May 12, 2016 City Council Meeting Minutes

May 12, 2016 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,
May 12, 2016, at 7:35 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, D. Ferrero
    B. Fonte
    T. McHugh
    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
  • Assist. Public Works Director, S. Lehr
  • Building Commissioner, J. Moirano

Alderman McAvoy and Public Works Director Larry Boettcher 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 Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mr. Joseph Piccioli
7836 W. 97th Street

Mr. Piccioli stated he has been before the Council on several occasions with regards to the next door property and the appearance and upkeep of the properties on his block.

He is very frustrated with this situation. The house next door has been vacant for some time and he has noticed strangers entering the house. He would like the grass cut and the owner notified. He stated he has noticed people just don’t care about their property and why aren’t they made to clean up. Mr. Piccioli would like to know what the City is doing with this vacant house and he questioned the safety of the children around this vacant property. Mayor Howley noted this property is in foreclosure and the City Attorney has placed a lien on the property and has also been trying to make the owner clean up the area. The bank now owns it and has the right to rehab the home. Mayor Howley stated the City is doing all they can legally but this is a process. Mayor Howley stated he shares his frustration and the City has been in a legal battle with this property owner. Mr. Piccioli noted this house had been boarded up and now all the boards were removed. Chief Vodicka will call the board up service again and asked if the Police could be notified if any residents see any activity at this location. Mr. Piccioli thanked the Council for all their service.

Ms. Mary Landon
8946 S. Roberts Road

Ms. Landon stated she has an issue with the landlord of the apartment she has rented. Tenants are smoking and she was told it was a smoke free apartment. Mayor Howley stated that this is a civil matter and she may have to look for another apartment.

CLOSE TO PUBLIC

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

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of April 28, 2016 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Mayor Howley presented the following 2016 appointments for approval.

2016 Appointments
City Attorney & City Prosecutor Vincent Cainkar
City Engineer Michael Spolar (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 Batt. Chief Don Huenecke
Building Inspector Ed Mack
Sprinkler Inspector James Groark
HVAC Inspector James Manuzak

Zoning Board of Appeals (7 Year Term)
Tom Blunk 11/14/02 – 04/30/23
Ken Klimasz 05/01/16 – 04/30/18

Auxiliary Police Officers (1 Year Term)
Betty Soprych Valentine Zilinskas Arthur Ventura
Anthony Falzone, Jr. Steve Makropoulos Brian Trapp
John Bracha Edvinas Gaidomavicius
Anthony Falzone, Sr.

Police Pension Board (2 year Term)
James Kardelis 03/18/04 – 04/30/18

Board of Fire & Police (3 Year Term)
Anthony Skupien 05/01/16 – 04/30/19

Emergency Telephone Board (3 Year Term)
Don Jerenberg 05/28/98 – 04/30/19
Christopher Knights 09/13/07 – 04/30/19

Hearing Officer (1 Year Term)
Arthur Wrobel 5/01/14 – 04/30/17

Community Affairs Commission (3 Year Term)
Debbie Zimmerman 2004 – 04/30/19
Sharon Chorzempa 05/07 – 04/30/19

Alderman Stachnik moved to approve the above 2016 Appointments. Alderman Zimmerman second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Executive Session – Mayor Howley reported an Executive Session will be held at the end of this meeting for the purpose of discussing the Police Union Contract and the Public Works Union Contract.

Non-Union Wage Increases – Mayor Howley noted at the last Executive Session a discussion was held and consensus taken on all non-union employee 2016 wage increases. A motion is needed at this time. Alderman McHugh moved to approve the non-union employee 2016 wage increases as of May 1, 2016. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY CLERK

City Clerk Catizone is in receipt of a request from the St. Patricia Parish to place signs around the City for their upcoming 2016 Vacation Bible School. Signs will be placed at 87th Street and Roberts Road (Pillars Property), 87th Street and 88th Avenue (Shell Gas Station), 95th Street and 88th Avenue (Fairplay) and at 95th Street and Roberts Road in the City Kiosk from May 18th until June 27th. No objections were noted, permission will be granted.

CITY TREASURER

Treasurer Schramm reported after three Specially Called Budget Meetings the 2016-2017 Budget is now ready to be approved and submit to the City Attorney to draft an Appropriation Ordinance. Alderman Ferrero moved to approve the 2016/2017 Proposed Budget. Alderman Szeszycki second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, 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 May 2016 in the amount of $640,000.61. Alderman Stachnik second. Roll Call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

Szeszycki/Finance

No report submitted.

Stachnik/Public Safety

No report submitted.

Zimmerman/Public Works

No report submitted.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

No report submitted.

Waight/Laws & Ordinances

No report submitted.
.

Fonte/Health & Environmental Control

No report submitted.

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

Alderman Ferrero reported she has gone to the local banks seeking sponsorship for the bands at the Street Fair.

Alderman Ferrero updated the Council regarding the Street Fair. Currently, there are 47 crafters, 3 food vendors and 4 businesses.

Alderman Ferrero stated the Hills Chamber would like to host a car show in conjunction with the Street Fair. She raised some concerns regarding additional services that may be needed to extend the Street Fair. She will discuss this with the Chamber further and update the Council at a later meeting.

McAvoy/Chamber Business Development

Alderman McAvoy was absent. No report submitted.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None

NEW BUSINESS

Mayor Howley read a heartfelt email that was sent to Clerk Catizone this afternoon. It told a touching story of Harrison Sindowski, a 4 year old that lives in Hickory Hills with his parents. He suffers from a severe seizure disorder. He has recently been paired with a runner (Michael) from the Irun4Michael. This organization matches runners with special needs/disabled children and adults. On May 21st, the Sindowski family will watch Michael run in the Epilepsy Foundation 5K in Chicago. She is requesting if a message of encouragement can be placed on the City’s marquee. Council consensus was to support their efforts. Alderman McHugh moved to approve $200.00 from the Discretionary Fund to the Epilepsy Foundation or LGS (Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome) Foundation whichever the family recommends. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

ADJOURNMENT

Alderman Waight moved to adjourn into Executive Session to discuss Police and Public Works Collective Bargaining Agreements. Alderman Fonte second. Roll Call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.