March 22, 2018 City Council Meeting Minutes

March 22, 2018 City Council Meeting Minutes

CALL TO ORDER

The regular meeting of the Hickory Hills City Council was called to order by City Clerk D’Lorah Catizone on Thursday, March 22, 2018, at 7:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Clerk Catizone led the Pledge of Allegiance.

MAYOR PRO TEM

Alderman Stachnik moved to appoint Alderman Zimmerman as Mayor Pro Tem. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

ROLL CALL

Upon roll call, the following were present:

  • Aldermen, B. Fonte
    H. Kman
    M. McHugh
    J. Stachnik
    J. Szeszycki
    B. Waight
    S. Zimmerman
  • City Clerk, D. Catizone
  • City Attorney, M. Cainkar
  • City Treasurer, D. Schramm
  • Police Chief, A. Vodicka
  • Chief Engineer, M. Spolar
  • Public Works Director, L. Boettcher

Mayor Howley, Alderman Ferrero, and Building Commissioner John Moirano 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 Kman second. Roll call: Aldermen Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

No one spoke during this portion of the meeting.

CLOSE TO PUBLIC

Alderman Waight moved to close the meeting to the public. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman McHugh moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of March 8, 2018 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Finding of Fact – Mayor Pro Tem Zimmerman presented the Finding of Fact for Fifth Element Service Company DBA Euphoria located at 8859 S. Roberts Road, Hickory Hills. The petitioner is seeking permission for a special use to operate a massage parlor. He noted a public hearing was held on March 12, 2018 by the Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals. The Council received a copy of the Finding of Fact. The ZBA recommends approval of the special use for a massage parlor with a variation for four (4) parking spaces. The vote was 5 ayes, 0 nays and 2 absent.

Mayor Pro Tem Zimmerman noted the petitioner was short four (4) spaces. The project manager was present and submitted a parking lease agreement for 20 years for additional parking at the building next door. Alderman Szeszycki moved to accept the Finding of Fact for the property located at 8859 S. Roberts Road, Hickory Hills and grant the special use to operate a massage parlor. Alderman McHugh second. At this time, discussion ensued on the parking issue. Alderman Szeszycki mentioned that parking blocks could be added to the side parking to stop cars from crossing the sidewalks. Zoning Chairman Imam suggested the parking agreement be provided for 20 years. Mayor Pro Tem stated this was provided. Alderman Szeszycki also questioned the past parking requirements for this building. Roll call: Aldermen Fonte, Kman, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. Alderman McHugh nay. So approved. The attorney was directed to draft the ordinance for the next Council meeting.

Res. #18-03 – Mayor Pro Tem Zimmerman presented Resolution #18-03, a resolution requesting permission for a temporary closure of a State Highway (95th Street) for the purpose of holding the Hickory Hills Youth Baseball Association’s Opening Day Parade.

The Parade will be held on Saturday, April 21st from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Resolution #18-03. Alderman Kman second. Roll call: Aldermen Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Arbor Day Proclamation – Mayor Pro Tem Zimmerman presented a proclamation to proclaim May 5, 2018 as Arbor Day in the City of Hickory Hills and urge all of the citizens to support efforts to protect our trees and woodlands. He also urged the residents to participate in the City Arbor Day Celebration to be held on Saturday, May 5th.

CITY CLERK

City Clerk Catizone had no report this evening.

CITY TREASURER

Treasurer Schramm presented the Treasurer’s Report dated February 28, 2018 for approval. Alderman McHugh moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report dated February 28, 2018. Alderman Fonte second. Roll call: Aldermen Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY ATTORNEY

Attorney Mike Cainkar presented Ordinance #18-02, an ordinance approving a special use for a gasoline station on the property located at 8702 S. Roberts Road, Hickory Hills. Attorney Cainkar noted the Finding of Fact was approved at the last Council meeting. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Ordinance #18-02. Alderman Kman second. The owner was present at tonight’s Council meeting. Mayor Pro Tem Zimmerman noted there are seven (7) parking spaces. Roll call: Aldermen Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY ENGINEER

Mr. Spolar requested the Public Hearing be opened.

NPDES Public Hearing – Alderman Szeszycki moved to open the public hearing in
accordance with the General Permit for Discharges from Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MSS) for the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System known as (NPDES). Alderman Fonte second. Roll call: Aldermen Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. Public Hearing is now open.

