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October 8, 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, October 8, 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 Treasurer, D. Schramm
  • City Clerk, J. Jackson
  • City Attorney, J. Cainkar
  • Police Chief, A. Vodicka
  • City Engineer, T. Lang
  • Building Commissioner, G. Betcher
  • Public Works Director, L. Boettcher
  • Deputy Clerk, D. Catizone

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

Mayor Howley recognized Boy Scout Troop 4728 who participated in a mock City Council meeting this evening.

OPEN TO PUBLIC

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

Mr. Joseph Cantele
8950 S. 84th Avenue

Mr. Cantele appeared before the Council again to explain the need for a crossing guard at 95th and Roberts Road. Alderman McHugh along with the Mayor explained this is an issue with the school district and it should not be an issue for the City Council.

Mr. Jerry Vance
9217 S. 79th Avenue

Mr. Vance stated he knew of one child that was hit by a car at 95th and Roberts Road which resulted with the child receiving a broken leg. Chief Vodicka noted the accident occurred farther down on Roberts Road and not at 95th Street.

CLOSE TO THE PUBLIC

Alderman Zimmerman moved to close the meeting to the public. Alderman Ferrero 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 September 24, 2009 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman McHugh second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

    MAYOR

    Mayor Howley introduced Mr. Chris Knights, ESDA Director. Mr. Knights gave a short presentation on the City’s emergency disaster plan and noted currently our plan does not meet requirements set forth by the Federal Government. The City will need to update this plan to meet all requirements or risk not receiving funds if a disaster occurs. He will be meeting with the Mayor and or any Council member to make the necessary changes and he will also need a copy of the NIMS (National Incident Management System) Resolution which was passed in 2004. Mr. Knights noted the next step would be training and he will keep the Council informed on this matter.

    Mayor Howley reported McDonald’s will have a soft opening at the end of October and a grand opening mid November. They are no longer planning on erecting the 90 foot sign but have asked permission to have a 40 foot sign with a message board. No objections were noted.

    Mayor Howley noted Mr. Jim Kruse will be packing up boxes for the troops on Tuesday, October 13th at 6:30 p.m. at the Community Center.

    CITY CLERK

    Clerk Jackson reported she has a request from Stagg High School to place signs at 95th and Roberts Road and 95th Street and 88th Avenue advertising their upcoming Craft Show on November 14th and November 15th. No objections were noted.

    Clerk Jackson again told Council she has distributed information from Cook County with revisions of precincts.

    Clerk Jackson reminded the Council the Committee Meeting is October 15th at 7:30 p.m.

    Clerk Jackson reported the Clerk’s office will be decorating the Zoo tree on Saturday, November 21st. We will be leaving City Hall at 10:00 a.m.

    Clerk Jackson noted the Council Meeting of November and December will need to be changed. It was the consensus to have the meetings on November 12th and December 10th. Scheduling committee meeting on the third Thursday of the month if necessary is still an option.

    CITY TREASURER

    No report submitted.

    CITY ATTORNEY

      Ord. 09-20

      Attorney Joseph Cainkar presented Ordinance 09-20, an ordinance prohibiting tobacco stores in Hickory Hills. This prohibits the location of tobacco retail stores. Alderman Zimmerman moved to approve Ordinance 09-20. Alderman Stachnik second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

      Ord. 09-21

      Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance 09-21, an ordinance amending Chapter 24, building code, by adding Section 24.37, demolition of buildings, to the Hickory Hills Municipal Code. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Ordinance 09-21. Alderman Moirano second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

      Ord. 09-22

      Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance 09-22, an ordinance amending Chapter 24, building code, of the Hickory Hills Municipal Code by changing Section 24.02, building permit fees, and Section 24.05, bond required. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Ord. 09-22. Alderman Moirano second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

      Res. 09-10

      Attorney Cainkar presented Resolution 09-10, a resolution authorizing the execution of a subrecipient agreement for project number 08-204-R under the County of Cook Community Development Block Grant Program. This is the grant award in the amount of $100,000.00 to be used for flood relief on 81st Street Court. Alderman Moirano moved to approve Res. 09-10. Alderman McHugh second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    CITY ENGINEER

    Mr. Lang presented Invoice No. 90091 from Central Blacktop in the amount of $153,651.51 for work done on street resurfacing (MFT 09-00000-01-GM, CDBG 08-021 pay estimate #3 partial). Alderman Moirano moved to approve this invoice in the amount of $153,651.51. Alderman Ferrero second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    Mr. Lang commented on the project being done by Planning Resources. They will be submitting their documents to IDOT this Friday or Monday and they are ahead of schedule on this enhancement project for 95th Street.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve bills payable for the first half of October in the amount of $370,354.43. Alderman McAvoy second. Alderman Szeszycki questioned the board up cost on page one of the bills payable. Treasurer Schramm noted this is a foreclosed property in the City. 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 IDOT has a cost sharing program of 50% to change the traffic signals to light emitting diode (LED) operation with battery backup for power failure. He noted the Cook County Highway Department will not participate in this program. The City has two traffic signals eligible for this program located at 76th Avenue and 78th Avenue. The cost of light renovation to LED is $8,000.00 plus the battery backup of $10,000.00. The City’s estimated cost per intersection is $9,000.00. The maintenance for the battery backup system is included in the fee paid to the State quarterly. After some discussion it was decided to place this on the committee agenda for October 15th.

    Alderman Moirano noted Public Works will start replacing 6” water line on 83rd Avenue from 87th Street south 950 feet next week. This is a budgeted project.

    McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

    Alderman McHugh reported there will be no community dinner in October. A November date is still being determined.

    DeRose/Laws & Ordinances

    No report submitted.

    Stachnik/Health & Environmental Control/Recycling

    No report submitted.

    Ferrero/Community Services/Youth Advisory

    Alderman Ferrero reported the Children’s Halloween Party is all set for October 24th from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

    Alderman Ferrero noted the Youth Advisory Board met on October 3rd to clean up Kean Avenue. She noted 7 teens were there and the teens really did an excellent clean up job. She also let the teens know they can pack boxes for the troops on October 13th. Alderman Ferrero also has started collecting Christmas cards to write to the troops.

    McAvoy/Chamber/Business Development

    Business Development
    Alderman McAvoy reported the Chamber will hold a luncheon meeting on Wednesday, October 21st at the Sabre Room. The mayors from Hickory Hills and Palos Hills will be the speakers.

    Alderman McAvoy noted Fight Night at the Sabre Room was very well attended with approximately 700 present.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

Clerk Jackson reported she has received information regarding new “red flag” requirements for financial institutions with covered accounts. A covered account is an account used mostly for personal, family, or household purpose and that involves multiple payments or transactions. This would include water bills. The City Attorney’s office is currently working on an identity theft policy to address the red flag requirements.

Treasurer Schramm asked that the following items be placed on the Committee Agenda, revised employee benefit manual, police supervisor manual and draft proposed employee handbook.

ADJOURNMENT

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

Meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.