June 9, 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, June 9, 2016, at 7:32 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
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 Lt, T. Stevens
- Assist. Public Works Director, S. Lehr
- Building Commissioner, J. Moirano
Alderman Fonte, 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, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Mr. Mike Walsh
8610 92nd Street
Mr. Walsh voiced his concerns regarding the condition of the vacant house next door to his property. He noted he pitches in to do his part along with a neighbor by collecting branches and cutting weeds. Currently, an investment group owns this property and is not taking care of it.
Mayor Howley stated at the last Council meeting it was discussed that an outside contractor is being considered to mow lawns in the City. Mayor Howley asked that the Police Department contact the owner. Mr. Walsh stated there is a drainage issue with regards to the driveway of this property.
Mayor Howley also stated at the very least the grass will be mowed by the City on a regular basis.
CLOSE TO PUBLIC
Alderman Stachnik moved to close the meeting to the public. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS
Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of May 26, 2016 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Stachnik second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS
MAYOR
Mayor Howley presented a request from the Sock Bar & Grill to hold an outdoor event the day of the Street Fair, June 26th from 7:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. No objections were noted.
Correspondence – Mayor Howley read a letter from a resident from the 4th Ward. The letter addressed the properties located at the 8600 block of 84th Court and 87th Street and commended the Police Department for their hard work patrolling this area.
CITY CLERK
City Clerk Catizone reported the Hickory Hills Newsletter will be delivered to residents this weekend.
CITY TREASURER
Treasurer Schramm presented the monthly Treasurer’s Report dated May 31, 2016 for approval which is the fiscal year end for the City. Alderman McHugh moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report dated May 31, 2016. Alderman Szeszycki second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
CITY ATTORNEY
Ord. 16-07 – Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance #16-07, an ordinance amending Chapter 34, alcoholic beverages, of the Hickory Hills Municipal Code by increasing by one the number of Class E liquor licenses. This license is for Sonny’s Slots which will be located at 8841 W. 87th Street. Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve Ordinance 16-07. Alderman McHugh second. Mayor Howley stated he has spoken to the Aldermen in this ward and they do not have any objections to this opening. Also, the Ordinance Officer has said the mall is now in compliance. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McHugh, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. Alderman Stachnik nay. So approved.
Public Hearing 2016-2017 Budget/Appropriation – Attorney Cainkar opened the Public Hearing to the public for the purpose of discussing the 2016-2017 Budget and Appropriation Ordinance.
No one spoke during the Public Hearing. Attorney Cainkar closed the Public Hearing at this time.
Ord. 16-09 – Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance #16-09, an ordinance providing for a budget and appropriation for corporate and other purposes for the fiscal year beginning May 1, 2016 and ending April 30, 2017, for the City of Hickory Hills, Cook County, Illinois. Alderman Ferrero moved to approve Ord. 16-09, the appropriation and budget for fiscal year beginning May 1, 2016 and ending April 30, 2017. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Ord. 16-10 – Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance #16-10, an ordinance approving Class 6b assessment status for the real estate located at 7731 W. 98th Street (P.I.N. 23-12-102-058-0000), in the City of Hickory Hills, Cook County, Illinois. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Ordinance #16-10 approving Class 6b status at 7731 W. 98th Street, Hickory Hills. Alderman Waight second. Attorney Cainkar noted this ordinance makes the industrial building taxes affordable.
Maressa Errico, 8906 W. 93rd Place Hickory Hills is present representing the Buttercrumb Bakery. This bakery is the potential buyer of this property. She noted they are seeking assistance with the property taxes. They plan is to expand their wholesale bakery. Attorney Cainkar explained how the 6b works and how the taxes are reduced for a period of time. Attorney Cainkar stated many other municipalities have done this to industrial properties and requirements were met. This business is expecting to hire 25 to 30 employees. After some discussion, the roll was taken. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Ord. 16-11 – Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance #16-11, an ordinance approving an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Hickory Hills and the City of Hometown pertaining to Centralized Police Dispatching and Prisoner Detention Services. Attorney Cainkar stated the next three Ordinances are now responses to the new state law. Treasurer Schramm stated he has asked several questions of Chief Vodicka on this issue. He does have some concerns on the 9-1-1 surcharge and is not certain that the City can cover all the costs or we can reduce the City cost. This will need to be revisited after the first year of the agreement. Alderman Zimmerman moved to approve Ordinance #16-11, approving the Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Hickory Hills and the City of Hometown for Centralized Police Dispatching and Prisoner Detention Services. Alderman Stachnik second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Ord. 16-12 – Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance #16-12, an ordinance approving an Intergovernmental Agreement to establish a Joint 9-1-1 Authority between the City of Hickory Hills, the City of Hometown, The Village of Summit, and the Village of Bedford Park. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Ord. #16-12, approving the Joint 9-1-1 Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Hickory Hills, the City of Hometown, the Village of Summit and the Village of Bedford Park. Alderman Stachnik second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Ord. 16-13 – Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance #16-13, an ordinance approving an Intergovernmental Agreement to establish a Southwest Major Crimes Task Force. This is a new smaller Task Force. Alderman Stachnik moved to approve Ordinance #16-13, establishing a Southwest Major Crimes Task Force. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
CITY ENGINEER
No report submitted.
COMMUNICATIONS
BILLS PAYABLE
Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the bills payable for the first half of June 2016 in the amount of $428,376.95. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Szeszycki/Finance
No report submitted.
Stachnik/Public Safety
No report submitted.
Zimmerman/Public Works
Ms. Lehr reported Public Works mows the grass of vacant property only after a ticket is issued by the Police Department.
Ms. Lehr noted Public Works will be placing the fall planting order for 100 shade trees by the end of June. She is requesting and encouraging Aldermen input as to where they would like each Ward’s trees planted. Also, property owners of proposed locations will be notified as to the planned planting.
Ms. Lehr stated Public Works has begun the spring session of street sweeping. Public Works is 30% through the City. The state and county streets were also swept to keep up the appearance throughout the City. Public Works would like to thank the Council for approving the new street sweeper purchase to assist the Public Works Department. A clean street looks good but more importantly, reduces the likely hood of flooding during heavy rains.
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 updated the Council regarding the Street Fair. Currently, there are 61 crafters, 13 food vendors and 7 businesses. Alderman Ferrero noted Baby Joe will again be serving food at the Kick Off Street Fair Concert on June 25th.
McAvoy/Chamber Business Development
Alderman McAvoy was absent. No report submitted.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A discussion was held on the options for lawn maintenance for foreclosed or vacant properties in Hickory Hills. Currently, Public Works will cut lawns if a ticket is issued by the Police. The Council is considering seeking an outside lawn service to place these properties on a weekly cutting schedule. Mayor Howley stated there are a handful of homes that the Aldermen can determine within each of their wards. Alderman McHugh will obtain estimates from contractors and bring the information back to the Council at the next Council meeting. He asked that each Alderman identify these properties and be prepared to share these addresses at the next Council meeting to discuss further.
NEW BUSINESS
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Alderman Ferrero moved to adjourn until the next regular or specially called meeting. Alderman Waight second. Roll Call: Aldermen Ferrero, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Meeting adjourned at 8:24 p.m.