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November 11, 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, November 10, 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. Stachnik
    J. Szeszycki
    S. Zimmerman
  • City Clerk, D. Catizone
  • City Treasurer, D. Schramm
  • City Attorney, V. Cainkar
  • City Engineer, T. Lang
  • Police Chief, A. Vodicka
  • Public Works Director, L. Boettcher

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

At this time, Ms. Lois Lauer of the Palos Heights Center described the programs being offered at the Center and also thanked the Council for allowing them to have the art display at City Hall during the months of November and December.

OPEN TO PUBLIC

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

Viera Ozdinec
Realtor

Ms. Ozdinec is present this evening to ask permission from the Council to allow a prospective buyer, who is in attendance, an extension on paving the parking lot of the Church located at 9309-9313 S. 88th Avenue, Hickory Hills. The Council had requested the previous owner pave the parking lot within the year of purchase. Alderman Zimmerman moved to grant this request and give the new buyer (Slavic Evangelical Church) 18 months or until May 2013 to pave the entire parking lot. Alderman Ferrero second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CLOSE TO PUBLIC

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

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman McHugh moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of October 27, 2011 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Szeszycki second. Roll call: Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McHugh, McAvoy, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

    MAYOR

    NIMEC Presentation

    Mayor Howley introduced Ms. Sharon Durling, a representative from NIMEC (Northern Illinois Municipal Electrical Cooperative). NIMEC allows commercial users to purchase power from other sources other than Commonwealth Edison. Ms. Durling explained the benefits of the City of Hickory Hills joining this cooperative. The consumer savings has been 23%-30% lower than Com Ed. She noted the service is provided at no charge to its members because NIMEC receives an origination fee from suppliers for aggregating the load and presenting it to the suppliers for bid. Ms. Durling reviewed the Municipalities Aggregation Benefits and the process the City would have to complete.

    Before the City begins the process of municipal aggregation of residents’ accounts, a voter referendum must be passed to authorize a city to undertake such contacts. The deadline for this option would be December 31st to appear on the March 2012 ballot. It was the consensus of the Council to place this on the agenda for the December 8th meeting for a vote. The Council would also like to get some concrete numbers on the savings to the residents.

    Lions Club5K Run

    Mayor Howley has received a thank you from Vince Uzzardo of the Lions Club for all the City’s assistance with the 5K Run. Mr. Uzzardo noted they had 144 runners and 127 finishers, 40 were from Hickory Hills. They look forward to next year’s run.

    8602 S. 85th Court

    Mayor Howley noted the item on the agenda under Approval of Structure at 8602 S. 85th Court was discussed with the Aldermen and building permits will be issued.

    December’s Council Meeting

    Mayor Howley asked the Council for their recommendation on the December Council Meeting schedule. It was the consensus of the Council to cancel the December 22nd Council meeting and have a Committee (6:30 p.m.) and Council meeting (7:30 p.m.) on Thursday, December 8, 2011.

    PLOWS Luncheon

    Mayor Howley attended the PLOW’S Luncheon on October 28th. At that time Warren Host from our Senior Task Force was honored.

    Cook County Sheriff Dart

    Mayor Howley attend the graduation of the seniors who participated in Sheriff Dart’s 6 week program at the Community Center. He also congratulated his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Howley upon their graduation.

    CITY CLERK

    Clerk Catizone reported the Clerk’s Office is now offering e-pay through Illinois Funds. Residents can now pay their water bill online.

    Clerk Catizone noted the Clerk’s Office will be decorating the tree at Brookfield Zoo on Saturday, November 19th at 9:15 a.m.

    Clerk Catizone also noted last evening she attended the Cook County Board of Review’s Tax Appeal Seminar. It was very informative and a great opportunity to learn the process of filing an appeal.

    Clerk Catizone thanked the Clerk’s Office staff, Sharon, Monika and Laura along with Marilyn Gabrysiak for all their help at last Saturday’s Electronic Recycling event. It was a very busy morning unloading all of the cars.

    Clerk Catizone also thanked Hickory Hills Blood Drive Coordinator, Alicia Vodicka for all of her efforts last Sunday at the Blood Drive. Seventy-three units were collected and also Emery Moorehead of the 1985 Chicago Bears was available for autographs.

    Lastly, Clerk Catizone congratulated Georgia from Archer Bank on receiving the Business Person of the Year Award from the Hills Chamber of Commerce.

    CITY TREASURER

    Treasurer Schramm presented the Treasurer’s Report dated October 31, 2011 for approval. Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the October 31, 2011 Treasurer’s Report. Alderman McHugh second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    CITY ATTORNEY

    No report submitted.

    CITY ENGINEER

    No report submitted.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the bills payable for the second half of October 2011 in the amount of $400,109.34. Alderman Ferrero second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Alderman Ferrero moved to approve the regular and customary bills for the second half of November 2011. Alderman McHugh second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Treasurer Schramm reported a final payment of approximately $36,000.00 will end the general obligation utility tax alternative revenue source bond series 2001. This 3.5 million dollar bond was for the construction of the Police Station.

STANDING COMMITTEES

    Szeszycki/Finance

    No report submitted.

    Zimmerman/Public Safety

    No report submitted.

    Moirano/Public Works

    Alderman Moirano was absent. Mr. Boettcher reported National Power Rodding will begin their project and continue into the spring. This is a budgeted item and will cost approximately $120,000.00.

    McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

    Alderman McHugh reminded the Council the Thanksgiving Community Dinner will be held on November 15th at 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.

    Stachnik/Laws & Ordinances

    Alderman Stachnik reported that he is in receipt of one business license application for King Spa located at 7831 W. 95th Street. This is a business offering massages with three employees. Alderman Stachnik is recommending granting this business certificate with the stipulation he applies for a license for the Lush Massage which is operating without a license on Roberts Road. No objections were noted.

    DeRose/Health & Environmental Control/Recycling

    Alderman DeRose reported the Electronic Recycling Environmental Control Event on Saturday, November 4th was a huge success and thanked all the volunteers.

    Alderman DeRose noted for the third quarter of recycling a check for $7,749.97 was received from Land and Lakes. Treasurer Schramm noted that the recycling fund only owes $5,000.00 to the utility tax fund, so the City should see that Recycling fund starting to rise.

    Ferrero/Community Services/Youth Advisory Board

    Alderman Ferrero reminded the Council of the upcoming events. The Tree Lighting on November 22nd, the Children’s Christmas Party on December 10th and the Lights of Hickory Hills Contest on December 13th.

    McAvoy/Chamber

    Alderman McAvoy reported that the Chamber Night went very well on November 2nd at the Sabre Room with the Mayors of Hickory Hills and Palos Hills as speakers. It was also very well attended.

    Alderman McAvoy reported a Chamber networking breakfast will take place on November 16th at 7:30 a.m. at Koko’s Restaurant.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Alderman DeRose reminded the Council that Sertoma will begin selling Christmas Trees in the Sabre Room parking lot the day after Thanksgiving.

Mayor Howley noted with regards to the energy proposal there are some different programs. For example, they have an ESP (Energy Savings Program) available right now for residents or the other option of going the aggregation route. He also explained the City needs to explore these programs carefully and look at all the options.

NEW BUSINESS

None.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Alderman Ferrero moved to adjourn into executive session to discuss Police Personnel. Alderman McHugh second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McHugh, McAvoy, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

ADJOURNMENT

Meeting adjourned at 8:46 p.m.