May 9, 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, May 9, 2013, at 7:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Howley led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Swearing In Ceremony
At this time, City Clerk D’Lorah Catizone administered the Oath of Office to the following: Brian Waight, 1st Ward Alderman, Debbie Ferrero, 2nd Ward Alderman, Brian Fonte, 3rd Ward Alderman and Joseph Stachnik, 4th Ward Alderman.
A short break was taken for a reception for the newly elected officials.
ROLL CALL
Upon roll call, the following were present:
- Mayor, M. Howley
- Aldermen, D. Ferrero
B. Fonte
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 Deputy Director, R. Rice - Building Commissioner, J. Moirano
There being a quorum present, the meeting was called to order.
Recognition
Mayor Howley recognized retiring Zoning Chairman Erwin Ernst. He has served as Chairman since 1999. A token of appreciation was given to Mr. Ernst at this time. Everyone wished him well and thanked him for his dedication to the City of Hickory Hills.
Mayor Howley noted he is recommending Mr. Syed Imam as Chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals. He is currently the Secretary of the Zoning Board. He is a retired engineer for IDOT and will do an excellent job.
OPEN TO PUBLIC
Alderman Stachnik moved to open the meeting to the public. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
No one spoke during this portion of the meeting.
CLOSE TO PUBLIC
Alderman McAvoy moved to close the meeting to the public. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS
Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of April 25, 2013 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. Alderman Fonte pass. So approved.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS
MAYOR
Mayor Howley presented the following list of appointments for 2013-2014.
| City Attorney & City Prosecutor | Vincent Cainka |
| City Engineer | Tom Lang, (Robinson Engineering, Ltd.) |
| Chief of Police | Al Vodicka |
| Building Commissioner | John Moirano |
| Director of Public Works | Larry Boettcher |
| City Collector | D’Lorah Catizone |
| ESDA Director | Christopher Knights |
| Elevator Inspector | Bernie Flynn, (Thompson Elevator) |
| Community Resource Officer | Ingrid McNeff |
| Plumbing Inspector | David Tavares |
| Electrical Inspector | Rick Stiegal |
| Fire Inspector | Battalion Chief, Don Huenecke |
| Building Inspector | Mack |
| Sprinkler Inspector | James Groark |
| HVAC Inspector | James Manuzak |
| Zoning Board of Appeals (7 Year Term) | |
| Syed Imam | 5/09/13 – 4/30/20 |
| Auxiliary Police Officers (1 Year Term) ) | ||
| Betty Soprych | Valentine Zilinskas | Arthur Ventura |
| Anthony Luna | Carol Lynch | Steve Makropoulos |
| Sandra Wood | Nichola Janeteas | Brian Trapp |
| Alberto Sanchez | Mark Sanchez | Edvinas Gaidomavicius |
| Police Pension Board (2 year Term) | |
| Mary McDonald | 1/01 – 04/30/15 |
| Board of Fire & Police (3 Year Term) | |
| Robert Runowski | 01/22/98 – 04/30/16 |
| Emergency Telephone Board (3 Year Term) | |
| Don Jerenberg | 05/28/98 – 04/30/16 |
| Christopher Knights | 09/13/07 – 04/30/16 |
| Hearing Officer (1 Year Term) | |
| David E. Eppenstein, Jr. | 6/01/06 – 04/30/14 |
| Community Affairs Commission (3 Year Term) | |
| Debbie Zimmerman | /04 – 04/30/16 |
| Sharon Chorzempa | 05/07 – 04/30/16 |
Alderman Waight moved to approve the above 2013-2014 appointments. Alderman McHugh second. Roll Call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
CITY CLERK
No report submitted.
CITY TREASURER
Treasurer Schramm presented the 2013-2014 Budget for approval. He noted that he and the Finance Alderman Szeszycki recommend approval of the budget with one open item for discussion. This is the Water Capital Budget projects for Water Meter exchange program ($50, 000) and Radio Read Pads replacement ($450, 000).
They are recommending giving direction to Public Works not to proceed until further facts and costs have been obtained and discussed for a strategy or plan on the best way to handle the City’s current annual water loss. Also to obtain 2 or 3 outside quotes. Alderman Ferrero moved to approve the 2013-2014 Budget with the above stipulations. Alderman McHugh second. Roll Call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Mayor Howley thanked Treasurer Schramm and Finance Chairman Szeszycki for all their efforts on this budget process.
CITY ATTORNEY
No report submitted.
CITY ENGINEER
No report submitted.
COMMUNICATIONS
BILLS PAYABLE
Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the bills payable for the first half of May, 2013 in the amount of $545, 803.14. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Szeszycki/Finance
No report submitted.
Stachnik/Public Safety
Alderman Stachnik distributed a memo regarding Chief Vodicka’s merit pay. If anyone has questions, they can call him.
Zimmerman/Public Works
No report submitted.
Mr. Rice noted an 88th Avenue construction meeting was held last week and the work on 88th Avenue is 95% done. They should make the completion date of June 30th.
McHugh/Bldg./Facilities
No report submitted.
Waight/Law & Ordinances
Alderman Waight is in receipt of one business application.
Proposed business is Aladdin’s Palace located at 8821 W. 87th Street. This would be a banquet facility with no liquor and catered food (no kitchen facilities). No objections were noted.
Health & Environmental Control
No report submitted.
Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory
Alderman Ferrero reported the Arbor Day Tree Sale went very well.
Alderman Ferrero noted Street Fair currently has 51 crafters and 9 food vendors.
McAvoy/Chamber/Business Development
No report submitted.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Alderman Ferrero moved to adjourn the meeting until the next scheduled or specially called meeting. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.