October 11, 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, October 11th, 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
    M. McHugh
    J. Stachnik
    J. Szeszycki
    B. Waight
    S. Zimmerman
  • City Clerk, D. Catizone
  • City Treasurer, D. Schramm
  • City Attorney, V. Cainkar (8:00 p.m.)
  • City Engineer, T. Lang
  • Chief of Police, A. Vodicka
  • Public Works Director, L. Boettcher
  • Building Commissioner, J. Moirano

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

OPEN TO PUBLIC

Seeing no one in the audience, Mayor waived this portion of the meeting.

CLOSE TO PUBLIC

This portion of the meeting waived.

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman McHugh moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of September 27, 2012 as printed subject to deletions or corrections.

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

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

    MAYOR

    November/December Meetings

    Mayor Howley reminded the Council in October the Committee Meetings resume. The Committee Meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on October 25th. He also noted the second meeting in November lands on Thanksgiving. After some discussion, it was the consensus of the Council to hold one meeting on November 8th. This meeting will begin with the Veterans Memorial Service at 6:30 p.m. and start of meeting at 7:30 p.m. In December, the meeting will be December 13th with Committee Meeting at 6:30 p.m. and Council meeting at 7:30 p.m. No objections were noted.

    Fred Carbonara Day

    Mayor Howley announced that October 26, 2012 will be Fred Carbonara Day in honor of his service to the City for many years.

    St. Patricia Request

    Mayor Howley is in receipt of a request for a temporary liquor license for St. Patricia’s Parish on October 27th to hold their annual Oktoberfest. Alderman Stachnik moved to approve this temporary liquor license for October 27th from 5:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. with fees waived. Alderman McHugh second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    CITY CLERK

    Clerk Catizone reported Stagg High School Music Boosters will be having their annual Fall Arts and Crafts Show on November 10th and 11th. They are requesting to put signs up at 95th and 88th Avenue during the week of October 15th through November 12th. No objections were noted.

    OMA Training

    Clerk Catizone reminded the Council the Open Meeting Electronic Training for elected and appointed officials must be completed by January 1, 2013.

    Boxing for Troops

    Clerk Catizone noted the boxing for the Troops will take place on Tuesday, October 16th at 6:00 p.m. at the Community Center.

    MCI Academy

    Clerk Catizone thanked the City Council for supporting her as she attended the Municipal Clerk’s Academy in Springfield on September 25th -28th.

    CITY TREASURER

    No report submitted.

    CITY ENGINEER

    Mr. Lang provided some project updates. He noted lights on 89th Street should be on next Thursday. In addition regarding the sidewalks on 91st Street, the agreements have been in Springfield waiting for signatures.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman McHugh moved to approve the bills payable for the first half of October, 2012 in the amount of $575, 753.42. Alderman Szeszycki second. Roll call: Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

    Szeszycki/Finance

    No report.

    Stachnik/Public Safety

    Alderman Stachnik distributed the police quarterly productivity report for July, August and September 2012. Also, he distributed a copy of the Community Resources/Animal Warden’s report.

    Zimmerman/PublicWorks

    Tree Removal Program
    Public Works Director Boettcher stated that Public Works has prepared a RFP for removal of eighteen trees with stumps and in addition, the removal of twenty-two stumps for trees cut down by Public Works. The lowest proposal was received from John’s Pro Tree Service in the amount of $6,450. 00. Public Works will issue a purchase order to this company unless there is any expressed concern. No objections were noted. Mr. Boettcher stated residents seeking tree removal can contact Public Works for the telephone number of this company.

    Street Repaving
    Public Works Director Boettcher distributed a proposed list of streets to be repaved next year using only MFT (Motor Fuel Tax) Funds to the Council. Reconstruction will be less than a mile. The City has 50 miles of streets to be maintained, and we will far exceed the estimated pavement life of our streets. Therefore, pavement preservation by Micro-surfacing has also been proposed. The pavement program should be finalized by the November meeting to allow Robinson to prepare the drawings and specification for the bidding next spring.

