August 23, 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,
August 23, 2018, at 7:34 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
S. Zimmerman - City Clerk, D. Catizone
- City Attorney, M. Cainkar
- City Treasurer, D. Schramm
- Police Chief, A. Vodicka
- Chief Engineer, M. Spolar
- Public Works Asst. Director, S. Lehr
- 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 Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Lois Lang
7804 W. 89th Place, Apt. 2E
Hickory Hills
Ms. Lang is a tenant at Parkview Apartments. She received a letter from the City Attorney regarding an issue with visitors. She would like the City to reconsider their position on this matter. Alderman McHugh stated he has had this conversation with Ms. Lang. No further discussion.
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 McHugh moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of August 9, 2018 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Kman second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. Alderman Stachnik pass. So approved.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS
MAYOR
Proclamation – Mayor Howley presented a proclamation which proclaims the week of September 17th through September 23rd as “Constitution Week”.
CITY CLERK
Clerk Catizone reported she is in receipt of a block party request for September 22nd on 81st Avenue. No objections were noted.
Clerk Catizone noted she is in receipt of a donation request from Ms. Lexi Udaykee for the Stagg High School Girls Volleyball team. Alderman McHugh moved to approve a $100.00 donation from the City’s Discretionary Fund. Alderman Fonte second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved. It was also mentioned if the boys’ volleyball team requests a donation the same amount would be donated.
Clerk Catizone announced the deadline for the City newsletter articles is September 10th.
Clerk Catizone reported the next Hickory Hills Blood Drive will be held on Sunday, August 26th at the Hickory Hills Community Center from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
CITY TREASURER
No report submitted.
CITY ATTORNEY
Ord. 18-13 – Attorney Mike Cainkar presented Ordinance #18-13, an ordinance amending Chapter 5, streets and sidewalks, Section 5.37, standards for the construction of facilities in the right-of-ways, and deleting Section 5.38, standards for the construction of personal wireless telecommunications services and facilities in the public right-of way, from Chapter 5, streets and sidewalks, of the Hickory Hills Municipal Code. Alderman Zimmerman moved to approve Ord. 18-13. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
CITY ENGINEER
No report submitted.
COMMUNICATIONS
BILLS PAYABLE
Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the bills payable for the second half of August, 2018 in the amount of $584,432.72. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Szeszycki/Finance
Alderman Szeszycki distributed the current video gaming revenue report.
Alderman Szeszycki distributed several memos outlining and summarizing the City’s October 1st Health Insurance renewal quotes. The summary and chart were presented to the Health Insurance Committee and distributed to all full-time City employees. He mentioned the City went out and did a “Broker Competitive” for the October 1st premium quotes. Vista National obtained quotes from BCBSIL and United Health Care.
Our current broker, Alliant/Mesirow, obtained renewal premiums from our current insurance provider AETNA, along with quotes from Cigna and Humana. At this time, he reviewed the premiums and benefit changes. He noted on Tuesday, August 14th, he met with Vista National to review the BlueCross/BlueShield two plan options. BCBSIL PPO/HMO Option A came in with an annual premium decrease of approximately 9% or $77,000.00 lower than the Aetna renewal premium. Option B came in with an annual decrease of approximately 11% or $95,000.00 lower than Aetna renewal premium. Based on the employee recommendations, the recommendation to the Council for approval to renew as of October 1st with BlueCross/Blue Shield of Illinois Plan Option A for an annual renewal premium savings of $77,000.00 from the current Aetna renewal premium. By moving the City Health Insurance plans to BCBSIL, we will also move to Vista National as our health insurance broker. He noted open enrollment would start September 10th through September 20th.
Stachnik/Public Safety
No report submitted.
Zimmerman/Public Works
Public Works Director Sue Lehr was saddened to report on the tragic loss of Erik Wright, a Public Works employee. He will be greatly missed.
McHugh/Bldg./Facilities
No report submitted.
Waight/Laws & Ordinances
Alderman Waight presented two business certificate requests. 1) Bargain Center By Lucy located at 8829 W. 87th Street. This is a resale shop. 2) Unique Freight Carriers located at 8711 W. 95th Street. This is a freight carrier office only. No objections were noted.
Alderman Waight reported he has a request to investigate our ordinance regarding prohibiting pigeons. Attorney Cainkar will review and get back to the Council.
Fonte/Health & Environmental Control
No report submitted.
Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory
Alderman Ferrero commented on the traffic pattern at Glen Oaks School. She was told to walk on the side of the street that has a sidewalk. She requested if the City could place a sidewalk on the south side of 91st Street. Mayor Howley noted there has been several different traffic patterns to keep the children safe and the traffic moving. Alderman Waight noted that other schools have the same traffic issues. Public Works Director Lehr stated she has met with the school and there is a crossing guard that crosses the children. After some discussion, it was noted that the terrain is very sloped for a sidewalk and also the houses would have to maintain these sidewalks. No decision was made at this time.
Kman/Chamber Business Development
No report submitted.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Alderman McHugh noted the City Hall parking lot has been completed and looks great.
Alderman McHugh reported he has a phone number for a business that will decorate for the holidays. He will pass it on to Alderman Ferrero.
NEW BUSINESS
None.
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 8:14 p.m.