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May 14, 2009 City Council Meeting Minutes

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Swearing In Ceremony

Mayor Howley introduced the Council members to be sworn in this evening.

John Moirano, 1st Ward sworn in by Neil Kuenn

Deborah Ferrero, 2nd Ward sworn in by Mayor Howley

Louis DeRose, 3rd Ward sworn in by Judge Michael Logan

Joseph Stachnik, 4th Ward sworn in by Mayor Howley

CALL TO ORDER

The regular meeting of the Hickory Hills City Council was called to order by Mayor Mike Howley on Thursday, May 14, 2009 at 7:33 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, J. Cainkar
  • Chief of Police, A. Vodicka
  • City Engineer, T. Lang
  • 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.

Mayor Howley welcomed retired Clerk Joyce Forbes from Riverdale. She and Clerk Jackson will be teaching a newly elected officials class on Friday, May 15th at Moraine Valley Community College.

Police Presentation

Chief Vodicka introduced the newest member of the Police Department – a robotic dog on a motorcycle. A contest was held to name the dog. The 3 winners were Yousef Saleh, Shaker Srour and Bartek Mrowca. The name chosen was Trustee by Yousef Saleh. The winners were given gift cards.

A ten minute reception was held at this time.

OPEN TO PUBLIC

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

No one spoke during this portion of the meeting.

CLOSE TO PUBLIC

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

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of April 23, 2009 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Correction Page 3 first paragraph the Liquor License should be changed from a Class B to Class E. Alderman McHugh second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

FINDING OF FACT
LES BROTHERS

Mayor Howley presented the Finding of Fact for the Les Brothers Restaurant and the Prime Time and Bar for the purpose of providing parking for the existing Les Brothers Restaurant and the Prime Time Restaurant and Bar. The requested parking lot will be a special use variation in the R3 zoning district. The vote of the Zoning Board was 3 ayes, 3 nays and 1 absent. Therefore, the request was not recommended for approval to the City Council. Mayor Howley noted that Les Brothers will present their proposal and then any residents may speak. Ms. Georgia Les gave a visual presentation of the project. Ms. Les addressed some of the concerns of the residents who live around this area. She assured the residents that Prime Time will be an upscale family restaurant. Ms. Les reviewed the parking lot details. Mayor Howley noted a meeting was held with owners of Les Brothers and resident, Vince Rollberg, to look at the traffic issue. City Engineer Tom Lang gave an opinion on the change of the 77th Court entrance.

The following residents shared their concerns on this issue. Tom Corrigan, 9418 77th Court; Vince Rollberg, 9423 S. 77th Court; Ann Mari Jezuit, 9424 S. 77th Court, and Joseph Slack, 9428 S. 77th Court; Claudette Baubel, 9424 S. 77th Court introduced the idea of permit parking on 77th Court.

It was the consensus of the Council and the residents to eliminate the driveways on 77th Court Mayor Howley noted a site plan is needed before proceeding and there is support with the above change. A site plan is needed to review the exact variations. Alderman McAvoy moved not to accept the Finding of Fact of the ZBA and request the petitioner to present a site plan at the next meeting and direct the City Attorney to draft this ordinance with the variations blank. Alderman Moirano second. Alderman McAvoy stated he would entertain the idea of permit parking and would agree with making 77th Court one way. Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. Alderman DeRose nay. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

    MAYOR

    Mayor Howley reported a liquor license is needed for the Street Fair. Alderman McHugh moved to approve a liquor license for the Street Fair on June 28, 2009. Alderman Ferrero second. Alderman DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. Alderman Moirano was absent for this vote. So approved.

    Mayor Howley acknowledged Alderman Stachnik. Alderman Stachnik stated Hickory Hills has been honored by the Illinois Recycling Association with a recycling award. This award will be presented to the City on June 3rd in Bloomington, Illinois. One award is given to a City in Illinois and we were chosen. Anyone interested in attending, please see the Mayor.

    Mayor Howley noted there will be an executive session at the end of this meeting.

    Mayor Howley reported his golf outing to support Helping Hands Rehabilitation Center will be held on June 6th at Waters Edge Golf Course.

    CITY CLERK

    Clerk Jackson reported the filming that was suppose to take place this Monday will be done the following Monday in the 3rd Ward.

    Clerk Jackson noted the deadline for newsletter articles is June 5th. The newsletter needs to be sent out before the Street Fair.

    Clerk Jackson reported Palos Township will be holding a Senior Spelling Bee on June 4th at 10:00 a.m.