    88th Avenue Reconstruction
    Public Works Director Boettcher noted at the last CCHD meeting the Chief of Construction was present to review job progress. Job delays are the fault of utility relocation and their cooperation with the County.

    The City was fortunate to have Com Ed lower the power service line at Pump House #2 on Wednesday, a week after discovery. AT&T still has not lowered the telephone cable at 9309 on 88th Avenue, which has been exposed since late September. Public Works will lower this cable Friday if they do not appear. Every day counts on this project and especially this late in the year. AT &T has been lowering the duct run this week before the underground contractor was even in the area. Public Works has been relocating and/or building water valves under the proposed new pavement. Lastly, the light pole foundations are currently being installed around the multitude of utilities.

    Alderman Szeszycki inquired as to the meaning of micro-surfacing. PW Director Boettcher stated this is a project at which a product is placed down on the pavement and then another material is rolled into this base. This is like a chip and seal procedure.

    McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

    Alderman McHugh reported there is an elevator problem at City Hall. He noted three estimates have been received. 1) Colley Elevator $15, 728.00, 2) Elite Elevator $27, 500.00, 3) Elevator Systems $15, 800.00. Alderman McHugh recommended Colley Elevator for a price of $15, 728.00. They currently handle our elevator inspections. No objections were noted. Alderman Ferrero moved to accept the amount of $15, 728.00 for the City Hall elevator repair. Alderman Waight second. Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    Waight/Law & Ordinances

    No report.

    DeRose/Health & Environmental Control/Recycling

    Alderman DeRose stated he has talked with Waste Environmental Control Management for the placement of the electronic recycling container. This container will be placed at City Hall between the garage and the cell tower. The days will be Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This container will be placed at this location after the City’s Halloween Party. Alderman DeRose also noted a temporary ramp will need to be installed. It was also noted the Police Department will open and close this container on Saturday. This is a trial basis.

    Alderman DeRose reported he is investigating the battery recycling.

    Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

    Alderman Ferrero stated that Community Affairs is all set for the Children’s Halloween Party on October 27th. The Annual Tree Lighting will be on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving.

    Alderman Ferrero noted she may have two candidates for the Youth Board.

    McAvoy/Chamber/Business Development

    Alderman McAvoy was absent. No report submitted.

    UNFINISHED BUSINESS

    Smoke Testing

    Alderman Szeszycki asked when will this report be discussed. Mayor Howley stated he will be having a meeting in the next week or so and this could be placed on the agenda for the October Committee meeting.

    CITY ATTORNEY

    Attorney Cainkar arrived at 8:00 p.m.

    Ordinance #12-18
    Chronic Nuisance Property

    Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance 12-18, an ordinance amending Chapter 42, offenses against public peace, safety and morals, by adding Section 43.35, chronic nuisance property, of the Hickory Hills Municipal Code. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Ordinance 12-18. Alderman Zimmerman second. Attorney Cainkar noted this was prepared by Attorney Joe Cainkar with the cooperation of Chief Vodicka. After some discussion, the Council changed the meaning of chronic nuisance property to contain activities that have occurred within an eighteen month period instead of a twelve month period. Alderman McHugh and Alderman Zimmerman agreed to alter the motion to include this change. No objections were noted. Roll call: Aldermen DeRose, Ferrero, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    NEW BUSINESS

    Mayor Howley is in receipt of a request from Walgreen’s at 95th and Roberts Road. They would like to place a container to hold holiday merchandise in the rear of the parking lot from October 18th through January 2nd. No objections were noted.

    Attorney Cainkar reported at the next meeting the Council will hold a public hearing and an ordinance has been prepared for the zoning change in the Industrial classification to allow the proposed wrestling school.

    Alderman Waight stated Kenootz Pizza will hold a grand opening on Saturday, October 13, 2012.

    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, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    Meeting adjourned at 8:19 p.m.