Home › Meeting Minutes › March 8, 2012 City Council Meeting Minutes

March 8, 2012 City Council Meeting Minutes

Posted on Posted in Meeting Minutes

CALL TO ORDER

The regular meeting of the Hickory Hills City Council was called to order by Mayor Mike Howley on Thursday, March 8, 2012 at 7:34 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
    T. McAvoy
    M. McHugh
    J. Stachnik
    J. Szeszycki
    H. 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 was absent. There being a quorum present, the meeting was called to order.

OPEN TO PUBLIC

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

Dr. Patel
AMBIT Energy

Dr. Patel is a consultant for AMBIT Energy. He is present to give the Council information on electric savings for residents. He will drop off information at the Clerk’s Office.

CLOSE TO PUBLIC

Alderman DeRose moved to close the meeting to the public. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen DeRose, McAvoy, 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 23, 2012 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen DeRose, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. Aldermen McAvoy pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

    MAYOR

    Refuse Increase

    Mayor Howley stated for the record the City’s refuse rate will go from $23.20 to $24.30 as of June 1, 2012 according to the contract.

    Precious Metals Proposed Ordinance

    Mayor Howley noted at the last meeting there was some discussion on a Precious Metals Ordinance. Attorney Cainkar distributed an example of such an ordinance that was passed in another city. Discussion on what is included in this type of ordinance. Attorney Cainkar also stated the jewelry store in town that is selling and buying gold would be included in this ordinance. After some discussion, this proposed Ordinance will be discussed at the March 22nd Committee meeting.

    Plumbing Inspector Appointment

    Building Commissioner, John Moirano, recommended the appointment of Mr. David Tavares as Plumbing Inspector. Mr. Moirano noted he has interviewed Mr. Tavares and found him very qualified for this position. Alderman McHugh moved to approve the appointment of Mr. David Tavares, Plumbing Inspector from March 8, 2012 to May 1, 2012. Alderman Zimmerman second. Aldermen DeRose, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    Public Works Ability to Issue Ordinance 12-4

    Mayor Howley explained the City has occasion for City Public Works Employees to identify illegal connections and they would be best suited to right violations at the time these violations are found. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Ordinance 12-4, an ordinance allowing the Department of Public Works to issue and serve citations on all persons and entities, as the case may be, for violating the provisions of Chapter 7, Sanitary Sewer Service. Alderman McAvoy second. Discussion took place on who would be writing the actual ticket. It was the consensus of the Council that the Public Works Director and Deputy Public Works Director should write these tickets. Alderman McHugh moved to amend Ordinance 12-4 to state the Public Works Director and Deputy would only issue these violations. Alderman McAvoy second. Aldermen McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. Alderman DeRose nay. So approved. Alderman McAvoy moved to approve the amended Ordinance 12-4. Alderman McHugh second. Aldermen McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. Alderman DeRose nay. So approved.

    Upcoming Collective Bargaining

    Mayor Howley thanked Alderman Szeszycki for volunteering to negotiate with Vince Cainkar on the Police Bargaining Agreement and Treasurer Schramm who will be working on the Public Works Contract.

    Electric Aggregation

    Mayor Howley reported the City’s newsletter will outline electric aggregation for the residents.

    Kiwanis Showcase

    Mayor Howley noted he attended the Kiwanis Showcase at Stagg High School last weekend and it was a very nice program which featured many high quality performances.

    Boy Scouts

    Mayor Howley also attended the Boy Scout Blue and Gold Luncheon on February 26th which was very well attended.

    Committee Appointments

    Mayor Howley announced the following committee chairmen. Alderman Waight, Laws and Ordinances; Alderman Zimmerman, Public Works; and Alderman Stachnik, Police Department.

    CITY CLERK

    Clerk Catizone reported March 20th is the primary and she has distributed a sample ballot. She noted there have been many changes to the precincts and the Clerk’s Office is prepared to direct residents where to vote.

    Clerk Catizone noted boxing for the troops will be on Thursday, March 15th at 6:00 p.m. at the Community Center.