The purpose of this hearing is to list the City’s program to keep storm water clean and pass this clean storm water to towns at lower elevations. Water pollution degrades surface waters making them unsafe for drinking, fishing, swimming, and other activities. As authorized by the Clean Water Act, the NPDES Permit Program controls water pollution by regulating sewers and ditches and areas tributary into these sewers and ditches that discharge pollutants into waters of the United States and detention basins. In 2003, IEPA required all Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4’s) to file a Notice of Intent (NOI) to describe how they are going to comply with the statewide general permit conditions. Each community was required to obtain an NOI and have a fully implemented program, addressing each of the six minimum control measures. The City updated their Notice of Intent in 2013. The new 5-year cycle began April 1, 2014 and runs through March 31, 2019. Just today he received the permit, which took two years to approve the City’s program.

The six minimum Control measures included in the NOI are:

1. Public Education & Outreach – The City will be providing information on its website for Public Works Duties, Pollution Prevention, Stormwater Management, Waste Collection, Water Conservation, and information on disposing of oils, paints, and other chemicals.
2. Public Involvement & Participation – This is met by holding this public hearing. The Public Works hotline on the City website is another example of how the City is satisfying this control measure. City clean up days is another activity under this control measure.
3. Illicit Discharge Detection & Elimination (IDDE) – The City has an ordinance that it uses to address these issues. Also included in this control measure is that Public Works is updating the storm sewer atlas to include all of its outfalls. The City inspects these outfalls on a recurring basis.
4. Control of Construction Site Storm Water Runoff – The City has an Erosion Control Ordinance in place for this control measure. The City requires developments to provide a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP).
5. Post Construction Storm Water Management – The City has a Post-Construction Ordinance in place and final inspections are required before developer can leave site.
6. Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping – Training of Public Works staff on storm water issues. The City conducts street sweeping several time a year. The City cleans culverts and ditches of debris. The catch basins are cleaned. The City inspects storm sewers on a yearly basis.

Mr. Spolar noted this concludes the summary of the City’s commitment to meet the General Permit requirements. No public comments at this time. Alderman McHugh moved to close the Public Hearing. Alderman Stachnik second. Roll call: Aldermen Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. Public Hearing is now closed.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the bills payable for the second half of March, 2018 in the amount of $918,300.05. Alderman Kman second. Roll Call: Aldermen Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

Szeszycki/Finance

Alderman Szeszycki distributed the latest video gaming revenues report. The average is $20,000.00 a month to the City.

Stachnik/Public Safety

No report submitted.

Zimmerman/Public Works

Public Works Director Larry Boettcher reported the Public Works current electrician, Mr. Bruce Casper, will retire at the end of this month. A gathering with cake will be held at Public Works on March 30th at 3:00 p.m.

Mr. Boettcher stated Public Works has been looking for a replacement. He explained the union contract criteria of a new hire. They have found a candidate, Mr. Marek Kopec, with experience. He is seeking approval of the Council to hire Mr. Marek Kopec for this electrician position. Alderman Waight moved to approve the hiring of Mr. Kopec. Alderman Fonte second. Discussion: Alderman Szeszycki asked if you had gone through the existing employees. Mr. Boettcher stated that no one qualifies for this position. Roll call: Aldermen Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. Alderman Szeszycki nay. So approved.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

No report.

Waight/Laws & Ordinances

Alderman Waight reported Minuteman Press has a new owner, Ms. Kim Miller. Alderman Waight also presented two business license applications for 1) Key Logistics located at 9324 S. Roberts Road. This is a freight forwarder. No objections were noted. 2) M & Z Glass and Hookah Wholesaler located at 8841 W. 87th Street. Mr. Mansour is present and requesting to open a tobacco/hookah wholesale and retail store. He was notified he must be 100 feet away from a daycare facility in the strip mall. Discussion ensued on what was needed at this time. Attorney Cainkar will investigate further and get back to the Council. No decision was made as to the opening of this establishment.

Fonte/Health & Environmental Control

No report submitted.

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

Alderman Ferrero was absent. No report submitted.

Kman/Chamber Business Development

Alderman Kman reported he and Alderman Fonte met with Sabre Woods representatives and they are seeking a new developer.

Alderman Kman announced the Hills Chamber will be hosting a business event at Conrady Jr. High School on Saturday, March 24th.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Alderman McHugh requested the stop sign in the Jewel parking lot needs replacing. Chief Vodicka noted they will handle this situation.

Alderman McHugh expressed his condolences to Mrs. Beverly Peart (Community Center) on the recent passing of her sister.

NEW BUSINESS

None.

ADJOURNMENT

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

Meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.