November 8, 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, November 8th, at 7:33 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, J. Cainkar
  • City Engineer, T. Lang
  • Chief of Police, A. Vodicka
  • Public Works Director, L. Boettcher
  • Building Commissioner, J. Moirano

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

Mayor Howley introduced the Special Olympic Unified Volleyball team from Stagg High School. This team captured the State Championship title. Mayor Howley congratulated the team. The Unified Partners were Cassie Newman, Victoria Lombardo, Carrie Sinclair, Jennie Christensen and Katie Chodora. The athletes include John Damme, Morgan Mitchell, Joshua Williams, Ola Khifeh, Becca Gehle, Rakin Whitby and Bob Shamasko. Also present were Coaches Abby Degliomini, Sharon Chorzempa and Tom Syska. Congratulations to all of the participants.

OPEN TO PUBLIC

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

No one spoke during this portion of the meeting.

CLOSE TO PUBLIC

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

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman Waight moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of October 25, 2012 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. CORRECTION: Pages 2, 3, 4, 5, correct spelling of Alderman Zimmerman’s name. Alderman Szeszycki second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

    MAYOR

    New School Board Member Dist. 117

    Mayor Howley congratulated Mrs. Debbie Groark on her appointment to the School District 117 Board.

    St. Patricia Liquor License Request

    Mayor Howley stated he is in receipt of a request from St. Patricia Church to hold a Wine Tasting on November 30th. Alderman McHugh moved to approve a temporary liquor license for St. Patricia’s Wine Tasting Event on November 30th with fees waived. Alderman Szeszycki second. Roll Call: Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    OMA Electronic On Line Training

    Mayor Howley reminded the Council that the Open Meetings Act online training must be completed by the end of the year.

    CITY CLERK

    Stagg Booster Dance Request

    Clerk Catizone reported she is in receipt of a request for a donation to this year’s Stagg Dance Invitational. This will be held on December 15th. Alderman McHugh moved to donate $100.00 to the Stagg Dance Event. Alderman Stachnik second. Roll Call: Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    Boxing for the Troops

    Clerk Catizone reported the next boxing for the troops will be held on Tuesday, November 20th at the Community Center.

    CITY TREASURER

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

    Financial Update

    Treasurer Schramm distributed a two page narrative of the City’s financial update. He pointed out we are doing extremely well in the Building Department. Also, under the forfeiture fund he noted this fund is very low.

    Treasurer Schramm stated the State income tax has been four months behind in payments. Treasurer Schramm stated the City is doing well after six months into this year’s budget. Alderman McHugh thanked John Moirano and Marilyn Gabrysiak for their dedication in the Building Department.

    CITY ATTORNEY

    No report submitted.

    CITY ENGINEER

    Mr. Lang presented Invoice #51003 from Crowley-Sheppard Asphalt for work done on the 2012 resurfacing project in the amount of $25, 481.20. Alderman McHugh moved to approve this invoice for $25, 481.20 (MFT 12-00000-01-GM, pay estimate #3, final). Alderman Ferrero second. Roll Call: Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the bills payable for the first half of November, 2012 in the amount of $490, 023.30. Alderman Waight second. Roll Call: Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Customary Bills

Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the customary and ordinary bills payable for the second half of November 2012. Alderman McAvoy second. Roll Call: Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

    Szeszycki/Finance

    Alderman Szeszycki reported the City’s contribution to the IMRF for 2013 will be 12.19%. The rate for 2012 was 11.08%.

    Alderman Szeszycki also distributed a tax rate list of local municipalities. The municipal tax rate is not that bad compared to other cities.

    Alderman Szeszycki noted on December 4th he will be meeting with the City’s insurance company for workers compensation. He will be looking at a few bids.

