May 24, 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, May 24th, at 7:31 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:
    D. Ferrero
    T. McAvoy
    M. McHugh
    J. Stachnik
    J. Szeszycki
    B. Waight
    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
  • Building Commissioner, J. Moirano

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

OPEN TO PUBLIC

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

Greg Harris
Jerome Martin
Obsession Tattoo Inc.

Mr. Harris and Mr. Martin were present to express an interest in opening an upscale tattoo and piercing parlor at 7831 W. 78th Court. Mayor Howley noted this would require a hearing before the Zoning Board for a special use.

Mr. Joseph Alsahoury
Hickory Tobacco
9514 S. Roberts Road

Mr. Alsahoury is the owner of Hickory Tobacco. He is seeking permission to smoke cigars and cigarettes inside his tobacco shop, which currently was never. He noted business is down and this may attract more customers. He would also be doing some remodeling. The City Attorney will review our ordinance and investigate this matter.

CLOSE TO PUBLIC

Alderman Zimmerman moved to close the meeting to the public. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, 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 May 10, 2012 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

    MAYOR

    2012 – 2013 Appointments

    Mayor Howley presented the following 2012 -2013 Appointments.

    2012 Appointments

    City Attorney & City Prosecutor Vincent Cainkar
    City Engineer Tom Lang
    (Robinson Engineering, Ltd.)
    Chief of Police Al Vodicka
    Building Commissioner John Moirano
    Director of Public Works Larry Boettcher
    City Collector D’Lorah Catizone
    ESDA Director Christopher Knights
    Elevator Inspector Bernie Flynn
    (Thompson Elevator)
       
    Community Resource Officer Ingrid McNeff
    Plumbing Inspector David Tavares
    Electrical Inspector Rick Stiegal
    Fire Inspector Battalion Chief Don Huenecke
    Building Inspector Ed Mack
    Sprinkler Inspector James Groark

    Zoning Board of Appeals (7 Year Term)

    Syed Imam 01/28/98 – 4/30/19

    Auxiliary Police Officers (1 Year Term)

    Betty Soprych Tomislav Radoicic Valentine Zilinskas
    Anthony Luna Carol Lynch Steve Makropoulos
    Sandra Wood Nichola Janeteas Brian Trapp
    Alberto Sanchez Raymond Cicenas Matthew Michaels
    Mark Sanchez Arthur Ventura Edvinas Gaidomavicius

    Police Pension Board (2 year Term)

    James Kardelis 03/18/04 – 04/30/14

    Board of Fire & Police (3 Year Term)

    Ken Fonte 06/12/03 – 04/30/15

    Emergency Telephone Board (3 Year Term)

    Michael Murphy (retired Dep. Chief) 07/23/92 – 04/30/15
    Chief Jeffrey Ketchen – 04/30/15
    Joseph Stachnik 04/30/12 – 04/30/15
    Rocco Marciano 04/30/12 – 04/30/15

    Hearing Officer (1 Year Term)

    David E. Eppenstein, Jr. 6/01/06 – 04/30/13

    Human Rights Commission (3 Year Term)

    D’Lorah Catizone 05/1/12 – 04/30/15

    Community Affairs Commission (3 Year Term)

    Joann Jerantowski 04/28/94 – 04/30/15
    Mary Boettcher 03/27/97 – 04/30/15

    Alderman McHugh moved to approve the presented appointments for 2012. Alderman Ferrero second. Alderman Szeszycki questioned the City paying the Fire Department $10,000.00 and not receiving any reports. Alderman Szeszycki also questioned if the City has received any reports from the ESDA Director. Mayor Howley agreed the City should be getting some information from these departments. Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    Committee Meeting Schedule

    Mayor Howley noted that it is customary to cancel the Summer Committee Meetings. Alderman Zimmerman moved to cancel the June, July, August, and September Committee Meetings unless an emergency meeting becomes necessary. Alderman McAvoy second. Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    Golf Outing

    Mayor Howley invited the Council to attend his charity golf outing at Water’s Edge Golf Course on Saturday, June 2, 2012.

