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September 23, 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, September 23, 2010 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:
    L. DeRose
    D. Ferrero
    T. McAvoy
    M. McHugh
    J. Moirano
    J. Stachnik
    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

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

OPEN TO PUBLIC

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

Gil Marek
9320 S. 79th Avenue

Mr. Marek expressed concern about an empty lot behind his property. This is east of the cleaners. He noted that people are trespassing on this property during late hours consuming alcohol. He requested that signs be posted indicating this is private property. Chief Vodicka was also requested to increase patrol in this area.

CLOSE TO PUBLIC

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

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman Moirano moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of September 9, 2010 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Szeszycki second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki aye. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

    MAYOR

    Lions Club

    Mayor Howley gave an update on the 5K Walk/Run. He noted that it is going well and everyone has a copy of the route which begins and ends at City Hall. It is posted on various running web sites. He noted Mr. Uzzardo will come back to another Council meeting prior to the race.

    Newsletter

    Mayor Howley reported that the newsletter will be out soon and hopefully, we will pick up a few more Hickory Hills runners.

    Shell Gas Station

    Mayor Howley reported that despite conversations to the contrary, it appears that another Shell Gas Station will replace the station that was originally at 95th and Roberts Road. However, they are doing substantial renovations. Mr. Betcher noted they will have new pumps, new canopy and extensive clean-up. Mr. Betcher noted that he did stress to them how displeased the City has been with the conditions of the station over the past few years.

    76th Avenue Turning Lane

    Mayor Howley noted he will did have a meeting with McDonald’s concerning the 76th Avenue issue. At this point, we are waiting for them to approve cost sharing.

    Building Department

    Mayor Howley thanked the Building Department for their diligence in discovering an illegal structure without a building permit. He asked that the Council to be on the look-out for building permits posted in the window where construction is on-going. Alderman Moirano noted this is also for the protection of the homeowner to make sure the building is being constructed properly.

    CITY CLERK

    Clerk Jackson reported reported on the status of the Census. They are now in the process of tabulation and office closeouts. All communities will receive their official count in the spring of 2011.

    Clerk Jackson reported she is in receipt of a request from Lee Fahrner for a block party in the cul-de-sac located just west of 8809 W. 92nd Street on October 2nd from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. No objections were noted.

    Clerk Jackson noted she is in receipt of a request from South Suburban Pads who is celebrating the 20th birthday this year with a Fall Gala Fundraiser on October 23rd. They are requesting that we purchase an advertisement space in the Program Book. Alderman DeRose moved to approve a half-page ad at a cost of $50.00. Aldermen Ferrero second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki aye. So approved.

    Clerk Jackson noted that she has called for repair on the marquee sign.

    After some discussion, Halloween hours from Noon to 6:00 p.m. were established. Clerk Jackson noted she would add this to the newsletter.

    Mayor Howley also thanked Sharon Marciano for her research on the Glacier project. At the beginning of the 95th Street Corridor project, Mr. Tocwish had suggested installing a marker at 95th and Roberts Road because of the glacial significance. Due to Sharon’s research, it was determined that this was indeed the case and the area of 95th and Roberts Road was at one time the shoreline for Lake Michigan. Mayor Howley noted that the marker is ready to go with this glacial history and hopefully a small map.

    CITY TREASURER

    Treasurer Schramm presented the Treasurer’s Report for August 31, 2010. Alderman McHugh moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report dated August 31, 2010. Alderman Stachnik second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki aye. So approved.

    CITY ATTORNEY

    Ord. 10-15

    Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance #10-15, an ordinance amending Chapter 34, alcoholic beverages, of the Hickory Hills Municipal Code by changing the hours of operation on Sunday Morning. Attorney Cainkar noted this would change the time on Sunday from noon to 11:00 a.m. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Ord. 10-15. Alderman McAvoy second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki aye. So approved.

    Ord. 10-16

    Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance 10-16, an ordinance Amending Chapter 41, traffic, Section 41.31, automated traffic law enforcement system, by changing the deadline dates in various sub-sections, of the Municipal Code of the City of Hickory Hills. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Ord. 10-16. Alderman Moirano second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki aye. So approved.

    CITY ENGINEER

    Mr. Lang presented an invoice from James D. Fiala Paving Company in the amount of $24,153.34. This is for the project completed on miscellaneous street resurfacing (MFT 09-00060-00-RS ERP Job #C/D-91-121-10 pay estimate #4, final).

    Mr. Lang reported that the construction cost of engineering fees should fit the ERP grant money and there would be no cost to the City.

