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February 12, 2009 City Council Meeting Minutes

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CALL TO ORDER

The regular meeting of the Hickory Hills City Council was called to order by Mayor Mike Howley on Thursday, February 12, 2009 at 7:35 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
    L. DeRose
    D. Ferrero
    T. McAvoy
    M. McHugh
    J. Moirano
    J. Stachnik
    J. Szeszycki
    S. Zimmerman
  • City Clerk, J. Jackson
  • City Treasurer, D. Schramm
  • City Attorney, V. Cainkar
  • City Engineer, T. Lang
  • Police Chief, A. Vodicka
  • Building Commissioner, G. Betcher
  • Public Works Director, L. Boettcher
  • Deputy City Clerk, D. Catizone

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

OPEN TO PUBLIC

Alderman Szeszycki moved to open the meeting to the public. Alderman McAvoy second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mr. Terry Smith
8909 85th Court

Mr. Smith voiced his opinion on parking RVs on his property. He has a 22 foot RV currently parked in his driveway and no one has complained. Mayor Howley noted his comments are welcome and the Council is reviewing the current ordinance.

CLOSE TO PUBLIC

Alderman Szeszycki moved to close the meeting to the public. Alderman Moirano second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki Zimmerman aye. So approved.

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman Moirano moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of January 22, 2009 as printed subject to deletions or corrections including the Community Block Grant minutes. Alderman Stachnik second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

    MAYOR

    Res. 09-03

    Mayor Howley presented Resolution 09-03, a resolution requesting permission for temporary closure of a state highway to hold the Hickory Hills Youth Baseball Parade on April 18th. Alderman McAvoy moved to approve Res. 09-03. Alderman Szeszycki second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    St. Pat’s Request

    Mayor Howley is in receipt of a request from St. Patricia’s Parents Club for a temporary liquor license for a Bunco/Raffle Night on April 3, 2009. Alderman Moirano moved to approve this temporary liquor license with fees waived. Alderman Ferrero second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    Mayor Howley has received a request from the St. Pat’s Athletic Assoc. for a temporary liquor license to hold a St. Patrick’s Day Party on March 14th. Alderman McHugh moved to approve a temporary liquor license with fees waived on March 14th. Alderman Stachnik second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    Mayor Howley reported the City has received a $40,000.00 grant for backlit signs. It will be a visual enhancement for the City. Tom Lang, City Engineer, noted the signs would not be able to have the City’s name but could have the City logo. Mayor Howley noted the grant monies need to be spent in a certain amount of time. He suggested that the City waive the bidding process to expedite this matter. Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve that we waive the bidding process on the purchase of the backlit signs. Alderman McHugh second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    Mayor Howley introduced Mrs. Bridget O’Keefe, the attorney for McDonald’s Corp. She noted McDonald’s is looking forward to developing a restaurant in Hickory Hills. The development process has taken longer than expected due to the movement of the development site to the west. The decision was made to move the McDonald’s to the parcel west of 76th Court due to the advantages that it offers – its larger size and the fact that it provides two means of egress. The increased lot size will allow a larger building which will contain a special seating area with couches, arm chairs and a fireplace. Changing to the west would result in several changes. First, McDonald’s would like to locate a high-rise sign on the developer’s parcel east of 76th Court, where it would be best situated to be seen above the existing overpass. The sign would be 92 feet high to be seen by westbound traffic on 95th Street. Various zoning approvals will be required to authorize the location of this sign as proposed. Second, further study has revealed it would be preferable to expand 76th Court, north of 95th Street, to three lanes in order to ensure efficient traffic movement in the vicinity of the site.

    Based on the preliminary cost estimate, the total cost to make road improvements will be approximately $165,000 – $125,000.00 to re-locate the existing traffic signal and $40,000.00 to widen the roadway. McDonald’s is requesting the City consider a contribution of $62,500.00 towards the cost of moving the traffic light. The remaining costs will be allocated between McDonald’s and the developer. Mayor Howley noted the developer is in agreement. Treasurer Schramm supports backing this project. Alderman Moirano moved to authorize the $62,500.00 expenditure with TIF funds to support the development project for McDonald’s. Alderman Ferrero second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McHugh, McAvoy, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    Mrs. O’Keefe noted McDonald’s will proceed with the zoning board process.

    Mayor Howley reported he attended a Southwest Conference of Mayors conference downtown. The Chairman of the Federal Reserve gave a presentation.

