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September 27, 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, September 27, at 7:35 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mayor Howley led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Police Presentations

Chief Vodicka presented awards to the following:

Sgt. Ervin Wee Sit

Sgt. Ervin Wee Sit was recognized for his twenty years of distinguished service with the Hickory Hills Police. Chief Vodicka stated that his contributions reflect positively on the entire department.

K-9 “Oscar”

Chief Vodicka presented Officer Mark Benaitis as handler for K-9 “Oscar”, the First Police K-9 for the City of Hickory Hills, with a Certificate of Appreciation. “Oscar” contributed to the safety and security of our residents from April 2003 through August 2006.

K-9 “Orry”

Chief Vodicka presented Officer James Compton as handler for K-9 “Orry” with a Certificate of Appreciation for five years of service to the City of Hickory Hills performing the duties of a Police K-9 from April 2007 through August 2012.

Officer Adam Gulczynski

Chief Vodicka presented Detective Adam Gulczynski with a Certificate of Commendation for contributing to the successful resolution of over twenty residential burglaries. He developed intelligence information which proved critical in the identification and apprehension of multiple offenders active throughout the City of Chicago and the South Suburbs from February through September, 2012.

Police Swearing in Ceremony

Probation Officer Jessica Martinez

At this time, Chief Vodicka introduced Probationary Police Officer Jessica Martinez. Mr. Fonte and Mr. Kman of the Fire/Police Commission administered the Oath of Office to Officer Martinez. Father Joseph Mol, Police Chaplain, offered a blessing. A small break was taken at this time.

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. Zimmermamn
  • Acting City Clerk, C. Doherty
  • City Treasurer, D. Schramm
  • City Attorney, V. Cainkar
  • City Engineer, T. Lang
  • Chief of Police, A. Vodicka
  • Public Works Director, L. Boettcher
  • Building Commissioner, J. Moirano

City Clerk Catizone 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 Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmermann aye. So approved.

Ms. Megan Visk, Field Organizer
Energy Impact Illinois

Ms. Visk presented information regarding Energy Impact Illinois. It is sponsored by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning and funded by a grant from U.S. Dept. of Energy. It has teamed locally with ComEd to provide rebates to help lower energy bills with home improvements of air sealing and insulation. Energy Impact Illinois is dedicated to helping communities save energy. Ms. Visk left brochures for review.

Mr. James Lassandrello
7933 W. 98th Street

Mr. Lassandrello asked if the City can develop an electronic recycling program along with battery disposal. Mayor Howley suggested Alderman DeRose look into establishing a permanent recycling program with our new waste hauler, Waste Management. Since Waste Management is much larger than Land and Lakes, perhaps they will have some ideas going forward.

CLOSE TO PUBLIC

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

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman McHugh moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of September 13, 2012 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. CORRECTIONS: Page 5, fourth paragraph, last sentence should read , proceeds have been recovered but the majority of items have been dispersed at various locations in the City of Chicago not sold at various locations in the City.

Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen DeRose, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmermann aye. Alderman Ferrero and Alderman Szeszycki pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

    MAYOR

    St. Patricia Golf Outing

    Mayor Howley reported that the St. Patricia Holy Name Golf Outing will be this Saturday, October 6th. All benefits will go to St. Patricia.

    Newsletter

    Mayor Howley stated the City newsletter will be going out soon with delivery expected early next week.

    Slavic Evangelical Church

    Mayor Howley invited everyone to attend services at the new Slavic Evangelical Church this coming weekend either on Saturday or Sunday.

    Cub Scouts

    Mayor Howley thanked the Cub Scouts, Alderman McAvoy and Chief Vodicka for their work in distributing flyers regarding the recent burglaries in town.

    Conrady Jr. High

    Mayor Howley reminded everyone that Conrady Jr. High School will be having an open house this Saturday, September 29th from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and Tuesday, October 2nd from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

    Walk Around the Park

    Mayor Howley noted the “Walk Around the Park” was very well attended by the seniors on Saturday, September 22nd. This year it was held at the Community Center. This location seems to be a better fit for this activity.

    Picture Us Chocolates, Inc.

    Mayor Howley passed around chocolates with the City logo imprinted on them. This was received as a thank you for just being a great City from one of our long time residents, Sandy Gierut.

    CITY CLERK

    No report.