    Stachnik/Public Safety

    Alderman Stachnik presented the Police Supervisor’s Manual for approval. This manual has already been approved in Executive Session but needs to be approved by the Council. There have been three minor changes. Alderman Stachnik went through the changes with the Council. Alderman Stachnik moved to approve the Police Supervisor’s Manual. Alderman Szeszycki second. Chief Vodicka noted on page 6 (g) there was some discussion that the sentence, “employees may use 4 days of their sick leave each year as personal days”. Treasurer Schramm explained that this should only be 24 hours and the sentence is confusing. After some discussion,

    Alderman Stachnik amended his motion to include the striking of the first sentence of (g) on page six. Alderman Szeszycki amended his second. Roll Call: Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    Zimmerman/PublicWorks

    Sanitary Sewer Televising
    Public Works Director Boettcher reported the sanitary sewer televising has 116,000 linear feet left to be televised. National Power Rodding has submitted a proposal to televise the remaining of the City’s sanitary system. Televising for all size pipes is $1.0/ LF but with light cleaning would add $0.51/LF to bring the cost to $176, 000.00 plus variables. The unknown variables costs include heavy cleaning/root cutting to allow camera to pass at 0.75/LF for pipe and $1.25/LF for larger pipe. Public Works is allowed to provide heavy cleaning to reduce this cost. Another added cost to the proposal is digital TV recording which could be placed on a cloud database and updated every two weeks. Currently, Public Works has spent $50, 000.00 of the $100, 000.00 budgeted for televising. In addition, at least $50, 000.00 would be needed. Public Works is recommending the Council approve additional funding for a PO to be issued to National Power Rodding to commence TV work immediately. After some discussion, Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve a PO in the amount of $225, 000.00 to National Power Rodding to complete the project by January 31, 2013. Alderman McHugh second. Roll Call: Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

    88th Avenue Reconstruction
    Public Works Director Boettcher stated significant visual progress was made with asphalt paving of the west side of the street to 95th Street. Also this week, curbs have been installed on the east side from 91st Street to 87th Street. From 91st Street to 92nd Place on the east side, only 1, 500 LF of roadway remains to be completed. AT&T is currently lowering duct run which is the only known utility of concern. Installation of storm sewer structures and excavation and stone is needed before final street curbs. This could take up to three weeks before this section is ready for asphalt.

    Sanitary Force Main
    Mr. Boettcher reported because of numerous breaks in the line, Public Works has replaced the 6” cast iron force main with plastic pipe in the parkway. Lining activity should be completed this evening and 92nd Street restored to through traffic on Friday.

    Salt
    Treasurer Schramm inquired as to the price of salt this year. Mr. Boettcher stated it is currently $56.00 a ton. The City has salt on hand right now.

    McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

    Alderman McHugh noted the annual Thanksgiving dinner will be held on Tuesday, November 13th at the Community Center.

    Alderman McHugh reported he would like to appoint a person in the Building Department to review plans. Mr. Moirano noted he would like to appoint Mr. Robert Smith as Plan Reviewer. This would be part of the building department application. Mr. Smith would be like an inspector. Mayor Howley stated this position will be added to our municipal code in the form of an ordinance at the next meeting.

    Waight/Law & Ordinances

    Alderman Waight is in receipt of four business certificate applications. 1) City Carbonic Gas located at 7709 W. 98th Street. This is pending purchasing the building. 2) T-Mobile located at 7608 W. 95th Street. This is a cellular phone store. 3) Oxford Insurance located at 7616 W. 95th Street and 4) Crisp N Clean located at 7612 W. 95th Street. This is a drop off store from dry cleaning. No objections were noted.

    DeRose/Health & Environmental Control/Recycling

    Alderman DeRose was absent. No report submitted.

    Mayor Howley stated he is in receipt of a recycling check from Waste Management in the amount of $500.00.

    Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

    Alderman Ferrero stated the Children’s Halloween Party was very well attended.

    Alderman Ferrero reported the Argo High School choir will be performing at the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at City Hall on November 27th.

    Alderman Ferrero noted the Children’s Christmas Party will be on December 8th at the Park District.

    McAvoy/Chamber/Business Development

    Alderman McAvoy announced the Annual General Meeting of the Hill Chamber of Commerce will be held on November 28th at the Sabre Room at 5:30 p.m.

    Alderman McAvoy distributed the election results to the Council.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Alderman McHugh thanked the Police and Public Works Department for all their assistance at the 5K Run last weekend. He also thanked Public Works for cleaning the park area for the Veteran’s Day Celebration.

NEW BUSINESS

None.

EXECUTIVE SESSION ADJOURNMENT

Alderman McAvoy moved to adjourn into Executive Session for the purpose of discussion on Police Chief Duties until the next scheduled or specially called meeting. Alderman Waight second. Roll Call: Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman. So approved.

Meeting adjourned at 8:34 p.m.