    Clerk Catizone reminded the Council the Hickory Hills Youth Baseball is holding a fundraiser on Saturday, March 10th at Durbin’s from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

    Clerk Catizone has also ordered radon testing kits from Cook County; these will be available if residents would like to purchase one. This information is also on the City’s website.

    Clerk Catizone also announced there is a new artist at City Hall; she is Marilyn VandenBout. Her work will be at City Hall for the month of March.

    CITY TREASURER

    Treasurer Schramm presented the Treasurer’s Report dated February 29, 2012 for approval. Alderman McHugh moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report dated February 29, 2012. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen DeRose, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    CITY ATTORNEY

    No report submitted.

    CITY ENGINEER

    Mr. Lang reported he is finishing the resurfacing program plans pending reviews from IDOT and Cook County with a bid date in the third week of April.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the bills payable for the first half of March 2012 in the amount of $456,492.94. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen DeRose, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

    Szeszycki/Finance

    No report.

    Zimmerman/Public Safety

    No report.

    /Public Works

    Mr. Boettcher reported Public Works had initiated a sanitary sewer joint testing and grouting program in late December with budgeted sanitary rehab funds of only concrete pipe in poor soil areas. Poor pipe joints allow groundwater infiltration. The first area was along 99th Street from 78th Avenue to Roberts Road which revealed a failure rate of 40%. Area 2 along 77th Avenue to 95th Street then west to Roberts Road then Area 3 with an 18’ pipe along 87th Street east from 85th Avenue to Roberts Road followed by Area 4 on Roberts Road from 87th Street to 95th Street. He was very surprised that these joints are 3 feet apart. He noted budgeted funds are now exhausted at 95th Street. The remaining is 2,800 linear feet of 36 inch pipe from 95th Street to 99th Street for joint testing and grouting. Public Works is proposing to test and grout the concrete 36 inch pipe on Roberts Road for 2,800 linear feet. The cost is $125,000.00 which funds are available in the sanitary sewer fund. Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve this expenditure in the amount of $125,000.00 from the sanitary sewer fund for testing and grouting. Alderman Waight second. Aldermen DeRose, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    88th Avenue

    Mr. Boettcher noted Public Works attended the construction meeting for 88th Avenue. The contractor will initiate bypass road construction with flag men, and will be ready to asphalt pave when the plant opens on March 26th weather permitting. Detour signing will have been completed and single lane south bound traffic is planned for the last week in March. Public Works has proposed to the county to consider having the traffic light on 91st Street be placed in the flashing red mode. The County will take this under advisement.

    Public Works and Officer Sonntag met with Glen Oaks School Principal, Ms. Grimm, to discuss traffic plans.

    McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

    Alderman McHugh reported a new generator at Parkview is needed and bids are being gathered. This item will be on the Committee Meeting Agenda in March.

    Stachnik/Laws & Ordinances

    Alderman Stachnik is in receipt of a business application for Windy City Windows and More, Inc. located at 7667 W. 95th Street. No objections were noted.

    Alderman Stachnik reported Papa Pizzano’s will have a new owner.

    DeRose/Health & Environmental Control/Recycling

    Alderman DeRose reported while attending the Municipal Expo last Saturday, he talked with an electric company that can reduce costs. He also had some initial contact with a document company for recycling.

    Ferrero/Community Services/Youth Advisory Board

    Alderman Ferrero was absent. No report submitted.

    McAvoy/Chamber

    Alderman McAvoy thanked everyone for their assistance in getting his Election Day newsletter out.

    Alderman McAvoy noted the Chamber’s After Hours was held this evening at Green Hills Library and very interesting.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Treasurer Schramm would like to add Budget Scheduling to the March 22th Committee Agenda.

Mayor Howley noted Alderman Waight has brought to his attention a recent article in the Southtown regarding the importance of electric aggregation.

NEW BUSINESS

None.

ADJOURNMENT

Alderman DeRose moved to adjourn until the next regularly scheduled or specially called meeting. Alderman
Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen DeRose, McHugh, McAvoy, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved. Meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.