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March 9, 2017 City Council Meeting Minutes

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March 9, 2017 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, March 9, 2017, at 7:41 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
    M. McHugh
    T. McAvoy
    J. Szeszycki
    B. Waight
    S. Zimmerman
  • City Clerk, D. Catizone
  • City Clerk, V. Cainkar
  • City Treasurer, D. Schramm
  • City Engineer, M. Spolar
  • Building Commissioner, J. Moirano
  • Police Lt, T. Stevens
  • Public Works Director, L. Boettcher

Alderman Stachnik and Police Chief Vodicka were absent. There being a quorum present, the meeting was called to order.

OPEN TO PUBLIC

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

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of February 23, 2017 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Dunkin Donuts – Mayor Howley introduced Mr. Sadiq Poonawala, owner of Dunkin Donuts and Mr. Kal Muhammad, design architect. Mayor Howley noted Dunkin Donuts would like to expand to 8700 W. 95th Street. Mr. Poonawala has purchased this piece of property. He presented a proposed site plan to the Council. The site would be the smallest of the Dunkin Donuts which Mr. Poonawala owns with a total square footage of 1,400 SF. The new retail building would require a parking variance and a setback variance. Mayor Howley stated this presentation was to make the Council aware of this proposed new retail site. Mayor Howley noted he has met several times with Dunkin Donuts regarding this location. Mr. Poonawala expressed the need to alleviate traffic backup onto 95th Street. Mayor Howley acknowledged that this is a permitted use for this property and this will still need to go through the zoning process for a parking variance. The Council only questioned if the delivery trucks would have a problem. Mr. Mohammad stated there should be no problems by scheduling deliveries in non-peak hours. The next step will be for the owner to complete a zoning variance application.

CITY CLERK

Clerk Catizone reminded the Council the Hickory Hills Blood Drive will be held Sunday, March 12th at the Community Center from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

CITY TREASURER

Treasurer Schramm distributed a budget meeting schedule. He noted the first budget meeting will be held on April 12th at 6:30 p.m.

CITY ATTORNEY

Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance #17-01, an ordinance approving a special use for the Sabre Woods Development on the property located at 8900 W. 95th Street, Hickory Hills, IL.

Attorney Cainkar noted this is a revised ordinance after meetings with the Mayor, Third Ward Aldermen and the Developer. Alderman Fonte moved to approve Ordinance #17-01 approving the Sabre Woods Development Special Use. Alderman McAvoy second. Alderman McAvoy added throughout this meeting, the two parties compromised and went through the ordinance line by line. The proposed ordinance has a cap on the large building from 5 stories to 4 stories and allows the assisted senior living facility to be placed north south instead of east west. Alderman McAvoy also noted he is very satisfied with the revised ordinance. Mayor Howley noted this is a template for the developer to market the property. A question was asked regarding the ponds on the development. Mayor Howley stated there may be a water feature. Mayor Howley thanked Alderman McAvoy and Alderman Fonte for all their hard work and dedication on this project. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Ord. 17-02 – Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance #17-02, an ordinance relating to the reimbursement of travel, meals and lodging expenses. Attorney Cainkar noted the State has passed a law regarding travel expenses and the City must pass an ordinance that establishes regulations with respect to allowable travel, meals and lodging expenses. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Ordinance #17-2. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Ord. 17-03 – Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance #17-03, an ordinance amending Chapter 24, Building Code, of the Hickory Hills Municipal Code by adding Section 24.30, permits required for outside home improvements. Alderman McHugh second. Attorney Cainkar noted this ordinance came directly from the Building Department. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY ENGINEER

Mr. Spolar presented Resolution #17-02, a resolution to request a Cook County Community Block Grant Funds Application for Program Year 2017 in the amount of $260,000.00 for 2018 Sewer Lining Improvements. This will line a metal pipe on 94th Street on 82nd Court.
Alderman Zimmerman moved to approve Resolution #17-02. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McAvoy, McHugh, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the bills payable for the first half of March 2017 in the amount of $446,227.04. Alderman Waight second. Roll Call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McHugh, McAvoy, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

Szeszycki/Finance

No report submitted.

Stachnik/Public Safety

Alderman Stachnik was absent. No report.

Zimmerman/Public Works

Mr. Boettcher reported the lining of the storm sewer on 83rd Court from 89th Street to 87th Street was completed last week. When this sewer was televised, the bottom of the pipe was rusted throughout.

Mr. Boettcher voiced his concerns with the Colonial Apartments that has 2 each CMP36” storm drains. Plans for this main drain were discussed and further discussions will be done at the next budget meetings.

Mr. Boettcher noted he had a walk thru inspection on 88th Avenue (built in 2014) sidewalks with Cook County Highway Department. He stated besides appearance, Public Works’ concern is the City’s future liability for defective work on numerous squares of walk and a dozen handicap synthetic plastic stamps that were not installed according to manufactures specifications. He is waiting to hear back from the Cook County Highway Department.

Mr. Boettcher reported the City must submit by March 1st an annual report listing investigation studies for Clear Water entering into Sanitary System, and repairs completed that year. The City has submitted investigation of sanitary pipe by televising which meets the standard.

Structure investigation is required to meet a Manhole Assessment & Certification Program (MACP) as part of MWRD requirements. Of the 1,230 manholes, Public Works has selected a small portion (100 each) to be televised throughout the City by Midwest Water Inc., and they will also be rated by a certified technician of MACP. The total cost for this service is $9,000.00. This is Public Works first experience with this manhole rating program.

City Engineer Mike Spolar reported the manufacturer is still working on the light pole paint peeling problem on the 91st Street light poles.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

No report submitted.

Waight/Laws & Ordinances

Alderman Waight is in receipt of one business certificate application from Clover’s Garden Center which will be located at 88th Avenue and 87th Street from April 1st through July 1st. This is a temporary garden center. No objections were noted.

Fonte/Health & Environmental Control

Alderman Fonte reported he is in receipt of the “At Your Door” Special Collection report dated February 28, 2017 and a total of 6,100 pounds was recycled. This was doubled from the month of January.

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

Alderman Ferrero reported applications for the Street Fair were mailed and 9 have been returned as of today.

McAvoy/Chamber Business Development

No report submitted.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

Alderman Ferrero voiced her concern on a proposed business coming into the City. Mayor Howley mentioned this would need formal zoning approval from the City.

ADJOURNMENT

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

Meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.