September 11, 2014 City Council Meeting Minutes

September 11, 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, September 11, 2014, at 7:37 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, D. Ferrero
    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

Alderman Fonte was 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 Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Jason Winter
8645 S. Kean Avenue

Mr. Winter explained he has obtained a venue for his Haunted House. It will be located at 88th Avenue and 87th Street in the closed pharmacy.

Mayor Howley stated Mr. Winter will be running this event and he will need to hire Auxiliary Police for this haunted house. Mr. Winter will forward the insurance information to the City Attorney. The Building Commissioner and the Fire Department will also make inspections.

Sandy Gierut
8728 S. 85th Court

Lisa Pulcek
Daughter of Mrs. Gierut

Mrs. Gierut has lived in Hickory Hills for 40 years. She is devastated by the 4 storms that have ruined her property. Right now her property looks like a war zone. She provided pictures to the Council. This problem has existed at her residence since she has lived there. Items that have been replaced include a furnace, landscaping, walls, a washer, a dryer, and a steel back door to name a few. She is looking for action from the City to resolve this problem. She is frustrated and has suggested some options including new storm sewers on Lynwood to fix these problems. Mrs. Gierut noted there is also a sink hole in her backyard.

Mrs. Pulcek provided some options of stopping this water from going onto her mother’s property. She would like the pipe removed from the front of her mother’s property.

Mr. Boettcher stated on the August 22nd event, the City had a record rainfall. Mr. Boettcher explained the water flows from Lynwood down east through this property and three others. Mr. Boettcher noted some PVC pipe was placed inside the 36 inch pipe due to rusting. This was done last year. Mayor Howley asked the City Engineer and Public Works Director to review the area on Hillside and Lynwood and to make some recommendations to the Council.

Debbie Chafee
8137 W. 90th Street

Mrs. Chafee voiced her concern regarding Senate Bill #16, a bill that has passed the Senate and will go to the House for a vote after the November election.
She explained the burden this proposed budget bill eould embody. It would have an adverse effect on School District 117 and the funding it receives.

Joe & Kathy Ekert
9335 S. 82nd Court

Mr. Ekert shared his concerns with the Council regarding flooding issues on his block. He noted it has been getting worse. He feels there may be not enough sewers. He would like the City to look into this problem.

Bodgan Grzesiak
9345 82nd Court

Mr. Grzesiak is also concerned with flooding on 82nd Court. He has lived in Hickory Hills for 15 years. He stated that every year when it rains, the street floods.

Discussion ensued on the City’s older sewer system. Mayor Howley stated he will direct the City Engineer and the Public Works Director to review 82nd Court. Mayor Howley thanked the residents for attending the meeting and sharing this issue.

CLOSE TO PUBLIC

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

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman McHugh moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of August 28, 2014 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Szeszycki second. Roll call: Aldermen McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight aye. Aldermen Ferrero and Zimmerman pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Proclamation – Mayor Howley presented a proclamation marking September 17th as the two hundred twenty-seventh anniversary of the drafting of the Constitution of the United States of America by the Constitutional Convention.

New Business Opening – Mayor Howley noted the Spirit Halloween Shop will be opening on September 13, 2014.

Howl Through The Hills – Mayor Howley reported the 5K Run/Walk planning is going very well and he is receiving many calls. Online registration is going strong.

CITY CLERK

Clerk Catizone reported the Seniors will host a “Walk Around the Pond” on Saturday, September 13th at 9:30 a.m. at the Community Center.

Clerk Catizone reminded the Council the deadline for the City newsletter articles is September 15th. The newsletter will be sent out the first week in October.

Clerk Catizone is in receipt of a request from the Stagg Music Booster to post signs of their upcoming Fall Craft Show on November 15th and 16th. No objections were noted.

CITY TREASURER

Treasurer Schramm presented the Treasurer’s Report dated August 31, 2014 for approval. Alderman Stachnik moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report for period ending August 31, 2014. Alderman Szeszycki second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

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 September, 2014 in the amount of $406,908.76. Alderman McHugh second.

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

STANDING COMMITTEES

Szeszycki/Finance

Alderman Szeszycki reported he will be meeting next Wednesday with our insurance carrier to review the Property and Casualty renewal. He will also receive a quote on insurance for overtime snow removal. Alderman Szeszycki will report on these quotes at the next meeting.

Stachnik/Public Safety

Chief Vodicka stated a new recruit will be sworn in at the next meeting.

Zimmerman/Public Works

Mr. Boettcher reported the rainfall event in late August flooded the Public Works parking lot and then entered the building. The flooding was caused by blockages in the Lucas Ditch Waterway which is maintained by the MWRD. Public Works discovered that the diesel tank had taken on water and has been damaged. The repairs to both fuel tanks (gas & diesel) will require removal of the concrete driveway and replacement of corroded metal pipes with four epoxy coated pipes and synthetic containment buckets which include rewiring the fuel monitoring system. Public Works recommends approval to Petro Tech Inc. for $11,500.00 for this unforeseen repair. Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve this expenditure of $11,500.00 to Petro Tech Inc. Alderman Zimmerman second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

Alderman McHugh reported Parkview Apartments is currently at capacity and have started a waiting list.

Alderman McHugh placed discussion on advertising flags on the agenda for the Committee of the Whole meeting in October.

Waight/Laws & Ordinances

Alderman Waight stated Archer Bank will hold a Shredding Event on Friday, September 12th.

Fonte/Health & Environmental Control

Alderman Fonte was absent. No report submitted.

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

Alderman Ferrero reported the Community Affairs Committee is working on the Children’s Halloween Party and the Tree Lighting.

McAvoy/Chamber Business Development

Alderman McAvoy reported the Chamber Golf Outing on September 17th has been cancelled.

Alderman McAvoy thanked the Police Department for solving the issue of the concrete pour on Maple Lane.

Alderman McAvoy noted he attended the Veterans’ meeting on Wednesday and presented them with a check for their assistance at the Street Fair.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Alderman Ferrero reported while she was in Europe
recently, she saw several “Little Free Libraries” similar to the one at City Hall.

NEW BUSINESS

None.

ADJOURNMENT

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

Meeting adjourned at 9:22 p.m.