February 14, 2019 City Council Meeting Minutes

February 14, 2019 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,
February 14, 2019 at 7:30 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
    S. Zimmerman
  • City Clerk, D. Catizone
  • City Attorney, V. Cainkar
  • City Treasurer, D. Schramm
  • City Engineer, M. Spolar
  • Police Chief, C. Hobart
  • Public Works Director, S. Lehr
  • Building Commissioner, J. Moirano

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

Mayor Howley introduced Mr. Joseph Murphy, a candidate for MVCC Board. Mr. Murphy stated he is running for reelection on April 2, 2019 and is asking for the support of the City Council. He noted he has been a MVCC trustee for the past 18 years.

POLICE OFFICER SWEARING IN

– Chief Hobart introduced Sgt. Mark Benaitis before Police Commissioner Ken Fonte swore him in as a Lieutenant Officer of the Hickory Hills Police Department. His wife and two sons had the honor of pinning his badge on him, and then Father Mol gave a blessing.

Appointment – Fire/Police Commission

– Mayor Howley introduced Mr. Mark Cavalieri. Mayor Howley is appointing Mr. Cavalieri to the Fire/Police Commission. This is in replacement of Mr. Anthony Skupien who recently resigned. Mayor Howley noted Mr. Cavalieri has lived in Hickory Hills for 28 years and has a BS from UIC in Computer Science, with a minor in Criminal Law. He has recently retired after 40 years in the IT industry.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC


No one was in the audience for this portion of the meeting.

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman McHugh moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of January 24, 2019 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Mayor Howley welcomed Clerk Catizone back from her vacation. Clerk Catizone thanked the Mayor for assisting with answering phone calls during the recent extreme cold temperatures.

CITY CLERK

Clerk Catizone is in receipt of a request for signs from the
Stagg High School Music Boosters. They are having their annual Spring Arts and Crafts Show on March 16th and March 17th. They are seeking permission to place signs at 95th Street and Kean Avenue, 95th Street and 88th Avenue during the weeks of February 18th through March 18th. No objections were noted.

Clerk Catizone announced the next Blood Drive will be held on Sunday, March 31st at the Community Center.

CITY TREASURER

Treasurer Schramm presented the Police Pension Fund Municipal Compliance Report for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2018. He noted this has been distributed to the City Council. The report has recommended a City contribution of $1.3 million. The Police Pension Fund is currently 69% funded with an unfunded liability of $11,751,462. The accrued liability is the actuarial present value of the portion of the projected benefits that has been accrued as of the valuation date based upon the actuarial valuation method and the actuarial assumptions employed in the valuation. Treasurer Schramm stated the City has contributed $1.2 million to this fund over the last three (3) years. Our 1.2 million exceeds the minimum requirement. For the fiscal year 2019, the City will be discussing increasing or keeping this contribution the same.

Treasurer Schramm presented the Treasurer’s Report dated January 31, 2019 for approval. Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report dated January 31, 2019. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY ATTORNEY

No report submitted.

CITY ENGINEER

No report submitted.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the bills payable for the first half of February 2019 in the amount of $449,753.58. Alderman Stachnik second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

Szeszycki/Finance

No report submitted.

Stachnik/Public Safety

No report submitted.

Zimmerman/Public Works

Director Lehr reported that Public Works distributed a request for proposal for 3,000 linear feet of 8” sanitary sewer main lining. The proposed activity is from 91st Street to 87th Street on selected runs from 85th Court to 84th Court. The main lines were selected to assist with compliance of MWRD short term requirement and reduce maintenance issues. Three (3) proposals were received with the lowest acceptable proposal of $102,532.10 from Instituform Technologies. Ms. Lehr noted this is a budgeted item. No objections were noted.

Ms. Lehr also sent out an RFP for 650 linear feet of 36” main line storm pipe to be lined. The deteriorating CMP pipe is located on 82nd Court between 93rd Street and 94th Street. Three (3) proposals were sent out with the lowest proposal of $143,091.50 coming from Michels Corporation. Ms. Lehr noted this is a budgeted item unless there is a concern. No objections were noted.

Mayor Howley thanked Public Works for all their efforts during the cold weather.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

Alderman McHugh reported the Parkview Apartments had one pipe break during the cold weather and it was repaired.

Waight/Laws & Ordinances

Alderman Waight was absent. Mayor Howley presented a business certificate application for Boutique Home Realty located at 8100 W. 95th Street, Unit 1. No objections were noted.

Fonte/Health & Environmental Control

No report submitted.

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

Alderman Ferrero reported she has met with Peter Gordon from Stagg High School (Conservation Committee) who will be helping at our Arbor Day Event. She has also contacted some other environmental agencies to attend on May 4th.

Alderman Ferrero noted she has signed one band for the Street Fair in June.

Alderman Ferrero stated the Council should consider bingo options for the Street Fair. Alderman McHugh noted this could be discussed at the March Committee Meeting.

Kman/Chamber Business Development

No report submitted.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

None.

ADJOURNMENT

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

Meeting Adjourned at 8:26 p.m.