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December 9, 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, December 14, 2010 at 7:33 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 Stachnik second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

No one spoke during this portion of the meeting.

CLOSE TO PUBLIC

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

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of November 11, 2010 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman McHugh second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. Alderman Stachnik pass. So approved.

    MAYOR

    Electronic Recycling

    Mayor Howley distributed a brochure on Electronic Recycling from Recycling Avenue, an organization which helps provide job opportunities for the physically challenged. They will be setting up bins at City Hall in the near future.

    AM Audit

    Mayor Howley reported he has called other cities that have had this audit done and they all spoke highly of this firm. Treasurer Schramm suggested the City start with only one area, for example the Com Ed billing. After some discussion it was decided to move forward with the complete audit of our utilites. Alderman Moirano moved to accept the AM Audit proposal with some minor changes that our attorney has made. Alderman Ferrero second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    PACE Meeting

    Mayor Howley noted he attended a meeting with PACE officials to discuss new bus shelters within the City. He will keep the Council informed as discussions continue.

    Glacier Plaque

    Mayor Howley distributed a copy of the plaque that will be displayed at 95th Street & Roberts Road. Mayor Howley thanked Sharon Marciano, Clerk’s Office, for all her research on the historical glacier.

    Robinson’s Coat Drive

    Mayor Howley thanked City Engineer, Tom Lang for the winter coat drive; it was a very nice program. Mr. Lang noted it had a great response from the City of Hickory Hills.

    Mayor Howley thanked everyone who attended the Tree Lighting and also the tree decorating at Brookfield Zoo.

    CITY CLERK

    Clerk Jackson thanked Mrs. Mary Boettcher for the lovely Christmas decorating at City Hall.

    Clerk Jackson reminded the Council of the retirement party this Friday for Chief McKeon of North Palos Fire Department.

    Clerk Jackson reported she and the Mayor attended the Christmas senior luncheon at the Lexington House which was very well attended.

    Clerk Jackson expressed her sympathy for the loss of Chicago Cub legend, Ron Santo.

    Clerk Jackson requested motion action on the cancellation of the December 23rd Council meetings. Alderman Moirano moved to cancel the December 23rd Committee and Council Meeting. Alderman Ferrero second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    CITY TREASURER

    No report submitted.

    CITY ATTORNEY

    No report submitted.

    CITY ENGINEER

    Mr. Lang reported the street lights along 91st Street are in place and the power would be on in the next day or so.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve bills payable for the first half of December in the amount of $1,439,432.99. Alderman Ferrero second. Treasurer Schramm explained two of the large bills; one being on page 12, $499,000.00 was paid to call in our current bonds and $215,000.00 was payment of our matured bonds. He also noted the new bonds will save the City approximately $35,000.00. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Alderman McHugh moved to approve the customary bills payable for the second half of December 2010. Alderman Stachnik second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Alderman Szeszycki moved to ratify the bills payable for the 2nd half of November, 2010 in the amount of $116,777.72. Alderman Moirano second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

    Szeszycki/Finance

    Alderman Szeszycki reported he and Treasurer Schramm met with representatives from A.J. Gallagher Risk Management to renew the Workman’s Comp. Insurance. He noted the current rate was $305,000.00 and the new rate is $345,000.00. He is expecting it to go down next year.

    Alderman Szeszycki noted he is looking at the water rates and suggested at the next committee meeting the rates be reviewed.

    Zimmerman/Public Safety

    No report submitted.

    Moirano/Public Works

    Alderman Moirano reported with a State purchase, the City was able to confirm this year delivery of a normal salt supply at a price of $58.00 a ton. This is substantially lower than last year. He noted Public Works will continue salt conservation without use of sand. Plows will continue using steel blades and streets will be plowed full width. Priority streets, intersections and hills will be salted with two salt passes and flat streets with one salt pass.

    Alderman Moirano also reported sanitary lining started yesterday in the Blue Ridge area, when Insituform Company arrived in the City. Lining activity will continue until the contract is completed. The grouting company, National Power Company, started joint grouting today and will continue as long as weather allows.

    Alderman Moirano reported SCADA Phase 1 radio system is operational for both water pump stations only. The lift station antenna should be installed this week by Public Works and radio installation to follow.

    McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

    Alderman McHugh reported the Parkview renovation project should be completed by the end of December. He noted the balconies had to be remeasured.

    Alderman McHugh reported all units are rented at Parkview as of today.

    DeRose/Health & Environmental Control/Recycling

    No report submitted.

    Stachnik/Laws & Ordinances

    No report submitted.

    Ferrero/Community Services/Youth Advisory Board

    Alderman Ferrero reminded the Council the Children’s Christmas Party will be on December 11th and the House Decorating Contest will be judged on December 14th.

    McAvoy/Chamber

    No report submitted.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

None.

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, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Meeting adjourned at 8:11 p.m.