    Clerk Jackson has a request from a resident for a donation for Relay of Life. The City will be using the $1,600.00 that was raised from the Haunted House. Consensus of the Council was to use these funds for donation requests from residents. Clerk Jackson would like to also donate to an employee (Monika Wojturska) who is walking in the Cancer Relay for Life walk. After some discussion, Alderman Ferrero moved to donate $75.00 to these participants in the Relay for Life Cancer Walk. Alderman Szeszycki second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    CITY TREASURER

    Treasurer Schramm presented the Treasurer’s Report for period ending April 30, 2009. Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report of April 2009. Alderman Moirano second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    Treasurer Schramm noted the Haunted House balance is now $1653.71. This amount will go down as donations are made. Currently we have given donations totaling $350.00 which leaves a balance of $1303.71.

    Treasurer Schramm reported the 2009/2010 budget was on the agenda for approval but we have some questions that came up and he would like to table this item until the May 28th meeting. It was the consensus of the Council to place the budget on the Committee and Council agendas for May.

    CITY ATTORNEY

    Attorney Joseph Cainkar presented Ord. 09-06, an ordinance amending Chapter 34, alcoholic beverages, of the Hickory Hills Municipal Code by increasing the number of Class E liquor licenses. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Ord. 09-06. Alderman Szeszycki second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    Attorney Joseph Cainkar presented Ord. 09-07, an ordinance granting approval for a development of a McDonald’s Restaurant and retail stores for the property located at 7600 and 7620 West 95th Street, Hickory Hills. Alderman Moirano moved to approve Ord. 09-07. Alderman McHugh second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    CITY ENGINEER

    Mr. Lang presented an invoice for Lyons Electric in the amount of $201,579.07 for street lights in the First Ward. Alderman Moirano moved to approve payment to Lyons Electric in the amount of $201,579.07. Alderman Stachnik second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    Treasurer Schramm asked Tom Lang for a letter stating the percentage of completion of the 95th St. Street Lights for the auditors as this relates to the federal grant the City received.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman McHugh moved to approve bills payable for the first half of May 2009 in the amount of $287,410.60. Alderman Stachnik second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

    Szeszycki/Finance

    No report submitted.

    Zimmerman/Public Safety

    No report submitted.

    Moirano/Public Works

    Alderman Moirano reported with regards to the Clear Water Program inspections on commercial and multifamily buildings are almost complete. Failing to comply will result in water shutoff. Also, MWRD has contracted with USGS to perform flow testing of the City and adjacent communities. In addition, USGS has installed a rain recording gauges on the Public Works building roofs of Hickory Hills and Palos Hills.

    McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

    No report submitted.

    DeRose/Laws & Ordinances Ordinances

    Alderman DeRose presented two business licenses for approval. 1) Best Maids located at 7705 W. 96th Place. This is a cleaning service. 2) Seize, Inc. located at 9851 S. 78th Avenue. This is a towing business with 2 employees. No objections were noted.

    Alderman DeRose questioned unpaid business licenses and it was suggested we discuss this at the next committee meeting,

    Stachnik/Health & Environmental Control/Recycling

    Alderman Stachnik reported the Cook County Public Health Department has confirmed swine flu in neighboring communities including Orland Park, Oak Lawn and Bridgeview. If you would like more information you can go to the Cook County Public Health Department website.

    Ferrero/Community Services/Youth Advisory

    No report submitted. Board

    McAvoy/Chamber/Business Development

    Alderman McAvoy reported the Chamber will hold a breakfast meeting on Wednesday, June 3rd at 7:30 at Koko’s.

    Alderman McAvoy noted the business directory is just about to go to press. The Hills Chamber has donated $500.00 to print this directory. He will be seeking the balance from the City.

    Alderman McAvoy reported a new online newspaper in Hickory Hills was published two weeks ago. You can read it at the website HHTrib.com.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

Alderman Szeszycki raised a question regarding the City’s Parkview account at Cole Taylor Bank. Treasurer Schramm noted he has not reviewed all the details and would like to place this matter on the Committee Meeting Agenda of May 28th.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Alderman Ferrero moved to convene into executive session for the purpose of discussion on the Public Works Bargaining Agreement. Alderman Moirano second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

ADJOURNMENT

Alderman Ferrero moved to reconvene into the regular meeting and to adjourn the regular meeting until the next scheduled or specially called meeting. Alderman Zimmerman second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved

Meeting adjourned at 10:06 p.m.