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March 25, 2010 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 25, 2010 at 6:10 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
    T. McAvoy (7:00pm)
    M. McHugh
    J. Moirano
    J. Stachnik
    J. Szeszycki
    S. Zimmerman
  • City Treasurer, D. Schramm
  • City Clerk, J. Jackson
  • City Attorney, V. Cainkar
  • Police Chief, A. Vodicka
  • City Engineer, T. Lang
  • Public Works Director, L. Boettcher
  • Building Commissioner, G. Betcher
  • Deputy Clerk, D. Catizone

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

OPEN TO PUBLIC

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

Mr. Frank Halper
9341 S. 84th Court

Mr. Halper voiced his concerns regarding traffic speeding on 93rd Street and 84th Court. He noted there is a small playground there and for the safety of the children cars need to slow down. Despite efforts of the Police Department, he feels the entire City has a speeding problem. Chief Vodicka will have the traffic enforcement officer review for a four way stop sign on 93rd Street and 84th Court.

CLOSE TO PUBLIC

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

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of March 11, 2010 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman McHugh second. Correction: On page 4, under Alderman McHugh Facilities sentence should read: Alderman McHugh reported the Building Department’s permit budget currently stands at $143,900.00 which is approximately $18,900.00 over budget revenues. Aldermen DeRose, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

OLD BUSINESS

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

    MAYOR

    Res. 10-07

    Mayor Howley presented Resolution 10-07, a resolution for construction on a state highway. This resolution is to expedite the issuance of permits for the City to work on Illinois highways. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Res. 10-07. Alderman Moirano second. Aldermen DeRose, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    Family Dollar Store

    Mayor Howley reported Family Dollar Store is on track to open in May in the Hillcreek Shopping Center.

    76th Street

    Mayor Howley noted he has met with IDOT regarding the turning lane on 76th Street. This project is proceeding.
    Mayor Howley also noted the developer does have some
    interested businesses when the turning lane is complete.

    Grant Monies

    Mayor Howley reported he has submitted for a grant for sign enhancement along Roberts Road. He will keep the Council informed as to the results of this grant submittal.

    CITY CLERK

    Clerk Jackson reported the deadline for any newsletter articles is March 26th.

    Clerk Jackson distributed information regarding a benefit of a Hickory Hills resident.

    Clerk Jackson also distributed information on a request from a Stagg student that would like to place a request for donations in our newsletter. She is raising funds to attend a volunteer abroad program in Africa. After some discussion, it was agreed if space was available, Clerk Jackson would place an article in the newsletter.

    Green Hills Library

    Clerk Jackson noted she and Sharon Marciano recently visited Green Hills Library that held a tea with a local author, Helen Osterman. Helen discussed her latest book, “Notes on a Mirror”, a gripping story of life as a student nurse during the 1950’s at Chicago State Mental Hospital.

    Clerk Jackson expressed her sympathy to Mr. Clem Wolak on the passing of his daughter. Mr. Wolak was a past member of our Senior Task Force. Our prayers are with him and his family.

    School District 117

    Clerk Jackson congratulated School District 117 for receiving the Academic Excellence Award for all three schools.

    Ice Cream Social

    Clerk Jackson reported she attended the Ice Cream Social and Jazz Concert at the Community Center. She noted it was very good.

    Street Fair

    Clerk Jackson noted the Street Fair currently has 31 crafters.

    CITY TREASURER

    No report submitted.

    CITY ATTORNEY

    No report submitted.

    CITY ENGINEER

    Mr. Lang reported there will be a bid opening on Wednesday, March 31st for the 94th Street sewer project. Also, the contractors will begin on various road projects in the City next week.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Stachnik moved to approve bills payable for the second half of March in the amount of $535,601.18. Alderman Moirano second. Treasurer Schramm noted the reason for the large bills payable is the final payment to the Hickory Hills Police Pension Fund was made.

