October 12, 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, October 12, 2017, at 7:34 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
H. Kman
M. McHugh
J. Stachnik
J. Szeszycki
B. Waight
S. Zimmerman - City Attorney, V. Cainkar
- City Treasurer, D. Schramm
- Police Chief, A. Vodicka
- Chief Engineer, M. Spolar
- Public Works Director, L. Boettcher
- Building Commissioner, J. Moirano
- Acting City Clerk
C. Doherty
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, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Stachnick, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
No one spoke during this portion of the meeting.
CLOSE TO PUBLIC
Alderman Ferrero moved to close the meeting to the public. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS
Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of September 28, 2017 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS
MAYOR
Board of Fire/Police Appointment – Mayor Howley reported that Mr. William Turner will fill the vacancy on the Board of Fire & Police after Henry Kman’s appointment as Alderman. Alderman McHugh moved to approve the appointment of William Turner to the Board of Fire & Police. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Proclamation – Mayor Howley read a Proclamation recognizing November 6, 2017 as Color the World Orange Day regarding Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, also known as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD).
November/December Meeting schedules – Mayor Howley noted the second meeting in November falls on Thanksgiving and would need to be rescheduled. It was suggested that the November 23rd meeting would be cancelled and a Committee and Council meeting would be held on November 9th. Also, the December 28th meeting would be cancelled with a Committee and Council meeting held on December 14th. Alderman Ferrero moved to approve the change in the holiday meeting dates. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Tollway meeting – Mayor Howley met with Public Works and Mr. Ed Parks, the Tollway Project Manager, this afternoon. Hickory Hills will not be directly impacted with changes. Relief ramps are planned for the 79th Street and 103rd Street exits. Details will be forthcoming.
Bagging for “Howl Through the Hills” – Mayor Howley invited everyone who was able to volunteer this Monday afternoon to help the Clerk’s office fill the goody bags for the “Howl Through the Hills” 5K.
Boy Scout Troop Mayor Howley stated the local Boy Scout Troop will meet in the Council Chambers before the Committee Meeting on November 9th.
CITY CLERK
Acting City Clerk Doherty noted the City Clerk’s office is in receipt of a Block Party request for 9054 Elm Circle on Saturday, October 14, 2017. No objections were noted.
CITY TREASURER
Treasurer Schramm presented the Treasurer’s Report dated August 31, 2017 for approval. Alderman McHugh moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report dated August 31, 2017. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, 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 October 2017 in the amount of $739,501.78. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Szeszycki/Finance
No report submitted.
Stachnik/Public Safety
No report submitted.
Zimmerman/Public Works
Public Works Director Boettcher distributed the proposed Street Renovation Program for 2018. He would like to have approval on this at the next Council meeting.
Public Works has submitted the necessary applications to be admitted to the ComEd Incentive Program. Director Boettcher would like to obtain and install a demo amber LED on 91st Street in the next two weeks and see how it compares in brightness and light before the next Council meeting.
The City was fortunate to have a contractor bid of $144,000 versus the budgeted amount of $216,000 for the storm sewer CIPP lining 36” rear of 85th Avenue. This is a major savings. Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve an additional expense of $49,000 to line two 36” corregated metal storm lines. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
The Colonial Complex’s status of drainage easements was not found by Mike Cainkar. Public Works was able to review the Church’s plat and no easement was depicted. Director Boettcher would like this on the Agenda for the next Committee meeting.
McHugh/Bldg./Facilities
Alderman McHugh stated that Clerk Catizone has received 3 bids for the marquee sign outside of City Hall. This sign is 14 years old and repairs have been costly. These bids for a new sign range from $24,000 to $28,000. He would like to see this discussed at the next Committee Meeting.
He also noted there will be a free Thanksgiving Dinner at the Community Center for residents only on Tuesday, November 7th from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Waight/Laws & Ordinances
No report submitted.
Fonte/Health & Environmental Control
Alderman Fonte reported Waste Management’s yard waste cart rentals will be $20.00 per year, down from $24.00. The refuse and recycle carts are also available for rent for $3.00 per month.
The “At Your Door” service is up for automatic renewal unless we cancel with a 60 day notice. Alderman Fonte would like to discuss this at the next Committee meeting.
Waste Management is in the process of developing stickers that drivers can put on electrical items like televisions to call the “At Your Door” number to schedule a pickup. These should be ready next year.
Mayor Howley requested that the Police Department remind residents not to leave their refuse/recycling/yard waste cans out on the street all week.
Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory
Alderman Ferrero reported plans are complete for the Children’s Halloween Party on October 21st after the Howl Through the Hills 5k Run/Walk from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. She stated the Chamber’s train ride and Community Affairs’ horse-drawn carriage ride are set and will be coordinated. Alderman Ferrero also stated she has quite a few volunteers lined up. She will also get volunteers for the Thanksgiving Dinner on November 7th.
Kman/Chamber Business Development
Alderman Kman will be meeting with Alderman McAvoy after the 5 K “Howl Through the Hills” race to count ballots for the Scarecrow judging.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Alderman Szeszycki asked if Mrs. Uznanski’s leaf problem has been resolved. Alderman Fonte stated he had helped her resolve the issue.
NEW BUSINESS
Building Commissioner Moirano stated his electrical inspector will have to resign. Mr. William Fritz has been highly recommended for the position. Alderman McHugh moved to approve the appointment of William Fritz as our City Electrical Inspector. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
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, Kman, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.