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September 22, 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, September 22, 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 Chief, A. Vodicka
  • City Engineer, T. Lang
  • Public Works Director, L. Boettcher

Alderman McAvoy was absent. There being a quorum present, the meeting was called to order.

Welcome Home Adam Wallace

Mayor Howley and Adopt-a-Platoon Director and Veteran Jim Kruse welcomed home Adam Wallace, a Hickory Hills resident who has just returned from Afghanistan serving in the U.S. Army Reserve. Mr. Wallace thanked Jim Kruse for all his support and presented him with a flag that flew over Afghanistan. Mr. Wallace also thanked his family and the Council for all the support.

School Dist. 117 Art Display Presentation at City Hall

Ms. Dawn Ventura, Art Teacher from Glen Oaks School, was present to introduce the 4th and 5th Graders who had art displayed. Ms. Ventura thanked everyone who came out to support our Glen Oaks artists. She also thanked the City for providing the venue space to the school. She noted there are over 30 artists displaying their artwork.

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. Jason Golub
Nudell Architects

Mr. Golub is the architect for the proposed Chase Bank. He stated he is available if there are any questions when the Finding of Fact is presented later in the meeting.

CLOSE TO PUBLIC

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

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman McHugh moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of September 8, 2011 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Ferrero second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik aye. Aldermen Szeszycki and Zimmerman pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

    MAYOR

    School District 117

    Mayor Howley thanked Clerk Catizone and Mr. Jim Hook
    of School District 117 for helping to put artwork in City Hall.

    Memorial Bench

    Mayor Howley also thanked Alderman Szeszycki and Larry Boettcher for attending the Memorial Bench Dedication at Prairie Pond. The bench was a memorial to Mr. Mike Stechly who passed away last year of lung cancer. Mayor Howley noted Mrs. Trish Stechly attended along with her two sons and relatives.

    License Request Mayor Howley is in receipt of a request from St. Patricia Athletic Association. They are requesting a temporary liquor license for the St. Pat’s Homecoming Bonfire and Pep Rally on September 30th from 6:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Alderman Moirano moved to approve the St. Pat’s temporary liquor license with fees waived for September 30, 2011. Alderman Stachnik second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    Finding of Fact
    J.P. Morgan Chase Bank

    Mayor Howley presented the Finding of Fact for J. P. Morgan Chase Bank to be located at 9540 S. Roberts Road. Mayor Howley noted a public hearing was held on September 19, 2011. The Zoning Board of Appeals is recommending for approval by a vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays and 2 absent to grant the request of the Petitioner for a variation at 9540 S. Roberts Road. Zoning is currently C3 Highway Commercial. A variation for the rear yard setback requirement of 25’ to a proposed 10.8’ rear yard setback to fit a proposed drive-through banking building and parking layout. The Petitioner is to comply with the requirements of all the reviewers.

    Alderman Moirano moved to approve and accept the Finding of Fact for J.P. Morgan Chase Bank. Alderman McHugh second. Alderman Moirano asked when the project would begin. Mr. Golub noted permits would start as soon as next week. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    Mayor Howley noted the Park District requested to bring in a vendor to sell liquor at their car show. Attorney Cainkar stated the Park District would have to buy and sell the liquor or the vendor would have to have a City’s caterer license.

    Mayor Howley expressed his sincere sympathy to the family of Mr. Gordon Betcher. He will truly be missed in the City of Hickory Hills.

    CITY CLERK

    Clerk Catizone is in receipt of an Intergovernmental Agreement with Cook County for the City’s Health Inspections. This is a one year contract with the price remaining the same at $60.00 per inspection. Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the Intergovernmental Agreement for the provision of environmental health inspectional services. Alderman Ferrero second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    CITY TREASURER

    No report submitted.

    CITY ATTORNEY

    Radio Operators

    Attorney Cainkar presented the Radio Operators Collective Bargaining Agreement for approval. Alderman Zimmerman moved to approve the Radio Operators Collective Bargaining Agreement 2011-2015. Alderman Moirano second. Aldermen Ferrero, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Zimmerman aye. Aldermen DeRose and Szeszycki nay. So approved.

    CITY ENGINEER

    Mr. Lang presented Invoice #09729 from City Lights Ltd. for work done on the 91st Street Lighting Project. Alderman Moirano moved to approve Invoice #09729 in the amount of $28,232.53 to City Lights Ltd. Alderman Ferrero second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved. Mr. Lang noted this is the last of the three ERP projects to be completed with total construction costs of $1,250,000.00 and the City paying approximately $28,000.00.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman McHugh moved to approve bills payable for the first half of September 2011 in the amount of $260,666.26. Alderman Szeszycki second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

    Szeszycki/Finance

    Alderman Szeszycki reported the City’s Property and Casualty Insurance is up for an October 1st renewal. The expiring premium is $160,000.00 and the renewal rate is a little less than the $160,000.00.

    He also noted the City is unable to insure the street lights along 95th Street, Roberts Road and 91st Street. These have a replacement value of $10,000.00 per light. Alderman Szeszycki noted that the City doesn’t always receive reimbursement for these lights. He would like to place these costs in the separate fund, different than the general fund and not have it taken from the Road Fund.

    Zimmerman/Public Safety

    No report submitted.

    Moirano/Public Works

    Alderman Moirano reported Public Works has prepared a RFP for tree removal in regards to the “Cost Sharing Program”. This year’s program included the removal of twelve trees and 6 dangerous large limbs overhanging private property. In addition, sixteen stumps would be ground down for trees removed by Public Works. He noted two tree removal companies have responded. Public Works recommends an award to the lowest proposal from Benitez Tree Removal in the amount of $4,750.00. No objections were noted.

    McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

    Alderman McHugh offered his condolences to Gordon Betcher’s family.

    Stachnik/Laws & Ordinances

    Alderman Stachnik is in receipt of two business certificate applications: 1) Peak Sales and Remarketing located at 9701 S. 78th Avenue. This is a single employee office for auto auctioning; no cars with be sold out of this building. 2) Age Services, Inc. located at 9525 S. 78th Avenue. This is an insurance office. No objections were noted.

    DeRose/Health & Environmental Control/Recycling

    No report submitted.

    Ferrero/Community Services/Youth Advisory Board

    Alderman Ferrero reported on upcoming events; October 22nd is the 5K Run at 9:00 a.m. at City Hall and the Children’s Halloween Party at 12:45 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. November 22nd is the tree lighting at City Hall at 6:30 p.m. December 10th is the Children’s Christmas Party at 12:45 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Krueger Park. December 12th is the Lights of Hickory Hills Contest. Judging will begin at 6:30 p.m. and drivers are needed for this event.

    McAvoy/Chamber

    Alderman McAvoy was absent. Clerk Catizone noted she attended the Chamber Golf Outing Dinner and it was very nice.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Mayor Howley congratulated Alderman Ferrero on becoming a grandmother for the first time.

Mayor Howley noted he attended a meeting at the Cook County Forest Preserve District along with Larry Boettcher and Tom Lang to discuss drainage and silt at the Flamingo Terrace. He also noted he is waiting to see what directions they will go.

NEW BUSINESS

Alderman Szeszycki asked for the status of sidewalks on 91st Street and lights on 89th Street. Mayor Howley noted this is still pending.

ADJOURNMENT

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

Meeting adjourned at 8:28 p.m.