October 8, 2015 City Council Meeting Minutes

October 8, 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, October 8, 2015, 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
  • D. Ferrero
    B. Fonte
    T. McAvoy
    T. McHugh
    J. Stachnik
    J. Szeszycki
    B. Waight
    S. Zimmerman
  • City Clerk, D. Catizone
  • City Treasurer, D. Schramm
  • City Attorney, G. Perlman
  • 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.

OPEN TO PUBLIC

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

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of September 24, 2015 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. Alderman McHugh pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Mayor Howley reviewed the schedule for November and December Council meetings. It was the consensus of the Council to cancel the second meeting in November and December. There will be a Committee meeting and Council meeting on November 12, 2015 and December 10, 2015.

Mayor Howley announced the City Entrance Signs are now up and look very nice.

Mayor Howley reported the 5K Run/Walk planning is moving forward and currently we have 3 Gold sponsors. He noted a meeting was held to discuss the events for that day.

CITY CLERK

Clerk Catizone thanked Mayor Howley, Alderman Ferrero, and her staff for attended the Southwest Clerk’s meeting which she hosted at the Camelot Banquet Hall. Attorney Vince Cainkar was the speaker for the evening. He gave an excellent talk on property taxes.

Clerk Catizone reported she will be out of the office October 13th through October 16th attending the Municipal Clerks of Illinois continuing education in Springfield.

CITY TREASURER

Treasurer Schramm presented the Treasurer’s Report dated September 30, 2015 for approval. Alderman McHugh moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report dated September 30, 2015. Alderman Stachnik second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Treasurer Schramm stated we are one month behind in receiving funds for the 911 Fund from the State of Illinois. He noted in the 911 Fund, we have 5 or 6 months of reserve without getting revenues.

CITY ATTORNEY

No report submitted.

Alderman McAvoy again questioned a property in his Ward located at 9141 Forest Drive West that has several issues. Attorney Perlman noted he is aware of these issues and will review the tickets issued.

CITY ENGINEER

Invoice #20974 Mr. Spolar presented Invoice #20974 from AC Pavement
Striping Co. for work done on the 2015 Mircosurfacing project in the amount of $77,586.50 (MFT 15-00000-02-GM, pay estimate #1, partial). Alderman Ferrero moved to approve Invoice #20974 to AC Pavement Striping Co. in the amount of $77,586.50. Alderman Szeszycki second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mr. Spolar stated the 89th Street project will begin this Friday or next Monday, October 12, 2015.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the bills payable for the first half of October 2015 in the amount of $1,112,017.85. Alderman McHugh second. Roll Call: Aldermen Fonte, Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

Szeszycki/Finance

Alderman Szeszycki reported the City’s Dental and Health Insurance premiums were paid this evening. Dental insurance increased by $1,200.00 this year.

Stachnik/Public Safety

Alderman Stachnik reported everyone should be in receipt of the Quarterly Report from Chief Vodicka for the months of July, August and September.

Zimmerman/Public Works

Mr. Boettcher reported the proposed street program was distributed to the Council. The State of Illinois is currently withholding distribution of MFT Funds. This program requires two bids, one for asphalt R/R work and second for micro-surfacing. The Aldermen will review the proposed streets.

A discussion on the difference between micro-surfacing and street paving ensued. This can be communicated to the residents through the newsletter or by a mailed letter.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

Alderman McHugh noted the presentation from the Associated Real Estate Group will not be at this meeting due to a scheduling issue. They will appear at the next Council meeting.

Alderman McHugh reported the Community Center had new carpeting installed in the main room.

Alderman McHugh noted the Thanksgiving Dinner will be held on Tuesday, November 10th from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Waight/Laws & Ordinances

Alderman Waight is in receipt of one business certificate application for All American House Needs, Inc, located at 9831 S. 78th Avenue. This is a warehouse for plastics. No objections were noted.

Fonte/Health & Environmental Control

No report submitted.

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

Alderman Ferrero reported plans are all set for the Children’s Halloween Party on October 24th from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. She noted the Hills Chamber will hold a Trunk and Treat Event and a Scarecrow Contest in conjunction with the Halloween Party. The scarecrows will be displayed from October 19th thru Halloween at City Hall.

McAvoy/Chamber Business Development

Alderman McAvoy reported he had received a request if Hickory Hills could help clean up 83rd Street between 85th Court and the apartment complex. Alderman McAvoy thanked Public Works for cutting some of the bushes back. He also had volunteers from Argo High School Environmental Club help clean up this area. Five students volunteered and their club advisor assisted.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Alderman Waight inquired when the discussion on truck parking will continue. No decision was made.

NEW BUSINESS

Alderman McHugh reported he has been working on the City Hall Park clean up. He is requesting Public Works place some additional sand in the bricks.

Alderman McHugh is in receipt of a request from Roberts Roadhouse for a temporary outdoor liquor license to hold an Octoberfest on October 17, 2015 from 1:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. There will be a tent installed at this location. No objections were noted.

Mayor Howley is in receipt of a request for a proposed video gaming establishment in the Jewel Shopping Center. No consensus was reached at this time.

Alderman McAvoy reported Taco Bell Restaurants are seeking liquor licenses in some areas.

Alderman Szeszycki noted he read an interesting article in Robinson Engineering’s newsletter regarding water standards.

ADJOURNMENT

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

Meeting adjourned at 8:13 p.m.