August 8, 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, August 8, 2019 at 7:32 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Howley lead the pledge of allegiance.
Mayor Howley requested a moment of silence for the victims of the recent shootings in El Paso Texas and Dayton, Ohio.
ROLL CALL
Upon roll call, the following were present:
- Mayor, M. Howley
Aldermen, D. Ferrero
B. Fonte
H. Kman
M. McHugh
P. Purtill
J. Stachnik
S. Zimmerman - City Clerk, D. Catizone
- City Attorney, M. Cainkar
- City Attorney, M. Spolar
- City Treasurer, A. Vodicka
- Police Lt, 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.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Alderman Stachnik moved to open the meeting to the public.
Alderman Zimmerman second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Debbie Evans
Chicago, IL
Ms. Evans would like the Council to consider her business in Hickory Hills. She would like to sell spiritual candles, crystals and oils. Ms. Evans would like to also have a meditation room. She was told the City does not allow this type of business.
Mayor Howley suggested Ms. Evans put in writing her exact nature of the proposed business and email it directly to him. He will then share with the city attorney for review.
Dorota Kobik
9219 S. 83rd Avenue
Ms. Kobik is requesting updates on the shooting incident on 83rd Avenue and flooding update in the area. Chief Hobart stated two rounds were discharged from a handgun on the north side of the City. He doesn’t foresee this continuing and this was an isolated incident. On the flooding issue, Ms. Lehr stated she has talked with these neighbors and addressed issues on 83rd Avenue. One item that may help is the pitch of her driveway. She is also interested in the entire city with regards to the flooding. Ms. Lehr noted Hickory Hills is filled with hills and valleys. The City is trying to contain water upstream and redirecting water before it can cause flooding.
Jeff Psolla
9021 Chestnut
He noted the last couple of weeks, we have had storms which causes the sanitary sewer to back up into his house. This has happened three times in the last few years. He stated this seems to happen when the storm water overflows and then the sanitary sewer backs up. He would like to see the storm water not get into the sanitary sewer line. He thought this was fixed when the sewers were lined. Ms. Lehr stated there are two issues in this area. If the water has nowhere to go, it backs up in the intersection. Ms. Lehr noted the City is investigating avenues for getting this water out of the area. She stated this area was televised recently. It was a massive amount of rain in a short time and no system could have handled this event. Mayor Howley stated Justice is also have flooding issues and both cities are reviewing ways to advance a region plan. Ms. Lehr noted these houses were built in the 1960’s and the sewer service lines were built of clay with tar joints. They are old and causing leaking water to infiltrate the system. Ms. Lehr also noted if she can have the resident’s addresses, she will go out and see how the City can assist.
Linda Gray
9031 Chestnut
Mrs. Gray explained that another reason the flooding problems exist is residents divert the water into neighbors’ yards. She asked if the City can come out and see if the neighbors have the downspouts installed correctly. Ms. Lehr stated she would have no problem going to residents’ homes and investigating.
Gloria Stodolny
8558 S. 83rd Avenue
Mrs. Stodolny is present for an update on the vacant property next door. She attended the last Council meeting and inquired if there were any changes. Mayor Howley noted no one has approached the City regarding any building on this vacant lot. Mayor Howley also requested the city attorney contact the owner of this parcel to ask his intentions.
Ken Stevens
9350 S. 82nd Avenue
Mr. Stevens voiced his concerns regarding a ditch in his backyard. There is a sewer pipe in his backyard that the City was not aware of. The rain water is flooding his backyard. He would like the sewer pipe enlarged in his backyard. He noted the last 20 years, he noticed sump pumps are going to rear yards instead of the front yard. Ms. Lehr stated in his backyard is a Public Drainage Easement. This is to be maintained by the property owners. Mr. Stevens is concerned about his neighbors around him flooding. Mr. Spolar, City Engineer has been working on what can improve this area. The City understands that there is a problem, but this cannot be corrected by the City alone. He noted bigger pipes may not necessarily address this issue. Mr. Spolar stated an engineer study is being completed to find out where all the water is coming from and where it can be diverted. Areas that are being examined will show the City how to get water through the pipes faster and what overland flow routes could do to improve this area. Mayor Howley inquired if the study would look into these backyards. Mr. Spolar stated, yes this would be included.