    Mr. Lang reported that the Roberts Road Project was bid in Springfield on Friday. It did come in over the grant amount; however, we have requested additional funds through the Southwest Council. It appears as if they will approve this to take care of the overages.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Ferrero moved to approve bills payable for the second half of September in the amount of $494,392.64. Alderman Stachnik second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki aye. So approved.

Alderman Szeszycki questioned the bill to Rosemont Hockey Partners and Chief Vodicka noted this is to take St. Pat’s DARE class to a Wolves game and it did come from forfeiture money.

STANDING COMMITTEES

    Szeszycki/Finance

    No report submitted.

    Zimmerman/Public Safety

    Alderman Zimmerman was absent. No report submitted.

    Moirano/Public Works

    No report submitted. Alderman Moirano did question Mr. Lang about the 91st Place project. He reported that the bulk of the work is done and the project is almost completed.

    McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

    No report submitted.

    DeRose/Laws & Ordinances

    Alderman DeRose reported he is in receipt of two business license applications for 1) Mr. Wholesale located at 7732 W. 99th Street. This is general merchandise for wholesale. 2) NexGen Auto Sales located at 9700 S. 78th Avenue. This business would operate out of Hawk Ford and would be internet auto sales. No objections were noted.

    Stachnik/Health & Environmental Control/Recycling

    No report submitted.

    Ferrero/Community Services/Youth Advisory Board

    No report submitted.

    McAvoy/Chamber

    Alderman McAvoy reported he was unable to attend the Chamber’s golf outing but according to Chief Vodicka, it turned out very well.

    Alderman McAvoy also noted that he had a request from Craven’s Pub for their annual October Fest from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on October 16th. They will have a DJ and a bean bag tournament. Approval was given.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Alderman Szeszycki asked about the Campbell property and what was to be done regarding her complaint about the ditch. Mayor Howley noted that the recommendation from Mr. Lang was to fill in the majority of the ditch; there will be a slight dip. The Council was in agreement with this.

It was also noted that Mr. Vaci and Mr. Flynn were both at the meeting earlier with regard to their flooding problems but did not stay. Discussion on this issue was deferred.

NEW BUSINESS

FSA

Alderman Szeszycki discussed a Flexible Spending Account, noting this is a medical spending account from pre-taxed dollars which can also use for child care. For the first year, it will cost $300.00 to set up this account and $170.00 annually thereafter if we renew it. The cost per employee per month is $5.00 service fee which the City will pay and it is a minimum billing of $60.00 per month.

This cost is offset by the 7.65% Medicare and social security savings on the employee contribution. This could not begin until the first of the year since it is on a calendar basis. The program is not mandatory. Alderman Szeszycki noted there is one down side in that the City becomes liable if an employee should not have enough money in the plan to pay a bill and then leaves the employment of the City. Alderman McAvoy noted he felt this would be an unusual scenario and that he feels it is a great program since it is self-liquidating. Alderman Szeszycki recommended that we start with the non-union employees since this is not in the three contract union agreements. However, the consensus was to offer this to everyone at this time and Direct the Finance Committee to proceed with this plan.

VEBA

This plan is in place for the Police and Public Work Departments with two separate contribution exhibits. Now, there has been discussion to include it for the non-union employees. This would be an additional $100.00 per employee per year. The police personnel plan has them follow the Police contribution schedule and the IMRF employees would follow the Public Works Distribution schedule. Treasurer Schramm noted this is not optional for the first two groups since it is part of the contract. Alderman Szeszycki also noted he believed this plan to be “all or none”. There was considerable discussion and Chief Vodicka noted this is not addressed in the handbook and read from the contract for the Police Union that “police employees not in the Union may participate in this plan”. Alderman McAvoy noted we should determine if this is really mandatory and offer it to everyone as an option. Alderman Szeszycki noted he would try and get answers.

Mayor Howley noted the Hickory Hills Food and Liquor has again requested their liquor license be expanded beyond beer and wine to include hard liquor. This request was denied.

Clerk Jackson also reminded the Council about the Clerk’s meeting on October 7th at Primetime.

Executive Session

Alderman DeRose moved to convene the meeting into Executive Session for discussion regarding litigation and Police Personnel. Alderman Moirano second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki aye. So approved.

Alderman Ferrero moved to convene the meeting into regular session. Alderman Moirano second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki aye. So approved. Meeting convened into regular meeting at 10:00 p.m.

Alderman Moirano moved to approve Ms. Lisa Lorek be promoted to full-time Records Clerk for the Police Department with a salary of $28,000.00 Alderman McHugh second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki aye. So approved.

ADJOURNMENT

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

Meeting adjourned at 10:10 p.m.