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February 23, 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, February 23, 2012 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
    M. McHugh
    J. Stachnik
    J. Szeszycki
    B. Waight
    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
  • Building Commissioner, J. Moirano

Aldermen Ferrero and McAvoy were absent. There being a quorum present, the meeting was called to order.

Police Service Recognition

At this time Chief Al Vodicka presented a 30 year pin to Officer Steve Wagner. Mayor Howley congratulated Officer Wagner for his years of dedicated service to the City of Hickory Hills.

OPEN TO PUBLIC

Alderman Stachnik moved to open the meeting to the public. Alderman Szeszycki second. Roll call: Aldermen DeRose, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

No one spoke during this portion of the meeting.

CLOSE TO PUBLIC

Alderman DeRose moved to close the meeting to the public. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen DeRose, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman McHugh moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of February 9, 2012 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Szeszycki second. Roll call: Aldermen DeRose, McHugh, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. Aldermen Stachnik and Waight pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

    MAYOR

    HH Street Fair Liquor License

    Mayor Howley presented the temporary liquor license for the Street Fair on June 23rd and June 24th , 2012. Alderman McHugh moved to approve a temporary liquor license for the Hickory Hills Street Fair on June 23rd, 24th , 2012. Alderman Stachnik second. Roll call: Alderman DeRose, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    St. Patricia HNS Fish Fry

    Mayor Howley is in receipt of a request from the St. Patricia’s HNS for a liquor license at their upcoming Fish Fry. Alderman DeRose moved to approve the temporary liquor license for the Fish Fry on Friday, February 24, 2012 with fees waived. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen DeRose, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye.

    Res. 12-02
    HHYB Parade

    Mayor Howley presented Res. 12-02, a resolution requesting permission for temporary closure of a state highway. The purpose of this resolution is to conduct an Opening Day Parade for Hickory Hills Youth Baseball. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Res. 12-02. Alderman Stachnik second. Roll call: Aldermen DeRose, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    Jewel/Osco Garden Center

    Mayor Howley is in receipt of a request from Jewel-Osco for a temporary Garden Center from March 19th through June 30th. Alderman Waight moved to approve this request for a temporary Garden Center at Jewel-Osco. Alderman Szeszycki second. Roll call: Aldermen DeRose, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman. So approved.

    Robinson Engineering Flow Testing/Smoke Testing

    Mayor Howley reported at a previous meeting the Council had approved Phases 1 and 2 of the 2012 Sewer System Evaluation Survey but no formal motion was made. Alderman McHugh moved to approve the 2012 Sewer System Evaluation Survey (Phases 1 and 2) which would include City Wide Flow Monitoring and City Wide Smoke Testing in the amount of $254,000.00. Alderman Stachnik second. This work will be completed by Robinson Engineering. Roll call: Aldermen DeRose, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    Mayor Howley reminded the Council the Southwest Conference of Mayors is holding the Municipal Expo at Belvidere in Palos Hills on Saturday, February 25th.

    Mayor Howley reported Danos Properties will be coming in for permits shortly on the property next to the new McDonald’s. He also reported Wendy’s will start some extensive remodeling and they will keep their drive through open.

    Lastly, Mayor Howley extended his sympathy to the family of Sharon Marciano (Clerk’s Office) on the passing of her father, Mr. Harold Woitke.

    CITY CLERK

    Clerk Catizone reported voter registration is now closed until after the March 20th primary.

    Clerk Catizone also extended her condolences to Sharon Marciano and her family during this difficult time.

    CITY TREASURER

    Treasurer Schramm presented the Treasurer’s Report dated January 31, 2012 for approval.

    Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report dated January 31, 2012. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen DeRose, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    CITY ATTORNEY

    No report submitted.

    CITY ENGINEER

    Mr. Lang reported the 89th Street Lighting Project plans are ready and the bid date will be April 3, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. This project will be funded from a $150,000.00 grant that was received by the City.

    Mr. Lang noted another $250,000.00 federal grant was awarded to the City for safe streets. This project would include sidewalks on 91st Street to the school. He noted that he has attended a meeting which is a requirement because these are federal funds. The $250,000.00 will cover the construction and the engineering costs.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the bills payable for the second half of February 2012 in the amount of $208,771.70. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen DeRose, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

    Szeszycki/Finance

    No report.

    Zimmerman/Public Safety

    Chief Vodicka reported he has distributed the 2011 Annual Report to the City Council. He noted the report is now also available online.

    /Public Works

    Public Hearing
    At this time a Public Hearing was opened in accordance with General Permit ILR40 issued by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit Program. The purpose of the public hearing is discussing the City’s initiatives to conform to the program.

    The minimum control measures are:

    • Public Education and Outreach: which is met through City newsletters, pamphlets.
    • Public Participation and Involvement: which is met through this public hearing, yard waste and tree planting.
    • Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination: which is met through storm atlas, outfalls identified and inspection of discharged water.
    • Construction and Post Construction Site Runoff Control: which is met through ordinances passed by the City and City Inspections.
    • Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping of Municipal Operations: which is met through employee training programs, street sweeping and review of the actions and operations of the City for potential impacts to clean storm water runoffs.

    That is the summary of the commitment by the City of Hickory Hills to satisfy the IEPA general permit requirements. No questions were noted. Public Hearing is now closed.

    Mr. Boettcher also reported he attended a meeting on February 10th on the 88th Avenue reconstruction. County Hwy. Project Manager John Sek will hold bi-monthly meetings during construction season to address issues as they arise. The contractor is K-5 and will start work in early March.

    McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

    No report submitted.

    Stachnik/Laws & Ordinances

    Alderman Stachnik is in receipt of several business applications. Gulfco Ltd located at 8855 S. Roberts Road is a business to provide housing for ex-veterans. Future Service Property is also located at 8855 S. Roberts Road. This is a real estate business with three employees. Eternity Salon located at 8827 W. 87th Street is a nail salon. No objections were noted.

    Lastly, Alderman Stachnik is in receipt of a request to open a “Cash for Gold” store. No location at this time but owner was asking if the City would have any objections. After some discussion, this business application is under advisement until the attorney reviews if there are any restrictions.

    DeRose/Health & Environmental Control/Recycling

    Alderman DeRose reported Cook County and the State of Illinois will continue to conduct a radon awareness program by distributing radon detector kits. The kit can be ordered for a low cost of $7.00. Information will be posted on the City’s website.

    Ferrero/Community Services/Youth Advisory Board

    Alderman Ferrero was absent. No report submitted.

    McAvoy/Chamber

    Alderman McAvoy was absent. No report submitted.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

Mayor Howley announced PLOWS Council on Aging is taking appointments for the Illinois Circuit Breaker Program. This information will be posted on the City’s website or you can call (708) 361-0219 for more information.

ADJOURNMENT

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

Meeting adjourned at 8:16 p.m.