January 9, 2014 City Council Meeting Minutes

January 9, 2014 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 9, 2014, at 7:33 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, 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
  • Police Chief, A. Vodicka
  • Public Works Director, L. Boettcher
  • Building Commissioner, J. Moirano

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

Winners Presentation

At this time Mayor Howley presented the “Lights of Hickory Hills Contest Winners”.

First Ward:
1st Place
Cordova Residence
9026 S. 79th Avenue

2nd Place
Pilafas Residence (present at meeting)
7912 W. 99th Street

Second Ward:
1st Place
Czernik Residence (present at meeting)
9330 S. 86th Court

2nd Place
Muhr Residence
9225 S. 86th Court

Third Ward:
1st Place
Stewart Residence
9028 Forest Lane

2nd Place
Cooper Residence
9240 S. 89th Avenue

Fourth Ward:
1st Place
Gilligan Residence
8809 S. 85th Avenue

2nd Place
Kubis Residence
8800 S. 83rd Avenue

OPEN TO PUBLIC

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

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman Ferrero moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of December 12, 2013 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. Alderman Stachnik pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Mayor Howley is in receipt of a request from the PATSE Bus Service for their annual financial support. This year the fee is $11,327.40. It was noted that Hickory Hills had 31 riders and 1798 rides. Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the payment of $11,327.40 to the PATSE Bus Services. Alderman McAvoy second.

Roll Call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mayor Howley noted Stella’s Place will hold a grand opening on January 24th at 11:00 a.m.

At this time, John Moirano, Building Commissioner, gave an update on the numerous building projects in the City. He noted O’Reilly’s will be opening very soon. Les Brothers will open on January 14th with a grand opening at 7:00 a.m. Camelot Banquets will open in late March. He also mentioned pipes had burst at the 87th Street and 88th Avenue Strip Mall and PrimeTime. Both have since been repaired. Mayor Howley thanked him for his update.

CITY CLERK

Clerk Catizone reported she is in receipt of a request from St. Patricia School to place signs for their upcoming Open House on February 2nd. The signs would be on 88th Avenue and 95th Street, 87th Street and Roberts Road. No objections were noted.

Clerk Catizone noted spring newsletter deadline for articles is February 7th.

Clerk Catizone stated that due to extreme weather, Com Ed has heightened awareness and staffing to restore customers as soon as possible. They ask residents to please call in their outages immediately.

Clerk Catizone reported she has been meeting regularly with Waste Management reps to make sure the residents have no garbage issues.

Clerk Catizone noted in December the Clerk’s Office sent out commercial vehicle sticker renewals. Please remind anyone with a commercial vehicle that they must have the 2014 sticker displayed by January 31st. She also noted the 2014 business renewals will be mailed in February. They expire on April 30th.

Clerk Catizone informed the Council as of today, the Clerk’s Office has issued 8 video gaming licenses with two pending.

CITY TREASURER

Treasurer Schramm presented the Treasurer’s Report dated December 31, 2013 for approval. Alderman McHugh moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report for the period ending December 31, 2013. Alderman Stachnik second. Roll Call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY ATTORNEY

Attorney Cainkar presented Resolution 14-01, a resolution authorizing a moratorium on the establishment of medical cannabis facilities and/or the issuance of building permits or zoning certificates of compliance for construction or operation of such uses in the City of Hickory Hills. Attorney Cainkar explained this allows the City to study the impacts of medical cannabis dispensing organizations, and/or medical cannabis cultivation centers, as well as to determine which zoning districts may be appropriate for such uses and what level of discretionary review may be required for approval of such uses. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Resolution #14-01. Alderman Waight second. Roll Call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY ENGINEER

No report submitted.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Stachnik moved to approve the bills payable for the first half of January 2014 in the amount of $425,611.35. Alderman McAvoy second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Alderman Stachnik moved to approve the customary and ordinary bills payable for the second half of December, 2013 in the amount of $212,460.05. Alderman McHugh second. Roll Call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
uring the second half of November 2013 was $277,278.98.

STANDING COMMITTEES

Szeszycki/Finance

Alderman Szeszycki’s report was moved to the end of the Standing Committee Reports.

Stachnik/Public Safety

Chief Vodicka reported he has ordered and purchased the signs for the Police Department, City Hall and the Public Works Department regarding the conceal and carry law.

Zimmerman/PublicWorks

No report submitted.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

Alderman McHugh reported Mr. Bill Spatz, Community Center Director, is returning to work this week.

Waight/Laws & Ordinances

Alderman Waight is in receipt of one business certificate applications Alfa Medico Studio Company located at 8711-C W. 95th Street. This business will be selling vitamins, herbs and perfumes. No objections were noted on this business.

Fonte/ Health & Environmental Control

No report submitted.

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

Alderman Ferrero reported the Community Affairs Committee is now working on the upcoming Arbor Day Festivities.

McAvoy/Chamber Business Development

Alderman McAvoy reported the business directory should
be delivered on Friday. The Chamber will pay $750.00 and the City will pay $750.00 (funded by the economic development portion of the discretionary fund). Also, Alderman McAvoy would seek reimbursement of approximately $370.00.

Alderman McAvoy stated he attended the Liberty Tax and Southland Accounting After Hours Event. He noted it was sparsely attended due to the weather.

Szeszycki/Finance

Alderman Szeszycki informed the Council he has received three quotes on Cyber-Liability Insurance.

The low bidder was Beazley Insurance with a premium of $6,500.00 and a 1 million dollar limit. Some discussion followed. Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the purchase of the Cyber Liability Insurance at the rate of $6,500.00 annually. Alderman McAvoy second. Roll Call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Water Rates

Alderman Szeszycki reviewed the 2014 proposed water/sewer rate increase summary that was distributed to the Council. After a lengthy discussion, Alderman McHugh moved to approve Option #2 which increases the water line charge from $3.90 to $4.30 per month (10% increase) and a water rate increase from $5.91 to $6.54/1000 gallons (10.5% increase). Alderman Waight second. Roll Call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Sewer Rates

Alderman Szeszycki presented three options for the sewer rate increase. After some discussion, Alderman McHugh moved to approve Option #2, increase the sewer rate from $1.10 to $1.16 (6.4% increase) for both residential and commercial with no split sewer rate for commercial users as in the current sewer rates. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll Call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McHugh, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. Aldermen McAvoy, Stachnik nay. So approved.

Alderman McAvoy suggested a committee be formed to form a 5 year Capital Budget Plan before the next budget. No further plans were discussed.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Alderman Szeszycki said he would like to see if a meeting with Waste Management can be set up to discuss our future plans.

NEW BUSINESS

Alderman McAvoy announced a meeting of District 230
including elected officials will take place on Wednesday, February 5th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. He noted he will attend.

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 8:33 p.m.