He also noted on page 5 a check for Mary McDonald in the amount of $1,256.00 for a class she finished towards her Masters Degree in Business Administration. He noted the employee handbook was silent on semester and lifetime limits before the new handbook was approved. Mary was already in the fall semester and she agreed going forward She has the $1,500.00 cap per semester. He is bringing this to the Council because no grandfather agreement has been made for the lifetime limit which she has reached. He also stated Mary has 3 semesters left to finish. Treasurer Schramm brought this before the Council for their approval. Mayor Howley noted this could be discussed at the upcoming committee meeting and placed on the next bills payable. Alderman Stachnik amended his motion to remove the $1,256.00 from the total bills payable and have a total now of $534,345.18. Alderman Moirano second. Aldermen DeRose, 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 Public Works has been informed the 88th Avenue reconstruction project has been canceled for this year. A shortfall of County funds will eliminate many of their projects.

    Alderman Moirano noted National Power Rodding has accepted the bid to add on to the televising project at a cost of approximately $35,000.00.

    McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

    Alderman McHugh reported he is in receipt of three bids for three doors at the Community Center. He will give the Council the bid information on Friday. The bid they would like to accept is from The Door Doctors at approximately $30,000.00. Alderman Moirano moved to approve the expenditure for three doors at the Community Center not to exceed $30,000.00. Alderman Szeszycki second. Aldermen DeRose, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    DeRose/Laws & Ordinances

    Alderman DeRose is in receipt of three requests for business licenses. 1) Mark Skorusa Insurance Agency located at 7667 W. 95th Street, Suite 102. Alderman DeRose noted he has not signed a lease yet and is still in negotiations. It was the consensus of Council to not give this approval at this time. 2) Hope Pharmacy located at 8859 S. Roberts Road. This is a request for a pharmacy with 2 employees. Alderman DeRose noted currently the Pharmacy does not have their state license and they would like to sell over the counter medications. This license will be held until they receive their state license. 3) Taxi Cab at 9421 S. Roberts Road. This request is for a taxi cab out of this address which is an apartment. Alderman DeRose noted in the past they received commercial vehicle stickers and not a business license and he would like to charge the business license. Clerk Jackson noted we have never charged for a business license. After some discussion, it was the consensus of the Council not to charge the business license. Aderman DeRose will investigate this matter further.

    Stachnik/Health & Environmental Control/Recycling

    No report submitted.

    Ferrero/Community Services/Youth Advisory Board

    Alderman Ferrero was absent. No report submitted.

    McAvoy/Chamber

    No report submitted.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Sewer BackUp

Alderman Szeszycki has investigated obtaining an insurance policy for the City to cover sewerage backup. He reviewed the premiums of these policies. He felt the City should pay the deductable of residents which have sewer backups and it is the City’s fault. Mayor Howley reported the City has received another report since the last incident of another backup. Public Works Director Boettcher noted he has been on many grease related backups and also rag backups. He noted there are some problems with residents putting things down their drains.

Treasurer Schramm reported the person who came to the Council in the 4th Ward did not have a rider on her insurance policy to cover the backup.

Alderman Szeszycki stated the City has helped in the past with residents with backups. Mayor Howley noted he has spoken to our attorney and another municipal attorney and they both said no communities carry this coverage. Alderman Szeszycki would like to see a policy in place. Alderman Moirano reported this could be a never ending battle. The intent is good but every resident must purchase a rider. Mayor Howley asked if the City knew the cause of the backup on 85th Court. Mr. Boettcher determined it was roots in this case. Alderman Zimmerman gave an overview of the 4th Ward resident’s expenses. He explained she has spent $9,911.00 for refurbishing her basement, $5,055.00 replacing items lost and finally a bill for $2,430.00 for the removal of sewerage, drywall and other damaged materials. The resident is asking for some type of help. Alderman Zimmerman thought if the City could just help with the removal of the raw sewage. Alderman Stachnik stated the City has given donations out for all kinds of things, here we have one resident that needs our assistance. Alderman Zimmerman moved to pay the resident on 85th Court $1,215.00. Alderman Szeszycki second. Aldermen DeRose, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. Aldermen McAvoy and McHugh nay. So approved.

NEW BUSINESS

Alderman Szeszycki asked what was happening to the vacant house on 85th Avenue. Building Commissioner Betcher said they do have permits and everything is going fine. Mayor Howley stated Gary Perlman, also confirmed this house was structurally strong.

Mayor Howley thanked the Public Works Department for working with the businesses on Roberts Road and their dealings with the MWRD.

ADJOURNMENT

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

Meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.