Margaret Krzyszztof-Cyburt
9253 S. 83rd Avenue
Mrs. Krzysztof-Cyburt voiced her concerns with rocks and gravel being washed down in front of her property during rainfall. Ms. Lehr noted a small area is going to be asphalted this week that may help this situation. She has also talked with one neighbor and suggested he change the landscaping. Ms. Lehr has talked with all the neighbors on this street to assist with this issue.
CLOSE TO THE PUBLIC
Alderman Ferrero moved to close the meeting to the public. Alderman Fonte second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS
Alderman McHugh moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of July 25, 2019 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Kman second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Zimmerman aye. Alderman Fonte pass. So approved.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS
MAYOR
Mayor Howley proclaimed Sept., 17th to 23rd, 2019 Constitution Week in the City of Hickory Hills.
Mayor Howley congratulated the Hickory Hills Sertoma Club for their 50th year anniversary.
CITY CLERK
No report submitted.
CITY TREASURER
No report submitted.
CITY ATTORNEY
Ord. 19-12 – Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance #19-12, an ordinance rescinding Ordinance #15-6, approving a special use for automobile sales on the property located at 7717 W. 95th Street, Hickory Hills, IL. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Ordinance #19-12. Alderman Ferrero second. Attorney Cainkar noted DriveTime has ceased its operation on this property. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
CITY ENGINEER
Mr. Spolar presented Invoice #1900047 from D. Construction in the amount of $215,177.64 for work done on the 2019 MFT resurfacing, pay estimate #1, partial. Alderman Zimmerman moved to pay D. Construction for Invoice #1900047 in the amount of $215,177.64. Alderman Fonte second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Mr. Spolar gave a recap of the Colonial Apartments sewer construction project. He noted they are half way through the parking lot. He has received good reports on this project.
COMMUNICATIONS
BILLS PAYABLE
Alderman Kman moved to approve the bills payable for the first half of August 2019 in the amount of $351,474.37. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Kman/Finance
Alderman Kman reported he has met with the insurance broker and discussed the upcoming renewal of the medical insurance.
He will set up a meeting with the Employee Health Insurance Committee to present the medical insurance options and then get back to the Council with a recommendation.
Stachnik/Public Safety
Alderman Stachnik reported the Police 2nd Quarter Productivity Report was distributed to the Council along with the Chronic Nuisance Reports.
Chief Hobart reported a letter was sent to all business owners and multi-family residences regarding keeping the City beautiful.
Chief Hobart requested permission to hire a part-time Ordinance Officer. This is a budgeted item. There was a question regarding the part-time Ordinance Officer uniform. Chief Hobart noted they would wear an auxiliary police uniform.
Chief Hobart noted the National Nite Out was a great success this past Tuesday evening.
Zimmerman/Public Works
No report submitted.
McHugh/Bldg./Facilities
Alderman McHugh reported Parkview Apartments is at full capacity.
Purtill/Laws & Ordinances
Alderman Purtill presented one business certificate application for Kiswani Law located at 9525 S. 79th Avenue. No objections were noted.
Fonte/Health & Environmental Control
Alderman Fonte reported he has met with a Waste Management representative recently. Waste Management is working on a new recycling campaign. They will be developing information for our website.
Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory
No report submitted.
Waight/Chamber Business Development
Alderman Waight was absent. No report submitted.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Mayor Howley thanked Mike Spolar, City Engineer for explaining to our residents at the meeting this evening and providing information.
Mayor Howley also thanked Sue Lehr, Public Works Director for her dedication and excellent job in the field and providing our residents assistance. He appreciates the personal touch she provides.
NEW BUSINESS
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Alderman Ferrero moved to adjourn the meeting until the next scheduled or specially called meeting. Alderman Fonte second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Meeting adjourned at 9:08 p.m.