July 24, 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, July 24, 2014, at 7:34 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor 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 - City Clerk, D. Catizone
- City Treasurer, D. Schramm
- City Attorney, G. Perlman
- City Engineer, T. Lang
- Police Lt, T. Stevens
- Public Works Director, L. Boettcher
- Building Commissioner, J. Moirano
Alderman Zimmerman and Chief Vodicka were absent. There being a quorum present, the meeting was called to order.
OPEN TO PUBLIC
Mr. Ken Blackman
8908 S. 85th Avenue
Mr. Blackman voiced his concerns regarding the flooding problem on his property. It has been going on for a very long time and causes great anxiety to him.
In the past, he has spent thousands of dollars regrading his property and building a retaining wall and swale. The water runs through his backyard like a river. He noted that he had appeared at the Council meeting several years ago. Mayor Howley stated he did remember a study that was done in this area in 1999. Mayor Howley asked the City Engineer and Public Works Director to review this matter and bring forth some suggestions to the City Council.
Mr. Gerald Alberts
8916 S. 85th Avenue
Mr. Alberts is also present and reiterated some of the water problems mentioned by Mr. Blackman.
Ms. Debbie Trojanek, Store Manager
Ms. Ashley Gennero
Walgreen Co.
Ms. Trojanek and Ms. Gennero are present to inform the Council about the immunizations available at the Walgreens store at 7945 W. 95th Street. These cover both routine and travel needs. The annual flu vaccine will also be available. Mayor Howley will get this information on our City website and pass it on to our senior group.
CLOSE TO PUBLIC
Alderman McAvoy moved to close the meeting to the public. Alderman Stachnik second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight aye. So approved.
JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS
Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of July 10, 2014 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight aye. Alderman McHugh pass. So approved.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS
MAYOR
Mayor Howley reported the Lions Club will not be sponsoring the 5K Race this year. He contacted School District 117 and they are happy to partner with the City to hold a 5K race on the same scheduled date and time this fall. Details will be worked out. Proceeds from this race will support the local schools through their PTA.
Mayor Howley reported he has been in contact with Nancy, Mr. Gianakas‘s daughter. He will meet with her in the near future since it looks like she will be running the Hickory Hills Country Club.
Mayor Howley reported there will be a grand opening for Ted’s Jewelers this coming Saturday. Details will be forthcoming.
CITY CLERK
No report submitted.
CITY TREASURER
Treasurer Schramm presented the Treasurer’s Report dated June 30, 2014 for approval. Alderman McHugh moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report dated June 30, 2014. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight aye. So approved.
Treasurer Schramm stated in the next few weeks he will be looking to hire a part-time person for the Treasurer’s Office. He will keep the Council informed.
CITY ATTORNEY
Attorney Perlman presented Ordinance 14-8, an ordinance levying taxes for General Corporate and other purposes for the fiscal year beginning May 1, 2014 and ending April 30, 2015, for the City of Hickory Hills, Cook County, Illinois. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Ordinance 14-8. Alderman Stachnik second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight aye. So approved.
CITY ENGINEER
No report submitted.
COMMUNICATIONS
BILLS PAYABLE
Alderman Stachnik moved to approve the bills payable for the second half of July, 2014 in the amount of $305,103.98. Alderman Szeszycki second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight aye. So approved.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Szeszycki/Finance
Alderman Szeszycki and Treasurer Schramm met with AJ Gallagher regarding our renewal for property & casualty insurance due on October 1st. There is an expected 5 to 7% increase which might go down because of subrogation coming back on the police squad cars if this is received on time. We are also looking into bringing our cyber insurance into date with the property & casualty renewals and listening to their proposal on excessive snowfalls. These proposals should be ready for a vote in September.
Stachnik/Public Safety
Alderman Stachnik reported everyone should be in receipt of the Police Department’s Quarterly Productivity Reports for April, May and June and the Community Resource Animal Warden Report.
National Night Out will be held on Tuesday, August 5th at 6:00 p.m. at Kasey Meadow Park sponsored by the Police Department.
Zimmerman/Public Works
Public Works Director Boettcher reported that after a conversation with the Palos Hills Public Works Director, it is in the best interest of both cities to withhold payment to Cook County for the installed sidewalks until the damaged ones are replaced on 88th Avenue. He also reported that the installed sidewalks on 91st Street are of good quality with frequent usage.
McHugh/Bldg./Facilities
No report submitted.
Waight/Laws & Ordinances
Alderman Waight reported he is in receipt of four business certificate applications. 1) Once Upon a Child located in the Hickory Palos Shopping Center at 95th & Roberts Road. This is a used children’s clothing store. 2) Cervantes Transport located at 7737 W. 96th Place.
This is a trucking dispatch/business office. 3) Spirit Halloween Super Store located at 9642 S. Roberts Road. This will be open from September 1st to November 15th. 4) Valquez Automatic Music Company located at 7705 W. 98th Street. This is a repair store for juke boxes, pool tables, etc. No objections were noted.
Fonte/Health & Environmental Control
No report submitted.
Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory
No report submitted.
McAvoy/Chamber Business Development
No report submitted.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
City Signs – Mayor Howley stated our City entry way signs are being repaired/reconstructed and should be back up by early fall.
Grant Information – Mayor Howley reported on the grant information regarding the decorative residential street lighting which will replace the lights on wooden utility poles. This will run down 93rd Street from Roberts Road to perhaps just west of 88th Avenue at each intersection with the aid of some extended funding.
Treasurer Schramm stated that if the grant is approved and we receive a cost estimate, funds could be taken from our Utility Tax Fund or the Working Capital Fund to cover these capital projects on infrastructure.
Mayor Howley stated that if this project is approved, three wards would see improvements.
NEW BUSINESS
LED Light Heads – Public Works Director Boettcher stated there are several grants available for more energy efficient LED light heads which should be investigated.
Pepe’s Patio – Mayor Howley reported Pepe’s outdoor patio is really beautiful and should draw a lot of customers.
Treasurer Schramm stated the lighting grant was originally thought to be for a generator for the Parkview Apartments. It is his understanding that if we fund the lighting improvement we might expect to be reimbursed. Since the Community Center is an emergency center, it is his recommendation to proceed with bids to replace the Parkview generator. Alderman McHugh will bring this up at the next meeting.
Foster Fest – Building Commissioner Moirano announced that the Make A Wish Foundation is holding “Foster Fest” at Toyota Park this Sunday, July 27th, from 11:00am to 6:00 p.m. with a $30.00 donation.
Street Fair – A discussion ensued on whether to subsidize the $941.00 Street Fair expenses from the Discretionary Fund or General Fund.
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 aye. So approved.
Meeting adjourned at 8:39 p.m.