July 22, 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, July 22, 2010 at 7:31 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
  • City Treasurer, D. Schramm
  • City Attorney, V. Cainkar
  • Police Chief, A. Vodicka
  • Public Works Director, L. Boettcher
  • Building Commissioner, G. Betcher
  • Deputy Clerk, D. Catizone

Alderman Zimmerman, Clerk Jackson and City Engineer Tom Lang were absent. There being a quorum present, the meeting was called to order.

OPEN TO PUBLIC

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

No one spoke during this portion of the meeting.

CLOSE TO PUBLIC

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

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of July 8, 2010 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman McAvoy second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki aye. Alderman McAvoy pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

    MAYOR

    Res. 10-14

    Mayor Howley presented Resolution 10-14, a resolution initiating the submission of a public question to support regional actions to attain long-term pension sustainability. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Res. 10-14. Alderman Moirano second. Mayor Howley noted the Southwest Mayor Caucus is in support of this resolution. Aldermen DeRose, Moirano, Stachnik aye. Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Szeszycki nay. Motion fails.

    Donation Box Removal

    Mayor Howley distributed pictures of the donation boxes around the City. After some discussion, it was concluded that the police department will write a letter to the owners of the property stating these donation boxes need to be removed

    Community Center Cooling Center

    Mayor Howley noted the Community Center will be used as a cooling center during the very hot weather and will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m..

    Electronics Recycling

    Mayor Howley reported an electronic recycling collection will take place on Saturday, July 31st at Stagg High School from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m..

    IDOT

    Mayor Howley confirmed he has a meeting with IDOT on August 5th to discuss 76th Avenue and 95th Street.

    Tastee Freeze

    Mayor Howley spoke to Tastee Freeze regarding their outdoor food tent. He would like to continue this because it would help him get through the winter. No objections were noted at this time. Alderman McHugh suggested in the future the City has a permit fee for this outdoor tent for food sales.

    CITY CLERK

    Clerk Jackson was absent. No report submitted.

    CITY TREASURER

    Treasurer Schramm presented the Treasurer’s Report dated June 30, 2010. Alderman Moirano moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report dated June 30, 2010. Alderman Szeszycki second. Treasurer Schramm pointed out the discretionary fund’s new balance is $1342.00 with the deposit of $716.00 from Street Fair raffle. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki aye. So approved.

    CITY ATTORNEY

    No report submitted.

    CITY ENGINEER

    Mr. Lang was absent. No report submitted.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Ferrero moved to approve bills payable for the second half of July in the amount of $523,761.84. Alderman Stachnik second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

    Szeszycki/Finance

    Alderman Szeszycki reported he and the Treasurer met with Arthur J. Gallagher regarding the City’s Risk Management Services. He will have the quotes for the property and casualty insurance at the first meeting in September.

    Zimmerman/Public Safety

    Alderman Zimmerman was absent.

    Chief Vodicka stated he distributed a memo to the Council which is an informational item that brings the Council up to speed on the administrative situation within the police department. He also noted with the pending Deputy Chief retirement, he will come back to the Council in August with a proposal on how he will handle this situation.

    Moirano/Public Works

    Alderman Moirano reported Public Works is evaluating the televising of sanitary sewers west of 88th Avenue. Numerous runs of pipe are cracked or fractured in portions and must be sealed or synthetically lined. In addition, the piping system north of 87th Street is deep and in bad ground. Public Works is preparing a request for proposal of this project.

    Alderman Moirano noted the MWMD will host a workshop on September 23rd for all towns and governmental bodies discharging to the sanitary district. MWRD is reevaluating its existing inflow and infiltration removal program in light of the future USEPA rulemaking on sanitary overflows. The City is currently striving to meet the 1990 ICAP minimum. The proposed new restriction would require our City to meet a standard of one-third of existing criteria. He noted existing funds are not sufficient for the City to meet the new criteria for the entire City.
    Public Works recommends that the City tighten the sanitary system to new standards now rather than wait for new unfunded mandates. Mr. Boettcher stated that at the meeting in September, he will ask if there would be any funds to help the cities meet these mandates. He also stated the City will need to meet new standards without funding. He suggested the Blue Ridge area be addressed. It will be a major dollar expense and this new criteria is forced on the cities. Alderman McHugh suggested this project be reviewed when the committee meetings begin again. Mr. Boettcher stated this is a long range project that may take 3 to 5 years.

    McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

    Alderman McHugh reported he has contacted the cleaning service for Parkview and they now have a new person in charge and everyone seems to be happy.

    Alderman McHugh is in receipt of a request from the Dirty Sock to hold an outdoor bean bag tournament, pig roast and BBQ. This event will be on Saturday, August 14th from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. After some discussion, the Council suggested the event end at 6:00 p.m. No objections were noted.

    DeRose/Laws & Ordinances

    Alderman DeRose reported he is in receipt of one business license application for United Care Group located at 9525 S. 79th Avenue. This application was approved at the last meeting but now they are requesting a change in services. They are now a medical limo service with two vans. These vans would not be housed there and the office is more of a dispatch location. No objections were noted.

    Stachnik/Health & Environmental Control/Recycling

    No report submitted.

    Ferrero/Community Services/Youth Advisory Board

    Alderman Ferrero reported she is currently in the process of sending thank you letters out to all the sponsors of the Street Fair.

    McAvoy/Chamber

    Alderman McAvoy noted the Bingo at the Street Fair went very well despite the rain in the morning. The numbers are very close to last year with each participating group receiving approximately $500.00. He also stated he will be finishing up the final report.

    Alderman McAvoy reported a golf outing for the Otis Wilson Foundation will be held on August 26th.
    He will have more information at a later date.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

Mayor Howley noted the seal coating at Jewel looks very nice.

Chief Vodicka reported National Night Out will be held at Kasey Meadows on Tuesday, August 3rd.

Alderman McHugh noted the City Hall parking lot will be seal coated and is waiting for word on the towers. Mayor Howley stated different carriers are working on upgrades and it is difficult to have an exact date. It was decided to go ahead with the seal coating before fall.

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 aye. So approved.

Meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.