    CITY TREASURER

    Treasurer Schramm presented the Treasurer’s Report dated August 31, 2012 for approval. Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report dated August 31, 2012. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmermann aye. So approved.

    CITY ATTORNEY

    Resolution #12-06:
    Community Development Block Grant

    Attorney Cainkar presented Resolution #12-06, a resolution of the City of Hickory Hills authorizing the execution of a subrecipient agreement for project number 12-015 under the County of Cook Community Development Block Grant Program. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Resolution 12-06. Alderman Stachnik second. Roll call: Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmermann aye. So approved.

    CITY ENGINEER

    Mr. Lang provided the Council with copies of the 2012 City Wide Flow Monitoring and 2012 City Wide Smoke Testing results. After review, he will contact Mayor Howley to discuss how to go forward with this information.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the bills payable for the second half of September, 2012 in the amount of $261, 505.59. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmermann aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

    Szeszycki/Finance

    No report.

    Stachnik/Public Safety

    Chief Vodicka reported that the Police Department has purchased three new vehicles which are all black with new graphics. Four vehicles were sold at auction.

    Chief Vodicka also reported that he is working with the City Attorney to resolve issues after a complaint regarding the apartments on 87th Street was received. Alderman McHugh questioned if a Criminal Housing Ordinance would be appropriate for our City. This will be investigated.

    Zimmerman/PublicWorks

    88th Avenue Reconstruction
    Public Works Director Boettcher stated that traffic has been relocated on the west half of 88th Avenue from 87th Street to 92nd Street. The east half will progress much quicker because of fewer drainage structures. Public Works has completed installation of the “water interconnect to Palos Hills” which will provide a backup water supply in case of an emergency from our water supplier. The ComEd service line must be modified for the roadway sub base to be installed. Public Works has contacted Ms. Katie Maier of ComEd to expedite this situation.

    Street Repaving
    Public Works Director Boettcher proposes to use the estimated annual MFT income of $350, 000 for street repaving unless other funds become available. Grinding and patching on streets where the pavement is failing has been initiated. Pavement preservation with “micro-surfacing” to extend the life on a few eligible streets has also been started.

    Fence along 88th Ave. & ravine north of Krueger Park
    Mayor Howley stated that the County has taken this fence down. He is aware the Park District would like it put back up. Public Works is in talks with the County to reinstall this fence. Although it has been graded and not as steep, its replacement would be welcome. It was thought that the Park District was paid for this fence when the property was purchased. If the County agreed to reinstall the fence, the City would have to pay for it and get reimbursed from the Park District.

    McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

    No report.

    Waight/Law & Ordinances

    Alderman Waight is in receipt of two business certificate applications. 1) Americas Construction Inc. located at 7667 W. 95th Street, 8E. This is a general contractor. 2) Here 2 There, located at 8821 W. 87th Street, C. This is a furniture/home furnishing store. No objections were noted.

    DeRose/Health & Environmental Control/Recycling Recycling

    No report.

    Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

    Alderman Ferrero stated that Community Affairs has a busy season planned. The Children’s Halloween Party is set for October 27th after the “Roar and Run for Fun 5k”. The Annual Tree Lighting will be on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. Since the Stagg Choir cannot sing for the Tree Lighting, it was suggested that Argo Community High School be contacted.

    Alderman Ferrero thanked all who attended her brother’s funeral service.

    McAvoy/Chamber/Business Development

    Alderman McAvoy reported that the Chamber Golf Outing on September 19th was a success. Last evening, he and Chief Vodicka attended the Arrowhead District of Chicagoland Council of Boy Scouts of America meeting where they thanked the 28 Scouts with City pins for their help in distributing flyers regarding the recent burglaries.

    UNFINISHED

    Roar and Run for Fun 5k race

    Mayor Howley stated that Waste Management will donate two port-a-potties and one handwasher for use during the race. They were told that they are welcome to place their banner along the race route.

    Forest Preserve

    Alderman Szeszycki questioned the status of the hazardous tree removal near the Arrowhead and Great Oaks condos. As of three weeks ago, Public Works Director Boettcher stated that the Forest Preserve District will not remove these trees because they are on private property situated between the two condos. Also, the ash trees will not be removed.

    NEW BUSINESS

    None.

    ADJOURNMENT

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

    Meeting adjourned at 9:08 p.m.