April 28, 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 7:45 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:
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
- Police Chief, A. Vodicka
- Deputy Public Works Director, R. Rice
- Deputy Building Commissioner, M. Gabrysiak
- Deputy Clerk, D. Catizone
Alderman DeRose and Building Commissioner Gordon Betcher were absent. There being a quorum present, the meeting was called to order.
Mayor Howley dedicated this meeting to retiring Clerk Joann Jackson.
OPEN TO PUBLIC
Alderman Moirano moved to open the meeting to the public. Alderman Stachnik second. Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Mr. Ken Fonte
Fire/Police Commissioner
Mr. Fonte thanked Clerk Jackson for her many years of service.
CLOSE TO PUBLIC
Alderman McAvoy moved to close the meeting to the public. Alderman Szeszycki second. Aldermen 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 April 14, 2011 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Stachnik second. Correction: Page 3, second paragraph, correct $3,104. Aldermen McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. Alderman Ferrero pass. So approved.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS
MAYOR
Mayor Howley congratulated Joann Jackson on throwing out the first pitch at opening day.
SW Conference
Mayor Howley thanked everyone for helping at the
Of Mayors Southwest Conference of Mayors Meeting at City Hall on Wednesday. He thanked Joann Jackson, Marilyn Gabrysiak, Mary Boettcher, Mary McDonald and Dee Catizone. He noted everyone pitched in and it was a very nice event.
Walk Around the Park
Mayor Howley reported a walk around the park will occur on May 14th at Prairie View Park.
CITY CLERK
Clerk Jackson reported she has downloaded the numbers from the April election and distributed them.
Clerk Jackson noted she has also received the Com. Edison report and turned it over to Alderman McAvoy.
Clerk Jackson shared a thank you note from HH Youth Baseball for the City’s recent donation.
Clerk Jackson reported May 1st is the deadline to return your economic interest forms.
Clerk Jackson reported she has given Larry Boettcher a copy of the quote from the portable pottys for the Street Fair.
Clerk Jackson remarked that this is her last meeting. She noted it wasn’t just a job these last 39 years and she thanked the Council for all their support and also the residents of Hickory Hills for always supporting her. She will continue serving as an elected member of the Board of the Hickory Hills Library. She will also be a part of the volunteer group of the Third Ward. She thanked everyone for allowing her to serve her community.
CITY TREASURER
Treasurer Schramm presented the Treasurer’s Report dated March 31, 2011. Alderman McHugh moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report for March 31, 2011. Alderman Moirano second. Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
CITY ATTORNEY
No report submitted.
CITY ENGINEER
Mr. Rice presented a bid tabulation that was done on Tuesday, April 26, 2011 for the 2011 miscellaneous street resurfacing (MFT 11-00000-01-GM). The list of bidders with their respective bids are as follows:
Central Blacktop: $421,895.43
Crowley Sheppard: $462,492.00
K-Five Construction: $462,724.05
James D. Fiala: $479,305.70
Gallagher Asphalt: $517,471.18
Mr. Rice’s recommendation is to award the contract to Central Blacktop for the bid amount of Four Hundred Twenty One Thousand Eight Hundred Ninety-Five Dollars and Forty-Three Cents. ($421,895.43). Alderman Moirano moved to award the street resurfacing contract to Central Blacktop. Alderman Ferrero second. Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
COMMUNICATIONS
BILLS PAYABLE
Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve bills payable for the second half of April 2011 in the amount of $324,512.15. Alderman Ferrero second. Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Szeszycki/Finance
No report submitted.
Zimmerman/Public Safety
No report submitted.
Moirano/Public Works
Alderman Moirano reported on the status of 88th Avenue. The Cook County Highway Dept. (CCHD) and the City recently received the revised. “reimbursement agreement” CCHD has accepted the City’s STP claims against our financial obligations, but the final STP number is still be worked out. CCHD did accept a stepped project payout request for when a contractor receives funds for work performed on street lights and sidewalks. Unfortunately, the County never sent out the City requested information needed for the engineering review. The City awaits this information.
Alderman Moirano reported Public Works is in need of an electrician trainee available upon the absence of our electrician. The City is fortunate to have an employee who has formal electrical training and has demonstrated his capability of handling this work. Therefore, it is the recommendation to have Mr. Chris Pearson advanced to Electrician Trainee as of May 1, 2011. No objections were noted.
McHugh/Bldg./Facilities
Alderman McHugh reported the Building Department is recommending the sign permit fees be changed from 50 cents to $1.00 per square foot, but in no event shall the permit fee be less than $50.00 which is an increase from $35.00. The attorney was directed to draft an ordinance amending Section 28.07.
Stachnik/Laws & Ordinances
Alderman Stachnik reported he has a change in ownership for the Skinetics to Hair Designers. Alderman Stachnik also has one new business certificate application for Healthy Connection located at 8723 W. 95th Street. This is a wellness care, chiropractic and physical therapy and weight loss counseling facility. No objections were noted.
DeRose/Health & Environmental Control/Recycling
Alderman DeRose was absent. No report submitted.
Ferrero/Community Services/Youth Advisory Board
Alderman Ferrero noted the Arbor Day Tree Sale will be on Saturday, May 7th. Alderman Ferrero also purchased hanging baskets to sell at the Arbor Day Tree Sale. She noted Fairplay has donated green bags and Ace Hardware has donated seeds.
McAvoy/Chamber
Alderman McAvoy thanked Joann Jackson for her years of service and mentioned that she was the first person he met when he moved to Hickory Hills.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Alderman Ferrero presented a request from a resident at 9130 87th Court. They are requesting to extend the existing garage and build a car port which includes a roof of 1,276 square feet. The garage will be 880 Square Feet. The resident has been to the building department and this project was reviewed and it was determined the project needed some zoning variances. The standard course of action is to obtain the support of the Council. At this time, the Council is not in support of this project.
NEW BUSINESS
Treasurer Schramm is requesting the Council to direct the City Attorney to draft an ordinance to increase the scavenger rate by $1.10 a month and the sewer usage rate to $1.00 from 77 cents.
Chief Vodicka reminded the Council of the Blood Drive on this Sunday. The breakfast will be sponsored by the St. Patricia Holy Name Society.
ADJOURNMENT
Alderman Ferrero moved to adjourn until the next scheduled or specially called meeting. Alderman Moirano second. Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye.
So approved.
Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.