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June 10, 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, June 10, 2010 at 7:45 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
    T. McAvoy
    M. McHugh
    J. Moirano
    J. Szeszycki
  • 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

Aldermen DeRose, Stachnik and Zimmerman were 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 Ferrero second. Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Szeszycki aye. So approved.

No one spoke during this portion of the meeting.

CLOSE TO PUBLIC

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

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman McAvoy moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of May 27, 2010 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Moirano second. Aldermen McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Szeszycki aye. Alderman Ferrero pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

    MAYOR

    Since there were a number of employees in the audience, Mayor Howley moved the health insurance presentation by the employee health committee to the beginning of the meeting and turned it over to Treasurer Schramm. Treasurer Schramm reported that per the direction of the City Council, he met with the City Employee Health Insurance Committee (with representatives from Police, Public Works, Bldg. Dept., Clerk’s Office and Finance Office) to review the City Health Insurance Benefit options for the July 1st renewal. There are two mandatory changes by Blue Cross, Blue Shield of Illinois. One is the two tier doctor copay – $20.00 for physician and $40.00 for specialist. Also, the copay for emergency room has increased from $75.00 to $150.00. Treasurer Schramm noted that additional health plan quotes were obtained with the lowest quote being from United Health Care with a savings of $146,000 under the current BCBS renewal premium. However, since the meeting with the Insurance Committee, UHC informed the City that the quote was contingent upon a review of employees completing an enrollment form and answering one question on medical history which the employees did not do for reasons of privacy. Therefore, since this was not done, the City has the option to go with an employer application and the UHC quoted rates would increase by 12 percent.

    At this time, two employees from the Employee Health Committee addressed the City Council. Sharon Marciano from the Clerk’s office and Officer Adam Gulczynski both gave reasons why the consensus of the employees from all the departments is to stay with BCBS, as it currently exists, with the two mandatory changes.

    Treasurer Schramm thanked the committee for doing an excellent job with their research and recommendations. Even though, United Health Care offers a substantial savings and because BCBS came in with a very modest 4.4 % increase, Treasurer Schramm noted he was inclined to agree with the recommendation of the insurance committee.

    Alderman McAvoy moved to accept the recommendation of the Insurance Committee and renew the existing BCBS PPO/HMO with the two mandatory changes. Alderman McHugh second. Aldermen Moirano, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Mayor Howley aye. Alderman Szeszycki nay. So approved.

    Mayor Howley reported that the grand opening for McDonald’s would be on Saturday, June 19th with the ribbon cutting at 9:30 am and festivities all day.

    Mayor Howley also referenced an article regarding the installation of red light cameras at intersections where there is a County Street such as 87th and Roberts Road. Mayor Howley noted he has not received official notice to date.

    Mayor Howley noted he attended the Sertoma 40th anniversary at Mama Luigi’s. He extended congratulations to the Sertoma Club on this anniversary and on all their accomplishments. They have made generous donations to two different organizations in town.

    Mayor Howley noted Da Bar has their liquor license and should be ready for business soon.

    Mayor Howley also noted that Family Dollar will open sometime in July.

    Finally, Mayor Howley noted that another medical waste disposal day will be held at the Community Center on June 23rd.

    CITY CLERK

    Clerk Jackson reported that she is in receipt of a request from Atlas Oil Company for a crosstown cup promotion at the BP Station on 95th Street. They are requesting an event on Saturday, June 26th, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm to promote the games between the White Sox and the Cubs. They will have inflatable pitching machines, Wii home run derby contests and free hot dogs. There were no objections to this request. Mayor Howley noted we should make sure that the entrances to Dunkin Donuts are not blocked by this event.

    Clerk Jackson reported she is in receipt of a request from the Roberts Road Bible Church in Justice to distribute flags and a tract in Hickory Hills on July 3rd at the intersection of 95th and Roberts Road. Permission was granted.

    Clerk Jackson noted that recently at a conference in DuPage County, she learned that many fire departments collect out of date prescriptions on a regular basis. She noted she is looking into this.

