December 12, 2019 City Council Meeting Minutes

December 12, 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, December 12, 2019 at 7:32 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mayor Howley lead 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
    P. Purtill
    J. Stachnik
    B. Waight
    S. Zimmerman
  • City Clerk, D. Catizone
  • City Attorney, V. Cainkar
  • City Engineer, M. Spolar
  • City Treasurer, A. Vodicka
  • Police Chief, C. Hobart
  • Public Works Director, S. Lehr
  • Building Commissioner, J. Moirano

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

Police Promotion


Chief Charles Hobart introduced Officer Vincenzo Rimmele who will be sworn in as a Probationary Officer this evening. Mr. Mark Cavalieri, Police Commissioner and Mr. Ken Fonte, Police Commissioner, were present to administer the oath of office. Officer Rimmele invited his grandmother to pin his new badge. Father Mol gave a short prayer at this time. A small reception followed.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Alderman Stachnik moved to open the meeting to the public.
Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

No one spoke during this portion of the meeting.

CLOSE TO THE PUBLIC


Alderman Ferrero moved to close the meeting to the public. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman Waight moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of November 14, 2019 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. Alderman Fonte pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Mayor Howley noted he gave his report at the Committee Meeting this evening.

CITY CLERK

Clerk Catizone distributed the City Council 2020 meeting schedule and will post on the City’s website.

CITY TREASURER

Treasurer Vodicka presented Resolution #19-13, a resolution of the corporate authority relating to a retirement healthcare funding plan. Treasurer Vodicka noted this is the VEBA Plan that was previously approved by the Council and will be offered to the City’s non-union employees. Alderman Kman moved to approve Resolution #19-13. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Treasurer Vodicka presented the Treasurer’s Report dated November 30, 2019 for approval.
Alderman Kman moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report dated November 30, 2019. Alderman Purtill second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY ATTORNEY

Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance #19-24, amending Section 6.041.9, I-1, Industrial District-Use Regulations, of the City of Hickory Hills Zoning Ordinance by deleting subsection (E), amortization of truck terminals. Attorney Cainkar noted this ordinance couples with the upcoming Hercules settlement that will be approved this evening. Alderman Waight moved to approve Ordinance #19-24. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance #19-28, an ordinance approving a Special Use for a Vehicle Fuel Center, Convenience Store, Car Wash, and Commercial Building on the property located at 7717 W. 95th Street, Hickory Hills, IL. Attorney Cainkar stated this is the Ricky Rocket Fuel Station. Alderman Waight moved to approve Ordinance #19-28. Alderman Fonte second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance #19-29, an ordinance amending Section R904.2, compatibility of materials, of the 2018 International Residential Code in the City of Hickory Hills, Cook County, Illinois. Attorney Cainkar noted this ordinance puts effective uniform roofing and protects the home owner. Building Commissioner Moirano stated this would allow a damaged roof to be completely repaired and not just half of a roof. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Ordinance #19-29. Alderman Purtill second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

PUBLIC HEARING

Attorney Cainkar opened the Public Hearing (8:07 p.m.) at this time for the purpose of amending the Hickory Hills Zoning Ordinance by providing for the siting and regulation of cannabis organizations.
This is a proposed ordinance that allows cannabis organizations in the City of Hickory Hills east of 78th Avenue and in C-3 zoned areas. The area is very narrow.

Mrs. Judy Schramm
7753 W. 92nd Street
Hickory Hills, IL

Mrs. Schramm voiced her concern with parking if a cannabis dispensary would come into our City. The area indicated is very near residential and the City should take that into consideration.

The Council held a short discussion on possible locations. If a dispensary would come in the area, the site location is very limited on 95th Street and the City would control the zoning. Mayor Howley stated there are other cities that are projecting tax revenues from $150,000.00 to $300,000.00.

Attorney Cainkar closed the Public Hearing at 8:16 p.m.

Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance #19-30, an ordinance amending the Hickory Hills Zoning Ordinance by providing for the siting and regulation of cannabis organizations. Alderman Ferrero moved to approve Ordinance #19-30. Alderman Waight second. No further discussion. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Purtill, Waight aye. Aldermen McHugh, Stachnik, Zimmerman nay. So approved.

Attorney Cainkar presented the settlement and general release for the Hercules Forwarding, Inc. This is the completed paperwork and the City will need to approve. This issue has been discussed at previous meetings. Alderman McHugh moved to approve the Hercules Forwarding Inc., settlement and release. Alderman Kman second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY ENGINEER

No report submitted.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Kman moved to approve the bills payable for the first half of December, 2019 in the amount of $696,486.56. Alderman Fonte second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Alderman Ferrero moved to approve the customary bills payable for the second half of December, 2019. Alderman Kman second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Alderman Kman announced the total for the bills payable for the second half of November, 2019 was $257,302.26.

STANDING COMMITTEES

Kman/Finance

No report submitted.

Stachnik/Public Safety

No report submitted.

Zimmerman/Public Works

No report submitted.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

Alderman McHugh reported currently there are three (3) vacancies at Parkview Apartments.

Purtill/Laws & Ordinances

No report submitted.

Fonte/Health & Environmental Control

Alderman Fonte reported for the month of October the City electronic recycling totaled 3,318 pounds with 32 stops.

Alderman Fonte noted recently the recycling page on the website was updated. Currently we have had 363 hits.

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

Alderman Ferrero reminded the Council the Children’s Christmas Party will be held on Saturday, December 14th from 12:45 p.m. until 2:45 p.m. at Krueger Park.

Alderman Ferrero invited all to participate in the “Lights of Hickory Hills Contest” which will be held on Tuesday, December 17th at 6:30 p.m. No need to register just leave your lights on!

Waight/Chamber Business Development

Alderman Waight reported the Hills Chamber will be hosting Santa Claus at the Strange Brew Café located at 8650 W. 103rd Street, Palos Hills on Saturday. Also, a reopening event will be held at McDonald’s on 95th Street on Saturday, December 14th from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

None.

ADJOURNMENT

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

Meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.