October 28, 2010 City Council Meeting Minutes

CALL TO ORDER

The regular meeting of the Hickory Hills City Council was called to order by Mayor Mike Howley on Thursday, October 28, 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
    S. Zimmerman
  • City Clerk, J. Jackson
  • City Treasurer, D. Schramm
  • City Attorney, V. Cainkar
  • City Engineer, T. Lang
  • Police Chief, A. Vodicka
  • Public Works Director, L. Boettcher
  • Building Commissioner, G. Betcher
  • Deputy Clerk, D. Catizone

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

Vince Uzzardo
Lions Club

Mr. Uzzardo thanked the Council, Police and Public Works
for all their help and assistance with the 5K race held on October 23rd. He noted the race had 118 runners which is great for the first time. Mr. Uzzardo informed the Council that everyone will get a t-shirt. He also thanked all that participated in this race. The date for next year will be October 22, 2011.

Mr. Uzzardo stated the Lions Club benefitted greatly from this fundraiser.

CLOSE TO PUBLIC

Alderman Stachnik 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 October 14, 2010 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Moirano second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

    MAYOR

    Mayor Howley reported the library dedication he attended with Clerk Jackson was very nice and the library is welcoming with all its new improvements.

    Mayor Howley noted that some of the new trees along 95th were blown down because of high winds; these will be repaired by the contractor.

    Mayor Howley reported a legislature breakfast will be held tomorrow at Belvedere Chateau in Palos Hills.

    CITY CLERK

    Clerk Jackson reported Stagg High School will hold a Craft Show on November 13th and November 14th.

    Clerk Jackson received correspondence from the Hickory Hills Youth Baseball with their new board information. She will make copies and distribute. The Council also got a request for sponsorship.

    Clerk Jackson reported a coat collection has been started in coordination with Robinson Engineering in the Clerk’s office for the month of November.

    Clerk Jackson noted that her request at the committee meeting for vacation day clarification is one day for the upcoming Christmas holiday.

    The employees can use a vacation day but the office must be open on Monday, December 27th.

    Clerk Jackson presented a request to award a contract to All Traffic Solutions for the purchase of two solar-powered speed boxes in the amount of $5,846.00. This is part of the Safe Routes To School Grant which is 100% funded through the Illinois Department of Transportation. These radar speed boxes will be permanently mounted in the Conrady School Zone for the purpose of reducing the speed of vehicles passing through that area of Roberts Road during those times when children are going to or from school. The grant proposal was for $8,970.00, so this is under budget. Alderman Zimmerman moved to award the contract to All Traffic Solutions in the amount of $5,846.00. Alderman McAvoy second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved

    CITY TREASURER

    No report submitted.

    CITY ATTORNEY

    Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance 10-17, an ordinance providing for the issue of not to exceed $900,000.00 general obligation limited bonds, Series 2010, of the City of Hickory Hills, Cook County, Illinois, and for the levy of a direct annual tax sufficient to pay the principal and interest on said bonds. He noted the interest rate has gone down. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Ord. 10-17. Alderman Szeszycki second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    CITY ENGINEER

    Mr. Lang presented Invoice #6065 from Len Cox and Sons 94th St. Storm Sewer Excavating for work done on the 94th Street Storm Sewer (CDBG 08-204-R, pay estimate #1 partial). Alderman Moirano moved to approve Invoice #6065 to Len Cox and Sons in the amount of $232,728.30. Alderman McHugh second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    Mr. Lang reported he has sent the Council an email outlining the 95th and Roberts Road construction schedule. There will be 4 phases lasting up to three weeks. The police have also been notified.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Stachnik moved to approve bills payable for the second half of October in the amount of $473,281.58. Alderman McHugh second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

    Szeszycki/Finance

    Alderman Szeszycki reported a meeting for the employees and their spouses was held on October 20th at 7:00 p.m. for the purpose of explaining the new Veba and FSA plans that will be offered by the City. At this time he will be talking to a few more employees.

    Zimmerman/Public Safety

    No report submitted.

    Chief Vodicka announced coffee and cake will be served on Friday, October 29th for Deputy Chief Murphy at the Police Department. This is in addition to his retirement party on November 13th. All are invited.

    Chief Vodicka noted the Blood Drive will be held on Sunday, November 7th. He also noted Shaun Gayle, an ex-player of the Chicago Bears, will be on hand to sign autographs.

    Moirano/Public Works

    Alderman Moirano reported the proposed street program will be given to the engineer for a spring letting.

    McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

    McHugh/Bldg./Facilities Alderman McHugh reported a Thanksgiving dinner will be held at the Community Center from 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on November 9th.

    Alderman McHugh reported that Parkview is going very well and should be complete by November 15th.

    DeRose/Health & Environmental Control/Recycling

    Alderman DeRose reported he has received information regarding health inspections and he will investigate this for next year.

    Stachnik/Laws & Ordinances

    No report submitted.

    Ferrero/Community Services/Youth Advisory Board

    Alderman Ferrero reported the Children’s Halloween Party on Saturday was a huge success. She noted considering the weather a lot of children came out to the festivities.

    Alderman Ferrero reminded the Council the tree lighting ceremony will be on November 23rd at 6:30 p.m. The Children’s Christmas Party will be on December 11th and the House decorating contest will be judged on December 14th.

    McAvoy/Chamber

    Alderman McAvoy reported the Chamber’s Fall Meeting went very well October 27th at the Sabre Room. He noted Mayor Howley was first to speak and everyone enjoyed the meeting.

    Alderman McAvoy noted the library held a candidates’ forum on October 19th and was very well attended.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Alderman DeRose would like the City Council to consider that the Public Works Department leave their cars at Public Works when they are not on duty. Alderman Moirano noted they do track their personal use to report at the end of the year. Mayor Howley stated the Council should address this issue at budget time. Alderman Moirano noted one instance that he looked into directly and he feels has been corrected.

Alderman McHugh asked what was at Speedway Gas Station. Mr. Boettcher noted he has put a barricade over this anchor.

NEW BUSINESS

A continuation of the discussion of the City Clerk’s position which was held at Committee this evening was continued at this time. At the Committee meeting, it was the consensus of the Council to have a full time City Clerk. Alderman Moirano asked why we have two positions: City Clerk and City Collector. The attorney explained the City Collector responsibilities. Presently in our municipal code, the City Clerk is the City Collector. After some discussion, the Council will not change the City Clerk’s position. Treasurer Schramm asked if the position is entitled to benefits. Attorney Cainkar noted the only benefits will be health insurance and IMRF.

At the Committee Meeting this evening a discussion on the Clerk’s City car being purchased by the City Clerk was held. It was clarified by the attorney that the City Clerk can buy the car but not until she is out of office.

Executive Session

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

Alderman McAvoy moved to adjourn Executive and reconvene into the regular meeting. Alderman Moirano second. Aldermen Zimmerman moved to offer Chief Vodicka $15,000.00 for 364 days beginning November 1st to fill the role of Deputy Chief in the interim for a savings to the City of approximately $100,000.00. Alderman Ferrero second. Aldermen McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Zimmerman aye. Aldermen DeRose and Szeszycki nay. So approved.

ADJOURNMENT

Alderman Ferrero moved to reconvene into regular session and 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 9:40 p.m.