollway representatives will meet with the eleven (11) identified City property owners who have property adjacent to the Tollway. The Tollway has sent letters notifying these homeowners of this meeting. Mr. Boettcher noted 195 LED light heads were installed throughout the City. Replacement LED heads were also installed at Prairie Pond Path and neighborhood lights on 89th Street and 91st Street. Roberts Road overhead lights now have LED lights, but not the antique street lights.
McHugh/Bldg./Facilities
Alderman McHugh reported the heat at the Community Center will be operational next Tuesday. He noted there is one (1) open apartment available at Parkview Apartments.
Waight/Laws & Ordinances
No report submitted.
Fonte/Health & Environmental Control
Alderman Fonte reported he is in receipt of the end of the year report from WM “At Your Door” services. In the last year, 72,280 pounds was collected in Hickory Hills. This included 502 stops for electronic recycling.
Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory
Alderman Ferrero thanked all the people who came out for the Lights of Hickory Hills.
Kman/Chamber Business Development
Alderman Kman reported he has spoken with the new owner of the gas station at Roberts Road and 87th Street and he is excited to start new construction. His plans have been submitted to the Building Department.
Alderman Kman noted he has sent an email to the owners of Sabre Woods for an update, but has not heard back.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
Building Commissioner Moirano reported the owner of the strip mall on 87th Street and 88th Avenue has turned in plans to the Building Department to remodel the façade of the buildings.
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, Kman, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Meeting adjourned at 8:09 p.m.