    CITY CLERK

    Clerk Jackson reported she attended a Clerk’s meeting on Thursday, February 5th with Erwin Ernst, Chairman of the Zoning Board. The speaker for the evening was from the Census Bureau.

    Clerk Jackson noted Jewel will have a grand re-opening on February 26th at 7:30 a.m.

    Clerk Jackson distributed forms to the Council from the Fire Department which need to be returned to her as soon possible. These forms are used in case of a disaster.

    Clerk Jackson reported articles for the newsletter are due March 6th. Mrs. Jackson noted she would be placing a survey asking residents for their preference between Saturday hours and evening hours.

    Clerk Jackson stated business license renewals will be sent out the first week in March.

    CITY TREASURER

    Treasurer Schramm presented the December 2008 and January 2009 Treasurer’s Report for approval. Alderman Stachnik moved to approve the Treasurer’s Reports for December 2008 and January 2009. Alderman Szeszycki second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    Treasurer Schramm noted for the February Committee Meeting he would like to present a financial update and some possible budget meeting dates.

    CITY ATTORNEY

    Attorney Cainkar opened the public hearing for the purpose of discussing the Cook County Community Block Grant Program. (See attached minutes.)

    Res. 09-02

    Attorney Cainkar presented Res. 09-02, a resolution approving a grant application for the 2009 Cook County Community Development Block Grant Program. Alderman Moirano moved to approve Res. 09-02. Alderman Stachnik second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    CITY ENGINEER

    No report submitted.

    COMMUNICATIONS

    BILLS PAYABLE

    Alderman Ferrero moved to approve bills payable for the first half of February 2009 in the amount of $433,106.89. Alderman McHugh second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    STANDING COMMITTEES

      Szeszycki – Finance

      No report submitted.

      Zimmerman – Public Safety

      Chief Vodicka noted he has distributed a memo to the Council regarding a recent lawsuit that was settled. He also gave two copies of the National Safety Challenge.

      Moirano – Public Works

      Alderman Moirano reported that the Clear Water Program multi-family and commercial establishment inspections have begun. Water Hearings have been postponed until April.

      Alderman Moirano noted the 82nd Avenue Lift Station modification has been postponed until Com Ed modifies the electric service to the station in April.

      Alderman Moirano reported MWRD will be conducting flow testing in our area in the spring.

      McHugh – Building/Facilities

      Alderman McHugh reported the Building Department would like to appoint a new building inspector, Mr. Ed Mack. Discussion took place on Mr. Mack’s duties. Alderman McHugh moved to approve the appointment of Mr. Ed Mack as building inspector until April 30, 2009. Alderman McAvoy second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

      DeRose – Laws & Ordinances

      Alderman DeRose reported he is in receipt of one application for a temporary outdoor garden center for Clovers Garden located at 87th Street and 88th Avenue. No objections were noted.

      Stachnik – Health & Environmental Control/Recycling

      Alderman Stachnik reported the Illinois Dept. of Public Health wants everyone to be aware of the recent peanut product recall. He noted you can review all these products at the Food and Drug Admin. Website www.fda.gov.

      Ferrero – Community Affairs/Youth Advisory Board

      Alderman Ferrero reported the Youth Board will hold an ice cream social and jazz concert on February 18th at the Community Center at 5:30 p.m.

      She also noted Community Affairs is working on the Arbor Day events.

      Mayor Howley thanked Alderman Ferrero and the Youth Board for their help with the military gift packages at the Community Center. Mayor Howley also thanked Mr. Jim Kruse for organizing this project.

      McAvoy – Chamber/Business Development

      No report submitted

    UNFINISHED BUSINESS

    Alderman McHugh had a question regarding solicitation. Clerk Jackson stated she would like to place this item on the February Committee Agenda for discussion.

    Alderman Ferrero has received a request from a resident that trash containers should be out of sight. After some discussion, it was determined the City can do little to correct this problem.

    Clerk Jackson reported Les Brothers will be opening their new restaurant April 1st.

    NEW BUSINESS

    Alderman Szeszycki reported he has given the Council a comment and comparison sheet on water rates because he will not be at the next Council meeting.

    ADJOURNMENT

    Alderman Ferrero moved to adjourn the meeting to executive session for the purpose of discussing the Public Works Union Contract. Alderman Moirano second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    Meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.