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January 26, 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 26, 2012 at 7:33 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. 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 Stachnik was absent. There being a quorum present, the meeting was called to order.

Lights of Hickory Contest Winners

Mayor Howley welcomed the winners of the Lights of Hickory Hills Contest. The winners are as follows:

1st Ward Groark Residence 1st Place
7909 98th Street

1st Ward Przybylski Residence 2nd Place
9604 78th Court

2nd Ward Hahn Residence 1st Place
8747 Kells

2nd Ward Smith Residence 2nd Place
9255 86th Avenue

3rd Ward Reynolds Residence 1st Place
8827 Beechnut

3rd Ward Skraba Residence 2nd Place
9081 Primrose

4th Ward Kubis Residence 1st Place
8800 S. 83rd Avenue

4th Ward Ayala Residence 2nd Place
8815 Pleasant Avenue

Each winner was presented with a small token of appreciation by their Aldermen.

OPEN TO PUBLIC

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

Mr. Mike Tortorello
9447 S. 86th Court

Mr. Tortorello addressed his concern regarding 9447 S. 86th Court. He asked if they had any building permits issued this last year. Alderman McHugh stated they will investigate this matter with the Building Department.

CLOSE TO PUBLIC

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

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman Moirano moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of January 12, 2012 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Ferrero second.

Correction: Page 5, third paragraph, second sentence should read by $250,000 not to $250,000. Roll call: Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

    MAYOR

    Chicago Water Rates

    Mayor Howley explained that Chicago has raised its water rate and Justice Willow Water District also passed this increase on to Hickory Hills. He noted the Council has discussed this matter over several meetings and the majority decided to increase the water rate to the residents.

    CITY CLERK

    Stagg High School Sign request

    Clerk Catizone received a request from Stagg High School to place signs up around the City for their Spring Arts and Crafts Show on March 17th and March 18th. No objections were noted.

    Clerk’s Office

    Clerk Catizone has noted a collection of $8,212.52 for commercial vehicles as of today. She also noted over $5,000.00 has been collected through the new online water payment program.

    Newsletter

    Clerk Catizone stated the newsletter deadline is February 15th.

    CITY TREASURER

    No report.

    CITY ATTORNEY

    CDBG Public Hearing

    Alderman Moirano moved to open the Public Hearing of the City of Hickory Hills concerning the 2012 Cook County Community Development Block Grant Program. Alderman Ferrero second. Aldermen DeRose, McAvoy, McHugh, Ferrero, Moirano, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved. Minutes are attached.

    Mrs. Groark
    7909 98th Street
    Hickory Hills

    Mrs. Groak asked if there are plans to repave 98th Street. Mayor Howley stated this is not eligible for this program but would be eligible for the street repaving program.

    Alderman Moirano moved to close the Public Hearing. Alderman Ferrero second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved. The Public Hearing was adjourned at 8:02 p.m.

    Attorney Mike Cainkar stated another Public Hearing will be held on February 9th for the Community Development Block Grant Program.

    Ord. 12-2

    Attorney Mike Cainkar presented Ordinance 12-2, an ordinance amending Chapter 34, alcoholic beverages, of the Hickory Hills Municipal Code by increasing the number of Class A Liquor Licenses. This ordinance will increase by two providing for the Walgreen’s Stores. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Ordinance 12-2. Alderman Moirano second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    Ord. 12-3

    Attorney Mike Cainkar presented Ordinance 12-2, an ordinance amending Section 6.10, Water Rates, of Chapter 6, Water Service, of the Hickory Hills Municipal Code by changing Water Rates. Alderman Moirano moved to approve Ordinance 12-3. Alderman McAvoy second. Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Zimmerman, Mayor Howley aye. Aldermen Szeszycki, Moirano DeRose nay. So approved.

    CITY ENGINEER

    No report submitted.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the bills payable for the second half of January 2012 in the amount of $241,799.94. Alderman Moirano second.

Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Moirano, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

    Szeszycki/Finance

    Alderman Szeszycki distributed copies of the Annual Financial Report for the year ended April 30, 2011. He asked that after it is read, if you do not want the copy, please return it to the Treasurer’s Office. No problems were noted with this year’s audit.

    Zimmerman/Public Safety

    No report.

    Chief Vodicka reported that he has given the Council a copy of a memo relating to Officer Beckwith and his recommendations. Also, he will have the Police Annual Report for the second meeting in February.

    Chief Vodicka reminded the Council the Hickory Hills Blood Drive will be held on Sunday, January 29th at the Community Center.

    Moirano/Public Works

    Alderman Moirano reported that the area between 93rd Street to 95th Street & Roberts Road west to 85th Court has been identified for sanitary sewer lining or paving under the CDBG. He noted Robinson Engineering stated sanitary sewer lining is an eligible activity under this program.

    Alderman Moirano noted sanitary pipe joints have been a problem of the City’s concrete sanitary pipe. National Power Rod Co. has started grouting concrete pipe on 99th Street from 78th Avenue to Roberts Road and is reporting a 43% joint failure rate. National Power Rod will continue to grout concrete pipe joints east of Roberts Road.

    McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

    Alderman McHugh reported the Building Department has a problem with their phones but are now up and running.

    Stachnik/Laws & Ordinances

    Alderman Stachnik was absent. No report.

    DeRose/Health & Environmental Control/Recycling

    Alderman DeRose reported he would like to thank the owners of Home Med Care on 87th Street for addressing a lighting concern behind their building.

    Ferrero/Community Services/Youth Advisory Board

    No report.

    McAvoy/Chamber

    No report.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

None.

ADJOURNMENT

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

Meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.