June 11, 2009 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, June 11, 2009 at 7:30 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
    D. Ferrero
    M. McHugh
    J. Moirano
    J. Stachnik
    J. Szeszycki
    S. Zimmerman

  • City Clerk J. Jackson
  • City Treasurer, D. Schramm
  • City Attorney, V. Cainkar
  • Police, Lt. M. Rattigan
  • City Engineer, T. Lang
  • Building Commissioner, G. Betcher
  • Public Works Director, L. Boettcher
  • Aldermen DeRose and McAvoy were absent. There being a quorum present, the meeting was called to order.

    Mayor Howley introduced Robert Gramberg, artist of the month, a Hickory Hills resident since 1965 and a retired millwright since 1982. Mr. Gramberg is a World War II veteran. He studied art at the Art Institute and the American Academy of Art. Mr. Gramberg expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to display his artwork.

    OPEN TO PUBLIC

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

    No one spoke during this portion of the meeting.

    CLOSE TO PUBLIC

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

    JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

    Alderman Zimmerman moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of May 28, 2009 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman McHugh second. Aldermen Ferrero, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

      MAYOR

      Mayor Howley expressed “thanks” to all the participants in his charity golf tournament on June 6th. He also congratulated Alderman Moirano on winning the Legends Division of the 2009 Invitational Shootout along with his partner Dennis Cook.

      Mayor Howley also extended “congratulations” to Jim Kruse who was awarded Sertoma’s “Man of the Year” award of which he is so deserving. Mayor Howley noted he attended the award ceremony on Tuesday, June 2nd at Mama Luigi’s.

      Mayor Howley noted he did have a meeting with Planning Resources concerning Phase II of the 95th Street Development Program. They will be presenting a brief presentation at an upcoming City Council meeting regarding the landscape plans.

      Mayor Howley noted that groundbreaking for McDonald’s should take place about mid-July and they are expected to open for business in October.

      Mayor Howley noted he is planning a meeting with Comar Properties regarding the proposed fence behind McDonald’s and Les Brothers.

      Mayor Howley noted that an Electronics Recycling Event is scheduled for Saturday, August 15th from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the City Hall Parking Lot. This is for all types of computers, monitors, televisions, printers, copiers, fax machines, phones, cell phones, microwaves, light bulbs. “If it plugs in, we’ll probably take it!” This is a convenient environmentally friendly way to dispose of consumer electronics equipment at no cost to the City.

      Mayor Howley presented the following list of 2009-2010 appointments:

      2009 APPOINTMENTS

      • City Attorney & City Prosecutor, Vincent Cainkar
      • City Engineer, Tom Lang (Robinson Engineering, Ltd.)
      • Chief of Police, Al Vodicka
      • Building Commissioner, Gordon Betcher
      • Director of Public Works, Larry Boettcher
      • City Collector, Joann Jackson
      • ESDA Director, Christopher Knights
      • Elevator Inspector, Bernie Flynn (Thompson Elevator)
      • Animal Warden, Ingrid McNeff
      • Plumbing Inspector, Dan Powers
      • Electrical Inspector, Ed Grisco
      • Fire Inspector, Lt. Don Huenecke
      • HVAC Inspector, Timothy Uher
      • Zoning Board of Appeals (7 Year Term), Tom Blunk — 11/14/02 – 4/30/16
      • Auxiliary Police Officers (1 Year Term)
        Betty Soprych
        Charles Kozar
        Tomislav Radoicic
        Donald Proffit
        Valentine Zilinskas
        Anthony Luna
        Carol Lynch
        Steve Makropoulos
        Sandra Wood
        Brian Trapp
        Anthony Alexander
        Kevin McNamara
        Nicholas Venuso
        Raymond Cicenas
        Nichola Janeteas
        Matthew Bajt
      • Police Pension Board (2 year Term), Mary McDonald — 01/01 – 04/30/11
      • Board of Fire & Police (3 Year Term) ,Ken Fonte — 06/12/03 – 04/30/12
      • Emergency Telephone Board (3 Year Term)
        Dep. Chief Michael Murphy — 07/23/92 – 04/30/12
        Chief Fred Vollinger — 07/23/92 – 04/30/12
        Scott Zimmerman — 04/30/03 – 04/30/12
      • Hearing Officer (1 Year Term), David E. Eppenstein, Jr. — 6/01/06 – 4/30/10
      • Human Rights Commission (3 Year Term), Joann Jackson — 08/25/94 – 4/30/12
      • Community Affairs Commission (3 Year Term) , Mary Boettcher — 03/27/97 – 04/30/12
      • Alderman Moirano moved to approve the above appointments. Alderman Zimmerman second. Alderman Szeszycki recommended that a status report from the ESDA Director would be in order. Aldermen Ferrero, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Zimmerman aye. Alderman Szeszycki nay. So approved.

