September 8, 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, September 8, 2016, at 7:30 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. 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
- Public Works Director, L. Boettcher
- Building Commissioner, J. Moirano
There being a quorum present, the meeting was called to order.
HHPD Promotion/Recognition
Chief Vodicka saluted Sgt. Gary Kollner on his retirement. Special note was made of his dedication to the City’s DARE Program. Officer Glen Tienstra was promoted to Sergeant, with the Chief noting his accomplishments over the last several years. The Board of Police/Fire Commissioner Ken Fonte administered the Oath of Office of Sergeant. Father Mol gave a blessing to the newly promoted Sergeant.
OPEN TO PUBLIC
Alderman McAvoy moved to open the meeting to the public. Alderman Stachnik second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McHugh, McAvoy, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Mr. Chris Niedzialek
9008 Sycamore Drive
Hickory Hills
Mr. Niedzialek voiced his concern regarding traffic on Sycamore Drive and Sycamore Court and the need for a three way stop sign. He noted he has a son and several other children play in the area. McAvoy stated he will meet with Mr. Niedzialek and assist with the process of requesting a stop sign through the sign committee.
CLOSE TO PUBLIC
Alderman Waight 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.
Presentation
At this time, Mayor Howley introduced Mr. Bob Gramberg, a resident of Hickory Hills and the new featured artist at City Hall. He welcomed and thanked Mr. Gramberg for sharing his talent with the City of Hickory Hills. Mayor Howley invited Mr. Gramberg to show his artwork to the Council. A short break was taken at this time and refreshments were served.
JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS
Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of August 28, 2016 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, McHugh, McAvoy, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. Alderman Fonte pass. So approved.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS
MAYOR
Mayor Howley noted he attended the Hickory Hills Senior Club Anniversary Luncheon at the Camelot. He remarked it was very well attended.
Mayor Howley congratulated Attorney Cainkar and Building Commissioner John Moirano and Aldermen of the 1st Ward for their dedication to the demolition case that has been concluded.
CITY CLERK
Clerk Catizone announced the Hickory Hills Senior Task Force will hold the 10th Annual Walk Around The Park on Saturday, September 10th at 9:30 a.m. at Martin Park.
Clerk Catizone reported the deadline for newsletter articles is September 15th. The newsletters will be delivered the first week of October.
Clerk Catizone reported September 20th is the first date to circulate petitions for the offices to be elected at the April 4, 2017 election. The election petitions must be filed with the City Clerk during the period of December 12th through December 19th. Candidates can obtain information through the Illinois State Board of Elections or the Cook County Clerk’s Office.
Clerk Catizone is in receipt of a Block Party request on September 24th for 92nd Place between Kean Avenue and 90th Avenue. No objections were noted.
CITY TREASURER
No report submitted.
CITY ATTORNEY
Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance #16-16, an ordinance levying taxes for General Corporate and other purposes for fiscal year beginning May 1, 2016 and ending April 30, 2017, for the City of Hickory Hills, Cook County, Illinois. Attorney Cainkar remarked this is a 0.7% increase in the real estate tax levy. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Ordinance #16-16, levying taxes at a 0.7% increase over last year. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, 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 September 2016 in the amount of $457,200.86. Alderman Zimmerman second. Roll Call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McHugh, McAvoy, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Szeszycki/Finance
No report submitted.
Stachnik/Public Safety
No report submitted.
Zimmerman/Public Works
Mr. Boettcher commented that Public Works is recommending to the developers of the Sabre Room property they should extend 94th Street east to 90th Avenue to allow the City to loop the recently installed 12’ water main to provide better water service to the 6” mains in the south end of the 3rd Ward. Also, extension of 90th Avenue, south to 95th Street would provide better access. He also noted that a detention pond was never installed on Sabre Room property after the City installed an oversized storm sewer on 90th Avenue to eliminate flooding on 92nd Street. In addition, at this highest elevation in town, water pressure is lower. Mayor Howley stated when the Zoning Board application and a more developed site plan for this proposed development is turned into the Zoning Board, it will be forwarded to the various departments for review.
McHugh/Bldg./Facilities
Alderman McHugh reported no issues at Parkview Apartments at this time.
Waight/Laws & Ordinances
No report submitted.
Fonte/Health & Environmental Control
No report submitted.
Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory
Alderman Ferrero reported new banners have been ordered for light poles and the Committee is working on the Halloween Party, Tree Lighting, and Christmas Party.
McAvoy/Chamber Business Development
Alderman McAvoy reported the Sock Bar and Grill will now be serving breakfast as of September 16, 2016. Alderman McAvoy noted the Chamber will be meeting at PrimeTime on September 14th at 7:30 a.m.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Mayor Howley stated at the Committee Meeting earlier this evening, the Council held an extended discussion regarding employee health insurance changing carriers. Mayor Howley stated the Finance Chair and Treasurer have reviewed the numbers extensively and the savings is significant to the City and the employees by changing carriers. After some discussion, Alderman Waight moved to change the employee health insurance carrier to Aetna from BlueCross BlueShield. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
NEW BUSINESS
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Alderman Ferrero moved to adjourn until the next regularly scheduled or specially called meeting. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m.