February 14, 2013 City Council Meeting Minutes
CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Hickory Hills City Council was called to order by Clerk D’Lorah Catizone on Thursday, February 14, 2013, at 7:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.
Mayor Pro-Tem
Clerk Catizone requested a motion to select a Mayor Pro-Tem due to the Mayor’s absence. Alderman Ferrero moved to appoint Alderman Zimmerman as Mayor Pro-Tem. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Pro-Tem Zimmerman led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Upon roll call, the following were present:
- Aldermen, D. Ferrero
M. McHugh
J. Stachnik
J. Szeszycki
B. Waight
S. Zimmerman - City Clerk, D. Catizone
- City Treasurer, D. Schramm
- City Attorney, M. Cainkar
- 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
Alderman Stachnik moved to open the meeting to the public. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Mr. John Wetzig
Palos Hills
Mr. Wetzig voiced his concerns regarding the burglary bars on the T-Mobile store on 95th Street. Building Commissioner John Moirano noted that these are rolling shutters for security. He will investigate if other locations have the same security measures.
CLOSE TO PUBLIC
Alderman Ferrero moved to close the meeting to the public. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS
Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of January 24, 2013 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS
MAYOR
Street Fair Liquor License
Mayor Pro-Tem Zimmerman presented the Street Fair Liquor License which will be held on Sunday, June 30th and a kick-off event on Saturday, June 29th. Alderman McHugh moved to approve a temporary Liquor License for the Street Fair Beer Tent. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
CITY CLERK
Clerk Catizone reported she is in receipt of a request from the Hickory Hills Kiwanis regarding a donation for their upcoming Showcase of Talent. Alderman McHugh moved to approve a donation of $160.00 for the ad book. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Clerk Catizone noted the Senior Task Force is sponsoring two Voter Registration Days.
She will be registering residents to vote on Wednesday, February 27th from 12-3 and March 4th from 5-8 at the Community Center.
Jewel Greenhouse
Clerk Catizone is in receipt of a request from Jewel for a temporary greenhouse. The time frame will be from March 20th through June 28th. No objections were noted.
CITY TREASURER
Treasurer Schramm presented the Treasurer’s Report dated January 31, 2013 for approval. Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report dated January 31, 2013. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Contract Modification
Treasurer Schramm explained the Police and Public Works Union contracts need to be modified to be compliant with the IRS guidelines with regards to VEBA. Alderman McHugh moved to approve the Police Union VEBA modification. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the VEBA modification in the Public Works Contract to be in compliance with the IRS guidelines. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
CITY ATTORNEY
Ord 13-1
Attorney Mike Cainkar presented Ordinance 13-1, an ordinance amending Section 6.10, water rates, of Chapter 6, water service, of the Hickory Hills Municipal Code by changing water rates. Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve Ordinance 13.1, water rates. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McHugh, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. Alderman Stachnik nay. So approved.
Ord 13-2
Attorney Mike Cainkar presented Ordinance 13-2, an ordinance amending Section 7.09, basis for wastewater service charges, of Chapter 7, sanitary sewer service, of the Hickory Hills Municipal Code by changing sanitary sewer rates. Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve Ord. 13-2. Alderman Ferrero second.
Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McHugh, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. Alderman Stachnik nay. So approved.
Public Hearing
Attorney Cainkar opened the meeting to a Public Hearing for the 2013 Community Development Block Grant Program. No public comments at this time. Attorney closed the public hearing. The deadline for submitting applications to Cook County is Friday, March 8, 2013.
CITY ENGINEER
No report submitted.
COMMUNICATIONS
BILLS PAYABLE
Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the bills payable for the first half of February, 2013 in the amount of $533, 148.75. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Szeszycki/Finance
No report submitted.
Stachnik/Public Safety
Alderman Stachnik presented two informational memos to the Council. He noted if there were any questions they can be directed to Chief Vodicka.
Zimmerman/PublicWorks
Sanitary Sewer Televising
Mr. Boettcher reported National Power Rodding (NPR) has completed televising the balance of the City’s sanitary system. NPR is using the National Assoc. of Sewer Companies rating system of 1 to 5 with 5 being the worst, to grade the structural integrity of the pipe. NPR rating system depicted that approximately 6, 000 LF of the 115, 000 LF of pipe televised are rated at 4 or higher. Televising the balance of the sanitary system has now allowed pipe inspection in areas of known pervious soil and higher ground water table is mostly on the east side of the City.
Public Works is suggesting continuing to budget funding similar to last year’s amount to be initiated to resolve the sanitary issues recently discovered that are a source of major infiltration. The submittal of a new 2013 CDBG application if approved will assist in sanitary lining in the older part of the City.
Safe Walk to School
Mr. Boettcher noted that during the sidewalk tour of 91st Street, Public Works recommended that a sidewalk be installed from 91st Street to St. Patricia School. The sidewalk could be installed by Public Works. Alderman McHugh suggested this be placed on the February Committee Meeting Agenda for discussion.
Mr. Boettcher stated existing plans for traffic traveling on 88th Avenue approaching 95th Street and proposing to make a left turn on 95th Street may make a left turn on ARROW ONLY. During the left turn arrow on 88th Avenue, traffic movement on 95th Street is stopped. Prior to construction many motorists had to wait for two or more light changes before making the turn. Public Works will pursue the normal channels to allow a left turn signal only be modified to allow a turn on green light also. This corner is IDOT controlled.
McHugh/Bldg./Facilities
No report submitted.
Waight/Law & Ordinances
Alderman Waight is in receipt of two business applications: 1) Terminal GR located at 9241 Roberts Road. This is a computer repair business. 2) Spa & Beauty Salon located at 7834 W. 95th Street. This is a beauty salon. No objections were noted.
DeRose/Health & Environmental Control
No report submitted.
Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory
Alderman Ferrero reported the Community Affairs Committee is working on the Arbor Day festivities. These consist of the Arbor Day Tree Sale and the Arbor Day Coloring Contest for the local schools.
McAvoy/Chamber/Business Development
Alderman McAvoy was absent. No report submitted.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
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, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Meeting adjourned at 8:02 p.m.