April 23, 2015 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, April 23, 2015, at 7:35 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
B. Fonte
M. McHugh
T. McAvoy
J. Stachnik
J. Szeszycki
B. Waight
S. Zimmerman - City Clerk, D. Catizone
- City Treasurer, D. Schramm
- City Attorney, V. Cainkar
- City Engineer, M. Spolar
- Police Chief, A. Vodicka
- Public Works Director, L. Boettcher
- Building Commissioner, J. Moirano
There being a quorum present, the meeting was called to order.
At this time, Mayor Howley read a proclamation declaring April 24, 2015 Armenian Genocide Centennial Remembrance Day in Hickory Hills. Present to accept the proclamation was Fr. Tavit Boyajian, Pastor of Saint Joachim and Anne Armenian Apostolic Church, Lucie Boyadjian, and the Armenia Genocide Centennial Commemoration Committee. Pastor Boyajian gave a brief speech thanking the City for the proclamation. Mayor Howley noted he had grown up living near Lucie Boyadjian’s parents and he has very fond memories of them both.
OPEN TO PUBLIC
Alderman McHugh 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.
Mr. Alan Maryjowski
9325 S. 87th Avenue
Mr. Maryjowski was present this evening to voice his concerns regarding sink holes in the street in front of his curb and sidewalk. He noted Public Works has filled this area but it keeps on sinking. Mayor Howley noted Public Works will investigate this street.
CLOSE TO PUBLIC
Alderman Stachnik moved to close the meeting to the public. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, 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 April 9, 2015 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. Alderman Fonte pass. So approved.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS
MAYOR
Mayor Howley presented the 2015 Appointments as follows:
City Attorney/City Prosecutor Vincent Cainkar
City Engineer Tom Lang
(Robinson Engineering, Ltd.)
Chief of Police Al Vodicka
Building Commissioner John Moirano
Director of Public Works Larry Boettcher
City Collector D’Lorah Catizone
ESDA Director Christopher Knights
Elevator Inspector Dave Rotermund
(Thompson Elevator)
Community Resource Officer Ingrid McNeff
Plumbing Inspector David Tavares
Electrical Inspector Rick Stiegal
Fire Inspector Battalion Chief Don Huenecke
Building Inspector Ed Mack
Sprinkler Inspector James Groark
HVAC Inspector James Manuzak
Zoning Board of Appeals (7 Year Term)
Joseph Guest 11/14/02 – 04/30/22
Gary Petracek 05/01/15 – 04/30/19
Joseph Mancuso 05/01/15 – 04/30/17
Auxiliary Police Officers (1 Year Term)
Betty Soprych Valentine Zilinskas Arthur Ventura
Anthony Falzone Steve Makropoulos Brian Trapp
John Bracha Nichola Janeteas
Aistis Gaidomavicius Mark Sanchez
Edvinas Gaidomavicius
Police Pension Board (2 year Term)
Mary McDonald 01/01 – 04/30/17
Board of Fire & Police (3 Year Term)
Ken Fonte 06/12/03 – 04/30/18
Emergency Telephone Board (3 Year Term)
Michael Murphy 07/23/92 – 04/30/18
Chief Jeffrey Ketchen /11 – 04/30/18
Joseph Stachnik 04/30/12 – 04/30/18
Rocco Marciano 04/30/12 – 04/30/18
Hearing Officer (1 Year Term)
Arthur Wrobel 5/01/14 – 04/30/16
Community Affairs Commission (3 Year Term)
Joann Jerantowski 04/28/94 – 04/30/18
Mary Boettcher 03/27/97 – 04/30/18
Human Rights Commission (3 Year Term)
D’Lorah Catizone 05/01/12 – 04/30/18
Alderman McHugh moved to approve the above 2015 appointments. Alderman Ferrero second. Alderman McAvoy recognized Mr. Gary Petracek from the 3rd Ward on his appointment to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. Alderman Szeszycki voted present. So approved.
FAA Property – Mayor Howley noted the City has obtained the title to the FAA piece of property by the retention pond on 88th Avenue.
Mayor Howley read a proclamation recognizing May 3rd –May 9th as Municipal Clerks Week. He extended his appreciation to Dee Catizone, our City Clerk.
Mayor Howley stated the Executive Session will begin at the end of this meeting.
CITY CLERK
No report submitted.
CITY TREASURER
No report submitted.
CITY ATTORNEY
No report submitted.
CITY ENGINEER
No report submitted.
COMMUNICATIONS
BILLS PAYABLE
Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the bills payable for the second half of April 2015 in the amount of $350,932.30. Alderman Stachnik second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Szeszycki/Finance
No report submitted.
Stachnik/Public Safety
Alderman Stachnik reported the Council should be in receipt of the quarterly productivity report for the months of January, February, and March 2015.
Alderman Stachnik apologized for missing the budget meeting due to work.
Alderman Stachnik noted House Bill 173 passed yesterday which puts a restriction on red light cameras.
Zimmerman/Public Works
Mr. Boettcher reported Public Works has walked 50% of the sidewalks on 88th Avenue with the Cook County Highway Department to develop an idea of which sidewalks are acceptable.
No decision was made on the sidewalks during the recent walk through.
McHugh/Bldg./Facilities
No report submitted.
Waight/Laws & Ordinances
Alderman Waight presented two business certificate applications: 1) Northwestern Mortgage Co., located at 9604 S. Roberts Road. 2) Sprint located at 8075 W. 95th Street, Ste., D-11. No objections were noted.
Fonte/Health & Environmental Control
Alderman Fonte was absent. No report submitted.
Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory
No Report.
McAvoy/Chamber Business Development
Alderman McAvoy reported the Chamber of Commerce
has hired Theresa Stack as Executive Secretary. Alderman McAvoy also distributed a Chamber event calendar for 2015.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
After meeting with the City Engineer to review a drainage matter, Alderman Szeszycki would like the Council to examine the idea of upgrading the pipes of our sewer system. He asked if funding these repairs through a sales tax increase would be an option. Attorney Cainkar stated a sales tax increase would have to be by referendum. He brought this matter up for discussion purposes only.
ADJOURNMENT
Alderman Ferrero moved to adjourn into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the Radio Operator Collective Bargaining Agreement. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Fonte, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Meeting adjourned at 8:27 p.m.