    Mayor Howley wished everyone a Happy Memorial Day and asked that we keep our military in our prayers.

    CITY CLERK

    Clerk Catizone is in receipt of a Block Party request for 9025 Hawthorn Drive on Sunday, June 3rd from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. No objections were noted.

    Clerk Catizone reported the Korean War Veterans South Suburban Chapter will be conducting its 15th Annual Daisy Day Fundraiser on Friday and Saturday, June 15th and 16th. They will be collecting at store fronts in our community.

    CITY TREASURER

    Treasurer Schramm presented the Treasurer’s Report dated April 30, 2012 for approval. Alderman McHugh moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report dated April 30, 2012. Alderman Szeszycki second. Roll Call: Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    CITY ATTORNEY

    Ord. 12-9

    Attorney Joe Cainkar presented Ordinance 12-9, an ordinance amending Building Code, of the Hickory Hills Municipal Code by changing Section 24.02, building permit fees. Mayor Howley noted considerable discussion had taken place at the last Council Meeting. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Ord. 12-9. Alderman McAvoy second. Change on Page three to add correct City Clerk name. Roll Call: Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    Res. 12-4

    Attorney Joe Cainkar presented Resolution 12-4, a resolution designating the Taxman Corporation as a developer for the City of Hickory Hills 94th Street Redevelopment Project area and authorizing negotiations for a redevelopment agreement. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Res. 12-4. Alderman Szeszycki second.

    Mayor Howley noted this would not cost the City and they would need approval of the City for any redevelopment. Roll Call: Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    CITY ENGINEER

    Mr. Lang reported the 2012 Road Program has started and smoke testing has begun in the Woodland Subdivision.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the bills payable for the second half of May 2012 in the amount of $220,682.19. Alderman Waight second. Roll Call: Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

    Szeszycki/Finance

    Alderman Szeszycki reported that a meeting was held this afternoon with the City’s Insurance Committee and he presented insurance premiums options. He is waiting for their recommendation by next Friday. Treasurer Schramm stated it was an excellent meeting with the City’s Health Insurance Committee.

    Stachnik/Public Safety

    No report submitted.

    Zimmerman/Public Works

    Mr. Boettcher reported Public Works met with the Forest Preserve District regarding dead branches and trees at Great Oaks and Arrowhead Condos that could fall against their building. The Forest Preserve District will cut down the dead trees, dead branches and all Ash trees that could die from the EAB over the next several years. He noted this project should be completed this year.

    Mr. Boettcher noted two manhole lids are missing and a fire hydrant cap and chains were cut and removed at the Dorn School parking lot. He noted that this should be put in the newspaper so residents are aware and can report this to the police.

    McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

    Alderman McHugh reported the Community Center will be closed this weekend and will reopen on Tuesday.

    Waight/Laws & Ordinances

    No report submitted.

    DeRose/Health & Environmental Control/Recycling

    Alderman DeRose was absent. No report submitted.

    Ferrero/Community Services/Youth Advisory Board

    Alderman Ferrero reported the Street Fair has 66 crafters and 8 food vendors as of today.

    Alderman Ferrero is seeking someone to sell food at the Street Fair Concert on Saturday.

    McAvoy/Chamber/Business Development

    Alderman McAvoy reported the Chamber Business After Hours was held on May 23rd and was very well attended.

    Alderman McAvoy thanked the Police Department and City Attorney Cainkar for their assistance with a parking matter.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Alderman McHugh noted if anyone is interested in working the Street Fair Beer Tent, he has the sign-up sheet.

NEW BUSINESS

None.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Alderman McAvoy moved to convene into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing threatened litigation. Alderman McHugh second. Roll Call: Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

ADJOURNMENT

Alderman Ferrero moved to reconvene into regular session and adjourn until the next regularly scheduled or specially
called meeting. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McHugh, McAvoy, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Meeting adjourned at 8:27 p.m.