July 26, 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,
July 26, 2018, at 7:31 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor 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 - City Clerk, D. Catizone
- City Attorney, V. Cainkar
- City Treasurer, D. Schramm
- Police Chief, A. Vodicka
- Chief Engineer, M. Spolar
- Public Works Asst. Director, S. Lehr
Alderman Zimmerman was absent. 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, Kman, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, aye. So approved.
Doug & Mindy Lorey
9331 S. 83rd Court
Hickory Hills
Mr. Lorey voiced his concerns regarding a recent serious fire across the street from his home. He noted he has researched this issue and there have been many fires caused by ComEd Smart Meters. He has emailed ComEd and has not received a response. Mrs. Lorey mentioned she learned it was from faulty installation.
Mayor Howley stated the City will follow up with the Fire Department and inquire on the cause of the fire. Also, he will reach out to the City’s ComEd representative if needed.
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, aye. So approved.
JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS
Alderman McHugh moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of July 12, 2018 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Kman second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Szeszycki, Waight, aye. Alderman Stachnik pass. So approved.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS
MAYOR
Mayor Howley stated there will be an executive session at the end of the meeting to discuss personnel.
Mayor Howley extended his condolences to Alderman Debbie Ferrero on the passing of her father.
CITY CLERK
Clerk Catizone reported she is in receipt of a thank you note from former Public Works Director Larry Boettcher.
Clerk Catizone also noted she is in receipt of a thank you note from the family of former Mayor Ray Kay for sympathy flowers.
Clerk Catizone recently received a complaint from a resident on 77th Avenue. He noted there is garbage on his front lawn every morning. He believes it is from the McDonalds. Alderman Waight stated he has talked with the Manager regarding trash in the area. Mayor Howley mentioned this is an ongoing issue. Mayor Howley also noted a letter from the Police Department may assist in this matter.
CITY TREASURER
Treasurer Schramm presented the Treasurer’s Report dated June 30, 2018 for approval. Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report dated June 30, 2018. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight aye. So approved.
CITY ATTORNEY
Ord. 18-03 – Attorney Joseph Cainkar presented Ordinance #18-03, an ordinance approving a special use for a massage therapy business on the property located at 8859 S. Roberts Road, Hickory Hills. Mayor Howley reminded the Council this ordinance was on hold as the business owner needed to complete a new business certificate application. This is now complete and ready to be presented to the Council. The Zoning Board had approved this special use at an earlier date. They also have a parking agreement with the building next door. As the ordinance states they are limited to two (2) therapists. Alderman Waight moved to approve Ordinance
#18-03. Alderman Stachnik second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Stachnik, Waight aye. Aldermen McHugh and Szeszycki nay. So approved.
Attorney Cainkar presented the agreement between the City of Hickory Hills and the Service Employees International Union Local #73. After some discussion, it was agreed to discuss this matter in executive session and return to the regular meeting and vote on this agreement.
Ord. 18-11 – Attorney Joseph Cainkar presented Ordinance #18-11, an ordinance levying taxes for the general corporate and other purposes for the fiscal year beginning May 1, 2018 and ending April 30, 2019, for the City of Hickory Hills, Cook County, Illinois. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Ordinance #18-11. Alderman Fonte second. Attorney Cainkar noted this is an increase of 2.1% which is low for the area. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight aye. So approved.
CITY ENGINEER
No report submitted.
COMMUNICATIONS
BILLS PAYABLE
Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the bills payable for the second half of July, 2018 in the amount of $236,374.42. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Szeszycki/Finance
Alderman Szeszycki reported the video gaming revenue remains strong.
Stachnik/Public Safety
Alderman Stachnik reported the Council should be in receipt of the Police Quarterly Productivity Report for the second quarter and also the Chronic Nuisance Property Report. No comments at this time.
Zimmerman/Public Works
Assistant Public Works Director Sue Lehr reported that all residential meters for active water accounts have been changed out. She noted her crew did a great job with this change out program. Along with the new meters, the radio read system has cut down on man hours and increased customer service. The new meters are very user friendly and have been known to promote water conservations. The Public Works Department will continue these same efforts for the commercial accounts. Lastly, she stated they are ahead of schedule on this project.
McHugh/Bldg./Facilities
Alderman McHugh reported four (4) apartments are available at Parkview.
Alderman McHugh noted City Hall parking lot will be repaved in the beginning of August. He also noted the garage at City Hall received a new roof.
Waight/Laws & Ordinances
No report submitted.
Fonte/Health & Environmental Control
No report submitted. The City Council extended their congratulations on the birth of Olivia Fonte to Brian and Brittany Fonte.
Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory
No report submitted.
Kman/Chamber Business Development
Alderman Kman reported he assisted former alderman McAvoy in distributing the business directories.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
Alderman McHugh inquired on the status of the new holiday decorations for 95th Street and Roberts Road. Alderman Ferrero reported she is currently reviewing catalogs.
ADJOURNMENT
Executive Session – Alderman Ferrero moved to convene into executive session
for the purpose of discussing personnel. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight aye. So approved. Executive Session began at 8:01 p.m.
Alderman Ferrero moved to reconvene into the regular meeting. Alderman Fonte second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight aye. So approved.
Mayor Howley congratulated Ms. Sue Lehr, as the new Public Works Director. Discussion ensued on the vehicles for the Public Works administration. It was the consensus to have a 4-wheel drive vehicles.
Alderman Ferrero moved to approve the agreement between the City of Hickory Hills and the Service Employees International Union Local #73. Alderman Waight second. Alderman Szeszcyki stated in his opinion this is an amendment to the and existing contract and shouldn’t have been done. Roll call: Aldermen Fonte, Ferrero, Kman, McHugh, Stachnik, Waight aye. Alderman Szeszycki nay. So approved.
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 aye. So approved.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:56 p.m.