January 12, 2012 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, January 12, 2012 at 7:32 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 (7:40pm)
    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

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

Welcome to Highlander’s Grill

Mayor Howley welcomed the owners of Highlander’s Grill located at 7831 W. 95th Street to our City. Their menu includes a mix of American food and Polish items which received great reviews from some members of the Council.

Electronic Recycling Presentation

Alderman McAvoy thanked all the people who volunteered at the Electronic Recycling Event and presented certificates to those present. The remaining certificates will be available for pick up at the Clerk’s office. Mayor Howley expressed his gratitude to Mr. Barney Boss of Land and Lakes and the Vintage Tech Recycling Group.

OPEN TO PUBLIC

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

CLOSE TO PUBLIC

Alderman Zimmerman moved to close the meeting to the public. Alderman Szeszycki second. Aldermen DeRose, 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 December 8, 2011 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Moirano second.

Roll call: Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mayor Howley thanked Alderman McAvoy for putting together the newly drawn package with the new districts of our various Representatives, State Senators, and Federally elected officials.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

    MAYOR

    PATSE Bus Financial Request

    Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve a $12,799.26 financial support request for the PATSE Bus. Alderman McAvoy second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    St. Patricia Holy Name Liquor License Super Bowl Request

    Alderman Moirano moved to approve the St. Patricia Holy Name Super Bowl liquor license request. Alderman Ferrero second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    Walgreen’s Liquor License Request

    Mayor Howley stated Walgreen’s is requesting a Class A liquor license for two locations. After brief discussion, it was the consensus of the Council that we would need to create two Class A licenses. Attorney Cainkar was directed to prepare the paperwork for vote at the next Council meeting.

    Hickory Hills Youth Baseball/Softball Financial Support

    Alderman Moirano moved to approve a donation in the amount of $175.00 from our Discretionary Account to the Hickory Hills Youth Baseball/Softball Association. Alderman Ferrero second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    Municipal Electric Aggregation

    Mayor Howley stated the link he had forwarded to the Council regarding electricity is simple to use. This has to be applied for up until the actual aggregation occurs. You will be charged 20% less for your electric usage. Mayor Howley also stated that the Southwest Conference of Mayors is doing research into organizing the communities regarding negotiations and their recommendations for which course of action to take.

    CITY CLERK

    St. Patricia School Sign request

    Clerk Catizone received a request from St. Patricia School to place signs up around the City for their Open House on February 5th. Mayor Howley noted this was fine but no signs at 95th and Roberts Road.

    Statement of Economic Interest

    Clerk Catizone has a complete list of people who need to fill out their Statement of Economic Interest to Cook County for 2012. She asked that these people submit them as soon as possible.

    Electronic training on the Open Meetings Act

    Per correspondence from the Attorney General’s Office, training on the Open Meetings Act is on-line. Clerk Catizone will make her office computer available to do this training. It will take about one hour. This needs to be completed by January, 2013.

    Clerk’s office hours

    The Clerk’s office has posted their office hours on the front door and has a sign directing residents to the drop box.

    Commercial Vehicle Stickers 2012

    The City’s Commercial Vehicle Sticker Applications for 2012 have been mailed and are already being returned. The 2011 stickers expire on January 31st.

    New Precinct Map

    A new precinct map is posted in the Clerk’s office.

    CITY TREASURER

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

    CITY ATTORNEY

    Ord. 12-01

    Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance 12-01, an ordinance approving a second amendment to temporary lease agreement between the City of Hickory Hills and new Cingular Wireless PCS, LLC for the property located at 8800 W. 87th Street. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Ord. 11-9. Alderman Stachnik second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. Alderman McAvoy pass. So approved.

    CITY ENGINEER

    No report submitted.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the bills payable for the first half of January 2012 in the amount of $534,763.87. Alderman Ferrero second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the bills payable for the second half of December 2011 in the amount of $99,134.54. Alderman Stachnik second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

    Szeszycki/Finance

    Various discussions were had on three proposed water rate options which will be approved at the next Council meeting. Treasurer Schramm reported that the water increase passed on to the City from Justice/Willow Springs will increase our water costs in 2012 by $250,000. Consensus was to go with Option #1 which has a 13% ($4.65 to $5.25 per thousand gallons) increase while operating the water system at breakeven rate.

    Zimmerman/Public Safety

    Chief Vodicka reported that two new links have been added to the Hickory Hills Police website. The first is a “Security Assessment” where businesses can schedule a check of their surveillance equipment or their physical security structure. The second is a “Satisfaction Survey” which supplements the Department’s random weekly callback surveys. These are attempts to reach out to the community to keep in touch and make the police department more easily accessible.

    Moirano/Public Works

    Alderman Moirano reported that our commercial water accounts were notified about IEPA’s requirement to survey Cross-connections every two years. This program will be starting this month.

    McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

    No report.

    Stachnik/Health & Environmental Control /Recycling

    Alderman Stachnik reported that he is in receipt of one business license application for Estetica Beauty Salon, 7831 W. 95th Street, Unit B. This is a basic beauty salon with regular operating hours. No objections were noted.

    DeRose/Law & Ordinances

    No report.

    Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

    No report.

    McAvoy/Chamber/Business Development

    Alderman McAvoy expressed his thanks to the Police Department for sponsoring Officer Heidi Sonntag who has joined the Board of Directors of the Chamber. He looks forward to her contributions.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

None.

ADJOURNMENT

Alderman Moirano moved to adjourn the meeting into executive session to discuss litigation related to MWRD and IEPA. Alderman Ferrero second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Meeting adjourned at 8:36 p.m.