September 26, 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, September 26, 2013, at 7:32 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Mike Howley led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Upon roll call, the following were present:
- Mayor, M. Howley
Aldermen, B. Fonte
D. Ferrero
T. McAvoy
M. McHugh
J. Stachnik
J. Szeszycki
B. Waight
S. Zimmerman - City Treasurer, D. Schramm
- City Attorney, V. Cainkar
- City Engineer, T. Lang
- Police Chief, A. Vodicka
- Public Works Director, L. Boettcher
- Building Commissioner, J. Moirano
City Clerk Catizone was absent. There being a quorum present, the meeting was called to order.
Presentation to Arlene Spiros’s Family
Alderman McAvoy presented and read a proclamation celebrating Arlene Spiros’s life. She was a long time resident of Hickory Hills. Also, a donation was given to the Arlene Spiro’s Educational Scholarship at Moraine Valley Community College. The Spiro’s Family was present to receive this honor.
OPEN TO PUBLIC
Alderman Ferrero moved to open the meeting to the public. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Fonte, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Bernie O’Carroll
8627 W. 93rd Place
Mr. O’Carroll is present to voice a problem of sitting water in the front of his property. He has brought it to the attention of the City many times. Public Works will check if the main is leaking. Alderman Szeszycki noted there was a broken main farther down his street and may be another leak. Several residents were in audience to confirm the standing water. Mayor Howley stated there was some question on who is responsible for the water in the back of this property.
Yanena Staszec
9225 85th Court
Ms. Staszec explained she has purchased a home on 85th Court. She is doing extensive remodeling and she has a 10 foot high garage door in addition to a two car garage. Mayor Howley stated our ordinance does not allow this height. This cannot be voted on this evening the Mayor explained. A decision has to be made if an exemption can be made. Alderman Ferrero noted she has polled the neighbors and they don’t mind this height. Alderman Szeszycki noted the ordinance would have to be changed. Mayor Howley explained that a decision will be made in two weeks.
Joseph Zapotczny
7927 89th Place
Mr. Zapotczny is present to explain a neighbor’s sewer is leaking on to his property. Mr. Boettcher noted he is aware of this problem and has talked with the ordinance officer. A ticket may have to be issued to this neighbor. Mayor Howley asked if Mr. Zapotczny would give his information to Mr. Boettcher.
Mr. James Kepuraitis
9054 91st Place
Mr. Kepuraitis has a neighbor complaining water is running off his property onto his property. He noted he has made some improvements to his property. He said he thinks complaints are erroneous. He felt he has done what he can to this property and has had health issues that prevent him from doing any more work. Mrs. Kepuraitis also spoke of the hardship this has taken on her husband. The City will visit the property in October to view the status.
Mr. Mike Mitchell
8027 93rd Street
Mr. Mitchell voiced his concerns regarding his yard waste pick-up. He noted Waste Management has not picked up the yard waste at least 7 times. Alderman McHugh stated he has talked with the City Clerk and she has contacted Waste Management regarding this issue. Mayor Howley recommended calling City Hall with problems in the future.
CLOSE TO PUBLIC
Alderman Stachnik moved to close the meeting to the public. Alderman McAvoy second. Roll call: Aldermen Fonte, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS
Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of September 12, 2013 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. Alderman Stachnik pass. So approved.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS
MAYOR
Mayor Howley read a proclamation regarding Texting and Driving.
Mayor Howley is in receipt of a request from Stagg High School to place signs around the City regarding their upcoming fall craft show on November 16th and 17th.
Mayor Howley reminded the Council the City will be hosting the Southwest Conference of Mayor’s Meeting on Monday, September 30, 2013.
Mayor Howley commended Building Commissioner Moirano for his response to the Les Brothers recent fire.
CITY CLERK
Clerk Catizone was absent. No report submitted.
CITY TREASURER
Treasurer Schramm presented the Treasurer’s Report dated August 31, 2013 for approval. Alderman McAvoy moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report dated August 31, 2013. Alderman Zimmerman second. Roll Call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
CITY ATTORNEY
No report submitted.
CITY ENGINEER
Mr. Lang reported the apparent low bidder for the 91st Street sidewalk is Davis Concrete. Further information will follow.
COMMUNICATIONS
BILLS PAYABLE
Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the bills payable for the second half of September, 2013 in the amount of $300,341.63. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Szeszycki/Finance
Alderman Szeszycki reported the Property and Casualty Insurance property appraisal was for 2 million less and should save the city money. He noted the insurance company also offers cyber protection that the city should consider and terrorism coverage was not accepted.
Stachnik/Public Safety
No report submitted.
Zimmerman/Public Works
Mr. Boettcher reported the contractor has completed tree installation and sod on 88th Avenue.
Public Works will commence inspection of the mostly city paid items for compliance.
Mr. Boettcher stated Public Works will purchased a new rubber tire backhoe to replace the 1999 John Deere 310. This is a budgeted item and the cost is $75,000.00.
McHugh/Bldg./Facilities
Alderman McHugh reported Mr. Bill Spatz, Community Center Director has had surgery and will be out for 5 to 6 weeks. We all wish him a speedy recovery.
Alderman McHugh stated the landscaping at City Hall is complete. All agree it looks very nice.
Waight/Laws & Ordinances
No report submitted.
Fonte/ Health & Environmental Control
Alderman Fonte reported he is in receipt of a check
the amount of $604.82 for recycling for the month of August 2013 from Waste Management.
Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory
Alderman Ferrero reported plans are underway for the
Halloween and Christmas party. She is requesting the Girl Scouts not put their project on the tree until after the tree lighting.
McAvoy/Chamber Business Development
Alderman McAvoy welcomed Kelly White from the
Reporter Newspaper.
Alderman McAvoy noted he attended the Walk Around The Park and it was a very well attended event.
Alderman McAvoy also attended the Chamber Golf Outing which had 36 golfers and 50 for dinner. He thanked everyone for the good turnout.
Alderman McAvoy thanked everyone for attending the 92nd Place Block Party which was a huge success. The city may want to consider block party awards. Alderman McAvoy thanked Alderman Fonte for the water balloons.
Alderman McAvoy reported the Kiwanis Club of Hickory Hills is selling peanuts by the carton as a fundraiser. Alderman McAvoy moved to purchase one case ($50.00) of peanuts from the discretionary fund. The carton of peanuts will then be donated to the Adoptapalatoon. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll Call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Alderman Szeszycki presented for discussion the item
of the employee health insurance renewal. The question before the Council is whether to stay with a fiscal year or go to a calendar year . It was noted that going to calendar year will increase rates sooner but will be better in the long run because it opens up options in the future. After a lengthy discussion the Mayor asked for a consensus. Vote was 6 to 2 to go to calendar year.
Treasurer Schramm asked that health insurance be placed on the Committee Meeting Agenda for October 24th.
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 9:01 p.m.