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March 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, March 12, 2009 at 7:31 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. Szeszycki
    S. Zimmerman
  • City Clerk, J. Jackson
  • City Treasurer, D. Schramm
  • City Attorney, V. Cainkar
  • City Engineer, T. Lang
  • Deputy Police Chief, M. Murphy
  • Building Commissioner, G. Betcher
  • Public Works Director, L. Boettcher
  • Deputy City Clerk, D. Catizone

Aldermen Stachnik and Chief Vodicka were absent. There being a quorum present, the meeting was called to order.

Police Presentation

Officer Sodaro presented a Saved by the Belt Award to Ms. Sharon Skowron. Ms. Skowron was in a car accident on February 8th and because she was wearing her seatbelt, she sustained no injuries.

OPEN TO PUBLIC

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

Mr. Bernie Flynn
8926 Sycamore Dr.

Mr. Flynn thanked Officer Tim Stevens for his assistance. Mr. Flynn had gone away and left his garage door open. Officer Stevens notified family and made sure his home was secured.

Mr. Flynn also voiced his concern with the sewerage that is coming up in front of his house. He distributed pictures to the Council. Mayor Howley noted he is shocked with the pictures after the work that was already done with the Clear Water project. Mr. Boettcher stated all the homes in that area have been inspected and some violations corrected. Mr. Boettcher noted CP Auto has been demolished and they did not seal their sanitary sewer. Public Works has sealed this but it contributed to some of Mr. Flynn’s problem. Mayor Howley stated the City will need to do more to address this situation. Mr. Boettcher will complete flow monitoring which should help us resolve this matter.

Mr. Angelo Vaci
8818 W.89th Street Mr.

Vaci has a problem with a basin that was put in his backyard. The sewer at this location is sinking. He would like this area graded and put sod around the sewer. Mayor Howley noted that if the City was suppose to grade this it will be taken care of when it dries out.

Mr. Jerry Varek
8739 S. 82nd Avenue

Mr. Varek has returned to the Council to see if the trailer issue has been resolved. Mayor Howley noted this issue has been discussed and his neighbor would be allowed to have his trailer. Mr. Varek voiced his concern on where his neighbor has the trailer parked which is not the location approved by City Council. Mayor Howley said under the current ordinance, he is in a legal position. Mr. Varek asked if he could place bushes on his property to block the view. Mayor Howley confirmed that bushes would be no problem. Alderman McAvoy noted the Council is reviewing this ordinance very carefully.

CLOSE TO PUBLIC

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

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman McHugh moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of February 26, 2009 as printed subject to deletions or corrections including the Community Block Grant minutes. Alderman Moirano second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Zimmerman aye. Alderman Szeszycki pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

    MAYOR

    Solicitation

    Mayor Howley reported that a discussion was held regarding solicitation on 95th Street and Roberts Road at the last meeting. (See attached proposed policy). After some discussion the section which dealt with vests being provided by the City was deleted. Consensus was to approve this solicitation policy.

    Elected Officials Pay Raise Freeze

    Mayor Howley noted this is very difficult economic times and with that being said he would recommend the elected officials freeze the 2009 pay raise. Alderman Moirano moved to approve a freeze on salaries for the elected officials for the year 2009. Alderman McHugh second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    Picnic Tables

    Mayor Howley met with Cook County this week. He noted Cook County is selling wooden picnic tables for $15.00. If anyone is interested, he has more information.Mayor Howley expressed his condolences to Alderman Lou DeRose on the passing of his mother.

    CITY CLERK

    Clerk Jackson distributed a proposed day change from Land and Lakes. They are taking three streets and moving them to Wednesday to even out the route. They will notify residents. No objections were noted. Clerk Jackson reported St. Patricia will be hosting their clothing sale on March 28th. They requested permission to post signs through out the City from March 14th through March 27th. No objections noted. Clerk Jackson has received a press release from Lyons Township that they have opened their tax appeal process from March 16th through April 30th. They will have two tax appeal seminars on April 4th and April 9th, both at 10:00 a.m. Clerk Jackson noted after a meeting with Treasurer Schramm and Alderman Szeszycki, they will be updating the non union employee handbook.

    CITY TREASURER

    Treasurer Schramm presented the February 2009 Treasurerâ€(tm)s Report for approval. Alderman Moirano moved to approve the Treasurerâ€(tm)s Report dated February 2009. Alderman Ferrero second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Szeszycki, Zimmerman. So approved. Treasurer Schramm reported he would like to have a second committee meeting in March to address the budget. Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve a second committee meeting on March 19th. Alderman McAvoy second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    CITY ATTORNEY

    Ord. 09-04

    Attorney Cainkar presented Ord. 09-04, an ordinance approving a redevelopment agreement between Comar Properties, Inc. and the City of Hickory Hills for the redevelopment project at 7620 W. 95th Street. Attorney Cainkar noted this enables the City to reimburse the developer for $62,500.00 of eligible redevelopment project costs for the widening of 76th Avenue and the relocation of traffic signals at 76th Avenue and 95th Street. Funds will come from the Special Tax Allocation Fund. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Ord. 09-04. Alderman Moirano second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    Mayor Howley gave an update on the McDonald’s project on 95th Street. They will be coming in for a planned unit development.

    CITY ENGINEER

    No report submitted.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Zimmerman moved to approve bills payable for the first half of March 2009 in the amount of $630,758.05. Alderman McHugh second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

    Szeszycki – Finance

    Alderman Szeszycki reported he has met with Clerk Jackson and Treasurer Schramm and they are reviewing outstanding billing procedures. He had questions regarding follow up on the billing. Discussion was had on procedures when residents damage city property.

    Zimmerman – Public Safety

    Deputy Chief Murphy distributed the 2008 Annual Report which also includes a CD version.

    Moirano – Public Works

    Alderman Moirano reported that under the Clear Water Program over 50 percent of the multifamily structures and most of the commercial establishments have been inspected. He noted a few violations were discovered. In addition, sanitary manholes are being inspected for infiltration and repaired if necessary.

    McHugh – Building/Facilities

    Alderman McHugh reported a Community Dinner will be held on April 2nd from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Anyone who would like to volunteer, please let him know as soon as possible.

    DeRose – Laws & Ordinances

    Alderman DeRose reported he is in receipt of two applications for business licenses. First, Fast Food located at 8033 W. 87th Street. This will be named at a later date and will open in September. Second, Dr. Ryan Novak located at 9324 S. Roberts Road. This is a chiropractic office. No objections were noted.

    Stachnik – Health & Environmental Control/Recycling

    Alderman Stachnik was absent. No report submitted.

    Ferrero – Community Affairs/Youth Advisory Board

    Alderman Ferrero reported Community Affairs is working on the Arbor Day Tree Sale and the Street Fair. She requested a new map from Public Works for the Street Fair.

    McAvoy – Chamber/Business Development

    Alderman McAvoy reported Hills Chamber will hold a general meeting and luncheon meeting on March 25th at Sabre Room at 11:30 a.m. The speaker will be an executive coach. Alderman McAvoy noted he has talked to Hickory Palos Square Shopping Center Management regarding the proposed signage and is waiting for a response.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Alderman Moirano reported the project for the new street lights in Ward 1 has begun.

NEW BUSINESS

Alderman DeRose announced St. Patricia Church will hold its 50th year anniversary celebration on August 28, 29, and 30th.

ADJOURNMENT

Alderman Ferrero moved to adjourn the meeting to executive session for the purpose of discussing closed session minutes. Alderman Moirano second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.