September 8, 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, September 8, 2011 at 7:31 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
  • 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

Aldermen Szeszycki and Zimmerman 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, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik aye. So approved.

Beautification Awards

Mayor Howley thanked the Beautification Committee, Sandy Carbonara and Sue Diaz for their efforts associated with this year’s beautification contest. The winners listed below were present and received a certificate along with a gift card from Ace Hardware.

Second Ward
Osborne Residence
9138 S. 85th Avenue

Third Ward
Janina Gawlak-Soca Residence
9045 W. Maple Lane

Fourth Ward
Bodganowicz Residence
8825 Pleasant Avenue

Rev. Juanita Christopher, Pastor
Pilgrim M.B. Church
8220 W. 91st Street

Rev. Christopher is requesting the posting of two public directional signs on the east and west side of Roberts Road between 87th Street and 95th Street. They are also asking for one sign at the corner of 82nd Avenue and 87th Street. These signs would serve as visual recognition for Hickory Hills’ visitors of the church’s location. Mayor Howley indicated the next step would be to have these signs approved by the County because Roberts Road is a County road. The City would provide an informational link to the County.

CLOSE TO PUBLIC

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

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman McHugh moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of August 25, 2011 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Moirano second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik aye. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

    MAYOR

    Constitution Week

    Mayor Howley presented a Proclamation for Constitution Week which will be held the week of September 17th through September 23rd. September 17, 2011 marks the two-hundred twenty four anniversary of the drafting of the United States Constitution of the United States of America by the Constitutional Convention.

    Mayor Howley stated our ordinance should be reviewed regarding wrestling in the City of Hickory Hills for the upcoming events. Alderman McHugh moved to waive Section 34.20 (a) of our Municipal Code for six months to allow wrestling events in Hickory Hills. Alderman McAvoy second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik aye. So approved.

    District 117 Artwork

    Mayor Howley thanked Clerk Catizone for reaching out to Jim Hook of School District 117 and obtaining artwork to display at City Hall. At the next Council meeting of September 22nd, the children and parents will be present for a small reception.

    Bench Dedication

    Mayor Howley also noted the bench dedication at Prairie Pond will take place at 6:00 p.m. on September 22nd.

    Rib Fest

    Mayor Howley stated the Da Bar Rib Fest went very well and was judged by himself, Clerk Catizone and Chief Vodicka. Everyone had an excellent day.

    5K Race

    Mayor Howley stated there is a website for the 5K Race where anyone can volunteer for the event on October 22, 2011.

    Electronic Recycling

    Mayor Howley announced an Electronic Recycling event will be held at City Hall on November 5, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Vintage Tech Recycling and Land and Lakes will be involved.

    CITY CLERK

    Clerk Catizone reported Stagg High School Music Boosters will be having their annual Fall Arts and Crafts Show on November 12th and November 13th. They would like to place signs on 95th Street and Roberts Road and 95th and 88th Avenue during the weeks of October 15th through November 14th. No objections were noted.

    Clerk Catizone is in receipt of a request from Richards High School Performing Arts Department to advertise their model train show event on October 15th. They would like to place signs at 95th and LaGrange, 87th and LaGrange, 87th and Roberts Road and 95th and Roberts Road 14 days prior to the event. No objections were noted.

    Clerk Catizone is in receipt of a request for a block party on 81st Avenue between 92nd Place and 93rd Street on Saturday, October 1st from 2:00 p.m. to dusk. No objections were noted.

    Clerk Catizone reminded the Council the deadline for the newsletter will be September 19th.

    CITY TREASURER

    Treasurer Schramm presented the Treasurer’s Report dated August 31, 2011. Alderman Moirano moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report for August 31, 2011. Alderman Stachnik second. Treasurer Schramm explained the disbursements from the Recycling Fund to the Utility Tax Fund that was questioned at the last meeting. This was an advance that the Utility Fund gave to the Recycling Fund for shortfalls from the last billing cycles. He also noted by the end of October this should be finished and the Recycling Fund should start to rise. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik aye. So approved.

    CITY ATTORNEY

    Attorney Cainkar stated notice was given that the City Council will be conducting a public hearing on a comprehensive amendment to the City of Hickory Hills Zoning Ordinance.

    Public Hearing

    Mayor Howley opened the Public Hearing.

    No one spoke during this portion of the Hearing.

    Mayor Howley closed the Public Hearing.

    Ord. 11-8

    Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance 11-8, an ordinance comprehensively amending The City of Hickory Hills Zoning Ordinance. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Ord. 11-8. Alderman Moirano second. Attorney Cainkar noted this Ordinance takes non-for-profit status out of the commercial districts and also some minor changes. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik aye. So approved.

    CITY ENGINEER

    No report submitted.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Stachnik moved to approve bills payable for the first half of September 2011 in the amount of $202,530.62. Alderman Ferrero second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

    Szeszycki/Finance

    Alderman Szeszycki was absent. Treasurer Schramm reported he has met with A.J. Gallagher regarding the City’s Property and Casualty Insurance for an October 1st renewal. The expiring premium is $160,000.00 and the renewal rate is $161,000.00. He noted Alderman Szeszycki will report on this at the next meeting.

    Zimmerman/Public Safety

    Chief Vodicka reported the Police Department has photos on their website of the last Council meeting at which State Rep. Kelly Burke presented awards to several Officers.

    Chief Vodicka noted the Blood Drive was a success with over 80 donors and he grilled over 100 hot dogs and hamburgers.

    Alderman McAvoy thanked the Police Department for their assistance with truck parking at Hickory Hills Plaza on 87th Street.

    Moirano/Public Works

    Alderman Moirano reported the utility companies were present at the 88th Avenue pre-construction meeting. Each utility listed the planned schedule for relocation with all work being completed by November. The County will be responsible for snow plowing during this time frame. The contractor K-5 and Lindahl Construction would not give a starting date or work progress schedule because the contract was not signed as of this meeting date. Pre-stage construction should start this fall in Palos Hills. Stage 1 detour (southbound traffic only) on 88th Avenue affecting Hickory is scheduled for March 2012 but some widening of the pavement should occur this fall. Hickory Hills has expressed concern over the referenced temporary closures that could affect the seven dead end streets exiting only upon 88th Avenue. The City map will be provided to our resident engineer depicting these locations.

    Mayor Howley thanked Alderman McAvoy for putting out the flyer for traffic routing on 88th Avenue during this construction that was shared with the schools.

    McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

    No report submitted.

    Stachnik/Laws & Ordinances

    No report submitted.

    DeRose/Health & Environmental Control/Recycling

    Alderman DeRose reminded the Council the E-Recycling date will be November 5th.

    Ferrero/Community Services/Youth Advisory Board

    No report submitted.

    McAvoy/Chamber

    Alderman McAvoy reported the Chamber will hold its golf outing on September 21, 2011.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

None.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Alderman Moirano moved to recess into Executive Session for purpose of discussion on the Radio Operator’s Agreement. Alderman McHugh second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik aye. So approved.

Executive Session began at 8:15 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT

At 9:06 p.m. Alderman Ferrero moved to reconvene into the regular session and adjourn the regular meeting until the next regularly scheduled or specially called meeting. No action was taken during Executive Session.

Meeting adjourned at 9:06 p.m.