June 23, 2011 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, June 23, 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
    M. McHugh
    J. Moirano
    J. Stachnik
    J. Szeszycki
    S. Zimmerman
  • City Clerk, D. Catizone
  • City Treasurer, D. Schramm
  • City Attorney, V. Cainkar
  • Police Lt., T. Stevens
  • City Engineer, T. Lang
  • Public Works Director, L. Boettcher

Alderman McAvoy, Building Commissioner Gordon Betcher, and Chief Vodicka were absent. 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 Ferrero second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mr. Jerry Roginski, Complex President
Mr. Dan Pfico, Complex Treasurer
18 Residents of Flamingo Terrace

The above were present to seek some assistance with their recent flooding problem. They want to raise the issue with the city if they could help with the Forest Preserve. Mayor Howley noted the intent of the city is to sit down with the Forest Preserve.

He also noted the city has had a meeting in the past with the Forest Preserve and they were not willing to cooperate at that time. Public Works Director Boettcher reported that the debris carried down from the storm water closed the drainage structures. Mr. Boettcher also had talked to someone in the Forest Preserve District and he secured permission to dig a trench to open this area up for drainage. He also noted the city is willing to work with the Forest Preserve on a solution to this problem. Public Works has proposed an overland surge plan to minimize future damage. Mayor Howley urged the residents to attend the meeting with the Forest Preserve when it is scheduled. Several residents provided pictures of the damaged apartments.

CLOSE TO PUBLIC

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

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman Moirano moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of June 9, 2011 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman McHugh second. Corrections: Page 1 last paragraph, word should be alleviate not elevate. Page 4, first paragraph third sentence should read: EPA/MSD Fund you may notice has been around for many years and is gradually being reduced to cover operating expenses. Fifth sentence same paragraph should read: The 911 Service Fund will need a transfer of funds from the 911 Capital Fund. Aldermen DeRose, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. Alderman Ferrero pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

    MAYOR

    Mayor Howley reported he has a request from the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation to place a manned attendant collection trailer at Hillcreek Shopping Center. After some discussion, Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve this request for a manned donation trailer at Hillcreek Shopping Center for a six month period. Alderman Ferrero second. Aldermen Ferrero, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. Aldermen DeRose and McHugh nay. So approved.

    CITY CLERK

    Clerk Catizone reported on Saturday, June 11th she attended the Newly Elected Officials Seminar at Joliet Jr. College. She stated this was a very informative session.

    Clerk Catizone noted she was given a tour by Larry Boettcher of the areas of the City that had flooding problems. He provided some history and insight to these areas.

    Clerk Catizone reported she attended a remapping for assessing purposes at Lyons Township with Marilyn Gabrysiak and Mary McDonald.

    Lastly, Clerk Catizone noted she attended a BASSET Seminar at the Community Center with all the City’s liquor license holders. This seminar reviewed procedures on checking for false ID’s and the responsibilities of the beverage servers.

    CITY TREASURER

    No report submitted.

    CITY ATTORNEY

    Attorney Cainkar reported public notice was given that a public hearing will be held this evening in the Council Chambers concerning the proposed appropriation ordinance for the fiscal year 2011 beginning May 1, 2011 and ending April 30, 2012.

    Public Hearing
    Appropriation

    Public Hearing commenced at 8:01 p.m. No one spoke during this portion of the meeting.

    Alderman McHugh moved to close the public hearing at 8:05 p.m. Alderman Moirano second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    Ord. 11-6

    Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance 11-6, an ordinance providing for a budget and appropriation for corporate and other purposes for the fiscal year beginning May 1, 2011 and ending April 30, 2012 for the City of Hickory Hills. Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve Ord. 11-6. Alderman Moirano second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    CITY ENGINEER

    No report submitted.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman McHugh moved to approve bills payable for the second half of June 2011 in the amount of $267,910.26. Alderman Szeszycki second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

    Szeszycki/Finance

    Alderman Szeszycki distributed information regarding the open enrollment for employee health insurance. Also, the life insurance was changed to the two tier program as discussed at the last meeting.

    Zimmerman/Public Safety

    No report submitted.

    Lt. Tim Stevens reported on the recent armed robbery on 87th Street. He noted all suspects were apprehended and arrested within one hour of this crime.

    Moirano/Public Works

    Alderman Moirano reported on Cook County Highway bids for the 88th Avenue reconstruction today. The lowest read bidder for the project was K-5 Construction. The County noted the contract award will not occur until after Labor Day.

    McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

    No report submitted.

    Stachnik/Laws & Ordinances

    Alderman Stachnik reported he has one business application for Alm Medical located at 8845 W. 87th Street. This is a retail medical supply company. No objections were noted.

    DeRose/Health & Environmental Control/Recycling

    No report submitted.

    Ferrero/Community Services/Youth Advisory Board

    Alderman Ferrero reported the Street Fair plans are going well. Currently, there are over 90 crafters and 23 food vendors.

    McAvoy/Chamber

    Alderman McAvoy was absent. No report submitted.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Mayor Howley reported he had a late request from the Dirty Sock for a bag tournament and concert on Sunday, June 26th. These events will start at 7:00 p.m. No objections were noted.

NEW BUSINESS

None.

ADJOURNMENT

Alderman Ferrero moved to adjourn until the next scheduled or specially called meeting. Alderman Moirano second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Meeting adjourned at 9:03 p.m.