January 24, 2013 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, January 24, 2013, at 7:34 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
- City Engineer, T. Lang
- Chief of Police, A. Vodicka
- Public Works Director, L. Boettcher
- Building Commissioner, J. Moirano
There being a quorum present, the meeting was called to order.
Mayor Howley recognized the 2013 Light of Hickory Hills winners:
1st Ward
1st Place – Pilafas Residence, 7912 99th Street
2nd Place – Reid Residence, 9359 S. 80th Court
2nd Ward
1st Place – Annerino Residence, 9245 S. 85th Avenue
2nd Place – Czernik Residence, 9330 S. 86th Court
3rd Ward
1st Place – Morley Residence, 9160 Meadowview
2nd Place – Rodriquez Residence, 9100 Barberry
4th Ward
1st Place – Mastro/Kasper Residence, 8310 W. 91st Street
2nd Place – Ayala Residence, 8815 Pleasant Avenue
Winners present received $50.00 for 1st Place and $25.00 for 2nd Place.
OPEN TO PUBLIC
Alderman Szeszycki moved to open the meeting to the public. Alderman McAvoy second. Roll Call: Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Penny’s Place
Ms. Campos
Ms. Campos was present representing the Blackhawk Restaurant Group. They have applied for a business and liquor license for Penny’s Place located at 8653 W. 95th Street. They are proposing a sandwich deli shop and will include video gaming machines. Alderman Waight added that he would like to approve this license during this portion of the meeting. No objections were noted.
CLOSE TO PUBLIC
Alderman McAvoy 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 January 10, 2013 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Ferrero second. Correction: Page 1 correct spelling of Alderman Scott Zimmerman’s name. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS
MAYOR
PATSE Bus Service
Mayor Howley is in receipt of a request for financial support in the amount of $12, 851.29 for the City’s portion or 1, 722 rides. This cost is to operate the PATSE bus service to senior adults and the disabled in Hickory Hills. Alderman McAvoy moved to approve the financial support of $12, 851.29 to the PATSE Bus Service. Alderman McHugh second. Roll Call: Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Jimmy John’s
Mayor Howley announced the Grand Opening of Jimmy John’s will be Tuesday, January 29th.
School District 117
Mayor Howley noted that School District 117 will be making a presentation at the March 14th Council meeting.
91st Street Sidewalks
Mayor Howley reported he has done the route of the proposed 91st Street sidewalks. He thought there might be bigger issues but was glad only a few driveways will be affected. He will keep the Council updated on the status of this project. Tom Lang, City Engineer, noted the plans will be submitted in April.
Community Center
Mayor Howley stated he has talked with the Fire Inspector and by removing the wall to the small room at the Community Center it would not increase the fire code numbers so removing the wall is not an option.
CITY CLERK
Clerk Catizone reported she is in receipt of a request from Stagg High School to place signs around the City regarding their Annual Spring Arts and Crafts Show on March 23rd and 24th. The signs would go up during the week of February 25th. No objections were noted.
Clerk Catizone noted the Statements of Economic Interest from the Cook County Clerk’s Office will soon be mailed to all parties that need to complete these forms for 2013.
CITY TREASURER
No report submitted.
CITY ATTORNEY
No report submitted.
CITY ENGINEER
COMMUNICATIONS
BILLS PAYABLE
Alderman McHugh moved to approve the bills payable for the second half of January, 2013 in the amount of $217, 845.51. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Szeszycki/Finance
No report submitted.
Stachnik/Public Safety
Alderman Stachnik presented the Police Department Quarterly Report. Chief Vodicka added that on the report it shows the afternoon shift is the busiest. He also noted the Police Department has sent letters to properties that have been identified as chronic nuisances according to our new ordinance.
Zimmerman/PublicWorks
88th Avenue Reconstruction
Public Works Director Boettcher reported street lighting is operating and new arms to light the light heads is progressing. Public Works will request that these rental street light fixtures and appurtenance be removed.
Sanitary Sewer Televising
Mr. Boettcher reported National Power Rodding (NPR) has televised 99% of the sanitary project to date and expects to complete televising in the next few days.
Mr. Boettcher noted in the latest quarterly report to the MWRD, Public Works has indicated that the City’s available sanitary repair fund is exhausted. The City must now rely on outside grants and supplemental funds from the City’s General Fund for contractor rehab to CIPP line or grout.
McHugh/Bldg./Facilities
Alderman McHugh informed the Council that Building Commissioner Moirano is under the weather and Marilyn will be taking the calls. He should return shortly.
Waight/Law & Ordinances
Alderman Waight covered his report during the open to the public portion of the meeting.
Health & Environmental Control
No report submitted.
Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory
No report submitted.
McAvoy/Chamber/Business Development
Alderman McAvoy commented that both candidates for 3rd Ward Alderman are in the audience this evening. He introduced Mrs. Fran Schafer and Mr. Brian Fonte.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
At this time a continued discussion on water rates and sewer rates was held. Treasurer Schramm and Alderman Szeszycki led the discussion and distributed two handouts with the 2013 proposed water/sewer rate increase summary and the water sewer rate increase options. It was the consensus of the Council to adopt Option 3) Absorb the water cost increases in 2013 through a line charge and rate increase for both water and sewer. Water rate increase from $5.25 to $5.90 and a line charge increase from $3.00 to $3.90 per month. On the Sewer End Option 3) Sewer line charge increase from $3.30 to $3.45, and sewer rate increase from $1.00 to $1.10 per 1, 000 gallons on commercial accounts and from $1.00 to $1.10 for 0-9, 999 gallons and from $1.00 to $1.15 for 10, 000 and over.
Alderman McHugh moved to approve Option 3 for the water rate increase as stated above. Alderman Szeszycki second. Roll Call: Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. Alderman Stachnik nay. So approved.
Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve Option 3 for the sewer rate increase as stated above. Alderman McHugh second. Roll Call: Aldermen Ferrero, McHugh, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. Aldermen McAvoy, Stachnik nay. So approved.
Mayor Howley noted that these increases are the direct result of the City of Chicago raising their rates and in turn Justice Willow’s increasing their rates to the City of Hickory Hills.
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 Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Meeting adjourned at 8:11 p.m.