February 27, 2014 City Council Meeting Minutes

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February 27, 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, February 27, 2014, at 7:44 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
    B. Waight
    S. Zimmerman
  • City Clerk, D. Catizone
  • City Treasurer, D. Schramm
  • City Attorney, J. Cainkar
  • Police Chief, A. Vodicka
  • Public Works Director, L. Boettcher

Alderman Szeszycki, City Engineer Tom Lang, and Building Commissioner John Moirano were 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 Fonte second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, 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, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman McHugh moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of February 13, 2014 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. Alderman Ferrero pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Mayor Howley read the Proclamation for Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Awareness. This is to raise awareness of this congenital defect and to bring about acceptance and support for those suffering with this and help advocate for needed medical research and advances.

Mayor Howley is in receipt of a liquor license request from St. Patricia Church to hold a St. Joseph Table Event on March 16th from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Alderman McHugh moved to approve a temporary liquor license for St. Patricia Church for March 16th with fees waived. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mayor Howley is also in receipt of a second liquor license request from St. Patricia Church. This is to hold a Ladies Bunco Night on April 11, 2014 from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Alderman McHugh moved to approve this temporary liquor license for St. Patricia Church Ladies Bunco Night on April 11th with fees waived. Alderman McAvoy second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY CLERK

Clerk Catizone is in receipt of a request from the Hair Performers located at 9510 S. Roberts Road. They are seeking permission to have a live band play for a fundraising event on Friday, April 25, 2014. The time would be 5:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. Council gave permission for this event. The Police Department will send an auxiliary officer there for this event.

Clerk Catizone is also in receipt of a request from Ms. Mary McDonald (Treasurer’s Office) who is seeking support for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. This is a volunteer-driven charity committed to fund research to find cures for childhood cancer. She will have her head shaved to raise money. Alderman McAvoy moved to approve a donation of $150.00 from the discretionary fund. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY TREASURER

Treasurer Schramm reported some changes will need to be made in the Employee Benefit Handbook to comply with Federal guidelines. The first change is to comply with the Affordable Care Act as of January 1, 2014 to make full time hours to be eligible for health insurance from 35-40 full time hours for all other benefits to 30 hours for health insurance only (Medical;Rx;Dental;Vision). Second, due to recent retirement notices, we realized that the requirements for retiree health insurance continuation that we had in our benefits book under Section 3.1. did not comply with IMRF and Police Pension State regulations for employers offering retirees post-retirement health insurance. The changes have been reviewed and approved by the City Attorney. Alderman McHugh moved to approve the proposed changes in the Employee Benefit Handbook. Alderman Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY ATTORNEY

Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance #14-5, an Ordinance approving a land lease agreement between Chicago SMSA Limited Partnership D/B/A Verizon Wireless and the City of Hickory Hills for the property located at 8652 W. 95th Street. This will be attached to the current pole with a rental of $1,100.00 per month. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Ordinance #14-5. Alderman Zimmerman second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY ENGINEER

Mr. Lang was absent. No report submitted.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Ferrero moved to approve the bills payable for the second half of February, 2014 in the amount of $256,549.17. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

Szeszycki/Finance

Alderman Szeszycki was absent. No report submitted.

Stachnik/Public Safety

No report submitted.

Zimmerman/Public Works

No report submitted.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

Alderman McHugh reported the Boy Scout Troop #728 will be hosting a pancake breakfast on Sunday, March 2nd at the Community Center.

Alderman McHugh reported the wi-fi has been installed in the Girl Scout meeting room at the Community Center.

Alderman McHugh also reported 5 vacancies at Parkview are available. If interested, please call Bill Spatz at 237-4150.

Waight/Laws & Ordinances

No report submitted.

Fonte/ Health & Environmental Control

Alderman Fonte reported the City has received a check from Waste Management in the amount of $600.00 for the month of January 2014.

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

Alderman Ferrero reported the Committee is working on the Arbor Day Tree Sale in May.

McAvoy/Chamber Business Development

Alderman McAvoy reported the Business Directory is being added to the City’s website.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

None

ADJOURNMENT

Alderman Ferrero moved to adjourn the meeting until the next scheduled or specially called meeting. Alderman Stachnik second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Meeting adjourned at 8:12 p.m.