February 24, 2011 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, February 24, 2011 at 7:35 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
- Building Commissioner, G. Betcher
- Public Works Director, L. Boettcher
- 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.
Barb McHugh
8806 W. 93rd Place
Ms. McHugh had concerns regarding an addition she put on her home in October 2006. She is currently having problems with water and the roof. Ms. McHugh stated her original contractor walked off the job and she had other contractors finish the job. She said she called for a final inspection and a man came to her home. Mr. Betcher noted the City has no record of any final inspection being completed. Mayor Howley asked that she turn in any paperwork she has and the City will be happy to assist her.
Joe Cantele
8950 S. 84th Avenue
Mr. Cantele thanked the City for the light on the flag at City Hall. He also thanked the City for the excellent snow removal during the last storm.
Mr. Cantele suggested the City Council look into the possibility of having a Hickory Hills Fire Department. He would like the City to review the numbers.
CLOSE TO PUBLIC
Alderman McAvoy moved to close the meeting to the public. Alderman Zimmerman 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 February 10, 2011 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 he is investigating a renewal of the banner program and will keep the Council updated
Mayor Howley distributed a landscape design for the Shell at 95th and Roberts Road. He noted they are also looking into some sort of privacy fence for the north and east side of this property.
Mayor Howley noted the 88th Avenue widening project is moving forward and he has spoken with School District 117 regarding their easement.
Mayor Howley reported we have IDOT approval on the left turn lane into McDonald’s.
Mayor Howley stated the decorative street signs for 95th Street will be installed in March.
Mayor Howley noted the Stagg Career Night he attended went very well.
CITY CLERK
Clerk Jackson reported Boy Scout Troop 728 will hold a Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, March 6th at the Community Center. The time is 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Clerk Jackson is in receipt of a request from Lexington House to place signs around the City with regards to a Craft Show they are hosting on March 13th. No objections were noted.
Clerk Jackson noted the Census numbers are in and the City is now at 14049 from 13926.
Clerk Jackson is in receipt of a request from Jewel Osco to have a temporary greenhouse in their parking lot. It will be from March 15th through June 20th. No objections were noted.
Clerk Jackson presented the temporary liquor license for the Street Fair on Saturday, June 25th and Sunday, June 26th. Alderman Moirano moved to approve this temporary liquor license for the Street Fair. Alderman Ferrero second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Clerk Jackson noted the newsletter articles are due on March 9th.
CITY TREASURER
Treasurer Schramm reported that after discussions with Cole Taylor Bank regarding the note for Parkview, he is suggesting the City pay off the balance of $580,000.00. He noted this would save the City approximately $30,000.00
Treasurer Schramm stated it was good news the Census numbers went up which would give the City an additional $14,000.00 more a year.
Treasurer Schramm stated he would like to have a budget meeting in March and then in April.
CITY ATTORNEY
No report submitted.
CITY ENGINEER
Mr. Lang presented Resolution 11-03, a MFT Resolution in the amount of $250,000.00. Alderman Moirano moved to approve Res. 11-03. Alderman Szeszycki second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
COMMUNICATIONS
BILLS PAYABLE
Alderman McHugh moved to approve bills payable for the second half of February 2011 in the amount of $395,908.63. Alderman McAvoy second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Szeszycki/Finance
No report submitted.
Zimmerman/Public Safety
Chief Vodicka distributed the Police Department’s Annual Report. If anyone has any questions, they may contact him.
Alderman McAvoy asked if the Chief could put something in the newsletter regarding tips to avoid burglaries.
Mayor Howley thanked Ingrid McNeff for her assistance to one of our residents. He noted Ingrid really reached out to this woman and everything turned out well.
Moirano/Public Works
Alderman Moirano reported the surface of streets over the winter has deteriorated substantially in ten localized areas. Public Works will request that Robinson Engineering include surface grinding and replacement with the spring bid for street repaving.
Alderman Moirano noted a resident with a four wheeler caused severe damage when he drove the machine around the bottom of St. Pat’s Pond. Repair the pond will be expensive. The Police did apprehend the individual and a criminal offense was filed. Public Works will find a landscaper to give a price for repair.
Alderman Moirano reported Public Works has purchased 200 tons of salt resulting in $12,000.00 over budget.
McHugh/Bldg./Facilities
Alderman McHugh reported the work at Parkview is now complete with the exception of some painting during the spring.
Stachnik/Laws & Ordinances
Alderman Stachnik reported he is in receipt of two business certificate applications for 1) Chase Mechanical located at 7720 W. 99th Street. This is a storage unit for HVAC equipment. 2) AlMarie, Inc. located at 8801 W. 87th Street. This is a transfer of owner. No objections were noted.
DeRose/Health & Environmental Control/Recycling
Alderman DeRose reported he is investigating the projects of Food Waste Recycling through Land and Lakes. Also, he is looking at another electronic recycling date.
Alderman DeRose is reviewing other options for our health inspections and will keep the Council updated.
Alderman DeRose reported he will be attending a seminar on March 3rd regarding Cook County’s Delta Program.
Ferrero/Community Services/Youth Advisory Board
Alderman Ferrero reported the Youth Group will hold an Ice Cream Social for seniors on March 9th at 4:00 p.m. She also noted the Kean Avenue clean up will be on April 9th.
Alderman Ferrero noted she is reviewing the band information for the Street Fair and she will be talking with the Dirty Sock to handle the food sales on Saturday.
McAvoy/Chamber
No report submitted
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Alderman Szeszycki asked the status of the apartment on 95th Street that had the fire. Mr. Betcher reported they are working on the interior of that apartment.
NEW BUSINESS
Alderman McHugh reported the next Community Dinner will be on March 30th at 3:30 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
Alderman Moirano moved to adjourn into executive session for the purpose of collective bargaining and litigation. Alderman Szeszycki second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.