April 14, 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, April 14, 2011 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 Treasurer, D. Schramm
  • City Attorney, G. Perlman
  • City Engineer, T. Lang
  • Police Chief, A. Vodicka
  • Public Works Director, L. Boettcher
  • Deputy Clerk, D. Catizone

Clerk Jackson and Building Commissioner Gordon Betcher were absent. There being a quorum present, the meeting was called to order.

PRESENTATION
SENIOR TASK FORCE

Ms. Linda Hussey and Mr. Ken Grunke from Aging Care Connections presented the members of the Senior Task Force with a trophy for the 2010 Community Service Award. This is a traveling trophy that is given to a community action team.

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

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman McHugh moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of March 24, 2011 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Szeszycki second. Aldermen DeRose, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. Alderman Ferrero pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

    MAYOR

    Motorcycle Awareness Month

    Mayor Howley presented the Motocycle Awareness Month Proclamation. This is done yearly to urge motorists of Illinois to join the ongoing efforts to improve safety and awareness on our streets and highways.

    ComCast Service Agreement

    Mayor Howley presented a Service Agreement between Comcast of Illinois/Indiana, a Florida general partnership and the City of Hickory Hills for real estate located at 7805-7827 W. 89th Street and 7804-7824 W. 89th Place, Hickory Hills. Alderman McHugh moved to approve this Service Agreement with Comcast for Parkview Apartments. Alderman Moirano second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    76th Ave. Turn Lane

    Mayor Howley reported the striping of the 76th Avenue turn lane was completed today.

    Mayor Howley noted Mr. Danos, the developer, and Planning Resources are meeting to discuss landscaping of the property located on 95th Street.

    Mayor Howley reported Ravi of CP Auto is now working at S & S Auto located at 111th and Harlem.

    Shell Gas Station

    Mayor Howley noted Shell will be opening soon. The new owner is working on the fence and landscaping.

    Mayor Howley distributed an invitation to Mayor Daley’s Gala on Friday, April 29th.

    Historical Marker

    Mayor Howley asked if the historic marker and kiosk for 95th Street is ready. Mr. Lang noted the kiosk should be installed on Monday.

    Thank You Note

    Mayor Howley received a very nice thank you from a resident at Great Oaks Condo Assoc. for the assistance the City provided. Mayor Howley also thanked Land and Lakes for the use of a dumpster.

    AM Audit

    Mayor Howley reported he met with the representatives from AM Audit this morning. They recently reviewed the Com Ed, Nicor and Telecommunications finding report. The representative stated the level of detail, organization and cooperation of the Finance Department and Public Works Department were unprecedented. They did not find any substantial amount of money. They found a savings of $3,1040 over the course of years on the telecommunications. Under Nicor, a $425.00 credit was found. Mayor Howley has the complete report if anyone would like to review it. AM Audit will now focus on a tax audit.

    HHYB Parade

    Mayor Howley announced he will be throwing out the first pitch at the Hickory Hills Youth Baseball Opening Day this Saturday.

    CITY CLERK

    No report submitted.

    CITY TREASURER

    Treasurer Schramm suggested the budget meeting on Thursday, April 21st begin at 6:00 p.m. instead of 6:30 p.m. No objections were noted. He noted the Chief will come at 7:30 p.m. to present the Police Budget.

    CITY ATTORNEY

    Attorney Cainkar presented Resolution #11-06, a resolution approving an identity protection policy for the City of Hickory Hills. He noted the Illinois Identity Protection Act requires the City of Hickory Hills to approve a written identity protection policy before June 1, 2011. Alderman McAvoy moved to approve Res. 11-06. Alderman McHugh second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    CITY ENGINEER

    Mr. Lang reported a bid opening will be held on Tuesday, April 26th for street resurfacing.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve bills payable for the first half of April 2011 in the amount of $697,500.39. Alderman Ferrero second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

    Szeszycki/Finance

    No report submitted.

    Zimmerman/Public Safety

    No report submitted.

    Chief Vodicka distributed a copy of the 2010 Traffic Safety Challenge Application.

    Chief Vodicka reported this is National Telecommunicator’s Week and he will be taking the radio operators to lunch.

    Chief Vodicka noted the next Blood Drive will be held on May 1st with the St. Patricia HNS providing breakfast.

    Moirano/Public Works

    Alderman Moirano reported the City recently received a town specific reimbursement agreement from the Cook County Highway Department (CCHD). CCHD claims Hickory Hills cost is $712,000. The County is stating the bid date for this project is ASAP. The agreement did not address that street lighting and sidewalks could be covered by Surface Transportation Program (STP), a federally funded (70-30%) managed by the SW Conference of Mayors. The President of the SW Conference believes that there is a resolution for this manner. The second most important agreement issue is the County’s elimination of a 5 year payout program. Public Works suggested that on two year or longer construction program with lights and sidewalks going in last, the City should only be required to pay just prior to contractor’s invoice and not 50% up front. Revised County agreement should be received shortly.

    Alderman Moirano noted the turning lane northbound to McDonald’s was striped this week and left turn arrow was activated today.

    Alderman Moirano noted the response letter from MWRD depicts that the Federal NPDES draft special conditions for 150 gallons per capita per day (gpcpd) will be interpreted by MWRD as a requirement. The City has used Insituform Inc. in Lemont for years and this company was the lowest price on last year’s activity for $190,000 in lining.

    Public Works was able to obtain an annual or longer contract proposal from this company and is recommending a two year service agreement to be entered into with this company. No objections were noted and the City will move forward with this agreement.

    McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

    Alderman McHugh thanked everyone who attended the Community Dinner on March 30th. He noted they served over 250 residents.

    Stachnik/Laws & Ordinances

    Alderman Stachnik reported he has a change in ownership for the Shell Station located on 95th Street and Roberts Road.

    DeRose/Health & Environmental Control/Recycling

    Alderman DeRose stated the City has received a check for months of January, February and March for recycling in the amount of $5,588.92.

    Ferrero/Community Services/Youth Advisory Board

    Alderman Ferrero noted the Arbor Day Tree Sale will be on Saturday, May 7th. She noted Fairplay has donated shopping bags for this event. Alderman Ferrero also purchased hanging baskets to sell at the Arbor Day Tree Sale.

    Alderman Ferrero reported the vendors are coming in for the Street Fair. Also, the bands have been hired.

    Alderman Ferrero noted the Youth Board did a clean up of Kean Avenue on April 9th.

    McAvoy/Chamber

    Alderman McAvoy reported a Pizza Tasting Event will be held at the Park District on Friday, April 29th.

    Alderman McAvoy noted on May 17th, the Chamber will hold a general open house.

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 8:14 p.m.