May 26, 2016 City Council Meeting Minutes

May 26, 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 26, 2016, at 7:37 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. McAvoy
    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 Fonte 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 Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mrs. A. Martinez
8937 Golden Oak Court

Mrs. Martinez was present along with a group of Stagg High School students voicing their concerns on the proper disposal of old prescription drugs.
They are suggesting that local pharmacies like Walgreens set up a secure box to give customers a safe spot to dispose of drugs. Mayor Howley stated he appreciated the group’s passion on this topic. The Council expressed their support and asked the students to reach out to the corporate offices of the pharmacies to see if they are interested in helping with this effort. The Council also gave some options as to whom they may contact to obtain more information.

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 Ferrero moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of May 12, 2016 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. Alderman McAvoy pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Mayor Howley presented a letter from the Illinois Department of Transportation explaining an MFT Compliance Review #35 which was completed for the years beginning January 1, 2007 and ending December 31, 2015. This reviews the receipt and disbursements of Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) Funds. This is letter of notification to the Council that an audit was complete.

Summer Committee Meeting – Mayor Howley presented the annual request to cancel the Summer Committee Meetings (June, July, August, and September). Alderman Zimmerman moved to cancel the Summer Committee Meetings. Alderman Ferrero second. Alderman Szeszycki stated he would like to continue the summer meetings and not cancel. He feels they are necessary even if they are for a short duration. After some discussion, the Mayor stated if an issue comes up, a meeting could be scheduled. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. Alderman Szeszycki present. So approved.

ComEd – Mayor Howley stated he and Clerk Catizone met this morning with ComEd Representative Phil Halliburton to review the ComEd’s yearly report. Mayor Howley will email a copy of this report to the Council as soon as he receives it.

Executive Session – Mayor Howley reported an Executive Session will be held at the end of this meeting for the purpose of discussing the Police Chief’s Merit Pay.

CITY CLERK

City Clerk Catizone reported the Hickory Hills Kiwanis Club will hold a Flag Ceremony on Memorial Day, Monday, May 30th at 10:00 a.m. in the gazebo at the Community Center.

Clerk Catizone noted the Council should all be in receipt of an invitation from the Hickory Hills Park District to attend an Opening Celebration of Kasey Meadow’s Splash Pad on Saturday, June 4th at 11:30 a.m.

CITY TREASURER

Treasurer Schramm presented the Treasurer’s Report dated April 30, 2016 for approval which is the fiscal year end for the City. Alderman McHugh moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report dated April 30, 2016. Alderman Szeszycki second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY ATTORNEY

Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance #16-08, an ordinance amending Chapter 24, Building Code, of the Hickory Hills Municipal Code by changing Section 24.07, Fences, to prohibit front yard fences, and require proper footings for fence posts. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Ord. 16-08. Alderman Waight second. Questions were raised regarding the definition of a “front yard”. Motion was tabled at this time. Attorney Cainkar will provide drawings to better define “front yard” and give examples at the next meeting.

CITY ENGINEER

No report submitted.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the bills payable for the second half of May 2016 in the amount of $210,358.76. Alderman Stachnik second. Roll Call: Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

Szeszycki/Finance

Alderman Szeszycki distributed the Video Gaming Report dated January 2016 to June 2016.

Stachnik/Public Safety

No report submitted.

Zimmerman/Public Works

Ms. Lehr reported Public Works is at the end of the water meter replacements in Section 6 with 11 meters left to be installed. Four (4) of the eleven (11) have pending appointments. After many attempts to contact residents for an appointment, Public Works is going to have to threaten residents with water termination to get the last of the appointments made.

Ms. Lehr noted Public Works has prepared last year’s consumer confidence report that will be inserted into the next newsletter. It must reach consumers by July 1st. This year along with the insert, we have posted it on the City’s website. Next year, we will strictly post the link for the website in the newsletter and if the resident would like a paper copy they can call and request one be mailed out. This will save on printing costs and still be compliant with EPA.

Ms. Lehr stated Public Works took delivery of the new Elgin Crosswind Sweeper on Friday, May 20th. An all-day in house training for the operators is scheduled for Friday, May 27th. Public Works plans on scheduling the first whole City sweeping at the end of the samara seed drop, which this year looks like early to mid-June.

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 56 crafters, 4 food vendors and 6 businesses. Alderman Ferrero noted the Street Fair is now on Facebook. She also noted the Hills Chamber is not doing the car show.

McAvoy/Chamber Business Development

Alderman McAvoy stated Street Fair Bingo will go ahead but there will be no raffle or advance promotion. He believes he can be there most of the day but this will depend on his health. Alderman McAvoy noted he has ordered the tent for the bingo today. He also noted he will be leaning on his many volunteers this year.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Treasurer Schramm presented the Employee Benefit
Handbook Revisions for approval. He noted these were discussed in length at the Committee Meeting this evening. Alderman McAvoy moved to approve the updated Employee Benefit Handbook Revisions as of May 1, 2016. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Treasurer Schramm presented the updated Police Supervisors Policy Manual Revisions for approval. These revisions were outlined and reviewed at the Committee Meeting earlier this evening. Alderman Ferrero moved to approve the updated Police Supervisors Policy Manual Revisions as of June 1, 2016. Alderman Stachnik second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

NEW BUSINESS

Building Commissioner Moirano reported he has received documentation that the mall owner on 87th Street has complied with the ordinance violations.

Mr. Moirano asked the Council to refer any residents who are considering a portable pool to contact the Building Department for proper installation.

Alderman Waight expressed his concern for video gaming coming in our area in gas stations and other establishments.
He has seen them in nearby cities. Mayor Howley stated the City of Hickory Hills currently has no available liquor licenses.

ADJOURNMENT

Alderman Ferrero moved to adjourn into Executive Session to discuss Police Chief’s Merit Pay. Alderman Stachnik second. Roll Call: Aldermen Ferrero, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Meeting adjourned into Executive Session at 8:29 p.m.