        CITY CLERK

        Clerk Jackson reported with regard to a notice from the Illinois Tollway that a 95th Street Ramp closure is scheduled to begin June 13th on South Tri-State (I-294) tollway to rebuild and widen project. The entrance ramp from eastbound 95th Street to northbound I-294 is scheduled to close overnight on Saturday, June 13th for ramp reconstruction. The posted detour route will direct traffic to continue east on 95th Street to Harlem Avenue interchange where motorists can take the northbound Harlem Avenue ramp, then follow the southbound Harlem Avenue ramp to westbound 95th Street to reach the northbound I-294 entrance ramp. The ramp is scheduled to reopen this fall.

        Clerk Jackson also noted that the South Side Irish (a traveling baseball team) has requested a second week-end to solicit on 95th and Roberts Road since they were unable to solicit on their original date. No objections were noted for approval of another week-end.

        Clerk Jackson also noted she has received a request from Roberts Road Bible Church to have a group of people from the congregation distribute flags and flyers on July 4th at the intersection of Roberts Road and 95th Street from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. No objections were noted.

        CITY TREASURER

        No report.

        CITY ATTORNEY

        Ord. 09-10

        Attorney Cainkar presented Ord. 09-10, an ordinance approving variations for the Prime Time Restaurant located at 7730 W. 95th Street and approving a variation to allow the property at 9429 S. 77th Court to be used for a parking lot. Alderman Moirano moved to approve Ord. 09-10. Alderman McHugh second. Aldermen Ferrero, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

        Ord. 09-11

        Attorney Cainkar presented Ord. 09-11, an ordinance vacating an east-west public alley lying east of 77th Court and south of 9429 S. 77th Court in the City of Hickory Hills. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Ord. 09-11. Alderman Moirano second. Aldermen Ferrero, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

        Ord. 09-14

        Attorney Cainkar presented Ord. 09-14, an ordinance amending Section 4.01, creation, of Chapter 4, Police Department, of the Hickory Hills Municipal Code by providing for twenty patrol officers and five lieutenants. Alderman Zimmerman moved to approve Ord. 09-14. Alderman Stachnik second. Aldermen Ferrero, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

        CITY ENGINEER

        Tom Lang presented Invoice #90007 from Central Blacktop for work done on 2009 street resurfacing (MFT 09-00000-01-GM,CDBG 08-021 pay estimate #1 partial) in the amount of $47,421.00. Alderman Moirano moved to approve Central Blacktop Invoice #90007 in the amount of $47,421.00. Alderman McHugh second. Aldermen Ferrero, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

      COMMUNICATIONS

      BILLS PAYABLE

      Alderman Stachnik moved to approve bills payable for the first half of June in the amount of $305,998.44. Alderman Stachnik second. Aldermen Ferrero, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Zimmerman aye. Alderman Szeszycki nay. So approved.

      STANDING COMMITTEES

        Szeszycki/Finance

        No report submitted.

        Zimmerman/Public Safety

        No report submitted.

        Moirano/Public Works

        Clear Water Program
        Alderman Moirano reported inspections of all properties are completed with only one sole property owner refusing inspection. Public Works has less than two dozen violators that need to be corrected. City flow testing results are under review.

        Smoke testing of suspected areas will resume after rains stop and ground dries. Our quarterly report is due to the MWRD at the end of June and we are hoping to be in full compliance.

        McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

        No report submitted.

        DeRose/Laws & Ordinances Ordinances

        No report submitted.

        Stachnik/Health & Environmental Control/Recycling

        Alderman Stachnik reported that he has received communication from the Mosquito Abatement District with advice on the possible health threats from mosquitoes. Be sure to check for containers that could hold water since stagnate water becomes a breeding ground.

        Ferrero/Community Services/Youth Advisory

        Alderman Ferrero reported that plans for the street fair are proceeding and we have 73 crafters and 15 food vendors.

        McAvoy/Chamber/Business Development

        Alderman McAvoy was absent. No report submitted.

      UNFINISHED BUSINESS

      None.

      NEW BUSINESS

      None.

      ADJOURNMENT

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

      Meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.