    CITY TREASURER

    Treasurer Schramm circulated Exhibit A concerning the post retirement healthcare funding plan also detailing the contributions of sick days by the police officers. A total of 120 unused sick days were contributed by 18 officers for a gross contribution of $32,838.00 which the City paid out. Also, there was an $1,800.00 annual contribution by the City which is $100.00 per officer. The officers will contribute to this plan each year once a year effective January 1st. It is a separate benefit plan. These 18 employees must contribute if they qualify and they must do this first before they sell back any of their sick days. Treasurer Schramm also noted that the PW Union contract has in their agreement that once the plan is established, they would be eligible to participate. He noted they would be amending this plan in the near future to include the public works employees.

    Treasurer Schramm noted that the Reporter quoted in the newspaper last week this health plan is state managed and this is not the case; it is a City sponsored plan.

    Finally, Treasurer Schramm noted there was a $100,000.00 error in the final budget that was approved and this has been corrected and is included in the ordinance prepared by the City Attorney.

    CITY ATTORNEY

    Ord. 10-11

    Attorney Vince Cainkar opened the public hearing for the purpose of discussion on Lot 7 in Park Hill Estates. No one spoke during this portion of the meeting. Public Hearing was closed at this time. Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance 10-11, an ordinance amending the provisions of Ordinance 04-16, pertaining to the rear yard lot requirements of Lots 7 and 8 in the Park Hill Estates Subdivision. He noted this would allow a single family residence constructed on Lot 7 that shall be not less than 23 feet from the rear lot line and the single family residence constructed on Lot 8 shall be not less than 28 feet from the rear lot line. Alderman McAvoy moved to approve Ordinance 10-11. Alderman Moirano second. Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Szeszycki aye. So approved.

    Ord. 10-12

    Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance 10-12, an ordinance providing for corporate and other purposes for the fiscal year beginning May 1, 2010 and ending April 30, 2011, for the City of Hickory Hills, Cook County, Illinois. Alderman Moirano moved to approve Ordinance 10-12. Alderman Ferrero second. Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Szesycki aye. So approved.

    CITY ENGINEER

    No report.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman McAvoy moved to approve bills payable for the first half of June in the amount of $281,334.36. Alderman McHugh second. Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Szeszycki aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

    Szeszycki/Finance

    Alderman Szeszycki reported he had met with the Health Insurance Committee and they were discussing the flexible spending account. This plan will be started in the fall.

    Zimmerman/Public Safety

    Safety Alderman Zimmerman was absent. Chief Vodicka reported Donald Profitt, Auxilary Police Officer is very ill and our prayers are with him.

    Moirano/Public Works

    No report submitted.

    McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

    No report submitted.

    DeRose/Laws & Ordinances

    Alderman DeRose was absent. No report submitted.

    Stachnik/Health & Environmental Control/Recycling

    Alderman Stachnik was absent. No report submitted.

    Ferrero/Community Services/Youth Advisory Board

    Alderman Ferrero reported there are 83 crafters and 12 food vendors in the Street Fair as of today. She also reported that Standard Bank will be sponsoring one of the bands.

    McAvoy/Chamber

    No report submitted.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Alderman Szeszycki discussed his nay vote on the appointments made at the last Council meeting.

Clerk Jackson reported a packing party with Jim Kruse will be held at the Community Center next Thursday.

Clerk Jackson noted this is not related to City business but it should be in the record that the Chicago Blackhawks have won the 2010 Stanley Cup.

NEW BUSINESS

Mayor Howley reported the Shell Station at 95th and Roberts Road is under contract and it is a non-petroleum use. More information will follow.

Alderman McAvoy questioned the status of the Woodland Creek area. He noted he would be requesting some reimbursement.

Mayor Howley thanked Larry Boettcher for taking care of the trip hazard at Parkview.

Alderman Moirano reported that Gordon Betcher along with Mr. Mike Mistele held a bid opening on the work to be done at Parkview. The low bidder was Schramm Construction at a bid of approximately $681,000.00 which is under the $750,000.00 grant received. This work would include new roofs, balconies and back doors on all the buildings.

Alderman McHugh noted Andy’s Roadhouse is requesting permission to have an outdoor band on Sunday, June 27th from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and also a bean bag tournament. No objections were noted.

ADJOURNMENT

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

Meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.