August 23, 2012 City Council Meeting Minutes

CALL TO ORDER

The regular meeting of the Hickory Hills City Council was called to order by Mayor Mike Howley on Thursday, August 23, 2012 at 7:38 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. Stachnik
    J. Szeszycki
    B. Waight
    S. Zimmerman
  • City Clerk, D. Catizone
  • City Treasurer, D. Schramm
  • City Attorney, J. Cainkar
  • City Engineer, T. Lang
  • Police Chief, A. Vodicka
  • Public Works Director, L. Boettcher
  • Building Commissioner, J. Moirano

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

Mary Fontana
8620 W. 95th Street

Ms. Fontana voiced her concern with a pipe that is coming from a neighbor’s commercial building (restaurant) and draining into the retaining wall and driveway for her condo building. She noted it has caused water damage which required $300.00 in repairs.

Ms. Fontana has spoken to the owner and this water was directed to the sanitary sewer. It was inspected and had to be removed from the sewer and has now been diverted to the adjacent property. Mayor Howley advised a meeting be set with Public Works and her Aldermen. She also noted there were some issues with vandalism in the parking lot. Lastly, she noted some of the vans parked in the parking lot have been broken into.

Mayor Howley introduced Mr. Ken Keeler, owner of Kenootz Pizza, a new pizza establishment in Hillcreek Shopping Center. He then offered pizza to the City Council and audience. A short break was taken at this time.

Mrs. Yolanda Shaughnessy
Mr. Patrick Shaughnessy
9210 S. 79th Avenue

Mrs. Shaughnessy voiced her disappointment in the handling of her concerns regarding a foreclosed property next door.

Debbie Groark
7909 W. 98th Street

Mrs. Groark notified the Council that Conrady Jr. High will host an Open House on September 29th and October 10th.

CLOSE TO PUBLIC

Alderman Waight moved to close the meeting to the public. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen DeRose, 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 August 9, 2012 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. Alderman DeRose pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Wendy’s

Mayor Howley noted Wendy’s re-grand opening is tentatively set for Friday, September 7th.

Proclamation

Mayor Howley announced the week of September 17th through September 23rd as Constitution Week. He read a proclamation urging citizens to study the Constitution, and to reflect on the privilege of being an American.

Job Fair

Mayor Howley reported Congressman Lipinski is holding a job fair at the Sabre Room on Friday, August 24th at 10:00 a.m.

Waste Management Agreement

Mayor Howley noted Waste Management has purchased Land and Lakes and they are requesting Consent to An Assignment and Assumption Agreement. Attorney Cainkar noted Waste Management will be taking over the contract from Land and Lakes Disposal. Alderman Ferrero moved to approve the Consent to Assignment and Assumption Agreement. Alderman McHugh second. Roll Call: Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Electric Aggregation

Mayor Howley explained when the City began its electric aggregation it did not include some small and mid-size businesses. We are forwarding the businesses Integry’s information so they can investigate electrical pricing options.

CITY CLERK

Clerk Catizone is in receipt of a request from the Sertoma Club seeking donations for their ad book. They are holding a fall festival at Gaelic Park in October. Alderman McAvoy moved to approve a $100.00 donation from the City’s discretionary fund for this ad. Alderman Szeszycki second. Roll Call: Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Clerk Catizone reported the newsletter article deadline is September 7th.

The newsletter will be going out the first week of October.

Clerk Catizone noted The Hickory Hills Lions Club will be hosting their 3rd Annual Roar and Run for Fun 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, October 27th. The event will begin at 9:00 a.m. with the start and finish at City Hall.

Clerk Catizone announced in the interest of greater efficiency and cost savings, the Clerk’s Office is now registering residents to vote online. The Cook County Clerk’s Office has created an online portal for entering voter information.

Block Party

Clerk Catizone is in receipt of a Block Party
request for 9131 W. 92nd Place for Saturday, September 8th from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. No objections were noted.

CITY TREASURER

No report submitted.

CITY ATTORNEY

Ord. 12-16

Attorney Joseph Cainkar presented Ordinance 12-16, an ordinance levying taxes for general corporate, and other purposes for the fiscal year beginning May 1, 2012 and ending April 30, 2013, for the City of Hickory Hills, Cook County, Illinois. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Ord. 12-16. Alderman McAvoy second. Roll Call: Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Ord. 12-17

Attorney Joseph Cainkar presented Ordinance 12-17, an ordinance amending Chapter 2, City Council, by changing Section 2.01, Wards, of the Hickory Hills Municipal Code. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Ord. 12-17. Alderman Waight second. Roll Call: Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY ENGINEER

No report submitted.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the bills payable for the second half of August, 2012 in the amount of $481, 538.15. Alderman Stachnik second. Roll Call: Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

    Szeszycki/Finance

    No report submitted.

    Stachnik/Public Safety

    Alderman Stachnik distributed two memos from the Police Safety Department on the home burglaries in our area and surrounding areas.

    Chief Vodicka stated he has done a survey from calls after sending out the information flyer asking residents to call in suspicious activity to 911. He noted 74 calls on suspicious vehicles and 39 calls on suspicious persons. This has been effective but did not result in any arrests. It has heightened awareness.

    Zimmerman/Public Works

    Alderman Zimmerman thanked everyone for their kind words on the recent passing of his father.

    Alderman Zimmerman deferred the report to Mr. Boettcher.

    88th Ave. Reconstruction
    Mr. Boettcher stated the asphalt was placed from 95th Street north to 93rd Street and traffic changed over to this new pavement on 88th Avenue. Excavation and sub base stone is moving rapidly to the north. Concrete curb and asphalt will follow immediately with traffic by mid-September. Also, the contractor is installing new sidewalks and street lighting foundations after the asphalt. The paving contractor’s activity has accelerated since underground utilities have been completed. The project is currently behind thirty days, but the County contends both lanes of traffic will be open by fall.

    Truck Purchase
    Mr. Boettcher noted Public Works will order a Ford 550 dump truck for asphalt patching. This truck will be purchased through Hawk Ford at State purchase rate for the budgeted amount of $37, 000.00. No objections were noted.

    McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

    No report submitted.

    Waight/Law & Ordinances Ordinances

    Alderman Waight is in receipt of three business certificate applications. 1) Kenootz Pizza located at 8609 W. 95th Street and 2) Clark Financial Services located at 7667 W. 95th Street Suite 201. This is an income tax preparation and small accounting business office. 3) Roberts Roadhouse business certificate only pending liquor license located at 9090 Roberts Road. No objections were noted.

    At this time, Erwin Ernst, Zoning Chairman recommended the Council review and expand Industrial Area permitted uses. Recently, we have had inquiries on a truck repair facility and wrestling school. He also noted currently there is a dance studio which is non-conforming. By reviewing this ordinance, these would be allowed. The requests for the above businesses have been turned in. The Attorney will draft the additional permitted uses in our current ordinances.

    DeRose/Health & Environmental Control/Recycling Environmental Control/Recycling

    Alderman DeRose reported the confirmed cases of West Nile Virus in our area. He noted mosquito spraying has been done. He also mentioned to use safety measures when you are outdoors.

    Alderman DeRose noted there has been BP tainted gas in the area and he noted you can contact the station for further information.

    Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory Affairs/Youth Advisory

    Alderman Ferrero reported Community Affairs is working on the Halloween Party on October 27th.

    McAvoy/Chamber/Business Development/Business Development

    Alderman McAvoy reported the Hills Chamber will hold a their annual golf outing on September 19th.

    UNFINISHED BUSINESS

    Alderman McHugh inquired if the City could have a system in place for vacant property and grass cutting. This could involve several departments. Alderman McHugh would like to discuss this further at an upcoming committee meeting. Building Commissioner Moirano also noted apartment buildings should be addressed.

    Alderman McHugh is in receipt of a request from DA Bar to hold a rib judging contest on September 1st from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. No objections were noted.

    NEW BUSINESS

    None.

    ADJOURNMENT

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

    Meeting adjourned at 9:01 p.m.